Unitized Reinforcement Member Lattice Structure for Vehicle Pillar

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional reinforcement members in vehicle body structures lack sufficient structural integrity and weight efficiency, particularly in supporting multiple occupants and withstanding various environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body structure featuring a vehicle pillar with a first unitized reinforcement member disposed within the internal cavity and a second unitized reinforcement member fixed outboard of the pillar, both extending along the longitudinal direction of the pillar and incorporating lattice structures for enhanced strength and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional reinforcement members are used in vehicle body structures, then structural integrity is provided, but weight efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidweight efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies lattice structures with porous characteristics to the reinforcement members. These lattice structures provide structural integrity through their geometric configuration while maintaining weight efficiency by utilizing the porous nature of the lattice to reduce material usage compared to solid conventional reinforcement members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining the lattice structure with appropriate materials that provide both strength and weight efficiency. The composite approach allows optimization of the reinforcement member to achieve the desired structural integrity while minimizing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If reinforcement members are added to vehicle pillars, then structural integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reinforcement member with the vehicle pillar assembly by positioning and securing the reinforcement member within the pillar structure. This integration approach improves structural integrity while managing device complexity through unified design and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member is designed as a separate component that can be segmented into manageable sections, allowing for easier manufacturing, assembly, and integration into the vehicle pillar. This segmentation approach balances structural integrity requirements with reduced assembly complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12233941B2Body structure for vehicle having reinforcement member

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A vehicle body structure includes a vehicle pillar and a unitized reinforcement member. The vehicle pillar includes an inner panel and an outer panel secured to the inner panel to form an internal cavity. The unitized reinforcement member is disposed within the internal cavity of the vehicle pillar and extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle pillar. The unitized reinforcement member includes an inner panel portion spaced apart from the inner panel, an outer panel portion coupled to an inner surface of the outer panel, and a connecting portion connecting the inner panel portion and the outer panel portion.