Rear body structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body rear part structure which enables reduction of deformation of a back door opening to improve torsional rigidity of a vehicle body while inhibiting increase of the weight of a vehicle and manufacturing costs.SOLUTION: Left and right back side pillars 13 at a back door opening 1 having an annular structure have an outer panel part 13A and an inner panel part 13B extending in a vehicle vertical direction. The inner panel part 13B has: a first inner panel member extending from an end portion of the outer panel part 13A to the vehicle inner side; and a second inner panel member joined to the first inner panel member. Each back side pillar 13 has an extension part 50 which extends from a joint portion J2 between the first and second inner panel members to the vehicle outer side and is joined to a vehicle inner surface of the outer panel part 13A. The outer panel part 13A and the inner panel part 13B including the extension part 50 form a closed cross section structure C1 extending in the vehicle vertical direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a rear body structure.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, as a rear body structure in a vehicle such as an automobile, a structure including a backdoor opening covered so as to be opened and closed by a backdoor is known. In a conventional backdoor opening, an annular structure is formed by connecting a roof back cross member located on the upper side of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction, a floor back cross member located on the lower side of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction, and back side pillars located on both left and right sides and extending in the vehicle vertical direction (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional rear body structure having a backdoor opening with the above-described annular structure, the roof back cross member on the upper side of the vehicle and the floor back cross member on the lower side of the vehicle have a closed cross-section structure formed in a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the backdoor opening. On the other hand, for the back side pillars on both left and right sides, it may be difficult to form a closed cross-section structure having a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section like the roof back cross member and the floor back cross member due to reasons such as the panel structure on the rear side portion of the vehicle body and manufacturing reasons (see, for example, FIG. 8 of the above Patent Document 1).

[0005] In this case, the rigidity of the backside pillar at the back door opening becomes lower than that of the roof back cross member and floor back cross member, resulting in a larger deformation of the backside pillar. Since the rigidity of the back door opening affects the rigidity of the rear of the vehicle body, there was a problem in that it became difficult to improve the overall torsional rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0006] Furthermore, adding reinforcing members to the backside pillars or increasing the thickness of the component members of the backside pillars in order to suppress deformation of the backside pillars could potentially increase vehicle weight and manufacturing costs.

[0007] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a rear body structure that can reduce deformation of the back door opening and improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body while suppressing increases in vehicle weight and manufacturing costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention provides a rear vehicle structure comprising a back door opening provided at the rear of the vehicle body, wherein an annular structure is formed in the back door opening by connecting a roof back cross member located on the upper side of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction, a floor back cross member located on the lower side of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction, and back side pillars located on both the left and right sides and extending in the vehicle vertical direction, wherein the back side pillar has an outer panel portion extending in the vehicle vertical direction and an inner panel portion located on the vehicle side of the outer panel portion and extending in the vehicle vertical direction, and the end portion of the outer panel portion along the vehicle vertical direction is joined to the end portion of the inner panel portion along the vehicle vertical direction. The vehicle body is provided with a roof panel section extending in the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions on the upper part of the vehicle body, and side body panel sections extending in the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions by being joined to both ends of the roof panel section in the vehicle's width direction on the side body section, the side body panel section having a side body outer panel and a side body inner panel positioned on the inside of the side body outer panel. The first inner panel member consists of a pillar inner upper panel and a pillar inner lower panel, and the second inner panel member consists of the rear part of the side body inner panel.The backside pillar has an extension that extends outward from the joint of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the inner surface of the outer panel, and the extension is made of one of the first and second inner panel members, and the outer panel and the inner panel including the extension form a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the vehicle body rear structure of the present invention, it is possible to reduce deformation of the back door opening and improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body while suppressing increases in vehicle weight and manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a vehicle body to which the rear body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from a diagonal rearward angle. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle from the front, with the rear of the vehicle body cut along line AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing section X in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle from the front at an oblique angle. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the CC line. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the DD line. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar in a first modified example related to the above embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar in a second modified example related to the above embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar in a third modified example related to the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body to which the rear body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from the rear at an oblique angle. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle body shown in Figure 1, cut along line AA, viewed from the front of the vehicle. In the figures described below, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the direction of arrow U indicates the upward direction in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the direction of arrow R indicates the right in the vehicle's width direction. In addition, "left and right" in the description of the embodiments corresponds to left and right when viewed from inside the vehicle's interior towards the front of the vehicle.

[0012] In Figures 1 and 2, a vehicle to which the rear body structure of this embodiment is applied is provided with a back door opening 1 located at the rear of the vehicle body. The back door opening 1 is covered by a back door (not shown) that can be opened and closed. The upper part of the vehicle body is provided with a roof panel section 2 that extends in the longitudinal and width directions of the vehicle. A roof back cross member 11 is positioned at the rear end of the roof panel section 2. The roof back cross member 11 is located above the back door opening 1 of the vehicle and extends in the width direction. The roof back cross member 11, although not shown, has a substantially rectangular cross-section and has a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the width direction of the vehicle. The left and right side body panel sections 3, which constitute the side of the vehicle body, are joined to both ends of the roof panel section 2 in the width direction of the vehicle. The side body panel sections 3 extend in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle, and their upper ends curve inward in the width direction of the vehicle to connect to the roof panel section 2.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the side body panel section 3 includes a side body outer panel 31 and a side body inner panel 32 positioned on the vehicle side of the side body outer panel 31. A roof side rail 4 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided on the inner side of the upper end of the side body outer panel 31. A quarter window opening 33 for installing quarter window glass is formed on the upper rear side of the side body outer panel 31 (Figures 1 and 2). A reinforcing member 34 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is joined to the lower vehicle side portion of the quarter window opening 33 on the vehicle side surface of the side body outer panel 31 (Figure 2). The reinforcing member 34 has a hat-shaped cross-section that is convex inward in the vehicle width direction. The rear end of the reinforcing member 34 is joined to a back side pillar 13, which will be described later.

[0014] Furthermore, a fuel filler opening 35 is formed below the quarter window opening 33 on the left side body outer panel 31. Below the fuel filler opening 35, a recessed portion 36 is formed that is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction, and this recessed portion 36 is similarly formed on the right side body outer panel 31. A slide rail 5 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is attached to the outer surface of the recessed portion 36. The slide rail 5 is configured to guide the sliding movement of a rear door (not shown).

[0015] Furthermore, at the lower end portions at the rear of the left and right side body outer panels 31, a rear floor panel portion 7 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and vehicle width direction is joined via the left and right rear tire house panels 6. The rear tire house panels 6 define the accommodation space for the rear tires. The lower end portions on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right rear tire house panels 6, and both side portions in the vehicle width direction of the rear floor panel portion 7 are respectively joined to the left and right side members 8 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (FIG. 2). The central portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear floor panel portion 7 is recessed outward (downward) of the vehicle, and is shaped to accommodate a spare tire or the like. A floor back cross member 12 is disposed at the rear end portion of the rear floor panel portion 7. The floor back cross member 12 is located below the vehicle at the back door opening 1 and extends in the vehicle width direction. Although not shown, the floor back cross member 12 has a substantially rectangular cross section and has a closed cross-section structure extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, left and right back side pillars 13 are respectively disposed at the rear end portions of the left and right side body panel portions 3. The back side pillars 13 are located on both the left and right sides of the back door opening 1 and have a closed cross-section structure extending in the vehicle up-down direction as will be described in detail later.

[0017] In the back door opening 1 in the rear body structure of the present embodiment, an annular structure is formed by connecting the roof back cross member 11 above the vehicle, the floor back cross member 12 below the vehicle, and the left and right back side pillars 13 on both sides. This annular structure has an annular ridge line formed by the inner edge of the back door opening 1, and has a structure in which a closed cross-section is continuous along the ridge line. Hereinafter, the detailed structure of the back door opening 1 will be described in detail with specific examples centered on the back side pillar 13. Here, the structure of the right back side pillar 13 will be described, and the description of the structure of the left back side pillar 13 similar to the structure will be omitted.

[0018] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing section X of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of Figure 3 from the front at an oblique angle. However, Figures 3 and 4 show the vehicle with the side body inner panel 32 and rear wheel house panel 6 removed. The dashed lines in Figure 3 indicate the approximate positions of the side body inner panel 32 and rear wheel house panel 6. Furthermore, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3 along line BB, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3 along line CC, and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 3 along line DD.

[0019] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the right-side back pillar 13 in the back door opening 1 has an outer panel portion 13A that extends in the vehicle's vertical direction and an inner panel portion 13B that is located inside the outer panel portion 13A and also extends in the vehicle's vertical direction. The end portion of the outer panel portion 13A along the vehicle's vertical direction is joined to the end portion of the inner panel portion 13B along the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0020] In the backside pillar 13 according to this embodiment, the outer panel portion 13A includes the rear portion of the aforementioned side body outer panel 31 and a pillar outer upper panel 41 (Figures 6 and 7) and a pillar outer lower panel 43 (Figure 5) that extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The rear portion of the side body outer panel 31 mainly forms the outer surface of the backside pillar 13 in the vehicle width direction. The pillar outer upper panel 41 and the pillar outer lower panel 43 form the rear surface of the backside pillar 13.

[0021] Furthermore, the inner panel portion 13B includes the rear portion of the aforementioned side body inner panel 32, and the pillar inner upper panel 42 (Figures 3, 4, 6, and 7) and pillar inner lower panel 44 (Figures 3 to 5) that extend in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The rear portion of the side body inner panel 32, the pillar inner upper panel 42, and the pillar inner lower panel 44 form the inner surface of the back side pillar 13 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 correspond to the "first inner panel member" of the present invention, and the side body inner panel 32 corresponds to the "second inner panel member" of the present invention.

[0022] Specifically, the rear end portion 31A of the side body outer panel 31 has a shape that is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. The inner end portion 31B of the side body outer panel 31 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer end portion 41A (Figures 6 and 7) of the pillar outer upper panel 41 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end portion 43A (Figure 5) of the pillar outer lower panel 43 in the vehicle width direction. The lower end portion of the pillar outer lower panel 43 is joined to the lower end portion of the pillar outer upper panel 41. The joining of each panel forming the outer panel portion 13A of the back side pillar 13 can be done by spot welding or by using an adhesive such as mastic sealer.

[0023] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a flange portion 41B protruding toward the rear of the vehicle is formed at the inner end of the pillar outer upper panel 41 in the vehicle width direction, and this flange portion 41B is joined to the rear end 42A of the pillar inner upper panel 42. The pillar inner upper panel 42 extends toward the front of the vehicle from the joining point J1 with the flange portion 41B of the pillar outer upper panel 41, then bends outward in the vehicle width direction, and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from this bent portion 42B. A flange portion 42C protruding toward the front of the vehicle is formed at the outer end of the pillar inner upper panel 42 in the vehicle width direction, and this flange portion 42C is joined to the upper part of the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction. Preferably, the joining of the flange portion 42C of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the side body outer panel 31 is performed using an adhesive A such as mastic sealer.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, a flange portion 43B is formed at the inner end of the pillar outer lower panel 43 in the vehicle width direction, projecting toward the rear of the vehicle, and this flange portion 43B is joined to the rear end portion 44A of the pillar inner lower panel 44. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pillar inner lower panel 44 extends toward the front of the vehicle from the joining point J1 with the flange portion 43B of the pillar outer lower panel 43, then bends outward in the vehicle width direction, and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from this bent portion 44B. A flange portion 44C is formed at the outer end of the pillar inner lower panel 44 in the vehicle width direction, projecting toward the front of the vehicle, and this flange portion 44C is joined to the lower portion of the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction. The joining of the flange portion 44C of the pillar inner lower panel 44 and the side body outer panel 31 is preferably performed using an adhesive A such as mastic sealer.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, a side body inner panel 32 is joined to the intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction of each of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44. A flange portion 32A that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction is formed at the rear end of the side body inner panel 32, and this flange portion 32A is joined to the front-facing surfaces of each of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 by spot welding or adhesive.

[0026] In this embodiment, for each of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44, the portion located between the joining point J2 with the flange portion 32A of the side body inner panel 32 and the respective flange portions 42C, 44C that are joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 facing inward in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the "extension portion" of the present invention. In the following description, this portion in the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 will be referred to as the "extension portion 50".

[0027] In other words, the backside pillar 13 in this embodiment has an extension portion 50 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction (outside the vehicle) from the joint J2 between the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 (first inner panel member) and the side body inner panel 32 (second inner panel member), and is joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction (the inner surface of the outer panel portion 13A). This extension portion 50 is composed of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 (first inner panel member).

[0028] In the backside pillar 13 of this embodiment as described above, a closed cross-sectional structure C1 extending in the vehicle vertical direction is formed by the rear part of the side body outer panel 31, the pillar outer upper panel 41 and the pillar outer lower panel 43, which constitute the outer panel portion 13A, and the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44, which include the extension portion 50. In other words, in this embodiment, a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional structure C1 is formed in the upper part of the backside pillar 13 by the rear part of the side body outer panel 31, the pillar outer upper panel 41 and the pillar inner upper panel 42, and a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional structure C1 is formed in the lower part of the backside pillar 13 by the rear part of the side body outer panel 31, the pillar outer lower panel 43 and the pillar inner lower panel 44, and the closed cross-sectional structures C1 of the upper and lower portions are continuous in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0029] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the corner portion 14 located on the lower side of the vehicle of the back door opening 1 is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Specifically, the side wall surface (the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the lower part of the back side pillar 13) located between the rear end portion 44A and the bent portion 44B of the pillar inner lower panel 44 described above is formed in a shape that curves inward in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward towards the vehicle. The concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31 described above is positioned in the vehicle vertical direction at a height corresponding to the upper end portion 14A of the arc in the corner portion 14.

[0030] The extension portion 50 of the aforementioned backside pillar 13 is joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, for a range extending from at least the upper end portion 14A of the lower corner portion 14 of the back door opening 1 to the reinforcing member 34 of the lower quarter window opening 33. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the pillar inner upper panel 42 and the pillar inner lower panel 44 (the outer end portions of the extension portion 50) are joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction, over the entire length of the backside pillar 13 in the vertical direction. In this case, it is desirable that the lower outer portion 44D of the pillar inner lower panel 44 in the vehicle width direction be joined to the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0031] In addition, the pillar inner lower panel 44 has a convex portion 44E that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle at the lower side of the vehicle where it joins with the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31. This convex portion 44E is positioned to be in contact with the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, the convex portion 44E of the pillar inner lower panel 44 preferably has a corner portion 44F that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction, and is formed to expand vertically as it moves outward from the corner portion 44F in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the tip portion of the convex portion 44E of the pillar inner lower panel 44 that extends upward relative to the corner portion 44F is positioned to be in contact with the downward sloping portion of the inner surface of the vehicle in the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31. In other words, the convex portion 44E of the pillar inner lower panel 44 is formed in a roughly triangular shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and the upper end of the side that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, opposite the corner portion 44F located on the inside in the width direction of the vehicle, is configured to abut from below the inner surface of the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31.

[0032] Next, the operation of the rear body structure according to this embodiment will be described. In the rear body structure according to this embodiment, the left and right backside pillars 13 of the back door opening 1 are provided with an outer panel portion 13A and an inner panel portion 13B, and the inner panel portion 13B has a first inner panel member (pillar inner upper panel 42 and pillar inner lower panel 44) and a second inner panel member (side body inner panel 32). Furthermore, the backside pillar 13 has an extension portion 50 that extends outward from the joining point J2 of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the inner surface of the outer panel portion 13A, and this extension portion 50 is made of one of the first and second inner panel members. In such a backside pillar 13, the outer panel portion 13A and the inner panel portion 13B including the extension portion 50 form a closed cross-sectional structure C1 that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0033] The closed cross-sectional structure C1 of the backside pillar 13 described above prevents each panel member constituting the backside pillar 13 from deforming in both the inward and outward directions of the vehicle when viewed in cross-sectional view from the vertical direction of the vehicle, thereby reducing the bending deformation of the backside pillar 13. As a result, the annular structure of the back door opening 1 has a closed cross-sectional structure for each of the roof back cross member 11 on the upper side of the vehicle, the floor back cross member 12 on the lower side of the vehicle, and the backside pillars 13 on both the left and right sides, thus reducing deformation at the back door opening 1. Furthermore, since the extension portion 50 of the backside pillar 13 is composed of one of the first and second inner panel members, the increase in vehicle weight compared to the conventional structure described above is minimal, and the manufacturing cost remains almost unchanged. Therefore, it is possible to reduce deformation of the back door opening and improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body while suppressing increases in vehicle weight and manufacturing costs.

[0034] Furthermore, in the rear body structure according to this embodiment, the extension portion 50 of the backside pillar 13 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the joint J2 of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the surface 31C of the outer panel portion 13A (side body outer panel 31) that faces inward in the vehicle width direction. In such a backside pillar 13, the extension portion 50 becomes a vertical wall portion oriented in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, resistance force can be obtained from the shear direction of the cross section of the vertical wall portion against torsional deformation around the vehicle longitudinal axis. In other words, the amount of deflection of each panel constituting the side portion is reduced when the backside pillar 13 undergoes torsional deformation. Therefore, bending deformation of the backside pillar 13 can be effectively reduced, and the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body can be further improved.

[0035] Furthermore, in the rear body structure according to this embodiment, the extension portion 50 of the backside pillar 13 is joined to the surface 31C of the outer panel portion 13A (side body outer panel 31) facing in the vehicle width direction, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, from at least the upper end of the arc-shaped corner portion 14 below the back door opening 1 to the reinforcing member 34 located in the lower part of the quarter window opening 33. The side body outer panel 31 below the quarter window opening 33 has many flat surfaces and is relatively weak against torsional deformation, so by joining the extension portion 50 to this area and providing a vertical wall, torsional deformation of the backside pillar 13 can be suppressed more effectively. In particular, if the extension portion 50 and the side body outer panel 31 are joined over the entire vertical length of the backside pillar 13, the annular structure of the back door opening 1 becomes a structure in which the closed cross section continues along the annular ridge, thereby effectively reducing deformation of the back door opening 1. This makes it possible to further improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body.

[0036] In addition, in the rear body structure according to this embodiment, the lower outer portion 44D of the extension 50 of the backside pillar 13 (the lower outer portion 44D of the pillar inner lower panel 44 in the vehicle width direction) is joined to the concave portion 36 of the outer panel portion 13A (side body outer panel 31). When a concave portion 36 is formed in the side body outer panel 31 to provide a slide rail 5, the side body outer panel 31 and the backside pillar 13 become more susceptible to deformation starting from the concave portion 36. Therefore, by joining the extension 50 to the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31, deformation of the backside pillar 13 can be suppressed even more effectively.

[0037] Furthermore, in the rear body structure according to this embodiment, the extension portion 50 (pillar inner lower panel 44) of the back side pillar 13 has a convex portion 44E that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle on the lower side of the vehicle at the joint with the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31, and is arranged so that the convex portion 44E and the concave portion 36 of the side body outer panel 31 are in contact. When viewed from the front of the vehicle, this convex portion 44E has a corner portion 44F that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction, and is formed to expand vertically as it moves outward from the corner portion 44F in the vehicle width direction. By providing a convex portion 44E of this shape on the extension portion 50, the surface rigidity of the extension portion 50 is increased, making it possible to suppress torsional deformation of the back side pillar 13 even more effectively.

[0038] Next, a modified example related to the rear body structure according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar 13 in the first modified example. This cross-sectional view shows the backside pillar 13 of the first modified example cut along the BB line in Figure 3 of the embodiment described above.

[0039] In the embodiment described above, the extension of the backside pillar 13 OutAn example was shown in which part 50 is composed of the first inner panel member (pillar inner upper panel 42 and pillar inner lower panel 44) of the first and second inner panel members. In contrast, the back side pillar 13 in the first modified example is as shown in Figure 8, Out The difference from the embodiment described above is that part 51 is composed of the second inner panel member (side body inner panel 32) among the first and second inner panel members. The structure of the first modified example other than this difference is the same as in the embodiment described above, so the same reference numerals are used for corresponding parts and their description is omitted here.

[0040] Specifically, in the backside pillar 13 of the first modified example, the rear end of the side body inner panel 32 is bent outward in the vehicle width direction, and extends outward from the bent portion 32B in the vehicle width direction. A flange portion 32C that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle is formed at the outer end of the side body inner panel 32 in the vehicle width direction, and this flange portion 32C is joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 that faces inward in the vehicle width direction. The joining of the flange portion 32C of the side body inner panel 32 and the side body outer panel 31 is preferably performed using an adhesive A such as a mastic sealer.

[0041] Furthermore, the pillar inner lower panel 44 (and pillar inner upper panel 42) is joined to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the bent portion 32B of the side body inner panel 32. Similar to the embodiment described above, the pillar inner lower panel 44 extends toward the front of the vehicle from the joining point J1 with the flange portion 43B of the pillar outer lower panel 43, then bends outward in the vehicle width direction, and extends from the bent portion 44B toward the bent portion 32B of the side body inner panel 32 toward the vehicle width direction. A flange portion 44G that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle is formed at the outer end of the pillar inner lower panel 44 in the vehicle width direction, and this flange portion 44G is joined to the side body inner panel 32 by spot welding or the like. Although not shown in the figures, the pillar inner upper panel 42 is also formed in a similar shape to the pillar inner lower panel 44.

[0042] In the first modified example described above, the portion of the side body inner panel 32 located between the joint J2 with the pillar inner lower panel 44 (and pillar inner upper panel 42) and the flange portion 32C joined to the surface 31C of the side body outer panel 31 facing inward in the vehicle width direction corresponds to the extension portion 51. Therefore, in the back side pillar 13 of the first modified example, a closed cross-sectional structure C1 extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle is formed by the rear part of the side body outer panel 31, the pillar outer upper panel 41 and pillar outer lower panel 43, the pillar inner upper panel 42 and pillar inner lower panel 44, and the extension portion 51 of the side body inner panel 32. The same effects and advantages as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained with the back side pillar 13 of this first modified example as well.

[0043] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar 13 in the second modified example. This cross-sectional view, like the first modified example described above, shows the backside pillar 13 of the second modified example cut along the BB line in Figure 3.

[0044] In the first modified example described above, the extension portion 51, which is made up of the side body inner panel 32, extends outward in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side body outer panel 31 facing inward in the vehicle width direction (surface 31C). In contrast, in the second modified example, as shown in Figure 9, the extension portion 52, which is made up of the side body inner panel 32, extends toward the rear of the vehicle. The flange portion 32D formed at the rear end of the side body inner panel 32 is joined to the pillar outer lower panel 43 (and pillar outer upper panel 41) facing forward of the vehicle (surface 43C) by spot welding or adhesive.

[0045] In this second modified example, the backside pillar 13 is formed by the pillar outer upper panel 41 and pillar outer lower panel 43, the pillar inner upper panel 42 and pillar inner lower panel 44, and the extension 52 of the side body inner panel 32, creating a closed cross-section structure C2 that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. This closed cross-section structure C2 effectively reduces the amount of deflection of each panel constituting the front and rear portions when the backside pillar 13 undergoes torsional deformation.

[0046] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the backside pillar 13 in the third modified example. This cross-sectional view, like the first and second modified examples described above, shows the backside pillar 13 of the third modified example cut along the BB line in Figure 3.

[0047] In the second modification described above, the extension portion 52 extending toward the rear of the vehicle was composed of the side body inner panel 32. In contrast, in the third modification, as shown in Figure 10, the extension portion 53 extending toward the rear of the vehicle is composed of the pillar inner lower panel 44 (and pillar inner upper panel 42).

[0048] Specifically, in the third modified example, the pillar inner lower panel 44 (and pillar inner upper panel 42) bends towards the rear of the vehicle at the joint J2 with the side body inner panel 32, and extends from this bent portion 44H toward the rear of the vehicle to the pillar outer lower panel 43 (pillar outer upper panel 41). A flange portion 44I is formed at the rear end of the pillar inner lower panel 44 on the outside in the vehicle width direction, and this flange portion 44I is joined to the surface 43C of the pillar outer lower panel 43 facing the vehicle front by spot welding or adhesive.

[0049] In this third modified example, the backside pillar 13 is formed by the pillar outer upper panel 41 and pillar outer lower panel 43, and the pillar inner upper panel 42 and pillar inner lower panel 44, creating a closed cross-sectional structure C2 that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The same effects and advantages as in the second modified example can be obtained with this closed cross-sectional structure C2 in this third modified example.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention and related modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described herein, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention. For example, in the embodiments and modifications described above, an example was described in which a quarter window opening 33 and a recessed portion 36 for a slide rail are formed at the rear of the side body outer panel 31, but other recessed and uneven shapes corresponding to character lines, etc., may also be formed at the rear of the side body outer panel 31. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 1…Back door opening 2…Roof panel section 3…Side body panel section 4…Roof side rails 5…Slide rail 6…Rear tire housing panel 7…Rear floor panel section 8... Side Member 11…Roof back cross member 12…Floor back crossmember 13…Backside pillar 13A...Outer panel section 13B...Inner panel section 14... Corner section 31…Side body outer panel 32... Side body inner panel 33...Quarter window opening 34…Reinforcement member 35…Fuel filler opening 36…Concave shaped part 41... Pillar outer upper panel 42... Pillar inner upper panel 43... Pillar outer lower panel 44... Pillar Inner Lower Panel 44E…Convex shaped part 44F…Corner 50~53...Extension part A... Adhesive C1,C3…Closed section structure J1, J2... Joint locations

Claims

1. The vehicle is equipped with a back door opening at the rear of the vehicle body, and a ring structure is formed in the back door opening by connecting a roof back cross member located on the upper side of the vehicle and extending in the width direction, a floor back cross member located on the lower side of the vehicle and extending in the width direction, and back side pillars located on both the left and right sides and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. In a rear vehicle structure, the aforementioned backside pillar has an outer panel portion extending in the vehicle's vertical direction and an inner panel portion positioned on the vehicle's side of the outer panel portion and extending in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the end portion of the outer panel portion along the vehicle's vertical direction is joined to the end portion of the inner panel portion along the vehicle's vertical direction. The inner panel portion includes a first inner panel member extending inward from the end portion of the outer panel portion toward the vehicle side, and a second inner panel member joined to the first inner panel member and positioned at a distance toward the vehicle side relative to the outer panel portion. The upper part of the vehicle body is provided with a roof panel section that extends in the vehicle's longitudinal and width directions, and the sides of the vehicle body are provided with side body panel sections that are joined to both ends of the roof panel section in the vehicle's width direction and extend in the vehicle's longitudinal and vertical directions, and the side body panel section has a side body outer panel and a side body inner panel that is positioned on the inside of the side body outer panel. The first inner panel member consists of a pillar inner upper panel and a pillar inner lower panel. The second inner panel member is located at the rear of the side body inner panel. The rear body structure is characterized in that the backside pillar has an extension that extends outward from the joint of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the inner surface of the outer panel, the extension is made of one of the first and second inner panel members, and the outer panel and the inner panel including the extension form a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle is provided with a back door opening at the rear of the vehicle body, and the back door opening is provided with a roof back cross member located on the upper side of the vehicle and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, a floor back cross member located on the lower side of the vehicle and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and back side pillars located on both the left and right sides and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, which are connected to each other to form an annular structure. In a rear vehicle structure, the aforementioned backside pillar has an outer panel portion extending in the vehicle's vertical direction and an inner panel portion positioned on the vehicle's side of the outer panel portion and extending in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the end portion of the outer panel portion along the vehicle's vertical direction is joined to the end portion of the inner panel portion along the vehicle's vertical direction. The inner panel portion includes a first inner panel member extending inward from the end portion of the outer panel portion toward the vehicle side, and a second inner panel member joined to the first inner panel member and positioned at a distance toward the vehicle side relative to the outer panel portion. The backside pillar has an extension that extends outward from the joint of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the inner surface of the outer panel, the extension being made of one of the first and second inner panel members, and the outer panel and the inner panel including the extension form a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The extension extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the joint of the first and second inner panel members and is joined to the surface of the outer panel portion facing inward in the vehicle width direction. The corner portion located on the lower side of the vehicle's rear door opening is formed in an arc shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The rear end of a reinforcing member, which is located on the lower part of the vehicle's quarter window opening on the rear side of the vehicle body and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, is joined to the aforementioned backside pillar. The rear body structure of a vehicle body is characterized in that the extension portion is joined to the surface of the outer panel portion facing in the vehicle width direction, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, for a range extending at least from the upper end of the arc at the corner portion of the back door opening to the reinforcing member.

3. The outer panel portion has a concave shape that is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction at a height corresponding to the upper end of the arc at the corner portion of the back door opening in the vehicle's vertical direction. The rear body structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower portion of the extension on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is joined to the concave portion of the outer panel.

4. The extension portion has a convex portion that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle, located on the vehicle-downward side of the joint with the concave portion of the outer panel, and is arranged so that the convex portion and the concave portion of the outer panel are in contact. The rear body structure of the vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the convex portion has a corner that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and is formed in a shape that expands vertically as it moves outward from the corner in the vehicle width direction.

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