L-Shaped Bracket Reinforcement for Vehicle Rear Pillar Torsional Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear structures of vehicle bodies face challenges in achieving improved torsional stiffness and strength of rear pillars without increasing the weight of the vehicle body, and they are not adaptable to all vehicle designs due to manufacturing and assembly complexities.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body design featuring a rear wheel housing, an L-shaped bracket, and a reinforcing bracket that connects the L-shaped bracket to the rear wheel housing, providing improved torsional stiffness and strength while maintaining a lightweight structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If reinforcing structures are implemented on rear pillar inner panels at the location of the rear wheel housing, then the torsional stiffness of the rear structure is improved, but the weight of the vehicle body increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional stiffnessVSAvoidvehicle body weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing reinforcement only in the specific area of the rear wheel housing where it is most needed for torsional stiffness, rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire rear structure. The L-shaped bracket is strategically positioned to provide localized strengthening at the critical junction between the wheel housing and rear pillar, thereby improving torsional rigidity while minimizing additional weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining the L-shaped bracket (made of one material) with the existing rear wheel housing structure (made of different material). This composite approach allows optimization of each component for its specific function while achieving overall structural improvement with minimal weight penalty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If two brackets are used to connect the wheel housing to the fourth pillar and the third pillar, then the torsional stiffness is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorsional stiffnessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reinforcement function into two distinct components: the L-shaped bracket that connects to the wheel housing, and the separate reinforcing bracket that connects to the rear pillar. This segmentation allows each bracket to be optimized for its specific connection point and loading condition, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly compared to a single complex bracket design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The L-shaped bracket acts as an intermediary element that mediates the connection between the wheel housing and the reinforcing bracket. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall assembly by providing a standardized interface that separates the complexity of the wheel housing integration from the pillar connection, making the system easier to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3787958B1Vehicle body with a reinforced rear pillar
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3787958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

A vehicle body (1) comprises a reinforcing element which ensures an adequate torsional rigidity of the rear vehicle body. To this end, the vehicle body (1) comprises: a rear wheel housing (10), an L-shaped bracket (20) in contact with the wheel housing (10), and a reinforcing bracket (30) fixing the L-shaped bracket (20) to the rear wheel housing (10).