Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure capable of easily maintaining a quality in appearance regarding an adjoining region between an outer panel and an inner edge in the vehicle width direction of a lamp device.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure 1 has an outer panel 10 constituting a design surface of the vehicle exterior, extending in the vehicle width direction. A lamp device 20 is disposed so as to be adjacent to the outer panel 10 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle structure 1 has a reinforcement member 30 that supports the outer panel 10 from its rear face side, and that extends in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcement member 30 has, on a rear face 10e side of the outer panel 10, a reinforcement part 30a internally adjacent to the lamp that extends along a lamp inner edge 21a which is the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of a portion of the lamp device 20 exposed outside the vehicle, and that supports the outer panel 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure in which a lamp is disposed adjacent to an outer panel. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, at the front or rear of a vehicle such as an automobile, an outer panel such as a bumper or a grille that constitutes the vehicle's exterior design surface, and a pair of left and right lamp devices spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction are provided. In many cases, the pair of left and right lamp devices are disposed adjacent to each of the outer panels.

[0003] As an example of a vehicle structure in which a lamp device is disposed adjacent to an outer panel, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this structure, the upper part of the rear bumper extending in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle enters into the area between the left and right rear lamps, and in this area, a part of the inner edge of the rear lamp in the vehicle width direction is adjacent to the rear bumper. The rear bumper is supported from the rear surface side of the bumper by bumper holders extending along the lower part of the rear lamps at the left and right rear lamps, and is fixed to the vehicle body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-226316 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, due to the recent increase in size of lamp devices and the diversification of lamp shapes, the adjacent area between the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the exposed part of the lamp device facing outside the vehicle and the outer panel may be set over a wide area, and it may be desirable to maintain appearance quality, such as a uniform gap between the outer panel and the lamp in this adjacent area.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle structure having a structure that can easily maintain the appearance quality of the adjacent area between the outer panel and the inner edge of the lamp device in the vehicle width direction, even if the lamp device becomes larger. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle structure including an outer panel that forms an outer design surface at the front or rear of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, and a lamp device is arranged adjacent to the outer panel from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the vehicle structure including a reinforcing member that supports the outer panel from its back surface side and extends in the vehicle width direction, the reinforcing member having a lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion on the back surface side of the outer panel that extends along a lamp inner edge, which is the vehicle width inner edge of the portion of the lamp device exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and supports the outer panel. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle structure can be provided that has a structure that can easily maintain the appearance quality of the adjacent area between the outer panel and the inner edge of the lamp device in the vehicle width direction, even if the lamp device becomes larger. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vehicle structure as viewed from diagonally rear left. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vehicle structure as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vehicle structure as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a connection relationship in a vehicle structure. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 are diagrams for explaining a vehicle structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle structure 1 as viewed from the front of the vehicle, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle structure 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part A shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vehicle structure 1 as viewed from the left rear. In Fig. 4, an outer panel 10 and a reinforcing member 30, which will be described later, have been removed. In the figure, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow O direction indicates the outside of the vehicle (outside in the vehicle width direction) in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction), and the arrow U direction indicates the upper side of the vehicle in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and "upper" and "lower" correspond to the upper and lower in the vehicle vertical direction. In addition, "left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front side toward the vehicle rear side.

[0011] (Vehicle structure overview) 1 to 3, the vehicle structure 1 is a structure including a panel mounting structure for mounting (fixing) an outer panel 10 of a vehicle to a vehicle body. In this embodiment, the vehicle structure 1 is applied as a front structure of a vehicle, and in the vehicle structure 1, a pair of lamp devices 20, 20 spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction are disposed adjacent to the outer panel 10 at the front of the vehicle. In addition, in a panel mounting state, a part of the lamp device 20 (more specifically, most of a lamp body 21 described later) is exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and a small gap G is provided between the exposed part of the lamp device 20 to the outside of the vehicle and the outer panel 10 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) (i.e., the lamp device 20 and the outer panel 10 are adjacent to each other with a gap therebetween).

[0012] In this embodiment, the vehicle structure 1 includes an outer panel 10, a lamp device 20, a reinforcing member 30, and a vehicle body structural member 40. The vehicle structure 1 is configured symmetrically in the vehicle width direction. In the following, the structure of the left side of the vehicle structure 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the structure of the right side will be omitted or simplified.

[0013] The outer panel 10 is a member that constitutes a design surface on the outside of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the outer panel 10 is a front bumper that constitutes a design surface at the front of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the outer panel 10, which is a front bumper, has a bumper front portion 10a that extends entirely in the vehicle width direction, a bumper inclined surface portion 10b that extends from the upper portion of the bumper front portion 10a to the front portion of the front hood (not shown), and a bumper side portion 10c that extends rearward from both ends of the bumper front portion 10a in the vehicle width direction. Although not illustrated, a fender panel is disposed behind the bumper side portion 10c. A large bumper opening is opened in the center of the bumper front portion 10a, and this bumper opening is closed by a front grille 11 made of resin. A plurality of air vents 11a are opened in the front grille 11, and in the illustrated example, the front grille 11 is an intake member. 6, which will be described later, grill claws 11b protruding rearward are formed on the periphery of the front grille 11. The grill claws 11b are inserted into and locked in connecting holes formed on the periphery of the bumper opening of the outer panel 10, whereby the front grille 11 is connected and fixed to the outer panel 10.

[0014] A cutout portion 10d is formed in a portion of the outer panel 10 corresponding to the lamp device 20. The cutout portion 10d is cut out in a generally U-shape in a plan view seen from above, which is open toward the rear of the vehicle and matches the shape of the lamp device 20. The portion of the lamp device 20 exposed to the outside of the vehicle is disposed in the inner region of the cutout portion 10d (in other words, the lamp exposing recess or the lamp insertion groove), so that the lamp device 20 can illuminate the area in front of the vehicle.

[0015] In this embodiment, the lamp device 20 is a front lamp (also called a headlight) that mainly illuminates an area in front of the vehicle. The lamp device 20 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle.

[0016] 1 to 4, the lamp device 20 has a lamp body 21 having a lamp light source therein, and a lamp holder 22 (also called a lamp housing) that holds the lamp body 21. The lamp body 21 and the lamp holder 22 are combined to form the lamp device 20 (in other words, a lamp unit or a lamp assembly).

[0017] The lamp body 21 is configured to be able to diffusely irradiate light output from the lamp light source to the front of the vehicle, and includes a lamp light source, a lamp support portion that supports the lamp light source, and a lamp lens portion that covers the lamp support portion. Most of the lamp body 21 (lamp lens portion) is exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and constitutes the exposed portion of the lamp device 20 to the outside of the vehicle. This exposed portion (most of the outer surface of the lamp lens portion) is curved to a shape that generally matches the curved shape of the surface of the outer panel 10, and forms a design surface of the front of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the gently curved upper wall 211, front wall 212, and vehicle width direction outer wall 213 of the lamp body 21 (lamp lens portion) are exposed to the outside of the vehicle. The outer surface (lamp main surface) of the upper wall 211 of the lamp body 21 occupies most of the exposed surface of the lamp body 21.

[0018] For example, the length of the lamp body 21 in the vehicle front-rear direction (total lamp length) is longer than the length of the lamp body 21 in the vehicle width direction (lamp width), and is formed vertically long in the front-rear direction along the bumper inclined surface portion 10b of the outer panel 10. The lamp body 21 is disposed in a position inclined downward toward the front so that the gently curved upper wall 211 of the lamp lens portion faces generally forward and upward. The lamp holder 22 is, for example, a resin injection molded product, and is provided below the lamp body 21 to support the lamp body 21 from below. The lamp body 21 is attached to and held by the lamp holder 22 from above.

[0019] Focusing on the periphery of the cutout portion 10d of the outer panel 10, the outer panel 10 has a lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 extending along a lamp inner edge 21a which is the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the portion of the lamp device 20 exposed to the outside of the vehicle, a lamp lower adjacent panel portion 10d2 extending along a lamp lower edge 21b which is the lower edge of the exposed portion, and a lamp outer adjacent panel portion 10d3 extending along a lamp outer edge 21c which is the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the exposed portion. The lamp body 21 is surrounded by the adjacent panel portions (10d1, 10d2, 10d3) of the outer panel 10, an edge of the front hood (not shown), and an edge of the fender panel (not shown).

[0020] In the illustrated lamp device 20, the lamp inner edge 21a is set longer than both the lamp lower edge 21b and the lamp outer edge 21c, and the lamp inner edge 21a is relatively longer than that in a general vehicle. The bumper inclined surface portion 10b of the outer panel 10 is continuously extended from the upper part of the bumper front surface portion 10a so as to enter the area between the pair of lamp devices 20. In the illustrated example, the bumper inclined surface portion 10b extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of lamp devices 20, 20, and the right side portion of the bumper inclined surface portion 10b in the vehicle width direction constitutes the right lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1, and the left side portion of the bumper inclined surface portion 10b in the vehicle width direction constitutes the left lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1. The lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 extends from the vehicle widthwise inner end of the lamp lower adjacent panel portion 10d2 to a position near the rear end (upper end) of the lamp inner edge 21a, that is, to a position rearward (above) of the longitudinal center position of the lamp inner edge 21a.

[0021] In this way, the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10 is set to be relatively long. Therefore, in the illustrated example, among the generally U-shaped adjacent regions between the exposed portion of the lamp device 20 to the outside of the vehicle and the outer panel 10 when viewed from above, the inner adjacent region V (see FIG. 3) between the lamp inner edge 21a of the exposed portion of the lamp device 20 and the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10 is set to be wide. In other words, the inner adjacent region V is set to be long and wide compared to both the adjacent region (lower adjacent region) between the lamp lower edge 21b and the lamp lower adjacent panel portion 10d2 and the adjacent region (outer adjacent region) between the lamp outer edge 21c and the lamp outer adjacent panel portion 10d3. Therefore, the inner adjacent region V is a region that requires assembly precision in particular from the viewpoint of appearance.

[0022] The reinforcing member 30 supports the outer panel 10 from the rear surface 10e side. The reinforcing member 30 is a member for fixing the outer panel 10 to the vehicle body (vehicle body structural member 40) and is a main element of the panel mounting structure. The outer panel 10 is a thin, large-sized panel that spreads over a wide area in the vehicle width direction, and therefore has a relatively low rigidity. The reinforcing member 30 supports the outer panel 10 at a plurality of points from the rear surface 10e of the outer panel 10 in order to reinforce the outer panel 10, which has a low rigidity. The reinforcing member 30 is fixed to the vehicle body (vehicle body structural member 40) at a plurality of points via a bracket as described later, and is connected to the rear surface 10e of the outer panel 10 at a plurality of points, thereby supporting the outer panel 10. In other words, the outer panel 10 is attached and fixed to the vehicle body via the reinforcing member 30 and the bracket. The structure of the reinforcing member 30 and the connection structure between the reinforcing member 30 and the outer panel 10 will be described later.

[0023] The vehicle body structural member 40 is a highly rigid member constituting a structural member of the vehicle body. In the front part of the vehicle, a pair of front side members 41, 41, a pair of vertical braces 42, 42, a pair of cross members 43, 43, etc. are provided as the vehicle body structural member 40. Specifically, the pair of front side members 41, 41 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction in the lower part of the vehicle, and each front side member 41 extends in the front-rear direction. Each vertical brace 42 is joined to the upper surface of the front side member 41 and extends upward. The pair of cross members 43, 43 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle up-down direction, and each cross member 43 extends in the vehicle width direction. One end of the upper cross member 43 (also called an upper bumper beam) is joined to the upper end of one vertical brace 42, and the other end of the upper cross member 43 is joined to the upper end of the other vertical brace 42. One end of a lower cross member 43 (also called a lower bumper beam) is joined to the front end of one front side member 41, and the other end of the lower cross member 43 is joined to the front end of the other front side member 41.

[0024] 4, the front portion of the vehicle is provided with a wheel house 44, which is a panel material that covers the front wheels of the vehicle from above, and a cowl side member 45 that extends from the front end of the upper portion of the dash side panel toward the front of the vehicle, as vehicle body structural members 40. Specifically, the wheel house 44 is located rearward of the lamp device 20 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is joined to the upper surfaces of the front side members 41. The front portion of the cowl side member 45 is joined to the upper portion of the wheel house 44.

[0025] The lamp device 20 is fixed (connected) to the vehicle body (vehicle body structural member 40) via a bracket or the like. Specifically, the lamp holder 22 of the lamp device 20 is provided with a rear vehicle body connecting portion 22a, a side vehicle body connecting portion 22b, and a front vehicle body connecting portion 22c. In the illustrated example, the rear vehicle body connecting portion 22a is located at the rear of the lamp holder 22, the side vehicle body connecting portion 22b is located at the outer side of the lamp holder 22 in the vehicle width direction, and the front vehicle body connecting portion 22c is located at the front of the inner side of the lamp holder 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] The rear vehicle-body connecting portion 22a is fixed (supported) to the vehicle body by being connected to an upper flange of a rear lamp support bracket 46a joined to a front portion of the wheel house 44 and extending upward, using a connecting tool such as a bolt. The side vehicle-body connecting portion 22b is fixed (supported) to the vehicle body by being connected to the wheel house 44 via a side lamp support bracket 46b1 and a fender panel holder 46b2, using a connecting tool such as a bolt. The front vehicle-body connecting portion 22c is fixed (supported) to the vehicle body by being connected to an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of an upper surface of an upper cross member 43, using a connecting tool such as a bolt. In FIG. 5 described later, the upper cross member 43 to which the front connecting portion 22c is connected is removed.

[0027] The side lamp support bracket 46b1 is joined to the front part of the wheel house 44 and the side of the front side member 41, and extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The fender panel holder 46b2 is a resin member that supports the fender panel located behind the bumper side part 10c from its back side. The fender panel holder 46b2 is connected to the tip part of the side lamp support bracket 46b1 and the side vehicle body connecting part 22b of the lamp device 20 by a connecting tool such as a bolt, and the fender panel is connected to and supported by the fender panel holder 46b2. In this state, the outer part of the lamp device 20 in the vehicle width direction is fixed (supported) to the vehicle body (wheel house 44 and front side member 41) via the fender panel holder 46b2 and the side lamp support bracket 46b1. The relative position between the fender panel and lamp outer edge 21c of the lamp unit 20, and the relative position between the fender panel and bumper side portion 10c of the outer panel 10 are set with high precision and maintained well via the fender panel holder 46b2. Since the fender panel is a small panel component compared to the outer panel 10, it can be easily positioned with high precision.

[0028] Here, the outer panel 10 is a large panel part with low rigidity, and its part tolerance may be larger than other parts. Therefore, when the inner adjacent region V between the lamp inner edge 21a of the lamp device 20 (lamp body 21) and the lamp inner adjacent panel part 10d1 of the outer panel 10 is set to a wide range as in the present embodiment, the variation of the gap G in the inner adjacent region V tends to be noticeable, and the assembly precision is easily manifested in the inner adjacent region V. Therefore, from the viewpoint of appearance, it may be required to set a uniform gap G in the inner adjacent region V set to a wide range. In this regard, the vehicle structure 1 has a structure described below, and therefore it is possible to easily maintain the quality of the appearance in the inner adjacent region V (suppress quality deterioration).

[0029] (Vehicle structure details) The vehicle structure 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are partially enlarged perspective views of the vehicle structure 1 as viewed from the rear surface 10e side of the outer panel 10, and Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationship in the vehicle structure 1. In Fig. 6, the lamp device 20 has been removed.

[0030] 1 to 3, the reinforcing member 30 extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of lamp devices 20, 20. In other words, the reinforcing member 30 that supports the front bumper as the outer panel 10 from its back surface 10e side functions as a bumper holder, but unlike a conventional bumper holder that extends only along the lower part of the lamp, this reinforcing member 30 extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of lamp devices 20, 20. The reinforcing member 30 is, for example, a resin injection molded product. The reinforcing member 30 is formed on the back surface 10e of the outer panel 10 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction and generally follow the bumper front surface portion 10a and the bumper inclined surface portion 10b.

[0031] The reinforcing member 30 has a lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a on the back surface 10e side of the outer panel 10, which extends along the lamp inner edge 21a of the exposed portion of the lamp device 20 and supports the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10. The lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 faces the back surface 10e of the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10. In the illustrated example, the lamp device 20 has a flange portion 214 around the bottom of the lamp body 21 (lamp lens portion). The lamp lower adjacent panel portion 10d2 and the lamp outer adjacent panel portion 10d3 of the outer panel 10, which are shorter than the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1, are supported by the flange portion 214.

[0032] In this embodiment, the lamp device 20 has an inner lamp portion 20a that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction with respect to a lamp inner edge 21a that is the inside edge in the vehicle width direction of the portion of the lamp device 20 exposed to the outside of the vehicle and is covered by a lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30. The lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 is located between the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10 and the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20. The front vehicle body connecting portion 22c of the lamp device 20 is provided in the inner lamp portion 20a.

[0033] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is supported by the cross members 43. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing member 30 is connected to and supported by both the upper cross member 43 and the lower cross member 43. The upper cross member 43 also serves as a hood lock member as a structural member that receives the front portion of a front hood (not shown). The reinforcing member 30 has a length in the vehicle width direction that is approximately the same as that of each cross member 43.

[0034] Specifically, the reinforcing member 30 is supported by the upper cross member 43 via a first upper bracket 47a and a second upper bracket 47b joined to the upper cross member 43, and is also supported by the lower cross member 43 via a lower bracket 48 joined to the lower cross member 43. The first upper bracket 47a is provided at two locations near the center in the vehicle width direction of the upper cross member 43, and the second upper bracket 47b is provided at each of both ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper cross member 43. An upper portion of the reinforcing member 30 is connected (fastened) to each of the first upper bracket 47a and the second upper bracket 47b by a connecting tool such as a bolt, and a lower central portion of the reinforcing member 30 is engaged with the lower bracket 48, thereby connecting the reinforcing member 30 to the lower bracket 48.

[0035] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is divided into a side reinforcing member 30S including the lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a and an intermediate reinforcing member 30M formed as a separate member from the side reinforcing member 30S, and the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M are connected to each other. That is, the reinforcing member 30 has a left side reinforcing member 30S, a right side reinforcing member 30S, and an intermediate reinforcing member 30M between the left side reinforcing member 30S and the right side reinforcing member 30S, and the reinforcing member 30 is configured by connecting the left and right side reinforcing members 30S to the intermediate reinforcing member 30M. In other words, the reinforcing member 30 is a reinforcing assembly or reinforcing body formed by combining multiple members. In relation to the vehicle body (cross member 43), the upper part of each side reinforcing member 30S is connected to the second upper bracket 47b, the upper part of the intermediate reinforcing member 30M is connected to the first upper bracket 47a, and the lower part of the intermediate reinforcing member 30M is connected to the lower bracket 48. The connecting structure between the reinforcing member 30 and the vehicle body (cross member 43) will be described in more detail later.

[0036] In this embodiment, a sensor device S is attached to the intermediate reinforcing member 30M. The sensor device S is a device that detects the environment outside the vehicle. In this embodiment, the sensor device S is a device configured to detect obstacles, such as other vehicles, located in front of the vehicle by using electromagnetic waves. In this embodiment, the sensor device S uses millimeter waves as the electromagnetic waves. In other words, the sensor device S is a millimeter wave radar. However, the electromagnetic waves used in the sensor device S are not limited to millimeter waves, and may be, for example, microwaves.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the sensor device S is attached to the intermediate reinforcing member 30M behind the front grille 11 in a position facing the front of the vehicle, and in this state, faces the back surface of the front grille 11. That is, the portion of the front grille 11 facing the sensor device S is made of a material (e.g., synthetic resin, etc.) having properties that allow electromagnetic waves to pass through, and is formed in a flat plate shape as an electromagnetic wave passing section 11c (detection wave passing section). The sensor device S outputs electromagnetic waves, and the output electromagnetic waves pass through the electromagnetic wave passing section 11c of the front grille 11 and are output to the front of the vehicle. Then, when there is an obstacle in front of the vehicle, the electromagnetic waves output to the front of the vehicle are reflected by the obstacle, and the sensor device S is configured to detect the obstacle in front of the vehicle by receiving the electromagnetic waves reflected by the obstacle and passed through the electromagnetic wave passing section 11c.

[0038] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is connected to the lamp device 20. Therefore, the reinforcing member 30 is not only fixed to the highly rigid vehicle body structural member 40 (cross member 43) via the brackets (47a, 47b, 48), but also fixed to the lamp device 20. The connection structure between the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 will be described later.

[0039] Next, a detailed description will be given mainly of a connection structure between the reinforcing member 30 and each element (the outer panel 10, the body structural member 40, and the lamp device 20) and a restriction structure (in other words, a positioning structure) for the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and each element.

[0040] (connected structure) 5 and 6, the reinforcing member 30 is connected to all of the outer panel 10, the front grille 11, the vehicle body (cross member 43), and the lamp device 20. In other words, the reinforcing member 30 has a panel connecting portion CP which is a connecting portion with the outer panel 10, a grill connecting portion CG which is a connecting portion with the front grille 11, a vehicle body connecting portion CV which is a connecting portion with the vehicle body, and a lamp connecting portion CL which is a connecting portion with the lamp device 20.

[0041] Each of the connecting parts (CP, CG, CV, CL) has a connecting hole (301a-306a, 308a, 309a) into which a connecting tool such as a bolt or a clip is inserted. Each of the connecting parts (CP, CG, CV, CL) is connected (fastened or locked) to a connecting object (connecting partner) via the connecting tool. The connecting holes (301a-306a, 308a, 309a) are opened to a size that provides a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment allowance) so that the relative position between the reinforcing member 30 and the connecting object can be finely adjusted.

[0042] In this embodiment, as described below, the grill connection portion CG, the lamp connection portion CL and the majority of the vehicle body connection portion CV (connections other than the third vehicle body connection portion 307 and the lower lamp connection portion 309 described below) each also function as a panel connection portion CP.

[0043] (Panel connection part) In the illustrated example, the reinforcing member 30 has a first panel connecting portion 301 and a second panel connecting portion 302 as the panel connecting portion CP. The first panel connecting portion 301 is located at the bottom of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 (side reinforcement member 30S), and the second panel connecting portion 302 is located at the top of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a. The first panel connecting portion 301 has two first connecting holes 301a opened, and the second panel connecting portion 302 has one second connecting hole 302a opened.

[0044] In the first panel connecting portion 301, a bolt inserted into a first connecting hole 301a from the back surface side of the reinforcing member 30 is screwed into a screw hole formed in a boss portion on the back surface of the outer panel 10, thereby connecting (fastening) the first panel connecting portion 301 to the outer panel 10. In the second panel connecting portion 302, a clip T1 (see FIG. 7) is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into a clip hole 10f (see FIG. 7) formed in the outer panel 10 and into a second connecting hole 302a of the reinforcing member 30, thereby connecting the second panel connecting portion 302 to the outer panel 10.

[0045] In the illustrated example, the reinforcing member 30 has a first grille connecting portion 303 and a second grille connecting portion 304 as the grille connecting portion CG. The first grille connecting portion 303 is located near the lower portion of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 (side reinforcing member 30S), and the second grille connecting portion 304 is located at an inner corner portion in the vehicle width direction of the side reinforcing member 30S. A third connecting hole 303a is opened in the first grille connecting portion 303, and a fourth connecting hole 304a is opened in the second grille connecting portion 304.

[0046] In the first grill connection part 303, a bolt inserted into the third connection hole 303a from the back side of the reinforcing member 30 is screwed into a screw hole formed in a boss part on the back side of the front grill 11, thereby connecting (fastening) the first grill connection part 303 to the outer panel 10. In the second grill connection part 304, a bolt inserted into the fourth connection hole 304a is screwed into a screw hole of the front grill 11, thereby connecting (fastening) the second grill connection part 304 to the outer panel 10. At this time, the boss part of the front grill 11 is inserted into a boss hole formed in the outer panel 10 from the front side (design surface side) of the outer panel 10. Therefore, in the first grill connection part 303 and the second grill connection part 304, the outer panel 10 is sandwiched between the front grill 11 and the reinforcing member 30, and the reinforcing member 30 is also connected to the outer panel 10. In other words, the first grill connecting portion 303 and the second grill connecting portion 304 also function as the panel connecting portion CP.

[0047] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is configured by connecting two side reinforcing members 30S and an intermediate reinforcing member 30M. Specifically, an intermediate connecting portion CM, which is a connecting portion with the intermediate reinforcing member 30M, is provided at the vehicle width direction inner end of the upper portion of the side reinforcing member 30S. An intermediate connecting hole 300a is opened in the intermediate connecting portion CM. In the intermediate connecting portion CM, a clip is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into a clip hole formed in the outer panel 10, a clip hole formed in the intermediate reinforcing member 30M, and the intermediate connecting hole 300a of the side reinforcing member 30S. As a result, each side reinforcing member 30S is connected to the intermediate reinforcing member 30M by the clip. At this time, the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M (i.e., the reinforcing member 30) are also connected to the outer panel 10 by the clip hole at the intermediate connecting portion CM, and the intermediate connecting portion CM also functions as a panel connecting portion CP.

[0048] In addition, the intermediate connecting hole 300a of the side reinforcement member 30S and the clip hole of the intermediate reinforcement member 30M, like the other connecting holes (301a to 306a, 308a, 309a), are opened to a size that allows a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment allowance) so that the relative position between the side reinforcement member 30S and the intermediate reinforcement member 30M can be fine-tuned.

[0049] (Car body connection part) In the illustrated example, the reinforcement member 30 has a first vehicle body connecting portion 305, a second vehicle body connecting portion 306, and a third vehicle body connecting portion 307 as vehicle body connecting portions CV. The first vehicle body connecting portion 305 is located at each of both ends in the vehicle width direction of the intermediate reinforcement member 30M, the second vehicle body connecting portion 306 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction of the upper portion of the side reinforcement member 30S, and the third vehicle body connecting portion 307 is located at the lower portion of the intermediate reinforcement member 30M. Two fifth connecting holes 305a are opened in the first vehicle body connecting portion 305, two sixth connecting holes 306a are opened in the second vehicle body connecting portion 306, and a protrusion 307a (see the dashed line shown in FIG. 3) is formed in the third vehicle body connecting portion 307.

[0050] In the first vehicle body connecting portion 305, a clip is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into a clip hole formed in the outer panel 10, one of the fifth connecting holes 305a of the reinforcing member 30, and a clip hole formed in the first upper bracket 47a. As a result, the first vehicle body connecting portion 305 is connected to the vehicle body (the upper cross member 43) via the first upper bracket 47a by the clip. Furthermore, a bolt is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into a bolt hole formed in the outer panel 10, the other of the fifth connecting hole 305a of the reinforcing member 30, and a bolt hole formed in the first upper bracket 47a, and is screwed into a weld nut on the back side of the bolt hole, so that the first vehicle body connecting portion 305 is connected (fastened) to the vehicle body (the upper cross member 43) via the first upper bracket 47a by the bolt. At this time, the first vehicle body connecting portion 305 is also connected to the outer panel 10 and functions as a panel connecting portion CP.

[0051] Similarly, in the second vehicle body connecting portion 306, a clip is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into the clip hole of the outer panel 10, the sixth connecting hole 306a on one side, and the clip hole of the second upper bracket 47b, and a bolt is inserted from above the outer panel 10 into the bolt hole of the outer panel 10, the sixth connecting hole 306a on the other side, and the bolt hole of the second upper bracket 47b, and is screwed into the weld nut on the back side of the bolt hole. As a result, the second vehicle body connecting portion 306 is connected to the vehicle body (upper cross member 43) via the second upper bracket 47b by the clip and the bolt. At this time, the second vehicle body connecting portion 306 is also connected to the outer panel 10, and functions as a panel connecting portion CP.

[0052] In the third vehicle body connecting portion 307, for example, a protrusion 307a (see dashed line in Figure 3) of the third vehicle body connecting portion 307 is engaged with the lower bracket 48, and thereby the third vehicle body connecting portion 307 is connected and supported to the vehicle body (lower cross member 43) via the lower bracket 48.

[0053] (Lamp connection part) In this embodiment, the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a of the reinforcement member 30 has an upper lamp connecting portion 308 and a lower lamp connecting portion 309 as the lamp connecting portion CL. The upper lamp connecting portion 308 is located at the upper portion of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a of the reinforcement member 30 (side reinforcement member 30S) and is connected to the upper portion of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20. The lower lamp connecting portion 309 is located at the lower portion of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a and is connected to the lower portion of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20.

[0054] 5 and 6, the upper lamp connecting portion 308 is disposed near the second panel connecting portion 302 and is continuous with the second panel connecting portion 302. In the lower portion of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a, in the area surrounded by the first panel connecting portion 301 and the first grill connecting portion 303, a bulging portion that bulges toward the rear of the vehicle is formed. The lower lamp connecting portion 309 is provided in the bulging portion in the lower portion of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a. An upper lamp connecting hole 308a is opened in the upper lamp connecting portion 308, and a lower lamp connecting hole 309a is opened in the lower lamp connecting portion 309.

[0055] In this embodiment, the upper lamp connecting portion 308 has a lamp contact surface 308b that is in surface contact with the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20, and the lower lamp connecting portion 309 has a lamp contact surface 309b that faces in a different direction from the lamp contact surface 308b of the upper lamp connecting portion 308 and is in surface contact with the inner lamp portion 20a.

[0056] In this embodiment, a flat upper surface 20a1 (seat surface) facing upward is formed at the upper part of the inner lamp part 20a of the lamp device 20, and a lower front surface 20a2 (seat surface) facing forward is formed at the lower part of the inner lamp part 20a. A lamp contact surface 308b of the upper lamp connecting part 308 faces the lower part of the vehicle and is in surface contact with the upper surface 20a1 of the upper part of the inner lamp part 20a. A lamp contact surface 309b of the lower lamp connecting part 309 faces one side in the vehicle front-rear direction (here, the rear) and is in surface contact with the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp part 20a.

[0057] 5, the lamp contact surface 309b of the lower lamp connecting portion 309 is formed by the rear end surface of the bulging portion that bulges rearward. The lower lamp connecting hole 309a is formed by a rectangular opening 309a1 that is opened by cutting out a part of the side wall of the bulging portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the rear surface side of the reinforcing member 30, and a locking groove portion 309a2 that is continuous with the rectangular opening 309a1 and is formed on the lamp contact surface 309b.

[0058] 5 to 7, in the upper lamp connecting portion 308, a bolt T2 (see FIG. 7) is screwed from above the outer panel 10 into a bolt hole 10g (see FIG. 7) formed in the outer panel 10, an upper lamp connecting hole 308a of the reinforcing member 30, and a plate-shaped square nut N (see FIGS. 4 and 7) engaged with the upper surface 20a1 of the upper portion of the inner lamp portion 20a. As a result, the upper lamp connecting portion 308 is connected (fastened) to the upper portion (upper surface 20a1) of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20 by the bolt T2. At this time, the upper lamp connecting portion 308 is also connected to the outer panel 10 and functions as a panel connecting portion CP.

[0059] In the lower lamp connecting portion 309, before the outer panel 10 and the reinforcing member 30 are connected, for example, a headed bolt (not shown) is inserted from the front of the reinforcing member 30 into the lower lamp connecting hole 309a, and the neck of the threaded portion is engaged with the locking groove portion 309a2. Then, the headed bolt inserted from the front of the reinforcing member 30 is screwed into the threaded portion 20a3 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, etc.) penetrating the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20. As a result, the lower lamp connecting portion 309 is connected to the lower portion (lower front surface 20a2) of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20 by the bolt. When the connection between the lower lamp connecting portion 309 and the inner lamp portion 20a is to be released while the outer panel 10 is connected to the reinforcing member 30, for example, the bolt is loosened by a tool inserted through the service port 309c.

[0060] In this way, the reinforcing member 30 is connected to the upper part of the inner lamp part 20a with the lamp contact surface 308b in contact with the upper surface 20a1 of the inner lamp part 20a, and is connected to the lower part of the inner lamp part 20a with the lamp contact surface 309b in contact with the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp part 20a. In other words, the reinforcing member 30 is connected to the upper surface 20a1 of the upper part of the inner lamp part 20a of the lamp device 20 and the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp part 20a in a surface contact state.

[0061] In relation to the outer panel 10, the reinforcing member 30 has an upper surface (upper lamp connecting portion 308) of the lamp inside adjacent reinforcing portion 30a facing upward contacting an underside surface of the upper portion of the lamp inside adjacent panel portion 10d1 facing downward, and a front surface (first panel connecting portion 301) of the lamp inside adjacent reinforcing portion 30a facing forward contacting a rear surface (rear surface) of the lower portion of the lamp inside adjacent panel portion 10d1 facing rearward. In other words, the reinforcing member 30 is connected in a state of surface contact with the underside surface of the upper portion of the lamp inside adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10 and the rear surface of the lower portion of the lamp inside adjacent panel portion 10d1.

[0062] (Regulatory Structure) In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 has elements that restrict relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10, the vehicle body (cross member 43), and the lamp device 20. That is, the reinforcing member 30 has a panel restricting portion RP that restricts relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10, a lamp restricting portion RL that restricts relative movement with respect to the lamp device 20, and a vehicle body restricting portion RV that restricts relative movement with respect to the vehicle body. Each restricting portion (RP, RL, RV) is formed as a restricting hole (fitting hole) or a restricting protrusion. Each restricting portion (RP, RL, RV) comes into contact with a restricted object, thereby determining a relative position in a predetermined direction with respect to the restricted object.

[0063] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 has a first panel restricting portion 310 and a second panel restricting portion 311 as the panel restricting portion RP. The first panel restricting portion 310 is located at an inner corner portion in the vehicle width direction of a lower portion of the side reinforcing member 30S, and the second panel restricting portions 311 are located at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the intermediate reinforcing member 30M. Each panel restricting portion (310, 311) is opened as a restricting hole.

[0064] Each panel restricting portion (310, 311) is opened in a rectangular shape so as to restrict the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and the outer panel 10 in the up-down and left-right directions. The first panel restricting portion 310 and one of the second panel restricting portions 311 within the range shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are opened in the shape of an elongated hole with a size that provides a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment allowance) so that the relative position between the reinforcing member 30 and the outer panel 10 can be finely adjusted mainly in the left-right direction. The adjustment allowance in the left-right direction of the other second panel restricting portion 311 and the adjustment allowance in the up-down direction of each panel restricting portion (310, 311) are set to be extremely small.

[0065] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the panel restricting portions (310, 311). Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 6. Referring to Fig. 8, the reinforcing member 30 has a panel contact surface 30b that comes into surface contact with the outer panel 10, and the panel restricting portions (310, 311) are provided on the panel contact surface 30b. In the illustrated example, the panel contact surface 30b around the panel restricting portions (310, 311) is the front surface of the reinforcing member 30 that faces the front of the vehicle, and is in contact with the rear surface (rear surface 10e) of the outer panel 10.

[0066] In each panel restricting portion (310, 311), the restricting protrusions (first restricting protrusion 10h1, second restricting protrusion 10h2) protruding rearward from the outer panel 10 are fitted into the restricting holes of the panel restricting portions (310, 311), and the panel contact surface 30b of the reinforcing member 30 is in contact with the rear surface of the outer panel 10. At this time, each panel restricting portion (310, 311) prevents the reinforcing member 30 from moving relative to the outer panel 10 in the vertical direction, and the relative positions of the reinforcing member 30 and the outer panel 10 in the vertical direction are determined. As described above, the left-right adjustment margin of the other second panel restricting portion 311 is extremely small. Therefore, in terms of the intermediate reinforcing member 30M, the second restricting protrusion 10h2 is fitted into the second panel restricting portion 311, and the relative positions of the intermediate reinforcing member 30M and the outer panel 10 in the vertical and horizontal directions are determined. The side reinforcing member 30S is movable in the left-right direction relative to the outer panel 10 within the range of adjustment of the first panel restricting portion 310. In this manner, each panel restricting portion (310, 311) is provided on the panel contact surface 30b, and is an element that restricts relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10 in directions along the panel contact surface 30b (here, the up-down direction and the left-right direction). Note that the relative positions of the reinforcing member 30 and the outer panel 10 in the front-rear direction are also determined by contact between the panel contact surface 30b and the rear surface of the outer panel 10.

[0067] In this embodiment, the lamp regulating portion RL is located at the lower part of the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a. In the illustrated example, the lamp regulating portion RL is provided integrally with the lower lamp connecting portion 309. In the illustrated example, the lamp regulating portion RL is formed as a protrusion protruding from the lamp contact surface 309b of the lower lamp connecting portion 309. The lamp contact surface 309b faces rearward and is in surface contact with the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20. In other words, the lamp regulating portion RL (protrusion) is provided on the lamp contact surface 309b that faces the opposite side (rearward) from the direction (frontward) that the panel contact surface 30b around the panel regulating portion (310, 311) faces and is in surface contact with the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20.

[0068] The protrusion as the lamp regulating part RL extends in a columnar shape having an outline capable of regulating the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The lamp regulating part RL fits into the lamp side regulating hole 20b formed in the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp part 20a of the lamp device 20. This lamp side regulating hole 20b is opened in a rectangular shape so that the lamp regulating part RL can regulate the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 in the vertical and horizontal directions. The lamp side regulating hole 20b is opened to a size having a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment allowance) so that the relative position between the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 can be finely adjusted in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0069] In the lamp regulation part RL, the protrusion as the lamp regulation part RL is fitted into the lamp side regulation hole 20b of the lamp device 20, and the lamp contact surface 309b of the reinforcing member 30 is in contact with the lower front surface 20a2 of the inner lamp part 20a of the lamp device 20. At this time, for example, the lower wall RLu of the lamp regulation part RL abuts against the lower edge of the opening of the lamp side regulation hole 20b, so that the relative movement of the reinforcing member 30 (side reinforcing member 30S) with respect to the outer panel 10 in the vertical direction is prevented, and the relative position of the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 in the vertical direction is determined. In this state, the side reinforcing member 30S can move relatively to the lamp device 20 in the left-right direction within the range of the adjustment margin of the lamp side regulation hole 20b. In this way, the lamp regulation part RL is provided on the lamp contact surface 309b, and is an element that regulates the relative movement with respect to the lamp device 20 in the direction along the lamp contact surface 309b (here, the up-down direction and the left-right direction). By contact between the lamp contact surface 309b and the lower front surface 20a2 of the lamp device 20, the relative positions of the reinforcing member 30 (side reinforcing member 30S) and the lamp device 20 in the front-rear direction are also determined.

[0070] In addition, in the reinforcing member 30, a panel restricting portion RP (first panel restricting portion 310) and a lamp restricting portion RL are provided on one side and the other side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the intermediate reinforcing member 30M. In other words, the two panel restricting portions RP are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction in the reinforcing member 30, sandwiching the vehicle body connecting portion CV (in other words, the first vehicle body connecting portion 305 and the second vehicle body connecting portion 306, or the first upper bracket 47a and the second upper bracket 47b).

[0071] In this embodiment, the vehicle body regulating portion RV is located at the upper portion of the side reinforcing member 30S. In the illustrated example, the vehicle body regulating portion RV is provided integrally with the second vehicle body connecting portion 306. In the illustrated example, the vehicle body regulating portion RV is formed as a protrusion protruding downward from the second vehicle body connecting portion 306.

[0072] The protrusion as the vehicle body restriction portion RV extends in a columnar shape having an outline capable of restricting the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and the vehicle body (the upper cross member 43) in the front-rear and left-right directions. The vehicle body restriction portion RV fits into a vehicle body side restriction hole 47b1 (see FIG. 4) formed on the upper surface of the second upper bracket 47b joined to the cross member 43. This vehicle body side restriction hole 47b1 is opened so that the vehicle body restriction portion RV can restrict the relative movement between the reinforcing member 30 and the vehicle body (the cross member 43) in the front-rear and left-right directions. The vehicle body side restriction hole 47b1 is opened in the shape of a long hole in the left-right direction with a size having a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment allowance) so that the relative position between the reinforcing member 30 and the vehicle body can be finely adjusted mainly in the left-right direction.

[0073] In the vehicle body regulating portion RV, the protrusion as the vehicle body regulating portion RV fits into the vehicle body side regulating hole 47b1, and the lower surface of the second vehicle body connecting portion 306 of the reinforcement member 30 contacts the upper surface of the second upper bracket 47b. At this time, the vehicle body regulating portion RV prevents the side reinforcement member 30S from moving relative to the vehicle body (cross member 43) in the front-rear direction, and the relative position of the side reinforcement member 30S and the vehicle body in the front-rear direction is determined. The side reinforcement member 30S can move relative to the vehicle body in the left-right direction within the range of the adjustment margin of the vehicle body side regulating hole 47b1. In this way, the vehicle body regulating portion RV is provided on the lower surface (vehicle body contact surface) of the second vehicle body connecting portion 306 of the reinforcement member 30, and is an element that regulates the relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10 in the direction along the vehicle body contact surface (here, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction). In addition, the relative position between the reinforcing member 30 and the vehicle body in the up-down direction is also determined by the contact between the vehicle body contact surface and the upper surface of the vehicle body side (the upper surface of the second upper bracket 47b).

[0074] In this embodiment, the lamp device 20 has a lamp side regulating portion RP' that regulates the relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10. For example, the lamp side regulating portion RP' is formed as a protrusion protruding upward from the upper surface 20a1 of the inner lamp portion 20a of the lamp device 20. A protrusion through hole 308c through which the lamp side regulating portion RP' penetrates is opened near the upper lamp connecting hole 308a (second connecting hole 302a) in the upper lamp connecting portion 308 (second panel connecting portion 302) of the reinforcing member 30. A lamp regulating hole 10i through which the lamp side regulating portion RP' is inserted is opened near the clip hole 10f (bolt hole 10g) in the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10. The protrusion through hole 30c is formed as a rectangular hole that is long in the front-rear direction, and the lamp regulating hole 10i is formed as a rectangular hole that is shorter in the front-rear direction than the protrusion through hole 30c. The lamp regulation hole 10i is opened in an elongated hole shape with a size that provides a predetermined position adjustment play (adjustment margin) so that the relative positions of the lamp device 20 and the outer panel 10 can be finely adjusted.

[0075] In the lamp side regulating portion RP', a protrusion serving as the lamp side regulating portion RP' penetrates the protrusion through hole 308c of the reinforcing member 30 and fits into the lamp regulating hole 10i of the outer panel 10, and the lamp contact surface 308b of the reinforcing member 30 contacts the upper surface 20a1 of the lamp device 20. At this time, for example, the lamp side regulating portion RP' abuts against the opening edge of the lamp regulating hole 10i, thereby preventing the outer panel 10 from moving relative to the lamp device 20 in the front-rear direction, and the relative position of the upper portion of the outer panel 10 and the lamp device 20 in the front-rear direction is determined.

[0076] According to the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment, a pair of lamp devices 20 spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction are disposed adjacent to an outer panel 10 that forms an outer design surface at the front (or rear) of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction. In this vehicle structure 1, a reinforcing member 30 that supports the outer panel 10 from its back surface 10e side and extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of lamp devices 20 has a lamp inner adjacent reinforcing part 30a that extends along a lamp inner edge 21a, which is an inner edge in the vehicle width direction of a part of the lamp device 20 exposed to the outside of the vehicle, on the back surface 10e side of the outer panel 10 and supports the outer panel 10. Therefore, for example, even if the inner adjacent region V between the lamp device 20 (lamp inner edge 21a) and the outer panel 10 (lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1) is set to a wide range, the lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 reliably stabilizes the support of the lamp inner adjacent panel portion 10d1 of the outer panel 10, which has low rigidity. As a result, the uniform gap G set in the inner adjacent region V, which is set to a wide range, is easily maintained, and the appearance quality of the inner adjacent region V is easily maintained (quality deterioration is suppressed). Furthermore, even if a pressing force from a finger or the like is applied from the outside to the outer panel 10, which has low rigidity, elastic deformation of the outer panel 10 is suppressed or prevented.

[0077] In this way, the vehicle structure 1 of this embodiment is a vehicle structure having a structure that can easily maintain the appearance quality of the adjacent area (inner adjacent area V) between the outer panel 10 and the inner edge of the lamp device 20 in the vehicle width direction, even if the lamp device 20 is enlarged.

[0078] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is supported by the cross member 43 that constitutes the body structural member 40 of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, so the supporting rigidity of the reinforcing member 30 for the outer panel 10 is effectively increased. Moreover, since the cross member 43 also extends in the vehicle width direction, the reinforcing member 30 extending in the vehicle width direction can easily secure a supporting surface for the cross member 43, and the supporting rigidity for the outer panel 10 is more effectively increased.

[0079] In this embodiment, the lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 supporting the outer panel 10 is connected to the inner lamp portion 20a between the outer panel 10 and the inner lamp portion 20a. Therefore, in the inner adjacent region V between the outer panel 10 and the lamp device 20, it becomes easy to adjust the relative positions of the outer panel 10 and the lamp device 20 with high precision, and it becomes easy to maintain a uniform gap G. Furthermore, since the support rigidity of the outer panel 10 in the inner adjacent region V is further increased through the connection with the lamp device 20, elastic deformation of the outer panel 10 is also reliably suppressed or prevented.

[0080] In this embodiment, the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a has an upper lamp connecting portion 308 connected to the upper portion of the inner lamp portion 20a, and a lower lamp connecting portion 309 connected to the lower portion of the inner lamp portion 20a. As a result, in the inner adjacent region V, the reinforcement member 30 and the lamp device 20 are connected to each other at their upper and lower portions, so that the relative positions of the lamp device 20 and the outer panel 10 can be adjusted more accurately via the reinforcement member 30, and the gap G can be maintained more easily.

[0081] In this embodiment, the lamp contact surface 309b of the lower lamp connecting portion 309 faces a different direction from the lamp contact surface 308b of the upper lamp connecting portion 308, so that the lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a of the reinforcing member 30 supporting the outer panel 10 in the inner adjacent region V is stably supported by the lamp device 20 via the lamp contact surfaces (308b, 309b). As a result, it becomes easy to adjust the relative position between the outer panel 10 and the lamp device 20 and also to maintain the relative position. For example, the lamp contact surface 308b of the upper lamp connecting portion 308 faces downward of the vehicle, and the lamp contact surface 309b of the lower lamp connecting portion 309 faces one side in the vehicle front-rear direction. This makes it easier to adjust the relative positions of the reinforcing member 30 and the lamp device 20 in the directions along the lamp contact surface 308b (front-back and left-right directions) on the upper side, and in the directions along the lamp contact surface 309b (up-down and left-right directions) on the lower side. In addition, the surface contact between the lamp contact surfaces (308b, 309b) and the lamp device 20 makes it easier to maintain the positional relationship in the normal direction of the lamp contact surfaces.

[0082] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 has a panel restricting portion RP (310, 311) provided on the panel contact surface 30b and restricting relative movement with respect to the outer panel 10 in a direction along the panel contact surface 30b, and a lamp restricting portion RL provided on the lamp contact surface 309b facing the opposite side to the panel contact surface 30b around the panel restricting portion RP and restricting relative movement with respect to the lamp device 20 in a direction along the lamp contact surface 309b. This makes it easier to determine the relative positions between the outer panel 10 and the reinforcing member 30 and between the lamp device 20 and the reinforcing member 30 in the direction along the panel contact surface 30b and the direction along the lamp contact surface 309b. Surface contact between the panel contact surface 30b and the outer panel 10 makes it easier to maintain the positional relationship in the normal direction of the panel contact surface 30b, and surface contact between the lamp contact surface 309b facing the opposite side of the panel contact surface 30b and the lamp device 20 makes it easier to maintain the positional relationship in the normal direction of the lamp contact surface 309b.

[0083] Here, when the reinforcing member 30 is disposed at a position that satisfies the required accuracy of detection by the sensor device S, the gap G between the outer panel 10 and the lamp device 20 in the inner adjacent region V may not be determined within the range of the required accuracy, and conversely, when the gap G is determined within the range of the required accuracy, the reinforcing member 30 may not be disposed at a position that satisfies the required accuracy of detection by the sensor device S. In contrast, in this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is divided into a side reinforcing member 30S including the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion 30a and an intermediate reinforcing member 30M formed as a separate member from the side reinforcing member 30S and to which the sensor device S is attached, and the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M are connected to each other. Therefore, by adjusting the relative position of the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M, the reinforcing member 30 can be easily assembled while satisfying both the required accuracy of detection and the required accuracy of the gap G.

[0084] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0085] For example, the outer panel 10 adjacent to the lamp device 20 is not limited to a front bumper, and may be a resin front grille or a decorative member (e.g., a metallic member). In this case, the front grille or the decorative member as the outer panel 10 extends in the vehicle width direction and is adjacent to the lamp device 20. In addition, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is formed of the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M as separate members, but is not limited thereto, and the side reinforcing member 30S and the intermediate reinforcing member 30M may be formed integrally.

[0086] Each bracket (rear lamp support bracket 46a, side lamp support bracket 46b1 and fender panel holder 46b2, first upper bracket 47a, second upper bracket 47b, and lower bracket 48) is formed separately from the body structural member 40, but is not limited to this and may be formed integrally with the body structural member 40 by welding or the like and constitute part of the body structural member 40.

[0087] The sensor device S is not limited to a radar using millimeter waves or microwaves, but may be any device that detects the environment outside the vehicle, and may be an ultrasonic sensor that detects the environment outside the vehicle using ultrasonic waves, or an imaging device such as a camera that detects the environment outside the vehicle by capturing images.

[0088] In this embodiment, the vehicle structure 1 is applied as a front structure of a vehicle, but may be applied as a rear structure of a vehicle. In this case, the outer panel 10 is, for example, a rear bumper or a rear grille, and the lamp device 20 is a rear lamp provided on each of the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle. The lamp device 20 is provided on each of both sides (left and right) in the vehicle width direction, but may be provided on one side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the vehicle structure 1 is a vehicle structure including an outer panel that forms an outer design surface at the front or rear of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, the lamp device 20 is disposed adjacent to the outer panel 10 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and includes a reinforcing member 30 that supports the outer panel 10 from its back surface side and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the reinforcing member 30 has a lamp inner adjacent reinforcing portion 30a that extends along the lamp inner edge 21a, which is the inner edge in the vehicle width direction of the part of the lamp device 20 exposed to the outside of the vehicle, on the back surface 10e side of the outer panel 10 and supports the outer panel 10.

[0089] Furthermore, in the present embodiment of the invention, the lamp device 20 is adjacent to the outer panel 10, but there may be cases where a decorative member (e.g., a metallic member) is disposed between the lamp device 20 and the outer panel 10, and the decorative member is adjacent to the outer panel 10. Even in this case, it may be required to maintain the appearance quality of the inner adjacent region between the outer panel 10 and the decorative member. In this case, it is preferable that the vehicle structure 1 has the above-mentioned connecting structure and restricting structure applied to the lamp device 20 applied to the decorative member. Here, any decorative member that may be disposed on or around the lamp device 20 can be said to be an exterior part. Therefore, the vehicle structure 1 can be expressed as a vehicle structure that includes an outer panel 10 that forms an outer design surface at the front or rear of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, and an exterior part (the decorative part or lamp device 20) is arranged adjacent to the outer panel 10 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and this vehicle structure can be expressed as a vehicle structure that includes a reinforcing member 30 that supports the outer panel 10 from its back surface 10e side and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the reinforcing member 30 has a component inner adjacent reinforcement portion (30a) on the back surface 10e side of the outer panel 10 that extends along a component inner edge (21a), which is the vehicle width inner edge of the portion of the exterior part exposed to the outside of the vehicle, and supports the outer panel 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1. Vehicle structure 10…Outer panel 10e…Back 20...Lamp unit 20a…Inner lamp section 21a…Inner edge of lamp 30…Reinforcing member 30S…Side reinforcement member 30M: Intermediate reinforcement member 30a…Ramp inner adjacent reinforcement section 30b…Panel contact surface 308…Upper lamp connection part 308b…Lamp contact surface 309…Lower lamp connection part 309b…Lamp contact surface 310...First panel regulation part (panel regulation part) 311…Second panel regulation part (panel regulation part) 40...Body structural members 43…Cross member S: Sensor device RP…Panel regulation part RL…Lamp regulation section

Claims

1. A vehicle structure including an outer panel that forms an outer design surface at a front or rear part of a vehicle and extends in a vehicle width direction, and a lamp device is disposed adjacent to the outer panel from an outer side in the vehicle width direction, a reinforcing member that supports the outer panel from a rear surface side thereof and extends in a vehicle width direction, A vehicle structure characterized in that the reinforcing member has a lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion on the back side of the outer panel, extending along the lamp inner edge, which is the vehicle width directional inner edge of the exposed portion of the lamp device to the outside of the vehicle, and supporting the outer panel.

2. A cross member that constitutes a body structural member of the vehicle and extends in a vehicle width direction, The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is supported by the cross member.

3. the lamp device has an inner lamp portion located inside the lamp inner edge in a vehicle width direction and covered by the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion, 3. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion is located between the outer panel and the inner lamp portion and is connected to the inner lamp portion.

4. The vehicle structure according to claim 3 , wherein the lamp inner adjacent reinforcement portion has an upper lamp connecting portion connected to an upper portion of the inner lamp portion, and a lower lamp connecting portion connected to a lower portion of the inner lamp portion.

5. The upper lamp connecting portion has a lamp contact surface that is in surface contact with the inner lamp portion, The vehicle structure according to claim 4 , wherein the lower lamp connecting portion has a lamp contact surface that faces a direction different from the lamp contact surface of the upper lamp connecting portion and that comes into surface contact with the inner lamp portion.

6. The lamp contact surface of the upper lamp connecting portion faces the vehicle downward, The vehicle structure according to claim 5 , wherein the lamp contact surface of the lower lamp connecting portion faces one side in a vehicle front-rear direction.

7. The reinforcing member is a panel contact surface that comes into surface contact with the outer panel; a panel restricting portion provided on the panel contact surface and configured to restrict a relative movement of the panel contact surface with respect to the outer panel in a direction along the panel contact surface; a lamp contact surface facing the opposite side of the panel contact surface around the panel restricting portion and in surface contact with the inner lamp portion; a lamp restricting portion provided on the lamp contact surface and restricting a relative movement of the lamp device with respect to the lamp contact surface in a direction along the lamp contact surface; The vehicle structure of claim 3 .

8. The reinforcing member is divided into a side reinforcing member including the ramp inner adjacent reinforcing portion and an intermediate reinforcing member formed as a separate member from the side reinforcing member and to which a sensor device is attached, The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein the side reinforcing member and the intermediate reinforcing member are connected to each other.

Images