Abstract:

A reliability optimization design was done for a B-pillar of a hybrid electric vehicle in side impact. The design combined using of experiments, the response surface models, the reliability theory and the reliability of design optimization method based on the product quality engineering, according to the side impact test regulations of the China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) and the United States New Car Assessment Program (US-NCAP), and using the statistics from domestic and international traffic accident investigation. The design variables were considered choosing the dimensions (such as thicknesses) and the materials (such as yield strengths) of the inner panel, the outer panel and the reinforcing plate, which play a major role in the safety performance in side impact crashes. The results show that this design makes the B-pillar mass decrease 11.86% and 10.34% respectively with the reliabilities of 90% and 95% with the impact angle in -30°~30° and impact velocity in 40~60 km/h.

Key words: hybrid electric vehicle, side impact, B-pillar, experimental design, response surface model, optimization