Vehicle Side Body Reinforcement for Small Overlap Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle side body structures are inadequate in absorbing impact forces during small overlap tests, particularly at the intersection of the A-pillar and sill, leading to excessive deformation and kinetic energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcement member within the internal sill and A-pillar spaces, with a diagonally extending main bracing part connecting the A-pillar to the sill, to enhance structural integrity and energy absorption during impact events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional vehicle side body structure is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the structure is inadequate in absorbing impact forces during small overlap tests, leading to excessive deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle side body structure is segmented into multiple components: inner and outer A-pillar panels, inner and outer sill panels, and a reinforcement member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function in absorbing and distributing impact forces, with the reinforcement member specifically targeting the high-stress intersection area between the A-pillar and sill
Solution Approach 2:
A diagonally extending reinforcement member is added to the vertical A-pillar and horizontal sill structure, introducing a diagonal dimension that creates a triangular bracing pattern. This dimensional change provides additional load paths for impact forces and significantly enhances structural rigidity at the intersection area
2Reliability
If the reinforcement member is added to reinforce the A-pillar and sill intersection, then the structural integrity and energy absorption are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is designed with attachment points that align with pre-formed connection areas on the A-pillar and sill panels. These connection areas are prepared during panel forming operations, allowing the reinforcement member to be installed after the main body structure is assembled, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member serves as an intermediary component that connects the A-pillar and sill structures. By providing a dedicated connection element with standardized attachment points, it mediates the load transfer between these components while simplifying the joining process through predetermined connection geometries
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side body structure includes a sill, an A-pillar and a reinforcement member. The sill defines an internal sill space and the A-pillar defines an internal A-pillar space. The A-pillar is rigidly connected to the sill with the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space being connected. The reinforcement member is located within the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space. The reinforcement member is located within both the internal sill space and the internal A-pillar space and has a forward section fixedly attached to the A-pillar at a front attachment point along the forward connection area of the A-pillar, a rearward section fixedly attached to the sill at a rear attachment point along the lower attachment area, and a main bracing part extending diagonally from the forward section to the rearward section.