Body structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure including a structure that can suppress vertical bending vibration of a roof panel.SOLUTION: A vehicle body structure including a roof panel 1, roof side rails 4, and quarter pillars 6 includes: a rear roof cross member 2d extending below the roof panel 1 in a vehicle width direction and including end portions connected to quater pillar upper portions at side edges of the roof panel 1; and braces 7 each including an upper connection portion 7a connected to the rear roof cross member 2d and a lower connection portion 7b connected to the quarter pillar upper portion in a roof side inner panel 42, which is a vehicle cabin side portion, of the roof side rail 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure including a roof panel that covers a vehicle interior from above and roof side rails that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle along side edges of the roof panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, roof side rails have a closed cross-section and extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. One example of a vehicle body structure including such roof side rails and a roof panel is the vehicle body structure disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1, a recess that is open outward in the vehicle width direction is formed in a portion of the roof side rail between the center pillar and the quarter pillar in the fore-and-aft direction, and an upper guide rail that slidably supports a sliding door is disposed within this recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-182193 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional vehicle body structures, a roof cross member is often provided below the roof panel and extending in the vehicle width direction at a position corresponding to the center pillar. This roof cross member reinforces the roof panel approximately in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, suppressing primary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel with the center of the roof panel as its antinode. However, this vertical bending vibration mode can also include a secondary vertical bending vibration mode with the center of the roof panel as its node. Therefore, a method for effectively suppressing this secondary vertical bending vibration is required. In particular, when a recess for a sliding door is formed in the roof side rail, as in the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1, the secondary vertical bending vibration can become large.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle body structure having a structure that can suppress vertical bending vibration of a roof panel more effectively than conventional structures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle body structure including a roof panel covering a passenger compartment from above, roof side rails extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along side edges of the roof panel, center pillars extending downward from intermediate portions of the roof side rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, quarter pillars extending downward from predetermined portions between the rear ends of the roof side rails and the intermediate portions, a center roof cross-member extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle below the roof panel and having an end joined to an upper portion of the center pillar at the side edge of the roof panel, a rear roof cross-member extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle below the roof panel and having an end joined to an upper portion of the quarter pillar at the side edge of the roof panel, and a brace having an upper joint joined to the rear roof cross-member and a lower joint joined to an upper portion of the quarter pillar at a roof side inner panel portion that is a passenger compartment side portion of the roof side rail. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle body structure according to one aspect of the present invention, vertical bending vibration of the roof panel can be suppressed more effectively than in the past. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a rear portion of the side of the vehicle body and its surroundings, as viewed from outside the vehicle compartment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view of the quarter pillar of the vehicle body and its surroundings as viewed from inside the vehicle cabin. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the quarter pillar and its surroundings, as viewed from outside the vehicle cabin with the side body outer panel removed. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the brace of the vehicle body and its surroundings as viewed from inside the vehicle compartment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an assembly diagram showing the brace and support bracket assembly. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view of the brace and support bracket assembly from another direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body 100 to which a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a rear portion of a side of the vehicle body 100 and its surroundings as viewed from outside the vehicle cabin, and Fig. 3 is a side view of a quarter pillar 6 (described later) of the vehicle body 100 and its surroundings as viewed from inside the vehicle cabin. In the drawings, arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and arrow B indicates the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction) when an occupant looks forward of the vehicle. Arrow U indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and arrow D indicates the downward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle body 100 has a roof panel 1, a plurality of roof cross members 2, and a vehicle body side portion 3.

[0011] The roof panel 1 is a panel that covers the vehicle interior from above and is made of a thin metal plate. The roof panel 1 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the roof panel 1 has a generally flat outer surface over most of its range in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction.

[0012] The multiple roof cross members 2 are components that reinforce the roof panel 1 from below and are made of thin metal plates. Each roof cross member 2 extends in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel 1 (on the rear side of the panel, the passenger compartment side) and has an end portion joined to a side edge of the roof panel 1 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the roof cross member 2 has one end joined to one side edge of the roof panel 1 and the other end joined to the other side edge of the roof panel 1. Although not particularly limited, referring to FIG. 1 , five roof cross members 2 are provided spaced apart from one another in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the five roof cross members 2 will be referred to as, from the front side, the front roof cross member 2a, the center roof cross member 2b, the second roof cross member 2c, the rear roof cross member 2d, and the rear-end roof cross member 2e. The front roof cross member 2a is provided at the lower front end of the roof panel 1, and the rear-end roof cross member 2e is provided at the lower rear end of the roof panel 1. The detailed locations of the remaining roof cross members (2b, 2c, 2d) will be described later.

[0013] The vehicle body side portion 3 is an outer portion of the vehicle body 100 in the vehicle width direction. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle body side portion 3 is provided with a driver's door opening 3a that is opened and closed by a hinged side door (not shown), a rear seat door opening 3b that is opened and closed by a sliding door (not shown), which is a sliding side door, and a quarter glass opening 3c that is closed by a quarter glass (not shown). The rear seat door opening 3b is located in a portion of the vehicle body side portion 3 between the driver's door opening 3a and the quarter glass opening 3c in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. The quarter glass opening 3c is located in approximately the upper half of the vehicle body side portion 3 in the vehicle up-and-down direction.

[0014] The vehicle body side portion 3 includes a roof side rail 4, a center pillar 5, and a quarter pillar 6. The roof side rail 4, the center pillar 5, and the quarter pillar 6 are each made of a thin metal plate material.

[0015] The roof side rails 4 are portions of the vehicle body side portions 3 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side edges of the roof panel 1, and form the upper portions of the vehicle body side portions 3. The roof side rails 4 are made up of multiple panel portions (or panel members) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body side portions 3 have a pair of left and right roof side rails 4, 4. The pair of left and right roof side rails 4, 4 (i.e., the upper portion of the left vehicle body side portion 3 and the upper portion of the right vehicle body side portion 3) are connected to each other via the roof panel 1 and each roof cross member 2.

[0016] The center pillar 5 is a columnar portion that extends downward from the middle portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the roof side rail 4 on the vehicle body side portion 3. The center pillar 5 forms the rear edge of the door opening 3a for the driver's seat (front side) and also forms the front edge of the door opening 3b for the rear seat (rear side).

[0017] The quarter pillar 6 is a columnar portion that extends downward from a predetermined portion of the vehicle body side 3 between the rear end of the roof side rail 4 and the middle portion of the roof side rail 4. In other words, the quarter pillar 6 extends downward from a position on the roof side rail 4 that is rearward of the center pillar 5 in the vehicle front-rear direction. The quarter pillar 6 forms the rear edge of the rear seat door opening 3b and also forms the front edge of the quarter glass opening 3c.

[0018] The multiple panel portions that make up the roof side rail 4 include a roof side outer panel portion 41 and a roof side inner panel portion 42 that is the compartment-side portion of the roof side rail 4. The roof side outer panel portion 41 is a part (upper portion) of the side body outer panel 3d that makes up the vehicle body side surface (design surface) of the vehicle body side portion 3. The roof side outer panel portion 41 has a cross-sectional shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, constituting a part of the vehicle side surface. The roof side inner panel portion 42 has a cross-sectional shape that bulges inward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The roof side outer panel portion 41 is located outermost in the vehicle width direction among the multiple panel portions that make up the roof side rail 4, and the roof side inner panel portion 42 is located innermost in the vehicle width direction among the multiple panel portions that make up the roof side rail 4.

[0019] The roof side rail 4 has different cross-sectional shapes in the upper portion of the driver's door opening 3a, the upper portion of the rear seat door opening 3b, the upper portion of the quarter glass opening 3c, and the upper portion of the quarter pillar 6.

[0020] The upper portion of the driver's door opening 3a and the upper portion of the quarter glass opening 3c in the roof side rail 4 have a closed cross-sectional structure formed by a roof side outer panel portion 41 and a roof side inner panel portion 42, although not shown.

[0021] 2, the upper portion of the roof side rail 4 above the rear seat door opening 3b (i.e., the portion of the roof side rail 4 between the center pillar 5 and the quarter pillar 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction) forms the upper edge of the rear seat door opening 3b and also forms a guide rail accommodating portion 40 that accommodates a guide rail (upper rail) V that slidably guides the sliding door. Note that the guide rail accommodating portion 40 is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the quarter pillar 6 of the vehicle body 100 and its surrounding area as viewed from outside the vehicle cabin, with the side body outer panel 3d removed. Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 3.

[0023] 2, 4, and 5, the guide rail accommodating section 40 has a recess 40a that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the guide rail V is disposed in this recess 40a. As shown in Fig. 2, the guide rail V extends linearly forward from the rear end side of the recess 40a in the vehicle front-rear direction, and then curves inward in the vehicle width direction just before the front end of the recess 40a as it heads forward in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0024] The guide rail accommodating portion 40 has an upper panel 43 that supports the guide rail V from above, and a lower panel 44 that cooperates with the upper panel 43 to form a recess 40a that is open outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the upper portion of the roof side rail 4 above the rear seat door opening 3b includes the upper panel 43 and the lower panel 44 in addition to the roof side outer panel portion 41 and the roof side inner panel portion 42.

[0025] 4, the side edges of the roof panel 1 are formed with bent flange portions that form joints with the roof side rail 4. In the portion of the roof side rail 4 that has the guide rail housing portion 40, the ends of the roof side outer panel portion 41, the roof side inner panel portion 42, the upper panel 43, and the lower panel 44 also have bent flange portions that form joints with other members. In the portion of the roof side rail 4 that has the guide rail housing portion 40, the upper panel 43 is disposed below the roof side outer panel portion 41, and the lower panel 44 is disposed so as to pass through the gap between the inner flange portion of the upper panel 43 and the roof side inner panel portion 42. In this arrangement, the flange portions on the side edges of the roof panel 1, the inner flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41, the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44, and the upper flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 are overlapped and welded to one another in that order, the outer flange portion of the upper panel 43 is overlapped and welded to the outer flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41 from the inside, the inner flange portion of the upper panel 43 is overlapped and welded to the middle portion of the lower panel 44 in the vertical direction, and the lower flange portion of the lower panel 44 is overlapped and welded to the lower flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42. The recess 40a of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 is formed by the upper panel 43 and a portion of the lower panel 44 below the joint where the upper panel 43 is joined.

[0026] 4 and 5, the upper panel 43 has an upper panel main body 43a extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction, and the guide rail V is joined to the underside of the upper panel main body 43a. The inner flange and outer flange of the upper panel 43 each extend from the side edges of the upper panel main body 43a. The lower panel 44 has a lower panel piece 44a extending generally parallel to the upper panel main body 43a below the upper panel main body 43a, and a lower panel side wall piece 44b extending upward from the inner side edge of the lower panel piece 44a. The lower flange of the lower panel 44 extends downward from the outer side edge of the lower panel piece 44a, and the upper flange of the lower panel 44 extends inward from the upper end of the lower panel side wall piece 44b.

[0027] 5, the guide rail accommodating portion 40 is disposed so that its rear end protrudes rearward from the front edge of the quarter pillar 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is positioned forward from the rear edge of the quarter pillar 6. In other words, the rear end of the upper panel 43 and the rear end of the lower panel 44 that constitute the guide rail accommodating portion 40 are positioned between the front and rear edges of the quarter pillar 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0028] The upper panel rear portion 43b of the upper panel 43, which protrudes rearward beyond the front edge of the quarter pillar 6, is smoothly curved downward toward the rear overall. The lower panel rear portion 44c of the lower panel 44, which protrudes rearward beyond the front edge of the quarter pillar 6, is continuous with the lower panel piece 44a and the lower flange portion of the lower panel 44 and is formed to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction and upward in the vehicle up-down direction. The rear end of the lower panel rear portion 44c is bent in a stepped shape in cross section. The upper panel rear portion 43b is welded from above to overlap the upwardly bulging portion of the lower panel rear portion 44c. Furthermore, a portion of the upper panel rear portion 43b protrudes rearward beyond the rear end of the lower panel rear portion 44c and is welded to overlap an extension portion 45, which will be described later.

[0029] In this embodiment, the roof side rail 4 has an extending portion 45 that extends so as to connect the rear end of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 and a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 rearward of the quarter pillar 6. The extending portion 45 is made up of a rail-side joint portion 45a that overlaps the rear end of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 and is joined to the guide rail accommodating portion 40 by welding, a panel-side joint portion 45b that overlaps a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 rearward of the quarter pillar 6 and is joined to the roof side inner panel portion 42 by welding, and a body piece 45c that is smoothly curved so as to connect the rail-side joint portion 45a and the panel-side joint portion 45b.

[0030] 5 and 6, specifically, the rail-side joint 45a is bent to fit along the underside of the rear end of the stepped-bent lower panel rear portion 44c, and is welded to the rear end of the lower panel rear portion 44c from below. Referring to Fig. 5, the panel-side joint 45b is formed in a flange shape that fits along a surface that is curved in a convex shape generally toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 rearward of the quarter pillar 6 (in other words, a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 that forms the upper edge of the quarter glass opening 3). The main body piece 45c has a curved surface that smoothly connects the rail-side joint 45a and the panel-side joint 45b, which have different cross-sectional shapes.

[0031] 6 including the quarter pillar 6 (more specifically, the cross-sectional position including the portion where the rear end of the guide rail housing portion 40 and the extending portion 45 overlap each other), the roof side outer panel portion 41 of the roof side rail 4 extends so as to be continuous with the outer panel of the quarter pillar 6 (part of the side body outer panel 3d), the roof side inner panel portion 42 extends so as to be continuous with the inner panel of the quarter pillar 6, and the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44 extends so as to protrude more inward in the vehicle width direction than the flange portion of the side edge of the roof panel 1. Then, referring to FIG. 6, in the cross-sectional position including the quarter pillar 6, the flange portion of the side edge of the roof panel 1, the end portion of the rear roof cross-member 2d, the inner flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41, and the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44 are overlapped and welded to one another in this order, and the upper flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 is overlapped and welded to the extended flange portion 44d of the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44 from below.

[0032] As described above, the roof panel 1 is formed in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle longitudinal direction when viewed from above. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling, there is a risk of primary vertical bending vibrations (vibrations in the primary vertical bending vibration mode) occurring with the center of the roof panel, which is approximately the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as an antinode, and secondary vertical bending vibrations (vibrations in the secondary vertical bending vibration mode) occurring with the center of the roof panel as a node. These vibrations may cause low-frequency muffled noise (low-frequency sound) to be generated inside the vehicle cabin. In response to this issue, the following various measures have been implemented in the vehicle body 100.

[0033] The roof panel 1 of the vehicle body 100 is reinforced by the above-mentioned roof cross members 2. Specifically, the center roof cross member 2b is joined to the side edge of the roof panel 1 at a position in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponding to the center pillar 5. In other words, the center roof cross member 2b has an end that is joined to the upper part of the center pillar, which is the upper part of the center pillar 5 at the side edge of the roof panel 1. This allows the center roof cross member 2b to be firmly supported by the center pillar 5, and as a result, primary vertical bending vibration with the roof panel center of the roof panel 1 (in other words, the panel portion above the center roof cross member 2b) as its antinode is suppressed.

[0034] The rear roof cross-member 2d is joined to the side edge of the roof panel 1 at a longitudinal position corresponding to the quarter pillar 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In other words, the rear roof cross-member 2d has an end portion joined to the upper portion of the quarter pillar 6, which is the portion above the quarter pillar 6, at the side edge of the roof panel 1. This allows the rear roof cross-member 2d to be firmly supported by the quarter pillar 6, thereby suppressing vertical bending vibration of the panel portion of the roof panel 1 above the rear roof cross-member 2d, and ultimately suppressing secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 with the center of the roof panel as a node.

[0035] In this embodiment, a second roof cross-member 2c is provided between the center roof cross-member 2b and the rear roof cross-member 2d, so that the vertical bending vibrations of the roof panel 1, including primary and secondary vibrations, are more effectively suppressed.

[0036] The vehicle body 100 further has the following structure for suppressing vibration of the roof panel 1.

[0037] The vehicle body 100 (vehicle body structure) has a brace 7 made of a thin metal plate material that more firmly supports the rear roof cross member 2d. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the brace 7 and its surroundings as seen from inside the vehicle cabin. Note that Fig. 6 is also a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in Fig. 7.

[0038] 6 and 7, the brace 7 has an upper joint 7a joined to the rear roof cross-member 2d and a lower joint 7b joined to the roof side rail 4. The upper joint 7a is joined to a predetermined portion of the underside of the rear roof cross-member 2d in front of the end (flange portion) in the vehicle width direction. The lower joint 7b is joined to an upper portion of the quarter pillar 6 above the roof side inner panel portion 42. In other words, the rear roof cross-member 2d, the brace 7, and the quarter pillar 6 are arranged in a vertical line in a side view seen from one side in the vehicle width direction. The shape of the brace 7 will be described later.

[0039] 3 and 6, in this embodiment, the extension 45 of the roof side rail 4 is arranged so that the connecting portion (joint portion) between the extension 45 and the rear end of the guide rail housing 40 overlaps with the brace 7 in a side view seen from one side in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the area of ​​the rail-side joint 45a, which is the front part of the extension 45, and the area of ​​the brace 7 partially overlap with each other in a side view.

[0040] In this embodiment, the vehicle body 100 includes one or more support brackets 8 that support a predetermined on-vehicle component P (see the thick dashed line in FIG. 3) and are attached to the roof side inner panel portion 42. A target support bracket 8a, which is any one of the one or more support brackets 8, is joined to the brace 7.

[0041] Specifically, the vehicle body 100 includes a pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Although not particularly limited, the target support bracket 8a joined to the brace 7 is the rear support bracket 8, and the rear support bracket 8 is attached to the roof side inner panel portion 42 by being joined mainly to the brace 7. The front support bracket 8 is directly attached to the roof side inner panel portion 42 by being joined to a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 forward of the brace 7. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the shape of the front support bracket 8 is the same as the shape of the rear support bracket 8 (target support bracket 8a), and the same parts are used for the front and rear. The shape of the support bracket 8 will be described later.

[0042] In this embodiment, the specified on-vehicle part P is an assistant grip 9 (see the thick dashed line in FIG. 3 ) that is gripped by the occupant. The assistant grip 9 is a resin part that the occupant grips when getting in and out of the vehicle or when stabilizing their body against shaking while driving. The assistant grip 9 is formed in an arch shape, and both ends of the assistant grip 9 are attached to and supported by a pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8. Although not shown in the figure, the roof panel 1, roof side inner panel portion 42, center pillar 5, quarter pillar 6, support bracket 8, etc. are covered from the passenger compartment side by interior members such as trim, and the assistant grip 9 is located inside the passenger compartment with its base end supported by the pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8.

[0043] FIG. 8 is an assembly diagram showing the assembly of the brace 7 and the support bracket 8 (target support bracket 8a), and FIG. 9 is a view of the assembly as seen from another direction.

[0044] In this embodiment, the brace body 7c, which is the portion of the brace 7 that connects the upper joint 7a and the lower joint 7b, is bent in an arc shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction in cross section.

[0045] In this embodiment, the upper joint 7a is formed in a bulging shape that bulges upward at the vehicle longitudinal center of the portion of the brace 7 that faces the rear roof cross member 2d. The lower joint 7b is formed in a flange shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction at both vehicle longitudinal edges of the portion of the brace 7 that faces the roof side inner panel portion 42.

[0046] Specifically, the brace 7 is formed by press-forming a single sheet of metal sheet material. The brace 7 is bent in a convex shape outward in the vehicle width direction as a whole, with the upper portion of the brace 7 having a hat-shaped cross section that protrudes upward, and the lower portion of the brace 7 having a hat-shaped cross section that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. The protruding portion of the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 forms the upper joint 7a, and the flange portion of the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 forms the lower joint 7b. The brace main body 7c, for example, comprises a flange portion that is flat in the front-rear direction of the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 and a flat top portion in the front-rear direction of the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7, and is formed in a roughly Y-shape in a side view from one side in the vehicle width direction. The brace main body 7c is smoothly curved in an arc shape in cross section at a position midway between the upper joint 7a and the lower joint 7b in the up-down direction. The flange portion of the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 is provided with a clamp hole 7d for a harness clamp.

[0047] The upper joint portion 7a has a hole for inserting a bolt (not shown). The portion of the rear roof cross-member 2d corresponding to the upper joint portion 7a is formed in a bulging shape that bulges downward, and this bulging portion 2d1 has a hole for inserting a bolt, and a nut (not shown) is welded to the upper surface of the bulging portion 2d1. The upper joint portion 7a is joined to the underside of the rear roof cross-member 2d by fastening a bolt to the nut of the rear roof cross-member 2d from the passenger compartment side.

[0048] Each flange portion in the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7, which is the lower joint portion 7b, is joined to the roof side inner panel portion 42 by being overlapped and welded to the roof side inner panel portion 42.

[0049] The support bracket 8 is formed by press-forming a single sheet of metal sheet material. The support bracket 8 has a mounting surface 81 to which the assistant grip 9 is attached and legs 82 to be joined to the brace 7 or the roof side inner panel 42. The mounting surface 81 faces diagonally downward toward the vehicle interior when the support bracket 8 is joined to the brace 7 or the like. The mounting surface 81 is formed in a quadrangular shape in a plan view. The legs 82 extend from each of three of the four sides of the mounting surface 81, excluding the upper side, in a direction intersecting the surface of the mounting surface 81 at approximately right angles. The front leg 82 and the rear leg 82 face each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and both ends of the lower leg 82 in the vehicle longitudinal direction are bent to surround the end edges of the front leg 82 and the rear leg 82. In addition, a flange 83 for joining is provided at the tip of each leg 82.

[0050] In the rear support bracket 8, which is the target support bracket 8a, the flange portion 83 of the front leg 82 is welded from the inside to overlap the front flange portion of the lower joint 7b of the brace 7, and the flange portion 83 of the rear leg 82 is welded from the inside to overlap the rear flange portion of the lower joint 7b of the brace 7. Meanwhile, the flange portion 83 of the lower leg 82 is welded to the roof side inner panel portion 42. In the front support bracket 8, the flange portions 83 of each leg 82 are welded to the roof side inner panel portion 42 in an overlapping manner.

[0051] 3, in this embodiment, the upper end of the quarter pillar 6 (more specifically, the portion of the quarter pillar 6 connected to the roof side inner panel portion 42) and the brace 7 are located, in a side view, in the vehicle longitudinal direction between a front imaginary line L1 that passes through the front end of the rear roof cross member 2d and extends in the vertical direction, and a rear imaginary line L2 that passes through the rear end of the rear roof cross member 2d and extends in the vertical direction. In addition, the target support bracket 8a is also located, in a side view, between the front imaginary line L1 and the rear imaginary line L2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0052] In the vehicle body structure applied to the vehicle body 100 according to this embodiment, the upper joint 7a of the brace 7 is joined to the rear roof cross-member 2d, and the lower joint 7b of the brace 7 is joined to the upper portion of the quarter pillar in the roof side inner panel portion 42, which is the passenger compartment side portion of the roof side rail 4. As a result, the rear roof cross-member 2d, the brace 7, and the quarter pillar 6 are arranged in a vertical line, and the rear roof cross-member 2d is firmly supported from below by the brace 7 in addition to the quarter pillar 6. As a result, vibration of the rear roof cross-member 2d is effectively suppressed, and secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is suppressed more than ever before.

[0053] In this way, the vehicle body structure applied to the vehicle body 100 according to this embodiment can suppress the vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 more effectively than before. Furthermore, by suppressing the vibration of the roof panel 1, the generation of low-frequency muffled noise during driving is suppressed. It has also been confirmed that the natural frequency of the secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is higher than the natural frequency in the case without braces, and that the gain (peak level) of this vibration is lower than the gain in the case without braces. As a result, the generation of muffled noise is more effectively suppressed.

[0054] Furthermore, the brace 7 constitutes a strong structural part. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by joining the target support bracket 8a of the support bracket 8 that supports the assistant grip 9 to the brace 7, the target support bracket 8a and the assistant grip 9 are more firmly supported on the vehicle body side. The strength of the mounting portion of the assistant grip 9 is improved. Furthermore, by joining the support bracket 8 to the brace 7, the rigidity of the portion including the brace 7 is improved. This also improves the rigidity of the entire vehicle body 100, resulting in improved driving stability and reduced noise. Furthermore, since each roof cross member 2 is less likely to displace (move) up and down, displacement of the roof cross member 2 during electroplating in the manufacturing process is reduced and sealant peeling is prevented.

[0055] In this embodiment, the brace body 7c of the brace 7 is bent in an arc shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction in cross section. This connects the quarter pillar 6, which extends vertically, and the rear roof cross-member 2d via the brace body 7c, which has a smoothly curved surface, preventing stress concentration, preventing bending of the brace 7, and suppressing vertical movement of the brace 7. As a result, a structure is constructed that can more firmly support the rear roof cross-member 2d.

[0056] In this embodiment, the extension 45 connects the rear end of the guide rail housing 40 to a portion of the roof side inner panel 42 rearward of the quarter pillar 6 (in other words, an upper portion of the roof side inner panel 42 above the quarter glass opening 3c). The extension 45 is positioned so that the connecting portion (rail-side joint 45a) between the rear end of the guide rail housing 40 and the extension 45 overlaps the brace 7 in a side view from one side in the vehicle width direction. This connects the portion of the roof side rail 4 near the brace and outboard of the brace 7 in the vehicle width direction to the portion of the roof side inner panel 42 rearward of the quarter pillar 6, which is a strong structural part, via the extension 45. This improves the strength of the portion of the roof side rail 4 near the brace in the vertical direction. As a result, secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is more effectively suppressed. The support rigidity of the assistant grip 9 is also improved.

[0057] In this embodiment, the upper joint 7a of the brace 7 is formed with a bulging shape that bulges upward, and the lower joint 7b of the brace 7 is formed with a flange shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction. This improves the rigidity of the brace 7, which is made of thin plate material, and creates a stronger structure. Furthermore, even if the brace 7 mainly has a brace body 7c with a smoothly curved surface, the bulging and flange shapes reinforce the brace 7 and improve its surface rigidity. Furthermore, because the portion of the rear roof cross member 2d corresponding to the upper joint 7a is formed with a bulging shape that bulges downward, there is no impact on the design of the roof panel 1.

[0058] In this embodiment, the upper end of the quarter pillar 6 (more specifically, the connecting portion of the quarter pillar 6 with the roof side inner panel portion 42) and the brace 7 are located, in a side view, in the vehicle longitudinal direction between a front imaginary line L1 passing through the front end of the rear roof cross member 2d and a rear imaginary line L2 passing through the rear end of the rear roof cross member 2d. This provides even stronger support for the rear roof cross member 2d, and more effectively suppresses secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1. Even if the rear roof cross member 2d vibrates, the vibration and the stress generated by the vibration are efficiently transmitted to the quarter pillar 6, improving the vibration suppression effect and damping performance of the roof panel 1.

[0059] In this embodiment, the target support bracket 8a joined to the brace 7 is not limited to the rear support bracket 8, but may be the front support bracket 8. The specified vehicle component P supported by the support bracket 8 is not limited to the assistant grip 9, but may be a curtain airbag, a rod holder for holding a fishing rod, or the like. The number of support brackets 8 is not limited to two, but may be one, or three or more. Furthermore, although the upper joint portion 7a of the brace 7 and the rear roof cross member 2d are joined by bolting, this is not a limitation, and they may also be joined by welding.

[0060] Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and further modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1...roof panel, 2b...center roof cross member, 2d...rear roof cross member, 4...roof side rail, 40...guide rail accommodating portion, 40a...recess, 42...roof side inner panel portion, 43...upper panel, 44...lower panel, 45...extension portion, 5...center pillar, 6...quarter pillar, 6a...upper end portion of quarter pillar, 7...brace, 7a...upper joint portion, 7b...lower joint portion, 8...support bracket, 9...assistant grip, L1...front imaginary line, L2...rear imaginary line, P...specified vehicle part, V...guide rail,

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure including: a roof panel covering a vehicle interior from above; roof side rails extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction along side edges of the roof panel; center pillars extending downward from intermediate portions of the roof side rails in the vehicle longitudinal direction; quarter pillars extending downward from predetermined portions between rear ends of the roof side rails and the intermediate portions; and a center roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and having ends joined to upper portions of the center pillars at the side edges of the roof panel, a rear roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and having an end joined to an upper portion of the quarter pillar at the side edge of the roof panel; a brace having an upper joint portion joined to the rear roof cross member and a lower joint portion joined to an upper portion of a quarter pillar of a roof side inner panel portion that is a cabin side portion of the roof side rail; Including, The brace is made of a thin plate material, The upper joint portion is formed in a bulging shape that bulges upward at a central portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of a portion of the brace that faces the rear roof cross member, a lower joint formed in a flange shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction at each of both vehicle fore-and-aft edge portions of the brace that face the roof side inner panel portion;

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of the brace connecting the upper joint and the lower joint is bent in an arc shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction in cross section.

3. a portion of the roof side rail between the center pillar and the quarter pillar constitutes a guide rail accommodating portion that accommodates a guide rail that slidably guides a sliding door; The guide rail accommodating portion has an upper panel that supports the guide rail from above, and a lower panel that cooperates with the upper panel to form a recess that is open outward in the vehicle width direction, the roof side rail has an extension portion that extends so as to connect a rear end portion of the guide rail accommodating portion and a portion of the roof side inner panel portion that is rearward of the quarter pillar, The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extension portion is positioned so that a connection portion between the extension portion and the rear end portion of the guide rail accommodating portion overlaps with the brace in a side view from one side in the vehicle width direction.

4. A vehicle body structure described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in a side view, the upper end of the quarter pillar and the brace are located in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle between a front virtual line extending in the vertical direction through the front end of the rear roof cross member and a rear virtual line extending in the vertical direction through the rear end of the rear roof cross member.

5. one or more support brackets that support predetermined vehicle-mounted components and are attached to the roof side inner panel portion; The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a target support bracket, which is any one of the one or more support brackets, is joined to the brace.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined vehicle-mounted part is an assistant grip that is held by an occupant.

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