Vehicle Front Structure Load Distribution via Lateral Member Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front portion structures lack sufficient safety performance during head-on collisions and offset collisions, with inadequate distribution of collision loads and uncrushed portions leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front portion structure featuring a pair of front side members, a suspension member, and lateral connecting members that distribute collision loads effectively across the frame, minimizing uncrushed portions by aligning joining positions to optimize load transmission and absorption during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional front portion structure with sub-frame is used, then various modules can be installed, but collision safety performance is insufficient during head-on and offset collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The front side member is divided into multiple sections with different thicknesses (first through fourth sections) along the vehicle width direction. This segmentation allows each section to serve different functions: thicker sections for strength and load transmission, thinner sections for weight reduction and controlled deformation, thereby improving collision safety without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the front side member have different thicknesses tailored to their specific functional requirements. The first and second sections have greater thickness for load bearing, while the third and fourth sections have reduced thickness. This local quality variation optimizes the overall structure for collision safety while managing complexity
2Reliability
If the front side member structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but uncrushed portions during collision cannot be minimized effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The front side member is segmented into four distinct sections with varying thicknesses. This segmentation creates natural load paths that efficiently distribute collision forces through the thicker first and second sections, while the thinner third and fourth sections allow for controlled deformation, minimizing uncrushed portions without complex manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the front side member is varied across different sections. By changing the thickness parameter locally (greater at first and second sections, reduced at third and fourth sections), the structure achieves optimal load distribution and deformation characteristics, balancing manufacturing simplicity with collision performance
3Reliability
If lateral connecting member joining positions are misaligned with suspension member joining positions, then assembly is easier, but uncrushed portions increase during offset collision
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral connecting member is positioned such that its joining positions with the front side member coincide with the joining positions of the suspension member. This merging of joining positions ensures that load paths from both the lateral connecting member and suspension member converge at the same locations, efficiently transmitting collision loads and minimizing uncrushed portions. The coincident joining positions also simplify assembly alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle front portion structure (S1) that includes: a first lateral connecting member (50) that is disposed between a pair of left and right front side members (20), and that connects the pair of left and right front side members (20) parallel to a vehicle transverse direction, wherein the positions along the vehicle longitudinal direction of portions, to which the first lateral connecting member (50) is joined, at the pair of left and right front side members (20) coincide with the positions along the vehicle longitudinal direction of portions, to which front side joining portions (48F) of a suspension member (40) are joined, at the pair of left and right front side members (20).