Vehicle body structure

Abstract

To keep the floor height at the driver's heel position low while enabling load transfer from the dashboard to both the hinge pillar and the side sill. [Solution] The vehicle comprises a pair of left and right front frames 3 extending forward from a dash panel 2 that separates the passenger compartment CR from the area in front of it, a hinge pillar 7 extending vertically on the outer side of the width of the dash panel 2, and a side sill 4 extending rearward from near the lower end of the hinge pillar 7. The dash panel 2 is joined to the inner surface of the passenger compartment CR and a dash rain 9 is provided that forms a closed section 9S between it and the inner surface of the passenger compartment CR. The dash rain 9 is positioned to extend downward from the rear end of the front frame 3 towards the outer side in the width of the vehicle when viewed from the rear, and its outer end is joined to both the hinge pillar 7 and the side sill 4. The closed section 9S is configured to extend continuously outward and downward in the width of the vehicle from the rear end of the front frame 3 to the outer end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure including a dash panel that partitions a passenger compartment and a front space of the passenger compartment in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a front frame having a rear end joined to the front surface of the dash panel and extending in the vehicle forward direction, a floor panel extending rearward from the lower end of the dash panel to form a floor surface of the passenger compartment, and a pair of left and right side sills that form closed cross-sections along the vehicle longitudinal direction on both left and right sides of the floor panel.

Background Art

[0002] In the conventional vehicle body structure as described above, in a front collision of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "front collision"), as one of underload paths that flow the front collision load from the front frame rearward at the vehicle body floor height, through a load transmission member along the vehicle width direction such as a torque box or a dash cross that extends substantially horizontally inside the passenger compartment, a load transmission path is formed along the side sill as a vehicle body frame having the vehicle body floor height, and the collision energy is designed to be dispersed and absorbed by the load transmission path.

[0003] However, since the rear end of the front frame and the front end of the side sill generally differ not only in the position in the vehicle width direction but also in height, these frames are not directly connected via a dash cross, and the above-described load transmission path from the front frame to the side sill is hardly a direct load transmission path via a dash cross.

[0004] Here, the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1 below provides two dash crosses extending substantially horizontally along the dash panel. Among these dash crosses, the upper dash cross provided at a position higher than the side sill establishes a load transmission path to the hinge pillar, while the lower dash cross at substantially the same height as the side sill establishes a load transmission path to the side sill.

[0005] However, the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1 below presents the problem that the floor height at the driver's heel position is increased due to the addition of the lower dash cloth, and it must be said that it is unsuitable for sports cars in particular, where there is a demand to lower the driver's seating position as much as possible. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-105561 [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 vehicle body structure that allows load transmission from the dashboard panel to both the hinge pillar and the side sill while keeping the floor height at the driver's heel position low. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This invention relates to a vehicle body structure comprising: a dash panel that partitions the passenger compartment and the space in front of the passenger compartment in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a pair of left and right front frames extending from the dash panel in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both the left and right sides of the front space; a pair of left and right side sills extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; and a pair of left and right hinge pillars extending upward from the side sills and connected to both ends of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, wherein the dash rain is joined to the passenger compartment side surface of the dash panel and forms a closed section with the passenger compartment side surface, the dash rain is arranged to extend downward from the rear end of the front frame outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the rear, and its outer end is joined to both the hinge pillar and the side sill, and the closed section extends continuously outward and downward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the front frame to the outer end. This invention allows the frontal impact load transmitted from the front frame to the rear of the vehicle to be transmitted from the dash panel to both the hinge pillar and the side sill via the dash rain.

[0009] More specifically, the frontal impact load transmitted from the front frame to the rear of the vehicle can be directly transmitted not only to the hinge pillar, which is at the same height as the front frame, but also to the side sill, which is located lower than the front frame, via the dash panel and dash rain.

[0010] In an embodiment of this invention, the hinge pillar comprises a hinge pillar inner and a hinge pillar outer positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the hinge pillar inner, wherein the hinge pillar outer is positioned with a downward sloping front in a side view of the vehicle, thereby advancing the hinge pillar closed section formed vertically between it and the hinge pillar inner, and the vehicle outer end of the dash rain is connected to the hinge pillar closed section.

[0011] This invention allows the hinge pillar outer to be positioned with a downward sloping front view when viewed from the side of the vehicle, thereby advancing the closed section of the hinge pillar as it approaches the height of the side sill, i.e., extending it forward. By connecting the outer end of the dash rain with the advanced closed section of the hinge pillar, the front-rear position of the outer end of the dash rain and the closed section of the hinge pillar can be aligned.

[0012] In other words, because the closed section of the dash panel and the closed section of the hinge pillar can be connected continuously and directly, the forward impact load from the front frame can be efficiently transmitted to the hinge pillar via the dash panel.

[0013] In an embodiment of this invention, the hinge pillar outer is formed in an inward displacement shape such that the portion of the hinge mounting portion for attaching the door hinge is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction more than the portion below the lower hinge mounting portion, and the side sill may be positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper portion of the hinge pillar outer, at least a portion of which overlaps with the lower end of the hinge pillar outer in the vehicle width direction. This invention brings the outer end of the dash rainbow closer to the side sill in the vehicle width direction, allowing for efficient transmission of forward impact loads from the front frame to the side sill via the dash rainbow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This invention provides a vehicle body structure that allows load transfer from the dashboard panel to both the hinge pillar and the side sill while keeping the floor height at the driver's heel position low. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the front and right side of the vehicle body. [Figure 2] A side view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the right side. [Figure 3] Bottom view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the body structure of this embodiment [Figure 4] Enlarged perspective view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the rear and left side of the vehicle body. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view of the right side of the vehicle body along line AA in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of the right side of the vehicle body along line BB in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] As an embodiment of the present invention, an embodiment in which the vehicle body structure of the present invention is applied to a sports car with a front-engine rear-drive (FR) system will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle, arrow W indicates the vehicle width direction, OUT indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction (also referred to as "outer side of the vehicle width"), and IN indicates the inside in the vehicle width direction (also referred to as "inner side of the vehicle width"). Note that since the vehicle body structure of this embodiment has substantially the same structure on the left and right, the description will be centered on the structure on the right side of the vehicle. Also, in the following description, the front, rear, right, left, upper, and lower directions indicate the respective directions with respect to the vehicle body unless otherwise specified, and "rein" indicates "reinforcement".

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment mainly includes a floor panel 1 provided with a tunnel portion 10, a dash panel 2, a front frame (also referred to as a front side frame) 3, a side sill 4, a torque box 5, a front pillar 6, a hinge pillar 7, an apron frame 8, a dash rein 9, an upper tunnel frame 11, and a tunnel side frame 12.

[0018] Among these elements, the front frame 3, the side sill 4, the torque box 5, the front pillar 6, the hinge pillar 7, the apron frame 8, the dash rein 9, and the tunnel side frame 12 are each provided with a pair on the left and right.

[0019] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle of this embodiment includes a sub-frame (also referred to as a "suspension cross member") 110 that supports a suspension for suspending the front wheels FW below and on both the left and right sides of the power unit room PR. Note that the sub-frame 110 is shown only in FIGS. 1 and 2. Reference numeral 34 in Fig. 2 indicates an upper arm support frame that supports the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the upper arm 201 provided in the suspension so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, and reference numeral 111 indicates a lower arm support frame that supports the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower arm 202 provided in the suspension so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. The subframe 110 is configured in a grid shape by combining a plurality of frame members having a closed cross section along the extending direction, such as the upper arm support frame 34 and the lower arm support frame 111.

[0020] (Floor Panel 1) As shown in Fig. 1, the floor panel 1 extends in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction at the lower part of the vehicle body and constitutes the floor surface of the passenger compartment CR. A tunnel portion 10 that bulges upward and extends in the front-rear direction is formed in the left-right central portion of the floor panel 1 inside the passenger compartment CR.

[0021] (Tunnel Upper Frame 11 + Tunnel Side Frame 12) A pair of left and right side portions 10a and an upper surface portion 10b that connects the upper ends of these side portions 10a in the vehicle width direction are formed such that the orthogonal cross section in the front-rear direction bulges upward in a portal shape (see Fig. 4).

[0022] An upper tunnel frame 11 as a backbone frame extending in the front-rear direction is joined to the upper part of the tunnel portion 10. The upper tunnel frame 11 is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section that has corners at both ends in the vehicle width direction in a cross section orthogonal to the front-rear direction and opens downward, and the lower end portions on both the left and right sides are joined to the upper parts of the left and right side portions 10a respectively, thereby forming a closed cross section 11S that extends over the entire length in the front-rear direction including the front end of the tunnel portion 10 between the upper surface portion 10b of the tunnel portion 10. Further, as shown in Fig. 3, tunnel side frames 12 having closed cross sections 12S extending in the front-rear direction are provided at the lower end portions on both the left and right sides of the tunnel portion 10.

[0023] (Dash Panel 2) As shown in Figure 5, the dash panel 2 is a vertical wall-shaped plate member arranged along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction so as to separate the passenger compartment CR from the power unit room PR, which is the space in front of it, in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the dash panel 2 has a main body portion 21 that extends along the vehicle height direction, a kick-up portion 22 that extends downward from the lower end of the main body portion 21 towards the rear of the vehicle, and left and right vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23. These main body portion 21, kick-up portion 22, and vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23 are each integrally formed by press molding a single flat plate. Furthermore, the rear end of the kick-up portion 22 of the dash panel 2 is connected to the front end of the floor panel 1 by welding or other means.

[0024] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, a tunnel opening 2A that bulges upward is formed in the central part of the lower part of the dash panel 2 in the vehicle width direction. This tunnel opening 2A is joined to the front end of the tunnel section 10 formed in the central part of the floor panel 1 in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 3). The space below the tunnel section 10 and the power unit room PR are in communication in the front-rear direction via the tunnel opening 2A.

[0025] As shown in Figure 5, the left and right vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23 of the dash panel 2 extend rearward from the vehicle width outer edge of the dash panel 2, are formed over substantially the entire length in the vertical direction of the vehicle width outer edge, and are joined to the side inner panel 70 and side sill inner 41, which will be described later.

[0026] The upper end of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2 extends forward (not shown), and a barrel-shaped cowl panel 14, as shown in Figure 1, is installed on its upper surface. The cowl panel 14 has the rigidity to support the lower part of the front windshield glass (not shown), which is inclined downward and forward via a filler, from below over substantially its entire width, and extends in the width direction over substantially the entire length of the dash panel 2.

[0027] (Front frame 3) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the front frame 3 is a vehicle body rigidity member that extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front of the dash panel 2 on both the left and right sides of the power unit room PR located in front of the dash panel 2. The front frame 3 consists of a rear front frame portion 32 that extends forward from the front of the dash panel 2 to the front of the vehicle, and a front front frame portion 31 that extends further forward from the front position of the rear front frame portion 32.

[0028] The rear portion 32 of the front frame is provided as a rearward expansion portion that gradually widens on both the left and right sides and downward relative to the front portion 31 of the front frame as it approaches the rear end, and the rear end portion 32r is joined to the front surface of the dash panel 2.

[0029] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower part of the front end of the rear part 32 of the front frame is located on the central axis of the front frame 3, and a vertical wall-shaped rib 32f is formed which can abut the rear end of the front part 31 of the front frame from the front.

[0030] The front part 31 of the front frame comprises a front extension portion 33 and a front main body portion 34 of the front frame, both of which are arranged in parallel on the upper and lower sides and are aligned along the front-rear direction. The front main body portion 34 of the front frame extends linearly along the central axis of the front frame 3 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 4, it is formed by joining the inner frame panel (not shown) on the inside in the vehicle width direction and the outer frame panel (not shown) on the outside in the vehicle width direction, resulting in a closed cross section (not shown) with a so-called monaka shape perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The front main body portion 34 of the front frame is connected to the rear of the front frame 32 with its rear end abutting against the vertical wall-shaped rib 32f (see Figures 2 and 3) at the lower part of the front end (lower front end) of the rear of the front frame 32 from the front.

[0031] As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the front main body portion 34 of the front frame extends forward from the lower front end of the rear front portion 32 to the front end of the front frame 3. In other words, the rear front portion 32 and the front main body portion 34 of the front frame are arranged in series along the central axis of the front frame 3. Furthermore, the front main body portion 34 of the front frame serves not only as part of the front frame 3, but also as the upper arm support frame (34) provided on the subframe 110, as shown in Figure 2.

[0032] The forward extension portion 33 extends forward from the upper part of the front end (upper front end) of the rear front portion 32 of the front frame to the front end of the front frame 3 and is positioned directly above the front main body portion 34 of the front frame, supporting the front main body portion 34 of the front frame from directly above and supporting the interior side of the suspension housing 65.

[0033] (Rear of front frame 32) As shown in Figure 3, the rear part 32 of the front frame comprises an upper wall portion 32a, a rearward expanding outer portion 32b that widens outward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear, a rearward expanding inner portion 32c that widens inward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear, and a rearward expanding lower portion 32d that widens downward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear.

[0034] (Rear end 32r of the rear part 32 of the front frame) The rearward-extended outer portion 32b connects the outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 32a and the rearward-extended lower portion 32d in the vertical direction, while the rearward-extended inner portion 32c connects the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 32a and the rearward-extended lower portion 32d in the vertical direction.

[0035] As a result, as shown in Figure 3, the rear portion 32 of the front frame is surrounded all around in a cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction by the upper wall portion 32a, the rearward-expanding outer portion 32b, the rearward-expanding inner portion 32c, and the rearward-expanding lower portion 32d, and its internal space (not shown) opens toward the rear, and it is formed as a trumpet-shaped box-like hollow body in which both sides and the bottom in the vehicle width direction gradually widen toward the rear.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the rear end portion 32r of the rear front frame 32 is joined to the front of the dash panel 2, while the rear end lower edge portion 32dr, which is the rear end of the rear enlarged lower side portion 32d, is joined to the front of the dash panel 2 via the torque box 5 (described later) and the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12.

[0037] (Torque Box 5) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the torque box 5 is a pair of left and right body strength members that are joined to the lower front surface of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2 and have a closed cross section 5S extending in the vehicle width direction between them and the lower front surface, and connects the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 and the front end of the side sill 4 in the vehicle width direction on both the left and right sides.

[0038] Furthermore, to elaborate on the lower rear end portion 32dr of the rear front portion 32 of the front frame, the lower rear end portion 32dr extends along the vehicle width direction at the height of the torque box 5 joined to the lower front of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2, and the portion excluding the inner end in the vehicle width direction is joined so as to abut the front of the torque box 5 from the front. On the other hand, the inner end of the rear end lower edge 32dr of the rear end 32r of the rear front frame 32 overlaps with the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 in a front view. In other words, in this example, the rear end lower edge 32dr of the rear front frame 32 is joined to the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 so as to abut it from the front.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the tunnel side frame 12 described above has a closed cross section 12S that extends along its entire length in the front-rear direction, including the front end portion 122. The closed cross section of the front end portion 122 and the closed cross section of the portion 121 behind the front end portion 122 are continuous with each other in the front-rear direction via the dash panel 2. This configuration ensures that, during a frontal collision, the lower rear end portion 32dr of the rear end portion 32 of the front frame is supported by the torque box 5 and the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12, while the frontal impact load from the front frame 3 is transmitted and distributed to the tunnel side frame 12 and the side sill 4.

[0040] The rear portion 32 of the front frame and the forward extension portion 33 of the front portion 31 of the front frame, as described above, are integrally formed as part of the cast object 100. As a result, the front frame 3 is constructed through the cooperation of the front main body portion 34 of the front frame, which is made of steel plate, and the rear portion 32 and forward extension portion 33 of the front frame, which are made of the cast object 100. The cast object 100 described above will be explained later.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a crash can 37, which serves as an impact absorbing member, is attached to the front end of the front main body portion 34 of the front frame 3 via a set plate 35 and a bracket 36, and a bumper beam 38, which has a closed cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, is connected between the front ends of the left and right pair of crash cans 37.

[0042] (Side sill 4) As shown in Figure 6, the side sill 4 is provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body along the vehicle width end of the floor panel 1, and is positioned outside and below the front frame 3 in the vehicle width direction. The side sill 4 mainly comprises a side sill inner 41, a side sill outer 42, and a side sill rain 43. The side sill outer 42 is located outside the side sill inner 41 in the vehicle width direction and comprises a side sill upper outer 421 provided at the top of the side sill 4 and a side sill lower outer 422 provided at the bottom. Each of these side sill 4 elements 41, 421, 422, and 43 is formed by press-forming a metal panel material.

[0043] Between the side sill lower outer 422 and the side sill inner 41, a side sill lower closed section 422S is formed over the entire widthwise area of ​​the lower part of the side sill 4. Between the side sill upper outer 421, the side sill inner 41 and the side sill lower outer 422, a side sill upper closed section 421S is formed over the entire widthwise area of ​​the upper part of the side sill 4 (see Figure 6). Both the side sill upper closed section 421S and the side sill lower closed section 422S extend over the entire length in the longitudinal direction and are formed adjacent to each other on the upper and lower sides of the side sill 4.

[0044] Furthermore, the front portion of the side sill 4 extends forward beyond the front pillar base 6A, which will be described later, and at its front end, both the side sill upper closed section 421S and the side sill lower closed section 422S open forward. Cover members 50 are fitted as closing members to both the upper opening 421A, which opens forward at the front end of the side sill upper closed section 421S, and the lower opening 422A, which opens forward at the front end of the side sill lower closed section 422S. As a result, the upper opening 421A and the lower opening 422A are closed (see Figures 1 and 6).

[0045] (Front pillar 6) As shown in Figure 2, the front pillar 6 extends along the downward-front direction by joining the front pillar outer 6a and the front pillar inner 6b at the side edges corresponding to the left and right sides of the opening for arranging the front windshield glass (not shown), which is inclined downward-front. The front pillar 6 has a closed front pillar section 6S and is a vehicle body strength member that supports the front windshield glass from both the left and right sides via a filler.

[0046] (Hinge Pillar 7) As shown in Figures 1, 2, 4 to 6, the hinge pillar 7 extends vertically on both the left and right sides of the dash panel 2 between the front lower end portion (hereinafter referred to as the "front pillar base") 6A, which forms the base of the front pillar 6, and the side sill 4. The hinge pillar 7 is a vehicle body strength member having a hinge pillar closed section 7S that extends vertically by joining a hinge pillar inner 71 and a hinge pillar outer 72.

[0047] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the hinge pillar inner 71 comprises an inner body portion 711, a front flange portion 712 extending forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front surface of the inner body portion 711, and a rear flange portion 713 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the inner body portion 711, and as a whole, the orthogonal cross-section in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially hat shape. The inner body portion 711 forms the front surface, the inner surface in the vehicle width direction, and the rear surface of the hinge pillar inner 71, and has an outward opening 71A that opens toward the hinge pillar outer 72.

[0048] The hinge pillar outer 72 comprises an outer body portion 721, a front flange portion 722 extending forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front surface of the outer body portion 721, and a rear flange portion 723 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the outer body portion 721, and the overall orthogonal cross-section in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially hat shape. The outer body portion 721 forms the front, vehicle width outer surface and rear surface of the hinge pillar outer 722 and has an inward opening 72A that opens toward the hinge pillar inner 71.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2, the outer body portion 721 is formed to bulge out over approximately its entire length in the vertical direction, such that the front side portion 721f is raised one step outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear side portion 721r. The front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 is provided on both the upper and lower sides with hinge mounting portions 15 (15a, 15b) to which door hinges 16 (16a, 16b) that pivotally support the front end so as to open and close the swing door (17) are attached (see Figure 2).

[0050] The hinge pillar inner 71 and hinge pillar outer 72 described above are joined at their respective front flange portions 712 and 722, and at their respective rear flange portions 713 and 723, forming a hinge pillar closed section 7S that is continuous in the vertical direction between them.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the hinge pillar outer 72 of the hinge pillar 7 is positioned such that at least the front portion in the front-rear direction (the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 and the front flange portion 712) is displaced forward from the upper end where it joins the front pillar base portion 6A, and is tilted downwards in a side view of the vehicle, with its lower end (72a) joining to the front end of the side sill 4 (see Figures 2 and 6).

[0052] On the other hand, the hinge pillar inner 71 includes a side inner panel 70 that extends forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction on the front of the inner main body 711 (see Figure 5). The side inner panel 70 is formed in a vertical wall shape integral with the inner main body 711 so as to constitute the side portion of the front of the vehicle body in front of the inner main body 711, and the outer edge flange portion 23 of the dash panel 2 is joined to it from the inside in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the front flange portion 712 of the hinge pillar inner 71 is provided at the front end of the side inner panel 70.

[0053] The side inner panel 70 may be formed from a single component as part of the hinge pillar inner 71, or it may be formed from a different component as a separate component from the hinge pillar inner 71 and joined together.

[0054] The hinge pillar outer 72 has an outer body portion 721 with an inner opening 72A that faces the rear portion of the hinge pillar closed section 7S in the vehicle width direction, separated from not only the inner body portion 711 of the hinge pillar inner 71 but also the front flange portion 712 of the side inner panel 70. In other words, as described above, the hinge pillar 7 has at least the front part of the hinge pillar outer 72 tilted downwards in a side view of the vehicle, so that the hinge pillar closed section 7S extends forward (i.e., forward) along its entire length in the vertical direction beyond the front end of the inner body portion 711 (outer opening 71A), and its lower end portion (72a) is joined to the front end portion of the side sill 4 (see Figures 2 and 5).

[0055] The hinge mounting portions 15 (15a, 15b) described above are provided on the upper and lower sides of the outer width of the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 of the hinge pillar outer 72. As described above, corresponding to the arrangement of the front portion of the hinge pillar outer 72 in a downward-sloping position when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b are positioned such that the lower hinge mounting portion 15b is located in front of the upper hinge mounting portion 15a, as shown in Figure 2, and the door hinges 16 (16a, 16b) attached to the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b are both mounted in a position tilted downward and rearward.

[0056] Then, a swing door 17, which functions as an upward-opening side door (17) where the rear of the door is displaced outward and upward when the door is opened, is pivotally supported on the hinge pillar outer 72, which is positioned at a downward slope towards the front, via upper and lower door hinges 16 (see Figure 2).

[0057] Furthermore, the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 of the hinge pillar outer 72 has an inward deformation portion 73 formed thereon, which displaces the outer surface of the hinge pillar outer 72 such that the portion below the lower hinge mounting portion 15b of the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction. The hinge pillar outer 72 has a flange portion 72a formed at its lower end, including the lower end of the inward deformation portion 73, which is joined to the shoulder portion (upper part of the side sill outer 42) of the side sill outer 42.

[0058] As a result, the side sill 4 is positioned so that at least a portion of it overlaps with the flange portion 72a formed at the lower end of the hinge pillar outer 72, including the lower end of the inwardly deformed portion 73, in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the side sill 4 is positioned such that the outer end of the side sill upper outer 421 in the vehicle width direction is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the hinge pillar outer 72 where the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15 are formed (see Figure 8). In this example, the side sill 4, including the outer end of the side sill lower outer 422 in the vehicle width direction, is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the hinge pillar outer 72 where the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15 are formed (see Figure 6).

[0059] Furthermore, the hinge pillar inner 71 has a flange portion 71a at its lower end that is joined to the shoulder portion (upper part of the side sill inner 41) of the side sill inner 41.

[0060] (Dash Rain 9) As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the dash rain 9 is joined to the inner surface of the cabin CR of the dash panel 2, and a closed section 9S of the dash rain 9 is formed between it and the inner surface of the cabin CR. The closed section 9S of the dash rain is configured to extend continuously downward from the rear end of the front frame 3 towards the hinge pillar 7 and the side sill inner 41 directly below it, overlapping with the rear end of the rear enlarged outer portion 32b (outer edge portion) of the rear portion 32 of the box-shaped hollow front frame when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, and overlapping with the side sill inner 41 when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0061] More specifically, the dash rain 9 is a steel plate integrally press-formed with a rain body portion 911 and a flange portion 912. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the rain body portion 911 has a vertical wall portion 913 and an upper wall portion 914 extending forward from the upper end of the vertical wall portion 913, forming a roughly L-shaped vertical cross-section, and the dash rain closed section 9S is formed between it and the inner surface of the cabin CR of the dash panel 2. The flange portion 912 extends along the inner surface of the entire periphery of the rain body portion 911 toward the opposite side from the dash rain closed section 9S.

[0062] The outer edge flange portion 912a of the dash rain 9 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the hinge pillar inner 71 and the side sill inner 41 directly below it via the outer edge flange portion 23 of the dash panel 2. As a result, the closed section 9S of the dash rain is connected in the vehicle width direction to the closed sections 421S, 422S of the side sills and the closed section 7S of the hinge pillar above them.

[0063] In the dash rain 9, upper ridges 915 and 916 extend along the closed section 9S of the dash rain between the vertical wall portion 913 and the upper wall portion 914 of the rain body portion 911, and between the upper wall portion 914 of the rain body portion 911 and the upper edge flange portion along the upper edge of the rain body portion 911. In the dash rain 9, lower ridge 917 extends along the closed section 9S of the dash rain between the vertical wall portion 913 of the rain body portion 911 and the lower edge flange portion along the lower edge of the rain body portion 911.

[0064] These upper ridges 915, 916 and lower ridge 917 both extend downwards towards the outer edge in the vehicle width direction, reaching the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the closed section 9S of the dash rain. The outer edges in the vehicle width direction of the upper ridges 915, 916 are located at the height of the hinge pillar 7, and the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower ridge 917 is located at the height of the side sill 4 (see Figure 6).

[0065] (Cowl Side Rain 60) Incidentally, as shown in Figure 1, a cowl side rain 60 is provided near the front and inner side of the upper part of the hinge pillar 7, extending forward from the top of the hinge pillar 7. The cowl side rain 60 is constructed in a substantially closed cross-section extending in the front-rear direction, consisting of an inner panel 61 (see Figure 4) that forms the inner and bottom walls of the vehicle width, an outer panel (not shown) that forms the outer wall of the vehicle width, and an upper panel 63 that forms the top wall.

[0066] The outer panel (not shown) of the cowl side rain 60 is joined from the inside of the vehicle width to the side inner panel 70, which extends forward from the inner body portion 711 of the hinge pillar inner 71. In other words, the cowl side rain 60 is indirectly supported by the hinge pillar 7 near the upper part of the hinge pillar 7. Furthermore, the inner panel 61 of the cowl side rain 60 is joined to the left and right ends of the bucket-shaped cowl panel 14 (see Figure 1) located at the upper end of the dash panel 2, and supports the cowl panel 14 from both its left and right ends.

[0067] (Apron frame 8) As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the apron frame 8 extends in the longitudinal direction at a position that is outward and upward in the vehicle width direction relative to the pair of left and right front frames 3 described above, which extend in the longitudinal direction, and supports the outer side of the suspension housing 65.

[0068] The rear end of the apron frame 8 is joined to the front end of the cowl side rain 60, which is adjacent to the upper part of the hinge pillar 7 on the inward side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the apron frame 8 extends forward from the cowl side rain 60 near the front pillar base 6A and is joined to the upper part of the hinge pillar 7 from the inward side in the vehicle width direction via the cowl side rain 60.

[0069] More specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the apron frame 8 comprises an apron frame main body portion 81 and an upper plate member 82 located above the apron frame main body portion 81. In other words, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the apron frame 8 is divided into an apron rear region 8R extending forward from the cowl side rain 60 and an apron front region 8F extending further forward from the front end of the apron rear region 8R.

[0070] (Suspension housing 65) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suspension housing 65 spans the front frame 3 and the apron frame 8 in the vehicle width direction and is supported collaboratively. The suspension housing 65 is spaced forward of the hinge pillar 7 and the dash panel 2, and the front suspension is housed below it. Furthermore, the top of the suspension housing 65 is provided with a suspension top section 65a, to which a damper (not shown) provided for the front suspension is attached from below.

[0071] (Brace Rain 90) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front of the hinge pillar 7 and the lower part of the apron frame 8 are connected by a first bracing rain 91 and a second bracing rain 92, which serve as a bracing rain 90 that connects them in a diagonal bracing manner when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The first brace rain 91 and the second brace rain 92 both extend from the lower part of the apron frame 8 to the front of the hinge pillar 7, sloping backward as they go downward.

[0072] The first diagonal brace rain 91 connects the front upper portion of the pillar outer panel and the lower part of the apron frame 8 in a diagonal brace manner near the cowl side rain 60, and a first diagonal closed section 91S is formed between it and the outer panel of the cowl side rain 60 (see Figure 1).

[0073] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second bracing rain 92 is located further inward and forward in the vehicle width direction than the first bracing rain 91, that is, it connects the lower part of the front apron region 8F of the apron frame 8 to the lower end of the hinge pillar 7 (pillar closed section 7S) directly below the apron frame 8.

[0074] More specifically, the second brace rain 92 is integrally formed with an apron support portion 93 that hangs vertically downward from the rear end of the apron frame 8, and a brace body portion 94 that connects the apron support portion 93 and the lower part of the front region 8F of the apron in a brace-like manner.

[0075] The apron support portion 93 hangs down until its lower end is at the height of the side sill 4, and is joined to the front surface of a vertical wall-shaped cover member 50 provided at the front end of the side sill 4, and is joined to the side sill 4 and the hinge pillar 7 via the cover member 50 (see Figure 2).

[0076] The brace body 94 connects the apron support 93 and the apron frame 8 in a diagonal brace configuration. Specifically, the rear end of the brace body 94 is connected to the upper portion of the apron support 93, extending from the upper end to the middle of the vertical direction (see Figure 2). On the other hand, the upper end of the brace body 94 is connected to the lower part of the apron rear region 8R along its entire length in the front-rear direction, and the front end of the brace body 94 is connected to the rear end of the apron front region 8F, which is located in front of the suspension housing 65.

[0077] Here, the apron support portion 93 of the second bracing rain 92 extends vertically directly below the rear end of the apron frame 8, as described above. Between this apron support portion 93 and the rearward extended outer portion 32b (outer part of the vehicle width) of the rear part 32 of the front frame, which is the rearward extension portion described above, a connecting portion 18 is integrally formed to connect them in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 5).

[0078] (Cast object 100) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the aforementioned cast object 100 comprises the rear part 32 of the front frame, the part of the apron frame 8 other than the upper plate member 82, the second bracing rain 92, the suspension housing 65, and the connecting part 18.

[0079] Furthermore, the cast object 100 includes left and right connecting parts (not shown) that connect the upper parts of the rear enlarged inner portions 32c (inner width portions) of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2, which are connected to the left and right tunnel opening side edges (not shown) of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2, along the upper edge (not shown) of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2. The left and right connecting parts (not shown) are integrally formed with the inner width portions of the left and right rear front frame portions 32. The cast object 100, also called a Gigacast, is made of aluminum alloy and is integrally molded as a relatively large single part equipped with the above-mentioned elements (modules) provided at the front of the vehicle body.

[0080] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment includes a dash panel 2 that separates the passenger compartment CR from the power unit room PR (front space) of the passenger compartment CR in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right front frames 3 that extend from the dash panel 2 in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the power unit room PR, a pair of left and right side sills 4 that extend in the front-rear direction, and a pair of left and right hinge pillars 7 that extend upward from the side sills 4 and connect to both ends of the dash panel 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment includes a dash rain 9 which is joined to the inner surface of the passenger compartment CR of the dash panel 2 and forms a closed section 9S between it and the inner surface of the passenger compartment CR. The dash rain 9 is positioned to extend downward from the rear end of the front frame 3 in the vehicle width direction as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the rear, and its outer ends (the outer ends of the upper ridges 915, 916 and the lower ridge 917) are joined to both the hinge pillar 7 and the side sill 4. The closed section 9S of the dash rain extends continuously outward and downward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the front frame 3 to its outer end. This configuration allows the frontal impact load, which is transmitted from the front frame 3 to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision, to be transmitted from the dash panel 2 to both the hinge pillar 7 and the side sill 4.

[0082] In more detail, the frontal impact load transmitted from the front frame 3 to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision can be directly transmitted from the dash panel 2 via the dash rain 9 not only to the hinge pillar 7, which is at the same height as the front frame 3, but also to the side sill 4, which is located lower than the front frame 3.

[0083] As shown in Figures 1, 4 to 6, in this embodiment of the invention, the hinge pillar 7 comprises a hinge pillar inner 71 and a hinge pillar outer 72 positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the hinge pillar inner 71. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the hinge pillar outer 72 is positioned with a downward sloping front in a side view of the vehicle, thereby advancing the pillar closed section 7S formed vertically between it and the hinge pillar inner 71. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the outer edge flange portion 912a of the dash rain 9 in the vehicle width direction (vehicle outer end) is connected to the pillar closed section 7S.

[0084] This configuration allows the hinge pillar outer 72 to be positioned with a downward sloping front view when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and the pillar closed section 7S to be advanced as it approaches the height of the side sill 4, that is, extended forward, and the outer edge flange portion 912a in the vehicle width direction of the dash rain 9 to be connected with the pillar closed section 7S, thereby aligning the vehicle front-rear position of the outer edge flange portion 912a in the vehicle width direction of the dash rain 9 (more specifically, the dash rain closed section 9S located at the outer end of the vehicle) and the pillar closed section 7S.

[0085] In other words, the closed section 9S of the dash rain and the closed section 7S of the pillar can be connected continuously and directly, so that the forward impact load from the front frame 3 can be efficiently transmitted to the hinge pillar 7 via the dash rain 9.

[0086] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, in this embodiment of the invention, the hinge pillar outer 72 has an inwardly deformed portion 73 formed thereon, where the portion below the lower hinge mounting portion 15b of the hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the upper portion. As shown in Figure 6, the side sill 4 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper portion of the hinge pillar outer 72, at a position where at least a portion of the lower end of the hinge pillar outer 72 overlaps with the side sill 4 in the vehicle width direction.

[0087] This configuration brings the outer edge flange portion 912a of the dash rain 9 in the vehicle width direction closer to the side sill 4 in the vehicle width direction, allowing the forward impact load from the front frame 3 to be efficiently transmitted to the side sill 4 via the dash rain 9.

[0088] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, The forward space of this invention corresponds to the power unit room PR, and similarly, The closed section corresponds to the dash rain closed section 9S. The rear end of the front frame corresponds to the rear end 32r of the rear portion 32 of the front frame. However, this invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and many other embodiments can be obtained. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 2…Dash panel 3…Front frame 4... Side sill 7…Hinged pillar 7S...Hinged pillar closed section 9... Dash Rain 9S...Dash Rain Closed Section 15…Hinge mounting section 15b...Lower hinge mounting section 32…Rear of the front frame 32r…Rear end 71...Hinge pillar inner 72...Hinge pillar outer CR…Car interior PR...Power Unit Room

Claims

1. A dashboard panel that separates the passenger compartment from the space in front of the passenger compartment in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, On both the left and right sides of the aforementioned front space, a pair of left and right front frames extend from the dash panel in the direction of the vehicle forward, A pair of left and right side sills extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, A vehicle body structure comprising a pair of left and right hinge pillars extending upward from the side sill and connecting to both ends of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, The dash panel is joined to the interior side of the dashboard and includes a dash rain that forms a closed cross-section with the interior side of the dashboard, The dash rain is positioned to extend downward from the rear end of the front frame in the vehicle width direction, and its outer end is joined to both the hinge pillar and the side sill. The closed section extends continuously outward and downward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the front frame to the outer end of the vehicle. The body structure of a vehicle.

2. The aforementioned hinge pillar comprises a hinge pillar inner and a hinge pillar outer positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the hinge pillar inner. The hinge pillar outer is positioned with a downward sloping front when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and the closed section of the hinge pillar, formed vertically between it and the hinge pillar inner, is advanced. The outer end of the dash rain is connected to the closed section of the hinge pillar. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

3. The hinge pillar outer is formed in an inward displacement shape such that the lower portion of the hinge mounting portion to which the door hinge is attached is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the upper portion. The side sill is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper portion of the hinge pillar outer, and overlaps with the lower end of the hinge pillar outer by at least a portion in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2.

Images