Load Management Assembly Shield Redirects Collision Forces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems fail to effectively manage and redirect external forces applied to vehicles, particularly frontal, laterally offset forces, which can cause vehicle wheels to displace into the passenger compartment, posing a safety risk.
Innovation Solution
A load management assembly comprising a frame rail, mounting bracket, shield, and reinforcement bracket that directs and absorbs external forces, protecting the passenger compartment by redirecting the load path away from it, using a shield to protect the mounting bracket and a reinforcement bracket to assist in redirecting forces towards the frame rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing vehicle systems are used without additional load management components, then the device complexity is low, but the passenger compartment cannot be protected from wheel displacement during lateral offset collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The load management assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a shield component that redirects external forces, a mounting bracket that couples to the frame rail, and a reinforcement bracket that provides additional structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in managing lateral offset collision loads while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary component between the external collision force and the mounting bracket/passenger compartment. It intercepts and redirects the external force along a controlled load path through the frame rail, preventing direct transmission of forces that would cause wheel displacement into the passenger compartment.
2Strength
If a shield and reinforcement bracket are added to redirect load paths, then wheel displacement into the passenger compartment is prevented, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shield, mounting bracket, and reinforcement bracket are merged into a single integrated load management assembly that couples to the frame rail at multiple points. This merging provides comprehensive structural reinforcement and load path control while reducing the number of separate attachment points and simplifying installation compared to multiple independent components.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement bracket extends in a dimension perpendicular to the primary load direction, providing three-dimensional structural reinforcement. This additional dimensional support creates a more robust load management system that can handle lateral offset collision forces from multiple angles while maintaining controlled load paths.
3Reliability
If the mounting bracket is directly exposed to external forces, then the assembly structure is simple, but the mounting bracket cannot be protected from damage during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is positioned in advance to intercept external collision forces before they can directly impact the mounting bracket. This preliminary protective action redirects the forces through the shield and into the frame rail, preventing direct damage to the mounting bracket while maintaining a relatively simple overall assembly structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A load management assembly can manage and/or absorb the energy from an external force applied to a vehicle. The load management assembly includes a frame rail and a mounting bracket coupled to the frame rail. In addition, the load management assembly includes a shield coupled to the frame rail. The shield partly surrounds the mounting bracket in order to protect the mounting bracket from an external force and to redirect a load path of the external force. The load management assembly may further include a reinforcement bracket to assist in directing the load path of the external force. The reinforcement bracket is coupled to the frame rail and may be in contact with the mounting bracket.