Partial Structure CAE Model for Vehicle Member Collision Evaluation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating collision performance of vehicle members are inefficient and lack accuracy, particularly when testing individual members separately, as they fail to adequately reflect the support methods and influences from peripheral members, leading to high development costs and time consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method using a partial structure CAE model and a corresponding test device that supports vehicle members at specific points with adjustable boundary conditions, allowing for precise evaluation of collision performance parameters like deformation mode, amount, velocity, and energy, mirroring full vehicle state conditions with reduced calculation load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a collision test is performed in a full vehicle state using a prototype vehicle, then the evaluation accuracy of collision performance is improved, but the development cost and time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the full vehicle collision test into two parts: (1) a simplified partial structure test that evaluates individual members in isolation, and (2) a full vehicle CAE simulation that captures system-level interactions. This segmentation allows early-stage rapid evaluation of member geometry without requiring full prototype vehicle construction, thereby reducing development time while maintaining evaluation accuracy through the complementary CAE analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary evaluation of member collision performance using simplified tests and CAE simulations before finalizing the member design. By conducting partial structure tests and full vehicle CAE analyses in parallel during the design phase, the system identifies and corrects potential collision performance issues early, avoiding costly rework and repeated prototype construction later in the development process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If a 3-point bending test is performed on each member separately, then the test cost and time are reduced, but the evaluation accuracy decreases due to insufficient reflection of support methods and peripheral member influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidevaluation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a full vehicle CAE simulation as an intermediary that bridges the gap between simple isolated member tests and complex full vehicle tests. The CAE model incorporates the actual support methods and peripheral member influences that are present in full vehicle conditions, allowing the simplified physical tests to be interpreted in the context of the complete vehicle system, thereby maintaining evaluation accuracy while preserving testing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters by using CAE simulation results to supplement and interpret physical test data. By analyzing multiple parameters including deformation modes, stress distributions, and interaction forces in the CAE model, the system compensates for the limitations of simplified physical tests and achieves comprehensive evaluation of member collision performance without requiring full vehicle prototype testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a full vehicle CAE simulation is performed, then the interaction between members is accurately evaluated, but the calculation ability and time requirements increase greatly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction evaluation accuracyVSAvoidcalculating ability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing CAE simulations selectively - using full vehicle CAE analysis only for final design verification and critical evaluation scenarios, while relying on simplified partial structure tests for routine member geometry assessments. This selective application of computationally intensive simulation reduces overall calculation requirements while maintaining accuracy where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the CAE analysis into partial structure models that can be evaluated independently with reduced computational resources. By creating and evaluating simplified CAE models of individual members or sub-assemblies before conducting full vehicle simulations, the system reduces the total computational burden while still capturing essential collision behavior through a hierarchical analysis approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2463637B1Method for evaluating collision performance of vehicle member, and member collision test device used for same
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP2463637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2463637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2463637B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A performance evaluation method of a vehicle member includes a calculation process for performing an analysis using a partial structure CAE model modeling a module where a member of a vehicle to be evaluated and a collision test device for conducting a collision test on the member are combined, and obtaining a value of a collision performance evaluation parameter in the partial structure CAE model; a calculation process for determining a boundary condition of the partial structure CAE model; a calculation process for determining a test condition of a member collision test device based on the boundary condition of the partial structure CAE model; and a test process for conducting a collision test using a physical member collision test device and a physical member, based on the set condition of the member collision test device.