Vehicle Side Structure Impact Absorbing Rocker and Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side collision structures face inefficiencies in absorbing impact energy at the lower portion of side doors due to idle time before impact absorbing members deform, potentially leading to insufficient energy absorption and increased penetration during side collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side portion structure featuring first and second impact absorbing portions forming closed cross-sectional structures within rockers and side doors, respectively, which deform to absorb collision energy, and are positioned to overlap each other and key components like the battery pack, enhancing energy absorption and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If impact absorbing members are provided only within the rocker, then the structure is simple, but the absorbed impact energy at the lower side door portion is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorbing function is segmented into two separate locations: first impact absorbing portions within the rocker and second impact absorbing portions within the side door. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to energy absorption, with the side door's impact absorbing portions specifically addressing the lower portion energy deficiency while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
2Loss of energy
If impact absorbing members are provided only within the side door, then the lower side door energy absorption is improved, but the overall collision load dispersion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the impact absorbing functions of both the rocker and side door by providing first impact absorbing portions in the rocker and second impact absorbing portions in the side door. This combination ensures that collision load is dispersed throughout the entire side portion structure while the lower side door specifically benefits from the second impact absorbing portions, achieving both localized energy absorption and overall load dispersion.
3Strength
If open cross-sectional structures are used for impact absorbing portions, then the deformation is greater, but the load transmission along the structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different locations: closed cross-sectional structures are used for both first and second impact absorbing portions. This local quality choice ensures that while the structures have sufficient deformation capacity to absorb energy, they also maintain the strength needed to transmit collision loads effectively along their entire lengths to the vehicle's main structure.
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 increases the absorbed impact energy at the lower side door portion during side collisions, reduces penetration speed, and enhances the rigidity of the battery pack, effectively managing collision loads and preventing side door slipping-through.
Implementation Method 1
first impact absorbing portions that form closed cross-sectional structures and are configured to, at a time of a side collision of a vehicle, plastically deform and absorb collision energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle side portion structure that includes: a pair of rockers (18) that, at vehicle side portions (16), respectively extend along a vehicle longitudinal direction at both outer sides in a vehicle transverse direction of a floor panel (14) that is a floor portion of a vehicle cabin (12) interior, first impact absorbing portions (52, 54) that form closed cross-sectional structures and that, at a time of a side collision of a vehicle (10), plastically deform and absorb collision energy being provided at interiors of the pair of rockers (18); and side doors (24) that open and close door opening portions (22) of the vehicle side portions (16), second impact absorbing portions (78), which form closed cross-sectional structures and, at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, plastically deform and absorb collision energy, being provided at lower portions of interiors of the side doors (24).