Vehicle underbody structure

Abstract

To transmit a backward impact load inputted to a front end part of a side sill to a rear side of the side sill, without increasing mass and costs.SOLUTION: A lower vehicle body structure of vehicle comprises a side sill 10 arranged at a lower part of the vehicle and outside in a vehicle width direction, in which a closed cross section 10s extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed, and a wheel 6 positioned in front of the side sill 10. The side sill 10 is provided with a side sill outer 21 having a front end part 27 and a body part 28 positioned closer to a rear side than the front end part 27. An outer-side reinforcement member 50 having a shape formed along a front surface part 271 of the front end part 27 and a side surface part 24 is joined to the front end part 27 of the side sill outer 21, from the inside or the outside of the closed cross section 10s. A front end 42f of the body part 28 opposes, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, to a rear end 54 of the side surface part 51 of the outer-side reinforcement member 50. The body part 28 has a protruding part 43 protruding to the inside of the closed cross section 10s with respect to the rear end 54 of the side surface part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , , , , , , , , ,

[0001] This invention relates to a lower vehicle body structure of a vehicle, for example, including a side sill that forms a closed cross-section extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a wheel in front of the side sill.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in a so-called small overlap collision where a barrier (obstacle) partially collides with an end portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction rather than the front side frame at the front of the vehicle from the front of the vehicle, when the retreating wheel collides with the front end portion of the side sill, an impact load in the rearward direction of the vehicle is input to the front end portion of the side sill. It is preferable to transmit such a rearward collision load of the vehicle from the front end portion of the side sill to the rear of the side sill to suppress excessive reinforcement of the vehicle body.

[0004] The vehicle side structure of Patent Document 1 is provided with an outer side reinforcement member (30) that reinforces at least the front surface and the outer surface in the vehicle width direction on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the outer front end portion of the side sill located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion of the side sill.

[0005] However, since the outer side reinforcement member (30) extends rearward of the side sill rather than the front end portion of the side sill, there is a risk of increasing mass and cost.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a vehicle underbody structure that transmits a rearward impact load input to the front end of the side sill to the rear of the side sill without increasing mass and cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The lower body structure of the vehicle according to this invention comprises a side sill located on the lower part of the vehicle and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a side sill inner located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and a side sill outer located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and having a front end and a main body, which cooperate to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a wheel located in front of the side sill outer, and an outer side reinforcing member having a shape along the front and side portions of the front end of the side end of the side sill outer, wherein the outer side reinforcing member is attached to the front end from the inside or outside of the closed cross section, and the front end of the main body faces the rear end of the side portion of the outer side reinforcing member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the main body in In the vehicle width direction, the side of the front end of the side of the outer reinforcing member is closer to the side of the front end than the rear end of the side of the outer reinforcing member. teeth The rear end is characterized by having a protruding portion that extends to the side opposite to the side of the front end portion.

[0009] According to the above configuration, when a rearward impact load is applied to the side sill from the front, the outer reinforcing member attempts to displace rearward while maintaining the shape of the front end of the side sill outer. At that time, the rear end of the retracting outer reinforcing member and the front end of the protrusion provided on the main body of the side sill outer engage with each other, and the load is transmitted from the outer reinforcing member to the main body located rearward.

[0010] Therefore, rearward impact loads applied to the side sill from the front can be transmitted to the rear without increasing mass or cost.

[0011] In one aspect of this invention, it is preferable that the side portion of the outer reinforcing member is provided with an extension that extends rearward from the front end of the main body.

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the outer reinforcing member retracts due to a rearward impact load applied to the side sill from the front, the extended portion engages with the side surface of the main body, thereby restricting the relative movement of the outer reinforcing member with respect to the main body in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] Therefore, the rear end of the retracting outer reinforcing member and the protruding portion provided on the main body can be engaged more securely, thereby improving the efficiency of load transmission from the outer reinforcing member to the main body.

[0014] In this embodiment of the invention, it is preferable that the protruding portion is formed by a bead extending in the front-rear direction on the main body. According to the above configuration, by forming the protruding portion with a bead, the load transmission efficiency in the front-rear direction of the main body can be improved.

[0015] In one aspect of this invention, it is preferable that the side surface of the outer reinforcing member has a reinforcing member lateral ridge line extending continuously forward from the rear end, which is formed at approximately the same height as the protruding portion lateral ridge line extending in the front-rear direction at the protruding portion.

[0016] According to the above configuration, when a rearward impact load is applied to the side sill from the front, the outer reinforcing member retracts, causing the lateral ridge of the reinforcing member and the lateral ridge of the protruding portion, which are at the same height, to become continuous in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0017] In other words, the rear end of the side portion of the outer reinforcing member, whose rigidity is improved by the transverse ridge of the reinforcing member, and the front end of the protruding portion of the main body, whose rigidity is improved by the protruding portion of the transverse ridge of the protruding portion, engage firmly (come into contact). Therefore, the load transmission efficiency from the outer reinforcing member to the main body can be improved.

[0018] As an aspect of the present invention, an outer horizontal ridge line extending rearward from the front end of the main body portion is formed at the boundary between the upper surface portion and the side surface portion of the main body portion, and the extending portion is configured to extend rearward along the outer horizontal ridge line so as to be engageable with the upper surface portion and the side surface portion of the main body portion.

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the outer side reinforcing member retreats due to a rearward impact load input from the front to the side sill, the extending portion engages not only with the side surface portion but also with the upper surface portion of the main body portion. Therefore, not only the relative movement in the vehicle width direction but also the relative movement in the vertical direction of the outer side reinforcing member with respect to the main body portion can be restricted.

[0020] Thereby, when the outer side reinforcing member retreats, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the relative position of the heights of the reinforcing member horizontal ridge line and the protruding portion horizontal ridge line, and the reinforcing member horizontal ridge line and the protruding portion horizontal ridge line can be more reliably continuous in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0021] As an aspect of the present invention, the protruding portion preferably has a pair of horizontal wall portions extending in the vehicle width direction and spaced apart from each other in the vehicle vertical direction, and at least one of the pair of horizontal wall portions and the rear end of the outer side reinforcing member overlap in a front view of the vehicle.

[0022] According to the above configuration, since at least one of the pair of horizontal wall portions and the rear end of the outer side reinforcing member overlap in a front view of the vehicle, when a rearward impact load is input to the front end portion of the side sill, the retreated outer side reinforcing member and the main body portion can be reliably engaged. Therefore, the load transmission efficiency from the outer side reinforcing member to the main body portion can be improved.

[0023] As an aspect of the present invention, a rear end recess recessed forward from the rear end is preferably formed at a position of the outer side reinforcing member at the same height as at least one of the pair of horizontal wall portions of the protruding portion.

[0024] According to the above configuration, when the outer side reinforcing member retreats due to an impact load in the rearward direction of the vehicle input from the front of the side sill, the periphery of the rear end recess engages with a transverse wall portion having the same height as the rear end recess among one of the transverse wall portions provided on the protruding portion.

[0025] Therefore, the rear end of the retreating outer side reinforcing member and the protruding portion provided on the main body portion can be more reliably engaged, and the load transmission efficiency from the outer side reinforcing member to the main body portion can be improved.

[0026] As an aspect of this invention, it is preferable that the outer side reinforcing member is provided from the closed cross-section side with respect to the front end portion.

[0027] According to the above configuration, compared with the case where the outer side reinforcing member is provided from the outside of the closed cross-section with respect to the front end portion, the outer side reinforcing member can be made more compact and have a simpler shape, so an increase in weight can be suppressed. Also, when the outer side reinforcing member is formed by molding, the formability can be improved.

[0028] As an aspect of this invention, it is preferable that the boundary in the vehicle front-rear direction between the front end portion of the side sill outer and the main body portion is located between the front and rear widths of the hinge pillar extending upward from the side sill.

[0029] According to the above configuration, since the lower part of the hinge pillar is connected to the side sill straddling the front end portion and the main body portion, when a rearward impact load is input to the front end portion of the side sill, the load can be reliably transmitted from the front end portion to the main body portion behind the vehicle.

Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the above configuration, the rearward impact load input to the front end portion of the side sill can be transmitted to the rear of the side sill without increasing the mass and cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1]Plan view showing the main part of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment. [Figure 2] Side view showing the main part of the lower part of the vehicle in this embodiment [Figure 3] A perspective cross-sectional view of the main section along the line AA in Figure 2, viewed from above and from the passenger compartment side. [Figure 4] Perspective view of the front end of the side sill outer and its surrounding area, as seen from the passenger compartment side. [Figure 5] A perspective cross-sectional view of the main part along the line AA in Figure 2, viewed from the rear and outside the vehicle interior. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the front end of the side sill inner and its surrounding area, as seen from the outside of the vehicle. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view showing the main part along line CC in Figure 3 or Figure 4, indicated by the arrow. [Figure 8] Cross-section showing the main part along line AA in Figure 2 or Figure 4. [Figure 9] Cross-sectional view showing the main part along line BB in Figure 2. [Figure 10] A longitudinal section diagram showing the results of a simulation analysis of the behavior of the front end of the vehicle's side sill during a small overlap collision. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the side of the lower body structure 1 of the vehicle is substantially symmetrical, so the explanation will be based on the structure on the right side of the lower part of the vehicle. In the figure, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow U indicates the top of the vehicle, arrow OUT indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction (outside the passenger compartment), and arrow IN indicates the inside in the vehicle width direction (inside the passenger compartment). Also, in the figure, the "×" marks indicate spot welding locations.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower body structure 1 of this embodiment is provided with a tunnel section 2 that protrudes upward from the center of the vehicle width direction at the bottom of the passenger compartment and extends in the front-rear direction. On each side of the tunnel section 2 at the bottom of the passenger compartment, plate-shaped floor panels 3 (see Figure 1) that form the floor surface of the passenger compartment are arranged horizontally. Side sills 10 extending in the front-rear direction are provided at the left and right ends of the bottom of the passenger compartment. The outer ends of the floor panels 3 on each side in the vehicle width direction are joined to the inner surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the corresponding side sills 10. As shown in Figure 1, the floor panel 3 is provided with a floor frame 4 extending in the front-rear direction and a cross member 5 extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the wheels 6, which serve as the front wheels, are provided in front of the side sills 10 on the vehicle body. The wheels 6 are positioned in front of the front end of the side sills 10 and are positioned so that at least a portion of them coincide with the side sills 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the wheel 6 is positioned such that its inner end in the vehicle width direction is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the inner end of the side sill 10 in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned closer to the outer side of the side sill 10 in the vehicle width direction. Although not shown, the upper majority of the wheel 6 is covered by an arch-shaped wheel well.

[0036] The lower part of the hinge pillar 7, which extends vertically along the front edge of the side door opening of the passenger compartment, is joined to the front of the side sill 10 (see the hinge pillar 7 shown by the dashed line in Figure 2). The lower part of the hinge pillar 7, that is, the part that attaches to the front of the side sill 10, is formed to widen towards the front-to-back direction as it goes downwards.

[0037] The hinge pillar 7 comprises a hinge pillar inner (not shown) positioned on the inside in the vehicle width direction and a hinge pillar outer 7a positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction. These two members are joined and fixed together to form a closed cross section (not shown) that extends continuously in the vertical direction inside.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 7, the side sill 10 comprises a side sill inner 11 with a hat-shaped cross-section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction, and a side sill outer 21 with a hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the side sill 10, with the side sill inner 11 located inward in the vehicle width direction and the side sill outer 21 located outward in the vehicle width direction working together, forms a closed cross-section 10s that extends continuously in the longitudinal direction inside.

[0039] Specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the side sill inner 11 has an inner upper surface portion 12 that extends substantially horizontally, an upper end flange portion 13 that extends upward from the outer edge of the inner upper surface portion 12 in the vehicle width direction, an inner side surface portion 14 that extends downward from the inner edge of the inner upper surface portion 12 in the vehicle width direction, an inner lower wall portion 15 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the inner side surface portion 14, and a lower end flange portion 16 that extends downward from the outer edge of the inner lower wall portion 15 in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the side sill outer 21 has an outer upper surface portion 22 that extends substantially horizontally, an upper end flange portion 23 that extends upward from the outer edge of the outer upper surface portion 22 in the vehicle width direction, an outer side surface portion 24 that extends downward from the outer edge of the outer upper surface portion 22 in the vehicle width direction, an outer lower wall portion 25 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the outer side surface portion 24, and a lower end flange portion 26 that extends downward from the inner edge of the outer lower wall portion 25 in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] In a longitudinal cross-sectional view, the side sill 10 is formed by joining the upper flange portions 13 and 23 of the side sill inner 11 and the side sill outer 21 by welding or the like, and joining the lower flange portions 16 and 26 of the side sill outer 21 by welding or the like, thereby creating the closed cross section 10s described above inside the side sill 10.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the side sill 10 comprises a side sill front end portion 31 extending rearward from the front end of the side sill 10, and a side sill main body portion 41 positioned almost entirely rearward from the rear end of the side sill front end portion 31. As shown in Figure 2, the boundary between the side sill front end portion 31 and the side sill main body portion 41 is located within the front-to-rear width of the hinge pillar 7, and in this example, is approximately midway along the front-to-rear direction of the hinge pillar 7.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 9, the side sill outer 21 comprises a side sill outer front end 27 and a side sill outer body 28. As shown in Figures 1, 3, 5, 6 and 9, the side sill inner 11 comprises a side sill inner front end 17 and a side sill inner body 18. The side sill front end 31 is formed by the side sill outer front end 27 and the side sill inner front end 17, and the side sill body 41 is formed by the side sill outer body 28 and the side sill inner body 18.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, at the boundary between the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer and the main body portion 28 of the side sill outer, the rear end flange 32 of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer and the front end flange 42 of the side sill outer main body portion 28 are joined by spot welding or the like while overlapping each other in the thickness direction. In this embodiment, the rear end flange 32 of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer is joined to the front end flange 42 of the side sill outer main body portion 28 from the outside of the closed cross section 10s (outside in the vehicle width direction).

[0045] In this embodiment, the side sill outer 21 is formed of at least two members, the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer and the main body portion 28 of the side sill outer, as shown in Figures 1 to 5. However, it may also be formed of a single member that is continuous in the front-rear direction, including the boundary between them.

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 1, 3, 5, and 6, the side sill inner 11 is formed from a single component without forming the front end portion 17 and the main body portion 18 of the side sill inner as separate components. However, the front and rear regions separated by their respective boundaries may be formed from separate components.

[0047] As shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, and 9, the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer includes an outer front portion 271 that forms the front wall of the side sill outer 21, and an outer front rear portion 272 located behind the outer front portion 271.

[0048] As described above, the outer front portion 271 and the outer front rear portion 272 are formed in a hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 7). However, as shown in Figure 4, the outer front portion 271 is formed in a bowl shape that gradually narrows in the vertical and vehicle width directions toward the front of the outer front rear portion 272.

[0049] Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the outer front portion 271, like the outer front rear portion 272, has an outer side upper portion 22, an upper end flange portion 23, an outer side side portion 24a (24), an outer side lower wall portion 25, and a lower end flange portion 26. However, as shown in Figures 1, 3 to 5, and 9, the outer side side portion 24a of the outer front portion 271 slopes gently from the front end of the outer side side portion 24a of the outer front rear portion 272 to the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the side sill outer 21 as it moves forward.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the outer side upper surface portion 22 and outer side lower wall portion 25 of the outer front portion 271 are gently inclined from the front ends of the outer side upper surface portion 22 and outer side lower wall portion 25 of the outer front rear portion 272 to the vicinity of the vertical middle portion of the side sill outer 21 as they move forward.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 9, the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer does not have a ridge extending vertically along the boundary between the rear end of the outer front portion 271 and the front end of the outer front rear portion 272, but rather is smoothly continuous in the front-rear direction.

[0052] Furthermore, as described above, the side sill outer body portion 28 is formed in a hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 4). As shown in Figure 4, the side sill outer body portion 28 has an outer transverse ridge 241 that extends in the front-rear direction along the boundary between the outer upper surface portion 22 and the outer side portion 24b (24).

[0053] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9, an outer-side projection 43 is provided at approximately the midpoint in the vertical direction of the outer side surface portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28, projecting inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the surrounding area. The outer-side projection 43 extends continuously rearward from the front end 42f of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0054] However, the outer side projection 43 does not need to extend to the rear of the side sill 10, as long as it has a length in the front-rear direction that allows it to engage with the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 (described later), which retracts during a small overlap collision, and receive the outer side reinforcing member 50 with its front end 42f.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4, the outer side projection 43 has an upper wall portion 44 that rises inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the surrounding area on the outer side surface portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28, a vertical wall portion 45 that extends downward in a vertical wall shape from the vehicle width inner end of the upper wall portion 44, and a lower wall portion 46 that rises inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the surrounding area up to the lower end of the vertical wall portion 45. In other words, the outer side projection 43 protrudes toward the same side (inside the closed cross section 10s) as the side on which the outer side reinforcing member 50 is superimposed with respect to the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer.

[0056] At the boundary between the vertical wall portion 45 and the upper wall portion 44 of the outer protrusion 43, an upper transverse ridge line 47 is formed that extends continuously from the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 to the rear along the boundary. At the boundary between the vertical wall portion 45 and the lower wall portion 46 of the outer protrusion 43, a lower transverse ridge line 48 of the protrusion is formed that extends continuously from the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 to the rear along the boundary.

[0057] As shown in Figures 3, 5, 6, 8, and 9, the front end portion 17 of the side sill inner comprises an inner front portion 171 that forms the front wall of the side sill inner 11, and an inner front rear portion 172 located behind the inner front portion 171.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the side sill inner 11 is formed such that the inner front portion 171 is a vertical wall extending in the vehicle width direction and vertical direction, while the inner front rear portion 172 and the side sill inner main body portion 18 (see Figure 9) are formed in a hat-shaped cross-section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction, as described above.

[0059] Specifically, the side sill inner 11 has an inner upper surface portion 12 that extends continuously to the rear from the upper end of the inner front portion 171, an inner side portion 14 that extends from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the inner front portion 171, and an inner lower wall portion 15 that extends from the lower end of the inner front portion 171.

[0060] As shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9, an inner vertical ridge line 141 is formed at the boundary between the inner front portion 171 and the inner side portion 14, extending vertically along the boundary. In this embodiment, the inner front portion 171 and the inner front rear portion 172 are formed from separate members, and their ends are joined together by welding or the like at their boundary, overlapping in the thickness direction (see Figures 3, 5, and 6).

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the side sill inner 11 has an inner transverse ridge 142 that extends in the front-rear direction along the boundary between the inner upper surface portion 12 and the inner side portion 14.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, 8 and 9, front end flange portions 19 and 29 that protrude forward are formed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the inner front portion 171 and the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the outer front portion 271, respectively, and these front end flange portions 19 and 29 are joined together by welding or the like while overlapping each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0063] As shown in Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 7 to 9, the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer is provided with an outer-side reinforcing member 50 that reinforces the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer. The outer-side reinforcing member 50 has a shape that conforms to the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the outer reinforcing member 50 is formed in a bowl shape corresponding to the bowl-shaped front end portion 27 of the side sill outer, and includes an outer side reinforcing portion 51 along the outer side surface portion 24a of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer, an outer lower wall reinforcing portion 52 along the outer lower wall portion 25, and an outer upper wall reinforcing portion 53 along the outer upper surface portion 22.

[0064] The outer reinforcing member 50 is joined to the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer by welding or the like from the inside of the closed cross section 10s of the side sill 10 so that its entirety overlaps with the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer.

[0065] As shown in Figure 4, the outer reinforcing member 50 is formed over substantially the entire length in the front-rear direction of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer, excluding the front end flange portion 29, and substantially the entire rear end 54 is located in front of the front end 42f of the side sill outer main body portion 28.

[0066] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 8, an extension portion 33 is provided at the upper part of the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, extending further rearward than the front end 42f of the side sill outer body portion 28. The extension portion 33 extends linearly along the outer lateral ridge line 241 of the side sill outer body portion 28 (see Figure 4).

[0067] As shown in Figure 4, the extension portion 33 comprises an extension portion vertical wall 34 extending rearward from the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, and an extension portion upper wall 35 extending rearward from the rear end 54 of the outer side upper wall reinforcing portion 53 of the outer side reinforcing member 50. The extension portion vertical wall 34 and the extension portion upper wall 35 are integrally formed at the upper end of the extension portion vertical wall 34 and the outer end of the extension portion upper wall 35 in the vehicle width direction, and are formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extension direction.

[0068] The extension portion vertical wall 34 and the extension portion upper wall 35 of the extension portion 33 both extend rearward from the front end 42f of the side sill outer body portion 28. The extension portion vertical wall 34 is positioned adjacent to the outer side surface portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28 from the inside of the closed section 10s (i.e., the inside in the vehicle width direction), and the extension portion upper wall 35 is positioned adjacent to the outer upper surface portion 22 of the side sill outer body portion 28 from the inside of the closed section 10s (i.e., the bottom).

[0069] In other words, the extension portion 33 has an upper wall 35 that overlaps (engages) with the outer upper surface portion 22 of the side sill outer body portion 28 from below, and an extension portion vertical wall 34 that overlaps (engages) with the outer side surface portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower end of the extension portion 33 is positioned above the upper wall portion 44 of the outer side projection portion 43 of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7, and especially in Figure 7, the portion of the outer side surface portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28 other than the outer side projection 43 in the vertical direction is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50. In contrast, the outer side projection 43 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the side sill outer body portion 28 has at least its vertical wall portion 45 located inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50. As a result, as shown in Figure 7, the front ends 42f (see Figure 4) of the upper wall portion 44 and the lower wall portion 46 of the outer side projection 43 overlap with the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 in a front view (see regions Z1 and Z2 in Figure 7).

[0071] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a reinforcing member lateral ridge 55 is formed at the rear and lower part of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, extending linearly and continuously forward from the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing member 50. Moreover, as shown in Figure 4, the reinforcing member lateral ridge 55 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 is formed at approximately the same height as the lower lateral ridge 48 of the projection on the outer side projection 43 of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0072] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a rear end recess 56 is formed in a notched shape extending forward from the rear end 54 at the rear of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, below the extension portion 33 and above the reinforcing member's transverse ridge 55, that is, at approximately the same height as the upper transverse ridge 47 of the outer side projection 43 of the side sill outer body portion 28. This rear end recess 56 opens toward the front end 42f of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0073] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3, 5 to 9, the side sill inner 11 is equipped with an inner side reinforcing member 60 and an inner transverse ridge reinforcing member 70 (see Figures 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8).

[0074] The inner reinforcing member 60 is provided at the front end 17 of the side sill inner and reinforces the front end 17 of the side sill inner. The inner reinforcing member 60 is joined from the inside of the closed cross section 10s of the side sill 10 to the inner front portion 171 of the front end 17 of the side sill inner and the inner side portion 14 of the inner front end rear portion 172, connecting them in a diagonal bracing manner.

[0075] Specifically, as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8, and 9, the inner reinforcing member 60 comprises an inner reinforcing member front portion 61 extending horizontally along the vehicle width direction so as to be connectable to the inner front portion 171, an inner reinforcing member side portion 62 extending horizontally along the front-rear direction so as to be connectable to the inner side portion 14, and a diagonal brace portion 63 extending horizontally from the front end of the inner reinforcing member side portion 62 to the inner end of the inner reinforcing member front portion 61 in the vehicle width direction, inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it moves forward. The portion of the inner reinforcing member 60 that straddles the inner longitudinal ridge 141 in the extending direction, i.e., the diagonal brace portion 63, is provided spaced apart from the inner longitudinal ridge 141 on the inside of the closed section 10s.

[0076] A bead 64 is provided at an intermediate position in the vertical direction of the inner reinforcing member 60, projecting inward in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 9, the bead 64 is formed continuously over the entire length in the extending direction of the inner reinforcing member 60, at least on the bracing portion 63. The inner reinforcing member 60 is formed to be stronger than the outer reinforcing member 50. Figure 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view obtained by cutting the front end portion 31 of the side sill at the height of the bead 64.

[0077] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 8, the inner transverse ridge reinforcing member 70 extends along the inner transverse ridge 142 located at the boundary between the inner upper surface portion 12 and the inner side portion 14. In addition, the inner transverse ridge reinforcing member 70 comprises an inner reinforcing upper wall 71 and an inner reinforcing vertical surface 72, and the longitudinal orthogonal cross-section formed integrally by the inner end of the inner reinforcing upper wall 71 in the vehicle width direction and the upper end of the inner reinforcing vertical surface 72 is formed in an L-shape.

[0078] The inner transverse ridge reinforcing member 70 reinforces the inner transverse ridge 142 located at the boundary between the inner upper surface 12 and the inner side surface 14 of the side sill inner 11 by joining the inner upper surface 12 to the inner side surface 12 and the inner side surface 14 to the inner side surface 14.

[0079] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower body structure 1 of the vehicle in this embodiment includes a side sill 10 located at the bottom of the vehicle and on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and a wheel 6 located in front of the side sill outer 21.

[0080] The side sill 10 is formed by the cooperation of a side sill inner 11 located on the inside in the vehicle width direction and a side sill outer 21 located on the outside in the vehicle width direction, forming a closed cross section 10s (see Figure 3) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The side sill outer 21 also has a side sill outer front end portion 27 and a side sill outer main body portion 28.

[0081] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and 7 to 9, the lower body structure 1 of the vehicle in this embodiment includes an outer side reinforcing member 50 having a shape that follows the outer front portion 271 (front portion) and the outer side side portion 24a (side portion) of the outer front rear portion 272 of the side sill outer front end 27 (front end portion of the side sill outer 21). The outer side reinforcing member 50 is attached to the side sill outer front end 27 by substantially overlapping it from the inside of the closed cross-section 10s.

[0082] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9, the lower body structure 1 of the vehicle in this embodiment has the front end 42f of the outer side portion 24b of the side sill outer main body portion 28 facing the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 (side portion) of the outer side reinforcing member 50 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0083] In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the outer side portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28 is positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 (specifically, on the side of the outer side portion 24a of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer), and has an outer side projection 43 that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear end 54 (on the side opposite to the side of the outer side portion 24a of the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer). In other words, the outer side projection 43 is formed to straddle the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 7).

[0084] As a result, the outer protrusion 43 of the side sill outer body portion 28 is configured to engage with the rear end 54 of the outer reinforcing member 50, whose front end 42f is retracted when a rearward impact load is applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill.

[0085] The effects and benefits of the lower body structure 1 of the vehicle described above will be explained using Figure 10. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view based on the cross-section in Figure 8, showing the results of a simulation analysis of the behavior of the front end 27 of the side sill outer when an impact load is applied during a small overlap collision. Figure 10(a) shows the initial stage of the collision, Figure 10(b) shows the mid-stage of the collision, and Figure 10(c) shows the late stage of the collision. The dots in the figures represent an image of the stress distribution, with darker dots indicating higher stress (impact energy).

[0086] During a small overlap collision, the reversing wheel 6 (not shown in Figure 10) primarily collides with the front end 27 of the side sill outer, resulting in a collision load directed towards the rear of the vehicle at the front end 27 of the side sill outer, as shown in Figure 10(a). Here, since the front end 27 of the side sill outer is equipped with an outer side reinforcing member 50, it displaces rearward together with the outer side reinforcing member 50 while maintaining its shape.

[0087] As shown in Figure 10(b), the rear end 54 of the retracting outer reinforcing member 50 engages with the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 provided on the side sill outer body 28 by abutting against it. Figure 10(b) shows the state immediately after the rear end 54 of the retracting outer reinforcing member 50 and the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 come into contact.

[0088] In other words, as shown particularly in region X1 in Figure 10(b) and region X2 in Figure 10(c), stress concentrates at the engagement portion between the rear end 54 of the outer reinforcing member 50 and the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43, and load is transmitted from the rear end 54 of the outer reinforcing member 50 to the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 provided on the side sill outer body 28.

[0089] Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(c), the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer can efficiently transmit the collision load to the rear side sill outer body portion 28 via the outer side reinforcing member 50 before it is completely crushed by the collision load input from the front.

[0090] Furthermore, even if the outer reinforcing member 50 does not extend beyond the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer 21, the collision load input from the front can be efficiently transmitted to the rear using the rearward-located side sill outer main body portion 28, thereby suppressing increases in mass and cost.

[0091] Therefore, without increasing mass and cost, the impact load applied to the front end 31 of the side sill from the front can be efficiently transmitted to the rear of the side sill 10.

[0092] In one aspect of this invention, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, 7 and 8, the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 is provided with an extension portion 33 that extends rearward from the front end 42f of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0093] According to the above configuration, when the outer reinforcing member 50 retracts due to an impact load directed towards the rear of the vehicle applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill, the extension portion 33 engages with the outer side portion 24b (side portion) of the side sill outer body portion 28 in the vehicle width direction, thereby restricting the relative movement of the outer reinforcing member 50 with respect to the side sill outer body portion 28 in the vehicle width direction.

[0094] Therefore, the rear end 54 of the retracting outer reinforcing member 50 and the front end 42f of the outer protrusion 43 provided on the side sill outer body 28 can be engaged more reliably, thereby improving the load transmission efficiency from the outer reinforcing member 50 to the side sill outer body 28.

[0095] In an embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figures 3, 4, 8, and 9, the outer side projection 43 is formed in a bead shape that extends continuously in the front-rear direction on the side sill outer body portion 28. In this way, by forming the outer side protrusion 43 in a bead shape, the load transmission efficiency of the side sill outer body 28 in the front-rear direction can be improved.

[0096] As shown in Figure 4, the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 has a reinforcing member transverse ridge 55 that extends continuously forward from the rear end 54, and is formed at approximately the same height as the lower transverse ridge 48 (protruding portion transverse ridge) of the outer side protrusion 43 that extends front to back.

[0097] According to the above configuration, when a rearward impact load is applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill, the outer reinforcing member 50 retracts, so that the lateral ridge line 55 of the reinforcing member and the lower lateral ridge line 48 of the protruding portion, which are at the same height as each other, become continuous in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 10(b) and (c).

[0098] In other words, the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, whose rigidity is improved by the reinforcing member's transverse ridge 55, and the front end 42f of the outer side protrusion 43 of the side sill outer body 28, whose rigidity is improved by the lower transverse ridge 48 of the protrusion, engage firmly (come into contact). Therefore, the load transmission efficiency from the outer side reinforcing member 50 to the side sill outer body 28 can be improved.

[0099] In this embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figures 4 and 7, an outer transverse ridge 241 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at the boundary between the outer upper surface portion 22 and the outer side portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28, and as shown in Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8, the extension portion 33 is configured to extend rearward along the outer transverse ridge 241 so as to be engageable with the outer upper surface portion 22 and the outer side portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28.

[0100] According to the above configuration, when the outer reinforcing member 50 retracts due to a rearward impact load applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill, the extension portion 33 engages not only with the outer side portion 24b of the side sill outer body portion 28 but also with the outer upper portion 22, thereby restricting not only the relative movement of the outer reinforcing member 50 with respect to the side sill outer body portion 28 in the vehicle width direction but also in the vertical direction.

[0101] This prevents a shift in the relative height between the lateral ridge 55 of the reinforcing member and the lateral ridge 48 of the lower part of the protrusion when the outer reinforcing member 50 retracts, and allows the lateral ridge 55 of the reinforcing member and the lateral ridge 48 of the lower part of the protrusion to be more reliably connected in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0102] In an embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 7, the outer side projection 43 has an upper wall portion 44 and a lower wall portion 46 (a pair of lateral wall portions) that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle and extend in the width direction of the vehicle, and as shown in Figure 7, both the upper wall portion 44 and the lower wall portion 46 overlap with the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 when viewed from the front of the vehicle (see regions Z1 and Z2 in Figure 7).

[0103] With the above configuration, both the upper wall portion 44 and the lower wall portion 46 overlap with the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing member 50 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Therefore, when a rearward impact load is applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill, the rear end 54 of the retracted outer side reinforcing member 50 and the front end 42f of the outer side projection 43 of the side sill outer body portion 28 can be reliably engaged (contacted).

[0104] Therefore, the load transmission efficiency from the outer reinforcing member 50 to the side sill outer body 28 can be improved.

[0105] In one aspect of this invention, as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 10(a), a rear end recess 56 is formed in the outer reinforcing member 50 at a height that coincides vertically with at least a portion of the upper wall portion 44 provided on the outer protrusion 43, and recesses forward from the rear end 54.

[0106] According to the above configuration, when the outer reinforcing member 50 retracts due to an impact load directed towards the rear of the vehicle applied to the front end portion 31 of the side sill, the periphery of the rear end recess 56 engages with the upper wall portion 44 provided on the outer protrusion portion 43, as shown in Figure 10(b).

[0107] Therefore, the rear end 54 of the retracting outer reinforcing member 50 and the outer protrusion 43 provided on the side sill outer body 28 can be engaged more reliably, thereby improving the load transmission efficiency from the outer reinforcing member 50 to the side sill outer body 28.

[0108] In one aspect of this invention, as shown in Figure 2, the front-rear boundary between the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer and the main body portion 28 of the side sill outer is located within the front-rear width of the hinge pillar 7 extending upward from the side sill 10.

[0109] According to the above configuration, the lower part of the hinge pillar 7 is connected to the side sill 10 by spanning the front end 27 of the side sill outer and the main body 28 of the side sill outer. Therefore, when a rearward impact load is applied to the front end 31 of the side sill, the load can be more reliably transmitted from the front end 31 of the side sill to the main body 28 of the side sill outer located at the rear of the vehicle.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 5 and Figures 7 to 9, the outer reinforcing member 50 is provided on the inside of the closed cross section 10s relative to the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer.

[0111] According to the above configuration, the outer reinforcing member 50 can be made more compact and simpler in shape compared to the case where the outer reinforcing member 50 is provided on the outside of the closed section 10s relative to the front end 27 of the side sill outer, thus suppressing an increase in weight. Furthermore, even when the outer reinforcing member 50 is formed by molding, it can be easily molded because there is no need to stretch the material compared to the case where the outer reinforcing member 50 is provided on the outside of the closed section 10s relative to the front end 27 of the side sill outer.

[0112] However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and for example, although not shown, a configuration in which the outer reinforcing member 50 is provided on the front end portion 27 of the side sill outer from the outside of the closed cross section 10s is also not excluded.

[0113] In this case, the extension portion 33 is also positioned outside the closed cross-section 10s relative to the side sill outer body portion 28. Furthermore, the outer side projection portion 43 protrudes outward from the closed cross-section 10s relative to the side sill outer body portion 28. Specifically, the outer side projection portion 43 is configured to protrude from the rear end 54 of the outer side reinforcing portion 51 of the outer side reinforcing member 50, from the side of the side sill outer front end portion 27 to the opposite side (outward in the vehicle width direction) in the vehicle width direction.

[0114] Thus, this invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, but can be formed in various other embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1. Lower body structure of the vehicle 6... Wheels 7…Hinged pillar 10... Side sill 10s…Closed section 11... Side sill inner 21... Side sill outer 22...Outer side top surface (top surface of the main body) 24a(24)...Outer side portion of the front end of the side sill outer (side portion of the front end of the side sill outer) 24b(24)... The outer side portion of the main body of the side sill outer (the side portion of the main body of the side sill outer) 27... Front end of side sill outer (front end of side sill outer) 28... Side sill outer main body (main body of the side sill outer) 33...Extending part 42f... Front end of the main body of the side sill outer section (front end of the main body) 43...Outer side protrusion (protrusion) 44, 46... Upper and lower wall portions (a pair of lateral wall portions) of the outer protrusions 45...Vertical wall part 48…Protruding lower side horizontal ridge line (protruding part horizontal ridge line) 50…Outer reinforcing member 51... Outer side reinforcing portion of outer side reinforcing member (side portion of outer side reinforcing member) 54...Rear end of outer reinforcing member 55…Reinforcement member transverse ridge 56…Rear end recess 241...Outer Ridge 271...Outer front section (front section of the side sill outer section)

Claims

1. A side sill is provided, which is located at the bottom of the vehicle and on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and which is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction, and which is located on the outside in the vehicle width direction and has a front end and a main body, and which cooperate to form a closed cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The wheel located in front of the aforementioned side sill outer, The outer side reinforcing member has a shape that conforms to the front and side portions of the front end of the side sill outer, The outer reinforcing member is attached to the front end from either the inside or outside of the closed cross-section. The front end of the main body portion faces the rear end of the side portion of the outer reinforcing member in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The main body is characterized in that, in the vehicle width direction, the front end portion has a projection that extends from the rear end of the side portion of the outer reinforcing member to the side opposite to the rear end portion of the front end portion. The lower body structure of the vehicle.

2. The side portion of the outer reinforcing member is provided with an extension that extends rearward from the front end of the main body. The lower body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned protrusion is formed by a bead extending in the front-rear direction within the main body. The lower body structure of the vehicle according to claim 2.

4. On the side surface of the outer reinforcing member, a reinforcing member lateral ridge extending continuously forward from the rear end is formed at approximately the same height as the protruding portion lateral ridge extending in the front-rear direction at the protruding portion. The lower body structure of the vehicle according to claim 3.

5. At the boundary between the upper surface and the side surface of the main body, an outer transverse ridge is formed, extending from the front end of the main body in a rearward direction. The extension portion is configured to extend rearward along the outer transverse ridge so as to be able to engage with the upper surface portion and the side surface portion of the main body portion. The lower body structure of the vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned protruding portion has a pair of lateral wall portions that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle and extend in the width direction of the vehicle, Of the pair of side wall sections, at least one side wall section and the rear end of the outer reinforcing member overlap when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The lower body structure of a vehicle according to claim 5.

7. In the outer reinforcing member, a rear end recess is formed at the same height as at least one of the pair of side wall portions of the protruding portion, in the portion that is recessed forward from the rear end. The lower body structure of a vehicle according to claim 6.

8. The outer reinforcing member is provided on the inside of the closed cross-section relative to the front end. The lower body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1.

9. The boundary between the front end of the side sill outer and the main body in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is located between the front-to-rear width of the hinge pillar extending upward from the side sill. A lower body structure for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images