JP4368022B2

JP4368022B2 - Body member joining structure and joining method

Info

Publication number: JP4368022B2
Application number: JP2000013132A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 鉄也島田
Original assignee: Fuji Jukogyo KK
Current assignee: Subaru Corp
Priority date: 2000-01-21
Filing date: 2000-01-21
Publication date: 2009-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-21
Also published as: JP2001206240A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、車体部材の結合構造及び結合方法に関し、特にアウタパネルとインナパネルとからなる閉断面形状のレール部材と管状のピラー部材とを結合する車体部材の結合構造及び結合方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、自動車の車体は、プレス加工によって成形されたパネルをスポット溶接して閉断面形状に形成された部材を、互いにスポット溶接により結合することによって組み立てられていた。
【０００３】
一方、例えば特開平１０−１０６８号公報に開示されるように、薄肉化による軽量化や、部品一体化による強度向上及び組み立て効率化を図るため管状の中空部材を車体の主要骨格部材に用いたフレーム車体構造がある。
【０００４】
図１４はその一例であり、管状の中空部材からなるセンターピラー１０１と、プレス成形されたアウタパネル１０３とインナパネル１０４からなる閉断面形状のサイドレール１０２との結合部の斜視図である。
【０００５】
この結合部構造を詳細に図１５に示す分解斜視図によって説明すると、センタピラー１０１は上下方向に延在する断面略矩形の中空部材であって、例えば管状のセンターピラー素材の両端部を蓋体等によって密閉して、センターピラーの外形形状に倣った成形面を備えた液圧成形装置の型体内にセットし、蓋体に連結されたポンプ等によってセンターピラー素材内に液圧を供給して成形するパイプハイドロフォーミング方法によって製造される。
【０００６】
一方、アウタパネル１０３は、側面１０３Ａ、上面１０３Ｂ、下面１０３Ｃを有して前後方向に延在する断面略コ字状乃至Ｃ字状であって、下面１０３Ｃにピラー嵌合凹部１０３Ｄが形成されると共に、上面１０３Ｂの上縁に沿って上部フランジ１０３ａが折曲形成されると共に、下面１０３Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部１０３Ｄの端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ１０３ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ１０３ｃが形成されている。
【０００７】
インナパネル１０４は、側面１０４Ａ、上面１０４Ｂ、下面１０４Ｃを有して前後方向に延在する断面略コ字状乃至Ｃ字状であって、下面１０４Ｃにピラー嵌合凹部１０４Ｄが形成されると共に、上面１０４Ｂの上縁に沿って上部フランジ１０４ａが折曲形成され、かつ下面１０４Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部１０４Ｄの端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ１０４ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ１０４ｃが形成されている。
【０００８】
このように形成されたアウタパネル１０３のピラー嵌合凹部１０３Ｄをセンタピラー１０１の上部に外側より嵌合する一方、インナパネル１０４のピラー嵌合凹部１０４Ｄを内側から嵌合し、しかる後、図１４に示すように互いに重なり合うアウタパネル１０３及びインナパネル１０４の上部フランジ１０３ａと１０４ａ、下部フランジ１０３ｂと１０４ｂを各々スポット溶接して前後方向に延在する閉断面形状のサイドレール１０２を形成すると共に、アウタパネル１０３のピラー結合フランジ１０３ｃ及びインナパネル１０４のピラー結合フランジ１０４ｃの下縁をセンターピラー１０１の外周に沿ってアーク溶接或いはレーザ溶接によって結合することによってセンターピラー１０１とサイドレール１０２とを結合している。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記図１４及び図１５に示すセンターピラー１０１とサイドレール１０２との結合構造によると、管状の中空部材からなるセンターピラー１０１と、プレス加工されたアウタパネル１０３及びインナパネル１０４からなる閉断面形状のサイドレール１０２を結合することによって比較的軽量でしかも強度的に優れた車体構造が得られる。
【００１０】
しかし、センターピラー１０１とサイドレール１０２の結合にあたり、センターピラー１０１の外周に沿ってアウターパネル１０３のピラー結合フランジ１０３ｃ及びインナパネル１０４のピラー結合フランジ１０４ｃをアーク溶接或いはレーザ溶接によってセンターピラー１０１に結合する作業は厄介でかつ、溶接歪みの発生が比較的多くその修正が余儀なくされ、その結果、多くの作業工数を要すると共に、溶接設備に多くの設備費が必要になり製造コストの増大を招くことが懸念される。
【００１１】
従って、かかる点に鑑みなされた本発明の目的は、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルによって形成される閉断面形状のレール部材とを結合する車体部材における組立作業の簡素化及び製造コストの低減が得られる生産性に優れた車体部材の結合構造及び結合方法を提供することにある。
【００１２】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成する請求項１に記載の車体部材の結合構造は、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルによって形成される閉断面形状のレール部材とを結合する車体部材の結合構造において、上記ピラー部材は、管状のピラー本体と、該管状のピラー部材の一部に連続形成された互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれら外側面部と内側面部の端縁を連結する折曲部とを有する板状で、上記外側面部及び内側面部のいずれか一方に切欠部が形成された取付部とを備え、該取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持すると共に上記切欠部を介して重合する上記アウタパネルと、取付部と、インナパネルとの各部分を共にスポット溶接したことを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項１の発明によると、ピラー部材と、アウタパネルと、インナパネルとの結合部が、板状に形成された取付部の外側面部或いは内側面部の一方に切欠部を形成することによって、溶接部が外側面部或いは内側面部のいずれか一方と、アウターパネルと、インナパネルの３枚重ねに構成され、スポット溶接の電極による加圧力及び電流密度が確保されて各部材間の十分な結合強度がもたらされ、これらの結合がアーク溶接やレーザ溶接によらず、スポット溶接によって各部材が結合されることから、作業性に優れ、かつ溶接歪みの発生が少なく設備が比較的簡単で設備費の低減が得られ、製造コストの大幅な削減がもたらされる。
【００１４】
請求項２に記載の発明は、請求項１の車体部材の結合構造において、上記切欠部は、上記折曲部を避けて設けられたことを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項２の発明によると、比較的高剛性に形成される折曲部が切欠部によって切断されることなく外側面部と内側面部との縁部に連続形成されて、取付部の強度が確保され、強固な結合構造が得られる。
【００１６】
請求項３に記載の発明は、請求項１または２の車体部材の結合構造において、上記ピラー部材は、管状のピラー本体と、該管状のピラー本体の端部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれら外側面部と内側面部の各前縁を連結する前側折曲部と各後縁を連結する後側折曲部を有する板状で、上記外側面部に切欠部が形成された取付部とを備え、上記アウタパネルに上記切欠部に嵌入する嵌入部が形成され、上記取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持し、かつ上記切欠部に嵌入部を嵌入すると共に、互いに重なる嵌合部と内側面部とインナパネルとを共にスポット溶接したことを特徴とする。
【００１７】
請求項３の発明は、請求項１または２の発明を具体化したものであって、ピラー本体の端部に互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれらを連結する前側折曲部と後側折曲部を有して剛性が確保され、かつ外側面部に切欠部が形成された取付部を備える一方、アウタパネルに切欠部に嵌入する嵌入部を形成し、取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持すると共に、切欠部に嵌入部を嵌入して互いに重なる嵌合部と内側面部とインナパネルとをスポット溶接することによって、上記目的を容易に達成することができる。
【００１８】
請求項４に記載の発明は、請求項１または２の車体部材の結合構造において、上記ピラー部材は、管状のピラー本体と、該管状のピラー本体の端部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれら外側面部と内側面部の各前縁を連結する前側折曲部と各後縁を連結する後側折曲部を有する板状で、上記内側面部に切欠部が形成された取付部とを備え、上記インナパネルに上記切欠部に嵌入する嵌入部が形成され、上記取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持し、かつ上記切欠部に嵌入部を嵌入すると共に、互いに重なる嵌合部と外側面部とアウタパネルとを共にスポット溶接したことを特徴とする。
【００１９】
請求項４の発明は、請求項１または２の発明を具体化したものであって、ピラー本体の端部に互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれらを連結する前側折曲部と後側折曲部を有する板状で、かつ内側面部に切欠部が形成された取付部を備え、インナパネルに上記切欠部に嵌入する嵌入部を形成し、取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持すると共に、切欠部に嵌入部を嵌入して互いに重なる嵌合部と内側面部とアウタパネルとをスポット溶接することによって、上記目的を容易に達成することができる。
【００２０】
請求項５に記載の発明は、請求項１または２の車体部材の結合構造において、上記ピラー部材は、管状のピラー本体と、該管状のピラー本体の前面部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部とこれら外側面部と内側面部の各前縁を連結する前側折曲部とを有する板状で、上記外側面部に前部切欠部が形成された前側取付部と、上記管状のピラー本体の後面部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部とこれら外側面部と内側面部の各後縁を連結する後側折曲部とを有する板状で、上記外側面部に後部切欠部が形成された後側取付部とを備え、上記アウタパネルに上記前部切欠部及び後部切欠部に各々嵌入する前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部が形成され、上記ピラー本体、前側取付部及び後側取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持し、かつ上記前部切欠部及び後部切欠部に各々前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を嵌入すると共に、互いに重なる前部嵌合部と内側面部とインナパネルとを共にスポット溶接し、かつ互いに重なる後部嵌入部と内側面部とインナパネルとを共にポット溶接したことを特徴とする。
【００２１】
請求項５の発明は、請求項１または２の発明を具体化したものであって、ピラー本体の前面部及び後面部に各々板状で外側面部及び内側面部を備えた前側取付部及び後側取付部を突設し、各々の外側面部に前側切欠部、後側切欠部を形成し、アウターパネルに各々の切欠部に嵌入する前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を形成して前側切欠部及び後側切欠部に各々前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を嵌合して互いに重合する前部嵌合部と内側面部とインナパネルと、及び後部嵌入部と内側面部とインナパネルとを共に各々スポット溶接することによって上記目的を達成できると共に、ピラー部材の端部まで管状のピラー本体が延在することからピラー部材の剛性がより確保される。
【００２２】
請求項６に記載の発明は、請求項１または２の車体部材の結合構造において、上記ピラー部材は、管状のピラー本体と、該管状のピラー本体の前面部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部とこれら外側面部と内側面部の各前縁を連結する前側折曲部とを有する板状で、上記内側面部に前部切欠部が形成された前側取付部と、上記管状のピラー本体の後面部に連続形成されて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部とこれら外側面部及びの内側面部の各後縁を連結する後側折曲部とを有する板状で、上記内側面部に後部切欠部が形成された後側取付部とを備え、上記インナパネルに上記前部切欠部及び後部切欠部に各々嵌入する前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部が形成され、上記ピラー本体、前側取付部及び後側取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持し、かつ上記前部切欠部及び後部切欠部に各々前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を嵌合すると共に、互いに重なる前部嵌合部と外側面部とアウタパネルとを共にスポット溶接し、かつ互いに重なる後部嵌入部と外側面部とアウタパネルとを共にポット溶接したことを特徴とする。
【００２３】
請求項６の発明は、請求項１または２の発明を具体化したものであって、ピラー本体の前面部及び後面部に各々板状で外側面部及び内側面部を備えた前側取付部及び後側取付部を突設し、各内側面部に前側切欠部、後側切欠部を形成し、インナパネルに各切欠部に嵌入する前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を形成して前側切欠部及び後側切欠部に各々前部嵌入部及び後部嵌入部を嵌合して互いに重合する前部嵌合部と外側面部とアウタパネル、及び後部嵌入部と側側面部とアウタパネルを共に各々スポット溶接することによって上記目的を達成できると共に、ピラー部材の端部まで管状のピラー本体が延在することからピラー部材の剛性がより確保される。
【００２４】
請求項７に記載の車体部材の結合方法は、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルによって形成される閉断面形状のレール部材とを結合する車体部材の結合方法において、外側面部形成部と内側面部形成部とが対向形成された管状のピラー中間成型品の上記外側面部形成部と内側面部形成部とのいずれか一方に切欠部形成部を切り欠き、プレス成形によって外側面形成部と内側面部形成部を当接せしめて互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及び外側面部及び内側面部のいずれか一方に切欠部が形成された取付部を備えた管状のピラー部材を成形し、該取付部をアウタパネルとインナパネルによって挟持すると共に上記切欠部を介して重合する上記アウタパネルと、取付部と、インナパネルとの各部分を共にスポット溶接することを特徴とする。
【００２５】
請求項７の発明によると、外側面部形成部と内側面部形成部とが対向形成された管状のピラー中間成型品の外側面部形成部或いは内側面部形成部の一方に切欠部形成部を切り欠き、プレス成形によって外側面形成部と内側面部形成部を当接せしめることによって、互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれら外側面部或いは内側面部の一方に切欠部が形成された取付部を備えた管状のピラー部材が容易に得られ、外側面部或いは内側面部の一方と、アウターパネルと、インナパネルをスポット溶接することのよって、効率的にピラー部材とレール部材を結合することができる。
【００２６】
【実施の形態】
以下本発明による車体部材の結合構造及び結合方法の実施の形態を、管状の中空部材によって形成されるピラー部材となるセンターピラーとアウタパネル及びインナパネルによって形成されるレール部材となるサイドレールを結合する場合を例に説明する。
【００２７】
（第１実施の形態）
本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第１実施の形態を図１乃至図６によって説明する。
【００２８】
図１は、センターピラー１０とサイドレール２０との結合部を示す斜視図であり、図２は該部の分解斜視図である。なお、矢印Ｆは車体前方を示し、矢印ＩＮは車室内方を、矢印ＯＵＴは外方を示している。
【００２９】
センターピラ１０は、図３に示すように管状の中空部材によって形成されて上下方向に延在するピラー本体１１と、ピラー本体１１の上端に連続形成された取付部１２を備えている。
【００３０】
ピラー本体１１は、外側面部１１ａ、内側面部１１ｂ、外側面部１１ａ及び内側面部１１ｂの前縁及び後縁間に架設された前面部１１ｃ及び後面部１１ｄを有して上下方向に延在する断面略矩形に形成されている。
【００３１】
一方、取付部１２は内面が互いに重合されてピラー本体１１の前後の幅ａより大なる幅ｂを有して前後方向に延在する外側面部１２ａと内側面部１２ｂを有すると共に、外側面部１２ａ及び内側面部１２ｂの各前縁及び各後縁は各々前側折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄによって連続形成された平板状に形成されている。
【００３２】
ピラー本体１１と取付部１２との連続部分におけるピラー本体１１の上部は、外側面部１１ａと内側面部１１ｂが上方に移行するに従って互いに接近し外側面部１１ａの上端が取付部１２の外側面部１２ａに滑らかに移行し、内側面部１１ｂの上端が内側面部１２ｂに滑らかに移行する一方、取付部１２の前側折曲部１２ｃはピラー本体１１の前面部１１ｃにフランジ状に連続形成されると共に、後側折曲部１２ｄはピラー本体１１の後面部１１ｄにフランジ状に連続形成されている。
【００３３】
更に、取付部１２の外側面部１２ａの上縁中央部には第１切欠部１４が凹状に切り欠き形成され、第１切欠部１４と前側折曲部１２ｃの間に第２切欠部１５が穿設され、かつ第１切欠部１４と後側折曲部１２ｄとの間に第３切欠部１６が穿設されている。
【００３４】
この第２切欠部１５及び第３切欠部１６は、各々前側折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄとは当接を回避するように離間して設定され、前側折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄは第２切欠部１５及び第３切欠部１６によって影響されることなく取付部１２の前縁及び後縁の全長に亘って各々連続形成される結果、取付部１２の剛性強度及びピラー本体１１と取付部１２との移行部分の剛性強度が確保される。
【００３５】
ここで、このように形成されるセンターピラー１１の製造方法について、図４によって簡単に説明する。
【００３６】
まず、例えば管状のセンターピラー素材を準備し、このセンターピラー素材の両端部を蓋体等によって密閉する一方、センターピラーの外形形状に略倣った成形面を備えた液圧成形装置の型体内にセットし、蓋体に連結されたポンプ等によってセンターピラー素材内に液圧を供給して略センターピラー１０の形状に倣ったセンターピラー中間成型品１０Ａをパイプハイドロフォーミング方法によって製造する。
【００３７】
このセンターピラー中間成形品１０Ａは、略センターピラー１０に倣った形状であるが、取付部１２が形成される上端部は、図４の（ａ）に示すように相対向する平板状の外側面部形成部１２Ａと内側面部形成部１２Ｂを有して両端が略円弧状乃至コ字状の断面形状の前側折曲部形成部１２Ｃ及び後側折曲部形成部１２Ｄによって連結された拡径の長孔形状に形成される。
【００３８】
このセンターピラー中間成形品１０Ａの外側面部形成部１２Ａに、その外側面部形成部１２Ａの上縁に沿って凹状に第１切欠部形成部１４Ａを切り欠き形成すると共に、第１切欠部形成部１４Ａと前側折曲部形成部１２Ｃの間に第２切欠部形成部１５Ａを穿孔し、かつ第１切欠部形成部１４Ａと後側折曲部形成部１２Ｄとの間に第３切欠部形成部１６Ａを穿孔する。
【００３９】
これらの第１切欠部形成部１４Ａの切り欠き、第２切欠部形成部１５Ａと第３切欠部形成部１６Ａの穿孔は、熱的影響が少なく高速度でかつ、精密切断が可能なレーザー切断等によることが好ましい。
【００４０】
しかる後、外側面部形成部１２Ａと内側面部形成部１２Ｂが当接乃至圧接するようにプレス加工することによって、前部折曲部形成部１２Ｃ及び後部折曲部形成部１２Ｄが押し潰されて、外側面部形成部１２Ａと内側面形成部１２Ｂが当接乃至圧接して図４（ｃ）に示すような取付部１２及びピラー本体１１の上部が成形されてセンターピラー１０となる。
【００４１】
一方、サイドレール２０は、プレス成形されたアウタパネル２１とインナパネル２５によって形成される前後方向に延在する閉断面形状であって、アウタパネル２１は、図２に示すように、側面２１Ａ、上面２１Ｂ、下面２１Ｃを有して前後方向に延在する断面略コ字状乃至Ｃ字状であって、下面２１Ｃにセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に外方から嵌合可能なピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄが凹設されると共に、上面２１Ｂの上縁に沿って上部フランジ２１ａが折曲形成され、下面２１Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄの端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ２１ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ２１ｃが形成されている。
【００４２】
ピラー結合フランジ２１ｃには、上記センターピラー１０の取付部２１に形成された第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６に外方から嵌入可能な第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４が凹設され、第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４は各々第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６に嵌入した際、各頂部２２ａ、２３ａ、２４ａが取付部１２の内側面部１２ｂに当接するように設定されている。
【００４３】
インナパネル２５は、側面２５Ａ、上面２５Ｂ、下面２５Ｃを有する前後方向に延在する断面略コ字状乃至Ｃ字状であって、下面２５Ｃにピラー嵌合凹部２５Ｄが凹設されると共に、上面２５Ｂの上縁に沿って上部フランジ２５ａが折曲形成され、下面２５Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部２５Ｄの端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ２５ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ２５ｃが形成されている。
【００４４】
次に、このように形成されたセンターピラー１０、アウターパネル２１、インナパネル２５の結合について図１及び図２によって説明する。
【００４５】
まず、インナパネル２５のピラー嵌合凹部２５Ｄをセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に内方から嵌合してピラー結合フランジ２５ｃを取付部１２の内側面部１２ｂに重合して位置決めする一方、アウタパネル２１のピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄをセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に外方から嵌合して第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４を各々取付部１２の外側面部１２ａに形成された第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６に嵌入してピラー結合フランジ２１ｃを外側面部１２ａに重ねると共に、アウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の各上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂを各々重合する。
【００４６】
この状態において、第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６に各々嵌入した第１嵌入部２２及び第２嵌入部２３及び第３嵌入部２４の各頂部２２ａ、２３ａ、２４ａは内側面部１２ｂに当接せしめられている。
【００４７】
しかる後、図１に示すように互いに重なり合うアウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂを各々スポット溶接して前後方向に延在する閉断面形状のサイドレール２０を形成する。
【００４８】
一方、図５に図１のＩ−Ｉ線断面図を示すように互いに重合するアウタパネル２１のピラー結合フランジ２１ｃに形成された第１嵌入部２２の頂部２２ａと、センターピラー１０の取付部１２の内側面部１２ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとを共にスポット溶接し、かつ図１のＩＩ−ＩＩ線断面図を図６に示すように第２嵌入部２３の頂部２３ａと、内側面部１２ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとを共にスポット溶接する。
【００４９】
同様に第３嵌入部２４の頂部２４ａと、内側面部１２ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとを共にスポット溶接することによって、センターピラー１０の上部とサイドレール２０とを結合する。
【００５０】
この結合にあたり、アウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂのスポット溶接は勿論、第１嵌入部２２の頂部２２ａと内側面部１２ｂとピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとの溶接部、第２嵌入部２３の頂部２３ａと内側面部１２ｂとピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとの溶接部、及び第３嵌入部２４の頂部２４ａと内側面部１２ｂとピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとの溶接部において、互いに重ねられて溶接される部材は３枚以下であり、スポット溶接の際の電極による加圧力が確保されて部材間の接触面積が適度に確保され、かつ電流密度の低下が防止されて各部材間の結合強度が確保される。
【００５１】
また、サイドレール２０を形成するアウタパネル２１とインナパネル２５との結合、及びセンターピラー１０とサイドレール２０との結合が、アーク溶接やレーザ溶接によらず、スポット溶接によって各部材が結合されることから、作業性に優れ、かつ溶接歪みの発生少なく設備が比較的簡単で設備費の低減が得られ、製造コストの大幅な削減がもたらされる。
【００５２】
なお、本実施の形態では、取付部１２の外側面部１２ａに代えて内側面部１２ｂに第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６を形成し、インナパネル２５のピラー結合部フランジ２５ｃに第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４を形成することも可能であり、この場合は、取付部１２をアウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃとインナパネル２５のピラー結合部フランジ２５ｃによって挟持すると共に、第１切欠部１４、第２切欠部１５、第３切欠部１６に各々第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４を嵌合して第１嵌入部２２、第２嵌入部２３、第３嵌入部２４と、外側面部１２ａとアウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃとをスポット溶接する。また、嵌合部及び嵌入部は要求結合剛性等によって、他の複数個に増減することができる。
【００５３】
（第２実施の形態）
次に、本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第２実施の形態を図７乃至図１０によって説明する。なお、図７乃至図１０において図１乃至図６と対応する部分に同一符号を付することで該部の詳細な説明を省略し、異なる部分を主に説明する。
【００５４】
図７は、センターピラー１０とサイドレール２０との結合部を示す斜視図であり、図８はセンタピーラー１０の要部斜視図である。
【００５５】
センターピラ１０は、図８に示すように管状の中空部材によって形成されて上下方向に延在するピラー本体１１と、ピラー本体１１の上端に連続形成された取付部１２を備え、取付部１２は内面が互いに重合されてピラー本体１１の前後の幅より大なる幅を有して前後方向に延在する外側面部１２ａと内側面部１２ｂを有し、外側面部１２ａ及び内側面部１２ｂの各前縁及び各後縁が各々前側折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄによって連続形成された平板状に形成されている。
【００５６】
取付部１２の外側面部１２ａの上縁中央部に取付部１２ａの略全幅に亘る切欠部３１が凹状に切り欠き形成され、この切欠部３１の両端は、各々前側折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄとは離間して設定され、前部折曲部１２ｃ及び後側折曲部１２ｄは切欠部１７に影響されることなく取付部１２の前縁及び後縁の全長に亘って各々連続形成され、取付部１２及びピラー本体１１と取付部１２との移行部分の剛性強度が確保している。
【００５７】
このように形成されるセンターピラー１１の製造方法について、図９によって簡単に説明する。
【００５８】
まず、例えば、センターピラー１０の外形形状に略倣った成形面を備えた液圧成形装置の型体内にパイプ状のセンターピラー素材をセットし、センターピラー素材内に液圧を供給して略センターピラー１０の倣ったセンターピラー中間成型品１０Ａを製造する。
【００５９】
このセンターピラー中間成形品１０Ａの取付部１２が形成される上端部は、図９（ａ）に示すように相対向する平板状の外側面部形成部１２Ａと内側面部形成部１２Ｂを有して両端が前側折曲部形成部１２Ｃ及び後側折曲部形成部１２Ｄによって連結されて拡径した長孔形状に形成される。このセンターピラー中間成形品１０Ａの外側面部形成部１２Ａに、図９（ｂ）に示すように凹状に切欠部形成部３１Ａをレーザー切断等によって切り欠く。
【００６０】
しかる後、外側面部形成部１２Ａと内側面形成部１２Ｂは当接乃至圧接するようにプレス加工することによって、前側折曲部形成部１２Ｃ及び後側折曲部形成部１２Ｄが押し潰されて図９（ｃ）に示すセンターピラー１０となる。
【００６１】
一方、アウタパネル２１は、側面２１Ａ、上面２１Ｂ、下面２１Ｃを有し、下面２１Ｃにセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に外方から嵌合可能なピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄが凹設されると共に、上面２１Ｂに上部フランジ２１ａが折曲形成され、下面２１Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄの端縁に沿って下部フランジ２１ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ２１ｃが連続形成されている。
【００６２】
ピラー結合フランジ２１ｃには、上記センターピラー１０の切欠部３１に外方から嵌入可能な嵌入部３２が凹設され、嵌入部３２は頂部３２ａが取付部１２の内側面部１２ｂに当接するように設定されている。
【００６３】
インナパネル２５は、側面２５Ａ、上面２５Ｂ、下面２５Ｃを有し、下面２５Ｃにピラー嵌合凹部（図示せず）が凹設されると共に、上面２５Ｂに上部フランジ２５ａが、下面２５Ｃ及びピラー嵌合凹部の端縁に下部フランジ２５ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ２５ｃが形成されている。
【００６４】
次に、このように形成されたセンターピラー１０、アウターパネル２１、インナパネル２５の結合について説明する。
【００６５】
まず、インナパネル２５のピラー嵌合凹部をセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に内方から嵌合する一方、アウタパネル２１のピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄをセンターピラー１０の取付部１２に外方から嵌合して嵌入部３２を切欠部３１に嵌入してピラー結合フランジ２１ｃを外側面部１２ａに重合すると共に、アウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の各上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂを各々重合する。
【００６６】
しかる後、図７に示すように互いに重なり合うアウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂを各々スポット溶接して閉断面形状のサイドレール２０を形成する一方、図１０に図７のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線断面図を示すように互いに重合するアウタパネル２１のピラー結合フランジ２１ｃに形成された嵌入部３２の頂部３２ａと、取付部１２の内側面部１２ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとを共にスポット溶接することによって、センターピラー１０の上部とサイドレール２０とを結合する。
【００６７】
この結合にあたり、アウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂのスポット溶接は勿論、嵌入部３２の頂部３２ａと内側面部１２ｂとピラー結合フランジ２５ｃとの溶接部は、重合されて溶接される部材が３枚以下であり、スポット溶接による各部材間の結合強度が確保される。
【００６８】
従って、本実施の形態によると、第１実施の形態に加え、センターピラー１０の取付部１１に形成される切欠部及びアウタパネル２１のピラー結合フランジ２１ｃに形成される嵌入部が各々１個であることから、センターピラー１０の取付部１１及びアウタパネル２１の形状の簡素化がもたらされる。
【００６９】
なお、本実施の形態では、取付部１２の外側面部１２ａに切欠部３１を形成し、アウタパネル２１に嵌合部３２を形成したが、内側面部１２ｂに切欠部３１を形成し、インナパネルに２５のピラー結合部フランジ２５ｃに嵌合部３２を形成することも可能であり、この場合は、取付部１２をアウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃとインナパネル２５のピラー結合部フランジ２５ｃによって挟持すると共に、切欠部３１に嵌入部３２を嵌合して嵌入部３２と、外側面部１２ａとアウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃとをスポット溶接する。
【００７０】
（第３実施の形態）
本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第３実施の形態を図１１乃至図１３によって説明する。なお、図１１乃至図１３において図１乃至図６と対応する部分に同一符号を付することで該部の詳細な説明を省略し、異なる部分を主に説明する。
【００７１】
図１１は、センターピラー１０とサイドレール２０との結合部を示す斜視図であり、図１２はセンタピラー１０の要部を示す斜視図、図１３は図１２のＩＶ−ＩＶ線断面図である。
【００７２】
センターピラ１０は、図１２に示すように管状の中空部材によって形成された上下方向に延在するピラー本体１１と、ピラー本体１１の上部に形成された前側取付部３５と後側取付部３６を備えている。
【００７３】
ピラー本体１１は、外側面部１１ａ、内側面部１１ｂ、前面部１１ｃ及び後面部１１ｄを有して上下方向に延在して上方が開放された断面略矩形の筒状に形成されている。
【００７４】
ピラー本体１１の前面部１１ｃ及び後面部１１ｄの上端近傍から前後方向に各々舌片状の前側取付部３５及び後側取付部３６が突設されている。
【００７５】
前側取付部３５は内面が互いに重合されて前面部１１ｃから前方向に突出する外側面部３５ａと内側面部３５ｂを有すると共に、外側面部３５ａ及び内側面部３５ｂの前縁が前側折曲部３５ｃによって連続形成された平板状で、外側面部３５ａには前側折曲３５ｃから離間して前側切欠部３７が穿設されている。
【００７６】
同様に、後側取付部３６は、内面が互いに重合されて後面部１１ｄから後方向に突出する外側面部３６ａと内側面部３６ｂを有すると共に、外側面部３６ａ及び内側面部３６ｂの後縁が後側折曲部３６ｃによって連続形成された平板状で、外側面部３６ａには後側折曲３６ｃから離間して後側切欠部３８が穿設されている。
【００７７】
このように形成されるセンターピラー１１の製造方法は、センターピラーの外形形状に略倣った成形面を備えた液圧成形装置の型体内にパイプ状のセンターピラー素材をセットし、センターピラー素材内に液圧を供給して略センターピラー１０に倣った形状で、かつ上端近傍の前側及び後側に各々袋状の前側取付部形成部及び後側取付部形成部が膨出形成されたセンターピラー中間成形品を形成する。
【００７８】
この前側取付部形成部の前縁に形成された前側折曲部形成部を除いた外側面部形成部に切欠部形成部をレーザー切断等によって穿孔すると共に、後側取付部形成部の後縁に形成された後側折曲部形成部を除いた外側面部形成部に切欠部形成部をレーザー切断等によて穿孔し、しかる後、前側取付部形成部及び後側取付部形成部の各外側面部形成部と内側面形成部を当接乃至圧接するようにプレス加工することによって、図１２に示すようなセンターピラー１０が形成される。
【００７９】
一方、アウタパネル２１は、図１１に示すように側面２１Ａ、上面２１Ｂ、下面２１Ｃを有し、下面２１Ｃにセンターピラー１０の前側取付部３５、センターピラー本体１１、後側取付部３６に外方から嵌合可能なピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄが凹設され、上面２１Ｂに上部フランジ２１ａが折曲形成されると共に、下面２１Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄの端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ２１ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ２１ｃが形成されている。
【００８０】
ピラー結合フランジ２１ｃには、前側取付部３５及び後側取付部６に穿設された前側切欠部３７及び後側切欠部３８に外方から各々嵌入可能な前部嵌入部４１及び後部嵌入部４２が凹設され、前側切欠部３７及び後側切欠部３８に嵌入した際、各頂部４１ａ及び４２ａが各々前側取付部３５の内側面部３５ｂ及び後側取付部３６の内側面部３６ｂに当接するように設定されている。
【００８１】
インナパネル２５は、側面２５Ａ、上面２５Ｂ、下面２５Ｃを有し、下面２５Ｃにピラー嵌合凹部（図示せず）が凹設されると共に、上面２５Ｂに上部フランジ２５ａが折曲形成され、下面２５Ｃの下縁及びピラー嵌合凹部の端縁に沿って互いに連続する下部フランジ２５ｂ及びピラー結合フランジ（図示せず）が形成されている。
【００８２】
次に、このように形成されたセンターピラー１０、アウターパネル２１、インナパネル２５の結合について図１１及び図１２によって説明する。
【００８３】
まず、インナパネル２５のピラー嵌合凹部をセンターピラー１０の前側取付部３５及び後側取付部３６及びピラー本体１１に内方から嵌合する一方、アウタパネル２１のピラー嵌合凹部２１Ｄをセンターピラー１０の前側取付部３５、後側取付部３６及ピラー本体１１に外方から嵌合して、前部嵌入部４１を前側切欠部３７に嵌入しすると共に後部嵌入部４２を後側切欠部３８に挿入する。
【００８４】
しかる後、図１１に示すように互いに重なり合うアウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂを各々スポット溶接して閉断面形状のサイドレール２０を形成する一方、互いに重合するアウタパネル２１のピラー結合フランジ２１ｃに形成された前部嵌入部４１の頂部４１ａと、前側取付部３５の内側面部３５ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジとを共にスポット溶接する一方、後部嵌入部４２の頂部４２ａと、後側取付部３６の内側面部３６ｂと、インナパネル２５のピラー結合フランジとを共にスポット溶接することによって、センターピラー１０の上部とサイドレール２０とを結合する。
【００８５】
この結合にあたり、アウタパネル２１及びインナパネル２５の上部フランジ２１ａと２５ａ、下部フランジ２１ｂと２５ｂのスポット溶接は勿論、前部嵌入部４１の頂部４１ａと内側面部３５ｂとインナパネル２２のピラー結合フランジとの溶接部、及び後部嵌入部４２の頂４２ａと内側面部３５ｂとインナパネル２２のピラー結合フランジとの溶接部は、重合されて溶接される部材が３枚以下であり、スポット溶接による各部材間の結合強度が確保される。
【００８６】
従って、本実施の形態によると、第１実施の形態に加え、センターピラー１０が上下方向に連続する矩形断面形状に形成されることから、センタピラー１０の剛性強度を向上させることができる。
【００８７】
また、本実施の形態では、前側取付部３５の外側面部３５ａに前側切欠部３７を形成し、かつ後側取付部３６の外側面部３６ａに後側切欠部３８を形成し、アウタパネル２１に前部嵌合部４１、後部嵌入部４２を形成したが、前側取付部３５の内側面部３５ｂ及び後側取付部３６の内側面部３６ｂに、各々前側切欠部３７、後側切欠部３８を形成し、インナパネル２１に前部嵌合部４１、後部嵌入部４２を形成することも可能であり、この場合互いに重合する前部嵌合部４１と、外側面部３５ａと、アウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃ及び、後部嵌入部３２と外側面部３６ａと、アウタパネル２１のピラー結合部フランジ２１ｃとを各々スポット溶接する。
【００８８】
なお、本発明は、上記各実施の形態に限定されることなく、発明の趣旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々変更可能である。例えば、上記各実施の形態では、センターピラーとサイドレールとの結合部について説明したが、フロントピラーとサイドレール、リヤピラーとサイドレール、センターピラーとブレース等の、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルとによって形成された閉断面形状のレール部材との結合部に適宜適用することができる。
【００８９】
【発明の効果】
以上説明した本発明による車体部材の結合構造によると、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルによって形成される閉断面形状のレール部材とを結合する車体部材の結合構造において、ピラー部材と、アウタパネルと、インナパネルと結合部が、板状に形成された取付部の外側面部或いは内側面部一方に切欠部を形成することによって、外側面部或いは内側面部のいずれか一方と、アウターパネルと、インナパネルの３枚重ねに構成され、スポット溶接による各部材間の十分な結合強度がもたらされる。この結果、アーク溶接やレーザ溶接によらず、作業性に優れたスポット溶接によって各部材を結合することが可能になり、製造コストの大幅な削減がもたらされる。
【００９０】
また、本発明の車体部材の結合方法によると、管状のピラー部材と、アウタパネルとインナパネルによって形成される閉断面形状のレール部材とを結合する車体部材の結合方法において、外側面部形成部と内側面部形成部とが対向形成された管状のピラー中間成型品の外側面部形成部或いは内側面部形成部の一方に切欠部形成部を切り欠き、プレス成形によって外側面形成部と内側面部形成部を当接せしめることによって、互いに重なる外側面部と内側面部及びこれら外側面部或いは内側面部の一方に切欠部が形成された取付部を備えた管状のピラー部材が容易に得られ、外側面部或いは内側面部の一方と、アウターパネルと、インナパネルをスポット溶接することによって、効率的にピラー部材とレール部材を結合することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第１実施の形態の概要を示す車体の要部斜視図である。
【図２】図１の分解斜視図である。
【図３】センターピラーの概要を示すセンターピラーの要部斜視図である。
【図４】センターピラーの製造方法の概略説明図であり、（ａ）はセンターピラー中間成形品の上部斜視図、（ｂ）は切欠部を切除したセンターピラー中間成形品の上部斜視図、（ｃ）はセンターピラー中間成形品をプレス加工して得られたセンターピラーの上部斜視図である。
【図５】図１のＩ−Ｉ線断面図である。
【図６】図１のＩＩ−ＩＩ線断面図である。
【図７】本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第２実施の形態の概要を示す車体の要部斜視図である。
【図８】センターピラーの概要を示すセンターピラーの要部斜視図である。
【図９】センターピラーの製造方法の概略説明図であり、（ａ）はセンターピラー中間成形品の上部斜視図、（ｂ）は切欠部を切除したセンターピラー中間成形品の上部斜視図、（ｃ）はセンターピラー中間成形品をプレス加工して得られたセンターピラーの上部斜視図である。
【図１０】図７のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線断面図である。
【図１１】本発明による車体部材の結合部構造及び結合方法の第３実施の形態の概要を示す車体の要部斜視図である。
【図１２】センターピラーの概要を示すセンターピラーの要部斜視図である。
【図１３】図１２のＩＶ−ＩＶ線断面図である。
【図１４】従来のセンターピラーとサイドレールとの結合状態の概要を示す要部斜視図である。
【図１５】図１４の分解斜視図である。
【符号の説明】
１０センターピラー
２０サイドレール
１１ピラー本体
１２取付部
１２ｃ前側折曲部（折曲部）
１２ｄ後側折曲部（折曲部）
１４第１切欠部（切欠部）
１５第２切欠部（切欠部）
１６第３切欠部（切欠部）
１０Ａセンターピラー素材
１２Ａ内側面部形成部
１２Ｂ内側面部形成部
１２Ｃ前部折曲部形成部
１２Ｄ後部折曲部形成部
１４Ａ第１切欠部形成部（切欠部形成部）
１５Ａ第２切欠部形成部（切欠部形成部）
１６Ａ第３切欠部形成部（切欠部形成部）
２０サイドレール（レール部材）
２１アウタパネル
２２第１嵌入部（嵌入部）
２３第２嵌入部（嵌入部）
２４第３嵌入部（嵌入部）
２５インナパネル
３１切欠部
３２嵌入部
３５前側取付部
３５ａ外側面部
３５ｂ内側面部
３５ｃ前側折曲部
３６後側取付部
３６ａ外側面部
３６ｂ内側面部
３６ｃ後側折曲部
３７前側切欠部（切欠部）
３８後側切欠部（切欠部）
４１前部嵌入部（嵌入部）
４２後部嵌入部（嵌入部）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle body member coupling structure and a coupling method, and more particularly to a vehicle body member coupling structure and a coupling method for coupling a rail member having a closed cross-sectional shape including an outer panel and an inner panel and a tubular pillar member.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automobile body has been assembled by spot welding a panel formed by press working and joining members formed in a closed cross-sectional shape to each other by spot welding.
[0003]
On the other hand, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-1068, a tubular hollow member is used as a main skeleton member of a vehicle body in order to reduce the weight by thinning, improve the strength by integrating components, and improve the assembly efficiency. There is a frame body structure.
[0004]
FIG. 14 is an example thereof, and is a perspective view of a coupling portion between a center pillar 101 made of a tubular hollow member and a side rail 102 having a closed cross-sectional shape made of a press-formed outer panel 103 and an inner panel 104.
[0005]
The structure of the coupling portion will be described in detail with reference to an exploded perspective view shown in FIG. 15. The center pillar 101 is a hollow member having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the vertical direction. For example, both ends of a tubular center pillar material are covered with lids. Set in the mold of a hydraulic molding device with a molding surface that follows the outer shape of the center pillar, and supply the hydraulic pressure into the center pillar material by a pump connected to the lid. Manufactured by a pipe hydroforming method to form.
[0006]
On the other hand, the outer panel 103 has a side surface 103A, an upper surface 103B, and a lower surface 103C, and has a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross section extending in the front-rear direction. A pillar fitting recess 103D is formed on the lower surface 103C. The upper flange 103a is bent along the upper edge of the upper surface 103B, and the lower flange 103b and the pillar coupling flange 103c continuous with each other are formed along the lower edge of the lower surface 103C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 103D. Has been.
[0007]
The inner panel 104 has a side surface 104A, an upper surface 104B, and a lower surface 104C, and has a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross section extending in the front-rear direction. A pillar fitting recess 104D is formed on the lower surface 104C. An upper flange 104a is bent along the upper edge of the upper surface 104B, and a lower flange 104b and a pillar coupling flange 104c continuous with each other are formed along the lower edge of the lower surface 104C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 104D. Yes.
[0008]
The pillar fitting recess 103D of the outer panel 103 formed in this way is fitted to the upper part of the center pillar 101 from the outside, while the pillar fitting recess 104D of the inner panel 104 is fitted from the inside. As shown in the figure, the outer flange 103a and 104a and the lower flanges 103b and 104b of the outer panel 103 and the inner panel 104 that overlap each other are spot welded to form a side rail 102 having a closed cross-sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction. The center pillar 101 and the side rail 102 are joined by joining the pillar coupling flange 103c and the lower edge of the pillar coupling flange 104c of the inner panel 104 along the outer periphery of the center pillar 101 by arc welding or laser welding.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
14 and 15, the center pillar 101 and the side rail 102 are coupled to each other. According to the structure of the center pillar 101 made of a tubular hollow member, the side having a closed cross section made up of the pressed outer panel 103 and inner panel 104. By combining the rails 102, a vehicle body structure that is relatively lightweight and excellent in strength can be obtained.
[0010]
However, when the center pillar 101 and the side rail 102 are coupled, the pillar coupling flange 103c of the outer panel 103 and the pillar coupling flange 104c of the inner panel 104 are coupled to the center pillar 101 along the outer periphery of the center pillar 101 by arc welding or laser welding. The work to be performed is troublesome and the welding distortion is relatively large, and the correction thereof is unavoidable. As a result, a lot of work man-hours are required and a lot of equipment costs are required for the welding equipment, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs. Is concerned.
[0011]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such a point is to simplify the assembly work and manufacture cost in a vehicle body member that couples a tubular pillar member and a rail member having a closed cross section formed by an outer panel and an inner panel. An object of the present invention is to provide a coupling structure and a coupling method for vehicle body members which can be reduced and are excellent in productivity.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The vehicle body member coupling structure according to claim 1, which achieves the above object, is a vehicle body member coupling structure in which a tubular pillar member and a rail member having a closed cross section formed by an outer panel and an inner panel are coupled. The pillar member has a tubular pillar body, a plate having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that are continuously formed on a part of the tubular pillar member, and a bent portion that connects the outer surface portion and the edge of the inner surface portion. And the outer panel that is sandwiched between the outer panel and the inner panel and is polymerized via the notch, and the outer panel and the inner panel. Each portion of the mounting portion and the inner panel is spot welded together.
[0013]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the joint portion between the pillar member, the outer panel, and the inner panel forms a notch portion on one of the outer side surface portion or the inner side surface portion of the mounting portion formed in a plate shape. Is composed of three layers of either the outer side or inner side, the outer panel, and the inner panel, so that sufficient pressure and current density are ensured by the spot welding electrodes, and sufficient bonding strength between the members is obtained. Since these members are connected by spot welding instead of arc welding or laser welding, the workability is excellent, and there is little weld distortion, and the equipment is relatively simple and equipment costs are reduced. Resulting in a significant reduction in manufacturing costs.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the first aspect, the cutout portion is provided to avoid the bent portion.
[0015]
According to the invention of claim 2, the bent portion formed with relatively high rigidity is continuously formed at the edge portion of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion without being cut by the notch portion, and the strength of the mounting portion is ensured. A strong bond structure is obtained.
[0016]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the first or second aspect, the pillar member includes a tubular pillar body and an outer surface portion that is continuously formed at the end of the tubular pillar body and overlaps with each other. And an inner side surface part, and a plate-like shape having a front side bent part that connects each front edge of the outer side surface part and the inner side part and a rear side bent part that connects each rear edge, and the notch part is formed on the outer side part. A fitting portion that fits into the cutout portion is formed in the outer panel, the fitting portion is sandwiched between the outer panel and the inner panel, and the fitting portion is fitted into the cutout portion, and the fitting portions overlap each other. The inner side surface portion and the inner panel are spot welded together.
[0017]
The invention of claim 3 embodies the invention of claim 1 or 2, and includes an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that overlap each other on an end portion of the pillar body, and a front bent portion and a rear bent portion that connect them. And a mounting portion having a notch portion formed on the outer side surface portion, and a fitting portion that fits into the notch portion is formed on the outer panel, and the mounting portion is sandwiched between the outer panel and the inner panel. The object can be easily achieved by spot welding the fitting portion, the inner side surface portion, and the inner panel that are inserted into the cutout portion and overlap each other.
[0018]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the first or second aspect, the pillar member includes a tubular pillar main body and an outer surface portion that is continuously formed at the end of the tubular pillar main body and overlaps with each other. And an inner side surface part and a plate-like shape having a front side bent part that connects the front edges of the outer side surface part and the inner side surface part, and a rear side bent part that connects each rear edge, and the notch part is formed on the inner side surface part. A fitting portion that fits into the cutout portion, is formed between the outer panel and the inner panel, and the fitting portion is fitted into the cutout portion and overlapped with each other. The outer surface portion and the outer panel are spot welded together.
[0019]
The invention of claim 4 embodies the invention of claim 1 or 2, and includes an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that overlap each other on an end portion of the pillar body, and a front bent portion and a rear bent portion that connect them. A mounting portion having a cut-out portion formed on the inner side surface of the inner panel, forming an insertion portion that fits into the cut-out portion on the inner panel, and sandwiching the mounting portion between the outer panel and the inner panel. By inserting the fitting portion into the portion and spot welding the fitting portion, the inner side surface portion, and the outer panel that overlap each other, the above object can be easily achieved.
[0020]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the first or second aspect, the pillar member includes a tubular pillar body and an outer surface portion that is continuously formed on the front surface portion of the tubular pillar body and overlaps with each other. A front side mounting portion having a front notch portion formed in the outer side surface portion, and a tubular pillar main body. A rear notch is formed in the outer side surface portion in a plate shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed on the rear surface portion and overlap each other, and a rear bent portion that connects each outer edge of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion. A front fitting portion and a rear fitting portion, which are respectively fitted into the front notch portion and the rear notch portion, are formed on the outer panel, and the pillar body, the front attachment portion, and the rear attachment portion are formed. The outer panel and inner panel And the front notch part and the rear notch part are respectively inserted into the front notch part and the rear notch part, and the front fitting part, the inner side face part, and the inner panel that overlap each other are spot welded together, and The rear fitting portion, the inner side surface portion, and the inner panel that overlap each other are pot-welded together.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 5 embodies the invention according to claim 1 or 2, and is a front mounting portion and a rear side each having a plate-like shape on the front surface portion and the rear surface portion of the pillar body and having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion, respectively. Protruding mounting portions, forming front notch portions and rear notch portions on each outer surface portion, forming front insert portions and rear insert portions that fit into the notch portions on the outer panel, and forming front notches and Spot the front fitting part, the inner side face part and the inner panel, and the rear fitting part, the inner side face part and the inner panel, which are respectively overlapped with each other by fitting the front insertion part and the rear insertion part to the rear cutout part. The above object can be achieved by welding, and the tubular pillar main body extends to the end of the pillar member, so that the rigidity of the pillar member is further ensured.
[0022]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the first or second aspect, the pillar member includes a tubular pillar body and an outer surface portion that is continuously formed on the front surface portion of the tubular pillar body and overlaps with each other. A front side mounting portion having a front notch portion formed in the inner side surface portion, and a tubular pillar main body. The outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion that are continuously formed on the rear surface portion and overlap each other, and the outer side surface portion and the rear side bent portion that connects the respective rear edges of the inner side surface portion, and the rear notch portion on the inner side surface portion. A front fitting portion and a rear fitting portion, which are respectively fitted in the front notch portion and the rear notch portion, are formed on the inner panel, and the pillar body, the front attachment portion, and the rear side are formed. Install the outer panel and the inner And the front notch part and the rear notch part are fitted with the front fitting part and the rear fitting part, respectively, and the front fitting part, the outer surface part, and the outer panel that overlap each other are spot welded together, And the back part insertion part which overlaps mutually, an outer surface part, and the outer panel were pot welded together, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0023]
The invention of claim 6 embodies the invention of claim 1 or 2, and is a front mounting portion and a rear side each having a plate-like shape on the front surface portion and the rear surface portion of the pillar main body and having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion, respectively. Protruding mounting parts, forming front notch and rear notch on each inner side, and forming front insert and rear insert into the notch on the inner panel By spot welding the front fitting part, the outer side face part, and the outer panel, and the rear fitting part, the side side face part, and the outer panel, which are overlapped with each other by fitting the front insertion part and the rear insertion part to the notch part, respectively. The object can be achieved, and the tubular pillar main body extends to the end of the pillar member, so that the rigidity of the pillar member is further ensured.
[0024]
The vehicle body member coupling method according to claim 7 is a vehicle body member coupling method in which a tubular pillar member and a rail member having a closed cross section formed by an outer panel and an inner panel are coupled. In the tubular pillar intermediate molded product with the face part forming part formed to face, the notch part forming part is notched in either the outer side part forming part or the inner side part forming part, and the outer side surface forming part and the inner side part are formed by press molding. Forming a tubular pillar member having an outer surface and an inner surface, and an outer surface and an inner surface, each having a notch formed on the outer surface and contacting each other, and forming the mounting with the outer panel Spot welding is performed on each part of the outer panel, the mounting portion, and the inner panel that are sandwiched by the inner panel and overlapped through the notch. To.
[0025]
According to the invention of claim 7, the notch part forming part is cut out in one of the outer side part forming part or the inner side part forming part of the tubular pillar intermediate molded product in which the outer side part forming part and the inner side part forming part are formed to face each other. A tubular pillar having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that overlap each other and a mounting portion in which a notch portion is formed on one of the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion by bringing the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion forming portion into contact with each other by press molding. The member can be easily obtained, and the pillar member and the rail member can be efficiently combined by spot welding the one of the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion, the outer panel, and the inner panel.
[0026]
Embodiment
Embodiments of a vehicle body member coupling structure and a coupling method according to the present invention are coupled to a center pillar serving as a pillar member formed by a tubular hollow member, and a side rail serving as a rail member formed by an outer panel and an inner panel. A case will be described as an example.
[0027]
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of a vehicle body member coupling portion structure and coupling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0028]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a coupling portion between the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the portion. The arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle body, the arrow IN indicates the interior of the vehicle, and the arrow OUT indicates the outward direction.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 3, the center pillar 10 includes a pillar main body 11 that is formed of a tubular hollow member and extends in the vertical direction, and a mounting portion 12 that is continuously formed at the upper end of the pillar main body 11.
[0030]
The pillar main body 11 has a front surface portion 11c and a rear surface portion 11d extending between the front and rear edges of the outer surface portion 11a, the inner surface portion 11b, the outer surface portion 11a, and the inner surface portion 11b, and has a cross section that extends in the vertical direction. It is formed in a rectangle.
[0031]
On the other hand, the attachment portion 12 has an outer surface portion 12a and an inner surface portion 12b which are overlapped with each other and have a width b larger than the width a before and after the pillar body 11 and extend in the front-rear direction. Each front edge and each rear edge of the inner side surface portion 12b are formed in a flat plate shape that is continuously formed by a front bent portion 12c and a rear bent portion 12d.
[0032]
The upper part of the pillar main body 11 in the continuous part of the pillar main body 11 and the mounting portion 12 approaches each other as the outer side surface portion 11a and the inner side surface portion 11b move upward, and the upper end of the outer side surface portion 11a is smooth to the outer side surface portion 12a of the mounting portion 12. While the upper end of the inner side surface portion 11b smoothly transitions to the inner side surface portion 12b, the front bent portion 12c of the mounting portion 12 is continuously formed in a flange shape on the front surface portion 11c of the pillar body 11, and the rear side folding The curved portion 12d is continuously formed in a flange shape on the rear surface portion 11d of the pillar body 11.
[0033]
Further, a first notch portion 14 is formed in a concave shape at the center of the upper edge of the outer surface portion 12a of the mounting portion 12, and a second notch portion 15 is formed between the first notch portion 14 and the front bent portion 12c. The third cutout portion 16 is formed between the first cutout portion 14 and the rear bent portion 12d.
[0034]
The second cutout portion 15 and the third cutout portion 16 are set apart from the front bent portion 12c and the rear bent portion 12d so as to avoid contact with each other. The bent portion 12d is continuously formed over the entire length of the front edge and the rear edge of the attachment portion 12 without being affected by the second notch portion 15 and the third notch portion 16, and as a result, the rigidity strength of the attachment portion 12 and The rigidity strength of the transition portion between the pillar main body 11 and the mounting portion 12 is ensured.
[0035]
Here, the manufacturing method of the center pillar 11 formed in this way will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
[0036]
First, for example, a tubular center pillar material is prepared, and both ends of the center pillar material are sealed with a lid or the like, while the hydrostatic molding device having a molding surface that substantially follows the outer shape of the center pillar. A center pillar intermediate molded product 10A that substantially follows the shape of the center pillar 10 is manufactured by a pipe hydroforming method by supplying hydraulic pressure into the center pillar material by a pump or the like connected to the lid.
[0037]
The center pillar intermediate molded product 10A has a shape substantially following the center pillar 10, but the upper end portion where the attachment portion 12 is formed is a flat plate-like outer surface portion facing each other as shown in FIG. The length of the expanded diameter which has the forming part 12A and the inner side face forming part 12B, and both ends are connected by the front bent part forming part 12C and the rear bent part forming part 12D having a substantially arcuate or U-shaped cross section. It is formed in a hole shape.
[0038]
A first notch forming portion 14A is formed in a concave shape along the upper edge of the outer surface portion forming portion 12A in the outer surface portion forming portion 12A of the center pillar intermediate molded product 10A, and the first notch forming portion 14A. The second notch forming portion 15A is perforated between the first bent portion forming portion 12C and the third notched portion forming portion 16A between the first notched portion forming portion 14A and the rear bent portion forming portion 12D. Perforate.
[0039]
The notches of the first notch forming part 14A and the perforations of the second notch forming part 15A and the third notch forming part 16A have a low thermal influence, laser cutting, etc. capable of high speed and precise cutting. Is preferred.
[0040]
After that, the front bent portion forming portion 12C and the rear bent portion forming portion 12D are crushed by pressing so that the outer surface portion forming portion 12A and the inner side surface forming portion 12B are in contact with or pressed against each other. The outer side surface portion forming portion 12A and the inner side surface forming portion 12B come into contact or pressure contact with each other, and the upper portion of the mounting portion 12 and the pillar body 11 as shown in FIG.
[0041]
On the other hand, the side rail 20 has a closed cross-sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction formed by a press-molded outer panel 21 and an inner panel 25. The outer panel 21 includes a side surface 21A and an upper surface 21B as shown in FIG. The lower surface 21C has a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross section extending in the front-rear direction, and the lower surface 21C has a pillar fitting recess 21D that can be fitted to the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 from the outside. The upper flange 21a is bent along the upper edge of the upper surface 21B, and the lower flange 21b and the pillar coupling flange are continuous with each other along the lower edge of the lower surface 21C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 21D. 21c is formed.
[0042]
The pillar coupling flange 21c has a first insertion portion 22 that can be fitted from the outside into the first cutout portion 14, the second cutout portion 15, and the third cutout portion 16 formed in the mounting portion 21 of the center pillar 10, and The 2 insertion part 23 and the 3rd insertion part 24 are recessed, and the 1st insertion part 22, the 2nd insertion part 23, and the 3rd insertion part 24 are the 1st notch part 14, the 2nd notch part 15, and the 3rd notch part, respectively. 16, the top portions 22 a, 23 a, and 24 a are set to contact the inner side surface portion 12 b of the mounting portion 12.
[0043]
The inner panel 25 has a side surface 25A, an upper surface 25B, and a lower surface 25C, and has a substantially U-shaped or C-shaped cross section extending in the front-rear direction. An upper flange 25a is bent along the upper edge of 25B, and a lower flange 25b and a pillar coupling flange 25c continuous with each other are formed along the lower edge of the lower surface 25C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 25D.
[0044]
Next, the coupling of the center pillar 10, the outer panel 21, and the inner panel 25 formed in this way will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0045]
First, the pillar fitting recess 25D of the inner panel 25 is fitted into the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 from the inside, and the pillar coupling flange 25c is overlapped and positioned on the inner side surface portion 12b of the mounting portion 12, while the outer panel 21 The pillar fitting recess 21D is fitted to the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 from the outside, and the first insertion portion 22, the second insertion portion 23, and the third insertion portion 24 are formed on the outer side surface portion 12a of the mounting portion 12, respectively. The first notch 14, the second notch 15, and the third notch 16 are fitted to overlap the pillar coupling flange 21 c on the outer surface 12 a, and the upper flanges 21 a and 25 a of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25, and the lower flange 21b and 25b are each polymerized.
[0046]
In this state, the top portions 22a, 23a, and 24a of the first insertion portion 22, the second insertion portion 23, and the third insertion portion 24 that are respectively inserted into the first cutout portion 14, the second cutout portion 15, and the third cutout portion 16. Is brought into contact with the inner side surface portion 12b.
[0047]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25 that overlap each other are spot welded to form a side rail 20 having a closed cross-sectional shape extending in the front-rear direction. To do.
[0048]
On the other hand, as shown in the sectional view taken along the line I-I in FIG. 5, the top 22 a of the first fitting portion 22 formed on the pillar coupling flange 21 c of the outer panel 21 that overlaps with each other, and the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10. The inner side surface portion 12b and the pillar coupling flange 25c of the inner panel 25 are spot welded together, and the top portion 23a of the second insertion portion 23 and the inner side surface portion 12b are taken along the line II-II in FIG. And the pillar coupling flange 25c of the inner panel 25 are spot welded together.
[0049]
Similarly, the top portion 24a of the third insertion portion 24, the inner side surface portion 12b, and the pillar coupling flange 25c of the inner panel 25 are spot welded together to couple the upper portion of the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20 together.
[0050]
In this connection, not only spot welding of the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25, but also a welded portion of the top portion 22a of the first insertion portion 22, the inner side surface portion 12b, and the pillar coupling flange 25c, In the welded portion between the top 23a of the second insertion portion 23, the inner side surface portion 12b and the pillar coupling flange 25c, and in the welded portion between the top portion 24a of the third insertion portion 24, the inner side surface portion 12b and the pillar coupling flange 25c, The number of members to be welded is three or less, the pressure applied by the electrodes during spot welding is ensured, the contact area between the members is ensured moderately, and the current density is prevented from decreasing, and the bonding strength between the members Is secured.
[0051]
In addition, the connection between the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25 that form the side rail 20 and the connection between the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20 are connected by spot welding, not by arc welding or laser welding. Therefore, the workability is excellent, the welding distortion is less generated, the equipment is relatively simple, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost is greatly reduced.
[0052]
In the present embodiment, instead of the outer side surface portion 12a of the mounting portion 12, the first notch portion 14, the second notch portion 15, and the third notch portion 16 are formed on the inner side surface portion 12b, and the pillar coupling portion of the inner panel 25 is formed. It is also possible to form the first insertion portion 22, the second insertion portion 23, and the third insertion portion 24 in the flange 25c. In this case, the attachment portion 12 is connected to the pillar coupling portion flange 21c of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25. While sandwiched by the pillar coupling portion flange 25c, the first insertion portion 22, the second insertion portion 23, and the third insertion portion 24 are fitted into the first cutout portion 14, the second cutout portion 15, and the third cutout portion 16, respectively. The first insertion portion 22, the second insertion portion 23, the third insertion portion 24, the outer surface portion 12a, and the pillar coupling portion flange 21c of the outer panel 21 are spot welded. Further, the fitting portion and the fitting portion can be increased or decreased to other plural numbers depending on the required coupling rigidity or the like.
[0053]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle body member coupling portion structure and coupling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be mainly described.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a coupling portion between the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of the center peeler 10.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 8, the center pillar 10 includes a pillar main body 11 that is formed of a tubular hollow member and extends in the vertical direction, and a mounting portion 12 that is continuously formed at the upper end of the pillar main body 11. The inner surface has an outer surface portion 12a and an inner surface portion 12b that are superposed on each other and have a width larger than the front and rear widths of the pillar body 11 and extend in the front-rear direction, and the front edges of the outer surface portion 12a and the inner surface portion 12b, Each rear edge is formed in a flat plate shape continuously formed by the front bent portion 12c and the rear bent portion 12d.
[0056]
A notch 31 is formed in the center of the upper edge of the outer surface 12a of the mounting portion 12 so as to be recessed in the substantially entire width of the mounting portion 12a. Both ends of the notch 31 are respectively bent at the front bent portion 12c and the rear folding portion. It is set apart from the curved portion 12d, and the front bent portion 12c and the rear bent portion 12d are continuous over the entire length of the front edge and the rear edge of the mounting portion 12 without being affected by the notch portion 17. Thus, the rigidity of the mounting portion 12 and the transition portion between the pillar body 11 and the mounting portion 12 is ensured.
[0057]
The manufacturing method of the center pillar 11 formed in this way will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
[0058]
First, for example, a pipe-shaped center pillar material is set in a mold body of a hydraulic forming apparatus having a molding surface that substantially follows the outer shape of the center pillar 10, and the hydraulic pressure is supplied into the center pillar material so as to be approximately centered. A center pillar intermediate molded product 10 </ b> A copied by the pillar 10 is manufactured.
[0059]
The upper end of the center pillar intermediate molded product 10A on which the mounting portion 12 is formed has a flat plate-like outer surface portion forming portion 12A and inner surface portion forming portion 12B opposite to each other as shown in FIG. Is formed into a long hole shape that is connected and expanded by the front bent portion forming portion 12C and the rear bent portion forming portion 12D. As shown in FIG. 9B, the notch portion forming portion 31A is cut into a concave shape in the outer surface forming portion 12A of the center pillar intermediate molded product 10A by laser cutting or the like.
[0060]
Thereafter, the outer side surface forming portion 12A and the inner side surface forming portion 12B are pressed so as to abut or press against each other, whereby the front bent portion forming portion 12C and the rear bent portion forming portion 12D are crushed. The center pillar 10 shown in FIG.
[0061]
On the other hand, the outer panel 21 has a side surface 21A, an upper surface 21B, and a lower surface 21C. A pillar fitting recess 21D that can be fitted from the outside to the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 is provided in the lower surface 21C, and an upper surface 21B. The upper flange 21a is bent, and the lower flange 21b and the pillar coupling flange 21c are continuously formed along the lower edge of the lower surface 21C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 21D.
[0062]
In the pillar coupling flange 21c, a fitting portion 32 that can be fitted from the outside into the cutout portion 31 of the center pillar 10 is recessed, and the fitting portion 32 is set so that the top portion 32a contacts the inner side surface portion 12b of the mounting portion 12. Has been.
[0063]
The inner panel 25 has a side surface 25A, an upper surface 25B, and a lower surface 25C. A pillar fitting recess (not shown) is provided on the lower surface 25C, and an upper flange 25a is formed on the upper surface 25B, and the lower surface 25C and the pillar are fitted. A lower flange 25b and a pillar coupling flange 25c are formed at the edge of the recess.
[0064]
Next, the coupling of the center pillar 10, the outer panel 21, and the inner panel 25 formed in this way will be described.
[0065]
First, the pillar fitting recess of the inner panel 25 is fitted to the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 from the inside, while the pillar fitting recess 21D of the outer panel 21 is fitted to the mounting portion 12 of the center pillar 10 from the outside. The fitting portion 32 is fitted into the notch portion 31 to superimpose the pillar coupling flange 21c on the outer surface portion 12a, and the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25 are superposed.
[0066]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25 that overlap each other are spot welded to form the side rails 20 having a closed cross section, while FIG. As shown in the sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 7, the top portion 32 a of the fitting portion 32 formed on the pillar coupling flange 21 c of the outer panel 21 that overlaps with each other, the inner side surface portion 12 b of the mounting portion 12, and the pillar coupling of the inner panel 25. The upper portion of the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20 are joined by spot welding together with the flange 25c.
[0067]
In this connection, not only spot welding of the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25, but also the welded portion of the top portion 32a of the fitting portion 32, the inner side surface portion 12b, and the pillar coupling flange 25c is overlapped. The number of members to be welded is three or less, and the bonding strength between the members by spot welding is ensured.
[0068]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, there is one notch portion formed in the attachment portion 11 of the center pillar 10 and one insertion portion formed in the pillar coupling flange 21c of the outer panel 21. Therefore, simplification of the shapes of the mounting portion 11 and the outer panel 21 of the center pillar 10 is brought about.
[0069]
In the present embodiment, the notch 31 is formed on the outer side surface 12a of the mounting portion 12 and the fitting portion 32 is formed on the outer panel 21. However, the notch 31 is formed on the inner side surface 12b, and 25 on the inner panel. It is also possible to form the fitting portion 32 on the pillar coupling portion flange 25c of the outer panel 21. In this case, the attachment portion 12 is sandwiched between the pillar coupling portion flange 21c of the outer panel 21 and the pillar coupling portion flange 25c of the inner panel 25. Then, the fitting portion 32 is fitted into the cutout portion 31, and the fitting portion 32, the outer surface portion 12a, and the pillar coupling portion flange 21c of the outer panel 21 are spot-welded.
[0070]
(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of a vehicle body member coupling portion structure and coupling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13, parts corresponding to those in FIGS. 1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be mainly described.
[0071]
11 is a perspective view showing a connecting portion between the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a main part of the center pillar 10, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. .
[0072]
As shown in FIG. 12, the center pillar 10 includes a pillar main body 11 formed by a tubular hollow member extending in the vertical direction, and a front attachment portion 35 and a rear attachment portion 36 formed on the top of the pillar main body 11. I have.
[0073]
The pillar main body 11 has an outer surface portion 11a, an inner surface portion 11b, a front surface portion 11c, and a rear surface portion 11d, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a substantially rectangular cross section extending in the vertical direction and opened upward.
[0074]
From the vicinity of the upper ends of the front surface portion 11c and the rear surface portion 11d of the pillar main body 11, a tongue-like front mounting portion 35 and a rear mounting portion 36 are projected in the front-rear direction.
[0075]
The front mounting portion 35 has an outer surface portion 35a and an inner surface portion 35b that are superposed on each other and project forward from the front surface portion 11c, and the front edges of the outer surface portion 35a and the inner surface portion 35b are continuously formed by the front bent portion 35c. The outer side surface portion 35a is formed with a front notch 37 spaced from the front bent portion 35c.
[0076]
Similarly, the rear mounting portion 36 has an outer surface portion 36a and an inner surface portion 36b whose inner surfaces are overlapped with each other and project rearward from the rear surface portion 11d, and the rear edges of the outer surface portion 36a and the inner surface portion 36b are folded back. The outer side surface 36a is formed with a rear notch 38 that is spaced apart from the rear bent portion 36c.
[0077]
In the manufacturing method of the center pillar 11 formed in this way, a pipe-shaped center pillar material is set in a mold body of a hydraulic forming apparatus having a molding surface substantially following the outer shape of the center pillar, The center pillar has a shape that substantially follows the center pillar 10 by supplying fluid pressure to the front pillar and has a bag-like front mounting portion forming portion and a rear mounting portion forming portion bulging on the front and rear sides near the upper end. Form an intermediate molded product.
[0078]
The notch portion forming portion is perforated by laser cutting or the like in the outer surface portion forming portion excluding the front bent portion forming portion formed at the front edge of the front attaching portion forming portion, and at the rear edge of the rear attaching portion forming portion. The outer surface portion forming portion excluding the formed rear side bent portion forming portion is perforated with a notch portion forming portion by laser cutting or the like, and then each outer side of the front side attaching portion forming portion and the rear side attaching portion forming portion. A center pillar 10 as shown in FIG. 12 is formed by pressing the surface portion forming portion and the inner surface forming portion so as to contact or press contact.
[0079]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the outer panel 21 has a side surface 21A, an upper surface 21B, and a lower surface 21C. The lower surface 21C has a front mounting portion 35 of the center pillar 10, a center pillar main body 11, and a rear mounting portion 36 from the outside. A pillar fitting recess 21D that can be fitted is recessed, and an upper flange 21a is bent on the upper surface 21B, and a lower flange that is continuous with the lower edge of the lower surface 21C and the edge of the pillar fitting recess 21D. 21b and a pillar coupling flange 21c are formed.
[0080]
The pillar coupling flange 21c has a front insertion portion 41 and a rear insertion portion 42 that can be respectively inserted into the front cutout portion 37 and the rear cutout portion 38 formed in the front attachment portion 35 and the rear attachment portion 6 from the outside. Is recessed, and when fitted into the front cutout portion 37 and the rear cutout portion 38, the respective top portions 41a and 42a come into contact with the inner side surface portion 35b of the front side attachment portion 35 and the inner side surface portion 36b of the rear side attachment portion 36, respectively. Is set.
[0081]
The inner panel 25 has a side surface 25A, an upper surface 25B, and a lower surface 25C. A pillar fitting recess (not shown) is formed in the lower surface 25C, and an upper flange 25a is formed on the upper surface 25B by bending. A lower flange 25b and a pillar coupling flange (not shown) that are continuous with each other are formed along the lower edge and the edge of the pillar fitting recess.
[0082]
Next, the coupling of the center pillar 10, the outer panel 21, and the inner panel 25 formed in this way will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
[0083]
First, the pillar fitting concave portion of the inner panel 25 is fitted into the front side mounting portion 35 and the rear side mounting portion 36 of the center pillar 10 and the pillar body 11 from the inside, while the pillar fitting concave portion 21D of the outer panel 21 is fitted to the center pillar 10. The front mounting portion 35, the rear mounting portion 36 and the pillar main body 11 are fitted from the outside, and the front insertion portion 41 is inserted into the front cutout portion 37 and the rear insertion portion 42 is connected to the rear cutout portion 38. insert.
[0084]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25 that overlap each other are spot welded to form a side rail 20 having a closed cross-sectional shape, while overlapping each other. The top portion 41a of the front insertion portion 41 formed on the pillar coupling flange 21c of the outer panel 21, the inner side surface portion 35b of the front mounting portion 35, and the pillar coupling flange of the inner panel 25 are spot welded together, while the rear insertion portion 42 The top portion 42a, the inner side surface portion 36b of the rear attachment portion 36, and the pillar coupling flange of the inner panel 25 are spot welded together, thereby coupling the upper portion of the center pillar 10 and the side rail 20 together.
[0085]
In this connection, not only spot welding of the upper flanges 21a and 25a and the lower flanges 21b and 25b of the outer panel 21 and the inner panel 25, but also the top portion 41a and the inner side surface portion 35b of the front insertion portion 41 and the pillar coupling flange of the inner panel 22 are performed. The welded portion and the welded portion of the apex 42a of the rear insertion portion 42, the inner side surface portion 35b, and the pillar coupling flange of the inner panel 22 have three or less members that are superposed and welded. Bond strength is ensured.
[0086]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the center pillar 10 is formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape that is continuous in the vertical direction, so that the rigidity of the center pillar 10 can be improved.
[0087]
In the present embodiment, the front notch 37 is formed on the outer surface 35 a of the front attachment 35, the rear notch 38 is formed on the outer surface 36 a of the rear attachment 36, and the front panel 21 The fitting part 41 and the rear fitting part 42 are formed, but the front side notch part 37 and the rear side notch part 38 are formed on the inner side surface part 35b of the front side mounting part 35 and the inner side surface part 36b of the rear side mounting part 36, respectively. It is also possible to form the front fitting part 41 and the rear fitting part 42 on the panel 21. In this case, the front fitting part 41 that overlaps with each other, the outer surface part 35a, the pillar coupling part flange 21c of the outer panel 21, and The rear fitting portion 32, the outer side surface portion 36a, and the pillar coupling portion flange 21c of the outer panel 21 are each spot welded.
[0088]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the coupling portion between the center pillar and the side rail has been described. However, a tubular pillar member such as a front pillar and a side rail, a rear pillar and a side rail, a center pillar and a brace, an outer panel, and an inner panel. The present invention can be appropriately applied to a connecting portion with a rail member having a closed cross section formed by a panel.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
According to the vehicle body member coupling structure according to the present invention described above, in the vehicle body member coupling structure for coupling the tubular pillar member and the rail member having the closed cross section formed by the outer panel and the inner panel, the pillar member and the outer panel And the inner panel and the coupling portion are formed in a plate-like mounting portion by forming a notch in one of the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion, the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion, the outer panel, and the inner panel. And a sufficient bonding strength between the members by spot welding is provided. As a result, the members can be joined by spot welding with excellent workability regardless of arc welding or laser welding, resulting in a significant reduction in manufacturing costs.
[0090]
According to the vehicle body member coupling method of the present invention, in the vehicle body member coupling method for coupling the tubular pillar member and the rail member having a closed cross section formed by the outer panel and the inner panel, the outer surface portion forming portion and the inner surface portion forming portion A notched portion forming portion is cut out at one of the outer surface forming portion or the inner surface forming portion of the tubular pillar intermediate molded product formed opposite to the surface forming portion, and the outer surface forming portion and the inner surface forming portion are contacted by press molding. By making contact, a tubular pillar member having an outer surface portion and an inner surface portion that overlap each other and a mounting portion in which a notch is formed in one of the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion is easily obtained, and one of the outer surface portion or the inner surface portion is obtained. And a pillar member and a rail member can be efficiently couple | bonded by carrying out spot welding of an outer panel and an inner panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a vehicle body showing an outline of a first embodiment of a vehicle body member connection part structure and a connection method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the center pillar showing an outline of the center pillar.
4A and 4B are schematic explanatory views of a manufacturing method of a center pillar, wherein FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a center pillar intermediate molded product, FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of a center pillar intermediate molded product with a notch cut out, c) is a top perspective view of a center pillar obtained by pressing a center pillar intermediate molded product.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a main part of a vehicle body showing an outline of a second embodiment of a vehicle body member coupling portion structure and a coupling method according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of the center pillar showing an outline of the center pillar.
9A and 9B are schematic explanatory views of a manufacturing method of a center pillar, in which FIG. 9A is a top perspective view of a center pillar intermediate molded product, FIG. 9B is a top perspective view of a center pillar intermediate molded product with a notch cut out, c) is a top perspective view of a center pillar obtained by pressing a center pillar intermediate molded product.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an essential part of a vehicle body showing an outline of a third embodiment of a vehicle body member coupling part structure and coupling method according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a main part of the center pillar showing an outline of the center pillar.
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part showing an outline of a coupling state between a conventional center pillar and a side rail.
15 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 14. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Center pillar
20 Side rail
11 Pillar body
12 Mounting part
12c Front bent part (bent part)
12d Rear bent part (bent part)
14 First notch (notch)
15 Second notch (notch)
16 Third notch (notch)
10A Center pillar material
12A Inner side surface forming part
12B Inner side surface forming part
12C Front bent part forming part
12D Rear bent part forming part
14A 1st notch part formation part (notch part formation part)
15A Second notch forming part (notch forming part)
16A 3rd notch part formation part (notch part formation part)
20 Side rail (rail member)
21 Outer panel
22 1st insertion part (insertion part)
23 Second insertion part (insertion part)
24 3rd insertion part (insertion part)
25 Inner panel
31 Notch
32 Insertion part
35 Front mounting part
35a outer side surface
35b inner surface
35c Front bent part
36 Rear mounting part
36a outer side surface part
36b Inner side surface
36c Rear bent part
37 Front notch (notch)
38 Rear notch (notch)
41 Front insertion part (insertion part)
42 Rear insertion part (insertion part)

Claims

In a vehicle body member coupling structure that couples a tubular pillar member and a rail member having a closed cross-sectional shape formed by an outer panel and an inner panel,
The pillar member is
A tubular pillar body;
A plate-like shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed on a part of the tubular pillar member, and a bent portion that connects the outer side surface portion and an edge of the inner side surface portion, and the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion. A mounting portion formed with a notch on either side,
A connecting structure for a vehicle body member, wherein the mounting portion is sandwiched between an outer panel and an inner panel, and each portion of the outer panel, the mounting portion, and the inner panel that are superposed via the cutout portion is spot welded together.

The notch is
The vehicle body member coupling structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body member coupling structure is provided so as to avoid the bent portion.

The pillar member is
A tubular pillar body;
An outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed at the end portion of the tubular pillar body and overlap each other, a front side bent portion that connects the front edges of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion, and a rear side bent portion that connects the rear edges. And a mounting portion in which a cutout portion is formed in the outer side surface portion,
A fitting part that fits into the notch is formed in the outer panel,
2. The mounting portion is sandwiched between an outer panel and an inner panel, and a fitting portion is fitted into the cutout portion, and the fitting portion, the inner side surface portion, and the inner panel that overlap each other are spot welded together. 3. A coupling structure for vehicle body members according to 2.

The pillar member is
A tubular pillar body;
An outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed at the end portion of the tubular pillar body and overlap each other, a front side bent portion that connects the front edges of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion, and a rear side bent portion that connects the rear edges. And a mounting portion having a cutout portion formed in the inner side surface portion,
A fitting part that fits into the notch is formed in the inner panel,
3. The mounting portion is sandwiched between an outer panel and an inner panel, and a fitting portion is fitted into the cutout portion, and the fitting portion, the outer surface portion, and the outer panel that overlap each other are spot welded together. The vehicle body member coupling structure described in 1.

The pillar member is
A tubular pillar body;
The tubular pillar body is formed in a plate shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed and overlap each other, and a front side bent portion that connects the outer surface portion and the front edge of the inner side surface portion. A front mounting portion formed with a notch,
A plate-like shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed on the rear surface portion of the tubular pillar body and overlap each other, and a rear bent portion that connects the rear edges of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion. A rear mounting portion formed with a rear notch,
A front insertion portion and a rear insertion portion that are respectively inserted into the front notch portion and the rear notch portion are formed on the outer panel,
The pillar main body, the front mounting portion, and the rear mounting portion are sandwiched between the outer panel and the inner panel, and the front notch portion and the rear notch portion are respectively fitted with the front insertion portion and the rear insertion portion, and the front portions are overlapped with each other. 3. The vehicle body member according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion, the inner side surface portion, and the inner panel are spot welded together, and the rear insertion portion, the inner side surface portion, and the inner panel that overlap each other are pot welded together. Bond structure.

The pillar member is
A tubular pillar body;
The tubular pillar body is formed in a plate shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed and overlap each other, and a front side bent portion that connects each outer edge portion and the front edge of the inner side surface portion. A front mounting portion formed with a notch,
The inner side surface portion is formed in a plate shape having an outer side surface portion and an inner side surface portion that are continuously formed on the rear surface portion of the tubular pillar main body and overlap each other, and a rear bent portion that connects the rear edges of the outer side surface portion and the inner side surface portion. And a rear mounting portion formed with a rear notch,
A front insertion portion and a rear insertion portion that are respectively inserted into the front notch portion and the rear notch portion are formed on the inner panel,
The pillar body, the front mounting portion, and the rear mounting portion are sandwiched between the outer panel and the inner panel, and the front notch portion and the rear notch portion are fitted with the front insertion portion and the rear insertion portion, respectively, and are overlapped with each other. The vehicle body member coupling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the part fitting portion, the outer surface portion, and the outer panel are spot welded together, and the rear fitting portion, the outer surface portion, and the outer panel that overlap each other are pot welded together. Construction.

In a vehicle body member coupling method for coupling a tubular pillar member and a rail member having a closed cross section formed by an outer panel and an inner panel,
The tubular pillar intermediate molded product in which the outer surface portion forming portion and the inner surface portion forming portion are formed to face each other is cut out at one of the outer surface portion forming portion and the inner surface portion forming portion, and the outer side is formed by press molding. Forming a tubular pillar member provided with a mounting portion in which a side surface forming portion and an inner surface portion forming portion are brought into contact with each other to overlap each other and an outer side surface portion, an inner side surface portion, an outer side surface portion, and an inner side surface portion are formed with a notch portion,
A method for joining vehicle body members, characterized in that the mounting portion is sandwiched between an outer panel and an inner panel, and each portion of the outer panel, the mounting portion, and the inner panel that are overlapped via the cutout portion is spot welded together.