Transverse Beam Impulse Device for Small Overlap Crash Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicles face challenges in crash tests with small overlap impacts, where the energy from the collision is not effectively transferred to energy-absorbing structures, leading to entanglement and increased damage, as the longitudinal rails are not directly involved in the collision, and the wheel suspensions are not suited to absorb the impact energy.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rigid compression-resistant beam extending in the vehicle's transverse direction, supported by a subframe or body structure, and an actuator that displaces the beam during an accident to introduce an impulse in the transverse direction, deflecting the drive unit and redirecting impact energy into the vehicle's body structures, thereby reducing entanglement and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the longitudinal rails are positioned to provide adequate wheel well sizes, then the vehicle structure maintains proper geometry and wheel well clearance, but the longitudinal rails cannot be moved outward far enough to directly engage small overlap obstacles, resulting in ineffective energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is segmented into functional zones: the longitudinal rails maintain their geometric position for wheel well clearance, while separate transverse beams are positioned at the front corner regions to directly engage small overlap obstacles. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Transverse beams act as intermediary elements between the obstacle and the longitudinal rails. These beams directly contact the obstacle in small overlap crashes and transfer the impact forces to the longitudinal rails and vehicle body, enabling energy absorption without requiring the longitudinal rails to be repositioned.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle moves forward unchanged during small overlap impact, then the impact energy is not absorbed by the vehicle structure, but the front wheel hits the obstacle frontally and is pushed into the passenger compartment, causing severe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse beams are positioned to preemptively engage the obstacle before the wheel can contact it. By intercepting the impact first, the beams initiate vehicle deflection and energy absorption processes that prevent the wheel from being pushed into the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle body is pre-configured with transverse beams at strategic positions to automatically activate during small overlap impacts. These beams are positioned to immediately deflect the vehicle laterally upon obstacle contact, creating a protective action before wheel intrusion can occur.
3Reliability
If deflector structures are used to cause lateral displacement of the vehicle, then entanglement is prevented, but the structures add complexity to the vehicle body design
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse beams serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as deflector structures to prevent entanglement, serve as energy absorption elements, and integrate with the existing longitudinal rail system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated deflector components.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector function is merged with the existing longitudinal rail and transverse beam structure. Rather than adding separate deflector components, the design integrates lateral displacement capability into the fundamental vehicle body framework, reducing overall structural complexity.
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 device effectively redirects impact energy to absorb and dissipate it laterally, reducing the likelihood of entanglement and minimizing damage to the vehicle and its occupants by deflecting the vehicle away from the obstacle, even in low overlap collisions.
Implementation Method 1
Device for generating an impulse acting on a vehicle in a transverse direction of the vehicle, as a result of energy released during an impact of the vehicle against an obstacle
Implementation Method 2
The device effectively redirects impact energy to absorb and dissipate it laterally, reducing the likelihood of entanglement and minimizing damage to the vehicle and its occupants
Data Source
AI summary
A device for generating an impulse acting on a vehicle in a transverse direction of the vehicle, resulting from energy released in an offset impact of the vehicle against an obstacle, includes a compression-resistant beam extending in the transverse direction, a support member for attaching the beam in a rest position to a subframe or a body structure of the vehicle, an activator for moving the beam substantially in the transverse direction in the event of an accident, and a coupling device which cooperates is operatively connected, at least during movement of the beam in the transverse direction, with a drive unit or aggregate and deflects the drive unit relative to the vehicle's body in the transverse direction at least in the region of the operative connection.