Vehicle body structure

Abstract

To improve rigidity of a vehicle body skeleton member integrally molded in a state of connecting right and left suspension tower parts by an intermediate part.SOLUTION: The vehicle body structure includes a vehicle body frame member 100 integrally molded by casting in a state where a right suspension tower part 110 and a left suspension tower part 120 are connected by an intermediate part 130. The vehicle body frame member 100 includes a connecting member 150 that extends in the left-right direction at a position separated from the intermediate portion 130 by a predetermined distance in the vehicle front-rear direction or the up-down direction and connects the right side and the left side of the vehicle body frame member 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a body structure of, for example, an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, suspension towers are provided on both the left and right sides of the rear of an automobile, to which the upper parts of the dampers of a suspension device are attached. Patent Document 1 discloses that a reinforcing member including the suspension towers is integrally molded by aluminum die casting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-44885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, from the perspective of reducing the number of parts in the vehicle body, it is conceivable to obtain a rear body frame member by integrally casting the right and left suspension tower sections together with a connecting section.

[0005] However, the damper is a long component in the vertical direction, and it is necessary to ensure a certain amount of expansion and contraction stroke in the vertical direction, which means that the vertical dimension of the suspension tower becomes long.When the vertical dimension of the suspension tower becomes long, it becomes difficult to ensure rigidity just by connecting it with the connecting part.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and its purpose is to improve the rigidity of a body frame member that is molded as a single unit with the left and right suspension tower sections connected at the middle section in the vehicle width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, one aspect of the present disclosure can be based on a vehicle body structure including a vehicle body frame member in which a right suspension tower section and a left suspension tower section are integrally molded by casting while being connected at a middle section in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body frame member includes a connecting member that extends in the left-right direction at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the middle section in the vehicle longitudinal direction or up-down direction, and connects the right and left sides of the vehicle body frame member.

[0008] With this configuration, the right and left suspension towers are integrally molded into a body frame member via an intermediate section, thereby reducing the number of parts required for the body frame member. Furthermore, because the right and left sides of the body frame member are connected by a connecting member separate from the intermediate section, the right and left suspension towers can be connected at multiple locations using the intermediate section and connecting member. In addition, because the connecting member and the intermediate section are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction or the up-and-down direction of the vehicle, the reinforcing effect achieved by providing the connecting member is improved.

[0009] A right-side coupling portion may be provided at an upper portion of the right suspension tower portion to which the right side of the coupling member can be coupled. Also, a left-side coupling portion may be provided at an upper portion of the left suspension tower portion to which the left side of the coupling member can be coupled. With this configuration, the right and left sides of the coupling member can be firmly fixed to the upper portions of the right and left suspension tower portions.

[0010] The right suspension tower may be provided with a right damper mounting portion to which an upper portion of a right damper of a suspension device is attached. In this case, the right connecting portion may be provided at a position spaced above the right damper mounting portion. The left suspension tower may be provided with a left damper mounting portion to which an upper portion of a left damper of a suspension device is attached. In this case, the left connecting portion may be provided at a position spaced above the left damper mounting portion.

[0011] With this configuration, the connecting member can be positioned above the damper mounting portion, ensuring a long distance from the intermediate portion, thereby further enhancing the reinforcing effect provided by providing the intermediate portion and connecting member.

[0012] The connecting member may include an upper connecting member that connects the upper part of the right suspension tower section and the upper part of the left suspension tower section, and a lower connecting member that connects the lower part of the right suspension tower section and the lower part of the left suspension tower section.

[0013] With this configuration, the upper parts of the right-side suspension tower section and the left-side suspension tower section can be connected to each other, and the lower parts can be connected to each other, thereby further improving the rigidity of the vehicle body frame member.

[0014] The upper connecting member may be spaced rearward from the intermediate portion of the vehicle, and the lower connecting member may be spaced forward from the intermediate portion of the vehicle. With this configuration, the lower connecting member, the intermediate portion, and the upper connecting member are arranged in this order from the front to the rear of the vehicle. This further increases the rigidity of the vehicle body frame member.

[0015] The vehicle body structure may include a floor panel having a tunnel section that bulges upward in a lateral center portion and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a right cross member extending from the right side of the floor panel to the right side of the tunnel section on the upper surface of the floor panel; a left cross member extending from the left side of the floor panel to the left side of the tunnel section on the upper surface of the floor panel; and a tunnel member extending across the tunnel section in the lateral direction on the lower surface of the floor panel. The right side of the right cross member can be connected to a lower part of the right suspension tower section, and the left side of the left cross member can be connected to a lower part of the left suspension tower section. Furthermore, the right side of the tunnel member can be connected to the left side of the right cross member, and the left side of the tunnel member can be connected to the right side of the left cross member. In this case, the right cross member, the left cross member, and the tunnel member can constitute the connecting member. In other words, the right and left sides of the vehicle body frame members can be connected using the right cross member, the left cross member, and the tunnel member to increase the rigidity of the floor panel. In addition, by using the right cross member, left cross member and tunnel member, the body frame member can be connected to the highly rigid tunnel section, which also increases the rigidity of the body frame member.

[0016] The vehicle rear portion of the tunnel section may be connected to the intermediate section, thereby enabling the intermediate section to be connected to the highly rigid tunnel section, thereby further increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body frame member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] As described above, the connecting member that connects the right and left sides of the body frame member is provided at a position away from the intermediate section that connects the right and left suspension tower sections, thereby improving the rigidity of the body frame member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an automobile equipped with a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle body structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the vehicle body structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the rear frame member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the rear framework member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view of the rear frame member. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view of the right side portion of the rear frame member as seen from diagonally above on the left. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a left side view of the right portion of the rear framework member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0020] 1 is a side view of an automobile 1 equipped with a vehicle body structure A according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the description of this embodiment, the front side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "front," the rear side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "rear," the right side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "right," and the left side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "left." The left-right direction of the vehicle is the vehicle width direction.

[0021] The automobile 1 may be, for example, a passenger automobile, such as a coupe, hatchback, or sedan. The automobile 1 may also be an automobile equipped with an internal combustion engine that generates driving force transmitted to the drive wheels, an electric automobile equipped with a traction motor that generates driving force transmitted to the drive wheels, or a hybrid automobile in which driving force transmitted to the drive wheels is generated by an internal combustion engine and a driving force generating motor. The internal combustion engine and the motor constitute a powertrain PT.

[0022] A bonnet hood 2 is provided at the front of the automobile 1. A front space R1 is provided below the bonnet hood 2, in which a powertrain PT is mounted as needed. A rear hood 3 is provided at the rear of the automobile 1. A rear space R2 capable of accommodating luggage is provided below the rear hood 3. A powertrain (not shown) may be mounted in the rear space R2 without mounting the powertrain PT in the front space R1. In this case, the front space R1 can be used as a space for accommodating luggage. Powertrains may also be mounted in both the front space R1 and the rear space R2.

[0023] A left door 4 and a right door (not shown) that can be opened and closed are provided on the left and right sides of the automobile 1. The automobile 1 also has front wheels 7 and rear wheels 8 on the left and right sides, respectively. At least one of the front wheels 7 and the rear wheels 8 can be a drive wheel.

[0024] Between the front space R1 and the rear space R2, a passenger compartment R3 is provided as a living space for occupants. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle body structure A includes a floor panel 10 that forms the floor surface of the passenger compartment R3, and a dash panel 20 that forms the front wall of the passenger compartment R3. The vehicle body structure A of the automobile 1 also includes an inclined panel 16 that extends upward from the rear end of the floor panel 10 and is inclined so that it is positioned further rearward as it goes upward, and a rear panel 17 that extends rearward from the upper end of the inclined panel 16.

[0025] A tunnel portion 11 that bulges upward and extends in the front-to-rear direction is formed in the center of the floor panel 10 in the left-to-right direction. The automobile 1 also has a right side sill 12 that extends in the front-to-rear direction along the right edge of the floor panel 10, and a left side sill 13 that extends in the front-to-rear direction along the left edge of the floor panel 10. A right hinge pillar 12a that extends upward is provided in the front of the right side sill 12. The right hinge pillar 12a is a member that supports the right door. A left hinge pillar 13a that extends upward is provided in the front of the left side sill 13. The left hinge pillar 13a is a member that supports the left door 4.

[0026] The front end of the tunnel portion 11 is located at the front end of the floor panel 10, and the rear end of the tunnel portion 11 is located at the rear end of the floor panel 10. Therefore, the tunnel portion 11 has a shape that extends continuously from the front end to the rear end of the floor panel 10.

[0027] The vehicle body structure A includes a right cross member 14 that extends on the upper surface of the floor panel 10 from the right side of the floor panel 10 to the right side of the tunnel section 11, and a left cross member 15 that extends on the upper surface of the floor panel 10 from the left side of the floor panel 10 to the left side of the tunnel section 11. In this embodiment, the two right cross members 14 are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction, and the two left cross members 15 are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction. The front right cross member 14 and the front left cross member 15 are arranged to be aligned on the same straight line extending in the left-to-right direction. The rear right cross member 14 and the rear left cross member 15 are also arranged to be aligned on the same straight line extending in the left-to-right direction.

[0028] Each right cross member 14 is formed to fit along the upper surface of the floor panel 10 on the right side of the tunnel section 11 and is fixed to that upper surface. The right end of the right cross member 14 is fixed to the side surface of the right side sill 12 on the interior side of the vehicle, while the left end of the right cross member 14 is fixed to the right side surface of the tunnel section 11.

[0029] Each left cross member 15 is formed to fit along the upper surface of the floor panel 10 on the left side of the tunnel section 11 and is fixed to that upper surface. The left end of the left cross member 15 is fixed to the side surface of the left side sill 13 on the interior side of the vehicle, while the right end of the left cross member 15 is fixed to the left side surface of the tunnel section 11.

[0030] The automobile 1 is a right-hand drive vehicle. Therefore, the automobile 1 is provided with a passenger seat 30 as a left seat (seat) and a driver's seat 40 as a right seat (seat) on the left and right sides of the tunnel section 11 in the floor panel 10, respectively. Specifically, the passenger seat 30 is provided on the left side of the tunnel section 11 in the floor panel 10, and is disposed between the tunnel section 11 and the left side side sill 13. The driver's seat 40 is provided on the right side of the tunnel section 11 in the floor panel 10, and is disposed between the tunnel section 11 and the right side side sill 12. Therefore, the passenger seat 30 and the driver's seat 40 are disposed side by side in the left-right direction, sandwiching the tunnel section 11 therebetween.

[0031] The lower part of the driver's seat 40 is attached to the two right-side cross members 14. The lower part of the passenger seat 30 is attached to the two left-side cross members 15. The automobile 1 may be a left-hand drive vehicle, in which case the driver's seat 40 may be located on the left side and the passenger seat 30 on the right side. A rear seat may also be located behind the driver's seat 40 and the passenger seat 30.

[0032] 3 and 4, the vehicle body structure A includes a tunnel member 10a that extends across the tunnel portion 11 in the left-right direction on the underside of the floor panel 10. The tunnel member 10a is positioned below the rear right cross member 14 and left cross member 15, and is a reinforcing member that suppresses deformation of the tunnel portion 11, which is open downward, such that it opens in the left-right direction.

[0033] The right side of the tunnel member 10a extends further to the right than the right side surface of the tunnel section 11, and is positioned so as to overlap the left side of the right cross member 14 in a plan view. The right side of the tunnel member 10a and the left side of the right cross member 14 are fixed to the floor panel 10 by, for example, fastening members 14a, etc., and are integrated together.

[0034] The left side of tunnel member 10a extends further to the left than the left side surface of tunnel section 11, and is positioned so as to overlap the right side of left cross member 15 in a plan view. The left side of tunnel member 10a and the right side of left cross member 15 are fixed to floor panel 10 by, for example, fastening member 15a, etc., and are integrated together. In other words, right cross member 14 and left cross member 15 are connected via tunnel member 10a to form a single reinforcing member.

[0035] 2 and 3, the dash panel 20 extends upward and laterally from the front end of the floor panel 10 and separates the vehicle interior R3 from a front space R1 located forward of the vehicle interior R3. The front end of the tunnel section 11 is connected to the center of the lower portion of the dash panel 20 in the laterally directed direction.

[0036] A front casting member 50 is provided at the front of the automobile 1. The front casting member 50 includes a right front side frame 60, a left front side frame 70, a connecting portion 80 that connects the right front side frame 60 and the left front side frame 70, and a right front suspension tower portion 51 and a right front suspension tower portion 52.

[0037] The front space R1 is provided between the right front side frame 60 and the left front side frame 70. The right front side frame 60, the left front side frame 70, and the connecting portion 80 are integrally molded by casting. The rear portion of the left front side frame 70 and the rear portion of the right front side frame 60 are fixed to the dash panel 20. The rear portion of the connecting portion 80 is fixed to the dash panel 20 and the front portion of the tunnel section 11. When fixing the right front side frame 60, the left front side frame 70, and the connecting portion 80 to the dash panel 20 or the tunnel section 11, various fixing methods can be used, such as fixing by welding or fastening using fastening members (including, for example, self-piercing rivets). Of these fixing methods, any one fixing method may be used alone, or any two or more fixing methods may be used in combination.

[0038] The vehicle body structure A includes a rear vehicle-body frame member 100 provided at the rear. That is, the rear vehicle-body frame member 100 is provided above the inclined panel 16 and is integrally molded by casting. The rear vehicle-body frame member 100 includes a right rear suspension tower section 110, a left rear suspension tower section 120, and an intermediate section 130. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 , the intermediate section 130 is provided at the middle section of the rear vehicle-body frame member 100 in the left-right direction, and is a section that connects the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120. The right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 are integrally molded by casting while being connected by the intermediate section 130. The rear vehicle-body frame member 100 can be manufactured, for example, by aluminum die casting.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the front end of a right rear frame 19a extending rearward is connected to the rear of the right rear suspension tower 110. The right rear frame 19a is positioned more inboard than the right side sill 12 and higher than the right side sill 12. The front end of a left rear frame 19b extending rearward is connected to the rear of the left rear suspension tower 120. The left rear frame 19b is positioned more inboard than the left side sill 13 and higher than the left side sill 13. A rear panel 17 is provided to connect the right rear frame 19a and the left rear frame 19b.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the right rear suspension tower section 110 has a right wheel house section 111 that forms a wheel house for a right rear wheel (not shown). The right wheel house section 111 extends in the up-down and front-rear directions and has a concave shape that is recessed toward the interior and front of the vehicle. Both the rear and bottom sides of this right wheel house section 111 are open, giving the right wheel house section 111 a dome shape.

[0041] The right wheel house section 111 has a right bulging section 111a that bulges out toward the vehicle interior, and a right plate section 111b that extends in the up-down and front-rear directions from the top of the right bulging section 111a to the front. A right damper mounting section 112 is provided near the top of the right bulging section 111a. The right damper mounting section 112 is a plate-shaped section to which the top of the right damper D1 of the rear suspension device is attached, and extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. An opening 112a is formed in the right damper mounting section 112.

[0042] A right flange portion 111c is formed on the periphery of the right side plate portion 111b. The right flange portion 111c extends continuously from the upper portion of the right wheel house portion 111, passing through the front portion and down to the lower portion. A right front connection portion 113 is formed on the lower front side of the right wheel house portion 111, and is connected to the rear end portion of the right side sill 12. Furthermore, a right rear connection portion 114 is formed on the lower rear side of the right wheel house portion 111, and is connected to the rear end portion of the right rear frame 19a. The right rear connection portion 114 is located on the vehicle interior side and above the right front connection portion 113.

[0043] A right load transmission part 115 is provided at the bottom of the right wheel house part 111, extending from the right front connection part 113 to the right rear connection part 114. The right load transmission part 115 is inclined so that it is positioned further outboard and lower towards the front.

[0044] The left rear suspension tower section 120 and the right rear suspension tower section 110 have a bilaterally symmetrical structure. Specifically, when an imaginary line passing through the center of the left-right direction of the automobile 1 and extending in the longitudinal direction is taken as the center of symmetry, the left rear suspension tower section 120 is line-symmetrical with the right rear suspension tower section 110, and the right rear suspension tower section 110 is line-symmetrical with the left rear suspension tower section 120.

[0045] That is, the left rear suspension tower section 120 has a left wheel house section 121 that forms a wheel house for the left rear wheel 8 (shown in FIG. 1). The left wheel house section 121 extends in the up-down and front-to-rear directions and has a concave shape that is recessed toward the interior and front of the vehicle. Both the rear and bottom sides of this left wheel house section 121 are open, which gives the left wheel house section 121 a dome shape.

[0046] The left wheel house section 121 has a left bulging section 121a that bulges out toward the vehicle interior, and a left side plate section 121b that extends in the up-down and front-rear directions from the top of the left bulging section 121a to the front. A left damper mounting section 122 to which the top of the right damper D2 of the rear suspension device is attached is provided near the top of the left bulging section 121a. The left damper mounting section 122 has an opening 122a.

[0047] A left flange portion 121c is formed on the periphery of the left side plate portion 121b. The left flange portion 121c extends continuously from the upper portion of the left wheel house portion 121 through the front portion to the lower portion. A left front connection portion 123 is formed on the lower front side of the left wheel house portion 121, and is connected to the rear end portion of the left side sill 13. Furthermore, a left rear connection portion 124 is formed on the lower rear side of the left wheel house portion 121, and is connected to the rear end portion of the left rear frame 19b. The left rear connection portion 124 is located on the vehicle interior side and above the left front connection portion 123.

[0048] A left load transmission part 125 is provided at the bottom of the left wheel house part 121, extending from the left front connection part 123 to the left rear connection part 124. The left load transmission part 125 is inclined so that it is positioned further outboard and lower as it goes forward.

[0049] Therefore, for example, an impact load during a rear-end collision is input to the right wheel housing portion 111 via the right rear frame 19a. The impact load input to the right wheel housing portion 111 is transmitted to the right side sill 12 via the right rear connection portion 114, the right load transmission portion 115, and the right front connection portion 113. The impact load during a rear-end collision is input to the left wheel housing portion 121 via the left rear frame 19b. The impact load input to the left wheel housing portion 121 is transmitted to the left side sill 13 via the left rear connection portion 124, the left load transmission portion 125, and the left front connection portion 123.

[0050] As described above, the rear body frame member 100 is a member that receives the impact load during a rear collision and transmits it to the right side sill 12 and the left side sill 13, and therefore needs to have high rigidity against the input of the impact load. For this reason, one or more ribs are molded integrally with the rear body frame member 100.

[0051] 5 to 7, a first right inner rib 116a, a second right inner rib 116b, a third right inner rib 116c, a fourth right inner rib 116d, and a fifth right inner rib 116e are integrally molded on the vehicle interior side of the right wheel house section 111. Furthermore, although detailed description will be omitted, a plurality of ribs 126a to 126e (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) are integrally molded on the vehicle interior side of the left wheel house section 121, similar to the right wheel house section 111.

[0052] 5 and 6, the intermediate section 130 extends in the left-right direction from a longitudinally intermediate section at the bottom of the right rear suspension tower section 110 to a longitudinally intermediate section at the bottom of the left rear suspension tower section 120. A plurality of first lower ribs 130a, which protrude forward and extend in the up-down direction, are provided on the front surface of the intermediate section 130 at intervals from one another in the left-right direction. Furthermore, a curved plate section 131, which curves upward, is provided in the center of the left-right direction of the intermediate section 130. A plurality of second lower ribs 131a, which protrude upward and extend forward, are provided on the upper surface of the curved plate section 131 at intervals from one another in the circumferential direction of the curved plate section 131.

[0053] The rear portion of the tunnel portion 11 of the floor panel 10 is connected to the curved plate portion 131 of the intermediate portion 130. This allows the intermediate portion 130 to be connected to the tunnel portion 11, which has high rigidity.

[0054] The rear body frame member 100 has a long rib 140 that continues from the right rear suspension tower section 110 to the intermediate section 130 and also continues to the left rear suspension tower section 120. The right portion of the long rib 140 is molded integrally with the right bulging section 111a and the front portion of the right side plate section 111b. The left portion of the long rib 140 is molded integrally with the left bulging section 121a and the front portion of the left side plate section 121b.

[0055] The vehicle body structure A includes an upper connecting member 150 that extends laterally at a position a predetermined distance from the intermediate section 130 in the longitudinal or vertical direction, and connects the right and left sides of the vehicle body frame member 100. The upper connecting member 150 in this embodiment is a member that connects the upper part of the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the upper part of the left rear suspension tower section 120, and can be called a deck member or the like. The upper connecting member 150 may be made of, for example, a press-molded plate material, or an extrusion-molded member.

[0056] Furthermore, the upper connecting member 150 is spaced upward from the intermediate section 130 and also spaced rearward from the intermediate section 130. That is, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, a right connecting section 118 is provided at the top of the right rear suspension tower section 110, to which the right side of the upper connecting member 150 can be connected. The right connecting section 118 is spaced upward from the right damper mounting section 112 and has a plate shape that extends in the left-right direction. The right side of the upper connecting member 150 is fixed to the right connecting section 118 by welding or a fastening member.

[0057] Additionally, a left-side connecting part 128 is provided at the top of the left rear suspension tower part 120, to which the left side of the upper connecting member 150 can be connected. The left-side connecting part 128 is spaced above the left damper mounting part 122 and has a plate shape that extends in the left-right direction. The left side of the upper connecting member 150 is fixed to the left-side connecting part 128 by welding or a fastening member.

[0058] Although not shown, the upper connecting member 150 may be a header that is disposed at a position above and spaced apart from the tops of the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 .

[0059] 4, the right cross member 14, the left cross member 15, and the tunnel member 10a form a lower connecting member 160 that connects the lower part of the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the lower part of the left rear suspension tower section 120. That is, the right side of the right cross member 14 is fixed to the right side sill 12, and a right front connection part 113 formed on the lower part of the right rear suspension tower section 110 is connected to the right side sill 12, so that the right side of the right cross member 14 is connected to the right front connection part 113 of the right rear suspension tower section 110 via the right side sill 12. In addition, the left side of the left cross member 15 is fixed to the left side sill 13, and a left front connection part 123 formed on the lower part of the left rear suspension tower section 120 is connected to the left side sill 13, so that the left side of the left cross member 15 is connected to the left front connection part 123 of the left rear suspension tower section 120 via the left side sill 13. The right side of the right cross member 14 may be directly connected to the lower part of the right rear suspension tower section 110, and the left side of the left cross member 15 may be directly connected to the lower part of the left rear suspension tower section 120.

[0060] The lower connecting member 160 is spaced downward from the intermediate portion 130 and also spaced forward from the intermediate portion 130. Therefore, in a front view, the intermediate portion 130 is disposed between the upper connecting member 150 and the lower connecting member 160. In a plan view, the intermediate portion 130 is also disposed between the upper connecting member 150 and the lower connecting member 160.

[0061] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, in this embodiment, the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 are integrally molded by casting via the intermediate section 130. As a result, the right rear suspension tower section 110, the left rear suspension tower section 120, and the intermediate section 130 become a single part, thereby reducing the number of parts in the rear body frame member 100.

[0062] In addition, the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 of the rear body frame member 100 are connected by an upper connecting member 150 and a lower connecting member 160. Because the upper connecting member 150 is spaced above and rearward from the intermediate section 130, and the lower connecting member 160 is spaced below and forward from the intermediate section 130, the mutually separated portions of the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 can be connected by a highly rigid member. This allows the rigidity of the rear body frame member 100 to be improved.

[0063] Furthermore, the right cross member 14 to which the driver's seat 40 is attached and the left cross member 15 to which the passenger seat 30 is attached are used to connect the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120, so that the member for attaching the seats and the member for reinforcing the rear body frame member 100 can be the same member, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of parts. Note that a dedicated member may be provided for connecting the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120.

[0064] The above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, all modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the upper connecting member 150 may connect the right damper mounting portion 112 and the left damper mounting portion 122. Alternatively, one of the upper connecting member 150 and the lower connecting member 160 may be omitted. The upper connecting member 150 may be integrally molded with the right rear suspension tower portion 110 and the left rear suspension tower portion 120 by casting. The lower connecting member 160 may be integrally molded with the right rear suspension tower portion 110 and the left rear suspension tower portion 120 by casting. The lower connecting member 160 may be formed as a single member extending in the left-right direction, rather than being composed of the right cross member 14, the left cross member 15, and the tunnel member 10a. The lower connecting member 160 may be formed as a press-molded plate or an extruded member. Also, the lower connecting member 160 may be integrally molded with the right rear suspension tower section 110 and the left rear suspension tower section 120 by casting.

[0065] The present invention can also be applied to the front body structure of the automobile 1. For example, a connecting member may be provided to connect the right front suspension tower section 51 and the right front suspension tower section 52 of the front cast member 50. In this case, the connecting section 80 of the front cast member 50 corresponds to the middle section. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] As described above, the present disclosure can be used for, for example, body frame members of automobiles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Automobiles 10 Floor Panel 10a Tunnel Member 11 Tunnel section 14 Right cross member 15 Left cross member 110 Right rear suspension tower 112 Right side damper mounting part 118 Right side connection part 120 Left rear suspension tower 122 Left side damper mounting part 128 Left side connection part 130 Middle section 150 Upper connecting member 160 Lower connecting member D1, D2 dampers

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure including a vehicle body frame member integrally formed by casting in a state in which a right suspension tower section and a left suspension tower section are connected at an intermediate section in a vehicle width direction, A vehicle body structure comprising a connecting member extending in the left-right direction at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the intermediate portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction or vertical direction, and connecting the right and left sides of the vehicle body frame member.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, a right-side connecting portion to which the right side of the connecting member can be connected is provided at an upper portion of the right-side suspension tower portion; A vehicle body structure in which a left connecting portion to which the left side of the connecting member can be connected is provided at an upper portion of the left suspension tower portion.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, a right-side damper mounting portion to which an upper portion of a right-side damper of a suspension device is attached is provided on the right-side suspension tower portion, and the right-side connecting portion is spaced upward from the right-side damper mounting portion, A vehicle body structure in which a left damper mounting portion to which the upper part of the left damper of the suspension device is attached is provided on the left suspension tower portion, and the left connecting portion is spaced upward from the left damper mounting portion.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, The connecting member is an upper connecting member that connects an upper portion of the right suspension tower section and an upper portion of the left suspension tower section; a lower connecting member connecting a lower portion of the right suspension tower section and a lower portion of the left suspension tower section.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, the upper connecting member is spaced from the intermediate portion toward the rear of the vehicle, The lower connecting member is spaced from the intermediate portion toward the front of the vehicle.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, a floor panel having a tunnel portion formed in a central portion in the left-right direction that bulges upward and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a right cross member extending from the right side of the floor panel to the right side of the tunnel portion on the upper surface of the floor panel; a left cross member extending from the left side of the floor panel to the left side of the tunnel portion on the upper surface of the floor panel; a tunnel member extending across the tunnel portion in the left-right direction on the underside of the floor panel, a right side of the right cross member connected to a lower portion of the right suspension tower portion, a left side of the left cross member connected to a lower portion of the left suspension tower portion, The right side of the tunnel member is connected to the left side of the right cross member, The left side of the tunnel member is connected to the right side of the left cross member, The vehicle body structure, wherein the right cross member, the left cross member, and the tunnel member constitute the connecting member.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, The vehicle further includes a floor panel having a tunnel portion formed therein that bulges upward in a central portion in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, A vehicle body structure, wherein a vehicle rear portion of the tunnel section is connected to the intermediate portion.

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