Vehicle body structure, reinforcement component, and method for manufacturing reinforcement component

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle body structure, a reinforcing component, and a method for manufacturing the reinforcing component, which can fully reinforce a roof rail with a simple structure. The vehicle body structure (1) comprises: a roof rail component (2) used as one of the supporting components of an automobile (10) (vehicle body); and a reinforcing component (3) arranged along the length direction of the roof rail component (2) and reinforcing the roof rail component (2). The reinforcing component (3) is a processed product obtained by molding a tubular body, and has a flange portion (32) protruding toward the outer periphery and formed along the length direction of the roof rail component (2). The flange portion (32) is joined to the roof rail component (2) at a portion other than the portion of the roof rail component (2) where it is connected to other components other than the reinforcing component (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure, a reinforcement component and a method for manufacturing the reinforcement component. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, a sedan or wagon type automobile is known to include a roof side rail constituting a part of a vehicle body frame. In addition, the automobile includes an automobile further including a reinforcing member for reinforcing the roof side rail (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a reinforcing member. Figure 3 The tubular reinforcing member shown in or the Figure 7 The reinforcement parts shown in .

[0003] Previous technical literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-118635 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues to be solved by the invention

[0007] The former reinforcing member (ie, the tubular reinforcing member) is composed of a hollow member having a ring-shaped cross-section. For example, when the vehicle is hit from the side, such a hollow member may be easily bent together with the roof rail.

[0008] Furthermore, the latter reinforcement member is formed by joining two plate-like members together to form a hollow member in a tubular shape. Compared with the above-mentioned case where the reinforcement member is formed by one hollow member, the reinforcement strength of such a hollow member is reduced because two plate-like members are joined together.

[0009] As described above, both reinforcement members do not sufficiently reinforce the roof rails.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure, a reinforcing member, and a method for manufacturing the reinforcing member, which can sufficiently reinforce a roof rail with a simple structure.

[0011] Means for solving technical problems

[0012] An embodiment of a vehicle body structure of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a supporting part of the vehicle body; and a reinforcing part, which is arranged along the length direction of the supporting part of the vehicle body and reinforces the supporting part of the vehicle body, wherein the reinforcing part is a processed product obtained by molding a tubular body, and has a flange portion protruding toward the outer periphery and formed along the length direction of the supporting part of the vehicle body, and the flange portion is joined to the supporting part of the vehicle body at a portion other than a portion where the supporting part of the vehicle body is joined to other parts different from the reinforcing part.

[0013] Furthermore, one embodiment of the vehicle body structure of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a supporting member serving as a vehicle body; and a reinforcing member, which is arranged along the length direction of the supporting member of the vehicle body and reinforces the supporting member of the vehicle body, wherein the reinforcing member is a processed product obtained by molding a tubular body, and has a flange portion protruding toward the outer periphery and formed along the length direction of the supporting member of the vehicle body, and the flange portion is joined to the supporting member of the vehicle body.

[0014] One embodiment of the reinforcing component of the present invention is a reinforcing component that is arranged along the length direction of a supporting component of a vehicle body and reinforces the supporting component of the vehicle body, and is characterized in that it has a flange portion, which is a processed product obtained by molding a tubular body, and protrudes toward the outer periphery and is formed along the length direction of the supporting component of the vehicle body, and the flange portion is joined to the supporting component of the vehicle body at a portion other than a portion where the supporting component of the vehicle body is joined to other components different from the reinforcing component.

[0015] One embodiment of the manufacturing method of the reinforcing component of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the reinforcing component of the present invention, which is characterized in that force is applied from the outside and the inside to a tubular body with a circular cross-sectional shape as the base material of the reinforcing component to form the tubular body, thereby forming a tube portion with a non-circular cross-sectional shape and a flange portion protruding from the outer peripheral side of the tube portion.

[0016] Effects of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, by a simple structure in which a reinforcing member having a flange portion is joined to a roof rail by the flange portion, the mechanical strength of the flange portion can be improved, thereby enabling the roof rail to be sufficiently reinforced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is from Figure 1 The diagram is viewed in the direction of arrow A.

[0020] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 BB cut-away view in .

[0021] Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 ] is a plan view of a state in which a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is subjected to an occupant protection test of a side pole collision.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a plan view of a state in which an occupant protection test of a conventional vehicle in a side pole collision was performed.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a diagram showing the order of the manufacturing process of the reinforcing member provided in the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention (a cross-sectional view showing a mold opening state).

[0024] Figure 7 It is a diagram showing the order of the manufacturing process of the reinforcing member provided in the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention (a cross-sectional view showing a mold clamping state).

[0025] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (second embodiment) of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (third embodiment) of the present invention.

[0027] Fig.10 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (fourth embodiment) of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a vehicle body structure, a reinforcing member, and a method for manufacturing a reinforcing member according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] <First embodiment>

[0030] Figure 1 It is a plan view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention. Figure 2 is from Figure 1 The diagram is viewed in the direction of arrow A. Figure 3 is along Figure 2 BB cut-away view in . Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 ] is a plan view of a state in which a vehicle shown in FIG. 1 is subjected to an occupant protection test of a side pole collision. Figure 5 This is a plan view of a state in which an occupant protection test of a conventional vehicle in a side pole collision was performed. Figure 6It is a sequence diagram showing a manufacturing process of a reinforcing member provided in the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention (a cross-sectional diagram showing a mold opening state). Figure 7 The figure is a diagram showing the order of the manufacturing process of the reinforcing member provided in the vehicle body structure (first embodiment) of the present invention (a cross-sectional view showing a mold clamping state). In addition, for the sake of convenience in explanation, the overall length direction of the automobile is set as the X-axis direction, the vehicle width direction of the automobile is set as the Y-axis direction, and the vehicle height direction of the automobile is set as the Z-axis direction.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the automobile 10 includes a plurality of supporting members constituting a vehicle body frame, and these supporting members include two roof longitudinal rails 9 , two center pillars (B pillars) 11 , and a roof reinforce 12 .

[0032] Each roof rail 9 is a rail member disposed on both left and right sides of the automobile 10 .

[0033] Each center pillar 11 is a columnar member disposed at the center of the left and right sides of the automobile 10. The center pillar 11 is joined to the roof rail 9. The joining method is not particularly limited, and for example, welding can be used.

[0034] The roof reinforcement 12 is a beam member disposed in the upper part of the automobile 10 and spanned between the two roof rails 9. The roof reinforcement 12 is also joined to the roof rails 9. The joining method is not particularly limited, and for example, the same method as the joining method of the center pillar 11 and the roof rails 9 can be used.

[0035] In addition, the roof rails 9 , the center pillars 11 , and the roof reinforcement 12 are all made of metal materials such as aluminum.

[0036] In addition, in the present embodiment, a station wagon type car is used as an example for the automobile 10 , but the automobile 10 is not limited to station wagon type cars, and may be, for example, a sedan type car, a truck, etc. Furthermore, the present invention may also be applied to a vehicle body other than the automobile 10 .

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the roof rail 9 includes a side outer member 91, a roof side inner member 92, and a roof side outer member 93, and these are joined to each other to form a hollow structure.

[0038] The side outer member 91 is a member constituting the outermost part of the automobile 10. The side outer member 91 is composed of a long plate member, and the edge portions located on both sides of the side outer member 91 in the width direction are respectively formed into joint edges 911. The central portion 912 in the width direction of the side outer member 91 (i.e., the portion between the joint edges 911) has a deformation portion 913 that is bent or folded at multiple locations and plastically deformed into a desired shape. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the central portion 912 is in a shape that bulges toward the outside of the automobile 10 as a whole.

[0039] The roof side inner member 92 is a member constituting the interior of the automobile 10. The roof side inner member 92 is also constituted by a long strip-shaped plate member, and the edge portions located on both sides of the width direction thereof are respectively formed into joint edges 921. The central portion 922 in the width direction of the roof side inner member 92 (i.e., the portion between the joint edges 921) has a deformation portion 923 that is bent or folded at multiple locations and plastically deformed into a desired shape. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the central portion 922 is in a shape that bulges toward the inside of the automobile 10 as a whole.

[0040] The roof side outer member 93 is a member located between the side outer member 91 and the roof side inner member 92. The roof side outer member 93 is also composed of a long plate member, and the edge portions located on both sides of the width direction thereof are respectively formed into joint edges 931. The central portion 932 in the width direction of the roof side outer member 93 (i.e., the portion between the joint edges 931) has a deformed portion 933 that is bent or folded at multiple locations and plastically deformed into a desired shape. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the central portion 932 is in a shape that bulges toward the outside of the automobile 10 as a whole.

[0041] The roof longitudinal rail 9 is formed by joining together the joint edges 911 of the side outer component 91, the joint edges 921 of the roof side inner component 92, and the joint edges 931 of the roof side outer component 93 in a state where they are overlapped. The joining method is not particularly limited, and for example, a welding method can be used, and in particular, spot welding is preferably used. By using spot welding, the plate components (i.e., the joint edges 911, the joint edges 921, and the joint edges 931) can be quickly and easily joined together. Hereinafter, the portion where the joint edges 911, the joint edges 921, and the joint edges 931 are joined together is referred to as a "joining portion 94."

[0042] In the roof rail 9, one of the two joints 94, a joint 94A, is located on the door 13 side, and the other joint 94B is located on the roof panel 14 side. The joint 94B is joined to the lower side (inner side) of the roof panel 14. Spot welding may also be used as the joining method.

[0043] like Figure 3As shown, a reinforcing member 3 for reinforcing the roof rail 9 is disposed inside the roof rail 9. The reinforcing member 3 and a roof rail member 2 serving as a part of the roof rail 9 constitute a vehicle body structure 1. The vehicle body structure 1 will be described below.

[0044] The vehicle body structure 1 includes a roof side rail member 2 and a reinforcing member 3 joined to the roof side rail member 2 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the roof rail member 2 to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is the roof side inner member 92 among the side outer member 91, the roof side inner member 92, and the roof side outer member 93. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 3 is joined, the roof side inner member 92 is reinforced, and the mechanical strength against external forces is improved. In particular, when the automobile 10 is hit from the side, the resistance of the roof rail 9 (roof side inner member 92) to the impact is expected. Therefore, the reinforcing member 3 has a function of improving the impact resistance of the roof rail 9.

[0046] When evaluating the impact resistance of the roof rail 9, a "side pole collision occupant protection test (hereinafter referred to as "occupant protection test")" prescribed in Rule No. 135 of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Vehicle Models is sometimes performed. Figure 4 As shown, in the occupant protection test, for example, in the case of a car 10 with a width of less than 1.5 m, a pole (impactor) 20 imitating a utility pole or the like is made to collide with the position of the head HD of the occupant CR assumed to be sitting on the front side of the car 10. The collision angle θ at this time is 20 The angle is 75° with respect to the axis OX which is parallel to the X-axis direction. The collision velocity V 20 is 32 km / h. Also, the diameter φd of the column 20 is 20 It is 254mm.

[0047] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the reinforcing member 3 is tubular and is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the roof side inner member 92 (roof rail member 2). As described later, the reinforcing member 3 is a molded body, that is, a processed product, obtained by molding a tubular body having a circular cross-sectional shape, which is a base material 3' of the reinforcing member 3. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the reinforcing member 3 itself is higher than that of a joint body formed by joining a plurality of members, for example.

[0048] The processed product (ie, the reinforcing member 3 ) based on the base material 3 ′ includes a tube portion (annular portion) 31 having a non-circular annular cross-sectional shape and a flange portion 32 protruding from the outer peripheral side of the tube portion 31 .

[0049] The occupancy rate (volume ratio) of the pipe portion 31 in the reinforcing member 3 is higher than that of the flange portion 32 .

[0050] The flange portion 32 is a plate-shaped protruding piece that protrudes toward the outer periphery of the reinforcing member 3 and is formed over the entire length of the reinforcing member 3 along the length direction of the roof side inner member 92. The flange portion 32 is an overlapping portion formed by extruding the base material 3' so that parts of the tube wall of the base material 3' overlap each other. The flange portion 32 protrudes toward the outer side of the side of the automobile 10 (that is, the negative side in the Y-axis direction opposite to the collision direction of the pillar 20).

[0051] The flange portion 32 is joined to the roof side inner member 92. The joining portion is a portion other than the joining edge 921 of the roof side inner member 92 (roof side rail member 2) joined together with other members different from the reinforcing member 3 (i.e., the side outer member 91 and the roof side outer member 93), and is a center portion 922 in this embodiment.

[0052] The flange portion 32 is joined to the roof rail member 2 by welding. For example, spot welding can be used for this welding. Thus, before the roof side inner member 92 and the reinforcing member 3 are assembled to form a part of the automobile 10, the center portion 922 of the roof side inner member 92 and the flange portion 32 of the reinforcing member 3 can be sandwiched between the anode 15 and the cathode 16 used in spot welding, and a voltage ( Figure 3 The anode 15 and the cathode 16 shown by the double dotted line in the figure are quickly and easily joined together. In addition, since the central part 922 and the flange part 32 become a laminated body of the plate-like parts, spot welding can be performed.

[0053] Next, the occupant protection test was performed on the roof rail 9 (roof side inner member 92) to which the reinforcing member 3 having the above structure was joined (reference Figure 4 ) and the case where the occupant protection test was conducted on the roof rail 9 without the reinforcement member 3 (reference Figure 5 ).

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, in the former occupant protection test, with the collision point O9 at the moment of collision with the pillar 20 as the midpoint, the prescribed linear range AR9 of the roof rail 9 along the longitudinal direction thereof enters the inner side of the automobile 10, but is prevented from entering the head HD of the occupant CR (the state of the roof rail 9 after the collision is indicated by the two-dot chain line). As a result, the head HD of the occupant CR is protected.

[0055] In contrast, Figure 5 As shown, in the latter occupant protection test, the roof rail 9 bends at the collision point O9 and enters the inside of the vehicle 10 and reaches the head HD of the occupant CR (the state of the roof rail 9 after the collision is indicated by the two-dot chain line).

[0056] As described above, when the occupant protection test is performed, the reinforcing member 3 prevents or suppresses the roof rail 9 (roof rail member 2) from being bent unexpectedly toward the inside of the automobile 10. As a result, the head HD of the occupant CR can be protected during a collision. Therefore, by a simple structure in which the reinforcing member 3 with the flange portion 32 is joined to the roof rail 9, the roof rail 9 can be sufficiently reinforced, thereby improving the collision safety performance of the automobile 10.

[0057] Furthermore, the flange portion 32 is joined to the roof side inner member 92 at a portion other than the portion of the roof side inner member 92 (roof side rail member 2) where the flange portion 32 is joined to other members different from the reinforcing member 3 (i.e., the side outer member 91 and the roof side outer member 93). Thus, the protruding direction of the plate-shaped flange portion 32 can be directed toward the outer side of the side of the automobile 10 (i.e., the negative side in the Y-axis direction opposite to the collision direction of the pillar 20). Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to bend the plate-shaped flange portion 32 in the width direction at the collision point O9. Thus, the mechanical strength of the reinforcing member 3 can be further improved, thereby being able to fully prevent or suppress the roof side rail 9 from being accidentally bent toward the inner side of the automobile 10 during a collision.

[0058] And, since the flange portion 32 is only joined to the roof side inner member 92, spot welding can be used for the joining. In this case, spot welding becomes easy, and the joined state of the flange portion 32 and the roof side inner member 92 after welding can be firmly maintained for a long time.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, a portion of the reinforcing member 3 is aligned with the extension line O of the center column 11. 11 This can prevent the roof rail 9 from bending inward at the roof reinforcement 12 during a collision (see Figure 5 The roof rail 9 after the collision indicated by the double-dashed line in FIG. 9 helps protect the head HD of the occupant CR. 11 Also overlaps with the roof reinforcement 12

[0060] Furthermore, the total length of the reinforcing member 3 is shorter than the total length of the roof side inner member 92 (the roof side rail member 2 ). Thus, the portion of the roof side inner member 92 to be reinforced can be appropriately reinforced with emphasis (priority).

[0061] As described above, the reinforcing member 3 is arranged on the inner side of the roof rail 9. In contrast, as an example in which the reinforcing member 3 is arranged on the outer side of the roof rail 9, when the reinforcing member 3 is arranged on the outer side of the automobile 10, the reinforcing member 3 is conspicuous and may impair the appearance of the automobile 10. And, as another example in which the reinforcing member 3 is arranged on the outer side of the roof rail 9, when the reinforcing member 3 is arranged on the inner side (inside the vehicle) of the automobile 10, the passenger space of the automobile 10 becomes narrow and may impair the comfort inside the vehicle. However, by arranging the reinforcing member 3 on the inner side of the roof rail 9, it is possible to prevent the appearance of the automobile 10 from being impaired or the comfort from being impaired.

[0062] In addition, the reinforcing member 3 is made of a metal material such as a Fe-C alloy.

[0063] Next, a method for manufacturing the reinforcing member 3 will be described. In this manufacturing method, a molding device 8 is used.

[0064] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the molding device 8 includes an upper mold 81 , a lower mold 82 , a gas supply unit 83 , a heating unit 84 , a cooling unit 85 , a driving unit 86 , and a control unit 87 .

[0065] The lower mold 82 is fixed, and the upper mold 81 is supported so as to be able to approach and move away from the lower mold 82. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 8 , the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 are configured so that the base material 3 ′ can be arranged between the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 in the mold opening state. Figure 7 As shown, in the mold clamping state, the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 define a first cavity 88 for forming the tube portion 31 and a second cavity 89 for forming the flange portion 32 .

[0066] The gas supply unit 83 supplies high-pressure air into the base material 3', thereby preventing the base material 3' from being excessively squeezed in the mold-closed state. The structure of the gas supply unit 83 is not particularly limited, and for example, a structure having a compressor may be used.

[0067] The heating unit 84 heats the base material 3'. The structure of the heating unit 84 is not particularly limited, and for example, a structure having two electrodes electrically connected to the base material 3' and a voltage applying unit for applying a voltage between the electrodes may be adopted. In this way, the base material 3' can be heated to soften the base material 3' by putting the base material 3' in an energized state.

[0068] The cooling unit 85 rapidly cools the reinforcement member 3 (base material 3'). The structure of the cooling unit 85 is not particularly limited, and for example, a structure having flow paths provided in the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 and through which the refrigerant flows can be adopted. When the refrigerant flows through the flow paths, the reinforcement member 3 can be rapidly cooled in the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82. In addition, the refrigerant can be any of a liquid and a gas.

[0069] The driving unit 86 can move the upper mold 81 so that the upper mold 81 approaches and moves away from the lower mold 82. Thus, the mold opening state and the mold closing state can be switched. The structure of the driving unit 86 is not particularly limited, and for example, a structure having a motor, a ball screw connected to the motor, and a linear guide connected to the ball screw can be adopted.

[0070] The control unit 87 controls the operations of the gas supply unit 83, the heating unit 84, the cooling unit 85, and the driving unit 86. The configuration of the control unit 87 is not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various memories may be employed.

[0071] The molding device 8 operates as follows.

[0072] First, if Figure 6 As shown, the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 are in an open mold state, and the base material 3 ′ is arranged between the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82 .

[0073] Next, in the mold open state, the heating unit 84 is operated to soften the base material 3'.

[0074] Next, the upper mold 81 is adjusted to a state close to the lower mold 82. This state has not yet reached Figure 7 The mold closing state shown in FIG. 8 is not a state in which a gap is formed between the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82. Then, the gas supply unit 83 is operated and a blow molding is performed. As a result, a part of the base material 3' bulges and enters the above-mentioned gap between the upper mold 81 and the lower mold 82.

[0075] Next, adjust to Figure 7 The mold is closed in the state shown in FIG. 1 , and the gas supply unit 83 is operated to perform secondary blow molding. Thus, the base material 3 ′ can be deformed into the shape of the reinforcing member 3 (ie, into the reinforcing member 3 having the tube portion 31 and the flange portion 32 ).

[0076] Next, the cooling unit 85 is operated to rapidly cool the reinforcing member 3. As a result, in the reinforcing member 3, austenite is transformed into martensite.

[0077] Next, the mold is adjusted to the open state again, and the reinforcing member 3 is taken out. Then, the reinforcing member 3 can be cut into a desired length and joined to the roof rail member 2.

[0078] <Second embodiment>

[0079] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (second embodiment) of the present invention.

[0080] Hereinafter, with reference to the figure, a second embodiment of the vehicle body structure, the reinforcing member, and the method for manufacturing the reinforcing member of the present invention will be described, with the focus being on the points that are different from the above embodiment, and descriptions of the same structures will be omitted.

[0081] This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the side to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is different from the first embodiment. Other structures are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0082] like Figure 8 As shown, in the vehicle body structure 1 of the present embodiment, the member 2 for the roof side rail to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is the roof side outer member 93 among the side outer member 91, the roof side inner member 92, and the roof side outer member 93. At this time, the flange portion 32 of the reinforcing member 3 is joined to the center portion 932 of the roof side outer member 93.

[0083] Furthermore, the posture of the reinforcing member 3 is different from that of the reinforcing member 3 in the first embodiment, and is in a state of being arranged upside down. Furthermore, the protruding direction of the flange portion 32 of the reinforcing member 3 is toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction. Thus, as in the first embodiment, it is extremely difficult to bend the flange portion 32 in the width direction, thereby further improving the mechanical strength of the reinforcing member 3, and thus being able to fully prevent or suppress the roof rail 9 from being accidentally bent toward the inside of the vehicle 10 during a collision.

[0084] When it is desired to join the reinforcing member 3 to the roof side outer member 93 , the above-described vehicle body structure 1 is an effective structure.

[0085] <Third embodiment>

[0086] Fig. 9 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (third embodiment) of the present invention.

[0087] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the vehicle body structure, the reinforcing member, and the method for manufacturing the reinforcing member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing, with the focus being on points different from the above-described embodiment, and description of the same structures being omitted.

[0088] This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the structure (shape) of the reinforcing member 3 is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0089] like Fig. 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the reinforcing member 3 has two flange portions 32. The flange portions 32 are arranged on both sides of the pipe portion 31 via the pipe portion 31.

[0090] One flange portion 32A of the two flange portions 32 projects toward the negative side in the Y-axis direction, and the other flange portion 32B projects toward the upper side (positive side in the Z-axis direction).

[0091] Since the reinforcing member 3 of the above-described structure has two flange portions 32, the mechanical strength is increased compared to the reinforcing member 3 of the first embodiment. Thus, the impact resistance of the roof side rail 9 can be further improved.

[0092] <Fourth embodiment>

[0093] Fig.10 This is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle including the vehicle body structure (fourth embodiment) of the present invention.

[0094] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle body structure, the reinforcing member, and the method for manufacturing the reinforcing member according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing, with the focus being on points different from the above-described embodiment, and description of the same structures being omitted.

[0095] This embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except that the object side to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is different from the third embodiment. Other structures are the same as those of the third embodiment.

[0096] like Fig.10 As shown, in the vehicle body structure 1 of the present embodiment, the member 2 for the roof side rail to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is a roof side outer member 93 .

[0097] Furthermore, the posture of the reinforcing member 3 is different from that of the reinforcing member 3 in the third embodiment, and is in an upside-down configuration. Furthermore, the protruding direction of the flange portion 32A of the reinforcing member 3 is toward the positive side in the Y-axis direction, and the protruding direction surface of the flange portion 32B is toward the lower side (negative side in the Z-axis direction).

[0098] When it is desired to join the reinforcing member 3 to the roof side outer member 93 , the above-described vehicle body structure 1 is an effective structure.

[0099] In the above, the embodiments of the vehicle body structure, the reinforcement component, and the method for manufacturing the reinforcement component of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, the vehicle body structure and each part constituting the reinforcement component can be replaced with any structure that can perform the same function. Furthermore, any structure can be added.

[0100] Furthermore, the vehicle body structure, the reinforcing member, and the method for manufacturing the reinforcing member of the present invention may be formed by combining any two or more structures (features) of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0101] The roof side rail member 2 to which the reinforcing member 3 is joined is the roof side inner member 92 in the first and third embodiments and is the roof side outer member 93 in the second and fourth embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be used for the side outer member 91 .

[0102] Furthermore, although the reinforcing member 3 is disposed on the inner side of the roof rail 9 , the present invention is not limited thereto and the reinforcing member 3 may be disposed on the outer side of the roof rail 9 .

[0103] Furthermore, the thickness of the flange portion 32 can be appropriately adjusted by the molding device 8. Thus, the joining portion of the flange portion 32 can be provided between the roof side inner member 92 and the roof side outer member 93, for example.

[0104] Explanation of symbols

[0105] 10-automobile, 1-body structure, 2-roof rail component, 3-reinforcement component, 3'-base material, 31-tube (ring), 32, 32A, 32B-flange, 8-molding device, 81-upper mold, 82-lower mold, 83-gas supply unit, 84-heating unit, 85-cooling unit, 86-driving unit, 87-control unit, 88-first cavity, 89-second cavity, 9-roof rail, 91-side outer component, 911-joining edge, 912- Central part, 913-deformation part, 92-roof side inner part, 921-joining edge, 922-central part, 923-deformation part, 93-roof side outer part, 931-joining edge, 932-central part, 933-deformation part, 94, 94A, 94B-joining part, 11-center pillar (B pillar), 12-roof reinforcement, 13-door, 14-roof panel, 15-anode, 16-cathode, 20-pillar (impactor), AR9-range, CR-occupant, φd 20 -Diameter, HD-head, OX-axis, O9-impact point, O11-extension line, V 20 - Impact velocity, θ 20 -Collision angle.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure, characterized in that: have: Components for roof rails, used as one of the supporting components of the vehicle body; and a reinforcing member arranged along the length direction of the roof rail member and reinforcing the roof rail member, The roof rail component includes a plurality of components whose edges are joint edges. The joint edges of the plurality of parts are joined to each other, The reinforcing member is a processed product formed from a base material into a tubular body, and includes a tubular portion and a flange portion protruding from the outer peripheral side of the tubular portion and formed along the longitudinal direction of the roof rail member. Parts of the tube walls of the base material overlap each other to form the flange portion, The flange portion is joined to the roof side rail member at a portion other than the portion where the joint edges of the plurality of members are joined.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roof rail member is composed of a hollow body having a first member constituting the outermost part of the vehicle body, a second member constituting the inner part of the vehicle body, and a third member located between the first member and the second member. The reinforcing member is joined to one of the first member, the second member, and the third member.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flange portion faces outwardly on a side surface of the vehicle body.

4. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The roof rail member is joined to a pillar member of one of the support members. A portion of the reinforcing member overlaps with an extension line of the column member.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The overall length of the reinforcing member is shorter than the overall length of the roof side rail member.

6. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The reinforcing member is a member that prevents or suppresses the roof rail member from bending inwardly of the vehicle body when an occupant protection test of a side pole collision based on Rule No. 135 of the Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Vehicle Models is performed.

7. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The flange portion is joined to the roof side rail member by welding.

8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The welding is spot welding.

9. A reinforcing member arranged along the length direction of a roof rail member and reinforcing the roof rail member, wherein: The roof rail component includes a plurality of components whose edges are joint edges. The joint edges of the plurality of parts are joined to each other, The reinforcing member is a processed product formed from a base material into a tubular body, and has a tubular portion and a flange portion protruding from the outer peripheral side of the tubular portion and formed along the longitudinal direction of the roof rail member. Parts of the tube walls of the base material overlap each other to form the flange portion, The flange portion is joined to the roof side rail member at a portion other than the portion where the joint edges of the plurality of members are joined.

10. A method for manufacturing the reinforcing member according to claim 9, characterized in that: A tubular body having a circular cross-sectional shape, which is a base material of the reinforcing member, is molded by applying force from the outside and the inside to form a tube portion having a non-circular cross-sectional shape and a flange portion protruding from the outer peripheral side of the tube portion.

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