Outboard Dashwall Panel Flange Attachment for Vehicle Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures face challenges in resisting deformation during impact events, particularly in areas where panels undergo both compression and tension forces.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle body structure incorporates an outboard dashwall panel with upper and lower flanges that extend in opposite directions from its outboard edge, attaching to a first panel between the front door opening and the wheel well. This configuration provides a structural connection that resists deformation by distributing impact forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple panel connection is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural integrity and resistance to deformation during impact events deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into multiple functional components: an outboard dashwall panel with upper and lower flanges, a first panel with flange attachment sections, and multiple attachment points. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific forces (compression on upper flange, tension on lower flange) during impact events, thereby improving structural integrity without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection is extended into the third dimension by adding flanges that protrude from the panel surfaces. The upper flange extends forward and the lower flange extends rearward, creating a multi-dimensional attachment geometry that resists deformation in multiple directions during impact events
2Reliability
If a structural connection resistant to both compression and tension forces is implemented, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the connection structure have specialized properties: the upper flange is designed to primarily resist compression forces, while the lower flange is designed to primarily resist tension forces. The flange attachment sections have specific geometries optimized for their respective loading conditions, providing local quality that enhances overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower flanges are merged with the outboard dashwall panel to form an integrated structural unit. This merging creates a unified connection system that simultaneously handles both compression and tension forces through a coordinated design, improving reliability while managing complexity through integration
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure includes at least a first panel and an outboard dashwall panel. The first panel at least partially defines a lower portion of an A-pillar structure. The first panel has a lower forward portion with a flange attachment section. The outboard dashwall panel at least partially defines a rearward portion of a front wheel well. The outboard dashwall panel has an outboard end that includes an upper flange that extends in a forward direction from the outboard end and a lower flange that extends in a rearward direction from the outboard end. The upper flange and the lower flange are both fixedly attached to the first panel.