Pipe-Shaped Fender Apron Rigidity and Headlamp Clearance

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle body reinforcing structures, particularly in the front body of vehicles, face challenges in maintaining rigidity and shock-absorbing performance due to the need to accommodate larger headlamps, which can compromise the fender apron's shape and reduce its rigidity, thereby affecting the overall shock-absorbing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body reinforcing structure that incorporates a pipe-shaped fender apron formed through hydroforming, with work hardening to enhance rigidity and a design that includes supporting portions for improved connectivity between the fender apron, front side members, and shock absorber housing, ensuring reduced space occupation and interference with headlamps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the fender apron is given a curved shape or tapered shape to prevent interference with larger headlamps, then the spatial utility and headlamp compatibility are improved, but the rigidity of the fender apron deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial utilityVSAvoidrigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fender apron is divided into multiple reinforcement portions (first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement portions) at different locations. Each reinforcement portion is strategically positioned to address specific rigidity requirements in different areas, allowing the overall structure to maintain strength while accommodating the curved or tapered shape needed for headlamp compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement is applied locally at specific portions of the fender apron rather than uniformly across the entire structure. The reinforcement portions are positioned at critical areas where rigidity is most needed, such as near mounting points and structural junctions, while allowing the main body to maintain the curved or tapered shape for spatial utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the fender apron is given a curved shape or tapered shape to prevent interference with larger headlamps, then the spatial utility and headlamp compatibility are improved, but the shock-absorbing performance is adversely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial utilityVSAvoidshock-absorbing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fender apron is divided into multiple reinforcement portions (first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement portions) at different locations. Each reinforcement portion is strategically positioned to address specific rigidity requirements in different areas, allowing the overall structure to maintain strength while accommodating the curved or tapered shape needed for headlamp compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement is applied locally at specific portions of the fender apron rather than uniformly across the entire structure. The reinforcement portions are positioned at critical areas where rigidity is most needed, such as near mounting points and structural junctions, while allowing the main body to maintain the curved or tapered shape for spatial utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the fender apron is made thinner or reshaped to reduce space occupation, then the headlamp interference is reduced, but the structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupationVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fender apron is divided into multiple reinforcement portions (first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement portions) at different locations. Each reinforcement portion is strategically positioned to address specific rigidity requirements in different areas, allowing the overall structure to maintain strength while accommodating the curved or tapered shape needed for headlamp compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement is applied locally at specific portions of the fender apron rather than uniformly across the entire structure. The reinforcement portions are positioned at critical areas where rigidity is most needed, such as near mounting points and structural junctions, while allowing the main body to maintain the curved or tapered shape for spatial utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution increases the fender apron's rigidity and spatial utility, enhances connectivity, and improves shock-absorbing performance by maintaining structural integrity and design flexibility, while reducing weight and potential interference with headlamps.

Implementation Method 1

the fender apron that is formed in a pipe shape so that work hardening occurs in a process of manufacturing the pipe-shaped fender apron

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWork hardening: Shock Hardening

Data Source

PatentUS9145172B2Vehicle body reinforcing structure

Publication Date: 2015.09.29 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle body reinforcing structure which increases rigidity of a front side member, a shock absorber housing, and a fender apron of a vehicle body may include the fender apron that connects the front side member and the shock absorber housing, and the fender apron that is formed in a pipe shape so that work hardening occurs in a process of manufacturing the pipe-shaped fender apron.