Vehicle Body Structure with Rigid and Flexible Coupling for Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle body structures fail to effectively suppress vibrations and prevent deformation in closed cross-sectional portions, particularly at coupling portions between the center pillar and side sill, which affects riding comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure featuring a first and second panel forming a closed cross-sectional portion, a partitioning panel, and a reinforcement member with a rigid coupling portion and a flexible coupling portion, where the partitioning panel extends from the vicinity of the flexible coupling portion toward the second panel, and a damping member is provided between the partitioning panel and the second panel to enhance vibration damping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid coupling portion is used to connect panels in a closed section, then structural strength is improved, but vibration suppression deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different coupling characteristics to different locations: rigid coupling at positions requiring strength (first panel connections) and flexible coupling with damping members at positions requiring vibration suppression (partitioning panel connections). This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by optimizing each location's coupling type according to its specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is segmented into multiple independent coupling portions (rigid and flexible) rather than using a uniform coupling method throughout. This segmentation allows vibration isolation at specific interfaces while maintaining overall structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between strength and vibration suppression.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a damping member is provided between panels to suppress vibration, then vibration damping is improved, but deformation resistance of the closed section deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The damping members are strategically segmented and placed only at specific coupling portions where vibration occurs, rather than throughout the entire closed section. This localized placement allows vibration damping at critical interfaces while maintaining the overall rigidity and deformation resistance of the closed section structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different coupling characteristics (rigid vs. flexible with damping) are assigned to different local positions based on functional requirements. The partitioning panel connections use flexible coupling with damping for vibration suppression, while maintaining overall closed section rigidity through the reinforcement member and selective rigid couplings elsewhere.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the partitioning panel is extended to join the second panel, then structural stability is improved, but the effectiveness of the damping member deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The partitioning panel is extended locally to the vicinity of the flexible coupling portion where vibration occurs, rather than spanning the entire closed section. This localized extension provides structural stability at the critical vibration interface while leaving other portions flexible enough to allow the damping member to effectively absorb vibrational energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The partitioning panel extension is provided partially (only to the vicinity of the flexible coupling) rather than fully across the entire closed section. This partial extension is sufficient to provide structural stability where needed while avoiding over-constraint that would reduce damping effectiveness.
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
This configuration effectively dampens vibrations and improves deformation resistance, enhancing the mechanical strength and riding comfort of the vehicle by concentrating stress on deformable components and utilizing a damping member to absorb vibrational energy.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible coupling portion in which the partitioning panel and the flange portion are coupled to each other with a damping member provided therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a damping member provided between the partitioning panel and the second panel to enhance vibration damping
Data Source
AI summary
A body structure of a vehicle includes a first panel and a second panel that form a closed cross-sectional portion, a partitioning panel that partitions the closed cross-sectional portion, and a reinforcement member disposed between the first panel and the partitioning panel, and includes a panel joining portion joined to the first panel, and a flange portion joined to the partitioning panel. A joining portion formed by the reinforcement member includes a rigid coupling portion in which the first panel and the panel joining portion are coupled to each other while being in contact with each other, and a flexible coupling portion in which the partitioning panel and the flange portion are coupled, with a damping member being provided therebetween. The partitioning panel includes an extended portion that extends from a vicinity of the flexible coupling portion toward the second panel and is joined to the second panel.