Structural Storage Compartment Reinforcing Vehicle B-Pillars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicle cabin design faces challenges in providing enhanced panoramic views and reinforcing side pillars while maintaining weight reduction and cost efficiency, particularly in accommodating passenger needs for storage and safety during side impacts.
Innovation Solution
A structural storage compartment is integrated into the cabin, supported by a single aluminum beam or cross beam mounted to B-pillars, which also serves to reinforce the vehicle's side pillars and provide a luggage compartment with access doors, made of sheet molding compound, enhancing impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the vehicle frame is redesigned to allow a fuller view of the outside, then passenger visibility is improved, but structural strength and side pillar reinforcement deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the storage compartment and side pillar reinforcement into a single integrated structure. The storage compartment is mounted on a support beam that directly connects to and reinforces the B-pillars, merging two functions (storage and structural reinforcement) into one component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beam is constructed from aluminum material, and the storage compartment uses sheet molding compound, combining different materials to achieve both structural reinforcement and storage functionality while managing weight considerations.
2Weight of moving object
If weight is reduced and costs are reduced, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but safety characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into a support beam and storage compartment as separate but connected components. This allows for optimized material selection and manufacturing processes for each component while maintaining overall structural integrity and safety performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beam serves multiple functions: it provides structural reinforcement for the B-pillars, supports the storage compartment, and contributes to overall vehicle safety. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, potentially reducing weight and cost while maintaining safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle can include a front seat facing rearward, and a rear seat facing forward. This provides a common foot or leg area between the seats that face each other. The vehicle includes a body that has a pair of opposing B-pillars. A support beam extends through the common leg area, between the front and rear seats, and mounts to the B-pillars. The support beam provides direct structural support to the B-pillars. A luggage compartment is coupled to the support beam and extends between the B-pillars. The luggage compartment has access openings that face forward and rearward, allowing the forward and rearward passengers to store luggage.