Car body tail end design of side and cross-members

摘要

A dividing wall (43) in the length sense of the carbody (2) is inserted in each end (23) of the cross-member (22) and lies on an hypothetical continuation of the chassis side member (20). Viewed across the carbody, a component formed in an intermediate sector of the cross-member between the two side members is fitted with a shoulder portion (55). In a side view of the carbody, the sectional surface of the intermediate sector of the cross-member is smaller than that of the member end (23). In collisions, the recoil force (F) deforms the ends (21) of the side member (20) and the cross-member so their plastic deformation absorbs the collision energy clear of the passenger compartment. When the force (F) is transferred to the side member (20), reaction forces on the covering and connecting plates (26,30) resist the collision force. Reaction and collision forces give rise to compression in the dividing wall (43) in plastic energy-absorbing deformation.