Vehicle Front Structure Bumper Reinforcement for Small Overlap Crash
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Solution Overview
Problem
In small overlap crashes, existing vehicle front structures fail to adequately absorb shock loads, leading to vehicle slippage away from the barrier due to insufficient absorption and deformation of the front bumper reinforcement, resulting in reduced speed reduction and increased crash load transmission.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure with an extended front bumper reinforcement component and additional extensions from the front suspension member, which suppresses crushing and deformation, maintains the crash surface angle and prevents vehicle slippage by transmitting crash loads to the suspension member without immediate deformation of the bumper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the Fr bumper R/F is crushed and deformed to absorb shock loads, then shock absorption is improved, but the crash surface angle becomes smaller (approaching a right angle) causing the vehicle to slip away from the barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The Fr bumper R/F is divided into multiple sections: a reinforcement component at the end portion, an extension at the front end, and a crushing portion in between. This segmentation allows the reinforcement component and extension to maintain the crash surface angle while the crushing portion absorbs shock loads through controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement component and extension are pre-installed in specific positions before the crash occurs. The reinforcement component is disposed in the end portion and the extension projects from the outer end of the front end, creating a preliminary structural configuration that prevents the crash surface angle from changing during the crash event.
2Strength
If a reinforcement component is installed in the Fr bumper R/F to suppress crushing and deformation, then structural strength is improved, but the front surface may become inclined resulting in a smaller crash surface angle
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement component is specifically disposed in the end portion of the Fr bumper R/F, providing localized strength where needed to prevent crushing and deformation at critical areas, while the extension at the front end maintains the overall crash surface angle geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforcement component is disposed in an end portion of an Fr bumper R/F as viewed in a vehicle width direction, the end portion including an outer end of the Fr bumper R/F as viewed in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, an extension projects from an outer end of a front end of an Fr suspension member as viewed in the vehicle width direction further outward as viewed in the vehicle width direction.