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Vehicle body structure

a technology for vehicles and pillars, applied in vehicle arrangements, roofs, transportation and packaging, etc., can solve the problems of appreciably increasing the weight of vehicles, and achieve the effect of increasing the overall material of the pillars and adding rigidity

Active Publication Date: 2013-07-25
NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about making a vehicle pillar stronger without adding extra material.

Problems solved by technology

One challenge involves maintaining the structural integrity of a vehicle frame structure without appreciably increasing the weight of the vehicle.

Method used

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  • Vehicle body structure
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Experimental program
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second embodiment

[0084]Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, a pillar assembly 212 in accordance with a second embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and second embodiments, the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the second embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0085]The pillar assembly 212 of the second embodiment includes the inner pillar panel 30 and the outer pillar panel 32 as described above with respect to the pillar assembly 12 of the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the reinforcement panel 36 is omitted and the brace 34 is replaced with a brace 234, as shown in FIG. 16. Preferably, the brace 234 has the same overall vertical length as the brace 34 of the first embodiment. However, the brace 234 has...

third embodiment

[0087]Referring now to FIG. 18, a pillar assembly 312 in accordance with a third embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and third embodiments, the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the third embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0088]The pillar assembly 312 of the third embodiment includes the inner pillar panel 30 and the outer pillar panel 32 as described above with respect to the pillar assembly 12 of the first embodiment. However, in the third embodiment, the reinforcement panel 36 is omitted and the brace 34 is replaced with a brace 334, as shown in FIG. 18. Preferably, the brace 334 has the same overall vertical length as the brace 34 of the first embodiment. However, the brace 334 has a differing p...

fourth embodiment

[0090]Referring now to FIG. 19, a pillar assembly 412 in accordance with a fourth embodiment will now be explained. In view of the similarity between the first and fourth embodiments, the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as the parts of the first embodiment. Moreover, the descriptions of the parts of the fourth embodiment that are identical to the parts of the first embodiment may be omitted for the sake of brevity.

[0091]The pillar assembly 412 of the fourth embodiment includes the inner pillar panel 30 and the outer pillar panel 32 as described above with respect to the pillar assembly 12 of the first embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, the reinforcement panel 36 is omitted and the brace 34 is replaced with a brace 434, as shown in FIG. 19. Preferably, the brace 434 has the same overall vertical length as the brace 34 of the first embodiment. However, the brace 434 has a diffe...

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PUM

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Abstract

An outer pillar panel is fixed to an inner pillar panel defining a vehicle pillar with a closed box cross section. A vertically extending cavity is defined between the inner and outer pillar panels. The outer pillar panel includes a first contact portion within the cavity. The roof side rail is rigidly fixed to the upper ends of the inner pillar panel and the outer pillar panel. The brace is fixed to the inner pillar panel within the cavity. The brace includes a second contact portion facing the first contact portion but is spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined gap with the inner and outer pillar panels in an undeformed state. The first contact portion contacts the second contact portion when an external force above a prescribed amount is applied to the vehicle body structure.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention generally relates to a vehicle body structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pillar assembly of the body structure.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Vehicles are continuously being redesigned in order to improve fuel efficiency and to meet various related design challenges. One challenge involves maintaining the structural integrity of a vehicle frame structure without appreciably increasing the weight of the vehicle.[0005]In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for maintaining the strength of a vehicle frame structure without increasing the weight of the vehicle. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.SUMMARY[0006]One object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle pillar assembly with added rigidity...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62D25/04
CPCB62D25/04
Inventor MOLL, DANIEL
Owner NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD