TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly in a vehicle. More particularly, according to the
present subject matter a front pillar impact absorbing assembly is provided in
front pillar of the vehicle to absorb force impact applied by a pedestrian.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the
information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed
invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, a front pillar or an A-pillar of a vehicle is designed to be
rigid and strong, so that during a collision or an accident, the vehicle retains its
shape and doesn't get deformed.
[0004] Figure 1A is related art front pillar assembly. Referring to Fig. IB, the
B-B section of the front pillar assembly, a front pillar 100 generally has an outer
panel 102 joined with an inner panel 103 having a reinforcement 104 in between
the outer panel 102 and the inner panel 103 forming a main pillar body.
Windshield 101 is made to rest on the main pillar body with a sealer 105 provided
in between the main pillar body and the windshield 101.
[0005] Technical problem in the existing front pillar assembly there is no
provision provided for absorbing the impact energy when impact occurs. Further,
the front pillar has high rigidity as it forms part of the automobile side body. Due
to this high rigidity of the front pillar, the object or the pedestrian is imparted with
an extensive shock or impact on collision against the junction area of front pillar
and the windshield. Thus, where priority should be given to the protection of the
pedestrian or the object, it becomes necessary to decrease the rigidity of the front
pillar. However, decreasing the rigidity of front pillar results in a vehicle body
with decreased rigidity. This may cause easy deformation upon crash/turnover of
the vehicle.
[0006] Hence, there is a need for a vehicle front pillar assembly which can
retain its initially required rigidity but can sufficiently absorb collision shock to
the pedestrian or the object.
[0007] In order to solve the technical problems as mentioned above, various
impact absorbing assemblies have been adopted by different manufactures to meet
the shock absorbing requirement of the front pillar of the vehicle, while
maintaining the rigidity. However, these assemblies are not capable of sufficiently
absorb the shock to the pedestrian or the object which collides against the front
pillar of the vehicle.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a front pillar impact absorbing assembly
for absorbing an impact applied by a pedestrian and also to absorb impact to the
collided pedestrian or the collided object.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0009] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one
embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0010] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly for absorbing an impact applied in vicinity of junction
of front pillar and windshield.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly for absorbing the impact to the pedestrian after
collision.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly which can be easily arranged in the existing front
pillar assembly.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly having a deformable absorber which absorbs the
impact of the force applied on the windshield by deforming itself.
[0014] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent
when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0015] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly. The concepts are further described below in the
detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to
limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0016] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a front pillar impact
absorbing assembly provided in front pillar of the vehicle to absorb force impact
applied by a pedestrian. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly comprises an
outer panel and an inner panel of the front pillar and a reinforcement between the
outer panel and the inner panel of the front pillar. The windshield rest on the outer
panel and a deformable absorber is placed between the outer panel and the
reinforcement or between the reinforcement and the inner panel or between both
the outer panel, the reinforcement and the inner panel. The outer panel, the
deformable absorber, the reinforcement and the inner panel are attached to each
other through plurality of rivets along with the length of the front pillar. Also, in
another arrangement the outer panel, the reinforcement, the deformable absorber
and the inner panel are attached to each other through plurality of rivets along
with the length of the front pillar. Also, in another arrangement the outer panel,
the deformable absorber, the reinforcement, the deformable absorber and the inner
panel are attached to each other through plurality of rivets along the length of the
front pillar.
[0017] In an aspect, wherein the peripheral portion of the windshield is
mounted to the front surface of the outer panel using a sealer.
[0018] In an aspect, the deformable absorber is made from resin like
Polypropylene, Polyoxymethylene, Polyethylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene,
elastomers etc.
[0019] In an aspect, the inner panel and the reinforcement are joined together
using spot welding.
[0020] In an aspect, the outer panel and the reinforcement are joined together
using spot welding.
[0021] In an aspect, the plurality of rivets is positioned along the length of the
front pillar.
[0022] In an aspect, the deformable absorber absorbs the impacting force
applied to the windshield.
[0023] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description
of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which
like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like
numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of
example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems,
and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein,
wherein:
[0025] Fig. 1A illustrates front pillar assembly according to the prior art;
[0026] Fig. IB illustrates the section B-B of the front pillar assembly
according to the prior art; and
[0027] Fig. 2 illustrates a front pillar impact absorbing assembly according to
one of the embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0028] Fig. 3 illustrates a front pillar impact absorbing assembly according to
another aspect of the present invention.
[0029] Fig. 4 illustrates a front pillar impact absorbing assembly according to
another aspect of the present invention.
[0030] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from
the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles
of the disclosure described herein
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to
clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided
herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
[0032] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised
that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of
the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects,
and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are
intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0033] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As
used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be
further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or
"including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0034] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,
two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts
involved.
[0035] In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", and the like in the
present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be
construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly
indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining
"first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or
implicitly.
[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further
understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0037] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise
various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the
principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0038] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a front pillar
impact absorbing assembly 200 for absorbing impact in the vicinity of junction of
front pillar and windshield
[0039] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an impact absorbing
assembly in the front pillar 200 of a vehicle. Referring to Figure 2 illustrating an -
front pillar impact absorbing assembly 200 according to one of the embodiments
of the present subject matter. The assembly 200 comprises an outer panel 102, an
inner panel 103 and a reinforcement member 104. The outer panel 102 is a
bending member, preferably made up of steel. The reinforcement member 104 is
used to reinforce the inner panel 103 and it is preferably made up of steel.
[0040] The windshield 101 of the vehicle rests on the outer panel 102 with
sealer in between the windshield 101 and the outer panel 102. The peripheral
portion of the windshield 101 is mounted to the front surface of the outer panel
102 using a sealer 105. The reinforcement member 104 is joined with the inner
panel 103 using spot welding to reinforce the inner panel 103. There is provided a
deformable absorber 201 in between the outer panel 102 and the reinforcement
member 104 to absorb the impact during collision of pedestrian in the vicinity of
junction of front pillar and the windshield 101. The deformable absorber 201 is
made up of a suitable material.
[0041] The deformable member 201 is easily deformed by impact on the front
pillar and thereby absorb the impact.
[0042] The outer panel 102, the deformable absorber 201, the reinforcement
member 104 and the inner panel 103 are attached to each other through plurality
of rivets 202 along the length of the front pillar.
[0043] In another aspect, the outer panel 102 is joined with the reinforcement
member 104 using spot welding to reinforce the outer panel 102. There is
provided a deformable absorber 201 in between the reinforcement member 104
and inner panel 103 to absorb the impact during collision of pedestrian in the
vicinity of junction of front pillar and the windshield 101.
[0044] The outer panel 102, the reinforcement member 104, the deformable
absorber 201 and the inner panel 103 are attached to each other through plurality
of rivets 202 along the length of the front pillar.
[0045] In another aspect, a deformable absorber 201 is provided in between
the outer panel 102 and the reinforcement member 104 and a deformable absorber
201 is provided in between the reinforcement member 104 and the inner panel
102, to absorb the impact during collision of pedestrian in the vicinity of junction
of front pillar and the windshield 101.
[0046] The outer panel 102, the reinforcement member 104, the deformable
absorber 201 and the inner panel 103 are attached to each other through plurality
of rivets 202 along the length of the front pillar.
[0047] Technical advantages: The present subject matter provides a
deformable absorber 201 in between the outer panel 102 and the reinforcement
member 104 or in between the reinforcement 104 and the inner panel 103 or in
between both the outer panel (102) and the reinforcement member (104) and
between the reinforcement member (104) and the inner panel (103). In all aspects,
the deformable absorber 201 absorbs the impact near the junction of front pillar
and the windshield 101 by absorbing the impact energy. The deformable absorber
201 gets deform on application of force applied due to impact and absorbs the
energy.
[0048] Further, when a pedestrian or an object collides near the junction of
windshield and front pillar, the deformable absorber 201 deforms and absorbs the
collision force. In this way, the impact of collision on pedestrian is low and the
pedestrian suffers less injuries.
[0049] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used
herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended
claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should
be interpreted as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least", the term "includes" should be interpreted as
"includes but is not limited to", etc.). It will be further understood by those within
the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such
an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the
following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least
one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation
by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such
introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even
when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should
typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds
true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition,
even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two
recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or
two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand
the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include
but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C,
etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having
skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least
one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone,
B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A,
B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that
virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to
contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or
both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the
possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
[0050] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention,
other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing
from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the
claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments,
versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill
in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and
knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

WE CLAIM:
1. A front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200), the assembly (200)
comprising:
An outer panel (102) and an inner panel (103) of the front pillar;
A reinforcement member (104) between the outer panel (102) and
the inner panel (103) of the front pillar; and
A windshield (101) rests on the outer panel (102) of the front
pillar;
wherein;
a plurality of deformable absorbers (201) is placed between the
outer panel (102) and the inner panel (103); and
the outer panel (102), the deformable absorber (201), the
reinforcement member (104) and the inner panel (103) are attached to each
other through plurality of rivets (202) along with length of the front pillar.
2. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the deformable absorber (201) is placed between the outer panel
(102) and the reinforcement member (104) joined to the inner panel (103).
3. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the deformable absorber (201) is placed between the
reinforcement member (104), joined to the outer panel (102), and the inner
panel (103).
4. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein a deformable absorber (201) is placed between the outer panel
(102) and the reinforcement member (104), and another deformable
absorber (201) is placed between the reinforcement member (104) and the
inner panel (103).
5. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the peripheral portion of the windshield (101) is mounted to the
front surface of the outer panel (102) using a sealer (105).
6. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the deformable absorber (201) is made from resin like
Polypropylene, Polyoxymethylene, Polyethylene, Acrylonitrile butadiene,
elastomers.
7. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the inner panel (103) and the reinforcement member (104) are
joined together using spot welding.
8. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the outer panel (102) and the reinforcement member (104) are
joined together using spot welding.
9. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the plurality of rivets (202) are positioned
10. The front pillar impact absorbing assembly (200) as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the deformable absorber (201) absorbs the impacting force
applied to the windshield (101).