Vehicle Parting Structure with V-Shaped Bead

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of hole-shaped gaps between vehicle panels with acute angles and rounded profile corners compromises the external appearance and strength, as shallow drawing depths are required to cover these gaps, which reduces panel strength.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle parting portion structure featuring a V-shaped bead with a gradually decreasing height, formed by intersecting ridge lines on adjacent panels, prevents gap formation between panels, maintaining strength without the need for covering the panel with a separate cover.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a rounded profile corner portion is formed by drawing another panel to fill the acute angle space, then the external appearance is improved, but the panel strength is lowered due to reduced drawing depth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal appearanceVSAvoidpanel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the corner portion into multiple panels (first panel, second panel, third panel) with distinct functions. The first panel forms the acute angle corner, the second panel covers the first ridge line, and the third panel covers the second ridge line. This segmentation allows each panel to be optimized independently - the first panel can have sufficient drawing depth for strength while the other panels provide aesthetic coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediate panels (second and third panels) that act as mediators between the structural first panel and the external environment. These intermediate panels cover the ridge lines and fill the acute angle space, providing aesthetic improvement without requiring the first panel to have reduced drawing depth, thus preserving its strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If a separate cover is used to hide the hole shaped gap between panels, then the external appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexternal appearanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cover function into the existing panel structure. The second and third panels serve dual purposes: they are structural components forming the vehicle body panels, and simultaneously they cover the ridge lines and fill the acute angle space, eliminating the need for separate cover components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second and third panels perform multiple functions: they form the vehicle body structure, cover the ridge lines for aesthetic purposes, and fill the acute angle corner space. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated cover components, reducing overall structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If the first panel is formed with a shape that reduces depth dimension to fit the acute angle space, then the external appearance is improved, but the strength of the first panel is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel fitVSAvoidfirst panel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the corner assembly into multiple panels with different depth requirements. The first panel maintains its full drawing depth for strength, while the second and third panels are positioned to cover the ridge lines, creating the appearance of a fitted corner without compromising the first panel's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention resolves the depth conflict by utilizing multiple dimensions. Instead of reducing the first panel's depth in one dimension, the solution adds panels in different spatial arrangements - the second panel covers along the first ridge line and the third panel covers along the second ridge line, achieving aesthetic fit through spatial arrangement rather than depth reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2910455B1Vehicle boundary structure and method for producing same
Publication Date: 2017.06.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP2910455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2910455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2910455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention obtains a vehicle parting portion structure and a manufacturing method thereof that can improve the external appearance of quality while securing a specific strength. In a side member outer panel (16), a second panel portion (36) is formed contiguously to a first panel portion (34) with a first ridge line (L1) interposed therebetween, and a third panel portion (38) is formed contiguously to the second panel portion (36) with a second ridge line (L2) intersecting the first ridge line (L1) at an acute angle interposed therebetween. Moreover, a bead (40) with a V shaped cross-section, formed by part of the first panel portion (34) and part of the third panel portion (38), extends from an intersection point (32X) of the first ridge line (L1) and the second ridge line (L2). A hood outer panel (24A) is disposed running along the first ridge line (L1), with a first parting portion (30A) formed between the hood outer panel (24A) and the second panel portion (36). A fender panel (26) is disposed running along the second ridge line (L2), with a second parting portion (30B) formed between the fender panel (26) and the second panel portion (36) and with a third parting portion (30C) formed between the fender panel (26) and a hood (24).