Vehicle Wheel House Lower Member Buckling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body frame structures face challenges in consistently inducing buckling deformation during collisions while effectively absorbing impact energy, as previous techniques either reduce impact energy absorption or are restricted by member layout.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body frame structure featuring a bending frame with a depression and elongated hole design on the inner and outer surface ridges, along with a bulge and notch configuration, which facilitates consistent buckling deformation and energy absorption by concentrating stress and allowing controlled bending under collision loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through-hole is formed on the ridgeline of the wheel house lower member to lower the strength and facilitate buckling, then buckling deformation is facilitated, but the strength of the surrounding portion is excessively decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a depression with specific geometric features (curved bottom surface, ridgeline positioning) at the exact location where buckling is needed, while maintaining the original strength of the surrounding panel. This localized geometric modification concentrates stress at the depression during collision, inducing controlled buckling without requiring holes that would compromise overall structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a large shaped bead is formed to facilitate buckling deformation, then buckling is easier to induce, but the amount of absorbed impact energy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes curvature by forming a depression with a curved bottom surface on the ridgeline. This curved geometry concentrates stress during collision, facilitating buckling initiation. The depression's curved shape allows controlled deformation that absorbs impact energy through progressive buckling, avoiding the energy loss associated with large beads while maintaining effective buckling induction.
3Loss of energy
If the weak portion is formed by changing the planar direction of a flange, then energy absorption is achieved, but application is restricted by member layout
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the panel into distinct functional zones: the depression area for stress concentration and buckling initiation, the surrounding panel for strength maintenance, and the elongated hole region for additional deformation control. This segmentation allows the weak portion to be implemented as a localized geometric feature rather than requiring changes to the overall flange layout, significantly improving adaptability to different member configurations.
4Ease of operation
If an elongated hole is formed through the second surface portion, then the depression is easily deformed and buckling is reliably induced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds dimensional complexity by forming an elongated hole that extends in the vehicle width direction, creating a three-dimensional deformation zone. This elongated geometry provides a larger volume for the depression to deform into during collision, facilitating reliable buckling. The hole's orientation and shape are optimized to match the collision load direction, achieving effective energy absorption without excessive structural complexity.
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
Ensures consistent buckling deformation and absorption of a certain amount of impact energy during collisions with a simple structure, improving energy absorption efficiency and manufacturing efficiency through strategic panel design.
Implementation Method 1
the depression of the bending section is deformed in such a way as to sink, causing a stress to concentrate on the inner side ridge and thereby causing buckling deformation of the bending section
Implementation Method 2
absorption of a certain amount of impact energy is ensured
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel house lower member of a vehicle body has an upper surface portion and an outer side surface portion. The upper surface portion has an inner curved surface. The wheel house lower member defines a lower bending section on which an inner side ridge is formed between the upper surface portion and the outer side surface portion. The wheel house lower member has: a depression formed on the inner side ridge to induce deformation of the lower bent portion upon receipt of a frontal collision load; and an elongated hole formed through the outer side surface portion and extending substantially in parallel with the depression.