Vehicle Frame Intermediate Member Buckling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, particularly all-terrain vehicles, face challenges in managing load and kinetic energy inputs from uneven terrain, leading to potential deformation of the passenger area due to the transmission of these forces through stiff frame structures, which existing designs struggle to mitigate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A frame assembly design that includes a main frame, front frame, and rear frame with intermediate members that can buckle in a controlled manner when load or kinetic energy exceeds a threshold, distributing and absorbing energy to prevent deformation in the passenger area, while maintaining rigidity for off-road durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the frame assembly is designed to be very stiff to withstand load and energy inputs from uneven terrain, then off-road durability is improved, but the passenger area may deform under excessive load or kinetic energy
Solution Approach 1:
The frame assembly is divided into multiple segments with different stiffness characteristics. The front frame members include controlled deformation zones with bends that can buckle under excessive load, while the main frame members and cross frame members maintain high stiffness to support the passenger area. This segmentation allows different parts of the frame to serve different functions: energy absorption at the front and structural stability at the passenger area.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the frame assembly are given different mechanical properties. The front frame members are designed with specific bend locations and cross-sectional geometries that allow controlled deformation, while the main frame members are designed to be very stiff. This local differentiation of mechanical properties enables the frame to simultaneously absorb energy and protect the passenger area from deformation.
2Strength
If the frame members are made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then load bearing capacity is improved, but kinetic energy from terrain unevenness cannot be effectively absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled deformation zones in the front frame members are designed to buckle and deform under excessive kinetic energy from uneven terrain. This controlled deformation converts the harmful kinetic energy into beneficial structural deformation, absorbing energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the passenger area. The bends in the front frame members are specifically positioned and sized to initiate controlled buckling at predetermined thresholds.
3Loss of energy
If the intermediate frame members are designed to buckle under excessive load, then energy absorption is improved, but the frame complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate frame members are designed with predetermined bends or curvatures that serve as controlled deformation zones. These bends are strategically positioned to initiate buckling under excessive kinetic energy. The curved geometry of these bends provides the mechanical advantage needed for controlled energy absorption while maintaining a relatively simple overall frame structure. The bends act as built-in energy management features without requiring complex additional components.
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 frame assembly effectively manages load and kinetic energy inputs by distributing them throughout the frame, preventing undesirable deformation of the passenger area and maintaining structural integrity during off-road travel.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the intermediate frame members can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold
Data Source
AI summary
A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a main frame assembly defining a passenger compartment, and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly can include a pair of front frame members extending upwardly, and a pair of intermediate frame members spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each of the intermediate frame members can be connected to a respective one of the front frame members. Each of the intermediate frame members also can be connected to a cross member of the main frame assembly, and can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.