Rotatable Deflection Element for Partial Overlap Collision Pulse Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle deflection devices fail to effectively reduce forces and moments on the passenger cell during a partially overlapping frontal collision, as they either require a separate force source for activation or do not adequately convert longitudinal pulses into transverse pulses to absorb collision energy.

Innovation Solution

A deflection device with rotatable deflection elements fastened to front longitudinal members, which rotate from an inoperative to a collision position during a frontal collision, converting longitudinal pulses into transverse pulses by deforming the front longitudinal member into the engine compartment and forming a sliding surface to reduce forces and moments on the passenger cell.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate force source is used to activate the deflection device, then the deflection device can be reliably activated, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection device utilizes the collision force itself to activate the deflection element. The barrier directly applies force to the deflection element during collision, causing it to rotate into the collision position without requiring any external activation system. This self-service mechanism eliminates complex activation systems while ensuring reliable activation during actual collision events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If the deflection element is made rigid to effectively convert longitudinal pulses, then the structural strength is improved, but the ability to deform and absorb energy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidenergy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is designed with rotational freedom rather than being completely rigid or completely flexible. It can rotate about a vertical axis from the inoperative position to the collision position, dynamically adapting to the collision. This dynamic behavior allows the element to maintain structural integrity while converting longitudinal collision forces into transverse forces through rotation, effectively managing energy during the collision process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Force

If the deflection element projects into the engine compartment to convert longitudinal pulses, then the force reduction on passenger cell is improved, but the risk of damaging the drive unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforce on passenger cellVSAvoiddamage to drive unit

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The deflection element is specifically positioned and oriented to project into the engine compartment only during collision, and only on the side affected by the partial overlap collision. The element rotates into the collision position specifically to redirect forces away from the passenger cell, and its projection is controlled to achieve force conversion while minimizing damage risk to critical drive unit components.

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 effectively reduces forces and moments on the passenger cell by converting longitudinal collision energy into transverse energy, allowing the vehicle to offset from the barrier and absorb collision forces, thereby enhancing passenger safety in partial overlap collisions without the need for a separate force source.

Implementation Method 1

a longitudinal pulse caused by the frontal collision and acting in the longitudinal direction of the passenger cell is converted at least partly into a transverse pulse acting on the drive unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the respective deflection element, when displaced from the inoperative position into the collision position bears against the closed wall and deforms the respective front longitudinal member into the engine compartment in the transverse direction of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

The sliding surface permits a defined sliding of the barrier on the respective deflection element and thus a further reduction of forces and moments acting on the passenger cell in the event of a collision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSliding: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS9174679B2Vehicle with a deflection device, and deflection device

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

Front longitudinal members (11) of a vehicle (10) extend forward from a passenger cell (12) and partially bound an engine compartment (13), in which a drive unit (14) is positioned. A deflection device (17) has deflection elements (18) fastened to the front longitudinal members (11) for rotation about vertical axes (24). In the event of a partially overlapping frontal collision with a barrier, the deflection element (18) is rotated by the collision from an inoperative position in which the deflection element extends in the longitudinal direction of the respective front longitudinal member (11), into a collision position where a first portion (19) of the deflection element (18) projects into the engine compartment (13). Thus, a longitudinal pulse from the frontal collision acting toward the passenger cell (12) is at least partially converted by the deflection element (18) into a transverse pulse acting on the drive unit (14).