JP2006273199A - Vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure having less restriction for a reinforcing member and capable of effectively reinforcing a skeleton member. <P>SOLUTION: In a rocker reinforcing structure 10, a rocker 12 of a flat sectional structure which is long in the longitudinal direction of a diagonal body is reinforced by a rocker reinforcement 20 which is a leaf spring arranged in the rocker 12. In the rocker reinforcement 20, a load input unit 22 at a center in the longitudinal direction in an elastically deformed state is brought into contact with an outer wall 18 of the rocker 12, and load distribution parts 24, 26 located on both sides in the longitudinal direction with respect to the load input unit 22 are slidably brought into contact with an inner wall 16 of the rocker 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton for reinforcing a skeleton member constituting a vehicle body such as an automobile.

On both side portions of the lower part of the vehicle body, rockers that are skeleton members having a closed cross-sectional structure that are elongated in the front-rear direction are disposed. In order to reinforce these rockers, rocker reinforcement is disposed in the rockers. As a rocker reinforcement, it is known that it is formed in an arch shape that protrudes outward from the vehicle body, the top part is located in the center part in the front-rear direction of the rocker, and the front and rear end parts are connected to the front side member and rear floor side member, respectively. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
JP-A-6-166383

  However, in the conventional rocker reinforcement structure as described above, since the front and rear ends of the rocker reinforcement are connected to the front side member and the rear floor side member, respectively, the material and size of the rocker reinforcement are restricted. Due to such restrictions, there is a case where the weight reduction by changing the material or the expansion of the applicable vehicle type by changing the shape or the like may be hindered.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton that has few restrictions on the reinforcing member and can effectively reinforce the skeleton member.

  In order to achieve the above object, the reinforcing structure of the vehicle body skeleton according to the invention of claim 1 includes an elastic reinforcing member that is formed in a curved shape that protrudes outward from the vehicle body and has a longitudinal intermediate portion as a load input portion. At least one of the load distribution portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the load input portion is provided on the skeleton member so as to contact the skeleton member of the vehicle body so as to be relatively displaceable from the outside of the vehicle body.

  In the vehicle body skeleton reinforcement structure according to the first aspect, when a load is input to the load input portion of the elastic reinforcement member, the load is transmitted to the skeleton member via the load distribution portion. At this time, the elastic elastic member having a curved shape is stretched in the longitudinal direction as a whole by elastically deforming so that the load input portion moves inward of the vehicle body, and the position of the load distribution portion, that is, the load on the skeleton member The transmission site is changed in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, in the skeleton member of the vehicle body, not only the load is distributed to the contact part with the load distribution part away from the front-rear position corresponding to the load input part, but this load distribution position is the amount of deformation of the elastic reinforcing member. By changing accordingly, the load is distributed over a wider range. Accordingly, the skeleton member is prevented or suppressed from being greatly deformed by a large load acting locally. That is, the bending rigidity of the skeleton member is improved.

  In addition, since the elastic reinforcing member is supported so that the contact position of the load dispersion portion can be changed with respect to the skeleton member, it is not necessary to fix the elastic reinforcing member to the skeleton member. There is no restriction on the shape. That is, the elastic reinforcing member only needs to be determined in terms of material and size and shape depending on its function.

  Thus, in the reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 1, there are few restrictions on the reinforcing member, and the skeleton member can be effectively reinforced. In addition, as an elastic reinforcement member, what was formed in the shape of a leaf | plate spring or a wire spring, for example can be used.

  In order to achieve the above object, a reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to a second aspect of the present invention is formed in a skeleton member formed in a cylindrical shape whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a closed cross section, and in a middle portion in the longitudinal direction. An elastic reinforcing member in which the load input portion is in contact with the outer wall of the skeleton member and the load distribution portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the load input portion are slidably in contact with the inner wall of the skeleton member, It is equipped with.

  In the reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 2, the elastic reinforcing member to which an inward load is input to the load input portion via the outer wall of the skeleton member is elastically deformed and is applied from the load distribution portion to the inner wall of the skeleton member. Transmit load. For this reason, as for a skeleton member, a deformation | transformation of the part in which the load input part of an elastic reinforcement member is located is suppressed. Further, the position where the load distribution portion contacts on the inner wall of the skeleton member changes according to the deformation amount of the elastic reinforcing member, that is, the load is distributed over a wider range of the skeleton member, and the skeleton member is locally localized at a specific site. It is prevented that the load is input and the deformation is large.

  In addition, since each load distribution portion is slidably arranged with the inner wall in the skeleton member, the elastic reinforcement member does not need to be fixed to the skeleton member. There are no restrictions on the material and dimensions. That is, the elastic reinforcing member only needs to be determined in terms of material and size and shape depending on its function.

  Thus, in the vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to claim 2, there are few restrictions on the reinforcing member, and the skeleton member can be effectively reinforced. In addition, as an elastic reinforcement member, what was formed in the shape of a leaf | plate spring or a wire spring, for example can be used.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to the first or second aspect, wherein the skeleton member is arranged at the outermost portion in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the vehicle body in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The rocker is arranged along the front and rear positions of the load input portion of the elastic reinforcing member so as to coincide with the front and rear positions of the passenger seating portion.

  In the reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 3, a load input portion that protrudes outward from the vehicle body is disposed on the side of the occupant in the rocker, and when a load is input to the load input portion from the outside of the vehicle body, On the other hand, the load is transmitted to the inner wall from the load distribution portions located on both the front and rear sides. Thereby, the deformation | transformation of the passenger | crew side part in a rocker is suppressed, and a passenger | crew can be effectively protected at the time of a side collision.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the load input portion is deformed by a load acting inwardly on the vehicle body. On the movement trajectory of both end portions of the elastic reinforcing member, a buffer portion that is pressed against both end portions to generate a resistance force is provided.

  In the reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 4, when the elastic reinforcing member is deformed by a load inputted to the load input portion, both ends of the elastic reinforcing member press the buffer portions located on the respective movement (deformation) trajectories. To do. This buffer portion is pressed to generate a resistance force (such as a damping force in a broad sense), and consumes (absorbs) energy as the pressing source. For this reason, the impact force transmitted to the inner wall side of the skeleton member (rocker) is reduced by absorbing the impact energy, for example, at the time of a side collision with the vehicle body.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the load distribution portion is provided in the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member. It is arranged at both ends.

  In the reinforcing structure of the vehicle body skeleton according to the fifth aspect, since both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member are load distributing portions, the elastic reinforcing member can be configured to be small and light.

  A vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the elastic reinforcing member is disposed in a longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member. It is made of fiber reinforced plastic including reinforcing fibers arranged along.

  In the reinforcing structure of the vehicle body skeleton according to the sixth aspect, since the elastic reinforcing member is made of fiber reinforced plastic, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the elastic reinforcing member is made of a metal material. In addition, since the fiber reinforced plastic includes reinforcing fibers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member, the elastic reinforcing member is not easily broken by a bending load. For this reason, the elastic reinforcement member can disperse | distribute the load input into the load input part reliably to the inner wall of a skeleton member via a load dispersion | distribution part. Furthermore, when the elastic reinforcing member is deformed, it is also possible to obtain an impact absorbing action by cutting the reinforcing fibers arranged in the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to the sixth aspect, wherein the elastic reinforcing member is one-way in which the reinforcing fibers are arranged in one direction along a longitudinal direction. Consists of reinforced fiber reinforced plastic.

  In the reinforcing structure of the vehicle body skeleton according to claim 7, since all the reinforcing fibers of the fiber reinforced plastic constituting the elastic reinforcing member are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member, the elastic reinforcing member is subjected to bending deformation. Along with this, cracks tend to occur in the fiber array direction. For this reason, with this configuration, it is possible to obtain an impact absorbing action associated with the occurrence of the crack.

  As described above, the vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to the present invention has an excellent effect that there are few restrictions on the reinforcing member and the skeleton member can be effectively reinforced.

  A rocker reinforcing structure 10 to which a vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. It should be noted that the arrow FR, the arrow UP, and the arrow IN that are appropriately described in the drawings respectively indicate the forward direction (traveling direction), the upward direction, the downward direction, and the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body B to which the rocker reinforcing structure 10 is applied. Show.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a schematic overall configuration of the vehicle body B to which the rocker reinforcing structure 10 is applied. As shown in this figure, the vehicle body B includes a rocker 12 as a skeleton member. The pair of left and right rockers 12 are disposed on the outermost side in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the vehicle body B so as to be longitudinal in the front-rear direction, and the front and rear ends thereof are in the vicinity of the front wheel Wf and the rear wheel Wr. The left and right rockers 12 are bridged (connected to each other) by cross members (not shown) at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction, and constitute a skeleton structure of the vehicle body B.

  A front seat (driver's seat or front passenger seat) S is disposed inside the rocker 12 in the vehicle body B. The front seat S is located on the inner side of the substantially central portion of the rocker 12 in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the rocker reinforcement structure 10 for reinforcing the rocker 12 will be described. However, since the left and right rockers 12 are basically symmetrical, the rocker reinforcement structure 10 applied to one rocker 12 will be described. And

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rocker 12 includes a bottom wall 14, a top wall (not shown) facing the bottom wall 14, an inner wall 16 connecting the bottom wall 14 and the inner end of the top wall in the vehicle width direction, and a bottom wall. 14 and an outer wall 18 that connects the outer ends of the top wall in the vehicle width direction, and has a closed cross-sectional structure (rectangular cylindrical shape) in which a cross section along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a substantially rectangular frame shape. The rocker 12 is a flange in which, for example, a half of a U-shaped cross-section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction and a half of a U-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction protrude vertically from the opening edge. Are joined together to form a closed cross-sectional structure as described above.

  The rocker reinforcing structure 10 includes a rocker reinforcement 20 as an elastic reinforcing member disposed in the rocker 12. The rocker reinforcement 20 is formed in a plan view arch shape that is convex outward in the vehicle width direction, and is elongated in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body B as a whole. In this embodiment, the rocker reinforcement 20 is configured as a leaf spring in which the thickness direction is substantially matched with the vehicle width direction and the width direction is matched with the vertical direction.

  The rocker reinforcement 20 is housed in the rocker 12 in an elastically deformed state. Specifically, the rocker reinforcement 20 abuts the load input portion 22 that is the central portion in the longitudinal direction on the outer wall 18 of the rocker 12 and the front and rear load distribution portions 24 and 26 that are both ends in the longitudinal direction. Each is in contact with the inner wall 16. The rocker reinforcement 20 is held in the rocker 12 by pressing the load input part 22 and the front and rear load distribution parts 24 and 26 from the inside of the rocker 12 by its own elastic force (rattle, misalignment). Is prevented). For this reason, the rocker reinforcement 20 does not have a portion that is restrained by sticking or the like to the rocker, the load input portion 22 is slidably in contact with the outer wall 18, and the load distribution portions 24, 26 slide on the inner wall 16. It touches as possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rocker reinforcement 20 described above has its load input portion 22 positioned on the side of the front seat S, and each load distribution portion 24, 26 is front and rear than the front and rear ends of the front seat S. The dimensional shape and arrangement are determined so as to be located on the outer side in the direction.

  Further, the rocker reinforcement 20 is made of fiber reinforced plastic. In this embodiment, the fiber reinforced plastic constituting the rocker reinforcement 20 is a one-way reinforced fiber reinforced plastic in which reinforcing fibers are arranged in one direction, and the arrangement direction of the reinforcing fibers is the rocker reinforcement. 20 coincides with the longitudinal direction. In addition, as a reinforced fiber, carbon fiber, glass fiber, ceramic fiber etc. can be used, for example.

  Further, the rocker reinforcing structure 10 includes baffle plates 28 and 30 as buffer portions disposed before and after the rocker reinforcement 20 in the rocker 12. The baffle plate 28 is erected from the inner wall 16 in front of the load distribution portion 24 of the rocker reinforcement 20. The baffle plate 30 is erected from the inner wall 16 behind the load distribution portion 26. That is, the baffle plates 28 and 30 are arranged on the movement trajectory of the load distribution portions 24 and 26 accompanying the deformation caused by the inward load in the vehicle width direction on the load input portion 22 of the rocker reinforcement 20. When the deformation amount of the rocker reinforcement 20 as described above increases, the baffle plates 28 and 30 are pressed forward or backward by the load distribution portions 24 and 26 of the rocker reinforcement 20, and the pressing load has a predetermined value. If it exceeds, it will break (break).

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

  In the vehicle body B to which the rocker reinforcing structure 10 having the above configuration is applied, when the pole P collides with the side of the front seat S in the vehicle body B from the outside, the outer wall of the rocker 12 extends from the pole P as indicated by an arrow Fi in FIG. The collision load is input to the load input unit 22 of the rocker reinforcement 20 via 18. Due to this collision load, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer wall 18 of the rocker 12 is crushed inward, and the rocker reinforcement 20 deforms the load input portion 22 in a direction close to the inner wall 16.

  The load input from the load input unit 22 to the rocker reinforcement 20 is mainly transmitted to the load distribution units 24 and 26 along the longitudinal direction of the rocker reinforcement 20, and further, as shown by an arrow Fo in FIG. The parts 24 and 26 are distributed and transmitted to the inner wall 16 of the rocker 12. This load is supported by a cross member (including a skeleton structure) that connects the left and right rockers 12.

  At this time, since the rocker reinforcement 20 extends back and forth as the deformation increases due to the collision load from the pole P, the front and rear load distribution portions 24 and 26 are moved outward in the front-rear direction. For this reason, the load support (input) site | part in the inner wall 16 changes according to a deformation | transformation (time required for) of the rocker reinforcement 20, and the load from the rocker reinforcement 20 is spread over the wide range of the inner wall 16. Further, a part of the impact energy from the pole P is consumed by the sliding (friction) between the load distribution portions 24 and 26 and the inner wall 16.

  Further, when the deformation (elongation in the front-rear dimension) of the rocker reinforcement 20 increases, the free ends of the front and rear load distribution portions 24, 26 come into contact with the corresponding baffle plates 28, 30 and press them in the front-rear direction. The baffle plates 28 and 30 are destroyed when the load from the rocker reinforcement 20 exceeds a predetermined value, and the collision energy from the pole P is absorbed along with the destruction. Thereby, the load transmitted from the load distribution portions 24 and 26 of the rocker reinforcement 20 to the inner wall 16 is relieved.

  Further, the rocker reinforcement 20 composed of unidirectionally reinforced fiber reinforced plastic has a part of the reinforcing fibers arranged along the longitudinal direction along with the deformation, and a resin along the arranging direction of the reinforcing fibers. Cracks occur in the part. These cuts of reinforcing fibers and cracks in the resin part consume (absorb) the collision energy of the pole P. That is, the load transmitted from the rocker reinforcement 20 to the inner wall 16 is alleviated.

  As described above, in the rocker reinforcing structure 10, the leaf spring-like rocker reinforcement 20 is disposed in the rocker 12 so that the load input portion 22 is located on the side of the front seat S. When a pole P or the like collides to the side, the collision load is distributed before and after the front seat S by the rocker reinforcement 20. For this reason, the deformation | transformation in the side part of the front seat S in the rocker 12 is suppressed remarkably, and the passenger | crew C sitting on this front seat S is protected.

  Further, the rocker reinforcement 20 is deformed to change the load transmission (distribution) portion from the load distribution portions 24 and 26 to the inner wall 16 and suppress the load concentration on the specific portion of the inner wall 16. The collision load is distributed over a wide range of the rocker 12. For this reason, the stress which acts on each part of the rocker 12 is relieved, and it becomes possible to simplify the reinforcement structure of the rocker 12 (including reducing the thickness of the rocker 12 itself). Thereby, the weight reduction of the vehicle body B to which the rocker reinforcement structure 10 was applied can be achieved. In particular, since the load distribution portions 24 and 26 are located at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the rocker reinforcement 20, the rocker reinforcement 20 is small and light as a whole and contributes to further weight reduction of the vehicle body B. Further, since the baffle plates 28 and 30 are disposed before and after the rocker reinforcement 20, the impact energy caused by the collision of the pole P can be consumed, and the load (stress) dispersed on the inner wall 16 of the rocker 12 can be further reduced. .

  Furthermore, in the rocker reinforcement structure 10, since the rocker reinforcement 20 is made of fiber reinforced plastic, the rocker reinforcement 20 is subjected to a bending load compared to the case where a metal leaf spring is used as the rocker reinforcement. It is difficult to break, and the load input to the load input unit 22 can be reliably dispersed from the load distribution units 24 and 26. Moreover, since the arrangement direction of the reinforcing fibers of the fiber reinforced plastic coincides with the longitudinal direction of the rocker reinforcement 20, the impact energy due to the collision of the pole P is further consumed due to the breakage of the reinforcing fibers or the generation of cracks along the reinforcing fibers. Thus, the load (stress) dispersed on the inner wall 16 of the rocker 12 can be further reduced. Further, the rocker reinforcement 20 made of fiber reinforced plastic is lighter than a metal leaf spring, and contributes to further weight reduction of the vehicle body B.

  As described above, in the rocker reinforcement structure 10 according to the present embodiment, the rocker reinforcement 20 is not connected to the rocker 12 to be reinforced, and other skeleton members, and therefore there are less restrictions on the rocker reinforcement and the load It is possible to effectively reinforce the rocker 12 by using a lightweight fiber reinforced plastic as a material of the rocker reinforcement 20 by supporting the dispersing parts 24 and 26 so as to be displaceable with respect to the rocker 12 and widening the load dispersion range. Realized.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the rocker reinforcement 20 is held with respect to the rocker 12 only by its own elastic force is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. By engaging the engagement pieces 32, 34 projecting from the free ends of the load distribution portions 24, 26, it is possible to reliably prevent the positional displacement of the rocker reinforcement 20 in the front-rear direction. Although not shown, the load input portion 22 of the rocker reinforcement 20 may be fixed to the outer wall 18 in order to prevent the above-described displacement. In addition, it is preferable that the engagement pieces 32 and 34 are weaker than the baffle plates 28 and 30 with respect to the input from the rocker reinforcement 20. Further, instead of the baffle plates 28 and 30, the engaging pieces 32 and 34 may function as an interference portion.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the leaf | plate spring shaped rocker reinforcement 20 showed the example arrange | positioned in the rocker 12, this invention is not limited to this, For example, a vehicle model (arrangement of a sheet | seat) etc. Accordingly, a plurality of rocker reinforcements may be provided in the rocker 12.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the example which used the baffle plates 28 and 30 which are pressed by the rocker reinforcement 20 and fracture | rupture as a buffer part was shown, this invention is not limited to this, For example, plastic deformation of a buffer member, The buffering action may be achieved by ironing, viscous damping due to relative displacement, friction damping, or the like.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the vehicle body skeleton reinforcement structure according to the present invention is applied to the rocker reinforcement structure is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the bumper beams (reinforcement of the front and rear bumpers) It is also possible to use a leaf spring (wire spring) such as the rocker reinforcement 20 as the pillar reinforcement of the structure and the center pillar.

It is a plane sectional view showing the rocker reinforcement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a plane sectional view showing the load distribution state by the rocker reinforcement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle body to which a rocker reinforcing structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a plane sectional view showing the modification of the rocker reinforcement structure concerning the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Rocker reinforcement structure (body frame reinforcement structure)
12 Rocker (skeleton member)
16 Inner wall 20 Rocky reinforcement (elastic reinforcement member)
22 Load input unit 24/26 Load distribution unit 28/30 Baffle plate (buffer unit)
B body

Claims (7)

  An elastic reinforcing member having a curved shape protruding outward from the vehicle body and having a longitudinal intermediate portion as a load input portion, and at least one of load distribution portions located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the load input portion is a skeleton member of the vehicle body A vehicle body skeleton reinforcing structure provided on the skeleton member so as to come into contact with the vehicle body from the outside of the vehicle body so as to be relatively displaceable. A skeleton member formed in a cylindrical shape whose cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a closed cross section;
The load input part formed in the intermediate part in the longitudinal direction contacts the outer wall of the skeleton member, and the load distribution parts located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the load input part can slide on the inner wall of the skeleton member, respectively. An elastic reinforcing member in contact with,
Body frame reinforced structure with The skeleton member is a rocker disposed along the vehicle body longitudinal direction on the outermost side in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the vehicle body,
The reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front and rear positions of the load input portion of the elastic reinforcing member are arranged so as to coincide with the front and rear positions of the passenger seating portion.   The buffer part which is pressed by the both ends and generates a resistance force is provided on the movement trajectory of the both ends of the elastic reinforcing member deformed by the load acting on the load input portion to the vehicle body inward. 4. The structure for reinforcing a vehicle body skeleton according to any one of 3 above.   The reinforcing structure for a vehicle body skeleton according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the load distribution portions are disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member.   The reinforcement of a vehicle body skeleton according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic reinforcing member is constituted by a fiber reinforced plastic including reinforcing fibers arranged along a longitudinal direction of the elastic reinforcing member. Construction.   The reinforcing structure of a vehicle body skeleton according to claim 6, wherein the elastic reinforcing member is configured by a unidirectionally reinforced fiber reinforced plastic in which the reinforcing fibers are arranged in one direction along a longitudinal direction.

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