Vehicle Front Section Structure with Integrated Joining Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle front section structures face challenges in securing both crushing stroke and collision-withstand performance due to increased joints between structural members, which compromise the dispersion of collision loads.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front section structure featuring a pair of front side members, a cross member, outriggers, joining members, and a suspension member, where the joining members consolidate joints with the front side members, cross member, and outriggers, and the suspension member is fixed to these joining members, reducing the number of joints and enhancing joint rigidity through die-cast aluminum construction and adjustable insertion portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple cross members and deformation-suppressing frames are added to improve collision-withstand performance, then collision load dispersion is improved, but the number of joints increases and crushing stroke is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple structural members (side members, cross members, and deformation-suppressing frames) into an integrated framework where shared joints consolidate connections. This reduces the total number of joints while maintaining the load dispersion capability across multiple members, thereby preserving crushing stroke.
2Strength
If the number of joints at side members is increased to improve collision-withstand performance, then load dispersion is improved, but crushing stroke is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates joints at shared locations where multiple members intersect, reducing the number of joints along the side members. This preserves the crushing stroke by maintaining longer continuous segments of side members while still achieving load dispersion through the integrated framework of multiple members.
3Strength
If structural members are joined together to improve collision-withstand performance, then load dispersion is improved, but joint rigidity may be compromised due to increased joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates joints at shared locations, creating fewer but more rigid connection points. These merged joints serve multiple members simultaneously, distributing stresses more effectively at each joint location and enhancing overall structural stability while maintaining load dispersion capability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a vehicle front section structure including: a pair of front side members that extend in a vehicle front-rear direction; a cross member extending between the front side members; outriggers that are provided running in the vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle upper side of the front side members, with each of the outriggers extending toward a corresponding front side member at a vehicle front side; joining members that are each joined to a corresponding front side member, the cross member, and a corresponding outrigger; and a suspension member that is fixed to a fixing portion provided at each joining member.