Study of an Enhanced Body of Small Vehicle in Frontal Crash Test and IIHS Small Overlap Test

摘要

Previous work identified a relationship between vehicle drop and dummy injury under the high-speed frontal impact condition [1]. The results showed that vehicle drop greater than 60mm made the dummy injury worse. Moreover, that work identified the front side member as the crucial part affecting the vehicle drop. In this study, the body structure mechanism was studied to reduce vehicle drop by controlling the front side member, shotgun, and A-pillar. By analyzing full vehicles, it was recognized that the arch shape of the front side member was very important. Furthermore, if the top of the arch shape of front side member, shotgun, and A-pillar were connected well, then the body deformation energy could lift the lower part of A-pillar, effectively reducing vehicle drop. This structure design concept is named “Body Lift Structure” (BLS). The BLS was applied to B and C segment platforms. Additionally, a “Ring” shape was defined by the front side member, dash panel, and A-pillar. The BLS was combined with the Ring shape into a “Body Lift Ring Structure” (BLRS) that could protect the passengers under the IIHS small overlap condition. The BLRS was invented by utilizing the TRIZ problem-solving method. The new platform improved the performance of vehicle drop. This improved performance allowed for a design which achieves a “Good” IIHS small overlap rating, while reducing mass by 12.3 kg, by reducing the amount of countermeasures applied to achieve this rating.