Grooved Vehicle Frame Member for Uniform Collision Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle frame members experience uneven buckling resistance during collisions, leading to non-uniform compression and inadequate load absorption.
Innovation Solution
A frame member design with a closed-cross section featuring symmetrical side wall portions and recessed groove portions, ensuring equal bending rigidity and flanges offset from the center of gravity, allowing for stable axial compression and enhanced buckling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flanges are offset toward the outward side, then the resistance against buckling of the outer panel is higher, but the inner panel tends to have easier buckling, resulting in non-uniform axial compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by intentionally offsetting the flanges toward the outward side, creating an asymmetric structure where the outer panel has higher buckling resistance. This asymmetric design allows the frame member to withstand collision loads more effectively while maintaining controlled deformation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different buckling resistances to different parts of the frame member. The outer panel is designed with higher buckling resistance through offset flanges, while the inner panel allows for controlled deformation. This local differentiation enables uniform axial compression during collision while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Strength
If the flanges are offset toward the outward side, then the outer panel has higher buckling resistance, but the frame member cannot absorb collision load expectedly due to non-uniform compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the offset distance of the flanges and the thickness of the panels to achieve optimal buckling resistance. By adjusting these parameters, the frame member can maintain uniform axial compression during collision while absorbing expected collision loads reliably.
3Device complexity
If no groove portion is provided, then the structure is simpler, but the moment of inertia is smaller, reducing buckling resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the side wall portions into multiple segments separated by groove portions. This segmentation increases the moment of inertia and enhances buckling resistance while maintaining reasonable structural complexity. The groove portions create distinct segments that work together to resist buckling forces during collision.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame member comprises a frame body portion having a closed-cross section perpendicular to an extension direction in a specified longitudinal range, which is formed by an upper wall portion, a lower wall portion, and a pair of side wall portions, groove portions formed at the pair of side wall portions, the groove portions being recessed toward an inside of the closed-cross section, a flange protruding outward from the closed-cross section. Each of the pair of side wall portions comprises plural side wall portions which include a groove-upper wall portion extending in a vehicle width direction at an upper side, a groove-lower wall portion extending in the vehicle width direction at a lower side and facing the groove-upper wall portion, and a groove-bottom wall portion interconnecting the groove-upper wall portion and the groove-lower wall portion in a vertical direction. The plural side wall portions have substantially the same bending rigidity.