Vehicle Body Structure With Direction-Changing Unit For Load Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle body structures fail to effectively absorb excessive loads from the outside while minimizing displacement into the passenger compartment, leading to inadequate protection for occupants during collisions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body structure featuring a skeleton recessed portion with a crushing mechanism, including an impactor, slider, and crushing member, where the direction-changing unit with inclined surfaces redirects force to absorb and distribute loads, reducing displacement and enhancing protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a skeleton member absorbs a shock by moving to the passenger compartment side, then the shock absorbing function is improved, but the displacement into the passenger compartment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorbing functionVSAvoiddisplacement into passenger compartment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The skeleton member is divided into multiple segments including a movable section and a fixed section. The movable section can deform and move to absorb shock, while the fixed section remains stationary to prevent excessive displacement into the passenger compartment. This segmentation allows the structure to absorb energy through controlled deformation of specific portions while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A shock absorbing mechanism is introduced as an intermediary element between the impact source and the passenger compartment. This mechanism includes components such as a movable section with a movable surface, a fixed section with a fixed surface, and a shock absorbing member positioned between them. The intermediary mechanism transforms the impact energy through controlled deformation and friction, reducing the harmful effects transmitted to the passenger compartment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Force

If the pillar body is allowed to move to absorb load, then the load absorbing capability is improved, but the protection of the passenger compartment is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload absorbing capabilityVSAvoidpassenger compartment protection

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pillar structure incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled movement and deformation under load. The movable section can shift position and the shock absorbing member can deform plastically to absorb energy. However, the system is designed with friction between surfaces and structural constraints that prevent uncontrolled movement, maintaining sufficient strength to protect the passenger compartment while absorbing impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The structural parameters of the pillar are designed to change under different loading conditions. The shock absorbing member is configured with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to yield and deform at controlled stress levels. The friction coefficient between contact surfaces is optimized to provide progressive resistance, allowing the structure to absorb energy through parameter changes while maintaining protective strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 structure effectively absorbs excessive loads by redirecting force through the direction-changing unit, reducing deformation and displacement into the passenger compartment, thereby enhancing occupant safety during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

direction-changing unit including an inclined surface at at least one of sliding-contact parts of the impactor and the slider configured to be in sliding contact with each other, the inclined surface obliquely intersecting the two directions of a displacement direction of the impactor and a displacement direction of the slider

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Implementation Method 2

a slider configured to be displaced toward the standing wall and be in sliding contact with the impactor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

crushing member disposed between the slider and the standing wall and configured to crush in a case where a load exceeding a set value is inputted to the crushing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11505253B2Vehicle body structure

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a vehicle body structure in which when a load acts on an impactor, the impactor is moved toward an inner wall, a slider is moved along the inner wall by means of direction-changing unit, and in the case where the load acting on a crushing member via the slider exceeds a set value, the moving slider crushes the crushing member.