M-Shaped Tunnel Brace for Exhaust Interference and Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing underbody structures face interference issues with exhaust system parts and lack sufficient rigidity and strength, particularly at the front end portion of the floor tunnel where exhaust system components are densely located, and struggle to prevent deformation of the floor tunnel under various loads.
Innovation Solution
An underbody structure featuring a tunnel brace with an M-shaped cross section, a central groove section, and rear convex section, which minimizes interference with exhaust system parts and enhances rigidity and strength by distributing loads effectively across the tunnel brace, including the use of a tunnel lower frame, gusset, and floor frame for increased structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a tunnel brace is laid on the front end portion of the floor tunnel to prevent deformation, then the floor tunnel opening deformation is prevented, but interference with exhaust system parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel brace employs an M-shaped cross-section design where the central section has a reduced width dimension compared to the end sections. This local variation in geometry allows the central section to clear exhaust system parts while the end sections maintain sufficient width to prevent floor tunnel opening deformation, thus resolving the contradiction between deformation prevention and interference avoidance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tunnel brace width is reduced in the central section to avoid exhaust system interference, then interference with exhaust parts is minimized, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing strength by simply narrowing the brace, the invention introduces an M-shaped cross-section that varies the width dimension strategically. The end sections maintain full width for strength, while the central section is narrowed to clear exhaust parts. This dimensional variation resolves the contradiction by providing both clearance and structural integrity through selective width distribution along the brace length.
Data Source
AI summary
A underbody structure includes a tunnel brace (22) laid on a floor tunnel (18) of a vehicle. The tunnel brace (22) has a front convex section (71), a central groove section (72) and a rear convex section (73). The front convex section (71), the central groove section (72) and the rear convex section (73) are formed to have equal width dimensions with each other. The tunnel brace (22) is formed so as to have an M-shaped cross section by the front convex section (71), the central groove section (72) and the rear convex section (73). The tunnel brace (22) is formed such that the width dimension of the tunnel brace in the vehicle body forward/rearward direction has a maximum value at right and left end portions (22a, 22b) and has a minimum value at a central section (22c).