Vehicle Rocker Panel Shock Absorbing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lower portion structures face challenges in suppressing inward folding of rocker panels during side collisions, particularly due to varying battery unit dimensions, which increases costs and reduces versatility, as they require adjustments in the battery side frame to manage impact loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lower portion structure featuring rocker panels with integral outer and inner portions, including shock absorbing sections that overlap electric power supply devices and floor cross members, allowing for effective load dispersion and reduced impact loads without the need for additional members, thereby suppressing inward folding and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery side frame size is changed to match varying battery unit dimensions, then inward folding of the rocker panel is suppressed, but manufacturing cost increases and versatility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery side frame is designed with a standardized size that can be universally applied across different battery unit dimensions. The frame incorporates a shock absorbing portion that extends in the vehicle width direction to overlap the battery unit, allowing it to effectively suppress inward folding of the rocker panel regardless of the specific battery size through load dispersion to the floor panel.
2Reliability
If additional members are added to manage impact loads, then rocker panel protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing portion is integrated directly into the battery side frame structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of functions allows the battery side frame to simultaneously provide structural support and shock absorption, dispersing impact loads to the floor panel through its own structure without requiring additional members.
3Strength
If the battery side frame is positioned adjacent to the rocker panel, then tensile and compressive forces are canceled out, but the structure requires complex sizing to accommodate different battery dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorbing portion changes the geometric parameters of the battery side frame by extending in the vehicle width direction to overlap the battery unit. This parameter change allows the frame to maintain a standardized size while effectively managing impact loads through load dispersion to the floor panel, eliminating the need for complex sizing adjustments.
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 structure effectively reduces impact loads and suppresses inward folding of rocker panels across various battery unit dimensions, enhancing safety and cost efficiency by utilizing the reaction forces from integrated components, without the need for separate members.
Implementation Method 1
the first shock absorbing portion extends in the vehicle width direction from the outer portion to the inner portion in the closed sectional portion and is disposed to overlap the electric power supply device in vehicle side view
Implementation Method 2
The outer portion and the inner portion form the closed sectional portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lower portion structure includes a pair of rocker panels and an electric power supply device. The rocker panel is configured to include an outer portion, an inner portion, and a first shock absorbing portion. The outer portion is positioned on an outer side in a vehicle width direction. The inner portion is formed integrally with the outer portion, is positioned inward of the outer portion in the vehicle width direction, and forms a closed sectional portion with the outer portion. The first shock absorbing portion extends in the vehicle width direction from the outer portion to the inner portion in the closed sectional portion and is disposed to overlap the electric power supply device in vehicle side view.