Vehicle Side Body Structure with Front Closed Section for Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle body structures, the side sill's closed section space is typically formed on the rear side of the hinge pillar, which can lead to unstable rearward load distribution during small overlap collisions, causing the hinge pillar and dashboard to move rearward and resulting in cabin deformation.
Innovation Solution
A side body structure with a closed section space component in the connecting part between the hinge pillar and side sill, featuring a vertical dimension that increases toward the front side, allowing for a wide range of frontal impact load reception and smooth load transmission to the side sill, reducing the rearward movement of the hinge pillar and dashboard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the side sill's closed section space is formed only on the rear side of the hinge pillar, then the welding of the upper flange of the outer side sill member becomes easier, but the rearward load distribution becomes unstable during small overlap collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The closed section space is segmented into two distinct regions: a first closed section space on the rear side of the hinge pillar and a second closed section space on the front side of the hinge pillar. This segmentation allows the rear portion to maintain manufacturing simplicity while the front portion provides enhanced load distribution stability during collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the side sill are given different structural qualities: the rear side features a closed section space for ease of manufacture, while the front side features an additional closed section space with specific geometric characteristics (width greater than height) to optimize load distribution stability in the collision-prone area.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer side sill member projects forwardly inside the connecting part between the hinge pillar and side sill, then the closed section space cannot be continuously formed, but this configuration is easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous closed section space is segmented into a first closed section space (rear side) and a second closed section space (front side), connected through the hinge pillar connection. This allows the outer side sill member to project forward for ease of assembly while maintaining overall structural continuity through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge pillar acts as an intermediary element that connects the first and second closed section spaces. The inner side sill member extends through the hinge pillar connection, serving as a mediator to maintain the closed section space continuity despite the projection of the outer side sill member.
3Device complexity
If the closed section space of the side sill is formed only on the rear side of the hinge pillar, then the structure is simpler, but the impact load cannot be effectively distributed rearwardly during small overlap collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The closed section space is divided into two segments: a first closed section space on the rear side and a second closed section space on the front side. This segmentation adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving impact load distribution by providing a dedicated front portion to receive and transmit collision forces rearwardly through the hinge pillar.
Solution Approach 2:
The front side of the side sill is given a specific local quality with a second closed section space having a width greater than its height, optimized for receiving impact loads during small overlap collisions. This localized structural enhancement improves reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire side sill structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A side body structure of a vehicle is provided, which includes a hinge pillar having a hinge pillar member forming, in a side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in vertical directions of the vehicle, a side sill having a side sill member forming, on a rear side of the hinge pillar in the side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in longitudinal directions of the vehicle, and a closed section space component forming, in a connecting part between a lower end part of the hinge pillar and a front end part of the side sill, a closed section space extending continuously in the longitudinal directions and connecting to the closed section space of the side sill on the rear side, the closed section space of the closed section space component having a vertical dimension that increases toward a front side.