Body upper structure

Abstract

To inhibit rigidity of a curved part extending from a roof side rail part to a pillar part from becoming excessive.SOLUTION: A vehicle body upper part includes a curved part 30 which extends so as to be curved from a roof side rail part 10 to a pillar part 20. The curved part 30 comprises: an inner member 31 and an outer member 35; and a first reinforcement member 40. The first reinforcement member 40 is joined to the inner member 31 or the outer member 35 at a first side edge part 41 along an extension direction of the curved part 30. The first side edge part 41 is formed with multiple cutout parts 42 arranged along the extension direction of the curved part 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The upper vehicle body structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 below has a front pillar portion, a roof side rail, and a reinforcing member. The front pillar portion is located on both sides of the front windshield in the vehicle width direction and extends downward toward the front. The roof side rail continues from the front pillar portion to the rear of the vehicle, extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in a state closer to horizontal than the front pillar portion, and is joined to the roof panel. The reinforcing member is joined to a curved portion from the front pillar portion to the roof side rail. At least two ridge lines are formed in the curved portion, spaced apart vertically, and the reinforcing member is joined so as to cover only the lowest of the ridge lines. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-196414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional vehicle upper body structures, for example, a reinforcing member is sometimes provided at a curved section extending from a front pillar to a roof side rail. However, providing such a reinforcing member can result in the rigidity of the curved section being excessive relative to the rigidity design of the entire vehicle body, which can lead to a risk of not being able to sufficiently suppress, for example, running vibrations generated in the vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent the rigidity of the curved portion extending from the roof side rail portion to the pillar portion from becoming excessively high. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle body upper structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a curved portion extending from a roof side rail portion to a pillar portion, the curved portion being composed of an inner member, an outer member, and a first reinforcing member, the first reinforcing member being joined to the inner member or the outer member at a first side edge portion along the extension direction of the curved portion, and the first side edge portion having a plurality of cutout portions formed therein aligned along the extension direction of the curved portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the rigidity of the curved portion extending from the roof side rail portion to the pillar portion from becoming excessively high. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement relationship of a roof side rail portion, a pillar portion, and a curved portion in a vehicle body of an upper vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the structure of the vehicle body side portion of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment, and is an exploded oblique view showing the arrangement relationship between the body side inner panel, the body side outer panel, the first reinforcing member, and the second reinforcing member. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a curved portion of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment, showing the arrangement of an inner member, a first reinforcing member, and a second reinforcing member. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram for explaining a main part of the curved portion of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment, and is a partially cross-sectional perspective view of the part indicated by circle IV in FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 3. This is a diagram for explaining the arrangement relationship between the inner member, the outer member, the first reinforcing member, and the second reinforcing member in the curved portion of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6]6 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement relationship between the inner member, the outer member, the first reinforcing member, and the second reinforcing member in the curved portion of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment, and is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an upper vehicle body structure according to an embodiment will be described. In each drawing, FR and RR indicate the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, respectively. LH and RH indicate the left and right in the width direction of the vehicle, respectively. UP and DN indicate the top and bottom in the vertical direction of the vehicle, respectively. The center of the vehicle in the width direction is referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side opposite the inner side in the width direction is referred to as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In each drawing, the inner side in the vehicle width direction is indicated by IS, and the outer side in the width direction is indicated by OS. In the following description, the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the left and right sides in the width direction of the vehicle, and the top and bottom sides in the vertical direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the "front of the vehicle," "rear of the vehicle," "left side of the vehicle," "right side of the vehicle," "upper," and "lower," respectively.

[0010] 2 to 6, the left side of the vehicle corresponds to the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the right side of the vehicle corresponds to the outside in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] The vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment can be applied to the structure of the upper part of a vehicle body 1 of a vehicle V, which is, for example, a passenger car.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side portion of a vehicle body 1 is formed by joining a body side inner panel 2 and a body side outer panel 3 in the vehicle width direction. The body side inner panel 2 is a vehicle body frame member that forms the side portion of the vehicle body 1. The body side outer panel 3 is joined to the body side inner panel 2 and is a member that forms the exterior portion of the vehicle body 1. The body side inner panel 2 and the body side outer panel 3 may be made of a metal such as steel.

[0013] As shown in the example in FIG. 1, when a body side inner panel 2 and a body side outer panel 3 are joined together, a roof side rail portion 10 and a front pillar portion 20 serving as a pillar portion are formed on the vehicle body 1. Also, as shown in the example in FIG. 2, a front door opening 4 is formed on the vehicle left side of the vehicle body 1. A front door 5 can be rotatably disposed in the front door opening 4 via a hinge. Note that the pillar portion related to the vehicle body upper structure is not limited to the front pillar portion 20. For example, the pillar portion may be a rear pillar portion that supports the vehicle rear side of the roof portion 6.

[0014] 1 is a portion that forms the vehicle width direction end of the roof portion 6 of the vehicle body 1. In the illustrated example, the roof side rail portion 10 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction on the vehicle right side of the roof portion 6. The roof side rail portion 10 also defines the upper side of the front door opening 4.

[0015] The front pillar portion 20 is a portion that supports the vehicle front side of the roof portion 6 of the vehicle body 1. The front pillar portion 20 extends toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle in the region of the vehicle width direction end of the windshield opening 7. The windshield opening 7 is an opening that is closed by the windshield W of the vehicle V. The front pillar portion 20 also defines a portion of the vehicle front side of the front door opening 4, and separates the windshield opening 7 from the front door opening 4.

[0016] A curved portion 30 is formed between the roof side rail portion 10 and the front pillar portion 20. The curved portion 30 extends while curving from the roof side rail portion 10 to the front pillar portion 20, which is a pillar portion. As illustrated in the figure, the curved portion 30 continuously connects the roof side rail portion 10 and the front pillar portion 20, and has a shape that curves convexly toward the front and upper side of the vehicle. The curved portion 30 defines the upper side of the front door opening 4 between the roof side rail portion 10 and the front pillar portion 20. A front header 8 may also be connected to the curved portion 30 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction (see FIG. 2). The front header 8 is a body frame member that forms the front end of the roof portion of the vehicle, and defines the upper side of the windshield opening 7.

[0017] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the curved portion 30 is formed by joining an inner member 31 and an outer member 35. The inner member 31 constitutes a part of the body side inner panel 2 and is a member that constitutes the inner side of the curved portion 30 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a plurality of protrusions 32 are formed on the edge of the inner member 31 on the roof portion 6 side and the windshield opening 7 side. The protrusions 32 may be formed by making a part of the edge protrude upward. The outer member 35 constitutes a part of the body side outer panel 3 and is a member that constitutes the outer side of the curved portion 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the curved portion 30, the inner member 31 has a substantially Z-shape. In this cross section, a joining flange 31a is formed on the edge of the inner member 31 on the roof portion 6 side, and a joining flange 31b is formed on the edge on the front door opening 4 side. In addition, in this cross section, the outer member 35 has a substantially C-shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction. A joining flange 35a is formed on the edge of the outer member 35 on the roof portion 6 side, and a joining flange 35b is formed on the edge on the front door opening 4 side. In this cross section, the thickness of the inner member 31 may be 0.2 mm to 1.0 mm. In addition, the thickness of the outer member 35 may be 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm.

[0019] The joining flange 31a and the joining flange 35a may be joined using a joining method such as spot welding at a plurality of joining portions set along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. Furthermore, the joining flange 31b and the joining flange 35b may be joined using a joining method such as spot welding at a plurality of joining portions set along the extension direction of the curved portion 30, for example, via a first reinforcing member 40 or a second reinforcing member 50 described below. As a result, a closed cross section S1 extending along the extension direction of the curved portion 30 is formed between the inner member 31 and the outer member 35.

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first reinforcing member 40 is disposed between the inner member 31 and the outer member 35 of the curved portion 30. The first reinforcing member 40 is a member disposed in the closed cross section S1 that reinforces the curved portion 30 and extends along the extending direction of the curved portion 30. The first reinforcing member 40 is a long member that extends from the roof side rail portion 10 to the front pillar portion 20 and is curved convexly toward the front and upper side of the vehicle. Note that the vehicle rear end of the first reinforcing member 40 may extend toward the interior of the roof side rail portion 10, and the vehicle front end may extend toward the interior of the front pillar portion 20. Furthermore, as illustrated in the cross sections of FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first reinforcing member 40 has a generally Z-shaped cross section and may be made of a metal such as steel. Note that the thickness of the first reinforcing member 40 in this cross section may be 1.4 mm to 2.2 mm.

[0021] 2 and 3, a side edge portion 41 serving as a first side edge portion is formed in a portion of the first reinforcing member 40 on the side of the front door opening 4. The side edge portion 41 extends along the extending direction of the curved portion 30. A plurality of joints can be set in the side edge portion 41 along the extending direction of the side edge portion 41, and the side edge portion 41 can be joined to the inner member 31 or the outer member 35 using a joining method such as spot welding.

[0022] As illustrated in the figure, a plurality of cutouts 42 are formed in the side edge portion 41. The cutouts 42 are formed by cutting out a portion of the side edge portion 41 so as to penetrate in the vehicle width direction, and have a generally rectangular shape in side view. The plurality of cutouts 42 are arranged so as to be aligned along the extension direction of the side edge portion 41. In other words, the plurality of cutouts 42 are aligned along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. Furthermore, each of the plurality of cutouts 42 is arranged between the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 and the joining flange 35b of the outer member 35 (see FIG. 6).

[0023] The plurality of cutout portions 42 are formed so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the extension direction of the side edge portion 41. Therefore, intermediate portions 43 are formed between the plurality of cutout portions 42. The intermediate portions 43 constitute part of the side edge portion 41 and extend toward the front door opening 4. A plurality of such intermediate portions 43 are formed so as to be lined up along the extension direction of the side edge portion 41. In other words, the plurality of intermediate portions 43 are lined up along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. Furthermore, each of the plurality of intermediate portions 43 is disposed between the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 and the joining flange 35b of the outer member 35 (see FIG. 5).

[0024] The shape of the cutout portions 42 is not limited to the example shown in the figure. The cutout portions 42 may have a shape such as a substantially semicircular or substantially polygonal shape in a side view. The spacing between the multiple cutout portions 42 can be set appropriately depending on the dimensions, shape, structure, etc. of the vehicle body 1, and does not have to be equal spacing. In the example shown in the figure, five cutout portions 42 are arranged in the side edge portion 41, but this is not limited to this. It is sufficient that two or more cutout portions 42 are set in the side edge portion 41, and the number of cutout portions 42 to be formed can be set appropriately depending on the dimensions, shape, etc. of the vehicle V.

[0025] In the illustrated example, a plurality of notches 45 are formed in the side edge portions 44 of the first reinforcing member 40 on the roof portion 6 side and the windshield opening 7 side. The notches 45 are formed by cutting out parts of the side edge portions 44 in the vertical direction.

[0026] As shown in the example in FIGS. 2 to 6, a second reinforcing member 50 may be disposed between the inner member 31 and the first reinforcing member 40. The second reinforcing member 50 is a long member disposed in the closed cross section S1 to reinforce the curved portion 30, and extends along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. That is, the second reinforcing member 50 extends along the extension direction of the first reinforcing member 40 and is curved convexly toward the front and upper side of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, the longitudinal dimension of the second reinforcing member is set to be smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the first reinforcing member 40, but this is not limiting. For example, the longitudinal dimension of the second reinforcing member may be set to a value equal to or greater than the longitudinal dimension of the first reinforcing member 40.

[0027] 5 and 6, the second reinforcing member 50 may have a substantially L-shaped cross section and may be made of a metal such as steel. In the cross section shown in the figures, a closed cross section S2 may be formed between the second reinforcing member 50 and the first reinforcing member 40. In this cross section, the thickness of the second reinforcing member 50 may be 1.4 mm to 2.2 mm.

[0028] 2 to 4, a side edge portion 51 serving as a second side edge portion extends from a portion of the second reinforcing member 50 on the side of the front door opening 4. The side edge portion 51 is a portion of the second reinforcing member 50 that extends in the direction in which the curved portion 30 extends. The side edge portion 51 has a plurality of joints set along the direction in which it extends, and can be joined to the inner member 31 or the outer member 35 using a joining method such as spot welding.

[0029] In the illustrated example, a plurality of protrusions 52 are formed on the side edge 51. The protrusions 52 are formed by bulging a portion of the side edge 51 outward in the vehicle width direction, and have a generally rectangular shape in a side view. The protrusions 52 constitute a portion of the side edge 51. The plurality of protrusions 52 are arranged so as to be aligned along the extension direction of the side edge 51. That is, the plurality of protrusions 52 are aligned along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the plurality of protrusions 52 is formed so as to be able to be positioned inside each of the plurality of cutout portions 42. Each of the plurality of protrusions 52 is arranged between the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 and the joining flange 35b of the outer member 35, and is joined to the inner member 31 and the outer member 35 (see FIG. 6).

[0030] The plurality of protruding portions 52 are formed so as to be spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the extension direction of the side edge portion 51. Therefore, intermediate portions 53 that constitute part of the side edge portion 51 are formed between the plurality of protruding portions 52. The intermediate portions 53 are arranged so as to be aligned along the extension direction of the side edge portion 51. In other words, the plurality of intermediate portions 53 are lined up along the extension direction of the curved portion 30. Furthermore, each of the plurality of intermediate portions 53 is arranged between the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 and the intermediate portion 43 of the first reinforcing member 40 (see FIG. 5).

[0031] In the illustrated example, the convex portions 52 have a generally rectangular shape in side view, but are not limited to this. The convex portions 52 may also have a generally circular, generally polygonal, or other shape in side view. The spacing between the multiple convex portions 52 can be set appropriately depending on the spacing, dimensions, shape, etc. between the multiple cutout portions 42 of the first reinforcing member 40. In the illustrated example, five convex portions 52 are arranged on the side edge portion 51, but are not limited to this. The number of convex portions 52 can be set appropriately depending on, for example, the number of cutout portions 42.

[0032] Note that a plurality of notches 55 may be formed in the side edge 54 of the second reinforcing member 50 on the roof portion 6 side. The notches 55 are formed by cutting out parts of the side edge 54 in the vertical direction.

[0033] 2 to 6, the arrangement and joining relationship of the members constituting the curved portion 30 will be described. In the illustrated example, the curved portion 30 is formed by overlapping an outer member 35, a first reinforcing member 40, a second reinforcing member 50, and an inner member 31 in the vehicle width direction. Note that at joining portions 60a to 60j described below, two or more members may be joined together using joining means such as spot welding.

[0034] 3, when the inner member 31, the second reinforcing member 50, and the first reinforcing member 40 are stacked, the notch 45 of the first reinforcing member 40 and the notch 55 of the second reinforcing member 50 are arranged to overlap. The protrusions 32 of the inner member 31 are arranged inside the notches 45 and 55 and are exposed toward the outside of the vehicle body. The thickness of the first reinforcing member 40, the thickness of the second reinforcing member 50, or the protruding height of the protrusions 32 may be set so that the surface of the side edge 44 facing toward the outside of the vehicle body and the surface of the protrusions 32 facing toward the outside of the vehicle body form substantially the same surface as a whole.

[0035] In the illustrated state, the intermediate portion 43 and the intermediate portion 53 are disposed in the inner member 31 in a state where they overlap in the vehicle width direction. The protruding portion 52 is disposed inside the cutout portion 42 and is exposed to the outside of the vehicle body. The thickness of the first reinforcing member 40 or the protruding height of the protruding portion 52 may be set so that the surface of the side edge portion 41 facing the outside of the vehicle body and the surface of the protruding portion 52 facing the outside of the vehicle body form substantially the same surface as a whole.

[0036] The curved portion 30 is formed by further stacking the outer member 35 from the outside of the vehicle body on the inner member 31, the second reinforcing member 50, and the first reinforcing member 40 stacked in this state.

[0037] 5, the joining flange 31a of the inner member 31 and the joining flange 35a of the outer member 35 are directly joined at the joining portion 60a.

[0038] In the cross section illustrated in the figure, the intermediate portion 43 of the first reinforcing member 40 and the intermediate portion 53 of the second reinforcing member 50 are joined at joint portion 60b, and the intermediate portion 53 and the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 are joined at joint portion 60c. That is, the intermediate portion 43 is joined to the joining flange 31b via the intermediate portion 53. Note that the intermediate portion 43 may be joined to the outer member 35 at joint portion 60d. In that case, the intermediate portion 43 and the intermediate portion 53 do not need to be joined.

[0039] 6, the side edge 44 of the first reinforcing member 40 and the side edge 54 of the second reinforcing member 50 are joined at a joint 60e. Furthermore, the side edge 54 and the joining flange 31a of the inner member 31 are joined at a joint 60f. That is, the side edge 44 is joined to the joining flange 31a via the side edge 54. Note that the joining flange 35a of the outer member 35 and the side edge 44 of the first reinforcing member 40 do not necessarily have to be joined.

[0040] In the cross section illustrated in the figure, the joining flange 35b of the outer member 35 and the protruding portion 52 of the second reinforcing member 50 are joined at a joining portion 60g, and the protruding portion 52 and the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 are joined at a joining portion 60h. That is, the joining flange 35b is joined to the joining flange 31b via the protruding portion 52.

[0041] 3, the side edge portion 44 of the first reinforcing member 40 may be joined to the joining flange 35a of the outer member 35. That is, the joining flange 35a may be joined to the convex portion 32 and the side edge portion 44 of the inner member 31 at the joining portions 60a and 60i. The position, number, etc. of the joining portions 60i are not limited to the example shown in the figure. For example, the position, number, etc. of the joining portions 60i can be set depending on the dimension of the side edge portion 44 in the extension direction of the first reinforcing member 40, the desired joining strength, etc.

[0042] Furthermore, at the multiple joints 60j illustrated in the figure, the side edge 41 of the first reinforcing member 40 may be joined to the joint flange 35b of the outer member 35. That is, the joint flange 35b may be joined to the protrusion 52 and the side edge 41 of the second reinforcing member 50 at the joints 60g and 60j.

[0043] In the above description, the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment has been described using the structure on the vehicle right side of the vehicle body 1 as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle body upper structure may be applied as a structure on the vehicle left side of the vehicle body 1. In that case, the inner member 31, the outer member 35, the first reinforcing member 40, and the second reinforcing member 50 may have shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis from the shapes shown in Figures 2 to 6.

[0044] The following describes the effects of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment.

[0045] (1) The vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment includes a curved portion 30 that extends in a curved manner from the roof side rail portion 10 to the pillar portion 20, and the curved portion 30 is composed of an inner member 31 and an outer member 35 joined to each other, and a first reinforcing member 40 that is disposed between the inner member 31 and the outer member 35 and extends from the roof side rail portion 10 to the pillar portion 20, and the first reinforcing member 40 is joined to the inner member 31 or the outer member 35 at a first side edge portion 41 along the extension direction of the curved portion 30, and the first side edge portion 41 has a plurality of cutout portions 42 formed therein that are aligned along the extension direction of the curved portion 30.

[0046] According to the vehicle body upper structure of the embodiment, the first reinforcing member 40 is joined to the curved portion 30, thereby improving the bending rigidity of the curved portion 30 and making it possible to suppress bending deformation of the curved portion 30, for example, in the event of a head-on collision of the vehicle V. Furthermore, the first reinforcing member 40 has a plurality of notches 42 formed therein. This makes it possible to suppress the torsional rigidity of the curved portion 30 from becoming excessive. Therefore, while improving the bending rigidity of the curved portion 30, it is possible to suppress the torsional rigidity of the curved portion from becoming excessive relative to the rigidity design of the entire vehicle body 1. As a result, it is possible to suppress bending deformation of the curved portion 30 in the event of a head-on collision of the vehicle, while suppressing, for example, running vibrations that occur in the vehicle V while it is running.

[0047] (2) A second reinforcing member 50 extending in the extension direction of the curved portion 30 is arranged between the first reinforcing member 40 and the inner member 31, and a second side edge portion 51 of the second reinforcing member 50 along the extension direction of the curved portion 30 is formed with a plurality of protrusions 52, each of which is arranged inside each of the plurality of cutout portions 42, and the plurality of protrusions 52 may be joined to the inner member 31 and the outer member 35.

[0048] 5, a second reinforcing member 50 is disposed in the closed cross section S1 of the curved portion 30. The multiple protrusions 52 of the second reinforcing member 50 are joined to the joining flange 31b of the inner member 31 and the joining flange 35b of the outer member 35 without the first reinforcing member 40. This more reliably improves the bending rigidity of the curved portion 30 and prevents the torsional rigidity of the curved portion 30 from becoming excessive relative to the rigidity design of the entire vehicle body 1.

[0049] In the above description, the configuration of the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment has been described using a passenger car as an example, but the vehicle body upper structure according to the embodiment may be used in a commercial vehicle such as a van. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Roof side rail 20 Front pillar part (pillar part) 30 Curved section 31 Inner member 35 Outer member 40 First reinforcing member 41 Side edge (first side edge) 42 Notch 50 Second reinforcing member 51 Side edge (second side edge) 52 Convex part

Claims

[Claim 1] A curved portion is provided that curves and extends from the roof side rail portion to the pillar portion, The curved portion is an inner member and an outer member joined together; a first reinforcing member disposed between the inner member and the outer member and extending from the roof side rail portion to the pillar portion; It is composed of the first reinforcing member is joined to the inner member or the outer member at a first side edge portion along an extension direction of the curved portion, The first side edge portion has a plurality of notches formed therein and aligned along the extending direction of the curved portion, a second reinforcing member extending in an extending direction of the curved portion is disposed between the first reinforcing member and the inner member; a second side edge portion of the second reinforcing member along the extending direction of the curved portion is formed with a plurality of protrusions, each of which is disposed inside one of the plurality of cutout portions; The plurality of protrusions are joined to the inner member and the outer member.

Images