Vehicle body structure with sliding door
By designing the rail components and combining the door rails and combining multiple columns and body beams to form a closed cross-section structure, the problems of insufficient rigidity of the body structure and excessive number of components in the prior art are solved, and high rigidity and low-cost assembly of the sliding door rails are achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410660410.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-12-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-27
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the vehicle body structure used for equipped with sliding doors is difficult to ensure sufficient rigidity when installing the door guides and requires a large number of components, resulting in a complex assembly process and a high cost.
By designing that the guide rail members are integrated with the door rails and combining multiple columns and body beams, a closed cross-section structure is formed to ensure sufficient rigidity of the door rail portion while reducing the number of necessary components.
Ensuring sufficient rigidity of the sliding door rails is achieved, simplifying the assembly process and reducing costs.
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Figure CN120207072A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology associated with a body structure for a vehicle equipped with a sliding door. Background Art
[0002] A sliding door for a vehicle is opened or closed while sliding in the front / rear direction along the lateral side of the vehicle body.
[0003] In order to mount the sliding door on the vehicle body, it is necessary to provide a door guide rail on the vehicle body to guide the front / rear sliding movement of the sliding door.
[0004] Mounting the door guide rail requires a large number of components. In addition, since it is necessary to ensure a movement route for a door arm configured to connect the sliding door and the door guide rail, it is difficult to ensure sufficient rigidity.
[0005] The foregoing, which is explained as the background of the present disclosure, is only intended to help understand the background of the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing is not intended to mean that the present disclosure falls within the scope of related art known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems occurring in the prior art, the present disclosure has been made. The present disclosure aims to provide a body structure having a sliding door. The body structure can ensure sufficient rigidity of a portion in which a door guide rail for sliding the sliding door is provided. In addition, the body structure can facilitate the assembly process and reduce costs by significantly reducing the number of necessary components.
[0007] According to one aspect, there is provided a body structure having a sliding door. The body structure includes: a guide rail member integrally combined with the door guide rail; and a plurality of columns coupled to an upper side of the guide rail member. The body structure further includes a plurality of body cross members connected to a lateral side of the guide rail member.
[0008] The guide rail member may include: a guide rail forming portion configured to define the door guide rail; and a strength enhancing portion integrally provided below the guide rail forming portion and configured to define a lateral cross section of the vehicle body, the lateral cross section being a closed cross section.
[0009] The door guide rail may be formed on an upper side of the guide rail forming portion. An opening portion may be provided between the door guide rail and the strength enhancing portion and open to the outside of the vehicle body.
[0010] The guide rail member may have a plurality of column coupling portions protruding upward from the guide rail forming portion and respectively coupled to the plurality of columns while defining the closed cross section.
[0011] One of the plurality of columns may be formed such that a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the one column is formed as a closed cross-section. A first column lower end portion of the one column may protrude relatively more downward than a second column lower end portion of the one column, and the first column lower end portion of the one column includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among the plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross-section of the column. The second column lower end portion of the one column may include the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls. One column coupling portion among the plurality of column coupling portions of the guide rail member coupled to the column may include a first member upper end portion that protrudes upward to be coupled to the second column lower end portion of the one column and at the same time overlaps with the second column lower end portion. The column coupling portion may further include a second member upper end portion that is recessed relatively downward from the first member upper end portion to be coupled to the first column lower end portion of the one column and at the same time overlaps with the first column lower end portion.
[0012] The guide rail member may have a plurality of cross beam coupling portions that protrude laterally toward the plurality of vehicle body cross beams and are respectively coupled to the plurality of vehicle body cross beams while defining a closed cross-section.
[0013] One of the plurality of vehicle body cross beams may be formed such that a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body cross beam is formed as a closed cross-section. A first cross beam lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam may protrude relatively more laterally than a second cross beam lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam, and the first cross beam lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among the plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross-section of the vehicle body cross beam. The second cross beam lateral end of the one vehicle body cross beam may include the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls. One cross beam coupling portion among the plurality of cross beam coupling portions of the guide rail member coupled to the one vehicle body cross beam may include a first member lateral end portion that protrudes more laterally to be coupled to the second cross beam lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam and at the same time overlaps with the second cross beam lateral end portion. The one cross beam coupling portion may further include a second member lateral end portion that is recessed relatively laterally from the first member lateral end portion to be coupled to the first cross beam lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam and at the same time overlaps with the first cross beam lateral end portion.
[0014] The guide rail member may be coupled to the lower longitudinal beam and extend in the front / rear direction of the vehicle body. A lower longitudinal beam coupling portion may be provided at the front side of the guide rail member and be coupled to the lower longitudinal beam while defining a closed cross-section.
[0015] The lower longitudinal beam may be formed such that a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower longitudinal beam is formed as a closed cross-section. A first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam protrudes relatively more rearward than a second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam. The first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among a plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross-section of the lower longitudinal beam. The second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam may include the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls. The lower longitudinal beam coupling portion of the guide rail member coupled to the lower longitudinal beam may include a first member front end portion that protrudes more forward to be coupled to the second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam and simultaneously overlap with the second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam. Additionally, the lower longitudinal beam coupling portion may include a second member front end portion that is recessed relatively rearward from the first member front end portion to be coupled to the first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam and simultaneously overlap with the first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam.
[0016] The plurality of pillars coupled to the guide rail member may include a B-pillar and a C-pillar.
[0017] The plurality of pillars coupled to the guide rail member may include a C-pillar and an A-pillar. The B-pillar between the A-pillar and the C-pillar may be excluded.
[0018] The guide rail member may further include a side flange that extends toward the vehicle interior and is coupled to the floor longitudinal beam member.
[0019] The side flange of the guide rail member may be formed to surround a side wall and a lower portion of the floor longitudinal beam member.
[0020] An additional reinforcing plate may be provided between a lower side of the floor longitudinal beam member and the guide rail member, and the reinforcing plate may define a closed cross-section together with the side flange to enhance rigidity.
[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure sufficient rigidity of a door guide portion for sliding a sliding door. Additionally, according to the present disclosure, the assembly process can be facilitated and costs can be reduced by significantly reducing the number of necessary components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Figure 1 is a view showing a vehicle body structure having a sliding door according to the present disclosure.
[0023] Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which the floor is excluded from the vehicle body in Figure 1 the vehicle body.
[0024] Figure 3 is a view showing Figure 1 the guide rail member of the vehicle body in
[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the guide rail member in Figure 3 .
[0026] Figure 5 is a view showing the guide rail member in Figure 4 when viewed from the rear side.
[0027] Figure 6 is a view showing Figure 2 the guide rail member, the lower longitudinal beam, the B-pillar, and the body cross member in
[0028] Figure 7 is Figure 6 an exploded perspective view of
[0029] Figure 8 is a view showing the components in Figure 7 when viewed from the top side inside the body.
[0030] Figure 9 is a view showing the components in Figure 7 when viewed from the bottom side inside the body.
[0031] Figure 10 is a view showing the components in Figure 7 when viewed from the outside and the bottom side of the body.
[0032] Figure 11 is a view showing the components in Figure 7 when viewed from the outside, the bottom side, and the front side of the body.
[0033] Figure 12 is a view showing the body structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0034] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the guide rail member structure according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or similar components are given the same reference numerals. In addition, repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.
[0036] For convenience of description, in the following description, the suffixes "module", "unit", "part", and "section" used to describe components are used together or interchangeably, but the suffixes themselves do not have distinguishable meanings or functions.
[0037] When a controller, component, device, element, part, unit, module, etc. of the present disclosure is described as having a purpose or performing an operation, function, etc., the controller, component, device, element, part, unit, or module should be regarded as "configured to" meet the purpose or perform the operation or function in this article.
[0038] In the description of the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, if it is determined that the specific description of the known related art may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, the specific description is omitted. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are provided only to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to more easily understand the embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure. The technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited by the drawings and includes all changes, equivalents, and alternatives included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0039] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another.
[0040] When a constituent element is described as "coupled" or "connected" to another constituent element, it should be understood that a constituent element can be directly coupled or connected to another constituent element, and intermediate constituent elements may also exist between these constituent elements. When a constituent element is described as "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another constituent element, it should be understood that there are no intermediate constituent elements between these constituent elements.
[0041] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless explicitly described as having a different meaning in the context.
[0042] In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including", "containing", "has", "having", or other variants thereof are inclusive and thus specify the presence of the specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. However, the terms do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.
[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 5 , an embodiment of a vehicle body structure having a sliding door 1 according to the present disclosure includes a guide rail member 7 that is integrally combined with a door guide rail 3 and connected to a plurality of pillars 5. The plurality of pillars 5 are connected to the upper side of the guide rail member 7. The vehicle body structure further includes a plurality of vehicle body cross members 9 connected to the lateral sides of the guide rail member 7.
[0044] In addition, the lower longitudinal beam 11 is coupled to the front side of the guide rail member 7.
[0045] In the present disclosure, the door guide rail 3 is not separately mounted on the vehicle body. A single body member is provided, in which the guide rail member 7 integrated with the door guide rail 3 is coupled to the lower longitudinal beam 11, the pillar 5, and the body cross member 9. Thus, this configuration ensures sufficient rigidity of the portion in which the door guide rail 3 for sliding the sliding door is provided. This configuration also facilitates the process of assembling the vehicle and reduces costs by significantly reducing the number of components.
[0046] Therefore, the guide rail member 7 can be configured as a single member made of a lightweight material such as aluminum alloy by casting, 3D printing, or the like.
[0047] The guide rail member 7 includes a guide rail forming portion 13 configured to define the door guide rail 3. The guide rail member 7 further includes a strength reinforcing portion 15 integrally provided below the guide rail forming portion 13 and configured to define a lateral cross section of the vehicle body, which is a closed cross section.
[0048] The strength reinforcing portion 15 provided on the lower side of the guide rail member 7 has a closed cross section to ensure high strength. Thus, the configuration ensures the overall strength of the guide rail member 7 at a necessary level or higher.
[0049] In addition, in the present embodiment, the door guide rail 3 is formed on the upper side of the guide rail forming portion 13. An opening portion 17 is provided between the door guide rail 3 and the strength reinforcing portion 15 and opens to the outside of the vehicle body.
[0050] Therefore, the door arm 19 of the sliding door 1 is connected to the door guide rail 3 through the opening portion 17 and slides, so that the operation of sliding the sliding door 1 to open or close the sliding door 1 can be achieved.
[0051] The guide rail member 7 has a plurality of pillar coupling portions 21 that project upward from the guide rail forming portion 13 and are coupled to the pillar 5 while defining a closed cross section.
[0052] Each pillar 5 is formed such that a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pillar 5 is formed as a closed cross section. The first pillar lower end portion 23 includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among the plurality of outer side walls that define the closed cross section of the pillar 5, and projects relatively more downward compared to the second pillar lower end portion 25. The second pillar lower end portion 25 includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls.
[0053] In addition, each column coupling portion 21 of the guide rail member 7 coupled to the corresponding column 5 includes a first member upper end portion 27 that protrudes upward to be coupled to the second column lower end portion 25 of the column 5 and simultaneously overlaps with the second column lower end portion 25. Further, each column coupling portion 21 includes a second member upper end portion 29 that is recessed relatively downward from the first member upper end portion 27 to be coupled to the first column lower end portion 23 of the column 5 and simultaneously overlaps with the first column lower end portion 23.
[0054] In other words, the column coupling portion 21 of the column 5 and the guide rail member 7 is coupled and simultaneously defines a closed cross-section. This is achieved by overlapping walls through the first member upper end portion 27 and the second member upper end portion 29. The first member upper end portion is coupled to and overlaps with the second column lower end portion 25, and the second member upper end portion is coupled to and overlaps with the first column lower end portion 23. Therefore, a very firm coupling structure is configured to be formed.
[0055] The plurality of columns 5 coupled to the guide rail member 7 may include a B-pillar 5_B and a C-pillar 5_C.
[0056] In this case, the B-pillar 5_B or the C-pillar 5_C includes the first column lower end portion 23 and the second column lower end portion 25 as described above, and is coupled to the plurality of column coupling portions 21 provided on the guide rail member 7 while defining a closed cross-section structure.
[0057] However, as Figure 12 shown, the plurality of columns 5 coupled to the guide rail member 7 may include a C-pillar 5_C and an A-pillar 5_A. The B-pillar 5_B between the A-pillar 5_A and the C-pillar 5_C may be excluded.
[0058] In other words, in Figure 12 the embodiment shown, compared with the structure in Figure 1 the embodiment, the guide rail member 7 has a structure that is more elongated in the front / rear direction, such that the guide rail member 7 connects the lower end portion of the A-pillar 5_A and the lower end portion of the C-pillar 5_C.
[0059] The above structure can be used for a vehicle equipped with two sliding doors 1.
[0060] In addition, the guide rail member 7 has a plurality of cross-member coupling portions 31 that protrude laterally toward the vehicle body cross-member 9 and are coupled to the vehicle body cross-member 9 while defining a closed cross-section.
[0061] Each vehicle body cross member 9 is formed such that a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body cross member 9 is formed as a closed cross section. The first cross member lateral end 33 of the vehicle body cross member 9 protrudes relatively more laterally than the second cross member lateral end 35 of the vehicle body cross member 9. The first cross member lateral end 33 includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among the plurality of outer side walls that define the closed cross section of the vehicle body cross member 9. The second cross member lateral end 35 includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls.
[0062] In addition, each cross member joint portion 31 of the guide rail member 7 coupled to the corresponding vehicle body cross member 9 includes a first member lateral end 37 that protrudes more laterally so as to be coupled to the second cross member lateral end 35 of the cross member and at the same time overlap with the second cross member lateral end 35. In addition, each cross member joint portion 31 includes a second member lateral end 39 that is recessed relatively laterally from the first member lateral end 37 so as to be coupled to the first cross member lateral end 33 of the vehicle body cross member 9 and at the same time overlap with the first cross member lateral end 33.
[0063] In other words, the vehicle body cross member 9 and the cross member joint portion 31 of the guide rail member 7 are coupled and at the same time define a closed cross section. This is achieved by overlapping walls through the first member lateral end 37 and the second member lateral end 39, the first member lateral end being coupled to and overlapping with the second cross member lateral end 35, and the second member lateral end being coupled to and overlapping with the first cross member lateral end 33. Accordingly, a very strong coupling structure is configured to be formed.
[0064] In addition, the guide rail member 7 is coupled to the lower longitudinal member 11 and extends in the front / rear direction of the vehicle body. A lower longitudinal member joint portion 41 is provided at the front side of the guide rail member 7 and is coupled to the lower longitudinal member 11 and at the same time defines a closed cross section.
[0065] The lower longitudinal member 11 is formed such that a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lower longitudinal member 11 is formed as a closed cross section. The first lower longitudinal member rear end 43 protrudes relatively more rearward than the second lower longitudinal member rear end 45. The first lower longitudinal member rear end 43 includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among the plurality of outer side walls that define the closed cross section of the lower longitudinal member 11. The second lower longitudinal member rear end 45 includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls.
[0066] In addition, the lower longitudinal member joint portion 41 of the guide rail member 7 coupled to the lower longitudinal member 11 includes a first member front end 47 that protrudes more forward so as to be coupled to the second lower longitudinal member rear end 45 of the lower longitudinal member 11 and at the same time overlap with the second lower longitudinal member rear end 45. In addition, the lower longitudinal member joint portion 41 includes a second member front end 49 that is recessed relatively rearward from the first member front end 47 so as to be coupled to the first lower longitudinal member rear end 43 of the lower longitudinal member 11 and at the same time overlap with the first lower longitudinal member rear end 43.
[0067] Therefore, the lower longitudinal beam 11 and the lower longitudinal beam joint portion 41 of the guide rail member 7 are joined to have a structure for forming a closed cross-section. This is achieved by overlapping walls of the front end portion 47 of the first member and the front end portion of the second member, where the front end portion of the first member is joined to and overlaps the rear end portion 45 of the second lower longitudinal beam, and the front end portion of the second member is joined to and overlaps the rear end portion 43 of the first lower longitudinal beam. Thus, the configuration ensures very strong rigidity.
[0068] Reference Figure 13 , the guide rail member 7 may further include a side flange 53 that extends toward the vehicle interior and is joined to the floor longitudinal beam member 51.
[0069] The guide rail member 7 and the floor longitudinal beam member 51 are joined to each other through the side flange 53, thereby ensuring greater rigidity of the guide rail member 7 against side collisions. The floor longitudinal beam member 51 is disposed below the floor 55 of the vehicle body and extends in the front / rear direction of the vehicle body.
[0070] In the present embodiment, the side flange 53 of the guide rail member 7 is formed to surround the side wall and the lower portion of the floor longitudinal beam member 51, thereby defining a more robust support structure.
[0071] In addition, as indicated by the dashed line in Figure 13 , a reinforcing plate 57 may also be provided between the lower side of the floor longitudinal beam member 51 and the guide rail member 7 and together with the side flange 53 defines a closed cross-section to enhance rigidity.
[0072] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A vehicle body structure with a sliding door, the vehicle body structure comprising: A guide rail component, wherein the guide rail component is integrated with the door guide rail; a plurality of posts coupled to an upper side of the rail member; as well as A plurality of cross-body beams are connected to lateral sides of the track members.
2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail member comprises: a guide rail forming portion configured to define the door guide rail; as well as A strength reinforcing portion is integrally provided below the guide rail forming portion and is configured to define a transverse cross section of the vehicle body, the transverse cross section being a closed cross section. 3 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , wherein the door rail is formed on an upper side of the rail forming portion, and wherein an opening portion is provided between the door rail and the strength reinforcement portion and is open to the outside of the vehicle body. 4 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , wherein the guide rail member has a plurality of pillar coupling portions which protrude upward from the guide rail forming portion and are respectively coupled to the plurality of pillars while defining a closed cross section.
5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, wherein: One of the plurality of pillars is formed such that a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the one pillar is formed as a closed cross section; The first lower end of the one column protrudes downward relatively more than the second lower end of the one column, the first lower end of the one column includes two or more adjacent outer side walls among a plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross section of the one column, and the second lower end of the one column includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls; and One of the multiple column coupling parts of the guide rail component coupled to the one column includes: a first component upper end portion and a second component upper end portion, the first component upper end portion protruding upward so as to be coupled to the second lower end portion of the one column and overlapping with the second lower end portion at the same time, and the second component upper end portion being relatively recessed downward from the first component upper end portion so as to be coupled to the first lower end portion of the one column and overlapping with the first lower end portion at the same time. 6 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , wherein the guide rail member has a plurality of cross-beam coupling portions which protrude laterally toward the plurality of vehicle body cross-beams and are respectively coupled to the plurality of vehicle body cross-beams while defining a closed cross section.
7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 6, wherein: One of the plurality of body cross beams is formed such that a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the one body cross beam is formed as a closed cross section; The first transverse end of the one cross beam protrudes laterally more than the second transverse end of the cross beam, the first transverse end of the one cross beam includes two or more adjacent outer side walls of a plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross section of the one cross beam, and the second transverse end of the cross beam includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls; and One of the plurality of cross-beam joints of the guide rail member coupled to the one vehicle body cross beam comprises: a first member lateral end portion which protrudes more laterally so as to be coupled to and overlap with the second lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam, and a second member lateral end portion which is relatively laterally recessed from the first member lateral end portion so as to be coupled to and overlap with the first lateral end portion of the one vehicle body cross beam.
8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, wherein the rail member is coupled to a side sill and is elongated in the front / rear direction of the vehicle body, and wherein a side sill coupling portion is provided at a front side of the rail member and coupled to the side sill while defining a closed section.
9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, wherein: The lower side beam is formed so that a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the lower side beam is formed as a closed cross section; The first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam relatively protrudes downward more than the second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam, the first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam includes two or more adjacent outer side walls of a plurality of outer side walls defining the closed cross section of the lower longitudinal beam, and the second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam includes the remaining two or more adjacent outer side walls; and The lower longitudinal beam coupling portion of the guide rail member coupled to the lower longitudinal beam includes: a first member front end portion and a second member front end portion, wherein the first member front end portion protrudes further forward so as to be coupled to the second rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam and overlap with the second rear end portion, and the second member front end portion is relatively recessed rearward from the first member front end portion so as to be coupled to the first rear end portion of the lower longitudinal beam and overlap with the first rear end portion. 10 . The vehicle body structure of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of pillars coupled to the rail member include B-pillars and C-pillars. 11 . The vehicle body structure of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of pillars coupled to the rail member include C-pillars and A-pillars, and wherein a B-pillar between the A-pillar and the C-pillar is excluded. 12 . The vehicle body structure of claim 2 , wherein the guide rail member further includes a side flange extending toward an inner side of the vehicle and coupled to the floor rail member. 13 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 12 , wherein the side flange of the guide rail member is formed to surround a side wall and a lower portion of the floor rail member.
14. The vehicle body structure according to claim 12, wherein a reinforcement plate is further provided between a lower side of the floor rail member and the guide rail member, and the reinforcement plate defines a closed section together with the side flange to enhance rigidity.