Automotive Shock Absorber Frame Reducing Overhang via Multi-Surface Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorption systems for motor vehicles, particularly insurance-type shocks, require a significant overhang to absorb sufficient energy, leading to increased length and potential damage during impacts, and often fail to integrate energy absorption across multiple bearing surfaces effectively.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorption module featuring an absorber frame with upper and lower transverse elements and legs that distribute energy absorption across multiple bearing surfaces, including a lower structural part, allowing for reduced thickness while maintaining high energy absorption capacity, and integrates a central reinforcement for additional functions like air guidance and pedestrian impact protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the transverse element depth in the longitudinal direction is increased to absorb sufficient energy during insurance impacts, then the energy absorption capacity is improved, but the vehicle overhang length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-point compression to distributed surface compression by adding a lower transverse element that contacts the lower structural part. This dimensional expansion from 1D (longitudinal compression) to 2D (surface compression) allows energy absorption without increasing longitudinal depth, thereby reducing vehicle overhang while maintaining energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorption system is segmented into multiple independent compression zones: the upper transverse element compressing against the impact beam and the lower transverse element compressing against the lower structural part. This segmentation distributes the energy absorption function across multiple bearing surfaces, reducing the required depth of each individual element and thus reducing overall vehicle overhang.
2Device complexity
If a single transverse element is used for energy absorption, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy absorption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption system is divided into segmented compression zones with the upper transverse element and lower transverse element operating independently. Each segment contacts a different bearing surface (impact beam vs. lower structural part), allowing efficient energy distribution across multiple contact points while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a vertical dimension to energy absorption by introducing the lower transverse element that compresses against the lower structural part. This creates a multi-level compression architecture that improves energy absorption efficiency without requiring a complex arrangement of multiple transverse elements at the same level.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the thickness of absorption elements is increased to absorb sufficient energy, then the energy absorption capacity is improved, but the vehicle overhang and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from volumetric compression (requiring thick elements) to surface compression (utilizing bearing surfaces). By having the lower transverse element compress against the lower structural part's bearing surface, energy absorption is achieved through surface contact rather than requiring thick longitudinal elements, thus reducing the volume of absorption elements while maintaining energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression function is segmented across multiple bearing surfaces (upper impact beam and lower structural part). This segmentation allows each absorption element to be thinner since the total energy absorption is distributed across multiple contact zones rather than concentrated in a single thick element.
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 enhances energy absorption efficiency, reduces vehicle overhang, and integrates multiple functions such as air guidance and reinforcement, improving compatibility and reducing the risk of damage during collisions, while maintaining structural integrity under high loads.
Implementation Method 1
energy absorption is not ensured solely by the upper transverse element combined with the impact beam, but also by elements arranged at a height lower than that of the longitudinal members, in particular thanks to the compression of the lower transverse element or of the legs against said lower structural part of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the total surface of compression of absorbers is greater than in the state of the art. The bearing surfaces thus include not only the end of the beams (such as a mounting plate for the impact beam), but also a bearing surface offered by the lower structural part
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 2~3
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The module (10) has an upper transversal element (12) that takes support against an impact beam (32) of a vehicle. A lower transversal beam (14) and abutment (16b) connects the element (12) and the beam in a manner to form a frame e.g. absorber frame (18). The beam (14) or the abutment is supported against a lower structural part (36) of the vehicle. A central reinforcement (20) extending above the element (12) is made of plastic material. An independent claim is also included for an assembly of impact beam of a lower structural part and a frontal impact absorbing module.