Panel Assembly Structure Preventing Column Dive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional panel assembly structures fail to prevent column dive during a head-on vehicle collision, as they allow deformation of the dash tunnel and center floor tunnel, leading to unsafe conditions due to the downward push of the steering wheel and inadequate airbag detection.
Innovation Solution
A panel assembly structure that surrounds both upper and lower surfaces of the connection portion between the dash tunnel and center floor tunnel, featuring a center floor panel with an upwardly curved center floor tunnel, an inclined dash panel with a dash tunnel, and reinforcement members that disperse impact energy through a network of members including a center floor tunnel upper member, dash tunnel reinforcement, dash tunnel lower member, and dash upper member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the TGS mounting portion is moved upward to prevent shift noise, then the angle of the dash tunnel is increased, but this causes the column dive to occur easily during head-on collision
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is divided into multiple segments: upper reinforcement members (first and second upper reinforcement members) positioned at different locations along the dash tunnel, and lower reinforcement members (first and second lower reinforcement members) at corresponding positions. This segmentation allows the structure to effectively resist deformation forces while accommodating the increased dash tunnel angle caused by upward TGS mounting.
2Ease of manufacture
If the dash lower members are mounted in a separated state, then the assembly is easier to manufacture, but the reinforcement structure is cut at the separated portion making it vulnerable to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second lower reinforcement members are connected through connection portions that extend toward each other, creating a continuous reinforcement structure. This merging maintains the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity across the entire dash tunnel region, preventing deformation at the previously separated location while still allowing for modular assembly.
3Device complexity
If the dash tunnel reinforcement directly contacts the center floor tunnel, then the structure is simpler, but deformation occurs easily at the contact portion during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The lower reinforcement members are designed with extended connection portions that locally strengthen the connection between the dash tunnel and center floor tunnel regions. This local quality enhancement provides additional structural support and deformation resistance at the critical contact area without requiring a complete redesign of the entire reinforcement system.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel assembly structure for preventing a column dive, which includes a center floor panel including a center floor tunnel curved upward in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a dash panel having an inclined lower end to be fastened to the center floor panel and including a dash tunnel formed at the inclined lower end of the dash panel, the dash tunnel being curved upward in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be connected to the center floor tunnel, may include a center floor tunnel upper member mounted on an upper surface of the center floor tunnel and expanded bilaterally from the center floor tunnel on an upper surface of the center floor panel.