Vehicle Body Side Structure With Controlled Pillar Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle body side structures struggle to effectively absorb side collision loads while minimizing the deformation of pillars into the vehicle interior, compromising occupant safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body side structure featuring a pillar with a hollow cross section and an outward-protruding stiffener that includes a fragile portion above the side sill, allowing the stiffener to bend inward and crush the side sill during a collision, thereby absorbing the impact while reducing interior deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the pillar inner is joined to the extension in the conventional structure, then the joint strength between the pillar inner and the side sill is enhanced, but the pillar still enters into the vehicle inner side during side collision, compromising occupant safety
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener is divided into distinct functional segments: an insertion portion that fits into the side sill cross section, a protruding shape that extends outward, and a fragile portion positioned above the side sill. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the insertion portion provides structural integration, the protruding shape enhances outward stiffness, and the fragile portion enables controlled deformation during collision to prevent pillar intrusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffener is designed with non-uniform properties along its length - the insertion portion has specific dimensional constraints for fitting into the side sill, the protruding shape provides enhanced outward stiffness, and the fragile portion is positioned to deform first during collision. This local variation in structural properties allows the stiffener to provide maximum strength where needed while allowing controlled deformation to prevent harmful pillar intrusion.
2Loss of energy
If the pillar inner deforms to absorb side collision load, then the absorption of side collision load is enhanced, but the amount of deformation of the pillar into the vehicle inner side increases, reducing occupant safety
Solution Approach 1:
The fragile portion of the stiffener is designed to deform in a controlled manner during side collision, converting what would normally be harmful pillar intrusion into beneficial energy absorption. The fragile portion deforms first, absorbing collision energy through controlled deformation while preventing the pillar inner from intruding into the vehicle interior, thus converting potential harm into protective energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffener is pre-configured with a fragile portion positioned above the side sill that is designed to deform first during collision. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the stiffener begins absorbing collision energy through controlled deformation before the pillar inner can intrude into the vehicle interior, proactively preventing harmful pillar deformation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the stiffener protrudes outward to enhance rigidity, then the rigidity of the side sill is enhanced, but the complexity of the pillar structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener is merged with the pillar inner as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The insertion portion fits into the side sill cross section while the protruding shape extends outward, creating a unified structure that enhances rigidity without requiring separate mounting brackets or complex assembly mechanisms. This merging of functions reduces overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffener serves multiple functions simultaneously: the insertion portion provides structural integration with the side sill, the protruding shape enhances outward rigidity, and the fragile portion enables controlled deformation during collision. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single integrated component, avoiding the need for multiple separate elements and reducing overall structural complexity.
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 structure efficiently absorbs side collision loads by combining pillar deformation with side sill crushing, enhancing safety by minimizing pillar intrusion and reducing weight through optimized deformation patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the stiffener has a protruding shape which protrudes outward in the vehicle-width direction, wherein the stiffener has an insertion portion into a cross section of the side sill, and has a fragile portion above the side sill
Implementation Method 2
allowing the stiffener to bend inward and crush the side sill during a collision, thereby absorbing the impact
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a vehicle body side structure in which a center pillar (pillar) which extends upward from a side sill having a hollow cross section forms a closed cross section with a pillar inner thereof and a stiffener joined to an outer side in a vehicle-width direction of the pillar inner, and the stiffener has a protruding shape which protrudes outward in the vehicle-width direction, wherein the stiffener has an insertion portion into a cross section of the side sill, and has a fragile portion above the side sill.