Rear body structure of the vehicle

Abstract

To improve both the ease of replacement of the rear end panel and the precision achieved after replacement. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a rear end panel 10 disposed on the rear of the vehicle 1 and a rear fender lower panel 20 disposed on the side of the vehicle 1 in front of the rear end panel 10. The rear fender lower panel 20 comprises a side portion 21 and a flange portion 23 that is joined to the rear end panel 10 from the outside of the vehicle body via a ridge portion 22 from the rear end of the side portion 21. Of the side portion 21, the ridge portion 22, and the flange portion 23, at least the flange portion 23, which is the joining portion with the rear end panel 10, has a first bead portion 30 extending in the vertical direction and a second bead portion 40 extending in the vehicle width direction, with at least a part of the vehicle width direction overlapping with the first bead portion 30.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rear body structure of a vehicle, which includes a rear end panel disposed at the rear of the vehicle and a rear fender lower panel disposed on the side surface in front of the vehicle relative to the rear end panel.

Background Art

[0002] As a rear body structure of a vehicle, as exemplified in Patent Document 1 below, at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of a rear end panel (4) disposed along the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle and having the outer end in the vehicle width direction bent upward, a rear fender lower (25) as a rear fender lower panel is integrally formed.

[0003] By the way, when the rear end panel is damaged due to a collision object colliding from the rear or the like, if only the damaged rear end panel can be replaced with a new rear end panel, it is advantageous in terms of cost. Therefore, there is a need to replace only the rear end panel at the rear of the vehicle body.

[0004] The rear end panel and the rear fender lower panel are usually joined such that the flange portion of the rear fender lower panel overlaps and is joined to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear end panel from the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, when replacing only the rear end panel, it is necessary to bend the overlapping portion of the rear fender lower panel with the rear end panel outward to peel off the joint with the rear end panel.

[0005] However, when replacing the rear end panel, there is a concern that it takes time for the replacement work of appropriately bending and peeling only the overlapping portion of the rear fender lower panel with the rear end panel. Further, even after replacing it with a new rear end panel and trying to return the bent flange portion to the planar shape before bending and join it to the new rear end panel, there is a concern that a phenomenon (so-called "springback") in which the flange portion tries to recover against the intention to the bent shape may occur. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 below does not disclose anything about the concept of replacing only the rear end panel at the rear of the vehicle body, nor does it address the aforementioned problems associated with such replacement. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-77775 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] This invention was made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a rear body structure for a vehicle that can improve both the ease of replacement of the rear end panel and the precision required for mass production. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention relates to a rear body structure of a vehicle comprising a rear end panel disposed on the rear surface of the vehicle and a rear fender lower panel disposed on the side surface in front of the rear end panel of the vehicle, wherein the rear fender lower panel comprises a side portion and a flange portion joined to the rear end panel from the outside of the vehicle body via a ridge portion from the rear end of the side portion, and the flange portion, of which the side portion, the ridge portion and the flange portion are formed, on the flange portion which is the joining portion with the rear end panel, a first bead portion extending in the vertical direction and a second bead portion extending in the vehicle width direction, with at least a part of the vehicle width direction overlapping with the first bead portion.

[0009] The overlap of the first bead portion along the vertical direction and the second bead portion along the vehicle width direction includes not only cases where the two bead portions intersect, but also cases where only the end of at least one of the two bead portions overlaps with the other bead portion, resulting in a point-like contact.

[0010] According to the above configuration, when replacing the rear end panel, the flange portion of the rear fender lower panel is bent outward from the first bead portion to allow the original rear end panel to be removed. When the flange portion is returned from its bent shape to its original flat shape in order to join it to the new rear end panel after replacement, the difference in shape before and after repair can be made less noticeable.

[0011] In this embodiment of the invention, the first bead portion is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end of the rear end panel in the vehicle width direction. According to the above configuration, when the flange portion of the rear fender lower panel is folded outward from the vehicle body using the first bead portion as the starting point for folding (the starting point for the valley fold), the entire overlapping portion of the flange portion with the outer end of the rear end panel in the vehicle width direction can be folded outward from the vehicle body, thereby ensuring that the flange portion can be reliably separated from the rear end panel.

[0012] Therefore, the ease of replacing the rear end panel can be improved, such as removing the old rear end panel from its mounting location on the vehicle body and returning the new rear end panel to its mounting location.

[0013] In another aspect of this invention, the lower part of the flange portion is provided with an extended piece that extends inward in the vehicle width direction more than other parts of the flange portion in the vertical direction, and the first bead portion extends from the height portion of the flange portion corresponding to the extended piece portion to above the upper end of the extended piece portion.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the flange portion, including the extension portion, is joined to the rear end panel, ensuring a secure bond to the rear end panel. Meanwhile, the first bead portion extends from the height portion of the flange portion corresponding to the extension portion to above the upper end of the extension portion. This allows the flange portion, including not only the extension portion but also the portion above the extension portion, to be firmly bent outward from the vehicle body using the first bead portion as the bending starting point, enabling the rear end panel to be pulled out. In other words, even with the rear end panel to which the flange portion, including the extension portion, is joined, replacement can be easily performed.

[0015] In another aspect of this invention, the second bead portion is formed such that at least the extended piece portion of the flange portion and the second bead portion provided above the extended piece portion and in the vicinity of the extended piece portion are both wider in the vertical direction than the second bead portion provided above the extended piece portion or in the vicinity of the extended piece portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, since the extension portion or the second bead portion located near it is formed with a wide vertical width, it can be provided over a wide area in the lower part of the flange portion including the extension portion. Therefore, even in the lower part of the flange portion having the extension portion, the effect of suppressing springback, which is the unintended return to its original shape when the flange portion is returned to its original shape, can be enhanced. Therefore, even after replacing the rear end panel, wrinkles can be made less noticeable after folding and returning it to its original shape.

[0017] In another aspect of this invention, the second bead portion provided on the extended piece portion has an extended piece ridge portion formed along the vertical edge of the second bead portion. According to the above configuration, when replacing the rear end panel, the flange portion, including the extended piece portion, can be bent more easily, further improving the workability when replacing the rear end panel.

[0018] As an aspect of the present invention, the second bead portion is formed over substantially the entire vehicle width of the flange portion. According to the above configuration, the extending piece ridge line portion of the second bead portion can be used as a bending starting point when bending the flange portion to the outside of the vehicle body in the same manner as the first bead portion. Therefore, the springback of the flange portion returned to the shape before bending can be effectively suppressed by the second bead portion.

[0019] As an aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the second bead portions are arranged at substantially equal intervals over the entire length of the flange portion along the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, even when the flange portion along the vertical direction is returned to the shape before bending, the second bead portion can suppress springback over the entire length of the flange portion.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rear body structure of a vehicle that can achieve both improved workability (ease of work) when replacing the rear end panel and improved accuracy during mass production (making the shape difference before and after replacement less noticeable). [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In the diagram, arrow Y indicates the vehicle's front-to-back direction, arrow W indicates the vehicle's width direction, arrow Z indicates the up-and-down direction, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow U indicates the vehicle's top, arrow Rh indicates the vehicle's right side, arrow Lh indicates the vehicle's left side, arrow OUT indicates the vehicle's outward direction in the width direction, and arrow IN indicates the vehicle's inward direction in the width direction.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is a hatchback type automobile, and a cargo compartment 2 is formed at the rear, which can be opened and closed by a lift gate (not shown). Since the rear of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is substantially symmetrical, the description will be based on the configuration of the right side of the vehicle body unless otherwise specified.

[0024] The rear of the vehicle body of the vehicle 1 in this embodiment mainly comprises a rear end member 4 (see Figure 2) extending in the vehicle width direction along the lower edge of the cargo compartment opening 2a that opens at the rear surface of the cargo compartment 2, a rear end panel 10 disposed as an outer body panel on the rear surface of the vehicle 1, a pair of left and right rear fender lower panels 20 covering the lower outer side of the rear of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction on the outer side of the rear end panel 10, a pair of left and right rear fender panels 5 covering the sides of the passenger compartment 3 and cargo compartment 2 and forming the rear side of the vehicle body, a rear floor panel 6 constituting the floor surface of the cargo compartment 2, a pair of left and right rear pillars 7 extending downward toward the rear of the vehicle body to the rear end panel 10 along the left and right side edges of the cargo compartment opening 2a, a pair of left and right rear wheel houses 8 that house the upper part of the rear wheels, and a pair of left and right rear side frames 9 (see Figure 2) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on the outer side of the rear floor panel 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] The rear end panel 10 is erected from the rear end of the rear floor panel 6 and comprises a rear wall portion 11 that forms the rear wall of the vehicle body at its lower part and an edge forming portion 12 that forms the lower edge of the cargo compartment opening 2a at its upper part. The edge forming portion 12 of the rear end panel 10 is joined to the rear end member 4 from the front side. As a result, a closed cross section 4s extending in the vehicle width direction is formed between the two members 10 and 4.

[0026] The rear fender lower panel 20 is provided as an outer body panel that covers the rear of the rear wheel arch 8 and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Details of these rear end panel 10 and rear fender lower panel 20 will be described later.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear floor panel 6 has a spare tire pan 6a formed in the rear center, which is a recessed storage area that is stepped down from the surrounding area. Also, as shown in Figure 1, the rear pillar 7 has a closed cross section 7s that extends vertically, consisting of the rear pillar outer 7a on the outside of the vehicle and the rear pillar inner (not shown) on the cargo area 2 side.

[0028] The rear wheel house 8 is formed by joining and fixing a wheel house inner 8a, which is provided adjacent to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side frame 9, and a wheel house outer 8b, which is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the wheel house inner 8a, and is provided in front of and below the rear pillar 7.

[0029] The rear side frame 9 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the rear end of the side sill 91 to the rear end of the cargo compartment 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the rear side frame 9 has an upper member 9a and a lower member 9b (see Figure 1) located below the upper member 9a, and the two members 9a and 9b are joined in the vertical direction, forming a closed cross section 9s that extends in the longitudinal direction between the two members 9a and 9b. The outer ends of the rear floor panel 6 in the vehicle width direction are joined to the left and right rear side frames 9, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, a floor side panel 92 is provided on the rear outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side frame 9 and behind the rear wheel house 8. The floor side panel 92 is positioned at approximately the same height as the rear floor panel 6 and the rear side frame 9.

[0031] Next, we will explain the rear end panel 10 mentioned above in more detail. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the rear end panel 10 is provided with a rear end panel side portion 13 on its outer side in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 1, the rear end panel side portion 13 bends upward in accordance with the lower corner portion of the outer end of the lower edge of the lower edge of the cargo compartment opening 2a, and the lower part of the side edge that rises through the lower corner portion. The upper end of the rear end panel side portion 13 is joined to the lower end of the rear pillar outer 7a.

[0032] The rear end panel side portion 13 is also provided with the edge forming portion 12 and the rear wall portion 11. The edge forming portion 12 of the rear end panel side portion 13 rises upward along the lower corner portion and the lower part of the side edge portion of the cargo compartment opening 2a, and the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13 extends vertically from the upper end to the lower end of the rear end panel side portion 13 so as to form the rear surface of the vehicle body on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the edge forming portion 12.

[0033] In other words, the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13 is provided below the edge forming portion 12 along the edge of the cargo compartment opening 2a and on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and is integrally formed with the edge forming portion 12. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, a through-hole 14 for inserting a harness is formed in the lower part of the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13. A grommet (not shown) is attached to the edge 14a of the through-hole 14.

[0034] Next, we will describe the rear fender lower panel 20 in detail. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear fender lower panel 20 is joined to the rear fender panel 5 (see Figure 1), which is located at the front lower part of the rear side of the vehicle body, between the wheel house inner 8a and the rear end panel side portion 13. As a result, the rear fender lower panel 20 is positioned below the rear lower part of the rear fender panel 5 and covers the rear lower part of the rear side of the vehicle body. The rear end of the rear fender lower panel 20 forms the rear end of the rear side portion of the vehicle body, and the lower end forms the lower end of the rear side portion of the vehicle body.

[0035] The rear fender lower panel 20 comprises a side portion 21 and a flange portion 23 that is joined to the rear end panel 10 via a ridge portion 22 from the rear end of the side portion 21.

[0036] The main surface of the rear fender lower panel 20, the side portion 21, is positioned in front of the rear end panel side portion 13 and faces in the vehicle width direction. In the center, an opening 24 for an extractor is formed, which serves as a vehicle body opening to allow air from inside the passenger compartment 3 to pass outside the vehicle.

[0037] An extractor (not shown) is attached to this opening 24. The extractor is intended to release the air inside the passenger compartment 3 to the outside of the vehicle in order to prevent the pressure inside the passenger compartment 3 from increasing when the door is closed and to ventilate the air inside the passenger compartment 3.

[0038] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20 is provided with a joint portion 230 that is joined by welding from the outside of the vehicle to the outer end 15 in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13, and is provided to face the vehicle in the front-rear direction, corresponding to the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13 of the rear end panel 10.

[0039] The lower part of the flange portion 23 is provided with an extended piece 25 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction, i.e., toward the rear end panel side portion 13, compared to other parts of the flange portion 23 in the vertical direction. As shown in Figure 3, the upper part of the extended piece 25 is located at the height of the through hole 14 for harness insertion provided in the rear wall portion 11 of the rear end panel side portion 13. The extended piece 25 is formed such that the length of the extension inward in the vehicle width direction gradually decreases from the lower part upwards to avoid interference with the grommet that is fitted to the edge 14a of the through hole 14.

[0040] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, of the side portion 21, ridge portion 22, and flange portion 23 described above, at least the flange portion 23 has a first bead portion 30 that extends vertically along substantially the entire length of the flange portion 23 and a second bead portion 40 that extends in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the first bead portion 30 and the second bead portion 40 are formed only on the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20.

[0041] In this example, in vehicle 1, if the rear end panel 10 is damaged due to an impact from behind on the rear of the vehicle body, only the damaged rear end panel 10 can be replaced with a new one at the rear of the vehicle body. In order to replace the rear end panel 10, it is necessary to temporarily detach the flange portion 23, which is attached to the outer end 15 in the vehicle width direction of the rear end panel 10, outwards from the vehicle body.

[0042] The first bead portion 30 is a bead that acts as the starting point (starting point of a valley fold) for bending the flange portion 23 outwards in order to temporarily peel the flange portion 23 outwards from the vehicle body.

[0043] The second bead portion 40 is a bead that suppresses springback, which occurs when the flange portion 23 is returned from its bent shape to its original flat shape in order to join the flange portion 23 to the new rear end panel 10 after replacement, causing the flange portion 23 to unintentionally attempt to return to its bent shape.

[0044] As shown in Figure 1, in addition to the first bead portion 30 and the second bead portion 40, the rear fender lower panel 20 also has an edge bead portion 26 formed along the edge of the rear fender lower panel 20 or its vicinity.

[0045] The edge bead portion 26 comprises an upper edge bead portion 26u formed along the upper edge of the rear fender lower panel 20, extending from the flange portion 23 to the side portion 21; a front edge bead portion 26f formed along the front edge of the side portion 21; and a lower edge bead portion 26d formed along the lower edge at the lower part of the side portion 21.

[0046] The first bead portion 30, the second bead portion 40, and the three edge bead portions 26 (26u, 26f, 26d) described above are all beads that protrude outward from the periphery. For example, the first bead portion 30 and the second bead portion 40 each have a top surface portion 31, 41 that protrudes outward from the periphery and forms the main part, and stepped bead ridges 32, 42 on the periphery of the top surface portion 31, 41.

[0047] In Figure 3, the thick lines indicate the outer edges of the first bead portion 30 and the second bead portion 40, respectively, the areas indicated by dots indicate the top surfaces 31 and 41 of each bead portion 30 and 40, and the bold dashed-dot line is a boundary line conveniently shown to clarify the overlapping outer shape of each bead portion 30 and 40.

[0048] The bead ridges 32 of the first bead portion 30 are formed mainly along the edges of the first bead portion 30 in the direction of extension, and the bead ridges 42 of the second bead portion 40 are formed mainly along the edges of the second bead portion 40 in the direction of extension.

[0049] More specifically, in the first bead portion 30, upper and lower ridge portions 32z are formed along the vertical direction on both edges in the vehicle width direction, and in the second bead portion 40, vehicle width ridge portions 42w are formed along the vehicle width direction on both edges in the vertical direction.

[0050] The first bead portion 30 extends from a height corresponding to the extension portion 25 of the flange portion 23 to above the upper end of the extension portion 25. In other words, the first bead portion 30 extends substantially linearly and continuously in the vertical direction, excluding the upper and lower ends of the flange portion 23.

[0051] The first bead portion 30 is provided only on the flange portion 23, on the side in the vehicle width direction that is further outward than the outer end portion 15 of the rear end panel 10, and not on the side in the vehicle width direction that is further inward than the outer end portion 15.

[0052] The second bead portion 40 comprises multiple portions, and at least the top surface portions 41 of the second bead portion 40 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and to be arranged at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction.

[0053] In this example, as shown in Figure 3, there are six second bead sections 40, which in the following description will be designated as the upper end second bead section 40a, the upper second bead section 40b, the intermediate upper second bead section 40c, the intermediate lower second bead section 40d, the lower second bead section 40e, and the lower end second bead section 40f, in that order from top to bottom.

[0054] Each of the multiple second bead portions 40 is formed over substantially the entire length of the flange portion 23 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the inner end of each of the multiple second bead portions 40 extends further inward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end 15a of the rear end panel 10 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, each of the multiple second bead portions 40 is provided at least at the joining portion 230 (see Figures 3 and 4) of the flange portion 23, which is joined to the outer end 15 of the rear end panel 10 in the vehicle width direction by overlapping it from the outside of the vehicle body.

[0055] Furthermore, of the six second bead portions 40, the two lower second bead portions 40e and 40f (lower second bead portion 40e and lower end second bead portion 40f) are both provided at a height corresponding to the extended piece portion 25. Moreover, the two lower second bead portions 40e and 40f both extend inward in the vehicle width direction up to the extended piece portion 25.

[0056] Furthermore, the upper second bead portion 40a extends linearly in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap the upper end of the first bead portion 30, while the lower second bead portion 40f extends linearly in the vehicle width direction so as to overlap approximately the lower end of the first bead portion 30.

[0057] As a result, the upper second bead portion 40a and the lower second bead portion 40f overlap with the first bead portion 30 in a point-like manner, and the four second bead portions 40b, 40c, 40d, and 40e located between these second bead portions 40a and 40f all overlap with the first bead portion 30 in a way that intersects with it.

[0058] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, of the six second bead portions 40, the lower second bead portion 40e and the lower end second bead portion 40f are provided on the extended piece portion 25, as described above, and the intermediate lower second bead portion 40ed is provided in the vicinity of the extended piece portion 25. These three lower second bead portions 40d, 40e, and 40f all have a larger bead width (vertical width) than the three upper second bead portions 40a, 40b, and 40c.

[0059] On the other hand, in the first bead portion 30, the bead width (width in the vehicle width direction) is formed to be larger towards the lower part. As a result, the first bead portion 30 and the second bead portion 40 are formed over a wider area below the flange portion 23 than above, thereby increasing the rigidity of the lower part of the flange portion 23 compared to the rigidity of the upper part.

[0060] As described above, the three lower second bead portions 40d, 40e, and 40f are all formed with a wide width in the vertical direction, and in addition to the second bead width ridge portion 42w, the upper and lower ridge portions 42z of the second bead portion are formed as bead ridges 42 (edges) that run along the vertical direction.

[0061] These upper and lower ridges 42z of the second bead portion extend vertically, similar to the first bead portion 30, and therefore act as a bending starting point when the flange portion 23 is bent outwards and peeled off. More specifically, the upper and lower ridges 42zd of the intermediate lower second bead portion 40d are formed along the inner edge in the vehicle width direction and the upper edge on the outer side of the vehicle width of the intermediate lower second bead portion 40d. The upper and lower ridges 42ze of the lower second bead portion 40e are formed along the inner edge in the vehicle width direction and the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower second bead portion 40e. The upper and lower ridges 42zf of the lower end second bead portion 40f are formed along the inner edge in the vehicle width direction and the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower end second bead portion 40f.

[0062] These multiple upper and lower ridge sections 42z of the second bead are all formed to be longer in the vertical direction than the bead width (vertical width) of the three upper second bead sections 40a, 40b, and 40c. Furthermore, the upper and lower ridge sections 32z of the first bead section 30 and the upper and lower ridge sections 42z of the second bead section 40 (i.e., the upper and lower ridge sections 32z and 42z of the bead section) that extend in the vertical direction are formed in multiple locations spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction of the flange section 23.

[0063] Therefore, when replacing the rear end panel 10, when peeling the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20 away from the outer end 15 in the vehicle width direction of the rear end panel 10, the flange portion 23 can be bent in stages toward the vehicle body, starting from the multiple upper and lower bead ridges 32z and 42z. In other words, the upper and lower bead ridges 32z and 42z of both bead portions 30 and 40 work together to easily bend and deform the flange portion 23.

[0064] However, the flange portion 23 may have at least one of the multiple upper and lower bead ridges 32z, 42z that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction function as the starting point for bending the flange portion 23, and it is not necessary for all of them to function as the starting point for bending.

[0065] Furthermore, of these multiple upper and lower ridge sections 42z of the second bead section, the upper and lower ridge sections 42zd, 42ze, and 42zf formed on the inner edges in the vehicle width direction of the three lower second bead sections 40d, 40e, and 40f are all formed in the vertical direction on or near the extended piece section 25. Therefore, even in the extended piece 25 joined to the outer end 15a in the vehicle width direction of the rear end panel 10, these upper and lower ridges 42zd, 42ze, and 42zf of the second bead portion can be easily bent and deformed outwards from the vehicle body, using them as bending points.

[0066] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear body structure of the vehicle in this embodiment comprises a rear end panel 10 disposed on the rear surface of the vehicle 1 and a rear fender lower panel 20 disposed on the side of the vehicle 1 in front of the rear end panel 10. As shown in Figure 3, the rear fender lower panel 20 comprises a side portion 21 and a flange portion 23 joined to the rear end panel 10 from the outside of the vehicle body via a ridge portion 22 from the rear end of the side portion 21. Of the side portion 21, the ridge portion 22, and the flange portion 23, at least the flange portion 23, which is the joining portion with the rear end panel 10, has a first bead portion 30 extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of second bead portions 40 extending in the vehicle width direction, with a part of the vehicle width direction overlapping with the first bead portion 30.

[0067] According to the above configuration, it is possible to improve both the ease of work when replacing the rear end panel 10 and the precision during mass production (making the difference in shape before and after replacement less noticeable).

[0068] More specifically, for example, when replacing a rear end panel 10 damaged in an accident with a new rear end panel 10, the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20 can be bent outwards from the vehicle body, using the first bead portion 30 as the starting point for the fold (the starting point for the valley fold), thereby separating it from the outer end portion 15 in the vehicle width direction of the damaged rear end panel 10, making it easy to remove the rear end panel 10 from the vehicle body.

[0069] Furthermore, after replacing the damaged rear end panel 10 with a new rear end panel 10, the rear fender lower panel 20 is joined to the new rear end panel 10. In other words, the bent flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20 is returned to its original flat shape and joined to the rear end panel 10. At this time, the second bead portion 40 can suppress the phenomenon (so-called "springback") in which the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20, which has been returned to its original flat shape, tries to return to its bent shape against one's will.

[0070] Therefore, it is possible to improve both the ease of work when replacing the rear end panel 10 and the precision during mass production (making the difference in shape before and after replacement less noticeable).

[0071] In one aspect of this invention, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first bead portion 30 is configured to be located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end portion 15 of the rear end panel 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0072] According to the above configuration, when the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20 is folded outwards from the vehicle body using the first bead portion 30 as the starting point for folding (the starting point for the valley fold), the entire overlapping joint portion 230 of the flange portion 23 with the outer end portion 15 in the vehicle width direction of the rear end panel 10 can be folded outwards from the vehicle body, thereby ensuring that the flange portion 23 is reliably separated from the rear end panel 10.

[0073] Therefore, the workability when replacing the rear end panel 10 can be improved, such as removing the old rear end panel 10 from its mounting point on the vehicle body and returning the new rear end panel 10 to its mounting point.

[0074] In another aspect of this invention, as shown in Figure 3, the lower part of the flange portion 23 is provided with an extended piece portion 25 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction compared to other parts of the flange portion 23 in the vertical direction, and the first bead portion 30 is configured to extend from the height portion of the flange portion 23 corresponding to the extended piece portion 25 to above the upper end of the extended piece portion 25.

[0075] With the above configuration, the flange portion 23, including the extended portion 25, is joined to the rear end panel 10, ensuring a secure bond to the rear end panel 10. At the same time, the flange portion 23, including not only the extended portion 25 but also the portion above the extended portion 25, can be firmly bent outward from the vehicle body using the first bead portion 30 as the bending starting point, allowing the rear end panel 10 to be reliably and smoothly removed. In other words, even with the flange portion 23 joined to the rear end panel 10, including the extended portion 25, the replacement work can be easily carried out.

[0076] In another aspect of this invention, as shown in Figure 3, the second bead portion 40 is provided above the extension portion 25 of the flange portion 23, and the second bead portions 40d, 40e, and 40f provided above or near the extension portion 25 are all formed with a wider vertical bead width compared to the second bead portions 40a, 40b, and 40c.

[0077] According to the above configuration, the second bead portions 40d, 40e, and 40f located in or near the extended portion 25 are all formed with a wide vertical width, so they can be provided over a wide area in the lower part of the flange portion 23, including the extended portion 25. Therefore, the effect of suppressing springback, in which the flange portion 23 returns to its original shape against one's will, can be enhanced. Therefore, after replacing the rear end panel 10, the rear fender lower panel 20 can be made less wrinkled even after bending the flange portion 23 back into shape, further improving the precision after replacing the rear end panel 10.

[0078] Furthermore, in an embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figure 3, the second bead portions 40d, 40e, and 40f provided on or near the extended piece portion 25 each have a second bead portion upper and lower ridge portion 42z formed as an extended piece ridge portion along the upper and lower edge of the second bead portion 40.

[0079] According to the above configuration, the upper and lower ridges 42z of the second bead portion 40, which extend vertically, can also be used as a bending starting point when bending the flange portion 23 of the rear fender lower panel 20, similar to the first bead portion 30 which extends vertically.

[0080] As a result, when replacing the rear end panel 10 to be replaced with a new rear end panel 10, the first bead portion 30 and the upper and lower ridge portions 42z of the second bead portion 40 can cooperate to form a bending starting point. Therefore, the flange portion 23, including the extended portion 25, can be bent more easily, and as a result, the workability when replacing the rear end panel 10 can be further improved.

[0081] In another aspect of this invention, as shown in Figure 3, the multiple second bead portions 40 are all formed over substantially the entire length of the flange portion 23 in the vehicle width direction. According to the above configuration, the springback of the flange portion 23, which has been returned to its shape before bending, can be effectively suppressed by the second bead portion 40.

[0082] In another aspect of this invention, as shown in Figure 3, the multiple second bead portions 40 are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction of the flange portion 23. According to the above configuration, the springback of the flange portion 23, which has been returned to its shape before bending, can be effectively suppressed by the second bead portion 40.

[0083] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, the extended portion and the second bead portion provided in its vicinity correspond to the intermediate lower second bead portion 40d, the lower second bead portion 40e, and the lower end second bead portion 40f, and similarly thereafter, The second bead portion provided above the extended portion or its vicinity corresponds to the upper end second bead portion 40a, the upper second bead portion 40b, and the intermediate upper second bead portion 40c. The extended ridge portion corresponds to the upper and lower ridge portions 42z of the second bead portion, but this invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many other embodiments can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1…Vehicle 10…Rear end panel 15…The outer edge of the rear end panel in the vehicle width direction 20... Rear fender lower panel 21…Side part 22…Ridge section 23…Flange section 25...Extending piece 30...First bead section 40...Second bead section 40a... Upper end second bead section 40b... Upper second bead section 40c... Upper middle section, second bead 40d...Mid-lower second bead section 40e...Lower second bead section 40f...Lower end, second bead section 42z... Upper and lower ridge sections of the second bead (extended single ridge section)

Claims

1. It comprises a rear end panel located on the rear of the vehicle and a rear fender lower panel located on the side of the vehicle in front of the rear end panel. The rear fender lower panel is a rear body structure of a vehicle comprising a side portion and a flange portion that is joined to the rear end panel from the outside of the vehicle body via a ridge portion from the rear end of the side portion, Of the aforementioned side portion, ridge portion, and flange portion, at least the flange portion, which is the joint portion with the rear end panel, has a first bead portion extending in the vertical direction and a second bead portion extending in the vehicle width direction, with at least a portion of the vehicle width direction overlapping with the first bead portion. The rear body structure of the vehicle.

2. The first bead portion is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end of the rear end panel in the vehicle width direction. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The lower part of the flange portion is provided with an extended piece that extends inward in the vehicle width direction more than other parts of the flange portion in the vertical direction. The first bead portion extends from the height portion of the flange portion corresponding to the extension portion to above the upper end of the extension portion. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

4. The second bead portion comprises at least the extended piece portion in the flange portion, and is provided above the extended piece portion. The second bead portion provided on or near the extended portion is formed to be wider in the vertical direction than the second bead portion provided above the extended portion or its vicinity. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The second bead portion provided on the extended piece has an extended piece ridge formed along the vertical edge of the second bead portion. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The second bead portion is formed over substantially the entire length of the flange portion in the vehicle width direction. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

7. Multiple of the second bead portions are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the entire length of the flange portion in the vertical direction. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

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