Vehicle Wing Support with Controlled Deformation Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle front structures are prone to significant deformation and increased repair costs during frontal impacts due to excessive rigidity, which can lead to intrusive deformations of the passenger compartment and higher repair costs.
Innovation Solution
A front vehicle structure with a weakened zone in the wing support, featuring an inclined lower edge and a folded sheet metal design, allowing controlled deformation during impacts to absorb energy and limit structural deformation, thereby enhancing passive safety and repairability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the wing support is strongly reinforced to increase structural rigidity, then the structural strength is improved, but the deformation of the front pillar and passenger compartment increases significantly during frontal impact
Solution Approach 1:
The wing support is divided into distinct zones with different structural properties: a rear portion with a weakening zone for controlled deformation, and a front portion maintaining strength. This segmentation allows the structure to deform in a controlled manner during impact while preserving overall integrity and protecting the passenger compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening zone is positioned specifically in the rear portion of the wing support, creating a local area with reduced structural properties. This local modification allows the rear part to deform vertically during impact, absorbing energy and preventing force transmission to the front pillar and passenger compartment, while the front portion remains strong.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the wing support is made more rigid to reduce deformation, then the structural stability is improved, but the repair costs increase significantly due to deformation of critical components
Solution Approach 1:
The wing support is segmented into a deformable rear portion and a stable front portion. During impact, only the rear portion deforms, while the front portion and critical structural elements remain intact. This segmentation enables the vehicle to maintain structural stability while limiting deformation to non-critical areas, thereby reducing repair costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The weakening zone is designed to deform in a controlled vertical direction during impact, converting the harmful effect of impact forces into beneficial controlled deformation. This controlled deformation absorbs impact energy and prevents more severe deformation of critical components, ultimately reducing repair costs while maintaining passenger safety.
3Loss of energy
If the wing support allows vertical deformation during impact, then the energy absorption is improved, but the structural rigidity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The weakening zone creates a local area with modified structural properties that facilitates vertical deformation. This local quality change allows the rear portion to absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, while the overall structural rigidity is maintained in the front portion and critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural parameters of the wing support are changed locally in the rear portion through the weakening zone, which modifies the deformation characteristics. This parameter change enables the structure to deform vertically during impact, increasing energy absorption capacity while preserving the rigidity and strength of the front portion and critical structural elements.
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 structure effectively absorbs impact energy, limits deformation of critical components, and reduces repair costs by allowing controlled vertical deformation of the wing support and wing liner, maintaining the integrity of the passenger compartment and reducing damage.
Implementation Method 1
the element comprises at a rear portion a weakening zone arranged mainly on an upper half of its section so as to allow deformation with a vertical component in the event of a frontal impact on the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
allow deformation with a vertical component in the event of a frontal impact on the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
the element comprises at a portion located at the front of the weakening zone a lower edge having an inclination directed towards the front and the top, said edge being intended to be welded to a wing liner, the inclination being able to promote the vertical component of the deformation of the support in the event of an impact
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle, essentially comprising a front foot (4), a wing lining (12), a wing support (6) connected to the wing lining, and a lateral reinforcement (8). The wing support (6) extends from the front foot (4) towards the front of the vehicle. It consists of a longitudinal structural element, with an attenuation area in a rear part. Said attenuation area is configured so as to generate a component vertical to the deformation thereof in the event of an impact with the vehicle, said component being however limited by the presence of the lateral reinforcement (8). Said controlled deformation of the front lateral elements of the vehicle limits the deformation of the elements constituting the structure, such as the front foot (4), and in this way facilitates the reparation of the vehicle and reduces the intrusion into the passenger compartment following a frontal impact.