Outer panel structure

Abstract

An outer panel structure has a front fender panel (10) as an outer panel and a power supply module (80) or an oil supply module. The front fender panel (10) is provided on a side of a vehicle and has a frame (61) formed by perforating a portion in a thickness direction. The power supply module (80) or the oil supply module is inserted and fixed to the frame (61). The power supply module (80) or the oil supply module has a cover (83) capable of opening and closing. Further, the outer panel structure has a bracket (90) for reinforcement installed at a position from the hinge opening and closing axis (L1) of the cover (83) to a lower side in a vehicle height direction of the front fender panel (10).

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-068586, filed on April 19, 2022, the entire contents of which, including the description, claims, drawings and abstract, are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This specification discloses an outer panel structure for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] The exterior panels of a vehicle have partial openings to accommodate power supply or fuel supply modules. For example, in Japanese Patent No. 5715708, an opening is provided in the front fender panel of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to embed a charging module.

[0005] However, when power or fuel is supplied, the cover of the power supply module or fuel supply module is opened. When vehicle users lean against the open cover, for example, as an armrest, the portion of the outer panel below the cover's rotation axis may deform and dent inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0006] Therefore, this specification discloses an outer panel structure that can improve the rigidity of the lower portion of the outer panel compared to the cover. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This specification discloses an outer panel structure. The outer panel structure includes an outer panel and a power supply module or a fuel supply module. The outer panel is disposed on the side of the vehicle and is formed into a frame by perforations in a portion along its thickness direction. The power supply module or fuel supply module is inserted and fixed to the frame. The power supply module or fuel supply module has an openable and closable cover. Furthermore, the outer panel structure includes a reinforcing bracket mounted on the outer panel at a position below the vehicle height in the hinge axis of the cover.

[0008] When a downward load is applied to the open cover, an inward load in the vehicle width direction is applied to the area directly below the hinge axis on the outer panel. According to this structure, by installing a reinforcing bracket in the area where this load is applied, deformation in that area is suppressed.

[0009] In addition, in the above structure, the bracket may also include a support piece that abuts against the outer panel and a reinforcing rib that protrudes in the vehicle width direction relative to the support piece. In this case, the reinforcing rib includes a longitudinal reinforcing rib extending in the vehicle height direction and a transverse reinforcing rib extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0010] According to the above structure, the rigidity is improved by forming the bracket with a reinforcing rib, thereby suppressing deformation of the portion. Also, by inputting a load in the lower direction to the cover when it is open, a load that causes the outer panel to bend and deform (dented deformation) toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the upper side in the vehicle height direction of the hinge opening and closing axis of the cover is input. This bending load is resisted by the longitudinal reinforcing rib provided extending in the vehicle height direction and the lateral reinforcing rib provided extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, particularly the side panel, thereby suppressing deformation of the outer panel.

[0011] Also, in the above structure, the outer panel can be a fender panel. In this case, the frame body is formed above the tire. Also, the fender panel has a cross-sectional L-shaped portion as a structure near the tire, the cross-sectional L-shaped portion having a first panel portion facing the vehicle width direction and a second panel portion bent with respect to the first panel portion. Also, the bracket is in a cross-sectional L-shape along the first panel portion and the second panel portion.

[0012] According to the above structure, by providing the bracket in a cross-sectional L-shape, the ridge line that is the boundary line between the panels is formed, and the load resistance is improved compared to a flat plate shape. Also, by providing the shape along the shape of the fender panel, interference with the surrounding components of the fender panel is suppressed.

[0013] According to the outer panel structure disclosed in this specification, the rigidity of the lower portion of the outer panel relative to the cover can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating a vehicle provided with the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side view illustrating a frame structure of a vehicle around a front fender panel as part of the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the front fender panel.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front fender panel as viewed from the opposite direction to Figure 3

[0018] is a perspective view illustrating a process of mounting a power supply module to the front fender panel (1 / 3). Figure 5

[0019] is a perspective view illustrating a process of mounting a power supply module to the front fender panel (2 / 3). Figure 6

[0020] Figure 7 ​is a perspective view illustrating a process (3 / 3) of mounting the power supply module to the front fender panel.

[0021] Figure 8 is a view of the front fender panel as viewed from the same direction as Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front fender panel with the bracket mounted thereto, except for the case and the cover of the power supply module.

[0022] Figure 9 is a single perspective view of the bracket.

[0023] Figure 10 is a single perspective view showing another example of the bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an outer panel structure according to an embodiment will be described using the drawings. The shape, the number of materials, and the numerical values described below are examples for description, and can be appropriately changed according to the specifications of the outer panel structure. In addition, the same reference signs are attached to equivalent elements in all the drawings below.

[0025] In addition, in Figures 1-9 , in order to indicate the position and the direction of each structure, an orthogonal coordinate system composed of an FR axis, an RW axis, and an UP axis is used. The FR axis is a vehicle front-rear direction axis with the front of the vehicle as the positive direction. The RW axis is a vehicle width direction axis with the right side of the vehicle as the positive direction. The UP axis is a vehicle up-down direction axis with the upward direction as the positive direction.

[0026] <Overall Structure>

[0027] Referring to Figure 1 , the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment is configured to include, for example, a front fender panel 10, a power supply module 80 (see Figure 7 ), and a bracket 90 (see Figure 8 ).

[0028] The front fender panel 10 is an outer panel member provided to the front and lateral side of the vehicle, and is provided so as to cover the upper side of a front tire 16. In addition, the front fender panel 10 is provided to the front of a front door 14 and a rocker panel trim 17, and is provided to the rear of a headlamp 12 and a front bumper 11.

[0029] Referring to Figure 2 , the front fender panel 10 is fastened to be supported to a skeletal member of the vehicle. For example, the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front fender panel 10 is fastened to a rocker upper member 23. The front end of the rocker upper member 23 is connected to a radiator support not shown. In addition, the rear end of the front fender panel 10 is fastened to a front pillar lower member 21.

[0030] As described later, the front fender panel 10 is divided into two parts. That is, the front fender panel 10 has a fender panel upper part 40 as an upper part of the divided body. In addition, the front fender panel 10 has a fender panel lower part 50 as a lower part of the divided body. The detailed structures thereof will be described later.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1 , a power supply module 80 is provided in the front fender panel 10. As described later Figure 7 , the power supply module 80 has a charging inlet 82, a case 81 that houses the charging inlet 82, and a lid 83 that is openable and closable with respect to the case 81. The detailed structure of the power supply module 80 will be described later.

[0032] Referring to Figure 2 , a portion of the front fender panel 10 is perforated in the thickness direction, thereby forming a frame 61. A case opening 60 is formed by the frame 61, and the power supply module 80 is inserted and fixed in the opening. For example, the front fender panel 10 is a substantially triangular shape in which the size increases upward as it goes from the front to the rear in the side view. Based on such a structure, for example, the frame 61 is provided at the rear portion of the front fender panel 10, which has a relatively large size.

[0033] In addition, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , the frame 61 is formed above with respect to the front tire 16. For example, along the circular arc shape of the front fender panel 10, the front and lower portion of the frame 61 is a shape that is cut into a circular arc shape.

[0034] Referring to Figure 7 , the hinge opening and closing axis L1 of the power supply module 80 is provided in front of the case 81. In addition, the front fender panel 10 is provided with flanges 42, 52 and flanges 44, 53 that are provided extending in a circular arc shape from the hinge opening and closing axis L1 toward the lower side in the vehicle height direction.

[0035] By the flanges 42, 52 and the flanges 44, 53, a cross-sectional L-shaped portion is provided in the front fender panel 10. For example, the flanges 42, 52 face the vehicle width direction, and the flanges 44, 53 face the ground surface of the front tire 16.

[0036] Regarding the structure of the front fender panel 10 in the vicinity of the front tire 16, in a case where the flanges 42, 52 are regarded as a first plate portion that faces the vehicle width direction, the flanges 44, 53 are regarded as a second plate portion that is bent with respect to the first plate portion. In a manner along the cross-sectional L-shaped shape formed by the first plate portion and the second plate portion, a bracket 90 (refer to Figure 8) is also formed in a cross-sectional L shape. The portion of the front fender panel 10 from the hinge opening and closing axis LI to the lower side in the vehicle height direction is reinforced by the bracket 90, and bending deformation (sagging deformation) of this portion to the inner side in the vehicle width direction is suppressed when a load in the downward direction is input to the cover 83. In addition, the bracket 90 can also be in a cross-sectional Π shape instead of the cross-sectional L shape.

[0037] <Front fender panel upper member>

[0038] In Figure 3 , Figure 4 , a single perspective view of the front fender panel 10, which is a part of the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment, is illustrated. The front fender panel 10 has an upper portion, which is a fender panel upper member 40, and a lower portion, which is a fender panel lower member 50, as divided bodies, as an outer panel of a vehicle.

[0039] The fender panel upper member 40 is composed of, for example, a resin or a metal plate such as an aluminum plate. The fender panel upper member 40 has a main body portion 41 and flanges 42, 43, and 44. The main body portion 41 has a curved outer surface 41A and a substantially planar outer surface 41B that constitutes a part of the side surface of the vehicle.

[0040] With reference to Figure 4 , the flange 43 is provided at the upper end of the outer surface 41A. The flange 43 is shaped so as to face the inner side in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of fastening holes are perforated in the thickness direction of the flange 43. These fastening holes are aligned with fastening holes (not shown) of the rocker panel upper member 23 (see Figure 2 ), and the fender panel upper member 40 is fastened to the rocker panel upper member 23 by inserting fastening members such as snap clips into these holes.

[0041] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the flange 42 is connected to the lower end of the outer surface 41B and is shaped in a circular arc shape along the shape of the front tire 16 (see Figure 1 ). The flange 42 faces the vehicle width direction. In addition, the fender panel upper member 40 is shaped so that the flange 42 is drawn into the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer surface 41B.

[0042] A plurality of fastening holes are perforated in the thickness direction of the flange 42. Snap clips (not shown) of the front fender panel trim 19 (see Figure 1 ) are inserted into these fastening holes. In addition, with reference to Figure 4 , the rear end portions of the flanges 42 and 44 coincide with the upper end portions of the flanges 52 and 53 of the fender panel lower member 50.

[0043] The flange 44 is bent with respect to the flange 42 and is shaped along the front tire 16 (see Figure 1) is formed in a circular arc shape. The flange 44 faces the ground surface of the front tire 16, and is further perforated with a plurality of fastening holes in the thickness direction. A snap clip (not shown) of the front fender panel 15 (refer to Figure 1 ) is inserted in the fastening hole.

[0044] As described above, the flanges 42, 44 form a cross-sectional L-shaped form. The front end portion of the bracket 90 (refer to Figure 8 ) for reinforcement is butted along the form.

[0045] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the rear and lower end portions of the main body portion 41 coincide with the upper portion of the frame 61 of the box opening 60. More specifically, with reference to Figure 4 , the front frame bar 62 and the upper frame bar 63, which are part of the skeleton of the frame 61, coincide with the lower end portions of the main body portion 41. The two coincide are joined by welding or the like. Thereby, the front frame bar 62 and the upper frame bar 63 are reinforced.

[0046] < Fender panel lower member >

[0047] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the fender panel lower member 50 is provided with a main body portion 51 and flanges 52, 53, 55, 56. The main body portion 51 is provided with an appearance surface 51A. The fender panel upper member 40 and the fender panel lower member 50 are assembled to the vehicle body in such a manner that the appearance surface 51A and the appearance surface 41B of the fender panel upper member 40 are aligned in the same plane.

[0048] The flange 55 is connected to the lower end of the main body portion 51. The fender panel lower member 50 is formed in such a manner that the flange 55 is drawn in more to the inner side in the vehicle width direction than the main body portion 51. The flange 55 is perforated with a fastening hole in the thickness direction thereof. A snap clip (not shown) of the fender 18 (refer to Figure 1 ) is inserted in the fastening hole.

[0049] With reference to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the flange 52 is connected to the front end of the appearance surface 51A, and is formed in a circular arc shape along the shape of the front tire 16 (refer to Figure 1 ). The flange 52 faces the vehicle width direction. Further, the fender panel lower member 50 is formed in such a manner that the flange 52 is drawn in to the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the appearance surface 51A.

[0050] The flange 52 is perforated with a plurality of fastening holes in the thickness direction thereof. A snap clip (not shown) of the front fender panel 19 (refer to Figure 1 ) is inserted in the fastening hole, as with the flange 42.

[0051] The flange 53 is curved with respect to the flange 52 and is provided in an arc shape along the shape of the front tire 16 (refer to Figure 1 ) in the same manner as the flange 52. The flange 53 faces the ground surface of the front tire 16 and is perforated in the thickness direction with a plurality of fastening holes. A snap clip (not shown) of the front fender lining 15 (refer to Figure 1 ) is inserted in the fastening holes.

[0052] As described above, the cross section L shape is formed by the flanges 52, 53. The bracket 90 (refer to Figure 8 ) for reinforcement is butted in a manner along this shape.

[0053] The frame 61 is formed by perforating a portion of the upper end portion of the fender panel lower member 50. As exemplified, for example, the upper portion of the main body portion 51 is perforated, whereby the box opening 60 is formed. The frame 61 of the box opening 60 is a substantially rectangular shape, and the front and lower portions thereof are close to the flanges 42, 52 and are arc shaped along these flanges. Figure 4

[0054] The box opening 60 is formed in the end edge of the fender panel lower member 50 and has a front frame strip 62, an upper frame strip 63, and a rear frame strip 64, each of which is narrow in width. As described above, the front frame strip 62 and the upper frame strip 63 are reinforced by being overlapped with the lower end portion of the fender panel upper member 40 and being welded to each other.

[0055] The rear frame strip 64 has Figure 8 the flange 58 as exemplified. Further, the flange 56 is provided in the rear end of the main body portion 51. The bracket 70 is welded (or fastened) to the rear frame strip 64, for example. Further, the flanges 56, 58 are joined via the bracket 70 by a welding point indicated by X in the drawing. In this way, the rear frame strip 64 is reinforced by the bracket 70.

[0056] <Power Supply Module>

[0057] The power supply module 80 is inserted and fixed to the frame 61 of the front fender panel 10 which is an outer panel, with reference to Figure 3 , Figure 7 . The power supply module 80 is, in brief, an assembly body having a charging port function for external power supply and can be attached to and detached from the front fender panel 10 using a tool or the like, for example.

[0058] The power supply module 80 has a box 81, a charging port 82, and a cover 83. The box 81 is fitted into the frame 61 of the box opening 60. The box 81 is fastened to the frame 61 by a fastening unit such as a snap clip, a bolt / nut fastening, or the like.

[0059] ​Box 81 opens in the vehicle width direction along the shape of the frame. Box 81 has a base plate 81A that pulls inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the upper fender panel component 40 and the lower fender panel component 50, and side plates surrounding the base plate 81A. (See reference...) Figure 5 A hinge fixing part 81C is provided on the side panel 81B in the vehicle front direction. For example, the hinge fixing part 81C has a pin opening through a hole in the vertical direction.

[0060] Furthermore, the bottom plate 81A of box 81 has an inlet opening 81D perforated in its thickness direction. (See reference...) Figure 6 Insert the fixed charging port 82 into the inlet opening 81D.

[0061] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 7 The cover 83 is a cover that covers the opening of the box 81. The cover 83 has a hinge movable part 83A that is aligned with the hinge fixing part 81C. By assembling the hinge movable part 83A into the hinge fixing part 81C, a hinge opening and closing axis L1 is provided at the front part of the power supply module 80. The cover 83 can open and close around the hinge opening and closing axis L1.

[0062] Figure 8 Examples from and Figure 7 A perspective view of the front fender panel 10 viewed from the opposite direction (from the rear). Furthermore, in this figure, the charging port 82 is omitted to allow for visual confirmation of the cover 83 from the rear of the front fender panel 10.

[0063] The cover 83 is rotatable about the hinge axis L1, thereby opening and closing the box 81. When the cover 83 is in the open state, if a vehicle user or others want to use the cover 83 as an armrest and lean against it from above, a downward load F1 is input to the cover 83 to tilt the hinge axis L1 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0064] At this time, in response to the tilting of the hinge opening and closing axis L1, the lower part of the fender panel component 50 from the hinge opening and closing axis L1 in the vehicle height direction, for example... Figure 5 The lower axle portion 52A is subjected to a load that causes it to concave inward in the vehicle width direction. If such a load is applied and the lower axle portion 52A deforms (bending) inward in the vehicle width direction, then, for example, with the front fender insert 19 (see reference...) Figure 1 The tightness of the ) may come loose.

[0065] Therefore, in the outer panel structure of this embodiment, a reinforcing bracket is installed in the lower portion 52A (see reference). Figure 8 For example, bracket 90 is mounted (backed) on the back (hidden surface) of the front fender panel 10 opposite to the visible surface. This suppresses the concave deformation of the under-axle portion 52A.

[0066] <Bracket>

[0067] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates a single-unit perspective view of the bracket 90. The bracket 90 is an L-shaped component with a support piece 91 and a support piece 92 that is bent approximately perpendicular to the support piece 91. By making the bracket 90 L-shaped in cross-section, ridges are formed that serve as the boundary lines between the support pieces 91 and 92, improving load-bearing capacity compared to a flat plate shape.

[0068] Bracket 90 extends along component 40 on the fender panel (see reference). Figure 8 The flanges 42 and 44 of the ) and the flanges 52 and 53 of the lower fender panel component 50 are formed in an arc shape. In addition, the bracket 90 is formed so that the bending angle of the support pieces 91 and 92 is equal to the bending angle of the flanges 42 and 52 and the flanges 44 and 53.

[0069] The support pieces 91 and 92 of the bracket 90 abut against the flanges 42 and 44 across the rear ends of the flanges 52 and 53 and the front ends of the flanges 52 and 53. For example, the support pieces 91 and 92 are welded to the flanges 42, 44, 52 and 53 by means of welding points marked with X in the figure.

[0070] In addition, by forming the bracket 90 in an L-shaped cross-section formed by the flanges 42, 52 (first plate portion) facing the vehicle width direction and the flanges 44, 53 (second plate portion) that are bent relative to the flanges 42, 52, the interference with the peripheral components of the flanges 42, 44, 52, 53 is suppressed.

[0071] Furthermore, for example, the support piece 91 is set to be less than or equal to the width of the flanges 42 and 52, and the support piece 92 is set to be less than or equal to the width of the flanges 44 and 53. In this way, by setting the bracket 90 to be within the dimensions of the flanges 42, 44, 52, and 53, interference with the peripheral components of the flanges 42, 44, 52, and 53 is suppressed.

[0072] Reference Figure 9 For example, the support plate 91 has longitudinal stiffeners 93 and transverse stiffeners 94 protruding inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the support plate 91. For example, the bracket 90 is formed in such a way that both the longitudinal stiffeners 93 and transverse stiffeners 94 are square grooves with a cross-section of Π. The longitudinal stiffeners 93 and transverse stiffeners 94 and the flanges 42 and 52 form a closed cross-section structure. As a result, the load-bearing capacity against bending loads in the vehicle width direction, as described later, is improved (compared to the case without a closed cross-section structure).

[0073] Alternatively, the bracket 90 can be formed, for example, by partially overlapping the transverse stiffeners 94 and the longitudinal stiffeners 93. For example, by aligning the beginning of the transverse stiffener 94 in the longitudinal direction with the side plate 93A of the longitudinal stiffener 93, a T-shaped stiffener structure can be obtained.

[0074] Further, in order to ensure the ridge line in the cross structure, the reinforcing ribs are shaped, for example, in a manner that the extension size (slot depth) of the cross reinforcing rib 94 is deeper than that of the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93.

[0075] Further, for example, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93 and the cross reinforcing rib 94 are arranged in a manner that they overlap the fastening holes provided in the flanges 42, 52. Since the snap clips inserted into the fastening holes are inserted into the slots of the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93 and the cross reinforcing rib 94, the fastening work can be performed without being interfered by the bracket 90.

[0076] Further, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 8 , for example, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93 is provided in the lower shaft portion 52A of the flange 52. In other words, the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93 is provided at the intersection of the flange 52 and the hinge opening and closing shaft Ll.

[0077] Referring to Figure 8 , if a load Fl in the downward direction is input to the cover 83, a bending load in the vehicle width direction inner side exemplified by a load F2 and a load F3 is input to the lower shaft portion 52A. Here, for example, with respect to the load F2 that wants to bend and deform in the vehicle front and rear direction, the deformation of the lower shaft portion 52A is suppressed by the side plate 94A of the cross reinforcing rib 94. Further, with respect to the load F3 that wants to bend in the vehicle up and down direction, the deformation of the lower shaft portion 52A is suppressed by the side plate 93A of the longitudinal reinforcing rib 93.

[0078] <Other Embodiments>

[0079] Figure 10 Another example of the bracket 90 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 12. In this example, the cross reinforcing rib 94 of the cross-sectional gable roof shape protrudes in the vehicle width direction inner side as shown by the ridge line 94B. In this example, for example, with respect to the load F2 that wants to bend and deform in the vehicle front and rear direction, the deformation of the lower shaft portion 52A is also suppressed by the cross reinforcing rib 94.

[0080] Further, in the above-described embodiments, the panel material of the outer panel structure is exemplified by the front fender panel 10, but the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the outer panel structure can also be provided with a rear fender panel (also referred to as a rear quarter panel) instead of the front fender panel. In this case, the frame for the power supply module 80 is also formed in the rear fender panel, and the bracket 90 is installed from the hinge opening and closing shaft Ll of the power supply module 80 to the vehicle height direction lower side.

[0081] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the power supply module 80 is exemplified as a part of the outer panel structure, but the outer panel structure according to the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the outer panel structure can be provided with an oil supply module instead of the power supply module. For example, the oil supply module is provided with a fuel inlet instead of the charging inlet 82. In this case, in order to cope with leaning on the cover 83 at the time of oil supply, the bracket 90 is installed downward from the hinge opening and closing shaft L1 of the oil supply module to the lower side in the vehicle height direction.

[0082] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications and changes within the technical scope or the essence of the present invention defined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An outer panel structure, which is an outer panel structure for a vehicle. have: The outer panel, located on the side of the vehicle, is formed into a frame by perforations in a portion of its thickness; and A power supply module or a fuel supply module is inserted and fixed to the frame. in, The power supply module or the oil supply module has an openable and closable cover. The outer panel structure includes a reinforcing bracket mounted on the outer panel at the lower side in the machine height direction from the hinge opening / closing axis of the cover. The bracket has a support piece that abuts against the outer panel and a reinforcing rib that protrudes in the vehicle width direction relative to the support piece. The reinforcing rib includes a longitudinal reinforcing rib extending in the vehicle height direction and a transverse reinforcing rib extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

2. The outer panel structure according to claim 1, wherein, The outer panel is a fender panel. The frame is formed above the tire. The fender panel has an L-shaped cross-section as a structure near the tire. This L-shaped cross-section has a first plate portion facing the vehicle width direction and a second plate portion that is curved relative to the first plate portion. The bracket has an L-shaped cross-section along the first plate portion and the second plate portion.

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