JP3120758B2 - Impact energy absorbing structure on top of car body - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an impact energy absorbing structure for an upper portion of a vehicle body of an automobile, particularly a passenger car.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an upper part of a vehicle body comprising a structural member of a vehicle body and an interior material disposed at a distance required for absorbing energy from the structural member toward a vehicle interior, an energy absorber made of resin is provided within the distance. Is proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-119047).

[0003]

Not only the impact energy absorbing structure according to the above-mentioned proposal but also the energy absorbing structure currently used, the size of the interval where the energy absorber is to be arranged, and the material and size of the energy absorber. In this case, the energy absorption characteristics are substantially determined. Therefore, in order to change the energy absorption characteristics, it is necessary to replace the energy absorber with another energy absorber or change the size of the interval to change the shape.

[0004] The present invention provides an impact energy absorbing structure at the upper part of the body of an automobile, in which the energy absorbing characteristics can be adjusted without changing the shape.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a structural member extending in a longitudinal direction, and a resin interior material disposed in a vehicle interior at a distance required for energy absorption from the structural member. A structure for absorbing impact energy in the upper part of the body of an automobile comprising: a metal tubular body disposed within the space so that an axis extends in a longitudinal direction of the structural member. The cylindrical body has an inner wall facing the interior material, an outer wall facing the structural member, and two side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis. And a part.

In one aspect of the invention, the tubular body is bonded to the outer surface of the interior material by an adhesive at the two side walls. When a predetermined load or more is applied, the impact energy is absorbed by the deformation of the cylindrical body and the deformation of the adhesive.

[0007] Since the interior material is a resin and the tubular body is a metal, the two have different ductility. As a result, when a load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the tubular body via the interior material, a relative displacement occurs at a portion where the two are bonded, and a shear force based on the displacement acts on the adhesive. The impact energy is also absorbed by the reaction force of the shear force, so that an absorption characteristic different from the energy absorption characteristic of the tubular body itself is obtained. In addition, the energy absorption characteristics can be changed by changing the bonding mode.

[0008] Since the tubular body can be manufactured to have an arbitrary cross-sectional shape, it is easy to fit the tubular body into the space between the structural member and the interior material. In addition, the energy absorption characteristic is selected because various points can be imparted by selecting the thickness and the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical body, since the bonding position and the bonding area with the interior material can be selected from a wide range. High degree of freedom.

When the interior material is attached to the structural member, an adhesive is applied to a required portion on the outer surface of the interior material, and the tubular body is adhered to the interior material with the adhesive, or Since the tubular body is placed on a required portion and an adhesive is applied, thereby bonding the tubular body to the interior material and then attaching the interior material to the structural member, the assembling is simple.

The above functions and effects are achieved by all inventions.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the tubular body is bonded to the interior material at the two side walls, when a load is applied to the tubular body via the interior material, first, the inner wall portion of the tubular body Is deformed, and then the shearing force acts on the adhesive as the side wall deforms, so the initial rise is slow, and energy absorption characteristics that can absorb a large amount of energy in the late stage can be obtained. Is possible.

In another aspect of the invention, the tubular body is bonded to the outer surface of the interior material with an adhesive at the two side walls and the inner wall. When a load greater than the specified value is applied,
The impact energy is absorbed by the deformation of the cylindrical body and the deformation of the adhesive.

A load is applied to the tubular body via the interior material, and the tubular body begins to deform and absorbs energy. At the same time, a shearing force acts on the adhesive, and the adhesive absorbs energy from the initial stage, so that the rise is started. Since a sharp energy absorption characteristic can be obtained and the peak value of the load can be increased, the displacement required for energy absorption can be reduced. This means that the space between the interior material and the structural member may be small, so that the cabin space can be enlarged.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the inner wall and the two side walls are bonded to the outer surface of the interior material with an adhesive at a plurality of locations. When a predetermined load or more is applied, the impact energy is absorbed by the deformation of the cylindrical body and the deformation of the adhesive.

A shear force due to a load acts on each of a plurality of bonding points between the interior material and the inner wall portion and the two side wall portions of the cylindrical body, and reaction forces based on the shear forces interact with each other.
Different energy absorption characteristics can be easily obtained.

[0016] In still another aspect of the present invention, the interior material has a plate-shaped or wart-shaped means on the outer surface for regulating the amount or range of application of the adhesive.

By regulating the amount or range of application of the adhesive, an appropriate amount of the adhesive can be applied to an appropriate place, so that the waste of the adhesive can be eliminated and the energy absorption characteristics of the adhesive can be reduced. Easy to manage.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an automobile body having a structural member extending in a longitudinal direction and a resin interior material disposed in a vehicle interior at a distance required for energy absorption from the structural member. It relates to a structure that absorbs energy. The impact energy absorbing structure is a metal tubular body disposed in the space, and having a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis, the convex shape facing the interior material and facing the interior of the vehicle. A cylindrical body having a curved inner wall, an outer wall facing the structural member, and two side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall; On the other hand, the interior material has a portion that is convexly curved toward the vehicle interior in the cross section. The cylindrical body is attached to the outer surface of the interior material with an adhesive by inserting the inner wall portion into the convex portion of the interior material so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member. When a predetermined load or more is applied, the impact energy is absorbed by the deformation of the cylindrical body and the deformation of the adhesive.

By positioning the inner wall portion of the tubular body in the convex portion of the interior material, the positioning of the tubular body with respect to the interior material can be performed.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A structural member includes an inner panel and an outer panel, a front pillar, a center pillar, a rear pillar, a roof side rail or a header, in which a section cut along a virtual plane is formed into a closed structure. The interior material is a pillar garnish or roof trim made of hard resin, which is required to absorb energy from the inner panel and is placed in the cabin at a distance of 5 to 40 mm.

The metal cylinder capable of absorbing energy can be formed of aluminum or titanium, but is preferably aluminum from the viewpoint of ease of molding and reusability. The cylindrical body can be given a required thickness and a required shape by extrusion molding. The tubular body is bonded to the outer surface of the interior material so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member. The cylindrical body has an inner wall facing the interior material, an outer wall facing the structural member, and two side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis. It is convenient to form it into a square shape having a portion.

The tubular body is bonded to the interior material at the inner wall, at two side walls, or at the inner wall and the two side walls. As the adhesive, urethane-based, epoxy-based, and acrylic-based adhesives can be used in addition to the polyester-based adhesive.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An impact energy absorbing structure is shown in FIG. 1 which shows a cross section taken along a horizontal imaginary plane. A structural member 10 extending in a longitudinal direction and a vehicle 12 with a space 12 required for energy absorption from the structural member 10 are provided. It absorbs impact energy in the upper part of the body of an automobile having a resin interior material 14 disposed indoors, and includes a metal tubular body 16.

The structural member 10 includes an inner panel 18, an outer panel 20 spaced from the inner panel 18 to the outside of the vehicle, and a reinforcing panel 22 disposed between the inner panel 18 and the outer panel 20. Are welded together to form a closed structure. In the embodiment shown, the structural member 10 is a front pillar of the vehicle body and has two flange joints 24,25. A front shield glass 28 is arranged near the flange joint 24, and an opening trim 30 is attached to the flange joint 25.

The interior material 14 is a pillar garnish formed of a hard resin, and is arranged at a distance 12 from the inner panel 18. Although the size of the interval 12 is different in each part, the size can be determined in the range of 5 to 40 mm described above.

The cylindrical body 16 is arranged in the space 12 near the flange joint 25. The cylindrical body 16 is formed by extruding aluminum, and has an inner wall portion 32 facing the interior material 14 in a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis.
And an outer wall portion 33 facing the inner panel 18 of the structural member.
And two side walls 34 and 35 connecting the inner wall 32 and the outer wall 33 to form a horn. Cylindrical body 16
5 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the interior material 14 as shown in FIG. 5 in a perspective state.

The cylindrical body 16 is adhered to the outer side surface 15 of the interior material 14 so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member 10, and is disposed within the interval 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the tubular body 16 is bonded to the outer surface 15 of the interior material by an adhesive 40 on the side wall portion 34 and by an adhesive 42 on the side wall portion 35. As the adhesives 40 and 42, a synthetic rubber hot melt was used in the illustrated embodiment.

The adhesives 40 and 42 are applied over the entire length of the cylindrical body 16 in the longitudinal direction, but it is not necessary to apply the adhesives uniformly at all locations in the longitudinal direction. As is clear from FIGS. 1 and 2, the cylindrical body 16 obtained by extrusion has the same cross-sectional shape and the same size over its entire length, but the interior material 14 has the cross-sectional shape and the size in the longitudinal direction. May be different. Therefore, the side wall portion 34
As shown in FIG. 2, the amount of the adhesive 40 applied between the interior material 14 and the interior material 14 may be increased, or the adhesive 42 between the side wall 35 and the interior material 14 may be applied as shown in FIG. It is preferable to secure appropriate adhesiveness by pushing the gap into the gap between the portion 32.

Since the adhesive 42 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is applied to the acute angled portion formed by the interior material 14 and the side wall 35, the adhesive state can be maintained by the angled portion. . In contrast, the interior material 14 and the side wall portion 34
Since the angle between them is obtuse, it is difficult to maintain the adhesive 40 in the applied state. Therefore, a regulating means 44 is provided to maintain the adhesive 40 in the applied state. The application amount of the adhesive 40 can be regulated by the height of the regulating means 44 and the distance from the side wall 34, and the application range can be regulated by the distance of the regulating means 44 from the side wall 34. The regulating means 44 is a plate-like rib in the illustrated embodiment, and is integrally protruded from the interior material 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the tubular body 16 is
By the adhesive 40 between the side wall portion 34 and the interior material 14,
The side wall 35 and the interior material 14 are adhered by an adhesive 42, and the inner wall 32 and the interior material 14 are partially adhered by an adhesive 46. The application amount of the adhesive 46 can be regulated by a warp-shaped regulating means 48 provided on the interior material 14.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical body 16 is
It is adhered to the interior material 14 on the surface that receives the load applied to the cylindrical body. The load applied to the tubular body 16 to be absorbed by energy is from the occupant, and the occupant's head can be one of the load sources. Therefore, the tubular body 16 is bonded to the interior material 14 at a position corresponding to the head of the occupant. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical body 16 is bonded between the side wall portion 34 and the interior material 14 by an adhesive 40 and between the side wall portion 35 and the interior material 14 by an adhesive 42. Further, the entire surface of the inner wall portion 32 substantially corresponding to the head and the interior material 14
Are bonded by an adhesive 50. The application amount of the adhesive 50 can be regulated by regulating means 48 provided on the interior material 14. The two adhesives 40 and 42 are applied over the longitudinal direction of the tubular body 16 to hold the tubular body 16.

When the tubular body 16 is adhered to the interior material 14 on the surface receiving the load applied to the tubular body, the thickness of the tubular body 15 can be determined as follows. Now, the load source 52
When a load from being applied toward the A direction in FIG. 1, the displacement amount i.e. strokes D ₁ to load source 52 may move for energy absorption when a load is applied toward the B direction in FIG. 1,
Larger than the stroke D ₂ a load source 52 may move, defining the thickness and shape of the tubular body 16 to allow a predetermined energy absorbed by the stroke D _1. Then, B
Although the stroke is insufficient for the load from the direction, the load can be increased by bonding the portion of the cylindrical body 16 which receives the load to the interior material 14, and the shortage of the stroke can be compensated. Incidentally, in one embodiment, the stroke D ₁ is about 25
whereas a mm, the stroke D ₂ is about 17 mm.

Next, some experimental results are shown. FIG. 6A shows a characteristic C when a cylindrical body having the same shape and the same dimensions is bonded to an interior material on a surface receiving the load, and a characteristic D when the cylindrical body is fixed to an inner panel of a structural member. Is shown. Both loads were applied in the direction B in FIG. Characteristic C has a larger initial load rise and a larger peak load than characteristic D. Thus, the load can be qualitatively adjusted by bonding the tubular body to the interior material.

FIG. 6 (b) shows the characteristic E when the cylindrical body having the same shape and the same size is bonded to the interior material on the surface receiving the load (FIG. 4), and the characteristic E of the cylindrical body in the cross section. A characteristic F in the case of bonding to the interior material at two locations (FIG. 3) and a characteristic G of bonding to the interior material at two locations in the cross section of the tubular body (FIG. 2) are shown. The load was applied in the direction B in FIG. The greater the range in which the cylindrical body is restricted by the adhesive, the greater the rise of the initial load. in this way,
The load can be qualitatively adjusted depending on the place (range) where the tubular body is bonded to the interior material.

FIG. 6C shows another effect when the tubular body is bonded to the interior material on the surface receiving the load.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the initial load is increased by bonding the tubular body to the interior material. This, on the contrary,
If the initial load is the same as when the tubular body is fixed to the inner panel, the wall thickness of the tubular body can be further reduced. As a result, if the thickness of the cylindrical body was not reduced, the bottom H was generated at a certain displacement amount, but the cylindrical body was reduced in thickness while maintaining the same initial load.
The entire displacement can be increased by I, and the displacement at which bottoming occurs can be increased. As described above, the effective displacement can be increased while the same initial load is secured, and energy can be efficiently absorbed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal imaginary plane, showing an embodiment of an impact energy absorbing structure on an upper part of a vehicle body according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the impact energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the vehicle body according to the present invention, which is cut along a horizontal imaginary plane, and shows a part of the structural members.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a further embodiment of the impact energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the vehicle body according to the present invention, which is cut along a horizontal imaginary plane, showing a structural member arrangement portion.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal imaginary plane, showing still another embodiment of the impact energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the vehicle body according to the present invention, and a structural member is partially shown;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior material as viewed from the back.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a load and a displacement.
(B) and (c) are of different embodiments.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Structural member 12 Interval 14 Interior material 16 Cylindrical body 18 Inner panel 20 Outer panel 32 Inner wall part 33 Outer wall part 34, 35 Side wall part 40, 42, 46, 50 Adhesive 44, 48 Regulation means

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI B62D 25/06 B62D 25/06 A (56) References JP-A-7-61304 (JP, A) JP-A 9-95197 (JP, A JP-A-8-119047 (JP, A) JP-A-9-240400 (JP, A) JP-A-8-132987 (JP, A) JP-A-8-40306 (JP, A) 67657 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60R 21/02-21/04 B60R 13/02 B62D 25/04-25/06

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] An impact energy is absorbed in an upper part of an automobile body comprising a structural member extending in a longitudinal direction and a resin interior material disposed in a vehicle interior at a distance required for energy absorption from the structural member. It is a metal tubular body, comprising a tubular body disposed in the interval so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member ,
This cylindrical body has a cross section cut along a plane that intersects the axis.
The inner wall facing the interior material and the structural member.
Two facing outer walls, and two connecting the inner and outer walls
A side wall portion outside the interior material with the two side wall portions.
An impact energy absorbing structure at an upper part of an automobile body, wherein the impact energy is absorbed by a deformation of the cylindrical body and a deformation of the adhesive when a load greater than a predetermined value is applied to the side surface by an adhesive . 2. A structural member extending in a longitudinal direction, and said structure.
At a distance necessary for energy absorption from members
The upper part of the body of a vehicle having a resin interior material to be arranged
A structure that absorbs impact energy, comprising a cylindrical body that is a metal cylindrical body and is disposed within the interval so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member,
The cylindrical body has an inner wall facing the interior material, an outer wall facing the structural member, and two side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis. Part, the two side walls and the inner wall are adhered to the outer surface of the interior material by an adhesive, and when a predetermined load or more is applied, the deformation of the cylindrical body and the
An impact energy absorbing structure at the upper part of the body of an automobile that absorbs impact energy by deformation of an adhesive . 3. A structural member extending in a longitudinal direction, and said structure.
At a distance necessary for energy absorption from members
The upper part of the body of a vehicle having a resin interior material to be arranged
A structure that absorbs impact energy, comprising a cylindrical body that is a metal cylindrical body and is disposed within the interval so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member,
The cylindrical body has an inner wall facing the interior material, an outer wall facing the structural member, and two side walls connecting the inner wall and the outer wall in a cross section cut along a plane intersecting the axis. And having a plurality of portions of the inner wall portion and the two side wall portions adhered to an outer surface of the interior material by an adhesive at a plurality of locations, and when a load of a predetermined value or more is applied, the deformation of the tubular body and the
An impact energy absorbing structure at the upper part of the body of an automobile that absorbs impact energy by deformation of an adhesive . Wherein said interior material comprises a plate-like or wart-like means to regulate the coating amount or the application range of the adhesive to the outer surface, the vehicle body upper portion of an automobile according to any one of claims 1 to 3 Impact energy absorbing structure. 5. An impact energy is absorbed in an upper part of a vehicle body having a structural member extending in a longitudinal direction and a resin interior material disposed in a vehicle interior at a distance required for energy absorption from the structural member. In a cross section cut along a plane intersecting an axis, the metal tubular body is disposed in the space, and curves in a convex shape toward the interior of the vehicle facing the interior material. A cylindrical body having an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion facing the structural member, and two side wall portions connecting the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The cylindrical body has the inner wall portion inserted into the convex portion of the interior material so that the axis extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member. Adhered to the outer surface with adhesive, more than specified When heavy is applied, to absorb the impact energy by the deformation of the deformable and the adhesive of the cylindrical body, the upper part of the vehicle body impact energy absorbing structure of an automobile.