Vehicle Frame Bead and Reinforcing Members for Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle frame structures face challenges in increasing energy absorption while minimizing the bending start load and maintaining a lightweight design, as reinforcing members can delay the bending initiation and increase collision impact temporarily, and may lead to excessive weight due to their size.
Innovation Solution
A frame structure with a rectangular closed cross section featuring a bead portion recessed inward and extending toward short side panels, along with first and second reinforcing members forming sub cross sections that are spaced apart, which suppress free deformation and facilitate complex bending, thereby enhancing energy absorption without increasing the bending start load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcing member is provided to form a sub closed cross section inside the main closed cross section, then the strength and energy absorption performance against bending are improved, but the load to start bending is increased and the timing of frame bending is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first zone with a first reinforcing member that suppresses bending in an initial stage, and a second zone with a second reinforcing member that suppresses bending in a subsequent stage. This segmentation allows the frame to exhibit different bending characteristics in different zones, resolving the contradiction between early bending suppression and late bending strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reinforcing members are provided at different locations within the frame cross section. The first reinforcing member is positioned to suppress bending in the initial stage, while the second reinforcing member is positioned to suppress bending in the subsequent stage. This local differentiation of reinforcing member positions and properties allows the frame to achieve both early bending control and late bending strength.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a reinforcing member is provided to form a sub closed cross section, then the energy absorption performance is improved, but the weight of the frame increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed to dynamically engage different reinforcing members at different stages of bending. In the initial stage, the first reinforcing member engages to suppress bending and absorb energy. In the subsequent stage, the second reinforcing member engages to continue suppressing bending and absorbing energy. This dynamic engagement allows the frame to achieve high energy absorption without requiring all reinforcing members to be present simultaneously, thereby reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure utilizes changes in the bending parameters (load, displacement, energy absorption) to dynamically activate different reinforcing members. By designing the frame to exhibit different bending characteristics at different stages, the system optimizes energy absorption efficiency while minimizing the total amount of reinforcing material required, thus reducing weight.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a reinforcing member is provided to suppress free deformation, then energy absorption is increased, but the collision impact acting on the vehicle becomes improperly large temporarily
Solution Approach 1:
The first reinforcing member is designed to suppress bending in the initial stage of collision, preventing excessive energy absorption that would otherwise increase the collision impact. By preliminarily suppressing bending at the appropriate stage, the frame avoids creating large temporary impacts while still achieving high energy absorption in the subsequent stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure ensures continuous energy absorption through the sequential engagement of different reinforcing members. The first reinforcing member suppresses bending in the initial stage, and the second reinforcing member continues suppressing bending in the subsequent stage. This continuity of useful action maintains stable energy absorption characteristics without creating temporary spikes in collision impact.
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 described frame structure effectively decreases the initial collision impact, increases energy absorption throughout the buckling process, and maintains a lightweight design by regulating the buckling timing and load distribution, ensuring sustained energy absorption until the second half of the buckling phase.
Implementation Method 1
the bead portion decreases the load of buckling start
Implementation Method 2
the first reinforcing member suppresses free deformation of the tension-side panel of the frame
Implementation Method 3
After the second reinforcing member comes to contact the first reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member suppresses the free deformation of the compression-side panel through the second reinforcing member and also suppresses the free deformation of the tension-side panel of the frame
Implementation Method 4
a frame having a rectangular closed cross section is configured to bend when receiving a vehicle collision load
Implementation Method 5
the bending frame comprising a compression-side panel, a tension-side panel, and a pair of short side panels
Data Source
AI summary
A bead portion is provided at a compression-side wall portion to be recessed toward an inside of a main closed cross section. A first reinforcing member is provided in the closed cross section and joined to a tension-side wall portion so as to form a first sub cross section extending in a longitudinal direction between the tension-side wall portion and the first reinforcing member. A second reinforcing member is provided in the closed cross section and joined to a portion of the compression-side wall portion where the bead portion is provided so as to form a second sub cross section extending vertically between the portion of the compression-side wall portion and the second reinforcing member. The first and second reinforcing members are configured to be spaced apart from each other.