Vehicle Side Sill Jack Up Stiffener for Collision Energy Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle body structures face challenges in absorbing collision energy during small overlap or oblique collisions, leading to increased deceleration forces on occupants and potential deformation of the front pillar, which can cause the front side door to become difficult to open.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body structure featuring a dash lower panel, an outrigger, a dash cross member, and a jack up stiffener with compressive strength, where the outrigger is coupled to the jack up stiffener and the dash cross member is connected to the side sill, allowing for energy absorption through controlled crushing and reducing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If both the dash cross member and the outrigger are coupled to the front ends of the side sills, then the front ends of the side sills have large strength, but they are less readily crushable and cannot fully absorb collision energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of front ends of side sillsVSAvoidcollision energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The side sill structure is segmented into a high strength member portion and a crushable portion. The outrigger is coupled to the crushable portion rather than the high strength member, allowing the crushable portion to deform and absorb collision energy while the high strength member maintains structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the side sill are given different mechanical properties: the high strength member has high compressive strength to maintain structural integrity, while the crushable portion has lower strength to allow controlled deformation and energy absorption during collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the front ends of the side sills have large strength, then they resist deformation, but acceleration of deceleration is applied on the occupant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of front ends of side sillsVSAvoiddeceleration force on occupant

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The side sill is divided into a high strength member and a crushable portion. The crushable portion is positioned to absorb collision energy through controlled deformation, reducing the transmission of deceleration forces to the occupant, while the high strength member maintains overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the front pillar stands at the front end of the side sill, then the structure is compact, but the front pillar is likely to fall rearward due to deformation of the door opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidposition stability of front pillar

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The crushable portion is pre-positioned ahead of the high strength member to deform first during collision. This preliminary deformation absorbs energy before it can cause the front pillar to fall rearward, preventing door opening deformation while maintaining the compact structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If the outrigger is coupled to the high strength member, then the coupling is strong, but the crushing space cannot effectively absorb collision energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidcollision energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The side sill is segmented into a high strength member and a separate crushable portion. The outrigger is coupled to the crushable portion, allowing it to deform and absorb collision energy through crushing, while the high strength member remains intact to maintain structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces the deceleration forces applied to occupants and prevents the front pillar from falling rearward, maintaining the integrity of the vehicle compartment and door functionality during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

the jack up stiffener to absorb collision energy by being crushed in the event of a small overlap collision or an oblique collision against the front pillar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption through plastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

a jack up stiffener having compressive strength against a load from a front lower than the side sill is installed inside the side sill

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive strength: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS10232891B2Vehicle body structure

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle body structure includes a dash lower panel, an outrigger, a dash cross member, and a side sill. A jack up stiffener having lower compressive strength against a load from the front than the side sill is installed inside the side sill. The outrigger is coupled to a front end part of the jack up stiffener. The dash cross member is coupled to a front end part of the side sill.