Underbody Flap and Lower Support Layout for Low-Speed Frontal Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs face challenges in optimizing frontal impact resistance, particularly at low speeds, to minimize pedestrian injury and reduce repair costs while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a rotating aerodynamic underbody flap with a lower transverse structure, where guide means facilitate the backward movement of the lower transverse structure to contact the flap's axis, enhancing structural resistance and energy absorption during low-speed impacts, and utilizing a thermoplastic material with metal or composite reinforcement for the flap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lower transverse structure is designed to deform progressively at low energies to reduce pedestrian injury, then the structural resistance is reduced and pedestrian safety is improved, but the overall impact resistance capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lower transverse structure with the aerodynamic underbody flap assembly to create a unified impact resistance system. The guide means cause the lower transverse structure to engage with the flap's axis during impact, merging the deformation characteristics of both components to achieve progressive energy absorption that protects pedestrians while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic underbody flap assembly acts as an intermediary element between the lower transverse structure and the upper transverse structure. During low-speed impacts, the flap's axis serves as a mediator that absorbs energy through its own structural resistance and deformation characteristics, allowing the lower transverse structure to deform progressively without compromising overall impact resistance.
2Strength
If the lower transverse structure engages the aerodynamic underbody flap axis during impact to increase resistance, then the impact resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic underbody flap assembly serves multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic drag reduction during normal vehicle operation and serves as a structural energy absorption element during frontal impacts. The guide means integrate the flap's rotational mechanism with the lower transverse structure's deformation path, allowing the same component to fulfill both aerodynamic and safety functions without adding separate dedicated impact structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the dynamic characteristics of the aerodynamic underbody flap's rotational mechanism to enhance impact resistance. The guide means allow the lower transverse structure to dynamically engage with the flap's axis during impact, leveraging the flap's rotational inertia and structural flexibility to absorb energy progressively, rather than relying on static structural reinforcement.
3Loss of energy
If the aerodynamic underbody flap is positioned to extend the axis in a plane parallel to the ground for low-speed travel, then the aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but the structural resistance during impact is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic underbody flap transitions between different operational states: during normal low-speed travel, it extends in a plane parallel to the ground to optimize aerodynamic efficiency and reduce drag; during frontal impacts, the guide means cause the lower transverse structure to engage with the flap's axis, transforming the flap into a vertical structural element that provides enhanced impact resistance. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction between aerodynamic performance and structural strength.
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 increases the vehicle's resistance to frontal impacts by combining structural and aerodynamic resistances, reducing pedestrian injury and optimizing energy absorption across the vehicle's height, while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and reducing the need for extensive structural deformation.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation of the lower transverse structure towards the rear of the vehicle allows the rear part of the lower transverse structure to come into contact with the axis of the aerodynamic underbody flap
Implementation Method 2
Its function is therefore to be first to absorb impacts at low speeds of less than or equal to 15 km/h
Implementation Method 3
a movable aerodynamic underbody flap can be used, arranged at the front of the vehicle in order to reduce and direct the flow of air passing beneath the vehicle
Implementation Method 4
the inertia of the axis, and thus the resistance of the assembly, is increased by the wall constituted by the aerodynamic underbody flap itself
Data Source
AI summary
The motor vehicle comprising an aerodynamic underbody flap (1) rotating about a transverse axis (10) and a lower transverse structure (4) arranged at the rear of the lower part of a front bumper (6). The rear part of the lower transverse structure (4) comprises guide means (41, 42) which, in the event of a frontal impact, guide the backward movement of the lower transverse structure (4) such that the rear face of the lower transverse structure (4) comes into contact with the axis (10) of the aerodynamic underbody flap (1).