Vehicle Front Structure Coupling Member for Small Overlap Collision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front section structures face challenges in suppressing deformation during small overlap collisions without compromising collision performance, particularly due to the presence of through holes in the front side frame which affect energy absorption characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front section structure featuring a front side member with a front flange, a crash box, and a coupling member that includes a joining plate interposed between the front and rear flanges, with the coupling member angled to displace load laterally and prevent intrusion into the vehicle body, while maintaining energy absorption capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a through hole is formed in the front side frame to couple the pipe member, then the coupling is achieved, but the energy absorption characteristics of the front side frame are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling member with a joining plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the front side member and the pipe member. The joining plate is attached to the front flange without requiring through holes in the front side frame, thus maintaining the frame's structural integrity and energy absorption characteristics while achieving the necessary coupling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling function is segmented into separate components: the coupling member body and the joining plate. This allows the joining plate to be attached to the front flange surface without penetrating the front side frame structure, preserving the frame's strength while achieving coupling.
2Ease of manufacture
If the front end of the pipe member juts out to the vehicle width direction outer side or the face portion forms a straight line, then the coupling is achieved, but the cabin deformation suppression in small overlap collision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member is configured to extend in the vehicle width direction rather than forming a straight line in the vehicle front-rear direction. This dimensional change allows the coupling member to effectively transfer lateral forces during small overlap collisions, improving cabin deformation suppression while maintaining the coupling function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the coupling member is added to suppress cabin deformation, then the collision performance is improved, but the detriment to energy absorption characteristics occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The joining plate acts as an intermediary that attaches the coupling member to the front flange without compromising the structural integrity of the front side member or crash box. This allows the coupling member to suppress cabin deformation while the original energy absorption structures remain intact and functional.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle front section structure is obtained that is capable of suppressing deformation of a vehicle body in a small overlap collision using a coupling member that couples together a front side member and a fender apron section, while preventing or suppressing any detriment to collision performance of the front side member. A vehicle front section structure (10) includes: a front side member (12) that is formed with a front flange (30) at a vehicle front-rear direction front end; a crash box (14) that is joined to the front flange (30) at a rear flange (40) formed at a vehicle front-rear direction rear end; and a coupling member (46) that is joined to a fender apron section (44) at a vehicle rear end, and that includes a joining plate (52) formed at a vehicle front end side joined to the front flange (30) in an interposed state between the front flange (30) and the rear flange (40), with a front end side of a portion of the coupling member (46) positioned at a vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member (12) angled such that in plan view a rear side is separated further to the vehicle width direction outer side from the front side member (12) than the vehicle front side.