Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
39 OF 1970
&
THE PATENT RULES 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTIONS 10 & RULE 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE IN AN A-PILLAR AREA OF A VEHICLE TO IMPROVE CRASH PERFORMANCE
2. APPLICANTS (S)
NAME NATIONALITY ADDRESS

MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED

Indian
Maruti Suzuki India Limited
1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj,
New Delhi - 110070
India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

A REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE IN AN A-PILLAR AREA OF A VEHICLE TO IMPROVE CRASH PERFORMANCE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a reinforcement structure in an A-pillar area of a vehicle to improve crash performance. In particular, the present disclosure relates to structure of the reinforcement member that is connected to an inner panel of the A-pillar of the vehicle and forms a box shaped section with existing reinforcement member.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In recent times, automobile sector is focusing highly on safety and security of passengers in every segment of vehicles, owing to an increase in number of on road mishaps. This is because increase in the number of vehicles is contributing towards heavy traffic on roads, thereby leading to a large number of accidents even if the driver has taken adequate precaution while driving.
[0003] Frontal offset crash test has achieved worldwide recognition as an assessment tool to determine frontal crash worthiness of the vehicle. Moreover, since the frontal offset test forces a smaller portion, particularly, windshield upper corner area of an A-pillar of the vehicle to withstand and manage crash energy, there occurs more localized deformation compared to other areas of the vehicle. Therefore, adequate structural features should be incorporated into the A-pillar area so that it is able to absorb shock energy during frontal offset crash of the vehicle.
[0004] There are certain existing arrangements available to improve frontal offset crash performance of the vehicle. It is well known that an inner panel and an outer panel of the A-pillar are joined to each other forming a box-shaped section. One such used case to increase crash performance of the vehicle includes increase of thickness of the inner panel and the outer panel of the A-pillar such that the structures are compatible enough to absorb the energy during an event of the crash. Additionally, in certain used cases, box section formed in between the inner panel and the outer panel of the A-pillar is made bigger for meeting the crash test requirements. However, either of these cases are resulting in an increase in overall weight of the vehicle thereby impacting on cost and overall performance of the vehicle.
[0005] Towards this direction, the present disclosure is intended to design and develop a suitable structure such that above challenges can be suitably addressed without compromising on overall cost and performance of the vehicle.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0007] It is an object of the present subject matter to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in the prior art systems and methods.
[0008] It is a significant object of the present subject matter to provide a reinforcement structure that is able to absorb energy during frontal offset crash of a vehicle.
[0009] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the reinforcement structure that is light weight.
[0010] It is another object of the present subject matter to provide the reinforcement structure that is rigid and robust.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide the reinforcement structure that is cost effective and easy to implement.
[0012] These and other objects and advantages of the present subject matter will be apparent to a person skilled in the art after consideration of the following detailed description, taking into consideration the accompanied drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present subject matter are illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] This summary is provided to introduce concepts that 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.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an A-pillar of a vehicle facilitating absorption of shock energy during frontal offset crash of the vehicle.
[0015] In an aspect, the A-pillar comprises an outer panel, an inner panel joined with the outer panel to define a cavity, a first reinforcement structure connecting the outer panel and the inner panel, such that the first reinforcement structure is present within the cavity defined by the outer panel and the inner panel and a second reinforcement structure affixed to the inner panel to define a box shaped section with the first reinforcement structure.
[0016] In an aspect, the second reinforcement structure comprises a front surface having a tapered profile extending from a starting point to an ending point, a first lateral surface extending from a first end of the front surface, where a section of the first lateral surface is forming a two-step profile to provide strength to the second reinforcement structure.
[0017] In an aspect, there is provided a second lateral surface extending from a second end of the front surface, where the second lateral surface is coupled to a member of the inner panel of the A-pillar area of the vehicle.
[0018] In an aspect, in the A-pillar, the second lateral surface of the second reinforcement structure is having a flat profile and is coupled with the member through spot welding.
[0019] In an aspect, in the A-pillar, the flat profile formed by the second lateral surface of the second reinforcement structure is discontinuous in nature.
[0020] In an aspect, in the A-pillar, the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface, respectively, are connected to the front surface of the second reinforcement structure through one or more flanges.
[0021] In an aspect, the front surface is welded with a cross member of roof of the vehicle.
[0022] In an aspect, in the A-pillar, the front surface and the first lateral surface of the second reinforcement structure is provided with a plurality of holes, where the holes and are used for positioning of the second reinforcement structure on the member and further the holes are provided to ensure clearance with auxiliary parts fitted in the A-Pillar area of the vehicle.
[0023] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0024] 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 numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING(S)
[0025] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present subject matter and are therefore not to be considered for limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system or methods or structure in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which
[0026] Figure 1 depicts cross-section of an A-pillar of a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] Figure 2 (a)-(b) depicts perspective views of a second reinforcement structure of the A-pillar in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0028] Figure 3 depicts attachment of the second reinforcement structure with a cross member of the vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] 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
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered 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 spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0032] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.
[0033] The present disclosure relates to an improved structure of an A-pillar of a vehicle that has been developed to enhance crash test performance of the vehicle at a frontal offset area. The present disclosure intends to propose structural attributes of the A-pillar area of the vehicle that is helpful in absorption of shock during frontal offset crash, particularly at a windshield corner area of the vehicle. The corresponding structural features are illustrated in the subsequent sections.
[0034] Referring to Figure 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cross section of the A-pillar (100) of the vehicle has been disclosed. It may be observed from the figure that the A-pillar comprises of an outer panel (102) and an inner panel (104).
[0035] In an aspect, the outer panel (102) of the A-pillar (100) is connected to the inner panel (104) in order to define a cavity. The outer panel (102) and the inner panel (104) are provided with a first reinforcement structure (106), the first reinforcement structure (106) being present within the cavity defined by the outer panel (102) and the inner panel (104).
[0036] In an aspect, there is also provided a second reinforcement structure (108), where the second reinforcement structure (108) is a curved structure. Further, the second reinforcement structure (108) is connected to the inner panel (104) of the A-pillar (100), forming a box shaped section (110) with the first reinforcement structure (106) by keeping the sections similar as in the existing arrangement.
[0037] Figure 2 (a)-(b) depicts perspective views of the second reinforcement structure (108) of the A-pillar (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The second reinforcement structure (108) may be said to comprise of a front surface (202), a first lateral surface (204) and a second lateral surface (206), respectively.
[0038] In an aspect, as can be seen from Figure 2 (a), the front surface (202) is having a tapered profile extending from a starting point (108-1) to an ending point (108-2). The first lateral surface (204) is extending from a first end of the front surface (202) with a provision for attachment with the A-pillar (100) through spot welds.
[0039] In an aspect, a section (204-1) of the first lateral surface (204) is forming a two-step profile to provide rigidity to the second reinforcement structure (108). The two-step profile formed in the section (204-1) of the first lateral surface (204) provides enhanced amount of strength to the structure (108).
[0040] In an aspect, the second lateral surface (206) is extending from a second end of the front surface (202) and is having a flat profile. However, the flat profile of the second lateral surface (206) is discontinuous in nature and is having notches to allow suitable coupling to a member (302) present in the inner panel (104) of the A-Pillar of the vehicle through spot welding. This region of coupling has been illustrated in Figure 3 as well. The flat profile of the second lateral surface (206) and its coupling with the member (302) of the A-pillar aids in improvement of strength of the overall structure (108).
[0041] In an aspect, as can be observed from Figure 2 (a) and 2 (b), both the first lateral surface (204) and the second lateral surface (206) are linked with the front surface (202) through one or more flanges. The front surface (202) is spot welded with a cross-member of the roof through an extension bracket. Additionally, it may also be seen that the front surface (202) and the first lateral surface (204) of the second reinforcement structure (108) are provided with a plurality of holes (208-1, 208-2, 208-3, 208-4, 208-5). The holes (208-3 and 208-5) are used for positioning of the reinforcement structure (108) on the member (302). The holes (208-1, 208-2, 208-4), on the other hand, are provided to ensure clearance with auxiliary parts fitted in the A-Pillar area of the vehicle.
[0042] Referring to Figure 3 and as already mentioned, it may be observed that the second lateral surface (206) of the second reinforcement structure (108) is coupled with the member (302) of the A-Pillar.
[0043] Technical Advantages
All in all, the invention described in the present disclosure is having the following advantages:
a) The present structure of the A-pillar (100) is capable of absorption of shock resulted due to frontal offset crash of the vehicle
b) The present structure of the A-pillar (100) is rigid and robust
c) The second reinforcement structure (108) of the A-pillar (100) is light weight and easy to implement
d) The present structure of the A-pillar (100) is cost effective to implement

[0044] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present subject matter. It should also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by devising various systems that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present subject matter, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.
[0045] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to package features, it is to be understood that the present subject matter is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as embodiments for the present subject matter. Numerous modifications and adaptations of the system/device of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and thus it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and adaptations which fall within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0046] 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.”
[0047] It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods in accordance with the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.

, Claims:We Claim:
1. An A-pillar (100) of a vehicle facilitating absorption of shock energy during frontal offset crash of the vehicle, the A-pillar (100) comprising:
an outer panel (102);
an inner panel (104) joined with the outer panel (102) to define a cavity;
a first reinforcement structure (106) connecting the outer panel (102) and the inner panel (104), such that the first reinforcement structure (102) is present within the cavity defined by the outer panel (102) and the inner panel (104); and
a second reinforcement structure (108) affixed to the inner panel (104) to define a box shaped section (110) with the first reinforcement structure (106), comprising:
a front surface (202) having a tapered profile extending from a starting point (108-1) to an ending point (108-2),
a first lateral surface (204) extending from a first end of the front surface (202), wherein a section (204-1) of the first lateral surface (204) is forming a two-step profile to provide strength to the second reinforcement structure (108),
a second lateral surface (206) extending from a second end of the front surface (202), wherein the second lateral surface (206) is coupled to a member (302) of the inner panel (104) of the A-Pillar (100) area of the vehicle.

2. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second lateral surface (206) of the second reinforcement structure (108) is having a flat profile and is coupled with the member (302) through spot welding.

3. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat profile formed by the second lateral surface (206) of the second reinforcement structure (108) is discontinuous in nature.

4. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lateral surface (204) and the second lateral surface (206), respectively, are connected to the front surface (202) of the second reinforcement structure (108) through one or more flanges.

5. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front surface (202) is welded with a cross member of roof of the vehicle.

6. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front surface (202) and the first lateral surface (204) of the second reinforcement structure (108) is provided with a plurality of holes (208-1, 208-2, 208-3, 208-4, 208-5).

7. The A-pillar (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the holes (208-3 and 208-5) are used for positioning of the second reinforcement structure (108) on the member (302) and wherein the holes (208-1, 208-2, 208-4), are provided to ensure clearance with auxiliary parts fitted in the A-Pillar area of the vehicle.

Dated this 28th day of October, 2022

AMIT JAIN
PATENT AGENT
IN/PA – 2189
OF L. S. DAVAR & CO.,
APPLICANT’S AGENT