Frontal impact energy dissipation zone
The invention capitalizes upon the absence of an engine compartment forward of the passenger compartment in the vehicle body and provides a frontal impact energy dissipation compartment forward of the passenger compartment. The frontal impact energy dissipation compartment is filled with an energy absorption structure, such as an aluminum honeycomb structure. Alternatively, a bulkhead member extends across the vehicle at the forward end of the passenger compartment to enhance structural integrity of the forward end of the vehicle. The bulkhead member may be integrated with air flow systems, cross-car structural support, safety airbags, slidable driver interface, speakers, etc.
1. A vehicle comprising:
a chassis having a by-wire braking system, a by-wire steering system, a by-wire energy conversion system, and at least three wheels; and
a body mounted to the chassis, the body forming a passenger compartment therein;
wherein the energy conversion system, braking system, and steering system are sufficiently packaged within the chassis such that the body is characterized by an absence of an engine compartment forward of the passenger compartment;
said body including a frontal impact energy dissipation compartment formed therein forward of the passenger compartment and filled with an energy absorption material to facilitate frontal impact energy absorption; and
wherein said frontal impact energy dissipation compartment and said energy absorption material extend rearward of at least a portion of one of said at least three wheels.
2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said energy absorption material comprises an aluminum honeycomb structure.
3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein said frontal impact energy dissipation compartment extends from a forward end of the passenger compartment substantially to a forward bumper of the body, and substantially from the chassis to the upper inside surface of the body at the forward end of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the energy dissipation compartment extends substantially from one side of the body to another.
5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the energy dissipation compartment has a contoured upper surface to substantially follow a contoured exterior surface of the body.