Vehicle Front Structure Layout for Offset Collision Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front structures face challenges in effectively transmitting and absorbing frontal collision loads during an offset collision, particularly due to the risk of load failure when the lower member is bent in the vehicle width direction.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure design where the front side-frame and lower member are coupled with the front end of the side-frame inclined outward in the vehicle width direction, and the lower member extends without inclining inward, allowing for efficient load transmission and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the lower member is bent in the vehicle width direction to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but the load transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the lower member from an inward inclination (parallel to side-frame) to an outward inclination, creating a dimensional change in the structural configuration. This allows the lower member to effectively engage with the side-frame during offset collisions, improving load transmission while maintaining weight reduction benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by making the lower member incline outward rather than inward, creating an asymmetric configuration relative to the side-frame. This asymmetric design ensures that during offset collisions, the lower member properly transmits loads to the side-frame, resolving the load transmission issue while preserving weight efficiency
2Weight of moving object
If the front side-frame and lower member are configured for weight reduction, then weight is reduced, but collision safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the lower member to incline outward, the patent creates a new spatial configuration that maintains structural integrity during collisions. This dimensional change ensures proper load paths are established without requiring additional weight, thus maintaining collision safety while achieving weight reduction
3Shape
If the lower member is designed with inward inclination to match side-frame geometry, then structural compactness is improved, but load absorption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design approach by making the lower member incline outward instead of inward. This inversion creates a configuration where the lower member effectively engages with the side-frame during offset collisions, enabling proper load absorption while maintaining reasonable structural compactness
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front structure includes: a front side-frame extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; and a lower member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction at a position outer in a vehicle width direction than the front side-frame, wherein a front end of the front side-frame and a front end of the lower member are coupled with each other, an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front side-frame is inclined so as to be positioned outer in the vehicle width direction toward a front of a vehicle, and an inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower member extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, without being inclined inward in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle.