Rear-End Crash Characteristics and Fuel System Safety

To prevent fuel leakage in rear-end collisions, the body deformation characteristics must correspond with the arrangement of the fuel system components.

This paper explains the characteristics of vehicle body deformation in rear-end collisions and discusses a simplified method for controlling vehicle body crush modes.

The paper further explains how to prevent a crushed fuel tank by lowering the stiffness of the fuel tank support unit.

The application of these methods will make it possible for even a subcompact car with the fuel system located within the crush zone to be developed into a safe vehicle free from fuel leakage.