Vehicle Bracket With Shock Impactor Absorbs Longitudinal Impact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle powertrains can deform and move towards the passenger compartment during longitudinal impacts, posing a risk to passengers, and existing solutions are costly, complex, and mass-increasing, especially in the cluttered engine compartment.

Innovation Solution

A shock impactor is strategically positioned on the chassis to absorb and redirect thrust forces, using a honeycomb body and inclined edge to prevent crossmember movement towards the passenger compartment, engaging with structural elements like bodywork and fixing reinforcements to absorb energy and restrict mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shock impactor is added to limit powertrain movement during impact, then passenger protection is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger protectionVSAvoidmounting bracket complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock impactor is integrated into the mounting bracket structure, merging two separate components (mounting bracket and shock impactor) into a single unified component. This reduces device complexity and assembly steps while maintaining the protective function during longitudinal impacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed to serve multiple functions: structural mounting of the crossmember and shock absorption during impact. The integrated shock impactor allows the same component to perform both mounting and safety functions, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a shock impactor is added to absorb impact energy, then passenger protection is improved, but vehicle mass increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger protectionVSAvoidvehicle mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the shock impactor into the mounting bracket, the weight of additional protective components is minimized and shared with the existing structural mass of the mounting bracket, rather than adding a separate dedicated shock absorption system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the engine compartment is kept clutter-free for simple mounting, then ease of manufacture is improved, but available space for impact protection components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidavailable space in engine compartment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the shock impactor into the mounting bracket eliminates the need for separate impact protection components in the engine compartment, maintaining a clutter-free environment while providing impact protection functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket performs both mounting and shock absorption functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated components and maintaining space efficiency in the engine compartment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively limits powertrain movement and absorbs impact energy, providing structural simplicity and weight efficiency, suitable for both direct and offset longitudinal impacts without significantly increasing vehicle mass or complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a deformation of the impactor absorbs the forces generated by the impact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 2

A shock impactor is strategically positioned on the chassis to absorb and redirect thrust forces, using a honeycomb body and inclined edge to prevent crossmember movement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3826903B1Bracket for mounting a crossmember for supporting a powertrain of a motor vehicle, provided with an impactor
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3826903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3826903B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a bracket (5a, 5b) for mounting, on a motor vehicle chassis, a crossmember (4) for supporting a powertrain (2) of said vehicle. Each of the ends (4a, 4b) of the crossmember (4) is secured via such a bracket (5a, 5b) to a bearing structure (1) mounted on the chassis and intended for receiving the powertrain (2). At least one such bracket (5a) is provided with a shock impactor (9) which is oriented transversely (T1) on the chassis towards at least one structural element (6, 7) provided on the chassis, with the shock impactor (9) being capable of bearing against said at least one structural element (6, 7) in the event of a crash (C1) withstood by the chassis essentially in the longitudinal direction (L1) in which it extends.