Vehicle Wheel Retaining Member for Collision Motion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

During small overlap frontal collisions, the complex nature of wheel deformation and dynamics makes it difficult to accurately control wheel motion, leading to unpredictable outcomes and potential chassis fractures, which can result in severe vehicle deformation and occupant harm.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a retaining member connectable between the vehicle frame and wheel assembly, featuring a first attachment point to control arc motion, a second attachment point to control rotation, and break-away connections to modify motion, directing the wheel into a preferred path to manage loading and potentially push the vehicle away from the collision object.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wheel motion is not controlled during collision, then the wheel follows its natural complex deformation path, but this leads to unpredictable outcomes and chassis fractures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepredictability of wheel motionVSAvoidcomplexity of wheel dynamics

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member is pre-installed between the vehicle frame and wheel assembly to control wheel motion during collision before the actual impact occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that when collision happens, the wheel follows a predetermined safe path rather than undergoing unpredictable complex deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining member acts as an intermediary component between the wheel assembly and vehicle frame, mediating the interaction forces during collision. It provides a controlled load path that transfers collision forces through the wheel to the frame in a predictable manner, preventing direct unpredictable contact between the wheel and surrounding structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the retaining member controls wheel motion through multiple attachment points, then wheel motion is precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of wheel motion controlVSAvoidnumber of attachment points

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member is divided into multiple segments or components including first attachment point structure, second attachment point structure, and break-away connection elements. Each segment performs a specific function: the first attachment point controls arc motion, the second controls rotation, and the break-away connections modify motion at different collision stages. This segmentation allows precise control of wheel motion through coordinated action of simpler individual components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If break-away connections are used to modify wheel motion, then controlled separation occurs, but the reliability of the connection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrolled wheel separationVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining member transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system with break-away connections that can fail at predetermined points. During normal operation, the connections are strong and reliable. During collision, the break-away connections are designed to fail at specific load thresholds, allowing controlled separation of the wheel from the vehicle frame. This dynamic behavior provides both reliability under normal conditions and controlled failure under extreme conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The break-away connections are designed with predetermined failure points that act as safety mechanisms. Before the main structural connections fail, the break-away connections are designed to fail first, providing a cushioning effect that prevents catastrophic failure of the entire wheel assembly. This beforehand cushioning ensures that the most critical connections are protected while allowing non-critical connections to fail safely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11247523B2Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision

Publication Date: 2022.02.15 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling wheel motion during a collision are provided. A retaining member may be connectable between a vehicle frame and a wheel assembly to control motion of the wheel assembly during a collision of a vehicle with an object. The retaining member may include one or more of a first attachment point connecting the retaining member to the vehicle frame, a second attachment point connecting the retaining member to the wheel assembly, a retaining member routing, and/or one or more break-away connections attaching the retaining member to the vehicle frame and/or to the wheel assembly. The first and second attachment points, retaining member routing, and/or break-away connections may be selected to control motion of the wheel assembly within a preferred path to control loading between the object and the vehicle.