Side structure of the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicular side structure comprises a dash panel 10 for a vehicle V, and a front pillar 20 that is connected to an outer side in a vehicle-width direction of the dash panel 10. The front pillar 20 includes an outer member 30 that is formed on the outer side in the vehicle-width direction of the front pillar 20. At least a portion of a first flange 34 formed on a front side in a vehicle front-rear direction of the outer member 30 is bent inward in the vehicle-width direction, and forms a first joining part 34c joined to the dash panel 10.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In the front pillar lower structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, a hinge reinforce disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar outer portion has a connecting portion integrally formed. The connecting portion connects, in a substantially vehicle width direction, a joint portion between a polymerized portion of the front pillar inner panel and an upper flange of the front end portion of the rocker inner and an outer wall of the front pillar outer portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a front pillar configured by joining an inner member and an outer member with a flange, the dimension in the vehicle front - rear direction of the front pillar cross - section was set so as to ensure the rigidity of the front pillar. Therefore, for example, when trying to dispose the front door and the front wheel closer to each other, the positions of the front door and the front wheel were sometimes restricted by the width of the front pillar in the vehicle front - rear direction. Also, for example, when making the position of the front door or the front wheel more freely settable and reducing the width of the front pillar in the vehicle front - rear direction, there was a risk that the dimension in the vehicle front - rear direction of the front pillar cross - section would become small and the rigidity of the front pillar could not be sufficiently ensured.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle side structure capable of sufficiently ensuring the rigidity of a front pillar without excessively increasing the width of the front pillar in the vehicle front - rear direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle side structure according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a vehicle dash panel and a front pillar joined to the dash panel, wherein the front pillar includes an outer member, and at least a portion of the first flange of the outer member is bent inward in the vehicle width direction to form a first joint that is joined to the dash panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle side structure that can ensure sufficient rigidity of the front pillar without excessively increasing the width of the front pillar in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a side view showing the positional relationship between the front pillar and the front wheel in the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement relationship between the dash panel and the front pillar in the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement relationship between the dash panel, the outer member, and the inner member in the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the arrangement relationship between the front wheel, the dash panel, the outer member, and the inner member in the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The vehicle side structure according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR and RR indicate the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, respectively. LH and RH indicate the left and right of the vehicle in the width direction, respectively. UP and DN indicate the upper and lower of the vehicle in the vertical direction, respectively. The side of the vehicle towards the center in the width direction is called the inner side in the width direction, and the side opposite to the inner side in the width direction is called the outer side in the width direction. In each figure, the inner side in the width direction is indicated by IS, and the outer side in the width direction is indicated by OS. In the following explanation, the front and rear of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, the left and right sides in the width direction, and the upper and lower sides in the vertical direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as "vehicle front," "vehicle rear," "vehicle left," "vehicle right," "up," and "down," respectively. In the examples shown in each figure, the left side of the vehicle corresponds to the outer side in the width direction, and the right side of the vehicle corresponds to the inner side in the width direction. Elements having the same function are denoted by the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] The vehicle side structure according to this embodiment can be applied to the side structure of a vehicle V illustrated in Figure 1. Vehicle V may be an automobile driven by an internal combustion engine (not shown), an electric motor (not shown), etc. As shown in Figure 2, the side structure of vehicle V includes a dash panel 10 and a front pillar 20.

[0011] The dash panel 10 illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 is a wall member that separates the engine compartment, motor compartment, etc., of the vehicle V from the passenger compartment. A wheelhouse 1 may be provided at the front of the side portion 11 of the dash panel 10. The side portion 11 constitutes the outer side of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction and extends over a predetermined range from the outer end of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction toward the center in the vehicle width direction. As shown in the example in Figure 3, the front side surface of the side portion 11 may have a curved shape that is convex toward the rear of the vehicle from its lower side to its upper side. The wheelhouse 1 is the space in which the front wheels W of the vehicle V are arranged, and its rear side may be defined by the side portion 11. That is, the dash panel 10 may define the rear side of the wheelhouse 1 of the vehicle V in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0012] The front pillar 20 is a member that supports the front side of the roof (not shown) of the vehicle V, and extends vertically on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle V. The front pillar 20 may be joined to the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel 10 by means of, for example, welding. The front pillar 20 also defines at least a portion of the front side and at least a portion of the lower side of the front door opening 2. The front door opening 2 is an opening that is closed by the front door 3 (see Figure 4) of the vehicle V. The lower part of the pillar 20, the lower pillar portion 21, is located outward in the vehicle width direction of the lateral portion 11 of the dash panel 10, and together with the lateral portion 11, defines the rear side of the wheel house 1.

[0013] As shown in the examples in Figures 1 to 4, a hinge mounting portion 22 may be provided on the front pillar 20. A door hinge 4 (see Figure 4) that supports the front door 3 so that it can rotate within a predetermined angular range can be attached to the hinge mounting portion 22. As a result, the front pillar 20 supports the front door 3 via the door hinge 4. In the illustrated example, the hinge mounting portion 22 is a part of the front pillar 20 on the outward side in the vehicle width direction and is set between the wheel well 1 and the front door opening 2. Note that the front door 3 and door hinge 4 are not shown in Figure 1.

[0014] When vehicle V is in motion, the front wheels W are displaced within the wheel well 1 due to factors such as acceleration, deceleration, steering, and road surface conditions. The dashed lines L1 and L2 shown in Figures 1 and 4 schematically represent the boundaries of the range in which the front wheels W can be displaced. For example, the dashed line L1 in Figure 1 indicates the range in the vehicle's longitudinal or vertical direction in which the front wheels W can be displaced. The dashed line L2 in Figure 4 indicates the range in the vehicle's width direction or longitudinal direction in which the front wheels W can be displaced.

[0015] Next, we will describe an example of the structure of the front pillar 20.

[0016] As shown in the examples in Figures 2 to 4, the front pillar 20 may be constructed by joining an outer member 30 and an inner member 40 to each other in the vehicle width direction. The front pillar 20 may also include a space formed between the outer member 30 and the inner member 40. The structure of the front pillar 20 is not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the front pillar 20 may be constructed by forming a side wall portion extending toward the rear of the vehicle at the outer end of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction, and joining the front flange 34 and rear flange 35 of the outer member 30 (described later) to this side wall portion. In that case, the front pillar 20 does not need to include an inner member 40.

[0017] The outer member 30 is a panel material that forms the outer side of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. In the lower pillar portion 21 illustrated in the figure, the outer member 30 as a whole has a roughly hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction. The outer member 30 may also include a front wall portion 31, a side wall portion 32, and a rear wall portion 33. The front wall portion 31 is a wall portion that forms the front side of the outer member 30. The side wall portion 32 is a wall portion that forms the outer member 30 in the vehicle width direction. The rear wall portion 33 is a wall portion that forms the rear side of the outer member 30.

[0018] A front flange 34, which serves as a first flange, is formed on the inward side of the front wall portion 31 in the vehicle width direction, extending in the vertical direction. That is, a first flange is formed on the front side of the outer member 30. The front flange 34 is a joint for fixing the outer member 30 to the dash panel 10 directly or indirectly. The front flange 34 is formed to extend in a predetermined direction from the inward end of the front wall portion 31 of the outer member 30 in the vehicle width direction, and may include flanges 34a, 34b, and 34c, as shown in the illustrated example.

[0019] The flange 34a constitutes the upper part of the front flange 34. The flange 34a may be formed to extend forward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31. The flange 34b constitutes the lower part of the front flange 34. The flange 34b may be formed to extend forward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31. The flange 34c constitutes the part between the flange 34a and the flange 34b of the front flange 34. The flange 34c is a flange that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 31, and is formed by bending a part of the front flange 34 inward in the vehicle width direction. Further, the flange 34c forms a first joint portion that is joined to the dash panel 10 by means such as welding.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, in a side view, the flange 34c may include a portion 34c1. The portion 34c1 is a portion of the flange 34c that has the same height in the vertical direction as the region where the hinge attachment portion 22 is set. That is, the first joint portion may include a portion 34c1 of the outer member 30 that has the same height in the vertical direction as the hinge attachment portion 22.

[0021] A rear flange 35, which is a joint portion for directly or indirectly fixing the outer member 30 to the dash panel 10, may be formed to extend in the vertical direction on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 33. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rear flange 35 is formed to extend rearward from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 33. Further, the rear flange 35 may be extended along the portion that defines the front vehicle side of the front door opening 2 of the front pillar 20.

[0022] The inner member 40 is a panel material that forms the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front pillar 20. In the lower part 21 of the pillar illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the inner member 40 includes a side wall portion 42 and a rear wall portion 43. The side wall portion 42 forms the inner side portion of the inner member 4 before in the vehicle width direction. The rear wall portion 43 forms the rear side portion of the inner member 40 in the vehicle.

[0023] In the front side portion of the inner member 40 in the vehicle, a front flange 44 as a second flange is formed so as to extend in the vertical direction. The front flange 44 is a joint portion that is directly or indirectly joined to the front flange 34 of the outer member 30 or the dash panel 10. The front flange 44 may include a flange 44a, a flange 44b, and a flange 44c (see FIG. 3). Further, the flange 44c may form a second joint portion described later.

[0024] The flange 44a constitutes the upper side portion of the front flange 44. As in the inner member 40 illustrated in FIG. 3, the flange 44a may be formed by extending the front side region of the upper portion 42a that constitutes the upper side portion of the side wall portion 42 toward the front side of the vehicle. The flange 44b constitutes the lower side portion of the front flange 44. The flange 44b is formed so as to be located outward in the vehicle width direction than the lower portion 42b that constitutes the lower side portion of the side wall portion 42. The flange 44c constitutes the portion between the flange 44a and the flange 44b in the front flange 44. The flange 44c may be formed by extending the front side region of the intermediate portion 42c that extends between the upper portion 42a and the lower portion 42b of the side wall portion 42 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0025] A rear flange 45 may be formed on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 43, which is directly or indirectly joined to the rear flange 35 of the outer member 30. The rear flange 45 illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 is formed to extend toward the rear of the vehicle from the outward end of the rear wall portion 43 in the vehicle width direction. The rear flange 45 may also be extended along the portion of the front pillar 20 that defines the front side of the front door opening 2.

[0026] Next, the joining of the dash panel 10, outer member 30, and inner member 40 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0027] In the illustrated example, the inner surface of the inner member 40 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer surface of the side portion 11 of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction using a method such as welding. Here, the flange 44c of the inner member 40 may form a second joint. The second joint is a joint in which the front edge of the front flange 44 is positioned further rearward than the first joint of the outer member 30. That is, the edge 44d of the flange 44c may be located further rearward than the front surface of the side portion 11. The edge 44d is the part that constitutes the front edge of the flange 44c. Also, as shown in the example in Figure 4, the inner surface of the flange 44c in the vehicle width direction may be joined to the outer surface of the side portion 11 in the vehicle width direction. By configuring the flange 44c in this way, it is possible to suppress the flange 44c from extending further forward than the front surface of the side portion 11 in the vehicle front direction.

[0028] The joining of the outer member 30 and the inner member 40 as illustrated in the figure may be performed by joining at least the front flange 34 to the front flange 44 and the rear flange 35 to the rear flange 45. More specifically, the joining of the front flange 34 to the front flange 44 may be performed by joining flange 34a to flange 44a and flange 34b to flange 44b. Also, as shown in the example in Figure 4, the flange 34c of the outer member 30 may be joined to the region 12, which is the first region of the dash panel 10, by means of welding or other means, without going through the front flange 44 of the inner member 40. Region 12 is a region that extends in a predetermined range in the vertical direction on the front side surface of the lateral portion 11. Thus, the front flange 34 and the front flange 44 may be joined above and below flange 34c.

[0029] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 4, the flange 44c of the inner member 40 may be joined to a region 13, which is a second region. Region 13 is the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel 10 and is a surface that extends toward the rear of the vehicle from region 12. In the illustrated example, a side wall portion 14 extending toward the rear of the vehicle is formed at the outward end in the vehicle width direction of the lateral portion 11, and region 13 is set on the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the side wall portion 14. Thus, the flange 44c as the second joining portion may be joined to the dash panel 10 in region 13, which is the rear of the region 12 to which the flange 34c is joined. Also, in the state in which the dash panel 10, the outer member 30, and the inner member 40 are joined, the flange 44c may extend above the flange 34c. In this state, the flange 44c may extend below the flange 34c. That is, at least a portion of region 12 may have the same vertical height as at least a portion of region 13.

[0030] The shapes of the dash panel 10, outer member 30, and inner member 40, and their joining relationships, are not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the shapes of the dash panel 10, outer member 30, and inner member 40, or their joining relationships, may be appropriately set according to the shape, dimensions, positional relationships, etc., of the vehicle V, front wheels, front doors, etc.

[0031] For example, similar to flange 34c, flange 34a may be formed by bending the front flange 34 inward in the vehicle width direction. In that case, the front flange 44 may be configured such that the front edge of flange 44a of the inner member 40 is located behind the front surface of the lateral portion 11, similar to flange 44c. That is, the outer member 30 and the inner member 40 may be configured such that at least a portion of the front flange 34 other than flange 34c is joined to the front flange 44 of the inner member 40.

[0032] Alternatively, for example, similar to flange 34c, flanges 34a and 34b may be formed by bending the front flange 34 inward in the vehicle width direction, and flanges 34a, 34b, and 34c may be joined to the dash panel 10. In that case, the front flange 44 may be configured such that the front edge of flange 44a and the front edge of flange 44b of the inner member 40 are located behind the vehicle side of the lateral portion 11, similar to flange 44c. That is, it is sufficient that at least a part of the front flange 34 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction to form a first joint that is joined to the dash panel 10.

[0033] By joining the outer member 30 and the inner member 40, a space is formed inside the front pillar 20. Therefore, in the cross-section illustrated in Figure 4, a closed cross-section 5 is formed inside the front pillar 20. The closed cross-section 5 is defined by at least the outer member 30 and the dash panel 10 or the inner member 40. As shown in the illustrated example, the closed cross-section 5 may also be defined by the outer member 30, the inner member 40, and the end of the dash panel 10 on the vehicle width side.

[0034] As illustrated in Figure 4, a reinforcing member 50 may be provided in the internal space of the front pillar 20. The reinforcing member 50 illustrated in the figure has a substantially hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction at the lower part 21 of the pillar. The reinforcing member 50 also comprises a front wall portion 51, a side wall portion 52, and a rear wall portion 53. The front wall portion 51 forms the portion of the reinforcing member 50 on the vehicle front side. The side wall portion 52 forms the portion of the reinforcing member 50 on the vehicle width outward side. The rear wall portion 53 forms the portion of the reinforcing member 50 on the vehicle rear side.

[0035] A front flange 54 may be formed on the front side of the front wall portion 51 so as to extend vertically. In the illustrated example, a flange 54c, which constitutes a part of the front flange 54, extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the inward end of the front wall portion 51 in the vehicle width direction. The flange 54c may also be disposed between the flange 34c of the outer member 30 and the lateral portion 11 of the dash panel 10. In the cross-section illustrated in Figure 4, the flange 34c, flange 54c, and dash panel 10 are joined using means such as welding. That is, the flange 34c and the dash panel 10 may be joined indirectly via the flange 54c.

[0036] Furthermore, the portion of the front flange 54 that is above flange 54c may be disposed between flange 34a of the outer member 30 and flange 44a of the inner member 40. Also, the portion of the front flange 54 that is below flange 54c may be disposed between flange 34b of the outer member 30 and flange 44b of the inner member 40. And each of flanges 34a and 44a, and flanges 34b and 44b may be indirectly joined via the front flange 54 using means such as welding.

[0037] A rear flange 55 may be formed on the rear side of the rear wall portion 53 so as to extend vertically. The rear flange 55 illustrated in the figure is formed to extend toward the rear of the vehicle from the inner end of the rear wall portion 53 in the vehicle width direction. The rear flange 55 may extend along the portion of the front pillar 20 that defines the front side of the front door opening 2. Furthermore, a rear flange 55 may be disposed between the rear flange 35 of the outer member 30 and the rear flange 45 of the inner member 40. The rear flange 35 and the rear flange 45 may be indirectly joined via the rear flange 55 using means such as welding.

[0038] Furthermore, the reinforcing member 50 does not need to be installed in the internal space of the front pillar 20. In that case, the flange 34c of the outer member 30 and the dash panel 10 may be directly joined to each other. Also, the flanges 34a and 44a, 34b and 44b, and the rear flanges 35 and 45 may each be directly joined to each other.

[0039] In the above description, the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment was explained using the left side of vehicle V as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle side structure may be applied to the right side of vehicle V. In that case, the left side and the right side of vehicle V may have a shape that is symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle, which includes the center line in the width direction of the vehicle in a plan view of vehicle V.

[0040] The following describes the effects and advantages of the vehicle side structure according to this embodiment.

[0041] (1) The vehicle side structure according to the embodiment comprises a dash panel 10 of the vehicle V and a front pillar 20 joined to the dash panel 10 on the outward side in the vehicle width direction. The front pillar 20 includes an outer member 30 that forms the outward side of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. At least a portion of a first flange 34 formed on the front side of the outer member 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is bent inward in the vehicle width direction to form a first joint portion 34c that is joined to the dash panel 10.

[0042] According to the vehicle side structure of the embodiment, at least a portion of the front flange 34 of the outer member 30 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction and joined to the dash panel 10. Therefore, compared to, for example, the case where the flange 34c extends forward from the inward end of the front wall portion 31 in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the flange 44c, the area of ​​the closed section 5 can be set larger without excessively increasing the width D1 of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. More specifically, in the cross section illustrated in Figure 4, the front flange 34 is formed by bending inward in the vehicle width direction like flange 34c, so its extension toward the vehicle forward is suppressed. Therefore, without excessively increasing the width D1, the front wall portion 31 can be set further forward in the vehicle, and the dimension D2 of the cross section of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be set larger. This allows for a larger area of ​​the closed section 5 and more reliably ensures the rigidity of the front pillar 20. Furthermore, the cross-sectional properties of the front pillar 20, such as the section modulus and second moment of area, can be improved without increasing the thickness of the panel material constituting the front pillar 20. In other words, the cross-sectional properties of the front pillar 20 can be improved without increasing the weight. Therefore, according to the vehicle side structure of this embodiment, sufficient rigidity of the front pillar 20 can be ensured without excessively increasing the width D1 of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Note that width D1 is the width of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and in the example shown in Figure 4, it is the distance in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the tip of the flange 34c and the tip of the rear flange. Also, dimension D2 is the dimension of the cross section of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and in the example shown in Figure 4, it is the distance in the vehicle longitudinal direction between the inner end of the front wall portion 31 in the vehicle width direction and the inner end of the rear wall portion 33 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] (2) The first joint portion 34c may include a portion 34c1 of the outer member 30 that is the same height in the vertical direction as the portion 22 to which the door hinge 4 of the vehicle V is attached.

[0044] This allows for a larger area of ​​the closed cross-section 5 of the outer member 30 where the hinge mounting portion 22 is set. As a result, the rigidity of the part of the front pillar 20 that is subjected to the load of the front door 3 can be more reliably ensured.

[0045] (3) The front pillar 20 may include an inner member 40 that forms the inward side of the front pillar 20 in the vehicle width direction. At least a portion of the first flange 34 other than the first joint portion 34c may be joined to a second flange 44 formed on the front side of the inner member 40 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0046] This makes it easier to position the outer member 30 when joining the outer member 30 and the inner member 40 together. Therefore, the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment can be constructed more easily.

[0047] (4) The first flange 34 and the second flange 44 may be joined above and below the first joint 34c.

[0048] As a result, the front flange 34 and the front flange 44 are joined at the top and bottom of flange 34c. That is, the parts where the front flange 34 and the front flange 44 are joined to each other can be set at two locations. Therefore, the positioning of the outer member 30 when joining the outer member 30 and the inner member 40 to each other can be made easier. Accordingly, the vehicle side structure according to the embodiment can be constructed more easily.

[0049] (5) The second flange 44 may include a second joint 44c whose front edge 44d is positioned further rearward than the first joint 34c of the outer member 30. The second joint 44c is joined to the dash panel 10 in the second region 13 on the rearward side of the first region 12 to which the first joint 34c of the first flange 34 is joined, and at least a portion of the first region 12 may have the same vertical height as at least a portion of the second region 13.

[0050] This allows for a further reduction in the number of members joined to the dash panel 10 when joining the flange 34c to region 12. For example, in the cross-section shown in Figure 4, the flange 44c of the inner member 40 is not disposed between the flange 34c and the dash panel 10. Therefore, when joining the flange 34c to region 12, it is sufficient to join the flange 34c, the flange 54c, and the lateral portion 11 using means such as welding. If the reinforcing member 50 is not disposed inside the front pillar 20, it is sufficient to join only the flange 34c and the lateral portion 11. In this way, by reducing the number of members that are joined to each other, the joining of the flange 34c and the dash panel 10 can be made more reliable. Accordingly, the vehicle side structure according to this embodiment can be constructed more easily.

[0051] (6) The dash panel 10 may define the rear side of the wheel well 1 of the vehicle V in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0052] This allows the front portion of the inner periphery of the front door opening 2 to be positioned closer to the wheel well 1 while maintaining the rigidity of the front pillar 20. As a result, the front-to-rear dimensions of the front door opening 2 can be made larger, providing a vehicle V that makes getting in and out of the vehicle easier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] V Vehicle 1 Wheelhouse 4-door hinge 10. Dashboard 12 areas 13 areas 20 Front Pillar 22. Hinge mounting section (part) 30 Outer components 34 Front flange (first flange) 34c Flange (First joint) 34c1 part 40 Inner components 44 Front flange (second flange) 44c Flange (Second joint) 44d Edge

Claims

1. The vehicle's dashboard and, The front pillar is joined to the outward side in the vehicle width direction of the aforementioned dashboard panel, Equipped with, The front pillar includes an outer member that forms the outward side of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction, and an inner member that forms the inward side of the front pillar in the vehicle width direction. At least a portion of the first flange formed on the front side of the outer member in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is bent inward in the vehicle's width direction to form a first joint portion that is joined to the dash panel. At least a portion of the first flange other than the first joint is joined to a second flange formed on the front side of the inner member in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, which extends forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. A vehicle side structure in which the portion of the first flange whose height in the vertical direction is equal to that of the first joint portion is not joined to the second flange which extends forward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

2. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the first joint portion includes a portion of the outer member whose height in the vertical direction is equal to the portion to which the door hinge of the vehicle is attached.

3. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first flange and the second flange are joined above and below the first joint.

4. The second flange includes a second joint portion whose front edge is positioned further rearward than the first joint portion of the outer member. The second joint is joined to the dash panel in the second region on the rear side of the vehicle in the first region of the dash panel to which the first joint of the first flange is joined. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a portion of the first region has the same vertical height as at least a portion of the second region.

5. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dash panel defines the rear side of the wheel well of the vehicle in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

Images