Vehicle Shock Absorber Beam Bending Torque Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current front shock absorption systems for vehicles fail to effectively differentiate between impacts with deformable and rigid obstacles, leading to inadequate energy absorption and increased risk of intrusions in the passenger compartment during high-speed frontal collisions, and struggle to meet the requirements of various impact protocols such as Euro NCAP tests.
Innovation Solution
A front shock absorption device featuring a transverse beam with controlled deformation means, such as wedges or spacers, attached to the side rails, which selectively weaken the vehicle structure to absorb impact energy by bending and straightening during collisions, thereby reducing deceleration forces and enhancing passive safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle structure is strengthened to absorb high-speed impact energy, then the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment is reduced, but the repairability after low-speed impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front-end structure is segmented into a deformable profile (crashbox) and a transverse beam, where each component has a specific function: the deformable profile absorbs energy through controlled deformation, while the transverse beam provides structural support. This segmentation allows the system to meet both high-speed safety requirements and low-speed repairability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the structure have different mechanical properties: the deformable profile is designed to be more compliant for energy absorption, while the transverse beam and mounting plates are designed with higher stiffness for structural integrity. This local differentiation of material properties enables the system to satisfy contradictory requirements in different locations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the deformable profile is designed to deform by forming folds in a pleated manner, then the energy absorption capacity is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The structure is divided into a deformable profile dedicated to energy absorption and a transverse beam dedicated to maintaining structural strength. The deformable profile absorbs energy through controlled folding, while the transverse beam provides the necessary structural support, allowing each component to optimize its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse beam acts as an intermediary element that connects the two deformable profiles and provides structural reinforcement. It transfers and distributes forces between the profiles and the vehicle structure, enabling the deformable profiles to focus on energy absorption while maintaining overall structural integrity.
3Manufacturing precision
If controlled deformation means are added to act on the deformable profiles during straightening, then the deformation control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled deformation means are designed to utilize the natural straightening deformation of the transverse beam during impact to automatically exert bending moments on the deformable profiles. The system leverages the impact energy itself to drive the controlled deformation, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled deformation means are pre-positioned and pre-configured to automatically engage with the deformable profiles when straightening deformation occurs. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the bending moments are applied at the correct moment during impact without requiring real-time control systems or complex actuation mechanisms.
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 device effectively absorbs impact energy across various protocols, including high-speed frontal impacts on deformable and rigid barriers, reducing the risk of intrusions and deceleration forces, while maintaining repairability and satisfying stringent safety ratings.
Implementation Method 1
The deformable profiles, or 'crashboxes,' are designed to deform by forming folds in a pleated manner, like an accordion
Implementation Method 2
The objective of this test is to ensure that the front shock absorption system can absorb all the energy of the impact
Implementation Method 3
controlled deformation means disposed on the cross beam and configured to act on at least one of the deformable profiles during a straightening deformation of said beam, so as to exert a bending moment on the structural profile(s)
Implementation Method 4
The main challenge with this protocol lies in the vehicle's deceleration curve
Implementation Method 5
reducing the risk of intrusions and deceleration forces
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a shock absorbing device (102) for a motor vehicle, comprising two profiled sections which are deformable by compression (106), arranged parallel to each other and intended to be secured in the extension of two longitudinal structural profiled sections (108) of the vehicle, respectively, and a transverse beam (104) secured to the front ends of the deformable profiled sections (106), the beam having a profile that is generally curved towards the front. The device also comprises means for controlled deformation (130) arranged on the transverse beam (104) and configured to act on at least one of the deformable profiled sections (106) during the straightening deformation of said beam, in such a way as to exert a bending torque on the structural profiled section or sections (108).