Integrated Reinforcement Panel for Vehicle Pillar Structural Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle body structures with pillar assemblies lack sufficient reinforcement and integrated seatbelt anchor supports, which can lead to reduced structural integrity and increased risk of deformation under impact forces.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement panel is rigidly fixed between the outer and inner body panels of the vehicle, featuring an upper and lower attachment section with contoured areas that define first and second seatbelt anchor supports, enhancing the pillar assembly's strength and integrating seatbelt anchorages within the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If seatbelt anchor supports are welded to the inboard surface of outer body panels, then the pillar assembly has basic seatbelt anchorage capability, but the structural reinforcement is insufficient and the risk of deformation under impact forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reinforcement function and seatbelt anchor support function into a single integrated reinforcement panel. The panel includes contoured areas that define first and second seatbelt anchor supports, merging what would traditionally be separate components (reinforcement structure and anchor supports) into one unified element that provides both structural strengthening and anchorage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement panel is positioned and attached between the outer body panel and inner body panel, nesting the anchor supports within the pillar assembly structure. The contoured areas of the panel create recesses that receive and secure the anchor supports, effectively nesting the anchorage function within the reinforcement structure.
2Reliability
If a reinforcement panel is added between outer and inner body panels with integrated seatbelt anchor supports, then structural integrity and safety are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by merging multiple functions into a single reinforcement panel component. Instead of having separate reinforcement brackets and separate anchor support structures, the invention integrates both functions into one panel that is attached between the outer and inner body panels, thereby reducing the total number of parts while maintaining or enhancing structural integrity.
3Ease of operation
If separate support structures are used for seatbelt anchorages, then the pillar assembly has adequate anchorage points, but the overall structure requires more components and assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies assembly by combining the reinforcement panel and seatbelt anchor supports into a single integrated component. The panel includes contoured areas that define the anchor supports, eliminating the need to separately install reinforcement structures and anchor supports. This unified approach reduces assembly steps and the number of fasteners required while providing adequate anchorage points.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body structure includes an outer body panel and a reinforcement panel. The outer body panel at least partially defines a pillar portion that has a front edge that at least partially defines a door opening, and a rear edge that at least partially defines a rear window opening. The reinforcement panel is rigidly fixed to the outer body panel and includes an upper attachment section, a lower attachment section and a main section that extends between the upper attachment section and the lower attachment section. The upper attachment section is attached to the outer body panel. The lower attachment section extends downward from the main section to proximate a lower edge of the rear window opening. The main section includes a first contoured area defining a first seatbelt anchor support and a second area spaced apart from the first contoured area that defines a second seatbelt anchor support.