Obtuse Angle Tie Rod for Vehicle Front Shell Impact Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicles with an open canopy design, the front stretcher and suspension support are prone to upward movement during a frontal impact, leading to potential intrusion into the passenger compartment due to the lack of adequate structural support.
Innovation Solution
A tie rod with an obtuse angle, connecting the lower crosspiece of the windshield bay to the suspension support, limits upward displacement and enhances compressibility by resisting initial compression forces and bending under increased loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the canopy is left open in the new concept design, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced and assembly is simplified, but the upward movement of the suspension support during impact increases leading to potential intrusion into the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod is divided into two distinct parts forming an obtuse angle, with the first part connecting to the crosspiece and the second part connecting to the suspension support. This segmentation allows the structure to remain simple for assembly while providing controlled resistance to upward movement during impact, preventing intrusion into the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tie rod is designed with an obtuse angle configuration that allows it to dynamically respond to impact forces. During normal operation, the open canopy design is maintained for simplicity, but during frontal impact, the tie rod's angular geometry enables it to limit upward displacement of the suspension support, preventing harmful intrusion while maintaining manufacturing ease.
2Device complexity
If a straight strut is used to connect the crosspiece to the suspension support, then the structure is simple, but the compressibility of the front stretcher is insufficient during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod with obtuse angle configuration provides dynamic compressibility during impact. The angular geometry allows the structure to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, improving compressibility while maintaining relatively simple construction compared to more complex suspension systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the geometric parameters of the connection structure from a straight strut to an obtuse angle tie rod, the system gains improved compressibility characteristics. The angular configuration allows for better energy absorption during impact while maintaining structural simplicity in normal operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tie rod is made rigid to prevent upward movement, then intrusion is limited, but the energy absorption capacity during impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tie rod is designed with an obtuse angle configuration that provides dynamic response to impact forces. It is rigid enough to limit upward movement and prevent intrusion, but the angular geometry allows it to bend and absorb energy during the impact process, balancing intrusion limitation with energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tie rod's obtuse angle configuration allows it to convert the harmful upward impact forces into beneficial energy absorption through controlled bending. The structure that initially seems to be a weakness (the angular joint) actually becomes a feature that absorbs impact energy while still preventing intrusion into the passenger compartment.
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 tie rod effectively reduces intrusion into the passenger compartment by absorbing more energy during a frontal impact, as demonstrated by a 25 mm reduction in intrusion depth compared to vehicles without this feature.
Implementation Method 1
the tie rod, which connects the windscreen bay cross member and the suspension support, makes it possible to improve the compressibility of each of the two front struts and to limit the intrusion into the passenger compartment in the event of a frontal impact
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~8
AI summary
The invention relates to the front portion of the shell of a motor vehicle including, on either side thereof, a front rail (1), the rear end (1a) of which (1a) is connected to a mounting (2) of the suspension of one of the front wheels, and a lower crossbeam (3) of the windscreen opening forming an open cowl (4), characterised in that the lower crossbeam (3) of the windscreen opening is connected to the upper surface (2a) of said suspension bracket (2) by a tie rod (5), such that the latter can limit the upward movement of said suspension bracket (2) in the event of a frontal impact to the vehicle.