Body component

Abstract

To reduce the weight of a body component for a vehicle while securing required strength against bending moment.SOLUTION: Provided is a body component for a vehicle. The body component includes an annular portion having a hollow portion and formed in an annular shape. The hollow portion is formed in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the body component. The hollow portion is configured such that a neutral axis, with respect to a bending direction assumed in advance in the cross section passes through the hollow portion. Each of separation portions includes a thick portion that is thicker than a passage portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a body part for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a columnar body part formed by aluminum extrusion and having a hollow portion in cross section. This body part is formed to be thicker on one side of a neutral axis in cross section than on the other side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-030676 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for lighter vehicles and improved vehicle safety. In particular, during a small overlap collision, a strong bending moment is applied to the vehicle frame, so vehicle body parts are required to have a structure capable of withstanding the bending moment.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is to make it possible to reduce the weight of a vehicle body part while ensuring the necessary strength against bending moments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a body part for a vehicle. The body part includes an annular part configured in an annular shape having a hollow part. The hollow part is formed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body part. The hollow part is configured so that a neutral axis for a bending direction assumed in advance in the cross section passes through it. Here, each portion of the annular part through which the neutral axis passes and which is disposed on either side of the hollow part is referred to as a passing portion, and each portion of the annular part which is spaced from the neutral axis and which is disposed on either side of the hollow part is referred to as a separating portion. Each separating portion includes a thick-walled portion configured to be thicker than the passing portion.

[0007] According to this configuration, the thick-walled portion is provided at the portion where stress in the expected bending direction is applied, and the portion near the neutral axis where stress is less likely to be applied is relatively thin, thereby making it possible to obtain a body part that can withstand bending stress and is lightweight.

[0008] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the annular portion may be constructed as one piece with no seams in cross section. According to this configuration, the annular portion has no seams, and therefore can withstand a greater impact than a structure having seams. The seamless cross-sectional structure can be formed, for example, by extrusion molding.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle body may further include at least one fixing portion configured to be fixed to a member other than the body part. The fixing portion may be configured seamlessly and integrally with the annular portion.

[0010] According to this configuration, the annular portion and the fixed portion are integrally formed, so that the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case in which the annular portion and the fixed portion are formed separately.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the body part may be disposed such that the longitudinal direction is aligned with the front-rear direction of the vehicle so as to constitute at least a part of a front pillar and a roof side rail. Moreover, the body part may be formed integrally and seamlessly so that the cross-sectional shape is the same at any position in the longitudinal direction.

[0012] According to this configuration, the body part seamlessly forms at least a portion of the front pillar and the roof side rail as a single unit, thereby improving the rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0013] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the body component may be constructed from an aluminum-based material. With this configuration, the body part can be made lighter and can be easily manufactured using aluminum extrusion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of an arrangement of the body part of the embodiment in a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the body part taken along line IIA-IIA, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the body part taken along line IIB-IIB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a first modified example, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a second modified example. [Figure 4] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a third modified example, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a fourth modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a fifth modified example, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a body part according to a seventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] [1-1. Configuration] A body part 1A according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is one of the parts for a vehicle 100. The body part 1A is a part of a structural body of a side of the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG. 1 , the body part 1A is an elongated member arranged to constitute at least a part of a roof side rail 105. The roof side rail 105 is a structural body arranged to connect upper parts of a front pillar 101, a center pillar 102, and a rear pillar 103.

[0016] In the configuration of this embodiment, the roof side rail 105 and the front pillar 101 are integrally configured, and the boundary between them is not clear. If a distinction is to be made between them, the roof side rail 105 is a structure that is located behind the upper end of the windshield 42 (see FIG. 2) and forms the framework of the upper part of the side glass in the driver's seat, passenger seat, rear seat, etc. Furthermore, the front pillar 101 is a structure that forms the framework of the side surface of the windshield 42 and the front side surface of the side glass.

[0017] The front pillar 101 is disposed in front of a front door opening 111, and the center pillar 102 is disposed in front of a rear door opening 112 and behind the front door opening 111. The front door opening 111 is an opening in which a front door is disposed, and the rear door opening 112 is an opening in which a rear door is disposed. The rear pillar 103 is disposed behind the rear door opening 112.

[0018] The body part 1A extends along a longitudinal direction L, which is set to coincide with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100. In addition, in Fig. 1, the front side of the vehicle 100 is illustrated as FRONT, and the rear side is illustrated as REAR. The body part 1A is disposed so as to straddle an upper portion of the front door opening 111 and an upper portion of the rear door opening 112. For example, the front end portion of the body part 1A may extend forward of the front end portion of the front door opening 111 (the vertical line indicated by F in FIG. 1). In addition, the front end portion of the body part 1A may be connected to another member constituting the front pillar 101.

[0019] For example, the rear end of the body part 1A may extend rearward beyond the rear end of the connection portion between the body part 1A and the center pillar 102 (the vertical line indicated by R in FIG. 1). The rear end of the body part 1A may be connected to a member that constitutes the rear pillar 103.

[0020] The body part 1A is made of a material mainly composed of aluminum. Any aluminum alloy can be used as the material for the body part 1A. For example, aluminum alloys such as 1000 series aluminum alloys, which are almost pure aluminum, and 3000 series aluminum alloys, which are Al-Mn alloys, can be used.

[0021] The body part 1A is manufactured by aluminum extrusion. The body part 1A manufactured by aluminum extrusion has the same shape of a cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as a "cross section") perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L at any position in the longitudinal direction L. The body part 1A is formed integrally and seamlessly along the longitudinal direction L. The body part 1A may be formed by other processing methods such as cutting.

[0022] Here, Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIA-IIA of the body part 1A in Fig. 1, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIB-IIB of the body part 1A in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the body part 1A has an annular portion 10. The body part 1A may have at least one fixing portion (for example, a first fixing portion 14 and a second fixing portion 15).

[0023] The annular portion 10 includes passing portions 12A and 12B and spaced portions 13A, 13B, and 13C. Here, the bending direction assumed in advance in the cross section shown in Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is approximately vertical. In other words, when the front of the vehicle 100 collides with some object, a bending moment is applied to the body part 1A such that the front side is displaced in the vertical direction (e.g., downward) with the rear side of the vehicle 100 as a support point.

[0024] In this case, the neutral axis N can be represented by a straight line extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The neutral axis N can be obtained by simulating the bending direction, the shape of the body part 1A, and the stress distribution used.

[0025] A hollow portion 11A is formed in the annular portion 10. In other words, the annular portion 10 forms a hollow closed cross section. A neutral axis N is set to pass through the hollow portion 11A. The passing portions 12A and 12B are respective portions of the annular portion 10 through which the neutral axis N passes and which are arranged to face each other across the hollow portion 11A. In FIG. 2A etc., the portion adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and to the left of the hollow portion 11A is the passing portion 12A, and the portion adjacent to the hollow portion 11A and to the right of the hollow portion 11A is the passing portion 12B.

[0026] The separated portions 13A, 13B, and 13C are portions that are relatively farther away from the neutral axis N than the passing portions 12A and 12B, and are disposed so as to face each other across the hollow portion 11A. In FIG. 2A etc., the portion adjacent to and above hollow portion 11A is separated portion 13A, and the portions adjacent to and below hollow portion 11A are separated portions 13B and 13C.

[0027] The spaced portion 13B is a portion on the inside (INSIDE) side of the vehicle 100 among the portions below the hollow portion 11A in the annular portion 10. The spaced portion 13C is a portion adjacent to the outside (OUTSIDE) side of the spaced portion 13B. Hereinafter, the spaced portion 13C will be referred to as the central side ( 2A, etc.) will be referred to simply as the "inner side", and the side in the width direction of the vehicle 100 (ie, the right side in FIG. 2A, etc.) will be referred to simply as the "outer side".

[0028] The thickness of the separated portions 13A and 13B is configured to be thicker than the passing portions 12A and 12B. In other words, the separated portions 13A and 13B constitute the thick portions in the present disclosure. Here, the "thickness" is the distance from the end face of the member on the hollow portion 11A side to the end face on the opposite side to the hollow portion 11A. Also, the "thickness" may be, for example, the average thickness of each portion or the maximum thickness. The separated portion 13C is set to be approximately the same thickness as the passing portions 12A and 12B. However, the separated portion 13C may be set to be thicker than the passing portions 12A and 12B.

[0029] Here, in the body part 1A, a portion that is relatively close to the neutral axis N is a portion where stress generated by bending moment is small. Therefore, in the body part 1A, a hollow portion 11A is formed along the neutral axis N, and the thicknesses of the passing portions 12A, 12B through which the neutral axis N passes are set to be relatively small. Also, the length of the hollow portion 11A in the direction along the neutral axis N is set to be longer than the direction perpendicular to the neutral axis N.

[0030] On the other hand, in the body part 1A, a portion that is relatively far from the neutral axis N is a portion where stress generated by bending moment is large and structural load is large. Therefore, in the body part 1A, the thicknesses of the separated portions 13A and 13B that are far from the neutral axis N are set to be relatively large so as to withstand the stress. In other words, the separated portions 13A and 13B constitute the thick portions in the present disclosure.

[0031] Moreover, the annular portion 10 is formed seamlessly and integrally in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The outside of the body part 1A is covered with an outer member 30. The outer member 30 is also called a side member outer. The outer member 30 is disposed so as to cover the body part 1A, thereby protecting the body part 1A from wind, rain, ultraviolet rays, and the like. The front pillar 101 at the portion shown in FIG. 2A and the roof side rail 105 at the portion shown in FIG. 2B are formed from only two members, the body part 1A and the outer member 30. In other words, the body part 1 is formed so as to reduce the number of members constituting the front pillar 101 and the roof side rail 105.

[0032] In this embodiment, the body part 1A includes a first fixed portion 14 and a second fixed portion 15. The body part 1A may include only one of the first fixed portion 14 and the second fixed portion 15. The first fixing portion 14 is a band-shaped portion that protrudes from the upper separated portion 13A toward the inside of the vehicle 100 and extends in the longitudinal direction L. The first fixing portion 14 has an upper portion that is connected and fixed to the windshield 42 and the roof member 40 via the outer member 30. The roof member 40 is a member that constitutes part of the roof of the vehicle 100 behind the windshield 42.

[0033] The second fixing portion 15 is a strip-shaped portion that protrudes further downward from the lower separated portion 13B and extends in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. 2B , the second fixing portion 15 is fixed by connecting a member that constitutes the center pillar 102 to its inner side. The connection mode between the first fixing portion 14 and the roof member 40, and the connection mode between the second fixing portion 15 and the member that constitutes the center pillar 102 may be arbitrary. For example, any connection mode such as spot welding, adhesive, rivets, bolts, etc. may be adopted for each of these portions.

[0034] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1a) One aspect of the present disclosure is a body part 1A for a vehicle 100. The body part 1A is The body part 1A includes an annular portion 10 having a hollow portion 11A. The hollow portion 11A is formed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the body part 1A. The hollow portion 11A is configured so that a neutral axis N with respect to a bending direction that is assumed in advance in the cross section passes through the hollow portion 11A.

[0035] The passing portions 12A and 12B are portions of the annular portion 10 through which the neutral axis N passes and which are disposed on either side of the hollow portion 11A. The separated portions 13A, 13B, and 13C are portions which are spaced apart from the neutral axis N and which are disposed on either side of the hollow portion 11A. Of the separated portions 13A, 13B, and 13C, the separated portions 13A and 13B constitute thick portions which are configured to be thicker than the passing portions 12A and 12B.

[0036] According to this configuration, a thick portion is provided at a portion where stress in the expected bending direction is applied, and a portion near the neutral axis N where stress is less likely to be applied is configured to be relatively thin. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a body part 1A that can withstand bending stress and is lightweight.

[0037] (1b) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the annular portion 10 is constructed as a single piece without any seams in cross section. According to this configuration, the annular portion 10 has no seams, so it can withstand a larger impact than a structure with seams. Also, according to this configuration, the annular portion 10 is made of one member, so the number of parts can be reduced compared to a structure made of multiple members.

[0038] (1c) One embodiment of the present disclosure further includes at least one fixing portion 14, 15 configured to be fixed to a member other than the body component 1A. The fixing portion 14, 15 is configured integrally with the annular portion 10 without any seams.

[0039] According to this configuration, the annular portion 10 and the fixing portions 14, 15 are integrally formed, so that the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the annular portion 10 and the fixing portions 14, 15 are formed separately.

[0040] (1d) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body part 1 is disposed so that its longitudinal direction L is aligned with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 100 so as to constitute at least a part of the front pillar 101 and the roof side rail 105. Moreover, the body part 1 is integrally formed without seams so that the cross-sectional shape is the same at any position in the longitudinal direction L.

[0041] According to this configuration, the body part 1 seamlessly forms at least a part of the front pillar 101 and the roof side rail 105 as an integrated unit, so that the rigidity of the body of the vehicle 100 can be improved.

[0042] (1e) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the body component 1A is made of a material whose main component is aluminum. According to such a configuration, the body part 1A can be made lighter in weight and can be easily formed by extruding aluminum during manufacturing. 2. Other embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0043] (2a) In the body part 1A of the above embodiment, the shape of the hollow portion 11A in cross section is a rectangle, but this is not limited to this. For example, a hollow portion 11B may be formed as in the body part 1B shown in Fig. 3A. In the hollow portion 11B, the corners of the rectangle are rounded.

[0044] Also, for example, a plurality of hollow portions 11C may be formed as in the body part 1C shown in Fig. 3B. The plurality of hollow portions 11C may be formed by dividing the center of the hollow portion 11A shown in Fig. 2A by a partition portion 16C. The partition portion 16C may extend in a direction perpendicular to the neutral axis N, and may have an upper end connected to the spaced portion 13A and a lower end connected to the spaced portion 13C. The partition portion 16C may be formed integrally with the annular portion 10.

[0045] Also, for example, three hollow portions 11D may be formed as in the body part 1D shown in Fig. 4A. The three hollow portions 11D may be arranged so as to be partitioned by two partition portions 16D. The two partition portions 16D may extend in a direction perpendicular to the neutral axis N and be arranged parallel to each other.

[0046] 4B, three hollow portions 11E may be formed. The three hollow portions 11E may be arranged to be partitioned by two partition portions 16E arranged in a V-shape such that the distance between them increases as they approach the separation portion 13A.

[0047] 5A, three hollow portions 11F may be formed. The three hollow portions 11F may be arranged to be separated by two partition portions 16F arranged in an inverted V shape such that the distance between the partition portions 16F increases with increasing distance from the separation portion 13A.

[0048] Further, for example, as in the body part 1G shown in Fig. 5B, more hollow portions 11G may be formed. In the example of Fig. 5B, five hollow portions 11F are arranged to be partitioned by four partition portions 16G. Note that the total length of the above-mentioned multiple hollow portions 11B to 11G in the direction along the neutral axis N may be set to be longer than the length in the direction perpendicular to the neutral axis N.

[0049] 6, a hollow portion 11H having an elliptical cross section may be formed. In this case, it is preferable that the major axis of the ellipse coincides with the neutral axis N.

[0050] (2b) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0051] (2c) In addition to the body parts 1A to 1H described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system or a vehicle 100 that includes the body parts 1A to 1H as components.

[0052] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A body part for a vehicle, The body part has a hollow portion and an annular portion formed in a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body part, The hollow portion is configured so that a neutral axis with respect to a bending direction assumed in advance in the cross section passes through the hollow portion, In the annular portion, each portion through which the neutral axis passes and which is disposed on either side of the hollow portion is defined as a passing portion, and each portion spaced apart from the neutral axis and disposed on either side of the hollow portion is defined as a spaced portion, Each of the separated portions is a thick portion configured to be thicker than the passing portion; A body part comprising: [Item 2] The body part according to item 1, The body part, wherein the annular portion is formed seamlessly and integrally in the cross section. [Item 3] The body part according to item 1 or 2, At least one fixing portion configured to be fixed to a member other than the body part, The fixing portion is seamlessly formed integrally with the annular portion. [Item 4] A body part according to any one of items 1 to 3, The body part is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction of the vehicle so as to constitute at least a part of a front pillar and a roof side rail, and is integrally formed without seams so that the shape of the cross section is the same at any position in the longitudinal direction. Body parts. [Item 5] A body part according to any one of items 1 to 4, The body part is made of a material containing aluminum as a main component. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] Reference Signs List: 1A to 1H...body parts, 10...annular portion, 11A to 11H...hollow portion, 12A, 12B...passage portion, 13A, 13B, 13C...separation portion, 14...first fixed portion, 15...second fixed portion, 16C to 16G...partition portion, 30...outer member, 40...roof member, 100...vehicle, 101...front pillar, 102...center pillar, 103...rear pillar, 111...front door opening, 112...rear door opening, N...neutral axis.

Claims

1. A body part for a vehicle, The body part has a hollow portion and an annular portion formed in a circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body part, The hollow portion is configured so that a neutral axis with respect to a bending direction assumed in advance in the cross section passes through the hollow portion, In the annular portion, each portion through which the neutral axis passes and which is disposed on either side of the hollow portion is defined as a passing portion, and each portion spaced apart from the neutral axis and disposed on either side of the hollow portion is defined as a spaced portion, Each of the separated portions is a thick portion configured to be thicker than the passing portion; A body part comprising:

2. The body part according to claim 1, The body part, wherein the annular portion is formed seamlessly and integrally in the cross section.

3. The body part according to claim 1 or 2, At least one fixing portion configured to be fixed to a member other than the body part, The fixing portion is seamlessly formed integrally with the annular portion.

4. The body part according to claim 1 or 2, The body part is arranged so that the longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction of the vehicle so as to constitute at least a part of a front pillar and a roof side rail, and is integrally formed without seams so that the shape of the cross section is the same at any position in the longitudinal direction. Body parts.

5. The body part according to claim 1 or 2, The body part is made of a material containing aluminum as a main component.

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