Vehicle Front Structure Low Rigidity Section Energy Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body front structures face challenges in securing both energy absorbing performance and appropriate rigidity in the coupling section between the radiator support and connection members, leading to potential deterioration in steering stability and deformation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body front structure design featuring a radiator support connection member with a low rigidity section that is more prone to plastic deformation, coupled with a higher rigidity base section, and a unique cross-sectional geometry that differentiates the second area moment between the radiator support and fender bracket sides, allowing for controlled deformation and enhanced coupling rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the connection member is designed to be released from the radiator support under load, then the deformation stroke of the hood is increased, but the rigidity of the coupling section deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection member is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional areas along its length. The first section (near radiator support) has a larger cross-sectional area for high rigidity, while the second section (toward apron) has a smaller cross-sectional area for controlled deformation. This local differentiation allows the coupling section to maintain rigidity while the distal section provides deformation stroke.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cross-sectional area of the connection member is increased to maintain rigidity, then the coupling section rigidity is improved, but the weight of the connection member increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the cross-sectional area throughout the connection member, the design applies larger cross-sectional area only where needed (first section near radiator support) and reduces it in regions where deformation is acceptable (second section). This localized approach maintains necessary rigidity while minimizing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas. The first section has a larger area for rigidity, while the second section has a smaller area for weight reduction and controlled deformation. This segmentation allows optimization of both rigidity and weight independently in different regions.
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 effectively absorbs impact energy, maintains steering stability, and improves the durable strength of the vehicle body while reducing weight and maintaining necessary rigidity, without thickening the radiator support connection member.
Implementation Method 1
a low rigidity section whose rigidity is set lower than a rigidity of the base section, that is provided in the apron upper member side
Implementation Method 2
A cross-sectional area of the radiator support side may be set larger than a cross-sectional area of the fender bracket side of the radiator support connection member when the radiator support connection member is cut in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a radiator support connection member (28), a low rigidity section (LA) is provided in a fender bracket (32) side such that rigidity in the fender bracket (32) side is set lower than rigidity of a radiator support (22). Because the fender bracket (32) side of the radiator support connection member (28) is likely to be plastically deformed, it is possible to secure energy absorbing performance. In addition, it is possible to make a rigidity of a coupling section (SA) of the radiator support connection member (28) an appropriate rigidity by coupling a side section of the radiator support connection member (28) in the radiator support (22) side with high rigidity to a side section of the radiator support (22) at a plurality of coupling spots (36).