Lower side beam structure

Abstract

A rocker structure (100) is provided with: a rocker body (101) having an outer side wall (111) and an inner side wall (112); and an energy absorbing structure (102) that forms a plurality of tube structures (103) arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction inside the rocker body (101). The energy absorption structure (102) has a base member (121) formed from a single green body plate (130), and a plurality of reinforcing members (125) disposed at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The base member (121) has: a first vertical plate section (132) extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall (111); and a plurality of holding bodies (135) provided on the first vertical plate section (132). The reinforcing member (125) is held by the holding body (135), extends in the vehicle width direction, and forms a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the reinforcing member (125) in the vehicle width direction are close to the inner surfaces of the outer side wall (111) and the inner side wall (112).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rocker structure. Background Art

[0002] Traditionally, efforts to improve vehicle occupant safety have been pursued by increasing vehicle body strength, thereby enhancing collision safety performance. Side collisions (hereinafter referred to as side impacts) in particular tend to inflict a significant impact on the vehicle interior, necessitating high impact absorption performance. Specifically, when the vehicle rotates and an object such as a pillar strikes the side of the vehicle, the impact energy must be absorbed to protect the vehicle interior. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of the deepening global warming problem, efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of motor vehicles are accelerating. It is known that reducing the weight of the vehicle body is an effective way to improve fuel efficiency.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rocker as part of a vehicle side structure. To protect occupants in the event of a side impact, multiple hollow structures are built into the rocker body and arranged along the vehicle's length. Each hollow structure consists of a reinforcement member extending across the vehicle's width and welded to the rocker body.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-203599 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] The multiple tube structures are constructed independently of each other, so the number of components of the rocker and the number of assembly steps increase, which may increase the weight.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rocker structure that reduces the number of components and the number of assembly steps to achieve vehicle body weight reduction and has excellent impact absorption performance during a side collision.

[0010] Solutions to Problems

[0011] One solution of the present invention provides a side rail structure, wherein the side rail structure comprises: a side rail body extending in the vehicle length direction; and an energy absorbing structure, which is arranged inside the side rail body and forms a plurality of tube structures arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction, the side rail body having an outer side wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an inner side wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the energy absorbing structure comprising: a base member; and a plurality of reinforcing members, which are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction, the base member having There are: a first longitudinal plate portion, which extends in the vehicle length direction within the interior of the lower side beam body and is joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall or the inner side wall; and a plurality of retaining bodies, which are provided on the first longitudinal plate portion and are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction, the plurality of reinforcing members are respectively retained by the plurality of retaining bodies and extend in the vehicle width direction, and form a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the two end portions of the reinforcing members in the vehicle width direction are close to the inner surface of the outer side wall and the inner surface of the inner side wall, respectively.

[0012] According to the above structure, the energy absorbing structure forming multiple tube structures has a base component. The base component integrally has a first longitudinal plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction and a plurality of retaining bodies arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction. Each reinforcing member is retained by the corresponding retaining body, thereby defining the tube structure of the energy absorbing structure. The plurality of retaining bodies are arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction, so the plurality of tube structures are also the same. When a side collision occurs, the impact is input to the outer side wall of the lower side beam body. The outer end of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction is close to the outer side wall, so when the outer side wall is deformed due to the impact, the impact is immediately transmitted to the tubular member, and the impact can be absorbed by the tubular structure. Such an energy absorbing structure is constructed using a single base component. Compared with the case where the tube structures are constructed independently one by one, the number of components of the energy absorbing structure and thus the lower side beam structure and the assembly man-hour can be reduced.

[0013] The base member may be formed of the same metal material as the rocker body, and the first vertical plate portion may be welded to the outer side wall.

[0014] According to the above structure, the base member can be joined to the rocker body using a highly efficient method such as resistance welding, thereby simplifying the manufacture of the rocker structure. The outer side wall is joined to the first longitudinal plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction, so that the impact of a side collision is easily transmitted to the base member.

[0015] The plate thickness direction of the first vertical plate portion may be oriented in the vehicle width direction, and the first vertical plate portion may overlap with the inner surface of the outer side wall.

[0016] The above structure improves the bonding strength of the first longitudinal wall portion to the rocker body, thereby enhancing the strength of the rocker structure. It should be noted that "overlapping" (of two members) means stacking them so that the two members are aligned in the thickness direction. This may be direct surface contact or with another member (e.g., a patch member or adhesive) interposed between the two members.

[0017] Alternatively, the base component further comprises: a plurality of through holes, which are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction; and a second longitudinal plate portion, which extends along the vehicle length direction within the interior of the lower side beam body and overlaps with the inner surface of the inner wall, and the plurality of through holes and the plurality of retaining bodies are alternately arranged along the vehicle length direction between the first longitudinal plate portion and the second longitudinal plate portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] According to the above structure, the plurality of retaining bodies can be cantilever beam-shaped or supported by both the first longitudinal plate portion and the second longitudinal plate portion. The base member is stably mounted on the lower side beam body while being clamped by the outer side wall and the inner side wall in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the strength or impact absorption performance of each tube structure is improved. In addition, through holes are formed between the plurality of tube structures. By using a base member that is elongated in the vehicle length direction, the number of components and the assembly man-hours can be reduced, and even if a base member that is elongated in the vehicle length direction is used, the lower side beam structure becomes lightweight.

[0019] Alternatively, the base component further comprises a plurality of transverse plate portions extending from the first longitudinal plate portion to the second longitudinal plate portion along the vehicle width direction and between two adjacent through holes among the plurality of through holes and arranged along the vehicle length direction, and the plurality of retaining bodies are formed by being cut out downward from the plurality of transverse plate portions and standing up.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the retaining body can be integrally formed with the first vertical plate portion by using the cut-out and raised process, and an alternating arrangement of the cylindrical structure and the through-holes can be achieved.

[0021] The base member may further include a plurality of hanging bodies extending downward and inward in the vehicle width direction from the first vertical plate portion and arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction, and the plurality of retaining bodies may extend continuously downward from the plurality of hanging bodies.

[0022] According to the above structure, multiple retaining members are continuously provided on the first longitudinal plate portion via the drooping member and are positioned below the first longitudinal plate portion and inward in the vehicle width direction. This easily prevents interference between the reinforcing member retained by the retaining members and the first longitudinal plate portion. The outer end of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction can be brought closer to the inner surface of the outer side wall, making it easier for impacts input to the outer side wall to be transmitted to the reinforcing member.

[0023] Alternatively, the lower side beam body further includes an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer side wall and the inner side wall to each other along the vehicle width direction, and the base component further includes an upper plate portion extending from the upper edge of the first longitudinal plate portion toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and overlapping with the inner surface of the upper wall.

[0024] According to the above configuration, the base member engages with or supports the rocker body not only in the vehicle width direction but also in the up-down direction, thereby improving the strength of the rocker structure as a whole.

[0025] A protruding piece may be provided on at least one side of the holding body in the vehicle width direction, and a surface of the protruding piece may overlap with the inner surface of either the outer wall or the inner wall.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the joining strength of the tube structure to the rocker body is improved, and the strength of the tube structure and therefore the impact absorbing performance are improved.

[0027] The reinforcing member may be a tubular member that independently forms the closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] Each of the holding bodies may be composed of a pair of front flange portions and a rear flange portion in the vehicle length direction, and each of the tubular members may be sandwiched between the front flange portion and the rear flange portion of the corresponding holding body.

[0029] According to the above configuration, each cylindrical member is held between the pair of flanges, thereby increasing the strength of the cylindrical member joined to the base member. This improves the strength of the cylindrical structure and the impact absorption performance.

[0030] Alternatively, the front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed in line symmetry in the vehicle length direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed with: a pair of lower extension portions, which extend downward; and a pair of lifting portions, which extend from the lower ends of the pair of lower extension portions in a manner approaching each other in the vehicle length direction, and the tubular component is supported from below by the pair of lifting portions at the center portion in the up and down directions of the tubular component.

[0031] According to the above configuration, each tubular member is not only clamped in the vehicle width direction but also supported from below, so that the joining strength of the tubular member to the base member is further improved.

[0032] Alternatively, the tubular member may include: a pair of supported portions, which are supported by the pair of lifting portions; a pair of side wall lower portions, which extend downward from the inner edge portions of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction; and a pair of side wall upper portions, which extend upward from the outer edge portions of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction.

[0033] According to the above configuration, it is possible to realize a structure in which the tubular member is supported from below at the center portion in the vertical direction of the tubular member.

[0034] The pair of side wall lower portions may extend away from each other in the vehicle length direction.

[0035] According to the above structure, the lower portion of the side wall is located below the embracing portion of the base member and outside in the vehicle width direction. This can suppress displacement of the tubular member relative to the base member in the vertical direction and the vehicle length direction, and further improve the bonding strength of the tubular member to the base member.

[0036] The tubular member may include an upper wall portion connecting upper ends of the pair of side wall upper portions in the vehicle length direction.

[0037] According to the above configuration, a cylindrical member having a closed cross section can be realized.

[0038] A through hole may be formed in the upper wall portion of the tubular member.

[0039] According to the above structure, even if water enters the space above the cylindrical member, the water is drained downward through the through hole. The through hole can function as a drain hole, and the cylindrical member is less likely to corrode.

[0040] The pair of side wall upper portions of the tubular member may be fastened to the pair of downward extending portions of the base member.

[0041] The above structure mechanically joins the tubular member to the base member by fastening it to the base member. This improves the joint strength. Furthermore, compared to metallurgical joining, the flexibility in selecting the materials for the tubular member and base member is increased. For example, it is possible to use ferrous metals for the base member and nonferrous metals for the tubular member.

[0042] Alternatively, the pair of side wall upper portions of the tubular component and the pair of lower extension portions of the base component are joined via an adhesive that fills a gap between the pair of side wall upper portions of the tubular component and the pair of lower extension portions of the base component, and the adhesive overflows upward from an upper opening of the gap and seals the gap.

[0043] According to the above structure, the cylindrical member is mechanically joined to the base member by bonding it to the base member. The same effects as described above are achieved. Furthermore, an adhesive is interposed between the cylindrical member and the base member to prevent direct contact between the two components. This is beneficial when using materials with different ionization tendencies and rigidities for the two components, as it can prevent galvanic corrosion and wear. Furthermore, the adhesive seals the upper opening of the gap, thereby preventing foreign matter such as water from entering the gap and helping to prevent corrosion of the cylindrical structure.

[0044] It can also be that the lower side beam body has an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer side wall and the inner side wall to each other along the vehicle width direction, and the reinforcing component is a top hat-shaped component having a pair of side walls held by the retaining body and joined to the upper wall of the lower side beam body and a bottom wall connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls to each other along the vehicle length direction, and the top hat-shaped component forms the closed cross section together with the lower side beam body.

[0045] Effects of the Invention

[0046] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rocker structure that can reduce the number of components and the number of assembly steps to achieve weight reduction of a vehicle body and has excellent impact absorption performance during a side collision. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a vehicle body of a vehicle to which the rocker according to the first embodiment is applied.

[0048] Figure 2 It is a transverse cross-sectional view showing the rocker according to the first embodiment.

[0049] Figure 3A It is along Figure 2 A longitudinal sectional view of the lower side sill shown along line III-III.

[0050] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A Magnified image of .

[0051] Figure 3C yes Figure 3B Magnified image of .

[0052] Figure 4 It is a plan view of the base member blank plate of the first embodiment.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the energy absorbing structure according to the first embodiment.

[0054] Figure 6 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a second embodiment.

[0055] Figure 7A It is along Figure 6 A longitudinal sectional view of the lower side sill taken along line VII-VII is shown.

[0056] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Magnified image of .

[0057] Figure 7C yes Figure 7B Magnified image of .

[0058] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a second embodiment.

[0059] Figure 9 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a third embodiment.

[0060] Figure 10A It is along Figure 9 A longitudinal sectional view of the lower side sill shown along line XX.

[0061] Figure 10B yes Figure 10A Magnified image of .

[0062] Figure 10C yes Figure 10B Magnified image of .

[0063] Figure 11 It is a plan view of a base member blank plate according to the third embodiment.

[0064] Figure 12A This is a perspective view of the energy absorbing structure according to the third embodiment as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] Figure 12B This is a perspective view of the energy absorbing structure according to the third embodiment as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0066] Figure 13 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a fourth embodiment.

[0067] Figure 14A It is along Figure 13 A perspective sectional view of the lower side sill shown along line XIV-XIV.

[0068] Figure 14B It will follow Figure 13 An enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the rocker taken along line XIV-XIV is shown.

[0069] Figure 15 It is an exploded perspective view showing a rocker according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] The following describes the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that identical or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the figures, and repeated detailed descriptions are omitted. The vehicle length direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction, and the vehicle width direction corresponds to the left-to-right direction. The vehicle width direction outer side is the side away from the vehicle's centerline, while the vehicle width direction inner side is the side closer to the vehicle's centerline. The "×" marks in the figures indicate joints formed by spot welding.

[0071] Figure 1 The vehicle body 2 of the vehicle 1 to which the rocker 100 of the embodiment is applied is shown. The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle having an electric motor (not shown) as a power source for traveling and a battery 3 as a power source for the power source. The vehicle body 2 has a pair of rocker 100 extending in the vehicle length direction at the lower portion on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The pair of rocker 100 is symmetrical on both sides. The battery 3 is housed in a low-back rectangular parallelepiped frame, arranged between the pair of rocker 100, and supported by the pair of rocker 100. When collision energy caused by the occurrence of a side collision is input to the vehicle 1, the rocker 100 absorbs the impact, thereby protecting the battery 3.

[0072] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3A The rocker 100 includes a rocker body 101 and an energy absorbing structure 102. The rocker body 101 extends in the vehicle length direction. The energy absorbing structure 102 is disposed inside the rocker body 101. The energy absorbing structure 102 is formed into a plurality of tubular structures 103 arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction. Each tubular structure 103 extends in the vehicle width direction inside the rocker body 101.

[0073] Reference Figure 2 The rocker body 101 includes an outer wall 111 extending vertically outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall 112 extending vertically inward in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall 113 connecting the upper ends of the outer and inner walls 111, 112 in the vehicle width direction, and a lower wall 114 connecting the lower ends of the outer and inner walls 111, 112 in the vehicle width direction. The rocker body 101 has a generally rectangular closed cross-section when viewed in the vehicle length direction. The four walls 111-114 define the interior space of the rocker body 101. The rocker body 101 also includes an upper flange 115 extending upward from the center portion of the upper wall 113 in the vehicle width direction, and a lower flange 116 extending downward from the center portion of the lower wall 114 in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] The rocker body 101 is mainly composed of two parts: an outer rocker 117 and an inner rocker 118. Both the outer rocker 117 and the inner rocker 118 are formed of an iron-based metal material such as steel and have a top-hat-shaped cross-section.

[0075] The outer rocker 117 includes a web portion serving as the outer side wall 111, an outer upper wall 117a and an outer lower wall 117b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper and lower ends of the web portion, an outer upper flange 117c extending upward from the inner end of the outer upper wall 117a, and an outer lower flange 117d extending downward from the inner end of the outer lower wall 117b. The outer rocker 117 forms a space 117e defined by the outer side wall 111, the outer upper wall 117a, and the outer lower wall 117b.

[0076] Similarly, the inner rocker 118 includes a web portion serving as the inner wall 112, an inner upper wall 118a and an inner lower wall 118b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper and lower ends of the web portion, an inner upper flange 118c extending upward from the outer end of the inner upper wall 118a, and an inner lower flange 118d extending downward from the outer end of the inner lower wall 118b. The inner rocker 118 forms a space 118e defined by the inner wall 112, the inner upper wall 118a, and the inner lower wall 118b.

[0077] The inner and outer upper flanges 117c and 118c overlap and are spot welded in the vehicle width direction, while the inner and outer lower flanges 117d and 118d overlap and are spot welded in the vehicle width direction. It should be noted that for each of the upper and lower spot welds, multiple joint points are set at intervals along the vehicle length. The inner and outer upper walls 117a and 118a form the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101, while the inner and outer lower walls 117b and 118b form the lower wall 114 of the rocker body 101. The inner and outer upper flanges 117c and 118c form the upper flange 115 of the rocker body 101, while the inner and outer lower flanges 117d and 118d form the lower flange 116 of the rocker body 101. The inner and outer spaces 117e and 118e are connected in the vehicle width direction, thereby creating the aforementioned internal space within the rocker body 101.

[0078] Reference Figure 2 as well as Figure 3A to Figure 3C The energy absorbing structure 102 of this embodiment includes a base member 121, an outer patch 122, an inner patch 123, and a tubular member 125. The tubular member 125 is an example of a reinforcing member of the energy absorbing structure 102.

[0079] The base member 121 is formed from a single body plate 130 (see Figure 4) and extends in the vehicle length direction. The base member 121 or its blank plate 130 is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body 101 (i.e., iron-based metal material) and has the same plate thickness throughout the entire range. The tubular member 125 is formed of a different metal material from the rocker body 101 and the base member 121. The tubular member 125 is formed of a non-ferrous metal material, in particular, a light metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. In this embodiment, the tubular member 125 is an extruded part of an aluminum alloy. The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 are sandwiched between the inner surface of the rocker body 101 and the base member 121 or the tubular member 125. The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 have approximately the same length as the rocker body 101 in the vehicle length direction.

[0080] The base member 121 of this embodiment includes a plurality of through holes 131, a first vertical plate portion 132, a second vertical plate portion 133, a plurality of horizontal plate portions 134, and a plurality of retaining bodies 135. Each retaining body 135 is composed of a pair of front and rear flange portions 136F and 136R.

[0081] A plurality of through holes 131 are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction. The first longitudinal plate portion 132 extends along the vehicle length direction on the outside of the through hole 131 in the vehicle width direction. The second longitudinal plate portion 133 extends along the vehicle length direction on the inside of the through hole 131 in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of transverse plate portions 134 are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction. Each transverse plate portion 134 includes one or more intermediate transverse plate portions 134a (one less than the number of through holes 131), a front end transverse plate portion 134b, and a rear end transverse plate portion 134c. Each intermediate transverse plate portion 134a is arranged between two adjacent ones of the plurality of through holes 131. The front end transverse plate portion 134b is arranged in front of the through hole 131f at the front end, and connects the front ends of the longitudinal plate portions 132 and 133 to each other. The rear end horizontal plate portion 134c is disposed behind the through hole 131r at the rear end, and connects the rear ends of the vertical plate portions 132 and 133. In this way, the base member 121 is formed into a rectangular frame shape and a ladder shape as a whole.

[0082] The plate thickness direction of the first longitudinal plate portion 132 and the second longitudinal plate portion 133 is toward the vehicle width direction. In other words, the first longitudinal plate portion 132 is parallel to the outer side wall 111, and the second longitudinal plate portion 133 is parallel to the inner side wall 112. The plate thickness direction of the transverse plate portion 134 is toward the up-down direction. The first longitudinal plate portion 132 and the second longitudinal plate portion 133 extend from both ends of the transverse plate portion 134 in the up-down direction (in the present embodiment, downward as an example). The first longitudinal plate portion 132 overlaps with the inner surface of the outer side wall 111 and is joined to the inner surface. The second longitudinal plate portion 133 overlaps with the inner surface of the inner side wall 112. The second longitudinal plate portion 133 is joined to the inner side wall 112 using an appropriate joining method such as single-sided spot welding, arc welding or bonding. In Figure 2In the figure, this is schematically illustrated, that is, the first longitudinal plate portion 132 is spot welded to the outer side wall 111 at joint points set at intervals along the vehicle length direction, while the second longitudinal plate portion 133 is joined using other methods. However, this relationship can also be reversed. In other words, the second longitudinal plate portion 133 can be spot welded to the inner side wall 112, and the first longitudinal plate portion 132 can be joined to the outer side wall 111 by single-sided spot welding, arc welding, bonding, or other joining means (regarding Figure 6 The same is true for the second embodiment shown).

[0083] Reference Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 A method for molding the base member 121 having such a structure will be described. Figure 4 is a top view of the blank plate 130. Figure 4 In the figure, hatching indicates the area removed from the base plate by punching, and the two-dot chain line indicates the bend line during the bending process after punching. The base plate 130 is the raw material for the base member 121 and is a metal plate with a uniform thickness. The base plate 130 has a rectangular shape when viewed from above. The longitudinal direction of the base plate 130 is oriented along the vehicle length when the base member 121 forms the rocker 100.

[0084] First, a plurality of initial through-holes 130a are formed in the base plate 130 by drilling. The number of initial through-holes 130a to be formed is equal to the number of through-holes 131 in the finished base member 121 and is formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base plate 130. Figure 4 The hatched area in φ corresponds to the size or shape of the initial through hole 130 a.

[0085] During the drilling process, a die (not shown) is pressed against the blank plate 130 from above. This creates an initial through-hole 130a, with the die's outline being transferred to the edges of the initial through-hole 130a. This process involves intermittently moving the blank plate 130 along its length and raising and lowering the die while the blank plate 130 is stationary. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times to form a predetermined number of initial through-holes 130a. This allows for a smaller drilling machine compared to forming multiple initial through-holes 130a simultaneously in a single lifting motion, and reduces the driving force applied to the die.

[0086] It should be noted that the initial through-hole 130a has different shapes when viewed from above for the initial through-hole at the rear end, the initial through-hole at the front end, and the initial through-hole in the middle. The initial through-hole 130a in the middle connects the shapes of the rear end and the front end in the vehicle length direction. Therefore, at least two dies are prepared: one corresponding to the shape of the rear end and one corresponding to the shape of the front end. These at least two dies are configured to be independently movable.

[0087] Next, retaining members 135 are cut downward from the transverse plate 134, leaving a single transverse plate 134 between two adjacent initial through-holes 130a, and then erected. Thus, multiple retaining members 135 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with multiple transverse plates 134, and are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length. Thus, the retaining members 135 are attached to the first vertical plate 132 via the corresponding transverse plate 134, extending downward from the first vertical plate 132.

[0088] In this embodiment, the front and rear sides of the cross plate 134 are cut out and raised. Each retaining body 135 comprises a front flange 136F cut out and raised downward from the front edge of the corresponding cross plate 134, and a rear flange 136R cut out and raised downward from the rear edge of the corresponding cross plate 134. The front and rear edges of the cross plate 134 extend parallel to the vehicle width direction without tilting in the vehicle length direction.

[0089] In this way, the initial through-hole 130a is expanded in the vehicle length direction by the cutting and raising process performed to form the retaining body 135. As a result, the completed base member 121 has a through-hole 131 that is larger than it was immediately after the drilling process. The portion surrounding the initial through-hole 130a at the front end becomes the front flange 136F of the retaining body 135 at the front end, while the portion surrounding the initial through-hole 130a at the rear end, through cutting and raising, becomes the rear flange 136R of the retaining body 135 at the rear end. The front half of the portion surrounding the central initial through-hole 130a becomes the rear flange 136R of the adjacent front transverse plate 134, while the remaining rear half becomes the front flange 136F of the adjacent rear transverse plate 134. Consequently, the central through-hole 131a is approximately twice as large as the through-holes 131f and 131r at the front and rear ends.

[0090] The front flange portion 136F and the rear flange portion 136R extend downward from the cross plate portion 134 while being inclined in the vehicle length direction relative to the vertical direction. The front flange portion 136F and the rear flange portion 136R are line-symmetrical in the front-to-rear direction when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The front flange portion 136F and the rear flange portion 136R are inclined so as to move away from each other in the vehicle length direction as they move downward. The front flange portion 136F is inclined forward, while the rear flange portion 136R is inclined rearward.

[0091] The front flange 136F and the rear flange 136R are formed with a pair of downwardly extending lower extensions 136Fa and 136Ra, and a pair of raised portions 136Fb and 136Rb extending from the lower ends of the pair of lower extensions 136Fa and 136Ra, respectively, so as to approach each other in the vehicle length direction. Specifically, after the cutting and raising process described above, the front ends are bent to form the raised portions 136Fb and 136Rb. The bend lines forming the raised portions 136Fb and 136Rb (i.e., the corners between the lower extensions 136Fa and 136Ra and the raised portions 136Fb and 136Rb) extend straight in the vehicle width direction, without tilting in the vehicle length direction or the vertical direction.

[0092] Next, the first and second vertical plate portions 132, 133 are bent so that their thicknesses face the vehicle width. Furthermore, at least one bolt insertion hole 137 is provided in each flange portion 136F, 136R (particularly, in its lower extensions 136Fa, 136Ra). In this embodiment, two bolt insertion holes 137 are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction in each lower extension 136Fa, 136Ra.

[0093] The above process completes the base member 121. In the completed state, the plurality of through holes 131, the transverse plate portions 134, and the plurality of retaining bodies 135 are alternately arranged along the vehicle length direction between the first vertical plate portion 132 and the second vertical plate portion 133 in the vehicle width direction.

[0094] Reference Figure 3A to Figure 3C as well as Figure 5 The cylindrical member 125 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of retaining bodies 135. Each cylindrical member 125 is retained by the corresponding retaining body 135 while extending in the vehicle width direction. Each cylindrical member 125 forms a closed cross section when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The two ends of each cylindrical member 125 in the vehicle width direction are close to the inner surface of the outer wall 111 and the inner surface of the inner wall 112 (see FIG. Figure 2In this embodiment, the cylindrical member 125 is an extruded aluminum alloy. Since the base member 121 is formed of an iron-based metal material, direct contact between the cylindrical member 125 and the base member 121 causes accelerated wear of the cylindrical member 125 due to electrolytic corrosion. Since direct contact is avoided by the close arrangement, the life of the cylindrical member 125 is prolonged.

[0095] In the following description, when the retaining body 135 is composed of a pair of flange portions 136F and 136R that are symmetrical in the front and rear directions, the "inner side in the vehicle length direction" refers to the side close to the axis of symmetry of the pair of flange portions 136F and 136R (the rear side for the front flange portion 136F and the front side for the rear flange portion 136R), and the "outer side in the vehicle length direction" refers to the side away from the axis of symmetry of the pair of flange portions 136F and 136R (the front side for the front flange portion 136F and the rear side for the rear flange portion 136R).

[0096] The tubular member 125 includes an upper wall 161, a bottom wall 162, and a pair of front and rear side walls 163F and 163R. The upper wall 161 connects the upper ends of the side walls 163F and 163R in the vehicle length direction. The bottom wall 162 connects the lower ends of the side walls 163F and 163R in the vehicle length direction. Each side wall 163F and 163R has a supported portion 164F and 164R located between the upper and lower ends. The supported portions 164F and 164R extend in the vehicle width direction and have a width in the vehicle length direction. The supported portions 164F and 164R tilt upward as they move from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle length direction. The supported portions 164F and 164R tilt outward in the vehicle length direction as they move downward in the plate thickness direction, but they still have an up-down component.

[0097] Each side wall 163F, 163R further includes a side wall upper portion 165F, 165R and a side wall lower portion 166F, 166R. The side wall upper portion 165F, 165R extends upward from the outer edge of the supported portion 164F, 164R in the vehicle length direction and is connected to the upper wall 161. The side wall lower portion 166F, 166R extends downward from the inner edge of the supported portion 164F, 164R in the vehicle length direction and is connected to the bottom wall 162.

[0098] Each side wall lower portion 166F, 166R is bent in a V-shape and projects outward in the vehicle length direction at the upper and lower intermediate portions between the supported portions 164F, 164R and the bottom wall 162. Therefore, the pair of side wall lower portions 166F, 166R first extend downward from the supported portions 164F, 164R away from each other in the vehicle length direction, and then extend downward toward each other in the vehicle length direction.

[0099] The tubular member 125 further includes a through-hole 169 formed in the upper wall 161. In this embodiment, a single through-hole 169 is provided in the center of the upper wall 161 in the vehicle length direction. The upper wall 161 is inclined toward the through-hole 169. Specifically, the upper wall 161 has a front inclined portion 161F that slopes downward from the upper end of the front side wall 163F toward the rear, and a rear inclined portion 161R that slopes downward from the upper end of the rear side wall 163R toward the front. As viewed in the vehicle width direction, the upper wall 161 forms a downwardly convex V-shape.

[0100] When assembling the rocker 100, as described above, the base member 121 is prepared as a single component by performing the necessary stamping on the single body plate 130. Furthermore, a plurality of tubular members 125 are prepared depending on the number of retainers 135 provided on the base member 121. In the illustrated example, the number of retainers 135 and tubular members 125 is four, but this number is not particularly limited as long as it is two or more.

[0101] Next, the cylindrical member 125 is retained by the retaining body 135. The cylindrical member 125 is inserted into the area between the front flange 136F and the rear flange 136R along the vehicle width direction. At this point, the upper wall 161 is in close contact with the lower surface of the transverse plate 134, the pair of side wall upper portions 165F and 165R are in close contact with the inner surfaces of the pair of lower extensions 136Fa and 136Ra, respectively, and the pair of supported portions 164F and 164R are in close contact with the upper surfaces of the pair of lifting portions 136Fb and 136Rb, respectively. Thus, each cylindrical member 125 is clamped between the front flange 136F and the rear flange 136R in the vehicle length direction. Furthermore, the supported portions 164F and 164R are supported by the lifting portions 136Fb and 136Rb. In other words, the cylindrical member 125 is supported from below by the pair of lifting portions 136Fb and 136Rb at its center in the vertical direction.

[0102] Even if it is only clamped and suspended by the flange parts 136F and 136R, the cylindrical part 125 can be installed on the base part 121. In order to improve the joint strength, the bolt 126 is inserted into the bolt insertion hole 137. The bolt 126 mentioned here includes not only generally common screws, but also fasteners used in FDW. In this way, the upper side wall parts 165F and 165R of the cylindrical part 125 are fastened to the lower extension parts 136Fa and 136Ra of the base part 121. In addition, in order to avoid or reduce the electrolytic corrosion of the cylindrical part 125, an adhesive 127 is also used in the joint, and the following structure is added to the cylindrical part 125.

[0103] A side ridge 167F is partially provided on the front sidewall upper portion 165F of the tubular member 125, protruding outward (frontward) in the vehicle length direction. The side ridge 167F protrudes forward when viewed in the vehicle width direction and overlaps with the lower extension 136Fa of the front flange portion 136F. In this embodiment, two side ridges 167F are provided, one at the upper and one at the lower end of the front sidewall upper portion 165F. As a result, the majority of the sidewall upper portion 165F is separated rearward from the inner surface (rear surface) of the lower extension 136Fa of the front flange portion 136F. Similarly, a side ridge 167R is also partially provided on the rear sidewall upper portion 165R, protruding outward (rearward) in the vehicle length direction.

[0104] The cylindrical component 125 has a vertically extending escape wall 168F between the lower end of the front sidewall upper portion 165F and the vehicle-length outer edge of the front supported portion 164F. Without the escape wall 168F, the sidewall upper portion 165F and the supported portion 164F intersect at a position farther outward (frontward) than the escape wall 168F in the vehicle-length direction. This could easily cause interference between the cylindrical component 125 and the base component 121, making assembly difficult or causing unwanted electrolytic corrosion. The escape wall 168F prevents interference between the cylindrical component 125 and the base component 121, facilitating assembly of the base component 121 onto the cylindrical component 125 and preventing unwanted electrolytic corrosion. Similarly, the escape wall 168R is provided between the rear sidewall upper portion 165R and the rear supported portion 164R.

[0105] Adhesive 127 is applied to the gaps between the front flange portion 136F and the front sidewall 163F, and between the rear flange portion 136R and the rear sidewall 163R, thereby bonding the tubular member 125 to the base member 121. The gaps are connected to the upper internal space 103a between the tubular member 125 and the upper wall 161 via the upper opening defined by the lower extensions 136Fa and 136Ra and the upper edges of the sidewall upper portions 165F and 165R. When the tubular member 125 is attached to the base member 121, a sufficient amount of adhesive 127 is pre-applied to prevent it from overflowing from the upper opening. Consequently, the excess portion 127a of adhesive 127 that overflows upward from the upper opening seals the gap from the upper internal space 103a. Thus, even if water sometimes penetrates the upper internal space 103a, it is possible to prevent the water from penetrating the gap, thereby improving the durability of the tubular member 125. In addition, the through hole 169 can discharge the water that has penetrated into the upper internal space 103a downward, thereby also reducing the risk of water penetrating the gap.

[0106] (Second embodiment)

[0107] Next, refer to Figures 6 to 8The rocker 200 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-described embodiment. The rocker body 101, base member 121, outer patch 122, and inner patch 123 are identical to those of the first embodiment. However, the material and structure of the tubular member 225, an example of a reinforcing member for the energy-absorbing structure 202, differ from those of the first embodiment. Consequently, the structure of the energy-absorbing structure 202 and its tubular structure 203 differs from that of the first embodiment.

[0108] Each tubular member 225 is formed from the same metal material as the rocker body 101 and base member 121. For example, this metal material is an iron-based metal such as steel. While the tubular members 225 have a closed cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, similar to the first embodiment, iron-based metals are not suitable for extrusion molding. Therefore, similar to the rocker body 101, each tubular member 225 is constructed by overlapping and welding a front tubular member 225F and a rear tubular member 225R, each having a top-hat cross-section.

[0109] The tubular member 225 as a whole has the same cross-section as the first embodiment. Specifically, the tubular member 225 includes an upper wall 261, a bottom wall 262, and a pair of front and rear side walls 263F and 263R. Each side wall 263F and 263R includes a supported portion 264F and 264R, an upper side wall portion 265F and 265R, and a lower side wall portion 266F and 266R. The upper wall 261 and the bottom wall 262 are divided into the front and rear tubular members 225F and 225R. The front side wall 263F is provided on the front tubular member 225F, and the rear side wall 263R is provided on the rear tubular member 225R. The front tubular member 225F includes a front upper flange portion 225Fc extending upward from the front end of the front half of the upper wall 261, and a front lower flange portion 225Fd extending downward from the front end of the front half of the bottom wall 262. The rear tubular member 225R includes a rear upper flange portion 225Rc extending upward from the front end of the rear half of the upper wall 261, and a rear lower flange portion 225Rd extending downward from the front end of the rear half of the bottom wall 262. The front and rear upper flange portions 225Fc and 225Rc are overlapped and welded, and the front and rear lower flange portions 225Fd and 225Rd are overlapped and welded, completing the tubular member 225. A bracket 225C is provided during this overlap welding. The bracket 225C is sandwiched between the front and rear upper flange portions 225Fc and 225Rc and between the front and rear lower flange portions 225Fd and 225Rd, and extends in the vehicle width direction and vertically at the center of the tubular member 225 in the vehicle length direction. The presence of the bracket 225C enhances the strength and rigidity of the tubular member 225.

[0110] Since the cylindrical member 225 thus constructed has the same general shape as the cylindrical member 125 of the first embodiment, it is assembled to the base member 121 in the same manner as the first embodiment, and both ends of each cylindrical member 225 in the vehicle width direction are close to the inner surface of the outer side wall 111 and the inner surface of the inner side wall 112, respectively. Figure 7C In the embodiment, the cylindrical member 225 is joined to the base member 121 using bolts 126 and adhesive 127, similar to the first embodiment. However, this is an example. In this embodiment, since the cylindrical member 225 is formed of the same metal material as the base member 121, the cylindrical member 225 can be joined to the base member 121 using metallurgical joining such as resistance welding.

[0111] (Third embodiment)

[0112] Next, refer to Figures 9 to 12B The rocker 300 of the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiment. The rocker body 101, tubular member 125, outer patch 122, and inner patch 123 are identical to those of the first embodiment. The structure of the base member 321 differs from that of the first embodiment, and therefore the structures of the energy absorbing structure 302 and its tubular structure 303 differ from those of the first embodiment.

[0113] The base member 321 of this embodiment includes a first vertical plate portion 332, a plurality of hanging bodies 333, an upper plate portion 334, a plurality of holding bodies 335, and a plurality of protruding pieces 338F and 338R. Unlike the above embodiment, the base member 321 does not include a through hole or a second vertical plate portion.

[0114] As in the first embodiment, the first longitudinal plate portion 332 extends within the lower side sill body 101 in the vehicle length direction and is joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall 111. A plurality of drooping members 333 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction, each drooping member 333 extending downward and inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the first longitudinal plate portion 332. A plurality of retaining members 335 correspond one-to-one to the plurality of drooping members 333, each retaining member 335 extending continuously downwardly from the corresponding drooping member 333. The upper plate portion 334 extends inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the first longitudinal plate portion 332 and overlaps with the inner surface of the upper wall 113.

[0115] The hanging body 333 includes a downward extension portion 333a extending continuously downward from the first vertical plate portion 332, and a transverse plate portion 333b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the downward extension portion 333a. The transverse plate portion 333b is positioned below the first vertical plate portion 332 with its plate thickness oriented in the vertical direction. As in the first and second embodiments, the retaining body 335 comprises a pair of front and rear flange portions 136F and 136R extending downward from the front and rear edges of the transverse plate portion 333b, respectively. As in the first and second embodiments, each flange portion 136F and 136R includes downward extension portions 136Fa and 136Ra and lifting portions 136Fb and 136Rb. As in the first embodiment, the tubular member 125 is retained by the retaining body 335. The two ends of each tubular member 125 in the vehicle width direction are adjacent to the inner surface of the outer wall 111 and the inner surface of the inner wall 112, respectively.

[0116] The tabs 338F and 338R correspond one-to-one with the flanges 136F and 136R. That is, each retaining body 335 is provided with a pair of front and rear tabs 338F and 338R. The front tab 338F is bent from the outer edge of the lower extension 136Fa of the front flange 136F in the vehicle width direction. The rear tab 338R is bent from the outer edge of the lower extension 136Ra of the rear flange 136R in the vehicle width direction. The plate thickness direction of the tabs 338F and 338R is oriented in the vehicle width direction. The tabs 338F and 338R overlap with the inner surface of the outer side wall 111 and are joined to the outer side wall 111 using metallurgical joining methods such as spot welding. The protruding piece may be provided on the inner edge instead of the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the base member 321 or in addition thereto. In this case, the surface of the protruding piece overlaps with the inner surface of the inner wall 112. Such a base member 321 is also as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown, the blank plate 330 is subjected to drilling processing to form a plurality of initial through holes 330 a , and is subjected to necessary bending processing (including cutting and raising processing) to be formed into a single component having the above-mentioned structure.

[0117] (Fourth embodiment)

[0118] Next, refer to Figures 13 to 15 The fourth embodiment of the rocker 400 will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. In this embodiment, the energy-absorbing structure 402 of the rocker 400 includes a base member 421, an outer patch 122, an inner patch 123, and a top-hat-shaped member 425. The top-hat-shaped member 425, as an example of a reinforcing member for the energy-absorbing structure 402, replaces the tubular member of the above-mentioned embodiments and constitutes the rocker 400. This structural difference makes the structure of the tubular structure 403 different from that of the first embodiment.

[0119] The base member 421 has a first vertical plate portion 432, a plurality of horizontal plate portions 434, and a plurality of retaining bodies 435. The second vertical plate portion (eg, Figure 5 133), so the through hole (for example, Figure 2 The base member 421 is a single-piece member formed by stamping a blank plate.

[0120] The first longitudinal plate portion 432 extends in the vehicle length direction and is joined to the outer side wall 111 of the rocker body 101 with the plate thickness oriented in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of transverse plate portions 434 are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction within the rocker body 101 with the plate thickness oriented in the vertical direction. The transverse plate portion 434 is rectangular in plan view, and the outer end portion of the transverse plate portion 434 in the vehicle width direction is integrally connected to the first longitudinal plate portion 432. The transverse plate portion 434 includes a front edge portion and a rear edge portion extending in the vehicle width direction, and an inner edge portion extending in the vehicle length direction and connecting the inner end portions of the front edge portion and the rear edge portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0121] The plurality of retaining members 435 correspond one-to-one to the plurality of transverse plate portions 434. Each retaining member 435 is formed in the vehicle length direction by a pair of flange portions 435F and 435R. Each flange portion 435F and 435R has a rectangular shape that is elongated in the vehicle width direction along the vehicle length direction. The front flange portion 435F is formed by cutting upward from the front edge of the transverse plate portion 434 and then raising it, while the rear flange portion 435R is formed by cutting upward from the rear edge of the transverse plate portion 434 and then raising it. In this way, the retaining members 435 are attached to the first longitudinal plate portion 432 via the transverse plate portion 434.

[0122] The top-hat-shaped member 425 includes a bottom wall 462 and a pair of side walls 463F and 463R. The bottom wall 462 connects the lower ends of the side walls 463F and 463R in the vehicle length direction. The bottom wall 462 has a front edge and a rear edge extending in the vehicle width direction. The front side wall 463F extends upward from the front edge of the bottom wall 462, and the rear side wall 463R extends upward from the rear edge of the bottom wall 462.

[0123] In this embodiment, the center portion of the bottom wall 462 in the vehicle length direction bulges upward. Consequently, a protrusion 462a extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the bottom wall 462. The upper surface of the protrusion 462a abuts and engages with the lower surface of the transverse plate portion 434. The front and rear edges of the bottom wall 462 are located below the upper surface of the protrusion 462a. Specifically, the side walls 463F and 463R extend upward from below the upper surface of the protrusion 462a and the lower surface of the transverse plate portion 434. The front side wall 463F abuts and engages with the front flange 435F of the retaining body 435 from the front. The rear side wall 463R abuts and engages with the rear flange 435R of the retaining body 435 from the rear. In the first to third embodiments, the tubular member serving as the reinforcement member is held by the retaining body of the base member by being held from below by the retaining body extending downward relative to the first longitudinal plate portion or the transverse plate portion. In contrast, in this embodiment, the retaining body 425 is formed with a surface that protrudes upward from the first vertical plate portion 421 or the transverse plate portion 434 and faces the vehicle length direction. A top-hat-shaped member 425, serving as a reinforcement member, overlaps with and is bonded to this surface, thereby retaining the retaining body 425 on the base member 421. The two ends of the top-hat-shaped member 425 in the vehicle width direction are close to the inner surface of the outer side wall 111 and the inner surface of the inner side wall 112, respectively.

[0124] The pair of side walls 463F and 463R have protrusions 464F and 464R that protrude upward from the corresponding flanges 435F and 435R. The hat-shaped member 425 includes a pair of upper protrusions 465F and 465R that are folded back outward in the vehicle length direction from the upper edges of the protrusions 464F and 464R. The upper surfaces of the upper protrusions 465F and 465R abut against the lower surface of the outer patch 122 and are joined to the upper wall 111 of the rocker body 101 via the outer patch 122. Furthermore, the hat-shaped member 425 includes a pair of lower protrusions 466F and 466R that are folded back outward in the vehicle length direction from the outer edges of the pair of side walls 463F and 463R in the vehicle width direction. The outer surfaces of the pair of lower protruding pieces 466F and 466R abut against the first vertical plate portion 432 of the base member 421 and are joined to the base member 421 .

[0125] In this way, the hat-shaped member 425 is joined to the first longitudinal plate portion 432 of the base member 421 in the vehicle width direction, joined to the transverse plate portion 434 in the vertical direction, and joined to the retaining body 435 (the front flange portion 435F and the rear flange portion 435R) in the vehicle length direction. This three-dimensional joining increases the joining strength of the hat-shaped member 425 relative to the base member 421. Furthermore, the hat-shaped member 425 is joined at its upper end to the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101. Thus, the hat-shaped member 425 cooperates with the transverse plate portion 434 of the base member 421 and the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101 to form a closed cross-section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0126] In the present embodiment, the energy absorbing structure 402 is also formed using a base member extending in the vehicle length direction. Therefore, corresponding to the above-mentioned embodiment, the number of components of the lower side beam structure and the assembly man-hour can be reduced, which contributes to the lightweighting of the vehicle body. In particular, in the present embodiment, the structure of the retaining body 435 is simplified. Instead, the reinforcing member retained by the retaining body 435 is in the shape of a top hat. The top hat-shaped member 425 has a more complex shape than the simplified base member 421, but since it is smaller than the base member 421, it is easier to give it such a complex shape. Therefore, the energy absorbing structure 402 as a whole can be manufactured more easily than the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0127] (Variation)

[0128] While the embodiments have been described above, the above-described configurations can be appropriately added, changed, and / or deleted within the scope of the present invention.

[0129] When a base member having an upper plate portion but not a second longitudinal plate portion is used as in the third embodiment, the energy absorbing structure can be formed by combining the base member with a tubular member formed from the same metal material as in the second embodiment. Alternatively, a plurality of base members can be arranged in a row along the vehicle length direction within a single rocker body 101.

[0130] Regarding the fourth embodiment, the bottom wall 462 of the top-hat-shaped member 425 may be placed on the upper surface of the transverse plate portion 434, and the top-hat-shaped member 425 may be held by the retaining body 435 and the transverse plate portion 434. In this case, the pair of side walls 463F and 463R may also abut and join relative to the pair of flange portions 435F and 435R from the inner side in the vehicle length direction. A flange portion may also be added to the base member 421 by cutting out and raising it upward or downward from the inner edge of the transverse plate portion 434. The added flange portion may be closely opposed to the inner side wall 112 of the lower side sill body 101, may abut against the inner side wall 112, or may join to the inner side wall 112.

[0131] The first vertical plate portion may be in contact with and joined to the inner wall 112 instead of the outer wall 111 of the rocker body 101 .

[0132] The present invention can include the following aspects.

[0133] (Scheme 1)

[0134] A lower side beam structure, wherein:

[0135] The lower side beam structure comprises:

[0136] a lower side sill body extending in a vehicle length direction; and

[0137] The energy absorbing structure is provided inside the rocker body and is formed into a plurality of tube structures arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction.

[0138] The rocker body has an outer side wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an inner side wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0139] The energy absorbing structure comprises:

[0140] a base member; and

[0141] A plurality of reinforcing members are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction,

[0142] The base member has:

[0143] a first vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction within the interior of the rocker body and joined to an inner surface of the outer side wall or the inner side wall; and

[0144] a plurality of retaining bodies, which are provided on the first longitudinal plate portion and arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction;

[0145] The multiple reinforcing components are respectively retained by the multiple retaining bodies and extend along the vehicle width direction, and form a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The two end portions of the reinforcing components in the vehicle width direction are respectively close to the inner surface of the outer wall and the inner surface of the inner wall.

[0146] (Scheme 2)

[0147] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 1,

[0148] The base member is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body.

[0149] The first vertical plate portion is welded to the outer side wall.

[0150] (Scheme 3)

[0151] The rocker structure according to solution 1 or 2, wherein:

[0152] The thickness direction of the first longitudinal plate portion is toward the vehicle width direction,

[0153] The first vertical plate portion overlaps the inner surface of the outer side wall.

[0154] (Scheme 4)

[0155] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 3, wherein:

[0156] The base component also has:

[0157] a plurality of through holes arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction; and

[0158] a second vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction within the interior of the rocker body and overlapping with the inner surface of the inner side wall;

[0159] The plurality of through holes and the plurality of retaining bodies are alternately arranged along the vehicle length direction between the first vertical plate portion and the second vertical plate portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0160] (Scheme 5)

[0161] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 4,

[0162] The base member further includes a plurality of transverse plate portions extending from the first longitudinal plate portion to the second longitudinal plate portion in the vehicle width direction between adjacent two of the plurality of through holes and arranged in the vehicle length direction.

[0163] The plurality of holding bodies are formed by being cut out downward from the plurality of horizontal plate portions and then standing upright.

[0164] (Scheme 6)

[0165] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 2 to 5, wherein:

[0166] The base member further includes a plurality of hanging bodies each extending downward from the first vertical plate portion and toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

[0167] The plurality of retaining bodies extend continuously downward from the plurality of hanging bodies, respectively.

[0168] (Scheme 7)

[0169] According to the lower side sill structure of solution 6,

[0170] The rocker body further includes an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the vehicle width direction.

[0171] The base member further includes an upper plate portion that extends from an upper edge of the first vertical plate portion toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and overlaps with an inner surface of the upper wall.

[0172] (Scheme 8)

[0173] The rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

[0174] A protruding piece is provided on at least one side of the holding body in the vehicle width direction.

[0175] A surface of the protruding piece overlaps with the inner surface of either the outer wall or the inner wall.

[0176] (Scheme 9)

[0177] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 8, wherein:

[0178] The reinforcement member is a tubular member that alone forms the closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0179] (Scheme 10)

[0180] According to the lower side sill structure of solution 9,

[0181] Each of the holding bodies is composed of a pair of front flange portions and a rear flange portion in the vehicle length direction, and each of the tubular members is sandwiched between the front flange portion and the rear flange portion of the corresponding holding body.

[0182] (Scheme 11)

[0183] According to the rocker structure of solution 10,

[0184] The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed line-symmetrically in the vehicle length direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0185] The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed with:

[0186] a pair of lower extensions extending downward; and

[0187] A pair of lifting portions, each extending from the lower ends of the pair of downward extending portions in a manner approaching each other in the vehicle length direction,

[0188] The cylindrical member is supported from below by the pair of holding portions at a center portion in the vertical direction of the cylindrical member.

[0189] (Scheme 12)

[0190] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 11,

[0191] The cylindrical component has:

[0192] a pair of supported portions supported by the pair of lifting portions;

[0193] a pair of side wall lower portions extending downward from inner edges of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction; and

[0194] A pair of side wall upper portions extend upward from outer edge portions of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction.

[0195] (Scheme 13)

[0196] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 12,

[0197] The pair of side wall lower portions extend away from each other in the vehicle length direction.

[0198] (Scheme 14)

[0199] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 13,

[0200] The tubular member includes an upper wall connecting upper ends of the pair of side wall upper portions in the vehicle length direction.

[0201] (Scheme 15)

[0202] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 14,

[0203] A through hole is formed in the upper wall of the cylindrical member.

[0204] (Scheme 16)

[0205] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 12 to 15, wherein:

[0206] The pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member are fastened to the pair of downward extending portions of the base member.

[0207] (Scheme 17)

[0208] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 12 to 16, wherein:

[0209] The pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member and the pair of downwardly extending portions of the base member are joined via an adhesive filling a gap between the pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member and the pair of downwardly extending portions of the base member.

[0210] The adhesive overflows upward from the upper opening of the gap and seals the gap.

[0211] (Scheme 18)

[0212] The rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein:

[0213] The rocker body includes an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the vehicle width direction.

[0214] The reinforcing member is a top-hat-shaped member having a pair of side walls held by the retaining body and joined to the upper wall of the rocker body, and a bottom wall connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls to each other in the vehicle length direction, and the top-hat-shaped member forms the closed cross-section together with the rocker body.

[0215] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-016267, filed on February 6, 2023, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-088211, filed on May 29, 2023. Both Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-016267 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-088211 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0216] Description of Reference Numerals

[0217] 1 vehicle

[0218] 2 Body

[0219] 3. Battery

[0220] 100, 200, 300, 400 lower side beams

[0221] 101 Lower side sill body

[0222] 102, 202, 302, 402 Energy Absorption Structures

[0223] 103, 203, 303, 403 cylinder structure

[0224] 111 outer wall

[0225] 112 inner wall

[0226] 113 upper wall

[0227] 114 lower wall

[0228] 115 upper flange

[0229] 116 lower flange

[0230] 117 outer lower side beam

[0231] 117a Outer upper wall

[0232] 117b Lateral lower wall

[0233] 117c Outer upper flange

[0234] 117d Outer lower flange

[0235] 117e Space

[0236] 118 inner lower side sill

[0237] 118a medial upper wall

[0238] 118b medial inferior wall

[0239] 118c Inner upper flange

[0240] 118d inner lower flange

[0241] 118e Space

[0242] 121, 321 base components

[0243] 122 External patch

[0244] 123 Internal patch

[0245] 125, 225 cylindrical parts

[0246] 127 Adhesive

[0247] 130, 330 green plate

[0248] 130a, 330a initial through holes

[0249] 131 through hole

[0250] 132, 332 first longitudinal plate

[0251] 133 Second longitudinal plate

[0252] 134 horizontal board

[0253] 134a Middle horizontal plate

[0254] 134b Front end horizontal plate

[0255] 134c rear end cross plate

[0256] 135, 335 Maintaining body

[0257] 136F, 336F front flange

[0258] 136R, 336R rear flange

[0259] 136Fa, 136Ra lower extension

[0260] 136Fb, 136Rb lifting part

[0261] 137 Bolt insertion hole

[0262] 338F, 338R tab

[0263] 161 upper wall

[0264] 162 bottom wall

[0265] 163F, 163R sidewall

[0266] 164F, 164R supported part

[0267] 167F, 167R side ridge

[0268] 168F, 168R retreat wall

[0269] 169 through hole.

Claims

1. A lower side rail structure, wherein: The lower side beam structure comprises: a lower side sill body extending in the vehicle length direction; and The energy absorbing structure is provided inside the rocker body and is formed into a plurality of tube structures arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction. The rocker body has an outer side wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an inner side wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The energy absorbing structure comprises: Base components; as well as A plurality of reinforcing members are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction, The base member has: a first longitudinal plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction within the interior of the rocker body and joined to an inner surface of the outer side wall or the inner side wall; as well as a plurality of retaining bodies, which are provided on the first longitudinal plate portion and arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction; The multiple reinforcing components are respectively retained by the multiple retaining bodies and extend along the vehicle width direction, and form a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The two end portions of the reinforcing components in the vehicle width direction are respectively close to the inner surface of the outer wall and the inner surface of the inner wall.

2. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The base member is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body. The first vertical plate portion is welded to the outer side wall.

3. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness direction of the first longitudinal plate portion is toward the vehicle width direction, The first vertical plate portion overlaps the inner surface of the outer side wall.

4. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The base component also has: a plurality of through holes arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction; and a second vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction within the interior of the rocker body and overlapping with the inner surface of the inner side wall; The plurality of through holes and the plurality of retaining bodies are alternately arranged along the vehicle length direction between the first vertical plate portion and the second vertical plate portion in the vehicle width direction.

5. The rocker structure according to claim 4, wherein: The base member further includes a plurality of transverse plate portions extending from the first longitudinal plate portion to the second longitudinal plate portion in the vehicle width direction between adjacent two of the plurality of through holes and arranged in the vehicle length direction. The plurality of holding bodies are formed by being cut out downward from the plurality of horizontal plate portions and then standing upright.

6. The rocker structure according to claim 2, wherein: The base member further includes a plurality of hanging bodies each extending downward from the first vertical plate portion and toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction. The plurality of retaining bodies extend continuously downward from the plurality of hanging bodies, respectively.

7. The rocker structure according to claim 6, wherein: The rocker body further includes an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the vehicle width direction. The base member further includes an upper plate portion that extends from an upper edge of the first vertical plate portion toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction and overlaps with an inner surface of the upper wall.

8. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: A protruding piece is provided on at least one side of the holding body in the vehicle width direction. A surface of the protruding piece overlaps with the inner surface of either the outer wall or the inner wall.

9. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The reinforcement member is a tubular member that alone forms the closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

10. The rocker structure according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the holding bodies is composed of a pair of front flange portions and a rear flange portion in the vehicle length direction, and each of the tubular members is sandwiched between the front flange portion and the rear flange portion of the corresponding holding body.

11. The rocker structure according to claim 10, wherein: The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed line-symmetrically in the vehicle length direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are formed with: a pair of lower extensions extending downward; and A pair of lifting portions, each extending from the lower ends of the pair of downward extending portions in a manner approaching each other in the vehicle length direction, The cylindrical member is supported from below by the pair of holding portions at a center portion in the vertical direction of the cylindrical member.

12. The rocker structure according to claim 11, wherein: The cylindrical component has: a pair of supported portions supported by the pair of lifting portions; a pair of side wall lower portions extending downward from inner edges of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction; as well as A pair of side wall upper portions extend upward from outer edge portions of the pair of supported portions in the vehicle length direction.

13. The rocker structure according to claim 12, wherein: The pair of side wall lower portions extend away from each other in the vehicle length direction.

14. The rocker structure according to claim 13, wherein: The tubular member includes an upper wall connecting upper ends of the pair of side wall upper portions in the vehicle length direction.

15. The rocker structure according to claim 14, wherein: A through hole is formed in the upper wall of the cylindrical member.

16. The rocker structure according to claim 12, wherein: The pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member are fastened to the pair of downward extending portions of the base member.

17. The rocker structure according to claim 12, wherein: The pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member and the pair of downwardly extending portions of the base member are joined via an adhesive filling a gap between the pair of side wall upper portions of the cylindrical member and the pair of downwardly extending portions of the base member. The adhesive overflows upward from the upper opening of the gap and seals the gap.

18. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The rocker body includes an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcing member is a top-hat-shaped member having a pair of side walls held by the retaining body and joined to the upper wall of the rocker body, and a bottom wall connecting the lower ends of the pair of side walls to each other in the vehicle length direction, and the top-hat-shaped member forms the closed cross-section together with the rocker body.

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