BODY COMPONENT

Abstract

A body component (1A to 1H) for a vehicle is provided. The body component for a vehicle comprises an annular section (10) which includes a hollow section (11A to 11H) and is annular in cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the body component. The hollow section is positioned such that a neutral axis (N) of an expected bending direction of the body component passes through the hollow section in the cross-section. The annular section includes through sections (12A, 12B) through which the neutral axis passes and which are positioned to point towards each other across the hollow section, and spacer sections (13A, 13B, 13C) which are spaced from the neutral axis and positioned to point towards each other across the hollow section.Each of the spacing sections includes a thickened section (13A, 13B, 13C) that is thicker than the through sections.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a body component for a vehicle.

[0002] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-030676 discloses a body component formed by aluminum extrusion and having a columnar shape with a hollow portion in its cross section. The body component is formed such that one side of the body component is thicker than the other side in cross section with respect to a neutral axis. SUMMARY

[0003] In recent years, weight reduction and improved safety in vehicles have become increasingly necessary. In particular, in the event of a small-overlap vehicle crash, a large bending moment acts on a vehicle frame, and thus, a vehicle body component requires a structure that can withstand this bending moment.

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure is to allow weight reduction in a body component for a vehicle while ensuring that the body component has sufficient strength to withstand the bending moment.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a body component for a vehicle. The body component includes an annular portion including a hollow portion and having a circular ring shape. The hollow portion is formed in a cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the body component. The hollow portion is defined such that a neutral axis of an expected bending direction of the body component passes through the hollow portion in the cross-section. The annular portion includes through portions through which the neutral axis passes and which are positioned to face each other across the hollow portion; and spacing portions spaced from the neutral axis and positioned to face each other across the hollow portion. Each of the spacing portions includes a thickened portion that is thicker than the through portions.

[0006] According to such a configuration, the thickened portions are located in a part of the body component where a generated stress opposing the expected bending direction is more pronounced, and portions of the body component near the neutral axis, where stress is less likely to be applied, are formed relatively thin. This enables the body component to withstand the stress and be lightweight.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the annular portion may be formed seamlessly and integrally in the cross section.

[0008] According to such a configuration, the annular portion has a seamless structure, which can ensure that the body component can withstand a strong impact more easily than in a case where the annular portion has a structure with seams. The seamless cross-sectional structure can be formed, for example, by aluminum extrusion.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component may further comprise at least one fixing portion configured for fixing to a member of the vehicle other than the body component. The at least one fixing portion may be seamlessly integrated with the annular portion.

[0010] According to such a configuration, the annular portion is integrated with the at least one fixing portion, and thus it is possible to further reduce the number of parts of the body component than in a case where the annular portion and the at least one fixing portion are formed separately from each other.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component may be arranged to form at least a part of an A-pillar and a roof rail of the vehicle, such that the longitudinal direction of the body component extends along a front-rear direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the body component may be seamlessly and integrally formed to have an identical cross-sectional shape at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] According to such a configuration, the body component forms at least a part of the A-pillar and the roof side member seamlessly and integrally, and thus it is possible to improve the rigidity of the body of the vehicle.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component may be made of a material that includes aluminum as a major component.

[0014] According to such a configuration, it is possible to ensure that the body component is lightweight and easy to manufacture by aluminum extrusion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating an exemplary placement of a body component in a vehicle according to an embodiment; Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the body component along line IIA-IIA; Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the body component along line IIB-IIB; Fig. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a first modified example; Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a second modified example; Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a third modified example; Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a fourth modified example; Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a fifth modified example; Fig. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a sixth modified example; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a body component in a seventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration]

[0016] A body component 1A of an embodiment of the present disclosure is one of components for a vehicle 100. The body component 1A is a part of a lateral surface structure of the vehicle 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the body component 1A is an elongated member arranged to form at least part of a roof rail 105. The roof rail 105 is a structure arranged to couple upper portions of an A-pillar 101, a B-pillar 102, and a C-pillar 103.

[0017] In the configuration of the present embodiment, the roof rail 105 and the A-pillar 101 are integrated, and thus, a boundary between the roof rail 105 and the A-pillar 101 is unclear. In a case where the roof rail 105 and the A-pillar 101 need to be demarcated from each other, they are defined as follows: the roof rail 105 is a structure that forms a frame structure above side window glass adjacent to a driver's seat, a passenger's seat, a rear seat, and the like at the rear side of the vehicle 100 with respect to an upper edge of a windshield 42 (see Fig. 2A); and the A-pillar 101 is a structure constituting a frame structure extending along a side edge of the windshield 42 and a front edge of the side window glass adjacent to the driver's seat or the passenger's seat.

[0018] The A-pillar 101 is located in front of a front door opening 111, and the B-pillar 102 is located in front of a rear door opening 112 and behind the front door opening 111. The front door opening 111 is located where a front door is to be located, and the rear door opening 112 is located where a rear door is to be located. The C-pillar 103 is located behind the rear door opening 112.

[0019] The body component 1A extends in its longitudinal direction L and is arranged such that the longitudinal direction L corresponds to a front-rear direction of the vehicle 100.

[0020] The body component 1A is arranged to bridge an upper portion of the front door opening 111 and an upper portion of the rear door opening 112. For example, a front end of the body component 1A may extend forward over a front edge of the front door opening 111 (a vertical line F in Fig. 1). The front end of the body component 1A may be coupled to a member of the vehicle 100 other than the body component 1A, which forms the A-pillar 101.

[0021] Furthermore, for example, a rear end of the body component 1A may extend rearwardly beyond a rear end of a coupling portion of the body component 1A and the B-pillar 102 (a vertical line R in Fig. 1). The rear end of the body component 1A may be coupled to a member forming the C-pillar 103.

[0022] The body component 1A is made of a material containing aluminum as a main component. Any aluminum alloy can be used as the material of the body component 1A. For example, the 1000 group aluminum alloys, which are essentially pure aluminum, or the 3000 group aluminum alloys, which are Al-Mn alloys, can be used.

[0023] The body component 1A is manufactured by aluminum extrusion. The body component 1A manufactured by aluminum extrusion has an identical shape at any location in the longitudinal direction L in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L (hereinafter referred to simply as the "cross section"). The body component 1A is seamless and integrally formed along its length in the longitudinal direction L. The body component 1A can be formed by other processing methods, such as cutting.

[0024] Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the body component 1A along the line IIA-IIA in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the body component 1A along the line IIB-IIB in Fig. 1. As in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the body component 1A comprises an annular portion 10. The body component 1A may comprise at least one fixing portion (for example, a first fixing portion 14 or a second fixing portion 15).

[0025] The circular section 10 comprises passage sections 12A and 12B and spacing sections 13A, 13B and 13C. In the cross sections of the body component 1A as shown in Fig. 2A or Fig. 2B, an expected bending direction of the body component 1A is substantially a vertical direction. That is, when a front portion of the vehicle 100 collides with an object, a bending moment acts on the body component 1A such that a front portion of the body component 1A is displaced in a vertical direction (e.g., downward), with a rear portion of the body component 1A as a support point.

[0026] A neutral axis N in this situation can be represented by a straight line extending substantially in a horizontal direction. The neutral axis N can be obtained by simulating stress distribution and the like using a bending direction and a shape of the body component 1A.

[0027] A hollow portion 11A is formed in the annular portion 10. The hollow portion 11A is a space surrounded by a material forming the annular portion 10 and is a portion formed in a hollow shape (cavity shape). This means that the annular portion 10 forms a closed hollow cross-section. The body component 1A is configured so that the neutral axis N passes through the hollow portion 11A. The through portions 12A and 12B are portions of the annular portion 10 through which the neutral axis N passes and are positioned to face each other across the hollow portion 11A. Fig. 2A and the like, the through portion 12A is adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and is positioned to the left of the hollow portion 11A, and the through portion 12B is adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and is positioned to the right of the hollow portion 11A.

[0028] The spacing portions 13A, 13B and 13C are portions of the annular portion 10 that are spaced comparatively further from the neutral axis N than the through portions 12A and 12B and that are positioned such that the spacing portion 13A points across the hollow portion 11A to the spacing portions 13B and 13C.

[0029] In Fig. 2A and the like, the spacer portion 13A is adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and is positioned above the hollow portion 11A, and the spacer portions 13B and 13C are adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and are positioned below the hollow portion 11A.

[0030] The spacing portion 13B is a portion of the annular portion 10 positioned below the hollow portion 11A and is positioned on an inner side of the vehicle 100, and the spacing portion 13C is a portion of the annular portion 10 adjacent to an outer side of the spacing portion 13B. Here, Fig. 2A and the like, a position closer to a center of the vehicle 100 in a width direction of the vehicle 100 (ie, the left side in Fig. 2A and the like) is simply referred to as “inside”, and a position closer to a lateral surface of the vehicle 100 in a width direction of the vehicle 100 (ie, the right side in Fig. 2A and the like) are simply referred to as “outside”.

[0031] The thicknesses of the spacer portions 13A and 13B are greater than those of the through portions 12A and 12B. This means that each of the spacer portions 13A and 13B includes a thickened portion according to the present disclosure. The "thickness" mentioned here refers to a distance between one end surface of a portion of a member adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and the other end surface of the portion of the member opposite to the hollow portion 11A. The "thickness" may be, for example, an average thickness or a maximum thickness of the portion of the member. The thickness of the spacer portion 13C is set to be substantially the same as those of the through portions 12A and 12B. The thickness of the spacer portion 13C may be set to be greater than those of the through portions 12A and 12B.

[0032] In a portion of the body component 1A where a distance from the neutral axis N is relatively small, a stress generated against the bending moment is small. Thus, in the body component 1A, the hollow portion 11A is formed along the neutral axis N, and the thicknesses of the through portions 12A and 12B through which the neutral axis N passes are set to be relatively small. Furthermore, the length of the hollow portion 11A in a direction along the neutral axis N is set to be longer than the length of the hollow portion 11A in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis N in the cross section.

[0033] On the other hand, in a portion of the body component 1A where a distance from the neutral axis N is relatively large, a stress generated against the bending moment and a structural load applied thereto are large. Thus, in the body component 1A, the thicknesses of the spacer portions 13A and 13B spaced from the neutral axis N are set relatively large so that the spacer portions 13A and 13B can withstand the stress. This means that each of the spacer portions 13A and 13B includes the thickened portion of the present disclosure.

[0034] The circular ring-shaped portion 10 is seamless and integrally formed in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the body component 1A. The outer side of the body component 1A is covered by an outer member 30. The outer member 30 is also referred to as a “lateral outer member.” The outer member 30 is arranged to cover the body component 1A to thereby protect the body component 1A from wind, rain, ultraviolet light, and the like. Both the A-pillar 101 in the Fig. 2A and the roof longitudinal member 105 in the section shown in Fig. The section illustrated in Figure 2B includes only two members, which are the body component 1A and the outer member 30. This means that the body component 1A is configured to allow a reduction in the number of parts of the members constituting the A-pillar 101 and the roof side member 105.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the body component 1A includes the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15. The body component 1A may include either the first fixing portion 14 or the second fixing portion 15.

[0036] The first fixing portion 14 is a strip-shaped portion extending inwardly and in the longitudinal direction L from the spacing portion 13A positioned above the hollow portion 11A. The first fixing portion 14 is configured such that an upper portion of the first fixing portion 14 is coupled and fixed to the windshield 42 and a roof member 40 via the outer member 30. The roof member 40 is part of a roof of the vehicle 100 at the rear side relative to the windshield 42.

[0037] The second fixing portion 15 is a strip-shaped portion extending downwardly and in the longitudinal direction L from the spacing portion 13B positioned under the hollow portion 11A. As shown in Fig. As shown in FIG. 2B, the second fixing portion 15 is configured such that an inner portion of the second fixing portion 15 is coupled and fixed to a member forming the B-pillar 102. The manner of coupling between the first fixing portion 14 and the roof member 40 and the second fixing portion 15 and the member forming the B-pillar 102 is freely selectable. For example, the coupling of all these portions and members can be achieved by spot welding, adhesives, rivets, screws, and the like. [1-2. Effects]

[0038] According to the embodiment explained in detail above, the following effects can be achieved.

[0039] (1a) One embodiment of the present disclosure is the body component 1A for the vehicle 100. The body component 1A includes the annular portion 10 including the hollow portion 11A. The hollow portion 11A is formed in the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L of the body component 1A. The body component 1A is configured such that the neutral axis N of the expected bending direction of the body component 1A passes through the hollow portion 11A in the cross section 1A.

[0040] The through sections 12A and 12B are sections of the annular section 10 through which the neutral axis N passes and which are positioned to face each other across the hollow section 11A. The spacing sections 13A, 13B, and 13C are sections of the annular section 10 that are spaced from the neutral axis N and positioned so that the spacing section 13A faces the spacing sections 13B and 13C across the hollow section 11A. Among the spacing sections 13A, 13B, and 13C, the spacing sections 13A and 13B each have the thickened portion that is thicker than the through sections 12A and 12B.

[0041] According to such a configuration, the body component 1A includes the thickened portion in a section where a generated stress opposing the expected bending direction acts more strongly, and is formed relatively thin in a section near the neutral axis N where the stress is less likely to be applied. This enables the body component 1A to withstand the stress and be lightweight.

[0042] (1b) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the annular portion 10 is formed seamlessly and integrally in the cross section.

[0043] According to such a configuration, the annular portion 10 has a seamless structure, which can make the body component 1A more easily withstand a strong impact than in a case where the annular portion 10 has a structure with seams. Furthermore, according to such a configuration, the annular portion 10 comprises a single member, and thus, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the body component 1A more than in a case where the annular portion 10 comprises two or more members.

[0044] (1c) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component 1A further includes at least one fixing portion (the first fixing portion 14 or the second fixing portion 15) configured to be fixed to a member of the vehicle 100 other than the body component 1A. The first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15 are seamlessly integrated with the annular portion 10.

[0045] According to such a configuration, the annular portion 10 is integrated with the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15, and thus it is possible to further reduce the number of parts of the body component 1A than in a case where the annular portion 10 is formed as a body separate from the first fixing portion 14 and the second fixing portion 15.

[0046] (1d) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component 1A is arranged such that the body component 1A forms at least a part of the A-pillar 101 and the roof rail 105, and the longitudinal direction L of the body component 1A extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. Furthermore, the body component 1A is seamlessly and integrally formed to have an identical cross-sectional shape at any position in the longitudinal direction L.

[0047] According to such a configuration, the body component 1A forms at least a part of the A-pillar 101 and the roof side member 105 seamlessly and integrally, and thus it is possible to improve the rigidity of the body of the vehicle 100.

[0048] (1e) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component 1A is made of the material containing aluminum as a main component.

[0049] According to such a configuration, it is possible to ensure that the body component is lightweight and easy to manufacture by aluminum extrusion. [2. Further embodiments]

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment and can be variously practiced.

[0051] (2a) In the body component 1A of the aforementioned embodiment, the shape of the hollow portion 11A is quadrangular in cross section. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as in a body component 1B shown in Fig. 3A, a hollow portion 11B may be formed. A shape of the hollow portion 11B in cross section is quadrangular and includes a corner portion with a curve R.

[0052] Furthermore, for example, as in the case of a body component 1C as shown in Fig. 3B, two or more hollow sections 11C may be formed. The two or more hollow sections 11C may be formed by dividing a central part of the hollow section 11A of Fig. 2A may be formed with a partition 16C. The partition 16C may extend in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis N, an upper end of the partition 16C may be coupled to the spacing portion 13A, and a lower end of the partition 16C may be coupled to the spacing portion 13B. The partition 16C may be integrated with the annular portion 10.

[0053] Furthermore, for example, in the case of a body component 1D as shown in Fig. 4A, three hollow sections 11D may be formed. The three hollow sections 11D may be arranged such that they are separated from each other by two partitions 16D. The two partitions 16D may extend in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis N and may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0054] Furthermore, for example, in a body component 1E as shown in Fig. 4B, three hollow sections 11E may be formed. The three hollow sections 11E may be arranged such that they are separated from each other by two partitions 16E. The two partitions 16E are arranged in a V-shape, with a distance between the two partitions 16E increasing toward the spacing section 13A.

[0055] Furthermore, for example, in a body component 1F as shown in Fig. 5A, three hollow sections 11F may be formed. The three hollow sections 11F may be arranged to be separated from each other by two partitions 16F. The two partitions 16F are arranged in an inverted V shape, with a distance between the two partitions 16F increasing with increasing distance from the spacing section 13A.

[0056] Furthermore, for example, in the case of a body component 1G as shown in Fig. 5B four or more hollow sections 11G may be formed. In the example of Fig. 5B, five hollow sections 11G are arranged so as to be separated from each other by four partitions 16G. The total length of the hollow sections 11B to 11G in a direction along the neutral axis N may be set longer than the length of the hollow sections 11B to 11G in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis N in the cross section.

[0057] Furthermore, for example, in the case of a body component 1H as shown in Fig. 6, a hollow portion 11H having an oval or elliptical shape in cross-section may be formed. In this case, it is preferred that a major axis of the oval or elliptical shape coincide with the neutral axis N.

[0058] (2b) Two or more functions performed by one element in the aforementioned embodiments can be achieved with two or more elements. One function performed by one element can be achieved with two or more elements. Two or more functions performed by two or more elements can be achieved with one element. One function performed by two or more elements can be achieved with one element. Part of the configuration in the aforementioned embodiments may be omitted. At least part of the configurations in the aforementioned embodiments may be added or replaced with another part of the configuration in the aforementioned embodiments.It is noted that any and all implementations that fall within the technical principles identified by the phrases used in the present disclosure are embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0059] (2c) In addition to the body components 1A to 1H described above, the present disclosure can be achieved in various embodiments, such as a system or the vehicle 100 including the body components 1A to 1H. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2017-030676

[0002]

Claims

[1] Body component (1A to 1H) for a vehicle, the body component comprising: an annular portion (10) comprising a hollow portion (11A to 11H) and is circular in cross-section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the body component, wherein the hollow portion is defined such that a neutral axis (N) of an expected bending direction of the body component passes through the hollow portion in the cross-section, and wherein the annular portion comprises: passage portions (12A, 12B) through which the neutral axis passes and which are positioned to face each other across the hollow portion; and Spacing sections (13A, 13B, 13C) spaced from the neutral axis and positioned so that they face each other across the hollow portion, each of the spacing portions comprising a thickened portion (13A, 13B, 13C) which is thicker than the through portions. [2] A body component according to claim 1, wherein the annular portion is formed seamlessly and integrally in the cross section. [3] A body component according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: at least one fixing section (14, 15) configured to be fixed to a member of the vehicle other than the body component, wherein the at least one fixing section is seamlessly integrated with the annular section. [4] Body component according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body component is arranged to form at least part of an A-pillar and a roof rail of a vehicle such that the longitudinal direction runs along a front-rear direction of a vehicle, and wherein the body component is seamlessly and integrally formed so that it has an identical shape in cross-section at any position in the longitudinal direction. [5] A body component according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body component is made of a material containing aluminum as a main component. [6] A body component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an outer side of the body component is covered by an outer member (30). [7] A body component according to claim 6, further comprising: a first fixing portion (14) configured to be coupled and fixed to a windshield and a roof member via the outer member in an upper portion of the body component. [8] A body component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: a second fixing portion (15) configured to be coupled and fixed to a B-pillar forming member of a vehicle on an inner side of the body component. [9] A body component according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: at least one partition (16C, 16D, 16E, 16F, 16G) dividing the hollow section into two or more spaces. [10] Body component according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the hollow portion has an oval or elliptical shape in cross-section, and where a major axis of the oval or elliptical shape coincides with the neutral axis.

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