Vehicle body structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure capable of further excellently absorbing an impact in a side collision of a vehicle, and further excellently protecting an on-vehicle apparatus arranged in a lower part inside in the vehicle width direction of a side sill.SOLUTION: The vehicle body structure 1 includes a pair of left and right hollow side sills 10 provided at outer end portions in the vehicle width direction, a hollow shock absorbing member 60 disposed inside the side sill 10, and a connecting member 90 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and connected to the upper flange portions 24, 34 and the lower flange portions 25, 35 of the side sill 10 and the upper flange portions 74, 84 and the lower flange portions 75, 85 of the shock absorbing member 60. A battery unit 6 is mounted on a lower portion of the side sill 10 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The connecting member 90 extends obliquely outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper side toward the lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology relating to a vehicle body structure provided with a pair of hollow side sills that are provided on the left and right outer ends of the vehicle in the width direction and extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle side wall structure in which an impact absorbing member that absorbs loads in the width direction of the vehicle is provided inside the side sill. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-009231 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In many cases, onboard equipment such as a battery is mounted on the lower inside of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, so there is a need to further improve the impact absorption performance of the side sill to prevent the impact from being transmitted to the onboard equipment in the event of a side collision.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle body structure that can better absorb impact during a side collision of the vehicle and better protect on-board equipment located at the lower part of the side sill on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle body structure of the present invention comprises side sills, a pair of which are provided on the left and right sides at the outer ends in the vehicle width direction and formed hollow from a first outer panel and a first inner panel extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, an impact absorbing member which is arranged inside the side sill and formed hollow from a second outer panel and a second inner panel extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a connecting member which extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and is connected to the upper and lower ends of the first outer panel and the first inner panel and to the upper and lower ends of the second outer panel and the second inner panel, wherein on-board equipment is mounted at the lower inside of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, and the connecting member extends at an angle toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it extends from top to bottom. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The vehicle body structure of the present invention can better absorb the impact during a side collision of the vehicle and better protect the on-vehicle equipment arranged at the lower part of the side sill on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view showing a part of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Body structure) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of the vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. Note that FIG. 2 omits the illustration of a floor panel 2 and a backbone 3 shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle body structure 1 is applied to an electric vehicle equipped with a chargeable and dischargeable battery unit (electricity storage device) 6, such as a lithium-ion battery, as an on-board device. The vehicle body structure 1 includes a side sill 10, a floor panel 2, a backbone 3, a cross member 4, and a support member 5.

[0011] The side sills 10 are provided in pairs on the left and right in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) and are frames that extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The side sills 10 are located near the bottom of the vehicle doors and are disposed at the outer ends of the vehicle body structure 1 in the vehicle width direction. The floor panels 2 are connected to the left and right side sills 10, respectively, and form the bottom of the vehicle interior. The backbone 3 extends in a tunnel-like shape in the vehicle front-rear direction on the floor panels 2 at the center in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] The cross member 4 is a frame that extends in the vehicle width direction between the side sills 10. A first extension portion 4a that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and is connected to the side sills 10 is provided at one end of the cross member 4. A second extension portion 4b that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and is connected to the backbone 3 is provided at the center of the cross member 4 in the vehicle width direction. The cross member 4 is connected to the side sills 10, the floor panel 2, and the backbone 3 via the first extension portion 4a, the second extension portion 4b, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support member 5 is connected to the side sill 10 below the floor panel 2 and supports the battery unit 6. The support member 5 includes a bottom panel 5a and a fixing portion 5b. The bottom panel 5a supports the battery unit 6, which has a frame 6a to which multiple batteries 6b are fixed, from below. The fixing portion 5b is provided along the periphery of the bottom panel 5a and is connected to the side sill 10, etc. As shown in FIG. 3, the battery unit 6 is mounted on the lower part of the side sill 10 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 3 shows the support member 5 and the battery unit 6 in a schematic manner.

[0014] (Side sill) Next, the detailed structure of the side sill 10 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As shown in the figure, the side sill 10 includes a first outer panel 20, a first inner panel 30, an outer reinforcement 40, and an inner reinforcement 50.

[0015] The first outer panel 20 has a side wall portion 21, an upper ridge portion 22, a lower ridge portion 23, an upper flange portion (upper end portion) 24, and a lower flange portion (lower end portion) 25. The side wall portion 21 forms the outer surface of the side sill 10 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vertical direction. The upper ridge portion 22 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 21. The lower ridge portion 23 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 21. The upper flange portion 24 extends upward from the inner end of the upper ridge portion 22. The lower flange portion 25 extends downward from the inner end of the lower ridge portion 23.

[0016] The first inner panel 30 has a side wall portion 31, an upper ridge portion 32, a lower ridge portion 33, an upper flange portion (upper end portion) 34, and a lower flange portion (lower end portion) 35. The side wall portion 31 forms the inner surface of the side sill 10 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vertical direction. The upper ridge portion 32 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 31. The lower ridge portion 33 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 31. The upper flange portion 34 extends upward from the outer end of the upper ridge portion 32. The lower flange portion 35 extends downward from the outer end of the lower ridge portion 23. As such, the first outer panel 20 and the first inner panel 30 are plate-like members having a hat-shaped cross section when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, and are connected to each other by, for example, welding.

[0017] The first outer panel 20 and the first inner panel 30 are arranged such that the upper flange portions 24, 34 face each other and the lower flange portions 25, 35 face each other. In this embodiment, the upper ridge portion 22 of the first outer panel 20 is formed longer in the vehicle width direction than the lower ridge portion 23, and the lower ridge portion 33 of the first inner panel 30 is formed longer in the vehicle width direction than the upper ridge portion 32. Therefore, the upper flange portions 24, 34 are located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the lower flange portions 25, 35.

[0018] The outer reinforcement 40 is a plate-like member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the first outer panel 20. The outer reinforcement 40 is connected to the first outer panel 20 by, for example, welding. This reinforces the first outer panel 20 and prevents its cross section from collapsing during a side collision. Note that, similar to the inner reinforcement 50 described below, the outer reinforcement 40 may be configured from two plate-like members connected to the upper ridge portion 22 and the lower ridge portion 23 of the first outer panel 20, respectively.

[0019] The inner reinforcement members 50 are two plate-like members extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the first inner panel 30. The inner reinforcement members 50 are connected to the upper ridge line portion 32 and the lower ridge line portion 33 of the first inner panel 30, respectively, for example, by welding. That is, the inner reinforcement member 50 has an upper inner reinforcement member 51 connected to the upper ridge line portion 32 and a lower inner reinforcement member 52 connected to the lower ridge line portion 33. This reinforces the upper ridge line portion 32 and the lower ridge line portion 33 of the first inner panel 30, and prevents their cross-sections from collapsing during a side collision. Furthermore, the weight of the inner reinforcement member 50 can be reduced.

[0020] The lower ridge portion 33 to which the lower inner reinforcement 52 is connected extends horizontally, and an abutting portion 5c extending from the fixing portion 5b of the support member 5 abuts against its underside. The abutting portion 5c, the lower ridge portion 33, and the lower inner reinforcement 52 are arranged one above the other and fastened to each other by a bolt 7 and a nut 8. In this embodiment, the lower ridge portion 33 is formed relatively long, making it easy to ensure space for arranging the bolt 7 and the nut 8. With the above configuration, the support member 5 and the lower inner reinforcement 52 can be attached to the lower ridge portion 33 of the first inner panel 30 without interfering with the fastening of the support member 5 to the side sill 10. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the welding allowance of the lower inner reinforcement 52 to the first inner panel 30 and to reduce the number of parts by not using other fasteners.

[0021] (shock absorbing material) In this embodiment, an impact absorbing member 60 is disposed inside the side sill 10. The impact absorbing member 60 extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle inside the side sill 10. The impact absorbing member 60 has a second outer panel 70 and a second inner panel 80.

[0022] The second outer panel 70 has a side wall portion 71, an upper ridge portion 72, a lower ridge portion 73, an upper flange portion (upper end portion) 74, and a lower flange portion (lower end portion) 75. The side wall portion 71 extends in the vertical direction facing the side wall portion 21 of the side sill 10. The upper ridge portion 72 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 71. The lower ridge portion 73 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 71. The upper flange portion 74 extends upward from the inner end of the upper ridge portion 72. The lower flange portion 75 extends downward from the inner end of the lower ridge portion 73.

[0023] The second inner panel 80 has a side wall portion 81, an upper ridge portion 82, a lower ridge portion 83, an upper flange portion (upper end portion) 84, and a lower flange portion (lower end portion) 85. The side wall portion 81 extends in the vertical direction facing the side wall portion 31 of the side sill 10. The upper ridge portion 82 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the side wall portion 81. The lower ridge portion 83 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall portion 81. The upper flange portion 84 extends upward from the outer end of the upper ridge portion 82. The lower flange portion 85 extends downward from the outer end of the lower ridge portion 83.

[0024] As described above, the second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80 are plate-like members each having a hat-shaped cross section that is a slightly smaller version of the first outer panel 20 and the first inner panel 30. The second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80 are arranged such that the upper flange portions 74, 84 face each other and the lower flange portions 75, 85 face each other. The upper flange portions 74, 84 are located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the lower flange portions 75, 85. The upper flange portions 74, 84 overlap the upper flange portions 24, 34 of the side sill 10 when viewed from the top-bottom direction, and the lower flange portions 75, 85 overlap the lower flange portions 25, 35 when viewed from the top-bottom direction.

[0025] (connecting member) The vehicle body structure 1 further includes a connecting member 90. The connecting member 90 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the side sill 10 and connects the second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80. The connecting member 90 also connects the second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80 to the side sill 10. The connecting member 90 has a main body portion 91, an upper connecting portion 92, and a lower connecting portion 93.

[0026] The main body portion 91 is a portion that connects the second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80. Specifically, the main body portion 91 extends in the vertical direction, is sandwiched between the upper flange portions 74, 84 and the lower flange portions 75, 85, and is connected to the upper flange portions 74, 84 and the lower flange portions 75, 85 by, for example, welding. At least in the portion that extends from the upper flange portions 74, 84 to the lower flange portions 75, 85, the main body portion 91 extends at an angle from top to bottom so as to be outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The upper connection portion 92 extends upward from the main body portion 91, is sandwiched between the upper flange portions 24, 34 of the side sill 10, and is connected to the upper flange portions 24, 34. The lower connection portion 93 extends downward from the main body portion 91, is sandwiched between the lower flange portions 25, 35 of the side sill 10, and is connected to the lower flange portions 25, 35. A plurality of upper connection portions 92 and lower connection portions 93 are provided at intervals in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Note that in FIG. 3 , the hatched lines on the main body portion 91, the upper connection portion 92, and the lower connection portion 93 are changed for distinction. The upper connection portion 92 and the lower connection portion 93 may be formed over the entire length of the connecting member 90. This connects the side sill 10 and the impact absorbing member 60 to each other.

[0028] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the vehicle body structure 1 according to the embodiment includes the side sill 10 formed hollow by a pair of first outer panel 20 and first inner panel 30 provided at the outer end in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, the impact absorbing member 60 disposed inside the side sill 10 and formed hollow by a second outer panel 70 and second inner panel 80 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the connecting member 90 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and connected to upper flange portions (upper ends) 24, 34 and lower flange portions (lower ends) 25, 35 of the first outer panel 20 and the first inner panel 30, and to upper flange portions (upper ends) 74, 84 and lower flange portions (lower ends) 75, 85 of the second outer panel 70 and the second inner panel 80. A battery unit 6 is mounted as an on-vehicle device at the lower part of the side sill 10 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The connecting member 90 extends at an incline from top to bottom so as to be directed outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] With this configuration, when a force acting inward in the vehicle width direction acts on the side sill 10 during a vehicle side collision, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 3 , the force is transmitted from the first outer panel 20 to the impact absorbing member 60, causing the impact absorbing member 60 to collapse and absorb the impact energy. Because the connecting member 90 extends outward in the vehicle width direction as it moves from top to bottom, the upper portions of the side sill 10 and the impact absorbing member 60 are more likely to collapse than the lower portions, as shown by the arc-shaped arrow in FIG. 3 . In other words, the lower portions of the side sill 10 and the impact absorbing member 60 are less likely to deform than the upper portions. As a result, impact is less likely to be transmitted to the battery unit 6. Therefore, the vehicle body structure 1 of this embodiment can better absorb impact during a vehicle side collision and better protect the battery unit 6 located at the lower, inner side of the side sill 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] The vehicle body structure 1 also includes a support member 5 that supports the battery unit 6 and is fastened to the underside of the side sill 10 (the underside of the lower ridge portion 33). With this configuration, the support member 5 is fastened to the underside of the side sill 10, which is suppressed from deformation during a side collision, so that the impact during a side collision can be prevented from being transmitted to the battery unit 6 via the support member 5.

[0031] The vehicle body structure 1 further includes an inner reinforcement 50 connected to the first inner panel 30 inside the side sill 10. This configuration makes it possible to more effectively suppress deformation of the first inner panel 30 during a side collision.

[0032] The vehicle body structure 1 also includes a lower inner reinforcement 52 that is connected to the lower part of the first inner panel 30 inside the side sill 10 and fastened to the first inner panel 30 together with the support member 5. With this configuration, as described above, the first inner panel 30 can be reinforced by the lower inner reinforcement 52 without interfering with the fastening of the support member 5 to the side sill 10. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the welding allowance of the lower inner reinforcement 52 and the number of parts.

[0033] The vehicle body structure 1 further includes an outer reinforcement connected to the first outer panel 20 inside the side sill 10. This configuration makes it possible to more effectively suppress deformation of the first outer panel 20 during a side collision.

[0034] The on-vehicle device is a battery unit (electricity storage device) 6 as a power source for running the vehicle. According to the vehicle body structure 1 of the embodiment, the battery unit 6 can be protected more appropriately.

[0035] Although the description of the embodiment has been completed above, aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the vehicle body structure 1 is applied to an electric vehicle. However, the vehicle body structure 1 is not limited to electric vehicles and may be applied to other vehicles. The other vehicle may be, for example, a plug-in hybrid vehicle capable of external charging, in which an electric storage device mounted on the vehicle is charged by supplying power from an external power source to the vehicle, or external power feeding, in which the electric storage device supplies power to electrical appliances outside the vehicle. Furthermore, the on-vehicle equipment is not limited to the battery unit 6, and may be, for example, a fuel tank that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Body structure 5 Support member 6 Battery unit (power storage device) 10 Side sill 20 First outer panel 24, 34, 74, 84 Upper flange (upper end) 25, 35, 75, 85 Lower flange (bottom end) 30 First inner panel 40 Outer Force 50 Inner Force 51 Upper inner force 52 Lower inner force 60 Impact absorbing member 70 Second outer panel 80 Second inner panel 90 Connecting member

Claims

1. a pair of left and right side sills provided at outer ends in a vehicle width direction and formed hollow by a first outer panel and a first inner panel extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; an impact absorbing member disposed inside the side sill and formed hollow by a second outer panel and a second inner panel extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; a connecting member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and connected to upper and lower ends of the first outer panel and the first inner panel and to upper and lower ends of the second outer panel and the second inner panel; Equipped with An on-vehicle device is mounted on the lower part of the side sill on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle body structure in which the connecting member extends at an incline so as to be outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes from top to bottom.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a support member that supports the on-vehicle equipment and is fastened to the lower surface of the side sill.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an inner reinforcement member connected to the first inner panel inside the side sill.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , further comprising a lower inner reinforcement member connected to a lower portion of the first inner panel inside the side sill and fastened to the first inner panel together with the support member.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an outer reinforcement member connected to the first outer panel inside the side sill.

6. 3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein the on-board device is an electric storage device serving as a power source for running the vehicle.

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