Vehicle Front Section Structure for Controlled Collision Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with a power unit instead of an engine, the electronic unit controlling power supply is vulnerable to damage during a head-on collision due to deformation of the chassis frame, which can cause it to crash into the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle front section structure with left and right front side frames and front side members that deform to absorb collision load, displacing the power unit and electronic unit obliquely, preventing them from crashing into the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the front section of the chassis frame is rigid to support the power unit, then the power unit is stably supported, but the electronic unit may crash into the cabin during head-on collision
Solution Approach 1:
The front section structure is divided into multiple segments: the front side frames (18) that support the power unit, the front side members (48) that form the vehicle body, and the deformation portions (18F1) at their front ends. These segmented components can deform independently during collision, allowing the power unit support function to be maintained while protecting the electronic unit through controlled deformation of the front sections.
Solution Approach 2:
Deformation portions (18F1) are pre-formed at the front ends of the front side frames (18) and front side members (48). These pre-designed deformation zones act as cushioning elements that activate during head-on collision, absorbing impact energy before it can transmit to the electronic unit and cause damage to the cabin.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front side frames and front side members deform to absorb collision load, then the electronic unit is protected from crashing into the vehicle body, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The front side frames (18) and front side members (48) have non-uniform structural properties: the front ends contain deformation portions (18F1) with reduced strength designed to deform during collision, while the rear portions maintaining support functions retain higher strength. This local differentiation allows the structure to be weak where needed for energy absorption and strong where needed for support.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural strength that would normally be maintained throughout the entire frame is strategically reduced at the front ends to create deformation portions (18F1). This intentional weakness converts the harmful collision energy into beneficial controlled deformation, protecting the electronic unit while still providing adequate support where structural integrity is required.
3Shape
If the front side members are positioned at the upper side to configure the vehicle body, then the vehicle body structure is formed, but the power unit may crash into the vehicle body during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The protection mechanism operates in the vertical dimension by creating a spatial separation between the power unit and the vehicle body. The front side members (48) are positioned at the upper side to form the vehicle body, while the deformation portions (18F1) at their front ends provide vertical clearance and deformation space, preventing the power unit from crashing into the vehicle body during collision.
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 absorbs collision energy, preventing the power unit and electronic unit from colliding with the vehicle body, enhancing occupant safety by displacing them away from the impact, and improving collision load absorption performance.
Implementation Method 1
the left and right front side frames and the left and right front side members undergo deformation at the respective lower kick sections and upper kick sections in a vehicle head-on collision. This deformation enables collision load to be absorbed.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle front section structure (10) including left and right front side frames (18), and left and right front side members (48). The left and right front side frames (18) extend along a vehicle front-rear direction at respective sides in a vehicle width direction with respect to a power unit (30), and support the power unit (30). A lower kick section (18R1) sloping with a downward gradient on progression toward a vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side frames (18). The left and right front side members (48) extend along the vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle upper side of the left and right front side frames (48), are supported by the left and right front side frames (48), and configure part of a vehicle body (40). An upper kick section sloping (48R) with a downward gradient on progression toward the vehicle rear side is formed at a rear section of each of the front side members (48).