Vehicle Side Pillar Bending Control via Fragile Sections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side-body structures face challenges in properly bending the center pillar during a side collision, which can lead to inadequate occupant protection due to limitations in center pillar rigidity and the potential for the pillar to deform into the cabin.
Innovation Solution
A side vehicle-body structure with upper-and-lower hinge attachment sections and first-and-second fragile sections, where the second fragile section is positioned lower than the lower hinge attachment section to absorb the collision load, promoting bending at targeted points and reducing the risk of pillar interference with occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the rigidity of the center pillar is improved, then the center pillar can resist side-collision loads better, but the fragile section may not become the bending causing point and the center pillar may deform into the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating fragile sections with different rigidity characteristics at specific locations of the center pillar. The first fragile section has lower rigidity than the second fragile section, which has lower rigidity than the main body of the center pillar. This localized variation in rigidity ensures that bending occurs at the intended fragile sections rather than deforming into the cabin, resolving the contradiction between overall rigidity and controlled deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The center pillar is segmented into multiple sections with different rigidity characteristics: the main body with high rigidity, the first fragile section with moderate rigidity, and the second fragile section with lower rigidity. This segmentation allows the pillar to maintain overall strength while creating specific weak points that will bend first during collision, protecting the cabin space.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fragile section is formed at the reinforcement of the center pillar, then bending can be promoted at a targeted position, but the bending may not occur at the desired location when the center pillar rigidity is too high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality differences by forming fragile sections with specific geometric features (recessed grooves or reduced thickness) at predetermined locations. The first fragile section is designed with different rigidity characteristics than the second fragile section, ensuring that bending occurs in the intended sequence and location. This local modification of material properties allows precise control over bending positions independent of the overall pillar rigidity.
3Reliability
If the center pillar is bent at two different points, then sufficient bending deformation can be obtained to protect occupants, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves controlled two-point bending through local quality modifications rather than adding separate components. By creating fragile sections with specific geometric features (recessed grooves or thickness reductions) at two different locations with different rigidity characteristics, the patent enables sequential bending at two points using the same continuous reinforcement structure, avoiding additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A side frame comprises a center pillar which includes a reinforcement provided on an outward side in a vehicle width direction and an inner panel provided on an inward side in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcement comprises upper-and-lower hinge attachment sections for attaching rear-door hinges and first-and-second recessed beads for promoting bending of the center pillar in a vehicle side collision. The hinge attachment sections are provided to be spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction. The first recessed bead is provided at a higher level than the lower hinge attachment section. The second recessed bead is provided at a lower level than the lower hinge attachment section and configured to be bent before the first recessed bead in the vehicle side collision.