Vehicle Front Shield for Homogeneous Barrier Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle designs often result in deep, non-homogeneous deformations of Moveable Progressive Deformable Barriers during collision tests, leading to unsatisfactory safety ratings due to concentrated loading on bumper beams and crush cans, which fails to meet enhanced crash compatibility and passenger protection requirements.
Innovation Solution
A front end structure with a shield attached to the bumper, extending above and below it, featuring vertically and transversely extending ribs and a central section, which disperses deformation and provides additional support to the fascia, enhancing even contact with the deformable barrier and improving energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bumper beam and crush cans are used alone to absorb impact energy, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the deformation of the deformable barrier becomes non-homogeneous with deep localized deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The front end structure is segmented into multiple functional components: bumper beam, crush cans, shield, foam energy absorbing layer, and fascia. The shield is further segmented into planar sections and vertically extending ribs. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in managing impact forces, with the shield distributing loads across multiple contact points to achieve homogeneous barrier deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield extends in the vertical dimension above and below the bumper beam, adding a third dimension to the impact management system. This vertical extension increases the contact area with the deformable barrier from a single horizontal plane to a multi-level structure, distributing deformation across different vertical zones and preventing deep localized deformations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the shield extends above and below the bumper with multiple ribs and sections, then the deformation homogeneity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple structural elements (planar sections, vertical ribs, central section) are merged into a single integrated shield component. This consolidation achieves homogeneous barrier deformation through the combined action of multiple geometric features while simplifying manufacturing compared to assembling separate components. The shield acts as a unified structure that distributes impact forces through its integrated geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield performs multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes impact loads across the barrier, prevents deep localized deformations, supports the fascia, and works in conjunction with the foam layer and crush cans. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving superior deformation homogeneity.
3Device complexity
If the concentrated loading on the bumper beam is used for energy absorption, then the energy absorption mechanism is simple, but the crash compatibility performance is poor due to deep deformations
Solution Approach 1:
The shield acts as an intermediary between the bumper beam and the deformable barrier. It intercepts and redistributes the impact forces before they reach the bumper beam, converting concentrated loading into distributed loading across multiple contact points. This intermediary function maintains the simplicity of the crush can energy absorption mechanism while improving crash compatibility through homogeneous barrier deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield changes the loading parameter from concentrated force to distributed force by extending above and below the bumper beam with multiple contact surfaces. This parameter change in load distribution improves crash compatibility performance while the underlying energy absorption mechanism remains relatively simple, relying on the established crush can deformation.
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 shield mitigates deep deformations by distributing load, improving homogeneity of deformation and enhancing vehicle compatibility performance, resulting in better safety ratings and compliance with crash compatibility standards.
Implementation Method 1
The shield mitigates deep deformations by dispersing the concentrated loading around the bumper beam and crush cans
Implementation Method 2
a foam energy absorbing layer... The foam polymeric layer is applied to a rear surface of the front fascia panel
Data Source
AI summary
A front end structure is disclosed for a vehicle to enhance vehicle compatibility performance. The front end structure includes a bumper disposed behind a front fascia panel. Crush cans are attached between the bumper and a frame rail. A shield is attached to the bumper that extends above the bumper and below the bumper to spread deformation caused by the crush cans and bumper of a deformable barrier in a collision to areas above and below the bumper.