Vehicle Load Transfer Assembly for Lateral Impact Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle bumper systems are inadequate in reducing energy transfer to the occupant cabin during a crash event, as they fail to effectively distribute the impact load laterally, leading to concentrated intrusions and high energy absorption by the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A load transfer assembly is integrated into the vehicle, comprising pivot pins and load beams that pivot upon impact, redirecting the load laterally to deform the vehicle frame and reduce energy transfer to the cabin, thereby enhancing the Moving Progressive Deformable Barrier (MPDB) impact score.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional bumper system is used, then the bumper provides basic protection, but it fails to effectively distribute impact load laterally, leading to concentrated intrusions and high energy transfer to the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The bumper system is segmented into multiple functional components: a center beam for primary impact absorption, lateral beam extensions for load distribution, and load transfer assemblies with pivot pins and load beams for directional load redirection. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function in the energy management sequence, effectively distributing impact loads laterally while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The load transfer assembly introduces a lateral dimension to impact load management by using pivot pins and load beams that redirect vertical impact forces into lateral directions. This dimensional transformation of force vectors deform the vehicle frame laterally, spreading energy across a broader area and preventing concentrated intrusions into the cabin, thereby reducing energy transfer to occupants
2Object-affected harmful factors
If bumper extensions are added to reduce crash intrusion, then lateral protection is improved, but the system still cannot effectively transfer load laterally to reduce energy transfer to the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the bumper extensions and the vehicle frame. The pivot pins and load beams serve as mediators that receive impact forces from the bumper extensions and redirect them into lateral loads on the frame, preventing direct energy transfer to the cabin while maintaining effective crash intrusion reduction
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a load transfer assembly with pivot pins and load beams is integrated, then energy transfer to the cabin is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load transfer assembly employs dynamic pivot connections instead of rigid fixed connections. The pivot pins allow the load beams to rotate and redirect forces dynamically during impact events, enabling adaptive load path optimization. This dynamic mechanism achieves effective energy redistribution with relatively simple mechanical components, managing the complexity-benefit tradeoff
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 load transfer assembly effectively reduces the energy transferred to the occupant cabin by deforming the vehicle frame laterally, minimizing concentrated intrusions and improving the MPDB impact score, thus enhancing crash safety.
Implementation Method 1
The first load beam has a first end pivotably coupled to the first pivot pin and a second end pivotably coupled to the second pivot pin. The first load beam is configured to load a first portion of the vehicle frame in a lateral direction upon a vehicle impact event.
Implementation Method 2
The first load beam is configured to load a first portion of the vehicle frame in a lateral direction upon a vehicle impact event, thereby deforming the vehicle frame and further reducing energy of the vehicle impact event transferred to other parts of the vehicle such as the occupant cabin.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a vehicle bumper and a load transfer assembly. The vehicle bumper is coupled to a front end of the vehicle frame and includes a center beam and a bumper beam extension that extends laterally from an end of the center beam. The load transfer assembly includes first and second pivot pins and a load beam. The first pivot pin is fixed to the bumper beam extension and the second pivot pin is fixed to the vehicle frame. The load beam has a first end pivotably coupled to the first pivot pin and a second end pivotably coupled to the second pivot pin. The load beam is configured to load the vehicle frame in a lateral direction upon a vehicle impact event.