Front Grille Support Layout for Pedestrian Impact and Radar Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle front structures face challenges in efficiently absorbing collision loads from pedestrian impacts and are prone to front grille deformation due to wind pressure, which affects radar performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure design featuring a grille support member extending horizontally to connect the front grille to an air guide member, with the rear end fixed to the air guide member and the front end to the grille, enhancing load absorption and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the grille support member is positioned between the front grille and the lower end of the center stay, then the front grille is supported from below, but the collision load cannot be efficiently absorbed and the grille may deform under wind pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The grille support member is repositioned from a vertical support configuration (between grille and center stay) to a horizontal configuration (connecting grille to air guide member). This dimensional change allows the support member to effectively absorb collision loads transmitted along the horizontal axis while maintaining grille stability against wind pressure from the front.
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide member serves as an intermediary structure that receives the grille support member's rear end. This intermediary allows the collision load to be transmitted from the grille through the support member to the air guide member, which then distributes the load to the vehicle body, improving overall collision safety while maintaining grille stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the grille support member extends diagonally upward to support the center portion of the front grille, then the grille is prevented from sagging, but the radar performance cannot be guaranteed due to potential grille bowing
Solution Approach 1:
The support member transitions from a diagonal upward extension to a horizontal configuration positioned behind the radar. This repositioning in the horizontal dimension provides structural support to prevent grille bowing without interfering with the radar's forward-facing detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented from the diagonal bracing configuration to a dedicated horizontal support member positioned specifically behind the radar. This segmentation allows the support function to be optimized independently while preserving radar performance in the front grille area.
3Device complexity
If the grille support member is fixed to the center stay extending from the shroud panel, then the structure is simplified, but the collision safety performance for pedestrians is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide member is introduced as an intermediary structure between the grille support member and the vehicle body. This intermediary provides an additional load path for collision forces, allowing the support member to effectively transmit pedestrian collision loads to the air guide member and then to the vehicle body, improving pedestrian safety without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front structure includes: an air guide member arranged behind an opening of a front bumper to guide rearward ambient air taken through the opening; a radar attached to an upper front grille; and a grille support member arranged behind the radar and extending substantially horizontally in a vehicle front-rear direction, wherein a front end of the grille support member is fixed to the upper front grille, and a rear end of the grille support member is fixed to the air guide member.