JSC "Kama", which is preparing to launch the Russian electric car "Atom", has shared a video of preliminary crash tests and body structure.
Before the start of mass production in 2025, the car will undergo three such rounds, both for whole assembled cars and for their individual elements. 48 tests are planned, in which 30 cars will take part. Based on the results of the research, final improvements will be made to the body.
JSC "Kama" used five materials in the body structure with different properties that affect the efficiency of kinetic energy absorption and resistance to impacts.
In the "Atom" video model, red indicates high-strength PHS steel for hot stamping, yellow indicates improved high-strength AHSS steel, blue indicates high-strength low-alloy HSLA steel, green indicates aluminum, and gray indicates MILD structural steels.
Auto journalist, editor-in-chief of the magazine "Za Rulem" Maxim Kadakov analyzed the features of the car that were revealed during testing. He noted that, as a result, the goal of the developers is to ensure high overall safety according to the Chinese C-Ncap standard, corresponding to 4 stars.
Only a frontal impact is shown, although for a body without a central pillar, the most difficult test will, of course, be a side impact. The main power elements of the body frame are made by hot stamping: these are some parts of the floor, the front tunnel, elements of the sidewalls and safety zones, safety bars and amplifiers in the doors. To ensure safety in a side impact, the central pillar is integrated into the doors. Door locks are located on the sills, and the doors are made dependent. The main load during a side impact is taken by the reinforced sills and doors. In the event of a side impact against a pole, the sill takes on a large load. The sill beam has a patented design and structure in cross section, and the outer part of the profile has a trapezoidal shape, which better absorbs impact energy.
The main task of the sills is simple: to prevent damage and protect the battery from destruction. Together, this design preserves the living space inside the cabin and provides the necessary body rigidity.
Soon, in addition to crash tests, the car body will undergo a series of additional tests. These include, in particular, final aerodynamic tests and body torsion rigidity tests. Reliability and durability tests of the body will also be an important stage. They include climatic and corrosion tests plus checking the resistance of the paintwork.
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