Pyrotechnic Crossmember for Impact Kinematics Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs lack an effective mechanism to control the kinematics of vehicle structures during impacts, particularly in managing the movement of critical components like the engine and front bumper relative to the passenger cabin.
Innovation Solution
A crossmember supported by a frame and actuated by a pyrotechnic actuator, which moves from a stowed position to a deployed position upon impact detection, utilizing tracks and locks to maintain position and supported by pivotally connected bars for enhanced rigidity, is integrated into the vehicle design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a crossmember is added to control kinematics of vehicle structures during impacts, then safety and structural integrity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crossmember system is segmented into multiple functional components: the crossmember itself, pyrotechnic actuators for deployment, tracks for guided movement, and locks for position maintenance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to control kinematics during impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossmember transitions from a static structure to a dynamic system that can change position based on impact conditions. The pyrotechnic actuators enable the crossmember to move between stowed and deployed positions, allowing the structure to adapt its kinematic properties in response to impact events.
2Speed
If pyrotechnic actuators are used to move the crossmember from stowed to deployed position, then response speed to impact is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic actuators are designed to operate only during specific impact events rather than continuously. This periodic activation minimizes energy consumption while maintaining rapid response capability when needed, as the actuators remain dormant during normal vehicle operation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tracks and locks are added to maintain crossmember position, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracks serve as intermediary elements that guide and constrain the crossmember movement, while the locks act as mediators to maintain the crossmember in specific positions. These intermediary components simplify the overall system by providing dedicated functions for movement control and position maintenance.
4Reliability
If the crossmember is positioned between the front bulkhead and engine, then protection of passenger cabin is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into the crossmember, tracks, and locks, allowing each component to be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation reduces the cumulative precision requirements compared to a monolithic structure, as each component has defined tolerances that can be managed independently during assembly.
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
This solution effectively limits rearward movement of the engine and other structures, enhancing safety by controlling kinematics and maintaining the integrity of the passenger cabin during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a pyrotechnic actuator, which moves from a stowed position to a deployed position upon impact detection
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a frame and a body. The body defines a passenger cabin and has a front bulkhead. The vehicle includes a crossmember supported by the frame and elongated along a vehicle-lateral axis. The crossmember is movable forward from a stowed position at the bulkhead along a vehicle-longitudinal axis away from the front bulkhead to a deployed position. The vehicle includes a pyrotechnic actuator configured to move the crossmember from the stowed position to the deployed position.