Connection structure between a rear side wall portion and a rear floor

Abstract

The present invention provides a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a connecting structure between a rear quarter and a rear floor which can enhance torsional rigidity of a vehicle body and ensure durability of a tailgate opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present invention and do not constitute prior art.

[0003] A cross member for a vehicle is a member installed at a position of a front wheel and a rear wheel of a vehicle body in a transverse direction of the vehicle. Depending on the position of the cross member on the vehicle, the cross member can include a front cross member and a rear cross member.

[0004] Figure 1A And Figure 1B A rear cross member for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is shown, wherein Figure 1A A side rear portion of a vehicle body is shown, while Figure 1B A rear portion of a vehicle body is shown, wherein a tailgate is removed from an opening of the tailgate. The rear cross member 610 is joined to a rear floor side member 630, which is joined to both sides of a rear floor 620 of the vehicle body.

[0005] Since the internal combustion engine vehicle has sufficient rear overhang between the rear cross member 610 and the tailgate, a chassis input load is absorbed by the rear floor side member 630 and transmitted to an upper body of the vehicle through a ring structure of the rear quarter portion.

[0006] On the other hand, in the case of a rear-wheel-driven electric vehicle, the size of the rear cross member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is increased to install a motor, a power electronics module, etc. This causes a rear mounting portion of the rear cross member to approach the opening of the tailgate, and a chassis input load is transmitted to the opening of the tailgate.

[0007] The above statements are merely intended to help understand the background of the present invention and are not intended to be construed as falling within the prior art known to those skilled in the art. SUMMARY

[0008] The present invention provides a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor, which can provide durability performance of a tailgate opening of an electric vehicle, etc., in which the size of a rear side member is increased in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0009] According to one form of the present invention, a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor of a vehicle includes a rear panel, a rear floor joined to a first side of the rear panel, a rear quarter outer member joined to a second side of the rear panel to overlap the rear floor, and a side outer rear extension joined to the rear quarter outer member.

[0010] The present application provides a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor panel, which can effectively disperse chassis input load, increase torsional rigidity of a vehicle body, and reduce deformation of a tailgate opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] In order that the application can be well understood, various forms thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] Figure 1A A rear cross member mounted at a side rear portion of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is shown;

[0013] Figure 1B A rear cross member mounted at a rear portion of a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is shown;

[0014] Figure 2 A rear cross member having an increased dimension in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and mounted at a side rear portion of the vehicle is shown, and a vehicle including a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor panel according to one form of the application is shown;

[0015] Figures 3A to 3C A state of engagement between a rear floor panel and a rear quarter panel in a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor panel according to one form of the application is shown, wherein, Figure 3A is an exploded perspective view of the rear floor panel and the rear quarter panel, Figure 3B is a perspective view of the engagement of the rear floor panel and the rear quarter panel, Figure 3C is Figure 3B is an enlarged schematic view of the dotted line portion shown;

[0016] Figure 4 A rear floor panel-rear quarter panel assembly engaged to a rear quarter portion in a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor panel according to one form of the application is shown;

[0017] Figures 5A to 5C A state of engagement between a rear quarter portion and a side outer rear extension in a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor panel according to one form of the application is shown, wherein, Figure 5A is an exploded perspective view of the rear quarter portion and the side outer rear extension, Figure 5B is a schematic view of the engagement of the rear quarter portion and the side outer rear extension, Figure 5C is Figure 5B is an enlarged schematic view of the dotted line portion shown;

[0018] Figure 6A A state of the connecting structure between the rear quarter portion and the rear floor panel is shown as viewed from an inner side of the vehicle;

[0019] Figure 6B A state of the connecting structure between the rear quarter portion and the rear floor panel is shown as viewed from an inner side of the vehicle; Figure 6Aa cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A' shown in FIG. 1;

[0020] Figure 6C A state of a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor according to one form of the present application is shown from the outside of the vehicle;

[0021] Figure 6D A state of a side outer rear extension portion seen in FIG. 6 is shown; Figure 6C

[0022] Figure 7 A state of a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor according to one form of the present application is shown from the outside of the vehicle, and is a view for explaining a state in which a rear quarter outer member and a side outer rear extension portion extend to a base surface of the rear floor;

[0023] Figure 8A A state of a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor according to one form of the present application is shown from the inside of the vehicle;

[0024] Figure 8B A state of a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor according to one form of the present application is shown from the inside of the vehicle; Figure 8A a portion of the front view shown in FIG. 1,

[0025] Figure 9 A transmission path of a chassis input load of a connection structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor according to one form of the present application is shown.

[0026] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present application, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

[0028] The preferred forms of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific structures or functions described in the various forms of the present application are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the forms according to the concept of the present application, which can be implemented in various forms, and it should be understood that they should not be interpreted as being limited to the forms described in the present application specification, but include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions within the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0029] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present application. Similarly, a second element could be termed a first element.​

[0030] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can be present. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other expressions that describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in the same way (e.g., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

[0031] It will be understood that, as used herein, the terms "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terminology is intended to include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), minivans, trucks, various commercial vehicles, including passenger cars, boats, ships, aircraft, etc., and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., those powered by fuels other than petroleum products). As used herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0032] Throughout the specification, like drawing figures have the same reference numerals. While the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "include", "includes", "including" and / or "contain", "contains", "containing" are used herein, these terms are used in their open-ended, conventional sense unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprising", "include", "includes", "including", and / or "contain", "contains", "containing" when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated components, steps, operations, and / or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements.

[0033] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 2 A rear cross member 10 having an increased size in the front-rear direction of the vehicle compared to an internal combustion engine vehicle is shown.

[0035] The rear cross member 10 is mounted on the rear floor side member 20 by a front mounting portion 12 and a rear mounting portion 14. In particular, the rear mounting portion 14 is mounted at a rear edge of the rear floor side member 20, and an upper portion of the rear mounting portion 14 is connected to an opening member of a tailgate. As described above, since the rear mounting portion 14 of the rear cross member 10 is located in the vicinity of the opening of the tailgate, a chassis input load is transmitted to the opening member of the tailgate. Therefore, a structure capable of providing durability of the tailgate opening member is required.

[0036] The present application provides a connecting structure between a rear quarter portion and a rear floor, which can increase torsional rigidity of a vehicle body and reduce displacement of a tailgate opening.

[0037] Specifically, exemplary forms of the present application include a structure that simultaneously connects the rear quarter panel 30, the rear floor 40, the rear quarter rear outer member 52, and the side outer rear extension 60.

[0038] According to some exemplary forms of the present application, the flange of the wheelhouse 70 extends rearward, and the extension plate 90 is engaged between the wheelhouse 70 and the rear quarter rear member 50, so that the side outer rear extension 60 is simultaneously engaged.

[0039] Further, some exemplary forms of the present application include a structure that extends the rear quarter rear outer member 52 and the side outer rear extension 60 to the surface of the rear floor 40.

[0040] In some exemplary forms of the present application, a bulk head 80 is included in the connecting portion that connects the rear quarter rear member 50 and the rear quarter panel 30, and is disposed above a line corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the rear floor side member 20.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3A and Figure 3B , the rear floor 40 is attached to the rear quarter panel 30. As shown in Figure 3C , the rear floor 40 is engaged to the rear quarter panel flange portion 32 of the rear quarter panel 30. The rear floor side member 20 is engaged to each of the two sides of the rear floor 40. The rear cross member 10 is disposed between the rear floor side members 20 and supports the rear portion of the rear floor 40.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4 , the wheelhouse 70 is attached to the two sides of the rear floor 40. The rear quarter portion is disposed on the upper side of the wheelhouse 70. The wheelhouse 70 includes a wheelhouse flange portion 72 that extends rearward. More specifically, referring to Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the rear quarter rear member 50, which includes the rear quarter rear outer member 52 and the rear quarter rear inner member 54, is connected to the upper portion of the wheelhouse 70. The side outer rear extension 60 is engaged to the outer side of the rear quarter rear member 50. The rear quarter rear member 50 functions as a side member of the opening of the tailgate and connects the lower vehicle body to the upper vehicle body. The side outer rear extension 60 is connected with a side outer portion (not shown), includes an opening flange of the tailgate, and forms a quasi-outer appearance when the tailgate is opened.

[0043] As shown in Figure 5CAs shown, according to some example forms of the present application, an extension plate 90 is provided. The extension plate 90 extends between the rear side outer member 52 and the rear side inner member 54. The extension plate 90 is connected to the wheelhouse flange portion 72. A portion of the extension plate 90 is connected to both the wheelhouse flange portion 72 and the side outer rear extension portion 60. Another portion of the extension plate 90 is joined to the side outer rear extension portion 60 to connect the side outer rear extension portion 60, the rear side outer member 52 and the rear side inner member 54. As shown in C1 of Figure 5C , one side of the extension plate 90 is joined to the side outer rear extension portion 60. As shown in C2 of Figure 5C , the rear side outer member 52 is joined to the side outer rear extension portion 60 on the vehicle inner side.

[0044] According to the present application, the extension plate 90 can improve the joining rigidity of the joint where each component is joined.

[0045] Referring to Figures 6A to 6D , the rear side outer member 52, the side outer rear extension portion 60, the rear floor 40 and the rear panel 30 are connected to each other at the same time. As shown by the dotted line mark in Figure 6B , the rear panel 30, the rear floor 40, the rear side outer member 52 and the side outer rear extension portion 60 include portions that are integrally joined to each other. Thus, the chassis input load input to the rear mounting portion 14 of the rear cross member 10 can be effectively distributed. Ultimately, the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body can be improved and the deformation of the opening of the tailgate can be reduced.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7 , the rear side outer member 52 and the side outer rear extension portion 60 extend to the base surface of the rear floor 40. This allows the size of the cross section to be improved and provides continuity of the cross section of the rear panel 30 and the cross section of the rear side. This structure can improve the torsional rigidity and durability of the vehicle body and reduce the displacement of the tailgate opening.

[0047] Referring to Figure 8A and Figure 8B , according to some example forms of the present application, one or more bulkhead ribs 80 are provided. The bulkhead ribs 80 serve to improve the load transfer efficiency and provide rigidity within the cross section. The bulkhead ribs 80 are provided at the rear portion of the rear panel 30. In particular, the bulkhead ribs 80 are provided on the connecting portion between the rear side portion and the rear panel.

[0048] According to one form of the present application, two bulkhead ribs 80 are provided within the cross section of the connecting portion between the rear side rear member 50 and the rear panel 30. A first bulkhead rib 82 can be provided substantially in line above the rear floor outer member 42 and a second bulkhead rib 84 can be provided substantially in line above the rear floor inner member 44. The first bulkhead rib 82 and the second bulkhead rib 84 are aligned with the rear floor outer member 42 and the rear floor inner member 44, respectively, with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0049] As Figure 9 indicated, the connection structure between the rear side portion and the rear floor according to the present application can effectively distribute the input load, thereby increasing the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body and reducing the displacement of the tailgate opening. Thus, as the length of the rear cross member extends in the front-rear direction, the present application can improve the durability of the tailgate opening in an electric vehicle.

[0050] Further, when the input load of the chassis is transmitted to the upper body, various factors such as the height difference between the rear floor surface and the rear panel cross section, and the distance between the coupling region provided between the rear side portion and the rear portion of the vehicle body make the existing structure disadvantageous. The connection structure between the rear side portion and the rear floor according to the present application can improve the ride & handling (R&H) performance and the durability performance of the vehicle through the improvement of the rigidity.

[0051] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the above-described forms and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present application.

Claims

1. A connection structure between a rear side panel and a rear floor of a vehicle, the connection structure comprising: Rear panel; Rear floor, which is joined to the first side of the rear bulkhead; A rear side enclosure outer member, which engages with the second side of the rear enclosure panel and is configured to overlap the rear floor; and The lateral rear extension, which engages with the rear outer rear member, Wherein, at least a portion of each of the rear panel, the rear floor, the rear side panel rear outer member, and the side outer rear extension overlaps and engages with each other.

2. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one partition rib, the at least one partition rib being disposed on a cross section between the rear outer member of the rear side panel and the rear panel.

3. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one partition rib includes: First diaphragm rib; and The second partition rib is configured to be spaced apart from the first partition rib by a predetermined interval.

4. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein, The rear floor includes: Rear floor external members, which are formed on the first and second sides of the rear floor; and The rear floor internal components are arranged more inwardly within the rear floor than the rear floor external components.

5. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, The first partition rib is configured to align with the outer member of the rear floor and is located at a first position in the vertical direction that is higher than the outer member of the rear floor.

6. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 5, wherein, The second partition rib is configured to align with the interior component of the rear floor and is located at a second position in the vertical direction that is higher than the interior component of the rear floor.

7. A connection structure between a rear side panel and a rear floor of a vehicle, the connection structure comprising: Rear panel; Rear floor, which is joined to the first side of the rear bulkhead; A rear side outer member that engages with the second side of the rear panel and is configured to overlap the rear floor; A side-outer rear extension that engages with the rear side enclosure rear outer member; as well as The rear inner member of the rear side enclosure is engaged to the inside of the rear outer member of the rear side enclosure and connected to the rear panel.

8. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising an extension plate extending between the rear outer member of the rear side panel, the rear inner member of the rear side panel, and the rear lateral extension.

9. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising a wheel cover connected to the extension plate.

10. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 9, wherein, The wheel cover includes a wheel cover flange that bends at the edge of a first side of the wheel cover and engages with the extension plate.

11. The connection structure between the rear side panel and the rear floor of the vehicle according to claim 10, wherein, A portion of the wheel cover flange is connected to the side rear extension.

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