Small Overlap Frontal Impact Countermeasure via Pivot Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs face challenges in managing small overlap frontal impacts, where the force of the collision can cause deformation of support structures, leading to encroachment into the passenger cabin, and existing reinforcement solutions increase vehicle mass and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A countermeasure assembly featuring a front side rail, bumper, and pivot link system that redirects impact forces through the wheel structure, using a pivot link with specific mounting configurations and a bumper extension to absorb and redirect forces away from the passenger cabin by breaking the steering knuckle and separating the wheel from the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the longitudinal support structure and cabin support structures are reinforced to limit deformation during small overlap frontal impact, then cabin encroachment is reduced, but vehicle mass and material costs increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot link acts as an intermediary component between the bumper and the longitudinal support structure. It redirects impact forces through a mechanical linkage system, allowing the force to be transferred to the wheel structure rather than being directly transmitted to the cabin support structures. This mediator approach protects the cabin without requiring reinforcement of the primary support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the force redirection function from the primary longitudinal support structure by introducing a separate pivot link mechanism. This allows the impact force to be diverted through an alternative path (via the wheel structure) rather than being absorbed by the cabin support structures, eliminating the need for their reinforcement.
2Reliability
If the longitudinal support structure is reinforced to prevent lateral inward deformation during impact, then passenger cabin protection is improved, but vehicle material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot link serves as a force redirection intermediary that transfers impact loads away from the cabin support structures. By using this mechanical mediator, the patent protects the passenger cabin without requiring additional material in the primary support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot link and bumper extension are designed as sacrificial components that can deform or fail during impact to redirect forces. These relatively simple, lower-cost components absorb the impact energy and protect the more critical and expensive cabin support structures from damage.
3Reliability
If a pivot link system with bumper extension is added to redirect impact forces through the wheel structure, then cabin encroachment is prevented without reinforcement, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The countermeasure assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the bumper extension, the pivot link, and the mounting portions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function (force absorption, force redirection, structural connection) independently, making the complex force redirection task manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot link incorporates rotational joints that allow dynamic movement during impact. Rather than a rigid fixed connection, the pivot link can rotate to optimize the force redirection path, adapting to the impact conditions and distributing forces more effectively through the wheel structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A frontal impact countermeasure assembly for an automotive vehicle, the countermeasure assembly comprising: a front side rail extending in a generally longitudinal direction and having a forward end; a bumper extending generally laterally to the longitudinal direction of the front side rail and having an outboard end; and a pivot link having outer and inner mounting portions, the outer mounting portion being pivotably engaged with the bumper in a region of the outboard end to define a front pivot joint, the inner mounting portion being pivotably engaged with the front side rail to define a rear pivot joint, the rear pivot joint being located rearward and inward relative to the front pivot joint.