Vehicle Frame Z-Shape Breakage for Oblique Collision Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front vehicle-body structures experience increased deceleration for occupants during oblique collisions due to excessive bracing and inability to support shear loads effectively, leading to inefficient collision energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A front vehicle-body structure with a suspension housing and connecting frames configured to break in a Z-shape during oblique collisions, featuring breakage facilitating beads and inclined frames to absorb collision energy and restrain shear loads, thereby reducing deceleration and supporting loads efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the upper center frame and upper side frame excessively brace the suspension housing in the event of a front-end collision, then the support rigidity is improved, but the deceleration for occupants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with a dynamic breaking characteristic that allows it to transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a controlled breaking state during oblique collision. The breaking portion is specifically designed to fail in a predetermined Z-shape pattern, transforming the frame from a rigid bracing element to a energy-absorbing component that reduces deceleration forces on occupants while maintaining necessary support rigidity during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame's structural parameters are modified by introducing a breaking portion with specific geometric characteristics (Z-shape configuration) that changes the frame's mechanical properties under load. This parameter change allows the frame to exhibit different stiffness characteristics: high rigidity during normal operation and controlled deformation during collision, thereby resolving the contradiction between support rigidity and deceleration reduction.
2Strength
If the frames support large amounts of load in shear direction, then the load-bearing capacity is improved, but the frames may be unable to support the load
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into functional portions: a rigid main body for load transmission and a dedicated breaking portion for energy absorption. This segmentation allows the frame to handle shear loads effectively through the rigid portions while the breaking portion provides a controlled failure mechanism that prevents catastrophic failure, thereby improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design converts the potentially harmful effect of excessive shear load into a beneficial controlled breaking process. The breaking portion is designed to fail in a predetermined Z-shape pattern that absorbs collision energy, transforming what would be a destructive failure into a controlled energy-absorbing mechanism that protects the overall structure and occupants.
3Loss of energy
If the frames are designed to break in a Z-shape during oblique collision, then the collision energy absorption is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Z-shape breaking portion is introduced as a localized feature within the frame structure, rather than complicating the entire frame design. This local modification allows the frame to maintain simplicity in most areas while providing targeted energy absorption capability at the breaking portion, thereby minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity.
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 Z-shaped breakage configuration effectively absorbs collision energy and reduces deceleration for occupants during oblique collisions, while preventing excessive shear load input to connecting portions, enhancing safety and load management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one frame of the plurality of frames is configured to be facilitated to break in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view in an event of an oblique collision. As at least one frame of the plurality of frames breaks in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view and thus absorbs collision energy
Implementation Method 2
at least one frame of the plurality of frames is formed with breakage facilitating beads extending in a vertical direction on vehicle-width-direction inner and outer side portions of the at least one frame at positions offset from each other in a vehicle front-rear direction. This configuration allows the frame to break in a Z-shape around the breakage facilitating beads
Data Source
AI summary
A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle is provided that allows for lower deceleration (so-called G) for occupants in the event of an oblique collision, which involves the largest load input, while restraining a load in a shear direction from being input to connecting portions of frames. A front vehicle-body structure of a vehicle includes a suspension housing formed with a suspension damper supporting portion, an upper arm supporting portion, and a lower arm supporting portion. A plurality of frames connecting the suspension housing and a vehicle cabin structural member are provided, and at least one frame of the plurality of frames is configured to be facilitated to break in a Z-shape in vehicle plan view in the event of an oblique collision.