JP2007098982A - Chassis frame and body construction - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chassis frame and body construction improving strength of a center pillar itself and connecting strength of the center pillar and a side sill moreover. <P>SOLUTION: The center pillar 11 is furnished with a center pillar inner 11 constituted of an inner wall 11c, a front wall part 11d and a back wall part 11e. A lower end of he center pillar inner 11 intrudes into the side sill 2 so that the center pillar inner inner wall part 11c roughly goes along a side sill inner wall part 21c. Inner ends 31a, 32a of a reinforcing member 3 arranged in the side sill 2 are connected to outdoor side end parts of the center pillar front wall part 11d and the back wall part 11e. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure, and more particularly, to a vehicle body structure including a reinforcing member at a joint between a center pillar and a side sill.

  The center pillar is a skeletal member that is erected almost right next to the occupant, and it is necessary to suppress as much deformation as possible when the side pillar collides with the passenger compartment. For this reason, the lower end part of the center pillar coupled to the side sill is devised such as a thick shape. In addition to such a device for the shape itself, a reinforcing member that functions as a rib wall (so-called node member) in the cross section of the side sill is also provided at the joint between the center pillar and the side sill.

  An example of the structure of such a reinforcing member is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-252237 (Patent Document 1). FIGS. 3 and 4 described in the same document are shown again in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively (however, the reference numbers have been changed). FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body of the connecting portion between the center pillar and the side sill (rocker), and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the center pillar 200 includes a center pillar outer 220 and a center pillar inner 200, and a closed cross section 260 is formed by both of them. A cab side outer panel (cycle outer) 110 is disposed outside the center pillar 200 in the vehicle width direction. Further, the side sill 100 includes a side sill reinforcement 120 and a side sill inner 140, and a closed cross section 160 is configured by both.

  Now, as shown in FIG. 12, a bracket 300 as a reinforcing member is disposed at a position below the center pillar 200 in the closed cross section 160 of the side sill 100. The bracket 300 has a U shape with an opening facing downward in a side view. Specifically, the bracket 300 has a structure including a front wall portion 300B, a rear wall portion 300D, and an upper wall portion 300A that connects the front wall portion 300B and the rear wall portion 300D. The front wall portion 300B and the rear wall portion 300D close the closed cross section 160 of the side sill 100, and function as a node member that crosses the cross section of the side sill 100 in the vehicle front-rear direction. In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower end portion 240 </ b> C of the center pillar inner 240 is welded between the upper flange 120 </ b> B of the side sill reinforcement 120 and the upper flange 140 </ b> B of the side sill inner 140.

  The invention described in the same document is excellent in that the rigidity of the joint portion between the center pillar 200 and the side sill 100 is increased and the workability of welding is improved by such a configuration.

JP 2003-252237 A

  An object of the present invention is to improve the structure of the joint portion between the center pillar and the side sill. For example, the object is to further improve the strength of the center pillar itself and the joint strength between the center pillar and the side sill.

  One aspect of the present invention includes a center pillar, a side sill connected to the lower end of the center pillar, and a reinforcing member disposed in a side sill below the front and rear ends of the center pillar so as to cross a cross section in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the side sill. The center pillar includes a center pillar inner composed of an inner wall portion, a front wall portion, and a rear wall portion, and the lower end of the center pillar inner has a center pillar inner inner wall portion that is a side sill inner wall portion. The inside end of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction is connected to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the center pillar inner front wall portion and the rear wall portion.

  According to this configuration, since the center pillar inner enters along the inner wall of the side sill, the lower end of the center pillar inner can be extended and connected to the lower end of the side sill. Then, this center pillar inner will also function as a side sill reinforcement that vertically cuts the closed section of the side sill. Thereby, the strength of the center pillar itself and the connection strength to the side sill can be improved. At the same time, the reinforcing member is effectively configured as a node member that crosses the cross-section of the side sill in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body using the front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the center pillar inner.

  As can be seen with reference to FIG. 13, in the configuration of the bracket 300 disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, the upper wall portion 300 </ b> A connecting the front wall portion 300 </ b> B and the rear wall portion 300 </ b> D closes the upper surface of the side sill 100. Therefore, this becomes an obstacle, and the lower end portion 240C of the center pillar inner 240 cannot enter the side sill 100. Therefore, in the configuration described in the document, it is difficult to cause the center pillar inner to function as a side sill reinforcement that vertically cuts the closed cross section of the side sill. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, it can be said that the strength of the center pillar itself and the joint strength between the center pillar and the side sill can be further improved.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side sill includes a side sill inner that bulges inward in the vehicle width direction, and a side sill reinforcement that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the side sill inner and the upper and lower ends. And the front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the center pillar inner in the side sill are retracted toward the inner wall portion as they go downward, and the lower ends thereof are joined at the joint portion between the side sill inner and the side sill reinforcement. It is preferred that

  According to this configuration, since the front and rear wall portions of the center pillar inner in the side sill are continuously configured so that the shape gradually recedes toward the lower end, the rigidity of the front and rear wall portions can be improved. The collision performance can be improved.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side sill reinforcement is formed of a high-tensile steel plate having an upper wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion, and the side sill inner includes an upper wall portion, an inner wall portion, And a recess for allowing the center pillar inner to enter, while the reinforcing member covers the recess from the upper wall. It is preferable to have an extending portion that extends inward and is connected to the inner wall portion of the center pillar inner.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the reinforcing member by integrally configuring the reinforcing members with a space in the front and rear direction, and by providing the extending portion, the side sill inner portion at the center pillar connecting portion is provided. It is possible to suppress a decrease in rigidity due to the formation of a recess in the upper wall portion. Moreover, according to the said structure, the extension part of a reinforcement member is connected to the inner wall part of a center pillar inner. Since the extension part is formed integrally with the reinforcing member, it is possible to suppress deterioration in cost and processing performance compared to the case where the extension part is connected to a side sill reinforcement made of a high-strength steel plate. it can.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a center pillar, a side sill connected to the lower end of the center pillar, and a reinforcing member disposed within the side sill below the front and rear ends of the center pillar so as to cross a cross section in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the side sill. The center pillar includes a center pillar inner composed of an inner wall portion, a front wall portion, and a rear wall portion, and the side sill includes an upper wall portion, an inner wall portion, and a lower wall portion. A side sill inner that swells inward in the vehicle width direction and a high strength steel plate having an upper wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction. A recess for allowing the center pillar inner to enter is formed in the upper wall portion of the side sill inner, The lower end of the inner portion enters the side sill from the recess, and the reinforcing member has an inner end in the vehicle width direction connected to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the center pillar inner front wall and the rear wall, It has an extending part that extends from the upper wall part to the inside of the vehicle so as to cover the concave part and is connected to the inner wall part of the center pillar inner.

  According to this configuration, while reducing the connection strength between the center pillar and the side sill, the extension portion provided in the reinforcing member suppresses a decrease in rigidity due to the formation of the concave portion of the side sill inner upper wall portion in the center pillar connection portion. be able to.

  According to the present invention, the strength of the center pillar itself and the joint strength between the center pillar and the side sill can be further improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment, It shows only the specific example advantageous for implementation of this invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in the following embodiments are indispensable as means for solving the problems of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a view showing an appearance of a side member on the left side of a vehicle body in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the center pillar 1 is erected near the center in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and its upper end is connected to the roof side rail 40 and its lower end is connected to the side sill 2. The center pillar 1 in the figure is covered with a cab side outer panel 50 which is an outer skin. Reference numeral 22 denotes a side sill reinforcement 22 which is a constituent member of the side sill 2. The side sill portion of the cab side outer panel 50 is a side sill outer.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of each of the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 and a specific structure at a joint portion between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 will be described in detail. Since these structures are the same on both the left and right sides, only the configuration on the left side of the vehicle body will be typically described here.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 and shows a cross-sectional shape of the center pillar 1 as viewed from above the vehicle body. As shown in the figure, the center pillar 1 basically has a hat-shaped center pillar inner 11 in which a flange is formed at the front and rear end portions and the center portion bulges toward the inside of the vehicle, and a flange is formed at the front and rear end portions. A hat-shaped center pillar outer 12 having a central portion that bulges to the outside of the vehicle is provided, and a closed cross section 13 is formed by both. Specifically, the center pillar inner 11 includes a flange 11a formed at the front end, a flange 11b formed at the rear end, an inner wall portion 11c positioned on the vehicle inner side than both the flanges 11a and 11b, and a rear side of the flange 11a. The front wall portion 11d connects the end and the front end of the inner wall portion 11c, and the rear wall portion 11e connects the front end of the flange 11b and the rear end of the inner wall portion 11c. The center pillar outer 12 includes a flange 12a formed at the front end, a flange 12b formed at the rear end, an outer wall portion 12c positioned on the vehicle outer side than both flanges 12a and 12b, a rear end and an outer wall of the flange 12a. The front wall portion 12d that connects the front end of the portion 12c, and the rear wall portion 12e that connects the front end of the flange 12b and the rear end of the outer wall portion 12c.

  The cab side outer panel 50 in this portion has substantially the same shape as the center pillar outer 12, and is disposed so as to cover the vehicle outer side of the center pillar outer 12. The front and rear end portions of the cab side outer panel 50 are respectively center pillar outer panels. It is joined to 12 flanges 12a and 12b.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. As shown in the figure, the side sill 2 basically has a hat-shaped side sill inner 21 in which a flange is formed at the upper and lower ends and a central portion bulges inside the vehicle, and a flange is formed at the upper and lower ends. And a hat-shaped side sill reinforcement 22 that bulges to the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, the side sill inner 21 includes a flange 21a formed at the upper end, a flange 21b formed at the lower end, an inner wall portion 21c located on the vehicle inner side than both flanges 21a and 21b, a lower end of the flange 21a and an inner wall. The upper wall portion 21d is connected to the upper end of the portion 21c, and the lower wall portion 21e is connected to the upper end of the flange 21b and the lower end of the inner wall portion 21c. The side sill reinforcement 22 includes a flange 22a formed at the upper end, a flange 22b formed at the lower end, an outer wall portion 22c located on the vehicle outer side than both flanges 22a and 22b, a lower end of the flange 22a and an outer wall portion. The upper wall 22d is connected to the upper end of 22c, and the lower wall 22e is connected to the upper end of the flange 22b and the lower end of the outer wall 22c. In the present embodiment, the side sill reinforcement 22 is a steel plate having a higher tension than the side sill inner 21.

  The cab side outer panel 50 in this portion is disposed so as to cover the upper wall portion 22d of the side sill reinforcement 22, and both ends of the cab side outer panel 50 are respectively connected to the outer wall portion 22c and the flange 22a of the side sill reinforcement 22. It is joined.

  The above is the structure of the normal part of the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2. On the other hand, the joint part between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 has a characteristic structure to enhance the rigidity of the joint part. Hereinafter, the structure of the joint will be described in detail.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the cab side outer panel 50 is removed from the state shown in FIG. 1 and the center pillar outer 12 and the side sill reinforcement 22 are further removed. In this state, the structure of the joint portion between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 is exposed. As shown in the figure, the lower end portion of the center pillar inner 11 enters the side sill 2 at the joint portion, and the reinforcing member 3 is disposed on the outer side of the lower end portion of the center pillar inner 11 in the vehicle exterior direction. Yes.

  The structure of the reinforcing member 3 and the structure of the lower end portion of the center pillar inner 11 are important features related to the vehicle body structure of the present embodiment. Therefore, a structural example of the reinforcing member 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, and a structure of the lower end portion of the center pillar inner 11 and an arrangement example of the reinforcing member 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. explain.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member 3 as viewed obliquely from the left front of the vehicle body. 6 is a side view of the reinforcing member 3 viewed from the left side of the vehicle body, and corresponds to an enlarged view of the reinforcing member 3 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the reinforcing member 3 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body. The reinforcing member 3 is erected along the closed wall 23 of the side sill 2 and erected in the same manner as the front wall 31 at a predetermined interval behind the front wall 31. A wall 32 and an upper wall 33 that connects the upper end of the front wall 31 and the upper end of the rear wall 32 are provided. Therefore, each of the front wall portion 31 and the rear wall portion 32 functions as a node member that crosses the cross section of the side sill 2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  Each of the front wall portion 31 and the rear wall portion 32 is a member formed in a substantially trapezoidal shape. The front wall portion 31 and the rear wall portion 32 are formed along the vehicle body vertical direction from the vehicle outer upper edge portion to the vehicle outer lower edge portion. From the vehicle inner upper edge to the vehicle inner lower edge, there is an inclination toward the vehicle inner diagonally downward, while the bottom portion extending from the vehicle inner lower edge to the vehicle inner lower edge is formed along the vehicle width direction. In addition, a flange 31a directed toward the front of the vehicle body is formed at the vehicle inner end portion (slanted side) of the front wall portion 31, a flange 31b directed toward the rear of the vehicle body is formed at the vehicle outer end portion, and a flange 31b directed toward the vehicle body rear is formed at the bottom side portion. A facing flange 31c is formed. On the other hand, a flange 32a toward the rear of the vehicle body is formed at the vehicle inner end (slope side) of the rear wall portion 32, a flange 32b toward the front of the vehicle body is formed at the vehicle outer end, and a flange 32b toward the vehicle front is formed at the bottom side. A facing flange 32c is formed. Further, in the present embodiment, an extension portion 34 extending inward of the vehicle is formed at the vehicle inner end portion of the upper wall portion 33, and an upward flange 35 is provided at the vehicle inner end portion of the extension portion 34. Is formed.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main part of the joint between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the joint between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2. As shown in the figure, the center pillar inner 11 is set to have a larger bulging amount toward the vehicle interior in the vicinity of the upper end of the side sill inner 21 than at other locations. In the lower part, the front wall part 11d and the rear wall part 11e are respectively formed with receding parts 15 and 16 that recede toward the inner wall part 11c as they go downward. The side sill inner 21 is formed with a recess 24 corresponding to the bulging amount of the center pillar inner 11 toward the inside of the vehicle, from which the center pillar inner 11 enters the side sill 2.

  Thus, since the front wall portion 11d and the rear wall portion 11e of the center pillar inner 11 in the present embodiment are continuously configured so that the shape gradually recedes toward the lower end in the side sill 2, the front wall The rigidity of the part 11d and the rear wall part 11e can be improved. For this reason, the side-to-side collision performance can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the flanges 31 a and 32 a forming the vehicle inner end portion of the reinforcing member 3 are respectively joined to the vehicle outer end portions of the retreating portions 15 and 16 formed in the center pillar inner 11. Therefore, the inclinations of the retreat portions 15 and 16 are substantially the same as the inclinations of the flanges 31a and 32a. Further, the flange 35 formed at the vehicle inner end portion of the extension portion 34 is joined to the center pillar inner wall portion 11c. 9, the center pillar inner 11 is joined to the center pillar outer 12 with the reinforcing member 3 interposed therebetween, and the side sill reinforcement 22 is joined to the center pillar outer 12 and the side sill inner 21.

  10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. In contrast to FIG. 3, the upper wall portion 21 d of the side sill inner 21 and the upper wall portion 22 d of the side sill reinforcement 22 are not joined in this portion, and a recess 24 is formed. The center pillar inner inner wall portion 11c enters the side sill 2 so as to substantially follow the side sill inner wall portion 21c from the recess 24, and the lower end of the center pillar inner inner wall portion 11c is connected to the flange 21b at the lower end of the side sill inner 21 and the side sill reinforcement. It is sandwiched and joined to the flange 22b at the lower end of the ment 22.

  Further, the upper wall portion 33 of the reinforcing member 3 is joined to the lower surface of the upper wall portion 22d of the side sill reinforcement 22, and the extending portion 34 extends to the vehicle interior so as to cover the concave portion 24, and the flange 35 is It is joined to the center pillar inner wall 11c. Thus, the recess 24 is closed by the reinforcing member 3, and the closed cross-section 23 of the side sill is maintained even at the joint between the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2. As described above, the extension portion 34 can suppress a decrease in rigidity due to the formation of the recess 24.

  11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. As shown in the figure, the center pillar inner 11 and the side sill reinforcement 22 are connected by the front wall part 31 and the rear wall part 32 of the reinforcing member 3, and the center pillar 1 and the side sill 2 are also joined at the center. It will be appreciated that the pillar closed cross-section 13 (see FIG. 2) is maintained.

  In such a configuration, the center pillar inner inner wall portion 21 c in the side sill 2 also functions as a side sill reinforcement that vertically cuts the closed section 23 of the side sill 2. Thereby, the strength of the center pillar 1 itself and the connection strength with respect to the side sill 2 are greatly improved.

  Instead of connecting the reinforcing member configured as described above to the center pillar inner, it is also conceivable to provide the reinforcing member configured as described above, for example, on the side sill reinforcement 22 itself. However, as described above, a high-strength steel plate is used for the side sill reinforcement 22. As a high-strength steel sheet, a steel sheet having a higher carbon content than that of a normal steel sheet is well known, and has a higher tensile strength than a normal steel sheet. If this is used as a body member, a high body rigidity can be obtained. . On the other hand, the cost is higher than that of a normal steel plate. In addition, because of its high strength, workability is not as good as that of a normal steel plate, and in general, an extension is provided in a part of the side sill reinforcement that extends in the front-rear direction formed by pressing. Is not suitable. On the other hand, since the extension part in the above-mentioned embodiment is integrally formed with the reinforcing member, the cost and the processing performance are deteriorated as compared with the case where the extension part is provided in the side sill reinforcement made of a high-strength steel plate. Can be suppressed.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. According to this embodiment, the new structure of the reinforcing member allows the center pillar to enter the side sill in a longitudinal manner in order to increase the rigidity of the joint between the center pillar and the side sill. At the same time, the node member for the side sill is also effectively realized.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the side member of the vehicle body left side surface in embodiment. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which removed the cab side outer panel, the center pillar outer, and the side sill reinforcement from the state of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the reinforcement member in an embodiment from the body left slant front. It is the side view which looked at the reinforcement member in an embodiment from the vehicle body left side. It is the rear view which looked at the reinforcement member in embodiment from the vehicle body back. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of a joint portion between the center pillar and the side sill shown in FIG. It is an exploded view of the junction part of the center pillar and side sill in embodiment. It is CC sectional drawing of FIG. It is DD sectional drawing of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view in the vehicle body front-back direction of the connection part of the conventional center pillar and side sill (rocker). It is 4-4 sectional drawing of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: Center pillar 2: Side sill 3: Reinforcement member 11: Center pillar inner 12: Center pillar outer 21: Side sill inner 22: Side sill reinforcement 31: Front wall portion 32 of the reinforcement member: Rear wall portion 33 of the reinforcement member: Reinforcement Upper wall part 34 of member: Extension part of reinforcing member

Claims (4)

With a center pillar,
A side sill connected to the lower end of the center pillar;
A reinforcing member disposed in a side sill below the front and rear ends of the center pillar so as to cross a cross section of the side sill in the vehicle longitudinal direction;
A vehicle body structure comprising:
The center pillar includes a center pillar inner composed of an inner wall portion, a front wall portion, and a rear wall portion,
The lower end of the center pillar inner enters the side sill so that the inner wall of the center pillar inner is substantially along the inner wall of the side sill,
A vehicle body structure characterized in that an inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcing member is connected to an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of a center pillar inner front wall portion and a rear wall portion. The side sill is
Side sill inner bulging inward in the vehicle width direction,
Side sill reinforcement that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction and is joined with the side sill inner and upper and lower ends,
With
The front wall portion and the rear wall portion of the center pillar inner in the side sill retreat toward the inner wall portion as they go downward, and the lower ends thereof are joined at the joint portion between the side sill inner and the side sill reinforcement. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1. The side sill reinforcement is formed of a high-tensile steel plate having an upper wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion,
The side sill inner is composed of an upper wall portion, an inner wall portion, and a lower wall portion,
While the upper wall portion of the side sill inner is formed with a recess for allowing the center pillar inner to enter,
The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing member has an extending portion that extends from the upper wall portion to the vehicle inner side so as to cover the concave portion and is connected to the inner wall portion of the center pillar inner. With a center pillar,
A side sill connected to the lower end of the center pillar;
A reinforcing member disposed in a side sill below the front and rear ends of the center pillar so as to cross a cross section of the side sill in the vehicle longitudinal direction;
A vehicle body structure comprising:
The center pillar includes a center pillar inner composed of an inner wall portion, a front wall portion, and a rear wall portion,
The side sill is
A side sill inner that forms an upper wall portion, an inner wall portion, and a lower wall portion and bulges inward in the vehicle width direction;
A side sill reinforcement formed by a high-tensile steel plate having an upper wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction, and joined at a side sill inner and upper and lower ends;
With
The upper wall portion of the side sill inner is formed with a recess for allowing the center pillar inner to enter,
The lower end of the center pillar inner enters the side sill from the recess,
The reinforcing member has an inner end in the vehicle width direction connected to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the center pillar inner front wall portion and the rear wall portion, and extends from the upper wall portion to the vehicle inner side so as to cover the recess. A vehicle body structure comprising an extension portion connected to an inner wall portion of the center pillar inner.

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