Vehicle Front Body Structure Ring Frame Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle front body structures face challenges in maintaining body rigidity when suspension housings are positioned separated from the dash panel, leading to potential reductions in steering stability and ride comfort due to uneven load distribution.

Innovation Solution

A front body structure featuring a ring-shaped frame formed by apron reinforcements, front side frames, suspension housings, and a sub-frame, with shroud members and joint members that provide closed cross-section connections to enhance rigidity, even when suspension housings are positioned apart from the dash panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If suspension housings are positioned separated from the dash panel toward the vehicle front side, then ease of operation and accessibility are improved, but body rigidity deteriorates due to inability to form effective ring-shaped structural frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to suspension housingsVSAvoidbody rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediate structural members (shroud upper, shroud members, joint members) that act as mediators to connect the apron reinforcements, front side frames, and sub-frame, forming a ring-shaped structural frame that restores body rigidity even when suspension housings are repositioned forward for better accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a three-dimensional ring-shaped structural frame by combining members extending in different directions (front-rear, width, and up-down directions), transforming the structural support from a two-dimensional plane to a three-dimensional space, thereby maintaining rigidity despite changes in suspension housing position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If ring-shaped structural frame is formed using cowl box as closed cross section member, then body rigidity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when suspension housings are separated from dash panel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody rigidityVSAvoidadaptability to different suspension housing positions
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ring-shaped structural frame into multiple independent closed cross-section members (apron reinforcements, front side frames, shroud upper, shroud members, joint members, and sub-frame), allowing each segment to be independently positioned and connected, thereby adapting to different suspension housing locations while maintaining overall structural rigidity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the ring-shaped structural frame components with universal connectivity, where the shroud members and joint members can connect various combinations of apron reinforcements, front side frames, and sub-frame regardless of suspension housing position, making the structure adaptable to multiple configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3613654B1Front body structure for vehicle and method of providing the same
Publication Date: 2022.06.29 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP3613654B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3613654B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3613654B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The front body structure for the vehicle 1 includes a pair of left and right apron reinforcements 8, a pair of left and right front side frames 10, a pair of left and right suspension housings 12, and a sub-frame 14. The front body structure of the vehicle 1 further includes a shroud upper 9 that joins the front ends of the apron reinforcements 8, a pair of left and right shroud members 11 that join the shroud upper 9 and the front ends of the front side frames 10, and a pair of left and right front joint members 15 that join the front ends of the front side frames 10 and the sub-frame 14, in which the shroud members 11 are joined to the upper surfaces and the side surfaces of the front side frames 10.