FIELD OF IITVENTION
This invention relates to an apron side member for improving vehicle
performance for high speed frontal collision. High speed frontal collision is
meant for collision at speed of SOl(mph or more.
PRIOR ART
- Vehicle is known to have been provided with apron side member to
absorb impact energr in case of frontal collision. This constitutes a single
longitudinal member of uniform thickness provided between dash panel
and brace supporting head lights. However, it can't absorb ener$r
effectively as it involves only one deformation zone (at the centre of apron
side member), thereby transferring large impact load to the occupant
cabin. This deteriorates crashworthiness performance of vehicle.
Another art is also available as shown in frg. 1, in which a crash box (1) is
mounted on a plate (2) provided on apron side member. The crash box with
mounting plate on both sides together with front bumper take part in enerry
absorption in case of frontal collision. However, it is suitable only for low speed
frontal collision.
Disadvantages with the above are given hereinbelow:-
- Less ener5r absorption due to only one deformation zorLe i.e. at the
centre of apron side member.
- Heavy weight due to uniform thickness, which leads to high cost and less
fuel efficiency.
Now, reference may be made to the following prior arts:-
US 753391382:- A front structure for a car body for localizing damage in lowspeed
collisions to a crash box mounted in a space between a front bumper
and a side member and making the car body deform always in a predetermined
mode in the collisions. A front structure for a car body may include a first
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connecting bracket supporting the left and right rear of a front bumper, a crash
box joined to the rear of the first connecting bracket, a second connecting
bracket joined to the rear of the crash box, and a front side member joined to
the rear of the second connecting bracket. The crash box includes an inner
member and an outer member, which are curved and separated from each
other, so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and have a
closed cross section.
It discloses provision of crash box in front of brace supporting head lamp.
However, it is effective in case of low speed frontal collision with the help of
additional component i.e. crash box.
Another prior art is directed to a front part structure of a vehicle body. A
suspension frame is disposed posterior to a front-side component in a
longitudinal direction of the vehicle. An apron side member extends in the
longitudinal direction. An apron lower member extends in the longitudinal
direction connecting the front-side component and the suspension frame and is
disposed below the apron side member. A first shock absorbing portion is
provided in the apron side member. A second shock absorbing portion is
provided in the apron lower member such that the second shock absorbing
portion is disposed below the first shock absorbing portion.
It requires an additional member in connection with the apron so as to absorb
enerry in case of frontal collision.
The additional component adds to number of components and therefore weight
and cost of vehicle.
Still another prior art is related to a front body section of a vehicle which is
provided with a front-side member and a crash box. The crash box includes a
front section and a rear section, which are disposed in front of the front-side
member so as to be orially aligned and connected thereto. An upper plate, a
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lower plate, an outer plate, and an inner plate, all of which form the front
section, are prepared so as to provide a lower level of total plastic
characteristic, when under load, than those plate members which form the rear
section.
It is also directed to crash box having different thickness for two sections of it.
As already discussed it is not effective in case of high speed collision.
Thus none of the above fulflll requirements of the present invention, which
focuses on provision for high speed frontal collision.
OBJECTS OF THE IIYVENTION
Primary object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member for
improving vehicle performance for frontal impact which overcomes
disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member for
improving vehicle performance for frontal impact which is simple in
construction.
Further object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member for
improving vehicle performance for frontal impact which is reliable and efficient.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member
for improving vehicle performance for frontal impact which is light weight
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member
for improving performance vehicle frontal impact in case of high speed frontal
collision.
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Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apron side member
for improving vehicle performance for frontal impact, which absorbs more ener$/
effectively by increasing number of deformation zones.
SIMMARY OF THE IIYIIENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an apron side member for
improving vehicle frontal impact performance comprising atleast two sections,
in which section with more stiffness adjacent to dash panel is connected to
section with less stiffness adjacent to brace supporting head lamp.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: provision of crash box in vehicle according to prior art.
Fig. 2 shows: novel apron side member according to present invention.
Fig. 2A shows: top view of apron side member of present invention.
Fig. 3 shows: various deformation zones in apron side member following frontal
collision.
DETAIL DTSCRIPTION OF THE INIIENTION WITH RET'ERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPAIYYING DRAWINGS
The invention discloses an apron side member for improving vehicle frontal
impact performance in case of high speed collision.
As the invention has been developed to absorb more impact ener$r effectively
by increasing number of deformation zones, therefore the apron side member is
divided into two sections of different cross-sectional stiffness by keeping
thicknesses of sheet-metal different.
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Now, reference may be made to fig. 2 and 2A, in which apron side member (A)
is disposed between dash panel (Not shown) and brace (B) supporting head
lamps. The apron side member comprises of two sections of different sheetmetal
thicknesses. First section (1) of sheet-metal thickness 'tr' is provided
adjacent to dash panel of vehicle. Second section (2) of sheet-metal thickness
'tz' is connected to the first section and positioned adjacent to brace (B)
mounted with headlights.
Sheet-metal thickness of first section (1) is thicker than the sheet-metal
tlrickness of second section (21 i.e. tPtz. The connectivity between said two
sections is established preferably by means of spot welding.
Further, thinner section (21 is having provision of afleast one bead (3)
longitudinally in vertical direction. This facilitates deformation in thinner
section (2) and subsequently absorbs crash ener$/ in case of collision. Further
provision of bead strengthens towing hook attached to the apron section (21 at
its bottom.
The thinner section (2) is having less stiffness than the thicker section (1).
Therefore said section (2) constituting weaker zorle (2A) which is more prone to
deformation therefore deforms first and subsequently deformation zone (1A) of
section (1) undergoes deformation as shown in fig. 3.
Alternatively, apron side member having two sections, out of which one section
for mounting engine in proximity to dash comprising higher grade of material
such as high strength steel than other section adjacent to the brace supporting
head lights. The section (l) is made of higher grade of steel and said thinner
section (2) is made of lower grade of steel for example steel having ultimate
strength of 59O MPA and 27O MPA respectively.
According to another embodiment of present invention, the section with higher
thickness (tr) comprising higher grade steel and the section with lesser
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thickness (tz) comprising lower grade steel.
The additional deformation zotte being after the engine mount location towards
the headlamp brace, during collision does not increase the engine's rearward
movement towards the occupant cabin thereby mitigating the injury to
occupants.
A crash box assembly can be additionally provided in front of lamp supporting
member (B).
Advantaseous Features
- Better absorption of impact energz during frontal collision.
- Reduction in weight and cost of vehicle.
- Increase in number of deformation zones.
- Reinforcing of towing hook for purpose of vehicle towing.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-
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WE CLNM:
1. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
comprising atleast two sections, in which section with more stiffness
adjacent to dash panel is connected to section with less stiffness
adjacent to brace supporting head lamp.
2. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section with higher stiffness is
thicker.
3. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the section with less stiffness is
thinner.
4. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the section with higher stiffness
comprising higher grade material such high strength steel.
5. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the section with less
stiffness comprising lower grade material such as low carbon steel.
6. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the section with
higher stiffness is thicker and made of higher grade material such as
high strength steel.
7.
8.
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An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the section with less
stiffness is thinner and made of lower grade material such as low carbon
steel.
An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the section with less
stiffness is provided with atleast one vertical bead.
9. An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact performance
as claimed in any of the preceding claims is associated with the
advantageous features such as herein described.
An apron side member for improving vehicle frontal impact
with reference performance substantially as herein described to the
accompanying drawings.