Vehicle body structural member

The vehicle body structural member with crescent-shaped step surfaces on the center pillar addresses the challenge of localized deformation in high-strength materials by enabling wider deformation and preventing fracture during side collisions, enhancing safety and reducing weight.

WO2026014085A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-01-15TOYODA IRON WORKS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/JP2025/018901
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-07-11
Filing Date
2025-05-26
Publication Date
2026-01-15

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The use of high-strength materials in vehicle body structural members, particularly in the lower part of the center pillar, results in reduced susceptibility to buckling and increased geometric rigidity, leading to localized deformation during a side collision, which increases the risk of fracture and reduces the ability to deform over a wide area, compromising occupant safety.

Method used

A vehicle body structural member with a center pillar featuring crescent-shaped step surfaces on the front and rear walls, inclined inward in the vehicle width direction, allowing for wider deformation and preventing fracture, even when using high-strength materials.

Benefits of technology

The design enables appropriate deformation of the center pillar during a side collision, reducing the risk of fracture and minimizing intrusion into the passenger compartment, while allowing for the use of high-strength materials to reduce weight and maintain structural integrity.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure JP2025018901_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure JP2025018901_15012026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle body structural member 1 comprising a center pillar 2 that is provided on a side of a vehicle and extends along an up-down direction. The center pillar 2 includes a side wall 14 facing outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle, a front wall 15 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end portion of the side wall 14, and a rear wall 16 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end portion of the side wall 14. The side wall 14 includes a door hinge mounting surface 19 at a lower portion of the side wall 14. At least one among the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16 includes a crescent-shaped stepped surface 7, 8 that extends from the door hinge mounting surface 19 to a lower end portion 13 of the center pillar 2 and protrudes toward the side wall 14 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The stepped surface 7, 8 inclines inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end 7b, 8b toward the upper end 7a, 8b thereof.
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

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    JP2005247002A

  • Vehicle body constitution member for vehicle

    JP2011088596A

  • Vehicle side part structure

    JP2015058798A

  • Center pillar for vehicle

    JP2016117344A

  • Vehicle body side part structure

    JP2022152413A