Tension Strap for Small Overlap Collision Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In frontal collisions with small overlap, existing motor vehicle body arrangements fail to effectively dissipate collision energy due to limited deformation of longitudinal members, allowing the collision opponent to penetrate deeply into the passenger cell.

Innovation Solution

A body arrangement featuring a tension strap fastened between the main longitudinal member and an upper support structure, which is designed to be loaded in tension during a collision, supporting the upper support on the longitudinal member and enabling energy dissipation without additional construction space or weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If additional body structural elements (such as cantilevered supports or crashboxes) are introduced to dissipate collision energy, then collision energy dissipation is improved, but device complexity and construction space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision energy dissipationVSAvoidbody structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A tension belt is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the longitudinal member to the upper support arrangement. This simple intermediary component enables energy transfer to the longitudinal member without requiring complex additional structural elements like crashboxes or cantilevered supports, thus improving energy dissipation while minimizing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension belt functions as a flexible element that can be tensioned during collision to transmit forces. This flexible film-like component achieves the desired energy dissipation effect without adding rigid structural complexity or requiring significant construction space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Loss of energy

If additional body structural elements are introduced to dissipate collision energy, then collision energy dissipation is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision energy dissipationVSAvoidbody structure weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The tension belt serves as a lightweight intermediary component that connects existing structural elements (longitudinal member and upper support arrangement) to enable energy dissipation. This approach avoids the need for heavy additional components like crashboxes, achieving improved energy dissipation with minimal weight penalty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tension belt is implemented as a flexible strip or film that provides the necessary force transmission capability with minimal material and weight, compared to traditional rigid energy-absorbing components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Loss of energy

If the tension strap is arranged to support the upper support arrangement, then collision energy is effectively introduced into the longitudinal member, but the structure may interfere with full overlap collision scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision energy dissipation in small overlapVSAvoidperformance in different collision scenarios

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tension belt is designed as a dynamic element that is initially slack or loosely arranged, allowing it to engage and become taut only during small overlap collisions. This dynamic configuration enables the belt to provide energy dissipation when needed while remaining inactive during full overlap collisions, thus adapting to different collision scenarios without interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 tension strap effectively introduces and dissipates collision energy into the longitudinal member, enhancing its contribution to energy absorption in small overlap collisions while maintaining flexibility to avoid interference in full overlap scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

the tension strap supports the upper support arrangement on the main longitudinal member arrangement under tension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the main longitudinal member arrangement can be deformed and can thereby dissipate collision energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10343719B2Body arrangement for a front-end structure of a motor vehicle, said body arrangement being designed for a frontal collision with a small overlap

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG

AI summary

A body arrangement for a front-end structure of a motor vehicle has a lower main longitudinal member arrangement, on the front end of which there is arranged a shock-absorbing transverse member, an upper member arrangement, which runs above a wheel suspension, and a tension strap which is fastened at a first fastening point to a front region of the main longitudinal member arrangement and at a second fastening point to the upper member arrangement. The first fastening point and the second fastening point are spaced apart in a vehicle transverse direction. The tension strap is arranged such that, in the event of a frontal collision of the motor vehicle with a small overlap, in the case of which a collision partner strikes the upper member arrangement of the motor vehicle laterally with respect to the longitudinal member arrangement, the tension strap, under tension, supports the upper member arrangement on the main longitudinal member arrangement.