Segmented Reinforcement Plate for Automotive Floor Pan Impact Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The floor pan in the front foot well of automotive vehicles is prone to crushing during side or acute angle impacts and experiences noise, vibration, and harshness under normal driving conditions, necessitating reinforcement to enhance its structural integrity and reduce these issues.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement plate is secured to the floor pan, featuring perpendicular sections that provide additional stiffness and protection against impacts from multiple directions, mounted on a rigid vehicle support structure like the chassis frame, using spot welds and a clamping mechanism to ensure secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the floor pan is reinforced to prevent crushing during impact, then the strength and structural integrity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement plate is divided into multiple sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently positioned and secured to the floor pan. Each section provides reinforcement in specific directions, allowing the complex reinforcement function to be achieved through simpler, modular components rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement plate includes sections extending in multiple directions (first direction, second direction perpendicular to first, third direction perpendicular to both) to provide comprehensive multi-directional reinforcement. This dimensional approach allows a single plate structure to address impact forces from various angles, improving strength without requiring multiple separate reinforcement components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the floor pan is reinforced to reduce noise, vibration and harshness, then the comfort is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement plate is designed as a thin plate structure that provides stiffness and damping properties to reduce noise and vibration. The plate's geometry and material properties allow it to function as a vibration damping element while maintaining minimal weight addition compared to bulkier reinforcement structures.
3Reliability
If the reinforcement plate is secured to the floor pan with multiple sections, then the reinforcement effectiveness is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement plate is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently positioned and secured to the floor pan. This segmentation allows for simpler assembly compared to installing a single large complex reinforcement structure, as each section can be handled and positioned separately during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural reinforcement against impact, reduces noise and vibration, and acts as a mounting structure for securing to the vehicle frame. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components into a single manufacturable part.
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 reinforcement plate effectively prevents crushing and significantly reduces noise, vibration, and harshness by providing comprehensive structural support against various impact angles, enhancing the overall durability and comfort of the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcement plate is adapted to be secured to the floor pan and protects the floor pan from crushing impact in at least two and preferably three directions
Implementation Method 2
The reinforcement plate also adds stiffness to the floor pan
Implementation Method 3
A mounting assembly mounts the reinforcement plate preferably on rigid vehicle support structure such as a chassis frame member of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforcement plate for a floor pan of a front foot well of an automotive vehicle. The reinforcement plate has impact resistant surfaces for reinforcing the floor pan against impacts in two and preferably three different directions.