Page 46 - Australasian Paint & Panel Mar-Apr 2019
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46
OEM Tech talk • Mercedes-Benz
LEFT: GLE front crumple zone with airbag view.
BELOW: Bodyshell consists of mixed materials to ensure torsional rigidity and correct crumple zones for maximum occupant safety.
B
PAINT&PANEL
MARCH / APRIL 2019
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OTH STATICALLY AND DYNAMICALLY,
the body structure of the new GLE is around 20 percent more torsion- ally rigid than that of the previous model. It combines high-strength sheet steel with lightweight materials for certain assemblies. The bonnet and front wings are sheet aluminium, the side members at the rear are partially reinforced with die- cast aluminium. The front-end member
consists of innovative organo panels.
The basis for occupant protection is the body structure with a particularly rigid passenger cell, whose strength is suited to the deformation resistance of the front-
end and rear-end structures.
ORGANO PANELS
The front-end member of the GLE is made of organo panels. This is the first time that Mercedes-Benz has used this innovative material for such a large and visible compo- nent. Organo panelling provides an alterna- tive to sheet metal panels. It consists of fibre- reinforced plastic panels. After heating in a
press, these panels are formed into three- dimensional components via a process which involves very short cycle times.
The fibre reinforcement endows organo panels with very good mechanical proper- ties, such as rigidity and strength, com- bined with only a fraction of the weight of their sheet-metal counterparts. The ther- moplastic plastic matrix offers another crucial advantage. An injection moulding process follows in a second, integrated production step, in the course of which ribs, mountings, etc. are added. This takes place in the same tool in which the organo panel was formed.
The organo panelling of the GLE can be permanently fused to adjacent parts made of polypropylene (PP). Only butt-welding was possible previously, with the risk of fractures. Use of the sandwich construc- tion principle means that fewer compo- nents are needed overall, as air ducts and sleeves for bolt-on components are directly integrated. As organo panels do not cor- rode, they do not need to be painted.
EAR PROTECTION
Pre-safe sound occupant preconditioning is standard equipment in the GLE. The noise generated by a severe collision can lead to auditory damage in individuals with sensitive hearing. The system is able to prevent this. When an impending im- pact is detected, the vehicle's sound sys- tem emits a rushing noise to prepare the hearing of the occupants. This is able to activate a natural reflex: the stapedius muscle in the inner ear contracts, damp- ing the noise reaching the inner ear.
COMPLEX SAFETY SYSTEMS
In the event of an unavoidable side colli- sion recognised by the outer front radar sensors in the bumper, pre-safe impulse side gives the driver or front passenger an impulse on the impact side. An actuator in the seat side bolster is rapidly inflated by a gas cartridge, and gently pushes the upper body of the seat occupant away from the impact side. The distance from the door is increased, and the speed difference with which the side structure impacts the oc- cupant is reduced. Both can reduce the risk of particularly serious injuries.
With each new model theactive and passive safety systems are upgraded. Distronic started out as simply a way to ensure the driver stayed a safe distance from the car in front and was pioneered by Mercedes-Benz. Now it interacts with active steering assist, active speed limit assist, active change lane assist, active brake assist, active emergency stop as- sist and evasive steering assist. Pre-safe plus works in so many ways to protect the occupants from harm - monitoring traffic conditions and braking accord- ingly as well as tightening the seatbelts in the most effective way for a collision from any direction.
POST ACCIDENT CARE
The phase shortly after a severe accident is also addressed by numerous innova- tive systems. The GLE initiates measures that mitigate the consequences: automat- ically activated hazard warning flashers, emergency lighting inside, emergency shutoff of the engine and fuel pump, un- locking of the doors and lowering the windows , and of course automatic place- ment of an emergency call, are among the measures the car can initiate auto- matically after an accident.


































































































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