Off-Road Guard Panel Geometry to Deflect Obstacle Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face the challenge of preventing obstacles like trees or branches from entering the vehicle interior during travel, as existing designs lack effective protection for the front portion of the vehicle body.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a guard panel with a recessed wall and an upper wall inclined relative to the vehicle width direction, which deflects obstacles to the outer side, combined with a suspension arm and shock absorber configuration to prevent entry into the vehicle interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional flat guard panel is used, then the structure is simple, but obstacles can easily enter the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The guard panel is divided into multiple functional segments: a recessed wall portion that creates a wheel housing, and an upper wall portion with inclined surfaces. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the recessed wall blocks obstacles from entering through the wheel area, while the inclined upper wall deflects obstacles away from the vehicle interior, thereby improving protection without requiring a completely complex new structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard panel transitions from a traditional flat two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional form with recessed walls and inclined surfaces. The upper wall includes first and second inclined walls that create directional deflection paths for obstacles. This dimensional change enables the guard panel to actively redirect obstacles away from the vehicle interior rather than simply blocking them, improving protection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the guard panel extends far rearward to prevent obstacle entry, then protection is improved, but interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guard panel applies protection locally where it is most needed rather than extending uniformly throughout the vehicle. The recessed wall is positioned specifically to protect the wheel housing area, and the inclined upper wall is positioned to deflect obstacles away from the cabin. This localized approach provides effective obstacle protection while minimizing the encroachment into the vehicle interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined walls of the upper guard panel convert the harmful impact of obstacles into beneficial deflection. Instead of obstacles directly entering the vehicle interior, they contact the inclined surfaces and are redirected outward and upward, away from the cabin. This transforms the obstacle's kinetic energy from a harmful force into a controlled deflection that protects the interior while requiring minimal space.
3Reliability
If a recessed wall structure is added to house wheels, then obstacle protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard panel merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: obstacle deflection, wheel housing, and structural support. By combining these functions into one piece rather than using separate components, the design simplifies manufacturing and assembly. The recessed wall structure is formed as an integral part of the guard panel, eliminating the need for additional separate wheel housings or mounting brackets.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle 100 includes a vehicle body frame 1 and a guard panel 20, 220 attached to the vehicle body frame 1 and defining a front portion of a vehicle body 2. The guard panel 20, 220 includes a recessed wall 21 defining a wheel housing 4 that houses a front wheel 3 and an upper wall 25 located above the recessed wall 21, and the upper wall 25 includes a first inclined wall 26 inclined with respect to a vehicle width direction so as to be positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction as extending rearward.