Motor Vehicle Longitudinal Beam Reinforcement for Side Impact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reinforcement devices in motor vehicles fail to provide sufficient energy absorption during a side impact, leading to significant deformation of side members and potential damage to the floor and rechargeable battery assemblies, posing a risk to passengers and equipment.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement device for motor vehicle side members featuring lower and upper partitions with recesses, connected by a longitudinal stiffener, enhancing the connection with lower and upper brackets to improve energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reinforcement devices with partitions and brackets are installed in side members, then passive protection and energy absorption are improved, but the connection between partitions and brackets is insufficient leading to significant deformation during side impact
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener is inserted into recesses formed in the partitions, creating a nested structure where the stiffener fits within the partition geometry. This nesting arrangement ensures intimate contact and effective load transfer between the stiffener and partitions, preventing relative movement and ensuring that the reinforcement device functions as an integrated unit during side impact
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffener acts as an intermediary element that mediates the connection between the partitions and brackets. By being fixed to the brackets and simultaneously engaged in the recesses of the partitions, the stiffener transfers forces between these components, ensuring that the energy absorption function is effectively transmitted throughout the reinforcement structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reinforcement devices are installed to absorb impact energy, then passenger protection is improved, but significant deformation still occurs causing damage to floor and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of the stiffener within the recesses of the partitions creates a mechanically interlocked structure that resists deformation. This geometric interlocking ensures that the reinforcement device maintains its structural integrity during side impact, preventing the partitions from detaching or deforming independently
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement device combines multiple components (partitions, brackets, and stiffener) into a composite structural system. This composite structure leverages the strengths of each component to achieve superior energy absorption and deformation resistance compared to individual elements, protecting both passengers and the battery assembly
3Reliability
If side members are protected against side impact, then passenger safety is improved, but rechargeable battery assembly may still be damaged due to significant deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The composite reinforcement structure creates a protective barrier that absorbs impact energy before it can reach the battery assembly. The integrated design of partitions, brackets, and stiffener works as a unified system to maintain structural integrity and protect adjacent components including the battery assembly from deformation-induced damage
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A side member (LV) is installed parallel to a longitudinal side (CL) of a floor (PV) of a substructure (SV) of a motor vehicle, and comprises a longitudinal main wall (PP) to which is secured a reinforcing device (DR) comprising: - lower (EI) and upper (ES) assemblies respectively of first (C1) and second (C2) partitions installed perpendicular to the main wall (PP), these first (C1) or second (C2) partitions comprising a step (DC) on one side oriented towards the main wall (PP), - longitudinal lower (EQI) and upper (EQS) brackets, to which the lower (EI) and upper (ES) assemblies are fixedly secured, and fixedly secured to the main wall (PP), and - a longitudinal stiffener (RL) comprising a first wall (PR1) housed in the steps (DC) and extended by a second wall (PR2) fixedly secured to the lower bracket (EQI) or superior (EQS).