Vehicle Interior Member Absorber with Perpendicular Ribs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock absorbing structures in vehicle interiors face difficulties in achieving sufficient travel distance for ribs to collapse or break due to reduced distance between vehicle body members and interior components, leading to incomplete energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior member with an absorber system featuring perpendicular ribs, a continuous contact surface, inclined surfaces, and acute angle connections, which allows the ribs to break and absorb energy while minimizing obstruction, by sliding along a bead-shaped part on the vehicle body member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the distance between vehicle body member and interior component is reduced to equip greater size bead-shaped part, then vehicle body stiffness is improved, but the travel distance for rib collapse is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by providing acute angle connecting parts at the end sides of ribs. This creates a three-dimensional collapse path where ribs can rotate and bend at acute angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees) rather than collapsing in a straight line, effectively extending the collapse travel distance within the limited space available due to the reduced gap between interior member and vehicle body member.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structure transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic collapse mechanism. The ribs are designed to rotate and bend dynamically during impact, with the acute angle connecting parts enabling controlled rotation and the inclined surface parts guiding the collapse sequence. This dynamic behavior allows the ribs to absorb energy through progressive deformation rather than immediate catastrophic failure.
2Device complexity
If conventional rib structure is used with reduced travel distance, then device complexity is reduced, but energy absorption is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structure is segmented into multiple functional parts: inclined surface parts at the ends of ribs, acute angle connecting parts at the end sides, and continuous contact surfaces. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in the energy absorption sequence - the inclined surfaces guide initial deformation, the acute angle connections enable rotation, and the contact surfaces control the collapse path - collectively achieving superior energy absorption while maintaining relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The acute angle connecting parts and inclined surface parts are pre-configured in the rib structure before impact occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures that during impact, the ribs follow a predetermined collapse path with controlled rotation and bending, maximizing energy absorption efficiency without requiring complex control mechanisms or active components.
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
Effectively absorbs input energy by allowing ribs to deform and break, ensuring complete energy absorption without obstruction, thus enhancing the structural integrity and safety of vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
the contact surface preferably slides along the bead-shaped part upon receipt of a load applied to the interior member body on the cabin side, to guide the ribs to break
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior member which absorbs input energy of a load properly is provided. A center pillar trim includes a trim body configured to cover a center pillar, and an absorber provided between the trim body and the center pillar. The absorber includes: a plurality of horizontal ribs rising perpendicularly to a face of the trim body having their respective faces opposed to each other; a contact surface provided continuously across the plurality of ribs so as to oppose to a bead-shaped part, which is provided at the center pillar to partially bulge on the cabin side.