Vehicle body structural member

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure member capable of being appropriately deformed while preventing breakage against an input load from the side of a vehicle even when a high strength member is adopted.SOLUTION: The vehicle body structure member 1 includes a center pillar 2 that is provided on a side of the vehicle and extends along a vertical direction of the vehicle. The center pillar 2 includes a side wall 14 facing a vehicle width direction, a front wall 15 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end portion of the side wall 14, a rear wall 16 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end portion of the side wall 14, a door hinge surface 19 provided at a lower portion of the side wall 14, and a crescent-shaped stepped surface 7, 8 extending from the door hinge surface 19 to a lower end portion 13 of the center pillar 2 when viewed from the vehicle width direction in at least one of the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16. The step surfaces 7 and 8 are inclined so as to be positioned on the vehicle-width-direction inner side from the lower-end side 7b and the 8b toward the upper-end side 7a and the 8b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structural member. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, center pillars are provided on the sides of automobiles and other vehicles as body structural components. The center pillar is a component located in the center of the vehicle's side in the longitudinal direction. The center pillar's lower part, which is connected to the side sill, bends and deforms appropriately during a side collision, reducing the load on the upper part of the center pillar and reducing the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior, thereby ensuring the safety of occupants.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle body side structure equipped with a center pillar. The front and rear walls of the center pillar are formed with ridges extending in the vertical direction near the hinge surfaces. When a load due to a side collision is input, the front and rear walls are deformed over a wide range along the ridges. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-152413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, there has been a trend toward using high-strength materials to reduce the weight of vehicle body structural components. However, using high-strength materials for the lower part of the center pillar makes the front and rear walls less likely to buckle. Furthermore, the cross-section of the lower part of the center pillar increases toward the side sill, resulting in greater geometric rigidity and a difference in strength between the area near the hinge surface and the lower part of the center pillar. As a result, when a load is applied during a side collision of the vehicle, deformation progresses only near the hinge surface, making it difficult to deform the lower part of the center pillar over a wide area, raising concerns about an increased likelihood of fracture.

[0006] The present invention was devised in light of these points, and the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle body structural member that can be appropriately deformed while preventing breakage when subjected to input loads from the side of the vehicle, even when high-strength members are used. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle body structural member according to the present invention employs the following measures.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle body structural member including a center pillar provided on a side of a vehicle and extending in a vertical direction of the vehicle, wherein the center pillar has side walls facing in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle, a front wall extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the side wall, a rear wall extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end of the side wall, a door hinge surface provided at a lower part of the side wall, and a crescent-shaped step surface on at least one of the front wall and rear wall that extends from the door hinge surface to a lower end of the center pillar when viewed from the vehicle width direction and is convex toward the center of the main body of the center pillar, and the step surface is inclined so as to be positioned inward in the vehicle width direction as it moves from the lower end of the step surface to the upper end.

[0009] A second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle body structural member of the first aspect, wherein the upper end of the step surface is located between the upper end and the lower end of the door hinge surface.

[0010] A third invention of the present invention is a vehicle body structural member of the first or second invention, wherein the lower end of the center pillar has a connection flange surface that connects to the side surface of the side sill, and the step surface is arranged so that the lower end of the step surface faces toward the upper end position of the connection flange surface in a side view.

[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle body structural member of the third aspect, wherein the lower end of the step surface reaches the upper end position of the connection flange surface.

[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle body structural member of the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the step surface is linearly inclined when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle body structural member of the second aspect, wherein the maximum width portion of the step surface is located below the lower end of the door hinge surface.

[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a vehicle body structural member according to the sixth aspect, wherein the center pillar has a storage area for equipment arranged therein, and the maximum width portion of the step surface is set in a relationship between the lower end of the door hinge surface and the side sill so as not to interfere with the equipment in the storage area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the above-described means of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle body structural member that can be appropriately deformed while preventing breakage when subjected to input loads from the side of the vehicle, even when high-strength members are used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle body structural member according to the embodiment as viewed from the vehicle width direction. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a lower portion of a center pillar and a side sill according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along the line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a view of the lower part of the center pillar and the side sill according to the embodiment, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an initial deformation state when a side collision load is input to a center pillar according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a view showing an initial deformation state when a side collision load is input to a center pillar according to an embodiment, as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an initial deformation state when a side collision load is input in an example in which the lower part of a center pillar is formed in a conventional shape. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an initial deformation state when a side collision load is input in an example in which the step surface of the center pillar is formed substantially parallel to the side wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A vehicle body structural member 1 according to this embodiment includes a center pillar 2 for a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the center pillar 2 is provided on the side of the vehicle and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The center pillar 2 is a structural member that functions as a strength member in the event of a side collision of the vehicle. For this reason, a portion of the longitudinal range in which the side collision load acts is formed with a convex curvature in the direction in which the load acts, thereby improving rigidity. Note that the up-down and front-rear directions in the explanation of each drawing are shown when viewed from the direction of travel of the vehicle, such as an automobile.

[0018] <Center pillar 2 structure> As shown in Fig. 3, the center pillar 2 is configured to form a closed cross section by combining an elongated outer member 5 and an inner member 6. As shown in Fig. 1, when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the outer member 5 is arranged in an inclined shape with its upper end positioned rearward of the vehicle relative to its lower end. An upper end 12 of the center pillar 2 is connected to the roof side rail 3, and a lower end 13 is connected to the side sill 4. The upper end 12 and the lower end 13 are each formed in a roughly T-shape to increase the area of ​​the connection portions with the roof side rail 3 and the side sill 4.

[0019] <Outer member 5> The outer member 5 of the center pillar 2 is made of, for example, high-tensile steel plate and is press-formed into a predetermined shape to increase its rigidity. The outer member 5 basically has a hat-shaped cross section and has side walls 14, a front wall 15, a rear wall 16, and flanges 17 and 18.

[0020] The side wall 14 of the outer member 5 faces in the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular door hinge surface 19 is provided on the side wall 14 and is located at the lower part of the outer member 5. The door hinge surface 19 is the portion to which the lower hinge of the rear door (not shown) is attached, and in the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the load is first input via the door. The door hinge surface 19 is disposed slightly above the connection portion between the outer member 5 and the side sill 4, and protrudes a predetermined height outward in the vehicle width direction across substantially the entire width of the side wall 14 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. The door hinge surface 19 is reinforced with a separate member such as a patch or reinforcement to withstand the weight of the door, and is configured to have a thick plate thickness.

[0021] The front wall 15 of the outer member 5 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the side wall 14. A flange 17 is formed at the front edge of the front wall 15. The rear wall 16 of the outer member 5 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the side wall 14. A flange 18 is formed at the rear edge of the rear wall 16. Step surfaces 7 and 8 are formed on the front wall 15 and rear wall 16 of the outer member 5, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, the provision of the step surfaces 7 and 8 on the front wall 15 and rear wall 16 narrows the width of the side wall 14. Furthermore, the outer member 5 has a connecting flange surface 13a that is connected to the outer surface 27a of the side sill 4, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0022] <Step surface 7,8> In the side view shown in FIG. 1 , the step surfaces 7 and 8 each extend in the vertical direction from the door hinge surface 19 to the lower end 13 of the outer member 5 (center pillar 2). Because the basic shapes of the step surface 7 of the front wall 15 and the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 are similar, the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 will be mainly described here. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 has a crescent shape that convex toward the center of the outer member 5 (main body of the center pillar 2). Specifically, the step surface 8 has arc-shaped leading edges 8c and trailing edges 8d between an upper end 8a and a lower end 8b. The leading edge 8c and the trailing edge 8d are curved so as to convex toward the front of the vehicle. The step surface 8 has a maximum width portion 8e in the vertical middle, where the width between the leading edge 8c and the trailing edge 8d is at its maximum. The step surface 8 is shaped so that the width narrows from the maximum width portion 8e toward the upper end 8a and the lower end 8b.

[0023] The upper end 8a of the step surface 8 is located between the upper end 19a and the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19. The lower end 8b of the step surface 8 is directed toward the upper end position of the connection flange surface 13a, i.e., toward the upper end 13b of the connection flange surface 13 or toward the height position of the upper end 13b.

[0024] When viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the step surface 8 is inclined so that the step surface 8 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end 8b to the upper end 8a. As shown in FIG. 4, the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 is inclined so that the upper end 8a is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from behind. The step surface 8 is also inclined linearly without being significantly curved or bent. In other words, the leading edge 8c and the trailing edge 8d of the step surface 8 are linear when viewed from behind.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2 , the maximum width portion 8e of the step surface 8 is located below the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19. The width of the maximum width portion 8e is set appropriately depending on the vehicle model, specifications, etc. A storage area 23 is provided inside the center pillar 2 to store equipment such as a seat belt retractor. Therefore, the widths of the maximum width portion 8e of the step surface 8 and the side wall 14 are set so as not to interfere with the equipment in the storage area 23 between the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19 and the side sill 4. The maximum width portion 8e of the step surface 8 may be set to, for example, approximately 10 mm to approximately 20 mm, or may be wider than 20 mm, depending on the vehicle model, specifications, etc. From the perspective of appropriately deforming the center pillar 2 during a side collision, it is preferable to set the maximum width portion of the step surface 8 to 5 mm or more.

[0026] Like the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16, the step surface 7 of the front wall 15 has a crescent shape that convex toward the center of the outer member 5 (the main body of the center pillar 2) in a side view. The upper end 7a of the step surface 7 is located between the upper end 19a and lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19. The lower end 7b of the step surface 7 faces the upper end 13b of the connection flange surface 13a or at the same height as the upper end 13b. When viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the step surface 7 is linearly inclined from the lower end 7b to the upper end 7a of the step surface 7 so as to be positioned inward in the vehicle width direction. Like the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16, the maximum width portion of the step surface 7 of the front wall 15 is located below the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19, and the width of the maximum width portion is set appropriately depending on the vehicle model and specifications.

[0027] The step surfaces 7, 8 of the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16 may be configured so that their lower ends 7b, 8b reach the upper end 13b of the connecting flange surface 13a or the height position of the upper end 13b. In other words, the step surfaces 7, 8 may extend to the connection portion between the outer member 5 and the side sill 4. This configuration allows the lower part of the center pillar 2 to deform over a wider area in the event of a side collision of the vehicle.

[0028] <Connection flange surface 13a> The connection flange surface 13a extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle at the lower end portion 13 of the outer member 5 and is formed in a flat shape so as to fit along the outer surface 27a of the side sill 4. The connection flange surface 13a is disposed so as to overlap with the outer surface 27a of the side sill 4.

[0029] <Inner member 6> The inner member 6 of the center pillar 2 is made of an ordinary steel plate and is press-formed into a predetermined shape. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the inner member 6 is disposed as a structural member that closes the opening side of the hat-shaped cross section of the outer member 5. The inner member 6 has a substantially hat-shaped cross section and has flanges 24, 25 on both edges in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The center pillar 2 is formed by overlapping the flanges 17, 18 of the outer member 5 and the flanges 24, 25 of the inner member 6 and joining them by, for example, spot welding.

[0030] <Side sill 4> The side sill 4 extends between the front and rear wheel housings (not shown) of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 4, the side sill 4 is formed by, for example, dividing two steel plate members into two parts, one for the outer side and one for the inner side of the vehicle body, and joining them by welding to form a single unit. In other words, the two elongated members 27, 28 are combined to form a closed cross section. The connecting flange surface 13a of the center pillar 2 described above is connected to the outer surface 27a of the side sill 4.

[0031] <Effects of this embodiment> In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the vehicle body structural member 1 according to the above embodiment receives a collision load first via the door to the door hinge surface 19 at the lower part of the center pillar 2. As shown in FIG. 5 , in the initial stage of the collision, the step surfaces 7, 8 are crushed and deformed. In other words, the lower part of the center pillar 2 is deformed in a folding manner starting from the step surfaces 7, 8. That is, the lower part of the center pillar 2 is deformed over a wide range from the upper ends 7a, 8a of the step surfaces 7, 8 to the lower ends 7b, 8b (see FIG. 6 ). This reduces the load on the upper part of the center pillar 2, reducing the amount of intrusion into the vehicle interior and ensuring the safety of occupants.

[0032] According to the above embodiment, the outer member 5 of the center pillar 2 has step surfaces 7, 8 on the front wall 15 and rear wall 16 at the lower end of the center pillar 2. The step surfaces 7, 8 extend from the door hinge surface 19 to the lower end 13 of the center pillar 2 and present a crescent shape that convex toward the center of the outer member 5 in a side view. As a result, when a side collision load is applied, the step surfaces 7, 8 become the starting points for deformation of the front wall 15 and rear wall 16, and the lower portion of the outer member 5 can be deformed so as to be folded over a wide area along the step surfaces 7, 8. FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional center pillar 30 that does not have step surfaces but uses a high-strength material for the outer member. When a side collision load is applied, the lower cross section of this center pillar 30 near the side sill 31 is less likely to deform, but local deformation near the door hinge surface 32 can cause fracture (30A). 2, the center pillar 2 of the above embodiment has the step surfaces 7, 8, which make the side wall 14 narrower than the conventional shape, reducing the shape rigidity and facilitating deformation. Therefore, even if a high-strength material is used for the outer member 5, the lower part of the center pillar 2 can be bent appropriately while preventing breakage when a side collision load is input.

[0033] According to the above embodiment, the step surfaces 7, 8 of the center pillar 2 on the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16 are inclined so that they are positioned inward in the vehicle width direction as they move from the lower ends 7b, 8b of the step surfaces 7, 8 toward the upper ends 7a, 8a. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a high-strength member is used for the outer member of the center pillar 40, and the step surface 43 is disposed substantially parallel to the side wall without being inclined. In a center pillar 40 in which the step surface 43 is not inclined relative to the side wall, the upper end of the step surface 43 is located close to the door hinge surface 42. When a side collision load is applied, the upper end of the step surface 43 may be deformed so that it is caught under the door hinge surface 42, resulting in fracture (40A, 40B). Meanwhile, the lower end of the step surface 43 is spaced farther from the side wall, making it difficult for the area near the side sill 41 to deform (40C), narrowing the deformation area. As a result, deformation is concentrated around the door hinge surface 42, leading to an increase in fractures. In this regard, by inclining the step surfaces 7, 8 relative to the side wall 14 as in the center pillar 2 of the above embodiment, the step surfaces 7, 8 can be deformed from the upper ends 7a, 8a to the lower ends 7b, 8b. In other words, it is possible to widen the deformation region of the lower part of the center pillar 2. Therefore, even if a high-strength member is used for the outer member 5, it is possible to prevent breakage when a side collision load is input and to bend the lower part of the center pillar 2 appropriately.

[0034] In the center pillar 2 according to the above embodiment, the upper ends 7a, 8a of the step surfaces 7, 8 are located between the upper end 19a and the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19. In the event of a side collision of the vehicle, the collision load is first input through the door to the door hinge surface 19 at the bottom of the center pillar 2. Therefore, since the step surfaces 7, 8, which are the starting points of deformation, extend between the upper end 19a and the lower end 19b of the door hinge surface 19, the step surfaces 7, 8 are more likely to deform in the early stages of receiving the side collision load.

[0035] In the center pillar 2 according to the above embodiment, the step surfaces 7 and 8 are linearly inclined when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body. For example, when viewed from the rear, the leading edge 8c and the trailing edge 8d of the step surface 8 are linearly inclined. This makes it easier for the step surface 8 to fold along the leading edge 8c and the trailing edge 8d when a side collision load is input. In other words, the lower part of the center pillar 2 can be deformed more appropriately.

[0036] The center pillar 2 may be configured so that the lower ends 7b, 8b of the step surfaces 7, 8, which are the starting points of deformation, reach the upper end 13b of the connecting flange surface 13a or the height position of the upper end 13b, i.e., the connection portion with the side sill 4. This configuration allows the lower part of the center pillar 2 to be appropriately deformed over a wider range when a side collision load is input.

[0037] According to the above embodiment, the step surfaces 7, 8 are provided on the front wall 15 and the rear wall 16, so that the lower part of the center pillar 2 can deform appropriately over a wide range in the initial stage when a side collision load is input to the vehicle. The step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 contributes more to this initial deformation than the step surface 7 of the front wall 15. This is thought to be because the center pillar 2 is arranged in an inclined shape with its upper end positioned further rearward than its lower end, which makes it easier for the step surface 8 of the rear wall 16 to deform when a side collision load is input.

[0038] According to the above embodiment, the center pillar 2 employs a high-strength material for the outer member 5. That is, even when a high-strength material is employed for the center pillar 2, the lower portion of the center pillar 2 can be appropriately deformed over a wide range during a side collision of the vehicle. This allows the plate thickness of the outer member 5 to be reduced, thereby enabling the weight of the vehicle body structural member 1 to be reduced.

[0039] <Other embodiments> Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be embodied in many different forms.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the outer member is an integrated member, but the outer member may be configured as two separate members. For example, the upper member and the lower member may overlap at the door hinge surface of the side wall. Furthermore, a reinforcing member may be disposed between the upper member and the lower member.

[0041] The step surface may be provided on either the front wall or the rear wall. For example, if the center pillar is arranged in an inclined shape such that its upper end is closer to the rear of the vehicle than its lower end, forming a step surface on the rear wall will contribute more to appropriate deformation of the lower part of the center pillar.

[0042] The maximum width portion of the step surface is set at an arbitrary position as appropriate. For example, it is not limited to the center in the vertical direction, but may be set at a position shifted above or below the center.

[0043] In the above embodiment, an example in which one step surface is provided on each of the front wall and the rear wall has been shown, but for example, the step surface may be formed in two steps. In this case, the upper end of at least one of the two step surfaces may be located between the upper and lower ends of the door hinge surface, and the upper end of the other step surface may be located below the lower end of the door hinge surface.

[0044] <Effects of each invention described in "Means for solving the problems"> Finally, the effects of the above embodiments corresponding to the inventions in the "Means for Solving the Problems" section will be added.

[0045] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle body structural member has a stepped surface provided on at least one of the front wall and rear wall near the lower end of the center pillar. The stepped surface is crescent-shaped when viewed from the vehicle width direction and slopes inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the stepped surface toward the upper end. As a result, when a collision load is applied from the side of the vehicle, the stepped surface becomes the starting point of deformation, and the lower part of the center pillar deforms as the stepped surface is crushed. In other words, the center pillar can be appropriately bent and deformed from the upper end to the lower end of the stepped surface while preventing breakage. Therefore, even if a high-strength material is used for the center pillar, the lower part of the center pillar can be appropriately bent. Furthermore, using a high-strength material for the center pillar allows for a reduction in plate thickness, thereby contributing to a reduction in the weight of the vehicle body structural member.

[0046] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the upper end of the stepped surface is located between the upper and lower ends of the door hinge surface. During a side collision of the vehicle, the collision load is first input through the door to the door hinge surface at the lower part of the center pillar. Therefore, by extending the stepped surface between the upper and lower ends of the door hinge surface, the stepped surface is more likely to deform in the early stages of receiving the side collision load. This is therefore an ideal configuration for appropriately deforming the lower part of the center pillar.

[0047] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the center pillar is provided so that the lower end of the stepped surface faces the upper end of the connecting flange surface in a side view. As the lower end of the stepped surface approaches the upper end of the connecting flange surface, the distance between the lower end of the stepped surface and the side wall also decreases. This allows the stepped surface to deform to a position closer to the side sill when a side collision load is input. This allows the lower part of the center pillar to deform appropriately over a wider range.

[0048] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lower end of the stepped surface reaches the upper end of the connecting flange surface, so that the stepped surface extends to the connecting portion between the center pillar and the side sill, allowing the lower part of the center pillar to deform over a wider area when a side collision load is input.

[0049] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the step surface is linearly inclined when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body, which makes it easier for the step surface to fold along its shape when a side collision load is input, and is a suitable configuration for appropriately deforming the lower part of the center pillar.

[0050] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the maximum width portion of the step surface is located below the lower end of the door hinge surface. This prevents the width of the side wall from expanding below the lower end of the door hinge surface, thereby preventing the shape rigidity of the portion that is desired to bend and deform from increasing. In other words, it is possible to make it easier for the portion below the lower end of the door hinge surface to deform when a side collision load is input.

[0051] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the center pillar has a storage area for accessories arranged therein. The maximum width portion of the step surface is set in a relationship between the lower end of the door hinge surface and the side sill so as not to interfere with the accessories in the storage area. In other words, by preventing the width of the side wall from being too narrow due to the maximum width portion, it is possible to ensure space in the storage area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Body structural members 2 Center pillar 3 Roof side rails 4 Side sill 5 Outer member 6 Inner member 7 Step surface 7a top end 7b Bottom edge 8 Step surface 8a top end 8b Bottom edge 8c leading edge 8d trailing edge 8e Maximum width 12 Upper end of center pillar 13 Lower end of center pillar 13a Connection flange surface 13b Upper end of connecting flange surface 14 Side wall 15 Front wall 16 Back wall 17 Flange of outer member 18 Outer member flange 19 Door hinge surface 19a Upper end of door hinge surface 19b Lower end of door hinge surface 23 Storage Area 27a Outer surface of side sill

Claims

1. A vehicle body structural member including a center pillar provided on a side of a vehicle and extending along the up-down direction of the vehicle, The center pillar is a side wall facing in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle; a front wall extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a front end of the side wall; a rear wall extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a rear end of the side wall; a door hinge surface provided on a lower portion of the side wall; a crescent-shaped stepped surface that extends from the door hinge surface to a lower end of the center pillar as viewed in the vehicle width direction on at least one of the front wall and the rear wall and that is convex toward a center of a main body of the center pillar, The step surface is inclined so as to be positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower end to an upper end of the step surface.

2. 2. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 1, a vehicle body structural member, wherein an upper end of the step surface is located between an upper end and a lower end of the door hinge surface;

3. 3. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 1 or 2, a lower end portion of the center pillar has a connecting flange surface that is connected to a side surface of the side sill, The step surface is provided such that a lower end of the step surface faces an upper end position of the connection flange surface in a side view.

4. 4. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 3, A vehicle body structural member, wherein a lower end of the step surface reaches an upper end position of the connection flange surface.

5. 3. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle body structural member, wherein the step surface is linearly inclined when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

6. 3. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 2, a maximum width portion of the step surface located below a lower end of the door hinge surface;

7. 7. A vehicle body structural member according to claim 6, The center pillar has a storage area for accessories disposed therein, a maximum width portion of the step surface is set in a relationship between the lower end of the door hinge surface and the side sill so as not to interfere with the equipment in the storage area;

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