Rotatable Radiator Support for Vehicle Collision Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front part structures with obliquely mounted radiators face damage during front collisions due to impact loads, which can also affect rotation mechanisms, leading to potential damage and inefficient absorption of collision energy.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front part structure with rotatable support for the radiator, including support portions on the front side members and a fixing portion that releases fixation upon impact, allowing the radiator to rotate and absorb collision loads, while suppressing upward pushing loads and reducing hood height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radiator is obliquely mounted to reduce hood height and improve aerodynamic performance, then the aerodynamic performance is improved, but the radiator becomes vulnerable to impact loads during front collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the radiator rotatable about the vehicle width direction axis through the support portions. This allows the radiator to dynamically adjust its position during collision, rotating to absorb impact loads rather than remaining fixed and vulnerable. The rotatable mechanism enables the system to transition from a static vulnerable configuration to a dynamic protective configuration during impact events.
2Ease of operation
If the lower end portion of the radiator is supported by the front end portions of the side members, then the radiator is supported, but the radiator may be damaged during front collision due to impact loads
Solution Approach 1:
The support portions provide rotatable support instead of fixed support, allowing the radiator to rotate during collision to absorb impact loads dynamically rather than transmitting them directly to the front end portions of the side members where damage would occur.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rotation mechanism is attached to the upper surface of the radiator, then the radiator can rotate, but upward pushing loads may damage the rotation mechanism during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of support by moving from supporting the radiator at its upper surface to supporting it at its lower end portion. This dimensional change in support location prevents upward pushing loads from acting on the rotation mechanism during collision, as the support portions are positioned to receive loads from the front collision direction rather than pushing upward on the rotation mechanism.
4Length of stationary object
If the heat exchanger is disposed in an inclined posture with the lower end portion projecting forward, then the hood height is reduced, but the radiator is more likely to be affected by collision impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the forward-projecting lower end portion being more exposed to impact into a beneficial feature by enabling this configuration to rotate during collision. The rotatable support allows the forward-projecting portion to absorb impact loads through rotation, converting the vulnerability of the exposed position into an active impact absorption mechanism that protects the radiator while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of the inclined posture.
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 radiator damage during collisions by allowing it to rotate and absorb impact, improving aerodynamic performance and reducing hood height, while also absorbing vibration and collision loads.
Implementation Method 1
when a colliding object comes into contact with the vehicle body in the middle of impact absorption through axial compression of the front side members at the time of front collision, a load to be imparted on the heat exchanger to escape is caused to escape
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle front part structure includes a pair of front side members extending along the vehicle front-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle front portion, a radiator disposed between the pair of front side members and arranged in an inclined posture such that an end portion on the vehicle lower side protrudes toward the vehicle front side from an end portion on the vehicle upper side, a support portion provided at an intermediate portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the pair of front side members and on a vehicle rear side of the radiator, respectively, and supporting the radiator so as to be rotatable in the vehicle width direction as an axial direction, and a fixing portion for fixing a portion on the vehicle lower side of the radiator to the vehicle body.