Vehicle body side structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body lateral structure capable of guiding a wheel outward in a vehicle width direction at a time of offset collision of a vehicle and also inhibiting deformation of a vehicle body.SOLUTION: A vehicle body lateral structure 1A includes a side sill 3A extending in a fore-and-aft direction behind a front wheel 2, and a front pillar 4A raised upward from the front end of the side sill 3A. The side sill 3A includes a sill inner piece forming the interior in a vehicle width direction of the side sill 3A, and a sill stiffener 20 forming the exterior in the vehicle width direction of the side sill 3A. The front end of the sill stiffener 20 has a slope part 32 that tilts backward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a side structure of a vehicle body.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been actively made to provide access to a sustainable transportation system that takes into account people in vulnerable positions such as the elderly, disabled, and children among traffic participants. In order to achieve this, research and development have focused on further improving traffic safety and convenience through the development of the side structure of the vehicle body. As a side structure of a vehicle body, Patent Document 1 describes a structure in which the front wall portion of a bulkhead disposed inside a front pillar is inclined rearward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction and is spaced apart from the front wall portion of the front pillar. Such a side structure of the vehicle body suppresses deformation of the front pillar by guiding the front wheel of the vehicle outward in the vehicle width direction by the front wall portion of the bulkhead during an offset collision of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described side structure of the vehicle body, since the front pillar receives the wheel, the input load from the wheel acts as a moment in a direction that tends to tilt the front pillar backward. Therefore, there is a possibility that the front pillar may be deformed so as to fall backward from the side sill or peeled off from the side sill, and the amount of deformation of the front pillar may increase because the front wheel cannot be sufficiently guided outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to provide a vehicle body side structure that can guide the wheels outward in the vehicle width direction during an offset collision of a vehicle, suppress deformation of the vehicle body, and thereby contribute to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, the vehicle body side structure of the present invention comprises a side sill extending in the longitudinal direction behind the wheels, and a front pillar extending upward from the front end of the side sill, wherein the side sill comprises a sill inner that constitutes the interior of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, and a sill stiffener that constitutes the exterior of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, wherein the sill stiffener has an inclined portion at its front end that slopes rearward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction The front pillar comprises a pillar inner which constitutes the interior of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction and is sandwiched by the sill inner and the sill stiffener, and a pillar stiffener which constitutes the exterior of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined portion is formed to connect the front wall portion and the outer wall portion of the sill stiffener, and in a plan view, the inclination angle between the inclined portion and the pillar inner is smaller than the inclination angle between the front wall portion and the pillar inner. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in the event of an offset collision of a vehicle, the inclined portion of the side sill can guide the wheels outward in the width direction of the vehicle, and deformation of the side sill and front pillar can be suppressed, thereby contributing to the development of a sustainable transportation system. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view of the vehicle body side structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the vehicle body side structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and shows the outer panel omitted. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III, schematically illustrating the cross-sectional structure of the front part of the side sill. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the sill stiffener, cover member, and pillar inner in the vehicle body side structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 5] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV, schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the sil stiffener, cover member, and pillar inner. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the side body structure of a vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and shows the outer panel omitted. [Figure 7] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VII-VII, schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the silfener, pillar inner, and extension of the pillar stiffener. [Figure 8] This is a side view of the vehicle body side structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and shows the state in which the outer panel is omitted. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view of the sill stiffener, cover member, and pillar inner in a vehicle body side structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line XX, schematically showing the cross-sectional structure of the sill stiffener, cover member, sill front end member, and pillar inner. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, using the case where the vehicle body side structure of the present invention is applied to the left end of a vehicle as an example. Note that expressions indicating directions such as front and rear, left and right, and up and down are based on the vehicle and the occupants (driver) of the vehicle.

[0010] <First Embodiment> As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle body side structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a structure provided behind the front wheel 2 of the vehicle, and comprises a side sill 3A, a front pillar 4A, and an outer panel 60.

[0011] <Side sill> As shown in FIG. 2, the side sill 3A is a metal skeleton member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body behind the front wheel 2. The side sill 3A has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape when viewed from the front. The side sill 3A includes a sill inner 10 (see FIG. 3), a sill stiffener 20, and a lid member 30A.

[0012] ≪Sill Inner≫ As shown in FIG. 3, the sill inner 10 is a substantially hat-shaped metal member that constitutes the inside in the vehicle width direction of the side sill 3A. The sill inner 10 integrally includes an inner wall portion 11, a lower wall portion 12 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portion of the inner wall portion 11, and a lower flange portion 13 that extends downward from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall portion 12. Further, the sill inner 10 integrally includes an upper wall portion 14 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the inner wall portion 11, and an upper flange portion 15 that extends upward from the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 14.

[0013] ≪Sill Stiffener≫ The sill stiffener (also referred to as a sill outer) 20 is a substantially hat-shaped metal member that constitutes the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side sill 3A. The sill stiffener 20 integrally includes an outer wall portion 21, a lower wall portion 22 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portion of the outer wall portion 21, and a lower flange portion 23 that extends downward from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall portion 22. Further, the sill stiffener 20 integrally includes an upper wall portion 24 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the outer wall portion 21, and an upper flange portion 25 that extends upward from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion.

[0014] The lower flange portion 13 of the sill inner 10 and the lower flange portion 23 of the sill stiffener 20 are joined to each other by welding or the like. In particular, the front portion of the lower flange portion 13 of the sill inner 10 and the front portion of the lower flange portion 23 of the sill stiffener 20 are joined to each other by welding or the like while sandwiching the lower end portion of the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A described later.

[0015] The upper flange portion 15 of the sill inner 10 and the upper flange portion 25 of the sill stiffener 20 are joined to each other by welding or the like. In particular, the front portion of the upper flange portion 15 of the sill inner 10 and the front portion of the upper flange portion 25 of the sill stiffener 20 are joined to each other by welding or the like while sandwiching the lower end portion of the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A described later.

[0016] <<Cover member>> As shown in FIG. 4, the cover member 30A is a metal crown-shaped member that closes the front opening of a rectangular cylindrical body formed by the sill inner 10 and the pillar inner 40A described later. Here, such a front opening is inclined so as to go backward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction. The cover member 30A integrally includes a front wall portion 31, an inclined portion 32 extending outward and backward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31, and an outer wall portion 33 extending backward from the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the inclined portion 32. Further, the cover member 30A integrally includes a lower wall portion 34 extending backward and inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portions of the front wall portion 31, the inclined portion 32, and the outer wall portion 33, an upper wall portion 35 extending backward and inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portions of the front wall portion 31, the inclined portion 32, and the outer wall portion 33, and a front flange portion 36 extending forward from the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31.

[0017] The front wall portion 31 constitutes the interior in the vehicle width direction on the front surface of the side sill 3A, outside the pillar inner 40A in the vehicle width direction. The front wall portion 31 extends in the vehicle width direction and is slightly inclined so as to go backward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction in the present embodiment.

[0018] The inclined portion 32 constitutes the interior in the vehicle width direction on the front surface of the side sill 3A, outside the pillar inner 40A in the vehicle width direction. The inclined portion 32 is formed so as to connect the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31 and the front end portion of the outer wall portion 33, and is inclined so as to go backward as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] The outer wall portion 33 constitutes the front end of the outer wall portion of the side sill 3A. The rear portion of the outer wall portion 33 is joined to the front end of the outer wall portion 21 of the sill stiffener 20 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the outer wall portion 33 is positioned overlapping the front end of the outer wall portion 21 on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] The lower wall portion 34 constitutes a part of the front end (outer end in the vehicle width direction) of the lower wall portion of the side sill 3A. The rear portion of the lower wall portion 34 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the front end of the lower wall portion 22 of the sill stiffener 20 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the lower wall portion 34 is positioned overlapping the front end of the lower wall portion 22.

[0021] The upper wall portion 35 constitutes a part of the front end (outer end in the vehicle width direction) of the lower wall portion of the side sill 3A. The rear portion of the upper wall portion 35 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the front end of the upper wall portion 24 of the sill stiffener 20 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the upper wall portion 35 is positioned on top of the front end of the upper wall portion 24.

[0022] The front flange portion 36 is joined to the lower end and front end of the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A by welding or the like.

[0023] <Front Pillar> As shown in Figure 2, the front pillar 4A is a metal structural member that extends upward from the front end of the side sill 3A. The front pillar 4A has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape in plan view. The front pillar 4A comprises a pillar inner 40A and a pillar stiffener 50A.

[0024] ≪Pillar Inner≫ The pillar inner 40A is a metal plate-shaped member that constitutes the interior (inner wall portion) in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 4A. The pillar inner 40A includes an inner wall portion 41.

[0025] ≪Pillars Tiffna≫ The pillar stiffener 50A is a metal, substantially hat-shaped member that constitutes the exterior of the front pillar 4A in the vehicle width direction. The pillar stiffener 50A integrally comprises an outer wall portion 51, a front wall portion 52 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the outer wall portion 51, and a front flange portion 53 extending forward from the inner end of the front wall portion 52 in the vehicle width direction. The pillar stiffener 50 also integrally comprises a rear wall portion 54 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the outer wall portion 51, and a rear flange portion 55 extending rearward from the inner end of the rear wall portion 54 in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] The front end of the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A and the front flange portion 53 of the pillar stiffener 50A are joined to each other by welding or the like. The rear end of the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A and the rear flange portion 55 of the pillar stiffener 50A are joined to each other by welding or the like.

[0027] The lower end of the outer wall portion 51 of the pillar stiffener 50A is joined to the outer wall portion 21 of the silt stiffener 20 and the inclined portion 32 and outer wall portion 33 of the cover member 30A by welding or the like. The lower end of the front wall portion 52 of the pillar stiffener 50A is joined to the front wall portion 31 of the cover member 30A by welding or the like. The lower end of the rear wall portion 54 of the pillar stiffener 50A is curved towards the rear as it goes downwards and is joined to the upper wall portion 24 of the silt stiffener 20 by welding or the like. The lower end of the rear flange portion 55 of the pillar stiffener 50 is joined to the upper flange portion 25 of the silt stiffener 20 by welding or the like.

[0028] <Outer Panel> As shown in Figure 1, the outer panel 60 is a metal plate-like member that constitutes the outer surface (side in the width direction) of the vehicle. The outer panel 60 integrally comprises a side sill outer portion 61 that covers the side sill 3A from the outside in the width direction, and a front pillar outer portion 62 that extends upward from the front end of the side sill outer portion 61 and covers the front pillar 4A from the outside in the width direction.

[0029] The side sill outer portion 61 integrally comprises an outer wall portion 61a, an upper wall portion 61b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the outer wall portion 61a, and an upper flange portion 61c extending upward from the inner end of the upper wall portion 61b in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] The outer wall portion 61a covers the outer wall portion 21 of the silt stiffener 20 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion 61b covers the upper wall portion 24 of the silt stiffener 20 from above. The upper flange portion 61c covers the upper flange portion 25 of the silt stiffener 20 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] The front pillar outer portion 62 integrally comprises an outer wall portion 62a, a rear wall portion 62b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the outer wall portion 62a, and a rear flange portion 62c extending rearward from the inner end of the rear wall portion 62b in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The outer wall portion 62a covers the outer wall portion 51 of the pillar stiffener 50A from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The rear wall portion 62b covers the rear wall portion 54 of the pillar stiffener 50A from the rear side. The rear flange portion 62c covers the rear flange portion 55 of the pillar stiffener 50A from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] The front end (front edge) of the outer panel 60 is positioned behind the front end (front portion) of the side sill 3A and the front end (front wall portion) of the front pillar 4A. In other words, in a side view from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the front wall portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 of the cover member 30A are exposed from the side sill outer portion 61. Furthermore, in a side view from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the front wall portion 52 of the pillar stiffener 50A is exposed from the front pillar outer portion 62. With this configuration, by miniaturizing the outer panel 60, weight reduction can be achieved while maintaining a good appearance. In addition, in the event of an offset collision of the vehicle, as described later, the front wheel 2 contacts the front surface of the side sill 3A before the outer panel 60, so the front wheel 2 can be suitably guided outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] <Vehicle offset collision> Next, we will explain the function of the vehicle body side structure 1A when the front wheel 2 contacts the front of the side sill 3A during an offset collision of a vehicle (more specifically, a SOT collision, which is an offset collision in which a portion of the width direction of the front of the vehicle body makes contact).

[0035] As shown in Figure 5, in a plan view, the angle between the front wall portion 31 and the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A (the inclination angle between the inner wall portion 41 and the front wall portion 31, i.e., the inclination angle of the front wall portion 31 relative to the inner wall portion 41) θ1 is greater than the angle between the inclined portion 32 and the inner wall portion 41 of the pillar inner 40A (the inclination angle between the inner wall portion 41 and the inclined portion 32, i.e., the inclination angle of the inclined portion 32 relative to the inner wall portion 41) θ2. The vehicle body side structure 1A reduces the load input to the side sill 3A from the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision by the deformation of the front wall portion 31, and with this angle setting, the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision can be guided outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32 of the side sill 3A. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A reduces the load applied to the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A by the deformation of the front wall portion 31 and the guidance of the front wheel 2 in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A.

[0036] Furthermore, the longitudinal dimension L1 of the front wall portion 31 is smaller than the vehicle width dimension L2 of the front wall portion 31, and the longitudinal dimension L3 of the inclined portion 32 is larger than the vehicle width dimension L4 of the front wall portion 31. With these dimensions, the vehicle body side structure 1A can suitably reduce the load at the front wall portion 31 and suitably guide the front wheels 2 outward in the vehicle width direction with the inclined portion 32. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A can reduce the load applied to the side sill 3A and the front pillar 4A, and suppress deformation of the side sill 3A and the front pillar 4A, by the deformation of the front wall portion 31 and the guidance of the front wheels 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32.

[0037] Furthermore, the longitudinal dimension L3 of the inclined portion 32 is greater than the longitudinal dimension L1 of the front wall portion 31. With this dimensional setting, even if the front wall portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 deform to become convex towards the rear, the inclined portion 32 can be shaped to move towards the rear as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined portion 32 can suitably guide the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] A vehicle body side structure 1A according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a side sill 3A extending in the longitudinal direction behind the wheels (front wheels 2) and a front pillar 4A extending upward from the front end of the side sill 3A, wherein the side sill 3A comprises a sill inner 10 that constitutes the interior of the side sill 3A in the vehicle width direction and a sill stiffener 20 that constitutes the exterior of the side sill 3A in the vehicle width direction, wherein the sill stiffener 20 has an inclined portion 32 at its front end that slopes rearward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A can guide the wheel (front wheel 2) that retracts during an offset collision outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32 of the side sill 3A. In other words, by guiding the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, the vehicle body side structure 1A can reduce the load applied to the side sill 3A and the front pillar 4A, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3A and the front pillar 4A. Furthermore, since the vehicle body side structure 1A guides the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the side sill 3A which extends in the longitudinal direction, excessive deformation during guidance can be suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, in the vehicle body side structure 1A, the front pillar 4A comprises a pillar inner 40A which constitutes the interior of the front pillar 4A in the vehicle width direction and is sandwiched by the sill inner 10 and the sill stiffener 20, and a pillar stiffener 50A which constitutes the exterior of the front pillar 4A in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined portion 32 is formed to connect the front wall portion 31 and the outer wall portions 33,22 of the sill stiffener 20, and in a plan view, the inclination angle θ2 between the inclined portion 32 and the pillar inner 40A is smaller than the inclination angle θ2 between the front wall portion 31 and the pillar inner 40A. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A reduces the load input to the side sill 3A from the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision by the deformation of the front wall portion 31, and by this angle setting, the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision can be guided outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32 of the side sill 3A. In other words, the vehicle body side structure 1A can further reduce the load input to the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A by guiding the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, and can further suppress the deformation of the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vehicle body side structure 1A, the longitudinal dimension L1 of the front wall portion 31 is smaller than the vehicle width dimension L2 of the front wall portion 31, and the longitudinal dimension L3 of the inclined portion 32 is larger than the vehicle width dimension L4 of the inclined portion 32. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A reduces the load input to the side sill 3A from the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision by the deformation of the front wall portion 31, and by this angle setting, the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision can be guided outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32 of the side sill 3A. In other words, the vehicle body side structure 1A reduces the load input to the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A by the deformation of the front wall portion 31 and the guidance of the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A.

[0041] Furthermore, in the vehicle body side structure 1A, the longitudinal dimension L3 of the inclined portion 32 is larger than the longitudinal dimension L1 of the front wall portion 31. Therefore, even when the vehicle body side structure 1A is deformed such that the front wall portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 become convex towards the rear, the inclined portion 32 can be shaped to move towards the rear as it moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined portion 32 can suitably guide the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] Furthermore, in the vehicle body side structure 1A, the side sill 3A includes a cover member 30A that constitutes at least a part of the inclined portion 32, and the pillar stiffener 50A is joined to the cover member 30A and the sill stiffener 20. Therefore, since the front end of the side sill 3A of the vehicle body side structure 1A is formed by a cover member 30A, the degree of design freedom for the shape of the front wall portion 31 and the inclined portion 32 can be improved.

[0043] Furthermore, the vehicle body side structure 1A includes an outer panel 60 positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side sill 3A and the front pillar 4A, and the front end of the outer panel 60 is positioned rearward from the inclined portion 32 of the side sill 3A and the front wall portion of the front pillar 4A. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1A can achieve weight reduction while maintaining a good appearance by miniaturizing the outer panel 60. In addition, in the event of an offset collision of the vehicle, the vehicle body side structure 1A allows the front wheels 2 to contact the front surface of the side sill 3A before the outer panel 60, thus enabling the front wheels 2 to be suitably guided outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] <Second Embodiment> Next, the vehicle body side structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the vehicle body side structure 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the vehicle body side structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a side sill 3B and a front pillar 4B instead of the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A. The side sill 3B does not include a cover member 30A. The front pillar 4B includes a pillar inner 40B and a pillar stiffener 50B instead of the pillar inner 40A and pillar stiffener 50A.

[0045] ≪Pillar Inner≫ As shown in Figure 7, the pillar inner 40B integrally includes a front flange portion 42 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end and front end of the inner wall portion 41.

[0046] ≪Pillars Tiffna≫ The pillar stiffener 50B further comprises an extension portion 56 extending downward from the lower ends of the outer wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 52. The extension portion 56 integrally comprises a front wall portion 56a extending downward from the front wall portion 52, an inclined portion 56b extending downward from the corners of the outer wall portion 51 and the front wall portion 52, and an outer wall portion 56c extending downward from the outer wall portion 51. The extension portion 56 also integrally comprises a lower wall portion 56d extending rearward and inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower ends of the front wall portion 56a, the inclined portion 56b, and the outer wall portion 56c, an inner wall portion 56e extending forward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 56a, and a front flange portion 56f extending forward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the inner wall portion 56e.

[0047] The front wall portion 56a, the inclined portion 56b, the outer wall portion 56c, and the lower wall portion 56d correspond to the front wall portion 31, the inclined portion 32, the outer wall portion 33, and the lower wall portion 34 of the lid member 30A in the first embodiment, respectively. The front flange portion 56f is joined to the front flange portion 42 of the pillar inner 40B by welding or the like.

[0048] The inclined portion 56b has an upward extension portion 56b1 that extends upward from the outer wall portion 21 and the upper wall portion 24 of the side sill 3B. The upward extension portion 56b1 is formed to become narrower as it extends upward.

[0049] In the vehicle body side structure 1B according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the pillar stiffener 50B includes an extension portion 56 that constitutes the front wall portion 56a and the inclined portion 56b of the side sill 3B. Therefore, since the front end of the side sill 3B of the vehicle body structure 1B is integrated with the front pillar 4B, the number of parts can be reduced, and in the event of an offset collision of the vehicle, a portion of the load applied to the side sill 3B can be distributed and transmitted to the front pillar 4B, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3B while the inclined portion 56b guides the front wheel 2.

[0050] Furthermore, in the vehicle body side structure 1B, the inclined portion 56b extends above the side sill 3B, and above the side sill 3B, it becomes narrower as it goes upward. Therefore, since the vehicle body side structure 1B has an upward extension portion 56b1 in the inclined portion 56b, it can suitably guide the front wheels 2 outward in the vehicle width direction during an offset collision. Furthermore, since the upward extension portion 56b1 of the inclined portion 56b of the vehicle body side structure 1B narrows as it extends upward, it can suppress the upward movement of the front wheels 2 during an offset collision and suppress deformation of the front pillar 4B.

[0051] <Third Embodiment> Next, the vehicle body side structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the vehicle body side structure 1A according to the first embodiment (and the vehicle body side structure 1B according to the second embodiment).

[0052] As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the vehicle body side structure 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a side sill 3C and a front pillar 4C in place of the side sill 3A and front pillar 4A. The side sill 3C comprises a cover member 30C and a sill front end member 70 in place of the cover member 30A. The front pillar 4C comprises a pillar inner 40B and a pillar stiffener 50C in place of the pillar inner 40A and pillar stiffener 50A.

[0053] ≪Pillars Tiffna≫ The pillar stiffener 50C integrally includes a mounting flange portion 57 that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the front flange portion 53. The pillar stiffener 50C is joined across both the sill stiffener 20 and the sill front end member 70.

[0054] ≪Lid component≫ In the lid member (also called the bulkhead) 30C, a hole 32a for electrodeposition coating is formed in the inclined portion 32. The rear part of the outer wall portion 33 is positioned overlapping the front end of the outer wall portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. The rear part of the lower wall portion 34 is positioned overlapping the upper side of the front end of the lower wall portion 22. The rear part of the upper wall portion 35 is positioned overlapping the lower side of the front end of the upper wall portion 24.

[0055] ≪Sill front end member≫ The sill front end member 70 is positioned in front of the cover member and is a metal member that forms a closed cross section (a closed cross section in a plan view) between itself and the cover member. The sill front end member 70 integrally comprises a front wall portion 71, an outer wall portion 72 extending rearward from the outer end of the front wall portion 71 in the vehicle width direction, and a lower wall portion 73 extending rearward from the lower end of the front wall portion 71. The sill front end member 70 also integrally comprises an inner wall portion 74 extending forward from the inner end of the front end portion 71 in the vehicle width direction, and a front flange portion 75 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 74.

[0056] The rear portion of the outer wall portion 72 is joined to the outer wall portion 21 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the outer wall portion 72 is positioned overlapping the outer wall portion 21 on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] The rear portion of the lower wall portion 73 is joined to the lower wall portion 22 by welding or the like. In this embodiment, the rear portion of the lower wall portion 73 is positioned overlapping the lower side of the lower wall portion 22.

[0058] In this embodiment, the lower end of the outer wall portion 72 and the outer end of the lower wall portion 73 in the vehicle width direction are spaced apart from each other. With this configuration, the sill front end member 70 can be formed by bending the outer wall portion 72 and the lower wall portion 73, and moldability can be improved compared to the case where the lower end of the outer wall portion 72 and the outer end of the lower wall portion 73 in the vehicle width direction are connected.

[0059] The upper part of the front flange portion 75 is fastened to the mounting flange portion 57 of the pillar stiffener 50C by bolt B. The lower part of the front flange portion 75 is joined to the front flange portion 42 of the pillar inner 40B by welding or the like.

[0060] <Vehicle offset collision> The vehicle body side structure 1C reduces the load applied to the side sill 3C from the reversing front wheel 2 during an offset collision by deformation (compression) of the sill front end member 70, and then guides the further reversing front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1C can reduce the load applied to the side sill 3C and front pillar 4C by the deformation of the sill front end member 70 and the guidance of the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3C and front pillar 4C.

[0061] In the vehicle body side structure 1C according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the side sill 3C comprises a cover member 30C having the inclined portion 32, and a sill front end member 70 positioned in front of the cover member 30C and forming a closed cross section between itself and the cover member 30C, and the pillar stiffener 50C is joined across the sill stiffener 20 and the sill front end member 70. Therefore, the vehicle body side structure 1C reduces the load applied to the side sill 3C from the reversing wheel (front wheel 2) during an offset collision by the deformation (compression) of the sill front end member 70, and then guides the further reversing front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32. In other words, the vehicle body side structure 1C reduces the load applied to the side sill 3C and front pillar 4C by the deformation of the sill front end member 70 and the guidance of the front wheel 2 outward in the vehicle width direction by the inclined portion 32, thereby suppressing deformation of the side sill 3C and front pillar 4C.

[0062] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the material of each member in the vehicle body side structure 1A to 1C is not limited to metal, but may be resin or the like. Also, the inclined portion may constitute the entire front end (front portion) of the side sill, or the inclined portion may constitute the interior in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the side sill and the front wall portion may constitute the exterior in the vehicle width direction of the front end of the side sill. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the cover member 30A constitutes at least a part of the inclined portion as the front end of the side sill 3A, and the other part of the inclined portion may be formed integrally with, for example, the sill stiffener 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1A, 1B, 1C Body side structure 2. Front wheels 3A, 3B, 3C Side Sill 4A, 4B, 4C Front Pillar 10 Silinna 20 Silstifna 30A, 30C Cover Member 31 Front wall 32 Slope 40A, 40B Pillar Inner 50A, 50B, 50C Pillar Stiffener 56 Extension 56a Front wall 56b Slope 60 Outer Panels 70 Sill front end member

Claims

1. A side sill extending in the longitudinal direction behind the wheel, The front pillar extends upward from the front end of the side sill, Equipped with, The aforementioned side sill is The sill inner which constitutes the interior of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, The sill stiffener that constitutes the outer surface of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, Equipped with, The silt stiffener is provided with an inclined portion at its front end that slopes rearward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The aforementioned front pillar is The pillar inner, which constitutes the interior of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction and is sandwiched by the sill inner and the sill stiffener, The pillar stiffener that constitutes the outer surface of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction, Equipped with, The inclined portion is formed to connect the front wall portion and the outer wall portion of the silstiffener, In a plan view, the angle of inclination between the inclined portion and the pillar inner is smaller than the angle of inclination between the front wall portion and the pillar inner. A vehicle body side structure characterized by the following features.

2. The front-to-rear dimension of the front wall portion is smaller than the vehicle width dimension of the front wall portion. The longitudinal dimension of the inclined portion is greater than the vehicle width dimension of the inclined portion. The vehicle body side structure according to feature 1.

3. The front-to-back dimension of the inclined portion is larger than the front-to-back dimension of the front wall portion. The vehicle body side structure according to feature 1.

4. The side sill includes a cover member that constitutes at least a part of the inclined portion, The pillar stiffener is joined to the lid member and the silt stiffener. The vehicle body side structure according to feature 1.

5. The aforementioned side sill is The lid member having the inclined portion, A sill front end member is positioned on the front side of the lid member and forms a closed cross-section with the lid member, Equipped with, The pillar stiffener is joined across the sill stiffener and the sill front end member. The vehicle body side structure according to feature 1.

6. The vehicle comprises an outer panel positioned on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side sill and the front pillar, The front end of the outer panel is located behind the inclined portion of the side sill and the front wall portion of the front pillar. The vehicle body side structure according to feature 1.

7. A side sill extending in the longitudinal direction behind the wheel, The front pillar extends upward from the front end of the side sill, Outer panels positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the side sill and the front pillar, Equipped with, The aforementioned side sill is The sill inner which constitutes the interior of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, The sill stiffener that constitutes the outer surface of the side sill in the vehicle width direction, Equipped with, The silt stiffener is provided with an inclined portion at its front end that slopes rearward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the outer panel is located behind the inclined portion of the side sill and the front wall portion of the front pillar. A vehicle body side structure characterized by the following features.

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