Side Pillar Exhaust Routing for Vehicle Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side body structures face challenges in maintaining rigidity and shock absorption performance while avoiding vehicle widening, particularly when exhaust system members are positioned on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, which can compromise motion performance and increase vehicle width.
Innovation Solution
The side vehicle body structure incorporates an exhaust apparatus disposed along the vehicle front-rear direction on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, with exhaust system members routed from the outer side to the inner side, and a pillar with a cross-section shape that maintains size without needing a bent configuration, allowing smooth exhaust gas flow and enhancing rigidity through a truss structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the exhaust system member is disposed on the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the side sill, then the exhaust apparatus can be laid out along the vehicle front-rear direction, but the vehicle width expands by a width corresponding to that of the exhaust system member
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system member is routed through the pillar structure, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions rather than extending horizontally outward. The member passes through the pillar's cross-section, allowing exhaust flow to continue efficiently without increasing vehicle width, as the routing occurs within the existing three-dimensional space of the pillar rather than expanding into additional horizontal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The exhaust system member is nested within the pillar structure, passing through its cross-section. This nesting allows the exhaust apparatus to be integrated into the existing vehicle body structure without requiring additional external space, thereby maintaining compact vehicle dimensions while preserving exhaust flow efficiency.
2Productivity
If the exhaust system member is curved at the smallest possible curvature to avoid resistance to exhaust gas, then exhaust flow is smoothed, but the vehicle body width increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of curving the exhaust system member in the horizontal plane (which would increase vehicle width), the member is routed through the pillar's cross-section, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions. This dimensional shift allows the exhaust to maintain smooth flow without requiring horizontal curvature, thus avoiding an increase in vehicle body cross-sectional area.
3Length of moving object
If the pillar cross-section is reduced to accommodate the exhaust system member routing, then vehicle width is minimized, but the rigidity and shock absorption performance of the vehicle body are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system member is nested within the pillar's cross-sectional area, passing through it rather than requiring additional external space. This nesting allows the pillar to maintain its original cross-sectional dimensions and structural integrity, preserving both vehicle width minimization and structural strength simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar cross-section is segmented to accommodate the exhaust system member passage, creating a through-hole or channel within the pillar structure. This segmentation allows the exhaust member to be routed through the pillar without compromising the overall cross-sectional area available for structural support, maintaining both compact width and adequate rigidity.
4Length of moving object
If the exhaust system member is routed from the outer side to the inner side at the pillar position, then vehicle width is avoided to expand, but the shock absorption performance and rigidity of the pillar are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exhaust system member is nested within the pillar structure, passing through its cross-section in a manner that does not compromise the pillar's load-bearing capacity. The routing is integrated into the pillar's internal geometry, allowing the member to transition from outer to inner side without creating weak points that would reduce shock absorption performance or rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pillar structure is modified locally at the exhaust routing position to accommodate the member passage, while the rest of the pillar maintains its original structural properties. This localized modification allows the exhaust to be routed through the pillar without compromising the overall shock absorption performance and rigidity of the vehicle body structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A side vehicle body structure ensures rigidity and shock absorption performance of the body, avoids widening of the body, and smooths the flow of exhaust gas. Embodiments include an engine, an exhaust apparatus, and a rear pillar extending upward from a rear-side portion of a side sill extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The exhaust apparatus is disposed along the vehicle front-rear direction on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to the side sill. An exhaust system member is located at a going-around portion, with respect to the rear pillar, from the front side to the rear side and from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The rear pillar has a cross section orthogonal to the vehicle up-down direction having a shape in which a portion between front and rear ends is located on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to these front and rear ends.