Slender Front Pillar Structure Using Elastic Flange Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional front pillar structures are hindered in slenderization due to the requirement of a flat surface portion for attaching shock-absorbing components, which obstructs the view of vehicle occupants and limits the pillar's slim design.

Innovation Solution

A front pillar structure featuring a closed cross-sectional configuration with flange portions and an elastic body that grips the inner flange portions, eliminating the need for a flat surface facing the occupant, allowing for a more slender design and reduced blind spots.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flat surface portion is provided on the front pillar main body for attaching the embedded bolt portion, then the pillar garnish can be securely attached to the front pillar, but the front pillar cannot be made more slender and creates blind spots for vehicle occupants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidpillar thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional attachment approach (flat surface on the outer side of the pillar) to a three-dimensional attachment approach (utilizing the inner-side flange portions that extend into the pillar structure). This dimensional change allows the elastic body to grip the flange portions from multiple directions, achieving secure attachment without requiring a wide flat surface on the pillar's outer surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attaching the pillar garnish to the outer surface of the front pillar main body as in conventional structures, the patent inverts the attachment approach by securing the garnish to the inner-side flange portions that face toward the vehicle cabin. This inversion eliminates the need for a wide flat surface on the pillar's outer surface, enabling a more slender design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If a flat surface portion with predetermined width is provided on the front pillar, then the embedded bolt portion can be attached facing the vehicle occupant, but this impedes further slenderization of the front-portion front pillar

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidpillar slenderness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the inner-side flange portions are integrated within the closed cross-sectional configuration of the front pillar main body. The elastic body is joined to the pillar garnish and nests around these flange portions, creating a compact attachment mechanism that does not protrude significantly from the pillar surface, thus maintaining a slender appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic body acts as a flexible component that can deform to grip the inner-side flange portions securely. This flexibility allows the attachment mechanism to be implemented with minimal additional material and thickness, preserving the slender shape of the front pillar while ensuring reliable attachment of the pillar garnish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Length of moving object

If the vehicle cabin inner-side flange portion protrudes towards the upper body of a vehicle occupant, then the front pillar can be made even more slender and blind spots are reduced, but the elastic body must firmly grip this protruding flange portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepillar thicknessVSAvoidgrip reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the elastic properties of the elastic body as a key parameter, allowing it to deform and firmly grip the protruding inner-side flange portions. The elasticity enables the material to conform to the shape of the flange portions and maintain a secure grip even when the flange portions protrude toward the vehicle occupant, ensuring attachment reliability while enabling a slender pillar design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables a more slender front pillar design with reduced blind spots, improving the field of view for vehicle occupants and enhancing the pillar's structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic body that is joined to a wall surface facing the pillar frame component of the surface covering portion, the elastic body firmly gripping the vehicle cabin inner-side flange portion of at least one of the first component or the second component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11097783B2Front pillar structure

Publication Date: 2021.08.24 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A front pillar structure is provided with a pillar frame component that forms part of a front pillar, and with a pillar garnish that forms part of the front pillar, and that has a surface covering portion that extends substantially in the vehicle vertical direction and covers the pillar frame component from the vehicle cabin inner side, and an elastic body that is joined to a wall surface facing the pillar frame component of the surface covering portion, and that firmly grips inside itself the vehicle cabin inner-side flange portions of the first component and the second component.