JP3277921B2 - Pillar structure - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pillar structure, and more particularly, to a pillar structure applied to an automobile body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a pillar structure applied to a vehicle body of an automobile, a structure disclosed in EP0836983A2 is known. The inside has a plurality of reinforcing portions.

[0003]

However, in such a conventional technique, for example, in order to enable a functional part such as a seat belt anchor bracket to be disposed in the cross section of the center pillar, the horizontal cross section of the center pillar is required. It has an open cross section that opens into the vehicle interior. As a result, when a load such as a side collision is applied, smooth deformation is unlikely to occur. For this reason, it is difficult to deform in a desired deformation mode, and it may not be possible to efficiently absorb impact energy.

[0004] In view of the above fact, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pillar structure in which a functional component can be arranged in an open cross section and the effect of absorbing impact energy can be improved.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pillar structure according to the first aspect, wherein the pillar body has a first portion of an open cross-sectional structure in which an opening is directed toward a vehicle interior, and an opening. A second portion of the pillar body having an open cross-sectional structure with the portion facing the outside of the vehicle compartment, and a cross-section switching portion connecting the first portion of the pillar body and the second portion of the pillar body. It is characterized by.

Accordingly, in the pillar body, a portion where the functional components such as the seat belt anchor bracket are disposed inside the cross section is defined as a first portion of the pillar body having an opening directed toward the interior of the vehicle, and is used in the event of a side collision or the like. When a large load is applied,
The part to be deformed in the desired deformation mode can be the second part of the pillar body with the opening facing the outside of the vehicle compartment. Further, the first portion of the pillar main body and the second portion of the pillar main body can be connected by a cross-section switching portion in which the opening is switched from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle interior side. As a result, the functional component can be disposed within the open cross section of the first portion of the pillar body, and the second portion of the pillar body is easily deformed in a desired deformation mode, so that the effect of absorbing impact energy can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the first aspect, the switching portion is set at a substantially central portion in a longitudinal direction of the pillar main body, and an upper portion of the switching portion is provided with the switching portion. A first portion of the pillar body, and a portion below the switching portion is a second portion of the pillar body.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 1,
By installing functional components such as seat belt anchor brackets above the switching part set at the approximate center of the pillar body in the longitudinal direction, the interior space of the vehicle can be widened, and at the time of side collision, bumpers of other vehicles The effect of absorbing the impact energy can be improved below the switching portion that comes into contact with. As a result, a highly practical configuration is obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pillar structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the front and rear walls are connected at least within the cross section of the second portion of the pillar body. It is characterized by having means.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 1 or 2, the amount of impact energy can be adjusted by adjusting the degree of reinforcement by the reinforcing means,
A desired deformation mode can be easily obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the third aspect, the reinforcing means is a rib.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 3,
A desired deformation mode can be easily obtained by adjusting the height, thickness, interval, arrangement position, and the like of the ribs.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the fourth aspect, at least in a cross section of the second portion of the pillar body, a vertical rib extending in a longitudinal direction of the pillar body is provided. Features.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 4,
When a load is applied from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the vertical ribs can be prevented from falling down by the horizontal ribs. As a result, the vertical ribs are greatly deformed, and the impact energy absorbing effect is improved. In addition, since deformation occurs on both sides of the intersection between the horizontal rib and the vertical rib, the number of deformed portions increases, and the impact energy absorbing effect is improved in this respect as well.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a concave portion for accommodating a functional component in a cross section is formed in the first portion of the pillar body. It is characterized by having been done.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the reinforcing means can be provided in a portion other than the concave portion in the first portion of the pillar main body. After securing the pillar strength, the functional components can be accommodated in the cross section, and the interior space of the vehicle can be widened.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the pillar body is made of a light alloy casting.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the weight can be reduced due to the material characteristics of the light alloy casting, and the productivity is improved by reducing the number of parts by integrating the parts. I do.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the pillar body is a center pillar.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the center pillar has a large number of functional parts to be attached, and a delicate deformation mode is required at the time of a side collision. Is big.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A pillar structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a forward direction of the vehicle, an arrow UP indicates an upward direction of the vehicle, and an arrow IN indicates an inward direction of the vehicle width.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pillar structure of the present embodiment is applied to each of the left and right center pillars 12 of the vehicle body 10, and the center pillar 12 is made of a light alloy such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. It is configured. The upper end 12A of the center pillar 12 is connected to a roof side rail 14, and the lower end 12B of the center pillar 12 is connected to a rocker 16.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pillar body 20 of the center pillar 12 has a first portion 22 of the pillar body, a second portion 24 of the pillar body, and a cross-section switching section 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first portion 22 of the pillar body has a hat-shaped open cross-sectional structure in which the opening 22A faces the interior of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second portion 24 of the pillar body has a hat-shaped open cross-sectional structure in which the opening 24A faces the outside of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the section switching section 26
In, the direction of the opening 26A is switched from the vehicle interior to the vehicle exterior.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit 26
The first portion 22 of the pillar main body is set at a substantially central portion of the pillar main body 20 in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction of the vehicle), and an upper portion of the switching portion 26 is provided. Also, the switching unit 26
The lower part is the second part 24 of the pillar body.

The cross sections of the first portion 22 of the pillar body and the second portion 24 of the pillar body include front and rear wall portions 22.
Horizontal ribs 30 that are connected substantially horizontally as reinforcing means for connecting B, 22C and 24B, 24C, and vertical ribs 32 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the pillar body 20 are formed, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, a recess 56 is formed in the cross section of the first portion 22 of the pillar body from the vehicle interior side, and a seat belt anchor bracket 54 as a functional component is formed in the recess 56. Is housed. Therefore,
The seat belt anchor bracket 54 is attached to the center pillar 1.
No. 2 does not protrude from the vehicle interior side to the vehicle interior side. A cylindrical hollow boss 5 is provided at the bottom of the concave portion 56.
A pair of upper and lower 8 are formed, and a screw portion is formed inside the hollow boss 58. At the screw portion of the hollow boss 58, a seat belt anchor bracket 54 is provided with a mounting member 6 such as a bolt.
0 attached.

As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the second portion 24 of the pillar body and the outer portion in the vehicle width direction below the switching portion 26 are made of resin, thin sheet metal, or the like.
A decorative plate 61 which hardly influences the deformation of the center pillar 12 is provided. By closing the opening with the decorative plate 61, the appearance quality is ensured. Reference numeral 62 in FIG. 1 indicates a slip joint of the shoulder belt anchor, and reference numeral 64 indicates a floor panel.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the pillar structure of the present embodiment, in the center pillar 12, the upper part of the pillar main body 20 in which the seat belt anchor bracket 54 is disposed is located above the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction, and the opening 22A is directed toward the vehicle interior. 1st body
In addition to the portion 22, when a large load such as a side collision is applied, the lower part of the pillar main body 20 that is to be deformed in a desired deformation mode from the substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction is opened to the outside of the vehicle compartment. The second portion 24 of the pillar body may be directed. Further, the first portion 22 of the pillar main body and the second portion 24 of the pillar main body can be connected by the cross-section switching portion 26 in which the opening is switched from the inside of the vehicle compartment to the outside of the vehicle compartment.

As a result, by arranging the seat belt anchor bracket 54 in the concave portion 56 of the first portion 22 of the pillar body 20 of the pillar body 20, the interior space of the vehicle can be widened and, as shown in FIG. Sometimes bumper 6 of other vehicles
FIG. 7 shows the second part 24 of the pillar body with which
As shown in (1), since it is easy to deform in a desired deformation mode, the effect of absorbing impact energy can be improved. As a result, a highly practical configuration is obtained.

Also, in the present embodiment, the first
In each section of the part 22 and the second part 24 of the pillar body,
A horizontal rib 30 as reinforcing means for connecting the front and rear walls 22B, 22C and 24B, 24C is formed, and a vertical rib 32 extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar body 20 is formed. As a result, the degree of reinforcement by the horizontal ribs 30 and the vertical ribs 32, specifically, the height, thickness, interval, and arrangement position of the ribs in the horizontal ribs 30 and the vertical ribs 32 can be easily adjusted to a desired value. Is obtained.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when a bumper 66 of another vehicle comes into contact with the second portion 24 of the pillar body at the time of a side collision, and a load acts on the second portion 24 of the pillar body from outside in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG.
Can be prevented by the lateral rib 30. As a result, the vertical rib 3
2 is greatly deformed, and the impact energy absorbing effect is improved. Further, since the vertical ribs 32 are greatly deformed on both the upper and lower sides of the intersection S between the horizontal ribs 30 and the vertical ribs 32, the number of deformed portions is increased and the impact energy absorbing effect is further improved.

Also, in the present embodiment, the first
A concave portion 56 for accommodating the seat belt anchor bracket 54 in a cross section is formed in the portion 22, and the horizontal rib 30 and the vertical rib 30 are also formed in a portion other than the concave portion 56 (the bottom of the concave portion 56) in the first portion 22 of the pillar body. Ribs 32 can be provided. For this reason, the seat belt anchor bracket 54 can be accommodated in the cross section while securing the necessary pillar strength.

In this embodiment, the center pillar 12
However, since it is made of a casting of an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, or the like as a light alloy, the weight can be reduced due to the material properties of the light alloy casting, and the productivity is improved by reducing the number of parts by integrating the parts.

In this embodiment, since the pillar structure of the present invention is applied to the center pillar, there are many functional parts to be attached, and a delicate deformation mode is required at the time of a side collision, so that the applicability is large.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that is possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the horizontal ribs 30 and the vertical ribs 32 are formed, but a configuration having only the horizontal ribs may be employed. In the first portion 22 of the pillar body, the lateral ribs 30
It is good also as a structure which does not form both of the vertical rib 32.

In the above embodiment, the horizontal ribs 30 are used as the reinforcing means. Instead of the horizontal ribs 30, as shown in FIG.
And the front and rear walls 22B of the second portion 24 of the pillar body,
Inclined rib 6 for connecting obliquely 22C and 24B, 24C
8 may be used. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the reinforcing means may be constituted by an inclined rib 68 and an inclined rib 69 intersecting the inclined rib 68.

Further, the reinforcing means is not limited to the rib, and is disposed at least in the cross section of the second portion 24 of the pillar body.
As long as the front and rear wall portions 24B and 24C are connected, another configuration such as a thick portion may be used.

In this embodiment, the mounting of the seat belt anchor bracket 54 as a functional component has been described. However, the pillar structure of the present invention is applied to other functional components such as a room lamp other than the seat belt anchor bracket 54. Is also applicable.

The pillar structure of the present invention can be applied to other pillars such as a front pillar and a quarter pillar, and the position of the switching portion is not limited to a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the pillar body. Further, the upper part of the switching portion is a second portion of the pillar body having an open cross-sectional structure in which the opening is directed to the outside of the vehicle compartment, and the lower part of the switching portion is an open cross-sectional structure in which the opening is directed to the vehicle interior. The first portion of the pillar body may be used.

[0045]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure, the pillar body has a first portion of the pillar body having an open cross-sectional structure in which the opening is directed toward the vehicle interior, and the opening is formed in the vehicle interior. A second portion of the pillar body having an open cross-sectional structure facing outward;
Since there is provided a cross-section switching portion for connecting the first portion of the pillar main body and the second portion of the pillar main body, it is possible to dispose a functional component in the open cross-section and to improve the effect of absorbing impact energy. It has an excellent effect of being able to.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the first aspect, the switching portion is set at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the pillar body, and the upper portion of the switching portion is the first portion of the pillar body. Since one portion is provided, and the portion below the switching portion is the second portion of the pillar main body, in addition to the effect described in claim 1, there is an excellent effect that the configuration becomes highly practical.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the first or second aspect, the reinforcing means for connecting the front and rear walls at least within the cross section of the second portion of the pillar body. Therefore, in addition to the effect described in either claim 1 or claim 2, there is an excellent effect that a desired deformation mode can be easily obtained by adjusting the degree of reinforcement by the reinforcing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure of the third aspect, since the reinforcing means is a rib,
In addition to the effect described in claim 3, there is an excellent effect that a desired deformation mode can be easily obtained by adjusting the height, thickness, interval, arrangement position, and the like of the rib.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to the fourth aspect, at least the second portion of the pillar body is provided.
Since a longitudinal rib extending in the longitudinal direction of the pillar main body is provided in the cross section of the portion, in addition to the effect described in claim 4, there is an excellent effect that the impact energy absorbing effect is improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the first portion of the pillar body has a concave portion for accommodating a functional component in a cross section. Therefore, in addition to the effects described in any one of claims 1 to 5, there is an excellent effect that the vehicle interior space can be widened while securing the required pillar strength.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the pillar structure according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the pillar body is made of a light alloy casting. In addition to the effects described in (1), there is an excellent effect that the weight can be reduced and the productivity is improved.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 8, in the pillar structure according to any of claims 1 to 7, the pillar body is a center pillar. In addition to the effects described in Crab, it has an excellent effect of great applicability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the pillar structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a decorative plate is removed, as viewed from the outside of the vehicle.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1 and showing a deformed state in the pillar structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 and showing a deformed state in the pillar structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a pillar structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a decorative plate is removed, as viewed from the outside of the vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a pillar structure according to another embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which a decorative plate is removed, as viewed from outside the vehicle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Center pillar 20 Pillar body of center pillar 22 First part of pillar body 22A Opening of first part of pillar body 22B Front wall of first part of pillar body 22C Rear wall of first part of pillar body 24 Pillar Second part of main body 24A Opening of second part of pillar main body 24B Front wall of second part of pillar main body 24C Rear wall of second part of pillar main body 26 Cross-section switching part 30 Lateral rib (reinforcing means) 32 Vertical rib 54 Seat belt anchor bracket (functional component) 56 Depressed portion 68 Inclined rib (reinforcing means) 69 Inclined rib (reinforcing means)

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B62D 25/04

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first part of a pillar body having an open section with an opening facing the interior of the vehicle, and a pillar body having an open section with an opening facing the interior of the vehicle. A pillar structure, comprising: a second portion; and a cross-section switching portion that connects the first portion of the pillar body and the second portion of the pillar body. 2. The switching portion is set at a substantially central portion in a longitudinal direction of the pillar body, an upper portion of the switching portion is a first portion of the pillar body, and a lower portion of the switching portion is a pillar portion of the pillar body. The pillar structure according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is a second portion. 3. The pillar structure according to claim 1, further comprising reinforcing means for connecting front and rear walls at least in a cross section of the second portion of the pillar body. 4. The pillar structure according to claim 3, wherein said reinforcing means is a horizontal rib. 5. The pillar structure according to claim 4, wherein a longitudinal rib extending in a longitudinal direction of the pillar body is provided at least in a cross section of the second portion of the pillar body. 6. The pillar structure according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the pillar body has a concave portion for accommodating a functional component in a cross section. 7. The pillar structure according to claim 1, wherein the pillar body is made of a light alloy casting. 8. The pillar structure according to claim 1, wherein the pillar body is a center pillar.