Plastic Front End Structural Part for Dynamic Impact Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current front blocks of motor vehicles are sufficiently rigid for force transmission but lack the ability to effectively absorb energy during impacts, which can lead to excessive energy being transmitted to the vehicle's body-in-white, potentially harming occupants.
Innovation Solution
A structural part for the front end of a motor vehicle primarily composed of plastic material, featuring a plate extending from the engine cradle to the front end, which transmits forces without deforming during low-speed impacts and absorbs energy by deforming during high-speed impacts, combining force transmission and energy absorption functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the front block is made sufficiently rigid to transmit forces, then force transmission quality is improved, but energy absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structural part transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that adapts its rigidity based on impact conditions. During low-speed impacts, the part maintains rigidity for force transmission, while during high-speed impacts, it deforms to absorb energy, achieving dynamic adaptability between these two states
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional metal to plastic material, which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties. Plastic material enables the part to exhibit different behavioral characteristics under different impact conditions, allowing it to maintain rigidity at low speeds while deforming at high speeds to absorb energy
2Strength
If metal extensions are used for force transmission, then force transmission is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional metal mechanical structure with a plastic structural part. This substitution maintains the necessary mechanical strength for force transmission while significantly reducing the weight of the front block assembly
3Loss of energy
If the structural part is designed to deform for energy absorption, then energy absorption is improved, but force transmission quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structural part is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to switch between rigid force transmission mode during low-speed impacts and deformable energy absorption mode during high-speed impacts, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements
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 structural part enhances energy absorption during high-speed impacts while maintaining rigidity during low-speed impacts, reducing repair costs and protecting occupants, and also serves to lighten the vehicle and simplify manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
the predominant plastic material does not deform during an impact at low speed, it only fulfills a force transmission function... the energy absorption function is obtained by the compression of the structural part on itself substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, by means of its geometry, the materials used and networks of ribs
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a structural part (26) for a motor vehicle front end assembly, primarily comprising plastic material and a plate (30) configured to extend substantially horizontally from an engine cradle to the front end of the vehicle, this part being capable of transmitting forces received by the front end of the vehicle to the engine cradle without deforming in the event of an insurance-type impact.