JP2023130835A - Vehicle body structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle body structure including a structure that can suppress vertical bending vibration of a roof panel.SOLUTION: A vehicle body structure including a roof panel 1, roof side rails 4, and quarter pillars 6 includes: a rear roof cross member 2d extending below the roof panel 1 in a vehicle width direction and including end portions connected to quater pillar upper portions at side edges of the roof panel 1; and braces 7 each including an upper connection portion 7a connected to the rear roof cross member 2d and a lower connection portion 7b connected to the quarter pillar upper portion in a roof side inner panel 42, which is a vehicle cabin side portion, of the roof side rail 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure that includes a roof panel that covers a vehicle interior from above and a roof side rail that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side edges of the roof panel.

Generally, a roof side rail has a closed cross section and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As an example of a vehicle body structure including such a roof side rail and a roof panel, a vehicle body structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. In the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1, a recess that is open outward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the portion between the center pillar and the quarter pillar in the front-rear direction of the roof side rail, and the sliding door is slid into this recess. A supporting upper guide rail is arranged.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-182193

Incidentally, in conventional vehicle body structures, the roof cross member is often provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and at a position corresponding to the center pillar. This roof cross member reinforces the approximately central portion of the roof panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and suppresses primary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel centered at the center of the roof panel. However, this vibration mode of vertical bending vibration may also include a secondary vibration mode of vertical bending with the center of the roof panel as a node, so a device is required to effectively suppress this secondary vertical bending vibration. It can be done. In particular, when a recess for a sliding door is formed in the roof side rail as in the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned secondary vertical bending vibration can become large.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body structure having a structure capable of suppressing vertical bending vibration of a roof panel more than before.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention provides a roof panel that covers a vehicle interior from above, a roof side rail that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along a side edge of the roof panel, and a roof side rail that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the side edge of the roof panel. a center pillar extending downward from an intermediate portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction; a quarter pillar extending downward from a predetermined portion between the rear end of the roof side rail and the intermediate portion; and a quarter pillar extending downward from the roof panel in the vehicle width direction. a center roof cross member having an end extending to and joined to an upper portion of a center pillar at the side edge of the roof panel. This vehicle body structure includes: a rear roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and having an end portion joined to an upper portion of a quarter pillar at the side edge of the roof panel; and a lower joint portion that is joined to the upper portion of the quarter pillar in the roof side inner panel portion, which is the passenger compartment side portion of the roof side rail.

According to the vehicle body structure according to one aspect of the present invention, vertical bending vibration of the roof panel can be suppressed more than before.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle body to which a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a rear side portion of the vehicle body and its surroundings as viewed from outside the vehicle interior. FIG. 3 is a side view of the quarter pillar of the vehicle body and its surroundings as seen from inside the vehicle. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the quarter pillar and its surroundings, viewed from outside the vehicle interior with the side body outer panel removed. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the brace of the vehicle body and its surroundings as seen from inside the vehicle. FIG. 3 is an assembly view showing the brace and support bracket assembly. FIG. 3 is a view of the brace and support bracket assembly from another direction.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body 100 to which a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the rear side portion of the vehicle body 100 and its surroundings as seen from outside the vehicle interior. 3 is a perspective view, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a quarter pillar 6 and its surroundings, which will be described later, of the vehicle body 100 as viewed from inside the vehicle. In the figure, arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and arrow B indicates the rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Arrow R and arrow L indicate the right side and left side in the vehicle width direction (vehicle width direction) when the occupant looks at the front of the vehicle. Arrow U indicates upward in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and arrow D indicates downward in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle body 100 includes a roof panel 1, a plurality of roof cross members 2, and a vehicle body side portion 3.

The roof panel 1 is a panel that covers the cabin of a vehicle from above, and is made of a thin metal plate. The roof panel 1 is formed into a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle longitudinal direction when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the roof panel 1 has a generally flat outer surface over most of the range in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The plurality of roof cross members 2 are members that reinforce the roof panel 1 from below, and are made of thin metal plates. Each roof cross member 2 extends in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel 1 (panel back side, vehicle interior side), and has an end portion that is joined to a side edge of the roof panel 1 in the vehicle width direction. are doing. That is, the roof cross member 2 has one end portion joined to one side edge of the roof panel 1 and the other end portion joined to the other side edge of the roof panel 1. Although not particularly limited, referring to FIG. 1, five roof cross members 2 are provided spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Hereinafter, the five roof cross members 2 will be appropriately referred to as a front roof cross member 2a, a center roof cross member 2b, a second roof cross member 2c, a rear roof cross member 2d, and a rear end roof cross member 2e in order from the front side. The front roof cross member 2a is provided at the lower front end of the roof panel 1, and the rear end roof cross member 2e is provided at the lower rear end of the roof panel 1. The detailed positions of the remaining roof cross members (2b, 2c, 2d) will be described later.

The vehicle body side portion 3 is an outer portion of the vehicle body 100 in the vehicle width direction. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the side part 3 of the vehicle body includes a door opening 3a for the driver's seat that can be opened and closed by a hinged side door (not shown), and a sliding door that is a sliding side door (not shown). A rear seat door opening 3b is opened and closed by a door (not shown), and a quarter glass opening 3c is closed by a quarter glass (not shown). The rear seat door opening 3b is opened in a portion of the vehicle body side portion 3 between the driver's seat door opening 3a and the quarter glass opening 3c in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The quarter glass opening 3c is opened in approximately the upper half region of the vehicle body side portion 3 in the vehicle vertical direction.

The vehicle body side portion 3 includes a roof side rail 4, a center pillar 5, and a quarter pillar 6. The roof side rail 4, center pillar 5, and quarter pillar 6 are each made of a thin metal plate.

The roof side rail 4 is a portion of the vehicle body side portion 3 that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the side edge of the roof panel 1, and constitutes an upper portion of the vehicle body side portion 3. The roof side rail 4 is composed of a plurality of panel parts (or panel members) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body side portion 3 has a pair of left and right roof side rails 4, 4. The pair of left and right roof side rails 4, 4 (that is, the upper part of the left side body side part 3 and the upper part of the right side body part 3) are connected to each other via the roof panel 1 and each roof cross member 2. There is.

The center pillar 5 is a columnar portion of the vehicle body side portion 3 that extends downward from an intermediate portion of the roof side rail 4 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The center pillar 5 constitutes the rear edge of the door opening 3a for the driver's seat (front side) and the front edge of the door opening 3b for the rear seat (rear side).

The quarter pillar 6 is a columnar portion extending downward from a predetermined portion of the vehicle body side portion 3 between the rear end portion of the roof side rail 4 and the intermediate portion of the roof side rail 4 . In other words, the quarter pillar 6 extends downward from a position rearward of the center pillar 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the roof side rail 4. The quarter pillar 6 constitutes the rear edge of the rear seat door opening 3b and the front edge of the quarter glass opening 3c.

The plurality of panel portions that constitute the roof side rail 4 include a roof side outer panel portion 41 and a roof side inner panel portion 42 that is a portion of the roof side rail 4 on the vehicle interior side. The roof side outer panel section 41 is a part (upper part) of the side body outer panel 3d that constitutes the vehicle body side surface (design surface) of the vehicle body side section 3. The roof side outer panel portion 41 has a cross-sectional shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction, extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and constitutes a part of the vehicle side surface. The roof side inner panel portion 42 has a cross-sectional shape that bulges inward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The roof side outer panel section 41 is located at the outermost side in the vehicle width direction among the plurality of panel sections forming the roof side rail 4, and the roof side inner panel section 42 is located at the outermost side in the vehicle width direction among the plurality of panel sections forming the roof side rail 4. It is located at the innermost position in the width direction of my vehicle.

The roof side rail 4 has different cross-sectional shapes in the upper part of the driver's seat door opening 3a, the upper part of the rear seat door opening 3b, the upper part of the quarter glass opening 3c, and the upper part of the quarter pillar 6. have.

The upper part of the door opening 3a for the driver's seat in the roof side rail 4 and the upper part of the quarter glass opening 3c are not shown in the drawings, but are a closed cross section formed by the roof side outer panel part 41 and the roof side inner panel part 42. It has a structure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper portion of the door opening 3b for the rear seats in the roof side rail 4 (that is, the portion of the roof side rail 4 between the center pillar 5 and the quarter pillar 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle) is located at the rear seat. The guide rail accommodating portion 40 constitutes the upper edge of the door opening 3b and accommodates a guide rail (upper rail) V that slidably guides the sliding door. In addition, in FIG. 1, illustration of the guide rail accommodating part 40 is omitted.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the quarter pillar 6 of the vehicle body 100 and its surroundings as seen from outside the vehicle interior, and is shown with the side body outer panel 3d removed. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the guide rail accommodating portion 40 has a recess 40a that is open outward in the vehicle width direction, and the guide rail V is arranged within this recess 40a. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail V extends linearly forward from the rear end side of the recess 40a in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and then extends forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction before the front end of the recess 40a. Therefore, it is curved inward in the vehicle width direction.

The guide rail accommodating portion 40 includes an upper panel 43 that supports the guide rail V from above, and a lower panel 44 that cooperates with the upper panel 43 to form a recess 40a that is open outward in the vehicle width direction. That is, the upper portion of the rear seat door opening 3b of the roof side rail 4 includes an upper panel 43 and a lower panel 44 in addition to the roof side outer panel section 41 and the roof side inner panel section 42.

Referring to FIG. 4, a bent flange portion is formed on the side edge of the roof panel 1 and forms a joint portion with the roof side rail 4. As shown in FIG. In the portion of the roof side rail 4 that includes the guide rail housing portion 40, the ends of the roof side outer panel portion 41, the roof side inner panel portion 42, the upper panel 43, and the lower panel 44 are also connected to other members. A bent flange portion forming a joint portion is formed. In the portion of the roof side rail 4 that includes the guide rail accommodating portion 40, the upper panel 43 is disposed below the roof side outer panel portion 41, and the lower panel 44 is arranged between the inner flange portion of the upper panel 43 and the roof side inner panel portion 42. It is arranged so that it passes through the gap between the With this arrangement, the flange portion of the side edge of the roof panel 1, the inner flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41, the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44, and the upper flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 are overlapped in this order. The outer flange portion of the upper panel 43 is overlapped and welded to the outer flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41 from the inside, and the inner flange portion of the upper panel 43 is overlapped and welded to the vertically intermediate portion of the lower panel 44. The lower flange portion of the lower panel 44 is overlapped and welded to the lower flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42. The recess 40a of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 is formed by the upper panel 43 and a portion of the lower panel 44 below the joint portion with the upper panel 43.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper panel 43 has an upper panel body portion 43a extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and vehicle width direction, and the guide rail V is joined to the lower surface of the upper panel body portion 43a. The inner flange portion and the outer flange portion of the upper panel 43 each extend from the side edge of the upper panel main body portion 43a. The lower panel 44 includes a lower panel piece 44a extending below the upper panel body 43a and substantially parallel to the upper panel body 43a, and a lower panel side wall piece 44b extending upward from the inner side edge of the lower panel piece 44a. has. The lower flange portion of the lower panel 44 extends downward from the outer side edge of the lower panel piece 44a, and the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44 extends inward from the upper end of the lower panel side wall piece 44b.

Referring to FIG. 5, the guide rail accommodating portion 40 is arranged such that its rear end extends rearward from the front edge of the quarter pillar 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is positioned ahead of the rear edge of the quarter pillar 6. That is, the rear end of the upper panel 43 and the rear end of the lower panel 44 that constitute the guide rail housing portion 40 are located between the front edge and the rear edge of the quarter pillar 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

A rear portion 43b of the upper panel 43 that extends rearward from the front edge of the quarter pillar 6 is smoothly curved downward as a whole. A lower panel rear portion 44c that extends rearward from the front edge of the quarter pillar 6 in the lower panel 44 is continuous with the lower panel piece 44a and the lower flange portion of the lower panel 44, and swells outward in the vehicle width direction and upward in the vehicle vertical direction. It is formed like this. The rear end portion of the lower panel rear portion 44c is bent in a step-like manner when viewed in cross section. The upper panel rear portion 43b is overlapped and welded from above to the upwardly bulging portion of the lower panel rear portion 44c. Further, a portion of the upper panel rear portion 43b protrudes rearward than the rear end of the lower panel rear portion 44c, and is welded to overlap with an extension portion 45, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, the roof side rail 4 has an extending portion 45 that extends to connect the rear end portion of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 and the portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 that is rearward of the quarter pillar 6. . The extending portion 45 includes a rail side joint portion 45a that overlaps the rear end portion of the guide rail housing portion 40 and is joined to the guide rail housing portion 40 by welding, and a rail side joint portion 45a that overlaps the rear end portion of the guide rail housing portion 40 and is connected to the rear end of the quarter pillar 6 in the roof side inner panel portion 42. It consists of a panel side joint part 45b which is overlapped and joined to the roof side inner panel part 42 by welding, and a main body piece 45c which is smoothly curved so as to connect the rail side joint part 45a and the panel side joint part 45b.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, specifically, the rail-side joint portion 45a is bent along the lower surface of the rear end portion of the lower panel rear portion 44c bent in a step-like manner. It is welded to the rear end from below. Referring to FIG. 5, the panel side joint portion 45b is a portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 that is rearward of the quarter pillar 6 (in other words, the opening of the quarter glass opening 3 of the roof side inner panel portion 42). It is formed in the shape of a flange along the curved surface of the upper edge (a portion constituting the upper edge) that is generally convexly curved inward in the vehicle width direction. The main body piece 45c has a curved surface that smoothly connects the rail-side joint portion 45a and the panel-side joint portion 45b, which have different cross-sectional shapes.

At the cross-sectional position including the quarter pillar 6 shown in FIG. 6 (more specifically, at the cross-sectional position including the portion where the rear end portion of the guide rail housing portion 40 and the extension portion 45 overlap), the roof side outer panel of the roof side rail 4 The portion 41 extends to be continuous with the outer panel of the quarter pillar 6 (a part of the side body outer panel 3d), and the roof side inner panel portion 42 extends to be continuous with the inner panel of the quarter pillar 6, and extends to the upper side of the lower panel 44. The flange portion extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the flange portion on the side edge of the roof panel 1. Referring to FIG. 6, at a cross-sectional position including the quarter pillar 6, the flange portion of the side edge of the roof panel 1, the end portion of the rear roof cross member 2d, the inner flange portion of the roof side outer panel portion 41, and the lower panel The upper flange portions of the roof side inner panel portion 42 are overlapped and welded to each other in this order, and the upper flange portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 is overlapped and welded to the extended flange portion 44d of the upper flange portion of the lower panel 44 from below.

Here, as described above, the roof panel 1 is formed into a generally rectangular shape that is long in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from above. Therefore, when the vehicle is running, it mainly causes first-order vertical bending vibration (vibration in the first-order vertical bending vibration mode) whose antinode is at the center of the roof panel, which is approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and second-order vertical bending vibration whose node is at the center of the roof panel. There is a possibility that the next vertical bending vibration (secondary vertical bending vibration mode vibration), etc. may occur. These vibrations may generate low-frequency muffled sounds (low-frequency sounds) in the vehicle interior. Regarding this point, the following various measures have been taken in the vehicle body 100.

The roof panel 1 of the vehicle body 100 is reinforced by each of the above-mentioned roof cross members 2. Specifically, the center roof cross member 2b is joined to the side edge of the roof panel 1 at a position in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the center pillar 5 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. That is, the center roof cross member 2b has an end portion that is joined to the upper portion of the center pillar, which is the upper portion of the center pillar 5 at the side edge of the roof panel 1. As a result, the center roof cross member 2b is firmly supported by the center pillar 5, and as a result, the roof panel 1 undergoes primary vertical bending around the center of the roof panel (in other words, the panel portion above the center roof cross member 2b). Vibration is suppressed.

The rear roof cross member 2d is joined to the side edge of the roof panel 1 at a position corresponding to the quarter pillar 6 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, the rear roof cross member 2d has an end portion that is joined to the upper portion of the quarter pillar 6, which is the upper portion of the quarter pillar 6 at the side edge of the roof panel 1. As a result, the rear roof cross member 2d is firmly supported by the quarter pillar 6, and as a result, the vertical bending vibration of the panel portion above the rear roof cross member 2d in the roof panel 1 is suppressed, and as a result, the roof panel 1 is Secondary vertical bending vibrations centered around the center of the panel are suppressed.

In this embodiment, since the second roof cross member 2c is provided between the center roof cross member 2b and the rear roof cross member 2d, the vertical bending vibration including the primary and secondary vibrations of the roof panel 1 is more effectively suppressed. is suppressed.

The vehicle body 100 further has the following structure regarding vibration suppression of the roof panel 1 and the like.

The vehicle body 100 (vehicle body structure) includes a brace 7 that is made of a thin metal plate and supports the rear roof cross member 2d more firmly. FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the brace 7 and its surroundings as seen from inside the vehicle. Note that FIG. 6 is also a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line BB shown in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the brace 7 has an upper joint part 7a joined to the rear roof cross member 2d and a lower joint part 7b joined to the roof side rail 4. The upper joint portion 7a is joined to a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the rear roof cross member 2d in front of the end portion (flange portion) in the vehicle width direction. The lower joint portion 7b is joined to the upper portion of the quarter pillar, which is the upper portion of the quarter pillar 6 in the roof side inner panel portion 42. That is, the rear roof cross member 2d, the brace 7, and the quarter pillar 6 are arranged vertically in a line when viewed from one side in the vehicle width direction. Note that the shape of the brace 7 will be described later.

In this embodiment, when referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, the connecting portion (joint portion) of the extending portion 45 of the roof side rail 4 with the rear end portion of the guide rail housing portion 40 is viewed from one side in the vehicle width direction. The extending portion 45 is arranged so as to overlap the brace 7 in a side view. Specifically, the region of the rail-side joint portion 45a, which is the front portion of the extension portion 45, and the region of the brace 7 partially overlap each other in a side view.

In this embodiment, the vehicle body 100 includes one or more support brackets 8 that support predetermined vehicle components P (see thick broken lines in FIG. 3) and are attached to the roof side inner panel section 42. The target support bracket 8a, which is one of the one or more support brackets 8, is joined to the brace 7.

Specifically, the vehicle body 100 includes a pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Although not particularly limited, the target support bracket 8a to be joined to the brace 7 is the rear support bracket 8, and the rear support bracket 8 is mainly joined to the brace 7 to support the roof side. It is attached to the inner panel section 42. The front support bracket 8 is directly attached to the roof side inner panel section 42 by being joined to a portion of the roof side inner panel section 42 that is in front of the brace 7. Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the shape of the front support bracket 8 is the same as the shape of the rear support bracket 8 (target support bracket 8a), and the same parts are used in the front and rear. is used. Note that the shape of the support bracket 8 will be described later.

In this embodiment, the predetermined in-vehicle component P is an assistant grip 9 (see thick broken line in FIG. 3) that is held by the occupant. The assistant grip 9 is a resin component that is held by the occupant when getting on and off the vehicle or when stabilizing the body from shaking during travel. The assistant grip 9 is formed in an arch shape, and both ends of the assistant grip 9 are attached to and supported by a pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8. Although not shown, the roof panel 1, roof side inner panel portion 42, center pillar 5, quarter pillar 6, support bracket 8, etc. are covered from the passenger compartment side by interior members such as trim, and the assistant grip 9 is located in the vehicle interior with its base end supported by a pair of front and rear support brackets 8, 8.

FIG. 8 is an assembly diagram showing an assembly of the brace 7 and the support bracket 8 (object support bracket 8a), and FIG. 9 is a diagram of the assembly seen from another direction.

In this embodiment, the brace body 7c, which is a portion of the brace 7 that connects the upper joint portion 7a and the lower joint portion 7b, is bent into an arc shape that projects outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in cross section.

In this embodiment, the upper joint portion 7a is formed in a bulging shape that bulges upward at the center portion of the brace 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction that faces the rear roof cross member 2d. The lower joint portion 7b is formed in the shape of a flange that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction at each of both edges in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the portion of the brace 7 that faces the roof side inner panel portion 42.

Specifically, the brace 7 is formed by press-molding a single thin metal plate. The brace 7 as a whole is curved in a convex shape outward in the vehicle width direction, with the upper part of the brace 7 having a hat-shaped cross section projecting upward, and the lower part of the brace 7 being bent inward in the vehicle width direction. It has a protruding hat-shaped cross section. The protruding portion of the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 constitutes an upper joint portion 7a, and the flange portion of the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 constitutes a lower joint portion 7b. The brace body 7c includes, for example, a flange portion that is flat in the front-rear direction at the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7, and a flat top portion in the front-rear direction at the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7, and In a side view seen from one side, it is generally formed in a Y-shape. The brace body 7c is smoothly curved in an arc shape in a cross-sectional view at an intermediate position between the upper joint portion 7a and the lower joint portion 7b in the vertical direction. Note that a flange portion of the upper hat-shaped portion of the brace 7 has a clamp hole 7d for harness scrap.

A bolt insertion hole (not shown) is opened in the upper joint portion 7a. A portion of the rear roof cross member 2d corresponding to the upper joint portion 7a is formed in a bulging shape that bulges downward, and this bulging portion 2d1 has a hole for bolt insertion. A nut (not shown) is welded to the top side of the . The upper joint portion 7a is joined to the lower surface of the rear roof cross member 2d by fastening a bolt to the nut of the rear roof cross member 2d from the vehicle interior side.

Each flange portion of the lower hat-shaped portion of the brace 7, which is the lower joint portion 7b, is joined to the roof side inner panel portion 42 by being overlaid and welded to the roof side inner panel portion 42.

The support bracket 8 is formed by press-molding a single thin metal plate. The support bracket 8 has a mounting surface part 81 to which the assistant grip 9 is attached, and a leg part 82 to be joined to the brace 7 or the roof side inner panel part 42. The mounting surface portion 81 faces diagonally downward toward the vehicle interior with the support bracket 8 joined to the brace 7 and the like. The mounting surface portion 81 is formed into a rectangular shape in plan view. The leg portions 82 extend from each of three sides of the four sides of the mounting surface portion 81 excluding the upper side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the mounting surface portion 81 . In the vehicle longitudinal direction, the front leg part 82 and the rear leg part 82 are opposed to each other, and both ends of the lower leg part 82 in the vehicle longitudinal direction meet the edge of the front leg part 82 and the rear leg part 82. It is bent so as to surround the end edge of the leg portion 82. Furthermore, a flange portion 83 for joining is provided at the tip of each leg portion 82 .

In the rear support bracket 8, which is the target support bracket 8a, the flange part 83 of the front leg part 82 is welded from the inside to the front flange part of the lower joint part 7b of the brace 7. The flange portion 83 of the portion 82 is overlapped and welded to the rear flange portion of the lower joint portion 7b of the brace 7 from the inside. On the other hand, the flange portion 83 of the lower leg portion 82 is welded to overlap the roof side inner panel portion 42 . In the front support bracket 8, the flange portion 83 of each leg portion 82 is welded to overlap the roof side inner panel portion 42.

Returning to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the upper end portion of the quarter pillar 6 (specifically, the connecting portion of the quarter pillar 6 with the roof side inner panel portion 42) and the brace 7 are is located between a front imaginary line L1 extending vertically through the front end of the rear roof cross member 2d and a rear imaginary line L2 extending vertically through the rear end of the rear roof cross member 2d. Further, the object support bracket 8a is also located between the front imaginary line L1 and the rear imaginary line L2 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when viewed from the side.

In the vehicle body structure applied to the vehicle body 100 according to the present embodiment, the upper joint portion 7a of the brace 7 is joined to the rear roof cross member 2d, and the lower joint portion 7b of the brace 7 is the portion of the roof side rail 4 on the passenger compartment side. It is joined to the upper part of the quarter pillar in the roof side inner panel part 42. As a result, the rear roof cross member 2d, the brace 7, and the quarter pillar 6 are arranged vertically in a line, and the rear roof cross member 2d is firmly supported from below by the brace 7 in addition to the quarter pillar 6. be done. As a result, the vibration of the rear roof cross member 2d is effectively suppressed, and the secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is suppressed more than before.

In this way, according to the vehicle body structure applied to the vehicle body 100 according to the present embodiment, vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 can be suppressed more than before. Furthermore, by suppressing the vibration of the roof panel 1, the generation of low-frequency muffled noise during driving is suppressed. The natural frequency of the secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is higher than the natural frequency without braces, and the gain (peak level) of the vibration is lower than the gain without braces. It was confirmed that As a result, the occurrence of muffled sounds is more effectively suppressed.

Moreover, the brace 7 constitutes a strong structural part. Therefore, as in this embodiment, by joining the target support bracket 8a of the support bracket 8 that supports the assistant grip 9 to the brace 7, the target support bracket 8a and the assistant grip 9 are more firmly supported on the vehicle body side. Ru. The strength of the attachment portion of the assistant grip 9 can be improved. Furthermore, by joining the support bracket 8 to the brace 7, the rigidity of the portion including the brace 7 is improved. Further, the rigidity of the entire vehicle body 100 is improved, and as a result, driving stability is improved and noise is reduced. Furthermore, since each roof cross member 2 becomes difficult to displace (move) up and down, the displacement of the roof cross member 2 during electrodeposition in the manufacturing process is reduced, and peeling of the sealer is prevented.

In this embodiment, the brace main body 7c of the brace 7 is bent into an arc shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in cross section. As a result, the quarter pillar 6 extending in the vertical direction and the rear roof cross member 2d are connected via the brace body 7c having a smooth curved surface, thereby preventing stress concentration and bending of the brace 7. The vertical movement of the brace 7 is also suppressed. As a result, a structure is constructed that can more firmly support the rear roof cross member 2d.

In this embodiment, the rear end portion of the guide rail accommodating portion 40 and the portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42 that is behind the quarter pillar 6 (in other words, the portion above the quarter glass opening 3c of the roof side inner panel portion 42 ) are connected by an extension part 45, and the connection part (rail side joint part 45a) of the extension part 45 with the rear end part of the guide rail housing part 40 is connected to the brace 7 in a side view seen from one side in the vehicle width direction. The extending portions 45 are arranged so as to overlap. As a result, the portion of the roof side rail 4 near the brace and on the outside in the vehicle width direction with respect to the brace 7, and the portion of the roof side inner panel portion 42, which is a strong structural portion, rearward of the quarter pillar 6, Since they are connected via the extending portions 45, the strength of the portion of the roof side rail 4 near the brace in the vertical direction is improved. As a result, secondary vertical bending vibration of the roof panel 1 is suppressed more effectively. Further, the supporting rigidity of the assistant grip 9 can also be improved.

In this embodiment, the upper joint part 7a of the brace 7 is formed in a bulging shape that bulges upward, and the lower joint part 7b of the brace 7 is formed in a flange shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the rigidity of the brace 7 made of a thin plate material is improved, and a stronger structure is constructed. Moreover, even if the brace 7 has the main structure of the brace body 7c with a smooth curved surface, the brace 7 is reinforced by having the bulge shape and the flange shape, and the surface rigidity of the brace 7 can be improved. It will be planned. Further, since the portion of the rear roof cross member 2d corresponding to the upper joint portion 7a is formed in a downwardly bulging shape, the design surface of the roof panel 1 is not affected.

In this embodiment, the upper end portion of the quarter pillar 6 (specifically, the connecting portion of the quarter pillar 6 with the roof side inner panel portion 42) and the brace 7 are connected to the rear roof cross member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in side view. It is located between a front side imaginary line L1 passing through the front end of the rear roof cross member 2d and a rear side imaginary line L2 passing through the rear end of the rear roof cross member 2d. Thereby, the rear roof cross member 2d is supported even more firmly, and secondary vertical bending vibrations of the roof panel 1 are suppressed more effectively. Even if the rear roof cross member 2d vibrates, the vibration and the stress generated by the vibration are efficiently transmitted to the quarter pillar 6, and the effect of suppressing and damping the vibration of the roof panel 1 is enhanced.

In addition, in this embodiment, the object support bracket 8a joined to the brace 7 is not limited to the support bracket 8 on the rear side, but may be the support bracket 8 on the front side. The predetermined in-vehicle component P supported by the support bracket 8 is not limited to the assistant grip 9, but may be a curtain airbag, a rod holder for holding a fishing rod, or the like. The number of support brackets 8 is not limited to two, and may be one, or three or more. Further, although the upper joint portion 7a of the brace 7 and the rear roof cross member 2d are joined by bolts, the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be joined by welding.

Although the embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and further modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention. It is.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Roof panel, 2b... Center roof cross member, 2d... Rear roof cross member, 4... Roof side rail, 40... Guide rail housing part, 40a... Recessed part, 42... Roof side inner panel part, 43... Upper panel, 44 ...Lower panel, 45...Extending portion, 5...Center pillar, 6...Quarter pillar, 6a...Upper end of quarter pillar, 7...Brace, 7a...Upper joint part, 7b...Lower joint part, 8...Support bracket, 9 ...assistant grip, L1...front virtual line, L2...rear virtual line, P...predetermined in-vehicle parts, V...guide rail,

Claims (7)

a roof panel that covers a vehicle interior from above; a roof side rail that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along a side edge of the roof panel; and a center pillar that extends downward from a middle portion of the roof side rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a quarter pillar extending downward from a predetermined portion between the rear end portion of the roof side rail and the intermediate portion; and a center pillar extending in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and at the side edge of the roof panel. a center roof cross member having an end joined to an upper portion, the vehicle body structure comprising:
a rear roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction below the roof panel and having an end portion joined to an upper portion of the quarter pillar at the side edge of the roof panel;
a brace having an upper joint part joined to the rear roof cross member and a lower joint part joined to an upper part of a quarter pillar in a roof side inner panel part that is a passenger compartment side part of the roof side rail;
including the vehicle body structure. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the brace that connects the upper joint portion and the lower joint portion is bent into an arc shape that projects outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in cross section. A portion of the roof side rail between the center pillar and the quarter pillar constitutes a guide rail accommodating portion that accommodates a guide rail that slidably guides the sliding door,
The guide rail accommodating portion includes an upper panel that supports the guide rail from above, and a lower panel that cooperates with the upper panel to form a recess that is open outward in the vehicle width direction,
The roof side rail has an extending portion that extends to connect a rear end portion of the guide rail housing portion and a portion of the roof side inner panel portion that is rearward of the quarter pillar;
1 . The extending portion is arranged such that a connecting portion of the extending portion with the rear end portion of the guide rail accommodating portion overlaps with the brace in a side view viewed from one side in the vehicle width direction. Or the vehicle body structure according to 2. The brace is made of thin plate material,
The upper joint portion is formed in a bulging shape that bulges upward at a central portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a portion of the brace that faces the rear roof cross member;
Claim 1: The lower joint portion is formed in a flange shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction at each of both edges in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a portion of the brace that faces the roof side inner panel portion. - Vehicle body structure described in any one of 3. When viewed from the side, the upper end of the quarter pillar and the brace extend vertically through a front imaginary line extending vertically through the front end of the rear roof cross member and through the rear end of the rear roof cross member in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle body structure is located between the rear imaginary line extending in the direction. one or more support brackets that support predetermined in-vehicle components and are attached to the roof side inner panel portion;
The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a target support bracket that is any one of the one or more support brackets is joined to the brace. 7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined in-vehicle component is an assistant grip gripped by an occupant.

Images