Vehicle structure

Abstract

To intend to enhance impact absorption performance while restraining an outer panel from elastically deforming.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure 1 is a vehicle structure which contains an outer panel which composes design surface of outside of a vehicle and extends in a vehicle width direction, a first cross member (cross member) 43 which composes one part of a vehicle body structure member 40 and a reinforcement member 30 which is fixed to the first cross member 43 and at the same time reinforces the outer panel from its rear surface side. The reinforcement member 30 is formed so as to protrude from the first cross member 43 to vehicle outside about a vehicle longitudinal direction and at the same time contains an intermediate reinforcement part 30M which is situated to vehicle width direction center and a side reinforcement part 30S which is situated to vehicle width direction outside against the intermediate reinforcement part 30M and there is provided a gap G between a portion of vehicle outside about the vehicle longitudinal direction in vehicle width direction outer edge 30Ma of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M and a portion of vehicle outside about the vehicle longitudinal direction in vehicle width direction inner edge 30Sa of the side reinforcement part 30S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure including a structure for reinforcing an outer panel that constitutes an outer design surface at the front or rear of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, outer panels such as bumpers (also called bumper faces) and grilles that constitute the design surface on the outside of the vehicle are provided at the front and rear of vehicles such as automobiles, and in order to compensate for the loss of rigidity of the outer panels that accompanies the increase in size of the outer panels, reinforcing members are often placed on the rear side of the outer panels. These reinforcing members suppress elastic deformation of the outer panels.

[0003] As an example of a vehicle structure having a structure for reinforcing a bumper face, a vehicle front structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In this vehicle front structure, a support member is provided along the back surface of a rear protruding portion of the bumper face. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-158922 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Meanwhile, an impact load is applied to the outer panel provided at the front or rear of the vehicle during a frontal or rear collision. Therefore, it is desirable for the reinforcing member of the outer panel to have a function of absorbing the impact in addition to a function of suppressing the elastic deformation of the outer panel. With regard to the impact absorption function, etc., the support member disclosed in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure having a structure capable of improving impact absorbing performance while suppressing elastic deformation of the outer panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle structure is provided which includes an outer panel that forms an outer design surface at the front or rear of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, a cross member that forms part of a body structural member of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, and a reinforcing member that is fixed to the cross member and reinforces the outer panel from its back side, wherein the reinforcing member is formed to protrude from the cross member toward the outside of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and includes an intermediate reinforcement portion located in the center in the vehicle width direction and a side reinforcement portion located outward in the vehicle width direction from the intermediate reinforcement portion, and a gap is provided between a portion of the intermediate reinforcement portion on the outside of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction at the outer edge of the vehicle width direction and a portion of the side reinforcement portion on the outside of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction at the inner edge of the vehicle width direction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle structure having a structure that can improve impact absorbing performance while suppressing elastic deformation of an outer panel. [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 a front view of the vehicle structure with the outer panel removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the vehicle structure with the outer panel and lamp assembly removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle structure for illustrating the structure of the reinforcing member. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a cross member to which a reinforcing member is fixed. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view including a lower cross member. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view including a side reinforcing portion of the reinforcing member. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a top view for explaining a fixing position of a reinforcing member to a vehicle body structural member. 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 seen from the front of the vehicle, Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle structure 1, Fig. 3 is a front view, and Fig. 4 is a rear view. In Figs. 2 and 3, an outer panel 10, which will be described later, has been removed, and in Fig. 4, a lamp device 20, which will be described later, has been removed. In the drawings, 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 "up" and "down" correspond to the up and down 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 front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0011] (Vehicle structure overview) 1 to 4, the vehicle structure 1 includes a structure for reinforcing an outer panel 10 of a vehicle and for attaching (fixing) the outer panel 10 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.

[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.

[0013] The outer panel 10 is a member that constitutes the 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 the outer 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) at an incline upward toward the rear, and a bumper side portion 10c that extends rearward from both ends of the bumper front portion 10a in the vehicle width direction. A large bumper opening is opened in the center of the bumper front portion 10a. The outer panel 10 has a resin front grille 10d that closes the bumper opening. A plurality of air vents are opened in the front grille 10d, and in the illustrated example, the front grille 10d is an intake member.

[0014] 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.

[0015] The reinforcing member 30 is a member for reinforcing the outer panel 10 from its back surface 10e side and fixing the outer panel 10 to the vehicle body (vehicle body structural member 40). The reinforcing member 30 extends generally along the back surface 10e of the outer panel 10 over the entire vehicle width direction of the outer panel 10. 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 back 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 as described later. The reinforcing member 30 supports the outer panel 10 from the back surface 10e side by being connected to the back surface 10e of the outer panel 10 at a plurality of points. The structure of the reinforcing member 30 will be described later.

[0016] In this embodiment, a sensor device S is attached to the reinforcing member 30. The sensor device S is a device that is attached to the reinforcing member 30 and detects the environment outside the vehicle. In this embodiment, the sensor device S is a device configured to detect obstacles (obstacles outside the vehicle), 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.

[0017] The body structural member 40 is a highly rigid member that constitutes a structural member of the vehicle body. At the front of the vehicle, a pair of front side members 41, 41, a pair of vertical braces 42, 42, a cross member 43 (hereinafter referred to as the first cross member 43 as appropriate), a second cross member 44, etc. are provided as the body structural member 40. In other words, each element (41, 42, 43, 44) constitutes a part of the body structural member 40 of the vehicle.

[0018] A pair of front side members 41, 41 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction under 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. A first cross member 43 and a second cross member 44 are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle up-down direction, and each cross member 43, 44 extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] In this embodiment, the first cross member 43 is located above the second cross member 44 in the vehicle vertical direction, and may be called an upper cross member or an upper bumper beam. The first cross member 43 also serves as a hood lock member as a structural member that receives the front part of the front hood (not shown). One end of the first cross member 43 is joined to the upper end of one vertical brace 42, and the other end of the first cross member 43 is joined to the upper end of the other vertical brace 42. One end of the second cross member 44 (also called a lower cross member or a lower bumper beam) is joined to the front end of one front side member 41, and the other end of the second cross member 44 is joined to the front end of the other front side member 41.

[0020] (Vehicle structure details) The vehicle structure 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. Fig. 5 is a top view of the vehicle structure 1 for explaining the structure of the reinforcing member 30, Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view of the cross member 43 (i.e., the first cross member 43) to which the reinforcing member 30 is fixed, Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the first cross member 43, Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view including the lower cross member (i.e., the second cross member 44), Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view including a side reinforcing portion 30S of the reinforcing member 30, which will be described later. However, the outer panel 10 has been removed in Figs. 5 to 10.

[0021] 1 to 4, the reinforcing member 30 extends in the vehicle width direction between the pair of lamp devices 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.

[0022] The reinforcing member 30 is fixed to at least the first cross member 43. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is fixed to both the first cross member 43 and the second cross member 44. The reinforcing member 30 has a length approximately equal to that of each of the cross members 43, 44 in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The reinforcing member 30 is formed to protrude from the first cross member 43 toward the outer side of the vehicle (to the front in this embodiment) in the vehicle longitudinal direction. That is, in this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 protrudes forward from the first cross member 43 as a starting point. Note that in this embodiment, the "cross member" according to the present invention is the first cross member 43 (in other words, the cross member 43).

[0024] The reinforcing member 30 includes a middle reinforcing portion 30M located at the center in the vehicle width direction and a side reinforcing portion 30S located outside the middle reinforcing portion 30M in the vehicle width direction. That is, the reinforcing member 30 is divided into a left side reinforcing portion 30S, a right side reinforcing portion 30S, and a middle reinforcing portion 30M between the left side reinforcing portion 30S and the right side reinforcing portion 30S. The lamp device 20 described above is disposed outside the side reinforcing portion 30S in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 has a connection portion 30C at which an end portion (rear end portion in the illustrated example) of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M on the vehicle interior side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle at the vehicle width direction outer edge 30Ma and an end portion (rear end portion in the illustrated example) of the side reinforcing portion 30S on the vehicle interior side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle at the vehicle width direction inner edge 30Sa are connected to each other.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, the left side reinforcement portion 30S, and the right side reinforcement portion 30S are made of physically separate members. The intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S are connected (fastened) to each other by a fastener such as a bolt at the connection portion 30C (in other words, the connection region 30C). That is, the reinforcement member 30 has the left side reinforcement portion 30S, the right side reinforcement portion 30S, and the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M between the left side reinforcement portion 30S and the right side reinforcement portion 30S, and the left and right side reinforcement portions 30S and the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M are connected at the connection portion 30C to form the reinforcement member 30. In other words, in this embodiment, the reinforcement member 30 is a reinforcement assembly or a reinforcement body made by combining a plurality of members.

[0027] Specifically, in the illustrated example, the vehicle width direction outer end portion of the upper part of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the vehicle width direction inner end portion of the upper part of the side reinforcement portion 30S overlap vertically, and this overlapping portion (site) is the connection portion 30C of the reinforcement member 30.

[0028] In the reinforcing member 30, a gap G is provided between a portion of the vehicle outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the vehicle width direction outer edge 30Ma of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M (front portion in the illustrated example) and a portion of the vehicle outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the vehicle width direction inner edge 30Sa of the side reinforcing portion 30S (front portion in the illustrated example). In other words, a groove (notch) that is open to the front of the vehicle is formed in the reinforcing member 30 at the boundary between the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M and the side reinforcing portion 30S. Specifically, the gap G (in other words, the groove that is open to the front) is provided between the left side reinforcing portion 30S and the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M, and is also provided between the right side reinforcing portion 30S and the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M.

[0029] In this embodiment, the gap G extends toward the connection portion 30C between the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S in the vehicle front-rear direction. Specifically, the gap G extends toward the rear of the vehicle to the front end of the connection portion 30C. In other words, the groove provided at the boundary between the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S extends forward from the front end of the connection portion 30C and is open to the front of the vehicle.

[0030] In this embodiment, the gap G is set to become narrower in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle outer side toward the connection portion 30C in the vehicle front-rear direction. Specifically, the gap G is closed by the connection portion 30C, and the width of the gap G in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the distance between the vehicle width direction outer edge 30Ma of the middle reinforcement portion 30M and the vehicle width direction inner edge 30Sa of the side reinforcement portion 30S) becomes narrower from the vehicle front (open side) to the vehicle rear (closed side). In other words, the width of the gap G in the vehicle width direction (the distance) becomes wider toward the vehicle front.

[0031] The reinforcing member 30 has a vehicle body fixing portion 31 that is fixed to a vehicle body structural member 40, and a panel connecting portion 32 that is connected to the outer panel 10. The vehicle body fixing portion 31 and the panel connecting portion 32 are each provided at multiple locations.

[0032] In this embodiment, the vehicle body fixing portion 31 has a first vehicle body fixing portion 31a fixed to the first cross member 43 and a second vehicle body fixing portion 31b fixed to the second cross member 44. In the illustrated example, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a is provided at two locations in the vehicle width direction center, one location on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and one location on the left side in the vehicle width direction in the upper part of the reinforcing member 30. The second vehicle body fixing portion 31b is provided at a lower part of the vehicle width direction center of the reinforcing member 30. Specifically, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a is provided at two locations separated in the vehicle width direction in the upper part of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M, one location in the vehicle width direction center in the upper part of the right side reinforcing portion 30S, and one location in the vehicle width direction center in the upper part of the left side reinforcing portion 30S. The second vehicle body fixing portion 31b is provided at one location in the lower part of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M.

[0033] The four first vehicle body fixing parts 31a in the upper part of the reinforcement member 30 (the upper part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M and the upper part of the side reinforcement part 30S) are provided at positions different from the two connection parts 30C in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, in the upper part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M, the first vehicle body fixing parts 31a are provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the outer end part in the vehicle width direction, and the connection parts 30C are provided at the outer end part in the vehicle width direction. In addition, in the upper part of the side reinforcement part 30S, the first vehicle body fixing parts 31a are provided in the center in the vehicle width direction, and the connection parts 30C are provided at the inner end part in the vehicle width direction. In other words, in this embodiment, each of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M and the side reinforcement part 30S is fixed to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) at a position different from the connection parts 30C in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The panel connecting portions 32 are provided at a plurality of locations, such as the upper and lower portions of the outer edge portion in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcing member 30 and the upper portion in the vehicle vertical direction. Although not particularly limited, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a of the vehicle body fixing portion 31, which is connected to the first cross member 43, is also connected to the outer panel 10 and functions as the panel connecting portion 32.

[0035] Next, the fixing structure between the reinforcing member 30 and the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) and the fixing structure between the reinforcing member 30 and the second cross member 44 will be further described.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first cross member 43 is provided with a plurality of protruding portions 45 that protrude upward from the first cross member 43 and are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. Each of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S is fixed to at least one target protruding portion 45X of the plurality of protruding portions 45. In the illustrated example, the first cross member 43 is provided with four protruding portions 45.

[0037] In this embodiment, the at least one target protrusion 45X for the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M is composed of two target protrusions 45X spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The at least one target protrusion 45X for the side reinforcement portion 30S is composed of one target protrusion 45X. Hereinafter, the target protrusion 45X for the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M will be appropriately referred to as a first upper bracket 45X1, and the target protrusion 45X for the side reinforcement portion 30S will be appropriately referred to as a second upper bracket 45X2.

[0038] In this embodiment, the second cross member 44 is provided with one lower bracket 46 that protrudes upward from the center of the second cross member 44 in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] Each bracket (45X1, 45X2, 46) is a member formed by bending a thin metal plate. That is, in the illustrated example, each protrusion 45 (first upper bracket 45X1, second upper bracket 45X2) is a member formed physically separate from the first cross member 43, and the lower bracket 46 is also a member formed physically separate from the second cross member 44. The protrusions 45 (first upper bracket 45X1, second upper bracket 45X2) are joined to the first cross member 43, and the lower bracket 46 is joined to the second cross member 44.

[0040] The reinforcing member 30 is fixed to and supported by the first cross member 43 via a first upper bracket 45X1 and a second upper bracket 45X2 joined to the upper first cross member 43, and is also fixed to and supported by the second cross member 44 via a lower bracket 46 joined to the lower second cross member 44. The first upper bracket 45X1 is provided at two locations near the center of the first cross member 43 in the vehicle width direction, and the second upper bracket 45X2 is provided at each of both ends of the first cross member 43 in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] The first vehicle body fixing portion 31a at the top of the reinforcing member 30 is fixed to the first cross member 43 by being connected (fastened) to each of the first upper bracket 45X1 and the second upper bracket 45X2 by fasteners such as bolts, and the second vehicle body fixing portion 31b at the bottom of the vehicle widthwise center of the reinforcing member 30 is fixed to the second cross member 44 by being engaged with the lower bracket 46.

[0042] In this embodiment, both vehicle width direction ends of the upper part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M are fixed to two target protrusions 45X for the intermediate reinforcement part 30M (i.e., two first upper brackets 45X1), the upper part of each side reinforcement part 30S is fixed to one target protrusion 45X for the side reinforcement part 30S (i.e., one second upper bracket 45X2), and the lower part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M is fixed to one lower bracket 46.

[0043] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, each of the two target protrusions 45X (two first upper brackets 45X1) for the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M has a vertical wall 45X1a extending upward, and a horizontal wall 45X1b extending from the upper end of the vertical wall 45X1a toward the outside of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and to which the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M is fixed.

[0044] Specifically, in the first upper bracket 45X1, the vertical wall 45X1a is formed in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view and is joined to the front surface of the first cross member 43. The vertical wall 45X1a extends upward so that the upper portion of the vertical wall 45X1a protrudes upward from the upper surface of the first cross member 43. The horizontal wall 45X1b is formed in a generally rectangular shape in a plan view and extends forward from the upper end of the vertical wall 45X1a. The horizontal wall 45X1b extends forward so that it protrudes forward from the front surface of the first cross member 43. Therefore, the first upper bracket 45X1 is formed in a generally L-shape in a side view seen from one side in the vehicle width direction. The upper portion of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M is fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal wall 45X1b of the first upper bracket 45X1 via a connector.

[0045] 8 and 9, the lower bracket 46 has a pair of side walls 46a, 46a facing each other and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and an upper wall 46b that connects an upper end of one side wall 46a to an upper end of the other side wall 46a and to which a lower part of the intermediate reinforcing part 30M (second vehicle body fixing part 31b) is fixed, and is joined to the front surface of the second cross member 44. In other words, the lower bracket 46 is formed in a tunnel shape that is open below the upper wall 46b and is convex upward as a whole when viewed from the front.

[0046] Specifically, the second cross member 44 has a flange 44a that constitutes the upper portion of the second chrome member 44 and faces the front of the vehicle, and a protruding portion 44b that protrudes forward of the vehicle below the flange 44a and extends in the vehicle width direction. The rear edge of the side wall 46a of the lower bracket 46 is cut and bent to follow the flange 44a and the protruding portion 44b. An upper flange piece 46a1 that is joined to the front surface of the flange 44a is provided at an upper portion of the rear edge of the side wall 46a, and a lower flange 46a2 that is joined to the front surface of the protruding portion 44b and is located forward of the upper flange piece 46a1 is provided at a lower portion of the rear edge of the side wall 46a. The side wall 46a extends upward so that an upper portion of the side wall 46a protrudes upward beyond the flange 44a of the second cross member 44.

[0047] Among the edges of the side wall 46a, a connection edge 46a3 that connects the upper flange piece 46a1 and the lower flange piece 46a2 is separated from the lower part of the flange 44a and the upper surface of the protruding part 44b. That is, a gap G1 is provided between the connection edge 46a3 and the lower part of the flange 44a, and a gap G2 is also provided between the connection edge 46a3 and the upper surface of the protruding part 44b.

[0048] Furthermore, an opening 46a4 is provided in a portion of the side wall 46a above the protruding portion 44b. In the illustrated example, the opening 46a4 is provided above a gap G2 between the connecting edge portion 46a3 and the upper surface of the protruding portion 44b. The upper rear corner of the side wall 46a is formed as a notch 46a5 that is cut forward.

[0049] The upper wall 46b is located above the upper portion (flange 44a) of the second cross member 44. The rear end of the upper wall 46b is located forward of the upper flange piece 46a1, and the cutout portion 46a5 is formed between the rear end of the upper wall 46b and the upper end of the upper flange piece 46a1 in a side view. The upper wall 46b is provided with a locking hole 46b1 (see FIGS. 2 and 8) for locking a protrusion 31b1 (see FIG. 8) provided on the lower portion (second vehicle body fixing portion 31b) of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M.

[0050] Next, the shapes of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M and the side reinforcing portion 30S will be described.

[0051] 1 to 5, the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M is formed so as to narrow in the vehicle width direction from one end side (upper end side in the illustrated example) where the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a is provided to the other end side (lower end side in the illustrated example) where the second vehicle body fixing portion 31b is provided. In the illustrated example, the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M has a generally inverted trapezoidal shape with an upper base longer than a lower base in a plan view, and is bent so as to generally follow the front grille 10d and the bumper inclined surface portion 10b of the outer panel 10 in a side view.

[0052] 10, in this embodiment, the side reinforcing portion 30S has an upper wall 33, an inclined wall , and a panel fixing wall .

[0053] The upper wall 33 is a portion fixed to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) and facing upward. In the illustrated example, the upper wall 33 constitutes an upper portion of the side reinforcement portion 30S. In the side reinforcement portion 30S, a first vehicle body fixing portion 31a is provided in the center of the upper wall 33 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall 33 constitutes a connection portion 30C with the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M.

[0054] The inclined wall 34 is a portion that extends from the upper wall 33 toward the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction and downward in the vehicle up-down direction. In the illustrated example, the inclined wall 34 constitutes most of the side reinforcement portion 30S. The inclined wall 34 extends forward and downward from a position above the first cross member 43. The inclined wall 34 is inclined so as to generally follow the bumper inclined surface portion 10b of the outer panel 10. The outer edge of the inclined wall 34 in the vehicle width direction extends so as to follow the lamp device 20.

[0055] The panel fixing wall 35 extends downward from the inclined wall 34 and is a portion to which the outer panel 10 is fixed. In the illustrated example, the panel fixing wall 35 constitutes the lower portion of the side reinforcement portion 30S and faces forward. The panel fixing wall 35 extends slightly downward from the lower end of the inclined wall 34.

[0056] A plurality of openings are formed in the side reinforcing portion 30S. In this embodiment, the inclined wall 34 is provided with a first opening 34a extending in the vertical direction, and the panel fixing wall 35 is provided with a second opening 35a adjacent to the first opening 34a. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, there are two first openings 34a and two second openings 35a. The two first openings 34a are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and the two second openings 35a are also spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. The first opening 34a extends over substantially the entire inclined wall 34 in the vertical direction, and is formed as a rectangular opening that is long in the vehicle vertical direction. The second opening 35a is formed as a rectangular opening that is long in the vehicle width direction. The second opening 35a on one side of the vehicle width direction is located below the lower edge of the first opening 34a on one side of the vehicle width direction, and the second opening 35a on the other side of the vehicle width direction is located below the lower edge of the first opening 34a on the other side of the vehicle width direction. In the inclined wall 34, a pillar extending diagonally is formed between the two first openings 34a. In the panel fixing wall 35, a pillar extending vertically, which is continuous with the pillar between the two first openings 34a, is formed between the two second openings 35a.

[0057] In the illustrated example, the two first openings 34a are provided in the center of the inclined wall 34 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, in addition to the first openings 34a, the inclined wall 34 also has a plurality of third openings 34b (two in the illustrated example). The two third openings 34b are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction. The two third openings 34b are provided near the outer edge of the inclined wall 34 in the vehicle width direction, and are located outside the two first openings 34a in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] In this embodiment, the side reinforcing portion 30S has a bulging portion 36 that bulges toward the vehicle interior in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a connecting wall 37.

[0059] The bulging portion 36 has a bottom wall 36a (see Figs. 3 and 10) that is fixed to the lamp device 20 disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side of the side reinforcement portion 30S. In the illustrated example, the bulging portion 36 is formed so as to bulge toward the vehicle rear at a lower portion of the vehicle width direction outer edge portion of the side reinforcement portion 30S. The bottom wall 36a of the bulging portion 36 is a rear wall of the bulging portion 36 that bulges toward the vehicle rear, and faces the vehicle front. The bottom wall 36a is offset toward the vehicle rear with respect to the panel fixing wall 35. A lower portion of the vehicle width direction inner portion of the lamp device 20 is connected (fastened) to the back surface of the bottom wall 36a by a connecting tool such as a bolt not shown.

[0060] The connecting wall 37 connects a fixing point (i.e., the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a) to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) and the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the bulging portion 36. In the illustrated example, the connecting wall 37 generally extends vertically between the first opening 34a and the third opening 34b in the inclined wall 34, and connects the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a provided in the upper wall 33 and the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the bulging portion 36.

[0061] The connecting wall 37 connects the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the bulging portion 36 and the panel fixing wall 35 to the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a.

[0062] Next, the relationship of the fixing position of the reinforcing member 30 to the vehicle body structural member 40 (first cross member 43 and second cross member 44) will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a top view for explaining the fixing position of the reinforcing member 30 to the vehicle body structural member 40. In Fig. 11, the outer panel 10 has been removed, and the outlines of the middle reinforcing portion 30M and the side reinforcing portion 30S of the reinforcing member 30 are shown by dashed lines.

[0063] In Fig. 11, X1 indicates the front end position of the first upper bracket 45X1 and the rear end position of the lower bracket 46, X2 indicates the rear end position of the first upper bracket 45X1, X3 indicates the front end position of the second upper bracket 45X2, and X4 indicates the rear end position of the second upper bracket 45X2. Referring to Fig. 11, the second upper bracket 45X2 is located outboard of the first upper bracket 45X1 in the vehicle width direction and rearward of the vehicle in the front-rear direction. The lower bracket 46 is located inboard of the first upper bracket 45X1 and the second upper bracket 45X2 in the vehicle width direction and forward of the vehicle in the front-rear direction.

[0064] As described above, the reinforcing member 30 has a plurality of body fixing portions 31 fixed to the body structural member 40, and the body fixing portions 31 have a first body fixing portion 31a fixed to the first cross member 43 and a second body fixing portion 31b fixed to the second cross member 44.

[0065] 11, in a plan view seen from above the vehicle, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a (in other words, the second upper bracket 45X2) of the side reinforcement portion 30S, the connection portion 30C, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a (in other words, the first upper bracket 45X1) of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, and the second vehicle body fixing portion 31b (in other words, the lower bracket 46) of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M are generally aligned in this order on an imaginary straight line Z. In other words, the imaginary straight line Z is an imaginary line that extends linearly and passes through the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a (the second upper bracket 45X2) of the side reinforcement portion 30S, the connection portion 30C, the first vehicle body fixing portion 31a (the first upper bracket 45X1) of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, and the second vehicle body fixing portion 31b (the lower bracket 46) of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M. With this arrangement, loads (external forces) that may be input to the reinforcing member 30 during vibrations or a frontal collision can be easily transmitted between the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M and the side reinforcing portion 30S, and the vibrations and loads can be easily distributed throughout the reinforcing member 30 without acting locally on the reinforcing member 30.

[0066] In addition, in a plan view seen from above the vehicle, the first cross member 43 and the second cross member 44 are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The first cross member 43 is disposed at a position offset toward the rear of the vehicle relative to the second cross member 44. The first cross member 43 has both sides in the vehicle width direction bent so that its outer end in the vehicle width direction is offset toward the rear of the vehicle relative to other portions.

[0067] The inclined portions 43a, which are bent backward and inclined on both sides of the first cross member 43 in the vehicle width direction, extend parallel to the imaginary line Z. Therefore, an external force input to the first cross member 43 is easily transmitted between the first upper bracket 45X1 and the second upper bracket 45X2 of the first cross member 43.

[0068] As described above, the second upper bracket 45X2 to which the side reinforcement portion 30S is fixed is located rearward of the vehicle relative to the first upper bracket 45X1 to which the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M is fixed. With reference to Fig. 11, the front end position of the side reinforcement portion 30S roughly coincides with the front end position of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, but the side reinforcement portion 30S extends rearward of the vehicle beyond the rear end of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and is fixed to the second upper bracket 45X2. Therefore, when a load (external force) is input from the outside to the reinforcement member 30 during a frontal collision, the deformation allowance in the front-rear direction of the side reinforcement portion 30S is larger than the deformation allowance in the front-rear direction of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M.

[0069] According to the vehicle structure 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the reinforcing member 30 is formed so as to protrude from the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) toward the vehicle outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, includes an intermediate reinforcing portion 30M located at the center in the vehicle width direction and a side reinforcing portion 30S located on the vehicle width outer side of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M, and a gap G is provided between a portion of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M on the vehicle outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction (a front portion in the illustrated example) at the vehicle width outer edge 30Ma of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M and a portion of the vehicle width inner edge 30Sa of the side reinforcing portion 30S on the vehicle outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction (a front portion in the illustrated example). In other words, the reinforcing member 30 is formed so that the vehicle width outer edge front portion of the intermediate reinforcing portion 30M and the vehicle width inner edge front portion of the side reinforcing portion 30S are separated from each other in the vehicle width direction. As a result, when an external force is input to the front part of the reinforcing member 30 from the outside of the vehicle (front of the vehicle) due to a frontal collision or the like, the middle reinforcing portion 30M and each side reinforcing portion 30S deform individually, and the respective deformations can efficiently consume and absorb the impact energy due to the frontal collision or the like. Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 30 reinforces the outer panel 10 from its back surface 10e side, minute elastic deformation due to contact with a human hand or the like during a car wash, for example, is suppressed, and the outer panel 10 is prevented from elastically deforming from its intended shape and sagging due to its own weight.

[0070] In this manner, the vehicle structure 1 according to this embodiment is a vehicle structure having a structure capable of suppressing elastic deformation of the outer panel 10 while improving the impact absorbing performance.

[0071] In this embodiment, the gap G is extended in the vehicle front-rear direction toward the connection portion 30C between the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S. This more effectively promotes individual deformation of each element of the reinforcement member 30 (the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, the left and right side reinforcement portions 30S) during a frontal collision, etc., and can further improve the impact absorption performance.

[0072] In this embodiment, the gap G is set to become narrower in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle outer side toward the connection portion 30C in the vehicle front-rear direction. This effectively prevents a colliding object from penetrating into the gap G between the middle reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S up to the vehicle body structural member 40 side while improving the impact absorption performance.

[0073] In this embodiment, each of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S is fixed to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) at a different position in the vehicle width direction from the connection portion 30C. This results in that the connection portion 30C between the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S and the fixing points (vehicle body fixing portions 31) of each reinforcement portion (30M, 30S) to the vehicle body structural member 40 are provided at different positions. As a result, in the event of a frontal collision, deformation of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S starting from the connection portion 30C is easily promoted, and the individual deformation can be promoted.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) is provided with a plurality of protruding portions 45 that protrude upward from the first cross member 43 and are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and each of the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and the side reinforcement portion 30S is fixed to at least one target protruding portion 45X among the plurality of protruding portions 45. This makes it easier for the plurality of protruding portions 45 to deform due to buckling or the like when an external force acts on the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M or the side reinforcement portion 30S. As a result, the impact absorption performance during a frontal collision or the like can be more effectively improved.

[0075] In this embodiment, the at least one target protrusion 45X for the intermediate reinforcement part 30M is composed of two target protrusions 45X spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and both ends of the upper part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the two target protrusions 45X for the intermediate reinforcement part 30M (two first upper brackets 45X1), and each of the two first upper brackets 45X1 has a vertical wall 45X1a extending upward and a horizontal wall 45X1b extending from the upper end of the vertical wall 45X1a toward the vehicle outer side in the vehicle front-rear direction and to which the intermediate reinforcement part 30M is fixed. As a result, an external force input to the intermediate reinforcement part 30M due to a frontal collision or the like is distributed to the left and right target protrusions 45X, and the distributed external force is concentrated at the connection part between the vertical wall 45X1a and the horizontal wall 45X1b (i.e., the corner part of the L-shaped first upper bracket 45X1), which can promote deformation of the first upper bracket 45X1.

[0076] In this embodiment, the side reinforcement portion 30S has an upper wall 33 fixed to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) and facing upward, an inclined wall 34 extending from the upper wall 33 toward the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction and downward in the vehicle vertical direction, and a panel fixing wall 35 extending downward from the inclined wall 34 and to which the outer panel 10 is fixed, the inclined wall 34 has a first opening 34a extending in the vertical direction, and the panel fixing wall 35 has a second opening 35a adjacent to the first opening 34a. As a result, when an external force acts on the side reinforcement portion 30S during a frontal collision, the first opening 34a and the second opening 35a promote deformation of the inclined wall 34 and the panel fixing wall 35. Furthermore, since the inclined wall 34 and the panel fixing wall 35 of the reinforcing member 30 are configured so that the pillars extend continuously between the two first openings 34a and between the two second openings 35a, the rigidity of the outer panel 10 against elastic deformation is easily maintained.

[0077] In this embodiment, the side reinforcement portion 30S is a bulging portion 36 that bulges toward the vehicle interior in the vehicle front-rear direction, and has a bottom wall 36a fixed to the lamp device 20 arranged on the vehicle width direction outer side of the side reinforcement portion 30S, and a connecting wall 37 that connects a fixing point (first vehicle body fixing portion 31a) to the first cross member 43 (cross member 43) and a vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the bulging portion 36. As a result, in the event of a frontal collision, an external force input to the reinforcement member 30 is concentrated on the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the bulging portion 36 (in other words, a step portion in the vehicle front-rear direction), and the side reinforcement portion 30S becomes easily deformed at the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b (step portion), and depending on the magnitude of the external force, a break requiring a large amount of energy may occur in the vehicle width direction inner wall 36b of the side reinforcement portion 30S. As a result, the impact absorption performance can be significantly improved.

[0078] In the illustrated example, the lower bracket 46 is formed into a tunnel shape that is convex upward as a whole, as described above. This makes it easier for the left and right side walls 46a of the lower bracket 46 to deform individually during a frontal collision, etc., and makes it easier for the impact energy due to an external force to be absorbed as deformation energy of the lower bracket 46.

[0079] In the lower bracket 46, the upper flange piece 46a1 and the lower flange piece 46a2, which are the joints to the second cross member 44, are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear and up-down directions, and the upper wall 46b, which is the engagement (fixing) point for the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, is located above the upper flange piece 46a1 and the lower flange piece 46a2. As a result, when an external force is transmitted from the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M to the upper wall 46b during a frontal collision, for example, a rearward rotational moment with the upper flange piece 46a1 as a fulcrum and a force that buckles the side wall 46a in the front-to-rear direction and the like act on the lower bracket 46. As a result, the side wall 46a is easily deformed overall due to the rotational moment and buckling force, and deformation of the lower bracket 46 during a frontal collision and the like is promoted.

[0080] In addition, a gap G1 is provided between the connecting edge 46a3 of the lower bracket 46 and the lower part of the flange 44a, and a gap G2 is also provided between the connecting edge 46a3 and the upper surface of the protruding part 44b. This increases the deformation allowance of the side wall part 46a in the event of a frontal collision, and may promote deformation that breaks (peels off) the joint of the lower flange piece 46a2. As a result, impact energy is absorbed more effectively. As shown in the illustrated example, the upper flange piece 46a1 is preferably joined to the flange 44a of the second cross member 44 at a position above the gap.

[0081] Furthermore, since the opening 46a4 is formed in the side wall 46a, deformation of the side wall 46a is more effectively promoted in the event of a frontal collision, etc. And, since the opening 46a4 is provided at a position above the gap G2, deformation of the side wall 46a is more effectively promoted.

[0082] Furthermore, since the upper rear corner of the side wall 46a is formed as a notch 46a5, when an external force is transmitted from the intermediate reinforcement part 30M to the upper wall 46b of the lower bracket 46, deformation is promoted such that the portion of the lower bracket 46 on the upper wall 46b side is displaced rearward, and this deformation of the lower bracket 46 also promotes deformation of the lower part of the intermediate reinforcement part 30M.

[0083] In addition, since the lower bracket 46 is disposed on the front side of the second cross member 44, deformation of the lower bracket 46 during a frontal collision is promoted, and impact energy is absorbed more effectively, as compared with, for example, a rearward arrangement. It is preferable to impart a rigidity difference, which is the difference between the rigidity of the left side wall 46a against a load in the front-rear direction and the rigidity of the right side wall 46a against a load in the front-rear direction, to the lower bracket 46. For example, the rigidity difference is generated by making the size of the opening 46a4 different between the left and right side walls 46a, or by making the width (thickness) in the front-rear direction different between the left and right side walls 46a. As a result, the lower bracket 46 is twisted during a frontal collision, and as a result, torsional deformation of the middle reinforcing portion 30M is promoted, and impact energy is absorbed extremely effectively.

[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 is a front bumper having a front grille 10d, but is not limited to this. The outer panel 10 may be, for example, a front bumper without a front grille 10d, the front grille 10d alone, or a decorative member (for example, a metallic member).

[0086] 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.

[0087] Each bracket (first upper bracket 45X1, second upper bracket 45X2, and lower bracket 46) is formed separately from the vehicle body structural member 40, but this is not limited thereto, and the brackets may be formed integrally with the vehicle body structural member 40 by welding or the like and constitute part of the vehicle body structural member 40.

[0088] The intermediate reinforcing portion 30M is generally formed in an inverted trapezoid shape with the upper base longer than the lower base, but is not limited thereto, and may be a trapezoid shape with the upper base shorter than the lower base, or an upwardly convex triangular shape. In these cases, for example, the first cross member 43 and the second cross member 44 are switched up and down. The intermediate reinforcing portion 30M may also be a downwardly convex inverted triangular shape.

[0089] In this embodiment, the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M, the left side reinforcement portion 30S, and the right side reinforcement portion 30S are made of physically separate members and are connected to each other by connecting portions 30C, but this is not limited to the above, and the intermediate reinforcement portion 30M and each side reinforcement portion 30S may be integrally formed with each other by injection molding or the like and connected to each other by connecting portions 30C.

[0090] In this embodiment, the vehicle structure 1 is applied as a front structure of a vehicle, but is not limited thereto, and 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1. Vehicle structure 10…Outer panel 10e…Back 20...Lamp unit 30…Reinforcing member 30M…Middle reinforcement section 30Ma…Outer edge in vehicle width direction 30S…Side reinforcement 30Sa…Inner edge in width direction 30C…Connection 31a…First vehicle body fixing part (fixing point) 33…Upper wall 34…Slanted wall 34a...first opening 35…Panel fixing wall 35a…Second opening 36…bulge 36a…Bottom wall 36b…Inner wall in the width direction of the vehicle 37…Connecting wall 40...Body structural members 43…First cross member (cross member) 44…Second cross member 45…Multiple protrusions 45X…At least one target protrusion 45X1...First upper bracket (at least one target protrusion for the intermediate reinforcement part) 45X1, 45X1…2 target projections 45X1a…Vertical wall 45X1b…side wall 45X2…Second upper bracket G…Gap

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, a cross member that forms a part of a body structural member of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction, and a reinforcing member that is fixed to the cross member and reinforces the outer panel from a back side thereof, the reinforcing member is formed to protrude from the cross member toward an outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction, and includes an intermediate reinforcing portion located at a center in the vehicle width direction and a side reinforcing portion located on an outer side of the intermediate reinforcing portion in the vehicle width direction, a gap is provided between a portion of the intermediate reinforcement portion on the vehicle outer side in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction at a vehicle width direction outer edge and a portion of the side reinforcement portion on the vehicle outer side in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction at a vehicle width direction inner edge.

2. the reinforcing member has a connection portion at which an end portion of the intermediate reinforcing portion on the vehicle inner side in the vehicle front-rear direction at an outer edge of the intermediate reinforcing portion and an end portion of the side reinforcing portion on the vehicle inner side in the vehicle front-rear direction at an inner edge of the side reinforcing portion are connected to each other, The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein the gap extends toward the connection portion in a vehicle front-rear direction.

3. The vehicle structure according to claim 2 , wherein the gap is set to become narrower in a vehicle width direction from an outer side of the vehicle toward the connection portion in a vehicle front-rear direction.

4. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein the intermediate reinforcement portion and the side reinforcement portion are fixed to the cross member at positions different from the connection portion in the vehicle width direction.

5. The cross member is provided with a plurality of protruding portions that protrude upward from the cross member and are spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction, The vehicle structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the intermediate reinforcement portion and the side reinforcement portion is fixed to at least one target protrusion of the plurality of protrusions.

6. The at least one target protrusion for the intermediate reinforcement portion includes two target protrusions spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, Both ends of the upper portion of the intermediate reinforcement portion in the vehicle width direction are fixed to the two target protrusions, 6. The vehicle structure according to claim 5, wherein each of the two target protrusions has a vertical wall extending upward and a horizontal wall extending from an upper end of the vertical wall toward an outer side of the vehicle in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and to which the intermediate reinforcement portion is fixed.

7. the side reinforcement portion has an upper wall fixed to the cross member and facing upward, an inclined wall extending from the upper wall toward the outer side of the vehicle in the vehicle front-rear direction and downward in the vehicle up-down direction, and a panel fixing wall extending downward from the inclined wall and to which the outer panel is fixed, The inclined wall has a first opening extending in a vertical direction, The vehicle structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the panel fixing wall has a second opening adjacent to the first opening.

8. A lamp device is disposed on an outer side of the side reinforcing portion in a vehicle width direction, 3. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side reinforcement portion is a bulge portion that bulges toward the inside of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the bulge portion having a bottom wall that is fixed to the lamp device, and a connecting wall that connects a fixing point to the cross member and an inner wall of the bulge portion in the vehicle width direction.

Images