[0001] The present disclosure described herein, in general, relates to a deformation system on a cowl dash side member.
[0002] The present disclosure described herein, in particular, relates to a vehicle front structure having a deformation system on a cowl dash side member that can absorb impact energy during a frontal collision and thereby meet the crash requirements and protect occupants of a vehicle having a high vehicle weight.
BACKGROUND
[0003] FIG. 1 shows a schematic line diagram of a structure of a cowl side member 100 of a vehicle attached with a door frame 102 of the vehicle. Such a cowl side member 100 is particularly used in vehicles having a low vehicle weight. The cowl side member 100 can absorb energy and hence meet crash requirements of the vehicle in an event of a frontal collision. The crash requirements include controlled intrusion of the trim door opening (TDO), spot rupture, tearing of panel, etc. However, this structure of the cowl side member 100 is not able to meet the crash requirements of a vehicle having a high vehicle weight. As a result, during the frontal collision, the impact energy is transferred to the door frame 102 which is at the rear end of cowl side member 100 and eventually leads to non-functionality of the side door. The cowl side member 100 hence gives poor crash performance when used in a vehicle having a high weight.
[0004] In view of the above, there is a need to provide a solution such that a cowl side member shows optimal performance in case of the frontal collision with high vehicle weight. The optimal performance includes absorbing impact energy by affecting the rigidity criteria of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0006] It is a general or primary object of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle front structure having a deformation system on a cowl side member such that the cowl side member absorbs impact energy and hence meet the crash requirements of a vehicle having a high weight.
[0007] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a vehicle front structure having a deformation system on a cowl side member for impact absorption. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a vehicle front structure having a deformation system on a cowl side member for impact absorption. The structure comprises at least two vertical beads formed on a front surface of the cowl side member as deformation points and at least two horizontal apertures formed on the front and bottom surfaces of the cowl side member such that each of the at least two horizontal apertures is formed on one longitudinal end of each of the at least two vertical beads.
[0010] In an aspect, comprises at least two vertical apertures formed at a back surface of the cowl side member such that the location and dimensions of the at least two vertical apertures correspond to the location and dimensions of the at least two vertical beads, respectively.
[0011] In an aspect, the at least two vertical beads are formed at both front surface and bottom surface.
[0012] In an aspect, a first vertical bead from amongst the at least two vertical beads and a first vertical aperture from amongst the at least two vertical apertures are formed at a predefined angle with respect to a vertical axis.
[0013] In an aspect, the predefined angle ranges from 10 to 20 degrees.
[0014] In an aspect, a first horizontal aperture from amongst the at least two horizontal apertures is formed at a bottom longitudinal end of the first vertical bead from amongst the at least two vertical beads.
[0015] In an aspect, the first vertical bead, the first horizontal aperture, and the first vertical aperture are formed in the vicinity of a front side of the cowl side member and act as a first deformation area.
[0016] In an aspect, a second horizontal aperture from amongst the at least two horizontal apertures is formed at a top longitudinal end of a second vertical bead from amongst the at least two vertical beads.
[0017] In an aspect, the structure comprises a third vertical bead formed on a top surface of the cowl side member such that a vertical axis of the third vertical bead intersects with a vertical axis of the second vertical bead or a vertical axis of a second vertical aperture from amongst the at least two vertical apertures.
[0018] In an aspect, the second vertical bead, the third vertical bead, the second horizontal aperture, and the second vertical aperture are formed in the vicinity of a rear side of the cowl side member and act as a second deformation area.
[0019] Thus with the help of a combination of at least one bead and an aperture formed at a predefined angle and acting as deformation area helps in absorbing impact energy during a frontal collision in two deformation areas thereby meeting crash requirements of a vehicle having a high vehicle weight.
[0020] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0021] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a line diagram of an existing cowl side member of a vehicle;
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a line diagram of a front surface of a cowl side member of a vehicle as per the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a line diagram of a back surface and top surface of a cowl side member of a vehicle as per the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a line diagram of a bottom surface of the cowl side member of a vehicle as per the present disclosure.
[0027] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0030] The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0031] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0033] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0034] Hereinafter, a description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0035] To meet the crash requirements of a vehicle having a high vehicle weight FIG. 2 shows a cowl side member 200 of a vehicle front structure attached with a door frame 202 of a vehicle. A deformation system is provided on the cowl side member 200 that helps in absorbing impact energy in an event of a frontal collision. The vehicle front structure comprises of at least two vertical beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2 formed on a front surface 200A of the cowl side member 200 as deformation or bending points and at least two horizontal apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2 formed on the bottom surface 200B and the front surface 200A of the cowl side member 200 such that each of the at least two horizontal apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2 is formed on one longitudinal end of each of the at least two vertical beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2. The first vertical bead 204-VB1 from amongst the at least two vertical beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2 is formed at a predefined angle with respect to a vertical axis I-I'. In an aspect, the predefined angle ranges from 10 to 20 degrees. The first horizontal aperture 206-HA1 from amongst the at least two horizontal apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2 is formed at a bottom longitudinal end of the first vertical bead 204-VB1. The horizontal aperture 206-HA2 is formed at a top longitudinal end of the second vertical bead 204-VB2. This orientation of the apertures 206-HA1 and 206-HA2 with the beads 204-VB1 and 204-VB2 is a perfect orientation to initiate predefined bending to control the path of the energy during a crash.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a back surface 200C and top surface 200D of the cowl side member 200 of the vehicle front structure. The vehicle front structure further comprises at least two vertical apertures 208-VA1, 208-VA2 formed at the back surface 200C of the cowl side member 200 such that the location and dimension of the at least two vertical apertures 208-VA1, 208-VA2 corresponds to the location and dimension of the at least two vertical beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2, respectively. In other words, the at least two vertical apertures 208-VA1 and 208-VA2 are formed opposite but exactly at the same area where the first vertical bead 204-VB1 and the second vertical bead 204-VB2 are formed on the cowl side member 200. In an aspect, the first vertical aperture 208-VA1 from amongst the at least two vertical apertures 208-VA1, 208-VA2 is also formed at a predefined and equal angle with respect to a vertical axis I-I' just as the first vertical bead 204-VB1 is formed. In an aspect, the predefined angle ranges from 10 to 20 degrees. The vehicle front structure comprises a third vertical bead 204-VB3 formed on a top surface 200D of the cowl side member 200 such that a vertical axis Y of the third vertical bead 204-VB3 intersects with a vertical axis X (shown in FIG. 2) of the second vertical bead 204-VB2 or a vertical axis Z of a second vertical aperture 208-VA2 from amongst the at least two vertical apertures 208-VA1, 208-VA2.
[0037] In an aspect, the first vertical bead 204-VB1, the first horizontal aperture 206-HA1, and the first vertical aperture 208-VA1 are formed in the vicinity of a front side of the cowl side member 200 and act as a first deformation area. The second vertical bead 204-VB2, the third vertical bead 204-VB3, the second horizontal aperture 206-HA2, and the second vertical aperture 208-VA2 are formed in the vicinity of a rear side of the cowl side member 200 and act as a second deformation area. When there will be a frontal collision bending will be initiated at the first deformation or bending area and then the energy will be transferred to the second deformation or bending area. This way the cowl side member 200 will absorb the impact energy thereby improving the crash performance. The two deformation area constitutes the whole deformation system.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows the bottom view of the cowl side member 200 of the vehicle front structure. In FIG. 4, the first vertical bead 204-VB1, the second vertical bead 204-VB2, and the first horizontal aperture 206-HA1 can be seen more clearly.
[0039] Thus present disclosure provides a robust cowl side member structure that restricts and absorbs the impact energy transferred during the frontal collision. The pattern of beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2, and 204-VB3 along with the apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2, 208-VA1, and 208-VA2 creates a virtual box section that gets crumpled in predefined bending points or bending areas to absorb the impact energy. The beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2, and 204-VB3 help to initiate the bending and the apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2, 208-VA1, and 208-VA2 magnifies the bending effect. During the frontal collision, the two deformation or bending areas help to absorb the energy at the desired location and thus helps in meeting or controlling crash requirements like spot rupturing, trim door opening (TDO) intrusion, panel tearing, etc. The beads 204-VB1, 204-VB2, and 204-VB3 and the apertures 206-HA1, 206-HA2, 208-VA1, and 208-VA2 are formed in on the cowl side member 200 in such a way that during the frontal collision the cowl side member 200 is damaged evenly in the two deformation areas and for complete absorption of the impact energy. In an aspect, more than two deformation areas can also be provided by providing a combination of an aperture and a bead. In an aspect, the cowl side member 200 can also be used for vehicles having a low vehicle weight.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0040] The present disclosure provides a vehicle front structure having the deformation system on the cowl side member such that the cowl side member absorbs impact energy and hence meet the crash requirements of a vehicle having a high vehicle weight. Such a cowl side member can also be used for vehicles having a low vehicle weight.
[0041] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the present disclosure when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims:1. A vehicle front structure having a deformation system on a cowl side member (200) for impact absorption, the vehicle front structure comprising:
at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2) formed on a front surface (200A) and a bottom surface (200B) of the cowl side member (200) as deformation points; and
at least two horizontal apertures (206-HA1) and (206-HA2) formed on the bottom surface (200B) and on the front surface (200A) of the cowl side member (200) such that each of the at least two horizontal apertures (206-HA1, 206-HA2) is formed on one longitudinal end of each of the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2).
2. The structure as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least two vertical apertures (208-VA1, 208-VA2) formed at a back surface (200C) of the cowl side member (200) such that the location and dimensions of the at least two vertical apertures (208-VA1, 208-VA2) corresponds to the location and the dimensions of the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2), respectively.
3. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2) are formed at both front surface (200A) and bottom surface (200B).
4. The structure as claimed in claim 2, wherein a first vertical bead (204-VB1) from amongst the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2) and a first vertical aperture (208-VA1) from amongst the at least two vertical apertures (208-VA1, 208-VA2) are formed at a predefined angle with respect to a vertical axis (1-1').
5. The structure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the predefined angle ranges from 10 to 20 degrees.
6. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first horizontal aperture (206-HA1) from amongst the at least two horizontal apertures (206a, 206-HA1) is formed at a bottom longitudinal end of the first vertical bead (204-VB1) from amongst the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2).
7. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vertical bead (204-VB1), the first horizontal aperture (206-HA1) and the first vertical aperture (208-VA1) are formed in the vicinity of a front side of the cowl side member (200) and act as a first deformation area.
8. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a second horizontal aperture (206-HA2) from amongst the at least two horizontal apertures (206-HA1, 206-HA2) is formed at a top longitudinal end of a second vertical bead (204-VB2) from amongst the at least two vertical beads (204-VB1, 204-VB2).
9. The structure as claimed in claim 1, comprises a third vertical bead (204-VB3) formed on a top surface (200D) of the cowl side member (200) such that a vertical axis (Y) of the third vertical bead (204-VB3) intersects with a vertical axis (X) of the second vertical bead (204-VB2) or a vertical axis (Z) of a second vertical aperture (208-VA2) from amongst the at least two vertical apertures (208-VA1, 208-VA2).
10. The structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second vertical bead (204-VB2), the third vertical bead (204-VB3), the second horizontal aperture (206-HA2) and the second vertical aperture (208-VA2) are formed in the vicinity of a rear side of the cowl side member (200) and act as a second deformation area.