Fuselage Crash Load Distribution via Deformable Skid-Mounted Boxes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles face safety issues due to the transmission of large crash loads to passenger spaces during oblique crashes, compromising passenger safety.
Innovation Solution
A crash load distribution structure is implemented, featuring front and rear skid members bolted to the fuselage-side bulkhead and support frame, with crash boxes mounted on these skid members. These crash boxes deform to absorb collision energy, reducing the crash load transmitted to the fuselage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crash boxes are not provided, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but large crash loads are transmitted to the fuselage during oblique crashes, compromising passenger safety
Solution Approach 1:
Crash boxes are pre-installed on the skid members at strategic locations along the fuselage. These energy-absorbing structures are designed in advance to deform and absorb crash loads during oblique crashes, protecting the fuselage and passengers before the crash impact occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The crash protection system is divided into multiple independent crash boxes positioned at different locations on the fuselage, each attached to specific skid members. This segmentation allows the crash energy to be distributed and absorbed at multiple points rather than concentrated in one location, improving overall safety while maintaining manageable structural complexity
2Object-affected harmful factors
If crash boxes are provided to absorb collision energy, then passenger safety is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
Crash boxes serve as intermediary elements between the skid members and the fuselage. During oblique crashes, these intermediaries absorb the harmful crash loads through controlled deformation, preventing direct transmission of high forces to the fuselage structure and reducing the harmful effects on passengers
3Reliability
If skid members are fastened to multiple frame components, then the crash load distribution is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The skid member attachment system is segmented into multiple attachment points distributed along the fuselage length. Each crash box is attached to specific skid members at predetermined locations, creating a distributed load path that improves crash load distribution while allowing for modular assembly of individual crash box-skid member units
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 structure effectively mitigates the impact transmitted to the fuselage during oblique crashes, enhancing passenger safety by reducing the crash load in the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
configured to selectively deform in a crash load direction when an oblique crash occurs thereto
Implementation Method 2
the crash boxes may be deformed to absorb collision energy generated by a crash load
Data Source
AI summary
A crash load distribution structure of a fuselage, includes a floor frame defining a fuselage floor, a skid member fastened to the lower portion of the floor frame, and a crash box coupled to the skid member and extending to the lower portion of the floor frame, and configured to selectively deform in a crash load direction when an oblique crash occurs thereto.