Side structure of the vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle side structure capable of preventing a collision load from being directly input to a joint surface between a side wall and an outer panel in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Solution] A standing wall portion 88 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from an inner pillar member 76, and a joint surface 92A extends in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip of the standing wall portion 88. An outer pillar member 82, which together with the inner pillar member 76 constitutes part of the front vehicle frame 11 of the vehicle 10, is joined to this joint surface 92A. Because this joint surface 92A extends in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip of the standing wall portion 88, it is positioned further outboard in the vehicle width direction than the inner pillar member 76. For this reason, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the input position of a collision load transmitted to the inner pillar member 76 via a wheelhouse 14 is shifted in the vehicle width direction from the joint surface 92A, making it possible to prevent the collision load from being directly input to the joint surface 92A.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an example of joining a lower inner panel and a lower outer panel of an A-pillar (front pillar) having a rib. In this prior art, the lower inner panel is flat and extends flat in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle, and the lower outer panel is hat-shaped and protrudes outward in the width direction of the vehicle to form a closed cross-section, thereby transmitting the collision load to rockers and the like when the vehicle collides frontally (hereinafter referred to as a "frontal collision"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-140874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, collision load may be directly input to the joint surface between the lower inner panel (side wall portion) and the lower outer panel (outer panel) via the tire or the like. In this case, the outer panel may come off the side wall portion, which may increase the amount of repair work required.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle side structure that can prevent collision loads from being directly input to the joint surface between the side wall portion and the outer panel during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 1 includes a pillar provided at the rear of a wheelhouse in the front vehicle frame of the vehicle and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the pillar having a side wall portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a plurality of ribs protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion, a standing wall portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion more than the ribs and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a joining surface extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle from the tip of the standing wall portion and to which an outer panel constituting the outer plate of the pillar is joined.

[0007] In the vehicle side structure according to the present invention, a pillar provided at the rear of a wheelhouse in the front vehicle frame of a vehicle extends in the vehicle vertical direction and includes a side wall, a plurality of ribs, a standing wall, and a joint surface. The side wall extends in the vehicle vertical direction. The plurality of ribs protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall, and the standing wall protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall further than the ribs and extends in the vehicle vertical direction. The joint surface extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the tip of the standing wall, and an outer panel constituting the outer plate of the pillar is joined to the joint surface.

[0008] Here, a collision load transmitted to the wheelhouse during a frontal collision of the vehicle is transmitted to the side wall of a pillar provided at the rear of the wheelhouse. In the present invention, the vertical wall protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall, and the joint surface to which the outer panel of the pillar is joined extends from the tip of the vertical wall in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. In other words, the joint surface is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall provided at the rear of the wheelhouse.

[0009] In this way, in the present invention, by shifting the vehicle width direction position of the joint surface with the outer panel outward in the vehicle width direction from the input position of the collision load transmitted to the side wall portion via the wheelhouse during a frontal collision of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the collision load from being directly input to the joint surface.

[0010] In addition, in the present invention, the joining surface with the outer panel is provided on the outer surface in the vehicle width direction, so that it is possible to ensure the visibility of the so-called seal line. Furthermore, by ensuring the visibility of the seal line in this way, the present invention improves the sealing performance with the outer panel and makes it possible to reduce the man-hours for quality control.

[0011] The term "vehicle frontal collision" as used herein is a concept that includes not only a so-called full-overlap frontal collision, but also an offset collision, an oblique collision, and a small overlap collision.

[0012] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 2 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 1, in which, when the outer panel is joined to the joining surface, a closed cross-sectional portion is formed between the outer panel and an inner panel that forms the inner plate of the pillar and includes the side wall portion.

[0013] In the vehicle side structure according to the present invention, a closed cross-sectional area is formed between the outer panel and the inner panel that constitutes the inner panel of the pillar and includes the side wall portion, with the outer panel being joined to the joining surface. This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the pillar that is formed by the inner panel and the outer panel, compared to when an open cross-sectional area is formed between them.

[0014] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 3 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the vertical wall portion includes an inclined portion that slopes toward the front or rear in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction as at least a portion of it moves toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] In the vehicle side structure according to the present invention, at least a portion of the standing wall includes an inclined portion, and the inclined portion is inclined toward the front or rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. By including the inclined portion in the standing wall, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, it is possible to distribute the collision load input to the pillar compared to when the standing wall is provided along the vehicle width direction.

[0016] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 4 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the vertical wall portion is located forward in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle than the through hole formed in the side wall portion.

[0017] In the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 4, the vertical wall portion to which the outer panel is joined is located further forward in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle than the through hole formed in the side wall portion, thereby making it possible to improve the watertightness of the through hole.

[0018] A vehicle side structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5 is the vehicle side structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, wherein a door harness can be inserted through the through hole.

[0019] In the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 5, a door harness can be inserted into the through hole formed in the side wall, and by improving the watertightness of the through hole through which the door harness is inserted, it is possible to suppress damage to electronic devices due to the intrusion of rainwater, etc.

[0020] The vehicle side structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 6 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein a contact portion is provided at the lower end portion of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle vertical direction, which contacts a rocker extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on the outer side of the floor of the passenger compartment in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] In the vehicle side structure according to the present invention, a contact portion is provided at the lower end of the vertical direction of the vehicle of the vertical wall portion, and the contact portion contacts a rocker extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the outer side of the floor of the passenger compartment in the vehicle width direction. In this invention, the vertical wall portion is provided with a joining surface to which the outer panel is joined, and therefore, by providing a contact portion at the lower end of the vertical wall portion that contacts the rocker, it is possible to continue the seal line all the way to the rocker side.

[0022] A vehicle side structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 7 is the vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of ribs are connected to the standing wall portion.

[0023] In the vehicle side structure according to the present invention, the vertical wall is provided on the pillar, and the plurality of ribs are connected to the vertical wall. This makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the side wall and the vertical wall themselves, and improve the rigidity of the pillar, compared to when the ribs are not provided.

[0024] Furthermore, in the present invention, it is possible to reduce the weight of the pillar compared to when the thickness of the side wall portions and the upright wall portions is increased in order to improve the rigidity of the side wall portions and the upright wall portions themselves.

[0025] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 8 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 7, wherein some of the multiple ribs are arranged on approximately the same straight line at the front and rear in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the vertical wall portion between them.

[0026] In the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 8, the ribs are arranged in approximately the same line at the front and rear of the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction, with the vertical wall portion that forms part of the pillar between them, making it possible to efficiently transmit the collision load in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle to the rear side in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle via the pillar.

[0027] A ninth aspect of the present invention provides the vehicle side structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the side wall portion is integrally formed with the wheel house.

[0028] In the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 9, the side wall portion that constitutes part of the pillar is molded integrally with the wheel house. This makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and the assembly labor compared to when the side wall portion and the wheel house are molded separately and then joined together and integrated after molding.

[0029] The vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 10 is the vehicle side structure of the present invention described in claim 9, further comprising a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel houses, the left and right side wall portions, and the cross member are molded integrally.

[0030] The vehicle side structure according to the present invention, as set forth in claim 10, further includes a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in the vehicle width direction. The left and right wheel houses, the left and right side wall portions, and the cross member are integrally molded, which makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps compared to when the left and right parts are molded separately and then joined together after molding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] As described above, the vehicle side structure according to the present invention can prevent a collision load from being directly input to the joint surface between the side wall portion and the outer panel in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle to which a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from diagonally forward right and above the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a main part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an enlarged side view showing a main part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part showing a state in which an outer panel is joined to the vehicle shown in FIG. 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Hereinafter, a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upward direction in the vehicle vertical direction. The arrow RH indicates the right direction in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are simply used in the description, they refer to front-rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, up-down in the vehicle vertical direction, and left-right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), unless otherwise specified.

[0034] [Vehicle side structure configuration] First, the configuration of the vehicle side structure according to this embodiment will be described.

[0035] 1 shows an overall view of a vehicle 10, showing the framework of the vehicle 10 to which a vehicle side structure 12 according to the present embodiment is applied. For example, although not shown, the vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle that runs on power generated by a power unit.

[0036] 1, in this embodiment, a pair of left and right wheel houses 14 that each house a wheel (not shown) is provided on the front vehicle frame 11 of the vehicle 10, and the pair of left and right wheel houses 14 are connected by a cross member 16 that extends in the vehicle width direction. At the upper end of each wheel house 14, an apron upper member portion 18 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a suspension tower 20 is provided inside the apron upper member portion 18 in the vehicle width direction.

[0037] Further, a front pillar (pillar) 22 is provided at the rear of each wheel house 14 as part of the front vehicle frame 11 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, a rocker 28 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is connected to the lower end of the front pillar 22 by fastening, welding, or the like, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a floor panel 26 that constitutes the floor of the passenger compartment 24. Note that in this embodiment, for example, the rocker 28 has a substantially rectangular cross section when cut along the vehicle width direction.

[0038] In this embodiment, the left and right wheel houses 14, the cross members 16, and the front pillars 22 are integrally formed by casting (cast 30) using materials such as aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, or the like. Due to the structure of the mold used in the cast 30 in this embodiment, the mold is slid outward in the vehicle width direction to form the outer surfaces of the wheel houses 14 and the front pillars 22 in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, the wheel houses 14 and the front pillars 22 in this embodiment are formed so that their outer sides in the vehicle width direction are open.

[0039] In addition, in this embodiment, the wheelhouse 14, the cross member 16, and the front pillar 22 are each parts that constitute part of the cast 30. Therefore, strictly speaking, the wheelhouse 14 is the wheelhouse portion of the cast 30, the cross member 16 is the cross member portion of the cast 30, and the front pillar 22 is the front pillar portion of the cast 30. However, in this embodiment, for convenience, they will be described as the wheelhouse 14, the cross member 16, and the front pillar 22, respectively.

[0040] (wheelhouse) First, the wheel house 14 in this embodiment will be described.

[0041] 1, the wheel house 14 has an inner wall portion 32 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Note that the inner wall portion 32 is formed in a curved shape toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, following the shape of the suspension tower 20, above a front side member portion 36 described below.

[0042] Furthermore, a front wall 34 extending in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction projects outward in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the wheel house 14, and a front bumper (not shown) extends in the vehicle width direction on the front wall 34. Although not shown, crash boxes that serve as impact absorbing members may be provided between the front wall 34 and the front bumper and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0043] Meanwhile, the apron upper member portion 18 is provided at the upper end of the wheel house 14 as described above, and the front side member portion 36 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle at the lower part on the front side of the wheel house 14. In this embodiment, the front side member portion 36 is formed integrally with the wheel house 14.

[0044] 2, the front side member portion 36 includes an upper wall portion 38 and a lower wall portion 40 that each extend along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a lateral wall portion 42 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction between the upper wall portion 38 and the lower wall portion 40. The upper wall portion 38, the lower wall portion 40, and the lateral wall portion 42 are each erected from the inner wall portion 32 of the wheelhouse 14 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] In this embodiment, vertical ribs 44 are provided between the upper wall portion 38 and the side wall portion 42 along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and multiple vertical ribs 44 are arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Vertical ribs 46 are also provided between the side wall portion 42 and the lower wall portion 40 along the vertical direction of the vehicle, and multiple vertical ribs 46 are also arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, similar to the vertical ribs 44.

[0046] A rear wall portion 48 is provided at the rear end of the front side member portion 36, spanning from the upper wall portion 38 to the lower wall portion 40. A substantially cylindrical or columnar boss 50 is provided at the intersection of the rear wall portion 48 and the lateral wall portion 42.

[0047] A curved portion 52 is formed on the rear side of the front side member portion 36. The curved portion 52 bulges out toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle and projects outward in the vehicle width direction. The curved portion 52 is provided across the rear side of the suspension tower 20 and hangs down below the lower wall portion 40 of the front side member portion 36, so that the cross-sectional height in the vehicle up-down direction is greater than that of the front side member portion 36.

[0048] Furthermore, at the rear end of the curved portion 52, a curved wall 54 is provided which bulges out towards the upper side of the vehicle, leaving a predetermined gap between it and the wheel (not shown), and is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0049] 2 and 3, an upper end 54A of the curved wall 54 is disposed above the rear wall portion 48 of the front side member portion 36, and a connecting wall 56 is provided at the upper end 54A of the curved wall 54, connecting the curved wall 54 and the apron upper member portion 18 in the vertical direction. Connecting walls 57 and 58 are provided on the rear side of the connecting wall 56, respectively, connecting the curved wall 54 and the apron upper member portion 18 in the vertical direction. Note that FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a main portion of the vehicle 10, showing an enlargement of the main portion of FIG. 1.

[0050] Here, the lower part of the curved wall 54 is formed in a substantially straight line toward the lower side of the vehicle, and the lower end of the curved wall 54 is connected to the rear end of the lower wall part 60 which slopes downward as it extends from the lower wall part 40 of the front side member part 36 toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0051] Meanwhile, in the curved portion 52, lateral ribs 62, 64, 66 extend from the upper wall portion 38, the lateral wall portion 42, and the lower wall portion 40 of the front side member portion 36, respectively, and each of the lateral ribs 62, 64, 66 is connected to the curved wall 54. Note that above the lateral rib 62, a lateral rib 69 is provided that connects the curved wall 54 to a ridgeline P that is curved inward in the vehicle width direction along the shape of the suspension tower 20.

[0052] Between the transverse ribs 69 and 62, an inclined rib 67 is formed, which forms a truss structure between the transverse rib 69 and the transverse rib 62. Between the transverse rib 62 and the transverse rib 64, an inclined rib 68 is formed, which forms a truss structure between the transverse rib 62 and the transverse rib 64. Between the transverse rib 64 and the transverse rib 66, an inclined rib 70 is formed, which forms a truss structure between the transverse rib 64 and the transverse rib 66. The inclined ribs 68 and 70 each extend to the curved wall 54, and a connecting rib 72 extends between the inclined rib 70 and the lower wall portion 60.

[0053] Furthermore, substantially cylindrical or columnar bosses 74 are provided at the intersections of the ribs, such as between the horizontal ribs 62, 64 and the inclined rib 68, and between the horizontal ribs 64, 66 and the inclined rib 70. At least a portion of these bosses 50, 74 serves as a base against which an ejector pin (not shown) comes into contact when releasing the cast 30 from the mold during molding of the cast 30 including the wheelhouse 14, but they may also be used as a base for fastening to other components, and the shape of the bosses varies depending on the application.

[0054] (front pillar) Next, the front pillar 22 will be described.

[0055] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is molded integrally with the wheel house 14. The front pillar 22 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the wheel house 14 and extends in the vehicle vertical direction. The front pillar 22 includes a pillar inner (inner panel) 76 that constitutes the inner plate of the front pillar 22, and the pillar inner 76 has a side wall portion 77 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The side wall portion 77 is formed to be connected to the inner wall portion 32 of the wheel house 14.

[0056] A curved wall 54 formed at the rear end of the curved portion 52 of the wheel house 14 is provided at the front end of the inner pillar 76 (side wall portion 77). A rear wall portion 78 is provided at the rear end of the inner pillar 76, standing outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion 77, and a lower wall portion 79 extends from the lower end of the rear wall portion 78, which is formed along the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is connected to an upright wall portion 88, which will be described later.

[0057] A flange portion 80 is provided that bends from the tip of the rear wall portion 78 toward the rear of the vehicle. The rear end of a pillar outer (outer panel) 82 shown in Figure 5 that constitutes the outer plate of the front pillar 22 can be joined to this flange portion 80. The pillar outer 82 is part of a side member outer that constitutes the outer plate of the side of the vehicle.

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, an upper flange portion 84 is formed at the upper end of the pillar inner 76 to which a windshield (not shown) is joined and which supports the windshield, and an abutment portion 86 is formed at the lower end of the pillar inner 76 to seat on the upper wall portion 28A of the rocker 28.

[0059] Furthermore, a standing wall portion 88 is provided in the vehicle vertical direction and extends outward in the vehicle width direction in the center of the pillar inner panel 76 in the vehicle front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 4, an inclined portion 90 is formed in at least a portion of the standing wall portion 88, inclining rearward in the vehicle front-rear direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and a joint wall 92 bent toward the vehicle rearward extends from the tip of the inclined portion 90 in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0060] 5, a front end portion 82A of a so-called pillar outer (outer panel) 82 that constitutes the outer plate of the front pillar 22 is joined to the joining wall 92. A rear end portion 82B of the pillar outer 82 can be joined to a flange portion 80 formed on the rear wall portion 78 of the pillar inner 76. The joining wall 92, as well as the standing wall portion 88 and inclined portion 90, are formed to match the shape of the front end portion 82A side of the pillar outer 82. In other words, the shapes of the joining wall 92, the standing wall portion 88, and the inclined portion 90 can be changed as appropriate depending on the shape of the front end portion 82A side of the pillar outer 82.

[0061] 2 and 3, the portion of the joining wall 92 located on the vehicle outer side is a joining surface 92A, and a so-called seal line L is set on the joining surface 92A along the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, the joining surface 92A is formed (disposed) substantially continuously in the vehicle vertical direction with an upper flange portion 84 formed at the upper end of the pillar inner 76 and to which the windshield is joined, and a contact portion 86 formed at the lower end of the pillar inner 76 and joined to an upper wall portion 28A of the rocker 28.

[0062] In addition, on the front portion 76A side of the pillar inner 76, with the above-mentioned vertical wall portion 88 in between, a horizontal rib 94 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle toward the apron upper member portion 18 between the connecting wall 58 that vertically connects the curved wall 54 provided at the front end of the pillar inner 76 and the apron upper member portion 18 and the vertical wall portion 88.

[0063] Furthermore, a plurality of lateral ribs 96 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle between the curved wall 54 and the standing wall portion 88 at the front portion 76A of the pillar inner portion 76. Some of the lateral ribs 96, namely, lateral ribs 96A, are connected to the lateral ribs 69 and 62 formed on the curved portion 52 of the wheel house 14 via the curved wall 54 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0064] Meanwhile, a through-hole 98 is formed on the rear portion 76B side of the pillar inner member 76 in approximately the center in the vehicle up-down direction of the pillar inner member 76. For example, a door harness 99 can be inserted through this through-hole 98. A rectangular rib 100 that is approximately rectangular in a side view of the vehicle and stands outward in the vehicle width direction is formed on the periphery of the through-hole 98.

[0065] Above the rectangular rib 100, a horizontal rib 94 formed on the front portion 76A of the pillar inner 76 extends to the rear wall portion 78, with the standing wall portion 88 in between. Below the horizontal rib 94 on the rear portion 76B of the pillar inner 76, a horizontal rib 102 extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction between the standing wall portion 88 and the rear wall portion 78.

[0066] A vertical rib 104 extending in the vehicle vertical direction is provided between the vertically adjacent horizontal ribs 94, 102 on the rear portion 76B side of the pillar inner panel 76. The vertical rib 104 extends up to the rectangular rib 100.

[0067] Further, below the rectangular rib 100, a plurality of horizontal ribs 96 formed on the front portion 76A side of the pillar inner 76 extend to the rear wall portion 78 with the standing wall portion 88 of the pillar inner 76 in between.

[0068] In the pillar inner panel 76 (front portion 76A and rear portion 76B), a plurality of inclined ribs 106 intersecting the horizontal ribs 96 and the like extend from the connecting wall 58 and curved wall 54 of the front portion 76A of the pillar inner panel 76 to the rear wall portion 78 and lower wall portion 79 of the rear portion 76B of the pillar inner panel 76, with the standing wall portion 88 and rectangular rib 100 interposed between them. These inclined ribs 106 are formed so as to incline downward toward the vehicle lower side (rocker 28 side) as they extend toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0069] The horizontal ribs 96, inclined ribs 106, etc. formed on the inner pillar 76 are formed lower than the curved wall 54 and the vertical wall portion 88. As shown in FIG. 2, a connecting portion 108 that is connected to the front end portion 29 of the rocker 28 is provided on the lower side of the lower wall portion 79 of the inner pillar 76.

[0070] [Action and effect of vehicle side structure] Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle side structure according to this embodiment will be described.

[0071] 1 and 2, the vehicle side section structure 12 according to this embodiment includes a pillar inner 76, a standing wall portion 88, and a joint surface 92A. The pillar inner 76 constitutes part of the front vehicle frame 11 of the vehicle 10, is provided rearward in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle than the wheel house 14 that constitutes at least part of the other part of the front vehicle frame 11, and extends in the vehicle up-and-down direction.

[0072] The standing wall portion 88 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner pillar member 76, and a joint surface 92A extends in the vehicle front-rear direction from the tip of the standing wall portion 88. The outer pillar member 82, which forms part of the front vehicle frame 11 of the vehicle 10 together with the inner pillar member 76, is joined to this joint surface 92A.

[0073] Generally, the collision load transmitted to the wheel house 14 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the inner pillar 76, which is located rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the wheel house 14. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 88 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner pillar 76, and a joint surface 92A to which the outer pillar 82 is joined is provided on a joint wall 92 that bends from the tip of the standing wall portion 88 toward the rear of the vehicle. For this reason, the joint surface 92A is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the inner pillar 76.

[0074] In this way, in this embodiment, by shifting the vehicle width direction position of the joint surface 92A outward in the vehicle width direction from the input position of the collision load that is transmitted to the pillar inner 76 via the wheel house 14 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, it is possible to prevent the collision load from being directly input to the joint surface 92A.

[0075] 4, in this embodiment, the joining surface 92A is provided on the outer surface in the vehicle width direction, which makes it possible to ensure the visibility of the seal line L for joining the pillar outer panel 82. Furthermore, by ensuring the visibility of the seal line L in this way, the sealing performance with the pillar outer panel 82 is improved, and it becomes possible to reduce the man-hours for quality control.

[0076] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the pillar outer 82 is joined to the joining surface 92A provided on the pillar inner 76, a closed cross-sectional portion 85 is formed between the pillar inner 76 and the pillar outer 82. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22 configured including the pillar inner 76 and the pillar outer 82, compared to, for example, when an open cross-sectional area is formed when the pillar inner and pillar outer are joined together.

[0077] 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the standing wall portion 88 provided on the pillar inner panel 76 is configured to include at least a portion that includes an inclined portion 90, and the inclined portion 90 is inclined toward the rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. In this way, by configuring the standing wall portion 88 to include the inclined portion 90, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, in this embodiment, it is possible to distribute the collision load input to the front pillar 22 more effectively than in the case where the standing wall portion is provided along the vehicle width direction.

[0078] Generally, in a cross section of a pillar cut along the vehicle longitudinal direction, the pillar inner is plate-shaped, while the pillar outer is generally hat-shaped with an opening on the inside in the vehicle width direction. When a pillar outer having such a shape is pressed, it is a so-called deep drawing process, which is difficult to form. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve high precision in the pillar outer.

[0079] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, the joining wall 92 provided on the standing wall portion 88 of the pillar inner panel 76 is formed outward in the vehicle width direction from the flange portion 80 of the pillar inner panel 76. Therefore, the front end portion 82A and the rear end portion 82B of the pillar outer panel 82 joined to the pillar inner panel 76 are misaligned in the vehicle width direction.

[0080] This eliminates the need to increase the height (depth) on the front end 82A side of the pillar outer 82, and allows the pillar outer 82 to extend from the front end 82A to the main body 82C at approximately the same position in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the pillar outer 82 in this embodiment has a simplified shape, which makes molding easier and allows the pillar outer 82 to be manufactured with higher precision.

[0081] Furthermore, the joint wall 92 of the pillar inner 76, which forms part of the cast 30, can be made with higher precision than when it is formed by joining multiple parts, since there are no dimensional tolerances between parts. Therefore, the main body portion 82C of the pillar outer 82 is formed in a substantially straight line with the front end portion 82A joined to the joint wall 92 and is positioned in substantially the same position as the front end portion 82A in the vehicle width direction, thereby improving the positional precision of the door hinge portion provided on the pillar outer 82 in this embodiment. Furthermore, the main body portion 82C of the pillar outer 82 is formed in a substantially straight line with the front end portion 82A joined to the joint wall 92, thereby improving the rigidity of the pillar outer 82 itself.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the standing wall portion 88, on which the joining wall 92 to which the pillar outer panel 82 is joined, is formed, is provided further forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction than the through-hole 98 formed in the pillar inner panel 76. This makes it possible to improve the watertightness of the through-hole 98. Here, the door harness 99 can be inserted through the through-hole 98. In this way, improving the watertightness of the through-hole 98 through which the door harness 99 is inserted makes it possible to suppress damage to electronic devices due to the intrusion of rainwater, etc.

[0083] In addition, in this embodiment, a rectangular rib 100 is formed around the periphery of the through hole 98, and the rectangular rib 100 is connected to the horizontal rib 96, the vertical rib 104, and the inclined rib 106 to reinforce the through hole 98. As a result, in this embodiment, deformation of the through hole 98 can be suppressed in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, and as a result, deformation of the door hinge portion can be suppressed.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pillar inner 76 is formed using the cast 30, and a joining wall 92 to which the pillar outer 82 is joined is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this way, by providing the pillar inner 76 with the standing wall portion 88 and the joining wall 92, in this embodiment, it is possible to form a space (closed cross-sectional portion 85) on the pillar inner 76 side. Because the pillar inner 76 forms part of the cast 30, the space communicates with the interior of the passenger compartment 24. Therefore, by forming a hole in the pillar inner 76, it is possible to accommodate a wire harness routed inside the passenger compartment 24 in the space, thereby improving the comfort of the passenger compartment 26.

[0085] In this embodiment, a contact portion 86 that contacts the rocker 28 is provided at the lower end of the standing wall portion 88 provided on the pillar inner 76. In this embodiment, the standing wall portion 88 is provided with a joint surface 92A to which the pillar outer member 82 is joined, and a seal line L is provided along the joint surface 92A. Therefore, by providing the abutment portion 86 that contacts the rocker 28 at the lower end of the standing wall portion 88, it is possible to make the seal line L continue all the way to the rocker 28 side.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an upper flange portion 84 to which a windshield (not shown) is joined is formed at the upper end of the standing wall portion 88. That is, in this embodiment, the seal line L to which the pillar outer part 82 is joined can be extended to the rocker 28 and windshield side, and the seal line L can be provided substantially continuously from the pillar inner part 76 to the rocker 28 and windshield side, making it possible to further improve sealing performance.

[0087] In addition, in this embodiment, the pillar inner panel 76 is provided with a plurality of lateral ribs 96, inclined ribs 106, etc. that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction and connect to the standing wall portion 88. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the pillar inner panel 76 and the standing wall portion 88 themselves compared to when the lateral ribs 96, inclined ribs 106, etc. are not provided. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to achieve weight reduction compared to when the plate thicknesses of the pillar inner panel 76 and the standing wall portion 88 are increased in order to improve the rigidity of the pillar inner panel 76 and the standing wall portion 88 themselves.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, the inner pillar 76 has the horizontal ribs 96 and the like arranged on substantially the same straight line in the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, with the standing wall portion 88 therebetween. This makes it possible in this embodiment to transmit the collision load in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pillar inner panel 76 has a plurality of inclined ribs 106 that intersect with the horizontal ribs 96 and the like, extending from the connecting wall 58 of the front part 76A of the pillar inner panel 76 to the rear wall part 78 of the rear part 76B of the pillar inner panel 76. These inclined ribs 106 are formed to incline toward the rocker 28. As a result, in this embodiment, it becomes possible to transmit the collision load in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 rearward in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and toward the rocker 28.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, by connecting ribs with different inclination angles, such as the horizontal rib 96 and the inclined rib 106, the ribs are reinforced with each other and it is possible to distribute the load transmitted to the ribs, thereby making it possible to prevent the collision load from concentrating.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pillar inner 76 is integrally formed with the wheel house 14 by casting. As a result, compared to when the pillar inner 76 and the wheel house 14 are separately formed and then joined together and integrated after forming, in this embodiment, no fasteners are required to fasten the two together, making it possible to reduce the number of parts. In this way, the number of parts is reduced, making it possible to reduce the number of assembly steps.

[0092] 1, the present embodiment further includes a cross member 16 that connects the left and right wheel houses 14 in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel houses 14, left and right inner pillars 76, and cross member 16 are molded as a single unit. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts compared to a case in which the left and right wheel houses 14 and inner pillars 76 are molded separately, and then the left and right wheel houses 14 and the left and right inner pillars 76 are joined together after molding and integrated via the cross member 16.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number of parts is reduced, which allows for a simplified seal line L as shown in Fig. 3, making it possible to reduce the number of work steps. As a comparative example (not shown), if separate parts are used for joining, a seal line is required for each part, and the seal line L is interrupted between adjacent parts. In contrast, in this embodiment, the pillar inner 76 and the wheel house 14 are integrated by the cast 30, which ensures continuity in the seal line L and improves sealing performance.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, the horizontal ribs 96, inclined ribs 106, etc. formed on the pillar inner 76 are formed lower than the curved wall 54 and the vertical wall portion 88. Since the front pillar 22 is part of the cast 30 that is integrally formed by casting, by forming the horizontal ribs 96, inclined ribs 106, etc. lower than the curved wall 54 and the vertical wall portion 88, it becomes possible to prevent or suppress short shots due to poor molten metal flow.

[0095] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> 4, in the present embodiment, an inclined portion 90 is formed in at least a portion of the standing wall portion 88 provided in the pillar inner panel 76, the inclined portion 90 inclining toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, but the standing wall portion 88 may be formed of the inclined portion 90. In other words, the inclined portion 90 may be provided from the base of the standing wall portion 88 to the tip.

[0096] In addition, in this embodiment, the inclined portion 90 is inclined toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to this as long as it can distribute the collision load input in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10. For example, the inclined portion 90 may be inclined toward the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0097] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the joint wall 92 is bent from the tip of the inclined portion 90 toward the rear side of the vehicle, but this is not limiting and the joint wall 92 may be bent toward the front side of the vehicle.

[0098] In addition, in this embodiment, a closed cross-sectional portion 85 is formed between the pillar inner 76 and the pillar outer 82, but this is not limited to this, and the closed cross-sectional portion 85 does not necessarily have to be provided over the entire area of ​​the front pillar 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, an example has been described in which the floor of the passenger compartment 24 is formed by the floor panel 26, but this is not limited thereto as long as it can partition the lower part of the passenger compartment 24. For example, although not shown, the floor of the passenger compartment 24 may be formed by the upper wall of a battery case mounted on the vehicle 10.

[0100] 1, the cast 30 has been described as an example in which the left and right wheel houses 14 and the cross member 16 are integrally formed by casting, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although not shown, a right-side cast in which the right half of the right wheel house 14 and the cross member 16 are integrally formed by casting and a left-side cast in which the left half of the left wheel house 14 and the cross member 16 are integrally formed by casting may be joined together at a joint to form an integrated structure. In this case, the cast member can be made smaller than the cast 30 of this embodiment, which makes it possible to reduce costs associated with the mold mechanism, including the mold equipment.

[0101] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and one embodiment may be appropriately combined with various modified examples, and the present invention may of course be embodied in various forms as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0102] <Additional Notes> The vehicle side structure according to the present invention may be formed by appropriately combining the following configurations.

[0103] (Configuration 1) The pillar is provided at the rear of the wheelhouse in the front vehicle frame of the vehicle and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The pillar has a side wall portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, a plurality of ribs protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion, a standing wall portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the side wall portion more than the ribs and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and a joining surface extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle from the tip of the standing wall portion and to which an outer panel constituting the outer panel of the pillar is joined.

[0104] (Configuration 2) With the outer panel joined to the joining surface, a closed cross-sectional portion is formed between the outer panel and an inner panel that constitutes an inner plate of the pillar and includes the side wall portion.

[0105] (Configuration 3) The upright wall portion is configured to include an inclined portion, at least a portion of which is inclined toward the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0106] (Configuration 4) The upright wall portion is provided forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the through hole formed in the side wall portion.

[0107] (Configuration 5) The through hole is configured so that a door harness can be inserted therethrough.

[0108] (Configuration 6) A lower end of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle vertical direction is provided with an abutment portion that abuts against a rocker that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on the outer side of the floor of the passenger compartment in the vehicle width direction.

[0109] (Configuration 7) The plurality of ribs are connected to the standing wall portion.

[0110] (Configuration 8) Some of the plurality of ribs are provided on substantially the same straight line in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with the upright wall portion therebetween.

[0111] (Configuration 9) The side wall portion is integrally formed with the wheel house.

[0112] (Configuration 10) The vehicle further includes a cross member connecting the wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel houses, the left and right side wall portions, and the cross member are integrally formed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 10 vehicles 11 Front vehicle frame 12 Vehicle side structure 14 Wheelhouse 16 Cross member 22 Front pillar (pillar) 24 Cabin 26 Floor Panel 28 Rocca 30 Cast 76 Pillar inner (inner panel, pillar) 77 Side wall 82 Pillar outer (outer panel, pillar) 85 Closed section 86 Contact part 88 Vertical wall 90 Inclined section 92A Joint surface 94 Horizontal rib (rib) 96 Horizontal rib (rib) 96A Horizontal rib (rib) 98 Through Hole 99 Door Harness 106 Inclined Rib (Rib)

Claims

1. A pillar is provided at the rear of the wheel house in the front vehicle frame of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle vertical direction. a side wall portion extending in the vehicle up-down direction; a plurality of ribs protruding outward in a vehicle width direction from the side wall portion; a standing wall portion that protrudes from the side wall portion toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction beyond the rib and extends in the vehicle up-down direction; a joint surface extending from a tip of the upright wall portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction and to which an outer panel constituting an outer plate of the pillar is joined; A vehicle side structure comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein, when the outer panel is joined to the joining surface, a closed cross-sectional portion is formed between the outer panel and an inner panel that forms the inner plate of the pillar and includes the side wall portion.

3. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the upright wall portion includes an inclined portion that is inclined toward the front or rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction.

4. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the upright wall portion is provided forward of the through hole formed in the side wall portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

5. The vehicle side structure according to claim 4, wherein the through hole allows a door harness to be inserted therethrough.

6. A vehicle side structure as described in claim 1, wherein a contact portion is provided at the lower end of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle vertical direction, which contacts a rocker extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on the outer side of the floor of the passenger compartment in the vehicle width direction.

7. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ribs are connected to the upright wall portion.

8. The vehicle side structure according to claim 7, wherein some of the plurality of ribs are provided on substantially the same straight line in the front and rear of the vehicle with the upright wall portion therebetween.

9. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion is integrally formed with the wheel house.

10. Further provided is a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, 10. The vehicle side structure according to claim 9, wherein the left and right wheel houses, the left and right side wall portions, and the cross member are integrally formed.

Images