Vehicle Side Pillar Arcuate Corner Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle body side portion structure experiences undesirable contact or interference between the front and center pillars and the side sill, particularly at the corner parts, which affects the connection strength and productivity.
Innovation Solution
The structure incorporates an arcuate part on the pillar lower ends of the front and center pillars, which are spaced radially outward from the corner parts, and an overlap-connection part with a bead part that contacts the vertical wall of the side sill, enhancing the connection strength and avoiding interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the corner part of the side-sill outer member has a small radius, then the strength of the side sill is improved, but the corner part contacts and interferes with the corner section of the center pillar
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an arcuate part with a specific radius of curvature at the corner section of the side-sill outer member. This curved geometry allows the corner part to clear the corner section of the center pillar while maintaining structural strength through optimized curvature radius, preventing interference while preserving the strengthening effect of the concave bead parts.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the corner part of the side sill has a large radius to avoid interference, then the interference with the center pillar is eliminated, but the strength of the side sill is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the radius of the arcuate corner part to a specific range that simultaneously achieves interference avoidance and strength maintenance. The curved geometry with controlled radius allows the corner to clear the center pillar while the concave bead parts provide localized strengthening, resolving the trade-off between clearance and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies concave bead parts at specific locations on the side-sill outer member to locally enhance strength. This localized reinforcement allows the corner radius to be increased for interference avoidance while compensating for the strength loss through strategically placed bead features that concentrate strengthening where most needed.
3Productivity
If priority is given to productivity and strength in corner part design, then manufacturing efficiency and structural strength are improved, but the radius selection is limited and may cause interference
Solution Approach 1:
The invention specifies an optimal radius range for the arcuate corner part that balances manufacturing feasibility with interference avoidance. This standardized curved geometry can be efficiently produced while ensuring adequate clearance from the center pillar, resolving the conflict between productivity and interference prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body, wherein the respective lower parts of a front pillar are joined to a side sill. A pillar's lower part (64) of a center pillar(21) and a pillar's lower part (65) of a front pillar (16) are provided with overlapping joining sections (31) having circular arc sections (68) which are formed so as to be separated outward from a corner (67) of a side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are overlapped on a vertical wall section (27) of the side sill (14). The overlapping joining sections (31) are provided with bead sections (72) separated from the vertical wall section (27). The overlapping joining sections (31) are also provided with contact sections (101) in contact with the vertical wall section (27).