JP2000072037A - Each side part reinforcing structure in automobile body front part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the deformation of a vehicle body front part with simple constitution by preventing stress concentration on a part of a side part of the vehicle body front part in the case of large impact force being applied to the side part of the vehicle body front part at the time of an automobile collision or the like. SOLUTION: Fasteners 19 are provided to fasten a flange 25 of a pillar connecting member 18 to a front pillar 3. A reinforcing member 28 is interposed between the outer and inner panels 20, 21 of the front pillar 3. Each fastener 19 is provided with a bolt 36 piercing a combination body 35 of the flange 25, outer and inner panels 20, 21 and a connecting plate 31 of the reinforcing member 28 in the cross direction of a vehicle, and a nut 37 integrally fastening the combination body 35 together with the bolt 36. The upper and lower plates 29, 30 of the reinforcing member 28 are at least partially positioned near the bolts 36 and formed partially bent so as to become collar parts 39 fitted to the outside of the bolts 36.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a side reinforcing structure for a front part of a vehicle body of an automobile, and more particularly, to left and right front pillars and end portions of pillar connecting members disposed between the left and right front pillars. And a reinforcing structure at a joint portion with the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional structure for reinforcing each side portion at the front of a vehicle body of an automobile is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-64065.

According to the above publication, a front portion of a vehicle body of an automobile has a pair of left and right front pillars, a pillar connecting member extending between the left and right front pillars and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar connecting member. And a fastener for fastening a flange formed at each end in the vehicle width direction to the corresponding front pillar.

Each of the front pillars has an outer panel and an inner panel which face each other in the vehicle width direction and are connected to each other.
The fastener is provided between the outer and inner panels and a bolt that penetrates the flange of the pillar coupling member, the outer of the front pillar, and the combined body of the inner panel in the vehicle width direction. A collar to be fitted; and a nut screwed to the bolt to integrally fasten the combined body and the collar.

[0005] When a large impact force is applied to the vehicle body, such as at the time of an automobile collision, the impact force is shared and supported by each panel of the front pillar and the pillar coupling member by the fasteners. The vehicle body strongly resists the impact force.

[0006]

In the prior art, both the flange of the pillar connecting member and both panels of the front pillar are fastened to each other by bolts and collars of the fasteners. Usually, the plate thickness is small, does not have sufficient rigidity, and, furthermore, the area of the portion of both panels that are firmly connected to each other by the fastener, that is, the area of the fastening portion is extremely small, When the impact force is applied, stress concentration tends to occur around the fastener, and the front part of the vehicle body may be greatly deformed around the fastener. Therefore, the conventional vehicle body is not always satisfactory in countering the impact force.

Therefore, a separate reinforcing member is provided between both panels of the front pillar, and the reinforcing members connect the two panels to each other so that stress concentration does not occur around the fastener. It is possible to make it. However, this has a problem that the number of parts increases and the configuration of the front part of the vehicle body becomes complicated.

[0008] On the other hand, in an automobile, a side door is usually pivotally supported on the outer panel of the front pillar. However, the strength of the pivotal support of the side door is further improved to improve the impact due to collision of the automobile. It is desired that the deformation of the door be prevented more reliably even under the force.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. Even when a large impact force is applied to the side of the front of the vehicle body such as at the time of a collision of an automobile, the front side of the vehicle body is not affected. It is an object to prevent deformation of the front portion of the vehicle body by preventing stress concentration from occurring in a part of the vehicle body, and to achieve prevention of deformation of the front portion of the vehicle body with a simple configuration. And

When the side door is pivotally supported with respect to the outer panel of the front pillar constituting the front side of the vehicle body, the strength of the pivot can be improved with a simple structure. It is an object of the present invention to prevent the deformation of the door more reliably even when an impact force is applied to a side portion of the front portion of the vehicle body.

[0011]

Means for Solving the Problems Each side reinforcing structure at the front portion of the vehicle body of the vehicle according to the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right front pillars 3 are provided at the front of the vehicle body 1.
Pillar coupling member 1 disposed between the two and extending in the vehicle width direction
8 and a fastener 19 for fastening the flange 25 formed at each end of the pillar connecting member 18 in the vehicle width direction to the corresponding front pillar 3,

Each of the front pillars 3 faces each other in the vehicle width direction and is connected to each other.
21, a reinforcing member 28 is interposed between the outer and inner panels 20, 21. The reinforcing member 28 faces up and down, and upper and lower plates 29 and 30, and upper and lower plates 29 and 30.
A coupling plate 31 for integrally coupling each one edge in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 30 to one of the outer and inner panels 20 and 21; In each of the side reinforcing structures at the front of the vehicle body, the other end edges of the lower plates 29 and 30 are connected to the other panel.

A bolt 36 through which the fastener 19 penetrates the combined body 35 composed of the flange 25, the outer, the inner panels 20, 21 and the connecting plate 31 in the vehicle width direction. The bolt 36 is screwed to the bolt 36. And a nut 37 for integrally fastening the combination body 35,

As viewed from the line of sight along the axial direction of the bolt 36, at least a part of the upper and lower plates 29, 30 is located near the bolt 36, and the collar portion 39 that fits outside the bolt 36. The above part is bent and formed so that

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, the coupling plate 31 is superimposed on the outer panel 20 to form an overlapping portion 33, and the overlapping portion 33 is provided with a side door 14
Is rotatably pivoted.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a sheet metal body of an automobile, and an arrow Fr indicates the front of the automobile.

A front portion of the vehicle body 1 has a pair of left and right side sills 2 that form lower portions thereof and extend in the front-rear direction, and a lower end portion that forms each side portion of the vehicle body 1 and extends vertically. And a pair of left and right front pillars 3 coupled to the front end of the side sill 2 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and extending over a middle part of the left and right front pillars 3 in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction). A front cowl 4 to be connected, a pair of left and right apron members 5 protruding forward from a connecting portion between the front pillars 3 and the front cowl 4, and a fender 6 supported by each of the apron members 5. ing.

The interior space of the vehicle body 1 on the rear side of the left and right front pillars 3 and the front cowl 4 is a vehicle interior 9, and the interior of the vehicle body 1 on the front sides of the left and right front pillars 3 and the front cowl 4. The space is an engine room 10.

A side door device 12 is provided on each side of the vehicle body 1. This side door device 12
A door opening 13 formed on a side wall of the vehicle body 1 and communicating the inside and outside of the vehicle compartment 9 in the vehicle width direction;
A side door 14 for opening and closing the door 3, and a pair of upper and lower door hinges 16 attached to the outer surface of the front pillar 3 by fasteners 15 to pivotally support the front edge of the door 14 to the front pillar 3. I have. The side wall of the vehicle body 1 includes the side sill 2 and the front pillar 3. The door opening 13 is disposed above the side sill 2 and behind the front pillar 3.

When the rear portion of the door 14 is turned in the vehicle width direction around the hinge center 17 of the door hinge 16, the door opening 13 can be opened and closed.

A pillar connecting member 18 extending in the vehicle width direction is provided between the left and right front pillars 3. Each end of the pillar connecting member 18 in the vehicle width direction (longitudinal direction) is detachably fastened to a corresponding middle part of the front pillar 3 in the vertical direction by a fastener 19.

Each of the front pillars 3 is provided with outer and inner panels 20 and 2 which extend in the vehicle width direction and extend vertically.
1 and a reinforcing panel 22 interposed between the outer and inner panels 20 and 21.

Each front edge of the outer panel 20 and the reinforcing panel 22 in the middle of the front pillar 3 in the vertical direction, the outer edge of the front cowl 4 in the vehicle width direction, and the rear edge of the apron member 5 Is spot welding S
They are connected to each other by 1. Further, the front edge of the inner panel 21 at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction of each of the front pillars 3 and the end of the front cowl 4 are joined to each other by spot welding S2. Furthermore,
The middle portions of the outer panel 20 and the reinforcing panel 22 in the front-rear direction are connected to each other by spot welding S3. Further, the front edges of the panels 20, 21 of the front pillar 3 and the rear edges thereof are connected to each other by spot welding S4 at each part of the front pillar 3 in the vertical direction.

The pillar connecting member 18 is disposed between the left and right front pillars 3 and extends substantially linearly in the vehicle width direction.
A flange 25 formed at each end of the pillar connection member 18 in the vehicle width direction and fixed to an end of the pillar connection member main body 24; these flanges 25 are provided on the inner panel of the front pillars 3; 21 are fastened by fasteners 19.

A reinforcing member 28 is interposed between the outer and inner panels 20 and 21 in the middle of the front pillars 3 in the vertical direction. The reinforcing member 28 includes upper and lower plates 29 and 30 facing each other in the vertical direction, and the upper and lower plates 2 and 30.
A connecting plate 31 for integrally connecting one end edges (outer end edges) of each of the upper and lower plates 9 and 30 in the vehicle width direction;
Outer flanges 32 are integrally formed at the other end (inner end) of each of the vehicle width directions 9 and 30 in the vehicle width direction.

The connecting plate 31 is overlapped with the reinforcing panel 22 on the inner surface of the outer panel 20 so as to be in surface contact with each other to form an overlapping portion 33. The flanges 32 are joined to the inner panel 21 in surface contact. Have been.

The fastener 19 is a bolt which penetrates the combined body 35 formed by the flange 25 of the pillar connecting member 18, the outer of the front pillar 3, the inner panels 20, 21 and the connecting plate 31 of the reinforcing member 28 in the vehicle width direction. 36
And a nut 3 screwed to the bolt 36 to integrally fasten the combined body 35 with the bolt 36.
7, and a plurality of sets (three sets) of these bolts 36 and nuts 37 are provided.

When viewed from the line of sight along the axial direction of the bolt 36 (in the side view of the vehicle body shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the upper and lower plates 2
At least a portion of each of the bolts 9 and 30 is bent by press molding so that the cross section fitted to each of the bolts 36 becomes a substantially semicircular collar portion 39. Is formed. In addition, each of the bolts 36 and the collar portion 3 that is fitted to
9 is a front view (rear view) of the vehicle body 1 (fourth view).
Figure), and overlap.

The fastener 15 includes a pair of upper and lower nuts 42 fixed to the coupling plate 31 and the front pillar 3.
A door hinge 16 joined to the outer surface of the outer panel 20 and a bolt 43 that penetrates the overlapping portion 33 and is screwed into the nut 42, whereby the side door is connected to the overlapping portion 33 via the door hinge 16. 14 are pivoted.

According to the above configuration, the fastener 19 is composed of a bolt 36 that penetrates the combined body 35 formed by the flange 25, the outer, the inner panels 20, 21, and the connecting plate 31 in the vehicle width direction, and a screw that is attached to the bolt 36. And a nut 37 attached together with the bolt 36 to integrally fasten the combined body 35.

For this reason, the flange 25 of the pillar connecting member 18, the panels 20 and 21 of the front pillar 3, and the reinforcing member 28 are integrally fastened by the bolt 36 and the nut 37 of the fastener 19, where the reinforcing member 28 is integrally fastened. , This reinforcement 2
8 is larger in size than the collar for bolts in the prior art, so that the area of the two panels 20 and 21 that are firmly connected to each other by the fastener 19, that is, the area of the fastening part Is sufficiently larger than that of the conventional color.

Therefore, even when a large impact force is applied to the front side of the vehicle body 1 such as at the time of an automobile collision, stress concentration around the fasteners 19 is prevented, and the fasteners 19 are prevented from being concentrated. The front portion of the vehicle body 1 can be more reliably prevented from being greatly deformed starting from the periphery of the vehicle body 1.

As viewed from the line of sight along the axial direction of the bolt 36, at least a part of the upper and lower plates 29, 30 is located near the bolt 36, and
Since the part is bent so as to form a collar part 39 which fits outside, when the nut 37 is screwed strongly to the bolt 36 in order to fasten the combination body 35, the fastening force is applied to the collar part 39 by the fastening force. Are strongly opposed, and the combined body 35 is
As a result, the front portion of the vehicle body 1 is more reliably prevented from being deformed.

In the above case, the collar portion 39 is formed by a part of the reinforcing member 28.
The increase in the number of parts is prevented, and the above-described prevention of deformation of the front portion of the vehicle body 1 is achieved with a simple configuration.

Further, since the connecting plate 31 is superimposed on the outer panel 20 to form the overlapped portion 33, and the side door 14 is pivotally supported by the door hinge 16 with respect to the overlapped portion 33. The door 14 is pivotally supported at the portion of the outer panel 20 of the front pillar 3 whose height has been improved.

Therefore, even if an impact force is applied to the front side of the vehicle body 1, the door 14
The deformation of the pivot portion is prevented, so that the deformation of the door 14 is also reliably prevented.

Although the above description is based on the illustrated example, the flange 32 of the reinforcing member 28 is joined to the inner surface of the outer panel 20 of the front pillar 3, and the connecting plate 31 of the reinforcing member 28 is connected to the inner panel 21 of the front pillar 3. It may be connected to the inner surface.

[0040]

The effects of the present invention are as follows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a front portion of a vehicle body has a pair of left and right front pillars, a pillar connecting member extending between the left and right front pillars and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a vehicle width of the pillar connecting member. And a fastener for fastening a flange formed at each end in the direction to the front pillar corresponding thereto.

Each of the front pillars has an outer panel and an inner panel which face each other in the vehicle width direction and are connected to each other.
A reinforcing material is interposed between the outer and inner panels, and the reinforcing material faces in the vertical direction, and a lower plate,
A connecting plate for integrally connecting the respective one edges of the lower plate in the vehicle width direction to each other, and connecting the connecting plate to one of the outer and inner panels; In each side reinforcement structure at the front part of the body of the automobile in which each other end is connected to the other panel,

A bolt in which the fastener penetrates the combination of the flange, the outer, the inner panel, and the coupling plate in the vehicle width direction, and is screwed to the bolt to integrally fasten the combination with the bolt. And a nut.

For this reason, the flange of the pillar connecting member, both panels of the front pillar, and the reinforcing material are integrally fastened by the bolt and the nut of the fastener, and the reinforcing material is a bolt according to the prior art. Since the shape of the panel is sufficiently large as compared with the collar for use, the area of the portion of both panels firmly connected to each other by the fastener, that is, the area of the fastening portion is the same as the conventional collar. It is much larger than the case.

Therefore, even when a large impact force is applied to the front side of the vehicle body, such as at the time of an automobile collision, stress concentration around the fastener is prevented, and the area around the fastener is prevented. As a starting point, a large deformation of the front part of the vehicle body is more reliably prevented.

Further, when viewed from the line of sight along the axial direction of the bolt, the upper and lower plates are positioned so that at least a part of the upper plate and the lower plate are located near the bolt and form a collar portion that fits over the bolt. A part is bent.

For this reason, when the nut is strongly screwed into the bolt in order to fasten the combined body, the collar strongly opposes the fastening force, and the combined body is caused by a larger fastening force. Therefore, the front portion of the vehicle body is more reliably prevented from being deformed as described above.

In the above case, the collar portion is formed by the above-mentioned part, so that an increase in the number of components is prevented, and the above-described deformation of the front portion of the vehicle body is achieved with a simple configuration. You.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the connecting plate is superposed on the outer panel to form a lap portion, and the side door is pivotally supported by the lap portion.

For this reason, the door is pivotally supported on the outer panel portion of the front pillar whose strength has been improved by the reinforcing material.

Therefore, even if an impact force is applied to the front side of the vehicle body, deformation of the pivot portion of the door in the outer panel is prevented, and therefore, deformation of the door is also reliably prevented. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a front portion of a vehicle body of an automobile.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Body 3 Front pillar 9 Cab 12 Side door device 13 Door opening 14 Door 15 Fastener 16 Door hinge 18 Pillar connection member 19 Fastener 20 Outer panel 21 Inner panel 24 Pillar connection member main body 25 Flange 28 Reinforcement material 29 Upper plate 30 Lower plate 31 Coupling Plate 33 Overlap 35 Combined 36 Bolt 37 Nut 39 Collar 42 Nut 43 Bolt S Spot Weld

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A front part of a vehicle body includes a pair of left and right front pillars, a pillar connecting member disposed between the left and right front pillars and extending in a vehicle width direction, and each end of the pillar connecting member in a vehicle width direction. A fastener for fastening the flange formed on the front pillar to the front pillar corresponding to the outer pillar, and an outer panel and an inner panel in which the front pillars face each other in the vehicle width direction and are connected to each other. A reinforcing plate is interposed between the upper and lower plates, the reinforcing member facing in the vertical direction, and a connecting plate for integrally connecting one end edge of each of the upper and lower plates in the vehicle width direction to each other. And each of the side reinforcements at the front of the vehicle body of the automobile in which the coupling plate is coupled to one of the outer panel and the inner panel, and the other ends of the upper and lower panels are coupled to the other panel. To the structure A bolt through which the fastener passes through the combination of the flange, the outer, the inner panel, and the coupling plate in the vehicle width direction; and a nut screwed to the bolt to integrally fasten the combination with the bolt. When viewed from a line of sight along the axial direction of the bolt, at least a part of the upper and lower plates is located near the bolt, and
Each side reinforcing structure at the front portion of the vehicle body of the automobile, in which the above-mentioned part is bent and formed so as to form a collar portion fitted to the bolt. 2. The vehicle body front part reinforcement according to claim 1, wherein the outer panel is overlapped with the connecting plate to form an overlapped portion, and the side door is pivotally supported by the overlapped portion. Construction.