Ribbed Supporting Elements for Vehicle Fascia Sag Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle front end designs face challenges in maintaining the integrity of the mounting support during limited deformation scenarios, while also preventing plastic fascia elements from sagging due to heat-induced strength loss.
Innovation Solution
The arrangement consists of two shorter supporting elements attached to the mounting support on either side of the vehicle, which span the front end in the Y-direction and provide Z-direction support to fascia elements, thereby preventing sagging. These supporting elements have a ribbed structure for added stiffness and deformation resistance, allowing them to absorb forces during accidents without damaging the mounting support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If a single long supporting element is used to span the front end in the Y-direction, then the fascia element can be supported across the entire width, but the supporting element becomes excessively long and difficult to transport and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The single long supporting element is divided into multiple shorter supporting elements (first supporting element and second supporting element) that are arranged side by side in the Y-direction. Each supporting element has a manageable length for transportation while collectively spanning the required width of the front end, thus resolving the contradiction between span length and transportability.
2Reliability
If the mounting support is designed to remain intact during limited deformation accidents, then crash-absorbing elements are added in front of the mounting support, but the plastic fascia elements still sag due to heat-induced strength loss
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting function is segmented between crash-absorbing elements (for accident protection) and the new supporting elements (for fascia support under heat). The supporting elements are specifically designed with ribbed structures to provide thermal stability and prevent sagging, while the crash-absorbing elements handle impact forces, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting support integrity and fascia element shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting elements are designed with specific local properties (ribbed structure, material selection) to resist thermal deformation, while the crash-absorbing elements have properties optimized for impact absorption. This local differentiation allows each component to excel at its specific function, resolving the contradiction between accident resistance and heat resistance.
3Strength
If supporting elements with high stiffness are used to prevent fascia sagging, then the supporting elements can maintain shape under heat, but they may transmit excessive forces to the mounting support during accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting elements are designed with ribbed structures that provide localized stiffness where needed to prevent sagging, while the overall geometry and material selection allow for controlled deformation during accidents. The ribs provide thermal stability without creating excessive force transmission paths to the mounting support, resolving the contradiction between stiffness and force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The force management is segmented between the supporting elements (which handle thermal loads) and the crash-absorbing elements (which handle impact loads). This functional segmentation allows the supporting elements to be optimized for thermal stability without needing to absorb accident forces, thus resolving the contradiction between stiffness and force transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement with a mounting support for a motor vehicle front end, wherein the arrangement has two supporting elements for supporting a panel/fascia element, wherein the supporting elements are each arranged on one side of the motor vehicle relative to the vehicle center in the transverse direction of the vehicle, wherein the supporting elements are fixed to the mounting support and each extend over a portion of the mounting support in the vehicle transverse direction, wherein the supporting elements project forward relative the mounting support in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein a panel/fascia element, which is an external skin element of the front of the motor vehicle and extends predominantly in the vehicle transverse direction, can be supported on at least one of the supporting elements.