Vehicle Body Structure Bracket for Controlled Side-Impact Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures face challenges in effectively managing side impact forces, particularly in the area where the side roof rail, B-pillar, and roof bow intersect, as current attachments do not provide sufficient strength and rigidity to minimize deformation and absorb impact energy efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure design with a bracket that has more numerous and stronger attachments to the roof bow than to the side roof rail, featuring a slot and angled ribs to allow controlled collapse during side impacts, distributing impact forces and minimizing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bracket is strongly attached to the side roof rail, then the attachment strength between bracket and side roof rail is improved, but the bracket cannot collapse in a controlled manner during side impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with non-uniform attachment characteristics: stronger attachments to the roof bow and weaker attachments to the side roof rail. This local differentiation allows the bracket to maintain structural integrity where needed while enabling controlled collapse at specific locations during side impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can adapt its response based on impact conditions. The asymmetric attachment design allows the bracket to collapse in a controlled manner during side impacts while maintaining stability during normal vehicle operation.
2Loss of energy
If the bracket is designed to collapse during side impacts, then impact energy absorption is improved, but the structural rigidity of the roof structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket's controlled collapse during side impacts converts the harmful impact energy into beneficial deformation work. The bracket absorbs impact energy through controlled deformation at its weaker attachment points, protecting the overall roof structure from greater damage while maintaining normal rigidity during non-impact conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is designed as a separate sacrificial component that can be replaced after impact. By segmenting the energy absorption function into a replaceable bracket, the overall roof structure maintains its rigidity and can be restored to original strength after an impact event.
3Strength
If more attachments are made between the bracket and roof bow, then the attachment strength between bracket and roof bow is improved, but the complexity of the bracket design increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple attachment points between the bracket and roof bow are combined into an integrated attachment system. The bracket design integrates multiple connection features (such as overlapping regions, fastener locations, and structural ribs) that work together to provide strong attachments without requiring separate complex components for each attachment point.
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle body structure having a side roof rail, a B-pillar and a bracket. The side roof rail has an inboard surface. The B-pillar has an upper end portion that overlays a portion of the inboard surface of the roof rail. The B-pillar extends downward from the roof rail. The bracket has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is fixedly attached to the upper end portion of the B-pillar. The bracket further has a first rib and a second rib spaced apart from the first rib. The first rib and the second rib extend from the first portion of the bracket upward toward the second portion of the bracket. The first portion of the bracket further defines a slot located between the first rib and the second rib.