Vehicle Back Frame Corner Reinforcement for Torsional Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle rear structures face challenges in enhancing torsional stiffness at the upper corner of the back frame, leading to reduced durability and performance in ride & handling, noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), due to low connection stiffness between joint members, which are not effectively restrained in the transverse and height directions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rear structure with a corner reinforcing structure comprising multiple reinforcing members and structural members that are connected to restrain the components in both longitudinal and transverse directions, including first and second restraining walls, contact walls, and channels to improve the stiffness of the upper corner of the back frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a structural foam member is additionally mounted on the upper end of the back frame part to improve torsional stiffness, then the torsional stiffness is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The back frame part is divided into multiple segments (roof panel, side structures, quarter inner panels) that are connected through joint members, allowing each segment to be manufactured separately and assembled, replacing the need for expensive structural foam members while maintaining torsional stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with the back frame part consisting of multiple materials and components (metal panels, joint members, reinforcing structures) that work together to achieve the required torsional stiffness without relying on expensive structural foam members
2Ease of manufacture
If the upper end of the rear pillar and upper corner of the back frame part have low stiffness, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the durability of the roof is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local reinforcement at critical areas (joint members at the upper end of the back frame part, corner reinforcing structures) rather than uniformly increasing stiffness throughout, maintaining durability at key locations while avoiding unnecessary material usage and cost increases
3Device complexity
If connection stiffness between joint members is low, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stiffness of the upper corner of the back frame part is not substantially improved
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple joint members are merged and interconnected at the upper end of the back frame part, forming an integrated reinforcing structure that substantially improves the stiffness of the upper corner while maintaining reasonable complexity through unified design
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle rear structure includes: a back frame defining a back opening; and a corner reinforcing structure mounted on an upper corner of the back frame. The back frame is defined by a rear edge of a roof panel and rear edges of a pair of side structures. The corner reinforcing structure includes a first reinforcing member connected to each side structure, a second reinforcing member connected to the rear edge of the roof panel, a third reinforcing member connected to the first reinforcing member, and a structural member connecting the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.