Vehicle side part structure

Abstract

To restrict vibration around a rear side corner part of a side body outer panel.SOLUTION: A vehicle side structure 100 includes: a side body outer panel 1; a quarter inner panel 2 provided inside the side body outer panel 1 in a vehicle width direction; and a back panel 4 provided behind the quarter inner panel 2 and extending in the vehicle width direction. The side-body outer panel 1 has an outer-panel side-wall 1a and an outer-panel rear-wall 1b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end of the outer-panel side-wall 1a. A vehicle-widthways inner edge 1b1 of the outer-panel rear-wall 1b and a rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 are joined to a vehicle-widthways outer edge 4a of the back panel 4. A reinforcing member 7 provided in a region S surrounded by the outer-panel side-wall 1a, the outer-panel rear-wall 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2 is joined to the outer-panel side-wall 1a, the outer-panel rear-wall 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in the portion of the vehicle side located above the rear wheels, a side body outer panel and a quarter inner panel face each other with a gap between them, and the lower portions of the side body outer panel and the quarter inner panel are often joined to the rear wheel housing portion that covers the upper part of the rear wheels. Furthermore, since a rear suspension mechanism is located in the rear wheel housing portion, the portion of the vehicle side located above the rear wheels may be subject to deformation or vibration during driving due to input loads to the rear suspension mechanism, etc.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure for suppressing vibration in a portion of a vehicle side located above the rear wheels. In Patent Document 1, vibration is suppressed by reinforcing the pillar (also called a C-pillar) that forms the rear edge of the rear side door opening. The structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 achieves a certain degree of vibration suppression effect by reinforcing the front portion (C-pillar) of the portion of the vehicle side located above the rear wheels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-128199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, there are cases where the rear portion of a side body outer panel is bent inward in the vehicle width direction. That is, there are cases where the side body outer panel has an outer panel side wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and an outer panel rear wall portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the outer panel side wall portion. In such cases, the bent portion of the rear portion of the side body outer panel (hereinafter referred to as the rear corner portion) has higher rigidity than the rigidity of the generally flat portions continuing on both sides of the rear corner (i.e., the outer panel side wall portion and the outer panel rear wall portion), while the portions on both sides of the rear corner (the outer panel side wall portion and the outer panel rear wall portion) have lower rigidity than the rear corner.

[0006] The inventors of the present application have noticed that local panel vibrations may occur around the rear corners of the side body outer panel due to differences in panel rigidity. Regarding the panel vibrations around the rear corners, there is room for improvement in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side structure that is capable of suppressing vibrations around the rear corners of a side body outer panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle side structure is provided, including a side body outer panel provided on the side of the vehicle, a quarter inner panel provided on the inner side of the side body outer panel in the vehicle width direction and located above a rear wheel house portion, and a back panel provided behind the quarter inner panel at the rear of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction. In this vehicle side structure, the side body outer panel has an outer panel side wall portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and an outer panel rear wall portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the outer panel side wall portion, and the vehicle width inner edge portion of the outer panel rear wall portion and the rear side edge portion of the quarter inner panel are joined to the vehicle width outer edge portion of the back panel, and a reinforcing member extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in the area surrounded by the outer panel side wall portion, the outer panel rear wall portion, and the quarter inner panel, and the reinforcing member is joined to the outer panel side wall portion, the outer panel rear wall portion, and the quarter inner panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle side structure having a structure that can suppress vibrations around the rear corner of a side body outer panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial side view illustrating the internal structure of the vehicle side structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the vehicle side structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining an example of panel vibration in a vehicle side structure according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining another example of panel vibration in a vehicle side structure according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen obliquely from the rear of the vehicle. Figs. 2 and 3 are views for explaining the internal structure of the vehicle side structure. Fig. 2 is a partial side view, Fig. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2. In the drawings, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the arrow O direction indicates the outward direction in the width direction of the vehicle, and the arrow U direction indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and "up" and "down" correspond to the up and down in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In addition, in this embodiment, "left" and "right" are defined in the vehicle width direction when viewed from inside the vehicle cabin toward the front of the vehicle.

[0012] [Vehicle side structure overview] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vehicle side structure 100 is a structure applied to the rear portion of the side of a vehicle. The vehicle side structure 100 is applied to both the rear of the right side and the rear of the left side of a vehicle. The following description will focus on the right vehicle side structure 100. A structure symmetrical in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) to the right vehicle side structure 100 described below is applied as the left vehicle side structure. Note that in Figures 2 and 3, a side body outer panel 1, which will be described later, is not shown.

[0013] 1 to 4, a vehicle side structure 100 includes a side body outer panel 1, a quarter inner panel 2, a rear wheel house portion 3, and a back panel 4. In the illustrated example, a back door opening D1 is provided at the rear of a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure 100 is applied, as shown in Fig. 1. The back door opening D1 is an opening that is opened and closed by a back door (not shown).

[0014] The side body outer panel 1 is a panel provided on the side of the vehicle and constituting the outermost part of the vehicle body. As shown in Fig. 1, the side body outer panel 1 has a rear side door opening D2. The rear side door opening D2 is an opening that is opened and closed by a rear side door (not shown).

[0015] The rear portion of the side body outer panel 1 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, and this bent portion (hereinafter referred to as rear corner 1c as appropriate) constitutes a rear corner of the vehicle side portion of the vehicle side structure 100. In other words, the side body outer panel 1 has an outer panel side wall portion 1a extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and an outer panel rear wall portion 1b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the outer panel side wall portion 1a. The outer panel side wall portion 1a faces outward in the vehicle width direction, and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b faces rearward of the vehicle. The rear corner 1c, which is the bent portion of the rear portion of the side body outer panel 1, is constituted by the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b. The rear corner 1c has a higher rigidity than the generally flat portions (outer panel side wall portion 1a and outer panel rear wall portion 1b) continuing on both sides of the rear corner 1c, and the portions on both sides of the rear corner 1c (outer panel side wall portion 1a and outer panel rear wall portion 1b) have a lower rigidity than the rear corner 1c.

[0016] The quarter inner panel 2 is a panel that is provided with a gap inward in the vehicle width direction from the side body outer panel 1 and is located above the rear wheel house section 3. The quarter inner panel 2 also extends rearward from the rear of the rear side door opening D2. The quarter inner panel 2 also extends upward from the upper part of the rear wheel house section 3. The quarter inner panel 2 in the illustrated example extends in a generally vertical direction, and the upper part of the quarter inner panel 2 is joined to the side body outer panel 1 by spot welding or the like.

[0017] The rear wheel house section 3 is a panel that covers the upper part of the rear wheel (not shown) and is provided at the lower rear part of the vehicle side. The rear wheel house section 3 has a wheel house outer panel 31 and a wheel house inner panel 32. The upper part of the wheel house outer panel 31 and the upper part of the wheel house inner panel 32 are joined together by spot welding or the like.

[0018] The wheelhouse outer panel 31 is joined to the lower part of the outer panel side wall portion 1a of the side body outer panel 1 and is a panel that covers the upper part of the rear wheel from above the vehicle. The wheelhouse outer panel 31 is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the wheelhouse inner panel 32 and is curved to generally follow the shape of the upper part of the rear wheel. In other words, the wheelhouse outer panel 31 has a curved portion 31a that is convex upward in a side view seen from one side in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the wheelhouse outer panel 31 has an extended wall portion 31b that protrudes upward from the vehicle width direction inner edge portion of the rear part of the curved portion 31a.

[0019] An outer edge portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle width direction is joined by spot welding or the like to a lower portion of the outer panel side wall portion 1a of the side body outer panel 1. An inner edge portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle width direction is joined by spot welding or the like to the quarter inner panel 2. Furthermore, the wheelhouse outer panel 31 is located between the lower portion of the outer panel side wall portion 1a of the side body outer panel 1 and the lower portion of the quarter inner panel 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The wheelhouse inner panel 32 is a panel located on the inner side of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle width direction, and like the wheelhouse outer panel 31, has a portion that curves along the shape of the upper part of the rear wheel so as to cover the rear wheel from above the vehicle. The wheelhouse inner panel 32 also bulges out from the lower part of the quarter inner panel 2 toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0021] The back panel 4 is a panel that extends in the vehicle width direction and is provided at the rear of the vehicle behind the quarter inner panel 2. A longitudinally intermediate portion of the upper portion of the back panel 4 forms the lower portion of the back door opening D1.

[0022] In the illustrated example, the vehicle side structure 100 further includes a rear pillar portion 5 and a lamp housing panel portion 6.

[0023] The rear pillar portion 5 is provided along the outer edge of the back door opening D1 in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the rear pillar portion 5 extends at an inclination downward toward the rear along the upper surface of the upper portion of the quarter inner panel 2. The rear pillar portion 5 has, for example, an inclined portion 5a having an L-shaped cross section and extending downward toward the rear, and a lower wall portion 5b extending from the lower portion of the inclined portion 5a toward the exterior of the vehicle. The inclined portion 5a is composed of a vertical wall 5a1 and a horizontal wall 5a2 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the vertical wall 5a1. The lower wall portion 5b extends along the lower end of the vertical wall 5a1 and the lower end of the horizontal wall 5a2. For example, the upper part of the quarter inner panel 2 is joined to the inclined portion 5a by spot welding or the like, the inner edge of the upper part of the side body outer panel 1 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the upper edge of the vertical wall 5a1 of the inclined portion 5a by spot welding or the like, and a portion of the rear edge of the rear part of the side body outer panel 1 is joined by spot welding or the like so as to follow the upper edge and outer edge of the lower wall portion 5b.

[0024] The lamp housing panel 6 is a portion that houses and holds a lamp (not shown), and is a panel formed to be recessed toward the interior of the vehicle in a shape that matches the shape of the lamp. The lamp is, for example, a combination lamp that integrates a brake lamp, a turn signal lamp, a tail lamp, etc. The lamp housing panel 6 can also be called a reinforcement for a combination lamp, which is strengthened to have the strength to hold the lamp.

[0025] The lamp housing panel portion 6 is disposed between the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 4 and the lower portion of the inclined portion 5a of the rear pillar portion 5, and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle when no lamp is housed therein. A portion of the rear portion of the side body outer panel 1 that corresponds to the lamp is cut out in a shape that matches the shape of the lamp. The outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the lamp housing panel portion 6 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the outer edge portion 4a in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 4.

[0026] [Details of vehicle side structure] Next, the structure of the vehicle side structure 100 will be described in detail.

[0027] 4, at the rear of the vehicle side of the vehicle side structure 100, a vehicle width direction inner edge 1b1 of the outer panel rear wall 1b and a rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 are joined by spot welding to a vehicle width direction outer edge 4a of the back panel 4. That is, the vehicle width direction outer edge 4a of the back panel 4, the vehicle width direction inner edge 1b1 of the outer panel rear wall 1b, and the rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 are joined in a three-layer configuration. In the illustrated example, the vehicle width direction outer edge 4a of the back panel 4 is sandwiched between the vehicle width direction inner edge 1b1 of the outer panel rear wall 1b and the rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2, and joined in a three-layer configuration.

[0028] In the illustrated example, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b has an inclined portion 1b2 extending obliquely toward the rear of the vehicle in a portion between the rear corner portion 1c and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 1b1, and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 1b1 extends from the vehicle width direction inner end of the inclined portion 1b2. The rear side edge portion 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 is formed in a flange shape bent inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] 2 to 4, a reinforcing member 7 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in an area S surrounded by the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2 at the rear of the vehicle side portion of the vehicle side section structure 100. In other words, the reinforcing member 7 is provided in the area S adjacent to the rear corner portion 1c of the side body outer panel 1.

[0030] The reinforcing member 7 is a reinforcing panel for improving the rigidity around the rear corner of the side of the vehicle body (rear corner 1c of the side body outer panel 1). As shown in Fig. 4, the reinforcing member 7 is joined to the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2.

[0031] Specifically, the reinforcing member 7 has a first edge 7a extending along the inner surface of the outer panel side wall 1a in the vehicle width direction, a second edge 7b extending along the front surface of the outer panel rear wall 1b, a third edge 7c extending along the outer surface of the quarter inner panel 2 in the vehicle width direction, and a fourth edge 7d facing a curved portion at the rear of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 of the rear wheelhouse 3. The first edge 7a forms the outer edge of the reinforcing member 7 in the vehicle width direction, the second edge 7b forms the rear edge of the reinforcing member 7, the third edge 7c forms the inner edge of the reinforcing member 7 in the vehicle width direction, and the fourth edge 7d forms the front edge of the reinforcing member 7.

[0032] The reinforcing member 7 is formed in a generally polygonal shape (generally a trapezoid in the illustrated example) having four sides in a plan view seen from one side in the vehicle vertical direction. The reinforcing member 7 is joined to the corresponding panel portions (the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2) at three sides, namely, a first edge portion 7a, a second edge portion 7b, and a third edge portion 7c. In the illustrated example, the edges of the reinforcing member 7 except for a fourth edge portion 7d are bent upward toward the vehicle, and the first edge portion 7a, the second edge portion 7b, and the third edge portion 7c are each formed in a flange shape extending upward toward the vehicle.

[0033] The lower edge 6a of the lamp housing panel 6 is joined by spot welding or the like to the outer upper edge of the back panel 4 in the vehicle width direction and the upper edge of the outer panel rear wall 1b. The outer edge 6b of the lamp housing panel 6 in the vehicle width direction is joined by spot welding or the like to the upper edge of a portion near the rear end of the outer panel side wall 1a. The upper edge 6c of the lamp housing panel 6 is joined by spot welding or the like to the lower wall 5b of the rear pillar 5 and to part of the edge of a portion cut out to fit the lamp at the rear of the outer panel side wall 1a.

[0034] In this embodiment, as described above, the rear wheel house portion 3 includes the wheel house outer panel 31, which is joined to the lower portion of the outer panel side wall portion 1a and covers the rear wheel from above. The quarter inner panel 2 has a rear panel portion 21 extending rearward from the rear portion of the wheel house outer panel 31. That is, the rear panel portion 21 is located in a relatively narrow area between the rear portion of the wheel house outer panel 31 and the back panel 4, and in the illustrated example, is provided as a small-area panel material separated from other components. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a portion of the quarter inner panel 2 extends vertically so as to enter between the rear portion (the portion inclined downward toward the rear) of the wheel house outer panel 31 (the curved portion 31a and the extended wall portion 31b) and the back panel 4. Furthermore, the rear panel portion 21 constitutes the portion of the quarter inner panel 2 that enters between the wheel house outer panel 31 and the back panel 4. The reinforcing member 7 is joined to the rear panel portion 21 of the quarter inner panel 2.

[0035] The rear edge of the rear panel portion 21 forms the rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 and is formed in a flange shape bent inward in the vehicle width direction. The rear edge (2a) of the rear panel portion 21 of the quarter inner panel 2 is welded together with the vehicle width direction inner edge 1b1 of the outer panel rear wall portion 1b and the vehicle width direction outer edge 4a of the back panel 4 in a three-layer configuration.

[0036] In this embodiment, the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 is joined along a vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31. Referring to Fig. 4, the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 is formed in a flange shape extending forward of the vehicle. The front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 is formed in a shape that matches the shape of the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31. The front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 is joined to the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] In this embodiment, the rear portion of the vehicle width direction inner edge portion (i.e., the third edge portion 7c) of the reinforcing member 7 is joined to a vehicle up-down direction intermediate portion of a joint Z between the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31. Specifically, the joint Z between the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 is set as a portion having a predetermined vertical length where most of the front portion 21a and most of the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c overlap each other in the vehicle width direction. The front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 are joined at joint Z by spot welding or the like at multiple locations spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction). In the illustrated example, when viewed from one side in the vehicle width direction, the third edge portion 7c of the reinforcing member 7 intersects with the middle part of the joint Z in the vehicle vertical direction, and is joined to the vehicle width outer surface of the vehicle width inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 at the intersection with the joint Z.

[0038] In the illustrated example, the rear portion of the third edge portion 7c of the reinforcing member 7, the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21, and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 are joined in a triple-layer configuration. Specifically, the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 is sandwiched between the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 and the rear portion of the third edge portion 7c of the reinforcing member 7, and joined in a triple-layer configuration.

[0039] In this embodiment, as described above, the wheelhouse outer panel 31 has the curved portion 31a that is convex upward. The reinforcing member 7 is disposed below the apex 31a1 of the curved portion 31a of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle up-down direction. In the cross section shown in FIG. 4, the rear end of region S is defined by the wheelhouse outer panel 31. Therefore, at the height position corresponding to the reinforcing member 7, a closed cross section is formed by the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, the quarter inner panel 2, and the wheelhouse outer panel 31, and region S is surrounded by the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, the quarter inner panel 2, and the wheelhouse outer panel 31. The reinforcing member 7 forms a partition wall that divides region S into upper and lower sections.

[0040] Next, the panel vibration suppression effect of the vehicle side section structure 100 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining panel vibration in a vehicle side section structure 100' according to a comparative example, and are also cross-sectional views at a cross-sectional position corresponding to Figure 3.

[0041] 5 and 6, the vehicle side structure 100' according to the comparative example does not have the reinforcing member 7 of the vehicle side structure 100 of the present embodiment. In other words, the vehicle side structure 100' does not have the reinforcing member 7 in the region S. The vehicle side structure 100' according to the comparative example has the same structure as the vehicle side structure 100, except that it does not have the reinforcing member 7.

[0042] As described above, the rigidity of the rear corner 1c at the rear portion of the side body outer panel 1 is higher than the rigidity of the generally flat portions (outer panel side wall portion 1a and outer panel rear wall portion 1b) continuing on both sides of the rear corner 1c. As a result, panel vibrations due to local deformation, which are conceptually exaggerated and shown by the thick dotted lines (M1, M2) in FIGS. 5 and 6 , may occur in the rear portion of the side body outer panel 1 of the vehicle side structure 100′ during driving, etc. Panel vibrations (local deformations) originating from the rear corner 1c are classified into a first vibration mode M1 and a second vibration mode M2. In each of the first vibration mode M1 and the second vibration mode M2, the flat portions (outer panel side wall portion 1a and outer panel rear wall portion 1b) continuing on both sides of the rear corner 1c, which have low panel rigidity, deform (displace) with the rear corner 1c, which has high panel rigidity, as the origin. In this way, panel vibration (local deformation) occurring around the rear corner 1c at the rear part of the side body outer panel 1 can be a factor in generating noise inside the vehicle cabin.

[0043] Specifically, in the vehicle side section structure 100' according to the comparative example, in the first vibration mode M1 shown in Fig. 5, panel vibrations can occur in the portion surrounding the region S, such that the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b are curved and deformed in the panel thickness direction in opposite phases. In other words, when the outer panel side wall portion 1a is deformed into a convex shape bulging toward the inside of the region S (the vehicle interior), the outer panel rear wall portion 1b is deformed into a convex shape toward the outside of the region S (the vehicle exterior). The rear corner portion 1c at the rear of the side body outer panel 1 becomes a node of vibration in the first vibration mode M1, that is, the base point of the panel vibration.

[0044] 6, in the vehicle side section structure 100' according to the comparative example, panel vibration may occur in the portion surrounding the region S, in which the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, which intersect with each other at a predetermined angle, oscillate (rotate) with a predetermined amplitude around a rotation axis extending generally in the vehicle up-down direction along the rear corner 1c, while maintaining the intersection angle. In this case, the rear corner 1c at the rear of the side body outer panel 1 becomes the axis of oscillation (rotation) in the second vibration mode M2, that is, the base point of the panel vibration.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, in the vehicle side section structure 100 according to this embodiment, (1) a reinforcing member 7 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in an area S surrounded by the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2, and this reinforcing member 7 is joined to the outer panel side wall portion 1a, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2, respectively. That is, the reinforcing member 7 is joined to the panel portions (1a, 1b, 2) from the inside in three directions (three sides) on the outer panel side wall portion 1a side, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b side, and the quarter inner panel 2 side. As a result, rigidity around the rear corner 1c of the side body outer panel 1 is effectively improved, and local deformation around the rear corner 1c of the side body outer panel 1 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is suppressed. Furthermore, suppression of local deformation around the rear corner 1c and panel vibration reduces noise inside the vehicle cabin. Furthermore, (2) since the vehicle width direction inner edge 1b1 of the outer panel rear wall 1b and the rear edge 2a of the quarter inner panel 2 are joined to the vehicle width direction outer edge 4a of the back panel 4, the back panel 4, the outer panel rear wall 1b, and the quarter inner panel 2 are joined together at the rear of the vehicle side. As a result, the rigidity of the quarter inner panel 2 is also effectively improved. Therefore, the side body outer panel 1 around the rear corner 1c is more effectively supported by the reinforcing member 7 and the quarter inner panel 2, and local deformation and panel vibration around the rear corner 1c (the outer panel side wall 1a and the outer panel rear wall 1b) are effectively suppressed.

[0046] In the vehicle side section structure 100, the reinforcing member 7 is joined from the inside to the panel portions (1a, 1b, 2) in three directions (three sides) as described above, but if the reinforcing member 7 were joined to the corresponding panel portions in two directions (two sides), the second vibration mode M2 ​​could be sufficiently suppressed, but the first vibration mode M1 would not be sufficiently suppressed. That is, in any of the cases where the reinforcing member 7 is joined to two sides, that is, the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b, where the reinforcing member 7 is joined to two sides, that is, the outer panel rear wall portion 1b and the quarter inner panel 2, and where the reinforcing member 7 is joined to two sides, that is, the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the quarter inner panel 2, the suppression effect on the first vibration mode M1 is extremely low.

[0047] As described above, the vehicle side section structure 100 according to this embodiment has a structure that can suppress vibrations around the rear corner 1c of the side body outer panel 1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the quarter inner panel 2 has a rear panel portion 21 extending rearward from the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31, and the reinforcing member 7 is joined to the rear panel portion 21 of the quarter inner panel 2. Here, the joint panel portion of the quarter inner panel 2 where the reinforcing member 7 is joined is a portion that contributes to suppressing local deformation (panel vibration) of the outer panel side wall portion 1a and the outer panel rear wall portion 1b. Therefore, high rigidity of this joint panel portion is desirable. In contrast, the joint panel portion of the quarter inner panel 2 where the reinforcing member 7 is joined is the rear panel portion 21 extending rearward from the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31, and this rear panel portion 21 is a portion (member) located in a relatively narrow range between the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 and the back panel 4. Therefore, by increasing the rigidity of the rear panel portion 21, the rigidity of the portions of the quarter inner panel 2 that require high rigidity can be efficiently controlled. As a result, the rigidity of the joint panel portion (i.e., rear panel portion 21) with the reinforcing member 7 in the quarter inner panel 2 is efficiently increased, and vibration around the rear corner portion 1c of the side body outer panel 1 can be efficiently and more effectively suppressed.

[0049] In this embodiment, the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 is joined along a vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel 31, and the rear portion of the vehicle width direction inner edge portion (third edge portion 7c) of the reinforcing member 7 is joined to a vehicle up-down direction intermediate portion of a joint Z between the front portion 21a of the rear panel portion 21 and the vehicle width direction inner edge portion 31c of the wheelhouse outer panel 31. As a result, the rear panel portion 21 is also supported in the vehicle width direction by the wheelhouse outer panel 31, and further, the reinforcing member 7 is joined to and supported by the rear panel portion 21 and the wheelhouse outer panel 31. As a result, the rigidity of the rear panel portion 21 and the reinforcing member 7 is improved, and the vibration suppression effect is further improved.

[0050] Here, around the rear corner 1c of the side body outer panel 1, the natural frequency of the portion located below the apex 31a1 of the curved portion 31a of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 is relatively high, and panel vibration in the high frequency band (for example, a frequency band of approximately 200 Hz or higher) may occur. In contrast, in this embodiment, the reinforcing member 7 is disposed below the apex 31a1 of the curved portion 31a of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle up-down direction, so that panel vibration in the high frequency band is effectively suppressed.

[0051] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0052] For example, the reinforcing member 7 may be joined to the side body outer panel 1 and the quarter inner panel 2 by adhesive rather than by spot welding. In the illustrated example, the reinforcing member 7 is disposed approximately in the center between the lower end of the rear panel portion 21 and the apex 31a1 of the curved portion 31a of the wheelhouse outer panel 31 in the vehicle vertical direction, but this is not limitative. The height position of the reinforcing member 7 may be determined depending on the mode and frequency of the panel vibration to be suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1...Side body outer panel 1a...Outer panel side wall 1b...Rear wall of outer panel 1b1...Inner edge in the vehicle width direction 1b2…Slope part 1c...Rear corner 2...Quarter inner panel 2a…posterior edge 21...Rear panel 21a…front part 3...Rear wheel house 31...Wheelhouse outer panel 31a...curved portion 31a1…Top 31b...Extension wall part 31c...Inner edge in the vehicle width direction 32...Wheelhouse inner panel 4. Back panel 4a...Outer edge in the vehicle width direction 5...Rear pillar 5a…Slope part 5a1...Vertical wall 5a2…side wall 5b…Lower wall part 6...Lighting fixture housing panel 6a...lower edge 6b...Outer edge in the vehicle width direction 6c...Upper edge 7...Reinforcing member 7a...First edge portion (outer edge portion in the vehicle width direction) 7b…Second edge (rear edge) 7c...Third edge (inner edge in the vehicle width direction) 7d…4th edge (front edge) 100…Vehicle side structure 100'...vehicle side structure according to a comparative example D1...Back door opening D2: Rear side door opening S...area Z…Joint part

Claims

1. A vehicle side structure including: a side body outer panel provided on a vehicle side; a quarter inner panel provided on the inner side of the side body outer panel in the vehicle width direction and positioned above a rear wheel house; and a back panel provided at a rear of the vehicle behind the quarter inner panel and extending in the vehicle width direction, the side body outer panel has an outer panel side wall portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, and an outer panel rear wall portion extending inward in a vehicle width direction from a rear end of the outer panel side wall portion, an inner edge portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion of the outer panel and a rear edge portion of the quarter inner panel are joined to an outer edge portion in the vehicle width direction of the back panel; a reinforcing member extending in a vehicle width direction is provided in an area surrounded by the outer panel side wall portion, the outer panel rear wall portion, and the quarter inner panel, The vehicle side structure, wherein the reinforcing member is joined to the outer panel side wall portion, the outer panel rear wall portion, and the quarter inner panel.

2. the rear wheel house portion includes a wheel house outer panel joined to a lower portion of the outer panel side wall portion and covering the rear wheel from above, the quarter inner panel has a rear panel portion extending rearward from a rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel, The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing member is joined to the rear panel portion of the quarter inner panel.

3. a front portion of the rear panel portion is joined along an inner edge portion in the vehicle width direction of a rear portion of the wheelhouse outer panel, 3. The vehicle side structure according to claim 2, wherein the rear portion of the vehicle widthwise inner edge of the reinforcing member is joined to the vehicle vertical middle portion at the joint between the front portion of the rear panel portion and the vehicle widthwise inner edge of the wheelhouse outer panel.

4. the wheelhouse outer panel has a curved portion that is convex upward, 2. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed below an apex of the curved portion of the wheel house outer panel in the vehicle up-down direction.

Images