Vehicle Rocker Shock Absorption Structure for Pole Side Impacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorption structures for vehicle bodies are inefficient in absorbing collision loads when colliding with objects having a smaller collision area, such as a pole, as the energy absorption member deforms in a small area, leading to inadequate energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorption structure for a vehicle body that includes a rocker with a hollow structure and an energy absorption member comprising an outer member and an inner member. The outer member has higher deformation strength than the inner member, and both members are arranged to transmit collision loads across a wide area, ensuring efficient energy absorption even when colliding with objects of smaller collision area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single energy absorption member is used in the rocker, then the structure is simple, but the collision load cannot be efficiently absorbed when colliding with objects having small collision area such as poles
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption member is segmented into an outer member and an inner member with different deformation strengths. The outer member has higher deformation strength to resist small-area collisions, while the inner member has lower deformation strength to deform over a wide area and absorb energy efficiently. This segmentation allows the system to handle both small-area and wide-area collision scenarios effectively.
2Shape
If the energy absorption member is designed to deform in a small area to match the collision object size, then the structural response is localized, but the energy absorption capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the energy absorption member have different local qualities in terms of deformation strength. The outer member is designed with higher deformation strength to maintain structural integrity during initial impact, while the inner member is designed with lower deformation strength to facilitate wide-area deformation and energy absorption. This local quality differentiation enables the system to achieve both localized structural response and widespread energy dissipation.
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 proposed structure efficiently absorbs collision energy by allowing the inner member to deform over a wide area, effectively transmitting and distributing the collision load across a larger surface, thereby enhancing the protection of vehicle components and occupants during side collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The outer member and the inner member are arranged such that a collision load in the width direction of the vehicle body is transmittable therebetween. The outer member has higher deformation strength against the collision load from the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle body than that of the inner member.
Data Source
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AI summary
A shock absorption structure for a vehicle body includes, in a closed sectional structure of a rocker (10), an energy absorption member (20) that absorbs collision energy from an outer side in a width direction of the vehicle body, the energy absorption member (20) includes an outer member (21) disposed on the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle body and an inner member (22) disposed on an inner side in the width direction of the vehicle body, the outer member (21) and the inner member (22) are arranged such that a collision load in the width direction of the vehicle body is transmittable therebetween, the outer member (21) is made higher in deformation strength against a collision load from the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle body than that of the inner member (22), and the outer member (21) and the inner member (22) are set to have a longer length in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body than a size of a collision target in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.