Hinged Truck Impact Beam for Crash Safety and Grille Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crash absorption systems in low entry trucks hinder access to serviceable items at the front side due to their positioning, making it difficult or impossible to open the grille for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A bow-shaped impact beam with hinges that can transition between operative and inoperative positions, allowing access to serviceable items while maintaining crash absorption functionality by engaging with A-pillars during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crash absorption system is positioned at the front side at a vertical level above the cabin floor, then crash impact safety is improved, but access to serviceable items is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The impact beam is made movable through hinges, transitioning from a fixed obstacle to a dynamic component that can change position. During normal operation, the beam is hinged upward to clear the grille opening path. During collision, it rotates downward to engage with the A-pillar and absorb impact forces. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the same component serve two opposing functions at different times.
2Strength
If a bow shaped impact beam is used to absorb impact forces, then crash absorption capability is improved, but the grille cannot be opened for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The impact beam is designed as a hinged component rather than a fixed structure. The hinge mechanism allows the beam to rotate upward during maintenance operations, clearing the path for grille removal and access to serviceable items. The beam remains structurally intact and capable of absorbing impact forces when in the lowered position.
3Force
If the impact beam is positioned to engage with A-pillars during collision, then impact force distribution is improved, but serviceable items become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged connection allows the impact beam to occupy different spatial positions based on operational requirements. In the raised position, it provides clearance for maintenance activities. In the lowered position, it engages with the A-pillar structure to distribute impact forces effectively throughout the cabin framework.
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
Enables access to serviceable items while effectively absorbing impact forces, ensuring the A-pillars remain stable during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
a crash absorption system arranged for absorbing an impact force on the front side in case of a collision
Implementation Method 2
the impact beam hinges are configured to hinge a lower edge of the bow shaped impact beam in upward direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7
AI summary
The cabin structure of a truck (1) comprises a cabin floor (3), opposing A-pillars (4, 4'), a front side extending between the opposing A-pillars and a crash absorption system (6) arranged for absorbing an impact force on the front side in case of a collision. The crash absorption system (6) is positioned at the front side at a vertical level above the cabin floor (3). The crash absorption system comprises a bow shaped impact beam (9) which is positioned between the opposing A-pillars (4, 4') and which is connected to the cabin structure by means of impact beam hinges (10) for hinging the bow shaped impact beam (9) from an operative position ready for absorbing an impact force on the front side in case of a collision to an inoperative position. The bow shaped impact beam (9) comprises end sections, each end section being provided with a first member. Each A-pillar is provided with a second member configured for cooperating with the first member. The first member is one of a male or female element, the second member is the other one of the male or female element. In the operative position of the bow shaped impact beam the first and the second member allow hinging of the bow shaped impact beam, while in case of a crash the first and the second members are in engagement for directing an impact force to the A-pillar.