JP2011073567A - Upper body structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent electrolytic corrosion, to distribute a shock load of side collision, and to secure the attaching strength of carrier brackets 7 in a case a roof panel 2 is made of an aluminum alloy and the carrier brackets 7 are arranged on a roof. <P>SOLUTION: Roof reinforcements 4B-4D extending in the vehicle width direction are arranged in at least 3 positions of a position corresponding to a B pillar 5 and both front and rear positions embracing it, and attaching holes 21 are arranged in flanges 11a, 12a of side rails 1 in the positions corresponding to the respective reinforcements 4B, 4D on both front and rear sides to attach the carrier brackets 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an upper body structure of a vehicle.

  In order to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles (automobiles), in addition to improving the powertrain system such as the engine and transmission, weight reduction of the vehicle body is effective. For this purpose, structural improvements to each part of the car body, reduction of the number of parts by integrating multiple parts, and reduction of the sheet thickness by increasing the strength of the steel car body panel have been attempted. Material replacement from a system material to a light alloy material such as an aluminum alloy is also an effective means for reducing the weight. In regard to this material replacement, there are examples in which the undercarriage parts are replaced from cast iron to aluminum alloy, and in recent years, the use of body closure parts such as doors, bonnets, trunk lids, etc., and aluminum alloys for roof panels has been studied. . In particular, since the roof panel has a large area, it is considered that the aluminum alloying has a large weight reduction effect, and technical development for adopting the aluminum roof (aluminum alloy roof panel) in a vehicle is being actively carried out.

  For example, in the case of an aluminum roof, there is a problem of causing electric corrosion when water enters the joint surface with the roof side rail made of a steel plate material. In order to prevent this, Patent Document 1 discloses that the aluminum roof and the side rail are joined with a non-penetrating rivet with an adhesive (sealant) interposed therebetween so that they are not in direct contact with each other. . Patent document 2 discloses joining by resistance welding (weld bond) by interposing an adhesive agent (sealing material) between the two.

  Also, carrier brackets for attaching roof carriers (loading platforms that support luggage on the roof) may be provided on both sides of the vehicle roof. In Patent Document 3, a roof molding is attached to a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the side end of the roof panel, an opening is provided in the roof molding, and a carrier bracket is seen from there, a roof panel, a roof side rail, It is described that a through hole is provided in a portion where the carrier brackets are joined and the carrier bracket is screwed.

JP 2000-272541 A JP 2008-2222013 A JP 2007-126083 A

  In the case of a steel plate roof panel, as described in Patent Document 3, a mounting hole can be provided in a portion where the roof panel and the side rail are joined, and the carrier bracket can be screwed there. However, in the case of an aluminum roof, when such an attachment hole is provided, water enters the joint surface between the aluminum roof and the side rail from the attachment hole, and electric corrosion tends to occur. Also, in the case of an aluminum roof, the strength or rigidity is slightly lower if the plate thickness is the same as that of a steel plate roof. It is necessary to keep deformation and roof panel deformation small.

  That is, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem of electrolytic corrosion and the problem of dispersion of impact load at the time of a side collision and a mounting strength of the carrier bracket in a case where the roof panel is made of an aluminum alloy and the carrier bracket is provided on the roof. Is to ensure.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention arranges roof reinforcements extending in the vehicle width direction at the B pillar position of the vehicle and both front and rear side positions thereof, and at positions corresponding to the front and rear side reinforcements, the aluminum In order not to cover the roof, mounting holes were provided in the side rails to mount the carrier bracket.

That is, the means for solving the above-described problem includes a side rail having a closed cross-section structure in which each side of the roof extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and a flange is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.
An aluminum alloy roof panel joined to the flanges of the side rails via an adhesive so as to straddle the side rails;
A plurality of reinforcements extending in the vehicle width direction with the inside of the roof panel spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body,
A Mohican groove that opens upward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is formed at the joint between the side rail and the roof panel.
In the upper body structure of the vehicle in which both ends of the reinforcement are joined to the roof panel in the mohawk groove portion,
The reinforcements are arranged at at least three positions, a position corresponding to the B-pillar of the vehicle and both front and rear positions sandwiching this.
A mounting hole is provided in the flange of the side rail so as to avoid the roof panel at a position corresponding to each of the front and rear reinforcements in the Mohawk groove, and the carrier bracket for mounting the roof carrier is provided by the mounting hole. It is attached to the flange of a side rail.

  According to the upper body structure of the vehicle, the side impact load on one side of the vehicle is transmitted from the B pillar to the opposite side rail through the side rail and the three reinforcements, so that load dispersion is improved. The deformation of the pillar into the passenger compartment and the deformation of the aluminum alloy roof panel are reduced. Further, since the mounting holes of the carrier bracket are provided in the flanges of the side rails, avoiding the roof panel, the mounting holes serve as a place where rainwater or the like enters the joint surface between the roof panel and the side rails. This is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion at the joint surface. Although the carrier bracket is not directly attached to the roof panel, it is attached to the side rail at a position corresponding to the reinforcement, and the reinforcement acts to distribute the load applied to the carrier bracket. It is easy to secure the mounting strength of the carrier bracket.

  In a preferred embodiment, both ends of the reinforcement are joined to the upper surface of the flange of the side rail. Thereby, the load transmission by the reinforcement from the side rail on one side to the side rail on the opposite side is efficiently performed, and the dispersibility of the side impact load and the load applied to the carrier bracket is increased.

  In a preferred embodiment, the mounting hole for the carrier bracket is provided so as to penetrate the reinforcement and the side rail, and the carrier bracket is attached to both the reinforcement and the side rail. As a result, the strength of the carrier bracket mounting portion is increased (the support rigidity is increased), and the load applied to the carrier bracket is easily distributed from one side rail to the opposite side rail via the reinforcement. The mounting strength of the bracket is further increased.

  In a preferred embodiment, at both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the roof panel, notches opened on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction are formed at positions corresponding to the front and rear side reinforcements. The carrier bracket is housed. Thereby, a carrier bracket can be disposed in the mohawk groove without excessively increasing the mohawk groove width.

  In a preferred embodiment, the roof panel is provided with a sealant that prevents water from entering the back surface of the roof panel on both side edges in the vehicle width direction including the notches. As a result, rainwater or the like can be prevented from entering between the roof panel and the reinforcement even at the notched portion, which is advantageous in preventing electrolytic corrosion.

  In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcement at a position corresponding to the B pillar and the side rail are coupled via a gusset. Thereby, efficient load transmission from the B pillar on one side to the B pillar on the opposite side can be achieved, and load dispersibility is improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the upper body structure of a vehicle in which the roof panel is made of an aluminum alloy extends in the vehicle width direction at at least three positions, that is, a position corresponding to the B pillar of the vehicle and both front and rear positions. A roof reinforcement is provided, and at a position corresponding to each of the front and rear reinforcements in the mohawk groove portion of the roof, a mounting hole is provided in the flange of the side rail to avoid the roof panel and the carrier bracket is attached. As a result, the dispersibility of the side impact load on the vehicle increases, the deformation of the B-pillar toward the passenger compartment and the deformation of the roof panel are reduced, and the mounting hole of the carrier bracket is connected to the joint surface between the roof panel and the side rail. Since it does not become a place where rainwater enters, it is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of electric corrosion. Because emissions reinforcement works effectively for dispersing the load applied to the carrier bracket, ensuring the mounting strength of the carrier bracket is facilitated.

It is a cross-sectional view which shows the roof side part of the vehicle which concerns on this invention. It is a figure (figure seen from the compartment side) which shows arrangement of reinforcement in an aluminum alloy roof panel concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view from the vehicle compartment side which shows the junction structure of the reinforcement of the B pillar position and side rail which concern on this invention. It is a perspective view from the roof which shows the attachment structure of the carrier bracket which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA line position of FIG. It is a perspective view of the carrier bracket. It is sectional drawing in the BB line position of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 7 according to another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its use.

  FIG. 1 shows the roof side portion on one side of the vehicle, but the opposite side of the vehicle is configured in the same manner as the one side. This point is the same in each figure after FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a galvanized steel plate side rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and 2 denotes an aluminum alloy roof panel provided so as to straddle the left and right side rails 1.

  The side rail 1 includes a rail outer 11 and a rail inner 12 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The side rail 1 is formed in a closed cross-section structure by joining the flanges 11a and 12a of the rail outer 11 and the rail inner 12 respectively. In the roof panel 2, flanges 2 a on both sides in the vehicle width direction are joined to the flange 11 a of the side rail 1. A Mohawk groove 3 is formed at the joint between the side rail 1 and the roof panel 2 so as to open upward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  That is, the side rail outer 11 has a side wall 11b that extends downward in the vehicle width direction, and the flange 11a projects inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side wall 11b. The roof panel 2 also has side walls 2b extending downward on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and the flange 2a projects outward from the lower end of the side wall 2b in the vehicle width direction. And the said Mohawk groove 3 which consists of this flange joint part and the said side walls 11b and 2b is formed by joining the said flanges 11a and 2a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, five galvanized steel sheet reinforcements 4 </ b> A to 4 </ b> E extending in the vehicle width direction are provided on the inner side of the roof panel 2 at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. These reinforcements 4A to 4E are joined to the roof panel 2 at both ends. The remaining four reinforcements 4B to 4E except for the reinforcement 4A at the front end are joined to the roof panel 2 at the Mohawk groove 3 portion.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the center reinforcement 4 </ b> C is provided at a position corresponding to a B pillar (pillar between the front door and the rear door) 5 of the vehicle coupled to the side rail 1. . An end portion of the reinforcement 4C is joined to the side rail 1 via a gusset 6.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view at the positions of the reinforcements 4B or 4D on the front and rear sides of the central reinforcement 4C. As shown in FIG. 4, it corresponds to the reinforcements 4B and 4D on the front and rear sides. At the position, a carrier bracket 7 for attaching the roof carrier is attached to the side rail 1.

  The joining structure of the side rail 1 and the roof panel 2 in a portion where the reinforcements 4B to 4E are not provided first will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 2 a of the roof panel 2 is overlaid on the flange 11 a of the side rail 1 with an adhesive 8. By spot welding in this state, a nugget 9 is formed between the flange 2 a of the roof panel 2 and the flange 11 a of the side rail 1. That is, the flange 2a of the roof panel 2 and the flange 11a of the side rail 1 are joined by a weld bond method using both adhesive and welding.

  On the other hand, in the portion where the reinforcements 4B to 4E are disposed, the flanges 11a and 12a of the side rail 1 are provided with recesses having a depth corresponding to the thickness of the reinforcements 4B to 4E. By housing the reinforcements 4B to 4E in the recesses, the upper surface of the flange 2a of the roof panel 2 is flattened over the entire length in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

  Next, the carrier bracket 7 and its mounting structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the carrier bracket 7 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and is provided with an attachment portion 7a for attaching a roof carrier (not shown) at the center thereof, and stud bolts 7b are provided at both ends. As shown in FIG. 4, at positions corresponding to the reinforcements 4B and 4D, a notch 2c is formed in the flange 2a of the roof panel 2 so as to open on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction, and a carrier bracket is formed in the notch 2c. 7 is contained.

  Details of the mounting structure of the carrier bracket 7 are shown in FIG. The ends of the reinforcements 4B and 4D are overlaid on the flange 11a of the side rail 1. And the attachment hole 21 for the carrier bracket 7 is provided so that the flanges 11a and 12a and the reinforcements 4B and 4D of the side rail 1 may be penetrated. Two mounting holes 21 are provided in the notch 2c at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, avoiding the roof panel 2. The carrier bracket 7 is fitted to both the flanges 11a and 12a of the side rail 1 and the reinforcements 4B and 4D by fitting the stud bolts 7b into the mounting holes 21 and applying the nuts 7c to the stud bolts 7b from the passenger compartment side. Are combined. A packing 22 is inserted between the carrier bracket 7 and the reinforcements 4B and 4D to prevent rainwater and the like from entering the mounting hole 21. Therefore, the flanges 11a and 12a of the side rail 1 and the reinforcements 4B and 4D are connected by the stud bolt 7b of the carrier bracket 7.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, both sides of the roof panel 2 in the vehicle width direction, that is, the edge of the flange 2a, include notches 2c and extend to the back surface of the roof panel 2 over the entire length. A sealant 23 is provided to prevent water from entering.

  Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, the side impact load on one side of the vehicle is transmitted from the B pillar 5 to the side rail 1, and is transmitted from the side rail 1 to the opposite side rail 1 via the reinforcements 4B to 4E. . Further, a load is transmitted from the side rail 1 through the gusset 6 to the central reinforcement 4C at the position of the B pillar 5. For this reason, the dispersibility of the side impact load is high, and the deformation of the B pillar 5 into the vehicle interior and the deformation of the roof panel 2 are reduced.

  Further, since the load applied to the carrier bracket 7 from the roof carrier is distributed to the roof panel 2 by the reinforcements 4B and 4D, it is easy to ensure the mounting strength of the carrier bracket 7. This is because the carrier bracket 7 is attached to the flanges 11a and 12a of the side rail 1 at positions corresponding to the reinforcements 4B and 4D, and the carrier bracket 7 is connected to the side rail 1 and the reinforcements 4B and 4D. This is because they are connected to both.

  Further, since the mounting hole 21 for the carrier bracket 7 does not penetrate the roof panel 2, the mounting hole 21 does not become a place where rainwater or the like enters the back side of the roof panel 2, and the roof panel 2 Intrusion of rainwater or the like into the back side is reliably prevented by the sealant 23, which is advantageous for preventing the occurrence of electrolytic corrosion.

  Further, since the carrier bracket 7 is housed in the notch 2c provided on the flange 2a of the roof panel 2, the carrier bracket 7 can be disposed in the mohawk groove 3 without excessively increasing the groove width of the mohawk groove 3. .

  FIG. 8 shows another embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the embodiment described above, the carrier bracket 7 is not attached to the reinforcements 4B and 4D, but only to the flanges 11a and 12a of the side rail 1, and the reinforcements 4B and 4D. Is joined to the flange 11 a of the side rail 1. For this joining, a notch 12b is provided in the flange 12a of the side rail 1, and in this notch 12b, the flange 11a of the side rail 1, the flange 2a of the roof panel 2, and the reinforcements 4B and 4D are connected to the electrode tips of the welding machine. The weld nugget 24 is formed on the joint surface between the flange 11a of the side rail 1 and the end portions of the reinforcements 4B and 4D.

  The roof panel 2 is provided with a notch 2c, and the carrier bracket 7 is accommodated in the notch 2c. The edge of the flange 2a of the roof panel 2 is provided with a sealant 23 over the entire length including the notch 2c. Other configurations, such as points, are the same as in the previous embodiment.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the load applied from the roof carrier to the carrier bracket 7 is distributed from the flange 11a of the side rail 1 to the roof panel 2 and the reinforcements 4B and 4D.

  Each of the above embodiments is a case where the reinforcements 4B to 4E are joined to the roof panel 2 in advance. However, the reinforcements 4B to 4E are joined to the side rail 1 first, and the side rail 1 and The roof panel 2 may be joined to the reinforcements 4B to 4E by an adhesive and welding.

  Moreover, you may make it join the roof panel 2 and the side rail 1 or the reinforcements 4B-4E not with welding but with an adhesive agent and a non-penetrating rivet.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Side rail 11a Flange 12a Flange 2 Roof panel 2c Notch 3 Mohawk groove 4A-4E Reinforcement 5 B pillar 6 Gusset 7 Carrier bracket 8 Adhesive
21 Mounting hole 23 Sealant

Claims (4)

A side rail having a closed cross-sectional structure that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides of the roof and is provided with a flange on the inner side in the vehicle width direction;
An aluminum alloy roof panel joined to the flanges of the side rails via an adhesive so as to straddle the side rails;
A plurality of reinforcements extending in the vehicle width direction with the inside of the roof panel spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body,
A Mohican groove that opens upward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is formed at the joint between the side rail and the roof panel.
In the upper body structure of the vehicle in which both ends of the reinforcement are joined to the roof panel in the mohawk groove portion,
The reinforcements are arranged at at least three positions, a position corresponding to the B-pillar of the vehicle and both front and rear positions sandwiching this.
A mounting hole is provided in the flange of the side rail so as to avoid the roof panel at a position corresponding to each of the front and rear reinforcements in the Mohawk groove, and the carrier bracket for mounting the roof carrier is provided by the mounting hole. An upper body structure of a vehicle which is attached to a flange of a side rail. In claim 1,
On both side edges of the roof panel in the vehicle width direction, notches opened on both outer sides in the vehicle width direction are formed at positions corresponding to the reinforcements on both the front and rear sides, and the carrier bracket is accommodated in the notches. An upper body structure of a vehicle, characterized in that In claim 2,
An upper body structure of a vehicle, wherein the roof panel is provided with a sealant that prevents water from entering the back surface of the roof panel on both side edges in the vehicle width direction including the notches. In any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
An upper vehicle body structure for a vehicle, wherein a reinforcement at a position corresponding to the B pillar and the side rail are coupled via a gusset.

Images