Vehicle Front Structure With Protruding Joint for Small-Overlap Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front structures struggle to efficiently release the vehicle from a collision body during small overlap collisions due to reliance on the bending rigidity of the suspension member, which affects the reaction force distribution and vehicle release efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure with a pair of framework portions, a suspension member, and a joint portion featuring a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction, distributing collision loads efficiently to the framework and suspension member, and incorporating inclined and integrated components to enhance reaction force and load transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reaction force is generated mainly by the bending rigidity of the suspension member, then the structure is simpler, but the vehicle release efficiency from collision body is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The joint portion is segmented into multiple functional elements: the protruding portion that contacts the collision body, the framework portion that provides structural support, and the suspension member that absorbs impact. This segmentation allows each component to contribute specifically to generating reaction force, thereby improving vehicle release efficiency without requiring complete redesign of the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion extends in the vehicle width direction, adding a lateral dimension to the load transmission path. This dimensional change enables the collision load to be effectively converted into a lateral reaction force through the framework portion and suspension member, improving vehicle release efficiency from the collision body.
2Strength
If the protruding portion is added to distribute collision load, then the load distribution improves, but the component complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion is merged with the joint portion, which itself connects the framework portion and suspension member. This merging creates an integrated structure where the protruding portion naturally distributes collision loads to both the framework portion and suspension member, improving load distribution capability while minimizing additional component complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint portion serves multiple functions: it connects the framework portion and suspension member, provides the protruding portion for collision contact, and distributes collision loads to multiple structural elements. This multi-functionality improves load distribution capability while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
3Force
If the inclined portion is provided at the protruding portion end, then the collision load conversion to lateral force improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined portion introduces a curved or angled surface geometry to the protruding portion end. This curved feature efficiently converts the collision load (mainly in the vehicle rearward direction) into a lateral force component through geometric transformation, improving lateral force generation while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes.
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
Enhances reaction force distribution and load transmission efficiency, allowing the vehicle to be rapidly and efficiently released from collision bodies during small overlap collisions while reducing component costs through integration and improved load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction force at the contact portion between the collision body and the protruding portion is generated by the bending rigidity of the framework portion and the suspension member in the vehicle width direction
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle front structure includes a pair of front side members provided on both side portions in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle front portion and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a suspension member disposed on the vehicle lower side of the front side member, a joint portion for joining the front side member and the suspension member, and a protruding portion provided in the joint portion and protruding outward in the vehicle width direction.