Rear structure of vehicle body

Abstract

The invention provides a rear structure of a vehicle body. The rear structure of the vehicle body comprises a rear plate arranged on the rear portion of the vehicle body; and a lower member having an "L"-shaped cross-section, where the lower member includes an upper engagement portion at an upper portion of the cross-section, and where the upper engagement portion is engaged to a rear portion of the rear plate. The rear structure of the vehicle body of the present invention can be applied to various vehicle types by ensuring production flexibility.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0186851, filed on December 20, 2023, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a rear structure of a vehicle body. Background art

[0004] Recently, the automotive industry is introducing a new concept for realizing a future mobility vision for people - centered and vibrant future cities. One of these future mobility solutions is a purpose - built vehicle (PBV) as a purpose - based mobility method.

[0005] Examples of PBVs are eco - friendly mobility vehicles based on electric vehicles (EVs). These PBVs can provide various customized services to users while traveling from a departure point to a destination in an unmanned or manned autonomous driving mode.

[0006] PBVs can be configured in various forms according to the type of customized service. For example, a PBV can be used as a ride - hailing vehicle type that configures a compartment to transport passengers. In addition, a PBV can be used as a cab - type vehicle in which the compartment is only configured at the front of the upper vehicle body, or as a delivery - type vehicle in which the compartment is configured at the front of the upper vehicle body and a luggage compartment is configured at the rear.

[0007] However, vehicle types produced by loading a back panel in the vertical direction are not easily applicable to delivery vehicles that must load goods in the vertical direction on the rear floor flange.

[0008] In addition, van - type vehicles are produced by finally loading a floor panel into the upper vehicle body member structure, making it difficult to share the floor with other vehicles.

[0009] That is, when the floor is lowered to improve the loading performance, van - type vehicles do not have sufficient space to form the rear cross - section due to their flat cross - section structure.

[0010] For PBVs, there is a need for a vehicle body structure that can be produced in combination with various vehicle body types according to specifications while maintaining consistent performance.

[0011] That is, it is necessary to support vehicle body type specifications for various PBVs such as ride - hailing vehicle types and delivery vehicle types, and a vehicle body combination structure that can be produced in combination according to specifications through the sharing of components is required.

[0012] The information included in this background art section is prepared to facilitate an understanding of the background of the embodiments of the present invention and may include matters not known to the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a rear structure of a vehicle body. More specifically, the present invention relates to a rear structure of a vehicle body that can be applied to various vehicle models by ensuring production flexibility.

[0014] The rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment may include: a rear panel provided at the rear of the vehicle body; and a lower member having an "L" - shaped cross - section, which includes an upper joint portion formed at the upper part of the cross - section, and the upper joint portion is joined to the rear of the rear panel.

[0015] The upper joint portion may be formed in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear panel.

[0016] The lower member may further include a lower joint portion formed at the lower part of the cross - section.

[0017] The lower joint portion may be formed in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0018] The rear structure according to an embodiment may further include a back panel connected to the upper joint portion and the lower joint portion, and the back panel forms a back panel closed section between it and the lower member.

[0019] The back panel may be connected to the lower member in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0020] The back panel may include: an upper back panel connected to the upper joint portion in a shape parallel to the rear panel; and a lower back panel connected to the lower joint portion.

[0021] The back panel may further include a front connection portion formed in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear panel and formed at the front of the upper back panel where the upper back panel is connected to the rear panel.

[0022] The back panel may include: a front main body connected to the upper joint portion; a rear main body connected to the lower joint portion; and a main body protruding upward from the front main body and the rear main body.

[0023] The back panel may further include a front connection portion formed in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear panel and formed at the front of the front main body where the front main body is connected to the rear panel.

[0024] The back panel may further include a main body closed section formed inside the main body.

[0025] The rear panel may include rear panel side portions bent upward in the width direction of the vehicle body, and the lower member may include lower member side portions bent upward in the width direction of the vehicle body and connected to the rear of the rear panel side portions.

[0026] The vehicle body may include a chassis frame, and the lower member side portions may be connected to the chassis frame.

[0027] The vehicle body may include side beams, and the lower member side portions may be connected to the side beams.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the rear structure of a vehicle body, it can be applied to various vehicle models by ensuring production flexibility.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the rear structure of a vehicle body, the production cost can be reduced by increasing the number of common components applicable to various vehicle models.

[0030] According to the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment, the production efficiency can be improved by integrating the production methods of various vehicle models.

[0031] In addition, effects that can be obtained or expected from the embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the detailed description provided below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Since these drawings are used for reference when illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the technical idea of the embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III.

[0036] Figure 4 shows an example in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a delivery vehicle.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an example in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a car-hailing vehicle.

[0038] Figure 6 and Figure 7 are diagrams showing examples in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a chassis frame vehicle body.

[0039] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a single-shell vehicle body.

[0040] Figure 9 and Figure 10 are diagrams showing examples of the connection between the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment and a single-shell vehicle body.

[0041] The following reference numerals can be used in combination with the drawings to illustrate various features of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0042] 10: Vehicle body 12: Chassis frame

[0043] 14: Mounting bolt 16: Side beam

[0044] 20: Rear plate 22: Side part of rear plate

[0045] 30: Lower member 32: Upper joint

[0046] 34: Lower joint 36: First main body of lower member

[0047] 38: Second main body of lower member 40: Side part of lower member

[0048] 50, 51: Back plate 54: Closed interval of back plate

[0049] 60: Upper back plate 62: Lower back plate

[0050] 64: Front connection part 70: Main body

[0051] 71: Main body connecting part 72: Front main body

[0052] 74: Rear main body 76: Front connection part

[0053] 78: Closed interval of main body 79: Closed interval of back plate

[0054] 80: Back supplement W1, W2: Welding parts

[0055] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings referred to above are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather represent a fairly simplified representation of various preferred features illustrating the basic principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] For example, the specific design features of the embodiments of the present invention, including specific dimensions, directions, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific intended use and the usage environment. Detailed description of the specific embodiments

[0057] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention.

[0058] As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways, all of which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

[0059] To clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0060] The sizes and thicknesses of the various components shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for ease of explanation, and the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings. To clearly show various parts and regions, the thicknesses are shown enlarged.

[0061] In addition, in the following detailed description, the names of components are divided into first, second, etc. to distinguish them when the components are in a similar relationship, and the following description is not necessarily limited to this order.

[0062] Throughout the specification, whenever it is stated that a part includes a certain component, this does not mean excluding other components, but other components may be included, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0063] In addition, terms such as components, parts, methods, etc. described in the specification mean an integrated unit that performs at least one function or operation.

[0064] When it is stated that a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is “on” another part, this includes not only the case where it is directly on the other part, but also the case where there are other parts in between.

[0065] On the contrary, when an element is referred to as “directly on” another element, there is no intermediate element.

[0066] In this specification, the term “connected” means that there is a physical relationship between two components. For example, where the components are directly connected to each other by welding, self-piercing rivets (SPR), flow drill screws (FDS), structural adhesives, etc., or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components.

[0067] As used herein, “vehicle”, “vehicular”, “automobile” or other similar terms as used herein generally refer to passenger cars, sports cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks and various commercial vehicles including passenger buses, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, PBVs based on electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels obtained from resources other than petroleum).

[0068] In this specification, the reference directions for explaining the following components can be set based on the vehicle body as the front-rear direction (e.g., the vehicle body length direction or the longitudinal direction), the width direction (e.g., the lateral direction or the left-right direction), and the up-down direction (e.g., the height direction or the vertical direction) of the vehicle body.

[0069] In this specification, the “upper end”, “upper part” or “upper surface” of a component means the end, part or surface of the component that is relatively above in the drawing, and the “lower end”, “lower part” or “lower surface” of a component means the end, part or surface of the component that is relatively below in the drawing.

[0070] In addition, in this specification, the end of a component (e.g., one end or the other (other) end, etc.) refers to the end of the component in any direction, and the end portion of the component (e.g., one end portion) or the other (another) end portion, etc.) refers to a part of the component including the end.

[0071] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment.

[0073] Refer to Figure 1 , the rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment includes a rear plate 20 provided at the rear of the vehicle body 10, and a backrest supplement 80 (also referred to as a rear supplement in the art) is installed at the rear of the rear plate 20.

[0074] The backrest supplement 80 is a combination of the following lower member and the back plate.

[0075] The vehicle body 10 to which the rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment can be applied may be a PBV, and it can be applied to various types of vehicles, such as a sedan-type vehicle configured with a compartment to transport passengers, a cab-type vehicle configured with a compartment only at the front of the upper body, and a delivery-type vehicle configured with a compartment at the front of the upper body and a luggage compartment at the rear.

[0076] Figure 2 is a partial exploded perspective view showing the rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 is along Figure 1 a partial cross-sectional view taken along line III-III.

[0077] Refer to Figures 1 to 3 , the rear structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment may include a lower member 30 connected to the rear plate 20.

[0078] The lower member 30 includes an upper joint portion 32, and the upper joint portion 32 is connected to the rear of the rear plate 20.

[0079] The lower member 30 includes a first main body 36 of the lower member and a second main body 38 of the lower member bent from the first main body 36 of the lower member, and the first main body 36 of the lower member and the second main body 38 of the lower member may form an "L" - shaped cross - section.

[0080] The upper joint portion 32 may be formed by bending from the first main body 36 of the lower member.

[0081] That is to say, the upper joint portion 32 may be formed in the horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate 20.

[0082] The lower member 30 may further include a lower joint portion 34 formed at the lower part of the cross - section.

[0083] The lower member 30 may be formed in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0084] That is, the lower joint portion 34 may be bent in the downward direction of the vehicle body 10 at the second main body 38 of the lower member.

[0085] Figure 4 An example of applying the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment to a delivery vehicle is shown.

[0086] Refer to Figures 1 to 4 , the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment may further include a back plate 50 connected to the upper joint portion 32 and the lower joint portion 34, and a back plate closing section 54 is formed between it and the lower member 30.

[0087] The lower member 30 and the back plate 50 form the back plate closing section 54, which increases the sectional coefficient in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and can enhance the strength in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0088] In addition, the back plate closing section 54 can be used as a buffer for absorbing impact when a rear collision occurs to the vehicle.

[0089] The back plate 50 may include an upper back plate 60 connected to the upper joint portion 32 in a shape parallel to the rear plate 20 and a lower back plate 62 connected to the lower joint portion 34.

[0090] Here, a structure formed by combining two plates, the upper back plate 60 and the lower back plate 62, is shown, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a structure formed by combining one or more than three plates.

[0091] The back plate 50 may further include a front connection portion 64 formed in the horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate 20 and formed at the front portion of the upper back plate 60 where the upper back plate 60 and the rear plate 20 are connected.

[0092] Therefore, as shown in the figure, the back plate 50 may be connected to the lower member 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0093] For a delivery vehicle capable of loading goods from the rear, a structure that does not hinder the loading or unloading of goods at the rear of the vehicle is required.

[0094] In the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment, the lower member 30 has an "L" - shaped cross - section, and the lower member 30 can be connected in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 10 without a structure that hinders getting on and off the vehicle.

[0095] Figure 5 An example of applying the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment to a car - hailing vehicle is shown.

[0096] When explaining Figure 5 the structure shown, for ease of understanding, the parts related to the above - mentioned Figures 1 to 4Repeated description of the structure shown or a similar or identical structure.

[0097] Figure 5 The back panel 51 shown may include a front body 72 connected to the upper joint portion 32, a rear body 74 connected to the lower joint portion 34, and a main body 70 protruding upward from the front body 72 and the rear body 74.

[0098] Figure 5 The vehicle to which the back panel 51 shown is applied is a vehicle that requires a protruding structure such as a blocking wall or a supporting door that protrudes upward from the rear of the vehicle body, such as a van or a reserved vehicle for transporting passengers.

[0099] The main body 70 can be applied to such a vehicle body to block the rear of the vehicle body or support a rear door (not shown).

[0100] The back panel 51 may further include a front connection portion 76 formed in the horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate 20 and formed at the front of the front body 72 where the front body 72 and the rear plate 20 are connected.

[0101] As described above, the upper joint portion 32 is formed in the horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate 20, and the lower joint portion 34 can be bent in the downward direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0102] Therefore, as shown in the figure, the back panel 51 applicable to a reserved vehicle can be connected to the lower member 30 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0103] The back panel 51 can form a back panel closed section 79 between the back panel 51 and the lower member 30.

[0104] The lower member 30 and the back panel 51 form a back panel closed section 79, which increases the sectional coefficient in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and can enhance the strength in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0105] In addition, the back panel closed section 79 can be used as a buffer for absorbing impact when a rear collision occurs in the vehicle.

[0106] The back panel 51 may further include a main body closed section 78 formed inside the main body 70.

[0107] That is to say, the main body 70 may further include a main body connecting member 71 connecting the front body 72 and the rear body 74, and the main body connecting member 71 can form a main body closed section 78 inside the main body 70.

[0108] The main body connecting member 71 and the main body closed section 78 can increase the sectional coefficient in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and improve the strength in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0109] In addition, the main body closed section 78 can be used as a buffer for absorbing impact when a rear collision occurs in the vehicle.

[0110] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a view showing an example in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a chassis frame vehicle body.

[0111] Referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 the rear panel 20 may include rear panel side portions 22 formed by bending upward in the width direction of the vehicle body 10, and the lower member 30 may include lower member side portions 40 formed by bending upward in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 and connected to the rear portions of the rear panel side portions 22.

[0112] The vehicle body 10 includes a chassis frame 12, and the lower member side portions 40 may be connected to the chassis frame 12.

[0113] That is Figure 6 and Figure 7 the vehicle body 10 shown is a chassis frame vehicle to which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment can be applied.

[0114] For example, the lower member side portions 40 and the chassis frame 12 may be joined by mounting bolts 14.

[0115] Figure 8 is a view showing an example in which the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment is applied to a unibody vehicle body, and Figure 9 and Figure 10 is a view showing an example of the connection between the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment and a unibody vehicle body.

[0116] Figure 8 The vehicle body 10 shown is a unibody type vehicle. For ease of understanding, any repetition of the content described in Figure 6 and Figure 7 will be omitted.

[0117] Referring to Figure 2 and Figures 8 to 10 the vehicle body 10 may include side beams 16, and the lower member 30 may include lower member side portions 40 formed to bend upward in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0118] For example, as Figure 9 shown, the lower member side portions 40 may be connected to the side beams 16 by welding W1, and as Figure 10 shown, the back panels 50 and 51 may be connected to the side beams 16 by welding W2.

[0119] As described above, the rear structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment can ensure production flexibility and can be applied to various vehicle models.

[0120] That is to say, the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment can be applied to various types of vehicles, such as sedan-type vehicles for transporting passengers, delivery-type vehicles with a luggage compartment, van-type vehicles, and the like.

[0121] In addition, the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment can be applied to chassis-frame type vehicles or unibody type vehicles.

[0122] According to an embodiment of the rear structure of the vehicle body, the production cost can be reduced by increasing the number of common components applicable to various vehicle models.

[0123] That is to say, according to an embodiment of the rear structure of the vehicle body, the lower member can be shared and applied to vehicles with various rear panel lengths or vehicles with different back panel configurations.

[0124] According to the rear structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment, the production efficiency can be improved by integrating the production methods of various vehicle models.

[0125] That is to say, according to an embodiment of the rear structure of the vehicle body, the vehicle production efficiency can be improved by standardizing the method of connecting the back panel in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

[0126] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with currently considered practical embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rear structure of a vehicle body, the rear structure comprising: a rear plate disposed at the rear of the vehicle body; as well as A lower member having an "L"-shaped cross section, wherein the lower member includes an upper engaging portion located at an upper portion of the cross section, and wherein the upper engaging portion is engaged to a rear portion of the rear plate.

2. The rear structure according to claim 1, wherein: The upper engaging portion extends in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate.

3. The rear structure according to claim 2, wherein: The lower member further includes a lower engaging portion located at a lower portion of the cross section.

4. The rear structure according to claim 3, wherein: The lower engaging portion extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

5. The rear structure according to claim 3, further comprising a back plate connected to the upper joint portion and the lower joint portion, wherein: The back plate forms a back plate closed area between the back plate and the lower member.

6. The rear structure according to claim 5, wherein: The back panel is connected to the lower member in the vertical direction of the vehicle body.

7. The rear structure according to claim 6, wherein: The back plate comprises: an upper back plate connected to the upper joint portion in a shape parallel to the rear plate; and A lower back plate is connected to the lower joint.

8. The rear structure according to claim 7, wherein: The back plate further includes a front connection portion extending in a horizontal direction parallel to the back plate and disposed at a location where the upper back plate is connected to the back plate in the front portion of the upper back plate.

9. The rear structure according to claim 6, wherein: The back plate comprises: a front body connected to the upper engaging portion; a rear body connected to the lower joint; and A body protrudes upward from the front body and the rear body.

10. The rear structure according to claim 9, wherein: The back plate further includes a front connection portion extending in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate and disposed at a location where the front body is connected to the rear plate in the front portion of the front body.

11. The rear structure according to claim 9, wherein: The back plate also includes a body closed section formed in the body.

12. The rear structure according to claim 1, wherein: The rear panel includes a rear panel side portion including a first upwardly bent portion in a width direction of the vehicle body; and The lower member includes a lower member side portion including a second upwardly bent portion in the width direction of the vehicle body and connected to a rear portion of the rear panel side portion.

13. The rear structure according to claim 12, wherein: The vehicle body includes a chassis frame; and The lower member sides are connected to the chassis frame.

14. The rear structure according to claim 12, wherein: The vehicle body includes side beams; and The lower member side portions are connected to the side beams.

15. A vehicle comprising: Vehicle body; a rear plate disposed at the rear of the vehicle body; as well as A rear supplement installed at the rear of the rear panel, the rear supplement comprising: back panel; and The lower component includes: an upper engaging portion connected to a rear portion of the rear panel; A first body extending from the upper joint portion into a first bent portion; and A second body extending from the first body to form a second curved portion, wherein The first body and the second body form an "L"-shaped cross section.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: The lower member further includes a lower engagement portion extending from the second body into a third bent portion.

17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein: The upper engaging portion and the second main body extend in a horizontal direction of the vehicle body, and wherein the first main body and the lower engaging portion extend in a vertical direction of the vehicle body.

18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein: The back plate comprises: an upper back plate connected to the upper joint and extending parallel to the rear plate; and A lower back plate is connected to the lower joint.

19. The vehicle of claim 18, wherein: The back plate comprises: a front body connected to the upper engaging portion; a rear body connected to the lower joint; a body protruding upward from the front body and the rear body; and The front connecting portion extends in a horizontal direction parallel to the rear plate and is arranged at a location where the front main body is connected to the rear plate in the front part of the front main body.

20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein: The rear panel includes a rear panel side portion including a first upwardly bent portion in a width direction of the vehicle body; and The lower member includes a lower member side portion including a second upwardly bent portion in the width direction of the vehicle body and connected to a rear portion of the rear panel side portion.

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