Vehicle Front Structure Lateral Deflection Narrow Offset Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle front structures fail to effectively absorb energy during narrow offset impacts, as the side rails are often located inboard of the impact zone, leading to less desirable energy absorption and increased forces on occupants.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle front structure features a side rail with a U-shaped cross-section and axial deformation indentions, coupled with a blocker body to transfer lateral impact forces to the engine/transmission assembly, facilitating controlled deformation and lateral movement away from the impact point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side rail is located inboard of the outer 25% of the vehicle width, then the side rail structure is protected from direct impact, but energy absorption during narrow offset impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The side rail is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional geometries: a first section with a first cross-section and a second section with a second cross-section. This segmentation allows each section to serve different functions - the first section positioned in the outer 25% to absorb impact energy, while the second section positioned inboard to maintain structural integrity and support the power plant.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cross-sectional geometries are applied to different sections of the side rail. The first section has a cross-section optimized for energy absorption during narrow offset impact, while the second section has a cross-section optimized for structural support. This local differentiation of structural properties allows the side rail to simultaneously achieve both impact energy absorption and structural integrity.
2Loss of energy
If the side rail deforms during impact, then energy is absorbed through deformation, but the trajectory control and force distribution to occupants is influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The side rail is segmented into different sections with different cross-sectional properties, allowing controlled deformation in the first section while maintaining structural stability in the second section. This segmentation enables predictable deformation patterns that can be designed to steer the vehicle trajectory away from the impact zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional geometry parameters of the side rail are varied along its length. The first section has cross-sectional parameters optimized for energy-absorbing deformation, while the second section has parameters optimized for maintaining structural integrity and controlling vehicle trajectory. This gradual parameter change allows controlled energy dissipation while maintaining trajectory control.
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 enhances energy absorption and reduces load on the struck side rail by converting longitudinal impact forces into lateral movement, minimizing the impact with the barrier and distributing energy to the unstruck side rail for further dissipation.
Implementation Method 1
The side rail includes a forward section and a rearward section. The forward section of the outboard shell includes a plurality of outer indentions that extend vertically along the distal side of the outboard shell. The forward section of the inboard shell includes a plurality of inner indentions that extend vertically along the distal side of the inboard shell to facilitate axial deformation of the left side rail.
Implementation Method 2
The blocker body is a rigid body disposed between the left side rail and the engine/transmission assembly of the vehicle. The blocker body is forward of the rearward section and configured to engage the forward section and the engine/transmission assembly to transfer lateral impact forces from the forward section to the engine/transmission assembly during a narrow offset impact event.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle front structure includes a left side rail that extends longitudinally in a front left portion of the vehicle. The left side rail includes an inboard shell and an outboard shell. A forward section of the outboard shell is at least partially disposed in an outer left quarter of a total width of the vehicle. A rearward section of the outboard shell is disposed inboard of the outer left quarter. The forward sections of the inboard and outboard shells each have a distal side, top side, and bottom side that respectively form generally U-shaped cross-sections. The outboard shell is fixedly attached to the inboard shell to form a generally rectangular cross-section. The forward section of the outboard shell is a first lateral width. The rearward section of the outboard shell is a second lateral width that is less than the first lateral width.