Center Pillar-Rocker Mounting Structure for Fewer Assembly Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures face challenges in reducing the number of assembly processes, particularly in connecting center pillars and rockers, which are dispersed at both the vehicle transverse direction outer and inner sides, complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
The center pillar and rocker are structured as separate parts, with transverse and vertical direction supporting portions and mounting portions that allow for detachable connections, aggregating the connection points in the vehicle transverse and vertical directions, reducing the need for multiple assembly steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the center pillar and rocker are connected at dispersed locations (both outer side and inner side of the rocker), then the connection strength is improved, but the number of assembly processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into multiple mounting portions (outer side mounting portions and inner side mounting portions) that are distributed at different locations. This segmentation allows the connection strength to be improved through multiple connection points while the overall assembly process is simplified by treating them as integrated components of the single mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer side mounting portions and inner side mounting portions are merged into a single integrated mounting structure that is formed as one component. This merging allows both the outer side and inner side connections to be established simultaneously through a single assembly operation, reducing the number of assembly processes while maintaining the strength benefits of dispersed connection points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the center pillar and rocker are made as separate parts, then the adaptability and ease of assembly are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The center pillar and rocker are segmented as separate parts, allowing independent manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation improves adaptability by enabling flexible assembly sequences and easier replacement of individual components, while the mounting structure bridges the two parts through integrated outer side and inner side mounting portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure acts as an intermediary component that connects the center pillar and rocker. This intermediary structure, with its integrated outer side and inner side mounting portions, simplifies the connection process by providing pre-formed connection points, thereby reducing the complexity of directly joining the two main structural parts.
3Reliability
If multiple connection points are used between center pillar and rocker, then the connection reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer side mounting portions and inner side mounting portions are merged into a single integrated mounting structure formed as one component. This merging maintains connection reliability through multiple dispersed mounting points while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be produced and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both outer side mounting portions and inner side mounting portions, acts as a connector between separate structural parts, and establishes multiple connection points for improved reliability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This structure reduces the number of assembly processes and enhances collision load absorption, protecting the battery pack from transverse direction impacts while maintaining a robust connection between the center pillar and rocker.
Implementation Method 1
The transverse direction supporting portions are impact absorbing members that can absorb collision load in the vehicle transverse direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure including: rockers structuring portions of vehicle transverse direction outer sides of a vehicle body lower portion; center pillars, whose lower portion at a vehicle lower side being structured to include an outer side wall portion positioned at vehicle transverse direction outer side of the rocker, and an inner side wall portion positioned at vehicle transverse direction inner side of the rocker; transverse direction supporting portions disposed at interiors of the rockers, at each of the transverse direction supporting portions being formed a transverse direction through-portion that extends in a vehicle transverse direction; and transverse direction mounting portions that are inserted, in the vehicle transverse direction, through outer side inserted-through portions provided in the outer side wall portions, inner side inserted-through portions provided in the inner side wall portions, and the transverse direction through-portions, and that detachably connect the rockers and the lower portions.