Vehicle Side Impact Test Apparatus Using Displacement Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side impact testing of vehicle components requires a full vehicle, making the tests costly and time-consuming, as they focus on evaluating a specific region or component rather than simulating the stiffness of a full vehicle frame.
Innovation Solution
A test apparatus and method that includes a rocker, translatable sled, and displacement members secured to a wall to simulate side impacts on a b-pillar, replicating the stiffness of a full vehicle frame, using rocker and roof rail end constraints to facilitate pivotal and vertical movements, and stoppers to constrain sled travel, allowing for targeted deformation profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a full vehicle is used for side impact crash tests, then the accuracy of evaluating vehicle component performance is improved, but the cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full vehicle into essential structural components (rocker, b-pillar, roof rail, floor pan) that are necessary to simulate side impact conditions. By testing only these critical components rather than the entire vehicle, the test time is reduced while maintaining evaluation accuracy for the components being tested.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the vehicle's structural framework that replicates the stiffness and geometric characteristics of the full vehicle. This mock-up structure includes displacement members that simulate the stiffness of missing vehicle components, allowing accurate impact testing without requiring the complete vehicle assembly.
2Measurement precision
If a full vehicle is used for side impact crash tests, then the accuracy of evaluating vehicle component performance is improved, but the test cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full vehicle into essential structural components (rocker, b-pillar, roof rail, floor pan) that are necessary to simulate side impact conditions. By testing only these critical components rather than the entire vehicle, the test time is reduced while maintaining evaluation accuracy for the components being tested.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the vehicle's structural framework that replicates the stiffness and geometric characteristics of the full vehicle. This mock-up structure includes displacement members that simulate the stiffness of missing vehicle components, allowing accurate impact testing without requiring the complete vehicle assembly.
3Measurement precision
If displacement members are added to simulate full vehicle frame stiffness, then the accuracy of impact simulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies displacement members selectively at specific locations where the full vehicle structure would provide stiffness (between the rocker and the impact zone). These localized reinforcements provide the necessary structural fidelity only where needed, rather than complicating the entire test apparatus uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The displacement members act as intermediaries that transfer and distribute impact forces in a manner that simulates the presence of the full vehicle frame. These members mediate between the simplified test structure and the complex dynamics of a full vehicle impact, providing realistic force distribution without requiring the complete vehicle 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 approach reduces the need for a full vehicle setup, lowering costs and time while accurately simulating the impact conditions experienced by a vehicle's b-pillar, enabling effective evaluation of component performance without the need for a complete vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first rocker end constraint and the second rocker end constraint may further include a base portion secured to the wall, a horizontal member mounted for pivotal movement to the base portion about an axis defined by a rocker pin
Implementation Method 2
The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar
Implementation Method 3
The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly to simulate side impacts to a vehicle includes a rocker, a translatable sled, and one or more displacement members. The rocker is secured to a wall. A b-pillar extends from the rocker and a roof rail is secured to the b-pillar and the wall. The translatable sled is arranged with the wall to impact the b-pillar. The one or more displacement members are secured to the wall and spaced from the rocker to simulate a stiffness of a full vehicle frame during impact between the sled and the b-pillar. A first rocker end constraint may secure a first end of the rocker to the wall. A second rocker end constraint may secure a second end of the rocker to the wall. The constraints may be arranged with the rocker such that the ends of the rocker may pivot relative to the wall.