Vehicle upper structure

Abstract

To easily avoid transmission of a load to a glass roof panel even if the load is applied to a roof side rail from the side of a vehicle.SOLUTION: The roof opening reinforcement 60 includes the bottom plate 65 extending in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, the first side plate 64 extending upward from one end of the bottom plate 65 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 and facing the roof side rail 20 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, and the second side plate 66 extending upward from the other end of the bottom plate 65 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The bottom plate 65 has a recessed portion 70 that is recessed toward the lower side of the vehicle 10 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The vehicle upper structure includes a pair of roof side rails. The pair of roof side rails are located at the top of the vehicle and extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The vehicle upper structure may also include a glass roof panel disposed between the pair of roof side rails, as in Patent Document 1, for example. In this case, the vehicle upper structure includes a roof opening panel and a roof opening reinforcement. The roof opening panel is frame-shaped and defines an opening in which the glass roof panel is disposed. The roof opening reinforcement is disposed between the roof side rails and the glass roof panel in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The roof opening reinforcement reinforces the roof opening panel.

[0003] In such a vehicle upper structure, when a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle due to, for example, a side collision of the vehicle, the roof side rail may deform toward the roof opening reinforcement. When the roof side rail deforms toward the roof opening reinforcement, the roof side rail abuts against the roof opening reinforcement, causing the roof opening reinforcement to deform. This reduces the load from the side of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-153650 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the roof opening reinforcement is deformed toward the glass roof panel, there is a risk that the roof opening reinforcement will come into contact with the glass roof panel. If the roof opening reinforcement comes into contact with the glass roof panel, a load applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle will be transmitted to the glass roof panel via the roof opening reinforcement. Therefore, it is desirable to make it easier to prevent the load from being transmitted to the glass roof panel even if a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle upper structure that solves the above-mentioned problems includes a pair of roof side rails located above a vehicle and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a glass roof panel arranged between the pair of roof side rails, a frame-shaped roof opening panel that defines an opening in which the glass roof panel is arranged, and a roof opening reinforcement that is a steel plate arranged between the roof side rails and the glass roof panel in the vehicle width direction and extends in the longitudinal direction to reinforce the roof opening panel, wherein the roof opening reinforcement has a bottom plate extending in the vehicle width direction, a first side plate that extends upward from one end of the bottom plate in the vehicle width direction and faces the roof side rails in the vehicle width direction, and a second side plate that extends upward from the other end of the bottom plate in the vehicle width direction, and the cross section viewed from the longitudinal direction is approximately U-shaped by the bottom plate, the first side plate, and the second side plate, and the bottom plate has a recess that is recessed downward of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] According to this, for example, when a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle and the roof side rail deforms toward the roof opening reinforcement, the roof side rail abuts against the first side plate of the roof opening reinforcement. The cross section of the roof opening reinforcement, viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, is formed by the bottom plate, the first side plate, and the second side plate in a substantially U-shape, with an inverted hat-shaped cross section that opens upward toward the vehicle. Therefore, the roof opening reinforcement deforms while bending so that the bottom plate convex downward toward the vehicle. This makes it possible to stably relieve loads from the side of the vehicle. At this time, because the bottom plate has a recess that is recessed downward toward the vehicle and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the recess promotes deformation of the bottom plate of the roof opening reinforcement so that it convex downward toward the vehicle. As a result, even when the roof side rail abuts against the roof opening reinforcement, the roof opening reinforcement is less likely to deform toward the glass roof panel. This makes it easier to prevent the roof opening reinforcement from abutting against the glass roof panel. Therefore, even if a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle, it is easy to prevent the load from being transmitted to the glass roof panel.As a result, even if a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle, it is possible to stably alleviate the load from the side of the vehicle while preventing the load from being transmitted to the glass roof panel.

[0008] In the above vehicle upper structure, the roof side rail has a rail main body portion and a flange portion extending from the rail main body portion toward the first side plate, and the first side plate has a protruding portion protruding toward the roof side rail, and the protruding portion is located inside and below the flange portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] For example, suppose a load is applied to a roof side rail from the side of the vehicle, causing the roof side rail to deform so as to move inward and downward in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the roof side rail has a flange portion extending from a rail main body portion of the roof side rail toward a first side plate, and the first side plate has a protruding portion protruding toward the roof side rail. The protruding portion is located inward and below the flange portion in the vehicle width direction. This makes it easy for the flange portion to abut against the protruding portion, even if a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle, causing the roof side rail to deform so as to move inward and downward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the bottom plate of the roof opening reinforcement is deflected and deformed to convex downward in the vehicle, thereby stably mitigating the load from the side of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to this invention, even if a load is applied to the roof side rail from the side of the vehicle, it is possible to easily prevent the load from being transmitted to the glass roof panel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle upper structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle upper structure with the roof opening panel omitted. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle upper structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vehicle upper structure. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a vehicle upper structure in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a vehicle upper structure will be described with reference to Figs. <Outline of vehicle upper structure> 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 includes, as a vehicle upper structure, a pair of roof side rails 20, a glass roof panel 30, a roof opening panel 40, and a roof opening reinforcement 60. The vehicle 10 also includes a pair of front pillars 11, a pair of center pillars 12, and a pair of rear pillars 13.

[0013] The pair of roof side rails 20 are located on the upper portion of the vehicle 10 at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The pair of roof side rails 20 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10.

[0014] One of the pair of roof side rails 20 is connected to an upper end portion of one of the pair of front pillars 11, an upper end portion of one of the pair of center pillars 12, and an upper end portion of one of the pair of rear pillars 13. One of the pair of roof side rails 20 is supported by one of the pair of front pillars 11, one of the pair of center pillars 12, and one of the pair of rear pillars 13. The other of the pair of roof side rails 20 is connected to an upper end portion of the other of the pair of front pillars 11, an upper end portion of the other of the pair of center pillars 12, and an upper end portion of the other of the pair of rear pillars 13. The other of the pair of roof side rails 20 is supported by the other of the pair of front pillars 11, the other of the pair of center pillars 12, and the other of the pair of rear pillars 13.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 is equipped with a front roof header 14 as a vehicle upper structure. The front roof header 14 is a metal plate. The front roof header 14 is in the form of a strip plate. The front roof header 14 is in the form of a thin plate. The front roof header 14 is supported by a pair of roof side rails 20 with the longitudinal direction of the front roof header 14 aligned with the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. A first end of the front roof header 14 is supported by the front end portion of one of the pair of roof side rails 20. A second end of the front roof header 14 is supported by the front end portion of the other of the pair of roof side rails 20.

[0016] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a rear roof header 15 as a vehicle upper structure. The rear roof header 15 is a metal plate. The rear roof header 15 is in the form of a strip plate. The rear roof header 15 is in the form of a thin plate. The rear roof header 15 is supported by a pair of roof side rails 20 with the longitudinal direction of the rear roof header 15 aligned with the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. A first end of the rear roof header 15 is supported by the rear end portion of one of the pair of roof side rails 20. A second end of the rear roof header 15 is supported by the rear end portion of the other of the pair of roof side rails 20.

[0017] <Roof side rails> As shown in FIG. 3 , the roof side rail 20 has an outer rail 21, an inner rail 22, and a roof side outer panel 50. The outer rail 21 is a metal plate. The outer rail 21 is in the shape of a band plate. The outer rail 21 is in the shape of a thin plate. The outer rail 21 has a main body portion 21a, an inner flange portion 21b, and an outer flange portion 21c. The main body portion 21a has a hat-shaped cross section that opens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The inner flange portion 21b extends from an edge of the main body portion 21a that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The outer flange portion 21c extends downward and outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 from an edge of the main body portion 21a that is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0018] The inner rail 22 is a metal plate. The inner rail 22 is in the shape of a strip. The inner rail 22 is in the shape of a thin plate. The inner rail 22 has a main body portion 22a, an inner flange portion 22b, and an outer flange portion 22c. The main body portion 22a has an inverted hat-shaped cross section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The inner flange portion 22b extends from an edge of the main body portion 22a that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 to the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The outer flange portion 22c extends downward and outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 from an edge of the main body portion 22a that is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0019] The inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21 and the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22 overlap with each other, with the thickness direction of the inner flange portion 21b and the thickness direction of the inner flange portion 22b coinciding with each other. The outer flange portion 21c of the outer rail 21 and the outer flange portion 22c of the inner rail 22 overlap with each other, with the thickness direction of the outer flange portion 21c and the thickness direction of the outer flange portion 22c coinciding with each other. The outer rail 21 and the inner rail 22 are arranged relative to each other such that, when the roof side rail 20 is viewed in cross section, a closed space 23 is formed by the main body portion 21a of the outer rail 21 and the main body portion 22a of the inner rail 22. This allows the outer rail 21 and the inner rail 22 to function as a framework of the roof side rail 20 that is lightweight yet highly rigid. The main body portion 21a of the outer rail 21 and the main body portion 22a of the inner rail 22 form a rail main body portion 24 of the roof side rail 20.

[0020] The roof side outer panel 50 is a metal plate. The roof side outer panel 50 is in the shape of a strip. The roof side outer panel 50 is in the shape of a thin plate. The roof side outer panel 50 has a panel main body portion 50a, an inner flange portion 50b, and an outer flange portion 50c. The panel main body portion 50a has a hat-shaped cross section that opens toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The inner flange portion 50b extends from an edge of the panel main body portion 50a that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The outer flange portion 50c extends downward and outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 from an edge of the panel main body portion 50a that is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0021] The inner flange portion 50b overlaps the inner flange portion 21b from the outside, with the thickness direction of the inner flange portion 50b coinciding with the thickness direction of the inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21. The outer flange portion 50c overlaps the outer flange portion 21c from the outside, with the thickness direction of the outer flange portion 50c coinciding with the thickness direction of the outer flange portion 21c of the outer rail 21. The roof side outer panel 50 is disposed relative to the roof side rail 20 so that the panel main body portion 50a covers the main body portion 21a of the outer rail 21 from the outside. The outer surface of the panel main body portion 50a of the roof side outer panel 50 forms the design surface of the roof side rail 20.

[0022] <Roof opening panel> As shown in FIG. 1 , the roof opening panel 40 is disposed between a pair of roof side outer panels 50. The roof opening panel 40 is in the shape of a rectangular frame that defines an opening 41 in which the glass roof panel 30 is disposed. The opening 41 is in the shape of an oblong hole. The longitudinal direction of the opening 41 coincides with the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 10. The roof opening panel 40 is a metal plate. The roof opening panel 40 is in the shape of a thin plate. The roof opening panel 40 has a pair of opening side panels 42, an opening front panel 43, and an opening rear panel 44.

[0023] The pair of opening side panels 42 are strip-shaped. Each opening side panel 42 is disposed on the inner side of each roof side outer panel 50 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, with the longitudinal direction of each opening side panel 42 coinciding with the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 10.

[0024] The opening front panel 43 is in the shape of a strip. A first longitudinal end of the opening front panel 43 is connected to the front end of one of the pair of opening side panels 42. A second longitudinal end of the opening front panel 43 is connected to the front end of the other of the pair of opening side panels 42. As shown in FIG. 2 , the opening front panel 43 is supported by the front roof header 14.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the opening rear panel 44 is in the shape of a strip. A first longitudinal end of the opening rear panel 44 is connected to the rear end of one of the pair of opening side panels 42. A second longitudinal end of the opening rear panel 44 is connected to the rear end of the other of the pair of opening side panels 42. As shown in Fig. 2, the opening rear panel 44 is supported by the rear roof header 15. As shown in Fig. 1, the opening 41 is defined by the pair of opening side panels 42, the opening front panel 43, and the opening rear panel 44.

[0026] 3, the opening side panel 42 has a top plate 42a, an inner plate 42b, an outer plate 42c, and a flange plate 42d. The top plate 42a extends in the width direction of the vehicle 10 and in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The outer surface of the top plate 42a forms a design surface.

[0027] The inner plate 42b extends downward from an edge of the top plate 42a that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The outer plate 42c extends downward from an edge of the top plate 42a that is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0028] The flange plate 42d extends outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 from an end of the outer plate 42c that is located on the lower side of the vehicle 10. The flange plate 42d overlaps the inner flange portion 50b of the roof side outer panel 50 from the outside, with the thickness direction of the flange plate 42d and the thickness direction of the inner flange portion 50b coinciding.

[0029] The inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21, the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22, the inner flange portion 50b of the roof side outer panel 50, and the flange plate 42d of the opening side panel 42 overlap each other in the thickness direction. The inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21, the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22, the inner flange portion 50b of the roof side outer panel 50, and the flange plate 42d of the opening side panel 42 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding. The outer flange portion 21c of the outer rail 21, the outer flange portion 22c of the inner rail 22, and the outer flange portion 50c of the roof side outer panel 50 overlap each other in the thickness direction. The outer flange portion 21c of the outer rail 21, the outer flange portion 22c of the inner rail 22, and the outer flange portion 50c of the roof side outer panel 50 are joined to each other by, for example, laser welding.

[0030] <Glass roof panel> As shown in Fig. 1, the glass roof panel 30 is a rectangular plate. The glass roof panel 30 is made of, for example, inorganic glass or organic glass. The glass roof panel 30 is disposed inside the opening 41. Therefore, the glass roof panel 30 is disposed between a pair of roof side rails 20.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a buffer material 31 is provided between the glass roof panel 30 and the portion of the roof opening panel 40 that forms the inner surface that defines the opening 41. The buffer material 31 can be made of, for example, urethane. The buffer material 31 has a rectangular frame shape. The buffer material 31 surrounds the glass roof panel 30. The buffer material 31 fills the gap between the glass roof panel 30 and the portion of the roof opening panel 40 that forms the inner surface that defines the opening 41.

[0032] <Roof opening reinforcement> As shown in Fig. 2, the roof opening reinforcement 60 is a metal plate. The roof opening reinforcement 60 is a steel plate. The roof opening reinforcement 60 is in the form of a thin plate. The roof opening reinforcement 60 has a pair of side reinforcements 61, a front reinforcement 62, and a rear reinforcement 63.

[0033] The pair of side reinforcements 61 are strip-shaped. Each side reinforcement 61 is arranged inside the corresponding roof side rail 20 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, with the longitudinal direction of the side reinforcement 61 coinciding with the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. Each side reinforcement 61 is arranged between the roof side rail 20 and the glass roof panel 30 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the roof opening reinforcement 60 is arranged between the roof side rail 20 and the glass roof panel 30 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. Each side reinforcement 61 is arranged below the vehicle 10 with respect to each opening side panel 42. Each side reinforcement 61 supports each opening side panel 42 from below the vehicle 10, thereby reinforcing each opening side panel 42 from below the vehicle 10.

[0034] The front reinforcement 62 has a strip shape. The front reinforcement 62 extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, further forward of the glass roof panel 30. A first longitudinal end of the front reinforcement 62 is connected to the front end portion of one of the pair of side reinforcements 61. A second longitudinal end of the front reinforcement 62 is connected to the front end portion of the other of the pair of side reinforcements 61. The front reinforcement 62 is disposed below the vehicle 10 with respect to the open front panel 43. The front reinforcement 62 supports the open front panel 43 from below the vehicle 10, thereby reinforcing the open front panel 43 from below the vehicle 10.

[0035] The rear reinforcement 63 is in the shape of a strip. The rear reinforcement 63 extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 rearward of the glass roof panel 30. A first longitudinal end of the rear reinforcement 63 is connected to the rear end portion of one of the pair of side reinforcements 61. A second longitudinal end of the rear reinforcement 63 is connected to the rear end portion of the other of the pair of side reinforcements 61. The rear reinforcement 63 is disposed below the vehicle 10 with respect to the opening rear panel 44. The rear reinforcement 63 supports the opening rear panel 44 from below the vehicle 10, thereby reinforcing the opening rear panel 44 from below the vehicle 10.

[0036] In this way, the roof opening reinforcement 60 reinforces the roof opening panel 40. Specifically, the roof opening reinforcement 60 reinforces the roof opening panel 40 so that the roof opening panel 40 is less likely to deform, in order to maintain the shape of the opening 41 of the roof opening panel 40.

[0037] <Bottom plate, 1st side plate, 2nd side plate> 3, the side reinforcement 61 has a bottom plate 65, a first side plate 64, and a second side plate 66. Therefore, the roof opening reinforcement 60 has the bottom plate 65, the first side plate 64, and the second side plate 66. The bottom plate 65 extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The bottom plate 65 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10.

[0038] The first side plate 64 extends upward from one end of the bottom plate 65 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, and faces the roof side rail 20 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The first side plate 64 extends in a direction intersecting the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The first side plate 64 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The first side plate 64 faces the inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21 and the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10.

[0039] The inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21 and the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22 are flange portions 25 extending from the rail main body portion 24 toward the first side plate 64. In this way, the roof side rail 20 has the rail main body portion 24 and the flange portion 25 extending from the rail main body portion 24 toward the first side plate 64.

[0040] The second side plate 66 extends upward from the other end of the bottom plate 65 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The second side plate 66 extends upward from an end of the bottom plate 65 located opposite the first side plate 64 toward the top of the vehicle 10. The second side plate 66 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10. In this way, a section of the roof opening reinforcement 60, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10, is formed into a substantially U-shape by the bottom plate 65, the first side plate 64, and the second side plate 66. A section of the roof opening reinforcement 60 has an inverted hat-shaped shape that opens toward the top of the vehicle 10.

[0041] The side reinforcement 61 also has a first extending plate 67 and a second extending plate 68. The first extending plate 67 extends inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 from an end of the second side plate 66 located on the upper side of the vehicle 10. The first extending plate 67 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. The second extending plate 68 extends downward in the vehicle 10 from an end of the first extending plate 67 located on the opposite side from the second side plate 66. The second extending plate 68 extends along a surface of the inner plate 42b of the opening side panel 42 located outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. The second extending plate 68 is joined to the inner plate 42b by, for example, laser welding. In this way, the side reinforcement 61 is fixed to the opening side panel 42.

[0042] <Concave> As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a recess 70 is formed in the bottom plate 65. The recess 70 is recessed from a surface of the bottom plate 65 that is located above the vehicle 10 toward the bottom of the vehicle 10. As shown in Figure 4, the recess 70 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10. In this way, the bottom plate 65 is recessed so that a portion of the bottom plate 65 is convex toward the bottom of the vehicle 10. A plurality of recesses 70 are formed in the bottom plate 65. The plurality of recesses 70 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 10.

[0043] [Operation of the embodiment] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 3, in such a vehicle upper structure, suppose that a load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10 due to a side collision of the vehicle 10. Then, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 3, the roof side rail 20 may deform toward the roof opening reinforcement 60. When the roof side rail 20 deforms toward the roof opening reinforcement 60, the flange portion 25 of the roof side rail 20 comes into contact with the first side plate 64 of the roof opening reinforcement 60.

[0044] Here, a portion of the roof opening reinforcement 60 has a cross section, when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, that is formed by a bottom plate 65, a first side plate 64, and a second side plate 66 in a substantially U-shape, and has an inverted hat-shaped cross section that opens upward toward the vehicle 10. Therefore, the roof opening reinforcement 60 deforms while flexing so that the bottom plate 65 becomes convex downward toward the vehicle 10. This stably alleviates the load F1 from the side of the vehicle 10.

[0045] Furthermore, because the bottom plate 65 is formed with a recess 70, the recess 70 promotes deformation of the bottom plate 65 of the roof opening reinforcement 60 so that it bends downward toward the vehicle 10. As a result, even if the roof side rail 20 abuts against the roof opening reinforcement 60, the roof opening reinforcement 60 is less likely to deform toward the glass roof panel 30. This makes it easier to avoid the roof opening reinforcement 60 abutting against the glass roof panel 30. Therefore, even if a load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10, it is easier to avoid the load F1 being transmitted to the glass roof panel 30.

[0046] [Effects of the embodiment] The above embodiment can provide the following effects. (1) The roof opening reinforcement 60 has a cross section, viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10, that is substantially U-shaped by the bottom plate 65, the first side plate 64, and the second side plate 66, and has an inverted hat-shaped cross section that opens upward of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the roof opening reinforcement 60 deforms while bending so that the bottom plate 65 becomes convex downward of the vehicle 10. This makes it possible to stably alleviate the load F1 from the side of the vehicle 10. At this time, the bottom plate 65 is formed with a recess 70 that is recessed downward of the vehicle 10 and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the recess 70 promotes the bending deformation of the bottom plate 65 of the roof opening reinforcement 60 so that it becomes convex downward of the vehicle 10. As a result, even if the roof side rail 20 abuts against the roof opening reinforcement 60, the roof opening reinforcement 60 is less likely to deform toward the glass roof panel 30. This makes it easier to prevent the roof opening reinforcement 60 from abutting against the glass roof panel 30. Therefore, even if a load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10, it is possible to easily prevent the load F1 from being transmitted to the glass roof panel 30. As described above, even if a load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10, it is possible to stably alleviate the load F1 from the side of the vehicle 10 while preventing the load F1 from being transmitted to the glass roof panel 30.

[0047] (2) The recess 70 promotes the bending deformation of the bottom plate 65 of the roof opening reinforcement 60 so that it becomes convex downward of the vehicle 10. Therefore, the load F1 from the side of the vehicle 10 is stably alleviated, so that even if the load F1 is applied from the side of the vehicle 10, the load F1 transmitted to the front pillar 11, the center pillar 12, and the rear pillar 13 can be suitably alleviated.

[0048] [Example of change] The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0049] 5, the first side plate 64 may have a protruding portion 71 that protrudes toward the roof side rail 20. The protruding portion 71 protrudes from a surface of the first side plate 64 that is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 toward the roof side rail 20 in a convex manner. The protruding portion 71 is located on the inner side of the flange portion 25 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 and below the flange portion 25.

[0050] For example, suppose that a load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10, causing the roof side rail 20 to deform so as to move downward and inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5. At this time, the protruding portion 71 is located inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10 and below the flange portion 25. With this, even if the load F1 is applied to the roof side rail 20 from the side of the vehicle 10, causing the roof side rail 20 to deform so as to move downward and inward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10, the flange portion 25 is likely to come into contact with the protruding portion 71. As a result, in the roof opening reinforcement 60, the bottom plate 65 of the roof opening reinforcement 60 is deformed to bend so as to convex downward of the vehicle 10, thereby enabling the load F1 from the side of the vehicle 10 to be stably alleviated.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the inner flange portion 21b of the outer rail 21, the inner flange portion 22b of the inner rail 22, the inner flange portion 50b of the roof side outer panel 50, and the flange plate 42d of the opening side panel 42 may be fastened together by bolts, for example.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the outer flange portion 21c of the outer rail 21, the outer flange portion 22c of the inner rail 22, and the outer flange portion 50c of the roof side outer panel 50 may be fastened together by bolts, for example.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the second extension plate 68 may be fastened to the inner plate 42b by, for example, a bolt. In the embodiment, the number of recesses 70 formed in the bottom plate 65 is not particularly limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10...vehicle, 20...roof side rail, 24...rail main body portion, 25...flange portion, 30...glass roof panel, 40...roof opening panel, 41...opening, 60...roof opening reinforcement, 64...first side plate, 65...bottom plate, 66...second side plate, 70...recess, 71...protrusion.

Claims

1. a pair of roof side rails located on an upper portion of the vehicle and extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a glass roof panel disposed between the pair of roof side rails; a frame-shaped roof opening panel defining an opening in which the glass roof panel is placed; a roof opening reinforcement that is a steel plate disposed between the roof side rail and the glass roof panel in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-rear direction, and reinforces the roof opening panel, The roof opening reinforcement is a bottom plate extending in the vehicle width direction; a first side plate extending upward from one end of the bottom plate in the vehicle width direction and facing the roof side rail in the vehicle width direction; a second side plate extending upward from the other end of the bottom plate in the vehicle width direction, a cross section viewed from the front-rear direction is formed into a substantially U-shape by the bottom plate, the first side plate, and the second side plate, The vehicle upper structure, characterized in that a recess is formed in the bottom plate, the recess being recessed downwardly of the vehicle and extending in the front-to-rear direction.

2. The roof side rail is A rail main body; a flange portion extending from the rail main body portion toward the first side plate, the first side plate has a protruding portion that protrudes toward the roof side rail, 2. The vehicle upper structure according to claim 1, wherein the protruding portion is located inside and below the flange portion in the vehicle width direction.

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