Front pillar upper structure

Abstract

To provide a technique that prevents deformation of a front pillar against a load acting from the front side of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A front pillar upper part structure includes an outer member, an inner member, an outer reinforcement, and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member has a plate-shaped flat surface portion extending from a connection portion between a first upper flange portion of the outer member and a second upper flange portion of the inner member toward a connection portion between a first lower flange portion of the outer member and a second lower flange portion of the inner member and having a substantially linear cross-section along the extension direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a front pillar upper structure. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art For the purpose of ensuring the crash safety of automobiles, there are known techniques for suppressing deformation of frames and other components that form the framework of the vehicle body toward the interior of the vehicle when a load acts from outside the vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a front pillar reinforcement structure in which an inner reinforcement and an outer reinforcement are provided inside a front pillar that forms a closed cross-sectional structure with an inner panel and an outer panel, and extend along the axial direction of the front pillar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-172087 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, due to increasing requirements for automobile collision safety, it is becoming increasingly necessary to suppress deformation of the frame and other components that form the framework of the vehicle body toward the interior of the vehicle, even when a load acts from the front of the vehicle, such as in an offset collision or a slight overlap collision. In particular, it is desirable to suppress deformation of the front pillars, which are prone to receiving a large load when a load acts from the front of the vehicle.

[0005] In the front pillar reinforcing structure described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, the strength of the front pillar can be increased by providing two reinforcements, but on the other hand, there is a problem in that the mass of the front pillar increases significantly.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing deformation of a front pillar due to a load acting from the front of a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a front pillar upper structure for a region of a front pillar extending in the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle, located above a front door of the vehicle, and extending rearward to a position where it intersects with an upper portion of the windshield, the front pillar upper structure including an outer member, an inner member, an outer reinforcement, and a reinforcing member. The outer member constitutes an outer wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction. The inner member constitutes an inner wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the outer member to form a closed cross-sectional structure. The outer reinforcement is disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure. The reinforcing member is disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure. The outer member has a first upper flange portion and a first lower flange portion. The first upper flange portion is located above the outer member and joined to the inner member. The first lower flange portion is located below the outer member and joined to the inner member. The inner member has a second upper flange portion and a second lower flange portion. The second upper flange portion is located above the inner member and joins with the first upper flange portion. The second lower flange portion is located below the inner member and joins with the first lower flange portion. The reinforcing member has a plate-like flat portion that extends from the joint portion of the first upper flange portion and the second upper flange portion toward the joint portion of the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion, and has a substantially linear cross section along the extending direction.

[0008] When a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, the front pillar upper structure tends to deform so that the joint between the first upper flange and the second upper flange and the joint between the first lower flange and the second lower flange are closer together. However, with the above-described configuration, the flat surface extending to connect the joints suppresses the deformation. Therefore, deformation of the front pillar can be suppressed when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle.

[0009] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing member may be disposed at a distance forward from the connection between the windshield and the roof panel. This configuration allows adjustment of the position at which the front pillar tends to deform between the reinforcing member and the connection, compared to when the reinforcing member is disposed without a distance forward from the connection. Because the position at which deformation tends to occur is sandwiched between the connection, which has high rigidity in the direction of deformation, and the reinforcing member, deformation can be suppressed more effectively with a lighter weight.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the reinforcing member may be joined while being sandwiched between the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion. With this configuration, the reinforcing member is firmly fixed to the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion. Therefore, deformation of the front pillar can be further suppressed.

[0011] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the outer reinforcement may be made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more. The reinforcing member may be disposed partially in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the weight of the front pillar upper structure while increasing the strength of the outer reinforcement.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the inner member may be made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more. The reinforcing member may be disposed partially in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure. With this configuration, the strength of the inner member can be increased while reducing the weight of the front pillar upper structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a peripheral system of a front pillar. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing a peripheral system of a front pillar. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is an end view schematically showing a cut portion taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] 5A is an end view schematically showing a cross section taken along line VA-VA in FIG. 2, FIG. 5B is an end view showing a configuration without a reinforcing member when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, and FIG. 5C is an end view showing a configuration with a reinforcing member when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to a modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic end view of a modified front pillar upper structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to a modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Configuration] [1-1. Front pillar peripheral system] The front pillar peripheral system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a front pillar 2, a windshield 3, and a roof panel 4.

[0015] The front pillar 2 constitutes part of the framework of the side of the vehicle and forms an opening 101 that is opened and closed by a front door (not shown) of the vehicle. When the opening 101 is closed by the front door, the inside and outside of the vehicle are separated.

[0016] One front pillar 2 is provided on each side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction (i.e., on both the left and right sides). Fig. 1 shows the front pillar 2 on the left side of the vehicle, and since the right side of the vehicle has a similar configuration to the left side of the vehicle, the following description will use the configuration of the left side of the vehicle as an example. In the following description, the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction (hereinafter also referred to as the vehicle width direction) are expressed based on the vehicle.

[0017] The front pillar 2 extends in the vertical direction and forms a frame in front of and above the opening 101. The front pillar 2 has an upper front pillar 2A and a lower front pillar 2B.

[0018] The front pillar upper 2A is disposed above the opening 101 so as to extend in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the region from the front end of the front pillar upper 2A toward the rear of the vehicle to a position 2C where it intersects with the upper part of the windshield 3 corresponds to a front pillar upper structure 2D. The front end of the front pillar upper 2A is the end of the front pillar upper 2A disposed forward in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and is the end on the side that connects to a front pillar lower 2B described below. The region from the front end of the front pillar upper 2A to the position 2C where it intersects with the upper part of the windshield 3 refers to the region from the front end of the front pillar upper 2A to the part where it intersects with a front header 5 extending in the vehicle width direction, and more preferably refers to the region from the front end of the front pillar upper 2A to the front end of the part where it intersects with the front header 5. The windshield 3 is attached to the region surrounded by the front pillar upper 2A and the front header 5.

[0019] The front pillar lower section 2B is disposed to extend in the vertical direction in front of the opening 101. The upper end of the front pillar lower section 2B is connected to the front end of the front pillar upper section 2A.

[0020] The windshield 3 is a transparent window that separates the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment. The windshield 3 is provided on the front side of the vehicle and is tilted rearward as it extends upward. The roof panel 4 is a component provided on the upper side of the vehicle, separating the inside and outside of the vehicle cabin. Roof side inners (not shown) are provided on both side edges of the roof panel 4 in the vehicle width direction. The front header 5 and the roof side inners are connected by a header extension 50. The header extension 50 has a hat-shaped cross section, and its outer end is formed in a flange shape so that it can be joined to the roof side inners at a surface.

[0021] [1-2. Front pillar upper] Next, the front pillar upper 2A shown in Fig. 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3, which shows an end face of the front pillar upper 2A in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper 2A. Note that the cross section III-III in Fig. 2 is a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0022] 3, the front pillar upper 2A includes an outer member 21, an inner member 22, an outer reinforcement 23, and a reinforcing member 24. The outer member 21 and the inner member 22 are joined at their respective end portions on both sides in the vertical direction, with the outer reinforcement 23 and the reinforcing member 24 sandwiched therebetween, thereby forming a closed cross-sectional structure 2E of the front pillar upper 2A.

[0023] <Outer member> The outer member 21 is disposed on the vehicle exterior side and forms an outer wall in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar upper 2 A. The outer member 21 is a plate-shaped member that extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction.

[0024] The outer member 21 has an upper end flange portion 211 , an outer wall portion 212 , and a lower end flange portion 213 . The upper end flange portion 211 and the lower end flange portion 213 are portions that are joined to the inner member 22 by, for example, welding, with the outer reinforcement 23 and the reinforcing member 24 sandwiched therebetween.

[0025] The upper end flange portion 211 is a portion located at the upper end of the outer member 21, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The lower end flange portion 213 is a portion located at the lower end of the outer member 21 and extends downward.

[0026] The outer wall portion 212 is disposed between the upper flange portion 211 and the lower flange portion 213, and is a portion that connects the lower end of the upper flange portion 211 and the upper end of the lower flange portion 213. The outer wall portion 212 is formed in a stepped shape so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] <Inner parts> The inner member 22 is disposed inside the vehicle compartment and forms the inner wall of the front pillar upper 2A in the vehicle width direction. The inner member 22 is also a plate-shaped member extending in the up-down and front-rear directions. The inner member 22 is made of an ultra-high tensile material with a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more.

[0028] The inner member 22 has an upper end flange portion 221, a recessed portion 222, a first wall portion 223, a second wall portion 224, and a lower end flange portion 225. A harness and an airbag that inflates and deploys in the event of a vehicle collision are attached to the inner member 22 on the passenger compartment side of the first wall portion 223.

[0029] The upper end flange portion 221 and the lower end flange portion 225 are portions that are joined to the outer member 21 by, for example, welding, with the outer reinforcement 23 and the reinforcing member 24 sandwiched therebetween. Specifically, the upper end flange portion 221 is joined to the upper end flange portion 211 of the outer member 21, and the lower end flange portion 225 is joined to the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21.

[0030] The upper end flange portion 221 is a portion located at the upper end of the inner member 22, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The lower end flange portion 225 is a portion located at the lower end of the inner member 22 and extends downward.

[0031] The upper flange portions 211 and 221 are attached to the ends of the windshield 3 in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange portions 213 and 225 are elastically fitted with a door opening trim (not shown).

[0032] The recessed portion 222 is located between the upper end flange portion 221 and the first wall portion 223 located below the upper end flange portion 221, and is a portion that is recessed on the inside of the cross section of the front pillar upper 2A, i.e., a portion that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] The first wall portion 223 extends straight downward from the lower end of the recessed portion 222 . The second wall portion 224 is disposed between the first wall portion 223 and the lower end flange portion 225, and extends straight from the lower end of the first wall portion 223 to the upper end of the lower end flange portion 225, connecting the first wall portion 223 and the lower end flange portion 225. The inner member 22 has a ridge line between the second wall portion 224 and the lower end flange portion 225.

[0034] The first wall portion 223 and the second wall portion 224 are connected to form a ridge line on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the lower end flange portion 225 so that the inner member 22 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction due to the first wall portion 223 and the second wall portion 224.

[0035] <Outer reinforcement> The outer reinforcement 23 is a plate-shaped member that is disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure 2E and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The outer reinforcement 23 is made of an ultra-high tensile material with a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more.

[0036] The outer reinforcement 23 has an upper end flange portion 231 , an outer wall portion 232 , and a lower end flange portion 233 . The upper end flange portion 231 and the lower end flange portion 233 are portions that are joined to the outer member 21 by, for example, welding.

[0037] The upper end flange portion 231 is a portion located at the upper end portion of the outer reinforcement 23, and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The lower end flange portion 233 is a portion located at the lower end portion of the outer reinforcement 23 and extends downward.

[0038] The outer wall portion 232 is disposed between the upper flange portion 231 and the lower flange portion 233, and is a portion that connects the lower end of the upper flange portion 231 and the upper end of the lower flange portion 233. The outer wall portion 232 is formed in a stepped shape so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] <Reinforcing material> The reinforcing member 24 is a plate-like member that is disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure 2E and extends in the up-down direction as a whole.

[0040] The reinforcing member 24 is disposed in a portion of the front pillar upper structure 2D in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure 2D. 2, the reinforcing member 24 is disposed at a distance forward from the connection portion 41 between the windshield 3 and the roof panel 4. In other words, the reinforcing member 24 is disposed at a distance forward from the header extension 50.

[0041] 4, the reinforcing member 24 has an upper end flange portion 241, a flat portion 242, and a lower end flange portion 243. The upper end flange portion 241 and the lower end flange portion 243 are arranged on opposite sides of the flat portion 242.

[0042] The upper end flange portion 241 is a portion located at the upper end of the reinforcing member 24. The upper end flange portion 241 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the flat portion 242. The flat portion 242 and the upper end flange portion 241 are connected by a first bent portion 244, which is a bent portion.

[0043] The lower end flange portion 243 is a portion located at the lower end of the reinforcing member 24. The lower end flange portion 243 extends downward from the lower end of the flat portion 242. The flat portion 242 and the lower end flange portion 243 are connected by a second bent portion 245, which is a bent portion.

[0044] The flat portion 242 is disposed between the upper flange portion 241 and the lower flange portion 243, and is a portion that connects the lower end of the upper flange portion 241 and the upper end of the lower flange portion 243. Specifically, the flat surface portion 242 is a plate-like member extending from the joint portion between the upper end flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper end flange portion 221 of the inner member 22 toward the joint portion between the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower end flange portion 225 of the inner member 22. The joint portion here refers to the end portion on the closed cross-sectional structure 2E side of each of the joint portion (first joint portion 2F) between the upper end flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper end flange portion 221 of the inner member 22 and the joint portion (second joint portion 2G) between the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower end flange portion 225 of the inner member 22. In other words, the joint portions are the starting end portions of the upper end flange portions 211, 221 and the lower end flange portions 213, 225, and are closed end portions for constituting the closed cross-sectional structure 2E. The end portion on the closed cross-sectional structure 2E side can also be referred to as the end portion of each flange exposed on the closed cross-sectional structure 2E side. This end portion does not need to be joined, for example, by welding. Here, the flat portion 242 does not need to extend strictly to the position of the joint portion, and may be some distance from the joint portion. For example, in FIG. 3, the first joint portion 2F and the first bent portion 244 are slightly separated. While it is desirable for the first joint portion 2F and the first bent portion 244 to be close to each other, a distance of a length necessary for manufacturing is acceptable. Specifically, the distance may be long enough to ensure a gap necessary for manufacturing, taking into account dimensional variations during assembly, etc. The cross section of the flat portion 242 along the extending direction is substantially linear. More specifically, the flat portion 242 is a plane having a width extending from the first bent portion 244 to the second bent portion 245. As shown in FIG. 3, the cross section from the first bent portion 244 to the second bent portion 245 is substantially linear.

[0045] The upper end flange portion 241, together with the upper end flange portion 231, is joined in a state where it is sandwiched between the upper end flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper end flange portion 221 of the inner member 22.

[0046] The lower end flange portion 243, together with the lower end flange portion 233, is joined in a state sandwiched between the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower end flange portion 225 of the inner member 22.

[0047] [1-2.Effects] According to the embodiment described above in detail, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The flat portion 242 is a plate-like member extending from the joint between the upper flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper flange portion 221 of the inner member 22 toward the joint between the lower flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower flange portion 225 of the inner member 22. The cross section of the flat portion 242 along the extending direction is substantially linear.

[0048] When a load is applied to the vehicle from the front, in the front pillar upper structure 2D, the joint portion between the upper end flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper end flange portion 221 of the inner member 22 and the joint portion between the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower end flange portion 225 of the inner member 22 tend to deform so as to move closer together. However, according to the above-described configuration, the flat portion 242 extending to connect the above-described joint portions is provided, and the flat portion 242 suppresses the deformation. Therefore, it is possible to suppress deformation of the front pillar in response to a load acting from the front of the vehicle.

[0049] (1b) The reinforcing member 24 is disposed at a distance forward from the connecting portion 41 between the windshield 3 and the roof panel 4. With this configuration, it is possible to adjust the position at which the front pillar tends to deform between the reinforcing member 24 and the connecting portion 41, compared to when the reinforcing member 24 is disposed without any distance forward from the connecting portion 41. Because the position at which deformation tends to occur is sandwiched between the connecting portion 41 and the reinforcing member 24, which have high rigidity in the direction of deformation, deformation can be suppressed more effectively with a lighter weight.

[0050] Here, we will explain deformation of the front pillar upper structure 2D that occurs when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle if the front pillar upper structure 2D does not include the reinforcing member 24. As shown in Fig. 5B, the ridge line formed by the first wall portion 223 and the second wall portion 224 moves more inward in the vehicle width direction than in the state shown in Fig. 5A when no load is applied from the front of the vehicle.

[0051] However, when the front pillar upper structure 2D is equipped with a reinforcing member 24, as shown in Figure 5C, the ridge formed by the first wall portion 223 and the second wall portion 224 is maintained in a position equivalent to that in a state where no load is being applied from the front of the vehicle.

[0052] (1c) The lower end flange portion 243, together with the lower end flange portion 233, is joined in a sandwiched state between the lower end flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower end flange portion 225 of the inner member 22. With this configuration, the lower end flange portion 243 is firmly fixed to the outer member 21 and the inner member 22. Therefore, deformation of the front pillar upper structure 2D can be further suppressed.

[0053] (1d) The outer reinforcement 23 is made of an ultra-high tensile material having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more. With this configuration, the strength of the outer reinforcement 23 can be increased while reducing the weight of the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0054] (1e) The inner member 22 is made of an ultra-high tensile material having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more. With this configuration, the strength of the inner member 22 can be increased while reducing the weight of the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0055] (1f) The reinforcing member 24 is disposed in a portion of the front pillar upper structure 2D in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure 2D. With this configuration, the weight of the front pillar upper structure 2D can be reduced compared to when reinforcing members are disposed over the entire longitudinal area of ​​the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0056] It is preferable that the front pillar upper structure 2D is lightweight, but if the outer reinforcement 23 and the inner member 22 are made thinner in order to reduce the weight, the front pillar becomes more susceptible to deformation due to a load acting from the front of the vehicle. However, with the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress deformation of the front pillar upper structure 2D while maintaining the lightweight of the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0057] [1-3. Correspondence] In the above embodiment, the upper end flange portion 211 corresponds to the first upper flange portion, the lower end flange portion 213 corresponds to the first lower flange portion, the upper end flange portion 221 corresponds to the second upper flange portion, and the lower end flange portion 225 corresponds to the second lower flange portion.

[0058] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can take on various forms.

[0059] (2a) In the above embodiment, the flat portion 242 extending from the first bent portion 244 to the second bent portion 245 is illustrated as a specific example of a plate-like flat portion extending from the portion where the upper flange portion 211 of the outer member 21 and the upper flange portion 221 of the inner member 22 are joined (first joint portion 2F) toward the portion where the lower flange portion 213 of the outer member 21 and the lower flange portion 225 of the inner member 22 are joined (second joint portion 2G). However, the configuration extending from the first joint portion 2F to the second joint portion 2G is not illustrated in the above configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing member 324 may not have the upper flange portion 241. Instead, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper end 244a of the flat portion 242 of the reinforcing member 324 may be joined to the end of the upper flange portion 221 of the inner member 22, thereby extending toward the first joint portion 2F. 7, strictly speaking, the upper end 244a of the flat portion 242 does not reach the first joint portion 2F. However, it is sufficient that the upper end 244a of the flat portion 242 is close to the first joint portion 2F. It is desirable that the first joint portion 2F and the upper end 244a of the flat portion 242 are close to each other, but it is acceptable for them to be separated by a distance necessary for manufacturing. Specifically, they may be separated by a distance sufficient to ensure a gap necessary for manufacturing, taking into account dimensional variations during assembly, etc.

[0060] (2b) In the above embodiment, the reinforcing member 24 is bent at the first bent portion 244 and the second bent portion 245. However, for example, the upper end flange portion 241 and the lower end flange portion 243 may be joined to the flat portion 242 by welding.

[0061] (2c) In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the entire area of ​​the flat portion 242 is flat has been exemplified. However, the shape of the flat portion is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the flat portion 442 of the reinforcing member 424 may have a bead 446. The bead 446 has a length in the direction from the first bend 244 to the second bend 245. With this configuration, it is possible to improve resistance to compression in the direction from the first bend 244 to the second bend 245. Therefore, when the reinforcing member 424 is disposed in the front pillar upper structure 2D, it is possible to further suppress deformation of the front pillar due to a load acting from the front of the vehicle.

[0062] 9, for example, a flat portion 542 of a reinforcing member 524 may have a wave-shaped cross section parallel to the first bent portion 244. Such a configuration can improve resistance to compression in the direction from the first bent portion 244 toward the second bent portion 245. Therefore, when the reinforcing member 524 is disposed in the front pillar upper structure 2D, deformation of the front pillar due to a load acting from the front of the vehicle can be further suppressed.

[0063] 10, for example, a flat portion 642 of a reinforcing member 624 may have a notch 647. The cross section in the direction from the first bent portion 244 to the second bent portion 245 may be substantially linear at a position that would be rearward when the reinforcing member 624 is disposed in the front pillar upper structure 2D. The notch 647 may be formed in a position that would be forward when the reinforcing member 624 is disposed in the front pillar upper structure 2D. This configuration can increase the rigidity between the connecting portion 41 between the windshield 3 and the roof panel 4 and the reinforcing member 624, and can also reduce the weight of the reinforcing member 624. A bead 446 may be formed in a position that would be rearward when the reinforcing member 624 is disposed in the front pillar upper structure 2D.

[0064] (2d) The function of one component in the above embodiments may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Furthermore, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0065] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] A front pillar upper structure in a region extending in the front-rear direction of a vehicle, the region being located above a front door of the vehicle and extending rearward to a position where the region intersects with an upper portion of a windshield, an outer member that constitutes an outer wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle; an inner member that constitutes an inner wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the outer member to form a closed cross-sectional structure; An outer reinforcement disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure; a reinforcing member disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure; Equipped with The outer member is a first upper flange portion located above the outer member and joined to the inner member; a first lower flange portion located below the outer member and joined to the inner member, The inner member is a second upper flange portion located above the inner member and joined to the first upper flange portion; a second lower flange portion located below the inner member and joined to the first lower flange portion, The reinforcing member is a plate-shaped flat portion extending from the joint portion of the first upper flange portion and the second upper flange portion toward the joint portion of the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion, and has a flat portion whose cross section along the extension direction is approximately linear.

[0066] [Item 2] The front pillar upper structure according to item 1, The front pillar upper structure, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed forward and spaced from the connection portion between the windshield and the roof panel.

[0067] [Item 3] The front pillar upper structure according to item 1 or 2, The reinforcing member is joined in a sandwiched state between the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion.

[0068] [Item 4] The front pillar upper structure according to any one of items 1 to 3, The outer reinforcement is made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more, The reinforcing member is partially disposed in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure.

[0069] [Item 5] The front pillar upper structure according to any one of items 1 to 4, The inner member is made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more, The reinforcing member is partially disposed in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...peripheral system, 2...front pillar, 2A...front pillar upper, 2B...front pillar lower, 2D...front pillar upper structure, 2E...closed section structure, 2F...first joint portion, 2G...second joint portion, 3...windshield, 4...roof panel, 5...front header, 21...outer member, 22...inner member, 23...outer reinforcement, 24,324,424,524,624...reinforcing member, 4 1...connecting portion, 50...header extension, 101...opening, 211, 221, 231, 241...upper flange portion, 212, 232...outer wall portion, 213, 225, 233, 243...lower flange portion, 222...recessed portion, 223...first wall portion, 224...second wall portion, 242, 442, 542, 642...flat portion, 244...first bent portion, 244a...upper end, 245...second bent portion, 446...bead, 647...notch.

Claims

1. A front pillar upper structure in a region extending in the front-rear direction of a vehicle, the region being located above a front door of the vehicle and extending rearward to a position where the region intersects with an upper portion of a windshield, an outer member that constitutes an outer wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle; an inner member that constitutes an inner wall of the front pillar upper structure in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the outer member to form a closed cross-sectional structure; An outer reinforcement disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure; a reinforcing member disposed within the closed cross-sectional structure; Equipped with The outer member is a first upper flange portion located above the outer member and joined to the inner member; a first lower flange portion located below the outer member and joined to the inner member, The inner member is a second upper flange portion located above the inner member and joined to the first upper flange portion; a second lower flange portion located below the inner member and joined to the first lower flange portion, The reinforcing member is a plate-shaped flat portion extending downward; a plate-shaped upper end flange portion extending from a first bent portion that is an upper end portion of the flat portion and being a portion sandwiched between the first upper flange portion and the second upper flange portion; a plate-shaped lower end flange portion extending from a second bent portion that is a lower end portion of the flat portion and that is a portion sandwiched between the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion, the flat surface portion includes a straight portion that is at least a part of the flat surface portion and extends substantially linearly over the entire flat surface portion from the first bent portion to the second bent portion, the upper end flange portion is bent at the first bent portion with respect to the flat portion so as to be directed toward a first side in a plate thickness direction of the flat portion, The lower end flange portion is bent at the second bent portion with respect to the flat portion so as to extend toward a second side opposite to the first side in the plate thickness direction. Front pillar upper structure.

2. The front pillar upper structure according to claim 1, The front pillar upper structure, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed forward and spaced from the connection portion between the windshield and the roof panel.

3. The front pillar upper structure according to claim 1 or 2, The reinforcing member is joined to the first lower flange portion and the second lower flange portion while being sandwiched therebetween.

4. The front pillar upper structure according to claim 1 or 2, The outer reinforcement is made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more, The reinforcing member is partially disposed in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure.

5. The front pillar upper structure according to claim 1 or 2, The inner member is made of a steel plate having a tensile strength of 1180 MPa or more, The reinforcing member is partially disposed in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar upper structure.

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