Vehicle side door structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicular side door structure that can reduce vibrations of the whole of an outer panel, while suppressing cost increase.SOLUTION: A vehicular side door structure 20 comprises: a door panel 24 that has an outer panel 26 forming an outer surface of a side door 22 of a vehicle 10 and an inner panel 28 arranged on a vehicle interior side of the outer panel 26; a door hinge 30A, which is mounted on a front side of the vehicle of the door panel, and supports the door panel turnably with respect to a main body 12 of a vehicle body; a latch unit 40, which is mounted on a rear side of the vehicle of the door panel 24, and has a latch 44 that can be engaged with and disengage from a striker 15 fixed to the main body 12 of the vehicle body; and a stiffening member 50A extending in a width direction of the door panel 24, without being joined to the outer panel 26, with a first end part 52 connected to the door hinge 30A and with a second end part 54 connected to the latch unit 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side door structure that is applied to a side door of a vehicle such as an automobile. [Background technology]

[0002] When a vehicle such as an automobile is traveling, road noise is generated by the friction between the road surface and the tires, and drivetrain noise such as acceleration sounds originating from the powertrain, such as the engine. These noises are perceived as noise by passengers as vibrations propagated from the suspension to the body, then resonating with the air inside the cabin.

[0003] One of the mechanisms by which vibrations are transmitted is from the frame members of the vehicle body to the outer panel of the vehicle's side door. For example, door hinges that rotatably support the side door are attached to the sides of the vehicle's side door, and vibrations originating from the tires or powertrain are transmitted from the frame members of the vehicle body to the outer panel of the side door via these door hinges.

[0004] The outer panel of a side door is generally made of a thin plate, and when vibrations are transmitted from the door hinge, the outer panel vibrates, generating radiated noise. If this radiated noise propagates into the vehicle cabin, it can impair passenger comfort. Therefore, there is a need for a side door structure that can reduce noise caused by outer panel vibration.

[0005] A known side door structure for suppressing noise is one that reinforces the outer panel of the door itself. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle side door structure in which multiple reinforcements, which are stiffening members, are attached to the interior surface of the outer panel. Each reinforcement extends across both ends of the outer panel in the width direction and is attached to the interior surface of the outer panel with spots of mastic adhesive applied to the reinforcement. In this door structure, the reinforcements increase the tensile rigidity of the outer panel, and the elastic mastic adhesive damps vibrations, thereby reducing vibration of the outer panel and suppressing noise generation.

[0006] Another known side door structure for suppressing noise is one in which a resonator, a sound-absorbing device, is provided inside the side door. For example, Patent Document 2 describes a side door structure for a vehicle in which a resonator is provided between the inner panel of the side door and the door trim interior material located on the inside of the inner panel. In this side door structure, the resonator converts the energy of radiated sound generated by the vibration of the outer panel into frictional energy, thereby achieving a sound-absorbing effect. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-111235 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-142885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the side door structure described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the locations where reinforcements can be placed are limited due to layout constraints within the interior space of the side door, making it difficult to suppress vibrations of the entire outer panel.

[0009] On the other hand, in the case of a system in which a resonator is installed inside the door, even if the outer panel vibrates, the resonator can absorb the radiated sound generated by the vibration. However, since a special sound-absorbing structure must be installed inside the side door, there is a problem that manufacturing costs increase.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side door structure that can reduce vibration of the entire outer panel while suppressing an increase in cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle side door structure including a door panel having an outer panel forming an outer surface of a vehicle side door and an inner panel arranged on the vehicle interior side of the outer panel, and a door hinge attached to the vehicle front side of the door panel and supporting the door panel rotatably with respect to a vehicle body, the vehicle side door structure including: a latch unit attached to the vehicle rear side of the door panel and having a latch that can be engaged with and disengaged from a striker fixed to the vehicle body; and a latch unit that extends in a width direction of the door panel in a non-jointed state with the outer panel, and has a first end connected to the door hinge and a second end connected to the latch unit. Rod-shaped a stiffening member; The door panel and the door hinge are indirectly connected via the first end of the stiffening member fixed to the inner panel, and the first end of the stiffening member extends substantially horizontally and is fixed to the inner panel using a bolt inserted radially through the first end. It is characterized by:

[0012] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that, in the vehicle side door structure, the door hinge comprises a vehicle body side fixing portion fixed to the vehicle body and a hinge shaft supported by the vehicle body side fixing portion, and the first end of the stiffening member is connected to the hinge shaft with the hinge shaft passing through.

[0013] Moreover, one embodiment of the present invention is In the vehicle side door structure, The second end of the stiffening member is connected and fixed to a housing of the latch unit, and is indirectly connected to the inner panel via the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the vehicle side door structure of the present invention, it is possible to reduce vibration of the entire outer panel while suppressing an increase in costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a part of a vehicle to which a side door structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a side door structure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door hinge and the door panel are attached to each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the attachment state of the door hinge and the door panel. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the stiffening member and the latch unit are attached to each other. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a latch unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3, showing a second embodiment of the side door structure. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the attachment state of the door hinge and the door panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a side view showing a portion of a vehicle 10 to which a side door structure 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The side door structure 20 can be used for a front side door 22 at the front of the vehicle and a rear side door at the rear of the vehicle, but is particularly suitable for use with the front side door 22. In this embodiment, an example in which the side door structure 20 is applied to the front side door 22 is shown, and FIG. 1 omits the rear side door of the vehicle 10 and illustrates only an opening 16 for the rear side door. In the vehicle body 12, a front pillar 13 and a center pillar 14, which are frame members, are disposed on the front and rear sides of the front side door 22, respectively. In the following description, the front side door 22 will also be simply referred to as the "side door 22."

[0018] A vehicle 10 such as an automobile generates road noise and drivetrain noise when it is traveling. These noises are perceived as noise when vibrations originating from the tires 18 or the engine (not shown) are transmitted to the vehicle body 12 via the suspension, propeller shaft, etc., causing the air in the cabin to resonate.

[0019] In recent years, a method using structural intensity technology has become known as a method for determining vibration propagation paths. Vibration intensity is defined as "the vibration energy transmitted per unit width of a structure in a unit time," and is an index for visualizing the propagation path of vibration energy within a structure by showing the direction and magnitude of the vibration energy as a vector. The side door structure 20 is a structure that can suppress vibration of the outer panel 26 by focusing on the vibration energy propagation path obtained using vibration intensity technology, specifically, the propagation path from the vehicle body 12 via the door hinges 30A and 30B of the side door 22 to the outer panel 26 of the side door 22.

[0020] 2 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the side door structure 20, showing a state in which the outer panel 26 of the side door 22 has been removed. The side door structure 20 of this embodiment includes a door panel 24, a pair of upper and lower door hinges 30A, 30B that rotatably support the door panel 24 relative to the vehicle body 12, a latch unit 40 attached to the door panel 24, and two stiffening members 50A, 50B that extend in the width direction of the door panel 24. The upper stiffening member 50A extends from the upper door hinge 30A to the latch unit 40, and the lower stiffening member 50B extends from the lower door hinge 30B to the latch unit 40. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0021] 1 and 2, the door panel 24 includes an outer panel 26 that forms the outer surface of the side door 22, and an inner panel 28 that is disposed on the vehicle interior side of the outer panel 26. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner panel 28, in a side view of the vehicle with the side door 22 closed, includes a rectangular main body 28a and flanges formed on the periphery of the main body 28a. The flanges are portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body 28a, and include a front flange 28b that is formed on a side edge on the front side of the vehicle and extends in the vertical direction, a rear flange 28c that is formed on a side edge on the rear side of the vehicle and extends in the vertical direction, and a lower flange 28d that is formed on a side edge on the lower side of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0022] The door hinges 30A, 30B are attached to the side of the door panel 24 on the front side of the vehicle body, and in this embodiment, the door hinges 30A, 30B are attached to the door panel 24 via stiffening members 50A, 50B. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the attachment state of the upper door hinge 30A and the door panel 24 using the stiffening member 50A. Each door hinge 30A, 30B includes a vehicle body-side fixed portion 32 fixed to the vehicle body main body 12, and a hinge shaft 34 supported by the vehicle body-side fixed portion 32. Since each door hinge 30A, 30B has a similar configuration, the following description will focus on the upper door hinge 30A.

[0023] The vehicle body-side fixed portion 32 of the door hinge 30A is formed from a metal material and has a plate-shaped base 32a and a pair of pivotal support portions 32b, 32c protruding from the base 32a. The base 32 is fixed to the vehicle body 12 using fasteners 33 such as bolts. The pair of pivotal support portions 32b, 32c are portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle upper and vehicle lower sides of the base 32a, respectively, and support both ends of a hinge shaft 34 that extends in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, each stiffener 50A, 50B has a first end 52 connected to the door hinge 30A, 30B, and a second end 54 connected to the latch unit 40. In this embodiment, the stiffener 50A extends substantially horizontally, while the stiffener 50B disposed below it extends at an angle such that its rearward end faces upward. Each stiffener 50A, 50B is a rod-shaped member formed of a material, such as a metal material, having a predetermined rigidity capable of reinforcing the door panel 24. In this embodiment, the stiffeners 50A, 50B have a hollow, closed rectangular cross section as shown in FIG. 3. However, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to this and may be other shapes such as a polygon, a circle, or an ellipse, or may even be a solid rod.

[0025] Next, we will explain the attachment structure between the door hinge 30A using the stiffening member 50A and the door panel 24. Note that the attachment structure between the lower door hinge 30B using the stiffening member 50B and the door panel 24 is the same as that of the upper door hinge 30A, so in the following explanation, the upper door hinge 30A will be explained in detail.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , a first end 52 of the stiffening member 50A is directly connected to the hinge shaft 34 of the door hinge 30A with the hinge shaft 34 passing radially therethrough, and the stiffening member 50A is configured to be rotatable around the hinge shaft 34. The first end 52 of the stiffening member 50A is fixed to the inner panel 28 using fasteners 56, such as bolts and nuts, on the door panel 24 side of the connection portion with the hinge shaft 34. In this embodiment, a pair of bent pieces 29 is formed on the front flange portion 28b of the inner panel 28, with portions of the flange portion 28b bent toward the door hinge 30A. The stiffening member 50A extends toward the rear of the vehicle with the first end 52 sandwiched between the pair of bent pieces 29, and each bent piece 29 is fixed to the inner panel 28 using fasteners 56, such as bolts.

[0027] In this way, by fixing the stiffening member 50A to the inner panel 28 of the door panel 24, the door hinge 30A and the door panel 24 are connected to each other via the first end 52 of the stiffening member 50A fixed to the inner panel 28. As a result, the door panel 24, together with the stiffening member 50A, is configured to be rotatable relative to the vehicle body 12 around the hinge shaft 34.

[0028] In addition, as shown in Figure 2, when the stiffening member 50B extends at an angle to the horizontal direction, it is preferable to bend the first end 52 of the stiffening member 50B so that the first end 52 extends approximately horizontally with respect to the hinge axis 34 of the door hinge 30B.

[0029] A second end 54 of each stiffening member 50A, 50B is connected to the latch unit 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the latch unit 40 is attached to the vehicle rear side of the door panel 24. As shown in FIG. 5, the latch unit 40 has a housing 42 fixed to the inner panel 28, and a latch 44 housed in the housing 42 and capable of engaging with and disengaging from the striker 15 fixed to the vehicle body 12.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the striker 15 is attached to the center pillar 14, which is a framework member of the vehicle body 12. The striker 15 is a U-shaped member that protrudes from the center pillar 14 toward the side door 22, and both ends of the U-shape are fixed to the center pillar 14. A housing 42 of the latch unit 40 is fixed to the rear flange portion 28c of the inner panel 28 using bolts or the like. The latch 44 has a recess 45 that engages with the striker 15, is journaled by a latch shaft 46, and rotates about the latch shaft 46. When the recess 45 of the latch 44 engages with the striker 15 as a result of the rotation, as shown in Figure 6, the side door 22 remains closed, and when the engagement is released, the side door 22 is opened.

[0031] 5, the second end 54 of each stiffening member 50A, 50B is fixed to the latch unit 40 using fasteners 57 such as bolts and nuts. In this embodiment, the second end 54 is fixed to the housing 42 of the latch unit 40 while being housed within the housing 42.

[0032] As described above, each stiffening member 50A, 50B has a first end 52 connected to each door hinge 30A, 30B and fixed to the inner panel 28, and a second end 54 connected and fixed to the latch unit 40, thereby being fixed to the door panel 24. Each stiffening member 50A, 50B is configured in a non-joined state with the outer panel 24. Here, "non-joined state with the outer panel 24" means that the stiffening member is not directly joined to the outer panel 24.

[0033] In the above-described side door structure 20, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, vibrations are transmitted from the vehicle body 12 to the side door 22 via the door hinges 30A, 30B. The vibrations are then transmitted to the latch unit 40 on the vehicle rear side of the side door 22 via the stiffening members 50A, 50B, each having a first end 52 connected to the door hinge 30A, 30B. Because the latch 44 of the latch unit 40 is engaged with the striker 15 when the vehicle is traveling, the vibration energy transmitted to the latch unit 40 is transmitted via the striker 15 to the center pillar 14 on the vehicle rear side of the side door 22 and dispersed to the vehicle body 12. Furthermore, because the stiffening members 50A, 50B are fixed to the inner panel 28 of the side door 22 and are not joined to the outer panel 26, the vibration energy is not transmitted directly from the stiffening members 50A, 50B to the outer panel 26.

[0034] In this way, in the side door structure 20, the door hinges 30A, 30B and the latch unit 40 are connected by the stiffening members 50A, 50B to form an energy transmission path that directs vibration energy that has entered the side door 22 from the door hinges 30A, 30B to the latch unit 40, thereby significantly reducing the vibration energy transmitted to the outer panel 26 itself while suppressing increases in manufacturing costs. This makes it possible to efficiently suppress vibration of the entire outer panel 26 and prevent noise from being generated inside the cabin.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, since the stiffening members 50A, 50B are directly connected to the hinge shaft 34, vibration energy transmitted from the front pillar 13 of the vehicle body 12 to the hinge shaft 34 via the vehicle body-side fixing portions 32 of the door hinges 30A, 30B can be directly transmitted to the stiffening members 50A, 50B. Furthermore, since the door panel 24 and the door hinges 30A, 30B are not directly joined but are connected via the stiffening members 50A, 50B, vibration energy that enters the side door 22 from the door hinges 30A, 30B can be transmitted to the stiffening members 50A, 50B and then flow to the latch unit 40 before being transmitted to the inner panel 28 and the outer panel 26. With this configuration, the vibration energy entering the side door 22 from the door hinges 30A, 30B can be efficiently transmitted to the stiffening members 50A, 50B and flowed to the latch unit 40, thereby improving the vibration suppression effect of the outer panel 26.

[0036] Furthermore, each of the stiffening members 50A, 50B can also be used as a reinforcing structure that suppresses deformation of the side door 22 during a side collision of the vehicle 10. In such a case, the door beam that has conventionally been used as a reinforcing member for the door panel 24 against a side collision can be replaced with the stiffening members 50A, 50B, thereby also reducing the manufacturing cost of the side door 22.

[0037] (Second embodiment) FIG. 7 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 3 showing a second embodiment of the side door structure 20, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the attachment state of the door hinges 30A, 30B and the door panel 24 in the side door structure 20 shown in FIG. 7. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The side door structure 20 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the attachment structure of the door hinges 30A, 30B and the stiffening members 50A, 50B. Since the other components and structures are the same as those in the first embodiment, their details will be omitted in the following description.

[0038] In this embodiment, the door hinges 30A, 30B each include a vehicle body-side fixed portion 32 fixed to the vehicle body main body 12, a hinge shaft 34 supported by the vehicle body-side fixed portion 32, and a door-side fixed portion 36 fixed to the door panel 24. The door-side fixed portion 36 is configured to be rotatable relative to the vehicle body-side fixed portion 32 via the hinge shaft 34. The stiffening member 50A has a connection flange portion 53 connected to the door hinge 30A. Since the attachment structure of the lower door hinge 30B and stiffening member 50B is similar to that of the upper door hinge 30A and stiffening member 50A, the attachment structure of the upper door hinge 30A and stiffening member 50A will be described below.

[0039] The vehicle body-side fixed portion 32 and the hinge shaft 34 of the door hinge 30A have the same configuration as those of the first embodiment. The door-side fixed portion 36 of the door hinge 30A is connected to the hinge shaft 34 so as to be rotatable about the hinge shaft 34. The door-side fixed portion 36 is formed of a metal material and includes a pair of door-side base portions 36a, 36b fixed to the inner panel 28, a pair of support portions 36c, 36d protruding from each of the door-side base portions 36a, 36b, and a connecting portion 36e. The pair of support portions 36c, 36d are formed in plate shapes protruding approximately perpendicularly from opposing side edges of the pair of door-side base portions 36a, 36b, and the connecting portion 36e connects the tips of the support portions 36c, 36d. The door-side base portions 36a, 36b are connected and fixed to the front flange portion 28b of the inner panel 28 using fasteners 58 such as bolts and nuts. The pair of support portions 36c, 36d each have an insertion hole through which the hinge shaft 34 is inserted, and the hinge shaft 34 is inserted into this insertion hole when the pair of support portions 36c, 36d are inserted between the pair of support portions 32b, 32c of the vehicle body side fixing portion 32.

[0040] A plate-shaped connection flange portion 53, which is a connection portion for connecting to the door hinge 30A, is formed at the tip of the first end portion 52 of the stiffening member 50A. In this embodiment, the connection flange portion 53 is formed so as to face the door-side base portions 36a, 36b of the door hinge 30A in an installed state. The connection flange portion 53 of the stiffening member 50A is fixed to the door-side base portions 36a, 36b of the door hinge 30A using fasteners 58, with the front flange portion 28b of the inner panel 28 sandwiched therebetween.

[0041] In the side door structure 20 of the second embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is traveling, vibration energy is transmitted from the vehicle body 12 to the side door 22 via the door hinges 30A, 30B. The vibration energy is then transmitted to the stiffening members 50A, 50B via the fasteners 58 that secure the door hinges 30A, 30B to the inner panel 28. The vibration energy transmitted to the stiffening members 50A, 50B is then transmitted to the latch unit 40 on the vehicle rear side of the side door 22 and further to the center pillar 14 on the vehicle rear side of the side door 22 via the striker 15 that engages with the latch 44, and is dispersed throughout the vehicle body 12. Because the stiffening members 50A, 50B are not joined to the outer panel 26, the vibration energy is not transmitted directly from the stiffening members 50A, 50B to the outer panel 26. This allows for efficient reduction of vibration throughout the outer panel 26.

[0042] Generally, door hinges 30A, 30B used in a side door 22 include a vehicle body-side fixed portion 32, a hinge shaft 34, and a door-side fixed portion 36. In the side door structure 20 of this embodiment, the door-side fixed portion 36 of the conventional door hinges 30A, 30B is fixed to the inner panel 28, and the first end portions 52 of the stiffening members 50A, 50B are fixed to the door-side fixed portion 36. This simple and inexpensive structure allows the stiffening members 50A, 50B to be connected to the door hinges 30A, 30B. By utilizing an existing structure in this way, costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the door beams that have traditionally been used to reinforce the door panel 24 against side collisions of the vehicle 10 can be replaced with the stiffening members 50A, 50B, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the side door 22.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0044] For example, in the above-described embodiment, two stiffening members 50A, 50B are attached, but the structure may also be such that only one stiffening member 50A, 50B is attached so as to connect either one of the door hinges 30A or 30B to the latch unit 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10 vehicles 12 Body 13 Front pillar 14 Center pillar 15 Striker 20 Side door structure 22 Side door 24 Door Panel 26 Outer panel 28 Inner Panel 30A, 30B Door Hinge 32 Body side fixing part 34 Hinge axis 36 Door side fixing part 40 Latch unit 42 Case 44 Latch 50A, 50B stiffening member 52 first end 54 Second end

Claims

1. a door panel having an outer panel that forms an outer surface of a vehicle side door and an inner panel that is disposed on an interior side of the outer panel; a door hinge attached to the vehicle front side of the door panel and supporting the door panel rotatably with respect to the vehicle body; A vehicle side door structure comprising: a latch unit attached to the vehicle rear side of the door panel and having a latch that can be engaged with and disengaged from a striker fixed to the vehicle body; a rod-shaped stiffening member extending in the width direction of the door panel without being joined to the outer panel, the rod-shaped stiffening member having a first end connected to the door hinge and a second end connected to the latch unit, the door panel and the door hinge are indirectly connected via the first end of the stiffening member fixed to the inner panel, The first end of the stiffening member extends substantially horizontally and is fixed to the inner panel using a bolt inserted radially through the first end, The door hinge includes a vehicle body side fixing portion fixed to the vehicle body main body and a hinge shaft supported by the vehicle body side fixing portion, A vehicle side door structure, characterized in that the first end of the stiffening member is connected to the hinge shaft with the hinge shaft passing through the first end.

2. A vehicle side door structure as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the second end of the reinforcing member is connected and fixed to the housing of the latch unit, and is indirectly connected to the inner panel via the housing.

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