Vehicle Side Sill Structure for Side Collision Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing side sill structure in vehicles is insufficiently rigid to prevent deformation during a side collision, leading to increased damage to occupants and incomplete transmission of collision loads to the rear floor due to rapid deformation of connection members between the side sill and quarter panel.
Innovation Solution
A side sill structure that includes an internal and external panel coupled with a wheel extension panel connecting to the quarter panel, with weld joints and an external reinforcing panel to enhance rigidity and distribute collision loads uniformly, reducing deformation and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the side sill structure uses an internal panel and external panel assembled to form a compartment, then the side sill can provide basic structural support, but the rigidity is insufficient to prevent deformation during side collision
Solution Approach 1:
The side sill is divided into multiple segments: internal side sill panel, external side sill panel, wheel extension panel, and external reinforcing side sill panel. These segmented components are assembled together to form a compartment structure that provides both basic support and enhanced rigidity through their coordinated arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The side sill employs a composite structure combining multiple panels (internal and external) with different functions. The internal panel provides structural support while the external panel offers reinforcement, creating a composite assembly with superior rigidity compared to single-panel designs
2Stability of the object's composition
If the side sill is disconnected from the quarter panel, then the side sill can be independently structured, but the connection member rapidly deforms and cannot uniformly transmit collision load to the rear floor
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel extension panel merges the functions of connection between the side sill and quarter panel. By integrating the connection function into the extended panel structure itself rather than using separate connection members, the design achieves stable load transmission while maintaining structural flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel extension panel acts as an intermediary component between the side sill and quarter panel. This intermediate structure distributes collision loads uniformly across the connection interface, preventing rapid deformation and ensuring stable force transmission to the rear floor
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the side sill structure lacks sufficient rigidity, then the structure can be simpler and lighter, but the amount of fillers introduced into the vehicle increases during side collision causing serious damage to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The external reinforcing side sill panel is pre-installed on the external side sill panel to provide reinforcement before collision occurs. This beforehand reinforcement ensures that when side collision happens, the side sill has sufficient rigidity to minimize deformation and reduce the amount of filler intrusion into the vehicle compartment, thereby protecting occupants
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
The enhanced side sill structure effectively reduces vehicle body deformation and occupant damage by uniformly transmitting collision loads, preventing rapid cross-sectional deformation and minimizing intrusion into the vehicle's interior during a side collision.
Implementation Method 1
upper and lower end portions of the external side sill are weld-jointed to the wheel extension panel
Implementation Method 2
having excellent stability against a side collision of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
uniformly transmitting a collision load
Data Source
AI summary
A structure of a side sill for a vehicle extending in a lengthwise direction of the vehicle may include a side sill including an internal side sill panel and an external side sill panel coupled to each other with a wheel extension panel connected to a quarter panel and interposed between the internal side sill panel and the external side sill panel. Here, a rear end portion of the external side sill panel extends to the wheel extension panel as a single piece and upper and lower end portions of the external side sill are weld-jointed to the wheel extension panel.