Inflatable Vehicle Body Panels for Weight Reduction and Impact Safety

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle bodies are heavy due to their metallic structure, leading to high fuel consumption and environmental pollution, while maintaining safety in accidents is a challenge.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body with a metallic supporting structure and inflatable elements replacing traditional metallic panels, which reduces weight and enhances safety through shock absorption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metallic panels are used in conventional vehicles, then structural strength is ensured, but vehicle weight increases leading to high fuel consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using inflatable elements filled with gas to replace traditional metallic panels. These inflatable elements can be rapidly inflated to provide structural support and protection, then deflated to reduce vehicle weight and fuel consumption during normal operation. The gas-filled chambers create airbags that provide both weight reduction and impact absorption capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic structural properties by making the vehicle body panels inflatable and deflatable. During normal driving, the panels remain deflated to minimize weight, while in emergency situations such as collisions, they can be rapidly inflated to provide protective shielding. This dynamic transformation allows the structure to adapt its properties based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If high structural strength materials are used, then safety in accidents is improved, but fuel consumption increases due to higher vehicle weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety in accidentsVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-installing inflatable elements throughout the vehicle structure that can be rapidly deployed during accidents. These elements are positioned in advance to provide protection when needed, creating a cushioning effect that absorbs impact forces and protects occupants without requiring the vehicle to constantly carry heavy protective materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of impact forces during accidents into a beneficial protective mechanism. The inflatable elements are designed to deform and absorb impact energy, transforming the kinetic energy of a collision into potential energy stored in the compressed gas chambers, thereby reducing the force transmitted to vehicle occupants and converting a harmful event into a protective response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Weight of moving object

If metallic panels are replaced by inflatable elements, then vehicle weight is reduced, but structural strength must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material principles by combining the metallic supporting structure with inflatable elements made of specialized polymers or fabrics. This composite construction allows the rigid metal framework to provide the primary structural skeleton while the inflatable elements add protective capabilities and distribute impact forces across larger surface areas, achieving both weight reduction and maintained structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution significantly reduces fuel consumption and improves safety by absorbing impact shocks, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing damage in accidents.

Implementation Method 1

said inflatable elements are capable of effectively dampen impact shocks, thus guaranteeing the safety of passengers and goods transported in the vehicle in case of accidents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact Force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

the inflatable elements can get deformed, thus absorbing the shocks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2396214B1Vehicle body, more particularly land vehicle body

Publication Date: 2013.04.03 CONCEPT INN

Figure 1~3
Figure 2

AI summary

The present invention refers to a vehicle body (1), more particularly to a body for land vehicles suitable for passengers and/or goods transportation, and even more preferably to a body for motor vehicles, which comprises a supporting structure (10) and a plurality of inflatable elements (20 - 26; 30 - 36) fastened to said supporting structure (10). Thanks to the use of the inflatable elements (20 - 26; 30 - 36) instead of the metallic panels provided in the conventional vehicles for obtaining side doors, rear door, front bonnet, roof and the like, it is possible to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle body (1) according to the invention and, consequently, the fuel consumptions of the vehicle incorporating said body. Moreover, the inflatable elements (20 - 26; 30 - 36) of the vehicle body (1) according to the invention guarantee an improved safety in case of accidents.