FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a novel B-pillar of vehicle with variable stiffness to
improve side impact.
PRIOR ART
Vehicle comprises a number of pillars namely, A-pillar, B-pillar and C-pillar.
Said B-pillar located between A-pillar and C-pillar comprises inner panel (1),
inner reinforcement (21 and rear door hinge reinforcement (3) spot welded to
each other. The whole of B-pillar is also spot welded to side body outer ft) at
top and side sill (5) at bottom.
However, the above B-pillar is associated with the following drawbacks:-
- No crash load transfer towards lower area of B-pillar during side crash.
- Does not meet the targets of B-pillar upper intrusion, B-pillar lower
intrusion and intrusion velocity to fulfill the side impact performance
requirements.
- HeaqT in weight, which makes it expensive.
- More number of spot welds, which increases assembly time and cost.
Now, reference may be made to the following prior arts:-
CN 2O1989859U:- The B pillar structure of the automobile comprises an outer
plate and an inner plate which a-re respectively made of a metal material,
wherein the inner plate is fixedly arranged at the inner side of the outer plate,
and a reinforcement vertically arranged is also connected between the outer
plate and the inner plate.
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In the B pillar structure of the automobile, the reinforcement vertically
arranged is connected between the outer plate and the inner plate, so that the
mechanical strength of the position below a particular position of the
automobile, which corresponds to the hip position of the human body, is
weakened, and the mechanical strength of the position above the particular
position which corresponds to the chest and the abdomen of the human body,
is reinforced.
Another prior art relates to a reinforcement for a vehicle pillar, in particular a B
pillar. The reinforcement comprises a reinforcing structure with an upper end
region for connection to the vehicle roof and a lower end region for connection
to the underfloor and/or a sill structure of the vehicle and further comprises a
stiffening structure connected to the reinforcing structure to provide stiffness
appropriate to the possibility of a side impact. The reinforcing structure has at
least one material section which projects with respect to the stiffening
structure, which serves to connect the reinforcing stmcture to the outer skin
and/or the inner skin of the vehicle pillar. The reinforcing structure consists of
weldable non-boron steel and the stiffening structure consists of hardened
boron steel.
Still another known art is directed to an impact protection reinforcing element
having at least one outer surface which is conformed to the contour of a
surface of at least one vehicle body part in such a way tl:at it may be
positioned with extensive contact against the body part in the area of
complementary construction and connected firmly to the body part. Provision
is made for the impact protection reinforcing element to be formed of
fiber/plastics composite. A method of producing the impact protection
reinforcing element uses an injection molding process.
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All the above cited arts are having more number of parts. Hence, they are
heavy in weight, expensive and require more time for assembly.
Therefore, the present invention has been proposed to address the aforesaid
drawbacks.
OBJICTS OF THE IIWEITTIOIT
Primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel B-pillar of vehicle
with variable stiffness to improve side impact performance of the vehicle which
overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel B-pillar of vehicle
to improve side impact performance which is simple in construction.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a novel B-pillar of vehicle
to improve side impact performance which is reliable and eflicient.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel B-pi1ar of
vehicle to improve side impact performance which is cost effective.
SITMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided a novel B-pillar of vehicle with
variable stiffness to improve side impact performance comprising a shorter
inner panel and inner reinforcement and a novel door hinge reinforcement spot
welded to each other.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows: exploded view of conventional B-pillar of vehicle.
Fig. 2 shows: exploded view of B-pillar of vehicle according to present
invention.
Fig. 3 shows: Deformed B-pillar shape and profile after side impact of vehicle.
DETNL DESCRIT'TION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPAITflNG DRAWINGS
The present invention is directed to a novel B-pillar of vehicle to improve side
impact. Now, reference may be made to fig. 2, wherein the B-pillar comprises
inner panel (1'), inner reinforcement (2'l and rear door hinge reinforcement (3,)
spot welded to each other.
The inner panel (1') is having shorter length with the elimination of lower
portion so that it doesn't connect with side sill and floor structure. The short
inner panel is provided to achieve required stiffness.
Said B-pillar inner reinforcement (2') is shortened from bottom to obtain a
short inner reinforcement. Vertical position of reinforcement is arranged such
that stiffness of lower portion of B-pillar is less compared to the upper portion
of B-pillar.
The rear door hinge reinforcement (3') is integrally provided with a flange (F) at
bottom to increase its width in the lower area (at bottom) and spot welded with
side sill. So that, this leads to increase in strength (stiffness) of the joinery of Bpillar
and side sill.
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The inner panel, inner reinforcement and rear door
preferably made of high strengtJr steel. The same can
method of forming.
hinge reinforcement are
be manufactured by the
The material and method are given as example. Thus, other material and
method readily apparent to a person skilled in the art are understood to be
within scope of the invention.
As currently provided in the conventional vehicle, the novel B-pillar thus
obtained is connected to side body outer $l at top and side sill (5) at bottom
with the help of spot welding.
Reference may be made to fig.
Belt line height -B
Belt line intrusion - H
B-pillar lower intrusion -L
3 indicating the following:-
Initial profile under normal condition
. prior art (post impact)
present invention (post impact)
In prior art H > L. In present invention due to variable stiffening of B-pillar,
H