Vehicle side body structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle side body structure that can increase the amount of energy absorbed by the hinge pillar against impact loads input from the front of the vehicle body. [Solution] The side body structure of the vehicle comprises a pair of front side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on both sides in the width direction of the front of the vehicle body, a dash panel 2 that partitions the inside and outside of the passenger compartment and is connected to the rear of the pair of front side frames, and a pair of left and right hinge pillars that are arranged on both sides of the dash panel in the width direction of the vehicle body, extend in the vertical direction and support the dash panel, and each of the left and right hinge pillars comprises a hinge pillar inner 72 located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body, a hinge pillar outer 71 located on the outside in the width direction of the hinge pillar inner, and a reinforcing member 81 located on the outside of the passenger compartment below the hinge pillar inner, which cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a side body structure of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a side body structure of a vehicle including hinge pillars extending vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front end of a front floor, and a retainer disposed between an inner hinge pillar and an outer hinge pillar at the lower part of the hinge pillar.

[0003] Generally, in this type of vehicle, the hinge pillar supports a dash panel extending in the vehicle width direction and partitioning the passenger compartment and the engine room from both sides. On the vehicle front side of the dash panel, a pair of left and right front side frames extending forward of the vehicle body are arranged.

[0004] An impact load input from the front of the vehicle is absorbed by the deformation of the front side frame, and a part of it is transmitted to the hinge pillar and absorbed by the deformation of the hinge pillar.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] There is room for improvement regarding the absorption of an impact load input from the front of the vehicle body by the hinge pillar.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a side body structure of a vehicle capable of increasing the amount of energy absorption of a hinge pillar against an impact load input from the front of the vehicle body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is, A pair of front side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle body at the front of the vehicle body, The dash panel separates the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment and is connected to the rear of the pair of front side frames, The dash panel is positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction and extends vertically, comprising a pair of left and right hinge pillars that support the dash panel, The aforementioned pair of left and right hinge pillars are, The hinge pillar inner located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body, The hinge pillar outer is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the aforementioned hinge pillar inner, The lower part of the hinge pillar inner, on the exterior side of the vehicle interior, comprises a reinforcing member that cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The side body structure of the vehicle.

[0009] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the hinge pillar in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is increased by the reinforcing member, which improves the absorption of impact loads from the front of the vehicle that are input to the hinge pillar. For example, in the Small Overlap Rigid Barrier Test (SORB test), when the tire moves backward, it comes into contact with the front of the hinge pillar. In such cases, since the hinge pillar has a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body formed by the reinforcing member and the hinge pillar inner, the rigidity of the hinge pillar in the longitudinal direction is increased, making it easier to suppress further backward movement of the tire. In other words, the impact load input from the front of the vehicle can be received by the hinge pillar, and backward movement of the dash panel and deformation of the interior of the vehicle can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the vehicle side body structure of the present invention, the amount of energy absorbed by the hinge pillar against impact loads input from the front of the vehicle body can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Plan view showing the side body structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Perspective view of the vehicle as seen from the rear side of the vehicle interior. [Figure 3] Side view of the vehicle with the body side panel and the hinge pillar outer hidden. [Figure 4] Side view of the vehicle with the body side panel visible. [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of the reinforcing member and its surroundings. [Figure 6] Partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 3. [Figure 7] Partial enlarged perspective view of the second reinforcing member in FIG. 2 and its surroundings. [Figure 8] Partial enlarged perspective view with the third reinforcing member added. [Figure 9] Partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] Partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the details of the lower structure of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described for each embodiment. In the following description, terms indicating directions such as "front", "rear", "right", "left", "up", and "down" refer to each direction of the vehicle body when the forward traveling direction during forward travel of the vehicle is defined as "front", unless otherwise specified.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automobile 1 having a lower (side) structure of a vehicle according to the present embodiment, with the outside panel and the hinge pillar outer hidden. As shown in FIG. 1, the automobile 1 includes a dash panel 2, a pair of left and right front side frames 3, a floor panel 4, a turbo board 5, a pair of left and right side sills 6, and a pair of left and right hinge pillars 7.

[0014] The dash panel 2 is a panel member that extends in the vehicle body width direction and partitions the passenger compartment C and the drive source chamber E where a drive source such as a motor is arranged in the vehicle body front-rear direction. A pair of left and right front side frames 3 extend in the vehicle body front-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle body width direction at the front part of the vehicle body. The pair of left and right front side frames 3 extend forward from the dash panel 2. A drive source chamber E is provided between the pair of left and right front side frames 3.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the floor panel 4 is a member that constitutes the floor surface of the interior space of the vehicle. The toe board 5 is disposed straddling the dash panel 2 and the floor panel 4. The toe board 5 is disposed inclined upward toward the front side of the vehicle body. The rear end portion of the toe board 5 is joined to the front end of the floor panel 4, for example, by welding, and the front end portion of the toe board 5 is joined to the lower end portion of the dash panel 2, for example, by welding.

[0016] The toe board 5 includes a main body portion 51 that extends in the vehicle body width direction and constitutes the floor surface at the feet of the occupant, and flange portions 52 that extend upward from both ends in the vehicle body width direction of the main body portion 51. The flange portions 52 are joined to a pair of left and right hinge pillars 7, for example, by welding. In other words, the toe board 5 is provided on the interior side at the lower end of the hinge pillar 7.

[0017] The hinge pillar 7 is disposed on both sides in the vehicle body width direction of the dash panel 2 and extends in the vertical direction to support the dash panel 2. The hinge pillar 7 is connected to the front end of the side sill 6.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge pillar 7 includes a hinge pillar outer 71 (FIG. 4) having a hat-shaped cross section that is located on the outer side in the vehicle body width direction and is open to the inner side in the vehicle body width direction, and a hinge pillar inner 72 having a hat-shaped cross section that is located on the inner side in the vehicle body width direction and is open to the outer side in the vehicle body width direction.

[0019] The hinge pillar inner 72 comprises a side portion 72a forming the inner surface of the hinge pillar 7 in the vehicle width direction, a front portion 72b forming the front surface of the hinge pillar 7, a rear portion 72c forming the rear surface of the hinge pillar 7, a first flange portion 72d provided on the outer edge of the front portion 72b in the vehicle width direction, and a second flange portion 72e provided on the outer edge of the rear portion 72c in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The hinge pillar inner 72 comprises a main body portion 72A extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, a curved portion 72B extending downward and rearward from the lower end of the main body portion 72A, and a rear extension portion 72C extending towards the rear of the vehicle body from the rear end of the curved portion 72B. The curved portion 72B and the rear extension portion 72C constitute the connection between the lower end of the hinge pillar 7 and the front end of the side sill 6. The rear end of the rear extension portion 72C is joined to the front end of the side sill inner 61, which will be described later.

[0021] The main body portion 72A, the curved portion 72B, and the rear extension portion 72C of the hinge pillar inner 72 are integrally connected. The side portion 72a, front portion 72b, rear portion 72c, first flange portion 72d, and second flange portion 72e that constitute the hinge pillar inner 72 are formed continuously not only in the main body portion 72A, but also in the curved portion 72B and the rear extension portion 72C. In the curved portion 72B and the rear extension portion 72C, the front portion 72b constitutes the lower portion, and the rear portion 72c constitutes the upper portion.

[0022] Figure 4 shows the automobile 1 with the outside panel and hinge pillar outer 71 displayed. As shown in Figure 4, the hinge pillar outer 71 comprises a side portion 71a that forms the outer surface of the hinge pillar 7 in the vehicle width direction, a front portion 71b that forms the front surface of the hinge pillar 7, a rear portion 71c that forms the rear surface of the hinge pillar 7, a first flange portion 71d provided on the inner edge of the front portion 71b in the vehicle width direction, and a second flange portion 71e provided on the inner edge of the rear portion 71c in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The hinge pillar outer 71 is positioned opposite the hinge pillar inner 72 on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the hinge pillar outer 71 and the hinge pillar inner 72 are joined to each other by the joining of the first flange portions 71d and 72d and the joining of the second flange portions 71e and 72e. As a result, a closed cross section S1 that is continuous in the vertical direction of the vehicle body is formed between the hinge pillar outer 71 and the hinge pillar inner 72 (Figure 3).

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, a reinforcing member 81 is provided in the internal space of the hinge pillar 7, which is enclosed by the hinge pillar outer 71 and the hinge pillar inner 72. The reinforcing member 81 is positioned in the curved portion 72B below the center in the height direction of the hinge pillar 7. At least a portion of the reinforcing member 81 overlaps with the vertical position of the front side frame 3.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the reinforcing member 81 comprises a side portion 81a positioned along the side portion 71a of the hinge pillar outer 71, an upper portion 81b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the side portion 81a, a lower portion 81c extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side portion 81a, an upper flange portion 81d extending upward from the inner end of the upper portion 81b, and a lower flange portion 81e extending downward from the inner end of the lower portion 81c, and overall has a hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper flange portion 81d and the lower flange portion 81e are joined to the side portion 72a of the hinge pillar inner 72, for example, by welding.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5, the front end of the side portion 81a of the reinforcing member 81 is provided with a tongue-shaped portion 81f that extends forward. The tongue-shaped portion 81f is joined to the first flange portion 72d of the hinge pillar inner 72 by, for example, welding. The rear end of the upper surface portion 81b of the reinforcing member 81 is provided with an upper tongue-shaped portion 81g that extends upward. The rear end of the lower surface portion 81c is provided with a lower tongue-shaped portion 81h that extends backward. The upper tongue-shaped portion 81g and the lower tongue-shaped portion 81h are joined to the upper surface portion 72c of the curved portion 72B of the hinge pillar inner 72 by, for example, welding. In other words, the rear end of the reinforcing member 81 is fixed to the curved portion 72B.

[0027] As a result, as shown in Figure 6, a closed cross section S2 is formed between the hinge pillar inner 72 and the reinforcing member 81, which is continuous in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. In other words, the reinforcing member 81 works in cooperation with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a closed cross section S2 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on the exterior side of the lower part of the hinge pillar inner 72.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, a second reinforcing member 82 is provided on the interior side of the hinge pillar 7 and the dash panel 2 (inside the hinge pillar 7 in the vehicle width direction). The second reinforcing member 82 is arranged in a diagonal brace manner, straddling the dash panel 2 and the hinge pillar inner 72. At least a portion of the second reinforcing member 82 overlaps in vertical position with that of the reinforcing member 81 (Figure 6).

[0029] The second reinforcing member 82 has a front portion 82a facing the rear side of the dash panel 2, a side portion 82b facing the inward side in the width direction of the hinge pillar inner 72, and a connecting portion 82c that integrally connects the front portion 82a and the side portion 82b.

[0030] The front portion 82a of the second reinforcing member 82 is provided spanning the vicinity of the front end of the toe board 5 and the dash panel 2, and is joined to the dash panel 2 and the toe board 5 by, for example, welding. The side portion 82b of the second reinforcing member 82 has a larger dimension in the vertical direction of the vehicle body than the front portion 82a. The side portion 83b is joined to the hinge pillar inner 72 by, for example, welding.

[0031] The connecting portion 82c extends inclined to connect the side portion 83b and the front portion 82a. The connecting portion 82c is inclined outward in the width direction of the vehicle body toward the rear of the vehicle body from the front portion 82a. The connecting portion 82c has two hat-shaped cross-sectional portions that open toward the outside of the passenger compartment. The two hat-shaped cross-sectional portions have a first hat portion 83 located on the lower side and a second hat portion 84 located above the first hat portion 83.

[0032] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the first hat portion 83, in the portion facing the hinge pillar inner 72, has a side portion 83a that is spaced apart and faces the hinge pillar inner 72 on the inside in the vehicle width direction, an upper portion 83b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the side portion 83a, a lower portion 83c extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side portion 83a, an upward extension portion 83d extending upward from the outer end of the upper portion 83b, and a downward extension portion 83e extending downward from the outer end of the lower portion 83c.

[0033] The second hat portion 84 has, in the portion facing the hinge pillar inner 72, a side portion 84a that is spaced apart and faces the hinge pillar inner 72 in the vehicle width direction, an upper portion 84b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the side portion 84a, a lower portion 84c extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side portion 84a, an upward extension portion 84d extending upward from the outer end of the upper portion 84b, and a downward extension portion 84e extending downward from the outer end of the lower portion 84c. In this embodiment, the downward extension portion 84e of the second hat portion 84 is composed of the upward extension portion 83d of the first hat portion 83.

[0034] The connecting portion 82c is joined to the hinge pillar inner 72 by welding or the like at the upper extensions 83d, 84d and lower extensions 83e, 84e of the first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84. As a result, a second closed section S3 and a third closed section S4 are formed between the first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84 and the hinge pillar inner 72. In other words, the second reinforcing member 82 works in cooperation with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a second closed section S3 and a third closed section S4 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The second closed section S3 overlaps in the vertical position with the closed section S2 of the reinforcing member 81. The third closed section S4 is located above the second closed section S3.

[0035] The first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84 are integrally connected from the portion facing the hinge pillar inner 72 to the portion facing the dash panel 2. The first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84 that constitute the portion facing the hinge pillar inner 72 are also formed continuously in the portion facing the dash panel 2.

[0036] As shown in Figure 8, a third reinforcing member 85 is further provided on the inner side of the hinge pillar 7 in the vehicle width direction. The third reinforcing member 85 is arranged to straddle the second reinforcing member 82 and the hinge pillar inner 72.

[0037] The third reinforcing member 85 has a third hat portion 86 and a fourth hat portion 87 that correspond to the first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84 of the second reinforcing member 82, respectively. The third hat portion 86 is superimposed on the first hat portion 83 from the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the fourth hat portion 87 is superimposed on the second hat portion 84 from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the third hat portion 86 has a side portion 86a that is spaced apart and facing the inner side of the hinge pillar inner 72 in the vehicle width direction, an upper portion 86b that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the side portion 86a, a lower portion 86c that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side portion 86a, an upward extension portion 86d that extends upward from the outer end of the upper portion 86b, and a downward extension portion 86e that extends downward from the outer end of the lower portion 86c.

[0039] The fourth hat portion 87 has a side portion 87a that is spaced apart and facing the inside of the hinge pillar inner 72 in the vehicle width direction, an upper portion 87b that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the side portion 87a, a lower portion 87c that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the side portion 87a, an upward extension portion 87d that extends upward from the outer end of the upper portion 87b, and a downward extension portion 87e that extends downward from the outer end of the lower portion 87c. In this embodiment, the downward extension portion 87e of the fourth hat portion 87 is composed of the upward extension portion 86d of the third hat portion 86.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, the third reinforcing member 85 is fastened to the hinge pillar inner 72 with bolts or the like at the rear flange portion 85a extending rearward from the rear end portion, the lower flange portion 85b extending downward from the lower extension portion 86e of the third hat portion 86, and the upper flange portion 85c extending upward from the upper extension portion 87d of the fourth hat portion 87. At the rear ends of the side portions 86a and 87a of the third hat portion 86 and the fourth hat portion 87, it is fastened to the side portions 83a and 84a of the first hat portion 83 and the second hat portion 84, respectively, with bolts or the like.

[0041] As a result, as shown in Figure 9, a fourth closed section S5 and a fifth closed section S6 are formed between the third hat portion 86 and the fourth hat portion 87 and the hinge pillar inner 72. In other words, the third reinforcing member 85 works in cooperation with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a fourth closed section S5 and a fifth closed section S6 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The fourth closed section S5 overlaps in the vertical position with the closed section S2 of the reinforcing member 81. The fifth closed section S6 is located above the second and fourth closed sections S3 and S5.

[0042] The second reinforcing member 82 and the third reinforcing member 85 form closed sections S3, S4, S5, and S6 on the hinge pillar inner 72 that extend in the front-rear direction over almost the entire area of ​​the hinge pillar inner 72 in the front-rear direction.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the side sill 6 is provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body along the vehicle body widthwise end of the floor panel 4. The side sill 6 is formed, for example, by welding together a plurality of plate members. In this embodiment, the side sill 6 has a side sill inner 61 located on the inside in the vehicle body widthwise direction and a side sill outer 62 located on the outside in the vehicle body widthwise direction. The side sill 6 has a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction, formed by the side sill inner 61 and the side sill outer 62 (Figure 10).

[0044] More specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the side sill inner 61 has an inner upper wall portion 61a extending in the vehicle width direction, an inner lower wall portion 61b facing the inner upper wall portion 61a and extending in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion 61c connecting the inner ends of the inner upper wall portion 61a and the inner lower wall portion 61b, and upper and lower flanges 61d and 61e extending vertically from the outer ends of the inner upper wall portion 61a and the inner lower wall portion 61b, respectively. The side sill inner 61 has a hat shape in which the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction bulges inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] As shown in Figure 4, the side sill outer 62 has an outer upper wall portion 62a extending in the vehicle width direction, an outer lower wall portion 62b facing the outer upper wall portion 62a and extending in the vehicle width direction, an outer wall portion 62c connecting the outer ends of the outer upper wall portion 62a and the outer lower wall portion 62b, and upper and lower flanges 62e and 62f extending vertically from the inner ends of the outer upper wall portion 62a and the outer lower wall portion 62b, respectively. The side sill outer 62 has a hat shape in which the cross section perpendicular to the extending direction bulges outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] The side sill 6 is formed by joining the upper flanges 61e and 62e of the side sill inner 61 and the side sill outer 62 to each other, and the lower flanges 61f and 62f to each other, in the vehicle width direction, for example by welding, thereby forming a closed cross-section S7 with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3, a reinforcement 65 is positioned within the side sill 6. The reinforcement 65 is made of an extruded material such as aluminum. The reinforcement 65 extends along the side sill 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The reinforcement 65 extends from the rear end of the side sill 6 (Figure 2) to near the front end of the hinge pillar 7. More specifically, the reinforcement 65 extends forward of the center of the hinge pillar 7 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The front end of the reinforcement 6 is adjacent to the front portion 72b of the hinge pillar inner 72. The reinforcement 65 is fixed to the side sill inner 61 at multiple locations in the longitudinal direction by fastening members 66 such as bolts.

[0048] The front end portion 65g of the reinforcement 65 is inclined rearward from the inside in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above (shown by a dashed line in Figure 1). The reinforcement 65 comprises a plurality of adjacent closed sections S11, S12, S13 in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the reinforcement 65 has an upper wall 65a and a lower wall 65b that are opposite each other in the vertical direction and extend horizontally, an inner wall 65c and an outer wall 65d that are opposite each other in the vehicle width direction and extend vertically, and a first vertical wall 65e and a second vertical wall 65f that extend vertically between the inner wall 65c and the outer wall 65d. The multiple closed sections S11, S12, and S13 have an inner closed section S11 located on the inside in the vehicle width direction, an outer closed section S12 located on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and an intermediate closed section S13 located between the inner closed section S11 and the outer closed section S12.

[0050] As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the reinforcement 65 is fastened to the hinge pillar 7 at its front end via a fastening member 66. The fastening member 66 connects the toe board 5, the hinge pillar 7, and the reinforcement 65.

[0051] More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, a blind nut 67 is fixed to the inner wall 65c of the reinforcement 65, protruding toward the inner closed section S11. Fastening holes are provided in the flange portion 52 of the toe board 5 and the hinge pillar inner 72 at positions corresponding to the blind nut 67. The reinforcement 65 is fixed inside the hinge pillar 7 by inserting the fastening member 66 from the inside of the vehicle interior C (the flange portion 52 side of the toe board 5) into the fastening hole and screwing it onto the blind nut 67.

[0052] In other words, the fastening member 66 is inserted through the closed cross section (inner closed cross section) S11 at the inner end in the width direction of the vehicle body. The flange portion 52, the hinge pillar inner 72, and the reinforcement 65 are fastened together by the fastening member 66 (all three are fastened together). In this specification, the blind nut 67 is a type of fixing nut that is secured by drilling a pilot hole and crimping it with a special tool in places where tapping is difficult or welding is not possible, such as aluminum panels and thin sheet metal. Figure 10 describes a configuration in which the front end of the reinforcement 65 is fixed to the hinge pillar inner 72, but even in parts of the reinforcement 65 other than the front end that are fixed to the side sill inner 61, the reinforcement 65 is also fixed inside the side sill inner 61 by blind nuts and fastening members.

[0053] The vehicle side body structure according to the above embodiment provides the following effects.

[0054] The side body structure of vehicle 1 comprises a pair of front side frames 3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on both sides in the width direction of the front of the vehicle body, a dash panel 2 that partitions the inside and outside of the passenger compartment and is connected to the rear of the pair of front side frames 3, and a pair of left and right hinge pillars 7 that are arranged on both sides of the dash panel 2 in the width direction of the vehicle body, extend in the vertical direction, and support the dash panel. Each of the left and right hinge pillars 7 comprises a hinge pillar inner 72 located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body, a hinge pillar outer 71 located on the outside in the width direction of the hinge pillar inner 72, and a reinforcing member 81 located on the outside of the passenger compartment below the hinge pillar inner 72, which cooperates with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a closed cross section S2 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0055] According to the present invention, the rigidity of the hinge pillar 72 in the longitudinal direction is increased by the reinforcing member 81, thereby increasing the amount of energy absorbed by the hinge pillar 72 against impact loads input from the front of the vehicle body. For example, in small overlap rigid barrier tests (SORB tests), when the tire moves backward, it comes into contact with the front surface of the hinge pillar 7. Even in such cases, since the hinge pillar 7 has a closed cross section S2 extending in the longitudinal direction formed by the reinforcing member 81 and the hinge pillar inner 72, the rigidity of the hinge pillar 7 in the longitudinal direction is increased, making it easier to suppress further backward movement of the tire. In other words, the impact load input from the front of the vehicle can be received by the hinge pillar 7, and backward movement of the dash panel 2 and deformation inside the passenger compartment C can be suppressed.

[0056] The dashboard panel 2 is further provided with a second reinforcing member 82 that is arranged on the inside of the passenger compartment C, straddling the dashboard panel 2 and the hinge pillar 7, and at least a portion of the second reinforcing member 82 overlaps with the vertical position of the reinforcing member 81.

[0057] With this configuration, the reinforcing member 81 and the second reinforcing member 82 work together to increase the rigidity of the hinge pillar 7.

[0058] The second reinforcing member 82 works in cooperation with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a second closed section S3 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0059] With this configuration, the rigidity of the hinge pillar 7 can be further increased by providing a second closed section S3.

[0060] The closed section S2 and the second closed section S3 overlap in their vertical positions.

[0061] With this configuration, the closed section S2 and the second closed section S3 work together to further increase the rigidity of the hinge pillar 7.

[0062] The second reinforcing member 82 further cooperates with the hinge pillar inner 72 to form a third closed section S4.

[0063] With this configuration, the rigidity of the hinge pillar 7 can be further increased by the third closed section S4.

[0064] The hinge pillar inner 72 comprises a main body portion 72A extending in the vertical direction, a curved portion 72B extending downward and rearward from the lower end of the main body portion 72A while curving, and a rear extension portion 72C extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from the rear end of the curved portion 72B, with the rear end of the reinforcing member 81 fixed to the curved portion 72B.

[0065] With this configuration, the reinforcing member 81 makes it easier to increase the strength of the curved portion 72B of the hinge pillar inner 72.

[0066] In this embodiment, a configuration in which a reinforcing member 81, a second reinforcing member 82, and a third reinforcing member 85 are fixed to the hinge pillar inner 72 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, only the reinforcing member 81 may be used, or the reinforcing members 81, 82, and 85 may be combined.

[0067] In this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the vertical position of the reinforcing member 81 overlaps with the vertical position of the front side frame 3. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration, and the vertical position of the reinforcing member 81 may be offset from the vertical position of the front side frame 3.

[0068] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the second reinforcing member 82 includes a second closed section S3 and a third closed section S4 has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, it may include either the second closed section S3 or the third closed section S4.

[0069] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the reinforcing member 81 is fixed to the curved portion 72B has been described, but the invention is not limited to this configuration, and the reinforcing member 81 may also be fixed to the main body portion 72A.

[0070] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the reinforcing member 81 is joined to the hinge pillar inner 72 by welding or the like has been described, but the configuration is not limited to this, and the reinforcing member 81 may be fixed to the hinge pillar inner 72 by fastening members such as bolts.

[0071] In this embodiment, a configuration in which the reinforcing member 81 has one hat-shaped cross-section has been described, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the reinforcing member 81 may have multiple hat-shaped cross-sections.

[0072] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0073] [Note] This disclosure includes the following aspects.

[0074] [Aspect 1] A pair of front side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle body at the front of the vehicle body, The dash panel separates the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment and is connected to the rear of the pair of front side frames, The dash panel is positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction and extends vertically, comprising a pair of left and right hinge pillars that support the dash panel, The aforementioned pair of left and right hinge pillars are, The hinge pillar inner located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body, The hinge pillar outer is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the aforementioned hinge pillar inner, The lower part of the hinge pillar inner, on the exterior side of the vehicle interior, comprises a reinforcing member that cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The side body structure of the vehicle.

[0075] [Aspect 2] The dash panel further comprises a second reinforcing member that is disposed on the interior side of the dash panel, spanning the dash panel and the hinge pillar. At least a portion of the second reinforcing member overlaps with the reinforcing member in the vertical direction. Side body structure of the vehicle described in Embodiment 1.

[0076] [Aspect 3] The second reinforcing member cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a second closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Side body structure of the vehicle described in Embodiment 2.

[0077] [Aspect 4] The aforementioned closed section and the second closed section have overlapping height positions. A side body structure of a vehicle according to embodiment 2 or 3.

[0078] [Aspect 5] The second reinforcing member further cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a third closed cross section. A side body structure of a vehicle as described in any one of embodiments 2 to 4.

[0079] [Aspect 6] The hinge pillar inner comprises a main body portion extending in the vertical direction, a curved portion extending downward and rearward from the lower end of the main body portion, and a rear extension portion extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from the rear end of the curved portion. The rear end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the curved portion. A side body structure of a vehicle as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 5. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0080] 1. Vehicle (automobile) 2. Dashboard 3 pairs of front side frames 7. Hinged pillar 71 Hinge Pillar Outer 72 Hinge Pillar Inner 72A Main body 72B Curved section 72C Rear extension 81 Reinforcement member 82 Second reinforcing member C Cabin S2 closed section S3 Second closed section S4 Third closed section

Claims

1. A pair of front side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle body at the front of the vehicle body, The dash panel separates the interior and exterior of the passenger compartment and is connected to the rear of the pair of front side frames, The dash panel is positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction and extends vertically, comprising a pair of left and right hinge pillars that support the dash panel, The aforementioned pair of left and right hinge pillars are, The hinge pillar inner located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle body, The hinge pillar outer is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the aforementioned hinge pillar inner, The lower part of the hinge pillar inner, on the exterior side of the vehicle interior, comprises a reinforcing member that cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The side body structure of the vehicle.

2. The dash panel further comprises a second reinforcing member that is disposed on the interior side of the dash panel, spanning the dash panel and the hinge pillar. At least a portion of the second reinforcing member overlaps with the reinforcing member in the vertical direction. The side body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The second reinforcing member cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a second closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The side body structure of the vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned closed cross-section and the second closed cross-section have overlapping height positions. The side body structure of the vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The second reinforcing member further cooperates with the hinge pillar inner to form a third closed cross section. The side body structure of a vehicle according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The hinge pillar inner comprises a main body portion extending in the vertical direction, a curved portion extending downward and rearward from the lower end of the main body portion while curving, and a rear extension portion extending toward the rear of the vehicle body from the rear end of the curved portion. The rear end of the reinforcing member is fixed to the curved portion. The side body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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