Vehicle body

The vehicle body structure with panels of varying tensile strengths addresses the challenge of absorbing collision energy and preventing front pillar displacement by promoting plastic deformation and stabilization, enhancing energy absorption and reducing residual crushing.

JP2026091148APending Publication Date: 2026-06-03TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK +1
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
Filing Date
2024-11-22
Publication Date
2026-06-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Electric vehicles face challenges in absorbing collision energy during small overlap frontal collisions, with the risk of the front pillar displacing toward the cabin due to insufficient plastic deformation of the upper member, which can be exacerbated by increasing the strength of the upper member leading to residual crushing.

Method used

A vehicle body structure with panels of varying tensile strengths, where the upper member's first panel has high tensile strength to increase load, the second panel has low tensile strength to promote plastic deformation, and the front pillar's panels have varying strengths to stabilize deformation and accommodate the upper member, thereby enhancing energy absorption.

Benefits of technology

The structure effectively absorbs collision energy by promoting plastic deformation and stabilizing the deformation mode of the upper member, reducing residual crushing and suppressing front pillar displacement toward the cabin.

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Abstract

In particular, it provides a body structure that excels at absorbing collision energy in small overlap frontal collisions. [Solution] The vehicle body comprises a front pillar extending vertically at the front of the cabin, and an upper member extending forward from an intermediate position of the front pillar. The rear end portion of the upper member connected to the front pillar has a first panel forming the upper part of the upper member, and a second panel facing the first panel and forming the lower part of the upper member. The tensile strength of the material constituting the first panel is higher than that of the material constituting the second panel, and the second panel is widened downward so that the cross-sectional shape of the upper member expands as it approaches the front pillar.
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