Vehicle Body Central Tunnel Bridge Support Crash Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body designs with seat crossmembers on either side of a central tunnel fail to ensure optimal crash behavior during side impacts, as they lack effective structural support and air gap creation for energy absorption.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body design featuring seat crossmembers with transversely arranged bridge supports connected via offset bolted connections to supporting brackets, creating an air gap and allowing for deformation of connecting elements to enhance crash resistance, while maintaining structural strength through optimized torque transmission and reinforcement with air-guiding sleeves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If seat crossmembers are arranged close to the central tunnel for structural compactness, then device complexity is reduced, but crash behavior in side impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the central tunnel and seat crossmembers is segmented into multiple functional zones: the air gap zone for energy absorption, the deformation zone for controlled collapse, and the support zone for structural stability. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally during side impact
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap between the central tunnel and seat crossmembers is pre-configured as a cushioning zone that absorbs impact energy during side crashes. This预先设计的空气间隙在碰撞发生前就已经就位，无需主动控制即可发挥作用
2Strength
If bridge support is rigidly connected to central tunnel for maximum strength, then strength is improved, but energy absorption capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between bridge support and central tunnel is designed to be dynamically responsive: rigid enough to maintain structural integrity, but with controlled deformation zones that allow energy-absorbing collapse during impact. The bolted connections with offset arrangement enable this dynamic behavior
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the bridge support connection are optimized to balance strength and energy absorption. The offset bolted connections create a lever arm that provides rotational stiffness normally, but allows controlled rotation and deformation during side impact to absorb energy
3Ease of manufacture
If bolted connections are arranged symmetrically for manufacturing simplicity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but torque transmission in crash is optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The bolted connections are deliberately arranged asymmetrically with offsets in both longitudinal and transverse directions. This asymmetric arrangement creates optimal lever arms for torque transmission during side impact, while still being manufacturable with standard bolting procedures
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 design achieves optimal crash behavior by maintaining structural integrity and energy absorption through the creation of an air gap and deformation of connecting elements, ensuring enhanced safety during side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
the bent limb is designed such that it can be deformed in the event of a crash
Implementation Method 2
an upright web between limbs of the Z-profile is designed such that it can be deformed in the event of a crash
Implementation Method 3
The offset bolted connections of the bridge support to the central tunnel result in an optimized transmission of torque in the event of a crash
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body of a motor vehicle has a central tunnel which is connected on its open lower side to at least one transverse bridge support. The bridge support is mounted to the lower side of bent limb portions of the central tunnel and is connected via at least two bolted connections, which are offset in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle, to a supporting bracket arranged on the upper side of the bent limb portions. The bridge support together with the supporting bracket faces an end side of the seat crossmember in an exposed manner. Furthermore, two bridge supports which are connected to each other via longitudinal struts can be provided on the central tunnel.