Hinge Pillar Reinforcement for Vehicle Side Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle-body structure is prone to folding deformation of the front pillar when a load is inputted from the forward side, causing potential harm to the cabin interior, and existing reinforcement methods increase weight without fully addressing the issue.
Innovation Solution
A side vehicle-body structure with a pillar reinforcement formed in a roughly L shape, featuring a reinforcing member that connects the upper and side face portions, enhancing vertical and lateral rigidity to disperse loads effectively and prevent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If reinforcement is provided at the joint portion of the hinge pillar to the front pillar by multiple parts, then the folding deformation of the front pillar is suppressed, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reinforcement parts into a single integrated pillar reinforcement that includes both the vertical reinforcement at the joint portion and the upper face portion extending along the front pillar. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the load-dispersing function to suppress folding deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar reinforcement is designed to serve multiple functions: it reinforces the joint portion vertically to prevent sinking, extends along the front pillar to suppress folding deformation, and provides a mounting surface for the apron member. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement components.
2Strength
If the rigidity of the joint portion is increased by providing reinforcement, then the load transmission to both pillars is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reinforcement structure with the existing pillar and apron member geometry. The pillar reinforcement is formed as a single piece that combines vertical reinforcement, lateral support, and mounting surface functions, reducing structural complexity while improving load transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar reinforcement extends in multiple dimensions: vertically at the joint portion to prevent sinking, laterally along the front pillar to suppress folding, and provides a mounting surface for the apron member. This multi-dimensional design efficiently transmits load without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
In a structure which comprises a hinge pillar at a side face portion of a vehicle, a front pillar connected to the hinge pillar, an apron member extending forward from a joint portion of the hinge pillar to the front pillar, and a hinge pillar reinforcement provided at the joint portion of the hinge pillar to the front pillar, a reinforcing member which connects a side face portion and an upper face portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement is provided, and a bead portion which interconnects the upper face portion and the side face portion of the hinge pillar reinforcement in a brace shape is provided and the reinforcing member.