Shield Plate with Distributed Stress Concentrators for Impact Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle shield structures face challenges in reliably absorbing impact forces due to specific site-dependent design and reduced production efficiency, as they require tailored breaking parts for different vehicle shapes and may not effectively deform under varying impact conditions.

Innovation Solution

A shield plate with a flat plate shaped member and a stress-concentrating portion formed over its entire surface, allowing it to bend and absorb impact forces regardless of the applied force location, combined with struts and frangible portions for enhanced strength and flexibility, and an elastic member for improved attachment and shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a breaking part is provided at a specific site of the mounting means, then the insulator can be detached from the fender panel to deform the panel and absorb impact, but when the impact is not applied to the specific site, the breaking part is not broken, the insulator remains attached, and impact absorption is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorption reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different impact locations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shield plate is divided into multiple stress-concentrating portions distributed across its entire surface, rather than having a single breaking part at a specific site. Each stress-concentrating portion can independently break under impact, ensuring that regardless of where the impact occurs, there is always a breaking part in the impact region to enable shield plate deformation and impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The breaking part is transformed from a point-like feature at a specific location into a distributed pattern across the entire surface of the shield plate. This dimensional expansion from 0D (point) to 2D (surface distribution) ensures coverage of all possible impact locations and maintains adaptability to different impact positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If different types of vehicles have different shapes of insulators requiring specific breaking part positions, then each vehicle type needs customized design, but this reduces production efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact absorption effectivenessVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield plate design with multiple stress-concentrating portions distributed across the entire surface serves as a universal solution for different vehicle types and insulator shapes. Unlike the conventional approach requiring customized breaking part positions for each vehicle type, this distributed pattern ensures that regardless of the specific vehicle configuration or impact location, the shield plate can effectively absorb impact, thereby improving production efficiency through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If the insulator is detached from the fender panel to allow panel deformation for impact absorption, then impact energy can be absorbed, but the mounting means must be weakened at the breaking part which reduces overall structural strength

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidmounting means strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting means strength is segmented such that the shield plate body maintains full strength while only the stress-concentrating portions are weakened. This segmentation allows the majority of the mounting means to remain strong for normal operation, while localized weak points enable controlled breaking and energy absorption during impact without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 shield plate effectively absorbs impact forces by bending across its entire surface, improving production efficiency and ensuring reliable impact absorption across various vehicle shapes and collision directions.

Implementation Method 1

a stress-concentrating portion which is formed over the entire surface of the flat plate shaped member and bends when an external force is applied

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP2371679B1Shield plate and vehicle structure provided with the shield plate
Publication Date: 2013.11.20 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP2371679B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2371679B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2371679B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A shield plate includes a flat plate shaped member; and a stress-concentrating portion which is formed over the entire surface of the flat plate shaped member and bends when an external force is applied.