001]
The present subject matter
described herein,
relates to
a vehicle body
structure
and more part
icularly, relates to a
reinforcement structure
provided with
side sill panel for
countering side impact
.
5
BACKGROUND
AND PRIOR ART:
[002]
Conventionally, side sill
structure of a vehicle includes
a
n
outer sill panel
and a
n
inner sill panel joined together to for
m an enclosed structure
.
The joints of
the outer sill panel and the inner sill panel are generally provided on the top side
and underside
/bottom
of the side sill
.
During impact
, the side
sill structure along
10
with B
-
pillar deforms. Due to more deformation i
n sill region, sill rotates more
towards vehicle cabin causing more intrusion of B
-
pillar inside vehicle cabin.
If
t
his B
-
pillar intrude
s
quickly
inside vehicle cabin
, this may cause injury to
occupant
,
as B
-
pillar may hit occupant
.
Hence, slowing down the
intrusion of the
B
-
pillar
inside vehicle cabin by not allowing the deformation of sill section
is
15
desired.
[003]
United States
Patent publication
US6854795
B2
discloses
a
reinforcement
member (32) of an automotive side sill
having
a V
-
shaped cross
-
sectional port
ion
(46) formed by bending the reinforcement member so as to follow a lower surface
(31 b) of an upper portion (31 a) of an outer panel (31), joining an upper attaching
20
portion (42) functioning as a resulting bent portion to the upper portion (31 a) of
the
outer panel (31) and bending a distal end of the upper at
taching portion (42)
downwardly
.
[004]
T
he
reinforcement member
provided in the
US
prior art
includes a
complex geometry, wherein a substantial portion of the reinforcement member is
25
joined
with the outer
panel
.
Further, the reinforcement member extends across the
side sill longitudinally. This increases the material and manufacturing costs.
3
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
:
[005]
T
he principal objective of the present invention is to
provide
a
structural
element, hav
ing a simple geometry and orientation, to
increase the bending
stiffness of side sill
panels
.
[006]
Another object of the present subject matter is
to
provide
a simple
, cost
5
effective,
and efficient
ly
design
ed
structural element for the side sill
that is
disti
nct from all conventional designs
.
[007]
Yet another
object of the present subject matter is to
reduce deformation in
the side sill by providing the structural element, and reducing the B
-
pillar
intrusion
velocity
in to the vehicle interior during a side impact
.
10
SUMMARY
OF THE INVENTION:
[008]
The
present invention
relates to
a
reinforced side sill
structure for an
automotive.
T
he side sill structure
includes
a side sill extending in longitudinal
direction of the automotive, the side sill having an inner sill panel
and an outer
sill panel joined together to
form a closed section portion;
a B
-
pillar extending
15
vertically from the side sill, the B
-
pillar includes a bottom portion extending over
external surfaces of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel being j
oined
together; and
a structural element provided substantially in the vicinity of the
inner sill panel, the outer sill panel , and below the B
-
pillar, the structural element
defining an upper edge and a lower edge
separated by an embossed region ,
20
wherei
n, the upper edge and the lower edge of the structural element are
sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel and the outer sill
panel , with the embossed region extendin
g towards the outer sill panel
which
receives
first impact
during
a side impact
.
[009]
In order to further understand the characteristics and technical contents of
25
the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with
reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative
only b
ut not used to limit scope of the present subject matter.
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010]
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 fo
r limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally
effective embodiments.
The detailed description is described with reference to the
5
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left
-
most digit(s) of a reference number
identifies the figur
e 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 in accordance with
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described,
by way of example,
10
and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which
:
[0011]
Fig. 1
illustrates a side structure of an
automotive
;
[0012]
Fig.
2 illustrates
an isometric view of the
reinforced side sill structure for
the automotive of Fig. 1
in accordance with a
n embodiment of the present
disclosure
;
15
[0013]
Fig. 3
illustrates a structural element in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure;
[0014]
Fig. 4
shows a sectional view of the reinforced side sill structure
of Fig. 2
;
[0015]
Fig.
5
illustrates a sectional view
representing deformation of a
conventional side sill panel
during
a side impact
; and
20
[0016]
Fig.
6
illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of the
reinforced side sill structure of Fig. 2
during
a side impact.
[0017]
The
figures
depict embodiments of the
pr
esent 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
25
methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fro
m the principles
of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
5
[0018]
The present disclosure presents embodiments for
a
reinforced side sill
structure for an automotive. The side sill structure includes a side sill extending
in lo
ngitudinal direction of the automotive, the side sill having an inner sill panel
and an outer sill panel joined together to form a closed section portion; a B
-
pillar
extending vertically from the side sill, the B
-
pillar includes a bottom portion
5
exten
ding over external surfaces of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel
being joined together; and a structural element provided substantially in the
vicinity of the inner sill panel, the outer sill panel , and below the B
-
pillar, the
structural el
ement defining an upper edge and a lower edge separated by an
embossed region , wherein, the upper edge and the lower edge of the structural
10
element are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel and the
outer sill panel , with the
embossed region extending towards the outer sill panel
which receives first impact during a side impact
.
[0019]
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
15
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
sk
illed in the art that by devising various arrangements that, although not
explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present subject
20
matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples
recited herein are p
rincipally 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 lim
itation to such specifically recited examples and
25
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 b
e better understood from the
following description when considered in connection with the accompanying
figures.
30
6
[0020]
These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It shoul
d 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 th
e
5
principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0021]
Fig. 1 illustrates
a side structure 100 of an automotive
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure
.
The side structure 100 consisting of a side
wall of a passenger co
mpartment
102, and a
reinforced side sill structure 104
pro
vided along with an A
-
pillar 105
, a B
-
pillar 10
6
, and a C
-
pillar 110 of the
10
automotive.
[0022]
Fig. 2 illustrates
a
n isometric view of the
reinforced side sill structure 104
of the automotive
.
The side s
ill structure 104 includes
a side sill 112
extending in
longitudinal direction of the automotive.
The side sill 112
includes an inner sill
panel
114
and an outer sill panel
116
joined together to form a closed section
15
portion.
The reinforced side sill stru
cture 104 further includes the
B
-
pillar 106
extending vertically
from the side sill
112
.
In an embodiment, the B
-
pillar
106
includes a bottom portion 107
extending over external sur
faces of the inner sill
panel
114
and the outer sill panel
116
being joined
together.
[0023]
Fig. 2 further illustrates a structural element 118
provided substantially in
20
the vic
inity of the inner sill panel 114, the outer sill panel 116
, and below the B
-
pillar
106, more specifically, below the bottom portion 107
of the B
-
pillar 106
.
Ac
cording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the structural element 118
extends in longitudinal direction of the side sill 112, and
provides bending
strength to the reinforced side sill structure 104 during side impact of the
25
automotive.
In an examp
le, the structural element 118 is one of a metallic
element.
Fig. 3 illustrates a view of the structural element 118 in accordance with
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024]
Fig.
4
shows a sectional view of the reinforced side sill structure 104 taken
a
long a section A
-
A’ as shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated, the structural element 118
30
7
defines
an upper edge 120 and a lower edge 122
separated
by an embossed region
124
.
In an embodiment,
the upper edge 120 and the lower edge 122
of the
structural element
118
are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner
sill
panel 114 and the outer sill panel 116, with the embossed region 124
extending
towards the outer sil
l panel 116
.
In an example, the
structural element 118
5
includes a plate like structure.
Alternati
vely, the structural element 118 may
include any regular or irregular geometrical structure.
In an embodiment, span of
the structural element 118 is substantially similar to length of the bottom portion
107 of the B
-
pillar 106.
[0025]
In operation, for instance d
uring motion of the automotive on road, or
10
testing of a dummy automotive structure during a crash test, it has been observed
that during a side impact due to deformation of a side panel, the B
-
pillar tends to
intrude into the passenger compartment
.
The int
rusion of the B
-
pillar into the
passenger compartment is governed by the term beltline velocity, with which the
B
-
pillar hits a rib area
of
the passenger.
Fig.
5
illustrates
a sectional view
15
representing
deformation of a conventional
side sill panel 402 ba
sed on a side
impact. As can be seen, due to the impact, the inner sill member 404 and the outer
sill member 406 of the side sill panel 402 are completely deformed
and rotated
under bending
load
caused by the side impact. Such a scenario provides a large
b
eltline velocity to the B
-
pillar, and hence a substantial damage to the passenger is
20
expected.
[0026]
In order to overcome
the problems associated with the conventional side
sill panel 402, the structural element 118 is provided in the reinforced side sill
struc
ture
104
.
As mentioned earlier, the structural element 118 provides bending
strength to the
conventional
side sill structure 104 during side impact of the
25
automotive.
Fig.
6
illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of the
reinforced side sill
struct
ure 104 based on a side impact. As can be seen, due to
the impact, the side sill 112 has been deformed and rotated. However, as is
evident from Fig. 5, the extent of deformation
and rotation
of the inner sill panel
114 and the outer sill panel 116 is
far less than that of the convention side sill
30
8
panel 402 due to presence of the structural element 118.
In an embodiment, the
upper edge 120, the lower edge 122, and the embossed region 124 of the structural
element 118 effectively redistributes the bendi
ng
load
developed on the side sill
112 during the side impact.
Such a scenario provides a low beltline velocity to the
B
-
pillar 10
6
, and hence a substantial damage to the passenger is
avoided
.
In an
5
example, the structural element 118 may include a plurali
ty of cavities
119
(See
Fig. 3)
for effective distribution of the bending
load
, and further reduction in the
beltl
ine velocity of the B
-
pillar 106
.
[0027]
Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been
described
in
language specific to structural f
eatures, it is to be understood that the
present
10
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
/
component
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
15
which fall within
the
scope of
the present subject ma
tte

Claims:We claim:
1. A reinforced side sill structure (104) for an automotive, the side sill structure (104) comprising:
a side sill (112) extending in longitudinal direction of the automotive, the side sill (112) having an inner sill panel (114) and an outer sill panel (116) joined together to form a closed section portion;
a B-pillar (106) extending vertically from the side sill (112), the B-pillar (106) includes a bottom portion (107) extending over external surfaces of the inner sill panel (114) and the outer sill panel (116) being joined together; and
a structural element (118) provided substantially in the vicinity of the inner sill panel (114), the outer sill panel (116), and below the B-pillar (106), the structural element (118) defining an upper edge (120) and a lower edge (122) separated by an embossed region (124),
wherein, the upper edge (120) and the lower edge (122) of the structural element (118) are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel (114) and the outer sill panel (116), with the embossed region (124) extending towards the outer sill panel (116).
2. The reinforced side sill structure (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural element (118) includes a plate like structure.
3. The reinforced side sill structure (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural element (118) includes a plurality of cavities (119).
4. The reinforced side sill structure (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural element (118) extends in longitudinal direction of the side sill (112).
5. The reinforced side sill structure (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein span of the structural element (118) is substantially similar to length of the bottom portion (107) of the B-pillar (106).
6. The reinforced side sill structure (104) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural element (118) is a metallic element.

, Description:REINFORCED SIDE SILL STRUCTURE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE
FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to a vehicle body structure and more particularly, relates to a reinforcement structure provided with side sill panel for countering side impact.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART:
[002] Conventionally, side sill structure of a vehicle includes an outer sill panel and an inner sill panel joined together to form an enclosed structure. The joints of the outer sill panel and the inner sill panel are generally provided on the top side and underside/bottom of the side sill. During impact, the side sill structure along with B-pillar deforms. Due to more deformation in sill region, sill rotates more towards vehicle cabin causing more intrusion of B-pillar inside vehicle cabin. If this B-pillar intrudes quickly inside vehicle cabin, this may cause injury to occupant, as B-pillar may hit occupant. Hence, slowing down the intrusion of the B-pillar inside vehicle cabin by not allowing the deformation of sill section is desired.
[003] United States Patent publication US6854795B2 discloses a reinforcement member (32) of an automotive side sill having a V-shaped cross-sectional portion (46) formed by bending the reinforcement member so as to follow a lower surface (31 b) of an upper portion (31 a) of an outer panel (31), joining an upper attaching portion (42) functioning as a resulting bent portion to the upper portion (31 a) of the outer panel (31) and bending a distal end of the upper attaching portion (42) downwardly.
[004] The reinforcement member provided in the US prior art includes a complex geometry, wherein a substantial portion of the reinforcement member is joined with the outer panel. Further, the reinforcement member extends across the side sill longitudinally. This increases the material and manufacturing costs.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[005] The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a structural element, having a simple geometry and orientation, to increase the bending stiffness of side sill panels.
[006] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a simple, cost effective, and efficiently designed structural element for the side sill that is distinct from all conventional designs.
[007] Yet another object of the present subject matter is to reduce deformation in the side sill by providing the structural element, and reducing the B-pillar intrusion velocity in to the vehicle interior during a side impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[008] The present invention relates to a reinforced side sill structure for an automotive. The side sill structure includes a side sill extending in longitudinal direction of the automotive, the side sill having an inner sill panel and an outer sill panel joined together to form a closed section portion; a B-pillar extending vertically from the side sill, the B-pillar includes a bottom portion extending over external surfaces of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel being joined together; and a structural element provided substantially in the vicinity of the inner sill panel, the outer sill panel , and below the B-pillar, the structural element defining an upper edge and a lower edge separated by an embossed region , wherein, the upper edge and the lower edge of the structural element are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel , with the embossed region extending towards the outer sill panel which receives first impact during a side impact.
[009] In order 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 scope of the present subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] 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, the left-most digit(s) of 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 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:
[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates a side structure of an automotive;
[0012] Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the reinforced side sill structure for the automotive of Fig. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] Fig. 3 illustrates a structural element in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the reinforced side sill structure of Fig. 2;
[0015] Fig. 5 illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of a conventional side sill panel during a side impact; and
[0016] Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of the reinforced side sill structure of Fig. 2 during a side impact.
[0017] 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.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:
[0018] The present disclosure presents embodiments for a reinforced side sill structure for an automotive. The side sill structure includes a side sill extending in longitudinal direction of the automotive, the side sill having an inner sill panel and an outer sill panel joined together to form a closed section portion; a B-pillar extending vertically from the side sill, the B-pillar includes a bottom portion extending over external surfaces of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel being joined together; and a structural element provided substantially in the vicinity of the inner sill panel, the outer sill panel , and below the B-pillar, the structural element defining an upper edge and a lower edge separated by an embossed region , wherein, the upper edge and the lower edge of the structural element are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel and the outer sill panel , with the embossed region extending towards the outer sill panel which receives first impact during a side impact.
[0019] 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 arrangements 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] Fig. 1 illustrates a side structure 100 of an automotive according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The side structure 100 consisting of a side wall of a passenger compartment 102, and a reinforced side sill structure 104 provided along with an A-pillar 105, a B-pillar 106, and a C-pillar 110 of the automotive.
[0022] Fig. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the reinforced side sill structure 104 of the automotive. The side sill structure 104 includes a side sill 112 extending in longitudinal direction of the automotive. The side sill 112 includes an inner sill panel 114 and an outer sill panel 116 joined together to form a closed section portion. The reinforced side sill structure 104 further includes the B-pillar 106 extending vertically from the side sill 112. In an embodiment, the B-pillar 106 includes a bottom portion 107 extending over external surfaces of the inner sill panel 114 and the outer sill panel 116 being joined together.
[0023] Fig. 2 further illustrates a structural element 118 provided substantially in the vicinity of the inner sill panel 114, the outer sill panel 116, and below the B-pillar 106, more specifically, below the bottom portion 107 of the B-pillar 106. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the structural element 118 extends in longitudinal direction of the side sill 112, and provides bending strength to the reinforced side sill structure 104 during side impact of the automotive. In an example, the structural element 118 is one of a metallic element. Fig. 3 illustrates a view of the structural element 118 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the reinforced side sill structure 104 taken along a section A-A’ as shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated, the structural element 118 defines an upper edge 120 and a lower edge 122 separated by an embossed region 124. In an embodiment, the upper edge 120 and the lower edge 122 of the structural element 118 are sandwiched between flanged portions of the inner sill panel 114 and the outer sill panel 116, with the embossed region 124 extending towards the outer sill panel 116. In an example, the structural element 118 includes a plate like structure. Alternatively, the structural element 118 may include any regular or irregular geometrical structure. In an embodiment, span of the structural element 118 is substantially similar to length of the bottom portion 107 of the B-pillar 106.
[0025] In operation, for instance during motion of the automotive on road, or testing of a dummy automotive structure during a crash test, it has been observed that during a side impact due to deformation of a side panel, the B-pillar tends to intrude into the passenger compartment. The intrusion of the B-pillar into the passenger compartment is governed by the term beltline velocity, with which the B-pillar hits a rib area of the passenger. Fig. 5 illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of a conventional side sill panel 402 based on a side impact. As can be seen, due to the impact, the inner sill member 404 and the outer sill member 406 of the side sill panel 402 are completely deformed and rotated under bending load caused by the side impact. Such a scenario provides a large beltline velocity to the B-pillar, and hence a substantial damage to the passenger is expected.
[0026] In order to overcome the problems associated with the conventional side sill panel 402, the structural element 118 is provided in the reinforced side sill structure 104. As mentioned earlier, the structural element 118 provides bending strength to the conventional side sill structure 104 during side impact of the automotive. Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional view representing deformation of the reinforced side sill structure 104 based on a side impact. As can be seen, due to the impact, the side sill 112 has been deformed and rotated. However, as is evident from Fig. 5, the extent of deformation and rotation of the inner sill panel 114 and the outer sill panel 116 is far less than that of the convention side sill panel 402 due to presence of the structural element 118. In an embodiment, the upper edge 120, the lower edge 122, and the embossed region 124 of the structural element 118 effectively redistributes the bending load developed on the side sill 112 during the side impact. Such a scenario provides a low beltline velocity to the B-pillar 106, and hence a substantial damage to the passenger is avoided. In an example, the structural element 118 may include a plurality of cavities 119 (See Fig. 3) for effective distribution of the bending load, and further reduction in the beltline velocity of the B-pillar 106.
[0027] Although embodiments for the present subject matter have been described in language specific to structural 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/component 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.