SIDE STRUCTURE OF A VEHICLE BODY
The side structure for vehicle bodies addresses the need for adaptable designs by sharing components across vehicle types, reducing mold costs and improving assembly efficiency and appearance quality.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102024136456
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-02-22
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-28
AI Technical Summary
The automotive industry requires a side structure for vehicle bodies that can accommodate different vehicle types, such as calling and delivery vehicles, while minimizing mold investment costs and improving assembly productivity and appearance quality.
A side structure for vehicle bodies that includes a quarter rear assembly, a side outer assembly, and a quarter window opening bracket, allowing for the sharing of shapes and parts across different vehicle types, with components joined by welding and sealants, and featuring reinforcing portions for enhanced strength and appearance.
This solution reduces mold investment costs, enhances assembly productivity, and improves the quality of appearance for both calling and delivery vehicles by enabling common use of molds and parts.
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Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a side structure of a vehicle body. BACKGROUND
[0002] Recently, the automotive industry has been introducing a new concept for the future of mobility to realize a human-centered, dynamic city of the future. One of these future mobility solutions is the purpose-built vehicle (PBV) as purpose-built mobility.
[0003] An example of a PBV is an electric vehicle (EV)-based eco-friendly mobility vehicle. These PBVs can provide users with various customized services. A PBV can be configured in various forms depending on the type of customized service.
[0004] For example, the PBV can be used as a call-and-response vehicle with a call system to transport passengers by configuring cabins in the front and rear of the vehicle body. Furthermore, the PBV can be used as a delivery vehicle with a cabin in the front of the vehicle body and a luggage compartment in the rear of the vehicle body.
[0005] In vehicles with a call system, the structure is designed so that the quarter window is mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body. In delivery vehicles, the structure is designed so that the quarter window is not mounted on the rear side of the vehicle body.
[0006] Accordingly, a side structure of a vehicle body that conforms to the specifications of various body types, such as the on-demand vehicle type and the delivery vehicle type, of the PBV vehicle type, and a side structure of a vehicle body that enables combination production according to specifications by common use of molds and parts is required.
[0007] The information contained in this Background section has been provided to understand the background of the present disclosure and may include aspects that are not prior art and are not already publicly known, available, or in use. SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a side structure of a vehicle body that can be adapted to various vehicle types.
[0009] An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a side structure of a vehicle body that can accommodate vehicle bodies with different specifications depending on the vehicle type by enabling the common use of molds and parts.
[0010] A side structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment may include a rear quarter assembly having a quarter window opening flange formed therein, a side outer assembly connected to the rear quarter assembly, and a quarter window opening bracket mounted to the quarter window opening flange and connected to the side outer assembly.
[0011] The side exterior assembly may include a quarter window mounting flange connected to the quarter window opening bracket.
[0012] The quarter window opening bracket may be connected to the quarter window opening flange and the quarter window mounting flange by welding.
[0013] The side exterior assembly may include a skin-type quarter windowless section connected to the quarter window opening bracket.
[0014] The quarter window opening bracket may be connected to the quarter window opening flange by welding and connected to the quarter windowless section by a sealant.
[0015] The quarter window opening bracket may include an outer edge connected to the quarter window opening flange and an inner edge extending laterally outwardly through a stepped portion from the outer edge and connected to the lateral outer assembly.
[0016] The outer edge may be connected to the quarter window opening flange by welding.
[0017] The inner edge may be connected by welding to a quarter window mounting flange formed on the side outer assembly.
[0018] The inner edge may be positioned at a predetermined distance from a quarter-windowless section formed on the side outer assembly and connected to the quarter-windowless section by a sealant.
[0019] The quarter window opening bracket may further include a reinforcing portion connecting at least a portion of the inner edge.
[0020] At least two divided opening portions may be formed in the reinforcing portion of the quarter window opening bracket.
[0021] At least one slot may be formed in the reinforcing section.
[0022] An initial assembly process for assembling the rear quarter assemblies can be performed.
[0023] After the first assembly process, a second assembly process may be performed to connect the quarter window opening bracket to the quarter window opening flange formed in the rear quarter assemblies.
[0024] After the second assembly process, a third assembly process can be performed to connect the quarter window opening bracket and the side exterior assembly.
[0025] In the third assembly process, the quarter window mounting flange formed on the side exterior assembly and the quarter window opening bracket may be connected by welding.
[0026] In the third assembly process, a process may be performed to bond the quarter windowless portion formed in the side exterior assembly and the quarter window opening bracket with a sealant.
[0027] In a side structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since common use of a mold and common use of parts may be possible, investment cost for the mold can be reduced, assembly productivity can be improved, and quality of appearance of the delivery vehicle can be improved.
[0028] Advantages that may be achieved or expected by an embodiment of the present disclosure are disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Various advantages predicted according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed in the detailed description provided later. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Since the drawings are provided as a reference for explaining exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical ideas of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as necessarily being limited to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are exploded perspective views illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a quarter window opening bracket that can be used in a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a side view illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are exploded perspective views illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line BB of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a quarter window opening bracket that can be used in a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0030] It should be understood that the above drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather are simplified representations of various features illustrating some basic principles through exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, certain design features of an embodiment of the present disclosure, including particular dimensions, directions, positions, and shapes, may be determined in part by the particular intended application and usage environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement an embodiment of the present disclosure. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the described exemplary embodiments may be modified in various different ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments and is not necessarily intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, singular forms may also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
[0033] It is understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" as used herein indicate the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.
[0034] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any combination of one or more of the related listed elements.
[0035] In the following detailed description, the names of the components may be divided into "first", "second", etc. to distinguish them when the components are in a similar relationship, and the following description is not necessarily limited to this order based on such adjectives.
[0036] The term "connected" in this specification may refer to a physical relationship between two components that are directly connected or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components.
[0037] As used herein, “vehicle,” “vehicular,” “automotive,” or other similar terms may generally refer to passenger vehicles, sports cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles, including passenger cars, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicle-based PBVs (purpose-built vehicles), hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels other than petroleum fuels derived from fossil resources).
[0038] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0039] Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0040] The side structure of a vehicle body 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to Fig. 1 can be used, for example, in the body of a dedicated mobility vehicle (hereinafter referred to as ‘PBV’).
[0041] The PBV can be used as an electric car-based life-module vehicle that moves autonomously, manned or unmanned, and provides users with various customized services.
[0042] The vehicle body of these PBVs can be configured in different shapes depending on the intended use of the PBV.
[0043] In this specification, the reference direction for describing the following components may be set as the front and rear direction of the vehicle body (e.g., the longitudinal direction or longitudinal direction of the vehicle body), the vehicle width direction (e.g., the left-right direction or the transverse direction), and the vertical direction (e.g., the height direction) with the vehicle body as a reference.
[0044] In this specification, "top end", "top portion", or "top surface" of a component may indicate an end, portion, or surface of a component that is relatively upper in the drawing, and "bottom end", "bottom portion", or "bottom surface" of a component may indicate an end, portion, or surface of a component that is relatively lower in the drawing.
[0045] Furthermore, in this specification, an end of a component (e.g., one end or another (the other) end, etc.) may refer to an end of a component in any direction, and an end portion of the component (e.g., the one end portion) or another (the other) end portion, etc., may refer to a portion of a component that includes that end.
[0046] The side structure of a vehicle body 100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to a PBV vehicle body of a call vehicle having a cab 1 configured in the front and rear parts for transporting passengers.
[0047] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are exploded perspective views illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0048] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3, the side structure of a vehicle body 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rear quarter assembly 10, a side exterior assembly 30, and a quarter window opening bracket 50.
[0049] In one embodiment, the rear quarter assembly 10 may be positioned at the rear of the vehicle body and may consist of a combination of a plurality of rear quarter parts 11. The configuration of the rear quarter parts 11 may be apparent to those skilled in the art, e.g., from the drawings, therefore a detailed description is omitted.
[0050] The rear quarter assembly 10 may include a quarter window opening flange 13. The quarter window opening flange 13 may be formed on an edge of a quarter window opening portion 15 formed in the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0051] In one embodiment, the side outer assembly 30 may be connected to the rear quarter assembly 10. The side outer assembly 30 may be formed, for example, by a compression mold.
[0052] The side exterior assembly 30 may, in one example, include a front door mounting portion 31, a sliding door mounting portion 33, and a quarter window mounting portion 35.
[0053] The quarter window mounting portion 35 may be connected to the quarter window opening portion 15 of the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0054] The side exterior assembly 30 may include a quarter window mounting flange 37 formed on an edge portion of the quarter window mounting portion 35. The quarter window mounting flange 37 may be formed at a position corresponding to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0055] In one embodiment, the quarter window opening bracket 50 may be configured to support a quarter window (not shown in the drawing).
[0056] The quarter window opening bracket 50 may be mounted on the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10 and may be connected to the side exterior assembly 30.
[0057] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a quarter window opening bracket that can be used in a side structure of a vehicle body according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] The quarter window opening bracket 50 can be described with reference to Fig. 2 to 5 according to one embodiment, in one example, in a rounded square shape.
[0059] The quarter window opening bracket 50 may be connected to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10 and the quarter window mounting flange 37 of the side outer assembly 30, for example, by welding.
[0060] Describing the configuration of the quarter-window opening bracket 50 in more detail, the quarter-window opening bracket 50 may include an outer edge 51 and an inner edge 53. Here, "outer" may refer to the direction of the outer edge of a rounded square, and "inner" may refer to the direction of the inner edge of a rounded square.
[0061] The outer edge 51 of the quadrilateral may be connected by welding to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0062] The inner edge 53 may extend laterally outwardly from the outer edge 51 through a stepped portion 55. The inner edge 53 may be welded to the quarter window mounting flange 37 of the side outer assembly 30.
[0063] The stepped portion 55 may extend from the outer edge 51 along the lateral outer direction with a first step width a1 and be connected to the inner edge 53.
[0064] Fig. 6 is a side view illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0065] With reference to Fig. 6, the side structure of a vehicle body 200 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to a PBV vehicle body of a delivery vehicle having a cab 1 formed in the front part and a luggage compartment 3 formed in the rear part for transporting various loads.
[0066] Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 are exploded perspective views illustrating a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0067] For better understanding, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as the side structure of a vehicle body according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure shown in the Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 is used.
[0068] With reference to Fig. 6 to 8, a side structure of a vehicle body 200 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure may include a rear quarter assembly 10, a side outer assembly 130, and a quarter window opening bracket 150.
[0069] In one embodiment, the rear quarter assembly 10 may be positioned at the rear of the vehicle body and may consist of a combination of a plurality of rear quarter parts 11. The configuration of the rear quarter parts 11 may be apparent to those skilled in the art, e.g., from the drawings, so a detailed description is omitted.
[0070] The rear quarter assembly 10 may be composed of common module parts identical to the rear quarter parts 11 of the rear quarter assembly 10 used in the PBV vehicle body of the sailboat type according to the first embodiment.
[0071] The rear quarter assembly 10 may include a quarter window opening flange 13. The quarter window opening flange 13 may be formed on the edge of the quarter window opening portion 15 formed in the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0072] In one embodiment, the side outer assembly 130 may be connected to the rear quarter assembly 10. The side outer assembly 130 may be formed, for example, by a compression mold.
[0073] The side exterior assembly 130 may, in one example, include a front door mounting portion 131, a sliding door mounting portion 133, and a quarter windowless portion 135.
[0074] The quarter-windowless portion 135 may be formed at a position corresponding to the quarter-window opening portion 15 of the rear quarter assembly 10. The quarter-windowless portion 135 may be formed as a kind of skin surface and may be formed as a part of the rear skin surface of the side exterior assembly 130.
[0075] In one embodiment, the quarter window opening bracket 150 may be configured to support the quarter windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130. That is, the quarter window opening bracket 150 may support the skin-type quarter windowless portion 135 instead of supporting the quarter window.
[0076] The quarter window opening bracket 150 may be mounted to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10 and may be connected to the side exterior assembly 130.
[0077] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line BB of Fig. 6. Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a quarter window opening bracket that can be used in a side structure of a vehicle body according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0078] With reference to Fig. 7 to 10, the quarter window opening bracket 150 according to an embodiment may, in one example, include a rounded square edge portion.
[0079] The quarter window opening bracket 150 may be connected by welding to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10 and may be connected, for example, to the quarter windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130 by a sealant 170.
[0080] Describing the configuration of the quarter window opening bracket 150 in more detail, the quarter window opening bracket 150 may include an outer edge 151, an inner edge 153, and a reinforcing portion 161.
[0081] The inner edge 151 may be connected by welding to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assembly 10.
[0082] The inner edge 153 may extend laterally outward from the outer edge 151 through a stepped portion 155. The inner edge 153 may be positioned at a predetermined distance from the quarter-windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130 and may be connected to the quarter-windowless portion 135 by a sealant 170.
[0083] The stepped section 155 can be provided with a second step width a2 (see e.g. Fig. 9) which is smaller than the first step width a1 of the quarter window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.
[0084] The reinforcement portion 161 may be configured to enhance the strength of the outer plate / panel of the quarter-windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130. The reinforcement portion 161 may have a predetermined width and connect at least a portion of the inner edge 153.
[0085] The reinforcement portion 161 may, for example, connect the inner edge 153 formed at the upper portion and the inner edge 153 formed at the lower portion thereof, using the drawing as a reference. However, the reinforcement portion 161 is not necessarily limited to this, and the reinforcement portion 161 may, for example, also connect the inner edge 153 formed in the forward direction of the vehicle body and the inner edge 153 formed in the rearward direction of the vehicle body.
[0086] The reinforcement portion 161 may have at least two split opening portions 163 in the quarter window opening bracket 150, for example, two split opening portions 163 as shown in Fig. 10 shown.
[0087] The reinforcement portion 161 may include at least one slot 165. Referring to the drawing, in one example, the at least one slot 165 may be formed along the vertical direction in the reinforcement portion 161. In another example, the at least one slot 165 may be formed by two slots spaced apart along the vertical direction in the reinforcement portion 161.
[0088] If the reinforcing portion 161 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the at least one slot 165 may be formed, for example, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.
[0089] This at least one slot 165 may be configured to easily distribute the load applied to the quarter-windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130 to the reinforcement portion 161.
[0090] As described above, the reinforcing portion 161 may be connected to the quarter-windowless portion 135 via an adhesive unit containing a sealant.
[0091] Hereinafter, the assembly process of the side structures of a vehicle body 100 and 200 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 10 are described in detail.
[0092] The side exterior assembly 30 according to the first embodiment may be provided formed in a predetermined shape.
[0093] The side exterior assembly 30 according to the first embodiment may be formed with the front door mounting portion 31, the sliding door mounting portion 33, the quarter window mounting portion 35, and the quarter window mounting flange 37.
[0094] Additionally or alternatively, the lateral outer assembly 130 according to the second embodiment may be provided formed in a predetermined shape.
[0095] The side exterior assembly 130 according to the second embodiment can be formed with the front door mounting portion 131, the sliding door mounting portion 133, and the quarter windowless portion 135.
[0096] The side outer assemblies 30 and 130 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, can be formed by a press mold.
[0097] For further explanation, in the molded structures of the side exterior assemblies 30 and 130 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, the molded structures of the other portions except for the quarter window mounting portion 35 and the quarter windowless portion 135 may be the same.
[0098] Accordingly, in the die for forming the side exterior assemblies 30 and 130 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, the other die units except for the trimming unit for trimming the quarter window mounting portion 35 may be the same.
[0099] The mold may form the side outer assemblies 30 and 130 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, in a selected trim manner.
[0100] Accordingly, it may be possible to unify (ie, make the same or almost the same) the mold for forming the side outer assembly 30 according to the first embodiment used in a call vehicle and the side outer assembly 130 according to the second embodiment used in a delivery vehicle.
[0101] As a result, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the investment cost for the mold for forming the side exterior assemblies 30 and 130 of various vehicle types can be reduced.
[0102] The quarter-window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment may be provided, and / or the quarter-window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment may be provided. The quarter-window opening brackets 50 and 150 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, may have different shapes.
[0103] Specifically, the quarter-window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment may include the outer edge 51 and the inner edge 53. The quarter-window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment may include the outer edge 151, the inner edge 153, and the reinforcement portion 161.
[0104] On the other hand, a process of assembling a plurality of rear quarter assemblies 10 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be performed.
[0105] The rear quarter assembly 10 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be assembled with the rear quarter parts 11 as common modular parts. For example, a first assembly process can be performed. Accordingly, the common modular parts of the rear quarter assemblies 10 can be assembled without reference to the specifications of each vehicle type (e.g., on-demand vehicle and delivery vehicle).
[0106] As a result, by using an embodiment of the present disclosure, the investment cost for the mold for manufacturing the rear quarter parts 11 of the rear quarter assembly 10 for each vehicle type can be reduced, and the assembly productivity of the rear quarter assembly 10 for each vehicle type can be improved.
[0107] After completing this process, an assembly process may be performed to connect the quarter window opening brackets 50 and 150 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, to the quarter window opening flange 13 of the rear quarter assemblies 10 that use common module parts according to the vehicle type described above. For example, a second assembly process may be performed.
[0108] The outer edge 51 of the quarter window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment and / or the outer edge 151 of the quarter window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment can be connected to the quarter window opening flange 13 by welding.
[0109] Accordingly, by mounting the quarter window opening brackets 50 and 150 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, respectively, having different shapes in the rear quarter assemblies 10 that can be standardized according to the vehicle type, the specifications of the rear quarter assemblies 10 can be differentiated according to the vehicle type.
[0110] Next, an assembly process may be performed to connect the side exterior assembly 30 according to the first embodiment and the quarter window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment. Additionally or alternatively, an assembly process may be performed to connect the side exterior assembly 130 according to the second embodiment and the quarter window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment. For example, a third assembly process may be performed.
[0111] In this assembly process, the inner edge 53 of the quarter window opening bracket 50 according to the first embodiment may be connected to the quarter window mounting flange 37 of the side exterior assembly 30 according to the first embodiment by welding.
[0112] Additionally or alternatively, the inner edge 153 of the quarter-window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment may be connected to the quarter-windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130 according to the second embodiment by the sealant 170. Likewise, the reinforcing portion 161 of the quarter-window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment may be connected to the quarter-windowless portion 135 by an adhesive unit containing a sealant.
[0113] Since the inner edge 153 of the quarter window opening bracket 150 according to the second embodiment can be connected to the quarter windowless portion 135 of the side exterior assembly 130 according to the second embodiment using the sealant 170, the quality of the appearance of the vehicle body of the delivery vehicle can be improved.
[0114] Accordingly, the side structures of a vehicle body 100 and 200 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively, can be assembled through a series of processes as described above.
[0115] The side structure of a vehicle body 100 and 200 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively, can ensure production flexibility because the specifications of the rear quarter assembly 10 can be differentiated depending on the vehicle type, depending on which of the quarter window opening brackets (50 or 150) is used.
[0116] Accordingly, the side structures of a vehicle body 100 and 200 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, respectively, can be manufactured in different quantities according to the specifications, thereby improving production efficiency.
[0117] Based on the side structure of a vehicle body 100 and 200 according to the first and second exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described above, respectively, since the common use of the mold and the common use of parts may be possible, the investment cost for the mold can be reduced, the assembly productivity can be improved, and the appearance quality of the vehicle body of the delivery vehicle can be improved.
[0118] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings and the equivalents thereof, which may also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Claims
[1] Side structure of a vehicle body, comprising: a rear quarter assembly having a quarter window opening flange formed therein; a side outer assembly connected to the rear quarter assembly; and a quarter window opening bracket mounted to the quarter window opening flange and connected to the side exterior assembly. [2] The side structure of claim 1, wherein the side exterior assembly includes a quarter window mounting flange connected to the quarter window opening bracket. [3] The side structure according to claim 2, wherein the quarter window opening bracket is connected to the quarter window opening flange and the quarter window mounting flange by welding. [4] The side structure of claim 1, wherein the side exterior assembly includes a skin-type quarter windowless section connected to the quarter window opening bracket. [5] The side structure according to claim 4, wherein the quarter window opening bracket is connected to the quarter window opening flange by welding, and wherein the quarter window opening bracket is connected to the quarter windowless portion by a sealant. [6] The side structure of claim 1, wherein the quarter window opening bracket comprises: an outer edge connected to the quarter window opening flange; and an inner edge extending laterally outwardly through a stepped portion from the outer edge and connected to the lateral outer assembly. [7] A side structure according to claim 6, wherein the outer edge is connected to the quarter window opening flange by welding. [8] The side structure of claim 7, wherein the inner edge is welded to a quarter window mounting flange formed on the side outer assembly. [9] The side structure according to claim 7, wherein the inner edge is positioned at a predetermined distance from a quarter-windowless portion formed on the side outer assembly, and wherein the inner edge is connected to the quarter-windowless portion by a sealing means. [10] The side structure of claim 6, wherein the quarter window opening bracket further comprises a reinforcing portion connected to at least a portion of the inner edge. [11] The side structure according to claim 10, wherein at least two divided opening portions are formed in the reinforcing portion of the quarter window opening bracket. [12] The side structure according to claim 10, wherein at least one slit is formed in the reinforcing portion. [13] The side structure of claim 1, wherein the rear quarter assembly is provided by a first assembly process. [14] The side structure according to claim 13, wherein after the first assembling process, the quarter window opening bracket mounted on the quarter window opening flange is provided by a second assembling process performed to connect the quarter window opening bracket to the quarter window opening flange. [15] The side structure according to claim 14, wherein after the second assembling process, the quarter window opening bracket connected to the side exterior assembly is provided by a third assembling process performed to connect the quarter window opening bracket and the side exterior assembly. [16] The side structure according to claim 15, wherein in the third assembling process, a quarter window mounting flange formed on the side exterior assembly and the quarter window opening bracket are connected by welding. [17] The side structure according to claim 15, wherein in the third assembling process, an operation is performed to connect a quarter windowless portion formed in the side exterior assembly and the quarter window opening bracket with a sealant. [18] Side structure of a vehicle body, comprising: a modular rear quarter assembly having a modular quarter window opening flange formed therein; a first lateral outer assembly or a second lateral outer assembly connected to the modular rear quarter assembly, wherein the first lateral outer assembly is different from the second lateral outer assembly; and a first quarter window opening bracket or a second quarter window opening bracket mounted on the modular quarter window opening flange, wherein the first quarter window opening bracket is different from the second quarter window opening bracket, wherein, when the first side exterior assembly is connected to the modular rear quarter assembly, the first quarter window opening bracket is mounted to the modular quarter window opening flange and the first quarter window opening bracket is connected to the first side exterior assembly, and wherein, when the second side exterior assembly is connected to the modular rear quarter assembly, the second quarter window opening bracket is mounted to the modular quarter window opening flange and the second quarter window opening bracket is connected to the second side exterior assembly. [19] The side structure of claim 18, wherein when the first side exterior assembly is connected to the modular rear quarter assembly, the first side exterior assembly includes a quarter window mounting flange connected to the first quarter window opening bracket, and the first quarter window opening bracket is connected to the modular quarter window opening flange and the quarter window mounting flange by welding. [20] The side structure of claim 18, wherein when the second side exterior assembly is connected to the modular rear quarter assembly, the second side exterior assembly includes a skin-type quarter windowless section connected to the second quarter window opening bracket, the second quarter window opening bracket is connected to the modular quarter window opening flange by welding, and the second quarter window opening bracket is connected to the quarter windowless section by a sealant.