Front pillar for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a front pillar for vehicle which can ensure a visual field from the interior of a cabin and can achieve weight reduction and immersion countermeasures.SOLUTION: A front pillar 100 comprises an inner panel ASSY107 and a side outer panel 110. The inner panel ASSY107 includes: a front side pillar member 150 which extends downward so as to form a front edge of an opening 109 for window from a front end of a roof 104; a rear side pillar member 152 which extends downward so as to form a rear edge of the opening 109 for window from the roof 104; and a hinge reinforcement 108 which forms a range from a lower edge of the opening 109 for window to a side sill 106. The side outer panel 110 has a shape that does not cover at least the front side pillar member 150 while covering a range from the roof 104 of the inner panel ASSY107 to the rear side piller member 152 and the hinge reinforcement 108.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a front pillar for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the area forming the front pillar of a vehicle is configured to include an outer panel on the outside of the vehicle and an inner panel on the inside of the vehicle. Such a front pillar may be provided with a fixed pillar window. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle body front structure 1 provided with a sub-window along the front pillar 2.

[0003] In the vehicle body front structure 1 of Patent Document 1, the area near the front pillar 2 is composed of the side outer panel 13 in FIG. 1, the outer panel 12 in FIG. 2, and the inner panel 11 in FIG. 3. It is described in paragraph 0044 that the sub-pillar 3 on the front side of the sub-window is formed by the outer panel 12 and the garnish 14.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology of Patent Document 1, it is described in paragraph 0059 that by using the load transmission portion 6 to enhance the load transmission performance, the sub-pillar 3 can be made thinner to ensure a wider field of view for the driver. However, the sub-pillar 3 is formed including the outer panel 12. Such an outer panel is likely to have a thickness on the outside of the vehicle, and there is a possibility that it may easily enter the field of view when the occupant looks outside from the sub-window.

[0006] In view of these issues, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front pillar that can ensure visibility from inside the vehicle, reduce weight, and prevent water ingress. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle front pillar according to the present invention is a vehicle front pillar provided from the roof of a vehicle to the side sill, wherein the vehicle front pillar comprises an inner panel assembly on the inside of the vehicle, a window opening opened in a predetermined range of the inner panel assembly, and a side outer panel joined to the outside of the inner panel assembly, wherein the inner panel assembly includes a front pillar member extending downward from the front end of the roof to form the front edge of the window opening, a rear pillar member extending downward from the roof to form the rear edge of the window opening, and a hinge reinforcement that forms the range from the lower edge of the window opening to the side sill and to which the vehicle's door hinge is attached, and the side outer panel is shaped to cover the range from the roof of the inner panel assembly to the rear pillar member and the hinge reinforcement, but not to cover at least the front pillar member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front pillar that can ensure visibility from inside the vehicle, reduce weight, and prevent water ingress. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of a vehicle front pillar according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the side outer panel removed from the inner panel assembly shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the area around the window opening of the inner panel assembly as seen from inside the vehicle. [Figure 4]Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the hinge reinforcement and side outer panel. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows the hinge reinforcement and side outer panel as viewed from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows cross-sectional views of the vehicle's front pillar. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view of the upper and lower parts of the front pillar member shown in Figure 1. [Figure 8] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the CC of the vehicle's front pillar. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A vehicle front pillar according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle front pillar provided from the roof of a vehicle to the side sill, wherein the vehicle front pillar comprises an inner panel assembly on the inside of the vehicle, a window opening opened in a predetermined range of the inner panel assembly, and a side outer panel joined to the outside of the inner panel assembly, wherein the inner panel assembly includes a front pillar member extending downward from the front end of the roof to form the front edge of the window opening, a rear pillar member extending downward from the roof to form the rear edge of the window opening, and a hinge reinforcement that forms the range from the lower edge of the window opening to the side sill and to which the vehicle's door hinge is attached, and the side outer panel is shaped to cover the range from the roof of the inner panel assembly to the rear pillar member and the hinge reinforcement, but not to cover at least the front pillar member.

[0011] According to the above configuration, by omitting the portion of the side outer panel that covers the front pillar member, the thickness of the front pillar member on the outside of the vehicle can be reduced, making it possible to ensure a wider field of view when occupants look out the pillar window. In addition, the material and weight of the side outer panel can be reduced, making it possible to lighten the vehicle body.

[0012] The hinge reinforcement described above has a hinge mounting portion located below the window opening to which the door hinge is attached. The portion of the side outer panel below the window opening extends from the rear pillar member along the lower edge of the window opening to just before the front pillar member, covering the hinge mounting portion, and the leading edge of this portion extends further back as it goes downwards.

[0013] With the above configuration, the hinge mounting area can be covered by the side outer panel, preventing water from entering the hinge mounting area. In addition, because the lower front edge of the side outer panel extends to the rear, rainwater that enters from the front while driving can easily flow down along this front edge, efficiently draining the rainwater and preventing rust formation.

[0014] The hinge reinforcement described above further includes a side wall portion to which the front edge of the side outer panel is joined, and a front inclined portion that extends inward towards the vehicle as it moves forward from the front end of the side wall portion. The hinge mounting portion is provided on the side wall portion, and the portion of the side wall portion that is forward and above the hinge mounting portion extends inward towards the vehicle as it moves downward.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the front portion of the hinge reinforcement where the hinge is attached is sloped inward from top to bottom, allowing rainwater entering from the front to easily flow downward. Therefore, water ingress and rust formation at the hinge attachment point can be prevented.

[0016] The hinge reinforcement described above further has a reinforcement bulge formed in the side wall portion in a range forward and above the hinge mounting portion and bulging outward from the hinge mounting portion, and the side outer panel has an outer bulge provided to bulge outward from the range forward of the hinge mounting portion and extending continuously from the reinforcement bulge portion downward from the hinge mounting portion.

[0017] With the above configuration, the reinforcement bulge and outer bulge are provided in front of the hinge mounting portion, which prevents water from entering the hinge mounting portion from the front and prevents rust from forming.

[0018] The vehicle front pillar further includes a first sealant that is applied along the front edge of the side outer panel and fills the space between the front edge and the hinge reinforcement.

[0019] The first sealant can prevent water from entering the hinge attachment portion and guide rainwater or the like downward along the front edge of the side outer panel for drainage.

[0020] The hinge reinforcement is further provided with a front recess that is recessed inward on the vehicle interior side in front of the location that becomes the lower edge of the window opening, and the lower edge of the front pillar member is joined from the outside of the vehicle to the front recess. The front recess extends obliquely downward and forward from the location that becomes the lower edge of the window opening.

[0021] According to the above configuration, by providing the front recess in the hinge reinforcement, rainwater or the like flowing along the front pillar member can be discharged along the step at the edge of the front recess, preventing water from flowing backward into the front recess. That is, with the above configuration, it is possible to prevent rainwater or the like flowing along the front pillar member from flowing into the hinge attachment portion behind the front recess.

[0022] The vehicle front pillar further includes a second sealant that is applied along the lower edge of the front pillar member and fills the space between the lower edge and the front recess.

[0023] The second sealant can prevent rust around the front recess and guide rainwater or the like along the step around the front recess for drainage.

[0024] The side outer panel further has a pillar joint portion that is provided along the upper edge of the front pillar member and is joined to the outside of the vehicle of the front pillar member. The pillar joint portion extends downward as it goes backward, and the vehicle front pillar further includes a third sealant that is applied along the pillar joint portion and fills the space between the pillar joint portion and the front pillar member.

[0025] According to the above configuration, water ingress and rust formation near the upper edge of the front pillar member can be effectively prevented. [Examples]

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the illustrations.

[0027] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a vehicle front pillar (hereinafter referred to as front pillar 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the right front pillar of vehicle 100 as viewed from the outside of the vehicle. Hereinafter, in Figure 1 and all other drawings of this application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are illustrated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0028] The front pillar 100 is a region that forms the leading edge of the opening 102 for the front side door, and extends from the roof 104 of the vehicle to the side sill 106. The front pillar 100 includes an inner panel assembly 107 which is a combination of multiple panels on the interior side of the vehicle, and a side outer panel 110 which is joined to the exterior side of the inner panel assembly 107.

[0029] Figure 2 shows the side outer panel 110 from Figure 1 removed from the inner panel assembly 107. The inner panel assembly 107 has a window opening 109 for the pillar window at its top.

[0030] The inner panel assembly 107 comprises a front pillar member 150, a rear pillar member 152, and a hinge reinforcement 108. The front pillar member 150 is a member that forms the front pillar with the front end of the roof 104 and extends downward from the roof 104 to form the front edge of the window opening 109.

[0031] The rear pillar member 152 is a member that forms a part of the roof 104 and the rear pillar, and extends downward from the roof 104 to form the rear edge of the window opening 109. The rear pillar member 152 is composed of an upper member 152a that forms a part of the roof 104 and the upper part of the rear pillar, and a lower member 152b that forms the lower part of the pillar.

[0032] The hinge reinforcement 108 is a component to which the door hinge of the front side door is attached, and forms the area from the lower edge of the window opening 109 to the side sill 106. The hinge reinforcement 108 has two hinge mounting portions 118 and 120, one above the other, located below the window opening 109, to which the door hinge of the front side door is attached.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the area around the window opening 109 of the inner panel assembly 107 in Figure 2, as seen from inside the vehicle. The inside of the window opening 109 is formed by a reinforcing member 156. The reinforcing member 156 is a frame-shaped member with an integrated shape that borders the window opening 109, and forms the area inside the vehicle from the window opening 109 to the front end of the roof 104.

[0034] Refer to Figure 2 again. The side outer panel 110 is shaped to cover the area from the roof 104 of the inner panel assembly 107 to the rear pillar member 152 and hinge reinforcement 108, but not to cover at least the front pillar member 150.

[0035] The side outer panel 110 reduces the thickness of the front pillar member 150 on the outside of the vehicle by omitting the portion of the inner panel assembly 107 that covers the front pillar member 150, thereby ensuring a wider field of view when occupants look out the vehicle through the pillar window installed in the window opening 109. In addition, the material and weight of the side outer panel 110 can be reduced, making it possible to lighten the vehicle body.

[0036] The portion of the side outer panel 110 below the window opening 109 extends from the rear pillar member 152 along the lower edge of the window opening 109 to just before the front pillar member 150. Therefore, the side outer panel 110 is configured to cover mainly the rear half of the hinge reinforcement 108, including the hinge mounting portions 118 and 120. By covering the hinge mounting portions 118 and 120, the side outer panel 110 prevents water from entering the hinge mounting portions 118 and 120.

[0037] Of the side outer panel 110, the front edge 158 below the window opening 109 has a shape that extends further back from the top to the bottom. This configuration allows the front edge 158 to guide rainwater that enters from the front during driving to the rear and below, allowing rainwater to be efficiently drained and preventing rust formation.

[0038] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the hinge reinforcement 108 and side outer panel 110 of Figure 2. In Figure 4, the area near the bottom of the window opening of the hinge reinforcement 108 and side outer panel 110 is shown in detail. Both the hinge reinforcement 108 and side outer panel 110 have a shape that bulges outwards from the vehicle.

[0039] The outer hinge mounting portion 126 of the side outer panel 110 is superimposed on the hinge mounting portion 118 of the hinge reinforcement 108 on the outside of the vehicle. The door hinge is then fastened and secured to the hinge mounting portion 118 and the outer hinge mounting portion 126 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0040] Of the hinge reinforcement 108, a reinforcement bulge 140 is provided around the hinge mounting portion 118. The reinforcement bulge 140 is a portion that bulges outward from the hinge mounting portion 118 and is formed to include the area in front of and above the upper hinge mounting portion 118 of the side wall portion 116.

[0041] In the side outer panel 110, an outer bulge 144 is provided in the area of ​​the reinforcement bulge 140 that is on the vehicle side. The outer bulge 144 is a portion that bulges outward along the reinforcement bulge 140 and is formed to include an area of ​​the side outer panel 110 that extends from below to above the front of the upper hinge mounting portion 118.

[0042] The outer bulge portion 144 is provided with an extension portion 146 that extends downward. The extension portion 146 is provided to bulge outwards from the vehicle in the area in front of the hinge mounting portion.

[0043] Figure 5 shows the hinge reinforcement 108 and side outer panel 110 from Figure 4 as viewed from the outside of the vehicle. The extension 146 extends downward, continuously from the reinforcement bulge 140. In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the extension 146 extends vertically from the front of the upper outer hinge mounting portion 126 to the upper part of the lower outer hinge mounting portion 127.

[0044] The extension 146 extends from above the front of the hinge mounting portion 118 to below the hinge mounting portion 118 with respect to the hinge reinforcement 108, and reaches above the front of the lower hinge mounting portion 120.

[0045] With the above configuration, the reinforcement bulge 140 and outer bulge 144 are provided in front of the hinge mounting portion 118, which prevents water from entering the hinge mounting portions 118 and 120 from the front and prevents rust from forming during driving.

[0046] Figure 6 shows cross-sectional views of the front pillar 100 in Figure 5. Figure 6(a) is cross-sectional view AA of the front pillar 100 in Figure 5.

[0047] The hinge reinforcement 108 has a rear flange portion 112 from which the rear wall portion 122 bends outward, and a side wall portion 116 from which the rear wall portion 122 bends forward. Due to this configuration, the horizontal cross-section of the hinge reinforcement 108 is hat-shaped when viewed from above. The hinge mounting portion 118 is provided on the side wall portion 116 of the hinge reinforcement 108, which is the upper surface of the hat-shaped cross-section.

[0048] The side outer panel 110 has a flange portion 132 that forms the rear edge of the side outer panel 110 and a flange portion 134 that forms the front edge, which are joined to the rear flange portion 112 and the side wall portion 116 of the hinge reinforcement 108, respectively.

[0049] A front inclined portion 125 is provided at the front of the hinge reinforcement 108. The front inclined portion 125 extends diagonally inward from the front of the side wall portion 116. The inclination of the front inclined portion 125 towards the hinge mounting portion 118 makes it difficult for water to flow from the front inclined portion 125 toward the hinge mounting portion 118, thereby making it difficult for rainwater to penetrate into the rear portion where the hinge mounting portion 118 and other components are located.

[0050] Figure 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar 100 of Figure 5. As described above, the side wall portion 116 is provided with a reinforcement bulge 140 in the area that includes the area in front of and above the hinge mounting portion 118 (see Figure 4). As shown in Figure 6(b), an inclined portion 142 is provided on the lower side of the reinforcement bulge 140, so that the reinforcement bulge 140 extends diagonally inward from the upper side to the lower side in front of the hinge mounting portion 118.

[0051] According to the above configuration, the reinforcement bulge 140 in front of the hinge mounting portion 118 of the hinge reinforcement 108 is sloped inward from the top to the bottom of the vehicle, making it easier for rainwater and other water entering from above or the front to flow down. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water ingress and rust formation in the hinge mounting portion 118.

[0052] In this embodiment, the first sealant 160 is applied along the front edge 158 of the side outer panel 110 shown in Figure 6(a). The sealant 160 is a material that fills the gap between the front edge 158 of the side outer panel 110 and the hinge reinforcement 108. The first sealant 160 prevents water from entering the hinge mounting portion 118 while guiding rainwater and other liquids downward along the front edge 158 of the side outer panel 110 for discharge.

[0053] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the upper and lower parts of the front pillar member 150 as shown in Figure 1. Figure 7(a) is an enlarged view of the upper part of the front pillar member 150 as shown in Figure 1. The pillar joint 162 of the side outer panel 110 is joined to the upper part of the front pillar member 150 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0054] The pillar joint 162 is provided along the upper edge of the front pillar member 150 and extends diagonally downward from the front to the rear. Therefore, the pillar joint 162 allows rainwater from the front to easily flow down to the rear.

[0055] Figure 7(b) is an enlarged view of the lower part of the front pillar member 150 in Figure 1. The lower end portion 151 of the front pillar has a shape that widens towards the rear.

[0056] The hinge reinforcement 108 is provided with a front recess 164 on the front side of the portion that forms the lower edge of the window opening 109. The front recess 164 is recessed inward towards the vehicle, and the lower edge of the front pillar member 150 is joined to it from the outside of the vehicle.

[0057] The rear portion 166 of the front recess 164 extends diagonally downward and forward from the lower edge of the window opening 109. With this configuration, by providing the front recess 164 in the hinge reinforcement 108, rainwater flowing along the front pillar member 150 can be guided forward along the step at the rear edge 166 of the front recess 164, and then allowed to flow downward from there.

[0058] The rear portion 166 of the front recess 164 is provided at a distance from the front edge 158 of the rear side outer panel 110. Therefore, rainwater received in the front recess 164 is prevented from adhering to the front edge 158 of the side outer panel 110. In other words, with this configuration, rainwater that has traveled along the front pillar member 150 is prevented from flowing into the hinge mounting portion 118 (see Figure 2) at the rear of the front recess 164.

[0059] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar 100 in Figure 5. In addition to the front recess 164 described above, the hinge reinforcement 108 is also provided with a rear recess 172 at the rear of the upper part, to which the lower part 152b of the rear pillar member 152 (see Figure 2) is joined. The rear recess 172 is also recessed inward along the lower part 152b.

[0060] Of the hinge reinforcement 108, the intermediate portion 174 between the front recess 164 and the rear recess 172 has a shape that protrudes relatively outward from the vehicle relative to the front recess 164, etc. Here, the rear recess 172 has a shape in which the front portion (not shown) extends downward to the rear, in contrast to the rear portion 166 of the front recess 164 in Figure 7(b), which extends downward to the front. Therefore, the intermediate portion 174 has a configuration in which the range widens from front to back as it goes downward. This configuration makes it difficult for water to flow straight down from the intermediate portion 174, and makes it possible to prevent water from entering the hinge mounting portion 118, etc. below the intermediate portion 174.

[0061] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(b), a second sealant 168 is applied along the lower edge of the front pillar member 150. The sealant 168 is a material that fills the space between the lower edge of the front pillar member 150 and the front recess 164. The sealant 168 prevents rust around the front recess 164 while allowing rainwater and the like to be discharged downward along the step around the front recess 164. At this time, the sealant 168 is not continuous with the sealant 160 on the front edge 158 of the side outer panel 110. Therefore, water flowing down the sealant 168 onto the sealant 160 is avoided.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7(a), a third sealant 170 is applied along the pillar joint 162. The sealant 170 is a material that fills the gap between the pillar joint 162 and the front pillar member 150. The sealant 170 effectively prevents water ingress and rust formation near the upper edge of the front pillar member 150.

[0063] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0064] This invention can be used in the front pillars of vehicles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 100...Front pillar, 102...Opening, 104...Roof, 106...Side sill, 107...Inner panel assembly, 108...Hinge reinforcement, 109...Window opening, 110...Side outer panel, 112...Rear flange section, 116...Side wall section, 118...Hinge mounting section, 122...Rear wall section, 125...Front inclined section, 126, 127...Outer hinge mounting section, 132, 134...Flange section, 1 40...Reinforcement bulge, 142...Inclined section, 144...Outer bulge, 146...Extension section, 150...Front pillar member, 151...Lower end, 152...Rear pillar member, 152a...Upper member, 152b...Lower member, 156...Reinforcement member, 158...Front edge, 160...Sealer, 162...Pillar joint, 164...Front recess, 166...Rear section, 168...Sealer, 170...Sealer, 172...Rear recess, 174...Intermediate section

Claims

1. A front pillar for a vehicle that is provided from the roof to the side sill of the vehicle, The front pillar for the vehicle is The inner panel assembly inside the car, a window opening formed in a predetermined range of the inner panel assembly; a side outer panel joined to the outer side of the inner panel assembly, The inner panel assembly is a front pillar member extending downward from a front end of the roof to form a front edge of the window opening; a rear pillar member extending downward from the roof to form a rear edge of the window opening; a hinge reinforcement that defines a range from a lower edge of the window opening to the side sill and to which a door hinge of the vehicle is attached, A front pillar for a vehicle, characterized in that the side outer panel is shaped to cover the area of ​​the inner panel ASSY from the roof to the rear pillar member and the hinge reinforcement, while not covering at least the front pillar member.

2. the hinge reinforcement has a hinge mounting portion provided below the window opening and to which the door hinge is attached, 2. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the side outer panel below the window opening extends from the rear pillar member along the lower edge of the window opening to just in front of the front pillar member, covering the hinge mounting portion, and the front edge of this portion extends further rearward as it goes downward.

3. The hinge reinforcement further comprises: a side wall portion to which a front edge of the side outer panel is joined; a front inclined portion extending toward the vehicle interior as it moves forward from the front side of the side wall portion, The hinge attachment portion is provided on the side wall portion, 3. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 2, wherein a region of the side wall portion forward and above the hinge mounting portion extends more inwardly of the vehicle as it extends downward.

4. The hinge reinforcement further includes a reinforcement bulge portion formed in the side wall portion in a range forward and above the hinge mounting portion and bulging outward from the hinge mounting portion toward the vehicle exterior, 4. A front pillar for a vehicle as described in claim 3, characterized in that the side outer panel has an outer bulge portion that bulges outward toward the outside of the vehicle in a range forward of the hinge mounting portion and extends downward from the reinforcement bulge portion, continuing from the reinforcement bulge portion.

5. 5. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 2, further comprising a first sealant applied along the front edge of the side outer panel to fill the gap between the front edge and the hinge reinforcement.

6. The hinge reinforcement further has a front recess provided on a front side of a portion that will become a lower edge of the window opening so as to be recessed toward the vehicle interior, and to which a lower edge of the front pillar member is joined from the vehicle exterior, 6. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 1, wherein the front recess extends obliquely downward and forward from a location that becomes a lower edge of the window opening.

7. 7. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 6, further comprising a second sealer applied along a lower edge of the front pillar member to fill a gap between the lower edge and the front recess.

8. The side outer panel further includes a pillar joint portion provided along an upper edge of the front pillar member and joined to the vehicle exterior side of the front pillar member, The pillar joint portion extends downward as it goes rearward, 8. The vehicle front pillar according to claim 1, further comprising a third sealant applied along the pillar joint to fill the gap between the pillar joint and the front pillar member.

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