Vehicle Seatback Load Transfer Structure Curved Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load transfer structures for side impacts in vehicles face issues with buckling distortion in the inclined portions of load receiving members, leading to reduced energy absorption and increased intrusion strokes of pillars, as they lack effective stress distribution to prevent buckling while promoting bending deformation.
Innovation Solution
A load transfer structure featuring a load receiving member with a horizontal portion, an inclined portion, and a curved portion with concave edges, where the bisectors of angles between the edges intersect, concentrating stress in the curved portion to suppress buckling and enhance bending deformation, thereby increasing energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcing plate made of steel plate is disposed on the bent portion to increase bending rigidity for impact load transfer, then the bending rigidity is improved, but buckling distortion occurs in the inclined portion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming concave edges at both the inner and outer sides of the bent portion. This curved geometry design redirects stress flow along the concave edges, preventing stress concentration that would lead to buckling in the inclined portion while maintaining the necessary bending rigidity for impact load transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing plate is selectively disposed only at the bent portion where it is needed for rigidity, rather than throughout the entire load receiving member. This localized reinforcement approach provides the necessary strength at the critical bent portion without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to other areas.
2Strength
If the load receiving member is designed with high bending rigidity to transfer impact load, then the load transfer capability is improved, but the energy absorption through bending deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The structure implements local quality by creating a bent portion with specific geometric characteristics (concave edges) that differ from the rest of the member. This localized geometric feature creates a controlled deformation zone that can absorb energy through bending while the rest of the structure maintains high rigidity for effective load transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The concave curved edges at the bent portion create a geometric feature that promotes controlled bending deformation. The curvature allows the structure to flex and absorb energy during impact while still maintaining the overall structural integrity and load transfer capability through the reinforced bent portion.
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 effectively suppresses buckling distortion in the inclined portion, allowing for increased energy absorption and reduced intrusion of the center pillar into the vehicle cabin, thereby enhancing occupant protection by prolonging the load reception time and distributing stress efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a curved portion that is provided between the horizontal portion and the inclined portion and whose inner edge and outer edge are formed as concave edges, respectively, and a bisector of an angle between straight edges continued from both ends of the outer concave edge and a bisector of an angle between straight edges continued from both ends of the inner concave edge intersect with each other in the curved portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A load transfer structure against a side impact includes a seatback frame, and a load receiving member disposed on the seatback frame to contact with a side wall of a vehicle body and to receive an impact load when the side wall of the vehicle body is moved toward a vehicle cabin by a side impact. The load receiving member includes a horizontal portion extending laterally, an inclined portion extended obliquely outward and upward from an outer end of the horizontal portion, and a curved portion that is provided between the horizontal portion and the inclined portion and whose inner edge and outer edge are formed as concave edges, respectively. A bisector of an angle between straight edges continued from both ends of the outer concave edge and a bisector of an angle between straight edges continued from both ends of the inner concave edge intersect with each other in the curved portion. According to the load transfer structure, stress tends to concentrate to the curved portion, and thereby buckling in the middle of the inclined portion is suppressed. As a result, in the load transfer member, buckling distortion doesn't occur at the inclined portion, but bent deformation occurs at the curved portion, and thereby an absorbed energy amount by the load receiving member increases.