Rear Shock Absorber Protrusion for Crosspiece Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle shock absorption systems are ineffective in maintaining the vertical positioning of crosspieces during rear collisions, particularly in vehicles with increased ground clearance, leading to instability and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a shock absorber device with a protrusion extending along the entire longitudinal length of the body, featuring contoured and concave lower surfaces and a fixing plate with strategically positioned orifices, enhances stability by preventing tilting and bending, thereby maintaining crosspiece positioning and absorbing impact energy through plastic deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional shock absorption system with crosspiece is used, then impact energy can be absorbed, but the crosspiece tends to tilt and become unstable during rear collision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of crosspiece positioningVSAvoidvertical positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension element by adding a protrusion that extends downward from the lower face of the body. This downward extension anchors the shock absorber device vertically, preventing tilting and maintaining stable positioning of the crosspiece during collision. The protrusion transforms a two-dimensional lower face into a three-dimensional stabilizing structure.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion is pre-positioned on the lower face of the body before collision occurs. This preliminary structural configuration ensures that when impact happens, the device is already anchored and resistant to tilting, rather than requiring corrective measures during the collision event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the crosspiece is offset vertically to accommodate increased ground clearance, then adaptability to different vehicle configurations is improved, but stability during impact deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical offset capabilityVSAvoidstability during impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The downward-extending protrusion adds vertical anchoring capability that compensates for the destabilizing effect of vertical offset. Even when the crosspiece is positioned lower to accommodate increased ground clearance, the protrusion maintains contact with or near the ground, preventing excessive tilting and maintaining reliability.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If the lower face is made flat and simple, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but stability and resistance to tilting deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of lower faceVSAvoidresistance to tilting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of complicating the lower face horizontally with multiple features, the invention extends vertically downward with a simple protrusion. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while effectively preventing tilting through the downward extension that anchors the device.

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

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

This configuration significantly improves the stability and safety of vehicles during impacts by preventing the underside from tipping and maintaining the vertical positioning of crosspieces, even with significant offsets, thus reducing damage and repair costs for urban shocks.

Implementation Method 1

The body is adapted to absorb energy by longitudinal compression, in particular by plastic deformation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3500455B1Rear shock absorber for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3500455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3500455B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention concerns a motor vehicle with a rear cross-member, longitudinal members, and one or more rear shock absorber devices (10). The cross-member is offset downwards relative to the longitudinal members, and is attached there via the shock absorber devices (10). Each device (10) comprises an attachment plate (18) for attachment to a longitudinal member and a body (16) with a lower face. Each lower face of a body (16) comprises a protrusion (22) protruding downwards, extending over the entire longitudinal length of said body (16). The body (16) thus has a water-drop profile. The contour of the body (16) helps prevent the cross-member from tilting in case of a rear impact.