Vehicle side body structure

Abstract

To suppress deformation of mounting sections separated to front and rear sides to a vehicle body of a retractor in a collision without increasing mass and cost.SOLUTION: A side part vehicle body structure includes: a side panel 2 which forms a side face 1 of a vehicle; and a rear seat belt device 40 which has a retractor 42 mounted from a cabin side by a plurality of mounting sections separated in a longitudinal direction on the side face 1 and a seat belt 41 extending from the retractor 42 to the vehicle front. Each of the mounting sections has front side mounting sections (Ba, Na) positioned forward from a center of gravity G of the retractor 42 and rear side mounting sections (Bc, Nc) positioned rearward from the center of gravity G. An inside projection section 6 is provided to configure a vehicle width direction internal surface 6a projecting to be separated to the vehicle width direction inside from the side panel 2 and extending in a vertical direction and the longitudinal direction on the side face 1. The front side mounting sections (Ba, Na) are fixed to the side panel 2 and the rear side mounting sections (Bc, Nc) are fixed to the vehicle width direction internal surface 6a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side body structure of a vehicle that includes, for example, a side panel that forms the side of the vehicle, a retractor that is attached from the interior surface of the vehicle cabin at multiple attachment points spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction on the side, and a rear seat seat belt device that has a seat belt extending from the retractor toward the front of the vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A seat belt retractor is typically fixed to the vehicle side in a cantilevered manner, offset inward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle side. Therefore, in the event of a collision that locks the seat belt, if a forward tensile load is applied to the retractor from the seat belt, a moment acts on the retractor in a direction that displaces the front side outward in the vehicle width direction. This moment can cause a load to concentrate on the retractor's attachment portion to the vehicle side.

[0003] To address this issue, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a reinforcing member is provided to reinforce the side of the vehicle to which the retractor is attached, and further, a bead is provided on the reinforcing member to suppress deformation of the reinforcing member.

[0004] However, in order to withstand the above-mentioned moments that occur in the retractor, it is preferable to support the retractor by mounting parts that are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction, and so it has been common practice to mount the retractor to the side of the vehicle by mounting parts that are spaced apart in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0005] However, of the mounting parts spaced apart in the front and rear, the rear mounting part may be subjected to a load (peeling load) in a direction that causes it to peel off from the side of the vehicle (inward in the vehicle width direction) as the above-mentioned moment acts on the retractor.

[0006] However, the configuration of Patent Document 1 is merely a configuration in which a bead is provided to suppress deformation of the reinforcing member itself against a load input to the reinforcing member as the moment described above acts on the retractor. In short, Patent Document 1 does not mention any measures against a load that is directly applied to the attachment portion of the retractor to the reinforcing member, i.e., against a peeling load acting on the rear attachment portion.

[0007] For this reason, it is necessary to suppress deformation of the rear mounting parts by increasing the number of rear mounting parts or by increasing the thickness of the rear mounting parts and their surrounding areas, but this raises concerns about increases in mass and cost. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-184658 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a side body structure for a vehicle that can suppress deformation of the retractor mounting portions spaced apart from each other at the front and rear of the vehicle body during a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt is locked, without increasing mass or cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a side body structure for a vehicle including a side panel that constitutes the side of the vehicle, a retractor that is attached to the interior surface of the vehicle cabin at a plurality of attachment portions spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction on the side, and a rear seat seat belt device having a seat belt extending from the retractor toward the front of the vehicle, wherein the attachment portions have a front attachment portion located forward of the position of the center of gravity of the retractor and a rear attachment portion located rearward of the position of the center of gravity, and the side has an inner protruding portion that protrudes more inward in the vehicle width direction than the side panel and forms an inner surface in the vehicle width direction that extends in the up-down and front-to-rear directions, and the front attachment portion is fixed to the side panel, and the rear attachment portion is fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction. The inner protrusion is a framework member that vertically connects a rear frame that forms a rear frame closed cross section that extends in the front-rear direction below the side panel and a rear pillar that forms a rear pillar closed cross section above the side panel. It is characterized by:

[0011] The present invention also provides a side body structure for a vehicle including a side panel constituting a side surface of the vehicle, a retractor attached from an interior surface of the vehicle compartment at a plurality of attachment portions spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the side surface, and a rear seat seat belt device having a seat belt extending from the retractor toward the front of the vehicle, wherein the attachment portions have a front attachment portion located forward of the position of the center of gravity of the retractor and a rear attachment portion located rearward of the position of the center of gravity, and a rear attachment portion protruding from the side surface so as to be spaced apart more inward in the vehicle width direction than the side panel and extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. a C-pillar having an inner protrusion that forms an inner surface extending in the vehicle width direction, the front mounting portion being fixed to the side panel and the rear mounting portion being fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction, the C-pillar defining the rear edge of the rear entrance of the vehicle cooperates with the side panel to form a C-pillar closed cross section, and a node portion that divides the C-pillar closed cross section in the extension direction of the C-pillar is provided on the C-pillar closed cross section, a reinforcing member having the node portion integrally formed therewith is fixed to the side panel, and the retractor is attached to the reinforcing member at the front mounting portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the rear mounting portion is located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the front mounting portion. Therefore, when a frontal load is input to the retractor due to a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt is locked, the peel direction load component input to the rear mounting portion is reduced while the shear direction load component is increased, thereby making it possible to suppress deformation of the rear mounting portion.

[0013] On the other hand, when a front load is input to the retractor, a load acts on the front mounting portion outward in the vehicle width direction. However, as described above, by suppressing deformation of the rear mounting portion in the peeling direction, it is possible to suppress deformation of the front mounting portion outward in the vehicle width direction (i.e., deformation such that the side panel at the front mounting portion is pushed outward in the vehicle width direction), and as a result, deformation of the mounting portion of the retractor to the side of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0014] Furthermore, since the present invention can reduce the moment acting on the rear mounting portion of the retractor, i.e., the load in the peeling direction (inward in the vehicle width direction), simply by positioning the rear mounting portion more inward in the vehicle width direction than the front mounting portion, there is no need to reinforce the rear mounting portions and their surroundings in the first place, as was done in the past, by increasing the number of rear mounting portions or by increasing the plate thickness of the rear mounting portions and reinforcing members located in their vicinity, etc. In other words, the present invention can suppress increases in mass and cost compared to conventional cases in which the rear mounting portions and their surroundings are reinforced.

[0015] As described above, the present invention can suppress deformation of the attachment portions of the retractor to the vehicle body, which are spaced apart from each other in the front and rear, during a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt is locked, without increasing mass or cost.

[0016] Also, as mentioned above The inner protrusion serves as a framework member that vertically connects a rear frame that forms a rear frame closed cross section extending in the front-rear direction below the side panel and a rear pillar that forms a rear pillar closed cross section above the side panel. There are .

[0017] According to this configuration, in the event of a collision, the framework member can support the impact load input from the retractor to the side panel due to the forward tensile load input from the seat belt to the retractor.

[0018] Furthermore, even in a configuration in which the retractor is mounted in a cantilevered manner offset inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear side of the vehicle, the frame member can suppress vibration of the retractor when the vehicle is traveling.

[0019] Furthermore, by utilizing a framework member provided on the rear side of the vehicle as the inner protrusion, deformation of the retractor mounting portion can be suppressed, and increases in mass and cost can be further suppressed.

[0020] As described above, the C-pillar that defines the rear edge of the rear entrance of the vehicle cooperates with the side panel to form a C-pillar closed cross section, and a node that divides the C-pillar closed cross section in the extension direction of the C-pillar is provided on the C-pillar closed cross section, a reinforcing member integrally formed with the node is fixed to the side panel, and the retractor is attached to the reinforcing member at the front mounting portion.

[0021] In the event of a collision, deformation of the front mounting part due to the impact load input from the retractor caused by the forward tensile load input from the seat belt to the retractor can be suppressed by the support of the node within the cross section of the framework member. In addition, since there is no need to make the reinforcing member itself thicker or stronger, an increase in vehicle weight can be suppressed.

[0022] As an aspect of the present invention, the upper end of the skeletal member may be fixed to a corner portion connecting the outer end of a rear header extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear edge of the roof portion of the vehicle and the upper end of the rear pillar.

[0023] According to this configuration, when a forward tensile load from the seat belt is input to the retractor during a collision, the impact load (forward shear load) applied to the frame member from the retractor can be dispersed and transmitted from the frame member to the rear header and rear pillar. In addition, the frame member can suppress deformation of the corner portions, thereby increasing the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle body.

[0024] As an aspect of this invention, the inner surface in the vehicle width direction may be configured to be arranged on an extension line extending rearward in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt from a forward extending portion of the seat belt that extends forward relative to the retractor when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0025] According to the above configuration, the load input point (force point) of the retractor where the forward tensile load is input from the seat belt (forward extending portion) and the inner surface in the vehicle width direction having the rear mounting portion which serves as the point of action can be arranged in a straight line along the extension line, so that when a forward tensile load is input to the retractor, the shear load input to the rear mounting portion can be maximized.

[0026] As an aspect of the present invention, the center of gravity of the retractor may be arranged on the extension line in a plan view.

[0027] According to the above configuration, the extension portion, the rear mounting portion, and the center of gravity of the retractor can be arranged on a substantially straight line along an extension line, so that when a forward tensile load is applied to the retractor, the moment acting on the retractor can be further suppressed, and the shear load applied to the rear mounting portion can be maximized.。 [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] According to the above configuration, deformation of the attachment portions of the retractor to the vehicle body, which are spaced apart from each other at the front and rear, can be suppressed in the event of a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt is locked, without increasing mass or cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a side portion of a rear portion of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from outside the vehicle compartment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a side portion of a rear portion of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the passenger compartment side. [Figure 3] An enlarged view of area X1 in Figure 1, showing the C-pillar in phantom. [Figure 4] An enlarged view of area X2 in Figure 1, with the C-pillar removed and the side panel shown in phantom. [Figure 5] Cross section taken along the arrow AA in Figure 2 [Figure 6] Enlarged view of area X3 in Figure 2 [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of arrows B-B in Figure 3 [Figure 8] Cross section of Figure 3 taken along the CC arrow [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member fixed to a side panel, viewed from the outside, rear, and below of the vehicle interior; [Figure 10] 1A is a diagram showing a conventional mounting structure for a retractor to a vehicle body, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the mounting structure for a retractor to a vehicle body according to the present embodiment. Both diagrams are explanatory diagrams for explaining the load acting on the retractor when a load is input from the front of the retractor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the rear side of the vehicle has a substantially symmetrical shape, and therefore the following description will be based on the structure of the right side of the rear of the vehicle. In addition, in the drawings, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle, arrow R indicates the right side of the vehicle, arrow L indicates the left side of the vehicle, arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction (outside the passenger compartment), and arrow IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction (inside the passenger compartment).

[0031] The vehicle body side structure of this embodiment is applied to a door hatchback type automobile, and Fig. 1 is a right side view of a side surface 1 of the rear of the automobile and a main part of its surrounding area as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Fig. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction of the side surface 1 and a main part of its surrounding area.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side surface 1 of the rear body of the automobile of this embodiment is equipped with a side panel 2, a wheelhouse 3, a C-pillar reinforcement 4 (abbreviated as "C-pillar reinforcement 4") (see Figure 1), a front inner side brace 5 (see Figure 2), and a rear inner side brace 6 (see the same figure).

[0033] The side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body extends in the front-rear and up-down directions, with its rear end joined to the rear pillar 7 and its front end forming the rear edge 8r of the rear entrance 8 of the vehicle. The side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body is joined at its upper end to the rear of the roof side rail 11 and at its lower end to the outer end of the rear frame 12 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] In addition, a trim (not shown) that forms the side wall of the luggage compartment at the rear of the vehicle body is arranged on the inner side of the side panel 2 and the wheel house 3 in the vehicle width direction, and a rear fender panel (not shown) as an outer body panel is arranged on the outer side of the side panel 2 and the wheel house 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The rear pillar 7 extends in the vertical direction behind the side surface 1. Specifically, the rear pillar 7 is a framework member having a closed cross section 7s extending in the extension direction, and extends inclined forward as it goes upward along the side of the rear gate opening 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0036] The roof side rails 11 are skeletal members that extend along the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides of the roof and have a closed cross section 11s formed therein that extends in the extension direction. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, a rear header 14 is provided at the upper edge of a rear gate opening 13 at the rear of the vehicle body, extending in the vehicle width direction along the upper edge (the rear edge of the roof). The rear header 14 is also a skeletal member that has a closed cross section 14s formed therein that extends in the extension direction.

[0037] Both sides of the upper rear portion of the vehicle body form corner portions C that are connected to the upper ends of the rear pillars 7, the rear ends of the roof side rails 11, and the outer ends of the rear headers 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower rear portion of the vehicle body is provided with a rear seat pan 15 on which a rear seat (not shown) is installed, and a rear floor panel 16 that forms a luggage compartment, and rear frames 12 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are provided on both sides of the rear seat pan 15 and the rear floor panel 16. A cross member 17 that extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle is provided at the boundary between the rear seat pan 15 and the rear floor panel 16. The rear frame 12 defines a closed cross section 12s therein that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2, the rear frame 12 extends from the rear end of the rear floor panel 16 on the passenger compartment side of the wheel house 3, beyond the wheel house 3, toward the front of the vehicle, and its front end is connected to the rear of the side sill inner 18 (not shown).

[0040] A damper mounting portion 19 for mounting and supporting the upper end of a rear suspension damper (not shown) is provided at a middle position in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the rear frame 12 (a position corresponding to a rear suspension (not shown)).

[0041] A reinforcing member 20 is provided on the upper part of the rear frame 12 to reinforce the periphery of the damper mounting portion 19. The reinforcing member 20 is formed by aluminum die-casting or the like, and is provided so as to straddle between the upper part of the rear frame 12 and the wheel house 3 and cover the periphery of the damper mounting portion 19 from above.

[0042] The side panel 2 is formed in a plate shape extending in the front-to-rear and up-down directions at the upper part of the side surface 1 at the rear of the vehicle body, with its rear end joined to the rear pillar 7 and its front end forming the upper part of the rear edge 8r of the rear entrance 8 of the vehicle. The side panel 2 has its lower end connected to the upper end of the wheel house 3.

[0043] An opening 21 for a quarter window is formed in the upper front portion of the side panel 2. The upper edge of the opening 21 for the quarter window is formed by the rear portion of the roof side rail 11, and the front edge is formed by the C-pillar upper inner rail 9.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wheel house 3 is provided below the side panel 2 on the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body. The wheel house 3 includes a wheel house inner 31 (see Figure 2) that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction (toward the passenger compartment) so as to be able to accommodate a rear wheel (not shown) from above, and a wheel house outer 32 (see Figure 1) that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction (outside the passenger compartment).

[0045] As shown in Figure 1, the wheelhouse outer 32 has an arch-shaped portion 33 at its lower part that is formed in an arch shape that protrudes upward when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and an upward protruding portion 34 at its upper part that protrudes upward from a portion closer to the rear of the arch-shaped portion 33, and the two are formed integrally.

[0046] The arch-shaped portion 33 projects outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the upper protruding portion 34, and a step portion 33a extending in the vehicle width direction is formed on the upper edge of the arch-shaped portion 33 along the arch shape.

[0047] As shown in Figure 2, the wheelhouse inner 31 is formed in approximately the same shape in side view as the wheelhouse outer 32, which has an arch-shaped portion 33 and an upward protruding portion 34, but is formed to smoothly protrude toward the passenger compartment without having a step portion 33a at the boundary between the arch-shaped portion 33 and the upward protruding portion 34.

[0048] 1 and 2, flanges 31a, 32a are formed on the upper edges of the wheelhouse inner 31 and the wheelhouse outer 32. The side panel 2 is joined to the wheelhouse 3 such that the lower end 2e (see FIG. 4) is sandwiched between the flanges 31a, 32a of the wheelhouse inner 31 and the wheelhouse outer 32.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the C-pillar rain 4 is a framework member provided on the outer side of the side panel 2 in the vehicle width direction and extending upward from a step 33a slightly forward of the apex of the arch-shaped portion 33 of the wheelhouse outer 32.

[0050] 1 and 7, the upper part of the C-pillar rain beam 4 extends in the vertical direction along the upper part of the rear edge 8r of the rear entrance 8 of the vehicle and the front edge of the quarter window opening 21. As shown in FIG. 7, the horizontal cross section (cross section perpendicular to the extension direction) of the C-pillar rain beam 4 is formed in a hat shape that opens inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] 3 and 7, the C-pillar rain 4 has a rear flange 4c that protrudes rearward along the rear edge of the rear wall 4b, and a front flange 4e that protrudes forward along the front edge of the front wall 4d, and these rear flanges 4c and front flanges 4e are joined to the outer surface 2a of the side panel 2. As a result, the C-pillar rain 4 cooperates with the side panel 2 to form a closed cross section 4s therebetween.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the C-pillar rain 4 is joined from below to the rear portion of the roof side rail 11, while the lower portion is connected to the rear portion of the side sill inner 18 via a gusset 22 provided along the front portion of the arch-shaped step portion 33a (upper edge portion).

[0053] As shown in Fig. 2, the front inner side brace 5 and the rear inner side brace 6 are both provided on the passenger compartment side of the side panel 2 and the wheelhouse inner 31. The front inner side brace 5 extends upward from a position near the front of a damper mounting portion 19, which serves as a rear suspension mounting portion, on the passenger compartment side of the rear of the vehicle, and the rear inner side brace 6 extends upward from a position near the rear of the damper mounting portion 19, and their lower portions are reinforced by a reinforcing member 20.

[0054] The front and rear inner side braces 5, 6 each extend upward from the reinforcing member 20 described later across the wheelhouse inner 31 to the side panel 2, and are formed in a hat shape that is open to the outside of the vehicle compartment, and cooperate with the wheelhouse inner 31 and the side panel 2 to form closed cross sections 5s, 6s between them.

[0055] The front and rear inner side braces 5, 6 protrude inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the inner surface 2b of the side panel 2, and the inner surfaces 5a, 6a in the vehicle width direction are spaced further inward in the vehicle width direction than the inner surface of the side panel 2 and form surfaces that extend in the vertical and longitudinal directions.

[0056] The upper portion of the front inner side brace 5 extends at an angle forward to a position corresponding to the C-pillar rain 4 (see FIG. 1) located on the outer side of the side panel 2 in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle. The upper end portion of the rear inner side brace 6 is joined to the upper portion of the rear pillar 7, more specifically, to a corner portion C that connects the outer end of the rear header 14 in the vehicle width direction and the upper end of the rear pillar 7.

[0057] 3, a reinforcing member 50 for reinforcing the side panel 2 is attached to the side panel 2 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcing member 50 will be described later.

[0058] 2, a striker 25 is disposed on the side surface 1 of the rear part of the vehicle body from the passenger compartment side. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the striker 25 is a member for locking a seat back (not shown) of a rear seat (not shown) in an upright position, and includes a base portion 26 and a main body portion 27 (see Figure 6) that is erected in a generally U-shape so as to protrude from the base portion 26 toward the passenger compartment side.

[0059] The base portion 26 has a hat-shaped cross section in the vertical direction that opens toward the outside of the vehicle cabin, and is integrally formed with a gate-shaped base portion main body 26a that opens toward the outside of the vehicle cabin, a front flange 26b that protrudes forward from the front end of the base portion main body 26a, and a rear flange 26c that protrudes rearward from the rear end of the base portion main body 26a.

[0060] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, the striker 25 is located on the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body, in a position forward and below the retractor 42 described below, in other words, slightly above the upper end of the front inner side brace 5, with the front and rear flanges 26b, 26c of the base portion 26 attached from the passenger compartment side to the side panel 2 and to a reinforcing member 50 (see Figure 6) provided on the outer side of the side panel 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front and rear flanges 26b, 26c of the base portion 26 of the striker 25 are formed with bolt insertion holes h1b, h1c through which the bolts B1a, B1b can be inserted.

[0062] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 7, bolt insertion holes H1b', H1c' are formed in the side panel 2 at the rear of the vehicle body at locations corresponding to the bolt insertion holes h1b, h1c in the front and rear flanges 26b, 26c of the striker 25 in a side view of the vehicle, penetrating in the vehicle width direction (plate thickness direction).

[0063] Furthermore, in the reinforcement member 50 at the rear of the vehicle body, bolt insertion holes H1b, H1c are formed in the portions corresponding to the bolt insertion holes h1b, h1c in the front and rear flanges 26b, 26c of the striker 25 when viewed from the side of the vehicle, so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction (plate thickness direction).

[0064] Furthermore, a weld nut N1a serving as a front striker attachment portion is welded from the outer side in the vehicle width direction to the periphery of the front bolt insertion hole H1b of the reinforcing member 50. Then, a bolt B1a is inserted from the inner side in the vehicle width direction into the bolt insertion holes h1b, H1b', H1b of the front flange 26b of the striker 25, the side panel 2, and the reinforcing member 50, respectively, and fastened to the weld nut N1a.

[0065] Similarly, a weld nut N1b serving as a rear striker attachment portion is welded from the outer side in the vehicle width direction to the periphery of the bolt insertion hole H1c on the rear side of the reinforcing member 50. Then, a bolt B1b is inserted from the inner side in the vehicle width direction into the bolt insertion holes h1c, H1c', H1c of the rear flange 26c of the striker 25, the side panel 2, and the reinforcing member 50, respectively, and fastened to the weld nut N1b.

[0066] That is, the base portion 26, the side panel 2, and the reinforcing member 50 are fastened together by a bolt B1a and a weld nut N1a at the front flange 26b, and by a bolt B1b and a weld nut N1b at the rear flange 26c.

[0067] 2, the rear seat (not shown) is provided with a rear seat seat belt device 40. The rear seat seat belt device 40 is provided with a long seat belt 41 that restrains an occupant seated in the rear seat, and a retractor 42 that winds up the rear seat seat belt 41 so that it can be withdrawn.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 4, the retractor 42 is attached to the side surface 1 of the rear vehicle body from the inside in the vehicle width direction via a plurality of brackets 43, 44 at a plurality of retractor attachment positions Pa, Pb, Pc spaced apart in the front-rear direction. In this example, as shown in Figure 4, the retractor mounting positions Pa, Pb, and Pc include three: a front retractor mounting position Pa located forward of the position of the center of gravity G of the retractor 42 (see Figure 5); an intermediate retractor mounting position Pb that is approximately aligned in the front-to-rear direction with the position of the center of gravity G of the retractor 42; and a rear retractor mounting position Pc located rearward of the position of the center of gravity G of the retractor 42.

[0069] 4 to 6, the brackets 43, 44 mainly include two brackets: a front bracket 43 and a rear bracket 44. The rear bracket 44 includes a flat plate-shaped main body 44a that extends substantially horizontally so as to cover substantially the entire retractor 42 from above, and the retractor 42 is attached and supported from above at the center of the main body 44a in a plan view via a bolt B2 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) or the like that extends in the vertical direction.

[0070] 6 and 8, a guide member 45 having a guide portion 45a that guides the seat belt 41 extending forward from the retractor 42 is provided in front of the retractor 42. The guide member 45 is disposed so as to face the retractor 42 from the front, and its upper end is attached to the front end of the rear bracket 44.

[0071] 4 to 6, in this embodiment, the portion 41a of the seat belt 41 extending forward from the retractor 42 refers to the portion 41a of the seat belt 41 extending forward from the guide portion 45a of the seat belt 41. In addition, the portion 41a of the seat belt 41 extending forward from the retractor 42 will hereinafter be abbreviated as the belt forward extending portion 41a.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 5, the seat belt 41 is formed in a strip shape having a predetermined length (width) perpendicular to the extending direction, and the belt forward extending portion 41a extends forward so as to have a width in the vehicle width direction.

[0073] 5, the retractor 42 is attached in a cantilevered manner to the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body from the passenger compartment side so that the front side faces slightly inward in the vehicle width direction and the rear side faces slightly outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, the belt front extension portion 41a extends at a slight incline in a plan view with respect to the direction coinciding with the front of the vehicle so that the front is positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the rear bracket 44 has a front flange 44b formed in front of the main body 44a at the outer width edge of the vehicle, and a rear flange 44c formed in rear of the main body 44a at the outer width edge of the vehicle.

[0075] The rear flange 44c of the rear bracket 44 is bent so as to protrude downward from the outer edge of the main body 44a in the vehicle width direction, and is attached to the rear retractor mounting position Pc on the inner surface 6a in the vehicle width direction of the rear inner side brace 6.

[0076] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bolt insertion hole 144c is formed through the rear flange 44c of the rear bracket 44, into which a bolt Bc serving as a rear vehicle body mounting portion can be inserted.

[0077] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a bolt insertion hole 6c is formed in the vehicle width direction (plate thickness direction) on the inner surface 6a of the rear inner side brace 6 in a portion corresponding to the bolt insertion hole 144c in a side view of the vehicle (i.e., the rear retractor mounting position Pc), and a weld nut Nc serving as a rear retractor mounting portion is welded to the periphery of the bolt insertion hole 6c from the outside in the vehicle width direction (inside the closed cross section 6s of the rear inner side brace 6).

[0078] Then, the bolts Bc serving as the rear vehicle body mounting portions are inserted from the inside in the vehicle width direction into the bolt insertion holes 144c, 6c in the rear flange 44c of the rear bracket 44 and the vehicle width directional inner surface 6a of the rear inner side brace 6, respectively, and fastened to the weld nuts Nc. As a result, the rear flange 44c of the rear bracket 44 is mounted to the vehicle width directional inner surface 6a of the rear inner side brace 6 by the rear mounting portions (rear vehicle body mounting portion (Bc) and rear retractor mounting portion (Nc)).

[0079] That is, the retractor 42 is attached at the rear retractor attachment position Pc via a rear bracket 44 to an inner surface 6a in the vehicle width direction of the rear inner side brace 6 that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side panel 2.

[0080] As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42, the load component fr in the shear direction of the load applied to the rear mounting portion (Bc, Nc) is increased.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner surface 6a of the rear inner side brace 6 in the vehicle width direction is positioned on an extension line Le that extends linearly from the belt forward extension portion 41a (more specifically, the outer end 41o of the belt forward extension portion 41a in the vehicle width direction) to the rear in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt 41 when viewed from above the vehicle. In this embodiment, the inner surface 6a in the vehicle width direction is formed so as to extend parallel to the extension line Le in a plan view of the vehicle (see FIG. 5).

[0082] In this embodiment, the inner surface 6a in the vehicle width direction is spaced inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side panel 2 to achieve this arrangement, thereby further increasing the shear load component ff applied to the rear mounting portion (Bc, N) when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42.

[0083] The position of the center of gravity G of the retractor 42 is located on or near the extension line Le of the belt forward extending portion 41a in a plan view (see FIG. 5). That is, it is preferable that the outer end 41o of the belt forward extending portion 41a in the width direction, the position of the center of gravity G of the retractor 42, and the inner surface 6a in the vehicle width direction are located in a substantially straight line along the extension line Le.

[0084] 4 to 6, the front flange 44b of the rear bracket 44 described above is integrally formed with a horizontal protruding portion 441c (see FIG. 5) that protrudes horizontally outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the main body portion 44a in the vehicle width direction, and a downward protruding portion 442c (see FIGS. 4 and 6) that protrudes downward from the outer edge of the horizontal protruding portion 441c in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the horizontal protruding portion 441c protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the main body portion 44a in the vehicle width direction by a length that is approximately equivalent to the length by which the rear inner side brace 6 protrudes in the vehicle width direction relative to the side panel 2.

[0085] The front bracket 43 described above extends in the front-rear direction, and its midsection in the front-rear direction is joined to the front flange 44b of the rear bracket 44 by spot welding or the like (see welding point s1 in FIGS. 4 and 5). Note that the "x" marks in the figures indicate the spot welding points. As a result, the front bracket 43 and the rear bracket 44 are attached and fixed to each other as a single unit.

[0086] The front bracket 43 has a front extension portion 143 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) that extends forward and a rear extension portion 144 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that extends rearward relative to a midpoint in the front-rear direction.

[0087] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the front end side of the forward extension portion 143 extends forward to the front retractor mounting position Pa on the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body of the retractor 42, and as shown in Figure 6, a bolt insertion hole 143a is formed therethrough through which a bolt Ba serving as the front vehicle body mounting portion can be inserted.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 3, the front retractor mounting position Pa is located rearward of the C-pillar rain 4 (node 52) and the rear striker mounting portion (N1b) on the side panel 2 on the side surface 1 of the rear part of the vehicle body.

[0089] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the front retractor mounting position Pa is located below the lower end of the retractor 42, and as shown in Figure 3, it is located above the node portion 52 and the vibration damping joint portion 53 (more specifically, slightly above the striker mounting portions (N1a, N1b)).

[0090] Meanwhile, a reinforcing member 50 is provided from the outside of the vehicle cabin at and around the front retractor mounting position Pa on the side panel 2. As will be described later, the front end side of the forward extending portion 143 is attached to the reinforcing member 50 and the side panel 2 at the front retractor mounting position Pa (see FIGS. 4 and 6).

[0091] Also, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the rear end side of the rear extension portion 144 of the front bracket 43 extends rearward to the intermediate retractor mounting position Pb on the side surface 1 of the rear part of the vehicle body of the retractor 42, and has a bolt insertion hole 144b (see Figure 4) formed therethrough through which a bolt Bb serving as an intermediate vehicle body mounting portion can be inserted.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, a bolt insertion hole 2d is formed in the side panel 2 in the region corresponding to the intermediate retractor mounting position Pb, penetrating the region in the vehicle width direction, and a weld nut Nb serving as an intermediate retractor mounting portion is welded to the periphery of the bolt insertion hole 2d from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] Then, the bolt Bb serving as the intermediate vehicle body mounting portion is inserted from the inside in the vehicle width direction into the bolt insertion holes 144b, 2c in the rear end side portion of the rear extension portion 144 of the front bracket 43 and in the side panel 2, and is fastened to the weld nut Nb. As a result, the rear end side portion of the rear extension portion 144 of the front bracket 43 is attached to the side panel 2 by the intermediate mounting portions (the intermediate vehicle body mounting portion (Bb) and the intermediate retractor mounting portion (Nb)).

[0094] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the reinforcing member 50 is attached and fixed at multiple locations by spot welding or the like from the outer surface (outer surface in the vehicle width direction) of the side panel 2 across a portion of the side panel 2 that corresponds to the C-pillar rain 4 (closed cross section 4s) in a side view of the vehicle and a portion behind the C-pillar rain 4 (see the x marks in Figure 4).

[0095] 3, the rear flange 4c of the C-pillar reinforcement 4 extends vertically from the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the reinforcing member 50, so as to cross the reinforcing member 50 extending in the front-rear direction. The reinforcing member 50 is spot-welded to the rear flange 4c of the C-pillar reinforcement 4 and the side panel 2 at an overlapping portion with the rear flange 4c that crosses the reinforcing member 50 in the vertical direction, so that the reinforcing member 50 is sandwiched between the rear flange 4c of the C-pillar reinforcement 4 and the side panel 2 from both sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0096] As shown in Figures 3 and 9, the reinforcing member 50 includes a base 55, a rearward extending portion 56 extending rearward from the rear end of the base 55, a front downward extending portion 57 extending downward from the front lower edge of the base 55, and a rear downward extending portion 58 extending downward from the rear lower edge of the base 55.

[0097] In addition, the rearward extending portion 56 of the reinforcing member 50 extends from the base 55 toward the rear of the vehicle up to the front retractor mounting position Pa, and a bolt insertion hole 50c is formed in the rear end portion of the rearward extending portion 56 (front retractor mounting position Pa) so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction (plate thickness direction).

[0098] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, a weld nut Na serving as a retractor front mounting portion is welded to the periphery of the bolt insertion hole 50c of the rearward extending portion 56 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. At the front retractor mounting position Pa in the side panel 2, a bolt insertion hole 2c is formed penetrating in the vehicle width direction (plate thickness direction) (see FIG. 7).

[0099] 3, 4, 6, and 7, at the front retractor mounting position Pa, the bolt Ba serving as the front vehicle body mounting portion is inserted from the inside in the vehicle width direction into the bolt insertion holes 143a, 2c, 50c of the front extending portion 143 of the front bracket 43, the side panel 2, and the reinforcing member 50, and is fastened to the weld nut Na. As a result, the front end portion of the front extending portion 143 of the front bracket 43 is mounted to the side panel 2 and the reinforcing member 50 by the front mounting portions (the front vehicle body mounting portion (Ba) and the front retractor mounting portion (Na)).

[0100] That is, the retractor 42 is attached to the side panel 2 and the reinforcing member 50 via the rear bracket 44 and the front bracket 43 at the front retractor attachment position Pa.

[0101] 3 and 7, two weld nuts N1a, N1b serving as striker attachment portions are fixed to the reinforcing member 50 and spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, of the two striker attachment portions (N1a, N1b), the striker attachment portion (N1a) located on the front side (front striker attachment portion (N1a)) is fixed to the front portion of the base portion 55 of the reinforcing member 50, and the striker attachment portion (N1b) located on the rear side (rear striker attachment portion (N1b)) is fixed to the front portion of the rear extension portion 56. As a result, the reinforcing member 50 also functions as a striker reinforcing member (striker rein) that reinforces the attachment portion of the striker 25 to the side panel 2.

[0102] Here, for example, if inertia during a collision causes luggage (not shown) loaded in the luggage compartment to move forward relative to the vehicle body and collide with the rear seat (not shown) from behind, a load that pushes the luggage (not shown) outward in the vehicle width direction is input to the front and rear striker mounting portions (N1a, N1b). In response to this, because the reinforcing member 50 is equipped with the node portions 52, even if the above-mentioned load is input from the front and rear striker mounting portions (N1a, N1b), the node portions 52 of the reinforcing member 50 brace themselves within the closed cross section 4s, and are therefore able to firmly absorb the load.

[0103] Furthermore, the base portion 26 of the striker 25 is attached to the reinforcing member 50 via bolts B1a and B1b across the front striker attachment portion (N1a) located within the closed cross section 4s of the C-pillar rain 4 in a side view of the vehicle and the rear striker attachment portion (N1b) located at a position rearward of the C-pillar rain 4, so that the rigidity of the reinforcing member 50 can also be increased in the area extending to the rearward position of the C-pillar rain 4. In other words, the base portion 26 of the striker 25 also functions as a high-rigidity portion that can suppress deformation of the reinforcing member 50 such that the front retractor attachment portion (Na) moves outward in the vehicle width direction during a collision in a collision mode that locks the seat belt 41.

[0104] 3, an upper edge flange 61 is formed on the upper edge of the reinforcing member 50 (spanning the rearward extending portion 56 and the base portion 55), extending along the upper edge and protruding outward in the vehicle width direction. A lower edge flange 62 is formed on the lower edge of the rearward extending portion 56 of the reinforcing member 50, extending along the lower edge and protruding outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0105] The upper edge flange 61 and the lower edge flange 62 each extend in the front-to-rear direction between the front retractor mounting position Pa and the node portion 52 provided rearward of the front retractor mounting position Pa. As a result, the upper edge flange 61 and the lower edge flange 62 also function as a high-rigidity portion that can suppress deformation of the reinforcing member 50 such that the front retractor mounting portion (Na) moves outward in the vehicle width direction during a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt 41 is locked.

[0106] 3 and 7 to 9, the front downward extension 57 is provided with a vibration-damping joint 53 and a node 52 formed by bending from the lower end of the vibration-damping joint 53 outward in the vehicle width direction. A step 59 is formed at the boundary between the vibration-damping joint 53 and the front part of the base 55. The vibration-damping joint 53 is formed so as to be offset via the step 59 outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the base 55.

[0107] 8, when the reinforcing member 50 is attached to the side panel 2, a small gap 53s is formed between the vibration-damping joint 53 and the outer surface 2a of the side panel 2. In other words, the vibration-damping joint 53 is joined to the side panel 2 via a vibration-damping member 63 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) provided in the gap 53s.

[0108] The vibration-damping joint 53 is formed in a flat plate shape overall, with beads 64 provided on each side, separated by a midpoint in the fore-aft direction when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Each of the pair of beads 64 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the surrounding area and extends in the fore-aft direction so as to be able to engage with the vibration-damping member 63.

[0109] The pair of beads 64 also function as a high-rigidity portion that can suppress deformation of the reinforcing member 50 such that the front retractor mounting portion (Na) moves outward in the vehicle width direction during a collision in a collision mode in which the seat belt 41 is locked.

[0110] 8, beads 65 are also provided in each portion of the side panel 2 that faces the pair of beads 64 provided at the vibration-damping joint 53 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Similar to the pair of beads 64 provided at the vibration-damping joint 53, these pairs of beads 65 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the surrounding area and extend in the front-to-rear direction so as to be able to engage with the vibration-damping member 63.

[0111] The vibration damping member 63 is preferably made of a thermosetting resin. In this embodiment, since the vibration damping member 63 is made of a thermosetting resin, the resin is applied as an adhesive to the vibration damping joint 53 and the side panel 2 in the gap 53s before the paint drying process during vehicle body manufacturing, and is thermally cured simultaneously during the paint drying process, thereby allowing the vibration damping member 63 to be integrated with the vibration damping joint 53 and the side panel 2 while still in the gap 53s.

[0112] As described above, the vibration damping member 63 is applied before the paint drying process during vehicle body manufacturing so that it penetrates into the bead 64 provided on the vibration damping joint 53. This causes the vibration damping member 63 to engage with the beads 64, 65 provided on the vibration damping joint 53 and the side panel 2. Therefore, the vibration damping member 63 can be held in place from the time the vibration damping member 63 is applied until the paint drying process is performed (when the vibration damping member 63 is thermally cured) and during the paint drying process, so that the vibration damping member 63 does not fall out of the gap 53s.

[0113] The reinforcing member 50, except for the node 52, is formed of a vertical wall-like flat plate that is joined to the outer surface 2a of the side panel 2. The node 52 is provided at the front lower end of the reinforcing member 50 (located below the vibration-damping joint 53), and is integrally formed so as to be substantially horizontal by bending the vertical wall-like portion other than the node 52 outward in the vehicle width direction at a substantially right angle.

[0114] 7 and 8, the node portion 52 is formed in a generally horizontal plane having substantially the same shape and size as the orthogonal cross section of the closed cross section 4s of the C-pillar rain 4 in the vertical direction, and separates the closed cross section 4s of the C-pillar rain 4 into upper and lower sections. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 9, the node portion 52 is formed with flanges 52a, 52b, and 52c protruding downward from the leading edge, trailing edge, and outer edge in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

[0115] The flange portion (leading edge flange 52a) protruding from the leading edge of node portion 52 is joined to the front wall 4d of the C-pillar rain 4, the flange portion (trailing edge flange 52b) protruding from the trailing edge of node portion 52 is joined to the rear wall 4b of the C-pillar rain 4, and the flange portion (vehicle width outer edge flange 52c) protruding from the vehicle width outer edge of node portion 52 is joined to the vehicle width outer wall 4a of the C-pillar rain 4, each by spot welding (see the welding points indicated by the x marks in Figure 3).

[0116] As described above, the reinforcing member 50 includes the retractor front mounting portion (Na), the node portion 52, the vibration damping joint portion 53, and the striker mounting portions (N1a, N1b) (see FIG. 3), and is formed as its main constituent member from a single plate material (one piece of metal plate material) that is continuous across the retractor front mounting portion 51, the node portion 52, the vibration damping joint portion 53, and the striker mounting portions (N1a, N1b) (see FIG. 9).

[0117] The vehicle side body structure of the present embodiment described above includes a side panel 2 constituting a side surface 1 of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a rear seat seat belt device 40 having a retractor 42 attached from the passenger compartment side at a plurality of attachment portions spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the side surface 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6, and a seat belt device 40 for a rear seat having a seat belt 41 extending forward from the retractor 42, and as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the attachment portions are provided at front attachment portions (Ba, Na) (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) located forward of the position of the center of gravity G (see FIG. 5) of the retractor 42, and at rear attachment portions (Ba, Na) (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) located forward of the position of the center of gravity G and rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) (see Figs. 4 to 6) located rearward of the side panel 2, and as shown in Figs. 2, 4 to 6, the side surface 1 has a rear inner side brace 6 as an inner protruding portion that protrudes so as to be spaced further inward in the vehicle width direction than the side panel 2 and has a vehicle width direction inner surface 6a extending in the up-down and front-rear directions, and as shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7, the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) are fixed to the side panel 2, and as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) are fixed to the vehicle width direction inner surface 6a.

[0118] According to the above configuration, deformation of the mounting portions (Ba, Na), (Bc, Nc) of the retractor 42 spaced apart in the front and rear to the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle can be suppressed in the event of a collision in which the seat belt 41 is locked, without increasing mass or cost.

[0119] More specifically, the mounting portion of the retractor 42 on the side surface 1 at the rear of the vehicle is generally less susceptible to deformation when subjected to a load in the shear direction than when subjected to a load in the peeling direction.

[0120] On the other hand, in a configuration such as this embodiment in which the retractor 42, which is a heavy object, is cantilevered toward the inside of the vehicle width direction relative to the side surface 1 of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 5, when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42, a clockwise moment M acts on the retractor 42 in a plan view as a result.

[0121] 10(a) and 10(b) are plan views schematically showing the mounting structure of retractors 42', 42 to the vehicle side surfaces 1', 1. Fig. 10(a) shows the mounting structure of a conventional retractor 42', and Fig. 10(b) shows the mounting structure of the retractor 42 of this embodiment to the vehicle side surfaces 1', 1. In both Figs. 10(a) and 10(b), in order to simplify the configuration, the retractors 42', 42 are mounted to the vehicle body by two mounting portions: a front mounting portion located forward of the center of gravity G and a rear mounting portion located rearward.

[0122] In a configuration in which both the front mounting portions (Ba', Na') and the rear mounting portions (Bc', Nc') are attached to the side panel 2, such as the mounting structure of a conventional retractor 42' shown in Figure 10(a), when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42', the above-mentioned moment M acts on the retractor 42', causing a load (load toward the inside in the vehicle width direction) to act actively on the rear mounting portions (Bc', Nc') in a direction that causes them to peel away from the side surface 1'.

[0123] 10(b), the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) are offset (displaced) inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front mounting portions (Ba, Na). This reduces the load acting on the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) in the peeling direction toward the vehicle compartment due to the moment M acting on the retractor 42 when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42, while increasing the shear load component fr (forward tensile load component). Therefore, deformation of the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) can be suppressed.

[0124] On the other hand, when a front load Ff is input to the retractor 42, a load ff acts on the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) outward in the vehicle width direction, as shown in FIG. 10(b). That is, a load ff that deforms the side panel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction acts on the front mounting portions (Ba, Na). However, as described above, by suppressing the deformation of the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) in the peeling direction, the load ff acting on the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) in the outward direction in the vehicle width direction can also be reduced compared to the conventional load ff' acting on the front mounting portions (Ba', Na'). That is, the present embodiment can suppress deformation of the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) that pushes them outward in the vehicle width direction, compared to the conventional embodiment, and as a result, can suppress deformation of the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) and the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) of the retractor 42 to the vehicle side surface 1.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the load fr' in the peeling direction (inward in the vehicle width direction) acting on the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) of the retractor 42 can be reduced simply by fixing the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) to the side surface 1 of the rear of the vehicle body so that they are positioned more inward in the vehicle width direction than the front mounting portions (Ba, Na).Therefore, there is no need to reinforce the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) and their surroundings in the first place, as was done in the conventional case, by increasing the number of rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) or by increasing the plate thickness of the reinforcing member 50 located at or near the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc) to withstand the load fr' in the peeling direction acting on the rear mounting portions (Bc, Nc).

[0126] Therefore, this embodiment can suppress deformation of the mounting portions spaced apart at the front and rear in the event of a collision that results in a collision mode in which the seat belt 41 is locked, without increasing mass or cost compared to conventional cases.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rear inner side brace 6 is a skeletal member that vertically connects the rear frame 12, which forms a closed cross section 12s extending in the fore-and-aft direction below the side panel 2, and the rear pillar 7, which forms a closed cross section 7s extending in the fore-and-aft direction above the side panel 2.

[0128] According to the above configuration, in the event of a collision, the impact load input from the retractor 42 to the side surface 1 due to the forward tensile load being input from the seat belt 41 to the retractor 42 can be supported by the rear inner side brace 6.

[0129] Furthermore, even in a configuration in which the retractor 42 is mounted in a cantilevered manner offset inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side surface 1 at the rear of the vehicle, the rear inner side brace 6 can suppress vibration of the retractor 42 when the vehicle is traveling.

[0130] Furthermore, by using the rear inner side brace 6 provided on the side surface 1 at the rear of the vehicle as the inner protrusion, deformation of the mounting portion of the retractor 42 relative to the side surface 1 can be suppressed, thereby further reducing mass and costs.

[0131] As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, the upper end of the rear inner side brace 6 is fixed to a corner portion C that connects the outer end of the rear header 14, which extends in the vehicle width direction along the rear edge of the roof of the vehicle, to the upper end of the rear pillar 7.

[0132] According to the above configuration, when a collision occurs, a forward tensile load is input from the seat belt 41 to the retractor 42, and the impact load (forward shear load) applied to the rear inner side brace 6 from the retractor 42 can be dispersed and transmitted from the rear inner side brace 6 to the rear header 14 and the rear pillar 7. In addition, since the rear inner side brace 6 can suppress deformation of the corner portion C, the rigidity of the rear part of the vehicle body can be increased.

[0133] As shown in FIG. 5, in an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle width direction inner surface 6a is arranged on an extension line Le that extends rearward in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt 41 from the belt forward extension portion 41a that extends forward relative to the retractor 42 in the seat belt 41 when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0134] According to the above configuration, the load input point (force point) of the retractor 42 at which a forward tensile load is input from the seat belt 41 (belt forward extension portion 41a) and the vehicle width direction inner surface 6a having the rear mounting portion (Bc, Nc) that serves as the point of action can be arranged in a straight line along the extension line Le, so that when a forward tensile load is input to the retractor 42, the shear load input to the rear mounting portion (Bc, Nc) can be maximized.

[0135] In an embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the C-pillar rain 4 that defines the rear edge 8r of the rear entrance 8 of the vehicle cooperates with the side panel 2 to form a closed cross section 4s, and a node portion 52 that divides the closed cross section 4s in the extension direction of the C-pillar rain 4 is provided on the closed cross section 4s, and as shown in Figure 3, a reinforcing member 50 having the node portion 52 integrally formed thereon is fixed to the side panel 2, and as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the retractor 42 is attached to the reinforcing member 50 at the front mounting portion (Ba, Na).

[0136] According to the above configuration, during a collision, deformation of the front mounting portions (Ba, Na) due to an impact load input from the retractor 42 resulting from input of a forward tensile load from the seat belt 41 to the retractor 42 can be efficiently suppressed by utilizing the tension of the node portions 52 within the closed cross section. Furthermore, since there is no need to make the reinforcing member 50 itself sturdy by increasing its thickness, an increase in the vehicle body weight can be suppressed.

[0137] The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, but can be formed in various other embodiments. For example, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the damper mounting portion 19 is provided on the rear frame as in this embodiment, but may also be configured to be provided in another location, such as the top of the rear wheel house (arch-shaped portion).

[0138] Furthermore, the retractor 42 in this embodiment is attached in a cantilevered manner to the side surface 1 from the passenger compartment side via front and rear brackets 43, 44, but the retractor of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number and shape of the brackets are not particularly limited, and the retractor may be attached directly to the side surface 1 without using brackets.

[0139] Furthermore, even in a configuration in which the skeletal member and the reinforcing member are fixed to the passenger compartment side of the side panel, it is possible to both suppress the up and down vibration of the retractor while the vehicle is moving and suppress deformation of the retractor fixing portion during a collision, just as when they are fixed to the outside of the passenger compartment.

[0140] Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the framework member and the reinforcing member are fixed to the outside of the vehicle compartment relative to the side panel, as in the above-described embodiment, but may also be configured to be fixed to the vehicle compartment side.

[0141] Furthermore, the retractor 42 in this embodiment is attached in a cantilevered manner to the side surface 1 from the passenger compartment side via front and rear brackets 43, 44, but the retractor of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number and shape of the brackets are not particularly limited, and the retractor may be attached directly to the side surface 1 without using brackets. [Explanation of symbols]

[0142] 1...Side 2...Side panel 4...C-pillar rain 4s…Closed cross section (C pillar closed cross section) 6...Rear inner side brace (framework member) 6a...Inner surface in the width direction of the vehicle 7...Rear pillar 7s...Closed section (rear pillar closed section) 8C...Rear entrance 8r...Rear edge of rear entrance 12...Rear frame 12s...Closed section (rear frame closed section) 14...Rear header 40...Rear seat belt device 41...Seatbelt 42...Retractor 52...knot Ba, Na...Front mounting part (Front mounting part, Mounting part) Bc, Nc... Rear mounting part (rear mounting part, mounting part) C...Corner G...Center of gravity of tractor 41a... Belt forward extension portion (a forward extension portion of a seat belt that extends forward relative to the retractor) Le…extension line

Claims

1. A side panel that constitutes the side of the vehicle; A side body structure for a vehicle including a retractor attached from an interior surface of the vehicle compartment at a plurality of attachment portions spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the side surface, and a rear seat seat belt device having a seat belt extending from the retractor toward the front of the vehicle, The mounting portion has a front mounting portion located forward of the center of gravity of the retractor and a rear mounting portion located rearward of the center of gravity, The side surface has an inner protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the side panel and has an inner surface in the vehicle width direction that extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the front mounting portion is fixed to the side panel, and the rear mounting portion is fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction, The inner protrusion is a framework member that vertically connects a rear frame that forms a closed cross section of the rear frame below the side panel and extends in the front-rear direction, and a rear pillar that forms a closed cross section of the rear pillar above the side panel. Vehicle side body structure.

2. A side panel that constitutes the side of the vehicle; A side body structure for a vehicle including a retractor attached from an interior surface of the vehicle compartment at a plurality of attachment portions spaced apart in the front-rear direction on the side surface, and a rear seat seat belt device having a seat belt extending from the retractor toward the front of the vehicle, The mounting portion has a front mounting portion located forward of the center of gravity of the retractor and a rear mounting portion located rearward of the center of gravity, The side surface has an inner protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the side panel and has an inner surface in the vehicle width direction that extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, the front mounting portion is fixed to the side panel, and the rear mounting portion is fixed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction, a C-pillar defining a rear edge of a vehicle rear entrance cooperates with the side panel to form a C-pillar closed cross section, and a node portion that divides the C-pillar closed cross section in the extending direction of the C-pillar is provided on the C-pillar closed cross section; a reinforcing member integrally provided with the node portion is fixed to the side panel; The retractor is attached to the reinforcing member at the front attachment portion. Vehicle side body structure.

3. An upper end of the frame member is fixed to a corner portion that connects an outer end in the vehicle width direction of a rear header that extends in the vehicle width direction along the rear edge of a roof portion of the vehicle and an upper end of the rear pillar. The vehicle side body structure according to claim 1.

4. The inner surface in the vehicle width direction is The seat belt is disposed on an extension line extending rearward in the longitudinal direction of the seat belt from a forward extending portion of the seat belt that extends forward relative to the retractor in a plan view of the vehicle. The vehicle side body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The center of gravity of the retractor is located on the extension line in a plan view. The vehicle side body structure according to claim 4.

Images