Patent ID: 12195090

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of embodiments of the disclosure. The specific design features of embodiments of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

The following reference identifiers may be used in connection with the accompanying drawings to describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

1: flexible component part3: sensor cleaning hose4: washer liquid spray nozzle5: washer liquid6: roof structure7: sensor device10: side outer reinforce assembly110: side outer reinforce assembly11: front pillar outer111: front pillar outerreinforce memberreinforce member13: side outer panel113: side outer panel15: first joint portion17: second joint portion21: side outer reinforce member121: side outer reinforce member23, 123: mounting space30, 130: guide pipe31: straight range portion33: first bent range portion34: first open end35: second bent range portion36: second open end50: mounting bracket51: first portion52: second portion70, 170: side inner panel assembly71: entering hole73: draw out hole75, 175: front pillar inner panel77, 177: side inner panel81: third joint portion83: fourth joint portion90: foam pad layer100, 200: front pillar structure139: welding portion

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “comprises” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of specified features, integers, steps, acts, elements and/or components, but it should also be understood that it does not exclude a presence or an addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, acts, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one or all combinations of one or more related items. The term “coupled” denotes a physical relationship between two components in which components are directly connected to each other or indirectly connected through one or more intermediary components, by welding, self-piercing rivet (SPR), structural adhesive, and the like.

It is understood that the term “vehicle,” “vehicular,” “car,” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of, in general, passenger automobiles including sports cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, and inclusive of hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is an assembled perspective view showing a front pillar structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1, a front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment may be applied to a vehicle body of, for example, an autonomous driving vehicle. Furthermore, the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment may be applied to a vehicle body of a purpose-built mobility vehicle (hereinafter called a PBV).

In an example, the PBV may be utilized as an electric vehicle-based module vehicle configured to provide various services to occupants while travelling to a destination in an autonomous driving method. The above-described life module vehicle is also frequently referred to as a robo-taxi, a robo-shuttle, or a hailing vehicle by those skilled in the art.

A flexible component part1having a preset length is mounted on a vehicle body of an autonomous driving vehicle such as the PBV. In an example, the flexible component part1may include a sensor cleaning hose3.

As shown inFIG.2, the sensor cleaning hose3is configured to spray a washer liquid5to at least one sensor device7mounted on a roof structure6of a vehicle body, such that the at least one sensor device7is cleaned by the washer liquid5. In an example, the at least one sensor device7may include a lidar sensor.

Here, the sensor cleaning hose3may be connected to a washer liquid spray nozzle4fixed to the roof structure6and to a washer liquid reservoir tank (not shown) provided in the vehicle. The washer liquid5supplied from the washer liquid reservoir tank may flow to the washer liquid spray nozzle4through the sensor cleaning hose3.

Although the sensor cleaning hose3is taken as an example of the flexible component part1, the flexible component part1is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the flexible component part1may include various kinds of flexible component parts, such as various tubes and wiring, known to those skilled in the art.

In this disclosure, with reference to the vehicle body, a vehicle body back-and-forth direction (i.e., a vehicle body length direction or longitudinal direction), a vehicle width direction (i.e., a vehicle body transverse or lateral direction), and a vertical direction (i.e., a height direction) may be taken as reference directions in describing constituent elements.

Furthermore, in this specification, “upper end portion”, “upper portion”, “upper end”, or “upper portion surface” of a component indicates an end portion, portion, end, or surface of the component that is relatively positioned higher in the drawing, and “lower end portion”, “lower portion”, “lower end”, or “lower portion surface” of a component indicates an end portion, portion, end, or surface of the component that is relatively positioned lower in the drawing.

In addition, in this specification, “end” (for example, one end, another end, or the like) of a component indicates an end of the component in any direction, and “end portion” (for example, one end portion, another end portion, or the like) of a component indicates a certain part of the component including the end.

According to the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor cleaning hose3is installed inside a pillar cross-section, without an increase of the pillar cross-section.

In addition, the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment is structured to enable easiness of a service, e.g., repair and replacement, of the sensor cleaning hose3.

FIG.3is an exploded perspective view showing a front pillar structure according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG.4is a cross-sectional view showing a front pillar structure according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.3, andFIG.4, the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment includes a side outer reinforce assembly10, a guide pipe30, an at least one mounting bracket50, and a side inner panel assembly70.

In an exemplary embodiment, the side outer reinforce assembly10is a side outer assembly of the front pillar structure100disposed along the vehicle body length direction. The side outer reinforce assembly10includes a front pillar outer reinforce member11and a side outer reinforce member21.

A side outer panel13is coupled (e.g., welded) to an exterior surface of the front pillar outer reinforce member11. The front pillar outer reinforce member11comprises a first joint portion15formed in an upper portion along the vehicle body length direction and a second joint portion17formed in a lower portion along the vehicle body length direction.

The side outer reinforce member21is coupled (e.g., welded) to an interior surface of the front pillar outer reinforce member11. Here, the side outer reinforce member21is configured to form a mounting space23by being bent toward the interior surface of the front pillar outer reinforce member11.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.3andFIG.4, in an exemplary embodiment, the guide pipe30is configured to guide the sensor cleaning hose3along the vehicle body length direction. The guide pipe30may be formed as a hollow pipe of a circular cross-section with both ends open such that the sensor cleaning hose3may enter and be drawn out.

The guide pipe30may be fixed to the side outer reinforce assembly10through the at least one mounting bracket50and the side inner panel assembly70that will be further described later.

Here, the guide pipe30is installed in the side outer reinforce assembly10, and in detail, the guide pipe30is disposed in the mounting space23of the side outer reinforce member21along the vehicle body length direction.

As shown inFIG.5, the guide pipe30comprises a straight range portion31and a first bent range portion33and a second bent range portion35that are connected to respective sides of the straight range portion31.

The straight range portion31is integrally formed with the first bent range portion33and the second bent range portion35. The first bent range portion33forms a first open end34that is open in a direction opposite to an interior surface of the side outer reinforce member21. In addition, the second bent range portion35forms a second open end36that is open in the direction opposite to the interior surface of the side outer reinforce member21.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.3andFIG.4, in an exemplary embodiment, the at least one mounting bracket50is configured to mount the guide pipe30to the mounting space23of the side outer reinforce member21.

The at least one mounting bracket50is coupled to the guide pipe30, fixed to the side outer reinforce assembly10, and fixed to the side inner panel assembly70that will be further described later.

Here, the at least one mounting bracket50is coupled to the front pillar outer reinforce member11of the side outer reinforce assembly10.

As shown inFIG.6, the at least one mounting bracket50comprises a first portion51and a second portion52.

The first portion51is coupled (e.g., welded) to an exterior circumferential surface of the guide pipe30. The second portion52is extended from upper and lower sides of the first portion51and coupled to the front pillar outer reinforce member11.

Furthermore, the first portion51may be formed by being bent to a shape (e.g., a round shape) corresponding to the exterior circumferential surface of the guide pipe30. In addition, the second portion52is joined (e.g., welded) to the first joint portion15and the second joint portion17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11, respectively.

Referring toFIG.1,FIG.3andFIG.4, in an exemplary embodiment, the side inner panel assembly70is a side inner assembly of the front pillar structure100disposed along the vehicle body length direction.

The side inner panel assembly70is coupled to the side outer reinforce assembly10interposing the guide pipe30. In addition, the side inner panel assembly70includes an entering hole71and a draw out hole73that are respectively connected to the first open end34and the second open end36of the guide pipe30shown inFIG.5.

The side inner panel assembly70includes a front pillar inner panel75and a side inner panel77.

The front pillar inner panel75is coupled (e.g., welded) to the at least one mounting bracket50and the front pillar outer reinforce member11. The front pillar inner panel75includes a third joint portion81formed in an upper portion along the vehicle body length direction and a fourth joint portion83formed in a lower portion along the vehicle body length direction.

Here, the third joint portion81is joined (e.g., welded) to the second portion52of the at least one mounting bracket50and to the first joint portion15of the front pillar outer reinforce member11. In addition, the fourth joint portion83is joined (e.g., welded) to the second portion52of the at least one mounting bracket50and to the second joint portion17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11.

In addition, the above-mentioned entering hole71is formed on the front pillar inner panel75. The entering hole71is connected to the first open end34of the first bent range portion33of the guide pipe30shown inFIG.5.

The side inner panel77is coupled to a front portion of the front pillar inner panel75and coupled to the front pillar outer reinforce member11.

Here, the side inner panel77is joined (e.g., welded) to the first joint portion15and the second joint portion17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11. In addition, the side inner panel77may be connected to a crash pad (not shown) of a vehicle body front portion.

The above-mentioned draw out hole73is formed on the side inner panel77. The draw out hole73is connected to the second open end36of the second bent range portion35of the guide pipe30shown inFIG.5.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG.7, the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment further includes a foam pad layer90applied to an exterior surface of the guide pipe30.

The foam pad layer90may be a heated foam pad known to those skilled in the art and is configured to prevent generation contact noise between the guide pipe30and the interior surface of the side outer reinforce member21in the mounting space23of the side outer reinforce member21.

Hereinafter, an assembly process and operation of the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment is described in detail with reference toFIG.1toFIG.7.

First, the side outer reinforce assembly10, in which the front pillar outer reinforce member11, the side outer panel13, and the side outer reinforce member21are joined with each other in the vehicle width direction, is provided.

In addition, the guide pipe30to which the first portion51of the at least one mounting bracket50is joined is provided. In addition, the side inner panel assembly70, in which the front pillar inner panel75and the side inner panel77are joined with each other in the vehicle body length direction, is provided.

In such a state, the guide pipe30is placed in the mounting space23of the side outer reinforce member21, and the second portion52of the at least one mounting bracket50is joined to the first joint portion15and the second joint portion17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11, respectively.

Then, the front pillar inner panel75and the side inner panel77are joined to the first joint portion15and the second joint portion17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11, interposing the guide pipe30.

Here, the front pillar inner panel75is joined to the second portion52of the at least one mounting bracket50and the first and second joint portions15and17of the front pillar outer reinforce member11through the third joint portion81and the fourth joint portion83.

Therefore, in the mounting space23of the side outer reinforce member21, the guide pipe30may be fixed to the side outer reinforce assembly10and the side inner panel assembly70through the at least one mounting bracket50.

Here, the first open end34of the first bent range portion33of the guide pipe30is connected to the entering hole71of the front pillar inner panel75. In addition, the second open end36of the second bent range portion35of the guide pipe30is connected to the draw out hole73of the side inner panel77.

Thereby, the sensor cleaning hose3may be mounted to the guide pipe30, by being drawn into the guide pipe30through the entering hole71and drawn out through the draw out hole73.

According to the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment described above, the sensor cleaning hose3may be mounted by using the guide pipe30disposed inside a cross-section of a pillar without causing an increase of the pillar cross-section, and service, e.g., repair and replacement, of the sensor cleaning hose3may become easy.

In addition, according to the front pillar structure100according to an exemplary embodiment, the foam pad layer90is formed on the exterior surface of the guide pipe30, and thereby the NVH performance of the vehicle body may be improved.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view showing a front pillar structure according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG.8, a front pillar structure200according to another exemplary embodiment includes a side outer reinforce assembly110and a side inner panel assembly170, similarly to the above-described exemplary embodiment.

Here, the side outer reinforce assembly110includes a front pillar outer reinforce member111, a side outer panel113, and a side outer reinforce member121that are joined with each other in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the side inner panel assembly170includes a front pillar inner panel175and a side inner panel177(refer toFIG.1) that are joined with each other in the vehicle body length direction.

Furthermore, the front pillar structure200according to another exemplary embodiment includes a guide pipe130joined to an interior surface of the side outer reinforce member121.

The guide pipe130is disposed in a mounting space123of the side outer reinforce member121and welded to the interior surface of the side outer reinforce member121along a length direction. That is, the guide pipe130directly contacts the interior surface of the side outer reinforce member121through a welding portion139.

Therefore, according to the front pillar structure200according to another exemplary embodiment, the guide pipe130is directly connected to the interior surface of the side outer reinforce member121, and thereby strength and small overlap collision performance of the pillar may be further improved.

Furthermore, according to the front pillar structure200according to another exemplary embodiment, a separate bracket for mounting the guide pipe130may be removed, thereby enabling weight reduction of the vehicle body.

Other configurations and operations of the front pillar structure200according to another exemplary embodiment are the same as the above-described exemplary embodiment, and may be clearly understood by the description above.

While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.