Vehicle Front End Assembly Inboard Push Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle front end structures are inadequate in effectively transmitting and dissipating impact forces to the engine during impact events, leading to potential damage and instability.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle front end assembly featuring an inboard push structure attached to the inboard surface of a front side member, which transmits a portion of impact forces to the engine, complemented by an engine cradle and outboard push-off structures to distribute and absorb forces, enhancing the structural integrity and impact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If impact forces are transmitted to the engine during an impact event, then the engine and surrounding structures are protected from damage, but the engine may suffer from excessive force transmission causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidengine stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The front end assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: the inboard push structure for force transmission, the engine cradle for engine mounting, and the outboard push-off structures for force distribution. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in the impact force management system, enabling controlled force transmission while maintaining engine stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine cradle acts as an intermediary between the inboard push structure and the engine. It receives impact forces from the inboard push structure and distributes them to the vehicle frame, preventing direct transmission of excessive forces to the engine while still allowing controlled force transmission for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the inboard push structure is positioned close to the engine, then impact forces are effectively transmitted to protect the engine, but the risk of direct damage to the engine increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact force transmissionVSAvoidengine damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The engine cradle serves as a mediator between the inboard push structure and the engine. It is positioned between them to receive impact forces from the push structure and distribute them to the vehicle frame, preventing direct contact between the push structure and engine while maintaining effective force transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts potentially harmful direct impact forces into beneficial controlled force distribution. The inboard push structure receives impact forces and transmits them through the engine cradle, which distributes them to the frame, transforming a harmful direct impact into a beneficial controlled force management system that protects the engine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If multiple push structures are added to distribute impact forces, then the structural integrity is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front end assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: inboard push structure, engine cradle, and outboard push-off structures. Each segment has a specific role in impact force management, allowing the system to achieve high structural integrity through distributed force handling while maintaining manageable complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine cradle serves multiple functions: it mounts the engine to the vehicle frame, receives impact forces from the inboard push structure, and distributes these forces to the frame. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, maintaining structural integrity without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11511812B2Vehicle front end assembly

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle frame structure has a front side member that extends forward from a dashwall. An engine cradle is attached to the front side member with a lateral side portion of the engine cradle being located beneath and spaced apart from a lower surface of the front side member. An engine is installed to the engine cradle with a portion of the engine extending upward from the engine cradle adjacent to the inboard surface of the front side member. An inboard push structure has an inboard surface, an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is attached to an inboard surface of the front side member. The lower portion extends downward below a lower surface of the front side member. The inboard surface faces the engine proximate the lateral portion of the lateral side portion of the engine cradle.