Thermoplastic Elastomer Inflatable Wheel Deflector for Offset Crash Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
During offset frontal vehicle impacts, existing technologies fail to effectively manage the relative movement and deformation of suspension and steering components, leading to inadequate force distribution and wheel deflection, which can compromise vehicle safety.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable device made of thermoplastic elastomer, with a forward chamber and rearward chamber, is integrated into the vehicle's rocker, expanding to deflect the wheel and reinforce the vehicle body, distributing impact forces and enhancing structural integrity during a small-offset rigid-barrier frontal crash test.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid structures are used to manage wheel deflection during offset frontal impacts, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to distribute impact forces and manage deformation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by using an inflatable wheel deflector that transitions from a compact state to an expanded state during impact. The deflector dynamically changes its volume and shape in response to the collision, allowing it to adapt to varying impact forces and directions. This dynamic response enables better force distribution across the vehicle body compared to static rigid structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by altering the physical state of the wheel deflector through inflation. The deflector transitions from a deflated or partially inflated state to a fully inflated state during impact, changing its volume, pressure, and structural properties. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both strength and force distribution characteristics based on the impact conditions.
2Reliability
If the wheel deflector is made more compliant to improve force distribution, then impact force management improves, but structural reinforcement capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable wheel deflector dynamically adjusts its compliance characteristics through inflation pressure. When inflated, the deflector becomes more compliant for force distribution, and when deflated or partially inflated, it provides less structural interference. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to be compliant when needed for force management while maintaining structural integrity when compliance is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-inflating the wheel deflector or having it inflate rapidly upon impact detection. This prior preparation ensures that the deflector is in the optimal compliant state before the full force of impact is applied, allowing it to effectively distribute forces while protecting the vehicle body. The cushioning effect is prepared in advance rather than reacting passively to the impact.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact wheel deflector design is used to reduce space requirements, then packaging efficiency improves, but the ability to deflect wheels and distribute forces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by designing the wheel deflector to collapse into a compact form that can be stored within or adjacent to the wheel well structure when not in use. The deflator can be nested within the vehicle body cavity or positioned in a space-efficient manner, yet when inflated during impact, it expands to the necessary size for effective wheel deflection and force distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable wheel deflector dynamically changes its volume from a compact stored state to a large deployed state during impact. This dynamic volume transformation allows the system to meet space constraints during normal operation while providing sufficient size for effective wheel deflection and force distribution when activated. The deflector only occupies large volume when it is needed for its protective function.
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 inflatable device effectively deflects the wheel and distributes impact forces, enhancing vehicle safety by reinforcing the vehicle body and managing deformation during offset frontal impacts, thereby improving crash test performance.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable device is made of thermoplastic elastomer... effectively deflects the wheel and distributes impact forces... managing deformation during offset frontal impacts
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a front wheel well. The vehicle includes an inflatable device that is a thermoplastic elastomer. The inflatable device is inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The vehicle body defines a cavity and the inflatable device has a forward chamber and a rearward chamber disposed in the cavity in the undeployed position. The forward chamber expands vehicle-forward from the vehicle body into the wheel well from the undeployed position to the deployed position. The rearward chamber expands vehicle-rearward along the cavity from the undeployed position to the deployed position.