Vehicle Subframe Beams With Indents for Front Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unibody vehicles, insufficient space for progressive deformation of longitudinal beams during frontal impacts compromises safety by directly transmitting collision energy into the passenger cabin, increasing the risk of severe injuries.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a subframe with beams that have strategically placed indents to encourage bending and a secondary crash structure that absorbs energy by bending upward, complementing the deformation of longitudinal beams, thereby enhancing energy absorption without increasing the vehicle's frontal dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If longitudinal beams are designed to crush progressively during impact, then energy absorption is improved, but the space required for deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The crash structure is divided into multiple longitudinal beams that can deform independently and progressively. Each beam is segmented into different regions with varying rigidity, allowing controlled deformation zones while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables energy absorption without requiring excessive deformation space.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the longitudinal beams have different rigidity characteristics. The beams incorporate varying wall thicknesses, material densities, and geometric profiles along their length, creating localized deformation zones that absorb energy efficiently within limited space while maintaining structural strength in critical areas.
2Strength
If the vehicle structure is made more rigid to protect the passenger cabin, then safety is improved, but the ability to absorb impact energy through deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle structure is segmented into a rigid passenger cabin and flexible longitudinal crash beams. This segmentation allows the cabin to maintain high strength for occupant protection while the beams provide energy absorption through controlled deformation, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure employs local quality variations where the longitudinal beams have reduced rigidity in deformation zones while the passenger cabin maintains high rigidity. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous energy absorption and cabin protection without requiring the entire structure to be either rigid or flexible.
3Loss of energy
If a subframe with indented beams is added to enhance energy absorption, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subframe with indented beams is merged with the existing longitudinal beam structure, integrating additional energy absorption capability into the current crash management system. This merging approach enhances safety without creating entirely separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The subframe beams incorporate indents that modify their deformation parameters, creating controlled bending zones. These parameter changes enable enhanced energy absorption through predictable deformation patterns while maintaining relatively simple beam geometries that are easy to manufacture and integrate.
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 subframe and indented beams effectively distribute and absorb impact energy, reducing the transfer to the passenger compartment, ensuring compliance with safety regulations while allowing for compact vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
these beams deform progressively upon impact, dissipating kinetic energy and reducing the transfer of force to the passenger cabin
Implementation Method 2
Engineered with crumple zones, these beams deform progressively upon impact, dissipating kinetic energy
Implementation Method 3
The front subframe is configured to bend upward when impacted after the primary crash structure begins crushing
Implementation Method 4
The subframe includes an additional pair of beams parallel to the pair of longitudinal beams and the additional pair of beams include indents for encouraging the additional pair of beams to bend during the impact
Data Source
AI summary
The technology disclosed herein enables enhanced front impact protection for a vehicle. In a particular example, an apparatus includes a pair of longitudinal beams extending forward from a unibody structure of the vehicle. The pair of longitudinal beams are configured to crush towards the unibody structure during an impact. The apparatus further includes a subframe mounted to the vehicle below the pair of longitudinal beams. The subframe includes an additional pair of beams parallel to the pair of longitudinal beams and the additional pair of beams include indents for encouraging the additional pair of beams to bend during the impact.