Rear Side Sill Structure With Closed Sections for Crash Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle body structures for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) face challenges in effectively distributing load inputs to the side sill while maintaining the rigidity and strength of the lower part of the side structure, particularly during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A rear vehicle body structure comprising a side sill with interconnected sill inner and outer members, a sill rear inner member, a sill rear outer member, and a pillar reinforcement member, forming a double closed cross-section shape to enhance strength and connectivity, including a rear cross member and rear wheel arch member for improved load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional side sill structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the load distribution capability and crash performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The side sill is divided into multiple separate members (side sill inner member, side sill outer member, sill rear inner member, sill rear outer member) that are connected through overlap portions. This segmentation allows each member to independently bear and distribute loads effectively, improving overall structural strength and crash performance while maintaining manageable complexity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sill members are merged through connection structures where the side sill inner member and outer member are connected to the sill rear inner and outer members via overlap portions. This merging creates a unified load-bearing system that distributes forces across all members, enhancing the overall load distribution capability and crash resistance of the vehicle body.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the side sill structure is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the rigidity of the lower side structure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The overlap portions are pre-formed on the sill members before final assembly. The side sill inner member and outer member have predetermined overlap portions that align with corresponding portions on the sill rear members, allowing for pre-preparation of connection interfaces that ensure proper rigidity and alignment during assembly, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sill members are nested through overlapping connections where the side sill inner member and outer member are positioned to overlap with the sill rear inner and outer members. This nesting arrangement creates a layered, interlocked structure that enhances rigidity of the lower side structure while allowing for relatively simple sequential assembly processes.
3Reliability
If multiple connection structures are added to improve load distribution, then the crash performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct overlap portions: a first overlap portion connecting the side sill inner member with the sill rear inner member, and a second overlap portion connecting the side sill outer member with the sill rear outer member. This segmentation allows each connection to be optimized independently for crash performance while keeping the overall design manageable through clear functional division.
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection characteristics are applied locally at different overlap portions. The first overlap portion is designed with specific geometric and material properties optimized for connecting inner members, while the second overlap portion is designed with properties optimized for outer members. This local quality approach allows each connection to contribute maximally to crash performance without requiring uniform complexity throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment rear vehicle body structure includes a side sill including a sill inner member and a sill outer member connected to each other, the side sill extending along a front to rear direction of the vehicle body at a lower portion of a side body, a sill rear inner member connected to a rear portion of the sill inner member along the front to rear direction of the vehicle body, a sill rear outer member connected to a rear portion of the sill outer member along the front to rear direction of the vehicle body and connected to the sill rear inner member along a vehicle width direction, and a pillar reinforcement member connected to the sill rear outer member and disposed along a vertical direction of the vehicle body.