Rear Chassis Absorption Device for Impact Energy Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

During a rear impact, the deformation of the central beam in a vehicle's rear frame can transmit forces to the lower floor, potentially causing damage, especially when the floor is made of composite material.

Innovation Solution

An absorption device is positioned between the central beam and the lower floor, comprising absorbers that absorb and distribute forces, reducing the risk of damage by crushing and distributing residual forces evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the central beam deforms to absorb impact energy during rear-end collision, then the impact energy is absorbed, but forces are transmitted to the underbody that could potentially break it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidunderbody structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an absorption device as an intermediary component between the central beam and the underbody. This device includes absorbers that are positioned to intercept forces transmitted by the deforming central beam, absorbing and distributing these forces before they reach the underbody. The absorbers act as a mediator that decouples the force transmission path, protecting the underbody from potential damage while maintaining the energy absorption function of the central beam deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If absorbers are positioned between the central beam and the lower floor, then forces are absorbed and distributed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission to floorVSAvoidabsorption device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The absorption device is segmented into multiple independent absorbers that are distributed between the central beam and the lower floor. Each absorber functions as an independent force-absorbing element, allowing the system to handle complex force distributions through multiple simple, modular components rather than a single complex mechanism. This segmentation enables easy installation and maintenance while effectively distributing forces across multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 absorption device effectively reduces the risk of damage to the lower floor by absorbing and distributing the forces from the central beam's deformation, adapting to various beam shapes and sizes, and enhancing the beam's stiffness and deformation guidance.

Implementation Method 1

the absorbers will, on the one hand, absorb at least part of the forces by compressing between the beam and the floor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

When the central beam deforms to absorb the energy of a rear-end collision

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3589534B1Absorption device for the central beam of rear vehicle chassis
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3589534B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3589534B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising a rear chassis (3) having two side beams (5, 7) oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1) and connected to one another by at least two crossmembers (9, 11) distributed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (1), the two rearmost crossmembers (9, 11) being connected together by a central beam (15), and the space defined by the crossmembers (9, 11) and the side beams (5, 7) being closed at the bottom by a bottom floor (13), the vehicle (1) being characterised in that it also comprises an absorption device (17) arranged between the central beam (15) and the bottom floor (13) and comprising at least one absorber (21, 25). The invention also relates to such an absorption device (17).