Rear Pillar Reinforcement Layout for Frontal Impact Retaining Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle structures fail to adequately strengthen the rear lateral structure against significant tensile forces directed towards the front of the vehicle during a frontal collision, particularly from restraint systems like seat belt retractors and seat back locking mechanisms, while maintaining weight reduction for environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement with two lateral wings is fixed to the rear pillar liner and rear wheel arch, positioned at the same height as the restraint system brackets, transmitting forces to the rear wheel arch to reduce stress on the rear pillar liner and maintain safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the vehicle body mass is reduced to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, then fuel efficiency is improved, but the strength and safety of the rear pillar liner deteriorates when subjected to tensile forces from restraint systems during frontal collision
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcement component is introduced as an intermediary element between the rear pillar liner and the rear wheel arch. This reinforcement component has a first lateral wing fixed to the rear pillar liner and a second lateral wing fixed to the rear wheel arch, creating a force transmission path that relieves the rear pillar liner from bearing the full tensile load during frontal collision, thus maintaining strength while allowing body mass reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement component extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle, connecting the rear pillar liner to the rear wheel arch laterally. This dimensional approach distributes the tensile forces across a broader structural framework rather than concentrating them vertically in the rear pillar liner, enabling weight reduction without compromising collision resistance
2Strength
If the rear pillar liner is made stronger to withstand tensile forces from restraint systems, then safety is improved, but the vehicle body mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force-bearing function is segmented between two components: the rear pillar liner and the reinforcement component. The reinforcement component specifically handles the tensile forces from restraint systems during frontal collision, allowing the rear pillar liner to be optimized for other structural functions, thereby reducing overall body mass while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement component acts as a mediator that transfers tensile forces from the restraint system mounting area to the rear wheel arch, preventing these forces from being fully transmitted to the rear pillar liner. This enables the rear pillar liner to be lighter while the reinforcement component compensates for the reduced strength
3Force
If the reinforcement is positioned at the same height as the restraint system brackets, then force transmission efficiency is improved, but the complexity of structural design increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement component is positioned at a specific location (same height as restraint system brackets) with specific local properties (lateral wings extending to connect rear pillar liner and rear wheel arch). This localized optimization ensures efficient force transmission at the critical mounting area without requiring complex modifications throughout the entire vehicle structure, balancing performance improvement with design complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a rear pillar liner (3) and a rear wheelhouse (5), and at least one retaining system support (7) fastened to the rear pillar liner (3), the vehicle being noteworthy in that it additionally comprises a reinforcement (9) featuring two lateral wings, said reinforcement (9) being fastened by its lateral wings to the rear pillar liner (3) and to the rear wheelhouse (5), and in that said reinforcement (9) is arranged on the rear pillar liner (3) at least in part at the same height as the retaining system support(s) (7).