Vehicle Body Structure With Segmented Rigid Flexible Coupling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle body structures fail to effectively suppress vibrations and prevent deformation in closed cross-sectional portions, particularly in coupling areas like 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, with a partition panel and reinforcement bodies that include rigid and flexible coupling portions, utilizing a damping member to attenuate vibrations while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid coupling is used to join the frame and bulkhead, then the structural strength and deformation resistance are improved, but the vibration damping function is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid coupling portion for joining the frame to the bulkhead, and a flexible coupling portion with damping members for joining the bulkhead to the partition panel. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the bulkhead joining structure are assigned different coupling characteristics. The rigid coupling portion provides maximum strength where needed, while the flexible coupling portion with damping members provides vibration isolation where needed, creating local quality variations in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible coupling with damping member is used to join the frame and bulkhead, then the vibration damping function is improved, but the structural strength and deformation resistance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling structure is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid coupling portion for joining the frame to the bulkhead, and a flexible coupling portion with damping members for joining the bulkhead to the partition panel. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the bulkhead joining structure are assigned different coupling characteristics. The rigid coupling portion provides maximum strength where needed, while the flexible coupling portion with damping members provides vibration isolation where needed, creating local quality variations in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the closed cross-sectional portion is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then the deformation resistance is improved, but the vibration damping capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidvibration transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bulkhead joining structure is segmented into rigid and flexible coupling portions, allowing the closed cross-sectional portion to maintain its rigidity for deformation resistance while the flexible portion handles vibration damping independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible coupling portion with damping members acts as an intermediary between the rigid closed cross-sectional portion and the partition panel, allowing the rigid structure to maintain its deformation resistance while the intermediary handles vibration transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 proposed structure effectively dampens vibrations and enhances deformation resistance, improving riding comfort by concentrating stress on the damping member and maintaining the rigidity of the closed cross-sectional portion.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible coupling portion in which the partition panel and the first flange portion are coupled to each other while interposing a damping member therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Data Source

PatentUS10150511B2Body structure of vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A body structure of a vehicle includes: a first panel and a second panel forming a closed cross-sectional portion; a partition panel; a first reinforcement body disposed between the first panel and the partition panel, and includes a first panel joint portion joined to the first panel, and a first flange portion joined to the partition panel; and a second reinforcement body which is disposed between the second panel and the partition panel, and includes a second panel joint portion joined to the second panel, and a second flange portion joined to the partition panel. A joint portion includes a rigid coupling portion in which the first panel and the first panel joint portion are coupled while being in contact with each other, and a flexible coupling portion in which the partition panel and the first flange portion are coupled to each other while interposing a damping member therebetween.