Multi-cell Extruded Vehicle Structures for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle structural components face challenges in being lightweight while effectively absorbing high impact loads, as traditional designs often compromise on weight for strength and energy absorption efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cell energy absorbing structure with a polygonal cross-section and a multi-corner open center, comprising extruded metallic components with adjustable wall segments and thicknesses, mimicking a honeycomb structure for enhanced stiffness and strength, allowing for progressive folding patterns and improved energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional solid structural components are used, then strength and energy absorption are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-cell hollow structural design with polygonal cross-sections and open centers, creating a porous-like configuration that reduces material usage and weight while maintaining energy absorption capabilities through controlled deformation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The structural component is divided into multiple cells with wall segments and corners, creating a segmented architecture that provides both weight reduction and progressive folding patterns for efficient energy absorption during impact events
2Strength
If wall thickness is increased to improve strength, then energy absorption improves, but manufacturing complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes adjustable wall segment lengths and thicknesses as design parameters to optimize the balance between structural strength and manufacturing complexity, allowing tailoring of energy absorption characteristics without requiring excessive material or complex fabrication processes
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle structural component that has a plurality of open cells surrounding an open center section. The open center section comprises a multi-corner open center. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, extruding a vehicle structural component from a metallic material, wherein the vehicle structural component includes a plurality of open cells surrounding an open center section, and wherein the plurality of open cells each comprise a polygonal cross-section and the open center section comprises a multi-corner open center.