Offset Drive-Force Transmission Unit Impact Alleviation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs with drive-force transmission units offset from the center experience inadequate impact alleviation when an impact load is applied from the front, leading to insufficient protection for passengers during collisions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an attachment member with a displacement adjustment portion that allows the component attached to the drive-force transmission unit to displace more in the rear direction than the opposing portion upon external force application, altering the component's attitude and applying a more inclined pressing load away from the collision object, thereby enhancing impact alleviation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drive-force transmission unit is installed in a widthwise offset position, then the vehicle structure can be optimized for other components, but the impact alleviation capability is insufficient when an impact load is applied from the front
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member is designed with asymmetric rigidity, allowing it to deform dynamically under impact loads. The first region portion is configured to be more deformable than the second region portion, enabling the component to change its attitude during collision and thereby redirect the pressing load away from the collision object, enhancing impact alleviation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member features asymmetric structural design where the first region portion (on the collision object side) has different rigidity characteristics compared to the second region portion. This asymmetry allows differential displacement under impact, causing the component to tilt and redirect forces away from the collision point, thus resolving the contradiction between structural optimization and impact protection
2Stability of the object's composition
If the component is rigidly attached to the drive-force transmission unit, then the component position is stable, but the impact force is directly transmitted to the vehicle body without sufficient alleviation
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment member transitions from a rigid connection to a semi-rigid, dynamically deformable connection. Under normal conditions, it maintains component stability, but under impact loads, it deforms to redirect forces, achieving both position stability and impact alleviation
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment member acts as an intermediary element between the component and the drive-force transmission unit. It mediates the force transmission by deforming in a controlled manner, reducing the direct transmission of impact forces to the vehicle body while maintaining normal operational stability
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
This configuration effectively increases the vehicle's lateral movement away from the collision object, further alleviating impact forces and enhancing passenger safety by applying a more inclined pressing load, which is not achieved in conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
the attachment member is to be compressively deformed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by a larger amount in the one of the opposite end portions, than in the other of the opposite end portions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including: (i) a drive-force transmission unit including a casing and installed in a offset position that is offset from a widthwise center of the vehicle in an offset direction; (ii) a component protruding away from the casing toward a front side of the vehicle, and including first and second region portions such that the first region portion is located on a front side of the second region portion in the offset direction; and (iii) an attachment member through which the component is attached to a vehicle-front side portion of the casing. The attachment member is provided with a displacement adjustment portion that is configured, upon application of an external force to the component from the front side of the vehicle, to facilitate the first region portion of the component to be displaced toward a rear side of the vehicle, more than the second region portion of the component.