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 absorption structure (102) that forms a plurality of hollow sections (103) arranged in the vehicle length direction inside the rocker body (101). The energy absorption structure (102) has a base member (121) formed from a single green body plate (130). The base member (121) has: a first vertical plate section (132) which extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a plurality of through-holes (131) arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and which is joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall (111); a plurality of lateral plate sections (134) extending in the vehicle width direction from the first vertical plate section (132) between adjacent through-holes (131); and a plurality of flange bodies (135), each of which is cut upward from the plurality of lateral plate parts (134) and is raised, and the plurality of lateral plate parts (134) and the plurality of flange bodies (135) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rocker as part of a vehicle side structure. To protect occupants in 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.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-203599 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] The plurality of hollow structures are formed independently of each other, so the number of components of the rocker and the number of assembly steps increase.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rocker structure that reduces the number of parts and the number of assembly steps and has excellent impact absorption performance during a side collision.

[0009] Solutions to Problems

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention provides a side sill structure, wherein the side sill structure comprises: a side sill main body extending in the vehicle length direction; and an energy absorbing structure forming a plurality of hollow portions extending in the vehicle width direction inside the side sill main body and arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction, the side sill main body comprising an outer wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall to each other in the vehicle width direction, the energy absorbing structure comprising a base member, The base component includes: a plurality of through holes, which are arranged in the vehicle length direction; a first longitudinal plate portion, which extends in the vehicle length direction on the outer side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall; a plurality of transverse plate portions, which extend from the first longitudinal plate portion in the vehicle width direction between two adjacent through holes among the plurality of through holes and are arranged in the vehicle length direction; and a plurality of flange bodies, which are respectively cut out and erected upward from the plurality of transverse plate portions and are arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

[0011] According to the above structure, the energy absorbing structure forming a plurality of hollow portions has a base component. The base component has a first longitudinal plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction, and a plurality of flange bodies are integrally provided on the first longitudinal plate portion via a plurality of transverse plate portions. Each flange body extends upward when viewed from the transverse plate portion and the first longitudinal plate portion, whereby the flange body, the transverse plate portion and the upper wall define a hollow portion extending in the vehicle width direction inside the lower side beam body. The plurality of flange bodies and the plurality of transverse plate portions and the plurality of through holes are alternately arranged in the vehicle length direction, and the plurality of tubular structures are arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

[0012] When a side collision occurs, the impact is input to the outer side wall of the lower side sill body. The outer side wall is connected to the first longitudinal plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction. Therefore, the impact is easily transmitted to the base component, and the energy absorbing structure can absorb the impact well. The energy absorbing structure is mainly composed of a single base component. Compared with the situation where the hollow parts are composed of independent individual components one by one, the number of components and assembly man-hours of the energy absorbing structure and thus the lower side sill structure can be reduced. In addition, through holes are formed between the multiple tube structures. The number of components and assembly man-hours can be reduced by using a base component that is elongated in the vehicle length direction, and even if a base component that is elongated in the vehicle length direction is used, the lower side sill structure is lightweight.

[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 configuration, the base member can be joined to the rocker body using a highly efficient method such as resistance welding, and thus the rocker structure can be manufactured simply.

[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 vertical plate portion to the rocker body, thereby enhancing the strength of the rocker structure. It should be noted that "overlapping (two plate-like portions)" refers to stacking the two portions so that their thicknesses are aligned. This includes both cases where the two portions are in direct contact with the ground and where another member (e.g., a patch member or adhesive) is interposed between the two portions.

[0017] The base member may further include a second vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction on the inner side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction, continuous with the plurality of transverse plate portions, and overlapping with the inner surface of the inner wall.

[0018] With this structure, the multiple transverse plate portions are not cantilevered, but are supported by both the first and second longitudinal plate portions. The base member is stably attached to the rocker body while being sandwiched between the outer and inner sidewalls in the vehicle width direction. This improves the strength and impact absorption performance of each tube structure.

[0019] At least one of the plurality of transverse plate portions may be provided with a reinforcing rib portion that protrudes upward or downward and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the rigidity of the horizontal plate portion is improved.

[0021] A protruding piece may be provided at an upper end portion of the flange body, and an upper surface of the protruding piece may overlap with an inner surface of the upper wall.

[0022] According to the above configuration, the flange body is stably supported by the upper wall via the protruding piece portion, and the shock absorbing performance in the tubular structure is improved.

[0023] Alternatively, the flange body may have one or more bent portions between the lower end and the upper end.

[0024] According to the above structure, the flange extends from the lower end to the upper end while varying its slope at the bend. In other words, the flange has a wall portion below the bend and a wall portion above the bend, with each wall portion having a different vertical inclination. When an impact is applied to the outer sidewall, the impact is transmitted inward in the vehicle width direction via these multiple wall portions. This improves the impact absorption performance of the energy absorbing structure.

[0025] The flange bodies may each be composed of a front flange portion extending upward from a front edge portion of the transverse plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from a rear edge portion of the transverse plate portion.

[0026] With the above configuration, each tubular structure is defined by a transverse plate, an upper wall, and a pair of flanges extending in the vehicle length direction, connecting the transverse plate and the upper wall vertically. The tubular structure forms a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width. This improves the strength and impact absorption performance of the tubular structure.

[0027] The front flange portion and the rear flange portion may be inclined so as to separate from each other in the vehicle length direction as they go upward.

[0028] According to the above structure, even if the transverse plate portion is not large in the vehicle length direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the tube structure is large, thereby further improving the strength and impact absorption performance of the tube structure.

[0029] Alternatively, the front flange portion and the rear flange portion may have a bending portion between the lower end and the upper end, and the multiple tube structures may be each defined by the transverse plate portion, the front flange portion, the rear flange portion and the upper wall, and have a hexagonal cross-section when viewed along the vehicle width direction.

[0030] According to the above configuration, the tube structure has a hexagonal closed cross section, and thus high strength and impact absorption performance can be obtained in each tube structure.

[0031] Alternatively, the energy absorbing structure further has an outer patch, which includes: an upper cover portion, which covers the upper portion of the flange body; and a side cover portion, which extends downward from the side end edge of the upper cover portion and covers the side portion of the flange body along the vehicle width direction, the side cover portion is welded to the outer side wall, and the upper cover portion is welded to the upper wall.

[0032] According to the above configuration, the base member is joined to the rocker body in both the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, and the joining strength of the energy absorbing structure to the rocker body is improved.

[0033] The energy absorbing structure may further include a reinforcing member joined to the flange body.

[0034] According to the above configuration, the impact absorbing performance can be easily improved as needed by the reinforcing member.

[0035] It is also possible that a protrusion is provided at the outer end of the reinforcing component in the vehicle width direction, the plate thickness direction of the first longitudinal plate portion and the plate thickness direction of the protrusion are toward the vehicle width direction, the first longitudinal plate portion and the protrusion overlap with the inner surface of the outer side wall and are joined to the outer side wall.

[0036] According to the above structure, the bonding strength between the reinforcing member and the base member is improved, and the bonding strength between the base member and the lower side member body is also improved. In particular, it is possible to prevent the energy absorbing structure from collapsing during a side collision, thereby improving the impact absorption performance. It should be noted that collapsing refers to the buckling caused by the large compressive force generated locally within the energy absorbing structure during a collision. The direction of collapsing can vary, such as vertically or along the vehicle length, depending on the shape of the energy absorbing structure.

[0037] It is also possible that the flange bodies are each composed of a front flange portion extending upward from the front edge portion of the transverse plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from the rear edge portion of the transverse plate portion, and the reinforcing component has: a front wall portion, which extends in the up-down direction through the through-hole adjacent to the front of the front flange portion and is connected to the outer surface of the front flange portion; a rear wall portion, which extends in the up-down direction through the through-hole adjacent to the rear of the rear flange portion and is connected to the outer surface of the rear flange portion; and a web portion, which connects the lower ends of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion to each other in the vehicle length direction at a position lower than the transverse plate portion.

[0038] According to the above configuration, a closed cross section defined by the reinforcement member below the flange body is added to the tubular structure, thereby improving the strength and impact absorption performance of the energy absorbing structure.

[0039] The web portion may be provided with a bottom raised portion that protrudes upward and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the protruding portion may be welded to the transverse plate portion.

[0040] According to the above configuration, the provision of the raised bottom portion improves the rigidity of the reinforcing member. Since the reinforcing member is joined to the base member in the vertical direction, the joining strength of the reinforcing member to the base member is improved.

[0041] The energy absorbing structure may further include a plurality of tubular members each extending in the vehicle width direction and having a closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and each of the plurality of tubular members may be joined to at least one of the transverse plate portion and the flange body.

[0042] According to the above configuration, a closed cross section defined by the tubular member is added to the tubular structure, thereby improving the strength and impact absorption performance of the energy absorbing structure.

[0043] Alternatively, the base member may be formed of the same metal material as the rocker body, the tubular member may be formed of a different metal material from the rocker body and the base member, the base member may be welded to the rocker body, and the tubular member may be mechanically joined to the base member.

[0044] According to the above structure, mechanical joining is applied to join the tubular member to the base member and the rocker body. Therefore, it is easy to select a metal material different from the rocker body and the base member as the material of the tubular member. It should be noted that as an example of mechanical joining, fastening using bolts or rivets or bonding using an adhesive can be exemplified.

[0045] Effects of the Invention

[0046] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rocker structure that reduces the number of parts and the number of assembly steps and has excellent impact absorption performance during a side collision. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

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

[0049] Figure 3A It is along Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line III-III.

[0050] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A A partial enlarged view of .

[0051] Figure 4 It is a plan view of the base member blank plate of the first embodiment.

[0052] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the energy absorbing structure according to the first embodiment.

[0053] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view of the rocker structure of the second embodiment.

[0054] Figure 7A It is along Figure 6 Cross-sectional view along line VII-VII.

[0055] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A partial enlarged view of .

[0056] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a second embodiment.

[0057] Figure 9 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a third embodiment.

[0058] Figure 10A It is along Figure 9 Cross-sectional view of line XX.

[0059] Figure 10B yes Figure 10A A partial enlarged view of .

[0060] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a third embodiment.

[0061] Figure 12 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a fourth embodiment.

[0062] Figure 13A It is along Figure 12 Cross-sectional view along line XIII-XIII.

[0063] Figure 13B yes Figure 13A A partial enlarged view of .

[0064] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a fourth embodiment.

[0065] Figure 15 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a fifth embodiment.

[0066] Figure 16A It is along Figure 15 Cross-sectional view along line XVI-XVI.

[0067] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A A partial enlarged view of .

[0068] Figure 16C yes Figure 16B A partial enlarged view of .

[0069] Figure 17 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a fifth embodiment.

[0070] Figure 18 It is a transverse sectional view showing a rocker according to a sixth embodiment.

[0071] Figure 19A It is along Figure 18 Cross-sectional view along line XIX-XIX.

[0072] Figure 19B yes Figure 19A A partial enlarged view of .

[0073] Figure 19C yes Figure 19B A partial enlarged view of .

[0074] Figure 20 This is a perspective view of an energy absorbing structure according to a sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] 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.

[0076] (First embodiment)

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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 within the rocker body 101. The energy absorbing structure 102 defines a plurality of hollow portions 103 spaced apart along the vehicle length direction. Each hollow portion 103 extends in the vehicle width direction within the rocker body 101.

[0079] 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, and the four walls 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] Reference Figure 2 The energy absorbing structure 102 includes a base member 121 , an outer patch 122 , and an inner patch 123 .

[0085] 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 base plate 130 is formed from the same metal material as the rocker body 101 (i.e., an iron-based metal material) and has a uniform thickness throughout. The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 are interposed between the inner surface of the rocker body 101 and the base member 121. The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 have approximately the same length as the rocker body 101 in the vehicle length direction.

[0086] Reference Figure 2 、 Figure 3A as well as Figure 3B 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 , a plurality of flanges 135 , and a plurality of protruding pieces 136 .

[0087] A plurality of through-holes 131 are arranged along the vehicle length direction. The first longitudinal plate portion 132 extends along the vehicle length direction on the outside of the through-holes 131 in the vehicle width direction. The second longitudinal plate portion 133 extends along the vehicle length direction on the inside of the through-holes 131 in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of transverse plate portions 134 are arranged along the vehicle length direction. Each transverse plate portion 134 extends from the first longitudinal plate portion 132 in the vehicle width direction and is continuous with the second longitudinal plate portion 133. The transverse plate portion 134 includes one or more intermediate transverse plate portions 134a (one less than the number of through-holes 131), a front transverse plate portion 134b, and a rear 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 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.

[0088] The thickness direction of the first and second vertical plate portions 132, 133 is oriented in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the first and second vertical plate portions 132, 133 extend parallel to the outer sidewall 111 and inner sidewall 112. The thickness direction of the transverse plate portion 134 is oriented in the vertical direction. The first and second vertical plate portions 132, 133 extend from both ends of the transverse plate portion 134 in the vertical direction (in this embodiment, downward, as an example).

[0089] 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 130 by punching, and the two-dot chain line and dashed line indicate the bend lines 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. When the base member 121 is assembled into the vehicle body 2 as part of the rocker 100, the longitudinal direction of the base plate 130 is oriented along the vehicle length.

[0090] First, a plurality of initial through-holes 130a are formed in the base plate 130 by punching. The number of initial through-holes 130a to be formed is equal to the number of through-holes 131 in the finished state, and the initial through-holes 130a are formed at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base plate 130 (corresponding to the vehicle length direction).

[0091] 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 conveying 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 (e.g., five) 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Next, flanges 135 are cut upward from the transverse plate 134 so that one transverse plate 134 remains between two adjacent initial through holes 130a.

[0094] In this embodiment, the front and rear sides of the cross plate 134 are cut out and raised. Each flange body 135 comprises a front flange portion 135F cut out and raised upward from the front edge of the corresponding cross plate 134, and a rear flange portion 135R cut out and raised upward 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.

[0095] In this manner, the initial through hole 130a is expanded in the vehicle length direction by performing the cutting and raising process for forming the flange body 135. Thus, the base member 121 in the applied state is provided with a through hole 131 that is larger than that during the drilling process.

[0096] The front flange portion 135F and the rear flange portion 135R extend upward from the cross plate portion 134 while being inclined in the vehicle length direction relative to the vertical direction. The front flange portion 135F and the rear flange portion 135R are symmetrical in the front-rear direction when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The front flange portion 135F and the rear flange portion 135R are inclined so as to separate from each other in the vehicle length direction as they move upward. The front flange portion 135F is inclined forward, while the rear flange portion 135R is inclined rearward.

[0097] The front flange 135F has a protrusion 135a on the outside in the vehicle width direction that protrudes upward relative to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The same is true for the rear flange 135R. Next, the front end of the protrusion 135a is bent, and a tab 136 is provided at the upper end of the flange body 135. In this embodiment, the tabs 136 include a front tab 136F provided at the upper end of the front flange 135F and a rear tab 136R provided at the upper end of the rear flange 135R.

[0098] The upper surface of the protruding piece 136 is arranged parallel to the inner surface of the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101 (see Figure 2 Here, the outer upper wall 117a of the upper wall 113 and its inner surface are inclined downward as they approach the vehicle width direction outer side. As described above, the protrusion 135a is formed relatively on the vehicle width direction outer side, and accordingly, the tab 136 is also provided on the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the base member 121. As described later, the tab 136 is supported on the inner surface of the outer upper wall 117a of the upper wall 113.

[0099] The front flange portion 135F is cut upward and rises from the front edge of the transverse plate portion 134, which extends in the vehicle width direction without tilting in the vehicle length direction. Meanwhile, the tab portion 136 is parallel to the inner surface of the downwardly inclined outer upper wall 117a. Therefore, when viewed from above from the base plate 130, the bend line forming the tab portion 136 tilts outward in the vehicle length direction (toward the front for the front flange portion 135F and toward the rear for the rear flange portion 135R) as it moves from the vehicle width direction outward. Therefore, if the portion to be formed as the tab portion 136 extends across the entire vehicle width direction of the base member 121, the initial through-hole 130a would need to be expanded in the vehicle length direction, reducing the number of transverse plate portions 134 and flange bodies 135 that can be formed. Consequently, the protrusion 135a and tab portion 136 are limited to locations on the vehicle width direction outward. This makes it possible to obtain the height of the flange 135 , arrange the protruding piece 136 parallel to the inner surface of the inclined outer upper wall 117 a , and ensure the number of horizontal plates 134 and flanges 135 that can be formed.

[0100] The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 are both formed of the same metal material as the rocker body 101 and the base member 121. The outer patch 122 and the inner patch 123 are L-shaped when viewed in the vehicle length direction and are thin.

[0101] The outer patch 122 includes an upper cover portion 151 that covers the upper portion of the flange body 135, and side cover portions 152 that extend downward from the vehicle widthwise outer edge of the upper cover portion 151 and cover the side portions of the flange body 135. The upper cover portion 151 is parallel to the inner surface of the outer upper wall 117a and the upper surface of the tab portion 136, and is sandwiched between the outer upper wall 117a and the flange body 135. The side cover portions 152 are parallel to the inner surface of the outer wall 111 (and the side surfaces of the first vertical plate portion 132), and overlap the inner surface of the outer wall 111 above the first vertical plate portion 132. The inner patch 123 includes an upper cover portion 156 that joins to the inner surface of the inner upper wall 118a, and side cover portions 157 that extend downward from the vehicle widthwise inner edge of the upper cover portion 156 and join to the inner surface of the inner wall 112.

[0102] When assembling the rocker 100, first, as described above, the base member 121 is prepared as a single component by performing the necessary stamping on the single-piece blank plate 130. The outer patch 122 is joined to the base member 121. The outer patch 122 is attached to the base member 121 with the upper cover 151 covering the base member 121 from above and the side cover 152 covering the base member 121 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Each tab 136 is spot welded to the upper cover 151 while overlapping it. Multiple joining points are spaced apart along the vehicle length.

[0103] The assembly comprising the base member 121 and the outer patch 122 is housed in the space 117e of the outer rocker 117. The first vertical plate 132 and the side cover 152 abut against the inner surface of the outer side wall 111, while the tab 136 and the upper cover 151 above it abut against the inner surface of the outer upper wall 117a. In this position, the outer rocker 117 is joined to the base member 121 and the outer patch 122. Spot welding is also used for this joining. As a result, the flange 135 is supported against the inner surface of the outer upper wall 117a.

[0104] The outer side wall 111 is spot welded to the side cover portion 152 and the first vertical plate portion 132, and the outer upper wall 117a is spot welded to the upper cover portion 151 and the protruding piece 136. In each spot welding, a plurality of joining points are set at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

[0105] Next, the inner patch 123 is joined to the inner rocker 118, and the inner rocker 118 is joined to the outer rocker 117. At this point, the portion of the base member 121 on the vehicle widthwise inner side protrudes inward relative to the outer upper flange 117c and outer lower flange 117d of the outer rocker 117. This protruding portion is accommodated in the space 118e of the inner rocker 118. The second vertical plate portion 133 abuts against the inner surface of the inner side wall 112, with the inner upper flange 118c overlapping the outer upper flange 117c, and the inner lower flange 118d overlapping the outer lower flange 117d.

[0106] Next, the second vertical plate portion 133 is joined to the inner wall 112. This joining does not necessarily require metallurgical bonding; adhesive 127 may also be used, as shown. Furthermore, the upper flange portion 117c and the inner upper flange 118c are welded, and the lower flanges 117d and 118d are welded to each other. Thus, the rocker 100 is completed.

[0107] The rocker 100 includes a rocker body 101 extending in the vehicle length direction, and an energy absorbing structure 102 having a plurality of hollow portions 103 formed within the rocker body 101, extending in the vehicle width direction and arranged in the vehicle length direction. The rocker body 101 includes an outer wall 111 extending outward in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall 112 extending inward in the vehicle width direction, and an upper wall 113 connecting the upper ends of the outer wall 111 and the inner wall 112 in the vehicle width direction. The energy absorbing structure 102 includes a base member 121 formed from a single body plate 130. The base component 121 has: a plurality of through holes 131, which are arranged in the vehicle length direction; a first longitudinal plate portion 132, which extends in the vehicle length direction on the outside of the plurality of through holes 131 in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the inner surface of the outer wall 111; a plurality of transverse plate portions 134, which extend in the vehicle width direction between two adjacent through holes in the plurality of through holes 131 from the first longitudinal plate portion 132 and are arranged in the vehicle length direction; and a plurality of flange bodies 135, which are respectively cut out upward from the plurality of transverse plate portions 134 and stand up to be supported on the inner surface of the upper wall 113, and are arranged in the vehicle length direction.

[0108] In this way, the energy absorbing structure 102 forming a plurality of hollow portions 103 has a base member 121 formed from a single body blank plate 130. The base member 121 has a first longitudinal plate portion 132 connected to the outer side wall 111 of the rocker body 101 and extending in the vehicle length direction. A plurality of flange bodies 135 are continuously arranged on the first longitudinal plate portion 132 via a plurality of transverse plate portions 134. Each flange body 135 extends upward when viewed from the transverse plate portion 134 and the first longitudinal plate portion 132, and is supported on the inner surface of the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101. In this way, the flange body 135, the transverse plate portion 134 and the upper wall 113 define a hollow portion 103 extending in the vehicle width direction inside the rocker body 101. Since the sets of the plurality of flange bodies 135 and the plurality of transverse plate portions 134 and the plurality of through holes 131 are alternately arranged in the vehicle length direction, the plurality of hollow portions 103 are arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

[0109] In this way, when an impact is input to the outer surface of the outer side wall 111 of the rocker body 101 due to a side collision, the impact is well absorbed by the energy absorbing structure 102. The outer side wall 111 to which the impact is input is joined to the first longitudinal plate portion 132, so the impact is easily transmitted to the base component 121 and then to the structure constituting the hollow portion 103, and the impact is easily absorbed by the structure. Such an energy absorbing structure 102 is mainly composed of a single base component 121. Compared with the case where the hollow portions 103 are constructed independently of each other, the number of components and the assembly man-hour can be reduced. Through holes 131 are formed between the multiple hollow portions 103. While reducing the number of components by using the base component 121 extending in the vehicle length direction, it is possible to suppress the increase in weight of the energy absorbing structure 102 and then the rocker structure.

[0110] The base member 121 is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body 101, particularly an iron-based metal material. This allows the base member 121 to be joined to the rocker body 101 using a highly efficient method such as resistance welding. Consequently, the rocker 100 can be easily manufactured.

[0111] The base member 121 also includes a second vertical plate portion 133. The second vertical plate portion 133 extends in the vehicle length direction, inwardly of the plurality of through-holes 131 in the vehicle width direction, and is continuous with the plurality of transverse plate portions 134. The second vertical plate portion 133 is supported on the inner surface of the inner sidewall 112. As a result, the plurality of transverse plate portions 134 are not cantilever beam-shaped, but are supported by both the first vertical plate portion 132 and the second vertical plate portion 133, thereby improving the rigidity of the base member 121. Furthermore, the base member 121 is stably supported by the rocker body 101 while being sandwiched between the outer sidewall 111 and the inner sidewall 112 in the vehicle width direction.

[0112] The thickness of the first vertical plate portion 132 is oriented in the vehicle width direction, and the first vertical plate portion 132 is parallel to the inner surface of the outer side wall 111. Therefore, the bonding strength of the first vertical plate portion 132 to the rocker body 101 is improved. The thickness of the second vertical plate portion 133 is also oriented in the vehicle width direction, and the second vertical plate portion 133 is parallel to the inner surface of the inner side wall 112. Therefore, the bonding strength of the base member 121 to the rocker body 101 is improved.

[0113] The flange 135 has a protruding piece 136 at its upper end. The upper surface of the protruding piece 136 is arranged parallel to and supported by the inner surface of the upper wall 113. Thus, the flange 135 is stably supported by the upper wall 113 via the protruding piece 136.

[0114] Each flange body 135 is composed of a front flange portion 135F extending upward from the front edge of the corresponding transverse plate portion 134, and a rear flange portion 135R extending upward from the rear edge of the corresponding transverse plate portion 134. Each tube structure is defined by the transverse plate portion 134, the upper wall 113, and a pair of flange portions 135F and 135R connecting the transverse plate portion 134 and the upper wall 113 vertically. Each tube structure forms a closed cross-section when viewed from the vehicle width direction, thereby achieving high impact absorption performance in each tube structure. It should be noted that in this structure, the tab portion 136 includes a front tab portion 136F provided at the upper end of the front flange portion 135F and a rear tab portion 136R provided at the upper end of the rear flange portion 135R. Therefore, the pair of flange portions 135F and 135R are both stably supported by the upper wall 113.

[0115] The front flange portion 135F and the rear flange portion 135R are inclined so as to separate from each other in the vehicle length direction as they move upward. Even though the cross plate portion 134 is not large in the vehicle length direction, the cross-sectional area of ​​the hollow portion 103 and the structures forming the hollow portion 103 are large. Consequently, each structure achieves high strength and impact absorption performance.

[0116] The energy absorbing structure 102 also has an outer patch 122, which includes an upper cover portion 151 that covers the upper portion of the flange body 135, and a side cover portion 152 that extends downward from the side end edge of the upper cover portion 151 and covers the side portion of the flange body 135 in the vehicle width direction. The side cover portion 152 is welded to the outer side wall 111, and the upper cover portion 151 is welded to the upper wall 113. As a result, the bonding strength of the first longitudinal plate portion 132 relative to the outer side wall 111 is improved, and the flange body 135 is bonded to the upper wall 113 in the vertical direction. Since the base member 121 is bonded to the rocker body 101 in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, the bonding strength of the energy absorbing structure 102 relative to the rocker body 101 is improved.

[0117] The hollow portions 103 are arranged at intervals. Therefore, excess strength is prevented, and the weight reduction of the rocker 100 is achieved. A pair of flange portions 135F and 135R are formed by cutting out and standing up, and define each hollow portion 103. Therefore, a large through-hole 131 is formed between two adjacent hollow portions 103. The through-hole 131 is at least larger than the surface area of ​​the flange body 135 and the protruding piece 136 relative to the initial through-hole 130a. Therefore, when a plurality of cylindrical structures are provided using a base member 121 that is elongated in the vehicle length direction, an increase in the weight of the base member 121 can be suppressed.

[0118] (Second embodiment)

[0119] Next, refer to Figures 6 to 8 The rocker 200 of the second embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiment. The rocker body 101 and base member 121 are identical to those of the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the energy absorbing structure 202 further includes a plurality of reinforcing members 224, each joined to a plurality of flange bodies 135.

[0120] Each reinforcement member 224 has a top-hat cross-section when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcement members 224 are formed from the same metal material as the base member 121 (e.g., an iron-based metal). The reinforcement members 224 include a web portion 261, a front wall portion 262, and a rear wall portion 263. The front wall portion 262 is joined to the outer surface (front surface) of the front flange portion 135F. The rear wall portion 263 is joined to the outer surface (rear surface) of the rear flange portion 135R. Spot welding is used for both joints, with one or more (e.g., two) joint points spaced apart in the vehicle width direction.

[0121] The front wall portion 262 extends vertically through the adjacent through-hole 131 located in front of the front flange portion 135F. The rear wall portion 263 extends vertically through the adjacent through-hole 131 located behind the rear flange portion 135R. The lower ends of the front wall portion 262 and the rear wall portion 263 are both located below the transverse plate portion 134. The web portion 261 connects the lower ends of the front wall portion 262 and the rear wall portion 263 along the vehicle length, located below the transverse plate portion 134.

[0122] A raised bottom portion 264 is provided at the center of the web 261 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. It projects upward from the web 261 (particularly at the ends connected to the front and rear walls 262 and 263) and extends in the vehicle's width direction. The upper surface of the raised bottom portion 264 makes surface contact with the lower surface of the cross plate 134. Alternatively, the raised bottom portion 264 can be welded to the cross plate 134. Spot welding can be used as appropriate, with one or more joints (e.g., one) positioned along the center of the cross plate 134 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0123] The energy absorbing structure 102 also has a reinforcing member 224 joined to the flange body 135. By adding the reinforcing member 224, a closed cross-section defined by the reinforcing member 224 is added to the hollow portion 203 below the flange body 135. Therefore, the impact absorption performance of the energy absorbing structure 202 is improved. Since the bottom raised portion 264 is provided on the web portion 261, the rigidity of the reinforcing member 224 is improved. By welding the bottom raised portion 264 to the transverse plate portion 134, the reinforcing member 224 is joined to the base member 121 not only in the vehicle length direction but also in the up and down direction. The joining strength of the reinforcing member 224 to the base member 121 is improved, and higher impact absorption performance is obtained in the tube structure.

[0124] (Third embodiment)

[0125] Next, refer to Figures 9 to 11 The rocker 300 of the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. The rocker body 101 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments. The structures of the base member 321 and the reinforcement member 324 differ from those of the above-mentioned embodiments as described below. Consequently, the shape of the hollow portion 303 also differs from those of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0126] The base member 321 has one or more reinforcing ribs 337 projecting upward or downward and extending in the vehicle width direction on at least one of the plurality of transverse plate portions 134. Other than this, the base member 321 is identical to the first and second embodiments and includes a through-hole 131, a first vertical plate portion 132, a second vertical plate portion 133, a transverse plate portion 134, a flange 135, and a protruding piece 136.

[0127] In this embodiment, the plurality of reinforcing ribs 337 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of transverse plate portions 134. Each reinforcing rib 337 protrudes upward from the center portion of the corresponding transverse plate portion 134 in the vehicle length direction and extends linearly in the vehicle width direction.

[0128] The reinforcing member 324 has a web portion 261 , a front wall portion 262 , and a rear wall portion 263 similar to the second embodiment, but does not have the raised bottom portion 264 of the second embodiment. Instead, the reinforcing member 324 of this embodiment has a plurality of protruding pieces 365 .

[0129] The plurality of tabs 365 include an outer front tab 365Fa that projects in the vehicle length direction from the outer end edge of the front wall 262 in the vehicle width direction, and an outer rear tab 365Ra that projects in the vehicle length direction from the outer end edge of the rear wall 263 in the vehicle width direction. The outer front tab 365Fa and the outer rear tab 365Ra project toward separate sides in the vehicle length direction. Similarly, an inner front tab 365Fb and an inner rear tab 365Rb are provided at the inner end edges of the front wall 262 and the rear wall 263 in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0130] The plate thickness direction of the tab portion 365 is oriented in the vehicle width direction. The outer front tab portion 365Fa and the outer rear tab portion 365Ra overlap the inner surface of the first longitudinal plate portion 132 and are welded to the outer sidewall 111 together with the first longitudinal plate portion 132. The inner front tab portion 365Fb and the inner rear tab portion 365Rb overlap the inner surface of the second longitudinal plate portion 133 and are joined to the second longitudinal plate portion 133. When the second longitudinal plate portion 133 is welded to the inner sidewall 112, the inner front tab portion 365Fb and the inner rear tab portion 365Rb may also be welded to the inner sidewall 112 at the same time.

[0131] Thus, by providing at least one of the plurality of transverse plate portions 134 with the reinforcing rib 337, the rigidity of the transverse plate portion 134 is improved. By providing the protruding tab 365 on the reinforcing member 324, the bonding strength between the reinforcing member 324 and the base member 321 is increased. Consequently, the bonding strength between the base member 321 and the rocker body 101 is enhanced.

[0132] (Fourth embodiment)

[0133] Next, refer to Figures 12 to 14 The rocker 400 of the fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. The rocker body 101 is the same as that of the first through third embodiments. The structures of the base member 421 and the reinforcement member 424 differ from those of the above-mentioned embodiments, as described below. Consequently, the shape of the hollow portion 403 also differs from those of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0134] The flange 435 of the base member 421 has one or more bent portions 440 between its lower end, which is continuous with the transverse plate portion 134, and its upper end, which reaches the inner surface of the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101. In this embodiment, the flange 435 has a front flange portion 435F and a rear flange portion 435R, similar to the previous embodiment. Each flange portion 435F, 435R has one bent portion 440F, 440R, between its upper and lower ends.

[0135] The front flange portion 435F includes a first rising portion 441 extending upward from its lower end, and a second rising portion 442 extending upward from the upper end of the first rising portion 441 while being inclined relative to the direction in which the first rising portion 441 extends. The lower end of the first rising portion 441 is continuous with the upper end of the second rising portion 442 at a bend 440. The first rising portion 441 extends obliquely, extending outward in the vehicle length direction (toward the front in the case of the front flange portion 435F) as it extends upward. The second rising portion 442 has a smaller inclination relative to the vertical direction in the vehicle length direction than the first rising portion 441. The difference in the slope between the first and second rising portions 441, 442, results in an angular shape in the bend 440.

[0136] In this embodiment, the front flange portion 435F and the rear flange portion 435R are symmetrical in front and back. Like the front flange portion 435F, the rear flange portion 435R also has a first rising portion 441 and a second rising portion 442. The tabs 136F and 136R are provided at the upper end of the second rising portion 442 and are joined to the upper wall 113 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

[0137] Thus, in this embodiment, the hollow portions 403 are defined by the transverse plate 134, the first and second rising portions 441 and 442 of the front flange 435F, the first and second rising portions 441 and 442 of the rear flange 435R, and the upper wall 113. Each hollow portion 403 has a hexagonal cross-section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0138] By providing the bent portion 440 in the flange body 435, when an impact is input to the outer sidewall 111, the impact is transmitted inward in the vehicle width direction via the plurality of raised portions 441 and 442, which are separated by the bent portion 440. Consequently, the impact absorption performance of the tubular structure is improved. Furthermore, by each of the front flange portion 435F and the rear flange portion 435R having a bent portion 440, the cross-sectional shape of each hollow portion 403 becomes hexagonal, thereby achieving higher impact absorption performance and strength.

[0139] The reinforcement member 424 is fundamentally the same as that of the second embodiment. The front wall portion 462 overlaps the outer surface of the second rising portion 442 of the first and second rising portions 441, 442 of the front flange portion 435F and is joined to the second rising portion 442. The second rising portion 442 is located above the first rising portion 441 and extends closer to the vertical direction than the first rising portion 441. Due to its joining to the second rising portion 442, the front wall portion 462 of this embodiment is longer in the vertical direction than that of the second embodiment. The rear wall portion 463 is also similar. This allows the width (length in the vehicle length direction) of the web portion 261 of the reinforcement member 424 to be maintained wide, maintaining the strength of the reinforcement member 424.

[0140] (Fifth embodiment)

[0141] Next, refer to Figures 15 to 17 , focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments, the rocker 500 of the fifth embodiment will be described. The rocker body 101 is the same as that of the first to fourth embodiments. This embodiment is different from any of the above-mentioned embodiments in that the energy absorbing structure 502 has a tubular member 525 instead of a reinforcing member as in the second to fourth embodiments. The base member 524 is similar to that of the first embodiment, but is different from any of the above-mentioned embodiments in that a structure for installing the tubular member 525 is added. Therefore, the shape of the hollow portion 503 is different from any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0142] Similar to the first embodiment, the base part 521 has multiple transverse plate portions 134 and multiple flange bodies 135 corresponding to the multiple transverse plate portions 134, each flange body 135 is composed of a front flange portion 135F and a rear flange portion 135R, and the front flange portion 135F and the rear flange portion 135R each have no bending portion, similar to the first to third embodiments.

[0143] The plurality of tubular members 525 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of flange bodies 135. Each tubular member 525 is held by the flange body 135 in a state extending in the vehicle width direction. Each tubular member 525 has a closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0144] In this embodiment, as a simple example, the cross-sectional shape of the tubular member 525 is a hexagonal shape. The tubular member 525 includes a bottom wall 571, a pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R extending upward from both edges of the bottom wall 571 in the vehicle length direction, a pair of upper side walls 574F and 574R extending continuously upward from the upper ends of the pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R, and an upper wall 572 connecting the upper ends of the pair of upper side walls 574F and 574R in the vehicle length direction. The bottom wall 571 is arranged parallel to the transverse plate portion 134 and supported by the transverse plate portion 134. When the bottom wall 571 is supported parallel to the transverse plate portion 134, the pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R are parallel to the pair of flange portions 135F and 135R, respectively. The pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R extend along the pair of flange portions 135F and 135R on the inner surface sides of the pair of flange portions 135F and 135R.

[0145] The base member 521 (and its base plate) is formed from the same metal material as the rocker body 101, while the tubular member 525 is formed from a different metal material than the rocker body 101 and the base member 521. In this embodiment, the base member 521 and the rocker body 101 are formed from an iron-based metal material, while the tubular member 525 is formed from a nonferrous metal material, particularly a light metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy.

[0146] When the contact area between the tubular member 525 and the base member 521 or the rocker body 101 is large, the tubular member 525 is correspondingly worn more rapidly due to electrolytic corrosion. In addition, due to the different materials, it is difficult to use metallurgical joining such as welding to join the tubular member 525 to the base member 521 or the rocker body 101.

[0147] Therefore, the bottom wall 571 of the tubular member 525 is provided with a partially downwardly projecting lower ridge 575. The lower ridge 575 projects downward when viewed in the vehicle width direction and makes linear contact with the upper surface of the cross plate 134 along a straight line extending in the vehicle length direction (in a cross-section viewed in the vehicle width direction, the lower ridge 575 and the cross plate 134 are depicted as contacting at a single point). In this embodiment, two lower ridges 575 are provided at each end of the bottom wall 571 in the vehicle length direction. Consequently, the majority of the lower surface of the bottom wall 571 is separated upward from the upper surface of the cross plate 134.

[0148] The front lower sidewall 573F of the tubular member 525 is partially provided with a side ridge 576F that protrudes outward (frontward) in the vehicle length direction. The side ridge 576F projects forward when viewed in the vehicle width direction and contacts the inner surface of the front flange 135F along a straight line extending in the vehicle length direction. In this embodiment, two side ridges 576F are provided, one at the upper and one at the lower end of the front lower sidewall 573F. As a result, a large portion of the outer surface (front surface) of the lower sidewall 573F is separated rearward from the inner surface (rear surface) of the front flange 135F. Similarly, the rear lower sidewall 573R is also partially provided with a side ridge 576R that protrudes outward (rearward) in the vehicle length direction.

[0149] Thus, most of the portion of the tubular member 525 that is taken into the base member 521 for retention by the flange body 135 is prevented from directly contacting the base member 521 by the ridges 575, 576F, and 576R. Therefore, even if a different material from that of the base member 521 is used for the tubular member 525, electrical corrosion of the tubular member 525 can be avoided.

[0150] Each cylindrical component 525 is mechanically connected to the corresponding transverse plate portion 134 using a fastening connection structure 526. A bolt insertion hole 538 is formed in the transverse plate portion 134, which passes through in the up-down direction. The fastening connection structure 526 is composed of a bolt 526a and a nut 526b. As shown in the figure, the bolt 526a can also be inserted downward from the inside of the cylindrical component 525 and screwed into the nut 526b provided on the lower surface side of the transverse plate portion 134. Alternatively, the cylindrical component 525 also has a through hole for inserting the bolt 526a. In order to avoid direct contact between the bolt 526a and the cylindrical component 525, a resin collar 526c is provided in the through hole 577. The bolt 526a can also be inserted upward from the lower surface side of the transverse plate portion 134. In this case, the nut 526b is provided inside the cylindrical component 525.

[0151] Before the cylindrical member 525 is inserted into the flange body 135, adhesive 527 is applied to the inner surface of the flange body 135 (the rear surface of the front flange portion 135F and the front surface of the rear flange portion 135R). The side ridges 576F and 576R are mechanically bonded to the flange body 435 via the adhesive 527. The adhesive 527 not only bonds the cylindrical member 525 to the base member 521 but also serves as electrical insulation between the cylindrical member 525 and the base member 521. This prevents electrical corrosion of the cylindrical member 525 and improves the bond strength of the cylindrical member 525 to the base member 521. Furthermore, by applying a large amount of adhesive 527 in advance, the remaining portion 527a of the adhesive 527 leaks out of the upper opening of the gap between the cylindrical member 525 and the base member 521 and solidifies, sealing the gap. Foreign matter such as water can be prevented from entering the gap, thereby extending the life of the energy absorbing structure 502 .

[0152] Thus, by providing the tubular member 525 in the energy absorbing structure 502, a closed cross section defined by the tubular member 525 is added to the hollow portion 503, thereby achieving higher impact absorption performance in the energy absorbing structure 502. Furthermore, since mechanical joining is employed to join the tubular member 525 to the base member 521, the tubular member 525 can be made of a different metal material from that of the rocker body 101 and the base member 521.

[0153] (Sixth embodiment)

[0154] Next, refer to Figures 18 to 20 , the rocker 600 of the sixth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the above-mentioned embodiments. The rocker body 101 is the same as that of the first to fifth embodiments. The energy absorbing structure 602 of this embodiment is similar to the fifth embodiment in that it does not have a reinforcing member but has a tubular member 525. However, unlike any of the above-mentioned embodiments, in the base member 621 of this embodiment, the protruding piece 636 is not provided at the upper end of the flange body 635, but is provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction, and the flange body 635 does not reach the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101. Therefore, the shape of the hollow portion 603 is different from that of any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0155] Similar to the fifth embodiment, the base member 621 includes a plurality of through-holes 131, a first vertical plate portion 132, a second vertical plate portion 133, a plurality of transverse plate portions 134, and a plurality of flanges 635. The front flange portion 635F and the rear flange portion 635R of each flange 635 do not have a bent portion. The tabs 636 include an outer front tab portion 636Fa and an inner front tab portion 636Fb that project forward from the outer and inner edges of the front flange portion 635F in the vehicle width direction, respectively, and an outer rear tab portion 636Ra and an inner rear tab portion 636Rb that project rearward from the outer and inner edges of the rear flange portion 135R in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0156] Unlike any of the aforementioned embodiments, the front and rear flanges 635F and 635R do not reach the inner surface of the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101, but terminate below the upper wall 113 of the rocker body 101. Instead, a pair of front and rear engaging tabs 639F and 639R are provided at the upper ends of the front and rear flanges 635F and 635R, respectively. The engaging tabs 639F and 639R extend from the upper ends of the flanges 635F and 635R, respectively, toward opposite sides in the vehicle length direction.

[0157] On the other hand, the tubular member 625, similar to the fifth embodiment, includes a bottom wall 571, an upper wall 572, a pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R, a pair of upper side walls 674F and 674R, a lower ridge 575, and side ridges 576F and 576R. The pair of upper side walls 674F and 674R have a step in the vertical direction between the upper ends of the pair of lower side walls 573 and the vehicle lengthwise end portions. Each upper side wall 674F and 674R includes a lower step wall 674a extending upward and inwardly in the vehicle lengthwise direction from the lower side walls 673F and 673R, a rising portion 674b extending upward from the upper end of the lower step wall 674a, and an upper step wall 674c extending upward and inwardly in the vehicle lengthwise direction from the upper end of the rising portion 674b and connected to the upper wall 572. The upper step wall 674c includes an extension portion 678 that extends outward in the vehicle length direction relative to the upright portion 674b. The extension portion 678 protrudes outward in the vehicle length direction relative to the upper side walls 674F and 674R. The lower step wall 674a, the upright portion 674b, and the extension portion 678 define a slit 679 that extends along the vehicle width direction and opens at both ends. The front end of the extension portion 678 is bent downward, and the outer side of the slit 679 in the vehicle length direction is covered by this front end.

[0158] When attaching the tubular member 625 to the base member 621, the tubular member 625 is inserted between the pair of flanges 635F and 635R in the vehicle width direction. At this point, the engaging tabs 639F and 639R are accommodated within the slit 679, the pair of lower side walls 573F and 573R are in close proximity to the inner surfaces of the pair of flanges 635, and the bottom wall 571 is in close proximity to the upper surface of the transverse plate 134. To prevent direct contact between the engaging tabs 639F and 639R and the upper side walls 674F and 674R, the slit 679 is pre-filled with adhesive 627. Thus, even without using a fastening structure as in the fifth embodiment, the tubular member 625 can be securely mechanically joined to the base member 621 by the adhesive force of the adhesive 627 and the engagement of the engaging tab 639 with the slit 679. Furthermore, by applying a large amount of adhesive 627 in advance, a sealing effect by the remaining portion 627 a of the adhesive 627 can be obtained, similarly to the fifth embodiment.

[0159] (Variation)

[0160] Although the embodiment has been described above, the above-described configuration can be appropriately added, changed, and / or deleted within the scope of the present invention.

[0161] The flange body is composed of a pair of front and rear flanges, but the flange body can also be composed of a single flange. Multiple transverse plate portions are connected to the first and second longitudinal plate portions, but the second longitudinal plate portion can be omitted. The first longitudinal plate portion is the portion that is joined to the outer side wall when the input side collision occurs. Therefore, when the multiple transverse plate portions are integrated via either the first or second longitudinal plate portions, when the first longitudinal plate portion is retained and joined to the outer side wall, higher impact absorption performance is obtained in the energy absorbing structure.

[0162] In the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment, the reinforcing member may be omitted. In the fifth embodiment and the sixth embodiment, the cylindrical member may be omitted. The base member may also be provided with both the reinforcing member and the cylindrical member.

[0163] The reinforcing member may be provided with both the raised bottom portion illustrated in the second and fourth embodiments and the protruding piece illustrated in the third embodiment.

[0164] The present invention can include the following aspects.

[0165] (Scheme 1)

[0166] A lower side beam structure, wherein:

[0167] The lower side beam structure comprises:

[0168] a lower side sill body extending in the vehicle length direction; and

[0169] The energy absorbing structure is formed with a plurality of hollow portions extending in the vehicle width direction inside the rocker body and arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction.

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

[0171] The energy absorbing structure has a base member,

[0172] The base member has:

[0173] a plurality of through holes arranged along the vehicle length direction;

[0174] a first vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction on the outer side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction and joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall;

[0175] a plurality of transverse plate portions extending from the first longitudinal plate portion in the vehicle width direction between two adjacent through holes among the plurality of through holes and arranged in the vehicle length direction; and

[0176] A plurality of flange bodies are cut out and raised upward from the plurality of transverse plate portions, and are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction.

[0177] (Scheme 2)

[0178] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 1,

[0179] The base member is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body.

[0180] The first vertical plate portion is welded to the outer side wall.

[0181] (Scheme 3)

[0182] The rocker structure according to solution 1 or 2, wherein:

[0183] The thickness direction of the first longitudinal plate portion is toward the vehicle width direction,

[0184] The first vertical plate portion overlaps with the inner surface of the outer side wall.

[0185] (Scheme 4)

[0186] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 3, wherein:

[0187] The base member further includes a second vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction on the inner side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction, continuous with the plurality of transverse plate portions, and overlapping with the inner surface of the inner side wall.

[0188] (Scheme 5)

[0189] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 4, wherein:

[0190] At least one of the plurality of transverse plate portions is provided with a reinforcing rib portion that protrudes upward or downward and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0191] (Scheme 6)

[0192] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 5, wherein:

[0193] A protruding piece is provided at the upper end of the flange body.

[0194] An upper surface of the protruding piece overlaps with an inner surface of the upper wall.

[0195] (Scheme 7)

[0196] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 6, wherein:

[0197] The flange body has one or more bending portions between the lower end and the upper end.

[0198] (Scheme 8)

[0199] The rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

[0200] Each of the flange bodies is composed of a front flange portion extending upward from a front edge portion of the cross plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from a rear edge portion of the cross plate portion.

[0201] (Scheme 9)

[0202] According to the lower side sill structure of solution 8,

[0203] The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are inclined so as to separate from each other in the vehicle length direction as they go upward.

[0204] (Scheme 10)

[0205] According to the lower side sill structure of solution 9,

[0206] The front flange portion and the rear flange portion have a bent portion between the lower end and the upper end.

[0207] Each of the plurality of tube structures is defined by the transverse plate portion, the front flange portion, the rear flange portion, and the upper wall, and has a hexagonal cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0208] (Scheme 11)

[0209] The rocker structure according to any one of solutions 1 to 10, wherein:

[0210] The energy absorbing structure further includes an outer patch, the outer patch including: an upper cover portion covering the upper portion of the flange body; and a side cover portion extending downward from a side end edge of the upper cover portion and covering the side portion of the flange body in the vehicle width direction.

[0211] The side cover portion is welded to the outer side wall, and the upper cover portion is welded to the upper wall.

[0212] (Scheme 12)

[0213] The rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein:

[0214] The energy absorbing structure further includes a reinforcing member joined to the flange body.

[0215] (Scheme 13)

[0216] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 12,

[0217] A protruding piece is provided at the outer end portion of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction.

[0218] The plate thickness direction of the first vertical plate portion and the plate thickness direction of the protruding piece portion are oriented in the vehicle width direction.

[0219] The first vertical plate portion and the protruding piece portion overlap with the inner surface of the outer wall and are joined to the outer wall.

[0220] (Scheme 14)

[0221] The lower side sill structure according to solution 12 or 13, wherein:

[0222] Each of the flange bodies is composed of a front flange portion extending upward from a front edge portion of the transverse plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from a rear edge portion of the transverse plate portion.

[0223] The reinforcing member has:

[0224] a front wall portion extending in the vertical direction through the through hole adjacent to the front of the front flange portion and joined to the outer surface of the front flange portion;

[0225] a rear wall portion extending in the vertical direction through the through hole adjacent to the rear of the rear flange portion and joined to the outer surface of the rear flange portion; and

[0226] A web portion connects lower ends of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the vehicle length direction at a position below the transverse plate portion.

[0227] (Scheme 15)

[0228] According to the bottom rail structure of solution 14,

[0229] The web portion is provided with a bottom raised portion that protrudes upward and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0230] The bottom raised portion is welded to the transverse plate portion.

[0231] (Scheme 16)

[0232] The rocker structure according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein:

[0233] The energy absorbing structure further includes a plurality of tubular members each extending in the vehicle width direction and having a closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0234] Each of the plurality of tubular members is joined to at least one of the transverse plate portion and the flange body.

[0235] (Scheme 17)

[0236] According to the lower side sill structure of solution 16,

[0237] The base member is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body.

[0238] The cylindrical member is formed of a different metal material from that of the rocker body and the base member.

[0239] The base member is welded to the rocker body, and the tubular member is mechanically joined to the base member.

[0240] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-016261, filed on February 6, 2023. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-016261 is incorporated herein by reference.

[0241] Description of Reference Numerals

[0242] 1 vehicle

[0243] 2 Body

[0244] 3. Battery

[0245] 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 lower side beams

[0246] 101 Lower side sill body

[0247] 102, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602 energy-absorbing structures

[0248] 111 outer wall

[0249] 112 inner wall

[0250] 113 upper wall

[0251] 114 lower wall

[0252] 115 upper flange

[0253] 116 lower flange

[0254] 117 outer lower side beam

[0255] 117a Outer upper wall

[0256] 117b Lateral lower wall

[0257] 117c Outer upper flange

[0258] 117d Outer lower flange

[0259] 117e Space

[0260] 118 inner lower side sill

[0261] 118a medial upper wall

[0262] 118b medial inferior wall

[0263] 118c Inner upper flange

[0264] 118d inner lower flange

[0265] 118e Space

[0266] 121, 321, 421, 521, 621 base parts

[0267] 122 External patch

[0268] 123 Internal patch

[0269] 224, 324, 424 reinforcement components

[0270] 525, 625 cylindrical parts

[0271] 526 Fastening connection structure

[0272] 127, 527 adhesive

[0273] 130 green plate

[0274] 130a Initial through hole

[0275] 131 through hole

[0276] 132 First longitudinal plate

[0277] 133 Second longitudinal plate

[0278] 134 horizontal board

[0279] 134a Middle horizontal plate

[0280] 134b Front end horizontal plate

[0281] 134c rear end cross plate

[0282] 135, 435 flange body

[0283] 135a protrusion

[0284] 135F, 435F front flange

[0285] 135R, 435R rear flange

[0286] 136, 636 tabs

[0287] 136F front tab

[0288] 136R rear tab

[0289] 636Fa external front tab

[0290] 636Fb inner front tab

[0291] 636Ra outer rear tab

[0292] 636Rb inner rear tab

[0293] 337 reinforcement

[0294] 538 Bolt insertion hole

[0295] 639F, 639R snap-on tabs

[0296] 440 bending part

[0297] 441 First rising part

[0298] 442 Second rising part

[0299] 151 upper cover

[0300] 152 side cover

[0301] 156 Upper cover

[0302] 157 side cover

[0303] 261 belly

[0304] 262, 462 front wall

[0305] 263, 463 posterior wall

[0306] 264 bottom raised part

[0307] 365 tab

[0308] 571 bottom wall

[0309] 572 upper wall

[0310] 573F, 573R lower side wall

[0311] 574F, 574R, 674F, 674R upper sidewall

[0312] 674a Lower step wall

[0313] 674b rising part

[0314] 674c Upper step wall

[0315] 575 lower ridge

[0316] 576F, 576R side ridge

[0317] 577 through hole

[0318] 678 Extension

[0319] 679 slit.

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 formed with a plurality of hollow portions extending in the vehicle width direction inside the rocker body and arranged at intervals in the vehicle length direction. The rocker body includes an outer wall on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the outer wall and the inner wall in the vehicle width direction. The energy absorbing structure has a base member, The base member has: a plurality of through holes arranged along the vehicle length direction; a first vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction on the outer side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction and joined to the inner surface of the outer side wall; a plurality of transverse plate portions, each extending from the first longitudinal plate portion between two adjacent through holes in the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction and arranged in the vehicle length direction; as well as A plurality of flange bodies are cut out and raised upward from the plurality of transverse plate portions, and are arranged at intervals along the vehicle length direction.

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 with the inner surface of the outer side wall.

4. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The base member further includes a second vertical plate portion extending in the vehicle length direction on the inner side of the plurality of through holes in the vehicle width direction, continuous with the plurality of transverse plate portions, and overlapping with the inner surface of the inner side wall.

5. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the plurality of transverse plate portions is provided with a reinforcing rib portion that protrudes upward or downward and extends in the vehicle width direction.

6. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: A protruding piece is provided at the upper end of the flange body. An upper surface of the protruding piece overlaps with an inner surface of the upper wall.

7. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The flange body has one or more bending portions between the lower end and the upper end.

8. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the flange bodies is composed of a front flange portion extending upward from a front edge portion of the cross plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from a rear edge portion of the cross plate portion.

9. The rocker structure according to claim 8, wherein: The front flange portion and the rear flange portion are inclined so as to separate from each other in the vehicle length direction as they go upward.

10. The rocker structure according to claim 9, wherein: The front flange portion and the rear flange portion have a bent portion between the lower end and the upper end. Each of the plurality of tube structures is defined by the transverse plate portion, the front flange portion, the rear flange portion, and the upper wall, and has a hexagonal cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

11. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The energy absorbing structure further includes an outer patch, the outer patch including: an upper cover portion covering the upper portion of the flange body; and a side cover portion extending downward from a side end edge of the upper cover portion and covering the side portion of the flange body in the vehicle width direction. The side cover portion is welded to the outer side wall, and the upper cover portion is welded to the upper wall.

12. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The energy absorbing structure further includes a reinforcing member joined to the flange body.

13. The rocker structure according to claim 12, wherein: A protruding piece is provided at the outer end portion of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction. The plate thickness direction of the first vertical plate portion and the plate thickness direction of the protruding piece portion are oriented in the vehicle width direction. The first vertical plate portion and the protruding piece portion overlap with the inner surface of the outer wall and are joined to the outer wall.

14. The rocker structure according to claim 12, wherein: Each of the flange bodies is composed of a front flange portion extending upward from a front edge portion of the transverse plate portion and a rear flange portion extending upward from a rear edge portion of the transverse plate portion. The reinforcing member has: a front wall portion extending in the vertical direction through the through hole adjacent to the front of the front flange portion and joined to the outer surface of the front flange portion; a rear wall portion extending in the vertical direction through the through hole adjacent to the rear of the rear flange portion and joined to the outer surface of the rear flange portion; as well as A web portion connects lower ends of the front wall portion and the rear wall portion in the vehicle length direction at a position below the transverse plate portion.

15. The rocker structure according to claim 14, wherein: The web portion is provided with a bottom raised portion that protrudes upward and extends in the vehicle width direction. The bottom raised portion is welded to the transverse plate portion.

16. The rocker structure according to claim 1, wherein: The energy absorbing structure further includes a plurality of tubular members each extending in the vehicle width direction and having a closed cross section when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Each of the plurality of tubular members is joined to at least one of the transverse plate portion and the flange body.

17. The rocker structure according to claim 16, wherein: The base member is formed of the same metal material as the rocker body. The cylindrical member is formed of a different metal material from that of the rocker body and the base member. The base member is welded to the rocker body, and the tubular member is mechanically joined to the base member.

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