Vehicle Front Structure Headlight Collision Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front structures do not effectively suppress collision reaction forces when a collision body hits the structure from above, particularly when the headlamp is not covered by the hood or front end portion.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front structure featuring a panel portion with a headlight attached below its front end, where protrusion portions on the panel protrude towards the headlight, concentrating collision loads and allowing the headlight to absorb energy and fracture, thereby reducing the collision reaction force input to the collision body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headlight is covered above by the front end portion of the hood, then the headlight is protected from collision, but the collision reaction force is increased when a collision body hits from above
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the collision load path into two segments: the panel portion absorbs initial collision energy through deformation, while the protrusion portion transfers concentrated load to the headlight. This segmentation allows the system to both protect the headlight and manage collision forces effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusion portion creates a localized stress concentration point on the headlight surface. By designing this specific local region to have different geometric properties (protruding structure), the collision load is focused on a small area, enabling controlled fracture while protecting other areas
2Force
If the headlight is made fragile to absorb collision energy, then the collision reaction force is reduced, but the headlight may displace before fracturing, increasing the reaction force
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight is pre-designed with fragile portions at specific locations where the protrusion portion will make contact during collision. This preliminary preparation ensures that when collision occurs, the headlight fractures immediately at the predetermined weak point without displacing, thereby minimizing the collision reaction force transmission time
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables the collision process to skip the displacement phase entirely. By having pre-defined fracture points, the headlight transitions directly from intact to fractured state upon protrusion contact, rushing through the potential displacement stage and reducing the duration of force transmission
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
The structure effectively suppresses collision reaction forces by concentrating loads on the headlight, allowing it to absorb energy and fracture, reducing the force transmitted to the collision body and enhancing pedestrian protection.
Implementation Method 1
the load concentrates on a region of the headlight with which the protrusion portion interferes
Implementation Method 2
when the headlight is broken, collision energy is absorbed, and the collision reaction force that is input to the collision body from the headlight side is suppressed
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle front structure that is structured with a headlight covered above and that can suppress a collision reaction force in the event of a collision of a collision body from above the structure is obtained. A headlight (22) is arranged below a front end portion (14F) of a hood (14). A protrusion portion (36) is formed on a lower surface side of the front end portion (14F) of a hood inner panel (14B) of the hood (14). The protrusion portion (36) protrudes toward an upper surface side of an upper wall portion (32B) of a lens (28) of the headlight (22). A fragile portion (40) is formed in the upper wall portion (32B) of the lens (28) of the headlight (22), in a region opposed to the protrusion portion (36). Besides, the headlight (22) is fixed to a vehicle body (10A) in a manner incapable of being displaced in response to a load input from the protrusion portion (36), and is set so as to fracture due to the load input from the protrusion portion (36).