Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure capable of promptly discharging an electro-deposition coating that has entered a hollow part surrounded by a body member and a panel member.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure includes: a panel member 3 forming a hollow part 6 between a body member and the panel member 3; and an overlapping part 30 in which an upper panel 4 and a lower panel 5 forming the panel member overlap each other. The overlapping part includes a discharge path 7 formed by a gap between the upper panel and the lower panel for discharging an electro-deposition coating in the hollow part extending in the vertical direction. The discharge path includes an upper opening 71 opened in the hollow part and a lower opening 72 opened in an outside space of the panel member in a lower end of the upper panel. A width of the upper opening is larger than a width of the lower opening. An inter-plate distance t1 in the upper opening is larger than an inter-plate distance t2 in the lower opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure including a panel member attached to a body member so as to form a hollow portion therebetween.

Background Art

[0002] [[ID=II]] A vehicle structure includes a panel member attached to a body member so as to form a hollow portion therebetween. The panel member may include an upper panel and a lower panel arranged in the vertical direction. As such a panel member, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rear quarter panel. The rear quarter panel constitutes a side frame portion at an opening of a back door of a vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A frame of a vehicle including a panel member is subjected to electrodeposition coating. In electrodeposition coating, the frame is immersed in a bath of electrodeposition paint. At this time, the electrodeposition paint also enters the hollow portion between the body member and the panel member. When the frame is lifted from the bath of electrodeposition paint, there is a risk that the electrodeposition paint remains in the hollow portion.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure capable of quickly discharging the electrodeposition paint that has entered the hollow portion surrounded by the body member and the panel member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To facilitate the discharge of electrodeposited paint from the hollow space formed between the body member and the panel member, a discharge passage is formed in the overlapping section where the upper panel and the lower panel overlap, using the gap between the upper panel and the lower panel. The discharge passage comprises an upper opening that opens into the hollow space and a lower opening that opens into the external space of the panel member at the lower end of the upper panel. Making the lower opening larger promotes the discharge of electrodeposited paint from the hollow space. However, in the process of applying a sealer to seal the panel joints after electrodeposition painting, it becomes difficult to seal a large lower opening. In view of these findings, the inventors have completed the vehicle structure shown below.

[0007] A vehicle structure according to one aspect of the present invention is: Body components and The system comprises a panel member attached to the body member so as to form a hollow portion between itself and the body member, The panel member comprises an upper panel and a lower panel arranged vertically in the vehicle. The vehicle structure includes an overlapping portion between the upper panel and the lower panel, where the upper end of the lower panel is joined to the hollow portion side of the lower end of the upper panel. In the overlapping portion, a discharge passage is provided for discharging the electrodeposited paint from the hollow portion extending in the vertical direction, which is formed by the gap between the upper panel and the lower panel. The discharge passage comprises an upper opening that opens into the hollow portion and a lower opening that opens into the external space of the panel member at the lower end of the upper panel. The width of the upper opening is wider than the width of the lower opening. The distance between the boards in the upper opening is greater than the distance between the boards in the lower opening. Here, the distance between panels refers to the separation distance between the upper panel and the lower panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The vehicle structure according to this embodiment includes a discharge channel for discharging electrodeposited paint from the hollow section. The upper opening of the discharge channel has a larger opening area than the lower opening. The larger upper opening effectively guides the electrodeposited paint that has penetrated the hollow section into the discharge channel. Therefore, the electrodeposited paint that has penetrated the hollow section during electrodeposition painting is easily discharged from the discharge channel. Moreover, liquid accumulation and dripping are less likely to occur near the lower opening. In addition, the smaller lower opening facilitates sealing of the lower opening with a sealer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the side frame of the tailgate opening in a vehicle equipped with a tailgate. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the portion of the panel member shown in Figure 1 where the upper panel and the lower panel overlap. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the vehicle structure shown in Figure 2 with the upper panel removed. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle structure shown in Figure 2, viewed from a diagonal downward angle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the vehicle structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Identical reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or corresponding parts. The dimensions of the members shown in each drawing are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent actual dimensions. The present invention is not limited to the following examples, but is included in the claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are included.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> The vehicle structure 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a body member 2 and a panel member 3. Figure 1 is a view of the opening of the back door of the vehicle structure 1, seen from the diagonal rear of the vehicle. The body member 2 in this example comprises an inner panel and an outer panel 21. The outer panel 21 shown in Figure 1 corresponds to the part further rear of the rear sliding door and has an opening 21w for fitting a window glass. The inner panel is not shown in Figure 1. The panel member 3 in this example, which is attached to the body member 2, is a rear quarter panel that constitutes the frame portion on the side of the opening of the back door. A hollow portion 6 is formed between the body member 2 and the panel member 3. In Figure 1, the hollow portion 6 is formed on the back side of the panel member 3.

[0012] The panel member 3 comprises an upper panel 4 and a lower panel 5 arranged vertically in the vehicle. The upper end of the lower panel 5 is joined to the lower end of the upper panel 4, overlapping with the hollow portion 6. In this example, the overlapping portion 30 is referred to as the overlapping portion 30.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the upper panel 4 comprises, in order from the inside in the vehicle width direction, an UP inner joint 40, an UP first surface 41, an UP second surface 42, and an UP outer joint 43. The UP inner joint 40 is joined to an inner panel (not shown). The UP outer joint 43 is joined to the outer panel 21. The space enclosed by the upper panel 4, the inner panel, and the outer panel 21 constitutes the upper portion of the hollow section 6.

[0014] The first upper surface portion 41 has a surface facing the rear of the vehicle. The second upper surface portion 42 has a surface facing the center in the vehicle width direction. The curved upper corner portion 45 connecting the first upper surface portion 41 and the second upper surface portion 42 extends along the height direction of the vehicle.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower panel 5 includes an LP inner joint portion 50, an LP first surface portion 51, an LP second surface portion 52, and an LP outer joint portion 53 in order from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The LP inner joint portion 50 is joined to an inner panel (not shown). The LP outer joint portion 53 is joined to the outer panel 21. The space surrounded by the lower panel 5, the inner panel, and the outer panel 21 constitutes the lower part of the hollow portion 6.

[0016] The LP first surface portion 51 is in surface contact with the UP first surface portion 41 of the upper panel 4. The LP second surface portion 52 is in surface contact with the UP second surface portion 42 of the upper panel 4. Although there are some locations where minute gaps are formed between the LP first surface portion 51 and the UP first surface portion 41 and between the LP second surface portion 52 and the UP second surface portion 42, the size is not large enough to serve as a discharge path for the highly viscous electrodeposition paint.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the curved lower corner portion 55 connecting the LP first surface portion 51 and the LP second surface portion 52 includes an upper portion 55U and a lower portion 55D. The upper portion 55U has a portion where the width gradually widens as it goes upward in the vehicle from the position of the horizontal groove 59. The width is the length orthogonal to the extending direction of the lower corner portion 55. The upper portion 55U and the lower portion 55D are connected via the horizontal groove 59. The horizontal groove 59 is a recess extending in the vehicle width direction. A part of the horizontal groove 59 constitutes a part of the lower corner portion 55.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, an upper corner portion 45 is overlapped on the lower corner portion 55. Here, a shelf for spot welding protruding toward the upper panel 4 is formed at the upper end corresponding to the overlapping portion 30 in the lower panel 5. When the lower panel 5 and the upper panel 4 are spot welded at the position of this shelf, a gap is formed between the lower panel 5 and the upper panel 4 at the location where the lower corner portion 55 and the upper corner portion 45 are overlapped. As shown in FIG. 4, this gap serves as a discharge path 7 for discharging the electrodeposition paint that has entered the hollow portion 6 to the outside of the panel member 3 during electrodeposition coating.

[0019] Figure 4 shows a state where the lower panel 5 is cut at a position slightly below the lower end 4D of the upper panel 4. The discharge path 7 formed by the gap between the upper panel 4 and the lower panel 5 includes an upper opening 71 and a lower opening 72. The upper opening 71 opens into the hollow portion 6. Therefore, the upper opening 71 is the inlet of the electrodeposition paint that enters the hollow portion 6. The lower opening 72 opens into the external space of the panel member 3 at the lower end 4D of the upper panel 4. Therefore, the lower opening 72 is the outlet of the electrodeposition paint that has flowed into the discharge path 7 from the hollow portion 6.

[0020] The width of the upper opening 71 is wider than the width of the lower opening 72. The width of the upper opening 71 in this example is the length along the upper edge 55E of the upper part 55U in FIG. 3. The edge 55E is the portion from point X to point Y. The width of the lower opening 72 is the length along the lower end of the upper part 55U.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, the plate-to-plate distance t1 in the upper opening 71 is larger than the plate-to-plate distance t2 in the lower opening 72. The plate-to-plate distances t1 and t2 are the distances between the upper panel 4 and the lower panel 5. The plate-to-plate distance t1 is, for example, about 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm. The plate-to-plate distance t2 is, for example, about 0.8 mm to 1.8 mm. The plate-to-plate distance t1 may be uniform along the width of the upper opening 71 or may be different. Similarly, the plate-to-plate distance t2 may also be uniform along the width of the lower opening 72 or may be different.

[0022] In the vehicle structure 1 described above, the width of the upper opening 71 and the distance t1 between the plates in the upper opening 71 are larger than the width of the lower opening 72 and the distance t2 between the plates in the lower opening 72. Therefore, the opening area of ​​the upper opening 71 is considerably larger than the opening area of ​​the lower opening 72. The upper opening 71, with its large opening area, easily guides the electrodeposited paint in the hollow section 6 to the discharge passage 7. Consequently, the electrodeposited paint that penetrates the hollow section 6 during electrodeposition painting is easily discharged outside the panel member 3 in a short time. Furthermore, because the electrodeposited paint is continuously sent into the discharge passage 7 by the upper opening 71 with its large opening area, the electrodeposited paint is quickly discharged from the lower opening 72 even though the opening area of ​​the lower opening 72 is small. Consequently, liquid accumulation and dripping are less likely to occur near the lower opening 72. In particular, in this example, since the lower opening 72 is located at the lower corner section 55, even if liquid dripping occurs below the lower opening 72, the dripping is less noticeable.

[0023] The small lower opening 72 is easily sealed with sealer during the sealing process after electrodeposition coating. The amount of sealer used to seal the lower opening 72 is not excessive. There is no need to apply a second coat of sealer to ensure proper sealing of the lower opening 72.

[0024] Note that panel member 3 is not limited to the quarter panel. Panel member 3 may be, for example, a panel member installed on the inside of the A-pillar or B-pillar. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0025] 1. Vehicle structure 2 Body section 21 outer panel, 21w opening 3 Panel members 30 overlapping parts 4 Upper Panels 4D bottom edge 40 UP inner joint, 41 UP first surface, 42 UP second surface, 43 UP outer joint 45 Upper Corner Section 5 Lower Panel 50 LP inner joint, 51 LP first face, 52 LP second face, 53 LP outer joint 55 Lower corner part, 55E Edge part, 55D Lower part, 55U Upper part, 59 Horizontal groove 6 Hollow part 7 Discharge path 71 Upper opening, 72 Lower opening t1, t2 Plate distance

Claims

[Claim 1] Body components and The system comprises a panel member attached to the body member so as to form a hollow portion between itself and the body member, The panel member comprises an upper panel and a lower panel arranged vertically in the vehicle. The vehicle structure includes an overlapping portion between the upper panel and the lower panel, where the upper end of the lower panel is joined to the hollow portion side of the lower end of the upper panel. In the overlapping portion, a discharge passage is provided for discharging the electrodeposited paint from the hollow portion extending in the vertical direction, which is formed by the gap between the upper panel and the lower panel. The discharge passage comprises an upper opening that opens into the hollow portion and a lower opening that opens into the external space of the panel member at the lower end of the upper panel. The width of the upper opening is wider than the width of the lower opening. The distance between the boards in the upper opening is greater than the distance between the boards in the lower opening. Vehicle structure.

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