Vehicle Front Structure Buckling Sub-Frame for Small Overlap Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body front structures face challenges in efficiently transmitting impact loads inward in the left-right direction during small overlap collisions, as the load transmission from the radiator support to the power unit is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle-body front structure incorporates a pair of sub-frames with projections and buckling structures that allow the sub-frames to buckle and contact a cross member, redirecting the impact load inward in the left-right direction, enabling efficient load transmission and deviation from the collision path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the radiator support is used to transmit impact load inward in the left-right direction, then the load transmission path is established, but the transmission efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame is segmented into an upper side frame portion and a lower side frame portion, with the lower portion being movable relative to the upper portion. This segmentation creates an independent load transmission path through the movable connection, improving both the efficiency and reliability of impact load transmission inward in the left-right direction during small overlap collisions.
2Force
If the coupling member transmits load from radiator support to power unit, then load transmission is achieved, but the transmission path is inefficient for small overlap collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The lower side frame portion is designed to be movable relative to the upper side frame portion through a movable connection. This dynamic configuration allows the structure to adapt to collision forces, improving load transmission efficiency without requiring complex additional components, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and 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
This design ensures effective load transmission inward in the left-right direction during small overlap collisions, allowing the vehicle to deviate from the collision object's path by utilizing buckling structures and projections that contact the cross member, enhancing collision management.
Implementation Method 1
buckling structures each of which is formed in the corresponding sub-frame and causes the sub-frame to buckle such that the corresponding projection comes into contact with the cross member when an impact load is applied to the projection from a front side
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-body front structure includes a pair of left and right side frames, a cross member, a pair of sub-frames, projections, and buckling structures. The pair of left and right side frames extend in a front-rear direction. The cross member is coupled to a lower side of the pair of left and right side frames and extends in a left-right direction. The pair of sub-frames are coupled to a lower side of the cross member and extend in the front-rear direction. Each projection is disposed on a front end side of the corresponding sub-frame and projects from the corresponding side frame outward in the left-right direction in a plan view. Each buckling structure is formed in the corresponding sub-frame and causes the sub-frame to buckle such that the corresponding projection comes into contact with the cross member when an impact load is applied to the projection from a front side.