Side sill

Abstract

A side sill (100) comprises: a side-sill inner member (10); a side-sill outer member (20); and a reinforcing member (30). The reinforcing member (30) is disposed in a space (S) formed by the side-sill inner member (10) and the side-sill outer member (20). A top plate (31) of the reinforcing member (30) is disposed on the top plate (11) side of the side-sill inner member (10) with respect to joining parts (41, 42) of the side-sill inner member (10) and the side-sill outer member (20). Flanges (331, 332) of the reinforcing member (30) are joined to portions, other than flanges (131, 132, 231, 232), of the side-sill inner member (10) and the side-sill outer member (20). In the reinforcing member (30), L < H when L is the width of the top plate (31) and H is the height of vertical walls (321, 322).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a side sill for a vehicle body.

Background Art

[0002] A side sill is a type of structural member used in a vehicle body such as an automobile. The side sill is disposed on the side portion of the vehicle body and extends in the front-rear direction. When, for example, an automobile collides from the side, the side sill receives a collision load and is deformed to absorb the impact.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a rocker (side sill) for an electric vehicle. The rocker of Patent Document 1 includes a rocker inner (side sill inner), a rocker outer (side sill outer), and a reinforcing member. The reinforcing member has a closed cross section by itself. The reinforcing member is disposed in a space formed by the rocker inner and the rocker outer and occupies a large proportion in the space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described in Patent Document 1, the side sill is required to have resistance to side collisions (collision resistance performance). Therefore, a reinforcing member is provided in a space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer. By providing a large number of reinforcing members, the collision resistance performance of the side sill can be improved. However, in this case, the number of parts of the side sill increases and the weight of the side sill increases.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the weight of a side sill for a vehicle body while maintaining good collision resistance performance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The side sill for a vehicle body according to this disclosure comprises a side sill inner, a side sill outer, and a reinforcing member. The side sill inner includes a first top plate, a pair of first vertical walls, and a pair of first flanges. The first vertical walls are connected by the first top plate. The first flanges are positioned opposite the first top plate to the first vertical walls. The side sill outer includes a second top plate, a pair of second vertical walls, and a pair of second flanges. The second top plate faces the first top plate. The second vertical walls are connected by the second top plate. The second flanges are positioned opposite the second top plate to the second vertical walls. Each of the second flanges is joined to the first flange. The side sill outer is positioned outside the side sill inner in the vehicle width direction when the side sill is assembled into the vehicle body. The reinforcing member is positioned in the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer. The cross-section of the reinforcing member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill is an open cross-section. The reinforcing member includes a third top plate, a pair of third vertical walls, and a pair of third flanges. The third top plate is positioned on the first top plate side relative to the joint between the first flange and the second flange. The third vertical walls are connected by the third top plate. The third vertical walls extend from the third top plate toward the second top plate. The third flanges are positioned on the opposite side of the third top plate relative to the third vertical walls. The third flanges are joined to the side sill inner and side sill outer parts other than the first and second flanges. In the reinforcing member, when the width of the third top plate is L and the height of the third vertical wall is H, L <Hである。 [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to reduce the weight of the side sills for the vehicle body while maintaining good collision resistance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the side sill according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill according to the second embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a modified side sill according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill according to another modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill according to the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a modified side sill according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified side sill according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill according to another modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill according to yet another modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill according to yet another modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of a side sill according to yet another modification of the first embodiment. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows the reaction force-displacement curves for Example 1 and the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The side sill for a vehicle body according to the embodiment includes a side sill inner, a side sill outer, and a reinforcing member. The side sill inner includes a first top plate, a pair of first vertical walls, and a pair of first flanges. The first vertical walls are connected by the first top plate. The first flanges are arranged on the opposite side of the first top plate with respect to the first vertical walls. The side sill outer includes a second top plate, a pair of second vertical walls, and a pair of second flanges. The second top plate faces the first top plate. The second vertical walls are connected by the second top plate. The second flanges are arranged on the opposite side of the second top plate with respect to the second vertical walls. The second flanges are joined to the first flanges respectively. The side sill outer is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the side sill inner when the side sill is incorporated into the vehicle body. The reinforcing member is arranged in the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer. The cross section of the reinforcing member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill is an open cross section. The reinforcing member includes a third top plate, a pair of third vertical walls, and a pair of third flanges. The third top plate is arranged on the first top plate side with respect to the joint portion of the first flange and the second flange. The third vertical walls are connected by the third top plate. The third vertical walls extend from the third top plate toward the second top plate side. The third flanges are arranged on the opposite side of the third top plate with respect to the third vertical walls. The third flanges are joined to the portions of the side sill inner and the side sill outer other than the first flange and the second flange. In the reinforcing member, when the width of the third top plate is L and the height of the third vertical wall is H, L < H (the first configuration).

[0011] In the first configuration, the reinforcing member is disposed within the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer, and has a shape convex toward the side sill inner. Specifically, the reinforcing member includes a top plate (third top plate) disposed on the side sill inner side with respect to the joint between the side sill inner and the side sill outer, a pair of vertical walls (third vertical walls) extending from the top plate toward the side sill outer side, and a flange (third flange) joined to the side sill inner and / or the side sill outer. Since the reinforcing member has a shape convex toward the side sill inner, when a side collision of the vehicle body occurs, that is, when a collision load is input from the side sill outer side and the side sill is deformed, among the reinforcing members, the flange located on the input side of the collision load is likely to be deformed. More specifically, in the reinforcing member, a deformation occurs such that the pair of flanges move away from each other in the width direction of the top plate. In addition, in the reinforcing member, the width L of the top plate is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls. Therefore, in the reinforcing member, a deformation is likely to occur such that the vertical walls approach each other in the width direction of the top plate before the deformation in the height direction of the vertical walls is completed. Further, since the top plate of the reinforcing member is disposed on the top plate side of the side sill inner with respect to the joint between the side sill inner and the side sill outer, the vertical walls of the reinforcing member are relatively long, so when a collision load is input from the side sill outer side, the vertical walls of the reinforcing member are likely to be deformed. As a result, contact (self-contact) between the vertical walls of the reinforcing member is likely to occur. For example, after the reaction force of the side sill reaches a peak with respect to the collision load, self-contact occurs in the reinforcing member, thereby suppressing a decrease in the reaction force. Therefore, the collision resistance performance of the side sill can be improved.

[0012] As described above, in the side sill according to the first configuration, self-contact of the reinforcing member is likely to occur during a side collision of the vehicle body. Thereby, since the collision resistance performance of the side sill is improved, there is little need to provide another reinforcing member within the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer. Therefore, the number of parts of the side sill can be reduced, and the weight reduction of the side sill can be achieved.

[0013] Thus, according to the first configuration, it is possible to reduce the weight of the side sill for the vehicle body while maintaining good collision resistance performance for the side sill.

[0014] In the side sill according to the first configuration, at least one of the third flanges may include a base portion and an end portion. The base portion protrudes outward from the third vertical wall to the reinforcing member. The end portion bends from the base portion toward the first top plate side (second configuration).

[0015] In the second configuration, at least one flange (third flange) of the reinforcing member includes, in addition to a base portion that protrudes outward from the vertical wall (third vertical wall) to the reinforcing member, an end portion that bends from the base portion toward the top plate (first top plate) of the side sill inner. Both the base portion and the end portion of the flange of the reinforcing member can be joints to the side sill inner or the side sill outer. That is, the flange of the reinforcing member may be joined to the side sill inner or the side sill outer by the base portion, or may be joined to the side sill inner or the side sill outer by the end portion. In this case, the degree of freedom in assembling the side sill inner, the side sill outer, and the reinforcing member is improved.

[0016] Also, due to the bending of the flange of the reinforcing member, when a side collision of the vehicle body occurs, it becomes difficult for the reinforcing member to tilt within the side sill inner and the side sill outer. Therefore, self-contact of the reinforcing member is likely to occur stably, and the side sill is likely to exhibit good collision resistance performance.

[0017] In the side sill according to the first or second configuration, the reinforcing member may be formed by a plurality of metal plates (third configuration).

[0018] When the reinforcing member is formed from a single metal plate, it may be difficult to form depending on the shape of the reinforcing member. In contrast, in the third configuration, the reinforcing member is formed by a plurality of metal plates. In this case, since each metal plate can be formed, even a reinforcing member that is difficult to form from a single metal plate can be manufactured relatively easily.

[0019] In the side sill according to the first or second configuration, the reinforcing member may be formed from a single metal plate (fourth configuration).

[0020] In the fourth configuration, the reinforcing member is formed from a single metal plate. That is, the reinforcing member is formed from a single metal plate. In this case, the number of steps required to manufacture the reinforcing member can be reduced compared to the case where the reinforcing member is formed from multiple metal plates.

[0021] In a side sill according to any of the first to fourth configurations, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least one of the third vertical walls may have a concave shape on the inside of the reinforcing member in at least a portion of it (fifth configuration).

[0022] In the fifth configuration, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill, the vertical walls (third vertical walls) of the reinforcing member have a concave shape inward, either partially or entirely. In this case, when a collision load is applied to the side sill from the outer side of the side sill, deformation is likely to occur in the reinforcing member such that each of the vertical walls folds starting from the bottom of the concave section. As a result, self-contact of the reinforcing member is more likely to occur, and the collision resistance performance of the side sill is more easily improved.

[0023] A side sill according to any of the first to fifth configurations may further include an auxiliary reinforcing member. The auxiliary reinforcing member is positioned, for example, within the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer. In this case, the auxiliary reinforcing member is joined to the side sill inner, the side sill outer, and at least one of the reinforcing members (sixth configuration).

[0024] In the side sill according to the sixth configuration, the auxiliary reinforcing member may be placed between the second top plate and the reinforcing member (seventh configuration).

[0025] In the sixth and seventh configurations, in addition to the reinforcing members described above, auxiliary reinforcing members are arranged in the space formed by the side sill inner and side sill outer. The auxiliary reinforcing members can suppress deformation of the side sill other than the portion where the reinforcing members make self-contact. In this case, self-contact of the reinforcing members is more likely to occur stably, and the side sill is more likely to exhibit good collision resistance.

[0026] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In these drawings, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the same description will not be repeated.

[0027] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment. The side sill 100 is used in the body of an automobile or the like. The side sill 100 has an elongated shape. The side sill 100 is incorporated into the vehicle body and positioned on the lower side of the vehicle body. When incorporated into the vehicle body, the side sill 100 extends in the longitudinal direction (vehicle length direction) of the vehicle body.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, the side sill 100 includes a side sill inner 10, a side sill outer 20, and a reinforcing member 30.

[0029] Referring to Figure 1, the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 form the main body of the side sill 100. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 are each elongated members. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 extend in the vehicle length direction when the side sill 100 is incorporated into the vehicle body. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 are typically made of metal sheet. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 may be made of steel sheet. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 can be manufactured, for example, by press forming.

[0030] The side sill inner 10 is positioned on the inside of the vehicle in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) relative to the side sill outer 20 when the side sill 100 is assembled into the vehicle body. The side sill inner 10 includes a top plate 11, a pair of vertical walls 121, 122, and a pair of flanges 131, 132.

[0031] The top plate 11 connects the vertical walls 121 and 122. More specifically, vertical wall 121 is connected to the top plate 11 via a ridge section 141. Also, on the opposite side of vertical wall 121, vertical wall 122 is connected to the top plate 11 via a ridge section 142. The ridge sections 141 and 142 are the corner sections between vertical walls 121 and 122 and the top plate 11, respectively. The vertical walls 121 and 122 are arranged to face each other. When the side sill 100 is incorporated into the vehicle body, the vertical walls 121 and 122 face each other in the vertical direction (vehicle height direction) of the vehicle body and are connected by the top plate 11 on the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The flanges 131 and 132 are positioned on the opposite side of the top plate 11 from the vertical walls 121 and 122. One flange 131 is connected to one vertical wall 121 via a ridge 151. The ridge 151 is the corner between the vertical wall 121 and the flange 131. The other flange 132 is connected to the other vertical wall 122 via a ridge 152. The ridge 152 is the corner between the vertical wall 122 and the flange 132. The flanges 131 and 132 protrude outward from the vertical walls 121 and 122 toward the side sill inner 10.

[0033] The side sill outer 20 is positioned outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side sill inner 10 when the side sill 100 is assembled into the vehicle body. The side sill outer 20 includes a top plate 21, a pair of vertical walls 221, 222, and a pair of flanges 231, 232.

[0034] The top plate 21 faces the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. When the side sill 100 is assembled into the vehicle body, the top plate 21 is positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. The top plate 21 connects the vertical walls 221 and 222. More specifically, the vertical wall 221 is connected to the top plate 21 via the ridge section 241. Also, on the opposite side of the vertical wall 221, the vertical wall 222 is connected to the top plate 21 via the ridge section 242. The ridge sections 241 and 242 are corner sections between the vertical walls 221 and 222 and the top plate 21, respectively. The vertical walls 221 and 222 are arranged to face each other. When the side sill 100 is assembled into the vehicle body, the vertical walls 221 and 222 face each other in the vehicle height direction and are connected by the top plate 21 on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The flanges 231 and 232 are positioned on the opposite side of the top plate 21 from the vertical walls 221 and 222. One flange 231 is connected to one vertical wall 221 via a ridge 251, which is the corner between the vertical wall 221 and flange 231. The other flange 232 is connected to the other vertical wall 222 via a ridge 252, which is the corner between the vertical wall 222 and flange 232. The flanges 231 and 232 protrude outward from the vertical walls 221 and 222 toward the side sill outer 20.

[0036] The reinforcing member 30 is positioned between the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. The reinforcing member 30 includes a top plate 31, a pair of vertical walls 321, 322, and a pair of flanges 331, 332.

[0037] The top plate 31 connects the vertical walls 321 and 322. The vertical walls 321 and 322 are positioned facing each other. The flanges 331 and 332 are positioned on the opposite side of the top plate 31 from the vertical walls 321 and 322. The flanges 331 and 332 protrude outward from the vertical walls 321 and 322 toward the reinforcing member 30.

[0038] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100 shown in Figure 1, cut perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, with respect to the side sill 100, side sill inner 10, side sill outer 20, and reinforcing member 30, the cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill 100 will simply be referred to as the cross-section.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, the flanges 231 and 232 of the side sill outer 20 are joined to the flanges 131 and 132 of the side sill inner 10, respectively. The flanges 231 and 232 of the side sill outer 20 are welded to the flanges 131 and 132 of the side sill inner 10, for example. The side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 are joined to each other to form a hollow closed cross section. The reinforcing member 30 is placed in the space S formed by the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20.

[0040] In this embodiment, a single reinforcing member 30 is provided within the space S. The reinforcing member 30 extends in the longitudinal direction of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 within the space S. In this longitudinal direction, the length of the reinforcing member 30 is, for example, 15% to 100% of the length of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. More preferably, in the longitudinal direction, the length of the reinforcing member 30 is 50% or more of the length of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20.

[0041] Multiple reinforcing members 30 may be provided within the space S. When multiple reinforcing members 30 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the side sill inner 10 and side sill outer 20 within the space S, the combined length of the multiple reinforcing members 30 in that longitudinal direction is, for example, 15% to 100% of the length of the side sill inner 10 and side sill outer 20. Preferably, the combined length of the multiple reinforcing members 30 in the longitudinal direction is 50% or more of the length of the side sill inner 10 and side sill outer 20.

[0042] The reinforcing member 30 is a member that has an open cross-section on its own. That is, the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill 100 is an open cross-section.

[0043] The reinforcing member 30 has a hat shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 in cross-sectional view. The top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is positioned toward the top plate 11 side of the side sill inner 10 with respect to the joint 41 between the flange 131 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 231 of the side sill outer 20. Also, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is positioned toward the top plate 11 side of the side sill inner 10 with respect to the joint 42 between the flange 132 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 232 of the side sill outer 20. In other words, when the space S of the side sill 100 is divided into space S1 on the side sill inner 10 side and space S2 on the side sill outer 20 side by a virtual straight line (dashed line) connecting the joints 41 and 42 in cross-sectional view, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is positioned within space S1 on the side sill inner 10 side.

[0044] The joint 41 can be defined, for example, as the end on the space S side of the contact area between the flange 131 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 231 of the side sill outer 20 in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100. The joint 42 can be defined, for example, as the end on the space S side of the contact area between the flange 132 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 232 of the side sill outer 20 in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100.

[0045] In the example shown in Figure 2, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 faces the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10 with a gap between them. In other words, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is not joined to the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10.

[0046] In the reinforcing member 30, one vertical wall 321 is connected to the top plate 31 via a ridge portion 341. The other vertical wall 322 is connected to the top plate 31 via a ridge portion 342 on the opposite side of vertical wall 321. The ridge portions 341 and 342 are corner portions between the vertical walls 321 and 322 and the top plate 31, respectively. The ridge portions 341 and 342 may have, for example, an arc shape in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100. In this case, the ridge portions 341 and 342 may have a radius of curvature of 3 mm or more. The ridge portions 341 and 342 can have a radius of curvature of, for example, 150 mm or less. In a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, the vertical walls 321 and 322 extend from the top plate 31 to the top plate 21 side of the side sill outer 20. The vertical walls 321 and 322 may extend parallel to or non-parallel to the side sill 100 in cross-sectional view. The angle (opening angle) formed by the vertical walls 321 and 322 may be between 90° and 180°. When the vertical walls 321 and 322 extend parallel to each other in cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, the opening angle of the vertical walls 321 and 322 is 180°. When the vertical walls 321 and 322 move away from the top plate 31 in cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, the opening angle of the vertical walls 321 and 322 will be less than 180°. The vertical walls 321 and 322 may have an overall flat shape. However, the vertical walls 321 and 322 may have, for example, a bead formed on the inside of the reinforcing member 30 or a bead formed on the outside.

[0047] In the reinforcing member 30, one flange 331 is connected to one vertical wall 321 via a ridge portion 351. The other flange 332 is connected to the other vertical wall 322 via a ridge portion 352. The ridge portion 351 is the corner portion between the vertical wall 321 and the flange 331. The ridge portion 352 is the corner portion between the vertical wall 322 and the flange 332. The ridge portions 351 and 352 may have, for example, an arc shape in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100. In this case, the ridge portions 351 and 352 may have a radius of curvature of 3 mm or more. The ridge portions 351 and 352 can have a radius of curvature of, for example, 150 mm or less. In this embodiment, the flanges 331 and 332 protrude from the vertical walls 321 and 322 to the outside of the reinforcing member 30. Since the reinforcing member 30 is a member that has an open cross-section on its own, the tips of the flanges 331 and 332 are free ends.

[0048] The flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30 are joined to the parts of the side sill inner 10 and side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232. That is, one flange 331 of the reinforcing member 30 is joined to at least one of the vertical wall 121 of the side sill inner 10, the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20, and the vertical wall 221 of the side sill outer 20. The other flange 332 of the reinforcing member 30 is joined to at least one of the vertical wall 122 of the side sill inner 10, the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20, and the vertical wall 222 of the side sill outer 20. In this embodiment, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30 are joined to the side sill outer 20. More specifically, the flanges 331 and 332 are directly joined to the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20. The method of joining the reinforcing member 30 to the side sill inner 10 and / or side sill outer 20 is, for example, welding.

[0049] In the reinforcing member 30, when the width of the top plate 31 is L and the heights of the vertical walls 321 and 322 are H, L < H. In the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30, for example, when the direction corresponding to the vehicle height direction is defined as the width direction of the reinforcing member 30, the width L of the top plate 31 is the linear distance in the width direction from the R stop on the top plate 31 side of one ridge line portion 341 to the R stop on the top plate 31 side of the other ridge line portion 342. In the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30, for example, when the direction corresponding to the vehicle width direction is defined as the height direction of the reinforcing member 30, the height H1 of the vertical wall 321 is the linear distance in the height direction from the R stop on the vertical wall 321 side of the ridge line portion 341 to the R stop on the vertical wall 321 side of the ridge line portion 351. The height H2 of the vertical wall 322 is the linear distance in the height direction from the R stop on the vertical wall 322 side of the ridge line portion 342 to the R stop on the vertical wall 322 side of the ridge line portion 352 in the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30. The maximum value of H1 and H2 can be defined as the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. In the example of this embodiment, the height H2 of the vertical wall 322 is equal to the height H1 of the vertical wall 321. Here, the R stops of the ridge line portions 341, 342, 351, and 352 are the R stops on the outer surface of the reinforcing member 30.

[0050] The width L of the top plate 31 and the heights H of the vertical walls 321 and 322 only need to satisfy L / H < 1.00, but preferably satisfy L / H ≦ 0.75, and more preferably satisfy L / H ≦ 0.60.

[0051] In the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30, when the angle that vertical wall 321 makes with respect to the width direction (vehicle height direction) of the reinforcing member 30 on the inner surface side of the reinforcing member 30 is α, and the angle that vertical wall 322 makes with respect to the width direction of the reinforcing member 30 on the inner surface side of the reinforcing member 30 is β, then the sum of the lengths of vertical wall 321 and vertical wall 322 can be substantially expressed as H1 / sinα + H2 / sinβ. Also, in the cross-section of the reinforcing member 30, the distance between flanges 331 and 332 in the width direction of the reinforcing member 30 can be substantially expressed as L + H1 / tanα + H2 / tanβ. It is preferable that the reinforcing member 30 is configured such that, in its cross-sectional view, the total length of vertical walls 321 and 322 is greater than the sum of the width L of the top plate 31 and the width direction distance of flanges 331 and 332. In other words, it is preferable that the reinforcing member 30 is configured such that H1 / sinα + H2 / sinβ > L + (L + H1 / tanα + H2 / tanβ).

[0052] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is formed from a single metal plate. The reinforcing member 30 may also be formed from a single steel plate. The thickness of the reinforcing member 30 may be the same as or different from the thickness of the side sill inner 10 and / or side sill outer 20. The tensile strength of the reinforcing member 30 may also be the same as or different from the tensile strength of the side sill inner 10 and / or side sill outer 20. The reinforcing member 30 can be manufactured, for example, by press forming.

[0053] [effect] In the side sill 100 according to this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 is positioned within the space S formed by the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. In a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, the reinforcing member 30 has a convex shape extending from the side sill outer 20 side toward the side sill inner 10 side. Therefore, when a collision load is applied from the side sill outer 20 side due to a side collision of the vehicle body and the side sill 100 deforms, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30 are prone to deformation, causing the flanges 331 and 332 to deform in the width direction (vehicle height direction) of the reinforcing member 30. Furthermore, because the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is positioned on the top plate 11 side of the side sill inner 10 relative to the joints 41 and 42 of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20, the vertical walls 321 and 322 of the reinforcing member 30 are relatively longer, making the vertical walls 321 and 322 prone to deformation. The height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322 is greater than the width L of the top plate 31. Therefore, the reinforcing member 30 is prone to deformation in the width direction of the top plate 31, that is, in the direction in which the vertical walls 321 and 322 move closer together. This allows the reinforcing member 30 to make contact (self-contact) with the vertical walls 321 and 322. After the reaction force of the side sill 100 reaches its peak in response to the collision load, the decrease in the reaction force is suppressed by the self-contact of the reinforcing member 30. As a result, the collision resistance performance of the side sill 100 can be improved.

[0054] In the side sill 100 according to this embodiment, self-contact of the reinforcing member 30 is likely to occur during a side collision of the vehicle body, and an improvement in collision resistance can be expected. Therefore, there is little need to provide additional reinforcing members in addition to the reinforcing member 30 in the space S formed by the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. Consequently, the number of parts of the side sill 100 can be reduced, and the side sill 100 can be made lighter. In other words, according to the side sill 100 of this embodiment, weight reduction can be achieved while maintaining good collision resistance.

[0055] In the side sill 100 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the reinforcing member 30 is configured to satisfy H1 / sinα + H2 / sinβ > L + (L + H1 / tanα + H2 / tanβ). In this case, the length (cross-sectional line length) of the vertical walls 321, 322 in the cross-sectional view of the reinforcing member 30 can be sufficiently secured. Therefore, when a collision load is input from the side of the side sill outer 20 due to a side collision of the vehicle body and the side sill 100 deforms, contact (self-contact) between the vertical walls 321, 322 of the reinforcing member 30 is more likely to occur.

[0056] In the reinforcing member 30, the width L of the top plate 31 and the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322 satisfy L / H < 1.00. Preferably, the width L of the top plate 31 and the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322 satisfy L / H ≤ 0.75, and more preferably, L / H ≤ 0.60. This makes it possible to improve the collision resistance of the side sill 100 in a more weight-efficient manner.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A according to the second embodiment. The side sill 100A according to this embodiment differs from the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment in the shape of the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30 protrude outward from the vertical walls 321 and 322. In a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100 when assembled into the vehicle body, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30 substantially extend in the direction of vehicle height. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, in the side sill 100A according to this embodiment, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A are folded back toward the side sill inner 10 side.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3, one flange 331 of the reinforcing member 30A includes a base 331a and an end 331b. The base 331a is positioned on the vertical wall 321 side relative to the end 331b and protrudes outward from the vertical wall 321 side of the reinforcing member 30A. In a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100 when assembled into the vehicle body, the base 331a extends substantially in the vehicle height direction. The base 331a is connected to the vertical wall 321 via a ridge 351. The end 331b is provided continuously with the base 331a. The end 331b bends from the base 331a toward the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. In the example in Figure 3, the flange 331 is provided along the top plate 21, ridge 241, and vertical wall 221 of the side sill outer 20.

[0060] At least one of the base 331a and the end 331b is joined to the portion of the side sill inner 10 and side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232. More specifically, at least one of the base 331a and the end 331b is joined to at least one of the vertical wall 121 of the side sill inner 10, the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20, and the vertical wall 221 of the side sill outer 20. As shown in Figure 3, the end 331b of the flange 331 may be directly joined to the vertical wall 221 of the side sill outer 20, for example by welding. The base 331a of the flange 331 may be directly joined to the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20, for example by welding.

[0061] In this embodiment, the other flange 332 of the reinforcing member 30A also includes a base portion 332a and an end portion 332b. Since the configurations of flanges 331 and 332 are substantially the same in the reinforcing member 30A, a detailed explanation of the configuration of flange 332 is omitted.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 3, both flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A are joined to the side sill outer 20. However, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, at least one of the flanges 331 and 332 may be joined to the side sill inner 10.

[0063] In the example shown in Figure 4, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A are asymmetrical in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A. On one flange 331, the end portion 331b is joined to the vertical wall 121 of the side sill inner 10. In a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A, the end portion 331b is bent relative to the base portion 331a and extends along the vertical wall 221 of the side sill outer 20 and the vertical wall 121 of the side sill inner 10. In contrast, on the other flange 332, the end portion 332b is joined to the vertical wall 222 of the side sill outer 20. The base portions 331a and 332a of the flanges 331 and 332 face the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20 with a gap between them.

[0064] In the examples shown in Figures 3 and 4, the reinforcing member 30A is provided spanning the space S1 on the side sill inner 10 side and the space S2 on the side sill outer 20 side in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A. On the other hand, in the example shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing member 30A is positioned so as to fit within the space S1 on the side sill inner 10 side in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A. In the example shown in Figure 5, the ends 331b and 332b of the flanges 331 and 332 are joined to the vertical walls 121 and 122 of the side sill inner 10, respectively.

[0065] In all of the examples shown in Figures 3 to 5, the reinforcing member 30A has a shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 side in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100A, and is configured such that the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. Therefore, the side sill 100A according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0066] In the side sill 100A according to this embodiment, the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A each have a shape that is folded back toward the side sill inner 10. In this case, the number of possible joints for the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A to the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 can be increased. That is, the flange 331 of the reinforcing member 30A may be joined to the side sill inner 10 or the side sill outer 20 by its base 331a, or by its end 331b. Similarly, the flange 332 of the reinforcing member 30A may be joined to the side sill inner 10 or the side sill outer 20 by its base 332a, or by its end 332b. Therefore, the degree of freedom in assembling the side sill inner 10, the side sill outer 20, and the reinforcing member 30A is improved.

[0067] The ends 331b and 332b of the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A are bent toward the side sill inner 10, which supports the vertical walls 321 and 322, making it less likely for the reinforcing member 30A to tilt within the space S during a side collision of the vehicle body. As a result, self-contact of the reinforcing member 30A is more likely to occur stably, and the side sill 100A is more likely to exhibit good collision resistance.

[0068] In the examples shown in Figures 3 to 5, both flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30A have a shape in which they are folded back toward the side sill inner 10. However, only one of the flanges 331 or 332 may have a shape in which it is folded back toward the side sill inner 10. That is, only flange 331 may include a base portion 331a and an end portion 331b that bends toward the side sill inner 10 relative to the base portion 331a, or only flange 332 may include a base portion 332a and an end portion 331b that bends toward the side sill inner 10 relative to the base portion 332a.

[0069] <Third Embodiment> Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100B according to the third embodiment. The side sill 100B according to this embodiment differs from the side sills 100 and 100A according to the other embodiments in that the reinforcing member 30B is formed of a plurality of metal plates 361 and 362.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing member 30B is formed of a plurality of metal plates 361 and 362. In the example shown in Figure 6, metal plate 361 forms a part of the top plate 31, one vertical wall 321, and one flange 331 of the reinforcing member 30B. Metal plate 362 forms a part of the top plate 31, the other vertical wall 322, and the other flange 332 of the reinforcing member 30B. Metal plate 362 is joined to metal plate 361 at the position of the top plate 31. The metal plates 361 and 362 are joined, for example, by welding. The metal plates 361 and 362 may be joined with their end faces butted together (butt joint) or with their ends overlapped together (overlap joint). The metal plates 361 and 362 may be individually formed into a predetermined shape, for example by press forming, and then joined.

[0071] The metal plates 361 and 362 may be steel plates. The thicknesses of the metal plates 361 and 362 may be the same or different. Also, the tensile strengths of the metal plates 361 and 362 may be the same or different.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing member 30B is formed from two metal plates 361 and 362. However, the reinforcing member 30B may be formed from three or more metal plates. Furthermore, the joining positions of the metal plates can be changed as appropriate.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 7, the reinforcing member 30B is formed from metal plates 361, 362, and 363. Metal plate 361 mainly forms the top plate 31 and vertical walls 321 and 322 of the reinforcing member 30B. Metal plates 362 and 363 mainly form the flanges 331 and 332 of the reinforcing member 30B, respectively. The flanges 331 and 332 may have a shape that is folded back toward the side sill inner 10, similar to the second embodiment. Metal plates 362 and 363 are joined to metal plate 361, for example, by welding. Metal plates 362 and 363 may be butt-joined or overlap-joined to metal plate 361, respectively. Metal plates 361, 362, and 363 may be individually formed into a predetermined shape by, for example, press forming, and then joined together.

[0074] In the example in Figure 7, metal plates 361, 362, and 363 may be steel plates. The thicknesses of metal plates 361, 362, and 363 may be the same or different. Also, the tensile strengths of metal plates 361, 362, and 363 may be the same or different.

[0075] In both the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, the reinforcing member 30B has a shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100B, and is configured such that the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. Therefore, the side sill 100B according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the side sills 100 and 100A according to other embodiments.

[0076] In the side sill 100B according to this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30B is formed from multiple metal plates. In this case, each metal plate can be formed individually. Therefore, even if the reinforcing member 30B has a shape that is difficult to form from a single metal plate, the reinforcing member 30B can be manufactured relatively easily.

[0077] However, if forming is not difficult, the reinforcing members 30 and 30A may be formed from a single metal plate. In this case, for example, the reinforcing members 30 and 30A can be formed in a single press molding process, and the joining process between the metal plates can be omitted, thus reducing the man-hours required to manufacture the reinforcing members 30 and 30A.

[0078] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100C according to the fourth embodiment. The side sill 100C according to this embodiment differs from the side sills 100, 100A, and 100B according to the other embodiments in the shape of the vertical walls 321 and 322 of the reinforcing member 30C.

[0079] In other embodiments, the vertical walls 321 and 322 of the reinforcing members 30, 30A, and 30B extend substantially in a straight line in cross-sectional view. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, the vertical walls 321 and 322 have a concave shape in at least a portion of the reinforcing member 30C in cross-sectional view of the side sill 100C.

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 8, the vertical walls 321 and 322 bend midway, resulting in an overall concave shape. The vertical walls 321 and 322 are bent inward in the width direction of the reinforcing member 30C at their intermediate sections. As a result, bent ridges 321a and 322a are formed on the vertical walls 321 and 322, respectively.

[0081] The curved ridges 321a and 322a extend in the longitudinal direction of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. The angle between the portion of the vertical wall 321 on the side sill inner 10 side relative to the curved ridge 321a and the portion on the side sill outer 20 side relative to the curved ridge 321a, on the outer surface of the reinforcing member 30C, is less than 180°. Similarly, the angle between the portion of the vertical wall 322a on the side sill inner 10 side relative to the curved ridge 322a and the portion on the side sill outer 20 side relative to the curved ridge 322a, on the outer surface of the reinforcing member 30C, is less than 180°. The distance A1 in the width direction (vehicle height direction) of the reinforcing members 30C of the vertical walls 321 and 322 at the positions of the bent ridge sections 321a and 322a is smaller than the distance A2 in the width direction of the reinforcing members 30C of the vertical walls 321 and 322 at the positions of the R-end of the ridge sections 351 and 352 (on the vertical wall 321 and 322 side).

[0082] In this embodiment as well, the reinforcing member 30C has a shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 side in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100C, and is configured such that the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. Therefore, the side sill 100C according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the side sills 100, 100A, and 100B according to the other embodiments.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed in cross-section of the side sill 100C, the vertical walls 321 and 322 have a concave shape on the inside of the reinforcing member 30. In this case, when a collision load is applied to the side sill 100C from the side of the side sill outer 20 due to a side collision of the vehicle body, the vertical walls 321 and 322 are easily deformed to fold starting from the bottom of the concave shape. In the example shown in Figure 8, the vertical walls 321 and 322 can be deformed to fold starting from the bent ridges 321a and 322a. As a result, contact (self-contact) between the vertical walls 321 and 322 is more likely to occur in the reinforcing member 30B, and the collision resistance performance of the side sill 100C is more easily improved.

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 8, the vertical walls 321 and 322 bend, resulting in a concave shape that lies inside the reinforcing member 30C. However, the method of making at least a portion of the vertical walls 321 and 322 concave inside the reinforcing member 30C is not limited to this. For example, a portion of the vertical walls 321 and 322 can be made concave by providing at least one bead on the vertical walls 321 and 322, or a portion or all of the vertical walls 321 and 322 can be made into a concave curved shape inside the reinforcing member 30C. The vertical walls 321 and 322 may be provided with a concave portion that can serve as a bending point when a collision load is applied from the side sill outer 20 and the vertical walls 321 and 322 deform. The concave portion may be provided in the center of the vertical walls 321 and 322 in the height direction (vehicle width direction) of the reinforcing member 30C, or it may be provided in a location other than the center. Furthermore, in the height direction of the reinforcing member 30C, the position of the concave portion provided on one vertical wall 321 may coincide with or differ from the position of the concave portion provided on the other vertical wall 322. Preferably, the vertical walls 321 and 322 each have at least one bent ridge portion 321a, 322a, as shown in the example in Figure 8.

[0085] In the example shown in Figure 8, the vertical walls 321 and 322 are symmetrical in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100C, but the vertical walls 321 and 322 may be asymmetrical. For example, in the height direction of the vertical walls 321 and 322, the position of the bent ridge portion 321a on one vertical wall 321 may differ from the position of the bent ridge portion 322a on the other vertical wall 322. Alternatively, a bent ridge portion may be provided on only one of the vertical walls 321 and 322. That is, in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100C, only one of the vertical walls 321 and 322 may have a concave shape on the inside of the reinforcing member 30C in at least a portion of it.

[0086] <Fifth Embodiment> Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100D according to the fifth embodiment. The side sill 100D according to this embodiment differs from the side sills 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the other embodiments in that it further comprises at least one auxiliary reinforcing member 50.

[0087] In the example shown in Figure 9, the side sill 100D is provided with a plurality of auxiliary reinforcing members 50. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 is positioned between the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20 and the reinforcing member 30D. In Figure 9, each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 is provided along the vertical walls 321, 322 and flanges 331, 332 of the reinforcing member 30D. The auxiliary reinforcing members 50 may be joined to the reinforcing member 30D, for example, by welding. It is preferable that each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 extends along the reinforcing member 30D in the longitudinal direction of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20.

[0088] The auxiliary reinforcing member 50 may be joined to the side sill outer 20. In this case, the reinforcing member 30D may be joined to the side sill outer 20 via the auxiliary reinforcing member 50. The reinforcing member 30D may be joined directly or indirectly to the parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232. Direct joining of the reinforcing member 30D to the parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232 means that a direct joint (e.g., a weld) between the reinforcing member 30D and the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 exists in the parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232. The indirect joining of the reinforcing member 30D to the parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232 means that a direct joint (e.g., a weld) between an intervening member such as an auxiliary reinforcing member 50 and the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 exists in the parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232. The parts of the side sill inner 10 or side sill outer 20 other than the flanges 131, 132, 231, and 232 are, for example, the vertical walls 121 and 122 of the side sill inner 10, the top plate 21 of the side sill outer 20, or the vertical walls 221 and 222 of the side sill outer 20.

[0089] Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 is typically made of a metal plate. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 may be made of a steel plate. The thickness of the auxiliary reinforcing member 50 may be the same as or different from the thickness of the reinforcing member 30D. The tensile strength of the auxiliary reinforcing member 50 may also be the same as or different from the tensile strength of the reinforcing member 30D. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 can be manufactured, for example, by press forming.

[0090] The shape of the auxiliary reinforcing member 50 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 9. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 may, for example, have a substantially hat shape in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100D. The position of the auxiliary reinforcing member 50 is also not limited to the example shown in Figure 9. Each of the auxiliary reinforcing members 50 may be placed in the space S formed by the side sill inner 10 or the side sill outer 20. However, it is preferable that the auxiliary reinforcing member 50 is placed to support the reinforcing member 30D. Multiple auxiliary reinforcing members 50 may be placed in the space S, or a single auxiliary reinforcing member 50 may be provided.

[0091] In this embodiment as well, the reinforcing member 30D has a shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 side in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100D, and is configured such that the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. Therefore, the side sill 100D according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the side sills 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C according to the other embodiments.

[0092] In this embodiment, the side sill 100D is provided with an auxiliary reinforcing member 50 in addition to the reinforcing member 30D. The auxiliary reinforcing member 50 can suppress deformation of the side sill 100D other than the portion where self-contact of the reinforcing member 30D occurs. In the example shown in Figure 9, the reinforcing member 30D is supported on the flange 331,332 side by the auxiliary reinforcing member 50. As a result, the reinforcing member 30D is less likely to tilt during a side collision of the vehicle body, and self-contact of the reinforcing member 30D is more likely to occur stably. Therefore, the side sill 100D is more likely to exhibit good collision resistance.

[0093] While embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from its spirit.

[0094] In the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment, in the vehicle width direction, one flange 131 of the side sill inner 10 is positioned substantially in the same location as the other flange 132. However, as shown in Figure 10, the positions of the flanges 131 and 132 of the side sill inner 10 may differ in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the positions of the flanges 231 and 232 of the side sill outer 20 also differ in the vehicle width direction. Even if the positions of the flange 131 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 231 of the side sill outer 20, and the flange 132 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 232 of the side sill outer 20 are offset in the vehicle width direction, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is positioned in the space S1 on the side sill inner 10 side with respect to a virtual straight line (dash-dot line) connecting the joints 41 and 42 between the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100. Similarly, in the side sills 100A, 100B, 100C, and 100D according to other embodiments, the flange 131 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 231 of the side sill outer 20, and the flange 132 of the side sill inner 10 and the flange 232 of the side sill outer 20 may be offset in the vehicle width direction.

[0095] In the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 faces the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10 with a gap between them. However, as shown in Figure 11, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 may be joined to the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. Similarly, in other embodiments, the top plates 31 of each of the reinforcing members 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D may be joined to the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. However, from the viewpoint of the assembly order of the side sill inner 10, the side sill outer 20, and the reinforcing members 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D, it is preferable that the top plates 31 are not joined to the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10.

[0096] In the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment, a single reinforcing member 30 is placed in the space S formed by the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20. However, as shown in Figure 12, multiple reinforcing members 30 may be provided in the space S. Each of the reinforcing members 30 has a shape that protrudes toward the side sill inner 10 in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, and is configured such that the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321, 322.

[0097] When multiple reinforcing members 30 are provided in space S, these reinforcing members 30 may be separate, as shown in Figure 12, or they may be integrated, as shown in Figure 13. In the example shown in Figure 13, the flange 332 of one reinforcing member 30 is continuous with the flange 331 of the other reinforcing member 30. In each of the reinforcing members 30, the height H1 of one vertical wall 321 and the height H2 of the other vertical wall 322 are different. In this case, the height of the vertical wall 321, 322 that is taller is treated as the height H of the vertical walls 321, 322. The vertical wall 321, 322 that is shorter has a height of at least half the height H.

[0098] In the first embodiment, the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 is substantially straight in cross-sectional view of the side sill 100. However, as shown in Figure 14, the top plate 31 may be provided with at least one recess 311. The depth of the recess 311 is less than half the height H of the vertical walls 321, 322. Similarly, each of the top plates 31 of the reinforcing members 30A, 30B, 30C, and 30D may also be provided with at least one recess 311. [Examples]

[0099] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following examples.

[0100] For the side sill 100 according to the first embodiment, an analysis simulating a side collision was performed using general-purpose software (LS-Dyna, manufactured by Ansys) while varying the L / H ratio. In this analysis, the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10 was completely fixed, and the side sill 100 was deformed by applying a forced displacement in the vehicle width direction from the top plate 21 side of the side sill outer 20. In this analysis, the material of the side sill inner 10 and the side sill outer 20 was assumed to be steel plate with a tensile strength of 1180 MPa and a plate thickness of 1.4 mm. The material of the reinforcing member 30 was assumed to be steel plate with a tensile strength of 980 MPa and a plate thickness of 2.0 mm. The L / H conditions and the results of the analysis are shown in Table 1.

[0101] [Table 1]

[0102] In Table 1, "weight of reinforcing member" is the weight per unit length of the reinforcing member 30, obtained by multiplying the cross-sectional area of ​​the reinforcing member 30 by its density. "Weight efficiency" is the value obtained by dividing the maximum reaction force (load) of the side sill 100 by this weight. In the comparative example's reinforcing member 30, the width L of the top plate 11 was equal to the height H of the vertical walls 321, 322 (L / H = 1.00). In each of the reinforcing members 30 of Examples 1 and 2, the width L of the top plate 11 was less than the height H of the vertical walls 321, 322 (L / H < 1.00). As shown in Table 1, in Examples 1 and 2, due to the deformation of the side sill 100, contact (self-contact) occurred between the vertical walls 321, 322 in the reinforcing member 30. On the other hand, self-contact of the reinforcing member 30 did not occur in the comparative example. Therefore, in Examples 1 and 2, the ratio of the maximum reaction force to the weight of the reinforcing member 30 (weight efficiency) was larger than in the comparative example. In Example 2, which satisfies L / H ≤ 0.75, the weight efficiency was significantly improved compared to the comparative example. However, in Example 1, which satisfies L / H ≤ 0.60, the reinforcing member 30 was lighter and the maximum reaction force increased significantly compared to the comparative example, resulting in a particularly improved weight efficiency.

[0103] Figure 15 shows the reaction force-displacement curves for Example 1 and the Comparative Example. As shown in Figure 15, in Example 1, due to self-contact of the reinforcing member 30, the reaction force initially peaked, then began to decrease, and then rose sharply again. More specifically, in Example 1, after applying a forced displacement to the side sill 100 from the side sill outer 20, the reaction force of the side sill 100 reached its first peak when the top plate 31 of the reinforcing member 30 contacted the top plate 11 of the side sill inner 10. After that, the reaction force gradually decreased, but the reaction force began to rise sharply when the vertical walls 321 and 322 of the reinforcing member 30 began to contact (self-contact). Then, as the deformation of the vertical walls 321 and 322 increased while they were in contact, the reaction force of the side sill 100 peaked again. On the other hand, in the Comparative Example, since self-contact of the reinforcing member 30 did not occur, there was no significant increase in the reaction force after it peaked.

[0104] As described above, in a cross-sectional view of the side sill 100, the reinforcing member 30 has a convex shape toward the side sill inner 10, and the width L of the top plate 31 is smaller than the height H of the vertical walls 321 and 322. As a result, self-contact of the reinforcing member 30 occurs during a side collision, and it has been confirmed that the collision resistance performance of the side sill 100 can be improved in a weight-efficient manner. [Explanation of symbols]

[0105] 100, 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D: Side sill 10: Side sill inner 11: (1st) Top plate 121,122: (1st) Vertical wall 131,132: (1st) flange 20: Side sill outer 21: (2nd) Top plate 221,222: (Second) Vertical Wall 231,232: (Second) Flange 30, 30A, 30B, 30C, 30D: Reinforcement members 31: (3rd) Top plate 321,322: (Third) Vertical Wall 331,332: (Third) Flange 331a,332a: Base 331b, 332b: End 41,42:Joint part 50: Auxiliary reinforcing member

Claims

1. It is a side sill for the vehicle body, A side sill inner including a first top plate, a pair of first vertical walls connected by the first top plate, and a pair of first flanges positioned on the opposite side of the first top plate from the first vertical walls, The side sill includes a second top plate facing the first top plate, a pair of second vertical walls connected by the second top plate, and a pair of second flanges positioned on the opposite side of the second top plate from the second vertical walls and each joined to the first flange, and when the side sill is assembled into the vehicle body, the side sill outer is positioned outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side sill inner, A reinforcing member is disposed within the space formed by the side sill inner and the side sill outer, and whose cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the side sill is an open cross-section, Equipped with, The side sill inner and the side sill outer form the main body of the side sill. The reinforcing member is A third top plate is positioned on the first top plate side relative to the joint between the first flange and the second flange, A pair of third vertical walls are connected by the third top plate, extend from the third top plate toward the second top plate, and are arranged to face each other; A pair of third flanges are positioned on the opposite side of the third top plate from the third vertical wall and are joined to the side sill inner and the side sill outer, excluding the first and second flanges, Includes, In the reinforcing member, when the width of the third top plate is L and the height of the third vertical wall is H, L < H is a side sill.

2. A side sill according to claim 1, At least one of the third flanges is a side sill, which includes a base that protrudes from the third vertical wall outward from the reinforcing member and an end that bends from the base toward the first top plate.

3. A side sill according to claim 1, The reinforcing member is a side sill formed from multiple metal plates.

4. A side sill according to claim 1, The reinforcing member is a side sill formed from a single metal plate.

5. A side sill according to claim 1, A side sill in which, when viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at least one of the third vertical walls has a concave shape in at least a portion toward the inside of the reinforcing member.

6. The side sill according to claim 1, further, An auxiliary reinforcing member is arranged in the space and joined to at least one of the side sill inner, the side sill outer, and the reinforcing member. Side sills equipped with this feature.

7. A side sill according to claim 6, The auxiliary reinforcing member is a side sill positioned between the second top plate and the reinforcing member.

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