Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle rear part structure that can further improve rigidity of a vehicle rear part.SOLUTION: A vehicle rear part structure comprises: a pair of rear part constituting members 28 arranged with an interval in a vehicle width direction; a pair of rear side members 60 arranged with an interval in the vehicle width direction; and a cross connection member 70 connecting the pair of rear part constituting members 28 to each other. The rear part constituting members 28 are hollow member in which a main body part 30, a tower part 50 and a suspension member 40 are integrally casted. The cross connection member 70 has a connection part 74 extending in the vehicle width direction, at a side closer to a rear part of a vehicle than the tower part 50, and a pair of arm parts 72 extended from both ends in the vehicle width direction of the connection part 74 and connected to the tower part 50, which is formed in a nearly U-shape protruding in a vehicle longitudinal direction, in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification discloses a vehicle rear structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a suspension, a suspension member, a suspension tower, and a rear side member are arranged at the rear of a vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for integrally molding the suspension member and the suspension tower by casting, with the aim of improving collision safety, etc. This technique can improve collision safety to a certain extent. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-286652 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the structure behind the cast member of the vehicle is not fully considered in Patent Document 1. Therefore, this specification discloses a vehicle rear structure that can further improve the rigidity of the vehicle rear. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The vehicle rear structure disclosed in this specification comprises a pair of rear structural members spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, a pair of rear side members spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and a cross connecting member connecting the pair of rear structural members to each other, wherein the rear structural members are hollow members formed by integrally casting a main body portion, a tower portion, and a suspension member portion, the main body portion having a front end connected to a rear pillar and a rear end connected to the rear side member, and the tower portion is open downwardly so as to receive a part of a suspension device. the rear side member and the cross connecting member are tubular extruded members, and the cross connecting member has a connecting portion that extends in the vehicle width direction behind the rear component member and at a position behind the vehicle, and a pair of arm portions that extend from both ends of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction towards the front of the vehicle and are connected to the tower portion, and may have a generally U-shape that is convex towards the rear of the vehicle in a plan view.

[0006] The provision of the cross-connecting member further improves the rigidity of the vehicle rearward of the rear structural member, thereby suppressing deformation of the vehicle body in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0007] In this case, the vehicle may further include a first cross member that connects the vicinity of the lower ends of the tower portions of each of the pair of rear structural members in the vehicle width direction, and a first ring shape that convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view may be formed by the first cross member, the tower portions, and the cross connecting member.

[0008] By forming the first annular shape, the rigidity of the vehicle behind the rear component member is further improved.

[0009] In this case, there may further be provided an access opening to the luggage space and a rear door for opening and closing the access opening, the access opening extending approximately horizontally at approximately the same height as the cross-connecting member, the cross-connecting member surrounding part of the periphery of the access opening, and the rear door being positioned above the cross-connecting member.

[0010] This configuration improves the rigidity around the access opening. As a result, the rigidity around the access opening is improved. In addition, in this case, the rear door is supported by the cross-connecting member, which improves the rigidity of the rear door.

[0011] Furthermore, the vehicle may further include a pair of connecting members connected to the pair of rear structural members, respectively, and the connecting members may connect the upper front corners of the main body portion and the upper portion of the tower portion.

[0012] With this configuration, in the event of a rear collision, the collision load applied to the cross-connecting member is transmitted to the rear pillar via the connecting member, thereby effectively consuming or dissipating the collision energy and appropriately protecting the vehicle interior.

[0013] In this case, the vehicle may further include a second cross member connecting the front ends of the pair of rear structural members in the vehicle width direction, the connecting member extending diagonally upward and rearward from the front upper corner of the main body portion, and then curving and extending toward the rear of the vehicle, the rear end of the connecting member being located on an extension line of the arm portion toward the front of the vehicle, and a second ring shape that is convex in plan view toward the rear of the vehicle may be formed by the second cross member, the pair of connecting members, and the cross connecting member.

[0014] The formation of the second annular shape further improves the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle, resulting in better protection of the passenger compartment in the event of a rear collision. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the vehicle rear structure disclosed in this specification, the rigidity of the vehicle behind the rear structural member is further improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a cross-connection member. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle rear structure, illustrating the ring shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The vehicle rear structure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a right side view of the vehicle rear structure. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle rear structure. In each drawing, "Fr," "Up," and "Rh" indicate the front, upper, and right sides of the vehicle, respectively. In Fig. 2, the rear pillar 10, rocker 12, roof rail 16, and rear door 94 are not shown.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle rear structure is generally symmetrical. Therefore, many of the elements included in the vehicle rear structure are arranged in pairs with a gap between them in the vehicle width direction. For example, the rear pillars 10 (not shown in Fig. 2), rockers 12 (not shown in Fig. 2), roof rails 16 (not shown in Fig. 2), rear structural members 28, rear side members 60, and connecting members 80 are all arranged in pairs.

[0019] 1, the rear pillar 10 is a frame member extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lower end of the rear pillar 10 is connected to the rear end of a rocker 12. The upper end of the rear pillar 10 is connected to a roof rail 16.

[0020] The rocker 12 is a frame member that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle below the vehicle. The roof rail 16 is a frame member that is disposed at the boundary between the roof and the side of the vehicle. The rear pillar 10 is connected to the middle portion of the roof rail 16.

[0021] A rear component 28 is disposed behind the rear pillar 10. In FIG. 1, the rear component 28 is hatched gray. The rear component 28 is a cast member made of a metal such as aluminum. The rear component 28 is a hollow member that has a thickness in the vehicle width direction and has a space formed therein. The front end of the rear component 28 is connected to the rear pillar 10 and the rocker 12. To reinforce this connection, a connecting plate 14 is joined to the rear component 28, the rear pillar 10, and the rocker 12.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear structural member 28 is broadly divided into a main body portion 30, a suspension member portion 40, and a tower portion 50. The main body portion 30 has a front end connected to the rear pillar 10 and a rear end connected to a rear side member 60. In other words, the main body portion 30 is a long portion extending rearward of the vehicle. The main body portion 30 functions as a side member. A first assembly portion 32 is formed at the front upper corner of the main body portion 30. The first assembly portion 32 is a portion to which the front end of a connecting member 80 (described later) is attached. The first assembly portion 32 extends obliquely upward and rearward from the front upper corner of the main body portion 30. A second assembly portion 34 is formed at the rear end of the main body portion 30. The second assembly portion 34 is a portion to which the front end of a rear side member 60 (described later) is attached. The second assembly portion 34 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, into which the rectangular cylindrical rear side member 60 can be inserted.

[0023] The suspension member portion 40 is connected to the underside of the main body portion 30. The front end of the suspension member portion 40 is connected to the rear pillar 10 and the rocker 12. The suspension member portion 40 functions as a suspension member that supports a suspension system (not shown). An opening 42 is formed in approximately the center of the suspension member portion 40 for passing a drive shaft (not shown) of the rear wheels. In addition, a plurality of fastening seats 44 are formed in the main body portion 30 and the suspension member portion 40. In FIG. 1, the fastening seats 44 are indicated by dark gray hatching. The fastening seats 44 are the locations to which arm portions 72 of the suspension system are fastened.

[0024] The tower section 50 stands upright from the upper end of the main body section 30. The tower section 50 functions as a suspension tower that houses part of a shock absorber (not shown) of the suspension system. The tower section 50 has a tower shape that opens downward. In other words, the tower section 50 has a mounting recess 52 that opens downward. The shock absorber is inserted into this mounting recess 52 from below and fixed to the tower section 50.

[0025] The tower section 50 is provided with a third assembly section 54, a fourth assembly section 56, and a fifth assembly section 58. The third assembly section 54 is disposed on the top surface of the tower section 50. The rear end of the roof rail 16 is attached to the third assembly section 54. The fourth assembly section 56 is disposed near the upper end and at the rear end of the tower section 50. The rear end of the cross connection member 70 is attached to the fourth assembly section 56. The fourth assembly section 56 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, into which the cross connection member 70 can be inserted. The fifth assembly section 58 is disposed near the upper end and at the front end of the tower section 50. The front end of the connection member 80 is attached to the fifth assembly section 58. The fifth assembly section 58 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, into which the connection member 80 can be inserted.

[0026] The rear side member 60 is a framework member that extends rearward from the rear end of the main body 30. The rear side member 60 is an extruded member having a rectangular cylindrical shape. An end plate 62 is joined to the rear end of the rear side member 60.

[0027] The cross connection member 70 is disposed above the rear side member 60. The cross connection member 70 is a framework member formed from a rectangular cylindrical extruded member. As shown in FIG. 2 , the cross connection member 70 has a generally U-shape that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. More specifically, the cross connection member 70 is broadly divided into a pair of arm portions 72 and a connecting portion 74. The arm portion 72 extends toward the rear of the vehicle from the fourth assembly portion 56 of the tower portion 50. More precisely, in a plan view, the arm portion 72 approaches the center of the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, in a plan view, the arm portion 72 crosses the rear side member 60. Furthermore, in a side view, the arm portion 72 approaches the rear of the vehicle and approaches the rear of the rear side member 60. The connecting portion 74 connects the rear ends of the two arm portions 72 in the vehicle width direction. A support plate 78 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the center of the connecting portion 74 in the vehicle width direction. The support plate 78 is a plate material that connects the connecting portion 74 and a floor panel (not shown). The rear end of the cross connection member 70 is located further forward in the vehicle than the rear ends of the rear side members 60.

[0028] 1 and 2, the cross connection member 70 is illustrated as a single member. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the cross connection member 70 may be configured by combining a right cross connection piece 71R and a left cross connection piece 71L. In this case, the right cross connection piece 71R is bilaterally symmetrical to the left cross connection piece 71L. The right cross connection piece 71R and the left cross connection piece 71L are connected at a connecting portion 74 via a connecting plate 76.

[0029] 1, the arm portion 72 of the cross connection member 70 and the rear side member 60 are vertically connected by a vertical pillar 90. The vertical pillar 90 is a square cylindrical member.

[0030] A floor panel (not shown) is disposed between the pair of rear side members 60. The space above the floor panel functions as a luggage space. An access opening 96 (see FIG. 2) is formed at the upper end of the luggage space to allow access to the luggage space. As shown in FIG. 2, the access opening 96 extends in a substantially horizontal direction at a position substantially at the same height as the cross-connecting member 70. The cross-connecting member 70 surrounds part of the periphery of this access opening 96.

[0031] 1, a rear door 94 is disposed above the cross-connecting member 70. The rear door 94 is a cover member that closes the access opening 96. A swing shaft extending in the vehicle width direction is set near the front end of the rear door 94, and the rear door 94 is opened and closed by swinging around the swing shaft.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a connecting member 80 is further disposed between the tower section 50 and the rear pillar 10. The connecting member 80 is a framework member that connects the upper front corner of the main body section 30 to the upper end of the tower section 50. The connecting member 80 is a rectangular tubular extruded member or a single-piece cast member. The connecting member 80 extends diagonally upward from the upper front corner of the main body section 30, then curves and extends toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the connecting member 80 is broadly divided into a rising portion 82 that stands upright from the upper front corner of the main body section 30, a curved portion 84, and a horizontal portion 86. The lower end of the rising portion 82 is assembled to the first assembly portion 32. The rear end of the horizontal portion 86 is assembled to the fourth assembly portion 56. As is clear from FIG. 1 , the horizontal portion 86 is located on an extension of the arm portion 72 of the cross-connecting member 70 in a side view.

[0033] As shown in Figure 2, multiple cross members are also arranged at the rear of the vehicle. Specifically, from the front of the vehicle, a second cross member 20, a first cross member 18, and a third cross member 22 are arranged at intervals in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The three cross members 18, 20, and 22 are arranged at approximately the same height.

[0034] The first cross member 18 connects the pair of rear components 28 near the lower ends of their respective tower sections 50 in the vehicle width direction. The second cross member 20 connects the pair of rear components 28 near the front ends thereof in the vehicle width direction. The left and right ends of the third cross member 22 connect the pair of rear components 28 near the rear ends thereof in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] As is clear from the above explanation, in the vehicle rear structure disclosed in this specification, the suspension tower, suspension member, and side member are integrally cast as a rear component 28. This configuration reduces the number of vehicle parts. Furthermore, the connection portions between the components are prone to becoming weak points where stress is easily concentrated. By integrally casting the three components, these connection portions can be eliminated, thereby improving the rigidity of the vehicle body around the suspension system.

[0036] Furthermore, in the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed in this specification, the rear side members 60, the cross connecting members 70, and the connecting members 80 are all rectangular tubular extruded members. When such extruded members are used as frame members, the vehicle rigidity can be improved more than when frame members made by joining multiple panel materials are used.

[0037] Furthermore, a cross-connecting member 70 that is generally U-shaped and protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle in plan view is disposed rearward of the tower section 50. This cross-connecting member 70 surrounds a portion of the periphery of the access opening 96. Typically, the area around the access opening 96 is prone to low rigidity. By surrounding the periphery of the access opening 96 with the cross-connecting member 70, the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle is further improved. In this case, the rear door 94 is supported by the cross-connecting member 70, and therefore the rigidity of the rear door 94 is improved.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4 , the cross connection member 70 is connected to the first cross member 18 via the pair of tower sections 50. In other words, in a plan view, a first ring shape C1 is formed at the rear of the vehicle by the cross connection member 70, the pair of tower sections 50, and the first cross member 18. The formation of this first ring shape C1 further improves the rigidity of the cross connection member 70. In addition, in the event of a rear-end collision, part of the collision load applied to the cross connection member 70 is distributed to the first cross member 18. As a result, the collision load transmitted to the vehicle interior can be reduced, and the vehicle interior can be more appropriately protected.

[0039] 4, a pair of tower sections 50 and a pair of connecting members 80 are interposed between the cross-connecting member 70 and the second cross member 20. As a result, a second ring shape C2 that convexly faces rearward in a plan view is formed at the rear of the vehicle. The formation of this second ring shape C2 further improves the rigidity of the rear of the vehicle, effectively preventing distortion of the vehicle body.

[0040] Furthermore, in a side view, the arm portion 72 of the cross connection member 70 and the horizontal portion 86 of the connecting member 80 are aligned in a straight line. Therefore, in the event of a rear-end collision, much of the collision load applied to the coupling portion 74 of the cross connection member 70 is smoothly transmitted to the connecting member 80. Furthermore, the collision load is transmitted in a dispersed manner from the connecting member 80 to the second cross member 20 and the rear pillar 10, thereby effectively dispersing or absorbing the collision energy. As a result, the vehicle interior is more reliably protected in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0041] Furthermore, the connecting member 80 has a generally L-shape that stands diagonally upward from the upper front corner of the main body portion 30 and then extends toward the rear of the vehicle. With this configuration, a truss structure is formed between the rear pillar 10 and the tower portion 50. That is, a first truss T1 and a second truss T2 are formed between the rear pillar 10 and the tower portion 50 in a side view of the vehicle. The first truss T1 is formed by the roof rail 16, the rear pillar 10, and the connecting member 80. The second truss T2 is formed by the tower portion 50, the connecting member 80, and the upper end edge of the main body portion 30. By configuring such a truss structure, the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle can be further improved.

[0042] The configurations described so far are merely examples, and other configurations may be modified as long as they have the configuration described in claim 1. For example, the horizontal portion 86 of the connecting member 80 may be positioned offset up or down or to the left or right with respect to the arm portion 72 of the cross connecting member 70. Also, the connecting member 80 may not be necessary. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 rear pillar, 12 rocker, 14 connecting plate, 16 roof rail, 18 first cross member, 20 second cross member, 22 third cross member, 28 rear structural member, 30 main body portion, 32 first assembly portion, 34 second assembly portion, 40 suspension member portion, 42 opening, 44 fastening seat, 50 tower portion, 52 mounting recess, 54 third assembly portion, 56 fourth assembly portion, 58 fifth assembly portion, 60 rear side member, 62 end plate, 70 cross connection member, 71L left cross connection piece, 71R right cross connection piece, 72 arm portion, 74 connecting portion, 76 connection plate, 78 support plate, 80 connection member, 82 rising portion, 84 curved portion, 86 horizontal portion, 90 vertical pillar, 94 rear door, 96 access opening, C1 first ring shape, C2 Second ring shape, T1 first truss, T2 second truss.

Claims

1. a pair of rear structural members arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction; a pair of rear side members arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction; a cross-connecting member connecting the pair of rear components to each other; Equipped with the rear component is a hollow member in which a main body, a tower, and a suspension member are integrally cast, the main body portion has a front end connected to a rear pillar and a rear end connected to the rear side member, the tower portion has a tower shape that opens downward to receive a part of the suspension device, and stands upright from the main body portion, the suspension member portion has a front end connected to a rocker and extends downward from the main body portion to support a suspension device; the rear side members and the cross-connecting members are cylindrical extruded members, The cross connection member has a connecting portion extending in the vehicle width direction rearward of the rear component member, and a pair of arm portions extending forward of the vehicle from both ends of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction and connected to the tower portion, and has a generally U-shape convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. A vehicle rear structure characterized by:

2. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a first cross member connecting the lower ends of the tower portions of the pair of rear structural members in the vehicle width direction; a first ring shape that is convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view is formed by the first cross member, the tower portion, and the cross connection member; A vehicle rear structure characterized by:

3. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2, further comprising: An access opening for a luggage space and a rear door for opening and closing the access opening are provided, the access opening extends generally horizontally at approximately the same height as the cross-connection member; the cross-connect member surrounds a portion of the periphery of the access opening; The rear door is disposed above the cross-connection member. A vehicle rear structure characterized by:

4. The vehicle rear structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a pair of connecting members connected to the pair of rear component members, The connecting member connects the upper front corner of the main body portion and the upper portion of the tower portion. A vehicle rear structure characterized by:

5. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 4, further comprising: a second cross member connecting the front ends of the pair of rear structural members in the vehicle width direction; the connecting member extends obliquely upward and rearward from the upper front corner of the main body portion, and then curves and extends toward the rear of the vehicle, a rear end of the connecting member is located on an extension line of the arm portion extending forward of the vehicle, a second ring shape that is convex in plan view toward the rear of the vehicle is formed by the second cross member, the pair of connecting members, and the cross connecting member; A vehicle rear structure characterized by:

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