Vehicle Frame Member Two-Stage Buckling Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current frame members for vehicles with closed cross sections face challenges in achieving high energy absorption mass efficiency during side-face collisions, as they often result in single-stage buckling and inefficient load distribution.
Innovation Solution
The frame member design incorporates upper and lower lateral ribs that extend linearly and are non-parallel to each other, along with vertical ribs that form node connections, allowing for two-stage buckling with a fulcrum, thereby enhancing load transmission and buckling load capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a plate-shaped reinforcing member with a bending portion is provided to interconnect side faces of the frame body, then the frame member can suppress buckling, but the energy absorption mass efficiency against collision is insufficient due to single-stage buckling
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral ribs are segmented into multiple sections (first lateral rib section, second lateral rib section, third lateral rib section) connected by bending portions. This segmentation creates multiple buckling stages, allowing the structure to absorb energy progressively through controlled deformation at each segment, thereby improving energy absorption mass efficiency while maintaining buckling resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral ribs are designed with bending portions that enable dynamic, multi-stage buckling behavior during collision. Instead of rigid single-stage buckling, the structure transitions through multiple deformation stages controlled by the bending portions, optimizing energy absorption characteristics while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If the lateral ribs extend non-linearly to create bending portions, then two-stage buckling can be achieved, but the load transmission efficiency to the inward side is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral ribs are divided into three distinct sections with bending portions at transitions. The first section extends linearly for optimal load transmission, while the second and third sections incorporate bending portions to enable two-stage buckling. This segmentation allows the structure to maintain load transmission efficiency in the linear section while achieving enhanced buckling load capacity through controlled deformation in the bent sections.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame member for a vehicle comprises a first side wall, a second side wall provided on an inward side, in a vehicle width direction, of the first side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, which are configured to form a structure of the closed cross section of the frame member together with the first and the second side walls, an upper-side lateral rib and a lower-side lateral rib, which are respectively provided between the upper and lower walls to interconnect the first and the second side walls and extend linearly, when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the frame member, an upper-side vertical rib provided to face the first side wall and interconnect the upper wall and the upper-side lateral rib, and a lower-side vertical rib provided to face the first side wall and interconnect the lower wall and the lower-side lateral rib.