With its most recent YouTube video, Tesla provided us a peek within the engineering crash safety laboratory (below). Lars Moravy, vice president of vehicle engineering, offers some enlightening perspectives on what makes Tesla vehicles so secure. Tesla takes passive safety into account from the start of a design, he said.
In contrast to active safety measures, which work to prevent accidents from happening in the first place, inert safety means the elements and structures that safeguard occupants in the case of an accident. The person and the battery are Tesla’s two key concerns when designing passive safety.
Progressive Crash Architecture
Tesla’s crash construction strategy, as explained by Moravy, is to soak quite enough energy from whatever item is struck before it reaches the cabin. This is accomplished using a recently introduced in Austin progressive crash structure made up of a bumper beam, crush can, and front underbody casting.
Energy Absorption from Several Load Paths: Lateral and Vertical
The many load routes in Tesla’s safety architecture, which support different vehicle sizes and types, are a vital component. For interoperability with other cars on the road, Moravy noted, “There is a higher load path. At times we require a lower load path if we strike a differently shaped object.” To ensure that energy is absorbed as well as the automobile is propelled away from the item it collides with, these load channels function both laterally and vertically.
Using glass, door rings, and battery structure to enhance cabin safety
Glass, door rings, and the battery structure all contribute to the cabin’s security. The low location of the battery, which results in a lower centre of gravity, is one distinctive feature of Tesla cars. This greatly lowers the chance of rollovers when combined with the suspension system.
Crash Test Success: Five-Star Rating for Model Y
Moravy proudly displayed a Model Y that had received a five-star rating in NHTSA crash tests, highlighting the efficiency of Tesla’s safety features. All of that energy, he noted, “was absorbed up front here, halting really at the cabin,” enabling passengers to escape the car unharmed after the collision. To ensure occupant survival, the cabin also remained essentially unaltered from its previous state.
Tesla’s dedication to safety starts with the design process, with a focus on passive safety and cutting-edge tech. The outstanding safety ratings Tesla vehicles continuously acquire are a result of multiple load routes, managed crushing, and a low centre of gravity. Tesla’s engineering endeavors are a testimony to their aim to “defend the occupant,” as Moravy so eloquently phrased it.
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