US 11,993,317 B2
Vehicle center pillar structure
Chang Sup Hwang, Seongnam-si (KR)
Assigned to Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed by Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul (KR); and Kia Corporation, Seoul (KR)
Filed on Jun. 23, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/847,489.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0160554 (KR), filed on Nov. 19, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0159110 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 27/02 (2006.01); B62D 25/02 (2006.01); B62D 25/04 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 27/023 (2013.01) [B62D 25/025 (2013.01); B62D 25/04 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A center pillar structure for a vehicle, the center pillar structure comprising:
a center pillar comprising a lower connection portion;
a side sill comprising an intermediate connection portion to which the lower connection portion of the center pillar is joined;
a pillar reinforcement joined to an inboard surface of the center pillar; and
a side sill reinforcement joined to an inboard surface of the side sill, wherein the pillar reinforcement and the side sill reinforcement are joined to the intermediate connection portion of the side sill;
wherein the pillar reinforcement comprises a bottom flange joined to a top wall of the intermediate connection portion of the side sill;
wherein the side sill reinforcement comprises a top wall joined to the top wall of the intermediate connection portion; and
wherein at least a portion of the top wall of the intermediate connection portion is sandwiched between the bottom flange of the pillar reinforcement and the top wall of the side sill reinforcement.