Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

This provides a structure that allows sensors to be easily attached to the vehicle body on the inside of the corner section without altering the appearance around the corner of the rear bumper. [Solution] The rear vehicle structure 100 includes a connecting panel 7 having a connecting panel portion 71 that connects the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2, wherein the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2 is located above the lower end 1d of the back panel 1 and is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, and the connecting panel 7 further includes a vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a that forms part of the outer shape of the vehicle body 50 and extends so as to branch off from the outer edge 1b2 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and merge with the lower edge 2a2 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2, and a protruding panel portion 72 that protrudes from the vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a and is located between the corner portion 3b and the rear wheel T, and to which the sensor S is attached.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear vehicle structure including a structure for arranging a sensor at the rear of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, at the rear of a vehicle such as an automobile, there are provided panels that form part of the vehicle body, such as a back panel extending in the vehicle width direction and the rear part of a side body outer panel extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lower part of the back panel and the lower part of the rear part of the side body outer panel are covered by a rear bumper that forms part of the design surface at the rear of the vehicle. A sensor for detecting the external environment of the vehicle may be arranged inside the vehicle at the corner part on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear bumper. <00000!0>

[0003] As an example of a structure for arranging a sensor inside the corner part of a vehicle bumper, the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, a sensor arranged inside the bumper is fixed to a vehicle structure (that is, the vehicle body) by fixing members such as screws and clips.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, when a sensor is supported by the vehicle body on the interior side of the corner of the rear bumper, it is conceivable to mount the sensor on both the back panel and the side body outer panel, or to mount it adjacent to the opening edge of the back door opening on the back panel. However, in the former case, since the sensor will be mounted on both the back panel and the side body panel, the high positional accuracy required by the sensor must be met on both the back panel and the side body panel. As a result, in the former case, the time required to ensure the accuracy of the vehicle body for the sensor during vehicle manufacturing may be extended. In the latter case, the size and shape of the back door opening may be restricted, leading to a decrease in the appearance around the corner of the rear bumper, and potentially sacrificing the appearance (design) around the corner of the rear bumper. It is also conceivable to mount the sensor on the side body outer panel, but in this case as well, there is a risk of a decrease in the appearance.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a rear vehicle structure that allows a sensor to be easily attached to the vehicle body on the inside of the corner portion of the rear bumper without changing the appearance of the area around the corner portion of the rear bumper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, a rear vehicle structure is provided, which includes a back panel extending in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the vehicle, a side body outer panel extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the outer side of the vehicle, a bumper having a corner portion that covers the lower part of the outer portion of the back panel in the vehicle width direction and the lower part of the rear of the side body outer panel, and a sensor positioned on the vehicle side of the corner portion and supported by the vehicle body. The rear structure of this vehicle includes a connecting panel having a connecting panel portion that connects the lower part of the outer part in the vehicle width direction of the back panel and the lower part of the rear of the side body outer panel, wherein the rear of the side body outer panel is located above the lower end of the back panel and bends inward in the vehicle width direction, and the connecting panel further includes a vehicle body corner contour portion which is the lower edge of the connecting panel portion and forms part of the outer shape of the vehicle body, the vehicle body corner contour portion which branches off from the outer edge of the outer part in the vehicle width direction of the back panel and merges with the lower edge of the rear of the side body outer panel, and a protruding panel portion which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and downward of the vehicle from the vehicle body corner contour portion and is located between the corner portion and the rear wheel, and the sensor is attached to the protruding panel portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a rear vehicle structure that allows sensors to be easily attached to the vehicle body on the inside of the corner portion of the rear bumper without changing the appearance around the corner portion of the rear bumper. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a vehicle rear structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the interior of the rear structure of the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the key parts of the rear structure of the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a rear view of the main parts of the vehicle's rear structure. [Figure 5]This is a front view of the main parts of the rear structure of the vehicle. [Figure 6] This is a side view (right side view) of the key parts of the rear structure of the vehicle. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the connection panel. [Figure 8] This is a rear view of the connection panel. [Figure 9] This is a front view of the connection panel. [Figure 10] This is a side view (right side view) of the connection panel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating a vehicle rear structure 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the vehicle rear structure 100 as viewed from diagonally below the rear of the vehicle. Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the interior of the vehicle rear structure shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the vehicle rear structure 100 as viewed from diagonally above the rear of the vehicle. In each figure, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the direction of arrow U indicates the up in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the directions of arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides in the vehicle width direction when viewed from inside the vehicle.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle rear structure 100 includes a back panel 1, a side body outer panel 2, a bumper 3, and a sensor S. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment the vehicle rear structure 100 is applied to a vehicle provided with a back door D1 at the rear of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the vehicle rear structure 100 is further provided with a back door D1, a rear combination lamp 4, a rear fender 5, a wheel well 6a, and a wheel well lining 6b.

[0012] In Figure 2, the outline (outer shape) of the bumper 3 is shown by a dashed line. In Figure 3, the bumper 3, rear combination lamp 4, rear fender 5, wheel house lining 6b, and back door D1 have been removed. In Figures 2, 3, and Figures 4 to 6 (described later), the main right side of the rear of the vehicle is shown, while the main left side of the rear of the vehicle is omitted. The main left side of the rear of the vehicle is omitted from the illustration because it is generally symmetrical to the structure shown in each figure.

[0013] The back panel 1 is a panel that extends in the width direction at the rear of the vehicle and is a component that forms part of the vehicle body 50, which is the structure of the vehicle. The back panel 1 is provided over almost the entire width direction at the rear of the vehicle and generally faces the rear of the vehicle. The back panel 1 is formed by pressing or other processes on a metal panel. The lower part 1a of the back panel 1 is covered by the bumper 3 from the rear of the vehicle and is not visible from outside the vehicle. The back panel 1 consists of an outer panel 11 and an inner panel 12 (see Figure 5, described later) located in front of the outer panel 11.

[0014] The side body outer panel 2 is a panel that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the outside of the vehicle and is a component that forms part of the vehicle body 50 (in other words, part of the outer part of the vehicle). The majority of the side body outer panel 2 generally faces outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A part of the rear portion 2a (upper part) of the side body outer panel 2 is joined to the upper part of the outer portion 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 by spot welding or the like. The side body outer panel 2 is formed by pressing or other processes on a metal panel.

[0015] The rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, and the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a is covered by the bumper 3 from the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2 is concealed by the bumper 3 and is not visible from outside the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the side body outer panel 2 is a quarter panel provided behind the rear side door D2 (see FIG. 1) provided at the rear part of the vehicle side part and above the rear wheel T.

[0016] The bumper 3 is a protective member extending across the entire vehicle width direction at the lower part of the rear of the vehicle, and may also be referred to as a rear bumper. The bumper 3 is mainly made of a resin member. The bumper 3 also serves as an exterior member at the lower part of the rear of the vehicle, and the outer surface of the bumper 3 constitutes the design surface on the outside of the vehicle at the rear of the vehicle. The curved shape and bulging shape of the bumper 3 constitute a part of the design (appearance design) such as for improving the appearance.

[0017] The bumper 3 has a bumper main body part 3a and left and right corner parts 3b. The bumper main body part 3a extends in the vehicle width direction and faces the rear of the vehicle, and is provided across substantially the entire vehicle width direction of the vehicle. Each corner part 3b is formed continuously with the bumper main body part 3a and constitutes the left and right corner parts at the lower part of the rear of the vehicle. That is, the corner part 3b extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the side of the bumper main body part 3a, and bends forward of the vehicle at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the corner part 3b and extends forward of the vehicle. And the left and right corner parts 3b are formed so as to have an outer shape that constitutes a design continuous with the rear fender 5 and extends to a position adjacent to the rear edge of the rear fender 5 on the outside of the vehicle side part.

[0018] The bumper main body part 3a covers the part other than both sides of the lower part 1a of the back panel 1 from the rear of the vehicle, and the corner part 3b covers the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel and the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2.

[0019] Sensor S is positioned on the interior side of the corner portion 3b of the rear bumper 3 and supported by the vehicle body 50. In other words, sensor S is not attached to the bumper 3, but is supported by the vehicle body 50 in front of the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3. Specifically, sensor S is a sensor that detects obstacles outside the vehicle at the rear of the vehicle, that is, a sensor that detects the external environment. In the illustrated example, sensor S is provided in front of the right corner portion 3b and in front of the left corner portion 3b. In this embodiment, sensor S uses millimeter waves as electromagnetic waves. In other words, sensor S is a millimeter-wave radar. However, the electromagnetic waves used in sensor S are not limited to millimeter waves; for example, microwaves may also be used.

[0020] In the illustrated example, the sensor S is positioned at the rear of the vehicle to detect obstacles located primarily behind and diagonally to the side of the vehicle (i.e., diagonally outward in the vehicle width direction) using electromagnetic waves. The sensor S comprises a sensor body S1 and a sensor bracket S2. In the illustrated example, the sensor body S1 is positioned at an angle so as to face the rear and outward in the vehicle width direction. Electromagnetic waves are output to or input to the outside end face of the sensor body S1. The sensor bracket S2 is a bracket that holds the sensor body S1. The sensor bracket S2 is attached to a member continuous with the vehicle body 50 (a protruding panel portion 72, described later) via connectors B such as rivets, clips, or bolts, and is supported by the vehicle body 50. In this state, the sensor body S1 held by the sensor bracket S2 faces the back surface of the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3, with its outside end face facing the rear and diagonally to the side of the vehicle. The area (part) of the bumper 3 corner 3b facing the sensor body S1 is formed using a material (for example, synthetic resin) that has properties that allow electromagnetic waves to pass through.

[0021] In this embodiment, a back door opening 1c, which is opened and closed by the back door D1, is provided in the portion of the back panel 1 above the bumper 3, that is, in the upper part of the back panel 1. The back door opening 1c is formed as a roughly rectangular opening so as to open up most of the upper part of the back panel 1. The portion of the back panel 1 above the bumper 3 is not visible from outside the vehicle when the door is closed, but it is visible from outside the vehicle when the door is open.

[0022] The rear combination lamp 4 is located above the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 at the rear of the vehicle. A lamp receiving recess 51 is formed in the portion of the vehicle body 50 (specifically, the outer portion 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and the rear portion 2a of the side body outer panel 2) that corresponds to the rear combination lamp 4. The lamp receiving recess 51 is formed as a recess that is recessed inward to match the shape of the rear combination lamp 4, and the rear combination lamp 4 is received in the lamp receiving recess 51 and fixed to the vehicle body 50 by bolts or the like (not shown).

[0023] In the illustrated example, the portion of the back door D1 corresponding to the rear combination lamp 4 is cut out to surround the rear combination lamp 4. When the back door D1 is closed, the lower corner D1a of the back door D1 fits between the rear combination lamp 4 and the bumper 3 and is adjacent to the rear 2a of the side body outer panel 2. The portion of the rear 2a of the side body outer panel 2 adjacent to the lower corner D1a also fits between the rear combination lamp 4 and the bumper 3, forming the exposed lower lamp portion 2b. The exposed lower lamp portion 2b is the portion of the side body outer panel 2 (rear 2a) below the rear combination lamp 4 that is not concealed by the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3. Regardless of whether the back door D1 is open or closed, the exposed lower lamp portion 2b is visible from outside the vehicle and constitutes part of the design surface. Furthermore, the lower edge D1b of the closed back door D1 follows the upper edge 3c of the bumper 3 and is positioned to align in the vehicle width direction with the lower edge 2b1 of the exposed portion 2b of the lower lamp exposed portion 2b of the side body outer panel 2. In addition, the lower part 2a1 of the rear portion 2a of the side body outer panel 2, which is concealed by the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3, is located below the lower edge 2b1 of the exposed portion 2b and is recessed forward relative to the lower lamp exposed portion 2b of the vehicle. The side body outer panel 2 has a fender mounting flange portion 2c that is formed continuously with the lower part 2a1 of the rear portion 2a and extends forward of the vehicle.

[0024] The rear fender 5 is attached to the fender mounting flange portion 2c of the side body outer panel 2 via a connector such as a bolt or clip (not shown). The rear edge of the rear fender 5 is adjacent to the front edge of the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3, and the lower edge of the rear fender 5 extends continuously with the front edge of the corner portion 3b.

[0025] Figures 4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating the main parts of the vehicle rear structure 100, with Figure 4 being a rear view, Figure 5 a front view, and Figure 6 a side view (right side view).

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the wheelhouse 6a is a component positioned to cover the rear wheel T from above and in the vehicle width direction. The wheelhouse 6a includes, for example, a wheelhouse inner panel 6a1 and a wheelhouse outer panel 6a2 located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the wheelhouse inner panel 6a1. The upper edges of the wheelhouse inner panel 6a1 and the upper edges of the wheelhouse outer panel 6a2 are joined to each other by spot welding or the like.

[0027] Referring to Figure 5, the rear flange 6a11 of the wheelhouse inner panel 6a1 is joined to the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 (inner panel 12) by spot welding or the like. In the illustrated example, the rear flange 6a11, the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1, and the connecting panel 7, which will be described later, are joined in a three-layer stack. The rear flange 6a21 of the wheelhouse outer panel 6a2 is joined to the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2 by spot welding or the like, and the lower flange (lateral flange) 6a22 of the wheelhouse outer panel 6a2 is joined to the fender mounting flange part 2c of the side body outer panel 2 from the inside of the vehicle by spot welding or the like. In the illustrated example, the rear flange 6a21, the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2, and the connecting panel 7, which will be described later, are joined in a three-layer stack.

[0028] The wheelhouse lining 6b (see Figure 2) is positioned between the wheelhouse 6a and the rear wheel T and is a protective component of the wheelhouse 6a, and is made of, for example, a resin material. In Figure 2, the wheelhouse lining 6b is positioned to hang down from above in the area between the rear of the wheelhouse 6a and the rear wheel T. Specifically, the wheelhouse lining 6b is positioned to protrude downward from the rear 2a of the side body outer panel 2 (more specifically, the rear flange 6a21 of the wheelhouse outer panel 6a2). The lower end of the wheelhouse lining 6b is supported by the back panel 1 by being fixed to a lining lower end support bracket 6c fixed to the lower corner of the back panel 1. Furthermore, the wheelhouse lining 6b is also fixed to, for example, the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 or the wheelhouse 6a by clips or the like.

[0029] Next, the main parts of the vehicle rear structure 100 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Figures 7 to 10 are diagrams of the connecting panel 7, which will be described later. Figure 7 is a perspective view, Figure 8 is a rear view, Figure 9 is a front view, and Figure 10 is a side view (right side view).

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, in the vehicle rear structure 100, the rear portion 2a of the side body outer panel is located above the lower end 1d of the back panel 1 and is bent inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] The vehicle rear structure 100 further includes a connecting panel 7 in addition to the elements described above. The connecting panel 7 is a panel having a connecting panel portion 71. In addition to the connecting panel portion 71, the connecting panel 7 further includes a vehicle body corner contour portion 71a and a protruding panel portion 72.

[0032] The connecting panel portion 71 is the part that connects the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2. The connecting panel portion 71 is joined to the back panel 1 and the side body outer panel 2 by spot welding or the like, and thus constitutes a part of the vehicle body 50. Specifically, the inner part of the connecting panel portion 71 in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 (outer panel 11 in the illustrated example) and is joined to the upper part of the lower part 1b1, and the outer part of the connecting panel 7 in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the lower part 2a1 (the part hidden by the corner portion 3b) of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2 and is joined to the lower part 2a1.

[0033] The body corner contour line portion 71a is the lower edge of the connecting panel portion 71 and is a part of the outer shape of the vehicle body 50. The body corner contour line portion 71a branches off from the outer edge 1b2 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and extends to merge with the lower edge 2a2 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2. Specifically, the body corner contour line portion 71a branches off from a predetermined point on the outer edge 1b2, which is the outermost edge in the vehicle width direction of the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1, and extends to merge with a predetermined point on the lower edge 2a2 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2. With the bumper 3 removed, the body corner contour line portion 71a can be seen as the lower edge of the connecting panel portion 71 and as the contour line of the part of the connecting panel 7 that constitutes a part of the vehicle body 50 (i.e., the connecting panel portion 71). The body corner contour line 71a is curved in front of the corner section 3b of the bumper 3, in a shape corresponding to the shape of the corner section 3b. In the illustrated example, the body corner contour line 71a is visible as a ridge line extending to connect the outer shape of the back panel 1 and the outer shape of the side body outer panel 2.

[0034] In this embodiment, the outer portion of the connecting panel 71 in the vehicle width direction is bent forward of the vehicle, and the connecting panel 7 has a vertical ridge portion 71d extending upward from the vehicle body corner contour portion 71a. Specifically, the connecting panel 71 consists of an extension wall 71b that extends flatly and continuously from the back panel 1, and an inclined wall 71c that extends from the end of the extension wall 71b so as to tilt forward of the vehicle as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction. The connection portion between the extension wall 71b and the inclined wall 71c is visible as a vertical ridge portion 71d extending upward from the middle portion of the vehicle body corner contour portion 71a.

[0035] The protruding panel portion 72 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and downward from the vehicle body corner contour portion 71a, and is located between the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 and the rear wheel T. In other words, the connecting panel 7 is divided into a connecting panel portion 71, which is a part of the vehicle body 50, and a protruding panel portion 72, which is a part that does not constitute the vehicle body 50, with the vehicle body corner contour portion 71a as the boundary. The protruding panel portion 72 protrudes from the vehicle body 50 (connecting panel portion 71) and is provided in the space (dead space) between the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 and the rear wheel T, thus making effective use of this space. Therefore, the protruding panel portion 72 is provided integrally with the connecting panel portion 71 without affecting the shape of the lower corner of the vehicle body 50, that is, without affecting the shape (appearance) of the area around the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 that covers the lower corner of the vehicle body 50 from the outside of the vehicle. More specifically, the protruding panel portion 72 is located between the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 and the portion of the wheelhouse lining 6b that protrudes below the rear portion 2a of the side body outer panel 2 (in the illustrated example, the vertically intermediate portion of the wheelhouse lining 6b).

[0036] The sensor S is attached to the protruding panel portion 72. In this way, the sensor S is attached to a component on the vehicle body 50 side via the protruding panel portion 72, which is integrally provided with the connecting panel portion 71 that constitutes part of the vehicle body 50, and is supported by the vehicle body 50. In other words, the mounting location (sensor support location) of the sensor S is concentrated and set on the protruding panel portion 72 of the connecting panel 7. To put it more precisely, the mounting location of the sensor S is set on a single component (connecting panel 7).

[0037] In this embodiment, the sensor S is attached to the protruding panel portion 72 by a plurality of mounting points P provided on the protruding panel portion 72. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, three mounting points P are provided on the protruding panel portion 72. The sensor S is then supported by the vehicle body 50 by the sensor bracket S2 being attached to the protruding panel portion 72, which is continuous with the vehicle body 50, via connectors B such as bolts at each mounting point P.

[0038] In this embodiment, the protruding panel portion 72 is located outward in the vehicle width direction and downward in the vehicle vertical direction relative to the opening edge 1c1 of the back door opening 1c formed in the back panel 1. Specifically, in the vehicle width direction, the protruding panel portion 72 is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the vertical edge of the opening edge 1c1 that extends in the vertical direction, and in the vehicle vertical direction, it is located below the vehicle relative to the lower edge of the opening edge 1c1 that extends in the vehicle width direction, and the back door opening 1c is formed without being affected by the protruding panel portion 72.

[0039] In this embodiment, a flange 73 is formed on the free end edge 72a of the protruding panel portion 72, which is bent in the panel thickness direction. The free end of the protruding panel portion 72 is the end of the protruding panel portion 72's contour that is opposite to the vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a, and is the end that does not have a connection relationship with other elements. In the illustrated example, the flange 73 extends from the free end edge 72a of the protruding panel portion 72 toward the interior of the vehicle (generally toward the front of the vehicle).

[0040] In this embodiment, the end of the vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a on the back panel 1 side (inner end) is located below the vehicle relative to the end of the vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a on the side body outer panel 2 side (outer end). The free end edge portion 72a of the protruding panel portion 72 consists of a horizontal edge portion 72a1 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the back panel 1 side, and a vertical edge portion 72a2 extending upward towards the side body outer panel 2 from the outer end of the horizontal edge portion 72a1 in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the protruding panel portion 72 has a generally trapezoidal shape (contour) in a plan view from the rear of the vehicle, and the horizontal edge portion 72a1 and the vertical edge portion 72a2 form two orthogonal sides of the trapezoid.

[0041] In this embodiment, the flange 73 is provided in a range corresponding to multiple mounting points P on the horizontal edge 72a1 and the vertical edge 72a2. In the illustrated example, the flange 73 is provided continuously over almost the entire length of the horizontal edge 72a1 and the vertical edge 72a2. In the illustrated example, as described above, three mounting points P are set. Two of the three mounting points P are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction near the horizontal edge 72a1, and the remaining mounting point P is located closer to the vehicle body corner contour line 71a and between the two mounting points P on the horizontal edge 72a1 side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, in the illustrated example, the flange 73 of the horizontal edge 72a1 and the flange 73 of the vertical edge 72a2 are each bent inward.

[0042] In this embodiment, the protruding panel portion 72 has a plurality of seating surfaces 72b that the sensor S abuts against, and each of the plurality of seating surfaces 72b has a mounting point P to which the sensor S is attached. The portion of the protruding panel portion 72 corresponding to each seating surface 72b bulges outwards from the vehicle. The plurality (3) seating surfaces 72b face, for example, the same direction. In the illustrated example, three seating surfaces 72b are provided corresponding to three mounting points P, and each seating surface 72b faces the rear of the vehicle and diagonally to the side (diagonally outwards in the vehicle width direction). Specifically, the protruding panel portion 72 has a first bulge portion 72c, a second bulge portion 72d, and a third bulge portion 72e. Each bulge portion (72c, 72d, 72e) bulges outwards from the vehicle. The first bulge portion 72c and the second bulge portion 72d are provided adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction along the lateral edge portion 72a1. The first bulge 72c is continuous with the back panel 1, and the second bulge 72d is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the first bulge 72c. The third bulge 72e is located above the vehicle relative to the first bulge 72c and the second bulge 72d. The tops of each bulge (72c, 72d, 72e) in the outward bulging direction are formed flat, so that the tops of each bulge (72c, 72d, 72e) constitute a seat surface 72b. The connector B is inserted from the inside of the vehicle through an insertion hole formed in the seat surface 72b and connected to the leg portion S2a (see Figure 3) of the sensor bracket S2, thereby fixing the sensor S to the protruding panel portion 72.

[0043] In the illustrated example, the rigidity at the mounting point P of the first bulge 72c is improved by connecting the seat surface 72b of the first bulge 72c to the vertical wall 72c1 of the first bulge 72c and the vertical wall 72d1 of the second bulge 72d. Furthermore, the rigidity at the mounting point P of the first bulge 72c is improved by connecting the seat surface 72b of the first bulge 72c to the vertical wall 72e1 of the third bulge 72e. The rigidity at the mounting point P of the second bulge 72d is improved by supporting the seat surface 72b of the second bulge 72d from the inside of the vehicle by the vertical wall 72d1 of the second bulge 72d. The seating surface 72b of the third bulge 72e is connected to a part of the vertical wall 72d1 of the second bulge 72d and the vertical wall 72e1 of the third bulge 72e, thereby improving the rigidity at the mounting point P of the third bulge 72e.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the portion of the protruding panel portion 72 that follows the body corner contour line portion 71a is formed as a recessed valley portion 72f on the inside of the vehicle. The body corner contour line portion 71a is formed as a ridge line by the boundary line between the wall surface of the valley portion 72f and the wall surface of the extension wall 71b of the connecting panel portion 71, and the boundary line between the wall surface of the valley portion 72f and the wall surface of the inclined wall 71c of the connecting panel portion 71.

[0045] According to the vehicle rear structure 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, the connecting panel 7 has a connecting panel portion 71 that connects the lower part 1b1 of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and the lower part 2a1 of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2; a vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a that is the lower edge of the connecting panel portion 71 and forms part of the outer shape of the vehicle body 50, extending from the outer edge of the outer part 1b in the vehicle width direction of the back panel 1 and merging with the lower edge of the rear part 2a of the side body outer panel 2; and a protruding panel portion 72 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction and downward from the vehicle body corner contour line portion 71a and is located between the corner part 3b of the bumper 3 and the rear wheel T. With this structure, the vehicle body corner contour line 71a divides the connecting panel 7 into a connecting panel portion 71 that constitutes the vehicle body 50 and a protruding panel portion 72 that does not constitute the vehicle body 50. The protruding panel portion 72, which protrudes from the vehicle body 50 (connecting panel portion 71), can be placed in the space (dead space) between the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 and the rear wheel T. Therefore, the protruding panel portion 72 can be provided integrally with the connecting panel portion 71 by utilizing the dead space without affecting the shape of the lower corner of the vehicle body 50, that is, without affecting the shape (appearance) around the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 that covers the lower corner of the vehicle body 50 from the outside. In other words, by utilizing the dead space, the protruding panel portion 72 can be placed without changing the appearance, such as the shape around the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3. Furthermore, for example, a sensor S can be placed simply by adding the protruding panel portion 72 to the vehicle body of a vehicle without a sensor, thus reducing the development cost of the vehicle. Furthermore, while sensor S may be offered as an optional item, even in this case, the same body 50 can be used without changing the appearance around the corners of bumper 3, whether or not the sensor is present, thereby reducing vehicle development costs.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the vehicle rear structure 100 of this embodiment, the sensor S is attached to the protruding panel portion 72, so that it is positioned on the interior side of the corner portion 3b of the bumper 3 and supported by the vehicle body 50. Therefore, since the sensor S is concentrated and attached to a single protruding panel portion 72 that is continuous with the vehicle body 50 (connecting panel portion 71), the positional accuracy of the vehicle body 50 related to the sensor S only needs to be satisfied by the single protruding panel portion 72. In this way, since the location that satisfies the positional accuracy required for the sensor S is concentrated in a single component (member), the connecting panel portion 71, the time required to achieve the accuracy of the vehicle body 50 for the sensor S during vehicle body manufacturing can be reduced, and the sensor S can be easily attached to the vehicle body on the interior side of the corner portion 3b.

[0047] Thus, the rear vehicle structure 100 has a structure that allows the sensor S to be easily attached to the vehicle body 50 on the inside of the corner portion 3b without changing the appearance around the corner portion of the rear bumper 3 of the vehicle.

[0048] In this embodiment, the protruding panel portion 72 is positioned outward in the vehicle width direction and downward in the vehicle vertical direction relative to the opening edge 1c1 of the back door opening 1c. Therefore, even in a vehicle where the back door D1 is provided at the rear of the vehicle, as in this embodiment, the size and shape of the back door opening 1c are not restricted by the addition of the protruding panel portion 72. As a result, the sensor S can be positioned without sacrificing the appearance (design) of the corner portion of the bumper 3, including the back door D1 and the back door opening 1c.

[0049] In this embodiment, a flange 73 is formed on the free end edge 72a of the protruding panel portion 72, which is bent in the panel thickness direction. Therefore, if insufficient rigidity of the protruding panel portion 72 protruding from the vehicle body 50 (connecting panel portion 71) is anticipated, the flange 73 can compensate for the lack of rigidity of the protruding panel portion 72.

[0050] In this embodiment, the sensor S is attached to the protruding panel portion 72 at a plurality of mounting points P provided on the protruding panel portion 72, and the flange 73 is provided in the range corresponding to the plurality of mounting points P on the horizontal edge portion 72a1 and the vertical edge portion 72a2. Therefore, the support rigidity for the sensor S in the protruding panel portion 72 can be more reliably ensured.

[0051] In this embodiment, the protruding panel portion 72 has a plurality of seating surfaces 72b that the sensor S contacts, and each seating surface 72b has a mounting point P to which the sensor S is attached, and the portion of the protruding panel portion 72 corresponding to each seating surface 72b bulges outward from the vehicle. With this structure, the rigidity of the seating surfaces 72b on which the mounting points P are set in the protruding panel portion 72 is improved, and the support rigidity for the sensor S is improved.

[0052] In this embodiment, the outer portion of the connecting panel 71 in the vehicle width direction is bent forward of the vehicle, and the connecting panel 7 has a vertical ridge portion 71d extending upward from the vehicle body corner contour portion 71a. With this structure, the protruding panel portion 72 protrudes from the connecting panel portion 71, which has high rigidity against torsional deformation with respect torsional deformation around the vertical ridge portion 71d. As a result, torsional deformation of the protruding panel portion 72 due to vibrations during vehicle operation is effectively suppressed, and the sensor S is stably supported.

[0053] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications and changes can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0054] For example, a vehicle to which the rear vehicle structure 100 is applied does not need to have a back door D1. Also, the number of mounting points P for the sensor S is not limited to three, but may be one or two, or four or more predetermined numbers. The sensor S is positioned to face the rear and obliquely to the side of the vehicle, and its detection center axis extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, but is not limited to this. For example, the sensor S may be positioned to face the rear or outward in the vehicle width direction, and its detection center axis may extend to the rear or outward in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the protruding panel portion 72 should be formed such that the seat surface 72b faces the rear or outward in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 1. Back panel 1a Lower part of the back panel 1b Outer part in the width direction of the vehicle 1b1 Lower part of the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle 1b2 Outer edge of the outer part in the width direction of the vehicle 1c Back door opening 1c1 Opening edge 1d Lower edge of the back panel 11 Outer Panel 12 Inner Panel 2 Side body outer panel 2a rear 2a1 Rear lower part 2a2 Lower edge of the rear 2b Exposed lower part of the lamp 2b1 Exposed lower edge 2c Fender mounting flange section 3 Bumper 3a Bumper body 3b Corner section 3c Upper edge of bumper 4. Rear combination lamps 5 Rear fender 6a Wheelhouse 6a1 Wheelhouse Inner Panel 6a11 Rear flange 6a2 Wheelhouse Outer Panel 6a21 Rear flange 6a22 Lower flange 6b Wheelhouse lining 6c Lining lower end support bracket 7. Connection Panel 71 Connection Panel 71a Body corner contour section 71b extension wall 71c sloped wall 71d Vertical ridge section 72 Protruding panel section 72a Edge 72a1 Lateral edge 72a2 Vertical edge 72b Multiple seating surfaces 72c 1st bulge 72c1 vertical wall 72d 2nd bulge 72d1 Vertical wall 72e Third bulge 72e1 vertical wall 72f Tanibe 73 Flange 50 car bodies 51 Lamp receiving recess 100 Rear structure of the vehicle B Connector D1 Backdoor D1a Lower corner of the door D1b Door bottom edge D2 Rear Side Door P Multiple mounting points S sensor S1 Sensor Unit S2 Sensor Bracket S2a legs T Rear wheel

Claims

1. A rear vehicle structure comprising: a back panel extending in the width direction at the rear of the vehicle; a side body outer panel extending in the longitudinal direction at the outer side of the vehicle; a bumper having corner portions covering the lower part of the outer portion of the back panel in the width direction and the lower part of the rear of the side body outer panel; and a sensor positioned on the interior side of the corner portion and supported by the vehicle body, The connecting panel includes a connecting panel portion that connects the lower part of the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the back panel and the lower part of the rear portion of the side body outer panel, The rear portion of the side body outer panel is located above the lower end of the back panel and is bent inward in the vehicle width direction. The aforementioned connection panel is The vehicle body corner contour line portion is the lower edge of the connecting panel portion and forms part of the outer shape of the vehicle body, and extends from the outer edge of the outer part of the back panel in the vehicle width direction and merges with the lower edge of the rear part of the side body outer panel, A protruding panel portion extends outward in the vehicle width direction and downward from the vehicle body corner contour line and is located between the corner portion and the rear wheel, It further possesses, The rear vehicle structure is characterized in that the sensor is attached to the protruding panel portion.

2. A back door opening, which is opened and closed by the back door, is provided in the portion of the back panel above the bumper. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein the protruding panel portion is located outward in the vehicle width direction and downward in the vehicle vertical direction with respect to the opening edge of the back door opening.

3. The rear vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein a flange bent in the panel thickness direction is formed on the free end edge of the protruding panel portion.

4. The end of the vehicle body corner contour line on the back panel side is located below the vehicle relative to the end of the vehicle body corner contour line on the side body outer panel side. The edge portion of the protruding panel portion consists of a horizontal edge portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the side of the back panel, and a vertical edge portion extending upward toward the side body outer panel from the outer end of the horizontal edge portion in the vehicle width direction. The sensor is attached to the protruding panel portion at a plurality of mounting points provided on the protruding panel portion. The rear vehicle structure according to claim 3, wherein the flange is provided in a range corresponding to the plurality of mounting points on the horizontal edge and the vertical edge.

5. The protruding panel portion has a plurality of seating surfaces against which the sensor makes contact. Each of the aforementioned multiple seat surfaces is provided with a mounting point on which the sensor is attached. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the protruding panel corresponding to each seat surface bulges outward from the vehicle.

6. The outer portion of the aforementioned connecting panel in the vehicle width direction is bent forward of the vehicle. The vehicle rear structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting panel has a vertical ridge extending upward from the vehicle body corner contour.

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