Upper body structure of a motor vehicle equipped with a sunroof and method for increasing the strength of an upper body structure

Abstract

Upper body structure of a motor vehicle equipped with a sunroof (50), wherein a sunroof opening (20) is provided on a roof panel (19) arranged between a pair of right and left roof side rails (6) extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein right and left side edge sections of the sunroof opening are spaced apart from the right and left roof side rails (6), respectively, wherein a central column (7) extends substantially downwards from the roof side rail (6), wherein a rear edge section of the sunroof opening (20) is positioned behind the central column (7), and wherein a roof reinforcement (21) extending in a width direction of the vehicle is provided at a position immediately behind the sunroof opening (20), wherein the roof reinforcement (21) is provided with a front extension flange section (21G) extending substantially forwards or backwards.extending forward from an outer end section of the roof reinforcement (21), comprising the upper vehicle body structure: . a connecting reinforcement (35) which connects a fixing plate (33), which is a window frame element for reinforcing the sunroof opening (20), and the roof side rail (6) at a position substantially corresponding to the central column (7), wherein the connecting reinforcement (35) is positioned in front of the roof reinforcement (21) and extends essentially horizontally in the direction of the vehicle width, and wherein a further connecting reinforcement (34) is provided in front of the connecting reinforcement (35), a substantially closed cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, formed by the front extension flange section (21G) and the rear edge section of the connection reinforcement (35), a rear edge section of the connecting reinforcement (35) and a front edge section of the roof reinforcement (21) are connected to each other, and / or an inner edge section of the connecting reinforcement (35) and the front edge section of the roof reinforcement (21) are connected via the fixing plate (33), and wherein an outer end section of the connection reinforcement (35) is connected via a connecting element (40) with a connecting section of the roof side rail (6) and the central column (7) or is connected to the central column (7).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle, and more particularly, to an upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle, wherein a sunroof opening is provided on a roof panel disposed between a pair of right and left roof side rails extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, right and left side edge portions of the sunroof opening are spaced from the right and left roof side rails, respectively, a center pillar extends downward from the roof side rail, a rear edge portion of the sunroof opening is positioned rearward of the center pillar, and a roof reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and having a specific first cross-sectional shape is provided at a position just rearward of the sunroof opening.Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for increasing the strength of an upper vehicle body structure.

[0002] Generally, in a motor vehicle equipped with a sunroof, it is preferable for the sunroof opening to open to a position directly above the head portion of a passenger sitting in a front seat. However, the best position of the center pillar may preferably be selected at a position directly adjacent to a front seatback or slightly forward of that position for the purpose of protecting the passenger in the event of a side impact.

[0003] In order to satisfy the above-described conditions, it is difficult to mutually connect respective upper end portions of the right and left center pillars straight in the vehicle width direction via the roof reinforcement provided on a lower surface of the roof panel and extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, a conventional structure is such that an end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof reinforcement is bent so as to be as close as possible to the upper end portion of the center pillar, and the upper end portion of the center pillar is connected to this bent end portion of the roof reinforcement (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication JP 2013-103542 A). This means that the end portion of the roof reinforcement is bent forward and downward with an uneven cross-sectional shape.This structure is superior in transferring a load across the section with the uneven cross-sectional shape, which includes web lines and grooves and therefore has greater strength than a section with a uniform cross-sectional shape, but the bending strength may be insufficient due to the presence of the bent section.

[0004] DE 10 2009 010 913 A1 describes a modular system for a motor vehicle body with two side wall structures, each having a B-pillar and a roof frame, and with at least two different roof modules, each of which is connected to the side wall structures at its lateral longitudinal edges, wherein two reinforcing elements are provided in each case, via which any roof module can be connected to the roof frames of the two side wall structures in the area of ​​the B-pillars.

[0005] EP 1 488 986 A1 describes a connection arrangement in the roof area of ​​a passenger car between a reinforcement frame for a special roof and the vehicle body for 2- and 4-door vehicle models.

[0006] Meanwhile, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication JP 2010-188797 A, the end portion of the roof reinforcement extends with a groove portion to a front portion of the upper end portion of the center pillar via the bent portion.

[0007] The structures disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents are superior in increasing the strength of the connection of the upper end portion of the center pillar and the roof reinforcement which are offset from each other in the vehicle width direction, but there is a problem that in a case where the distance, in the vehicle width direction, between the roof side rail and the fixing plate as a sunroof frame member is large, the above-described bent portion is liable to cause deformation.

[0008] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication JP 2006-327284 A discloses a structure in which the roof reinforcement provided on the lower surface of the roof panel extends approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle width direction end portion of the roof reinforcement and the upper end portion of the center pillar are connected via a gusset. However, the conventional structure disclosed in this patent document has a problem in that the efficiency of transmitting a side impact load is poor because the center pillar and the gusset are offset from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0009] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle which has the property of being lightweight and high in strength and, in particular, can increase the strength in the vehicle width direction in a side impact by effectively connecting the upper end portion of the center pillar and the end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof reinforcement which are equally offset from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0010] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the further dependent claims.

[0011] According to one aspect, there is provided an upper vehicle body structure of a motor vehicle equipped with a sunroof, wherein a sunroof opening is provided on a roof panel arranged between a pair of right and left roof side rails extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein right and left side edge portions of the sunroof opening are spaced from the right and left roof side rails, respectively, wherein a center pillar extends substantially downward from the roof side rail, wherein a rear edge portion of the sunroof opening is positioned rearward of the center pillar, and wherein a roof reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and preferably having a specific first cross-sectional shape is provided at a position immediately rearward of the sunroof opening, wherein the roof reinforcement is provided with a front extension flange portion,which extends substantially forward from an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement, the upper vehicle body structure comprising: a connecting reinforcement that mutually connects a fixing plate, which is a window frame member for reinforcing the sunroof opening, and the roof side rail at a position substantially corresponding to the center pillar, the connecting reinforcement being positioned forward of the roof reinforcement, preferably having a specific second cross-sectional shape and extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and another connecting reinforcement being provided forward of the connecting reinforcement, a substantially closed cross section extending in the vehicle width direction, which is formed by the front extension flange portion and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement,a rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement and a front edge portion of the roof reinforcement are connected to each other, and / or an inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement are connected via the fixing plate, and wherein an outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement is connected via a connecting element to a connecting portion of the roof side rail and the center pillar or the center pillar.

[0012] According to the present invention, since the roof reinforcement and the connecting reinforcement are arranged substantially straight in the vehicle width direction, the connecting reinforcement and the roof reinforcement are connected by their rear edge portion and front edge portion, and further the fixing plate and the above-described connecting reinforcement and the above-described roof reinforcement are connected, the light weight and high strength property can be realized, and in particular, the strength in the vehicle width direction in a side impact can be increased by effectively connecting the upper end portion of the center pillar and the end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof reinforcement, which are evenly offset from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0013] Since the substantially closed cross-section is formed by the front extension flange portion of the roof reinforcement and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement, the roof reinforcement and the connecting reinforcement are integrated. Furthermore, forming the substantially closed section extending in the vehicle width direction can increase the bending strength in the vertical direction and also improve the efficiency of load transfer in the vehicle width direction, thus realizing the property of light weight and high strength.

[0014] Due to the connecting element, the efficiency of load transfer in the vehicle width direction between the connecting reinforcement and the center pillar can be increased.

[0015] Preferably, the specific first cross-sectional shape comprises a plurality of upper surface portions and recessed groove portions spaced apart from each other and extending substantially in the vehicle width direction so as to provide an uneven cross-sectional shape, and / or the specific second cross-sectional shape comprises a plurality of upper surface portions and recessed groove portions spaced apart from each other and extending substantially in the vehicle width direction so as to provide an uneven cross-sectional shape.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the roof reinforcement is fixedly arranged vertically between the fixing plate and the connecting reinforcement at a position of the rear edge portion of the sunroof opening.

[0017] According to this embodiment, since the roof reinforcement is fixed vertically arranged between the fixing plate and the connecting reinforcement, the high strength can be further realized by the integration of the three elements.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the roof side rail comprises an outer plate and at least one of a roof side rail reinforcement having a higher strength than the outer plate and an inner plate connected to the outer plate via a flange portion, wherein an outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement is oriented toward the roof side rail reinforcement or the flange portion in the vehicle width direction, and an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement is positioned above and spaced from the roof side rail reinforcement or the flange portion.

[0019] According to this embodiment, since the outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement in the vehicle width direction is oriented toward the roof side rail reinforcement or the flange portion, which is a high-strength portion of the roof side rail, the load transmission efficiency in the vehicle width direction can be increased. Furthermore, since the outer end portion of the roof reinforcement is positioned above and spaced from the roof side rail reinforcement or the flange portion, the outer end portion of the roof reinforcement having the first cross-sectional shape can be configured to extend substantially straight or smoothly or continuously curved along the shape of the roof panel in the vehicle width direction regardless of the level (height) of the roof side rail reinforcement or the flange portion, so that the vertical bending strength can be increased.Accordingly, the efficiency of load transfer in the vehicle width direction is increased so that low weight and high strength can be appropriately provided.

[0020] In addition, the first cross-sectional shape of the roof reinforcement and the second cross-sectional shape of the connecting reinforcement may each be formed as an uneven cross-sectional shape, wherein the depth of the respective uneven cross-sectional shape of the first and second cross-sectional shapes may be configured such that the depth of the first cross-sectional shape is shallower than that of the second cross-sectional shape.

[0021] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method for increasing the strength of an upper vehicle body structure of a motor vehicle provided with a sunroof, wherein a sunroof opening is provided on a roof panel, the method comprising the following steps: Providing a roof reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction at a position just behind the sunroof opening, Connecting a window frame element of the sunroof opening and a roof side rail via a connecting reinforcement at a position substantially corresponding to a center pillar, wherein the roof reinforcement is provided with a front extension flange portion extending substantially forward from an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement, and a substantially closed cross section extending in the vehicle width direction is formed by the front extension flange portion and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement, and wherein a further connecting reinforcement is provided forward of the connecting reinforcement, the method further comprising: connecting a rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement and a front edge portion of the roof reinforcement, wherein an outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement is connected via a connecting element to a connecting portion of the roof side rail and the center pillar or the center pillar, and / or Connecting an inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement via a window frame element.

[0022] Furthermore, the procedure includes the following step: Positioning the connecting reinforcement in front of the roof reinforcement such that it extends substantially in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] Further features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper vehicle body structure as viewed from above from an inside of a vehicle compartment. Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the upper body structure of the motor vehicle. Fig. 4 is a main part perspective view showing the upper vehicle body structure. Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a line AA of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view along a line BB of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a sectional view along a line CC of Fig. 2. Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a joint reinforcement.

[0024] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The figures show an upper body structure of a motor vehicle equipped with a sunroof. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body structure of a substantially whole part of the vehicle including the upper vehicle body structure, while Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the upper vehicle body structure as viewed upward from an interior of a vehicle compartment.

[0025] In Fig. 1, a pair of side rails 3, 3 extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction and each having a substantially closed cross section are provided at right and left end portions, in a vehicle width direction, of a floor panel 2 with which a tunnel portion 1 is integrated or integrally formed. Meanwhile, a pair of roof side rails 6, 6 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a substantially closed cross section are provided between a pair of front pillars 4 and a pair of rear pillars 5 positioned at a pair of vehicle body side portions. A center pillar 7 is provided as a vehicle body reinforcement member, substantially vertically connecting a longitudinal center portion of the roof side rail 6 and a longitudinal center portion of the side rail 3. The center pillar 7 extends substantially downward from the roof side rail 6.In other words, the center column 7 extends substantially upwards from the side panel 3.

[0026] A door opening portion 9 for boarding / disembarking a front seat passenger is formed by enclosing a hinge pillar 8 extending substantially vertically at an outer end portion of a dashboard and having a substantially closed cross-section, the front pillar 4, the roof side rail 6, the center pillar 7, and the side molding 3. A door opening portion 12 for boarding / disembarking a rear seat passenger is formed by enclosing the center pillar 7, the roof side rail 6, a center pillar 10 (so-called quarter pillar), a wheel housing portion 11, and the side molding 3. These door opening portions 9, 12 are configured to be open or closed with the front and rear doors (not shown), respectively.

[0027] Here, the aforementioned center pillar 7 is provided at a position just adjacent to a seat back of a front seat (not shown) or slightly forward of that position for the purpose of providing preferential boarding / exiting of the front seat passenger and protecting the front seat passenger in the event of a vehicle side impact.

[0028] Further provided are a front header 13 and a rear header 14 which laterally connect the pair of right and left roof side rails 6, 6 at front and rear positions of a roof section mutually, wherein a windshield glass arrangement space 16 is formed by enclosing the pair of right and left front pillars 4, 4, the front header 13 and a hood section 15, while a rear luggage compartment opening 18 is formed by enclosing the pair of right and left rear pillars 5, 5, the rear header 14 and a rear header section 17.

[0029] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 2, a sunroof opening 20 is provided between the pair of right and left roof side rails 6, 6 at a position of a roof panel 19 that vertically substantially corresponds to the front seat (not shown). The sunroof opening 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, with right and left edge portions 20a, 20a of the sunroof opening 20 spaced from the roof side rails 6 toward an inner side (that is, toward an inner side in the vehicle width direction).

[0030] Furthermore, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the rear edge portion 20b of the sunroof opening 20 is positioned rearward of an upper end portion of the center pillar 7, and a roof reinforcement 21 extending in the vehicle width direction and having a specific first cross-sectional shape (uneven cross-sectional shape to be described later) is provided at a position just rearward of the sunroof opening 20.

[0031] As in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, further roof reinforcements 22, 23 extending in the vehicle width direction are provided approximately parallel to each other between the roof reinforcement 21 and the rear header 14. These roof reinforcements 21, 22, 23 are firmly fixed to a lower surface of the roof panel 19 by means of an adhesive (not shown), and extend in the vehicle width direction along the lower surface of the roof panel 19 and are firmly connected to the roof side rails 6, 6 at both end portions thereof, respectively.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a bottom view showing the upper body structure of the motor vehicle, Fig. 4 is a main part perspective view showing the upper vehicle body structure, Fig. 5 is a sectional view along a line AA of Fig. 3, Fig. 6 is a sectional view along a line BB of Fig. 3, and Fig. 7 is a sectional view along a line CC of Fig. 2.

[0033] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the roof side rail 6 is a vehicle body reinforcement member including a roof side rail outer portion 24, a roof side rail reinforcement 25, and a roof side rail inner portion 26, and having a substantially closed cross-section 27 extending substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The roof side rail outer portion 24 includes an inner vertical wall 24a and a flange portion 24b extending substantially inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower end of the vertical wall 24a, the roof side rail reinforcement 25 includes a flange portion 25b extending substantially inward in the vehicle width direction, and the roof side rail inner portion 26 includes a flange portion 26b at its upper end extending substantially inward in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the flanges 24b, 25b and 26b are firmly welded together.

[0034] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 6, the center pillar 7 is a vehicle body reinforcement member including a center pillar outer 28, a center pillar reinforcement outer 29, a center pillar reinforcement inner 30, and a center pillar inner 31, and having a substantially closed cross section 32 extending substantially vertically. An upper portion of the substantially closed cross section 32 of the center pillar 7 is continuous with the substantially closed cross section 27 of the roof side rail 6. Further, an upper portion 29a of the center pillar reinforcement outer 29 extends substantially upward to an outer surface portion of the roof side rail reinforcement 25, and the extending portion 29a is fixedly fixed to the outer surface portion of the roof side rail reinforcement 25.

[0035] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the center pillar outer 28 is formed integrally with the roof side rail outer 26, and both 28, 24 form a body side outer panel.

[0036] Furthermore, as in Fig. 6, an upper portion of the center pillar inner 31 is fixedly joined to a lower portion of the roof side rail inner 26. Both 31, 26 may alternatively be integrated.

[0037] As in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a vertical wall 19a extending substantially downward and a flange portion 19b extending substantially outward from a lower end of the vertical wall 19a are provided at one end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof panel 19, the flange portion 19b being fixedly fitted to the flange portion 24b of the roof side rail outer 24.

[0038] As in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, front and rear connecting reinforcements 34, 35 (so-called fixing reinforcements) connect a fixing plate 33, which is a window frame member for reinforcing the above-described sunroof opening 20, and the roof side rail 6. The fixing plate 33 includes a front side portion 33a, a rear side portion 33b, and right and left side portions 33c, 33c, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in plan view (i.e., when viewed from above).

[0039] Furthermore, the rear connection reinforcement 35 is provided at a position substantially corresponding to the center pillar 7, that is, at a position matching the upper end portion of the center pillar 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the front connection reinforcement 34 is provided between the rear connection reinforcement 35 and the front header 33.

[0040] As in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 7, the front connecting reinforcement 34 includes upper surface portions 34a, 34b, and 34c, and a plurality (two in the present embodiment) recessed groove portions 34d, 34e that are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially in the vehicle width direction to have an uneven cross-sectional shape. The front connecting reinforcement 34 further includes attachment pieces 34f, 34f that are fixedly joined to the flange portion 19b. The front connecting reinforcement 34 extends approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction and connects the fixing plate 33 and the roof side rail 6.

[0041] As in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, the rear connecting reinforcement 35 is located forward of and below the roof reinforcement 21. As shown in the figures, the rear connecting reinforcement 35 includes upper surface portions 35a, 35b, 35c and a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) recessed groove portions 35d, 35e that are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially in the vehicle width direction to form an uneven cross-sectional shape (specific second cross-sectional shape). The rear connecting reinforcement 35 further includes attachment pieces 35f, 35f that are fixedly fitted to the flange portion 19b. The rear connecting reinforcement 35 extends approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction and connects the fixing plate 33 and the roof side rail 6.

[0042] As in Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 7, the roof reinforcement 21 includes upper surface portions 21a, 21b, 21c and a plurality (two in the present embodiment) recessed groove portions 21d, 21e spaced from each other and extending substantially in the vehicle width direction to form an uneven cross-sectional shape (specific first cross-sectional shape). The roof reinforcement 21 further includes an attachment piece 21f fixedly joined to the flange portion 19b. The roof reinforcement 21 extends approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction at a position just rearward of the sunroof opening 21 and connects the right and left roof side rails 6, 6.

[0043] As in Fig. 7, the depth of the grooves of the recessed groove portions 21d, 21e of the roof reinforcement 21 is set shallower than that of the grooves of the recessed groove portions 35d, 35e of the connecting reinforcement 35, so that a longitudinal sliding space for a window glass of the sunroof and a vertical space in a passenger compartment are sufficiently ensured.

[0044] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 7, the roof reinforcement 21 integrally includes a front extension flange portion 21G (hereinafter simply referred to as “extension flange”) extending substantially forward from its outer end portion. This extension flange 21G is fixedly joined to a rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35, specifically, to the upper surface portions 35b, 35c. The extension flange 21G and the recessed groove portion 35e of the connecting reinforcement 35 together form a substantially closed cross section 36 extending approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction. This substantially closed cross section 36 is formed at a position substantially corresponding to the upper end portion of the center pillar 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Specifically, the substantially closed cross section 36 is formed at a position oriented toward the upper portion of the center pillar reinforcement outer 29 in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] Accordingly, the roof reinforcement 21 and the connecting reinforcement 35 are integrated, and the above-described substantially closed cross-section 36 extending in the vehicle width direction increases the bending strength in the vertical direction and also improves the efficiency of load transmission in the vehicle width direction, so that the light weight and high strength property can be realized. Furthermore, as described above, the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion (see in particular the extension flange 21G) of the roof reinforcement 21, and, as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement 21 are connected via the above-described fixing plate 33.

[0046] In particular, as in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, the upper surface portion 21a of the roof reinforcement 21 and an inner edge portion of the extension flange 21G are fixedly joined to the rear side portion 33b and a corner portion between the rear side portion 33b and the side portion 33c of the fixing plate 33, and inner edge portions of the respective upper surface portions 35a, 35b of the connecting reinforcement 35 are fixedly joined to the side portion 33c of the fixing plate 33 and the corner portion between the side portion 33c and the rear side portion 33b.

[0047] As described, the present embodiment is configured such that by connecting the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement 21 and further by connecting the inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement 21 via the fixing plate 33, the roof reinforcement 21 and the connecting reinforcement 35 are arranged substantially straight in the vehicle width direction without providing a bending structure of the roof reinforcement and the associated groove portion which occurs in the conventional structure.Furthermore, by connecting the connecting reinforcement 35 and the roof reinforcement 21 arranged at different positions at their rear and front edge portions and also by connecting the fixing plate 33 and the above-described two members 35, 21, even when the respective portions of the upper end portion of the center pillar 7 and the end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof reinforcement 21 are offset from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction and in the vertical direction, these members (i.e., the center pillar 7 and the roof reinforcement 21) are effectively connected, so that the light-weight and high-strength property can be realized and, in particular, the strength in the vehicle width direction in a side impact can be improved.

[0048] Furthermore, as in Fig. 5 of the sectional view along the line AA of Fig. 3, the roof reinforcement 21 (specifically, the extension flange 21G) is fixedly arranged vertically between the fixing plate 33 and the connecting reinforcement 35 at the position of the rear edge portion of the sunroof opening 20.

[0049] In the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5, a rear portion of the side portion 33c of the fixing plate 33, the upper surface portion 35b of the connecting reinforcement 35, and the extension flange 21G of the roof reinforcement 21 are firmly welded together. Therefore, these three members 33, 35, and 21 are integrated, so that high strength can be further promoted.

[0050] Furthermore, as in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, a reinforcing reinforcement 37 is provided with vertical overlap of the outer end portion of the roof reinforcement 21, a rear edge portion of the extension flange 21G of the roof reinforcement 21 and an outer end portion of the rear side portion 33b of the fixing plate 33.

[0051] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, the above-described reinforcing reinforcement 37 includes upper surface portions 37a, 37b, 37c and a plurality (two in the present embodiment) recessed groove portions 37d, 37e spaced from each other and extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, and has an uneven cross-sectional shape.

[0052] As in Fig. 7, the depth of the grooves of the recessed groove sections 37d, 37e of the reinforcement reinforcement 37 is selected to be shallower than that of the grooves of the recessed groove sections 21d, 21e of the roof reinforcement 21. As shown in Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, the reinforcing reinforcement 37 is firmly joined to the respective members 21G, 21B, 33B, so that a plurality (two in the present embodiment) substantially closed cross sections 38, 39 extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction are formed between the recessed groove portions 37d, 37e and the recessed groove portions 21d, 21e of the roof reinforcement 37. The above-described plurality of substantially closed cross sections 38, 39 extending in the vehicle width direction increase the bending strength in the vertical direction and also further improve the load transmission efficiency in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] However, as in Fig. 2, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, a gusset plate 40 is provided which obliquely connects the connecting reinforcement 35 and the roof side rail 6.

[0054] As in Fig. 5, the gusset plate 40 comprises an upper attachment portion 40a which is attached to the recess groove portions 35d, 35e (see Fig. 8) of the connecting reinforcement 35 is fixed from below, and a lower attachment portion 40b which is fixed to an overlap portion (see Fig. 6) of the lower section of the roof side rail inner 26 and the upper section of the center pillar inner 31 from the inside. Bolts 42, 42 are fastened to nuts 41, 41 (see the weld nuts shown in Fig. 8) that have been previously fixedly fixed to the recessed groove portions 35d, 35e on the connecting reinforcement 35 side. On the roof side rail 6 side, bolts 44, 44 are fastened to nuts 43, 43 (so-called weld nuts) that have been previously welded to the roof side rail inner 26. Here, a weight reduction hole 40d is formed in a connecting portion 40c where the upper attachment portion 40a and the lower attachment portion 40b of the gusset plate 40 are connected.

[0055] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 8, joining portions with the nuts and bolts 42, 41 are provided to provide an upwardly projecting groove-shaped sectional portion between the nuts 41, 41, so that a substantially closed cross section X extending substantially in the vehicle width direction is formed between the connecting reinforcement 35 and the upper attachment portion 40a of the gusset plate 40. This prevents sectional deformation of the connecting reinforcement 35 and improves the strength in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, reference numeral 50 denotes a sunroof unit including a window glass 51, a sunroof rail 52, a sunroof rear cross member 53, and others. In the figures, arrow F indicates a forward direction of the vehicle, arrow R indicates a rearward direction of the vehicle, arrow IN indicates an inward direction of the vehicle, and arrow OUT indicates an outward direction of the vehicle.

[0057] As stated above, the present embodiment is the upper vehicle body structure 6 of the sunroof-equipped motor vehicle, wherein the sunroof opening 20 is provided on the roof panel 19 located between the pair of right and left roof side rails 6, 6 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, wherein the right and left side edge portions 20a, 20a of the sunroof opening 20 are spaced from the right and left roof side rails 6, 6, respectively, wherein the center pillar 7 extends substantially downward from the roof side rail 6, wherein the rear edge portion 20b of the sunroof opening 20 is positioned rearward of the center pillar 7, and wherein the roof reinforcement 21 extending in the vehicle width direction and having the specified first cross-sectional shape (uneven cross-sectional shape) is provided at the position just rearward of the sunroof opening 20.wherein the upper vehicle body structure includes the connecting reinforcement 35 that mutually connects the fixing plate 33, which is the window frame member for reinforcing the sunroof opening 20, and the roof side rail 6 at the position substantially corresponding to the center pillar 7, wherein the connecting reinforcement 35 is positioned forward of the roof reinforcement 21, has the specific second cross-sectional shape (uneven cross-sectional shape) and extends approximately horizontally in the vehicle width direction, wherein the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement 21 are connected to each other, and the inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement 21 are connected via the fixing plate 33 (see , Fig. 4) are connected.

[0058] According to the present embodiment, since the roof reinforcement 21 and the connecting reinforcement 35 are arranged substantially straight in the vehicle width direction, the connecting reinforcement 35 and the roof reinforcement 21 are connected by their rear edge portion and front edge portion, and further, the fixing plate 33 and the above-described two members (connecting reinforcement 35 and roof reinforcement 21) are connected, so that the light weight and high strength property can be realized, and in particular, the strength in the vehicle width direction in a side impact can be increased by effectively connecting the upper end portion of the center pillar 7 and the end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof reinforcement 21, which are evenly offset from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present invention, the roof reinforcement 21 is provided with the extension flange 21G extending substantially forward from the outer end portion of the roof reinforcement 21, and the substantially closed cross section 36 extending in the vehicle width direction is defined by the extension flange 21G and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 7) is formed.

[0060] According to this embodiment, since the substantially closed cross section 36 is formed by the extension flange 21G of the roof reinforcement 21 and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement 35, the roof reinforcement 21 and the connecting reinforcement 35 are integrated. Furthermore, forming the substantially closed section 36 extending in the vehicle width direction can increase the bending strength in the vertical direction and also improve the load transmission efficiency in the vehicle width direction, so that the light-weight and high-strength property can be realized.

[0061] In the embodiment of the present invention, the roof reinforcement 21 is fixed vertically between the fixing plate 33 and the connecting reinforcement 35 at the position of the rear edge portion of the sunroof opening 20 (see Fig. 5) is arranged.

[0062] According to this embodiment, since the roof reinforcement 21 is fixedly arranged vertically between the fixing plate 33 and the connecting reinforcement 35, high strength can be realized by the integration of the three elements 21, 33, 35.

[0063] The front extension flange portion of the present invention corresponds to the extension flange 21G of the embodiment. However, the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiment. Although the above-described embodiment mainly describes the left side of the vehicle as the upper vehicle body structure of the sunroof-equipped motor vehicle, the vehicle body structure is symmetrical or approximately symmetrical, and therefore the right side of the vehicle is substantially the same as the left side.Furthermore, although in the above-described embodiment, the roof reinforcement 21 and the connecting reinforcement 35 are configured to have a cross-sectional shape provided with the groove portions extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, these reinforcements 21, 35 may also be configured to have a cross-sectional shape provided with flanges or ribs extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, or a substantially closed cross section extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, or the respective cross-sectional shapes of these reinforcements may also be configured to be different from each other.

[0064] Furthermore, although in the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 is joined (joined) to the lower surface of the front end portion of the roof reinforcement 21, the rear end portion of the connecting reinforcement 35 may also be joined (joined) to the upper surface of the front end portion of the roof reinforcement 21.

Claims

[1] An upper vehicle body structure of a motor vehicle provided with a sunroof (50), wherein a sunroof opening (20) is provided on a roof panel (19) disposed between a pair of right and left roof side rails (6) extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, right and left side edge portions of the sunroof opening being spaced from the right and left roof side rails (6), respectively, a center pillar (7) extending substantially downward from the roof side rail (6), a rear edge portion of the sunroof opening (20) being positioned rearward of the center pillar (7), and a roof reinforcement (21) extending in a vehicle width direction is provided at a position immediately rearward of the sunroof opening (20), the roof reinforcement (21) being provided with a front extension flange portion (21G) extending substantially forward and rearward, respectively.extending forward of an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement (21), the upper vehicle body structure comprising:. a connecting reinforcement (35) mutually connecting a fixing plate (33), which is a window frame member for reinforcing the sunroof opening (20), and the roof side rail (6) at a position substantially corresponding to the center pillar (7), wherein the connecting reinforcement (35) is positioned in front of the roof reinforcement (21) and extends substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction, and wherein a further connecting reinforcement (34) is provided in front of the connecting reinforcement (35), a substantially closed cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, which is formed by the front extension flange portion (21G) and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35), a rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) and a front edge portion of the roof reinforcement (21) are connected to each other, and / or an inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement (21) are connected via the fixing plate (33), and wherein an outer end portion of the connection reinforcement (35) is connected via a connecting element (40) with a connecting section of the roof side rail (6) and the center pillar (7) or the central column (7). [2] An upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the roof reinforcement (21) has a specific first cross-sectional shape and / or the connecting reinforcement (35) has a specific second cross-sectional shape. [3] The upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the specific first cross-sectional shape includes a plurality of upper surface portions (21a, 21b, 21c) and recessed groove portions (21d, 21e) that are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially in the vehicle width direction so as to provide an uneven cross-sectional shape, and / or the specific second cross-sectional shape includes a plurality of upper surface portions (35a, 35b, 35c) and recessed groove portions (35d, 35e) that are spaced apart from each other and extend substantially in the vehicle width direction so as to provide an uneven cross-sectional shape. [4] An upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof reinforcement (21) is fixedly disposed vertically between the fixing plate (33) and the connecting reinforcement (35) at a position of the rear edge portion of the sunroof opening (20). [5] An upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the roof side rail (6) comprises an outer plate and at least one of a roof side rail reinforcement (25) having a higher strength than the outer plate and an inner plate connected to the outer plate via a flange portion, wherein the outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) is oriented in the vehicle width direction toward the roof side rail reinforcement (25) or the flange portion, and an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement (21) is positioned above and spaced from the roof side rail reinforcement (25) or the flange portion. [6] An upper vehicle body structure of a sunroof-equipped motor vehicle according to any preceding claim, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the roof reinforcement (21) and the second cross-sectional shape of the connecting reinforcement (35) are each configured as an uneven cross-sectional shape, and the depth of the respective uneven cross-sectional shapes of the first and second cross-sectional shapes is configured such that the depth of the first cross-sectional shape is shallower than that of the second cross-sectional shape. [7] A method for increasing the strength of an upper vehicle body structure of a motor vehicle provided with a sunroof (50), wherein a sunroof opening (20) is provided on a roof panel (19), the method comprising the following steps: Providing a roof reinforcement (21) extending in a vehicle width direction at a position immediately behind the sunroof opening (20), Connecting a window frame element of the sunroof opening and a roof side rail (6) via a connecting reinforcement (35) at a position substantially corresponding to a center pillar (7), wherein the roof reinforcement (21) is provided with a front extension flange portion (21G) extending substantially forward from an outer end portion of the roof reinforcement (21), and a substantially closed cross section extending in the vehicle width direction is formed by the front extension flange portion (21G) and the rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35), and wherein a further connecting reinforcement (34) is provided forward of the connecting reinforcement (35), the method further comprising: connecting a rear edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) and a front edge portion of the roof reinforcement (21) to one another, wherein an outer end portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) is connected via a connecting element (40) to a connecting portion of the roof side rail (6) and the center pillar (7) or the center pillar (7), and / or Connecting an inner edge portion of the connecting reinforcement (35) and the front edge portion of the roof reinforcement (21) via the window frame element. [8] The method of claim 7, further comprising the following step: Positioning the connecting reinforcement (35) forward of the roof reinforcement (21) such that it extends substantially in the vehicle width direction.

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