Body structure

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle body structure which enables easy replacement of a center pillar and easy recycling of the center pillar removed from a vehicle body and a material forming the center pillar.SOLUTION: A vehicle body 12 has: rockers 28 each forming a part at the outer side as seen in a vehicle width direction of a floor part 24 and extending in a vehicle fore and aft direction; and metallic center pillars 18 each of which is formed as a component different from the rocker 28 and removably attached to the rocker 28 at a lower part 18A at the vehicle lower side by bolts 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an invention related to an automobile body. In this automobile body, the lower end of a center pillar is connected via a fastening member to a side sill (rocker) of a body frame that is a separate part from the center pillar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6150365 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] To make a center pillar of a vehicle body replaceable, it is preferable that the center pillar be detachable from other components, as in the prior art. Furthermore, from the perspective of effective utilization of resources, it is preferable that the center pillar removed from the vehicle body and the materials that make it up can be easily reused.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the main portion of the center pillar is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin, which makes it difficult to repair the center pillar or reuse the material that makes up the center pillar.

[0006] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle body structure that allows for easy replacement of center pillars and easy reuse of center pillars and the materials that make up the pillars that have been removed from the vehicle body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle body structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 comprises: a rocker that forms part of the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the lower part of the vehicle body and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction; and a metal center pillar that is a separate part from the rocker and has a lower part on the vehicle lower side removably attached to the rocker with an attachment member, the center pillar including a pillar outer that forms the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a pillar inner that forms the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the rocker has a cross-sectional shape that is a closed cross-section as viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction by joining a first flange portion that extends in the vehicle vertical direction of the rocker outer that forms the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a second flange portion that extends in the vehicle vertical direction of the rocker inner that forms the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the first flange portion on the upper side of the vehicle and the second flange portion on the upper side of the vehicle are sandwiched between the pillar outer and the pillar inner. The vehicle further includes a width-direction support portion that is disposed inside the rocker and has a width-direction through-portion that extends in the vehicle width direction, and the lower portion includes an outer wall portion located on the outer side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction and an inner wall portion located on the inner side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction, and the rocker and the lower portion are connected in the vehicle width direction by an outer inserted portion provided on the outer wall portion, an inner inserted portion provided on the inner wall portion, and a width-direction mounting member that serves as the mounting member and is inserted through the width-direction through-portion. .

[0008] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, a part of the vehicle body lower part on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is formed by a rocker, and this rocker extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0009] In addition, in the present invention, the center pillar is a separate part from the rocker, and the lower portion of the center pillar on the vehicle lower side is removably attached to the rocker, so that the center pillar can be removed from the lower part of the vehicle body.

[0010] However, when the main part of the center pillar is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin, it becomes difficult to repair the center pillar or reuse the material that makes up the center pillar.

[0011] In the present invention, the center pillar is made of metal, which allows welding to be performed on the center pillar and melting of the components that make up the center pillar. This makes it easier to repair the center pillar or to manufacture a new one from the material that makes up the center pillar, compared to a center pillar made of a material that is difficult to reuse, such as carbon fiber reinforced resin. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the rocker when viewed from the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is a closed cross-section, and a width-direction support portion having a width-direction through portion extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged inside the rocker. one Meanwhile, the lower portion of the center pillar is provided with an outer wall portion located on the outer side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction, and an inner wall portion located on the inner side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction. The rocker and the lower part of the center pillar are connected in the vehicle width direction by width-direction mounting members that are inserted through the outer inserted portion provided on the outer wall portion, the inner inserted portion provided on the inner wall portion, and the width-direction through-portions of the width-direction support portion. Therefore, in the present invention, the connection points between the rocker and the center pillar are concentrated in the vehicle width direction, and the rocker and center pillar can be connected without having to be connected on both the outer and inner sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] Claim 2 The vehicle body structure according to the present invention described in claim 1 In the invention described above, the width direction support portion is an impact absorbing member capable of absorbing collision loads in the vehicle width direction, and the width direction support portion is positioned so as to overlap with a battery pack positioned inside the rocker in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0017] Claim 2 According to the present invention described in (1), an impact absorbing member capable of absorbing a collision load in the vehicle width direction is disposed inside the rocker. Meanwhile, a battery pack is disposed inside the rocker in the vehicle width direction, and the impact absorbing member is disposed in a position overlapping with the battery pack when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0018] Therefore, in the present invention, when a collision load is input to the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction, at least a portion of the collision load is absorbed by the impact absorbing member before the collision load is input to the battery pack.

[0019] Claim 3 The vehicle body structure according to the present invention described in claim 1 or Claim 2 In the invention described above, the rocker is provided with a vertical support part that is arranged inside the rocker and has a vertical penetrating part that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the lower part is provided with an upper wall part that is located on the upper side of the rocker, and the upper wall part is connected to the rocker in the vertical direction of the vehicle by an upper inserted part provided on the upper wall part and a vertical mounting member that serves as the mounting member inserted into the vertical penetrating part.

[0020] Claim 3 According to the present invention described above, a vertical support portion is disposed inside the rocker, and a vertical through-portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle is formed in the vertical support portion.

[0021] On the other hand, an upper wall portion is provided at the lower portion of the center pillar and is located on the vehicle upper side of the rocker, and this upper wall portion is provided with an upper insertion portion.

[0022] The rocker and the lower part of the center pillar are connected in the vertical direction of the vehicle by a vertical mounting member that is inserted through the upper inserted portion and the vertical through-portion of the vertical support portion.

[0023] Therefore, in the present invention, the connection points between the rocker and the center pillar are concentrated in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the rocker and the center pillar can be connected without having to be connected on both the upper and lower sides of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] As described above, the vehicle body structure of the present invention described in claim 1 has the excellent effect of allowing the center pillar to be easily replaced and also allowing the center pillar removed from the vehicle body and the materials that make it up to be easily reused.

[0025] Also, The vehicle body structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of reducing the number of steps required to assemble the vehicle body when the vehicle body is configured such that the center pillar and the rocker are connected in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] Claim 2 The vehicle body structure according to the present invention described above has the excellent effect of protecting the battery pack arranged on the lower side of the vehicle body from a collision load in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] Claim 3 The vehicle body structure of the present invention described above has the excellent effect of suppressing an increase in the number of steps required to assemble the vehicle body when the vehicle body is configured so that the center pillar and the rocker are connected in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1]1 is a side view (view taken in the direction of an arrow 1 in FIG. 2) showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which the vehicle body structure according to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line 2-2 in FIG. 1) seen from above the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which the vehicle body structure relating to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the vehicle (a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line 3-3 in FIG. 1) showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which the vehicle body structure related to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view seen from the front side of the vehicle (a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line 4-4 in FIG. 1) showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which the vehicle body structure related to the first embodiment is applied. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to a first embodiment is applied. [Figure 6] 10 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to FIG. 2) seen from above the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to a second embodiment is applied. [Figure 7] 10 is a cross-sectional view (corresponding to FIG. 3) seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to a second embodiment is applied. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 4) seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure relating to a second embodiment is applied. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7) seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connecting portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to a first modified example of the second embodiment is applied. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 7) seen from the front side of the vehicle, showing the configuration of a connection portion between a center pillar and a rocker in a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to a second modified example of the second embodiment is applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] First Embodiment An example of an embodiment of a vehicle body structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5. Note that the arrow FR shown in each figure indicates the front side of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow OUT indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] First, a schematic configuration of a "vehicle body 12" of a "vehicle 10" to which the vehicle body structure according to this embodiment is applied will be described using Figure 5. In this embodiment, the vehicle body 12 is basically configured symmetrically, and therefore, the following description will mainly focus on the configuration of the left side of the vehicle body 12 in the vehicle width direction, and will omit appropriate descriptions of the configuration of the right side of the vehicle width direction.

[0031] The vehicle body 12 is composed of a removably connected body upper 22 including a roof portion 14, front pillars 16, a "center pillar 18" and a rear pillar 20, and a body lower 26 including a "floor portion 24" as the lower part of the vehicle body.

[0032] This embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the connection between the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 that constitutes part of the floor section 24. Below, the configuration of the vehicle body 12 will be described in detail, focusing on the configuration of the center pillar 18 and rocker 28 that constitute the main parts of this embodiment, as well as the surrounding area.

[0033] First, the configuration of the floor section 24 will be described. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the floor section 24 is formed by pressing a steel plate and includes a floor panel 30 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle top-bottom direction. A pair of rockers 28 are arranged on the outer sides of the floor panel 30 in the vehicle width direction, along the outer peripheral edges of the floor panel 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The rocker 28 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and includes a rocker outer 32 that forms the outer portion of the rocker 28 in the vehicle width direction, and a rocker inner 34 that forms the inner portion of the rocker 28 in the vehicle width direction. The rocker outer 32 and the rocker inner 34 are each formed by pressing a steel plate.

[0035] Specifically, the rocker outer 32 includes a side wall portion 32A, an upper wall portion 32B, a lower wall portion 32C, and a pair of flange portions 32D, and has a hat-shaped cross section viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, the cross section being open on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The side wall portion 32A constitutes the outer portion of the rocker outer 32 in the vehicle width direction and is a plate-like member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, with its plate thickness direction being the vehicle width direction. An upper wall portion 32B extends from the peripheral edge of the side wall portion 32A on the upper side of the vehicle toward the inner side above the vehicle, and a lower wall portion 32C extends from the peripheral edge of the side wall portion 32A on the lower side of the vehicle toward the inner side below the vehicle. Flanges 32D extend from the peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 32B on the upper side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, and from the peripheral edge of the lower wall portion 32C on the lower side of the vehicle toward the lower side of the vehicle.

[0036] On the other hand, the rocker inner 34 is basically configured symmetrically in the vehicle width direction to the rocker outer 32. Specifically, the rocker inner 34 includes a side wall portion 34A, an upper wall portion 34B, a lower wall portion 34C, and a pair of flange portions 34D, and is configured such that its cross-sectional shape as viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction is hat-shaped with the outer side in the vehicle width direction being open.

[0037] The flange portion 32D of the rocker outer 32 and the flange portion 34D of the rocker inner 34 are joined by welding or the like at a joint (not shown), so that the rocker 28 has a closed cross-sectional structure in which the cross-sectional shape when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction is a polygonal closed cross-section such as a substantially rectangular or substantially hexagonal shape. The outer peripheral edge of the floor panel 30 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the rocker inner 34 at a joint (not shown) by welding or the like in a state in which it abuts against the vehicle lower side.

[0038] 1 and 2, the center of the rocker 28 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is a connecting portion 28A that is connected to the center pillar 18. Inside the connecting portion 28A, a plurality of "collars 36" serving as widthwise support portions and a plurality of "collars 38" serving as vertical support portions are arranged.

[0039] 3, the collar 36 is made of metal, has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle width direction. That is, a "penetration portion 36A" formed in the collar 36 as a widthwise penetrating portion extends in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of collars 36 (five collars, for example) are disposed at predetermined intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction in the vehicle vertical center of the rocker 28.

[0040] The outer end of the collar 36 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the side wall portion 32A of the rocker outer 32, and the inner end of the collar 36 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the side wall portion 34A of the rocker inner 34 by a joint (not shown) such as welding. Furthermore, a through-portion 40 is formed in each of the side wall portion 32A and the side wall portion 34A at a position overlapping with the through-portion 36A.

[0041] On the other hand, collar 38 has basically the same configuration as collar 36, but is disposed with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 4. That is, "through portion 38A" as a vertical through portion formed in collar 38 extends in the vehicle vertical direction. A plurality of collars 38 (two, for example) are disposed at a predetermined interval in the vehicle width direction on each of one side and the other side of coupling portion 28A in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0042] More specifically, these collars 38 are arranged so as to overlap one another when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and the collar 38 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction has its upper end on the vehicle upper side joined to the upper wall portion 32B of the rocker outer 32, and its lower end on the vehicle lower side joined to the lower wall portion 32C of the rocker outer 32, by joints (not shown) such as welding. Furthermore, through-holes 41 are formed in the upper wall portion 32B and the lower wall portion 32C at positions that overlap with the through-holes 38A.

[0043] On the other hand, the collar 38 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction has its end on the upper side of the vehicle joined to the upper wall portion 34B of the rocker inner 34 and its end on the lower side of the vehicle joined to the lower wall portion 34C of the rocker inner 34 by joints (not shown) such as welding. Furthermore, through-holes 42 are formed in the upper wall portion 34B and the lower wall portion 34C at positions that overlap with the through-holes 38A.

[0044] Returning to Figure 2, the center pillar 18 is configured to include an outer pillar 44 that forms the portion thereof on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and an inner pillar 46 that forms the portion thereof on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The outer pillar 44 and the inner pillar 46 are each formed by pressing a steel plate. The center pillar 18 can be made of various metals other than iron, such as aluminum alloys.

[0045] 1, the pillar outer panel 44 is gradually increased in width from the upper side of the vehicle toward the lower side of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The pillar outer panel 44 is configured to include a front wall portion 44A that forms the portion on the front side of the vehicle, an outer wall portion 44B that forms the portion on the outer side of the vehicle width direction, and a rear wall portion 44C that forms the portion on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0046] The front wall portion 44A has a plate shape that extends in the vehicle vertical direction, with its main portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and its thickness direction aligned with the vehicle front-rear direction. Meanwhile, the portion of the front wall portion 44A that forms the "lower portion 18A" of the center pillar 18 is positioned on the vehicle upper side of the vehicle at the vehicle-front outer portion of the connecting portion 28A, with its thickness direction aligned with the vehicle vertical direction, and is in contact with the connecting portion 28A. Hereinafter, this portion of the front wall portion 44A will be referred to as the "upper wall portion 44A1." Furthermore, a "penetration portion 48" serving as an upper inserted portion is formed in the upper wall portion 44A1 at a position that overlaps with the penetration portion 38A of the collar 38 when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction.

[0047] The outer wall portion 44B extends in the vehicle up-down direction with its thickness direction being the vehicle width direction, and the portion of the outer wall portion 44B that forms the lower portion 18A is located outside the connecting portion 28A in the vehicle width direction and is in contact with the connecting portion 28A. Note that, hereinafter, this portion of the outer wall portion 44B will be referred to as the "outer wall portion 44B1." Then, at a position of the outer wall portion 44B1 that overlaps with the through portion 36A of the collar 36 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, a "through portion 50" serving as an outer inserted portion is formed (see FIG. 3).

[0048] The rear wall 44C has a plate-like shape with its main portion extending in the vehicle vertical direction, with its thickness oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the portion of the rear wall 44C that forms the lower portion 18A is positioned on the vehicle upper side of the vehicle at the rearward outer portion of the connecting portion 28A, with its thickness oriented in the vehicle vertical direction, and is in contact with the connecting portion 28A. Hereinafter, this portion of the rear wall 44C will be referred to as the "upper wall 44C1." Furthermore, a "penetration portion 52" serving as an upper inserted portion is formed in the upper wall 44C1 at a position that overlaps with the penetration portion 38A of the collar 38 when viewed in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0049] In addition, a flange portion 44D extends toward the front of the vehicle from the inner peripheral edge of the front wall portion 44A in the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion 44E extends toward the rear of the vehicle from the inner peripheral edge of the rear wall portion 44C in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the pillar inner 46 is basically configured symmetrically to the pillar outer 44 in the vehicle width direction, and is configured to include a front wall portion 46A that forms the portion on the front side of the vehicle, an inner wall portion 46B that forms the portion on the inside in the vehicle width direction, and a rear wall portion 46C that forms the portion on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0051] Specifically, the portion of front wall 46A that constitutes lower portion 18A is positioned on the vehicle upper side of the vehicle front-inner portion of connecting portion 28A, with its plate thickness direction aligned with the vehicle vertical direction, and is in contact with connecting portion 28A. Hereinafter, this portion of front wall 46A will be referred to as "upper wall 46A1." Furthermore, a "penetration portion 54" serving as an upper inserted portion is formed in upper wall 46A1 at a position that overlaps with penetration portion 38A of collar 38 when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction.

[0052] Furthermore, a portion of the inner wall portion 46B that constitutes the lower portion 18A is located inside the connecting portion 28A in the vehicle width direction and is in contact with the connecting portion 28A. Note that, hereinafter, this portion of the inner wall portion 46B will be referred to as the "inner wall portion 46B1." Then, at a position of the inner wall portion 46B1 that overlaps with the through portion 36A of the collar 36 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, a "through portion 56" serving as an inner inserted portion is formed (see FIG. 3).

[0053] Furthermore, the portion of rear wall 46C that constitutes lower portion 18A is positioned on the vehicle upper side of the vehicle rearwardly inward portion of connecting portion 28A, with its plate thickness direction aligned with the vehicle vertical direction, and is in contact with connecting portion 28A. Hereinafter, this portion of rear wall 46C will be referred to as "upper wall 46C1." Furthermore, a "penetration portion 58" serving as an upper inserted portion is formed in upper wall 46C1 at a position that overlaps with penetration portion 38A of collar 38 when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction.

[0054] In addition, a flange portion 46D extends toward the front of the vehicle from the outer peripheral edge of the front wall portion 46A in the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion 46E extends toward the rear of the vehicle from the outer peripheral edge of the rear wall portion 46C in the vehicle width direction.

[0055] The outer pillar 44 and the inner pillar 46 are integrated by joining the flange portion 44D to the flange portion 46D and the flange portion 44E to the flange portion 46E at joints (not shown) such as by welding. The center pillar 18 configured as described above has a closed cross-sectional structure in which the cross-sectional shape when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 is connected to the connecting portion 28A of the rocker 28 by a plurality of "bolts 60" as widthwise mounting members and a plurality of "bolts 62" as vertical mounting members.

[0057] More specifically, a weld nut 64 is joined to each of the multiple through holes 56 on the inner wall portion 46B1 of the pillar inner panel 46 from the inside in the vehicle width direction at a joint (not shown) by welding or the like. The shank 60A of the bolt 60 is fastened to the weld nut 64 in the vehicle width direction with the shank 60A inserted through the through holes 50 of the pillar outer panel 44, the through holes 40 of the rocker 28, the through holes 36A of the collar 36, and the through holes 56 of the pillar inner panel 46.

[0058] Meanwhile, weld nuts 66 are joined to the lower wall portion 32C of the rocker outer 32 from the vehicle underside at joints (not shown) by welding or the like, for each of the multiple through-holes 41. The shank 62A of the bolt 62 is fastened to the weld nut 66 in the vehicle up-down direction with the shank 62A inserted through the through-hole 48 or the through-hole 52 of the pillar outer 44, the through-hole 41 of the rocker 28, and the through-hole 38A of the collar 38.

[0059] Additionally, weld nuts 68 are joined to the lower wall portion 34C of the rocker inner 34 at joints (not shown) by welding or the like from below the vehicle to each of the plurality of through-holes 42. The shank 62A of the bolt 62 is fastened to the weld nut 68 in the vehicle width direction with the shank 62A inserted through the through-hole 54 or the through-hole 58 of the pillar inner 46, the through-hole 42 of the rocker 28, and the through-hole 38A of the collar 38.

[0060] Furthermore, when the lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 is connected to the connecting portion 28A, a portion of the flange portion 32D on the vehicle upper side of the rocker outer 32 and a portion of the flange portion 34D on the vehicle upper side of the rocker inner 34 are sandwiched between the pillar outer 44 and the pillar inner 46.

[0061] Furthermore, the upper portion 18B of the center pillar 18 is connected to the roof portion 14 in the same manner as the lower portion 18A, but the upper portion 18B may also be joined to the roof portion 14 by welding or the like at a joint not shown (see Figure 5).

[0062] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0063] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a part of the floor portion 24 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is formed by a rocker 28, and this rocker 28 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0064] 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the center pillar 18 is a separate part from the rocker 28, and a lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 on the vehicle lower side is removably attached to the rocker 28. Therefore, in this embodiment, the center pillar 18 can be removed from the floor portion 24.

[0065] However, if the main portion of the center pillar 18 is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin, it will be difficult to repair the center pillar 18 or reuse the material that makes up the center pillar 18.

[0066] In this embodiment, the center pillar 18 is made of steel, and it is possible to perform welding on the center pillar 18 or melt the components that make up the center pillar 18. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the center pillar 18 is made of a material that is difficult to reuse, such as carbon fiber reinforced resin, it is easy to repair the center pillar 18 or to manufacture new material from the material that makes up the center pillar 18.

[0067] Therefore, in this embodiment, the center pillar 18 can be easily replaced, and the center pillar 18 removed from the vehicle body 12 and the materials that make it up can be easily reused.

[0068] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape of the rocker 28 when viewed from the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is a closed cross-section, and a collar 36 having a through portion 36A extending in the vehicle's width direction is arranged inside the rocker 28.

[0069] On the other hand, the lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 includes an outer wall portion 44B1 located on the outer side of the rocker 28 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner wall portion 46B1 located on the inner side of the rocker 28 in the vehicle width direction.

[0070] The rocker 28 and the lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 are connected in the vehicle width direction by a bolt 60 inserted through a through-hole 50 provided in the outer wall portion 44B1, a through-hole 56 provided in the inner wall portion 46B1, and a through-hole 36A of the collar 36. Therefore, in this embodiment, the connection points between the rocker 28 and the center pillar 18 are concentrated in the vehicle width direction, and the rocker 28 and the center pillar 18 can be connected without having to be connected on both the outer side and the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0071] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle body 12 is configured such that the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 are connected in the vehicle width direction, the number of steps required to assemble the vehicle body 12 can be reduced.

[0072] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a collar 38 is disposed inside the rocker 28, and this collar 38 is formed with a through portion 38A that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0073] Meanwhile, the lower portion 18A of the center pillar 18 is provided with an upper wall portion 44A1, an upper wall portion 44C1, an upper wall portion 46A1, and an upper wall portion 46C1 located on the vehicle upper side of the rocker 28. Furthermore, a through-hole 48 is provided in the upper wall portion 44A1, a through-hole 52 is provided in the upper wall portion 44C1, a through-hole 54 is provided in the upper wall portion 46A1, and a through-hole 58 is provided in the upper wall portion 46C1.

[0074] The rocker 28 and the lower part 18A of the center pillar 18 are connected in the vertical direction of the vehicle by a bolt 62 inserted through one of the through-holes 48, 52, 54 and 58 and the through-hole 38A of the collar 38.

[0075] For this reason, in this embodiment, the connection points between the rocker 28 and the center pillar 18 are concentrated in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the rocker 28 and the center pillar 18 can be connected without having to be connected on both the upper and lower sides of the vehicle.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the vehicle body 12 is configured such that the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 are connected in the vehicle vertical direction, an increase in the number of steps required to assemble the vehicle body 12 can be suppressed.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 are joined at a joint made by welding or the like, the number of steps required to release the connection between the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 can be reduced, and ultimately the number of steps required to disassemble the vehicle body 12 can be reduced.

[0078] Second Embodiment Next, a vehicle body structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 10. Note that components common to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0079] This embodiment is characterized in that, as shown in FIG. 7, a "battery pack 80" is arranged between a pair of lockers 28, and an "impact absorbing member 82 (hereinafter referred to as EA member 82)" is arranged inside the locker 28 instead of the collar 36 and the collar 38.

[0080] Specifically, the battery pack 80 includes an aluminum battery case 84 that forms the outer shell of the battery pack 80, and a battery module 86 that is disposed inside the battery case 84 (see FIG. 10).

[0081] In this embodiment, the floor panel 30 is joined to the upper portion of the rocker 28, and the battery pack 80 is attached to the floor panel 30 from the lower side of the vehicle. The battery pack 80 is arranged so that most of it overlaps with the rocker 28 when viewed from the width direction of the vehicle.

[0082] On the other hand, the EA member 82 is made of an extruded material such as an aluminum alloy, and includes a rectangular cylindrical outer wall portion 82A extending in the vehicle direction and a partition wall portion 82B provided inside the outer wall portion 82A, and is capable of absorbing a collision load in the vehicle width direction. The EA member 82 is joined to the rocker 28 by welding or the like at a joint (not shown).

[0083] Furthermore, a "through portion 88" is formed as a widthwise through portion at a position in the EA member 82 that overlaps with the through portion 50 and the through portion 56 of the center pillar 18 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the shank 60A of the bolt 60 is inserted into the through portion 88.

[0084] 8, the EA member 82 has a "through portion 90" formed as a vertical through portion at a position that overlaps with one of the through portions 48, 52, 54, and 58 of the center pillar 18 when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction, and the shank 62A of the bolt 62 is inserted through the through portion 90. That is, in this embodiment, the EA member 82 functions as a widthwise support portion and a vertical support portion.

[0085] In the present embodiment configured as described above, an EA member 82 capable of absorbing collision loads in the vehicle width direction is disposed inside the rocker 28. Meanwhile, a battery pack 80 is disposed inside the rocker 28 in the vehicle width direction, and the EA member 82 is disposed in a position overlapping with the battery pack 80 when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0086] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a collision load in the vehicle width direction is input to the vehicle body 12, at least a portion of the collision load is absorbed by the EA member 82 before the collision load is input to the battery pack 80. Therefore, in this embodiment, the battery pack 80 arranged on the lower side of the vehicle body 12 can be protected from the collision load in the vehicle width direction.

[0087] <First Modification of Second Embodiment> Next, a vehicle body structure according to a first modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0088] Specifically, in this modified example, the rocker 28 and the EA member 82 are extended in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the fastening point of the bolt 60 is changed to a position where the bolt 60 and the battery pack 80 do not overlap when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0089] According to this configuration, the battery pack 80 can be expanded in the vehicle width direction, and as a result, the capacity of the battery pack 80 can be ensured.

[0090] <Second Modification of Second Embodiment> Next, a vehicle body structure according to a second modified example of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0091] Specifically, in this modified example, the position of the weld nut 64, which was provided on the inner wall portion 46B1 of the pillar inner 46, has been changed to the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the side wall portion 84A that constitutes the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the battery case 84.

[0092] According to this configuration, the locker 28 and the battery pack 80 can be placed close to each other, and as a result, the capacity of the battery pack 80 can be ensured.

[0093] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> (1) In the above-described embodiment, only one bolt 60 is disposed in the vehicle vertical direction. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of bolts 60 are disposed in the vehicle vertical direction depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10. For example, as in the first modified example of the second embodiment, the rocker 28 and the EA member 82 may be extended in the vehicle vertical direction, and the outer wall portion 44B1 may be extended in the vehicle vertical direction, so that two bolts 60 are disposed in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0094] (2) In the above-described embodiment, the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28 are connected using the bolts 60 and 62, but this is not limited to this. That is, a configuration may be adopted in which the bolts 62 are not used to connect the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28, depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, etc. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which weld nuts are provided on the inner surfaces of the side wall portions 32A and 34A of the rocker 28, and bolts are fastened to these weld nuts from the outside of the center pillar 18 to connect the center pillar 18 and the rocker 28.

[0095] (3) Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the bolts 60 and 62 were fastened to weld nuts. However, depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, the bolts 60 and 62 may be fastened to nuts that are separate from the vehicle body 12 and are not weld nuts.

[0096] (4) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a collar or an impact absorbing member is arranged inside the rocker 28, but depending on the specifications of the vehicle 10, a configuration may be adopted in which a collar or an impact absorbing member is not arranged inside the rocker 28. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 10 vehicles 12 Body 18 Center pillar 18A Lower 24 Floor section (under the vehicle) 28 Rocca 36 Collar (width direction support part) 36A Penetration part (width direction penetration part) 38 Collar (vertical support part) 38A Penetration (vertical penetration) 44A1 Upper wall 44B1 Outer wall 44C1 Upper wall 46A1 Upper wall 46B1 Inner wall 46C1 Upper wall 48 Penetration part (upper inserted part) 50 Penetrating part (outer inserted part) 52 Penetration part (upper inserted part) 54 Penetration part (upper inserted part) 56 Penetrating part (inner penetrated part) 58 Penetration part (upper inserted part) 60 bolts (width direction mounting member) 62 Bolts (vertical mounting parts) 80 Battery Pack 82 Impact absorbing member 88 Width direction penetration part 90 Vertical penetration

Claims

1. a rocker that forms a part of the outer side of the vehicle width direction in the lower part of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a metal center pillar that is a separate part from the rocker and has a lower portion on the vehicle lower side removably attached to the rocker by an attachment member; and The center pillar is configured to include a pillar outer portion that forms an outer side in a vehicle width direction and a pillar inner portion that forms an inner side in the vehicle width direction, The rocker has a closed cross-sectional shape as viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction by joining a first flange portion extending in the vehicle vertical direction of the rocker outer portion constituting the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a second flange portion extending in the vehicle vertical direction of the rocker inner portion constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the first flange portion on the upper side of the vehicle and the second flange portion on the upper side of the vehicle are sandwiched between the pillar outer and the pillar inner, a width direction support portion disposed inside the rocker and having a width direction through-portion extending in the vehicle width direction; The lower portion includes an outer wall portion located on the outer side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction, and an inner wall portion located on the inner side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction, The rocker and the lower part are connected in the vehicle width direction by an outer inserted portion provided on the outer wall portion, an inner inserted portion provided on the inner wall portion, and a width direction mounting member as the mounting member inserted through the width direction through-portion. Body structure.

2. The width direction support portion is an impact absorbing member capable of absorbing a collision load in the vehicle width direction, and the width direction support portion is disposed at a position overlapping with a battery pack disposed on the inner side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction as viewed from the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 .

3. a vertical support portion disposed inside the rocker and having a vertical through-portion extending in the vehicle vertical direction; The lower portion is provided with an upper wall portion located on the vehicle upper side of the rocker, and The upper wall portion is connected to the rocker and the lower portion in the vehicle vertical direction by a vertical mounting member as the mounting member inserted into an upper inserted portion provided on the upper wall portion and the vertical through-portion. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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