Rear vehicle body structure

Abstract

A recessed section 15 is formed on a frame member 6, which is provided on a rear section of a vehicle body and has a closed cross-section 6s extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such that part of a lower surface of the frame member is recessed upwards, where a damper of a rear suspension is inserted and fixed. A front section of the frame member is connected to a side sill 2, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position offset outwards in a width direction from the frame member. Branch-shaped closed cross-sections 6sa, 6sb, which branch inwards and outwards from the closed cross-section 6s relative to the damper, are formed at a position P corresponding to the recessed section 15 of the frame member.A section of the frame member, which is located at the position P described above, is wide outwards.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear vehicle body structure comprising a damper support section to support a damper of a rear suspension, and a frame member extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, such as a rear side frame, wherein the frame member is configured to serve as the damper support section.

[0002] DE 196 42 820 A1 discloses a body structure for the rear of a vehicle, in particular a convertible, comprising a convertible top compartment and a rear wall located in front of the convertible top compartment, which is connected to a floor and laterally external longitudinal beam structures, wherein the convertible top compartment floor is connected to the rear wall. To increase the torsional and bending stiffness of the body structure, it is provided that the forces transmitted from the rear chassis into the body structure are directed, on the one hand, via the adjacent longitudinal beam structures and, on the other hand, via an upper cross member, into a central force flow center and, depending on the load case, transferred there into several members of a hollow beam structure on the rear wall side, wherein the ends of the members of the hollow beam structure facing away from the force flow center are connected to the outer longitudinal beam structures.

[0003] Further rear vehicle body structures are disclosed in JP H11-180 347 A, JP H11-99 962 A, DE 10 2009 042 064 A1, DE 10 2004 049 977 A1, US 6 109 653 A, DE 10 2007 018 167 A1, DE 102 33 826 B4 and DE 198 27 864 C1.

[0004] As exemplified by Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-137140, a rear vehicle body structure is known in which a damper support section (a suspension fixing section (33)) is provided for supporting a damper of a rear suspension (hereinafter referred to as a "damper") at a position which is arranged on an outer or outward-facing side in a vehicle width direction of a frame member (a rear side frame (7)) and on an inward-facing or inner side in the vehicle width direction of a wheel arch inner part (19).

[0005] In this arrangement, unlike the structure of the patent document described above, where the frame member, the damper support section, and the inner wheel arch section are arranged along the vehicle width direction, it can be considered that a recessed or offset section 150 is formed on a frame member 160, wherein the recessed section 150 is configured or constructed such that a lower surface of the frame member 160 is recessed or offset upwards, and a damper (not illustrated) is inserted from below into a damper insertion hole 151 and supported or carried thereon, which is formed on a recessed base of the offset section 150, similar to a rear vehicle body structure 100, which is in Fig. 11 and Fig. Figure 12 illustrates a sectional view taken along a line DD of Fig. 11, shows.

[0006] In a structure where a front section of the frame member is connected to a rear section of a side sill extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position that is spaced outwards in the vehicle width direction from the frame member (at an offset position), a smooth load transfer from the frame member to the side sill can become difficult when an obstacle collides with a rear section of a vehicle, especially (in a rear-end collision) in a case where the distance in the vehicle width direction between the frame member and the side sill (an offset extent) becomes larger.

[0007] In particular, there are concerns that the vehicle may exhibit deformation in a rear-end collision to such an extent that the overlap of the frame member and side sill, both extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, increases; that is, the frame member and side sill form a Z-shape in a top view. Accordingly, some countermeasures, such as increasing the thickness of the frame member or side sill panels, may be necessary. However, in this case, another problem may arise: the weight of the structure increases in an inappropriate or detrimental way.

[0008] In this case, the frame member, which is provided with the recessed or offset section to support the damper, requires a layout where the frame member is necessarily positioned in a location offset inwards in the vehicle width direction from the side sill (i.e., an axial center along a longitudinal direction of the frame member is necessarily located inwards in the vehicle width direction relative to the side sill), so that some countermeasures may need to be taken for the concerns described above.

[0009] The present invention was developed or devised taking into account the subject matter described above, and it is an objective or subject matter of the present invention to provide a rear vehicle body structure with improved transmission of a load or stress in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0010] This issue is solved by the rear vehicle body structure according to the independent claim of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the other dependent claims.

[0011] The present invention is a rear vehicle body structure comprising a frame member provided on a rear section of a vehicle body and having a closed cross-section extending substantially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a side sill extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position offset substantially outwards in a width direction of the vehicle from the frame member to which a front section of the frame member is connected, and a recessed or offset section formed on the frame member, wherein the recessed section is configured orThe frame member is constructed such that a lower surface is substantially recessed upwards, and a damper of a rear suspension is inserted or insertable into and / or fixed or fixable to the recessed section, and has an inward and an outward closed cross-section formed inside the frame member at a longitudinal position corresponding to the recessed section, wherein the inward and outward closed cross-sections are configured to branch off substantially inwards and outwards from the closed cross-section of the frame member in the vehicle width direction relative to the damper, wherein the frame member comprises a wide section which is substantially arranged at the longitudinal position corresponding to the recessed section.

[0012] In particular, the wide section can be substantially positioned wide outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width. In other words, the wide section can be positioned at the outermost position in the direction of the vehicle's width or can be configured to be wider outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width than any other section of the frame member.

[0013] According to the present invention, even if the side sill is substantially arranged at a position that is substantially offset outwards in the vehicle width direction from the frame member, the center or midpoint of the frame member can be positioned substantially outwards in the vehicle width direction, i.e., it can be moved towards the side sill, by configuring or constructing the frame member such that the section of the frame member that is substantially located at the longitudinal position corresponding to the recessed or offset section is wide and extends outwards in the vehicle width direction. This allows the load of a rear-end collision to be efficiently and effectively transferred from the frame member to the side sill.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the recessed section can in particular be formed at a center in the vehicle width direction of the wide section of the frame member, which is essentially arranged at the position corresponding to the recessed section.

[0015] According to this embodiment, in particular in the frame member, which can be provided with the recessed section as the damper support section, the damper support stiffness or rigidity and the transmission performance of the load, which is transferred from the frame member to the side sill in the event of a rear-end collision, can be achieved or maintained in a compatible manner.

[0016] The frame member is provided with an outer panel or sheet metal which represents or forms an outwardly directed or external surface in the vehicle width direction of the outwardly closed cross-section, the outer sheet metal extending substantially continuously forward from the position corresponding to the recessed section in order to represent an outwardly directed surface in the vehicle width direction of the closed cross-section of the frame member, which is arranged substantially in front of the position corresponding to the recessed section, and a front end of the outer sheet metal may be connected to the side sill.

[0017] According to this embodiment, particularly since the frame member can be provided with the outer sheet metal or panel, which can extend essentially continuously from the position described above, corresponding to the recessed section, to its connecting section with the side sill, even in a case where a section of the frame member, which is positioned essentially between its connecting section with the side sill and the position corresponding to the recessed section, is configured to have a narrower width than the position corresponding to the recessed section, the load or stress of the rear-end collision can be efficiently or effectively transferred along the outer panel or outer sheet metal from the position corresponding to the recessed section with the connecting section to the side sill, without affecting the narrow section described above.to be or become concentrated in a narrow section.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, in particular an edge or rib line, which can extend essentially continuously over an area from the position corresponding to the recessed section to a connecting section of the outer sheet metal with the side sill, can be formed on the outer sheet metal.

[0019] According to this embodiment, in particular by forming the edge line described above on the outer sheet metal, even if the section of the frame member between the position corresponding to the recessed section and the connecting section with the side sill is narrower than the position corresponding to the recessed section, the strength or strength of the narrow section described above can be adequately or properly ensured, so that in the event of a rear-end collision the load of the rear-end collision can be efficiently transferred forward to the side sill along the edge line formed on the outer sheet metal of the frame member.

[0020] In particular, the edge line can be formed on the outer sheet metal, wherein the section of the frame member between the position corresponding to the recessed section and the connecting section of the frame member with the side sill is narrower than the position corresponding to the recessed section.

[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, in particular a suspension component fixing section, in which a suspension component of the rear suspension is fixed, can be provided between a connecting section of the frame member with the side sill and the position corresponding to the recessed section.

[0022] In this embodiment, the front suspension component fixing section can generally be configured to exhibit higher stiffness than any other part of the frame member for the proper fixing and fastening of the suspension component (such as a trailing arm, trailing link, or suspension crossmember). Therefore, according to this embodiment, particularly by positioning the suspension component fixing section between the connecting section of the frame member with the side sill and the position corresponding to the recessed section described above, the strength of the narrow section described above can be properly and adequately ensured.

[0023] Accordingly, even if the section of the frame member between the connecting section with the side sill and the position corresponding to the recessed section is relatively narrow or tight, the load of a rear-end collision can be efficiently or effectively transferred forward to the side sill without being or becoming concentrated on the narrow section described above.

[0024] Other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which refers to the enclosed drawings. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rear vehicle body structure of a present embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a bottom view of the rear vehicle body structure of the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the rear vehicle body structure of the present embodiment, when viewed from an outside or outward-facing side in a vehicle width direction and a floor surface side. Fig. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the main part of the rear vehicle body structure of the present embodiment, as seen from an arrow A. Fig. 1 seen. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a line AA from Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a line BB from Fig. 2. Fig. Figure 7 is an illustrative view of an internal structure of a section of a front side frame, corresponding to a recessed or offset section in a state where an upper surface is removed when viewed from an upward-facing side and an inward-facing side in the vehicle width direction. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective exploded view of the section of the front side frame corresponding to the recessed section, which is in Fig. 7 is shown. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a major part of the rear vehicle body structure, which is shown in Fig. Figure 1 shows a state where a reinforcing member is separated from an upper surface of the front side frame. Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along a line CC of Fig. 5. Fig. Figure 11 is a bottom view of a conventional rear vehicle body structure. Fig. Figure 12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a line DD from Fig. 11.

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will below be described, in particular with reference to the drawings.

[0026] In the figures, an arrow “F” shows the front of the vehicle, an arrow “R” shows the right side of the vehicle, an arrow “L” shows the left side of the vehicle, an arrow “U” shows the top of the vehicle, an arrow “out” shows an outer or outward-facing side in a vehicle width direction, and an arrow “in” shows an inner or inward-facing side in a vehicle width direction.

[0027] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear vehicle body structure V of the present embodiment of the present invention and a basic structure of the rear vehicle body structure V of the present embodiment is primarily first described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be described.

[0028] In a vehicle body or vehicle body of a motor vehicle, which is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a floor plate 1, which forms the floor surface of a cabin or passenger compartment, is provided, and side sills 2, as vehicle body reinforcing elements, are fixedly connected to both sides of the floor plate 1. Each side sill 2 comprises an inner side sill part 2a and an outer side sill part (not illustrated) and has a closed cross-section 2s, which extends essentially in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0029] As this is in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a rear floor plate 4 can be integrally or integrally connected to a rear section of the floor plate 1, which represents or forms a rear floor of the vehicle body, via an ascending section 3, which is configured or constructed to rise substantially upwards, and rear side frames 6 (hereinafter referred to as the "frame members 6"), which extend substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, are provided on both sides of the rear floor plate 4.

[0030] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a fuel tank 5 is arranged substantially below a front section 4F (hereinafter referred to as the "front section 4F of the rear floor") of the rear floor panel 4. The fuel tank 5 is protected by an insulator or insulating material (not illustrated).

[0031] As shown in the same figure, the fuel tank 5 is equipped with a fuel pipe or fuel line 5a (filling line 5a) for supplying fuel to the fuel tank 5 from a fuel supply opening (not illustrated), which is positioned substantially within a filler rod (not illustrated) provided on a surface of a left side of a rear section of the vehicle body, and a vent pipe or vent line 5b as a passage for evaporated fuel. The fuel pipe 5a and the vent pipe 5b are arranged substantially on the left side of the vehicle such that they extend substantially from below the rear floor panel 4 of the vehicle transversely across the frame member 6 of the left side.

[0032] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a concave section 4a can be integrally or integrally formed on a rear section 4R of the rear floor plate 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "rear section 4R of the rear floor"), which serves as a recess for a spare tire and is configured such that a central part of the rear section 4R of the rear floor in the vehicle width direction, or any other components, is substantially concave downwards.

[0033] The frame member 6 described above is designed as a rigidity or stiffness member of a side section of the vehicle body, configured to have a closed cross-section 6s which extends essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the rising section 3 to a rear end of the rear floor panel 4. A front end of the frame member 6 is connected to a rear section of the side sill 2.

[0034] As this is in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the frame member 6 comprises a frame member upper part 61 (see Figure 2). Fig. 1), which has a substantially upwardly projecting hat-shaped cross-section over an entire part of the vehicle's longitudinal direction, a frame member lower part 62 (see Fig. 2), which may have a substantially downward-projecting hat-shaped cross-section, and others. The upper frame member section 61 and the lower frame member section 62 include flange sections 61a, 62a at their respective inner or inward-facing ends in the vehicle width direction of these members 61, 62 (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6), and an external or outwardly directed end section 4b in the vehicle width direction of the rear floor plate 4, which is interposed between these links 61, 62, is welded together with the links 61, 62, so that a three-layer connection is provided (see the same figures).

[0035] As this is in Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a rear wheel arch 7 is provided on the outer or outward-facing side in the vehicle width direction of the frame member 6. The rear wheel arch 7 is formed by connecting an outer part of the rear wheel arch, which is not illustrated, and an inner part 7a of the rear wheel arch (hereinafter referred to as the "wheel arch inner part 7a").

[0036] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, front and rear side struts 8, 9 are connected to the inner wheel arch section 7a from their respective inner sides in the vehicle width direction of the side struts 8, 9 to reinforce the inner wheel arch section 7a. Closed cross-sections 8s, 9s are formed between the front and rear side struts 8, 9 and the inner wheel arch section 7a.

[0037] As shown in the same figure, the front and rear side struts 8, 9 are arranged substantially in front of and behind an upper section 71a of an arc section 71 of the wheel housing inner part 7a, which is formed in an arc shape in a side view, and these struts 8, 9 each extend substantially upwards from a central position in a substantially vertical direction of a vertical wall section 72 of the wheel housing inner part 7a.

[0038] Furthermore, as is shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a rear transverse member upper part 11 (see Fig. 1) and a rear transverse member lower part 12 (see Fig. 2) Fixedly connected to both upper and lower sections of the rear floor panel 4 at a boundary section of the front section 4F of the rear floor and the rear section 4R of the rear floor. These 11, 12 are rear cross members or beams (a so-called No. 4 cross member), which extend essentially in the vehicle width direction and connect the two side frame members 6 to each other. Closed cross sections 11s, 12s, which overlap in the essentially vertical direction, are formed between the upper part 11 of the rear cross member and the rear floor panel 4, and also between the lower part 12 of the rear cross member and the rear floor panel 4.

[0039] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a rear transverse member 13 (a so-called No. 5 transverse member), which extends essentially in the vehicle width direction transversely across the concave section 4a of the rear section 4R of the rear floor and connects the two side frame members 6, is fixedly connected to the rear section 4R of the rear floor from one side of a lower surface of the rear section 4R of the rear floor. A closed cross-section 13s, which extends essentially in the vehicle width direction, is formed between the rear transverse member or crossbeam 13 and the rear floor plate 4.

[0040] Details of the rear vehicle body structure V of the present embodiment will be described below. Since the rear vehicle body structure V is laterally symmetrical, the rear vehicle body structure V will be based on a structure of the left side of the vehicle body, with reference to Fig. 3 - 7, in addition to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 will be described.

[0041] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the frame member 6 of the present embodiment is provided with suspension component fixing sections 14 (15), 16 at a central position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle of the frame member 6 (a position corresponding to a rear suspension which is not illustrated).

[0042] As this is in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the suspension component fixing sections 14 (15), 16 comprise a front suspension component fixing section 14, a damper support section (15) and a rear suspension component fixing section 16, which are provided along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the central position in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6.

[0043] The front suspension component fixing section 14 is configured to project substantially downwards into a base form having a bolt insertion hole 14a, at a position located substantially forward of the center position in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6. A component of a rear suspension, such as a suspension crossmember or beam (not illustrated), or a trailing or leading arm or rear axle carrier, can be fixed to the fixing section 14 by means of a suspension fixing bolt (not illustrated) and inserted into the bolt insertion hole 14a.

[0044] The rear suspension component fixing section 16 is configured to project substantially downwards into a base form having a bolt insertion hole 16a, at a position located substantially behind the front suspension component fixing section 14. A component of a rear suspension, such as a suspension crossmember or beam, can be fixed to the fixing section 16 by means of a bolt for fixing or fastening a suspension (not illustrated) in order to be inserted into the bolt insertion hole 16a.

[0045] The rear cross members 11, 12 described above are or are connected to the frame members 6 on both sides from the inside in the vehicle width direction at a position corresponding to the front suspension component section 14 in the vehicle length direction (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) The rear rear cross member 13 described above is or is connected to the two-sided frame members 6 from the inside side in the vehicle width direction at a position corresponding to the rear suspension component section 16 in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see the same figures).

[0046] Meanwhile, or rather in contrast, as is the case in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a recessed or offset section 15 is configured such that a central part in the vehicle width direction of a lower surface of the frame member 6 is recessed or offset substantially upwards, at a position that is substantially between the front and rear suspension component fixing sections 14, 16, in other words at a central position in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the wheel arch inner part 7a (a position corresponding to the upper section 71a (see Figure 5)). Fig. 3)) of frame member 6 is arranged. This shows Fig. 5 a sectional view, which runs along a line AA of Fig. 2 taken, in particular a cross-section of the frame member 6 at a position P corresponding to the recessed section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0047] The recessed section 15 has an opening section 15a, which is opened in the essentially vertical direction at the central part in the vehicle width direction of the lower surface of the frame member 6 (see Fig. 5), and this is configured as the damper support section (15) described above, where a damper or shock absorber D (see Fig. 5) the rear suspension, which is not illustrated, is or can be fixed when it is or is substantially inserted by the opening section 15a.

[0048] That is, how this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the damper support section (15) of the present embodiment is formed by providing the recessed section 15 on the frame member 6, and a wide section 6A of the frame member 6, which is configured to be wider outwards in the vehicle width direction than any other section of the frame member 6, is formed at position P in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the frame member 6, which corresponds to the recessed section 15 (i.e., position P corresponding to the recessed section) (see Figure 2). Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0049] Accordingly, as is stated in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, at position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section, a closed cross-section 6sa is provided, which is essentially positioned on the inner or inward-facing side in the vehicle width direction (the inward-facing essentially closed cross-section 6sa), and another closed cross-section 6sb is provided, which is essentially positioned on the outer or outward-facing side in the vehicle width direction (the outward-facing closed cross-section 6sb), which branch off essentially inward and outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the damper D, which is inserted into and / or fixed to the recessed section 15, respectively, at position P of the frame member 6, which is essentially longitudinal or extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0050] This means, as described in Fig. Figure 2 shows a load path or route of a load or stress from a rear collision, which is transferred forward, passing essentially through the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section in a vehicle rear collision, represented or formed by two load paths or routes L1, L2, which each correspond to the inward-facing closed cross-section 6sa and the outward-facing closed cross-section 6sb at the position P corresponding to the recessed section.

[0051] Furthermore, in the rear vehicle body structure V of the present embodiment, the recessed section 15 is provided on the frame member 6, so that the frame member 6 can have a damper support function.

[0052] Accordingly, the two-sided frame members 6 are provided to be substantially offset inwards in the overall direction of the vehicle width (i.e., their substantially parallel extending sections of the two-sided frame members are provided to be substantially offset inwards in the direction of the vehicle width), compared with the conventional structure where the frame member, the damper support section and the wheel arch inner part are arranged separately from the inner side towards the outer side in the direction of the vehicle width.

[0053] That is, since the frame member 6 of the present embodiment is configured or constructed such that its axial center 6x (see Fig. 2), which extends substantially along its longitudinal direction (the vehicle's longitudinal direction), is substantially offset inwards in the vehicle's width direction, compared to the conventional structure described above, its extent of an inward offset from the side sill 2 will be greater than that of the conventional structure.

[0054] As this is in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the frame member 6 is configured such that a portion distinct from its front portion extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Its front portion also has an inclined section 6F, configured to extend substantially obliquely forward and outward, and a front end of the inclined section 6F (i.e., a front end of the frame member 6) is or will be connected to a rear portion of the side sill 2 (see the same figures).

[0055] Since the frame member 6 is configured such that the front part has the inclined section 6F and the front end is connected to the side sill 2 as described above, the front end of the frame member 6 can be smoothly connected to the rear section of the side sill 2 itself in the structure of the present embodiment, in which the frame member 6 is offset inwards from the side sill 2 in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, in a rear-end collision, the load of the rear-end collision can be efficiently and effectively transferred from the frame member 6 to the side sill 2.

[0056] In this respect, the inclined section 6F of the present embodiment corresponds to a cross-section of the frame member 6, which is arranged substantially from a position which is arranged substantially between the position P corresponding to the recessed section and the front suspension component fixing section 14 (in other words, a position corresponding to a front end of the wide section 6A) to the front end of the frame member 6.

[0057] Furthermore, there is an overlap, as is the case in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, a front section of the inclined section 6F overlaps a rear section of the inner side sill part 2a, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it overlaps an area or surface from a rear end of the inner side sill part 2a to a position behind the rising section 3. The front section of the inclined section 6F is connected to the rear section of the inner side sill part 2a from the inner side in the vehicle width direction at this overlapping area.

[0058] Furthermore, the frame member 6 of the present embodiment is provided with the wide section 6A at position P corresponding to the recessed section, according to the provision of the recessed section 15 as the damper support section (15), as described above. In particular, this wide section 6A is configured such that a portion of the frame member 6 is wide outwards in the direction of the vehicle width (see the same figures).

[0059] The axial center 6x (see Fig. 2) The frame member 6 can be substantially offset outwards in the direction of the vehicle width (in the direction of the side sill 2 in the direction of the vehicle width) at position P corresponding to the recessed section (the wide section 6A) compared to a case where the wide section 6A is not formed, so that any harmful influence which may be caused by the recessed section 15 being or being provided on the frame member 6 can be corrected.

[0060] In particular, the extent or size of an inward displacement or offset of the frame member 6 relative to the side sill 2 is increased by the provision of the recessed section 15 on the frame member 6. This impedes the smooth transfer of the load from the frame member 6 to the side sill 2 in a rear-end collision, raising concerns that deformation may occur such that the overlap in the longitudinal direction of the front section of the frame member 6 and the rear section of the side sill 2 becomes large, i.e., that the frame member and the side sill member together form a Z shape in a top view. However, this detrimental effect can be suppressed by the structure of the present embodiment described above.

[0061] The wide section 6A described above is configured such that an outer edge section 6o is positioned gently outside or outwards in the vehicle width direction of the frame member 6 over a surface or area from a point located substantially behind the rear suspension component fixing section 16 to another point located substantially immediately behind the front suspension component fixing section 14, so that the position P corresponding to the recessed section is located substantially at the outermost position (see Fig. 2).

[0062] In contrast, a side 6i of an inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the frame member 6 is positioned essentially linearly along the vehicle longitudinal direction over an area or surface from a rear end of the frame member 6 to its connecting section with the rear cross member lower part 12 or lower part of the rear cross member, without being positioned essentially inwards in the vehicle width direction at the wide section 6A, which includes the position P corresponding to the recessed section (see Fig. 2).

[0063] That is, the wide section 6A is configured such that only section 60 of the outer edge of the frame member 6 projects substantially towards the inner wheel arch part 7a at position P corresponding to the recessed section. Here, the recessed section 15 has a substantially elliptical (oval) shape, which has a principal axis that coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in a ground view, and a center 65aa (see Fig. 5) of the recessed section 15 is essentially positioned on a central section in the vehicle width direction of the wide section 6A (the position P corresponding to the recessed section) of the frame member 6.

[0064] This causes it to move, as is described in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in the load paths L1, L2 of the load of a rear-end collision, which essentially pass through the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section in the vehicle rear-end collision, the load path L2, which essentially passes through the outward-facing, essentially closed cross-section 6sb, moves forward, essentially outward around the recessed section 15 at the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section, while the load path L1, which essentially passes through the inward-facing, closed cross-section 6sa, moves linearly forward along the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6 (the vehicle longitudinal direction), without essentially passing inward around the recessed section 15.

[0065] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a ridge or edge line 17, which extends continuously or throughout essentially in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6 (the vehicle longitudinal direction), formed on a section of a section of a lower surface of the frame member 6, which is positioned essentially in front of the position P corresponding to the recessed section.

[0066] As this is in Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the bead or edge line 17 extends substantially forward from a front lower end of the recessed section 15 (a front end of the opening section 15a of the recessed section 15) to a position which is substantially extending beyond the rear transverse member lower part 12 and is substantially arranged in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6.

[0067] Furthermore, in particular, the edge line 17 extends essentially forward from the front lower end of the recessed section 15 to a position corresponding to an axial center 12x, which extends essentially in the vehicle width direction of the rear transverse member lower part 12 (see Fig. 2).

[0068] Furthermore, as is shown in Fig. 2 shows a front section of the edge line 17 (a section which is positioned substantially in front of a position corresponding to a front end of the wide section 6A) substantially along an outer edge or margin in the vehicle width direction of the front suspension component fixing section 14 such that its front side is positioned substantially on the outer side in the vehicle width direction along the inclined shape or form of the front section (the inclined section 6F) of the frame member 6, and its front end connects with the section 6o of the outer edge of the frame member at a position immediately in front of the side sill inner part 2a.

[0069] As this is in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a recessed section 18, which is substantially recessed or set off inwards and upwards, is formed at a corner section of an outward-facing lower section of a section of the frame member 6, which is positioned substantially in front of the position P corresponding to the recessed section by providing or making available the edge line 17 on the lower surface of the frame member 6. This recessed section 18 can form a recess- or depression-shaped space 18s, which is opened substantially downwards and outwards at a position that is arranged substantially on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and below the edge line 17 of the frame member 6.

[0070] In other words, as this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, by providing the edge line 17 on the lower surface of the frame member 6, the cross-section of the lower section of the frame member 6 is configured in a step shape or form relative to the edge line 17 such that its inward section projects substantially downwards relative to its outward section (the recessed section 18), and a step surface 18a, which extends substantially in the substantially vertical direction, is formed along the edge line 17 at a position corresponding to the edge line 17 in the vehicle width direction.

[0071] This is how this is described in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, a pipe insertion section 19a is provided on a section 19 of a downwardly directed elevation or a downwardly directed elevation section, which is a section of the lower surface of the frame member 6, which is positioned substantially on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the edge line 17, where the vent pipe 5b, which is provided to extend substantially in the vehicle width direction transversely over the downwardly directed elevation section 19, is inserted.

[0072] Accordingly, while the fuel pipe 5a and the vent pipe 5b, which extend substantially from the fuel tank 5, are designed to extend substantially from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction across the frame member 6, the fuel pipe 5a extends substantially below and across the inclined section 6F of the frame member 6 (see Fig. 2), while the vent pipe 5b extends substantially transversely across the downwardly directed raised section 19 of the frame member 6 in a state in which it is inserted into the pipe insertion section 19a (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 6).

[0073] In this case, while the present embodiment is configured such that only the vent pipe 5b is provided to extend substantially transversely across the downwardly directed raised section 19 in the state in which it is inserted into the pipe insertion section 19a, the present invention is not limited to or restricted to this structure, but a structure in which a pipe insertion section, where the fuel pipe 5a or any other pipe is inserted, is provided on the downwardly directed raised section 19 of the frame member, which is not illustrated, is equally applicable.

[0074] While the vent pipe 5b is configured as described above to be inserted into the pipe insertion section 19a, which is provided on the downwardly directed raised section 19 of the frame member 6, from the inside in the vehicle width direction and to extend substantially outwards in the vehicle width direction, an extension or extension section of the vent pipe 5b can be arranged substantially in the recessed space 18s, which is positioned substantially on the outwardly downward section of the frame member 6.

[0075] That is, by arranging the extension section of the vent pipe 5b, which extends essentially outwards in the vehicle width direction relative to the frame member 6 (the downwardly directed raised section 19) at the recessed space 18s formed by the recessed section 18, the layout performance (arrangement performance) of the extension section can be improved.

[0076] Accordingly, the layout performance (arranging or arrangement performance) of the extension section can be improved, wherein the vent pipe 5b is held on the frame member 6 (the downwardly directed raised section 19) by being inserted into the pipe insertion section 19a, and also by the recessed space 18s prevents the above-described extension section of the vent pipe 5b from colliding with the wheel arch inner part 7a, which is provided on the outer side of and close to the frame member 6.

[0077] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the frame member 6 can be constructed or formed by integrally or in one piece connecting several members or elements 6a, 6b, 6m essentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and in particular the upper part of the frame member 61 can be formed by a middle member 61m and the lower part of the frame member 62 can be formed by a middle member 62m.

[0078] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the position P corresponding to the recessed section in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6 in a state where the middle member 61m of the upper part of the frame member 61 is removed when viewed from an outward and upward-facing side. Fig. Figure 8 is an exploded view of the recessed section 15 of frame member 6.

[0079] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figures 5-8, the frame member 6 is connected at position P corresponding to the recessed section in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the middle member 61m of the upper frame section (see Figure 5-8). Fig. 5 and Fig. 9), which corresponds to the middle link 61m of the frame member upper part 61, the middle link 62m of the frame lower part, which corresponds to the middle link 62m of the frame member lower part 62, a link 65 of an upper plate, which secures the damper D to a concave bottom of the recessed section 15, and an outer sheet 66 constructed (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5), which represents or forms an external or outward-facing side surface.

[0080] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the middle link 62m of the frame lower part is constructed by an inward-facing middle link 63 of the frame lower part and an outward-facing middle link 64 of the frame lower part.

[0081] The inward-facing central member 63 of the frame lower part comprises a section 63a of an inward-facing surface of a recess or indentation, which projects substantially inward in the vehicle width direction to form a side surface of an inward-facing half in the vehicle width direction of the elliptical recessed section 15, and a front-facing flange section 63b (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8), which extends substantially forward from a front edge or front margin of section 63a of the inward surface of the recess, a rear flange section 63c (see the same figures), which extends substantially backward from a rear edge or rear margin of section 63a of the inward surface of the recess, a lower surface section 63d, or section of a lower surface, which extends substantially inward and longitudinally relative to a lower end section of section 63a of the inward surface of the recess to represent or form a lower surface (bottom surface or underside) of the inward closed cross-section 6sa, an inward surface section 63e, orSection of an inward-facing surface, which rises in the form of a substantially vertical wall from an inward-facing or internal end in the vehicle width direction of section 63d of the lower surface, and a connecting flange section 62a, which extends substantially inward from an upper end of section 63e of the inward-facing surface, all of which may be integral or one-piece formed.

[0082] This is, or will be, as described in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the connecting flange section 62a is connected to the outward end section 4b of the rear bottom plate 4 from the side of the lower surface, as described.

[0083] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the inward-facing central member 63 of the frame lower part is configured such that an outward-facing end of section 63d of the lower surface is connected not only to an entire part of the half-elliptical lower end section of section 63a of the inward-facing surface of the recess, but also to respective lower end sections of the front flange section 63b and the rear flange section 63c (in particular, a rear end corresponding to section 63g, which will be described (see Figure 8)). Fig. 8)) is connected.

[0084] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 8 shows a section 63g corresponding to a rear end of the step surface 18a (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 6) of the frame member 6, which is positioned substantially in front of the recessed section 15, is provided or made available on a lower section of a substantially vertically extending front edge of section 63a of the inward-facing surface of the recess. That is, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, section 63g corresponding to the rear end is provided on a lower section of the front flange section 63d, and the front flange section 63b can be formed integrally or in one piece in the substantially vertical direction on a front section of section 63a—the inward-facing surface of the recess—including section 63g corresponding to the rear end. In contrast, the rear flange section 63c is also formed on an entire part in the substantially vertical direction of a rear edge or rear margin of section 63a of the inward-facing surface of the recess.

[0085] As this is in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the outward central member 64 of the frame lower part comprises a section 64a of an outward surface of the recess, which projects substantially outwards in the vehicle width direction to form a side surface of an outward half in the vehicle width direction of the elliptical recessed section 15, and a front flange section 64b (see Figure 8). Fig. 7 and Fig. 8), which extends substantially forward from a front edge of section 64a of the outer surface of the recess, a rear flange section 64c (see the same figures) which extends substantially backward from a rear edge of section 64a of the outer surface of the recess, a lower surface section 64d which extends substantially outward and longitudinally relative to a lower end section of the inward surface section 64a of the recess, in order to form a lower surface (bottom surface) of the outer closed cross-section 6sb, and a connecting or flange section 64e which extends in the form of a substantially vertical wall from an outwardly directed orThe outer end of section 64d of the lower surface protrudes in the vehicle width direction, and all of these can be integral or one-piece.

[0086] This is how this is described in Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the outward central member 64 of the frame lower part is configured such that a substantially vertical length of section 64a of the outward surface of the recess becomes progressively smaller from the rear side to the front or forward-facing side of the vehicle by providing the recess section 18 on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of a front side of the recessed section 15.

[0087] Similar to the inward-facing central member 63 of the frame lower part, an inward-facing end of section 64d of the lower surface of the outward-facing central member 64 of the frame lower part is connected not only to an entire part of the half-elliptical lower end section of section 64a of the outward surface of the recess, but also to respective lower end sections of the front flange section 64b and the rear flange section 64c.

[0088] The connecting flange section 64e of the outer central member 64 of the frame lower part is or is connected to a lower end section of the outer panel or sheet 66, as shown in Fig. 5 is shown.

[0089] As this is in Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the member 65 of the upper plate comprises a damper fixing section 65a in the form of a flat plate, which has the (oval) elliptical shape in the top view, and a connecting flange section 65f, which extends substantially downwards from a circumferential edge of the damper fixing section 65a, with the exception of both longitudinal ends thereof, which may be integral or one-piece formed.

[0090] A damper insertion hole 65b, where the damper D is or can be inserted, is formed on a central section in the top view of the damper fixing section 65a, and bolt insertion holes 65c, 65d are formed at positions of the damper fixing section 65a which are arranged substantially in front of and behind the damper insertion hole 65b (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) The damper D can be fixed and / or secured to the damper fixing section 65a by inserting the damper D into the damper insertion hole 65b from below, inserting bolts into the bolt insertion holes 65c, 65d in a state where a flange-shaped fixing section Da (see Fig. 5), which is provided on the damper side, contacts a lower surface of the damper fixing section 65a, and the bolts are finally fixed or tightened.

[0091] The recessed section 15 described above is constructed by connecting the respective front flange sections 63b, 64b of the inward central member 63 of the frame lower part and the outward central member 64 of the frame lower part, and also by connecting the respective rear flange sections 63c, 64c of the inward central member 63 of the frame lower part and the outward central member 64 of the frame lower part (see Fig. 7) Furthermore, as stated in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the recessed section 15 is represented or constructed by connecting the connecting flange section 65f of the member 65 of the upper plate with the respective upper sections 63h, 64h of the inward-facing middle member 63 of the frame lower part and the outward-facing middle member 64 of the frame lower part from the side of the inner surface of the recessed section 15.

[0092] This is how this is described in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the middle member 61m of the upper frame section is arranged to essentially cover the middle member 62m of the lower frame section and the member 65 of the upper plate, which may be integrally or integrally joined as described above, and it is, as shown in Fig. 5 shown, in particular the middle member 61m of the frame upper part is connected to the upper surface of the damper fixing section 65a at a part of the middle member 61m of the frame upper part, which corresponds to the damper fixing section 65a in the top view.

[0093] Furthermore, on respective parts of the middle member 61m of the frame upper part, which correspond to the damper insertion hole 65d and the front and rear bolt insertion holes 65c, 65d of the damper fixing section 65a, a damper insertion hole 61ma (see Fig. 5 and Fig. 9), which is connected to or adjoins the damper insertion hole 65b, and a front and rear bolt insertion hole 61mb, 61md is formed, which are connected to or adjoin the front and rear bolt insertion holes 65c, 65d (see Fig. 9).

[0094] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a lower end section 66a of the outer sheet 66 is connected to the connecting flange section 64e of the outer central member 64 of the frame lower part, as described above. Furthermore, the outer sheet 66 is connected to a flange section 66c of the upper end, which extends substantially upwards from a body section 66b, which represents at least one outer surface corresponding to the recessed section at position P of the frame member 6 (see Figure 5). Fig. 5).

[0095] In contrast, as is shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the middle member 61m of the upper frame section is provided with an outward flange section 61mc, which rises or extends in the form of a substantially vertical wall from an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the middle member 61m of the upper frame section.

[0096] As shown in the same figure, the flange section 66c of the upper end of the outer sheet 66, the outer flange section 61mc of the middle member 61m of the upper frame part, the lower end section 7b of the inner wheel arch part 7a, and an upper flange section 37 of a reinforcing member 30, which will be described later, are connected by rivets (not illustrated) or the like in a state where the flange section 66c of the upper end and the outer flange section 61mc are interposed between the lower end section 7b of the inner wheel arch part 7a and the upper flange section 37.

[0097] Accordingly, as is stated in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the inward closed cross-section 6sa is primarily represented or formed by the inward central member 63 of the frame lower part and the central member 61m of the frame upper part, while the outward closed cross-section 6sb is primarily represented or formed by the outward central member 64 of the frame lower part and the central member 61m of the frame upper part.

[0098] As this is in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the outer sheet metal 66 extends continuously or throughout essentially forward from a section of the frame member 6, which corresponds to the rear suspension component fixing section 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which essentially passes through or runs through the position P corresponding to the recessed section.

[0099] As this is in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the outer sheet metal 66 extends essentially along the inclined or sloping shape of the inclined section 6F to the rear end of the inner side sill part 2a, in order not only to represent or form an outward surface of the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section, but also an outward surface of the section of the frame member 6 which corresponds to the inclined section 6F.

[0100] A front end of the outer sheet metal 66 is connected to a rear end of the side sill inner part 2a.

[0101] In particular, the lower end section 7b of the wheel arch inner part 7a, the front end of the outer sheet metal 66 and the rear end of the side sill inner part 2a are or will be connected in three layers by rivets or the like in a state where the front end of the outer sheet metal 66 is interposed between the lower end section 7b of the wheel arch inner part 7a and the rear end of the side sill inner part 2a (not illustrated).

[0102] Furthermore, as this is shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, an edge or rib line 67, which projects substantially outwards in the vehicle width direction, is formed on the outer sheet metal 66. This edge line 67 extends continuously, substantially in a longitudinal direction of the outer sheet metal 66 (in the vehicle longitudinal direction), over an area or surface from the position P corresponding to the recessed section to its connecting section with the side sill 2, thereby increasing the thickness or strength of the outer sheet metal 66, which extends substantially along the inclined shape of the inclined section 6F.

[0103] In the present embodiment, as is shown in Fig. As shown in Figures 1, 4 - 6, 9 and 10, the reinforcing member 30 is provided on an upper section of the frame member 6, in order in particular to reinforce the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section.

[0104] The reinforcing member 30 comprises a section 31 of a connecting or linking member (see Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. 9), which connects the front side strut 8 and the upper part 11 of the rear cross member at a position in the longitudinal direction of the frame member 6, which is located essentially in front of the position P corresponding to the recessed section, and a body section 33 of the reinforcing member, which is located essentially behind the section 31 of the connecting member, which are formed integrally or in one piece, in particular by aluminum die casting.

[0105] As this is in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, section 31 of the connecting member extends substantially in the vehicle width direction above and transversely over the frame member 6, and an outer end thereof in the vehicle width direction is connected to a lower end of the front side strut 8, and an inner end thereof in the vehicle width direction is connected from above to an outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper part 11 of the rear cross member. Accordingly, the front side strut 8 and the upper part 11 of the rear cross member extend substantially continuously over section 31 of the connecting member (see Figure 9). Fig. 1 and Fig. 4).

[0106] Section 31 of the connecting member is or will be connected to the frame member 6 and the inner wheel arch part 7a in such a way that a closed cross-section 31s (see Fig. 10) is formed at a corner section of an inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall section 72 of the wheel arch inner part 7a and an upper surface of the frame member 6.

[0107] As this is in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the body or body section 33 of the reinforcing member is long enough in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to pass substantially through the position P of the frame member 6 corresponding to the recessed section, and it can, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figures 4-6, this body section 33 is integrally or in one piece formed by an upper wall section 34, an inner wall section 35 and a rear wall section 36 (see Figures 4-6). Fig. 4) and others will be trained.

[0108] As this is in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the body section 33 of the reinforcing member or the reinforcing member body section 33 is connected to the frame member 6 and the inner wheel arch part 7a in such a way that a closed cross-section 33s, which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is formed at least at the corner section of the frame member 6 and the inner wheel arch part 7a.

[0109] As described above, the rear vehicle body structure V of the present embodiment comprises the frame member 6, which is provided on the rear section of the vehicle body and has the closed cross-section 6s, which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), the side sill 2, which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the position which is substantially offset outwards in the width direction of the vehicle from the frame member 6 to which the front section of the frame member 6 is connected, the recessed or offset section 15 which is formed on the frame member 6, wherein the recessed section 15 is configured such that the lower surface of the frame member 6 is substantially recessed or offset upwards, and the damper D (see Fig. 5) the rear suspension is inserted into and / or fixed to the recessed section 15 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), and an inward and outward closed cross-section 6sa, 6sb, which are formed inside the frame member 6 at the longitudinal position P according to the recessed section 15, wherein the inward and outward closed cross-section 6sa, 6sb are configured or constructed to branch off from the closed cross-section 6s of the frame member 6 substantially inward and outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the damper D (see Fig. 5), wherein the frame member 6 is configured such that the section of the frame member 6 which is substantially located at the position P described above, corresponding to the recessed section, is wide or extends far outwards in the vehicle width direction (towards the side sill 2) (see Fig. 1 - 5 and 7).

[0110] According to this structure, even if the side sill 2 is substantially arranged in the position which is substantially offset outwards in the vehicle width direction from the frame member 6, since the recessed or offset section 15 is provided on the frame member 6, the axial center 6x (see Fig. 2) of the frame member 6 is positioned substantially outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width, i.e., it can be moved towards the side sill 2 by configuring the frame member 6 such that the section of the frame member 6 which is substantially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section is broadly outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width. This allows the load of the rear collision to be efficiently and effectively transferred forwards onto the side sill 2 from the frame member 6 in the rear collision.

[0111] In the embodiment of the present invention, the recessed section 15 is formed at the center in the vehicle width direction of the wide section (6A) of the frame member 6, which is arranged essentially at the position P corresponding to the recessed section (see Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5).

[0112] The branch-shaped closed cross-sections 6sa, 6sb can be configured or constructed to have an approximately equal and adequate width on the inward and outward sides in the vehicle width direction (see Fig. 5) by providing or making available the recessed section 15 at the center in the vehicle width direction of the section, which is substantially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, as described above.

[0113] In particular, by configuring the section of the frame member 6, which is essentially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, to be far or wide outwards in the direction of the vehicle width, the axial center 6x (see Fig. 2) of the frame member 6 is moved in the direction of the side sill 2 as described above, so that the transmission capacity of the load of the rear collision, which is transferred from the frame member 6 to the side sill 2, can be increased or enhanced.

[0114] This is because the section of frame member 6, which is essentially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, is not configured to be wide inwards in the vehicle width direction (see Fig. 2) if the load of the rear collision passes substantially through the inward-facing closed cross-section 6sa at the section which is substantially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, this load is transferred just efficiently or effectively forwards without running inwards (see the load path L1 in Fig. 2).

[0115] Accordingly, in the frame member 6, which is provided with the recessed section 15 as the damper support section, the damper support stiffness or rigidity and the transmission performance of the load which is transferred from the frame member 6 to the side sill 2 in the event of a rear collision can be achieved or maintained accordingly.

[0116] In the embodiment of the present invention, the frame member 6 is provided with the outer sheet or panel 66, which represents or forms the outwardly directed surface in the vehicle width direction of the outwardly closed cross-section 6sb (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 5), the outer sheet or plate 66 extends forward substantially continuously from the position P corresponding to the recessed section in order to represent the outwardly directed or external surface in the vehicle width direction of the closed cross-section 6s of the frame member 6, which is located substantially in front of the position P corresponding to the recessed section (see Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6), and the front end of the outer sheet metal 66 is or will be connected to the side sill 2 (see Fig. 3).

[0117] According to this structure, since the frame member 6 is provided with the outer sheet 66, which extends substantially continuously from the position P corresponding to the recessed section to its connecting section with the side sill 2, as described above, even in a case where the section of the frame member 6, which is positioned substantially between its connecting section with the side sill 2 and the position P corresponding to the recessed section, is configured to have a narrower width than the position P corresponding to the recessed section, as is the case in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, in the event of a rear-end collision, the load of the rear-end collision is efficiently or effectively transferred along the outer sheet metal 66 from the position P corresponding to the recessed section to the connecting section with the side sill 2, without being or becoming concentrated on the narrow section described above.

[0118] In particular, since the section of frame member 6, which is substantially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, is wide outwards in the direction of the vehicle width (towards the side sill 2), if the load of the rear collision passes substantially through the outward closed cross-section 6sb on the section which is substantially located at position P corresponding to the recessed section, this load can be efficiently transferred forwards along the outer sheet 66, even if this represents the load path which is substantially outwards and not substantially inwards (see load path L2 in Fig. 2).

[0119] In the embodiment of the present invention, the rib or edge line 67, which extends essentially continuously over an area from the position P corresponding to the recessed section to the connecting section of the outer sheet 66 with the side sill 2, is formed on the outer sheet 66 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 6).

[0120] According to this structure, by forming the rib or edge line 67 on the outer sheet 66, even if the section of the frame member 6 between the position P corresponding to the recessed section and the connecting section with the side sill 2 is narrower than the position P corresponding to the recessed section, the strength or strength of the narrow section can be adequately ensured, so that in the event of a rear-end collision the load of the rear-end collision can be efficiently or effectively transferred forward to the side sill 2 along the edge line 67, which is formed on the outer sheet 66 of the frame member 6.

[0121] In the embodiment of the present invention, the front suspension component fixing section 14, where the suspension component (not illustrated) of the rear suspension is fixed, is provided between the connecting section of the frame member 6 with the side sill 2 and the position P corresponding to the recessed section (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3).

[0122] In this arrangement, the front suspension component fixing section 14 is generally configured to exhibit greater rigidity than any other part of the frame member 6 for the proper fixing of the suspension component (such as the trailing arm or trailing link, or the suspension crossmember, not illustrated). Therefore, according to this structure, by providing the suspension component fixing section 14 between the connecting section of the frame member 6 to the side sill 2 and the position P corresponding to the recessed section, the strength of the narrower section described above can be properly ensured.

[0123] Accordingly, even if the section of frame member 6 between the connecting section with the side sill 2 and the position P corresponding to the recessed section is relatively narrow, the load of the rear collision can be efficiently transferred forward to the side sill 2 without being concentrated on this narrow section.

[0124] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but is applicable in various ways. For example, another embodiment, as indicated by a dashed line in Fig. Figure 5 shows an inward-facing reinforcing plate 63i to reinforce the inward-facing central member 63 of the frame lower section, provided in the inward-facing closed cross-section 6sa. Similarly, an outward-facing reinforcing plate 64i to reinforce the outward-facing central member 64 of the frame lower section can be provided in the outward-facing closed cross-section 6sb.

[0125] In this, according to the embodiments described above, the recessed section 15 is formed by various links or elements of the middle link 62m (63, 64) of the bottom part, which corresponds to the side surface section thereof, and of the link 65 of the upper plate, which corresponds to the damper support section 15 (see Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig.8) so that these members 62m, 65 can be configured to have different plate thicknesses, each corresponding to the required damper support strength. In particular, in the embodiments described above, since the damper support section 15 can be configured to have a thinner plate thickness than the side surface section by providing the reinforcing members 30, 30A on the upper section of the frame member 6, the overall weight of the recessed section 15 can be reasonably light, even when the inward reinforcing plate 63i and the outward reinforcing plate 64i are provided as described above.

Claims

[1] Rear vehicle body structure (V), comprising: a frame member (6) which is provided on a rear section of a vehicle body and has a closed cross-section (6s) which extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a side sill (2) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at a position which is laterally offset outwards from the frame member (6) and to which a front section of the frame member (6) is connected; a recessed section (15) formed on the frame member (6), wherein the recessed section (15) is configured such that a lower surface of the frame member (6) is recessed upwards, and a damper (D) of a rear suspension is inserted or can be inserted into and / or fixed or fixable to the recessed section (15); and an inward closed cross-section (6sa) and an outward closed cross-section (6sb) which are formed inside the frame member (6) at a longitudinal position corresponding to a longitudinal position of the recessed section (15), wherein the inward and outward closed cross-sections (6sa, 6sb) are configured to branch off inward and outward from the closed cross-section (6s) of the frame member (6) in the vehicle width direction relative to the damper (D), wherein the frame member (6) comprises a wide section (6A) which is substantially arranged at a longitudinal position corresponding to the longitudinal position of the recessed section (15), wherein the frame member (6) has a member (65) of an upper plate with a damper fixing section (65a), wherein the frame member (6) has a front part with a slanted or inclined section (6F) configured to extend obliquely forward and outward, and a front end of the slanted section (6F) is connected to a rear section of the side sill (2), and wherein the frame member (6) is provided with an outer sheet (66) which forms an outwardly directed surface of the outward closed cross-section (6sb) in the vehicle width direction, the outer sheet (66) extends continuously forward from the position corresponding to the recessed section (15) in order to form an outwardly directed surface of the closed cross-section (6s) of the frame member (6) in the vehicle width direction, which is arranged in front of the position corresponding to the recessed section (15), and a front end of the outer sheet (66) is connected to the side sill (2). [2] Rear vehicle body structure (V) according to claim 1, wherein the wide section (6A) is configured such that part of the frame member (6) is wide outwards in the vehicle width direction. [3] Rear vehicle body structure (V) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the recessed section (15) is formed at a center, in the vehicle width direction, of the wide section (6A) of the frame member (6) which is arranged at the position (P) corresponding to the recessed section (15). [4] Rear vehicle body structure (V) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an edge line (67) extending continuously over a region from the position corresponding to the recessed section (15) to a connecting section of the outer sheet (66) with the side sill (2) is formed on the outer sheet (66). [5] Rear vehicle body structure (V) according to claim 4, wherein the edge line (67) is formed on the outer sheet (66), wherein the section of the frame member (6) between the position corresponding to the recessed section (15) and the connecting section of the frame member (6) with the side sill (2) is narrower than the section of the frame member (6) at the position corresponding to the recessed section (15). [6] Rear vehicle body structure (V) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a suspension component fixing section (14), where a suspension component of the rear suspension is fixed, is provided between a connecting section of the frame member (6) with the side sill (2) and the position corresponding to the recessed section (15).

Images