GB2521761A - Energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle - Google Patents
Energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2521761A GB2521761A GB1421413.4A GB201421413A GB2521761A GB 2521761 A GB2521761 A GB 2521761A GB 201421413 A GB201421413 A GB 201421413A GB 2521761 A GB2521761 A GB 2521761A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle
- side member
- wheel
- energy distribution
- distribution assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T7/00—Brake-action initiating means
- B60T7/12—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger
- B60T7/22—Brake-action initiating means for automatic initiation; for initiation not subject to will of driver or passenger initiated by contact of vehicle, e.g. bumper, with an external object, e.g. another vehicle, or by means of contactless obstacle detectors mounted on the vehicle
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/15—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
- B62D21/15—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having impact absorbing means, e.g. a frame designed to permanently or temporarily change shape or dimension upon impact with another body
- B62D21/152—Front or rear frames
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/02—Side panels
- B62D25/025—Side sills thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60T—VEHICLE BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF; BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEMS OR PARTS THEREOF, IN GENERAL; ARRANGEMENT OF BRAKING ELEMENTS ON VEHICLES IN GENERAL; PORTABLE DEVICES FOR PREVENTING UNWANTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES; VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE COOLING OF BRAKES
- B60T2201/00—Particular use of vehicle brake systems; Special systems using also the brakes; Special software modules within the brake system controller
- B60T2201/02—Active or adaptive cruise control system; Distance control
- B60T2201/024—Collision mitigation systems
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
An energy distribution assembly 24 for a vehicle 10 comprises a side member 26 of a body 14 of vehicle 10 abutting a wheel house 16 in a longitudinal direction and configured to at least partially receive a wheel 18, and a support member 28 movably supported on side member 26. Support member 28 has a cutting edge 30 and is movable, preferably by sliding longitudinally forwards, from an initial position, preferably telescopically within side member 26, to a support position to cut a tyre 22 and engage a rim 20 of wheel 18. Support 28 is preferably pyrotechnically actuable by reference to a sensor 36 detecting a collision of vehicle 10 so as to ensure rapid absorption of crash energy.
Description
Energy Distribution Assembly for a Vehicle, in particular a Passenger Vehicle The invention relates to an energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle.
US 2012/0074734 Al shows a vehicle front structure that forms a framework of a vehicle front portion. The vehicle front structure comprises side members that are provided at side end portions of the vehicle and extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. Each of the side members absorbs a load by being crushed at a front portion of the side member in the front-rear direction of the vehicle by the load transmitted from the front side of the vehicle, and includes a load transmission path switching portion that switches a transmission path of the load to the side of the vehicle by being deformed by the load transmitted to a rear portion of the side member. The load transmission path switching portion is a recess that corresponds to the trace of a front wheel of the vehicle changed during steering.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, by means of which energy distribution assembly crash energy can be distributed particularly advantageously.
This object is solved by an energy distribution assembly for a vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.
According to the present invention the energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle comprises at least one side member of a body of the vehicle, the side member abutting a wheel house in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, said wheel house is configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle at least partially. Moreover, the energy distribution assembly according to the present invention comprises at least one support member movably supported on the side member. The support member has at least one cutting edge and is movable from an initial position into at least one support position thereby cutting a tire and engaging a rim of the wheel by means of the cutting edge.
The idea behind the invention is that in conventional vehicles crash energy is absorbed and distributed by the side member only after the wheel comes into contact with the side member due to a movement of the wheel which movement is caused by a crash. Thus, the energy absorption via the side member starts lately alter the beginning of a crash.
This problem is solved by the energy distribution assembly according to the present invention since the support member can be moved in relation to the side member and the wheel towards the wheel so that the wheel can be supported by the support member and the side member particularly early after the beginning of the crash. Thus, crash energy can be transferred from the wheel to the support member and the side member and, thus, distributed and absorbed particularly advantageously.
The support member acts as an ejecting knife or knife edge by means of which a rubber material of the tire can be cut. Moreover, the cutting edge can engage the rim so that the wheel can be supported particularly firmly. Thereby, a load path via which crash energy can be guided and distributed can be created particularly early after the beginning of the crash. Hence, the side member which is also referred to as a sill can be used for absorbing a particularly high amount of crash energy. Furthermore, the wheel can be used particularly efficiently and effectively for absorbing and distributing crash energy.
Additionally, since the support member can be moved towards the wheel a free distance between the wheel and the side member can be kept particularly low or closed by means of the support member so that -in comparison with conventional vehicles -additional crush space can be created via which crash energy can be absorbed. Hence, loads and accelerations acting upon occupants of the vehicle during a crash can be kept particularly low.
Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawing. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respective indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.
The drawing shows in: Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a vehicle in the form of a passenger vehicle before a crash in the form of a frontal impact, the passenger vehicle comprising an energy distribution assembly having at least one side member and at least one support member movably supported on the side member; Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the passenger vehicle during the frontal impact; and Fig. 3 part of a schematic side view of the energy distribution assembly.
In the figures the same elements or elements having the same functions are indicated by the same reference signs.
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle in form of a passenger vehicle 10 before a frontal impact in which the passenger vehicle 10 will collide with a barrier 12. As can be seen from Fig. 1 the passenger vehicle 10 comprises a body 14 having at least one wheel house 16. The wheel house 16 is configured to receive a wheel 18 of the passenger vehicle 10 at least partially. In the present case the wheel 18 is the left front wheel which comprises a rim 20 and a tire 22 mounted on the rim 20. For example, the rim 20 is made of a metallic material, and the tire 22 is made of a rubber material.
The passenger vehicle 10 comprises an energy distribution assembly 24 which can be seen particularly well in Fig. 3. The energy distribution assembly 24 comprises at least one side member 26 of the body 14, wherein the side member 26 is also referred to as a sill or door sill. As can be seen from Fig. 1 and 2 the side member 26 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and abuts the wheel house 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the back. This means the side member 26 overlaps the wheel house 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle towards the back at least partially.
The energy distribution assembly 24 further comprises at least one support member 28 which is movably supported on the side member 26. The support member 28 has at least one cutting edge 30 and is movable from an initial position shown in Fig. 1 into at least one support position shown in Fig. 2 thereby cutting the tire 22 and engaging the rim 20 of the wheel 18.
As can be seen from Fig. 3 the support member 28 comprises a so-called ejecting block 32 which is movably supported on the side member 26. Moreover, the support member 28 comprises a support plate 34 mounted on the ejecting block 32. The cutting edge 30 is mounted on the support plate 34 so that the cutting edge 30 is mounted on the ejecting block 32 via the support plate 34. Thus, the cutting edge 30 and the support plate 34 can be moved together with the ejecting block 32 in relation to the side member 26. In the present case, the support member 28 is translationally movable in relation to the side member 26 between the initial position and the support position. In the initial position at least a portion of the support member 28 is arranged in the side member 26, in particular a hollow cross-section of the side member 26. By moving the support member 28 from the initial position into the support position the portion is moved out of the side member 26.
In the support position the support member 28 is supported on the side member 26 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so that loads or crash energy can be transferred from the wheel 18 to the support member 28 and the side member 26 so that the crash energy can be absorbed and distributed particularly advantageously.
As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2 by moving the support member 28 from the initial position into the support position the support member 28 is translationally moved towards the wheel 18 so that a distance between the wheel 18 and the side member 26 is closed by means of the support member 28, said distance extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Thereby, crash energy can be transferred from the wheel 18 to the support member 28 and, thus, the side member 26 particularly early after the beginning of the frontal impact of the passenger vehicle 10, said frontal impact being illustrated in Fig. 2.
Fig. 1 shows the passenger vehicle 10 before the frontal impact, wherein Fig. 2 shows the passenger vehicle 10 during the frontal impact.
The energy distribution assembly 24 further comprises at least one sensor 36 arranged at the front 38 of the passenger vehicle 10. The sensor 36 is configured to detect a crash of the passenger vehicle 10. This means the frontal impact can be detected by the sensor 36. The sensor 36 provides at least one signal indicative of the detected crash, wherein said signal is transferred from the sensor 36 to, for example, an electronic control unit of the passenger vehicle 10. The electronic control unit receives said signal and activates the support member 28 on the basis of the signal thereby effecting the movement of the support member 28 from the initial position into the support position. Thus, the cutting edge 30 cuts the tire 22 and engages the rim 20 particularly early after the beginning of the frontal impact so that a load path for absorbing and distributing crash energy can be created particularly early, said load path extending via the wheel 18, the support member 28 and the side member 26. This means crash energy can be transferred to the side member 26 and distributed particularly early after the beginning of the frontal impact.
In order to realize a particularly fast movement of the support member 28 from the initial position into the support position the energy distribution assembly 24 comprises at least one pyrotechnic means for moving the support member 28. Thus, the support member 28 can come into contact with the wheel 18 thereby cutting the tire 22 and engaging the rim by means of the cutting edge 30 particularly early so that the wheel 18 can be supported and crash energy and loads can be distributed via the side member 26.
List of reference signs passenger vehicle 12 barrier 14 body 16 wheelhouse 18 wheel rim 22 tire 24 energy distribution assembly 26 side member 28 support member cutting edge 32 ejecting block 34 support plate 36 sensor 38 front
Claims (6)
- Claims An energy distribution assembly (24) for a vehicle (10), the support assembly (24) comprising: -at least one side member (26) of a body (14) of the vehicle (10), the side member (26) abutting a wheel house (16) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10), the wheel house (16) being configured to receive at least one wheel (18) of the vehicle (10) at least partially; and -at least one support member (28) movably supported on the side member (26), the support member (28) having at least one cutting edge (30) and being movable from an initial position into at least one support position thereby cutting a tire (22) and engaging a rim (20) of the wheel (18) by means of the cutting edge (30).
- 2. The energy distribution assembly (24) according to claim 1, wherein in the support position the support member (28) is supported on the side member (26) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (10).
- 3. The energy distribution assembly (24) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the support member (28) is arranged in the side member (26) in the initial position.
- 4. The energy distribution assembly (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy distribution assembly (24) comprises at least one sensor (36) configured to detect a crash of the vehicle (10) and provide at least one signal indicative of the crash, the support member (28) being movable from the initial position into the support position on the basis of the signal.S
- 5. The energy distribution assembly (24) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy distribution assembly (24) comprises at least one pyrotechnic means for moving the support member (28).
- 6. A body (14) of avehicle(1O), the body (14) comprising at least one energy distribution assembly (24) according to any one of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1421413.4A GB2521761A (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2014-12-02 | Energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1421413.4A GB2521761A (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2014-12-02 | Energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201421413D0 GB201421413D0 (en) | 2015-01-14 |
| GB2521761A true GB2521761A (en) | 2015-07-01 |
Family
ID=52349821
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1421413.4A Withdrawn GB2521761A (en) | 2014-12-02 | 2014-12-02 | Energy distribution assembly for a vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2521761A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3456610A1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2019-03-20 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Load transmission structure |
| DE102018217794A1 (en) | 2018-10-17 | 2020-04-23 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Protection device for a vehicle |
| US11654846B1 (en) | 2021-11-02 | 2023-05-23 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Thermoplastic elastomer wheel deflector |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114103860B (en) * | 2021-12-01 | 2023-03-07 | 东风柳州汽车有限公司 | Tire energy leakage method and device |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10011930A1 (en) * | 2000-03-11 | 2001-09-20 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Impact kinetic energy absorption device for vehicle has deformation body in form of active crash element |
| US20040139833A1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-07-22 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Tire Deflation Device |
| DE102004021165A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-24 | Volkswagen Ag | Energy absorption arrangement for vehicle has additional load path between bumper cross-bearer, passenger compartment in collision realized by each front wheel of vehicle, which has lower deformation force level than passenger compartment |
| JP2009214654A (en) * | 2008-03-10 | 2009-09-24 | Mazda Motor Corp | Front structure of automobile |
| JP2012051400A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-15 | Isuzu Motors Ltd | Collision energy absorption device of vehicle |
-
2014
- 2014-12-02 GB GB1421413.4A patent/GB2521761A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10011930A1 (en) * | 2000-03-11 | 2001-09-20 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Impact kinetic energy absorption device for vehicle has deformation body in form of active crash element |
| US20040139833A1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-07-22 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Tire Deflation Device |
| DE102004021165A1 (en) * | 2004-04-29 | 2005-11-24 | Volkswagen Ag | Energy absorption arrangement for vehicle has additional load path between bumper cross-bearer, passenger compartment in collision realized by each front wheel of vehicle, which has lower deformation force level than passenger compartment |
| JP2009214654A (en) * | 2008-03-10 | 2009-09-24 | Mazda Motor Corp | Front structure of automobile |
| JP2012051400A (en) * | 2010-08-31 | 2012-03-15 | Isuzu Motors Ltd | Collision energy absorption device of vehicle |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP3456610A1 (en) * | 2017-09-13 | 2019-03-20 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Load transmission structure |
| DE102018217794A1 (en) | 2018-10-17 | 2020-04-23 | Zf Friedrichshafen Ag | Protection device for a vehicle |
| US11654846B1 (en) | 2021-11-02 | 2023-05-23 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Thermoplastic elastomer wheel deflector |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201421413D0 (en) | 2015-01-14 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |