Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle rear structure which is less likely to be deformed when receiving a vertical force.SOLUTION: A vehicle rear structure includes: a roof side rail 18 having a closed cross section shape; a pillar 30 which is connected at one end to a rear wheel house 27 and at the other end to a portion, which is located at the front relative to a rear end of the roof side rail and extends in a vertical direction; and a rear skeleton part 35 which is located at the vehicle rear relative to the pillar and connected at one end to the rear wheel house and at the other end to the rear end of the roof side rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle rear structure having a pair of left and right C-pillars that connect the rear of a side sill to a rear side rail. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-116035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The C-pillar in Patent Document 1 has low rigidity against rotational moment around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when a vertical force acting on the rear suspension in the patent document is transmitted to the C-pillar, the C-pillar is likely to rotate around the rotation axis. Therefore, when a vertical force acts on the rear of the vehicle, the rear of the vehicle is likely to deform. If the amount of deformation of the rear of the vehicle is large, the steering feel by the driver and the ride comfort of the passengers are reduced.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle rear structure that is less likely to deform when subjected to vertical forces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle rear structure described in claim 1 includes a roof side rail having a closed cross-sectional shape, a pillar extending in the vertical direction with one end connected to a rear wheel house and the other end connected to a position forward of the rear end of the roof side rail, and a rear framework member located rearward of the pillar and with one end connected to the rear wheel house and the other end connected to the rear end of the roof side rail.

[0007] In the vehicle rear structure of claim 1, the roof side rail has a closed cross-sectional shape. Therefore, compared to when the cross-sectional shape of the roof side rail is an open cross-sectional shape, the roof side rail is less likely to deform in the vertical direction when subjected to a vertical force. Furthermore, one end of the pillar extending in the vertical direction is connected to the rear wheel house and the other end is connected to a portion forward of the rear end of the roof side rail, and one end of a rear frame member located rearward of the pillar is connected to the rear wheel house and the other end is connected to the rear end of the roof side rail. Therefore, compared to when only the pillar is connected to the rear wheel house and the roof side rail, the pillar is less likely to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction when subjected to a vertical force. Because the roof side rail is less likely to deform in the vertical direction and the pillar is less likely to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction when subjected to a vertical force, the vehicle rear structure of claim 1 is less likely to deform when subjected to a vertical force.

[0008] A vehicle rear structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle rear structure according to the first aspect, wherein the rear framework member extends in the vertical direction.

[0009] In the vehicle rear structure of claim 2, when subjected to a vertical force, the pillar is less likely to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction, and the roof side rail is less likely to deform in the vertical direction, compared to when the extension direction of the rear frame member is different from the vertical direction.

[0010] The vehicle rear structure described in claim 3 is the same as claim 2, and includes a rear side member, a rear end connected to the rear end of the rear side member, and a panel located rearward of the rear framework member and connected to the rear framework member and the rear end.

[0011] In the vehicle rear structure of claim 3, the panel functions to easily suppress bending of the rear side members in the up-down direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The vehicle rear structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being less likely to deform when subjected to a force in the vertical direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle showing a vehicle rear structure according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vehicle rear structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 3-3 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 4-4 in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 5-5 in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 8-8 in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle rear structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the front of the vehicle, which is the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle, which is the left side in the vehicle lateral direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, which is the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, the longitudinal direction, the lateral direction, and the vertical direction respectively represent the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle rear structure 13 applied to the rear of a body 12 of a vehicle 10 includes a pair of left and right metal side sills (rockers) (not shown) that are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) and extend in the fore-and-aft direction, a pair of left and right metal rear side members 14 (only the left rear side member 14 is shown in Figure 1) that are connected to the rear ends of the side sills and extend rearward, and a metal cross member 16 (see Figure 1) that extends in the left-right direction and connects the left and right rear side members 14.

[0016] Furthermore, the vehicle rear structure 13 is provided with a pair of left and right metal roof side rails 18 (only the right roof side rail 18 is shown in Figures 1 and 2) that are located above the left and right side sills and rear side members 14 and extend in the front-to-rear direction and are spaced apart from each other in the left-to-right direction, and a metal rear header 25 that connects the left and right roof side rails 18 and extends in the left-to-right direction.

[0017] 3 to 7, the roof side rail 18 is formed by joining together an outer rail 19 having the same length as the roof side rail 18, an inner rail 22 that is approximately parallel to the outer rail 19 and has a shorter overall length than the outer rail 19, and a rear side panel 29. The outer rail 19 and the inner rail 22 are integrally molded products and are manufactured by, for example, press molding.

[0018] 3, the front portion of the roof side rail 18 is composed of an outer rail 19 and an inner rail 22 located on the vehicle interior side of the outer rail 19. The upper and lower edges of the outer rail 19 are fixed to the inner rail 22.

[0019] 4 to 6, the portion of the roof side rail 18 between the rear end and a predetermined portion located rearward of the front end in the longitudinal direction is made up of the outer rail 19 and the upper portion of a metal rear side panel 29 located on the vehicle interior side of the outer rail 19. The upper and lower edges of the outer rail 19 are fixed to the vehicle exterior surface of the rear side panel 29. The lower ends of the left and right rear side panels 29 are connected to the left and right rear wheel houses 27, respectively.

[0020] In this way, the roof side rail 18 is composed of two members along its entire length. Therefore, the cross section of the roof side rail 18 taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof has a circular shape at any position along the longitudinal direction of the roof side rail 18. In other words, the roof side rail 18 has a closed cross section along its entire length.

[0021] The front ends of the left and right roof side rails 18 are connected to the rear ends of metal roof side rails 23 that are separate from the roof side rails 18 .

[0022] The vehicle rear structure 13 has a pair of left and right metal rear wheel houses 27. The left and right rear wheel houses 27 are connected to both left and right ends of the cross member 16. Rear wheels (not shown) are provided in the internal space of each rear wheel house 27.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , metal C-pillars (pillars) 30 extend vertically in a side view and are located on the vehicle exterior side of the rear side panel 29 between the left and right rear wheel houses 27 and portions of the left and right roof side rails 18 located forward of the rear ends and rearward of the front ends. A flat-plate-shaped connection portion 31 is provided at the upper end of the C-pillar 30. The portion of the C-pillar 30 located below the connection portion 31 has a generally hat-shaped cross section (see FIG. 8 ). A connection flange 32 is provided at the front edge of the portion of the C-pillar 30 located below the connection portion 31, and a connection flange 33 is provided at the rear edge. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the connection portion 31 is fixed to a portion of the outer rail 19 on the vehicle exterior side, forward of the rear end and rearward of the front end. The lower ends of the connection flanges 32 and 33 are fixed to the vehicle exterior surface of the rear wheel houses 27, and the portions of the connection flanges 32 and 33 excluding the lower and upper ends are fixed to the vehicle exterior surface of the rear side panel 29.

[0024] 1 and 2 , a metal rear framework member 35 is located rearward of the C-pillar 30 and extends vertically in a side view between the left and right rear wheel housings 27 and the rear ends of the left and right roof side rails 18. The rear framework member 35 is located on the vehicle exterior side of the rear side panel 29. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the rear framework member 35 is inclined with respect to the extension direction of the C-pillar 30 in a side view. The cross section of the rear framework member 35, excluding its upper end, is generally hat-shaped. A connecting flange 37 is provided at the front edge of the generally hat-shaped cross section of the rear framework member 35, and a connecting flange 38 is provided at the rear edge. As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower ends of the connecting flanges 37 and 38 are fixed to the vehicle exterior surface of the rear wheel housing 27, and the portions of the connecting flanges 37 and 38, excluding their lower and upper ends, are fixed to the vehicle exterior surface of the rear side panel 29. The upper end of the rear framework member 35 is fixed to the outer rail 19.

[0025] In this specification, the term "the C-pillar 30 extends in the vertical direction in a side view" includes cases where the extension direction of the C-pillar 30 is completely parallel to the vertical direction and cases where the extension direction of the C-pillar 30 is approximately parallel to the vertical direction. In other words, the term "the C-pillar 30 extends in the vertical direction in a side view" also includes cases where the extension direction of the C-pillar 30 is inclined relative to the vertical direction within a range of a predetermined angle or less. Similarly, in this specification, the term "the rear skeletal member 35 extends in the vertical direction in a side view" includes cases where the extension direction of the rear skeletal member 35 is completely parallel to the vertical direction and cases where the extension direction of the rear skeletal member 35 is approximately parallel to the vertical direction. In other words, the term "the rear skeletal member 35 extends in the vertical direction in a side view" also includes cases where the extension direction of the rear skeletal member 35 is inclined relative to the vertical direction within a range of a predetermined angle or less. This predetermined angle is, for example, XX degrees.

[0026] A metallic rear end 40 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the rear ends of the left and right rear side members 14. Furthermore, the front ends of D-pillars 42 (only the right D-pillar 42 is shown in FIG. 1 ), which are elongated metallic members, are connected to the rear ends of the left and right roof side rails 18. In a side view, the D-pillars 42 are curved, and the rear end of each D-pillar 42 is connected to the rear end 40. The opening surrounded by the rear header 25, the left and right roof side rails 18, the left and right D-pillars 42, and the rear end 40 is an opening that is closed by a tailgate (not shown) that can be opened and closed.

[0027] Furthermore, a pair of left and right metal shear panels (panels) 45 are provided in the space formed among the rear wheel house 27, rear side panel 29, rear end 40, and D-pillar 42. The rear end of the shear panel 45 is connected to the rear end 40, the front part of the lower part of the shear panel 45 is connected to the rear wheel house 27, and the upper part of the shear panel 45 is connected to the rear part of the rear side panel 29 and the front end of the D-pillar 42.

[0028] A rear suspension (not shown) is provided on the cross member 16 and a component (not shown) of the vehicle rear structure 13 other than the cross member 16. A portion of the component of the rear suspension is connected to the left and right rear wheel houses 27.

[0029] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment will be described.

[0030] When a force is applied from the road surface to the vehicle 10 while it is running, this force is transmitted from the rear suspension to the rear of the body 12 (rear wheel house 27), causing the rear of the body 12 to vibrate in the up and down direction.

[0031] However, the roof side rail 18 has a closed cross-sectional shape. Therefore, compared to when the cross-sectional shape of the roof side rail is an open cross-sectional shape, the roof side rail 18 is less likely to deform in the vertical direction when the rear part of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a vertical force.

[0032] Furthermore, the roof side rail 18, which has a long front-to-rear dimension (its front end is located forward of the C-pillar 30), receives the force transmitted from the rear wheel house 27 to the roof side rail 18 via the rear side member 14, rear end 40, shear panel 45, and D-pillar 42 in its own axial direction (longitudinal direction). Therefore, when the rear of the vehicle body 12 receives a force in the vertical direction, the rear end 40, shear panel 45, and D-pillar 42 are less likely to deform.

[0033] Furthermore, one end of a C-pillar 30 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the rear wheel house 27 and the other end is connected to a portion forward of the rear end of the roof side rail 18 and rearward of the front end thereof, and a rear frame member 35 located rearward of the C-pillar 30 has one end connected to the rear wheel house 27 and the other end connected to the rear end of the roof side rail 18. Therefore, compared to when only the C-pillar 30 is connected to the rear wheel house 27 and the roof side rail 18, when the rear of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a vertical force, the C-pillar 30 is less likely to rotate about a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction and the roof side rail 18 is less likely to deform in the vertical direction.

[0034] In this way, when the rear portion of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a force in the vertical direction, the roof side rails 18, the rear end 40, the shear panel 45, and the D-pillar 42 are unlikely to deform, and the C-pillar 30 is unlikely to rotate around the rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the vehicle rear structure 13 of this embodiment is unlikely to deform when the rear portion of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a force in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, when a force is applied from the road surface, the steering feel of the steering wheel by the driver and the ride comfort of the occupants are unlikely to deteriorate.

[0035] Furthermore, since the rear skeletal member 35 extends in the vertical direction in side view, when the rear part of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a vertical force, the C-pillar 30 is less likely to rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction, and the roof side rail 18 is less likely to deform in the vertical direction, compared to when the rear skeletal member 35 extends in a direction different from the vertical direction in side view.

[0036] Furthermore, the vehicle rear structure 13 includes a rear end 40 connected to the rear end of the rear side member 14, a rear wheel house 27, a rear side panel 29, and a shear panel 45 connected to the D-pillar 42. Therefore, the vehicle rear structure 13 can more easily suppress bending of the rear side member 14 in the up and down direction compared to a case where the vehicle rear structure 13 does not include the shear panel 45.

[0037] Furthermore, when the C-pillar 30 rotates around a rotation axis extending in the vehicle width direction, the D-pillar 42, which is a predetermined distance rearward from the C-pillar 30, receives a rotational moment around the C-pillar 30. However, in this embodiment, the rotation of the C-pillar 30 is suppressed, so the rotational moment around the C-pillar 30 that the D-pillar 42 receives is small. Therefore, the D-pillar 42 is less likely to deform when the rear of the vehicle body 12 is subjected to a force in the vertical direction. Furthermore, because the D-pillar 42 is less likely to receive a large rotational moment, the D-pillar 42 is less likely to deform significantly even if the structure of the D-pillar 42 is simplified.

[0038] Although the vehicle rear structure according to the embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be modified in design as appropriate within the scope of the gist thereof.

[0039] For example, the extension direction of the rear framework member 35 in a side view may be parallel to the extension direction of the C-pillar 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 13 Vehicle rear structure 18 Roof side rail 27 Rear wheel house 30 C-pillar (pillar) 35 Rear skeletal member 40 rear end 45 Shea Panel (Panel)

Claims

1. a roof side rail having a closed cross-sectional shape; a pillar extending in the vertical direction, one end of which is connected to the rear wheel house and the other end of which is connected to a portion forward of the rear end of the roof side rail; a rear framework member located rearward of the pillar, one end of which is connected to the rear wheel house and the other end of which is connected to the rear end of the roof side rail; A vehicle rear structure comprising:

2. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1 , wherein the rear framework member extends in the vertical direction.

3. Rear side members, a rear end connected to a rear end of the rear side member; a panel located rearward of the rear framework member and connected to the rear framework member and the rear end; The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2 , further comprising:

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