Integrated Grille Shock Absorber for Vehicle Front Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle front structure with a separate square tubular shock absorbing part attached to the apron side member increases the number of parts, leading to higher production costs and more complex assembly, which complicates the manufacturing and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
Integrating shock absorbing parts with the grille between the bumper and the apron side members, allowing for reduced part count, simplified assembly, and improved shock load absorption, while maintaining design aesthetics and reducing damage to collision objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate square tubular shock absorbing part is fixedly attached to the front end portion of the apron side member, then the shock load can be absorbed even if the strength of the collision object is low, but the number of parts increases, leading to increased cost of parts to be controlled and assembly labor
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing part is integrated with the grille to form a single unified component. The grille's back surface serves as the front surface of the shock absorbing part, eliminating the need for separate shock absorbing components while maintaining shock absorption functionality. This merging reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly operations.
2Reliability
If a separate square tubular shock absorbing part is fixedly attached to the front end portion of the apron side member, then the shock load can be absorbed, but the assembly labor increases and much time and labor are required for assembly work
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing part and grille are combined into a single integrated component, reducing the number of assembly operations. The grille is directly attached to the bumper, and the shock absorbing part is formed as an integral part of the grille, eliminating separate attachment steps and improving assembly efficiency.
3Reliability
If the shock absorbing part is disposed between the bumper and the front end portions of the apron side members, then the shock load can be absorbed relatively softly, but the design surface of the bumper may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing part is nested within the grille structure, with the grille's back surface serving as the shock absorbing part's front surface. This nesting arrangement allows the shock absorbing functionality to be integrated without affecting the external design surface of the bumper, as the shock absorbing part is concealed within the grille assembly.
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
This configuration effectively absorbs shock loads, reduces assembly labor and costs, enhances design quality, and minimizes damage to headlamps by distributing the shock load across a broader surface area, thereby improving the overall efficiency and appearance of the vehicle front structure.
Implementation Method 1
shock absorbing parts formed integrally with the grille are disposed between the bumper and the front end portions of the apron side members... a shock load applied from the vehicle front side can be absorbed relatively softly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front structure has a pair of right and left apron side members 1 each extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a closed cross section structure, a bumper 2 located on the vehicle front side Fr of the front end portion of the apron side member 1, and a grille 5 attached to air intake openings 3, 4 in the bumper 2. In this vehicle front structure, shock absorbing parts 20 formed integrally with the grille 5 are disposed between the bumper 2 and the front end portions of the apron side members 1.