Vehicle body side structure

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle body side structure that houses a sensor and possesses good structural strength. The vehicle body side structure includes: an inner panel; a reinforcing rib disposed on the outer side of the inner panel in the vehicle width direction; an outer panel disposed on the outer side of the reinforcing rib in the vehicle width direction, wherein the inner panel, the reinforcing rib, and the outer panel form a vehicle body frame; a sensor mounted in the vehicle body frame, wherein the outer panel and the reinforcing rib are connected and form a sensor insertion hole, the sensor is inserted into the sensor insertion hole and mounted on the vehicle body frame; and a reinforcing member disposed between the inner panel and the sensor in the vehicle width direction, and erected by spanning the sensor insertion hole of the reinforcing rib.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a side structure of a vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, electric vehicles are heavier than gasoline-powered vehicles, thus requiring more stringent standards for crash performance and body rigidity. Furthermore, with the increasing prevalence of autonomous driving features, additional components such as sensors and cameras will need to be installed on the vehicle body to facilitate these functions. However, placing these additional components in prominent locations on the vehicle body will negatively impact the product's appearance.

[0003] In existing technical literature, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration structure for a peripheral information detection sensor. By placing the sensor inside the struts of the vehicle body, aerodynamic characteristics and appearance can be improved. However, in order to place the sensor within the cross-section of the strut, holes need to be formed in the rear and side outer panels of the vehicle body to accommodate the sensor. This reduces the strength of the struts, thus affecting the vehicle's crash performance and the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0004] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 6547665 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a side structure of a vehicle body, which is equipped with sensors and has good structural strength.

[0008] This invention provides a vehicle body side structure. The vehicle body side structure includes: an inner panel; a reinforcing rib disposed on the outer side of the inner panel in the vehicle width direction; an outer panel disposed on the outer side of the reinforcing rib in the vehicle width direction, wherein the inner panel, the reinforcing rib, and the outer panel form a vehicle body frame; a sensor mounted in the vehicle body frame, wherein the outer panel and the reinforcing rib are connected and form a sensor insertion hole, the sensor is inserted into the sensor insertion hole and mounted on the vehicle body frame; and a reinforcing member disposed between the inner panel and the sensor in the vehicle width direction, and erected by spanning the sensor insertion hole of the reinforcing rib.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner plate, the reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing member form a closed cross section.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, in the closed section, the reinforcing member has a protrusion that projects toward the outer plate side.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, in the closed section, the reinforcing member has at least two protrusions, and a recess is formed between the protrusions that is recessed toward the inner plate side, the sensor surface being configured opposite the recess.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing rib has a cap-shaped cross-section that opens toward the inner plate side, and the sensor insertion hole is formed in the cap body portion of the cap-shaped cross-section of the reinforcing rib. The reinforcing member has a cap-shaped cross-section that opens toward the outer plate side, and the cap body portion of the cap-shaped cross-section of the reinforcing member faces the sensor in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing rib has a connecting surface, the connecting surface connecting the joint surface of the reinforcing rib and the inner plate and the cap body portion of the cap-shaped cross section of the reinforcing rib, and the reinforcing member is connected to the connecting surface of the reinforcing rib.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sensors are provided along the extension direction of the vehicle frame, and a reinforcing member is formed in such a way as to cover the area where the plurality of sensors are provided.

[0015] Based on the above, the side structure of the vehicle body is configured with reinforcing members that span the sensor insertion holes formed in the stiffeners. Even though the sensor insertion holes are formed in the outer panel and stiffeners, the reduction in overall structural strength can be suppressed. Furthermore, by forming a closed section with the inner panel, stiffeners, and reinforcing members, structural strength can be further ensured. In addition, the depth of the closed section can be formed by the interlocking section design of the stiffeners and reinforcing members to further ensure space for sensor placement. Moreover, by connecting the reinforcing members near the joint surface between the stiffeners and the inner panel, loads can be more easily transferred to the inner panel, thereby forming a more robust closed section.

[0016] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle body side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A side view of the vehicle body side structure after the sensors have been removed;

[0019] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A side view of the vehicle body after the outer panel has been removed;

[0020] Figure 2C yes Figure 2B A side view of the reinforcing component;

[0021] Figure 2D yes Figure 1 A side view of the sensor;

[0022] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the side structure of the vehicle body along line AA.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 100: Side structure of the vehicle body

[0025] 110: Inner panel

[0026] 120: Reinforcing rib

[0027] 130: Outer panel

[0028] SR: Sensor

[0029] 140: Reinforcing Components

[0030] 141: convex part

[0031] 142: concave part

[0032] BS: Joint surface

[0033] CL: Closed section

[0034] FM: Vehicle frame

[0035] HL: Sensor insertion hole

[0036] HB120, HB140: Cap body

[0037] HS120, HS140: Hat-shaped cross-section

[0038] LS: Connecting surface. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle body side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2A yes Figure 1 A side view of the vehicle body side structure after the sensors have been removed; Figure 2B yes Figure 2A A side view of the vehicle body after the outer panel has been removed; Figure 2C yes Figure 2B A side view of the reinforcing component; Figure 2D yes Figure 1 A side view of the sensor; Figure 3 yes Figure 1This is a cross-sectional view of the side structure of the vehicle body along line AA. It should be noted that, for convenience, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle are defined as shown in the figure, and the composition of each part will be explained according to these definitions. The front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-down directions correspond to the vehicle's length, width, and height directions, respectively. The following will use... Figures 1 to 3 This describes the specific structure of the side structure 100 of the vehicle body.

[0040] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the vehicle body side structure 100 includes an inner panel 110, a reinforcing rib 120, an outer panel 130, a sensor SR, and a reinforcing member 140. For example... Figures 2A to 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner plate 110, the reinforcing rib 120, and the outer plate 130 form the vehicle frame FM. The outer plate 130 and the reinforcing rib 120 are connected and form a sensor insertion hole HL. The sensor SR is inserted into the sensor insertion hole HL and installed in the vehicle frame FM, forming a structure as shown. Figure 1 The vehicle body side structure 100 is shown. For example, in this embodiment, multiple sensors SR are provided along the extension direction of the vehicle body frame FM, and the reinforcing member 140 is formed to cover the area where the multiple sensors SR are provided. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, in the vehicle width direction, the reinforcing rib 120 is disposed on the outer side of the inner plate 110, the outer plate 130 is disposed on the outer side of the reinforcing rib 120, the reinforcing member 140 is disposed between the inner plate 110 and the sensor SR, and the reinforcing member 140 is mounted in a manner that spans the sensor insertion hole HL of the reinforcing rib 120.

[0041] In this way, since the reinforcing member 140 is mounted across the sensor insertion hole HL formed in the reinforcing rib 120, even if the sensor insertion hole HL is formed in the outer plate 130 and the reinforcing rib 120, the configuration of the reinforcing member 140 can suppress the reduction of the overall structural strength. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 140 is formed to cover the area where the plurality of sensors SR are provided, the strength of the overall structure can be further guaranteed.

[0042] On the other hand, such as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner plate 110, the reinforcing rib 120, and the reinforcing member 140 can form a closed cross section CL. Thus, by forming the closed cross section CL, the structural strength can be further ensured, so even if the sensor SR is arranged inside the vehicle frame FM, the structural strength of the vehicle frame FM can be ensured.

[0043] In addition, such as Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, in the closed section CL, the reinforcing member 140 also has a protrusion 141 protruding towards the outer plate 130. Thus, the arrangement of the protrusion 141 protruding towards the outer plate 130 in the reinforcing member 140 further improves the rigidity of the overall structure. On the other hand, in the closed section CL, the reinforcing member 140 may also have at least two protrusions 141, and a recess 142 recessed towards the inner plate 110 is formed between the protrusions 141, with the sensor SR surface positioned opposite the recess 142. This ensures both rigidity and sufficient space within the closed section CL for arranging the sensor SR.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the depth of the closed section CL can also be formed by the interlocking cross-section design of the reinforcing ribs 120 and the reinforcing members 140, thereby further improving the overall structural strength and ensuring space for configuring the sensor SR. For example, as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, in the closed section CL, the reinforcing rib 120 forms a hat-shaped section HS120 that opens towards the inner plate 110, and a sensor insertion hole HL is formed in the cap portion HB120 of the hat-shaped section HS120 of the reinforcing rib 120. The reinforcing member 140 forms a hat-shaped section HS140 that opens towards the outer plate 130, and the cap portion HB140 of the hat-shaped section HS140 of the reinforcing member 140 faces the sensor SR in the vehicle width direction. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown, since the cross-section of the reinforcing rib 120 in the closed section CL is formed as a hat-shaped cross-section HS120 that opens towards the inner plate 110, the depth of the closed section CL formed by the connection of the reinforcing rib 120 and the inner plate 110 can be made deeper, thereby improving the strength of the overall structure. On the other hand, since the cross-section of the reinforcing member 140 in the closed section CL is also formed as a hat-shaped cross-section HS140 that opens towards the outer plate 130, and the hat body HB140 of the hat-shaped cross-section HS140 of the reinforcing member 140 faces the sensor SR in the vehicle width direction, the depth dimension of the mounting space of the sensor SR can be further increased, thereby ensuring the mounting space of the sensor SR.

[0045] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the reinforcing rib 120 has a connecting surface LS for connecting the joint surface BS of the reinforcing rib 120 and the inner plate 110, as well as the cap portion HB120 of the cap-shaped section HS120 of the reinforcing rib 120. The reinforcing member 140 is connected to the connecting surface LS of the reinforcing rib 120. Thus, since the reinforcing member 140 is connected near the joint surface BS of the reinforcing rib 120 and the inner plate 110, it is easier to transfer the load to the inner plate 110, thereby forming a more robust closed section CL.

[0046] In summary, in the embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle body side structure is configured with reinforcing members spanning the sensor insertion holes formed in the reinforcing ribs. Even if the sensor insertion holes are formed in the outer panel and the reinforcing ribs, the reduction in overall structural strength can be suppressed. Furthermore, by forming a closed section with the inner panel, reinforcing ribs, and reinforcing members, structural strength can be further ensured. In addition, the depth of the closed section can be formed by the interlocking cross-section design of the reinforcing ribs and reinforcing members to further ensure space for sensor placement. Moreover, by connecting the reinforcing members near the joint surface between the reinforcing ribs and the inner panel, load can be more easily transferred to the inner panel, thereby forming a more robust closed section.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A side structure of a vehicle body, characterized in that, include: Inner panel; Reinforcing ribs are provided on the outer side of the inner panel in the vehicle width direction; An outer panel is disposed on the outside of the reinforcing rib in the vehicle width direction, wherein the inner panel, the reinforcing rib, and the outer panel form a vehicle body frame; A sensor is installed in the vehicle frame, wherein the outer plate and the reinforcing rib are connected and form a sensor insertion hole, and the sensor is inserted into the sensor insertion hole and installed on the vehicle frame; as well as A reinforcing member is disposed between the inner panel and the sensor in the vehicle width direction and is erected by means of the sensor insertion hole that spans the reinforcing rib.

2. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner plate, the reinforcing ribs, and the reinforcing members form a closed cross section.

3. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the closed section, the reinforcing member has a protrusion that projects toward the outer plate.

4. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the closed section, the reinforcing member has at least two protrusions, and a recess is formed between the protrusions that is recessed toward the inner plate side, and the sensor surface is configured opposite the recess.

5. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing rib has a cap-shaped cross-section that opens towards the inner plate, and the sensor insertion hole is formed in the cap-shaped portion of the reinforcing rib. The reinforcing member has a hat-shaped cross-section that opens toward the outer panel, and the hat-shaped portion of the reinforcing member faces the sensor in the vehicle width direction.

6. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reinforcing rib has a connecting surface that connects the joint surface of the reinforcing rib and the inner plate, as well as the cap portion of the cap-shaped cross-section of the reinforcing rib. The reinforcing member is connected to the connecting surface of the reinforcing rib.

7. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple sensors are provided along the extension direction of the vehicle frame, and the reinforcing member is formed in such a way as to cover the area where the multiple sensors are provided.

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