Vehicle body rear structure

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle body rear structure that can improve crashworthiness and achieve weight reduction. A vehicle body rear structure (1) includes a rear frame (30) that extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a vehicle width direction end portion side of a floor panel (2); a rear wheel house (70) that extends upward from a vehicle width direction outer portion of the rear frame (30); a rear cross member (60) that extends in the vehicle width direction on the floor panel (2); a wheel house reinforcing member that extends in an up-down direction along the rear wheel house (70); and an upper reinforcing member (4) that covers an opening portion of the rear frame (30), the upper reinforcing member (4) having a front reinforcing member (40) and a rear reinforcing member (50), a lower portion of the wheel house reinforcing member being joined to the upper reinforcing member (4) and the rear cross member (60), and a joining portion between the front reinforcing member (40) and the rear reinforcing member (50) being offset in the vehicle longitudinal direction with respect to a joining portion between the upper reinforcing member (4) and the wheel house reinforcing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the rear structure of a vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, based on the perspective of improving the global environment to mitigate natural disasters, there has been a demand to improve automobile fuel efficiency. On the other hand, there is also a demand to maintain or enhance vehicle crash safety. To meet these requirements, the development of high-strength and lightweight rear-section structures for automobile bodies is underway.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which a support member is provided on the inner surface of the rear wheel arch in the vehicle width direction, and the rear wheel arch and the support member form a closed cross-section frame. In this structure, the lower end of the support member is connected to the upper wall of the rear frame.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a structure in which the upper wall of the rear frame, which extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, is divided into two parts along the front-rear direction.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-196109

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-218951 Summary of the Invention

[0009] When the structures described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are combined, the joint between the support member and the upper wall of the rear frame, and the joint between the support member and the two separate parts of the rear frame, are located in the same position, creating areas where stress is prone to local concentration. Therefore, these areas need to be reinforced, resulting in an increase in weight.

[0010] The present invention is made in view of the above points, and the subject is to provide a rear body structure that can improve crashworthiness and achieve lightweighting.

[0011] To address the aforementioned issues, the rear vehicle body structure of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a floor panel; a rear frame extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the end side of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction and having an opening at its upper portion; a rear wheel arch extending upward from outside the rear frame in the vehicle width direction; a rear crossbeam extending along the vehicle width direction on the floor panel at the lower part of the rear wheel arch; a wheel arch reinforcement member extending vertically along the rear wheel arch; and an upper reinforcement member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and covering the opening, the upper reinforcement member having a front reinforcement member and a rear reinforcement member divided in the longitudinal direction, the lower portion of the wheel arch reinforcement member being joined to the upper reinforcement member and the rear crossbeam, and the joint between the front reinforcement member and the rear reinforcement member being offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the joint between the upper reinforcement member and the wheel arch reinforcement member.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve impact resistance and achieve lightweighting. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a side view schematically illustrating the rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line III-III.

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0018] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 VV-line sectional view.

[0019] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line VI-VI.

[0020] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

[0022] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A magnified view of a portion of the image.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0024] 1. Rear structure of the vehicle body

[0025] 2 floor panels

[0026] 3 Lower Longitudinal Beams

[0027] 4. Upper stiffener

[0028] 5 Shock absorber base

[0029] 6 Connecting components (wheel cover reinforcement components)

[0030] 7-corner brace

[0031] 8 pillars

[0032] 20 Lower longitudinal beam internal components

[0033] 30 rear frame

[0034] 40 front reinforcement

[0035] 50 rear reinforcement

[0036] 60s generation crossbeam

[0037] 70 rear wheel cover

[0038] 80 Wheel arch upper reinforcement component (wheel arch reinforcement component)

[0039] 90 Wheel arch side reinforcement component (wheel arch reinforcement component)

[0040] 100 Front connecting component (wheel cover reinforcement component)

[0041] 110 Rear Connecting Components (Wheel Cover Reinforcement Components)

[0042] 120 lower corner brace

[0043] 130 upper corner brace

[0044] 140-column internal components Detailed Implementation

[0045] Next, taking the case of applying the rear body structure of the present invention to the left side of a vehicle as an example, while appropriately referring to the appendix... Figure 1 The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. Furthermore, referring to the accompanying drawings, "front and rear" refers to the front-to-back direction in the vehicle's direction of travel, that is, the front-to-back direction of the vehicle body, and "left and right" refers to the left-to-right direction (vehicle width direction) as seen from the driver's seat.

[0046] like Figure 1As shown, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body according to the embodiment of the present invention has a floor panel 2, a lower longitudinal beam 3, and a rear frame 30 (see reference) as a metal frame component constituting the vehicle body. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The rear frame 30 is a component (lower rear frame member) constituting the lower part of a frame (rear frame) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the upper reinforcing member 4 is a component (upper rear frame member) constituting the upper part of the frame (upper rear frame member). Additionally, the rear body structure 1, as a metal frame component constituting the vehicle body, has a shock absorber base 5 internally located (see reference). Figure 5 ) rear wheel cover 70.

[0047] Furthermore, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, as a metal frame component constituting the vehicle body, includes an upper wheel arch reinforcement 80, a side wheel arch reinforcement 90, a connecting member 6, a corner brace 7, and a strut 8. The upper wheel arch reinforcement 80, the side wheel arch reinforcement 90, and the connecting member 6 are connected to each other to form a wheel arch reinforcement component that reinforces the rear wheel arch 70.

[0048] Floor Panels

[0049] Floor panel 2 is a plate-shaped component that forms the ground of the vehicle body. Floor panel 2 is installed between a pair of lower longitudinal beams 3, 3 on the left and right sides and between a pair of rear frames 30, 30 on the left and right sides and upper reinforcing members 4, 4.

[0050] <Lower longitudinal beam>

[0051] The lower longitudinal beam 3 is a rectangular closed-section component that extends along the longitudinal direction, located at the end of the vehicle body in the width direction and at the middle in the front-rear direction. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the lower longitudinal beam 3 is formed by combining the inner member 20 of the lower longitudinal beam that constitutes the interior in the vehicle width direction and the outer member (not shown) of the lower longitudinal beam that constitutes the exterior in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] Lower longitudinal beam internal components

[0053] The lower longitudinal beam inner member 20 integrally includes an inner wall portion 21, a lower wall portion 22 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner wall portion 21, and a lower flange portion 23 extending downward from the outer end of the lower wall portion 22 in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the lower longitudinal beam inner member 20 integrally includes an upper wall portion 24 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the inner wall portion 21, and an upper flange portion 25 extending upward from the outer end of the upper wall portion 24 in the vehicle width direction.

[0054] The front portion of the inner wall portion 21 is joined to a flange portion extending upward from the end of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction by welding or the like. The rear portion of the inner wall portion 21 is joined to the outer wall portion 34 of the front portion of the rear frame 30 (described later) by welding or the like. In this part, the rectangular closed section of the lower longitudinal beam 3 and the rectangular closed section formed by the rear frame 30 and the upper reinforcing member 4 are side by side in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange portion 23 and the upper flange portion 25 are joined to the outer member of the lower longitudinal beam (not shown) by welding or the like.

[0055] <Rear frame>

[0056] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown, the rear frame (lower rear frame member) 30 is a generally hat-shaped component that extends in the longitudinal direction from the rear end of the vehicle body in the width direction. The rear frame 30 has an opening at the top. The rear frame 30 integrally includes a lower wall portion 31, an inner wall portion 32 extending upward from the inner end of the lower wall portion 31 in the width direction, and a flange portion 33 extending inward in the width direction from the upper end of the inner wall portion 32. In addition, the rear frame 30 integrally includes an outer wall portion 34 extending upward from the outer end of the lower wall portion 31 in the width direction.

[0057] The flange portion 33 coincides with the lower side of the end portion of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the floor panel 2 by welding or the like. The front portion of the outer wall portion 34 coincides with the inner side of the inner wall portion 21 of the lower longitudinal beam inner member 20 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the inner wall portion 21 by welding or the like. The upper end of the rear portion of the outer wall portion 34 coincides with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 (described later) in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side wall portion 71 by welding or the like. In addition, the upper end of the rear portion of the outer wall portion 34 coincides with the outer side of the outer flange portion of the upper reinforcing member 4 (described later) in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the outer flange portion by welding or the like.

[0058] <Upper Reinforcing Component>

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the upper reinforcing member (rear frame upper component) 4 is a plate-shaped member that is provided at the rear end of the vehicle body in the width direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The upper reinforcing member 4 serves to support the rear frame 30 (see reference). Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The opening of the upper reinforcing member 4 is covered, and it cooperates with the rear frame 30 to form a rectangular closed section. The upper reinforcing member 4 has a front reinforcing member 40 constituting the front part of the upper reinforcing member 4 and a rear reinforcing member 50 constituting the rear part of the upper reinforcing member 4. The front reinforcing member 40 is formed to have higher strength than the rear reinforcing member 50. This structure is set according to the material, thickness, shape, etc. of the front reinforcing member 40 and the rear reinforcing member 50.

[0060] Front reinforcement components

[0061] The front part of the front reinforcement 40 is located inside the lower longitudinal beam 3 in the vehicle width direction, and the rear part of the front reinforcement 40 is located inside the lower end of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction. Figure 3 As shown, the front reinforcement 40 integrally includes an upper wall portion 41, an inner wall portion 42 extending downward from the inner end of the upper wall portion 41 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner flange portion 43 extending inward from the lower end of the inner wall portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the front reinforcement 40 integrally includes an outer flange portion 44 extending upward from the outer end of the upper wall portion 41 in the vehicle width direction, and an outer flange bend portion 45 extending outward from the upper end of the outer flange portion 44 at the front of the front reinforcement 40 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0062] The front reinforcement 40 has a shape that decreases in height as it moves forward. That is, in the front part of the front reinforcement 40, the inner wall portion 42 and the outer flange portion 44 disappear, and the upper wall portion 41, the inner flange portion 43 and the outer flange bend portion 45 become approximately the same height.

[0063] The inner flange portion 43 coincides with the upper side of the end portion of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the floor panel 2 by welding or the like. The rear portion of the outer flange portion 44 coincides with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side wall portion 71 by welding or the like. The bent portion 45 of the outer flange coincides with the upper side of the upper wall portion 24 of the lower longitudinal beam inner member 20 and is joined to the upper wall portion 24 by welding or the like. Furthermore, Figure 3 The cross-section shown is the overlapping and joint area of ​​the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, therefore the rear reinforcement 50 is located on the lower side of the front reinforcement 40.

[0064] Rear reinforcement components

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the rear reinforcement 50 is located on the inner side of the lower end of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction. Figure 4 As shown, the rear reinforcement 50 integrally includes an upper wall portion 51, an inner wall portion 52 extending downward from the inner end of the upper wall portion 51 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner flange portion 53 extending inward from the lower end of the inner wall portion 52 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the rear reinforcement 50 integrally includes an outer flange portion 54 extending upward from the outer end of the upper wall portion 51 in the vehicle width direction.

[0066] The inner flange portion 53 coincides with the upper side of the end portion of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the floor panel 2 by welding or the like. The outer flange portion 54 coincides with the inner side of the upper end portion of the outer wall portion 34 of the rear frame 30 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the outer wall portion 34 by welding or the like.

[0067] <Rear Crossbeam>

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the rear crossbeam 60 is a generally hat-shaped component extending along the vehicle width direction on the floor panel 2. The rear crossbeam 60 has an opening at its lower part. The rear crossbeam 60 and the floor panel 2 cooperate to form a rectangular closed cross section. The rear crossbeam 60 integrally has an upper wall portion 61, a front wall portion 62 extending downward from the front end of the upper wall portion 61, and a front flange portion 63 extending forward from the lower end of the front wall portion 62. In addition, the rear crossbeam 60 integrally has a rear wall portion 64 extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall portion 61, and a rear flange portion 65 extending rearward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 64.

[0069] The front flange 63 and the rear flange 65 overlap with the upper side of the floor panel 2 and are joined to the floor panel 2 by welding or the like.

[0070] Rear wheel cover

[0071] The rear wheel cover 70 is a component for accommodating a rear wheel (not shown). The rear wheel cover 70 integrally has a side wall portion 71 that is generally circular and convex upward when viewed from the side, a peripheral wall portion 72 that is circular and arc-shaped in the side view and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the arc-shaped end of the side wall portion 71, and a flange portion 73 that extends outward in the radial direction from the radially outer end of the peripheral wall portion 72.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the front portion of the lower end of the sidewall portion 71 coincides with the outer side of the rear portion of the outer flange portion 44 in the machine width direction of the front reinforcement 40, and is joined to the outer flange portion 44 by welding or the like. Figure 4 As shown, the rear part of the lower end of the sidewall portion 71 coincides with the outer side of the outer flange portion 54 of the rear reinforcement 50 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the outer flange portion 54 by welding or the like.

[0073] <Shock absorber base>

[0074] like Figure 5 As shown, the shock absorber base 5 is disposed within the space formed by the side wall portion 71 and the peripheral wall portion 72 of the rear wheel arch 70, and is a curved plate-shaped component at the upper end of the suspension shock absorber (not shown) that supports the wheel suspension within this space. The shock absorber base 5 is joined to the lower surface of the upper end of the peripheral wall portion 72 of the rear wheel arch 70 and the outer surface of the side wall portion 71 in the vehicle width direction by welding or the like.

[0075] <Upper wheel arch reinforcement component>

[0076] like Figure 1As shown, the upper wheel arch reinforcement member 80 is a member that reinforces the upper part of the rear wheel arch 70 by forming a rectangular closed cross section in cooperation with the upper part (peripheral wall portion 72) of the rear wheel arch 70. The upper wheel arch reinforcement member 80 integrally includes an upper wall portion 81, a front wall portion 82 extending downward from the front end of the upper wall portion 81, and a front flange portion 83 extending forward from the lower end of the front wall portion 82. In addition, the upper wheel arch reinforcement member 80 integrally includes a rear wall portion 84 extending downward from the rear end of the upper wall portion 81, and a rear flange portion 85 extending rearward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 84.

[0077] The front flange portion 83 and the rear flange portion 85 overlap with the upper side of the peripheral wall portion 72 and are joined to the peripheral wall portion 72 by welding or the like.

[0078] <Wheel cover side reinforcement components>

[0079] The wheel arch side reinforcement member 90 is a member that reinforces the sides of the rear wheel arch 70 by cooperating with the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 to form a rectangular closed cross section. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90 integrally includes an inner wall portion 91, a front wall portion 92 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 91, and a front flange portion 93 extending forward from the outer end of the front wall portion 92 in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90 integrally includes a rear wall portion 94 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner wall portion 91, and a rear flange portion 95 extending rearward from the outer end of the rear wall portion 94 in the vehicle width direction.

[0080] The front flange portion 93 and the rear flange portion 95 coincide with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 in the vehicle width direction and are joined to the side wall portion 71 by welding or the like.

[0081] <Connecting Components>

[0082] like Figure 1 As shown, the connecting member 6 is a component that connects the width-direction end of the rear crossbeam 60 to the lower end of the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90. The connecting member 6 has a front connecting member 100 constituting the front portion and a rear connecting member 110 constituting the rear portion. The front connecting member 100 is configured to have higher strength than the rear connecting member 110. This configuration is determined based on the material, thickness, shape, etc., of the front connecting member 100 and the rear connecting member 110.

[0083] Front connecting components

[0084] like Figure 6 as well as Figure 7As shown, the front connecting member 100 integrally includes an upper inner wall portion 101, a front wall portion 102 extending downward from the front end of the upper inner wall portion 101 and outward in the vehicle width direction, and a first flange portion 103 extending forward from the lower end of the front wall portion 102 in the vehicle width direction and the outer end in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the front connecting member 100 integrally includes a second flange portion 104 extending forward from the lower end of the front wall portion 102 in the vehicle width direction and a third flange portion 105 extending forward from the outer end of the front wall portion 102 in the vehicle width direction.

[0085] The first flange portion 103, together with the floor panel 2, coincides with the upper side of the inner flange portion 53 of the rear reinforcement 50 and the inner side of the inner wall portion 52 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the floor panel 2, the inner flange portion 53, and the inner wall portion 52 by welding or the like. The second flange portion 104 coincides with the upper side of the upper wall portion 51 of the rear reinforcement 50 and is joined to the upper wall portion 51 by welding or the like. The third flange portion 105 coincides with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side wall portion 71 by welding or the like.

[0086] Rear Connecting Components

[0087] The rear connecting member 110 integrally includes an upper inner wall portion 111, a rear wall portion 112 extending downward and outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the upper inner wall portion 111, and a first flange portion 113 extending rearward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 112 in the vehicle width direction and the outer end in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the rear connecting member 110 integrally includes a second flange portion 114 extending rearward from the lower end of the rear wall portion 112 in the vehicle width direction and a third flange portion 115 extending rearward from the outer end of the rear wall portion 112 in the vehicle width direction.

[0088] The first flange portion 113, together with the floor panel 2, coincides with the upper side of the inner flange portion 53 of the rear reinforcement 50 and the inner side of the inner wall portion 52 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the floor panel 2, the inner flange portion 53, and the inner wall portion 52 by welding or the like. The second flange portion 114 coincides with the upper side of the upper wall portion 51 of the rear reinforcement 50 and is joined to the upper wall portion 51 by welding or the like. The third flange portion 115 coincides with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side wall portion 71 by welding or the like.

[0089] Furthermore, the rear end of the upper inner wall portion 101 of the front connecting member 100 and the front end of the upper inner wall portion 111 of the rear connecting member 110 overlap and are joined by welding or the like. This overlapping portion is inclined rearward as it tends to move downward and inward in the vehicle width direction. With this configuration, the load generated by a side collision at the front compared to the connecting member can be properly transferred to the rear crossbeam 60.

[0090] like Figure 8 As shown, the closed section X1 formed by the floor panel 2 and the rear crossbeam 60 extends along the vehicle width direction. The closed section X2 formed by the floor panel 2, the connecting component 6, the rear reinforcement 50, and the rear wheel arch 70 extends along the vehicle width direction internally and vertically externally. The closed section X3 formed by the wheel arch side reinforcement component 90 and the rear wheel arch 70 extends vertically. The closed section X4 formed by the wheel arch upper reinforcement component 80 and the rear wheel arch 70 extends along the vehicle width direction. The closed sections X1, X2, X3, and X4 are arranged in a straight line and connected to form a continuous closed section.

[0091] In other words, the floor panel 2, the inner wall portion 52 and upper wall portion 51 of the rear reinforcement 50, and the side wall portion 71 and peripheral wall portion 72 of the rear wheel arch 70 are arranged in a straight line and connected to form a continuous closed section lower wall portion and an outer wall portion in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the upper wall portion 61 of the rear crossbeam 60, the upper inner wall portions 101 and 111 of the connecting member 6, the inner wall portion 91 of the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90, and the upper wall portion 81 of the wheel arch upper reinforcement member 80 are arranged in a straight line and connected to form a continuous closed section upper wall portion and an inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, the front wall portion 62 of the rear crossbeam 60, the front wall portion 102 of the connecting member 6, the front wall portion 92 of the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90, and the front wall portion 81 of the wheel arch upper reinforcement member 80 are arranged in a straight line and connected to form a continuous closed section front wall portion. In addition, the rear wall portion 64 of the rear crossbeam 60, the rear wall portion 112 of the connecting member 6, the rear wall portion 94 of the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90, and the rear wall portion 84 of the upper wheel arch reinforcement member 80 are arranged in a straight line and connected to form a continuous closed section of the rear wall portion.

[0092] <Angle Bracing>

[0093] like Figure 9 As shown, the gusset plate 7 is a component that reinforces the front part of the rear wheel arch 70. The gusset plate 7 is located in the area of ​​the rear seats in the vehicle compartment, i.e., the front end of the rear wheel arch 70, and improves the vehicle body strength relative to a side collision. The gusset plate 7 has a lower gusset plate 120 forming the lower part of the gusset plate 7 and an upper gusset plate 130 forming the upper part of the gusset plate 7.

[0094] Lower corner brace

[0095] The lower corner gusset plate 120 integrally includes an inner wall portion 121 and an inner flange portion 122 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner wall portion 121. Additionally, the lower corner gusset plate 120 integrally includes a front wall portion 123 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 121, and a front flange portion 124 extending forward from the lower end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 123. Furthermore, the lower corner gusset plate 120 integrally includes a rear wall portion 125 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner wall portion 121, and a rear flange portion 126 extending rearward from the lower end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 125.

[0096] The inner flange portion 122 overlaps with the upper side of the upper wall portion 41 of the front reinforcement 40 and is joined to the upper wall portion 41 by welding or the like. The front flange portion 124 overlaps with the upper side of the upper wall portion 41 of the front reinforcement 40 and the inner side of the flange portion 73 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the upper wall portion 41 and the flange portion 73 respectively by welding or the like. The rear flange portion 126 overlaps with the upper side of the upper wall portion 41 of the front reinforcement 40 and the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the upper wall portion 41 and the side wall portion 71 respectively by welding or the like.

[0097] Upper corner brace

[0098] The upper corner brace 130 integrally includes an inner wall portion 131 and an upper flange portion 132 extending upward from the upper end of the inner wall portion 131. Additionally, the upper corner brace 130 integrally includes a front wall portion 133 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 131, and a front flange portion 134 extending forward from the lower end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 133. Furthermore, the upper corner brace 130 integrally includes a rear wall portion 135 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner wall portion 131, and a rear flange portion 136 extending rearward from the lower end and the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 135.

[0099] The upper flange portion 132 coincides with the inner side of the flange portion 73 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the flange portion 73 by welding or the like. The front flange portion 134 coincides with the inner side of the flange portion 73 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the flange portion 73 by welding or the like. The rear flange portion 136 coincides with the inner side of the side wall portion 71 of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction and the front side of the peripheral wall portion 72, and is joined to the side wall portion 71 and the peripheral wall portion 72 respectively by welding or the like.

[0100] like Figure 9 As shown, the rear end of the front reinforcement 40 and the front end of the rear reinforcement 50 overlap and join together (by welding). In this overlapping area, the joining points (based on the welding joints, refer to the X mark in the figure) are set at least two times in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0101] Furthermore, the joint (welded joint) between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50 is located between the front gusset plate 7 and the rear connecting member 6. That is, the joint (welded joint, see X mark in the figure) between the gusset plate 7 and the front reinforcement 40 is located at the foremost position, followed by the joint (welded joint) between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, and then the joint (welded joint, see X mark in the figure) between the connecting member 6 and the rear reinforcement 50.

[0102] <Pillar>

[0103] like Figure 1 As shown, the strut 8 is a rectangular closed-section member extending vertically between the rear wheel arch 70 and the roof panel (not shown) constituting the top surface of the vehicle body. The strut 8 is formed by combining an inner strut member 140 constituting the interior of the strut 8 in the vehicle width direction and an outer strut member (a panel constituting the side of the vehicle body, not shown) constituting the exterior of the strut 8 in the vehicle width direction.

[0104] Internal components of support columns

[0105] The pillar inner member 140 integrally includes an inner wall portion 141 and a lower flange portion 142 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner wall portion 141. Additionally, the pillar inner member 140 integrally includes a front wall portion 143 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 141, and a front flange portion 144 extending forward from the outer end of the front wall portion 143 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the pillar inner member 140 integrally includes a rear wall portion 145 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner wall portion 141, and a rear flange portion 146 extending rearward from the outer end of the rear wall portion 145 in the vehicle width direction.

[0106] The lower flange 142 overlaps with the upper side of the peripheral wall 72 of the rear wheel arch 70 and the upper side of the upper wall 81 of the upper wheel arch reinforcement member 80, and is joined to the peripheral wall 72 and the upper wall 81 respectively by welding or the like. The front flange 144 overlaps with the inner side of the outer member of the pillar in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the outer member of the pillar by welding or the like. The rear flange 146 overlaps with the inner side of the outer member of the pillar in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the outer member of the pillar by welding or the like.

[0107] <Positional relationship of the joints between components>

[0108] like Figure 9As shown, the rear end of the front reinforcement 40 and the front end of the rear reinforcement 50 overlap and join together (by welding). In this overlapping part, the joining point (based on the welding joining point, see the X mark in the figure) is set at least two places in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body (the front first column arranged along the vehicle width direction and the rear second column arranged behind it along the vehicle width direction).

[0109] Furthermore, the joint (welded joint) between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50 is located between the front gusset plate 7 and the rear connecting member 6. That is, the joint (welded joint, see X mark in the figure) between the gusset plate 7 and the front reinforcement 40 is located at the foremost position, behind which is the joint (welded joint) between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, and further behind which is the joint (welded joint, see X mark in the figure) between the connecting member 6 and the rear reinforcement 50.

[0110] When a vehicle collides (side impact), the load generated by the collision is input to the closed section structure formed by the wheel arch reinforcement member and the rear wheel arch 70, and the closed section structure formed by the rear frame 30 and the upper reinforcement member 4. Furthermore, the load input to these closed section structures is transmitted to the rear crossbeam 60 via the connecting member 6. Additionally, during a vehicle collision (side impact), the load generated by the collision is input to the closed section structure formed by the gusset plate 7 and the rear wheel arch 70. The load input to this closed section structure is transmitted sequentially to the rear crossbeam 60 via the upper reinforcement member 4 and the connecting member 6. Here, the joint between the gusset plate 7 and the front reinforcement member 40, the joint between the front reinforcement member 40 and the rear reinforcement member 50, and the joint between the connecting member 6 and the rear reinforcement member 50 are staggered in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, compared to placing all these joints in the same position, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body can prevent stress concentration caused by the load during a collision, thus improving collision resistance.

[0111] The rear structure 1 of the vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a floor panel 2; a rear frame 30, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the end side of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction and has an opening at the top; a rear wheel arch 70, which extends upward from the outside of the rear frame 30 in the vehicle width direction; a rear crossbeam 60, which extends along the vehicle width direction on the floor panel 2 on the inner side of the lower part of the rear wheel arch 70 in the vehicle width direction; a wheel arch reinforcement member, which extends along the rear wheel arch 70 in the vertical direction; and an upper reinforcement member 4, which extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and covers the opening, the upper reinforcement member 4 having a front reinforcement member 40 and a rear reinforcement member 50 divided in the longitudinal direction, the lower part of the wheel arch reinforcement member being connected to the upper reinforcement member 4 and the rear crossbeam 60, and the connection between the front reinforcement member 40 and the rear reinforcement member 50 being offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the connection between the upper reinforcement member 4 and the wheel arch reinforcement member.

[0112] In this way, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, by offsetting the stress-prone areas—the joints between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, and the joints between the upper reinforcement 4 and the wheel arch reinforcement—in the longitudinal direction, can distribute the load during a collision (side collision) and suppress damage to these joints. Therefore, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body can improve crashworthiness and achieve weight reduction.

[0113] In addition, for the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, in the joint between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50 overlap, and there are two joints in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0114] Therefore, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body increases the strength of the joint by increasing the longitudinal dimension of the joint between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, which can suppress the deformation of the rear frame 30 during a collision (side collision) without adding reinforcement components, and can transfer the collision-based load to the rear crossbeam 60 and distribute the load over a wide range.

[0115] Additionally, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body has a gusset plate 7 mounted on the front reinforcement 40 and the rear wheel arch 70. The wheel arch reinforcement component is combined with the rear reinforcement 50, and is arranged from front to rear in the following order: the joint between the gusset plate 7 and the front reinforcement 40, the joint between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50, and the joint between the rear reinforcement 50 and the wheel arch reinforcement component.

[0116] Therefore, by offsetting the stress-concentrating parts, namely the joint between the front reinforcement 40 and the corner brace 7, in the longitudinal direction relative to the joint between the front reinforcement 40 and the rear reinforcement 50 and the joint between the rear reinforcement 50 and the wheel arch reinforcement, the rear structure 1 can distribute the load during a collision (side collision) and suppress damage to these joints.

[0117] In addition, in the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, the front reinforcement 40 is made to have higher strength than the rear reinforcement 50.

[0118] Therefore, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body achieves high crashworthiness in the area where the rear seats are located, and can suppress weight increase.

[0119] In addition, in the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, the wheel arch reinforcement member has a wheel arch side reinforcement member 90 provided on the side of the rear wheel arch 70, and a connecting member 6 connecting the wheel arch side reinforcement member 90 and the rear crossbeam 60 and connecting to the upper reinforcement member 4. The connecting member 6 is composed of a front connecting member 100 constituting the front part of the vehicle body and a rear connecting member 110 constituting the rear part of the vehicle body. The front connecting member 100 has higher strength than the rear connecting member 110.

[0120] Therefore, by strengthening only the section side of the connecting member 6 where the rear seat is located, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body can ensure the formability of the connecting member 6, while suppressing weight increase and improving crashworthiness.

[0121] In addition, in the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body, the closed section formed by the floor panel 2 and the rear crossbeam 60, and the closed section formed by the wheel arch reinforcement, the upper reinforcement 4 and the rear wheel arch 70 constitute a continuous closed section.

[0122] Therefore, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle body improves the rigidity of the vehicle body through a continuous closed cross-sectional shape, which can firmly withstand the load during a collision (side collision) and disperse it over a large area.

[0123] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the arrangement order of the joints staggered in the front-back direction is not limited to the above order.

Claims

1. A rear structure of a vehicle body, characterized in that, have: Floor panels; The rear frame extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the end side of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction and has an opening at the top; The rear wheel cover extends upward from the outside of the rear frame in the vehicle width direction; The rear crossbeam extends along the vehicle width direction on the floor panel, inside the lower part of the rear wheel arch. A wheel arch reinforcement member extending vertically along the rear wheel arch; and The upper reinforcing member extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and covers the opening. The upper reinforcing member has a front reinforcing member and a rear reinforcing member that are divided along the front-rear direction. The lower part of the wheel arch reinforcement component is combined with the upper reinforcement component and the rear crossbeam. The joint between the front reinforcement and the rear reinforcement is offset in the front-rear direction relative to the joint between the upper reinforcement and the wheel arch reinforcement.

2. The rear structure of the vehicle body according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the joint between the front reinforcement and the rear reinforcement, the front reinforcement and the rear reinforcement overlap, and there are two joints in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

3. The rear vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It has corner braces mounted on the front reinforcement and the rear wheel arch. The wheel arch reinforcement component is combined with the rear reinforcement component. The components are arranged from front to back in the following order: the joint between the gusset plate and the front reinforcement, the joint between the front reinforcement and the rear reinforcement, and the joint between the rear reinforcement and the wheel arch reinforcement.

4. The rear structure of the vehicle body according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The front reinforcement is made to have higher strength than the rear reinforcement.

5. The rear vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wheel cover reinforcement component has: A wheel arch side reinforcement member, which is disposed on the side of the rear wheel arch; and A connecting component that connects the wheel arch side reinforcement component and the rear crossbeam, and is also connected to the upper reinforcement component. The connecting component is composed of a front connecting component at the front of the vehicle body and a rear connecting component at the rear of the vehicle body. The front connecting member is made of higher strength than the rear connecting member.

6. The rear vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The closed section formed by the floor panel and the rear crossbeam, and the closed section formed by the wheel arch reinforcement, the upper reinforcement and the rear wheel arch, constitute a continuous closed section.

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