Vehicle Retaining Bracket for Deflagration Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing designs for vehicle wheel covers do not adequately address the risk of deflagration, where a sudden tire explosion can project the cover and attached bolts as projectiles, causing damage and injury due to the lack of effective energy absorption near vehicle wheels.

Innovation Solution

A retaining device with a bracket that attaches the wheel-arch cover to the vehicle, featuring a deformable omega-shaped structure with bolts and a connecting part to absorb deflagration energy, preventing the cover and bolts from becoming projectiles by breaking at a predetermined force, thus reducing ejection energy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bolts are used to attach the cover to the vehicle, then the cover can be securely fixed and easily removed for wheel changes, but the bolts become projectiles during tire deflagration causing damage and injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and removalVSAvoidprojectile effect during deflagration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device incorporates energy-absorbing elements that are pre-configured to cushion the impact of tire deflagration. The bracket is designed with controlled weak points that will fail in a predetermined manner to absorb shock energy before it can propel bolts outward as dangerous projectiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The device converts the harmful kinetic energy from tire deflagration into a beneficial controlled failure mode. By designing the bracket with specific geometric features and material properties, the explosive force is redirected to bend or break the bracket in a controlled manner, thereby containing bolts and preventing them from becoming projectiles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Strength

If a rigid retaining device is used to securely attach the cover, then the attachment strength is high, but the device cannot absorb deflagration energy and the cover is projected into the surroundings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidcover ejection during deflagration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device transitions from a purely rigid static structure to a dynamic system that can adapt its mechanical properties. The bracket incorporates elements that remain rigid under normal operating conditions to provide secure attachment, but can deform or fail in a controlled manner when subjected to the extreme forces of tire deflagration, thereby absorbing energy and preventing cover ejection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes changes in mechanical parameters such as stress distribution, material deformation characteristics, and structural rigidity. The bracket is designed with varying thickness sections and material properties that allow it to maintain high attachment strength during normal use while enabling controlled energy absorption through plastic deformation or fracture during deflagration events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the bracket is designed to break at predetermined force to absorb energy, then deflagration energy is absorbed and projectiles are prevented, but the attachment reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy absorption during deflagrationVSAvoidattachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with non-uniform local properties, featuring different thickness sections, material densities, or structural configurations at various locations. The critical weak points are strategically positioned and dimensioned to fail first under extreme loads, while other portions of the bracket maintain sufficient strength for normal attachment functions. This localized differentiation allows controlled energy absorption without compromising overall attachment reliability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 retaining device effectively absorbs deflagration energy, preventing damage from ejected covers and bolts, while allowing easy attachment and removal of the cover, enhancing safety and reliability near vehicle wheels.

Implementation Method 1

a bracket (11) configured to connect the cover (9) to the vehicle (1) and configured to absorb part of the energy from a deflagration of the tyre of the wheel (2) before itself breaking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3388314B1Retaining device for attaching a part to a vehicle

Publication Date: 2021.06.09 IVECO FRANCE SAS

Figure 1~2
Figure 3

AI summary

A retaining device (10) for attaching a part (9) to an external wall (3) and/or to the chassis (7) of a vehicle (1), comprising a bracket (11) provided with a first portion (11a) configured to be attached to the part (9) and at least one second portion (11b) configured to be attached to the external wall (3) and/or to the chassis (7), the bracket (11) being configured to break in an area (11c) between the first portion (11a) and at least one second portion (11b) when a predetermined force is applied between the first portion (11a) and at least one second portion (11b).