Side Sill Reinforcement Structure for Higher Side-Collision Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-body structures with reinforcement members having a substantially M-shaped cross section may deform unintentionally during a side collision, leading to a loss in energy absorption, which affects the target amount of energy absorption needed.
Innovation Solution
A lower vehicle-body structure with a pair of side sills and reinforcement members, including a main reinforcement and a sub-reinforcement, where the sub-reinforcement is pinched between the deformation promoting portions and the main reinforcement, ensuring axial compression of sub-closed-cross-sections to increase energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a reinforcement member with a substantially M-shaped cross section is provided in the side sill to absorb energy, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the reinforcement member may deform unintentionally in the up-down direction during side collision, causing loss in energy absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is divided into multiple segments: the side sill inner portion with deformation promoting portions, and the sub-reinforcement member positioned between the deformation promoting portions and the main reinforcement. This segmentation allows controlled deformation in specific zones while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing unintended deformation modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The side sill inner portion includes deformation promoting portions with specific geometric features (such as reduced thickness or specific shaping) at locations where controlled deformation is desired. These localized modifications enable the structure to deform in a predetermined manner during side collision, ensuring the sub-reinforcement is compressed axially between the deformation promoting portions and the main reinforcement, thereby preventing unintended deformation and maximizing energy absorption.
2Loss of energy
If the reinforcement member is designed to form a hollow closed cross-section for energy absorption, then energy absorption is improved, but the structure complexity increases due to the need for precise geometric configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The sub-reinforcement member is integrated with the side sill inner portion to form sub-closed-cross-sections together, creating a combined structure that achieves enhanced energy absorption without requiring the side sill alone to have a complex hollow closed cross-section. This merging approach simplifies the overall structural configuration while maintaining effective energy absorption capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The side sill inner portion serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains deformation promoting portions for controlled deformation, and forms sub-closed-cross-sections with the sub-reinforcement member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby simplifying the overall structural configuration while achieving the desired energy absorption performance.
3Reliability
If the side sill inner portion is designed with deformation promoting portions to control deformation, then deformation control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation promoting portions are created by modifying geometric parameters of the side sill inner portion, such as local thickness reduction or specific cross-sectional shaping. These parameter changes can be achieved through standard manufacturing processes like stamping or extrusion, allowing controlled deformation behavior to be implemented without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity. The geometric modifications are designed to be compatible with existing production methods.
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 structure effectively increases the amount of energy absorption in a side collision by restricting unintended deformation, ensuring axial compression of the reinforcement members, thereby enhancing collision resistance.
Implementation Method 1
the side sill inner portion includes a deformation promoting portion to be deformed inward of the side sill in a side collision of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
ensures axial compression of the sub-closed-cross-sections formed by the first wall and the sub-reinforcement to take place
Data Source
AI summary
A lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle is provided that increases energy absorption in a side collision. A vehicle body includes a first reinforcement (main reinforcement) and a third reinforcement (sub-reinforcement) which are disposed in a closed cross-section of a side sill. The first reinforcement has a hat shape including an upper wall (second wall), a lower wall (first wall), and a vertical wall extending in an up-down direction. The third reinforcement and lower wall together form a plurality of second closed cross-sections (sub-closed-cross-sections). The third reinforcement is disposed on a lower surface of the lower wall. The side sill inner portion includes a corner portion that is a deformation promoting portion to be deformed inward of the side sill in a side collision of the vehicle such that it is brought into contact with the third reinforcement from the outer side in the up-down direction.