Front Side Spacer Beads for Micro-Wrap Collision Load Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle front portion structures, the load transmission efficiency of the front side spacer deteriorates during micro-wrap collisions due to tilting deformation, which can lead to ineffective energy absorption and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front portion structure is designed with a bumper reinforcement, a front side member, and spacers, where the front side spacer features first and second beads that project outward from its inner and outer side walls, respectively, with dimensions configured to suppress tilting deformation and enhance load transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a front side spacer is provided at the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member, then collision energy can be absorbed by the front side member deforming in the vehicle longitudinal direction, but the front side spacer tends to tilt toward the vehicle width direction outer side during micro-wrap collision, deteriorating load transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming beads at specific locations on the side walls of the front side spacer. These beads are positioned at predetermined heights from the front end face, creating localized reinforcement zones that prevent tilting deformation at critical areas while maintaining the overall energy absorption function of the spacer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses beads with curved, spherical-like protrusions on the side walls of the spacer. This curvature design provides structural reinforcement that resists the tilting force during collision, distributing stress more effectively than flat surfaces while maintaining material efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the front side spacer is disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side, then it can project to the vehicle front side for micro-wrap collision protection, but tilting deformation occurs causing the spacer to fail in efficiently transmitting load to the front side member
Solution Approach 1:
The beads are strategically positioned on the side walls at specific heights, creating localized rigid zones that prevent tilting without compromising the overall deformability needed for energy absorption. This localized reinforcement maintains protection functionality while ensuring reliable load transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer structure combines regions of different rigidity: the bead-reinforced side walls provide rigidity for load transmission, while the general body maintains deformability for energy absorption. This composite structural approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining shape for load transmission and allowing deformation for energy absorption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The configuration of beads in the front side spacer effectively suppresses tilting deformation, ensuring efficient load transmission and energy absorption during micro-wrap collisions, thereby improving the vehicle's collision resistance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the front side spacer tends to be deformed by the impact body to tilt toward the vehicle width direction outer side
Implementation Method 2
collision energy may be absorbed by the front side member being deformed in the vehicle longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
An upper and lower pair of first beads that extend in a longitudinal direction are formed at an inner side wall of a front side spacer. The first beads project to the vehicle width direction outer side. Therefore, when a collision load diagonally to the rear-left side is inputted to a front end portion of the inner side wall, the first beads act to support the inner side wall adjacent above and below the first beads from the vehicle width direction outer side. Accordingly, tilting deformation of the inner side wall toward the vehicle width direction outer side at the beginning of a micro-wrap collision of a vehicle is suppressed. An overall dimension in the vertical direction of the general portions of the inner side wall is specified to be greater than an overall dimension in the vertical direction of the first beads.