Nested Vehicle Pillar Structure for Wider Driver Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle pillar structures interfere with joining equipment and obstruct the driver's field of view due to the open cross-section profile of the pillar inner, which opens toward the vehicle width direction outer side, requiring additional working space and increasing the framework size on the vehicle width direction inner side.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle pillar structure with a pillar outer and pillar inner forming closed cross-sections, where the pillar inner's open cross-section is positioned inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, allowing the joining equipment to be inserted and reducing the need for increased flange size, thus minimizing the blind spot and maintaining the vehicle's width without obstructing the driver's view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pillar inner's open cross-section profile opens toward the vehicle width direction outer side, then the joining flanges can be disposed to follow the front windshield end portion, but the joining equipment is interfered with and the framework size increases obstructing the driver's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning the pillar inner's open cross-section inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, both opening toward the vehicle width direction inner side. This nested configuration allows the pillar inner to be accommodated within the pillar outer's structural envelope, eliminating the need for the pillar inner to protrude outward. Consequently, the framework size on the vehicle width direction inner side is reduced, clearing the driver's field of view while maintaining the closed cross-section structure for joining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional design approach by having both the pillar outer and pillar inner open toward the vehicle width direction inner side, rather than having them open in opposite directions. This inversion allows the pillar inner to be positioned inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, creating sufficient working space for joining equipment on the vehicle width direction outer side without requiring the pillar inner to extend outward and obstruct the driver's view.
2Ease of manufacture
If the open cross-section portion of the pillar inner opens toward the vehicle width direction outer side, then the flanges can be joined on the vehicle front side, but sufficient working space must be secured which increases the framework member size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning the pillar inner's open cross-section inside the pillar outer's open cross-section. This nested configuration allows the pillar inner to be accommodated within the pillar outer's structural envelope, eliminating the need for the pillar inner to protrude outward. Consequently, the framework size on the vehicle width direction inner side is reduced, clearing the driver's field of view while maintaining the closed cross-section structure for joining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by having both open cross-sections open toward the same direction (vehicle width direction inner side) rather than opposite directions. This dimensional change allows the pillar inner to be positioned inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, creating sufficient working space for joining equipment while maintaining a compact overall framework size.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flanges on the vehicle front side are extended to secure working space, then joining equipment can operate, but the size of the framework member on the vehicle width direction inner side increases obstructing the driver's field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by positioning the pillar inner's open cross-section inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, both opening toward the vehicle width direction inner side. This nested configuration allows the pillar inner to be accommodated within the pillar outer's structural envelope, eliminating the need for the pillar inner to protrude outward. Consequently, the framework size on the vehicle width direction inner side is reduced, clearing the driver's field of view while maintaining the closed cross-section structure for joining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional design approach by having both the pillar outer and pillar inner open toward the vehicle width direction inner side, rather than having them open in opposite directions. This inversion allows the pillar inner to be positioned inside the pillar outer's open cross-section, creating sufficient working space for joining equipment on the vehicle width direction outer side without requiring the pillar inner to extend outward and obstruct the driver's view.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle pillar structure is provided including a pillar outer, a pillar inner, a front join section, and a rear join section. The pillar outer and pillar inner includes a first open cross-section and a second open cross-section having an open cross-section profile opening toward a vehicle width direction inner side in cross-section sectioned perpendicular to an extension direction of the pillar outer and the pillar inner. The pillar inner is second open cross-section disposed inside the first open cross-section so as to form a closed cross-section together with the first open cross-section. At the front join section, front walls configuring vehicle front side walls of the first open cross-section of the pillar outer and the second open cross-section of the pillar inner are joined together. At the rear join section, vehicle rear side end portions of the pillar outer and the pillar inner are joined together.