Center Pillar Reinforcement Panel Joining for Spring Back
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle-body side portion structure of a vehicle, particularly the center pillar, faces challenges in achieving stable joint quality and maintaining productivity due to the requirement for precise dimensions of the second reinforcement panel, especially when made of high-tension steel plates, which can lead to inaccuracies and increased modification needs after press forming.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle-body side portion structure includes a center pillar with a first reinforcement panel and a second reinforcement panel, where the second reinforcement panel is joined only at its bottom wall portion and one vertical wall portion to the first reinforcement panel, maintaining a stable joint quality while reducing the need for precise dimensioning and minimizing the impact of spring back during press forming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel at both-side vertical wall portions, then the joint quality can be improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the problematic joining operation from both vertical wall portions and applies it only to one vertical wall portion. By removing the joining requirement from the other vertical wall portion, the patent eliminates the dimensional accuracy constraints that were causing manufacturing difficulties, thereby improving productivity while maintaining acceptable joint quality through the single vertical wall portion joining and bottom wall portion joining.
2Strength
If the second reinforcement panel is made of high-tension steel plate, then the strength is improved, but the dimension accuracy deteriorates due to spring back during press forming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dimensional accuracy requirement from the other vertical wall portion joining operation. By not requiring joining at both vertical wall portions, the patent allows the high-tension steel plate to exhibit natural spring back during press forming without compromising joint quality, thus maintaining strength while accepting reduced dimension accuracy in the unjoined portion.
3Strength
If the second reinforcement panel is joined at multiple positions, then the reinforcing effect is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts unnecessary joining operations from both vertical wall portions and retains only the essential joining at one vertical wall portion and the bottom wall portion. This reduction in joining locations simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces operational complexity while maintaining sufficient reinforcing effect through the strategically positioned remaining joints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration ensures stable joint quality and improved productivity in vehicle-body manufacturing by reducing the necessity for modifications and enhancing the reinforcing effect, even when using high-tension steel plates, while also increasing the rigidity of the center pillar.
Implementation Method 1
the second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that the bottom wall portion of the second reinforcement panel is joined to the bottom wall portion of the first reinforcement panel and one of the both-side vertical wall portions of the second reinforcement panel is joined to one of the both-side vertical wall portions of the first reinforcement panel
Data Source
AI summary
A center pillar includes a first reinforcement panel which is arranged between an outer panel and an inner panel, comprises a bottom wall portion, both-side vertical wall portions extending in a vehicle width direction from the bottom wall portion, and both-side flange portions, and has a cross section formed in substantially a hat shape. A second reinforcement panel comprising a bottom wall portion and both-side vertical wall portions and having a cross section formed in substantially a U shape is arranged inside the first reinforcement panel. The second reinforcement panel is joined to the first reinforcement panel such that only the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions are joined to the bottom wall portion and one of the both-side vertical wall portions, respectively.