Vehicle Front Structure Small Offset Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle front structures are inadequate in effectively absorbing small offset impact forces, which can lead to inefficient force distribution and potentially harmful trajectories during impact events.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle front structure incorporates a specific configuration of inner and outer braces, load beams, crush cans, and side rails designed to absorb and redirect impact forces, including a transverse wall and base configuration that facilitates controlled deformation and lateral force transfer, allowing for efficient absorption and redirection of longitudinal forces into lateral movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bumper and rail structures are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the structure is inadequate in effectively absorbing small offset impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The front structure is divided into multiple functional segments: inner braces with transverse walls and bases, outer braces, load beams, and crush cans. Each segment serves a specific purpose in the impact force absorption sequence, allowing the complex function of small offset impact absorption to be achieved through coordinated simple components
Solution Approach 2:
The inner brace is positioned within the space defined by the outer brace, creating a nested configuration. The transverse wall and base of the inner brace are coupled to the side rail and front member respectively, while the outer brace surrounds this inner structure, forming a nested arrangement that efficiently manages impact forces
2Reliability
If the transverse wall and base configuration is added to the inner brace, then controlled deformation and lateral force transfer are facilitated, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse wall and base of the inner brace are pre-configured in specific geometric relationships before assembly. The transverse wall extends laterally outward from the side rail and the base couples to the front member, creating predetermined deformation paths that guide the impact force absorption process
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the inner brace (transverse wall position, base orientation, coupling locations) are specifically designed to change the deformation characteristics during impact. These parameter changes enable controlled deformation that converts longitudinal impact forces into lateral movement
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 configuration effectively absorbs and redirects impact forces, reducing the impact's severity by converting longitudinal forces into lateral movement, thereby enhancing vehicle safety and stability during small offset impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The bumper and rails are conventionally designed to absorb some of the forces that can occur during an impact event by deforming
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle has a front structure that includes a pair of side rails, front members, and inner braces. Each front member is coupled to a front end of one side rail and extends laterally outward at least partially into a respective outer quarter of a total width of the vehicle. In an aspect, each inner brace includes a transverse wall and a base. The transverse wall has a side edge extending longitudinally along a respective one of the side rails and a leading edge extending laterally outward from that rail. The base extends diagonally between and is coupled to a respective front member and rail. A leading edge of the base is coupled to the front member within the respective outer quarter. In an aspect, the front structure includes outer braces that surround the inner braces.