Front Vehicle Body Structure with Curved Side Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures face challenges in efficiently transmitting and dispersing collision forces from the front to the rear section during frontal and lateral collisions, leading to inadequate energy absorption and potential structural damage.
Innovation Solution
A front vehicle body structure featuring left and right front side frames with curved rear sections, reinforcing members, side-sill-side and tunnel-side extensions, and outriggers, which facilitate the efficient transmission and dispersion of collision forces through a network of interconnected components, including bulkheads and stiffeners, to enhance energy absorption and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rear half portions of the left and right front side frames are curved inwardly to widen steerable ranges of the left and right front wheels, then the steerable ranges are improved, but the collision force transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frame is divided into multiple functional sections: a curved rear half portion for wheel steering and a straight front half portion for collision force transmission. The curved section extends from the rear end to a curved section start point, while the straight section extends from the front end to the curved section start point, allowing each segment to optimize its specific function without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the front side frame are given different geometric characteristics: the rear half portion is curved inwardly to widen the steerable range of front wheels, while the front half portion is made straight to efficiently transmit collision force. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve both steering flexibility and collision force transmission efficiency
2Strength
If a closed sectional shape is used for the front side frame to improve strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frame integrates multiple functional elements into a single closed sectional structure that combines the curved rear portion, straight front portion, and integrated reinforcing members. This merging allows the structure to achieve high strength and rigidity while minimizing weight by eliminating redundant components
Solution Approach 2:
The front side frame employs composite construction combining high-strength materials in critical areas (such as the curved section and reinforcing member regions) with lighter materials in less stressed areas, achieving optimal strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining structural integrity under collision loads
3Force
If reinforcing members are added within the curved sections to improve collision force transmission, then the collision force transmission efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing members are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they strengthen the curved section against collision forces, provide attachment points for the curved section to the straight section, and contribute to the overall rigidity of the front side frame. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body includes left and right side front frames extending towards the back of the vehicle body while curving from the outside in the width direction of the vehicle to the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. The left and right front side frames branch off from the ends thereof into left and right side sill-side extensions extending to the back towards the outside in the width direction of the vehicle, and left and right tunnel-side extensions extending to the back towards the inside in the width direction of the vehicle. Left and right reinforcing members are provided to the inside of curved parts on the left and right side and extend in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body in the left and right side.