Vehicle exterior material connection structure

Abstract

To connect more exterior materials than ever via a connection member while securing an impact mitigation property.SOLUTION: A connection member 20 is provided with a first connection part 21 which connects a first exterior material (an upper fender panel 71) and a second exterior material (a lower fender panel 72) so as to be adjacent to each other; and a second connection part 22 which connects a third exterior material (lamp unit 13) with the first exterior material and the second exterior material so as to be adjacent with each other. The first connection part 21 and the second connection part 22 are integrally formed with each other so as to be movable relatively when impact load is applied to either of them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection structure for exterior materials of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of technology relating to a connection structure for vehicle exterior materials is described in Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Document 1 describes a clip that connects a fender as an exterior material to a fender protector. This clip has legs that protrude from the lower surface of a flat base plate, and these legs are inserted into holes in the fender protector. An outer plate is disposed parallel to the upper surface of the base plate. This upper plate has an L-shaped cross section, and the outer edge of the upper plate is bent at a substantially right angle and fixed to the upper surface of the base plate. The bent end of the fender is inserted between the upper plate and the base plate and attached, so that the fender is connected to the fender protector via the clip.

[0003] Patent Document 2 also describes a clip that connects a lamp unit as an exterior material to a fender panel disposed on the vehicle rear side of the lamp unit. The upper edge of the lamp unit is bent at a substantially right angle toward the vehicle rear side, and a clip is fixed to the bent upper edge. The clip is formed in a plate shape extending in the vehicle width direction, and the center of the clip in the vehicle width direction is bent toward the vehicle upper side into a substantially U-shape to form an insertion portion that opens in the vehicle front-rear direction. The inserted portion of the spacer fixed to the rear side of the fender panel is inserted into the insertion portion, and the fender panel to which the spacer is fixed and the lamp unit are connected via the clip. Patent Document 2 also describes a configuration in which an impact load is applied to the lamp unit from the vehicle front side to break the clip fixed to the lamp unit. As a result, the lamp unit to which the impact load is applied can be separated from the fender panel during a vehicle collision or the like, and the impact can be mitigated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-173614 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-71652 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in this type of vehicle, when three or more adjacent exterior materials constituting the exterior surface are used, there is a demand for connecting these exterior materials together. However, the above-mentioned clips (connecting members) all connect two adjacent exterior materials. Therefore, when connecting three or more exterior materials, multiple clips must be used, which increases costs. In addition, when an impact load is applied to any one of the exterior materials, it is desirable to move the exterior material to which the impact load is applied from the other exterior materials (for example, detach it from the connecting member) to reduce the impact. The present invention has been devised in view of the above points, and the problem that the present invention aims to solve is to connect as many exterior materials as possible with connecting members while ensuring impact mitigation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As a means for solving the above problem, the connecting structure of the exterior material of the vehicle of the first invention is a structure for connecting a plurality of exterior materials arranged adjacent to each other so as to form the outer surface of the vehicle using a connecting member. In this type of structure, it is desired to connect as many exterior materials as possible with the connecting member while ensuring shock absorption. Therefore, the connecting member of the present invention is provided with a first connecting portion that connects the first exterior material and the second exterior material adjacent to each other, and a second connecting portion that connects the third exterior material adjacent to the first exterior material and the second exterior material. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are integrated so as to be relatively movable when an impact load is applied to either one of them. In the connecting member of the present invention, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion make it possible to connect three exterior materials adjacent to each other. And, by integrating the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion so as to be relatively movable, the exterior material to which an impact load is applied can be moved relative to the other exterior materials by the relative movement of the connecting portions.

[0007] The second aspect of the present invention relates to a connecting structure for exterior materials for vehicles, and is the same as the first aspect of the present invention, except that the connecting member is provided with a deformation portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, which deforms so as to relatively move the connecting portion to which an impact load is applied. In this invention, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can be more reliably moved relative to each other by deformation of the deformation portion provided between the connecting portions.

[0008] The connecting structure for exterior materials of a vehicle of the third invention is the connecting structure for exterior materials of the vehicle of the second invention, in which the connecting member is provided with a load receiving portion that receives the third exterior material toward the first connecting portion when an impact load is applied. In this invention, the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied can be received by the load receiving portion, so that the third exterior material is less likely to come into contact with other exterior materials.

[0009] The connecting structure for exterior materials of a vehicle of the fourth invention is the connecting structure for exterior materials of the vehicle of the third invention, in which, when a direction in which the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied moves toward the first connecting part is defined as one direction, the deformation part is provided adjacent to the load receiving part from a direction different from the one direction. In the present invention, after the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied is received by the load receiving part, it is guided in a direction deviating from the other exterior materials by deformation of the deformation part provided in an appropriate position.

[0010] The connecting structure for exterior materials of a vehicle of the fifth invention is the connecting structure for exterior materials of a vehicle of the third or fourth invention, in which, when a direction in which the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied faces the first connecting part is defined as one direction, a guide part is provided to guide the third exterior material received by the load receiving part in a direction different from the one direction. In the present invention, after the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied is received by the load receiving part, it is guided by the guide part in a direction deviating from the other exterior materials. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a larger number of exterior materials can be connected by the connecting members while ensuring shock absorption. According to the second aspect of the present invention, shock absorption can be more reliably ensured. According to the third aspect of the present invention, a larger number of exterior materials can be appropriately connected by the connecting members while taking into consideration the moving direction of the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, shock absorption when an impact load is applied to the third exterior material can be more reliably ensured. And according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, shock absorption when an impact load is applied to the third exterior material can be more reliably ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the vehicle. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle corresponding to the cross section taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4]4 is a schematic perspective view of the connecting member and its periphery as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a schematic side view of the connecting member and its periphery as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle corresponding to the cross section taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exterior material and a connecting member to which an impact load is applied from above the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exterior material and a connecting member to which an impact load is applied from the front side of the vehicle. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. In each figure, arrows indicating the front-rear direction, left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and up-down direction (vehicle height direction) of the vehicle are appropriately illustrated. For convenience, in the vehicle shown in Fig. 1, only the members on the left side are given corresponding symbols. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional plane passing through the axis of the second connecting portion, and crosses the connecting member obliquely.

[0014] [Outline of the vehicle's front structure] Before describing the connecting structure of the exterior materials of a vehicle, an outline of the front structure of a vehicle 2 will first be described. In the vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1, door openings 4 that are configured to be openable and closable by front doors 3 are provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body. Front pillars 5 are erected at the front edge of the door openings 4, and the front part of a roof panel 6 is supported by the left and right front pillars 5. A pillar support portion 5a of the front pillar 5 below the belt line BR of the front door 3 is covered by a fender panel 7 (described in detail later). A windshield 8 is provided at a position surrounded by the left and right front pillars 5 and the roof panel 6.

[0015] 1, a window frame pillar 5b is provided on the vehicle rear side of the pillar support portion 5a so as to extend in the vehicle up-down direction, and the upper end portion of this window frame pillar 5b is connected to the front pillar 5. A fixed glass 9 is fixed to the portion surrounded by the window frame pillar 5b and the front pillar 5. The fixed glass 9 is formed in a triangular shape with its apex facing the fender panel 7 side, as shown in FIG.

[0016] The vehicle 2 shown in FIG. 1 has an engine room ER in front of the passenger compartment R. On the left and right sides of the engine room ER, members (such as an apron panel and a suspension tower, not shown) constituting a wheel house 10 are provided. The members constituting the wheel house 10 are covered on the outer side in the vehicle width direction by a fender panel 7 (described in detail later). An upper opening (not shown) of the engine room ER is formed between the left and right fender panels 7, and the upper opening is configured to be openable and closable by an engine hood 11. A front bumper 12 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the front part of the vehicle 2, and left and right lamp units 13 (described in detail later) are provided on the outer side of the front bumper 12 in the vehicle width direction. The left and right lamp units 13 are formed to extend from the front to the side of the vehicle 2, and the fender panel 7 is disposed adjacent to the rear end of the lamp unit 13. The rear end of the lamp unit 13 is formed in a triangular shape with its apex facing the fender panel 7 side, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0017] 2 is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the lamp unit 13 and the fixed glass 9 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The lamp unit 13 and the fixed glass 9 have an acute-angled design with their apexes facing the fender panel, and the distance between the two components in the vehicle longitudinal direction is relatively short. For this reason, the fender panel 7 has a portion where its vehicle upper side is sandwiched between the lamp unit 13 and the fixed glass 9 and tightened so as to reduce the dimension in the vehicle longitudinal direction. From the viewpoint of ensuring its strength, the fender panel 7 is divided into upper and lower portions at the tightened portion, and is configured from an upper fender panel 71 and a lower fender panel 72.

[0018] [Connecting structure of exterior materials for vehicles] In the connecting structure of the exterior materials of the vehicle, the fender panel 7 (upper fender panel 71 and lower fender panel 72) shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the lamp unit 13 by a connecting member 20 described later. That is, the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 correspond to the first and second exterior materials, and the lamp unit 13 corresponds to the third exterior material. In this type of configuration, when an impact load is applied to either the lamp unit 13 or the fender panel 7, it is desirable to relatively move the fender panel 7 and the lamp unit 13 from the viewpoint of ensuring impact mitigation. Therefore, in this embodiment, a larger number of exterior materials are connected by the connecting member 20 described later while ensuring impact mitigation. The configuration of the connecting structure of the exterior materials of the vehicle will be described in detail below in the order of the fender panel 7, the lamp unit 13, and the connecting member 20.

[0019] [Upper and lower fender panels (first exterior material, second exterior material)] First, as described above, the fender panel 7 shown in Fig. 2 is composed of an upper fender panel 71 and a lower fender panel 72. Here, from a design standpoint, the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle with a predetermined parting gap X1 therebetween, as shown in Fig. 3. Also, from the standpoint of design of the fender panel 7, the upper fender panel 71 is disposed so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction more than the lower fender panel 72, so that a step is generated between the two members (the difference X2 in the amount of protrusion of the two members in the vehicle width direction).

[0020] The upper fender panel 71 is formed in a generally rhombus shape in a side view as shown in Fig. 2, and is arranged to be disposed between the fixed glass 9 and the lamp unit 13. As shown in Fig. 3, a lower edge 710 of the upper fender panel 71 is bent at a generally right angle toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. A first connecting hole 71H for a connecting member 20, which will be described later, is formed in the lower edge 710 so as to penetrate therethrough in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0021] The lower fender panel 72 shown in FIG. 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a side view, and is disposed below the upper fender panel 71. The lower fender panel 72 is formed to extend from the wheel house 10 side toward the fixed glass 9 and the lamp unit 13 side. The upper edge portion 720 of the lower fender panel 72, which is disposed between the fixed glass 9 and the lamp unit 13, is adjacent to the upper fender panel 71 from the lower side of the vehicle. The upper edge portion 720 of the lower fender panel 72 is bent in a stepped shape toward the inside of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 3, and the upper edge portion 720 forming the lower step is bent toward the inside in the vehicle width direction at a substantially right angle. A second connecting hole 72H for the connecting member 20 described later is formed in the upper edge portion 720 bent at a substantially right angle so as to penetrate in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0022] [Lamp unit (third exterior material)] Next, the lamp unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the fender panel 7 as described above. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the lamp unit 13 has a lamp body 130 and a lamp retainer 131 fixed to the vehicle rear side of the lamp body 130. A lamp side connecting hole 13H for a connecting member 20 described later is provided on the rear surface of the lamp retainer 131 so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lamp unit 13 is connected to the connecting member 20 as described later and is fixed to the vehicle body side via a bracket 70 or the like. Referring to FIG. 6, the lamp retainer 131 is disposed so that a rear surface portion located on the vehicle upper side of the lamp side connecting hole 13H faces the connecting member 20 described later. The rear surface portion of the lamp retainer 131 is formed in a convex curved shape that curves toward the vehicle front side as it approaches the vehicle upper side. A guide portion 60 is formed by the convex curved surface portion of the lamp retainer 131, and this guide portion 60 is capable of guiding the lamp unit 13 to the underside of the vehicle as described later (see FIG. 9).

[0023] [Connecting parts] 4 and 5 has a first connecting portion 21 and a second connecting portion 22, and is configured to be able to connect the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 and the lamp unit 13. Also, referring to Fig. 7, an intermediate portion 23 is provided between the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion 22, and both connecting portions 21, 22 are integrally formed by this intermediate portion 23. A load receiving portion 61 and a deformation portion 62 are provided in the intermediate portion 23 of the connecting member 20, and the both connecting portions 21, 22 can be moved relative to each other by deformation of the deformation portion 62 described later.

[0024] First, the first connecting portion 21 shown in Fig. 7 is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction, and can be overlapped with the upper edge portion 720 of the lower fender panel 72 described above. A hollow connecting protrusion 30 is provided on the lower surface 210 of this first connecting portion 21 so as to protrude toward the lower side of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3. A flexible locking portion 31 is provided on the radially inner side of the periphery of the connecting protrusion 30, and can be locked to the periphery of the second connecting hole 72H of the lower fender panel 72, as described below.

[0025] 7, an inner upright wall portion 32 rising up toward the upper side of the vehicle is formed on the inner edge of the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21 in the vehicle width direction so as to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. A front upright wall portion 33 and a rear upright wall portion 34 rising up toward the upper side of the vehicle are also formed on the front and rear edges of the first connecting portion 21. The front and rear upright wall portions 33, 34 are gradually inclined toward the lower side of the vehicle as they move toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. An upper wall portion 35 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is fixed between the front and rear upright wall portions 33, 34 so as to be substantially parallel to the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21. The dimension of the upper wall portion 35 in the vehicle width direction is smaller than that of the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21, and the upper wall portion 35 is disposed on the outer side of the first connecting portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. Referring to Figure 3, by providing an appropriate gap between the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21 and the upper wall portion 35, it is possible to insert the lower edge portion 710 of the upper fender panel 71 described above between the upper wall portion 35 and the upper surface 211.

[0026] 7, a pair of front and rear locking pieces 36, 37 are provided on the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21 at an appropriate interval in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The pair of front and rear locking pieces 36, 37 extend from the inner upright wall portion 32 toward the upper wall portion 35, and are configured to be able to bend and deform upwardly of the vehicle through a notch portion 350 provided in the upper wall portion 35. The pair of front and rear locking pieces 36, 37 bend upwardly of the vehicle relative to the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21, so that the lower edge portion 710 of the upper fender panel 71 can be inserted between each of the locking pieces 36, 37 and the upper surface 211. Also, referring to FIG. 3, each of the locking pieces 36, 37 is provided with an abutment surface portion 38 at a lower portion of its tip, and the abutment surface portion 38 is gradually inclined downwardly of the vehicle as it moves inward in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, a locking claw 39 is provided at the tip of each pair of locking pieces 36, 37 so as to protrude downward from the vehicle.

[0027] 7, the first connecting portion 21 is integrally provided with an intermediate portion 23 on the vehicle front side, and the intermediate portion 23 is provided with a second connecting portion 22 (described later) on the vehicle front side. The intermediate portion 23 has an upper plate portion 40 extending from the front end of the first connecting portion 21 to the vehicle front side, and a front plate portion 41 extending from the front end of the upper plate portion 40 to the vehicle lower side at a substantially right angle. An inner plate portion 42 extending in the vehicle vertical direction is provided on the inner side of the intermediate portion 23 in the vehicle width direction, and the upper edge and the front edge of the inner plate portion 42 are connected to the upper plate portion 40 and the front plate portion 41. The inner upright wall portion 32 of the first connecting portion 21 is extended from the upper plate portion 40 of the intermediate portion 23, and the strength of the upper plate portion 40 is ensured by the extended inner upright wall portion 32.

[0028] 6 and 7, the intermediate portion 23 is formed with a load receiving portion 61 capable of receiving the lamp unit 13 and a deformation portion 62 for relatively moving the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion 22. The load receiving portion 61 is formed by the inner upright wall portion 32 extending from the upper plate portion 40 of the intermediate portion 23. The inner upright wall portion 32 as the load receiving portion 61 is extended to the front end portion of the upper plate portion 40, and is disposed at a position where it can receive the lamp unit 13 to which an impact load is applied from the front side of the vehicle as described later (see FIG. 9). The deformation portion 62 is formed by the front plate portion 41 of the intermediate portion 23. The front plate portion 41 as the deformation portion 62 is adjacent to the vehicle lower side of the upper plate portion 40 described above, and is more easily deformed than the upper plate portion 40 reinforced by the inner upright wall portion 32. In other words, the front plate portion 41 as the deformation portion 62 is easily deformed (flexed or folded) so as to tilt toward the rear of the vehicle, based on the front upper corner portion 63 which is the boundary with the upper plate portion 40, when a load is applied from the upper side of the vehicle as described below (see Figure 8).

[0029] 6 and 7, the second connecting portion 22 is provided on the front plate portion 41 of the intermediate portion 23 so as to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle. The second connecting portion 22 is formed in a generally H-shaped cross section by upper and lower protrusions 50, 51 and an intermediate protrusion 52 extending between the upper and lower protrusions 50, 51 as shown in Fig. 7. The upper and lower protrusions 50, 51 of the second connecting portion 22 have gradually smaller dimensions in the vehicle width direction toward the front end as shown in Fig. 7, so that the second connecting portion 22 can be smoothly inserted into the lamp side connecting hole 13H of the lamp retainer 131 shown in Fig. 6.

[0030] [Exterior material installation work] As described above, in the vehicle 2 shown in Fig. 2, the upper fender panel 71 and the lower fender panel 72 that constitute the fender panel 7 are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In addition, the lamp unit 13 is adjacent to the front side of the vehicle of the fender panel 7. In this type of vehicle 2, it is desirable to connect the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 and the lamp unit 13 (three exterior materials) with one connecting member 20. Furthermore, in this type of configuration, it is desirable to ensure impact mitigation when, for example, an impact load is applied to the lamp unit 13.

[0031] In the vehicle exterior material connection structure shown in FIG. 7, the connection member 20 is provided with a first connection portion 21 that connects the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 adjacent to each other, and a second connection portion 22 that connects the lamp unit 13 adjacent to the fender panel 7. The first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 22 are integrated to be relatively movable when an impact load is applied to either one of them. According to the above-mentioned configuration, the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 and the lamp unit 13, that is, three exterior materials, can be connected adjacent to each other. By integrating the first connection portion 21 and the second connection portion 22 to be relatively movable, an exterior material to which an impact load is applied (for example, the lamp unit 13 described later) can be moved relative to the other exterior materials by the relative movement of the connection portions 21, 22. Hereinafter, the function of the connection member 20 when connecting exterior materials and when an impact load is input will be specifically described.

[0032] [Connecting the upper and lower fender panels] In the above-described configuration, first, the connecting member 20 is attached to the upper edge 720 of the lower fender panel 72 that is assembled to the vehicle body as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the connecting protrusion 30 provided on the first connecting portion 21 is inserted into the second connecting hole 72H of the upper edge 720. Then, the locking portion 31 of the connecting protrusion 30 is locked to the periphery of the second connecting hole 72H, whereby the first connecting portion 21 provided with the connecting protrusion 30 is attached to the lower fender panel 72. Next, the upper fender panel 71 is moved toward the vehicle body from the outer side in the vehicle width direction (see the direction indicated by the arrow A1 in FIG. 3). Next, the lower edge 710 of the upper fender panel 71 is inserted between the upper surface 211 of the first connecting portion 21 and the upper wall portion 35. Then, the lower edge 710 of the upper fender panel 71 is brought into contact with the contact surface portion 38 of the locking pieces 36, 37 provided on the first connecting portion 21. In this state, by inserting the upper fender panel 71, its lower edge 710 climbs over the abutment surface 38 while bending the locking pieces 36, 37 towards the upper side of the vehicle. Then, the locking claws 39 of the locking pieces 36, 37 lock onto the periphery of the first connecting hole 71H of the lower edge 710, so that the upper fender panel 71 is connected to the upper fender panel 71 via the first connecting portion 21.

[0033] In this way, the upper fender panel 71 and the lower fender panel 72 shown in FIG. 3 are connected via the first connecting portion 21, and the thickness dimension of this first connecting portion 21 becomes the clearance gap X1 between both fender panels 71, 72. In this way, by defining the clearance gap X1 between both fender panels 71, 72 by the thickness dimension of the first connecting portion 21, this clearance gap X1 can be easily managed. In addition, by providing the abutment surface portion 38 on the first connecting portion 21 (the locking pieces 36, 37), the insertion amount of the upper fender panel 71 can be adjusted, which contributes to ensuring the reproducibility of the design. In other words, the lower fender panel 72 is locked to the connecting member 20 at the point when its lower edge portion 710 passes over the abutment surface portion 38. In this way, by setting the insertion amount of the upper fender panel 71 based on the abutment surface portion 38, the difference X2 in the protrusion amount in the vehicle width direction between both fender panels 71, 72 can be easily managed (step management).

[0034] [Lamp unit connection procedure] Next, referring to FIG. 6, a procedure for connecting the lamp unit 13 will be described. Here, in a state where the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 are connected by the connecting member 20, the second connecting portion 22 of the connecting member 20 is disposed so as to protrude from the front plate portion 41 of the intermediate portion 23 toward the front side of the vehicle. Then, the lamp unit 13 is moved from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle, and the second connecting portion 22 is inserted and installed in the lamp side connecting hole 13H of the lamp retainer 131 (see the direction indicated by the arrow A2 in FIG. 6). As a result, the lamp unit 13 is connected by the second connecting portion 22 so as to be adjacent to the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 on the vehicle front side. In this manner, in the above-mentioned configuration, the connecting member 20 (one member) can connect the upper and lower fender panels 71, 72 and the lamp unit 13 to be adjacent to each other with good positional accuracy.

[0035] [Function of connecting parts during shock absorption] Next, the function of the connecting member 20 during shock absorption will be described using the lamp unit 13 as an example. First, in the vehicle 2, an impact load F1 may be applied from the vehicle upper side of the lamp unit 13 as shown in FIG. 8 (for convenience, in FIG. 8, the arrow indicating the direction in which the impact load is applied is marked with the symbol F1). In such a case, it is desirable to move the lamp unit 13 to which the impact load F1 is applied toward the vehicle lower side to absorb the shock (see the direction indicated by the arrow A3 in FIG. 8). Therefore, in the above-mentioned configuration, the lamp unit 13 to which the impact load F1 is applied is configured to be moved toward the vehicle lower side with respect to the fender panel 7 by the relative movement between the connecting parts 21, 22. That is, when the impact load F1 is applied to the lamp unit 13 and the second connecting part 22, the second connecting part 22 moves relative to the first connecting part 21 while deforming the deformation part 62 (front plate part 41) so as to tilt toward the vehicle rear side. As the deforming portion 62 deforms, the second connecting portion 22 gradually faces the vehicle lower side, so that the second connecting portion 22 is partially pulled out or completely pulled out and separated from the lamp-side connecting hole 13H of the lamp unit 13. This allows the lamp unit 13, to which an impact load F1 is applied from above the vehicle, to move toward the vehicle lower side relative to the fender panel 7, resulting in a configuration that contributes to ensuring impact mitigation.

[0036] In addition, in the vehicle 2, as shown in Fig. 9, an impact load F2 may be applied to the lamp unit 13 from the front side of the vehicle (for convenience, in Fig. 9, the arrow indicating the direction in which the impact load is applied is marked with the symbol F2). In such a case, the lamp unit 13 to which the impact load F2 is applied moves toward the first connecting portion 21, i.e., toward the rear side of the vehicle (in one direction). Therefore, in the connecting member 20, the inner standing wall portion 32 as the load receiving portion 61 is disposed in a position where it can receive the lamp unit 13 moving toward the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, the lamp unit 13 to which the impact load F2 is applied can be received by the load receiving portion 61, and the lamp unit 13 is less likely to directly hit the fender panel 7.

[0037] Furthermore, the rear surface of the lamp retainer 131 that is in contact with the load receiving portion 61 is a guide portion 60 having a convex curved surface as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, in the connecting member 20, the front plate portion 41 as the deformation portion 62 is adjacent to the vehicle lower side (a direction different from the one direction) of the above-mentioned load receiving portion 61. Therefore, the lamp unit 13 received by the load receiving portion 61 is first guided to the vehicle lower side along the curved shape of the rear surface portion as the guide portion 60 (see the direction indicated by the arrow A3 in FIG. 9). Then, a load from the vehicle lower side is applied to the second connecting portion 22 that connects the lamp unit 13. As a result, the second connecting portion 22 moves relative to the first connecting portion 21 while deforming the deformation portion 62 (front plate portion 41) so as to tilt toward the rear side of the vehicle. As the deformation portion 62 deforms, the second connecting portion 22 gradually faces the vehicle lower side, so that the second connecting portion 22 is partially pulled out or completely pulled out and separated from the lamp-side connecting hole 13H of the lamp unit 13. As a result, the lamp unit 13 to which the impact load F2 is applied from the front side of the vehicle can be moved toward the vehicle lower side so as to deviate from the fender panel 7.

[0038] As described above, in the connecting member 20 of this embodiment, the three exterior materials (71, 72, 13) can be connected adjacent to each other by the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion 22. Furthermore, by integrating the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion 22 so as to be capable of relative movement, the lamp unit 13 to which an impact load is applied can be moved relative to the fender panel 7 (other exterior materials) by the relative movement of the connecting portions 21, 22. Therefore, according to this embodiment, more exterior materials can be connected by the connecting member 20 while ensuring impact mitigation properties.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first connecting portion 21 and the second connecting portion 22 can be moved relative to each other more reliably by the deformation of the deformation portion 62 provided between the connecting portions. Also, in this embodiment, the lamp unit 13 (third exterior material) to which an impact load is applied is received by the load receiving portion 61, so that the lamp unit 13 is less likely to hit the fender panel 7. Also, in this embodiment, the lamp unit 13 to which an impact load is applied is guided in a direction deviating from the fender panel 7 by the deformation of the deformation portion 62 provided at an appropriate position after being received by the load receiving portion 61. And in this embodiment, the lamp unit 13 to which an impact load is applied is guided in a direction deviating from the fender panel 7 by the guide portion 60 after being received by the load receiving portion 61.

[0040] The connecting structure of the exterior material of the vehicle of this embodiment is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and may take various other embodiments. For example, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the lamp unit to which an impact load is applied is moved relative to the fender panel. Differently from this, the fender panel to which an impact load is applied may be configured to move relative to the lamp unit. For example, the front plate portion of the middle part is reinforced to relatively weaken the upper plate portion of the middle part so that it is easily deformed. In this way, when an impact load is applied to the fender panel from the vehicle width direction, the fender panel can be moved inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the lamp unit while deforming the upper plate portion as a deforming portion. In addition, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion can take various configurations (shapes, dimensions, etc.) that can connect the corresponding exterior materials. The second connecting portion can be provided at both ends of the first connecting portion (for example, the front and rear ends in FIG. 7), and can also be configured to connect multiple exterior materials at the second connecting portion.

[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, the configuration of the deformation part is exemplified, but the configuration of the deformation part is not limited. For example, the deformation part can be deformed from a weak point formed by a groove part, a thin part, a notch, etc., and the deformation part itself can be weakened to be easily deformed. In addition, the configuration using the inner wall part (rib) has been described as the load receiving part, but it may be configured by a thick part in the middle part, or it can be configured by a reinforcing structure such as a rib other than the inner wall part. In addition, the guide part can be provided on at least one of the third exterior material and the connecting member, and for example, the end face of the load receiving part can be curved or inclined to form the guide part. In addition, the load receiving part and the guide part can be provided on at least one of the first connecting part and the second connecting part if possible, and at least one of the load receiving part and the guide part can be omitted. In addition, when the load receiving part is provided on the second connecting part, this load receiving part is configured to receive the first or second exterior material that is applied with an impact load and moves toward the second connecting part side (one direction). When the guide portion guides the exterior material in a direction different from one direction, this different direction can be set to an appropriate direction such as the vehicle width direction as well as the vehicle up-down direction. Similarly, the positions of the load receiving portion and the deformation portion can also be set appropriately.

[0042] In this embodiment, the upper and lower fender panels and the lamp unit are exemplified as the exterior materials, but the type of exterior material is not limited thereto. That is, the configuration of this embodiment can be used to connect exterior materials disposed in appropriate positions on the front and rear surfaces, left and right sides, roof portion, etc. of a vehicle. Furthermore, each connecting portion can connect exterior materials of the same type, such as an upper fender panel and a lower fender panel, and can also connect exterior materials of different types. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 2 Vehicles 3. Front Door 4 Door opening 5 Front pillar 5a Pillar support part 5b Window frame pillar 6 Roof Panel 7 Fender Panel 71 Upper fender panel (first exterior material of the present invention) 71H First connecting hole 710 Lower edge (of upper fender panel) 72 Lower fender panel (second exterior material of the present invention) 72H Second connection hole 720 (lower fender panel) upper edge 8. Windshield 9 Fixed Glass 10 Wheelhouse 11 Engine hood 12 Front bumper 13 Lamp unit (third exterior material of the present invention) 13H Lamp side connection hole 130 Lamp body 131 Lamp retainer 20 Connecting members 21 First connection 210 (First connecting portion) lower surface 211 (First connecting part) upper surface 22 Second connection 23 Middle Section 30 Connecting protrusion 31 Locking part 32 Inner wall 33 Front wall 34 Rear standing wall section 35 Upper wall 36,37 Locking piece 38 Contact surface 39 Locking claw 40 Upper plate 41 Front plate part 42 Inner plate part 50,51 Projection piece 52 Middle protrusion 60 Information Department 61 Load receiving part 62 Deformation section 63 Front upper corner 70 Bracket 350 Notch BR Beltline ER Engine Room R cabin

Claims

1. In a connection structure for exterior materials of a vehicle, a plurality of exterior materials arranged adjacent to each other so as to form an outer surface of the vehicle are connected using a connecting member, the connecting member is provided with a first connecting portion that connects a first exterior material and a second exterior material so as to be adjacent to each other, and a second connecting portion that connects a third exterior material to the first exterior material and the second exterior material so as to be adjacent to each other, A connection structure for exterior materials of a vehicle, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are integrated together so as to be capable of relative movement when an impact load is applied to either one of the first connection portion and the second connection portion.

2. 2. The vehicle exterior material connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member has a deformation portion between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the deformation portion deforming so as to move the connecting portion relative to the vehicle when an impact load is applied.

3. 3. The connection structure for exterior materials of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is provided with a load receiving portion that receives the third exterior material moving toward the first connecting portion when an impact load is applied.

4. 4. The vehicle exterior material connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein when a direction in which the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied faces the first connecting portion is defined as one direction, the deformation portion is provided adjacent to the load-receiving portion from a direction different from the one direction.

5. 5. The connection structure for exterior materials of a vehicle as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein, when a direction in which the third exterior material to which an impact load is applied faces the first connecting portion is defined as one direction, a guide portion is provided for guiding the third exterior material received by the load receiving portion in a direction different from the one direction.

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