Vehicle Frame Cross-Section for Uniform Crash Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle frame members are prone to uneven buckling during collisions, leading to non-uniform compression and inadequate absorption of collision loads.
Innovation Solution
A frame member with a closed-cross section that is symmetrical about its center of gravity, featuring groove portions recessed inward and flanges protruding outward, ensuring uniform axial compression and increased buckling resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flanges are offset toward the outward side in the vehicle width direction, then the resistance against buckling of the outer panel is higher, but the inner panel buckles more easily and the frame member cannot be axially compressed uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the closed-cross section nonsymmetrical about straight lines passing through the center of gravity perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This asymmetric design allows the flanges to be positioned at different locations on different sides, balancing the buckling resistance between inner and outer panels while maintaining point symmetry about the center of gravity, thereby achieving uniform axial compression during collision loads
2Stability of the object's composition
If the closed-cross section is made symmetrical about the center of gravity including flange positions, then uniform axial compression is achieved, but the moment of inertia and buckling resistance may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing point symmetry (central symmetry) about the center of gravity rather than line symmetry. The closed-cross section is nonsymmetrical about straight lines passing through the center of gravity perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, but is symmetrical about the center point itself. This allows the flanges to be positioned asymmetrically relative to vertical lines while maintaining overall balance about the center, thereby achieving both uniform axial compression and adequate buckling resistance through optimized moment of inertia distribution
3Strength
If groove portions are added to increase the moment of inertia, then buckling resistance increases, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming groove portions at specific locations on the side wall portions of the closed-cross section. These grooves are strategically positioned to maximize the moment of inertia and buckling resistance where needed, rather than uniformly thickening the entire structure. The grooves create local variations in the cross-sectional geometry that enhance structural performance while minimizing overall material usage and structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A frame member for a vehicle which extends in a longitudinal direction, comprises a frame body portion having a closed-cross section perpendicular to an extension direction thereof, the closed-cross section having plural vertexes, a pair of groove portions formed at a pair of side wall portions which form the closed-cross section of the frame body portion, the groove portions being recessed toward an inside of the closed-cross section, and plural flanges protruding outward from the closed-cross section. The closed-cross section is symmetrical about a point of center of gravity of the closed-cross section, including projection positions of the plural flanges, and is nonsymmetrical about all straight lines which pass through the center of gravity of the closed-cross section and are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.