Body structure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure including: a space frame; a roof side bracket fastened to a roof side portion of the space frame; a roof matching portion provided on an upper side of the roof side bracket; and a roof panel whose lower side is supported by the roof matching portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure. Background Art

[0002] Recently, the development of vehicles such as micro electric vehicles has expanded, and in order to meet diverse consumer demands, it is preferred that a body of such micro electric vehicles have a structure suitable for small-volume production.

[0003] The foregoing description of the background art is only intended to help understanding the background of the present disclosure and is not intended to indicate that the present disclosure falls within the scope of the prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure and a specific embodiment relates to a technology of an outer panel joint structure of a vehicle body based on a space frame.

[0005] The present disclosure is proposed to solve the problem, and an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle body structure that can utilize a space frame to ensure relatively light weight and high rigidity, highly ensure the design freedom of side outer panels installed on the space frame to form an appearance, thereby enabling multi-variety small-batch production of a common space frame, and ensure sealing performance to effectively block the intrusion of external noise or moisture.

[0006] The vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a space frame; a roof side bracket fastened to a roof side portion of the space frame; a roof matching portion provided on an upper side of the roof side bracket; and a roof panel combined in a state where a lower side of the roof panel is supported by the roof matching portion.

[0007] The roof side bracket may include a base connected to the lower side of the roof matching portion and in surface contact with the upper side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs may be formed between the roof matching portion and the base to support the roof matching portion relative to the base.

[0008] The roof side bracket may be provided with a lower portion connected from the base portion to a lower side of the roof side bracket and in surface contact with a side surface of the roof side portion.

[0009] The roof side bracket may be formed to have a cross-sectional structure in which a base portion is connected from the roof matching portion to a lower side of an inner side of the vehicle body and a lower portion is connected from the base portion to a lower side of an outer side of the vehicle body.

[0010] The roof side bracket may be combined with the roof side portion by a fastening member which passes through the roof side bracket and the roof side portion of the space frame in sequence from at least one of the base portion and the lower portion for fastening.

[0011] The vehicle body structure may further include: a side lower bracket coupled to a roof side portion of the space frame; and a side outer panel coupled to the side lower bracket.

[0012] The side lower bracket may include a fixing portion fixed to a side direction of the roof side portion of the space frame, and a side matching portion connected from the fixing portion and contacting and combining with an inner side surface of the side outer panel.

[0013] The side lower bracket may have a cross-sectional structure in which the side matching portion is connected to the fixing portion through a bent portion bent from a lower side of the fixing portion toward a side direction of the vehicle body.

[0014] The bent portion may be formed such that an upper side portion of the bent portion is in close contact with a lower side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame.

[0015] The fixing portion of the side lower bracket may be coupled to the roof side portion of the space frame in a state where the fixing portion overlaps with the roof side bracket.

[0016] A plurality of side lower brackets may be installed along the length direction of the roof side bracket.

[0017] The side outer panel may be in surface contact and bonded with the side matching portion of the side lower bracket and the roof matching portion of the roof side bracket, and the roof panel may be in surface contact and bonded with the upper surface of the side outer panel at the upper side of the roof matching portion.

[0018] The side outer panel may be bonded to the roof matching portion and the side matching portion by an adhesive.

[0019] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a space frame can be utilized to ensure relatively light weight and high rigidity, a high degree of design freedom of side outer panels mounted on the space frame to form an appearance can be ensured, thereby making multi-variety small-batch production of a common space frame possible, and ensuring sealing performance to effectively block the intrusion of external noise or moisture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a view showing a vehicle body structure including a space frame and a roof side bracket combined with the space frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 Yes Description Figure 1 A view of a state where the roof side bracket is combined with the space frame;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a description of Figure 2 A view of a plurality of side lower supports combined with a structure;

[0024] Figure 4 It is to explain that multiple side lower brackets are connected with Figure 2 A view of the state of the structure combination;

[0025] Figure 5 is a view for explaining the function of the curved portion to support the side lower bracket by resisting the horizontal external force acting on the side lower bracket;

[0026] Figure 6 It is to explain the side outer plate and Figure 4 A combined view of the structure;

[0027] Figure 7 is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of ;

[0028] Figure 8 is with Figure 7 A view showing a cross section of a roof panel and other components together with a cross section of FIG.

[0029] Fig. 9 The roof panel is shown installed on Figure 8 a view of the structural status of the

[0030] Fig.10 are diagrams illustrating various possible design changes of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Reference Figures 1 to 9 , the vehicle body structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a space frame 1; a roof side bracket 5, which is fastened to the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1; a roof matching portion 5-1, which is arranged on the upper side of the roof side bracket 5; and a roof panel 7, which is combined in a state where the lower side of the roof panel is supported by the roof matching portion 5-1.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the vehicle body structure further includes: a side lower bracket 9 coupled to the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 ; and a side outer panel 11 coupled to the side lower bracket 9 .

[0033] That is, since the roof panel 7 is mounted on the space frame 1 that forms a vehicle body skeleton by a member such as a pipe or a tube by using the roof side bracket 5, and the side outer panel 11 can be mounted on the space frame 1 by using the side lower bracket 9, the space frame 1 can be shared, and if the roof side bracket 5 and the side lower bracket 9 are changed, the roof and the side outer panel 11 with various changed designs can be easily assembled, so that vehicles with various designs are easier to produce.

[0034] Here, the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 refers to a portion corresponding to a region supporting both side edges of a front windshield, a roof, and a rear windshield in a conventional vehicle body.

[0035] The roof side bracket 5 is configured to include a base part 5-2 which is connected to the lower side of the roof matching part 5-1 and is in surface contact with the upper surface of the roof side part 3 of the space frame 1, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 5-3 are formed between the roof matching part 5-1 and the base part 5-2 to support the roof matching part 5-1 relative to the base part 5-2.

[0036] That is, the base 5-2 and the roof matching portion 5-1 of the roof side bracket 5 are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 5-3 are provided between the base 5-2 and the roof matching portion 5-1 to support the roof matching portion 5-1 relative to the base 5-2.

[0037] like Fig.10 For example, in the case of increasing or decreasing the volume or overall height of the vehicle, by easily changing the relative position of the roof matching portion 5-1 with respect to the base portion 5-2, changes in vehicle design as described above can be easily accommodated, and the lower side of the roof panel 7 can be firmly supported.

[0038] Furthermore, the roof side bracket 5 is provided with a lower portion 5 - 4 which is connected from the base portion 5 - 2 to the lower side of the roof side bracket 5 and is in surface contact with the side surface of the roof side portion 3 .

[0039] That is, the roof side bracket 5 is formed to have a cross-sectional structure in which the base portion 5-2 is connected to the lower side of the inner side of the vehicle body from the roof matching portion 5-1 and the lower portion 5-4 is connected to the lower side of the outer side of the vehicle body from the base portion 5-2.

[0040] The roof side bracket 5 can be easily and firmly combined with the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 through the base 5-2 and the lower portion 5-4, and in this firmly assembled state, a roof matching portion 5-1 is provided on the upper side of the roof side bracket 5, so that the roof combining structure can be firmly and easily secured through the roof matching portion 5-1.

[0041] In this embodiment, the roof side bracket 5 is combined with the roof side portion 3 by a fastening element 13 which is fastened from at least one of the base portion 5 - 2 and the lower portion 5 - 4 through the roof side bracket 5 and the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 in sequence.

[0042] For reference, Figure 2 The structure in which both the base portion 5 - 2 and the lower portion 5 - 4 are joined to the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 by means of fastening elements 13 is shown.

[0043] Here, as the fastening member 13, a fastener, a screw, or a flow drill screw (FDS) may be used.

[0044] The side lower bracket 9 includes a fixing portion 9 - 1 fixed to the side of the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 , and a side matching portion 9 - 2 connected from the fixing portion 9 - 1 and contacting and bonding with the inner surface of the side outer panel 11 .

[0045] That is, in a state where the fixing portion 9 - 1 is fixed to the roof side portion 3 , the side lower bracket 9 can fix the side outer panel 11 to the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 by combining the side outer panel 11 with the side matching portion 9 - 2 .

[0046] In this embodiment, the side lower bracket 9 has a cross-sectional structure in which the side matching portion 9-2 is connected to the fixing portion 9-1 through a bent portion 9-3 that is bent from the lower side of the fixing portion 9-1 toward the side direction of the vehicle body.

[0047] In particular, if Figure 5 As shown, the bent portion 9-3 is formed so that the upper side portion of the bent portion 9-3 is in close contact with the lower side surface of the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1, so that the bent portion 9-3 can resist the external force in the horizontal direction easily applied through the side outer panel 11 to firmly support the lower side surface of the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1.

[0048] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 For example, the fixing portion 9-1 of the side lower bracket 9 is combined with the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 in a state where the fixing portion 9-1 overlaps with the roof side bracket 5, and in this case, the fastening element 13 can be combined with the roof side portion 3 of the space frame 1 by passing through the side lower bracket 9 and the roof side bracket 5 in sequence.

[0049] A plurality of side lower brackets 9 are installed along the length direction of the roof side bracket 5 .

[0050] That is, the number of side lower brackets 9 installed can be the number required to firmly fix the side outer panel 11 to the side surface of the space frame 1 according to the size and shape of the side outer panel 11. Each side lower bracket 9 can be configured to have a slightly different shape according to the installation area of ​​the side lower bracket 9, so that the shape change of the side outer panel 11 can be more flexibly responded.

[0051] The side outer panel 11 is in surface contact and bonded to the side matching portion 9-2 of the side lower bracket 9 and the roof matching portion 5-1 of the roof side bracket 5, and the roof panel 7 is in surface contact and bonded to the upper surface of the side outer panel 11 on the upper side of the roof matching portion 5-1.

[0052] The side outer panel 11 may be bonded to the roof matching portion 5 - 1 and the side matching portion 9 - 2 by an adhesive.

[0053] That is, Figure 7As shown, the side outer panel 11 forms the appearance of the vehicle body from the side matching portion 9-2 to the roof matching portion 5-1 and is joined in a state of surrounding the inside thereof, and on the upper side of the roof matching portion 5-1, the roof panel 7 overlaps and is joined to the upper side of the side outer panel 11. Therefore, the surface of the vehicle body is completed by the roof panel 7 and the side outer panel 11, thereby forming a sealed structure to prevent noise or moisture from intruding from the outside of the roof panel 7 or the side outer panel 11.

[0054] In this embodiment, the side outer panel 11 is bonded to the roof matching portion 5 - 1 and the side matching portion 9 - 2 by the adhesive G to form a more reliable sealing structure.

[0055] That is, Figure 6 As shown, in a state where the adhesive G is applied to the side matching portion 9-2 of the side lower bracket 9 and the roof matching portion 5-1 of the roof side bracket 5, the side outer panel 11 can be brought close to be combined with the side matching portion 9-2 and the roof matching portion 5-1 through the adhesive G, thereby ensuring a reliable sealing structure to prevent moisture such as rainwater from entering from the upper side of the vehicle body.

[0056] Furthermore, by utilizing the unexposed portion of the lower side of the side outer panel 11 in order to combine the side outer panel 11 with the space frame 1 using a plurality of bolts, a more secure assembled state of the side outer panel 11 can be achieved.

[0057] For reference, in Figure 6 The arrows shown below are for explaining the tightening of the plurality of bolts that connect the side outer panel 11 to the space frame 1 as described above.

[0058] For reference, Figure 8 Zhongyu Figure 7 The cross section of FIG. 1 shows the cross section of the roof panel 7 and other components together. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the interior trim member 15 of the vehicle is installed using the lower side of the bent portion 9-3 of the side lower bracket 9, and the door weather strip 17 is installed on the lower end of the side outer panel 11. In this case, the door composed of the door inner panel 19 and the door outer panel 21 can form an appearance with the side outer panel 11, and can be installed to be opened or closed while ensuring sealing by the door weather strip 17.

[0059] Fig.10Various possible design changes of the vehicle body structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure are described. In the case of increasing the volume of the vehicle body design, as shown by the dotted line, the roof matching portion 5-1 of the roof side bracket 5 is further spaced upward, and thus the side outer panel 11 is combined in a state where the cross section of the side outer panel 11 is further expanded outward and upward. In the case of increasing the overall height of the vehicle body, as shown by the dotted line, the roof matching portion 5-1 of the roof side bracket 5 is further spaced upward, and thus the side outer panel 11 is combined in a state where the cross section of the side outer panel 11 is further expanded upward. In the case of reducing the overall width of the vehicle body, in a state where the side matching portion 9-2 of the side lower bracket 9 is further moved to the inner side of the vehicle body, the cross section of the side outer panel 11 is moved inward, and thus the overall width can be reduced.

[0060] As described above, according to the vehicle body structure of the embodiment of the present disclosure, even if the height of the roof is changed or the shape of the side outer panel 11 is changed due to a simple shape change of the roof side bracket 5 and the side lower bracket 9, the same space frame 1 can be shared, and by providing easy and strong assembly, the needs of small-volume production can be effectively met.

[0061] Furthermore, the side outer panel 11 is manufactured by a plastic mold, so that the design of the vehicle body can be changed more easily.

[0062] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure, comprising: Space frame; a roof side bracket secured to a roof side portion of the space frame; A roof matching portion, arranged on the upper side of the roof side bracket; a roof panel, the lower side of which is supported by the roof matching portion; a side lower bracket coupled to the roof side portion of the space frame; as well as A side outer panel, coupled to the side lower bracket, Wherein, the side lower bracket comprises: A fixing portion fixed to a side direction of the roof side portion of the space frame; and a side matching portion connected from the fixing portion and in surface contact with the inner surface of the side outer plate, The fixing portion of the side lower bracket is coupled to the roof side portion of the space frame in a state where the fixing portion overlaps with the roof side bracket.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The roof side bracket includes a base portion connected to a lower side of the roof matching portion and in surface contact with an upper side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame, and the vehicle body structure further includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed between the roof matching portion and the base portion, the plurality of reinforcing ribs supporting the roof matching portion relative to the base portion.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, wherein: The roof side bracket includes a lower portion connected from the base portion to a lower side of the roof side bracket and in surface contact with a side surface of the roof side portion.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, wherein: The roof side bracket is coupled to the roof side portion by a fastening element which passes through the roof side bracket and the roof side portion of the space frame in sequence starting from the base portion or the lower portion.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The side lower bracket has a cross-sectional structure in which the side matching portion is connected to the fixing portion via a bent portion bent from a lower side of the fixing portion toward a side direction of the vehicle body.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, wherein: The bent portion is formed such that an upper side portion of the bent portion is in close contact with a lower side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The side outer panel is in surface contact with the side matching portion of the side lower bracket and the roof matching portion of the roof side bracket; and The roof panel is in surface contact with the upper surface of the side outer panel at the upper side of the roof matching portion.

8. A vehicle comprising: body, including space frame; a roof side bracket secured to a roof side portion of the space frame; A roof matching portion, arranged on the upper side of the roof side bracket; a roof panel, the lower side of which is supported by the roof matching portion; a side lower bracket coupled to the roof side portion of the space frame; as well as A side outer panel, coupled to the side lower bracket, Wherein, the side lower bracket comprises: A fixing portion fixed to a side direction of the roof side portion of the space frame; and a side matching portion connected from the fixing portion and in surface contact with the inner surface of the side outer plate, The fixing portion of the side lower bracket is coupled to the roof side portion of the space frame in a state where the fixing portion overlaps with the roof side bracket.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: The roof side bracket includes a base portion connected to a lower side of the roof matching portion and in surface contact with an upper side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame, and the vehicle further includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs formed between the roof matching portion and the base portion, the plurality of reinforcing ribs supporting the roof matching portion relative to the base portion.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein: The roof side bracket includes a lower portion connected from the base portion to a lower side of the roof side bracket and in surface contact with a side surface of the roof side portion.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein: The roof side bracket is coupled to the roof side portion by a fastening element which passes through the roof side bracket and the roof side portion of the space frame in sequence starting from the base portion or the lower portion.

12. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein: The side lower bracket has a cross-sectional structure in which the side matching portion is connected to the fixing portion via a bent portion bent from a lower side of the fixing portion toward a side direction of the vehicle body.

13. The vehicle according to claim 12, wherein: The bent portion is formed such that an upper side portion of the bent portion is in close contact with a lower side surface of the roof side portion of the space frame.

14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein: The side outer panel is in surface contact with the side matching portion of the side lower bracket and the roof matching portion of the roof side bracket; and The roof panel is in surface contact with the upper surface of the side outer panel at the upper side of the roof matching portion.

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