Vehicle Component Deformation Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle components lack the ability to predetermine the temporal and geometric deformation behavior when subjected to external forces, leading to unpredictable energy absorption and potential cracking.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle component with a deformation zone featuring a locally variable tensile strength profile, allowing for controlled deformation behavior through a gradient of tensile strengths in different spatial directions, which can be achieved by heat treatment of the component body, enabling predetermined deformation patterns such as concertina-like folding or bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a uniform material hardness is used throughout the vehicle component, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the deformation behavior cannot be predetermined and cracks may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a deformation zone with specifically modified material properties (reduced material hardness and tensile strength) in a localized region of the vehicle component. This allows the deformation behavior to be predetermined at specific locations while maintaining uniform manufacturing processes for the overall component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-modifying the material properties in the deformation zone before the component is subjected to impact forces. The tensile strength profile is established in advance through material modification, ensuring that when forces are applied, the deformation occurs predictably in the predetermined zone without cracks.
2Manufacturing precision
If the material hardness is reduced in the deformation zone, then the deformation can be concentrated and controlled, but the overall strength of the component may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized deformation zone with reduced material hardness and tensile strength while maintaining the original material properties in the rest of the component. This ensures that the component maintains its overall strength and load-bearing capacity while allowing controlled deformation in the specific deformation zone during impact events.
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 solution allows for precise control over deformation behavior, reducing the risk of cracking and enhancing energy absorption during impacts, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the transmission of acceleration forces to vehicle occupants.
Implementation Method 1
the vehicle component may have deformation regions which may have a reduced material hardness in order to concentrate a deformation of the vehicle component on these deformation regions
Implementation Method 2
The deformation zone can be generated for example by a local heat treatment of the component body. By the heat treatment, the tensile strength can be adjusted within the deformation zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle component for a vehicle has a component body which is formed from a core material. The component body has a localized deformation zone which extends flat in the core material, and the deformation zone has a locally variable tensile strength according to a predetermined tensile strength profile configured to influence a deformation profile of the component body upon a force acting on the component body.