Vehicle body opening structure

Abstract

This vehicle body opening structure comprises: a first joint portion in which an inside edge portion, in a vehicle width direction, of a roof side rail inner and an inside edge portion, in the vehicle width direction, of a striker assembly reinforcement are joined; a second joint portion in which an outside edge portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the roof side rail inner and an outside edge portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the striker assembly reinforcement are joined; and a third joint portion in which a roof side rail, a roof panel, and an intermediate portion between the inside edge portion and the outside edge portion, in the width direction of the vehicle, of the roof side rail inner are joined. The first joint portion is spaced apart from the roof panel.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an opening structure for a vehicle body. [Background Art]

[0002] Vehicles such as automobiles generally include an opening formed in a vehicle body for an occupant to get in and out, and a door that opens and closes the opening.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a door opening structure for a vehicle having double swing doors. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the opening structure of Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 6, in Patent Document 1, a roof panel constituting an upper portion of the opening is formed in a closed cross-sectional shape, and includes a roof side rail extending in the front-rear direction at an outer edge of the roof panel in a vehicle width direction.

[0004] The roof side rail includes an outer flange portion joined in a state where a plurality of panels overlap at a lower portion of an outer side in the vehicle width direction (left side in FIG. 6), and an inner flange portion joined in a state where a plurality of panels overlap at an upper portion of an inner side in the vehicle width direction (right side in FIG. 6). The outer flange portion protrudes downward from a lower surface of the roof side rail, and a lower end thereof is disposed at a position spaced upward from an upper surface of a rear door in a closed state. The inner flange portion forms a part of an upper surface of the roof side rail.

[0005] The roof side rail has a reinforcement in its internal space. The roof side rail is designed to ensure predetermined rigidity by its cross-sectional shape, the reinforcement and the like. Further, a striker bracket that supports a striker for door lock is fixed to the lower surface of the roof side rail by bolts. [Related Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-43520 [Overview of the initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the roof side rail 113 of Patent Document 1, an inner flange portion 126, formed by joining multiple panels in an overlapping state on the inside in the vehicle width direction, is located on the upper part of the roof side rail 113 and constitutes a part of the upper surface 113b of the roof side rail 113. The outermost part of the vehicle body where such an inner flange portion 126 is located affects the exterior design (contour shape) of the vehicle body. In other words, every time the exterior design of the vehicle body is changed, the multiple panel structures of the roof side rail 113 and striker bracket 125 that constitute the inner flange portion 126 must also be redesigned. In particular, since the striker bracket 125 is a component related to the door opening and closing durability performance, every time the striker bracket 125 is redesigned, a door opening and closing durability test must be conducted, which can increase the time and cost of design and development. Therefore, a multiple panel structure at the opening of the vehicle body that does not depend on the exterior design of the vehicle body is desired.

[0008] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and its objective is to provide a vehicle body opening structure that offers a high degree of freedom in the exterior design of the vehicle body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention has, for example, the following configuration. (1) A roof side rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the upper edge of the opening of the vehicle body, A roof panel that is joined to the aforementioned roof side rail and constitutes the upper part of the vehicle body, The roof side rail inner is provided on the interior side of the vehicle body, further than the roof side rail and the roof panel. A striker assembly reinforcement to which a striker for an opening and closing door that opens and closes the aforementioned opening is attached, A vehicle body opening structure comprising, A first joint portion is formed by joining the inner end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the striker assembly reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. A second joint portion is formed by joining the outer end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the outer end of the striker assembly reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. The roof side rail, the roof panel, and the intermediate portion between the inner end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the inner roof side rail are joined to a third joint, The first joint is an opening structure in the vehicle body that is spaced apart from the roof panel. (2) The roof side rail is joined at the second joint to the outer end of the roof side rail inner and the outer end of the striker assembly reinforcement. (1) The opening structure of the vehicle body. (3) The roof side rail inner has an inclined portion such that the distance from the roof panel increases as it moves from the third joint towards the first joint. (1) or (2) the vehicle body opening structure. (4) The inclined portion has a curved portion, (3) The opening structure of the vehicle body as described above. (5) A roof side rail outer is positioned between the roof side rail and the roof side rail inner, The inner end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the intermediate portion of the roof side rail inner at the third joint, The outer end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer end of the roof side rail inner at the second joint, An internal space is formed between the roof side rail outer and the roof side rail inner. Each of the roof side rail outer and the roof side rail inner has a bulging portion that bulges in a direction in which the internal space expands, The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of (1) to (4). (6) The striker assembly reinforcement has a curved portion between the attachment portion of the striker and the inner end portion, The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of (1) to (5). (7) The striker assembly reinforcement is provided with a bead at a location other than the attachment portion of the striker, The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of (1) to (6). Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle body opening structure with a high degree of freedom in exterior design of the vehicle body. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a side view of a vehicle body to which the vehicle body opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the vehicle body opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the vehicle width direction inner side. [Figure 3] It is a cross-sectional view of a portion along A-A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of a portion along A-A in FIG. 2, and is an explanatory diagram when an external force is applied to the striker. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the installation adjustment of the striker. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of the opening structure of Patent Document 1. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, an opening structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the front side of the vehicle is indicated as "front", the rear side of the vehicle as "rear", the upper side of the vehicle as "upper", the lower side of the vehicle as "lower", the outer side in the vehicle width direction as "outer", and the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the center side in the vehicle width direction) as "inner".

[0013] Further, the type of vehicle to which the vehicle body opening structure of the present embodiment is applied is not particularly limited, and the present invention can be applied to various vehicles such as gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles (EV), hybrid vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV).

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle body to which a vehicle body opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes an opening 3 provided on both side surfaces of the vehicle body 2, and a front side door 4 and a rear side door 6 which are opening / closing doors capable of opening and closing the opening 3. The front side door 4 and the rear side door 6 can be opened in a double-door manner from an opening line P substantially at the center in the front-rear direction of the opening 3 by a front hinge on the front pillar side 5 and a rear hinge on the rear pillar side 7.

[0015] The rear side door 6 is configured such that door locking is performed by engaging a striker 70 provided on the upper edge of the opening 3 with a door hook portion 9 provided on the inner side of the rear side door 6.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle body opening structure according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion along line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the opening structure of the vehicle body according to one embodiment mainly comprises a roof panel 10, a roof side rail 20, a roof side rail inner 30, a striker assembly reinforcement 40, and a roof side rail outer 50. The roof panel 10, the roof side rail 20, the roof side rail inner 30, the striker assembly reinforcement 40, and the roof side rail outer 50 each extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are joined to each other by welding or the like at the first to third joints 61 to 63.

[0018] The first joint 61 is the portion where the inner end 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 in the vehicle width direction and the inner end 41 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 in the vehicle width direction are joined on the vehicle interior side (passenger compartment side).

[0019] The second joint 62 is the portion where the outer end 32 of the roof side rail inner 30 in the vehicle width direction, the outer end 42 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 in the vehicle width direction, the outer end 52 of the roof side rail outer 50 in the vehicle width direction, and the lower outer end 22 of the roof side rail 20 in the vehicle width direction are joined on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The third joint 63 is the portion where the inner end 21 of the roof side rail 20 in the vehicle width direction, the outer end 12 of the roof panel 10 in the vehicle width direction, the intermediate portion 33 between the inner end 31 and the outer end 32 of the roof side rail inner 30 in the vehicle width direction, and the inner end 51 of the roof side rail outer 50 in the vehicle width direction are joined on the upper side of the vehicle body 2.

[0021] The design influence area D shown by the dashed line in Figure 3 includes the entire roof panel 10, a part of the roof side rail, and the third joint 63, and is a part that strongly influences the external shape of the vehicle body 2. In this embodiment, by adopting the structure described later, the first joint 61 is positioned away from the design influence area D, which includes the roof panel 10. This makes it possible to provide a striker holding structure that is not affected by the external design of the vehicle body 2 and has a high degree of design freedom. In other words, even if the shape of the roof panel 10 or roof side rail 20 that constitute the upper part of the vehicle body 2 is changed, the striker assembly reinforcement 40 to which the striker 70 is attached is away from the design influence area D, so there is no need to redesign the striker assembly reinforcement 40. Therefore, it is not necessary to conduct door opening and closing durability tests associated with the design change of the striker assembly reinforcement 40, and the degree of freedom in the external design of the vehicle body is increased.

[0022] The configuration of each component will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0023] The roof side rail 20 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the upper edge of the opening 3 of the vehicle body 2 and forms the outer edges of both ends in the width direction of the upper part of the vehicle body 2. The roof side rail 20 includes an inner end 21 in the width direction that is joined to the roof panel 10 etc. at the third joint 63, an outer end 22 in the width direction that is joined to the roof side rail outer 50 etc. at the second joint 62, and a bulging portion 23 that connects the inner end 21 and the outer end 22 and bulges outward toward the outside side (upward and outward in the width direction) of the vehicle body 2.

[0024] The inner end portion 21 has a substantially planar shape that slopes slightly upward as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction, and abuts against the planar portion 12a of the outer end portion 12 of the roof panel 10 and the inner end portion 51 of the roof side rail outer 50, and is joined at the third joint portion 63.

[0025] The outer end portion 22 has a substantially planar shape that slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and it abuts against the outer end portion 52 of the roof side rail outer 50 from above and is joined at the second joint portion 62.

[0026] The design influence area D, which strongly influences the upper external shape of the vehicle body 2, includes the inner end 21 of the roof side rail 20 and a portion of the bulging part 23.

[0027] The roof panel 10 is joined to a pair of roof side rails 20 on both sides in the vehicle width direction by a third joint 63, and forms the outer edge of the central part in the vehicle width direction of the upper part of the vehicle body 2. The roof panel 10 has an outer end portion 12 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the roof side rails 20 etc. by the third joint 63, and a bulging portion 13 that bulges upward toward the vehicle body 2, connecting a pair of outer end portions 12 provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction (only one outer end portion 12 is shown in Figure 3).

[0028] The outer end portion 12 has a substantially planar shape that slopes slightly downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and has a planar portion 12a that abuts the inner end portion 21 of the roof side rail 20 from above, and a protruding portion 12b that protrudes upward from the outer end portion 12a in the vehicle width direction in a substantially L-shape cross-section.

[0029] The roof panel 10 is joined to the inner end 21 by welding or the like at the flat portion 12a of the outer end 12. The flat portion 12a and the bulging portion 13 of the outer end 12 of the roof panel 10 are included in the design influence area D, which strongly affects the external shape of the vehicle body 2.

[0030] The roof side rail inner 30 is provided on the interior side of the vehicle body (passenger compartment side; lower side and inward in the vehicle width direction) than the roof side rail 20 and the roof panel 10, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The roof side rail inner 30 has an inner end portion 31 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the striker assembly reinforcement 40 at the first joint portion 61, an outer end portion 32 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the striker assembly reinforcement 40 etc. at the second joint portion 62, and an intermediate portion 33 that is joined to the roof side rail 20 etc. at the third joint portion 63.

[0031] The inner end portion 31 has a substantially planar shape that extends substantially perpendicular (substantially horizontal) to the vertical direction, and abuts against the inner end portion 41 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 from above, and is joined at the first joint portion 61. The first joint portion 61 is located on the interior side of the vehicle body than the roof panel 10 and is spaced apart from the roof panel 10. Therefore, the inner end portion 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 and the inner end portion 41 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 that constitute the first joint portion 61 are not included in the design influence area D, which is a part that strongly affects the external shape of the vehicle body 2.

[0032] The outer end portion 32 has a substantially planar shape that slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and it abuts against the outer end portion 42 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 and the outer end portion 52 of the roof side rail outer 50 so as to be sandwiched between them, and is joined at the second joint portion 62.

[0033] The intermediate portion 33 is located between the inner end 31 and the outer end 32 in the vehicle width direction. The intermediate portion 33 has a substantially planar shape that slopes slightly downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and it abuts against the inner end 51 of the roof side rail outer 50 from below and is joined at the third joint portion 63. The intermediate portion 33 is included in the design influence region D, which is a part that strongly influences the external shape of the vehicle body 2.

[0034] The roof side rail inner 30 includes an inclined portion 34 that connects the intermediate portion 33 and the inner end portion 31. The inclined portion 34 extends generally along an inclined line SL that slopes downward as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction (from the intermediate portion 33 towards the inner end portion 31). That is, in the cross-sectional shape along the vehicle width direction shown in Figure 3, the inclined portion 34 is formed such that the upward distance between the roof side rail inner 30 and the roof panel 10 increases as it moves from the third joint portion 63 towards the first joint portion 61.

[0035] In this way, by providing the inclined portion 34 in the roof side rail inner 30, the first joint portion 61, to which the inner end portion 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 and the inner end portion 41 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 are joined, can be separated from the roof panel 10 and, consequently, from the design influence area D. As a result, the entire striker assembly reinforcement 40 is separated from the design influence area D, so even if the upper body design of the vehicle is changed, there is no need to redesign the striker assembly reinforcement 40, and it becomes unnecessary to conduct new door opening and closing durability tests, etc. Furthermore, because the inclined portion 34 is configured to increase the distance of the first joint portion 61 from the roof panel 10, a workspace, such as a welding workspace, is secured when forming the first joint portion 61, improving the workability of the joint.

[0036] Furthermore, because the roof side rail inner 30 is equipped with an inclined portion 34, the inner end portion 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 supports the striker assembly reinforcement 40 at the first joint portion 61, which is separated from the third joint portion 63. Therefore, as will be described later with reference to Figure 4, the elastic deformation of the inclined portion 34 can be used to deform the roof side rail inner 30 and the striker assembly reinforcement 40 to rotate clockwise, thereby absorbing the input to the striker 70 from the door hook portion 9.

[0037] As described above, the inclined portion 34 has a shape that generally follows the inclined line SL, but more specifically, it includes a first curved portion 34b that curves in a curved shape with a cross-sectional shape that is convex downwards on the first joint portion 61 side and connects to the intermediate portion 33, a second curved portion 34c that curves in a curved shape with a cross-sectional shape that is convex upwards on the third joint portion 63 side and connects to the inner end portion 31, and a flat portion 34a with a substantially planar shape that extends along the inclined line SL and connects the first and second curved portions 34b and 34c.

[0038] Thus, the rigidity of the inclined portion 34 can be increased by having multiple first and second curved portions 34b and 34c. Therefore, when a force is applied to the inclined portion 34, a shape can be adopted that combines the function of exhibiting rigidity in the direction of the applied force and the function of being easily elastically deformed in the direction of the applied force.

[0039] The roof side rail inner 30 connects the intermediate portion 33 and the outer end portion 32 and includes a bulging portion 35 that bulges outwards toward the interior of the vehicle body (passenger compartment side; downward and inward in the vehicle width direction). The bulging portion 35 includes a first curved portion 35b that connects to the intermediate portion 33 and curves toward the interior of the vehicle body, a second curved portion 35c that connects to the outer end portion 32 and curves toward the interior of the vehicle body, and a substantially planar flat portion 35a that connects the first and second curved portions 35b and 35c and slopes downward toward the exterior in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The roof side rail outer 50 is positioned between the roof side rail 20 and the roof side rail inner 30 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The roof side rail outer 50 includes an inner end 51 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the roof side rail inner 30 etc. at a third joint 63, an outer end 52 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the roof side rail inner 30 etc. at a second joint 62, and a bulging portion 53 that connects the inner end 51 and the outer end 52 and bulges outward toward the outside side (upward and outward in the vehicle width direction) of the vehicle body 2.

[0041] The inner end portion 51 has a substantially planar shape that slopes slightly upward as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction, and abuts against the inner end portion 21 of the roof side rail 20 and the intermediate portion 33 of the roof side rail inner 30, and is joined at the third joint portion 63. The inner end portion 51 is included in the design influence region D, which is a part that strongly influences the upper external shape of the vehicle body 2.

[0042] The outer end portion 52 has a substantially planar shape that slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and abuts against the outer end portion 22 of the roof side rail 20 and the outer end portion 32 of the roof side rail inner 30, and is joined at the second joint portion 62.

[0043] The bulging portion 53 includes a first curved portion 53b that connects to the inner end 51 and curves toward the outside of the vehicle body, a second curved portion 53c that connects to the outer end 52 and curves toward the outside of the vehicle body, and a substantially planar flat portion 53a that connects the first and second curved portions 53b and 53c and slopes downward as it moves toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The flat portion 53a is substantially parallel to the flat portion 35a of the bulging portion 35 of the roof side rail inner 30.

[0044] In the cross-sectional shape in the vehicle width direction as shown in Figure 3, an internal space IS is formed between the roof side rail outer 50 and the roof side rail inner 30, and both the roof side rail outer 50 and the roof side rail inner 30 are provided with bulging portions 53 and 35 that bulge out in the direction that expands the internal space SP. This makes it possible to enlarge the reinforcing cross-sectional shape of the upper edge of the opening 3, thereby improving rigidity and strength. Furthermore, since these bulging portions 53 and 35 each have multiple curved portions 53b, 53c, 35b, and 35c, the rigidity of the roof side rail outer 50 and the roof side rail inner 30 is increased.

[0045] The striker assembly reinforcement 40 is positioned on the vehicle body side of the roof side rail inner 30 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The striker assembly reinforcement 40 comprises an inner end 41 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the roof side rail inner 30 at a first joint 61, an outer end 42 in the vehicle width direction that is joined to the roof side rail inner 30 etc. at a second joint 62, and a bulging portion 43 that connects the inner end 41 and the outer end 42 and bulges out toward the vehicle body side (downward and inward in the vehicle width direction).

[0046] The inner end portion 41 extends approximately perpendicular (approximately horizontal) to the vertical direction, abuts against the inner end portion 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 from below, and is joined at the first joint portion 61. The first joint portion 61 is located on the interior side of the vehicle body than the roof panel 10 and is spaced apart from the roof panel 10. Therefore, the inner end portion 31 of the roof side rail inner 30 and the inner end portion 41 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 that constitute the first joint portion 61 are not included in the design influence area D, which is a part that strongly affects the external shape of the vehicle body 2.

[0047] The outer end portion 42 slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, abuts against the outer end portion 32 of the roof side rail inner 30 from below, and is joined at the second joint portion 62. The outer end portion 42 is not included in the design influence area D.

[0048] The bulge 43 has a first curved section 43a that connects to the inner end 41 and curves outward toward the outside of the vehicle body, a vertical wall section 43b that connects to the first curved section 43a and slopes downward toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, a second curved section 43c that connects to the vertical wall section 43b and curves outward toward the inside of the vehicle body, a horizontal wall section 43d (striker mounting section) that connects to the second curved section 43c and extends substantially perpendicular (approximately horizontal) to the vertical direction, and a third curved section 43e that connects to the horizontal wall section 43d and the outer end 42 and curves outward toward the outside of the vehicle body. The bulge 43 is not included in the design influence area D. In this way, the rigidity of the striker assembly reinforcement is increased by having multiple curved sections 43a, 43c, and 43e in the bulge 43.

[0049] A striker 70, supported by a striker bracket 75, is fixed to the lower surface of the side wall portion 43d by a plurality of fastening members 90. Therefore, the side wall portion 43d can be said to be a striker mounting portion to which the striker 70 is attached. The striker 70 is a member that, for example, has a roughly L-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction (see Figure 3) and a roughly U-shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction (see Figure 2), and is capable of engaging with a door hook portion 9 provided on the inside of the rear side door 6.

[0050] The striker assembly reinforcement 40 is provided with multiple beads 80 in locations other than the lateral wall portion 43d, which is the striker mounting portion. In the illustrated example, the multiple beads 80 include multiple first beads 81 provided from the inner end portion 41 to the first curved portion 43a, the vertical wall portion 43b, and the second curved portion 43c, and multiple second beads 82 provided at the outer end portion 42.

[0051] Multiple first beads 81 are formed to protrude inward towards the vehicle body and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. Similarly, multiple second beads 82 are formed to protrude inward towards the vehicle body and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The second beads 82 may extend from the outer end 42 to the third curved portion 43e.

[0052] In this way, the rigidity of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 is increased by providing multiple first beads 81 and second beads 82. In particular, the joint strength at both ends of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 in the vehicle width direction is improved by providing multiple first beads 81 on the inner end 41 joined by the first joint 61 and multiple second beads 82 on the outer end 42 joined by the second joint 62. Furthermore, the lateral wall portion 43d, which serves as the mounting portion for the striker 70, is configured to be sandwiched between the rigid inner end 41, the first curved portion 43a, the vertical wall portion 43b, and the second curved portion 43c, and the outer end portion 42, thereby ensuring surface accuracy.

[0053] The striker 70 is a component that, for example, has a roughly L-shape when viewed from the front-rear direction (see Figure 3) and a roughly U-shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction (see Figure 2), and is attached to the side wall portion 43d of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 via the striker bracket 75.

[0054] Figure 4 is a cross-section of the portion along AA in Figure 2, illustrating the effect when an external force is applied to the striker 70. When the rear side door 6 is opened and closed, a force is applied to the striker 70 in the vehicle width direction. In particular, when closing the door, as shown in Figure 4, a pressing force F1 is applied from the door hook portion 9 in the direction of pushing the tip portion 70a of the striker 70 inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, a rotational force (a rotational force that pushes the tip portion 70a in a clockwise direction) is generated in the striker 70 by the pressing force F1, and an upward force F2 acts on the side wall portion 43d via the striker bracket 75, pushing it upward. Consequently, a rotational force F3 in the clockwise direction is generated in the striker assembly reinforcement 40 with respect to the second joint portion 62.

[0055] The rotational force F3 of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 applies an upward force F4 to the first joint 61. As described above, since the first joint 61 is positioned away from the roof panel 10, the entire inclined portion 34 of the roof side rail inner 30 flexes upward so that the first joint 61 moves upward. As a result, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the roof side rail inner 30 and the striker assembly reinforcement 40 deform to rotate clockwise, and the input to the striker 70 from the door hook portion 9 can be absorbed.

[0056] Thus, the striker holding structure, which includes the striker assembly reinforcement 40 and the roof side rail inner 30, allows the striker assembly reinforcement 40 to function as a high-rigidity member as described above, while the roof side rail inner 30 also functions as a highly elastic deformation member due to the inclined portion 34. Therefore, it is possible to provide a structure that offers both easy door opening and closing and high door opening and closing durability.

[0057] The position of the striker 70 largely depends on the position of the striker assembly reinforcement 40, and consequently, the position of the first joint 61. However, the installation adjustment of the striker 70 can be easily done by changing or adjusting only the roof side rail inner 30.

[0058] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the adjustment of the striker's mounting. In Figure 5, the positions of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 and the roof side rail inner 30 are shown by dashed lines when the striker assembly reinforcement 40 is moved upward and inward in the vehicle width direction, and the position of the side wall portion 43d, which is the mounting portion of the striker 70, is adjusted to adjust the mounting of the striker 70.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5, since the first joint 61 is located inside the vehicle body, spaced apart from the roof panel 10, it is unnecessary to change the shape of the striker assembly reinforcement 40, which greatly affects the door opening and closing durability, and the striker 70 can be adjusted by changing the shape of the roof side rail inner 30 alone. In this way, a structure can be provided in which the initial strength of the striker assembly reinforcement 40 is not affected even when the adjustment is made.

[0060] Although one aspect of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of its technical concept. For example, in the above embodiment, an opening structure in which both the front and rear doors open outwards from the center was described, but the invention is not limited to this.

[0061] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a structure for holding the striker 70 of the rear side door 6, it is not limited to this and can be applied to any structure for holding the striker 70 in any opening of the vehicle body, for example, it can also be applied to the structure for holding the striker of the front side door 4.

[0062] Furthermore, although the first joint 61, second joint 62, and third joint 63 in the above embodiment are described as welded joints, they are not limited to welded joints and may be joined by riveting, bolting, or other methods.

[0063] As explained above, this specification includes at least the following. Note that the components etc. in parentheses indicate those corresponding to the embodiments described above, but are not limited to these.

[0064] (1) A roof side rail (roof side rail 20) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the upper edge of the opening (opening 3) of the vehicle body (vehicle body 2), A roof panel (roof panel 10) is joined to the roof side rail and forms the upper part of the vehicle body, The roof side rail inner (roof side rail inner 30) is provided on the interior side of the vehicle body, further than the roof side rail and the roof panel. A striker assembly reinforcement (striker assembly reinforcement 40) to which a striker (striker 70) for an opening and closing door that opens and closes the aforementioned opening is attached, A vehicle body opening structure comprising, The inner end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction (inner end 31) and the inner end of the striker assembly reinforce in the vehicle width direction (inner end 41) are joined to a first joint (first joint 61), The outer end (outer end 32) of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the outer end (outer end 42) of the striker assembly reinforce in the vehicle width direction are joined to a second joint (second joint 62), The roof side rail, the roof panel, and the intermediate portion (intermediate portion 33) between the inner end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the inner roof side rail, are joined to a third joint portion (third joint portion 63), The first joint is an opening structure in the vehicle body that is spaced apart from the roof panel.

[0065] According to (1), the first joint, where the inner end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the striker assembly reinforcement in the vehicle width direction are joined, is spaced apart from the roof panel, thus providing an opening structure that is not affected by the exterior design of the vehicle body. In other words, even if the shape of the roof panel or roof side rails that constitute the upper part of the vehicle body is changed, the striker assembly reinforcement to which the striker is attached can be positioned away from the area that affects the exterior design, thus eliminating the need to redesign the striker assembly reinforcement. Consequently, it becomes unnecessary to conduct door opening and closing durability tests associated with design changes to the striker assembly reinforcement, increasing the freedom of the exterior design of the vehicle body. Furthermore, since the mounting position of the striker largely depends on the position of the inner end of the roof side rail inner, the striker's alignment can be easily adjusted by changing or adjusting only the roof side rail inner. As a result, it becomes unnecessary to change the striker assembly reinforcement, which greatly affects the door opening and closing durability, and a structure can be provided that does not affect the original strength even when the alignment is adjusted. Furthermore, since the striker assembly reinforcement is supported at the first joint located away from the roof panel, the elastic deformation of the striker assembly reinforcement and the roof side rail inner provides a structure that can easily absorb the input associated with opening and closing the door.

[0066] (2) The roof side rail is joined at the second joint to the outer end of the roof side rail inner and the outer end of the striker assembly reinforcement. (1) The opening structure of the vehicle body.

[0067] According to (2), the second joint is constructed by joining multiple members, thus increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0068] (3) The roof side rail inner has an inclined portion (inclined portion 34) such that the distance from the roof panel increases as it moves from the third joint portion toward the first joint portion. (1) or (2) the vehicle body opening structure.

[0069] According to (3), the roof side rail inner has an inclined portion such that the distance from the roof panel increases from the third joint to the first joint, making it possible to move the formation position of the first joint far away from the roof panel. This ensures a workspace, such as a welding workspace, when forming the first joint, improving the workability of the joint. Furthermore, because the roof side rail inner has an inclined portion, the inner end of the roof side rail inner becomes a structure that supports the striker assembly reinforcement at the first joint, which is far from the third joint. Therefore, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the inclined portion, the roof side rail inner and the striker assembly reinforcement can be deformed to rotate, thereby absorbing the input to the striker caused by opening and closing the door.

[0070] (4) The inclined portion has a curved portion, (3) The opening structure of the vehicle body as described above.

[0071] According to (4), since the inclined portion has a curved portion, the rigidity of the roof side rail inner can be increased.

[0072] (5) Between the roof side rail and the roof side rail inner, a roof side rail outer (roof side rail outer 50) is positioned. The inner end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the intermediate portion of the roof side rail inner at the third joint, The outer end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer end of the roof side rail inner at the second joint, An internal space (internal space IS) is formed between the roof side rail outer and the roof side rail inner. Each of the roof side rail outer and roof side rail inner has a bulging portion (bulging portion 53, 35) that bulges out in the direction that expands the internal space. The vehicle body opening structure described in any one of (1) to (4).

[0073] According to (5), the roof side rail inner and roof side rail outer are provided with multiple bent sections in the cross-sectional shape that forms the internal space, which bends in the direction that expands the internal space, thereby increasing the cross-sectional shape and improving rigidity and strength.

[0074] (6) The striker assembly reinforcement has a curved portion (first curved portion 43a, second curved portion 43c) between the mounting portion (side wall portion 43d) of the striker and the inner end portion. The vehicle body opening structure described in any one of (1) to (5).

[0075] According to (6), the rigidity of the striker assembly reinforcement is improved.

[0076] (7) The striker assembly reinforcement is provided with a bead (bead 80) at a location other than the mounting portion of the striker. The vehicle body opening structure described in any one of (1) to (6).

[0077] According to (7), the formation of a bead improves the rigidity of the striker assembly reinforcement and ensures surface accuracy of the mounting portion to which the striker is attached. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 vehicle 2 car bodies 3 Opening 4. Front side door (opening / closing door) 5 Front hinge 6. Rear side door (opening / closing door) 7 Rear hinge 9. Door hook section 10 Roof Panels 12 Outer edge 12a Flat part 12b Projection 13 Bulge 20 Roof side rails 21 Inner end 22 Outer edge 23 Bulge 30 Roof Side Rail Inner 31 Inner end 32 Outer edge 33 Middle section 34 Slope 34a Flat area 34b First curved section (curved section) 34c Second curved section (curved section) 35 Bulge 35a flat area 35b First curved section 35c Second curved section 40 Striker Assembly Reinforcement 41 Inner end 42 Outer edge 43 Bulge 43a First curved section (curved section) 43b Vertical wall section 43c Second curved section (curved section) 43d Side wall section (strike mounting section) 43e Third curved section 50 Roof side rail outer 51 Inner end 52 Outer edge 53 Bulge 53a Flat area 53b First curved section 53c Second curve 61 1st joint 62 Second joint 63 Third joint 70 Striker 70a Tip 75 Strike Bracket 80 Bead 81 First Bead 82 Second Bead 90 Fastening member IS interior space P Opening Line Design Influence Area SL slant line

Claims

1. A roof side rail extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the upper edge of the opening in the vehicle body, A roof panel that is joined to the aforementioned roof side rail and constitutes the upper part of the vehicle body, The roof side rail inner is provided on the interior side of the vehicle body, further than the roof side rail and the roof panel. A striker assembly reinforcement to which a striker for an opening and closing door that opens and closes the aforementioned opening is attached, A vehicle body opening structure comprising, A first joint portion is formed by joining the inner end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the striker assembly reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. A second joint portion is formed by joining the outer end of the roof side rail inner in the vehicle width direction and the outer end of the striker assembly reinforcement in the vehicle width direction. The roof side rail, the roof panel, and the intermediate portion between the inner end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the inner roof side rail are joined to a third joint, The first joint is spaced apart from the roof panel, The roof side rail inner has an inclined portion such that the distance from the roof panel increases as it moves from the third joint to the first joint, in the opening structure of the vehicle body.

2. The roof side rail is joined at the second joint to the outer end of the roof side rail inner and the outer end of the striker assembly reinforcement. The vehicle body opening structure according to claim 1.

3. The inclined portion has a curved portion, The vehicle body opening structure according to claim 1.

4. A roof side rail outer is positioned between the roof side rail and the roof side rail inner. The inner end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the intermediate portion of the roof side rail inner at the third joint, The outer end of the roof side rail outer in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer end of the roof side rail inner at the second joint, An internal space is formed between the roof side rail outer and the roof side rail inner. Each of the roof side rail outer and roof side rail inner has a bulging portion that expands in the direction that the internal space expands. The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The striker assembly reinforcement has a curved portion between the striker mounting portion and the inner end portion. The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The striker assembly reinforcement has a bead provided in a location other than the striker mounting portion. The vehicle body opening structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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