Driver Knee Bolster Buffering Member Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing driver knee bolsters fail to effectively absorb and distribute the impact during a vehicle collision, leading to potential knee injury due to their rigid structure, which does not adequately mitigate the force applied to the knee.
Innovation Solution
A driver knee bolster design featuring a buffering member with a deformable frame, strategically positioned between first and second brackets on the cowl crossbar, which absorbs impact by deforming to distribute the force and prevent the knee from being pushed during a collision, while being easily installed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid frame structure is used to prevent the knee from moving during collision, then the knee is protected from being pushed, but the impact force cannot be absorbed and is transferred directly to the knee
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering member changes its rigidity parameter during the collision process. In the early stage, it maintains high rigidity to prevent knee displacement, and in the later stage, it deforms to absorb impact energy, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing knee movement and absorbing impact force
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic deformable structure during collision. The frame bends and deforms under impact load, enabling the system to adapt its mechanical properties in real-time to simultaneously prevent knee displacement and absorb impact energy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a deformable buffering member is used to absorb impact, then the impact force is reduced, but the structure becomes less effective at preventing the knee from being pushed in the early stage of collision
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering member's rigidity parameter changes during the collision process. Initially, it maintains high rigidity to prevent knee displacement, then gradually deforms to absorb impact energy, resolving the contradiction between early-stage support and late-stage impact absorption
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex buffering structure is designed to effectively absorb impact, then the impact absorption capability is improved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The knee bolster is divided into separate components: first bracket, second bracket, and buffering member. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall installation process while maintaining effective impact absorption through the deformable buffering member
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering member uses a thin-walled deformable frame structure that can be easily manufactured and installed. The flexible frame design provides effective impact absorption without requiring complex assembly procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between impact absorption capability and installation ease
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 the load on the knee during a collision by absorbing impact, demonstrating a 50% to 66% improvement in load distribution compared to traditional designs, thereby minimizing injury and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
a buffering member arranged in the space formed between the first and second brackets... which absorbs impact by deforming to distribute the force
Implementation Method 2
the driver knee bolster absorbs impact applied to the knee in the latter stage of the collision, thereby minimizing damage to the knee
Data Source
AI summary
A driver knee bolster may include a first bracket arranged on a cowl crossbar, wherein an upper portion may be fixed to the cowl crossbar, a second bracket disposed in front of the first bracket, wherein a lower portion of the second bracket may be coupled to a lower portion of the first bracket, and an upper portion of the second bracket may be spaced apart from the upper portion of the first bracket to form a space therebetween, and a buffering member arranged in the space formed between the first and second brackets.