To prepare for the future car market, concept cars based on eco-friendly vehicles with autonomous driving systems are being developed, such as BEV (battery electric vehicle) and HFCEV (hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle). These concept cars adopt a new body structure to improve passenger convenience, and the CTR-PLRless (center pillarless) body structure is one of the key structures that can improve the passenger convenience. However, the CTR-PLRless body structure has a disadvantage in that it cannot connect the load between the upper parts and the lower parts of the body structure, as well as that it provides limited protection to the passengers from the occurrence of a side collision because the main members on the side of the body are removed. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to introduce a door opening and closing mechanism and body structure design concept that applies the CTR-PLRless structure to general CUV vehicles, and to suggest a door reinforcement method using AHSS (advanced high strength steel). The door opening and closing mechanism was implemented as a dual sliding method, and the performance verification of the door reinforcement structure was performed with stiffness analysis and crash analysis. The removed CTR-PLR was modified and fastened to the door to reinforce the door, and it was developed with the concept of minimizing deformation by applying hot-stamping process with PHS (press hardened steel).
