Vehicular Impact Absorption Member Using Wood Annual Ring Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular shock-absorbing members are ineffective in absorbing collision loads when the collision is localized, as they have a small load-receiving surface area, leading to inadequate shock-absorbing performance in situations like vehicle collisions with power poles.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular shock-absorbing member is designed with a pair of upper and lower supporting wood members positioned on the vehicle's periphery, featuring a wide load input surface, and a shock-absorbing wood member sandwiched between them, with the axis of annual rings perpendicular to the load input surfaces, allowing for a wider distribution and absorption of collision loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wood member with a small load-receiving surface is used, then the structure is simple, but the shock-absorbing performance is insufficient in localized collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The shock-absorbing member is divided into multiple wood members (first, second, third, and fourth wood members) arranged in a specific pattern. This segmentation allows the load-receiving surface area to be expanded while maintaining structural integrity and shock-absorbing capability, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point load reception to a distributed multi-point load reception system. By arranging four wood members at different positions (front left, front right, rear left, rear right), the load-receiving capability extends across multiple dimensions, effectively increasing the functional surface area for load reception.
2Reliability
If the load-receiving surface area is increased to handle localized collisions, then the shock-absorbing performance improves, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each of the four wood members serves multiple functions: they provide load reception surfaces, act as structural support elements, and contribute to the overall shock-absorbing mechanism through their annual ring collapse. This multi-functionality allows the structure to achieve enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical or similar wood members (first and second wood members are substantially the same; third and fourth wood members are substantially the same) with consistent dimensions and material properties. This homogeneity simplifies manufacturing and assembly while achieving the desired load distribution and shock-absorbing performance.
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 configuration enables reliable absorption of collision loads over a wide area, even in localized collisions, by distributing the load across a larger surface and utilizing the collapse of the shock-absorbing wood member to absorb significant impact forces while being held securely by the supporting wood members.
Implementation Method 1
configured to absorb a collision load applied to a vehicle by utilizing deformation of wood
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicular shock-absorbing member may include a pair of upper and lower supporting wood members (22) positioned on an end periphery of a vehicle body in a beam shape and configured such that outer surfaces thereof function as load input surfaces (22f) in which a collision load is received and that axes of annual rings (22e) thereof extend along the load input surfaces (22f), and shock-absorbing wood member (21) arranged over a range from one end to the other end of the pair of upper and lower supporting wood members (22) in their longitudinal direction and sandwiched between the supporting wood members (22) in such a manner that an axis of annual rings (21e) thereof extends in a direction perpendicular to the load input surfaces (22f) of the supporting wood members (22). The shock-absorbing wood member is configured such that a load input surface (21f) thereof in which the collision load is received is displaced inward relative to the load input surfaces (22f) of the supporting wood members (22).