FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to improved front hinge pillar of vehicle.
PRIOR ART
As it is known, hinge pillar is provided in the front of a vehicle, both on left
hand side (LHS) and right hand side (RHS) of vehicle.
Conventionally known hinge pillar is a longitudinal member accommodating
three horizontal brackets.
The aforesaid provision leads to heavy weight of vehicle, thereby increasing its
cost and reducing fuel economy.
Further, in case of head on collision the load is transferred in horizontal
direction and also along the hinge pillar upper area. However, the hinge pillar
can't take sufficient load because the bracket is provided only in horizontal
direction (x-axis) without any provision to take the load along the hinge pillar
upper area.
As a result, the occupants seating in the front are adversely affected during the
frontal collision.
Now, reference may be made to JP 201 11782 18A:- This Patent discloses a front
pillar structure ensuring load transmitting performance in a frontal collision,
and further ensuring rigidity of a mounting portion in the periphery of a
reinforcement member while suppressing the number of components.
Again, it is provided with an inner projecting portion opening on an outer wall
side and projecting toward an inner wall side as seen from the front face of a
vehicle and an outer projecting portion opening on the inner wall side and
projecting toward the outer wall side as seen from the front face of the vehicle
formed
continuously in the vertical direction. A first vertical wall constituting a part of
the inner projecting portion is joined to the inner wall, and a second vertical
wall constituting a part of the outer projecting portion is joined to the outer
wall. An intermediate wall interconnecting the first vertical wall and the second
vertical wall is arranged at a position where it is partially overlapped with a belt
line reinforcement of a front door as seen from the front face of the vehicle.
However, in this invention, bracket does not provide any path for secondary
load. Further, it requires a plurality of spot welds, which makes it bulky, heavy
and also expensive. Again, its design is comparatively complex, which makes
the assembly procedure complicated.
Hence, it is required to develop a novel hinge pillar to obviate the above
shortcomings of the prior arts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide improved front hinge
pillar of vehicle which overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide improved front hinge pillar
of vehicle which is simple in construction and cost effective.
Further object of the present invention is to provide improved front hinge pillar
of vehicle which is reliable & efficient.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided an improved front hinge pillar of
vehicle comprising of a novel bracket accommodated inside a longitudinal
member provided in the front of vehicle.
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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:
Figure 1 shows: conventional hinge pillar of vehicle.
Figure 2 shows: hinge reinforcement of the present invention.
Figure 3 shows: improved front hinge pillar of vehicle according to the present
invention.
Figure 4 shows: door hinge support for vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
As already discussed, existing hinge pillar comprising of a longitudinal member
(1) as shown in fig. 1 accommodating three horizontal brackets (2).
Provision of three brackets in the longitudinal member leads to heavy weight of
vehicle, which in turn increases its cost and also reduces fuel economy.
As there is no provision of bracket along the hinge pillar upper area to sustain
the load, therefore the occupants of the front seat are seriously affected during
the head on collision. This is because load transfer takes place only along the
horizontal direction (X) as shown in fig. 1 with no path for secondary load
transfer.
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Hence, invention of the proposed application is introduced to obviate the
drawbacks mentioned hereinabove and provide an effective solution.
The present invention is directed to improved front hinge pillar of vehicle. Now,
reference may be made to fig. 3 indicating improved front hinge pillar of
vehicle. Said hinge pillar comprising of an novel bracket i.e. hinge
reinforcement (as shown in fig. 2) housed inside a longitudinal member (3) of
vehicle.
Said novel bracket, a section of which is vertical (V) and remaining part (I) is
provided at an inclination to said vertical section. As shown in fig. 3, said
inclined part (I) of the bracket provided inside the longitudinal member extends
from one side to other across the width of said longitudinal member.
The vertical part (V) is as long as to support the inclined part. The thickness of
the vertical and inclined part is not essentially required to be the same. Said
novel bracket of the instant invention is a single piece. The same can be
manufactured by the method of casting/forging. The material of said bracket is
such as stainless steel.
However, other suitable materials readily apparent to person skill in the art
may be used. Thus, the invention is not restricted to the use of examples given
and other materials used in the art are understood to be within the scope of
the invention. Further, it does not require spot welding, which prevents it from
being bulky, heavy and expensive. Again, its design is comparatively simple,
which makes the assembly procedure simplified.
Hinge pillar of vehicle is preferably manufactured by process of stamping using
sheet metal comprising steps of Blanking followed by forming in a die by
pressing.
Reference may be made to fig. 4 showing door hinge support, wherein the
improved hinge pillar is connected to door of vehicle in the front.
In case of head on collision, the novel bracket causes transfer of load in
horizontal direction and also along the hinge pillar upper area. Thus, there are
two paths for load transfer including inclined path for secondary load transfer.
So that, unlike prior art the improved hinge pillar of the present invention can
, take sufficient load to save the occupants in the front seats. Thus, safety of the
vehicle and its occupants is improved.
Advantageous features
i) Reduction in number of additional parts
ii) Reduction in overall vehicle weight.
iii) Reduction in number of assembly operation.
iv) Supports front door hinge during its normal operation.
v) Improved vehicle and occupants' safety.
vi)Transfer of front accident impact load to the stronger area, that results in
small deformation in the hinge pillar.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:

WE CLAM:-
1. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle comprising of a novel bracket accommodated inside a longitudinal member provided in the front of vehicle.
2. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said bracket i.e. hinge reinforcement comprising of a vertical part
integrally provided with an inclined part. |
3. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said inclined part provided inside the longitudinal member extends
across the width of said member.
4. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims, wherein the vertical part is long enough to support the
inclined part.
5. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims, wherein the bracket is made of material such as
stainless steel.
6. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in any of the
I preceding claims, wherein the bracket constitutes a single piece, which
I can be manufactured by the method of forging/casting such as herein
described.
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7. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle as claimed in any of the
preceding claims, is associated with the advantageous features such as I
herein described.
8. An improved front hinge pillar of vehicle substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.