Center Pillar Reinforcement Structure to Reduce Press-Forming Springback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle reinforcement members, such as hinge reinforcements, experience significant springback during press forming, leading to low surface position accuracy and reduced bending strength, especially when made from high-strength steel with a thickness of 1 to 2 mm.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle reinforcement member with a U-shaped cross section is designed, featuring opposite reinforcement lateral walls and a connecting wall with rows of welding projections that protrude outward over the entire width, providing improved surface position accuracy and increased rigidity by reducing springback and facilitating better joint strength through spot welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-strength steel sheet with thickness of 1 to 2 mm and tensile strength of 980 MPa or more is used for hinge reinforcement, then bending strength is improved, but springback increases and surface position accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from high-strength steel (980 MPa or more) to ordinary steel sheet with tensile strength of 300 MPa or more. This parameter change reduces springback during press forming while maintaining sufficient bending strength through optimized geometric configuration of the reinforcement member including lateral walls and connecting walls with ridges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces curved surfaces (ridges) on the outer sides of lateral walls and connecting walls. These curved configurations increase the moment of inertia and structural rigidity, allowing the use of ordinary steel instead of high-strength steel while maintaining bending strength and reducing springback
2Strength
If cross-sectional size of hinge reinforcement is increased to improve bending strength, then strength against side collision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved ridge surfaces on lateral walls and connecting walls to increase structural rigidity and bending strength without increasing the overall cross-sectional size. The curved geometry provides higher moment of inertia compared to flat surfaces, achieving strength improvement with simpler, more compact structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local reinforcement through ridges at specific locations (outer sides of lateral walls and connecting walls) rather than uniformly increasing the entire cross-section. This localized approach improves bending strength where needed while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate vehicle reinforcement member having a U-shaped cross section, wherein the member is disposed inside and welded to a vehicle structural member, wherein the vehicle structural member includes opposite base lateral walls, the vehicle reinforcement member including: opposite reinforcement lateral walls extending in vehicle height and width directions, each having an outward edge on an outer side in vehicle width direction and an inward edge on an inner side; and a reinforcement connecting wall connecting the outward edges of the lateral walls, each lateral wall together with the connecting wall forming a ridge, each lateral wall including a row of welding projections, each protruding outward over the entire width of the lateral wall, each welding projection having a raised welding surface wherein the reinforcement lateral wall is welded to the base lateral wall, the welding projections in each row being arranged at intervals along vehicle height direction.