Vehicle Side Pillar Stiffener Layout for Controlled Crash Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle side structures experience excessive deformation and cracking during side collisions due to differences in rigidity, which compromises safety and durability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side structure featuring a hollow pillar with internal first and second stiffeners, where the second stiffener is shorter and bonded to the door hinge, distributing load and preventing upper deformation, while the first stiffener extends to the roof rail and includes bonding parts and lateral strips to manage rigidity differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an assembly method for large difference in rigidity is used to control pillar deformation position, then deformation can be controlled at a specific position, but excessive deformation occurs resulting in cracks in components
Solution Approach 1:
The pillar is divided into multiple rigid sections by introducing first and second stiffeners at different heights. The first stiffener extends from the lower end toward the upper end, while the second stiffener extends from the lower end to a position below the first stiffener's upper end. This segmentation creates multiple deformation zones, distributing the deformation energy and preventing excessive deformation at any single location, thereby avoiding cracks while maintaining controlled deformation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pillar are given different rigidity characteristics through the strategic placement of stiffeners. The lower region contains both first and second stiffeners for enhanced rigidity and controlled deformation, while the upper region has only the first stiffener. This local differentiation of rigidity allows the pillar to deform in a controlled manner at specific zones without causing excessive deformation or cracking in critical areas.
2Weight of moving object
If the pillar is designed with hollow structure, then weight is reduced, but rigidity and deformation resistance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow pillar structure is combined with internal stiffeners to create a composite structure. The hollow pillar provides lightweight characteristics while the internally mounted first and second stiffeners provide enhanced rigidity and deformation resistance. This composite approach allows the pillar to maintain both low weight and high strength, achieving a balance between the two contradictory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffeners are mounted internally within the hollow pillar structure, utilizing the internal space dimension. This allows the stiffeners to reinforce the pillar without adding external bulk or significantly increasing weight. The internal mounting of stiffeners creates a multi-layered structural system that enhances rigidity while maintaining the lightweight hollow exterior.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side structure includes: a pillar, provided on an outer side in a vehicle width direction, extending in a vehicle upper-lower direction, and formed in a hollow structure; a first stiffener, disposed inside the pillar and extending in the vehicle upper-lower direction; a second stiffener, disposed inside the pillar and on a lower side in the vehicle upper-lower direction, and having a length in the vehicle upper-lower direction shorter than that of the first stiffener; and a door hinge, bonded to a side surface of the pillar in the vehicle width direction. A lower end of the second stiffener in the vehicle upper-lower direction is bonded to the door hinge, and the second stiffener extends in the vehicle upper-lower direction to a position above the door hinge.