Centrally Located Reinforcement Framework for Vehicle Crash Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical and hybrid vehicles with alternative energy sources face challenges in crash safety and structural integrity, as traditional mechanical structures used in combustion engine vehicles are not suitable for accommodating battery packs or fuel cells, necessitating a new reinforcement arrangement to protect occupants in frontal collisions.

Innovation Solution

A centrally located reinforcement framework attached to lateral support beams in the vehicle body, designed to absorb and direct frontal impact forces away from sensitive components, featuring a deformable portion that transitions from elastic to plastic deformation based on force thresholds, and a flat floor design to increase leg space and minimize intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional mechanical structures are used in combustion engine vehicles, then structural stability is improved, but the structure cannot accommodate alternative energy sources like battery packs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to alternative energy sourcesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement arrangement is divided into separate modular components including a reinforcement framework with lateral support beams, longitudinal support beams, and floor portions that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the structure to be adapted to accommodate battery packs and alternative energy sources while maintaining overall structural integrity through the coordinated assembly of these modular elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement framework is designed with multi-functional capabilities to serve both structural support and energy source accommodation functions. The lateral and longitudinal support beams create a versatile framework that can hold various alternative energy sources while simultaneously providing crash protection and maintaining vehicle structural stability, making the design applicable to multiple vehicle types including electric and hybrid vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If longitudinal beams are located in a tunnel structure, then occupant protection is provided, but weight efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupant protectionVSAvoidweight efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement arrangement transitions from traditional longitudinal tunnel structure to a multi-dimensional framework combining lateral support beams extending across the vehicle width with longitudinal support beams. This dimensional change allows forces to be distributed across multiple spatial dimensions, providing equivalent or superior occupant protection while eliminating the need for heavy tunnel structures and improving weight efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If a centrally located reinforcement arrangement is used, then force direction into the frame is improved, but interior space may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce directionVSAvoidinterior space

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement framework employs local quality variations with different beam configurations in different vehicle zones. The lateral support beams are positioned to optimize force direction into the frame during frontal collisions, while the longitudinal support beams and floor portions are configured to minimize intrusion into the passenger compartment, thereby achieving effective force management without compromising interior space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a weight-efficient and effective means to absorb and direct impact forces, protecting occupants and maintaining structural integrity while optimizing interior space, by using a framework that directs forces into the vehicle frame and minimizes intrusion during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable portion that transitions from elastic to plastic deformation based on force thresholds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a deformable portion that transitions from elastic to plastic deformation based on force thresholds

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3686090B1Reinforcement arrangement

Publication Date: 2022.03.09 VOLVO CAR CORP

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AI summary

A reinforcement arrangement (100) for protecting a vehicle occupant in the event of a frontal collision. The reinforcement arrangement which is configured to be centrally located is attachable to lateral support beams (106) of a frame provides a more weight efficient solution compared to previously used reinforcement arrangement attached to longitudinal beams located in a tunnel structure of the vehicle. The described reinforcement arrangement is further configured to minimize intrusion into the vehicle interior in the event of a frontal collision, and to instead direct forces into the frame via the lateral support beams. Thereby, the force can be directed into the frame and not to sensitive components of the energy source.