Lower Door Garnish with Tilting Impact Absorbing Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tailgates configured to open perpendicularly create a gap between the external ground and the vehicle, leading to instability and vulnerability to impacts during loading, unloading, and collisions, necessitating a structure that can minimize injury and damage while supporting loads.
Innovation Solution
A garnish structure for a lower door is designed with a divided garnish unit comprising a first energy-absorbing layer and a collision-withstanding layer, connected via impact and energy-absorbing members, which tilts to contact the ground when fully opened, providing enhanced stability and impact absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a tailgate is configured to open perpendicularly, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but a gap is formed between the external ground and the tailgate, causing instability and vulnerability to impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The garnish unit is divided into two distinct layer regions: a first layer region configured to absorb energy and a second layer region configured to withstand collision. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The garnish unit combines different material properties in two layers: the first layer uses energy-absorbing materials (such as foam or elastomeric materials) while the second layer uses collision-withstanding materials (such as high-strength metal or rigid plastic). This composite structure provides both simplicity and reliable impact resistance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a bumper is disposed on the lower end of a tailgate to absorb impacts, then impact absorption is improved, but the extent of impact absorption is limited and separate structures are needed to minimize impact load
Solution Approach 1:
The energy-absorbing function and collision-withstanding function are merged into a single integrated garnish unit rather than using separate bumper and reinforcement structures. This combination achieves comprehensive impact protection while reducing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The garnish unit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs energy during impact, withstands collision forces, and provides structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structures to address each function individually.
3Ease of manufacture
If the contact area with the external ground is small, then the tailgate structure is simple, but the tailgate is not capable of stably supporting a load
Solution Approach 1:
The garnish unit is designed to tilt from its initial position when the lower door is fully opened, changing its orientation parameter. This tilting motion increases the contact area with the external ground, thereby improving load support stability while maintaining simple structure during normal operation.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a garnish unit is designed to tilt and contact the external ground when the lower door is fully opened, then load support stability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The garnish unit transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can tilt when the lower door is fully opened. This dynamic capability allows the garnish unit to adapt its orientation to maximize contact area with the ground, improving load support stability through motion rather than complex structural design.
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 structure effectively absorbs impact energy, prevents damage to the vehicle, and ensures occupant safety by distributing loads and minimizing injury during collisions and loading/unloading operations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member located inside the absorbing member, a second impact member formed inside the first impact member, and a damping spring located in the second layer region
Implementation Method 2
a damping spring located in the second layer region
Data Source
AI summary
A garnish structure includes a garnish unit configured to be located on a surface of a lower door and to perform impact absorption and load support, wherein the garnish unit includes a first layer region configured to absorb energy, and a second layer region configured to withstand a collision. The garnish unit further includes a garnish panel forming an outer surface of the garnish unit, a first impact member formed inside the garnish panel, an absorbing member located in the first layer region, a spring member located inside the absorbing member, a second impact member formed inside the first impact member, and a damping spring located in the second layer region.