JP5445921B2 - Front pillar structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a front pillar structure.

  Patent Document 1 describes a front pillar structure in which a buffer panel formed of a thin iron plate having a thickness of about 0.6 mm is disposed on the outer surface of a pillar outer. In this front pillar structure, both end portions of the buffer panel are respectively fitted along the corresponding outer surface of the pillar outer and fixed to the outer surface by welding or the like, and are projected forward at positions corresponding to the front portion of the pillar outer to form bulge portions. A closed section is formed by the bulging portion and the front portion of the pillar outer. When an external object interferes with the front pillar while the vehicle is running, the force in the front-rear direction acts on the bulging part that forms a closed cross section, so that the bulging part is plastically deformed in a crushed state, thereby absorbing energy. .

JP-A-9-39833

  However, the front pillar structure described in Patent Document 1 absorbs collision energy by deforming the buffer panel when an external object interferes with the front pillar, and does not consider the rigidity of the entire front pillar. Therefore, there is a possibility that sufficient vehicle body rigidity cannot be obtained.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a front pillar structure that can obtain sufficient vehicle body rigidity and can reduce an impact on a colliding object when the front pillar collides with a colliding object.

  In order to achieve the above object, a front pillar structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pillar panel outer, a pillar panel inner, and a reinforcing panel.

  The pillar panel outer is disposed between the front window panel and the side door. The pillar panel inner is opposed to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer, forms a closed cross section with the pillar panel outer, and is coupled to the pillar panel outer. The reinforcing panel reinforces the pillar panel inner by being coupled to the pillar panel inner in a state of being in surface contact with or facing the surface of the pillar panel inner. The thickness of the pillar panel outer is set to be thinner than the sum of the thickness of the pillar panel inner and the thickness of the reinforcing panel.

  In the above configuration, the pillar panel inner is reinforced by the reinforcing panel, and the thickness of the pillar panel outer is set to be thinner than the sum of the thickness of the pillar panel inner and the thickness of the reinforcing panel. When an external load is input, the pillar panel outer is deformed before the pillar panel inner. Further, the reduction in rigidity of the entire front pillar due to the thinning of the pillar panel outer is complemented by the closed cross section formed by the pillar panel outer and the pillar panel inner and the reinforcing panel that reinforces the pillar panel inner. The rigidity of the entire pillar is secured. In this way, it is possible to achieve both the thinning of the pillar panel outer and the securing of the rigidity of the entire front pillar.

  For example, when a pedestrian's head collides with the pillar panel outer, the pillar panel outer is deformed before the pillar panel inner. At this time, since the reinforcing panel is in surface contact with or opposed to the surface of the pillar panel inner, the pillar panel outer and the reinforcing panel do not interfere with each other when the pillar panel outer is deformed, and the pillar panel outer is prevented from being deformed. Absent. Accordingly, the collision energy can be effectively absorbed by the deformation of the pillar panel outer, and the impact on the collision object can be reduced.

  In addition, since the thickness of the pillar panel outer, the thickness of the pillar panel inner, and the thickness of the reinforcing panel can be arbitrarily set as long as the above conditions are satisfied, the thickness of the pillar panel outer and the thickness of the pillar panel inner And the thickness of the reinforcing panel can be set as appropriate, and the deformation mode of the pillar panel outer when the collision object collides with the pillar panel outer can be set to a desired deformation mode.

The front pillar structure according to the second aspect of the present invention is the front pillar structure according to the first aspect, and includes a second reinforcing panel. The second reinforcing panel has a front end portion and a rear end portion that are respectively coupled to the pillar panel outer . The second reinforcing panel is opposed to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer and is closed between the pillar panel outer and the second closing panel. A section is defined . The rear end portion of the second reinforcing panel is coupled to the inner surface of the pillar panel outer excluding the coupling portion between the pillar panel outer and the pillar panel inner .

  In the above configuration, since the pillar panel outer is reinforced by the second reinforcing panel, the rigidity of the entire front pillar can be further increased.

  In addition, since the second closed cross section is formed between the pillar panel outer and the second reinforcing panel, the pillar panel outer is connected to the second reinforcing panel when an external load is input to the pillar panel outer. It is possible to effectively absorb the collision energy by effectively deforming in the region outside in the vehicle width direction, and to mitigate the impact on the collision object.

  The front pillar structure according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a pillar panel outer, a pillar panel inner, a reinforcing panel, and a buffer panel.

  The pillar panel outer is disposed between the front window panel and the side door. The pillar panel inner is opposed to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer, forms a closed cross section with the pillar panel outer, and is coupled to the pillar panel outer. The reinforcing panel reinforces the pillar panel inner by being coupled to the pillar panel inner in a state of being in surface contact with or facing the surface of the pillar panel inner. The buffer panel is disposed opposite to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer, defines a second closed cross section with the pillar panel outer, and is coupled to the pillar panel outer. The thickness of the buffer panel is set to be thinner than the thickness of the pillar panel outer.

  In the above configuration, the pillar panel inner is reinforced by the reinforcing panel, and the thickness of the buffer panel is set to be thinner than the thickness of the pillar panel outer. Therefore, when an external load is input to the buffer panel, The buffer panel is deformed before the panel inner and the pillar panel outer. Further, the rigidity reduction of the entire front pillar due to the thinning of the buffer panel is caused by the closed cross section formed by the pillar panel outer and the pillar panel inner, the second closed cross section formed by the buffer panel and the pillar panel outer, and the pillar panel. Since it is complemented by a reinforcing panel that reinforces the inner, the rigidity of the entire front pillar is ensured. In this way, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in the thickness of the buffer panel and securing the rigidity of the entire front pillar.

  For example, when a pedestrian's head or the like collides with the buffer panel, the buffer panel is deformed before the pillar panel inner and the pillar panel outer. At this time, since the second closed cross section is formed between the buffer panel and the pillar panel outer, the buffer panel is effectively deformed in a region outside the pillar panel outer in the vehicle width direction, and the collision energy is effectively reduced. Absorbed. In addition, since the reinforcing panel is in surface contact with or opposed to the surface of the pillar panel inner, the buffer panel and the reinforcing panel do not interfere with each other when the buffer panel is deformed, and the deformation of the buffer panel is not hindered. Therefore, when the front pillar collides with the colliding object, the collision energy can be effectively absorbed by the deformation of the buffer panel, and the impact on the colliding object can be reduced.

  In addition, since the thickness of the buffer panel and the thickness of the pillar panel outer can be arbitrarily set as long as the above conditions are satisfied, the values of the thickness of the buffer panel and the thickness of the pillar panel outer are appropriately set. Thus, the deformation mode of the buffer panel when a collision object collides with the buffer panel can be set to a desired deformation mode.

  According to the present invention, sufficient vehicle body rigidity can be obtained, and the impact on the collision object can be reduced at the time of collision between the front pillar and the collision object.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the right side part of the vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. It is II-II arrow sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the other structure of a front pillar. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front pillar which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front pillar which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a right side portion of the vehicle, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing another structure of the front pillar. In the following description, the front-rear direction indicates the front-rear direction of the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the inner-outer direction indicates the inner-outer side in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, right and left means right and left in the state which faced the vehicle front.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment includes a front window panel 2, a pair of left and right side doors 3, a pair of left and right front pillars 4 and the like. In FIG. 1, the right front pillar 4 and the side door 3 are illustrated, and the left front pillar 4 and the side door 3 are not illustrated.

  The front window panel 2 is a transparent substantially rectangular plate-like member, extends upward from the rear end edge of the bonnet 5 and is connected to the front end edge of the roof panel 6. The left and right side doors 3 have a substantially rectangular plate shape, and are respectively disposed below both ends of the roof panel 6 in the vehicle width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right front pillars 4 extend in the vertical direction between the front window panel 2 and the side panel 3. The left and right front pillars 4 each have a pillar panel outer 7, a pillar panel inner 8, and a reinforcement inner (reinforcing panel) 9. Since the left front pillar 4 has a substantially bilaterally symmetric structure with the right front pillar 4, the structure of the right front pillar 4 will be mainly described in the present embodiment.

  The pillar panel outer 7 includes a pillar panel outer front side joining plate portion 10 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a molding fixing plate portion 11 that is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer front side joining portion 10 and extends forward in the vehicle width direction. And a shock absorber 12 that curves and extends from the front end of the molding fixing plate 11 to the rear in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar panel outer front slope that extends from the rear end of the shock plate 12 to the rear in the vehicle width direction. A plate portion 13, a pillar panel outer front / rear plate portion 14 that is bent from the rear end of the pillar panel outer front inclined plate portion 13 and extends rearward, and a rear portion of the pillar panel outer front / rear plate portion 14 is bent from the rear end. A pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion 15 that extends rearward, and a pillar panel outer rear joint plate portion 16 that bends and extends rearward from the vehicle width direction inner end of the pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion 15. It has, are partitioned in the vehicle width direction outer end of the front pillar 4. An outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front window panel 2 is fixed to the molding fixing plate 11 via a window panel molding not shown.

  The pillar panel inner 8 is bent backward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front joint plate 17 joined to the rear surface of the pillar panel outer front joint plate 10 and the pillar panel inner front joint plate 17. A pillar panel inner front inclined plate portion 18 that extends, a pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 19 that is bent from the rear end of the pillar panel inner front inclined plate portion 18 and extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar panel inner rear inclined portion. Pillar panel inner front and rear plate portions 20 that are bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the plate portion 19 and extend rearward, and pillar panel inner inner and outer plates that are bent from the rear end of the pillar panel inner front and rear plate portion 20 and extend outward in the vehicle width direction. Portion 21 and the rear end of the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 21 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction and opposed to the inner side of the pillar panel outer rear joint plate portion 16 in the vehicle width direction. That has a pillar panel inner rear joint plate portion 22, which partitions the vehicle width direction inner end of the front pillar 4.

  The reinforcement inner 9 includes a reinforcement inner front joining plate portion 23, a reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24, a reinforcement inner front / rear plate portion 25, a reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 26, and a reinforcement inner rear joining plate portion 27. Have.

  The reinforcement inner front side joining plate portion 23 is disposed to face the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front side inclined plate portion 18 and is joined in a state of surface contact with the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front side inclined plate portion 18. ing.

  The reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24 is bent from the rear end of the reinforcement inner front connecting plate portion 23 and extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and is close to the outer side surface of the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 19 in the vehicle width direction. Is arranged.

  The reinforcement inner front and rear plate portion 25 is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24 and extends rearward, and is in surface contact with the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front and rear plate portion 20.

  The reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 26 is bent from the rear end of the reinforcement inner front / rear plate portion 25 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and is in surface contact with the front surface of the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 21.

  The reinforcement inner rear side joining plate part 27 is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner inner / outer plate part 26 and extends rearward, and the pillar panel outer rear side joining part 16 and the pillar panel inner rear side joining part 22 The vehicle width direction outer side surface and the inner side surface are in surface contact with the vehicle width direction inner side surface of the pillar panel outer rear side joint portion 16 and the vehicle width direction outer side surface of the pillar panel inner rear side joint portion 22, respectively. Are joined together.

  In the front pillar 4 configured as described above, a closed cross section 4 a is formed by the pillar panel outer 7 and the pillar panel inner 8. Further, a closed cross section 4 b is formed between the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24 and the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 19. Further, the pillar panel outer rear side joining plate portion 16, the reinforcement inner rear side joining plate portion 27, and the pillar panel inner rear side joining plate portion 22 are fixed in a state where they are overlapped in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a buffer plate portion 12 is arranged on a straight line connecting the head of a driver who is seated in a driver seat (not shown) and the pillar panel inner 8. In other words, the buffer plate portion 12 is disposed in a region that becomes a blind spot by the pillar panel inner 8 within the forward view of the driver seated in the driver's seat.

  Further, the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7, the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8, and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9 are equal to the plate thickness to of the pillar panel inner 7 and the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8. While satisfying the condition that it is thinner than the total thickness of the reinforcement inner 9 and the total thickness of the front pillar 4, the rigidity of the entire front pillar 4 is sufficiently secured, and the pillar panel outer 7 is in a desired deformation mode when an external load is input. It is set to be deformed. In this embodiment, the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7 and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9 are set to be the same, and the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8 is 0.75 of the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7. It is set to double. That is, the sum of the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8 and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9 is set to 1.75 times the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7. Each value of the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7, the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8, and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9 can be arbitrarily set as long as the above conditions are satisfied. For example, the pillar panel outer The plate thickness to of 7 may be set to be thinner or thicker than one or both of the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8 and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9, or these plate thickness ti and plate thickness tri. It may be set the same as both.

  According to the present embodiment, the pillar panel inner 8 is reinforced by the reinforcement inner 9, and the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7 is the sum of the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8 and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9. Therefore, when an external load is input to the pillar panel outer 7, the pillar panel outer 7 is deformed in a desired deformation mode before the pillar panel inner 8. Further, the reduction in rigidity of the entire front pillar 4 due to the thinning of the pillar panel outer 7 is caused by a closed cross section 4 a formed by the pillar panel outer 7 and the pillar panel inner 8 and a reinforcement inner 9 that reinforces the pillar panel inner 8. Therefore, the rigidity of the entire front pillar 4 is ensured. As described above, the thinning of the pillar panel outer 7 and the securing of the rigidity of the entire front pillar 4 can be achieved at the same time.

  For example, when a pedestrian's head or the like collides with the pillar panel outer 7, the pillar panel outer 7 is deformed in a desired deformation mode before the pillar panel inner 8. At this time, since the reinforcement inner 9 is substantially in surface contact with the surface of the pillar panel inner 8, the pillar panel outer 7 and the reinforcement inner 9 do not interfere with each other when the pillar panel outer 7 is deformed. 7 is not hindered. Accordingly, the collision energy can be effectively absorbed by the deformation of the pillar panel outer 7, and the impact on the collision object can be reduced.

  Further, each value of the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7, the plate thickness ti of the pillar panel inner 8, and the plate thickness tri of the reinforcement inner 9 can be arbitrarily set as long as the above conditions are satisfied. By changing the values of the plate thickness ti and the plate thickness tri, the deformation mode of the pillar panel outer 7 when a colliding object collides with the pillar panel outer 7 can be appropriately changed to a desired deformation mode. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the reinforcement inner 9 is disposed outside the pillar panel inner 8 in the vehicle width direction has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcement inner 9 is arranged in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner 8. You may arrange | position inside. In the structure of the front pillar 4 shown in FIG. 3, the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner front side joining plate portion 23 is joined in surface contact with the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front side inclined plate portion 18. Yes. Further, the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24 is in surface contact with the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 19, and the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner front and rear plate portion 25 is The pillar panel inner front and rear plate portions 20 are in surface contact with the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction, and the front surface of the reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 26 is in surface contact with the rear surface of the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 21. Further, the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner rear side joining plate portion 27 is joined in a state of surface contact with the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner rear side joining plate portion 22.

  In addition, the case where the reinforcing panel is coupled to the pillar panel inner in a state of being substantially in surface contact with the surface of the pillar panel inner has been described, but the reinforcing panel is coupled to the pillar panel inner in a state of facing the surface of the pillar panel inner. May be.

  Moreover, although the pillar panel outer rear side joining plate part 16, the reinforcement inner rear side joining plate part 27, and the pillar panel inner rear side joining plate part 22 are described in a triple manner in the vehicle width direction, they are fixed. The panel outer rear joining plate portion 16 and the pillar panel inner rear joining plate portion 22 are overlapped and fixed in the vehicle width direction, and the reinforcement inner rear joining plate portion 27 is fixed to the pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion. 15 or the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 26 may be fixed.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a front pillar according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, a reinforcement outer (second reinforcing panel) 29 is provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer 7. Hereinafter, the front pillar 28 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the front pillar 28 includes a pillar panel outer 7, a pillar panel inner 8, a reinforcement inner 9, and a reinforcement outer 29.

  The reinforcement outer 29 includes a reinforcement outer front joining plate 30 extending in the vehicle width direction between the pillar panel outer front joining plate 10 and the pillar panel inner front joining plate 17, and a reinforcement outer front joining 30. The outer outer slope plate 31 is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction and extends rearwardly outward in the vehicle width direction, and is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the outer front tilt plate 31 of the reinforcement outer to the inner rear in the vehicle width direction. Reinforcement outer rear inclined plate portion 32 that extends, a reinforcement outer front and rear plate portion 33 that is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement outer rear inclined plate portion 32 and extends rearward, and a reinforcement outer front and rear plate portion 33. And a reinforcement outer rear joint plate 34 extending rearward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end.

  The reinforcement outer front side joining plate part 30 is in a state where the front surface and the rear surface of the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction are in surface contact with the rear surface of the pillar panel outer front side joining plate part 10 and the front surface of the pillar panel inner front side joining plate part 21, respectively. It is joined. The reinforcement outer rear side joining plate part 34 is joined in a state where the rear surface is in surface contact with the front surface of the pillar panel outer rear side inclined part 15.

  In the thus configured front pillar 28, a closed cross-section 28 a is formed by the pillar panel outer 7 and the pillar panel inner 8, and between the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 24 and the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 19. A closed section 28b is formed. Further, a closed cross section (second closed cross section) 28 c is defined by the pillar panel outer 7 and the reinforcement outer 29. Further, the plate thickness tro of the reinforcement outer 29 is set to 1.25 times the plate thickness to of the pillar panel outer 7. Further, the pillar panel outer front side joining plate portion 10, the reinforcement outer front side joining plate portion 30 and the pillar panel inner front side joining plate portion 17 are fixed in a state where they are overlapped in the front-rear direction.

  According to the present embodiment, since the pillar panel outer 7 is reinforced by the reinforcement outer 29, the rigidity of the entire front pillar 28 can be further increased.

  In addition, since the closed cross section 28 c is formed between the pillar panel outer 7 and the reinforcement outer 29, the pillar panel outer 7 is moved from the reinforcement outer 29 when an external load is input to the pillar panel outer 7. In addition, it is possible to effectively deform the outer region in the vehicle width direction to effectively absorb the collision energy and to mitigate the impact on the collision object.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a front pillar according to the third embodiment. In addition, about the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the front pillar 35 includes a pillar panel outer 36, a pillar panel inner 37, a reinforcement inner (reinforcing panel) 38, and a buffer panel 39.

  The pillar panel outer 36 includes a pillar panel outer front joint plate 40 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar panel outer front side that is bent from the vehicle width direction outer end of the pillar panel outer front joint plate 40 and extends rearward in the vehicle width direction. An inclined plate portion 41, a pillar panel outer intermediate inclined plate portion 42 that is bent from the vehicle width direction outer end of the pillar panel outer front inclined plate portion 41 and extends inwardly in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar panel outer intermediate inclined plate portion 42. A pillar panel outer front and rear plate portion 43 that is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward, and a pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion that is bent and extends from the rear end of the pillar panel outer front and rear plate portion 43 inward in the vehicle width direction. 44 and a pillar panel outer rear side joining plate portion 45 that is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer rear side inclined plate portion 44 and extends rearward.

  The pillar panel inner 37 is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front joining plate portion 46 joined to the rear surface of the pillar panel outer front joining plate portion 40 and the rear side of the pillar panel inner front joining plate portion 46. A pillar panel inner front inclined plate portion 47 that extends, a pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 48 that extends from the rear end of the pillar panel inner front inclined plate portion 47 and extends rearward in the vehicle width direction, and a pillar panel inner rear inclined plate. Pillar panel inner front and rear plate portions 49 that are bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the portion 48 and extend backward, and pillar panel inner inner and outer plate portions that are bent from the rear end of the pillar panel inner front and rear plate portion 49 and extend outward in the vehicle width direction 50 and the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 50 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction and facing the inner side of the pillar panel outer rear joint plate portion 40 in the vehicle width direction. And a pillar panel inner rear joint plate portion 51, which partitions the vehicle width direction inner end of the front pillar 35.

  The reinforcement inner 38 includes a reinforcement inner front joining plate portion 52, a reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 53, a reinforcement inner front and rear plate portion 54, a reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 55, and a reinforcement inner rear joining plate portion 56. Have.

  The reinforcement inner front side joining plate portion 52 is disposed opposite to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front side inclined plate portion 47 and joined in a state of surface contact with the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front side inclined plate portion 47. ing.

  The reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 53 is bent from the rear end of the reinforcement inner front connecting plate portion 52 and extends inward in the vehicle width direction, and is close to the outer side surface of the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 48 in the vehicle width direction. Is arranged.

  The reinforcement inner front and rear plate portion 54 is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 53 and extends rearward, and is in surface contact with the outer surface in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel inner front and rear plate portion 49.

  The reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 55 is bent from the rear end of the reinforcement inner front / rear plate portion 54 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and is in surface contact with the front surface of the pillar panel inner inner / outer plate portion 50.

  The reinforcement inner rear side joining plate portion 56 is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the reinforcement inner inner / outer plate portion 55 and extends rearward, and the pillar panel outer rear side joining portion 45, the pillar panel inner rear side joining portion 51, and The vehicle width direction outer side surface and the inner side surface are in surface contact with the vehicle width direction inner side surface of the pillar panel outer rear side joint portion 45 and the vehicle width direction outer side surface of the pillar panel inner rear side joint portion 51, respectively. Are joined together.

  The buffer panel 39 includes a front side joining plate portion 57, a molding fixing plate portion 58, a curved plate portion 59, an inclined plate portion 60, a front and rear plate portion 61, and a rear side joining plate portion 62, and the vehicle width of the pillar panel outer 36. Opposing to the outside in the direction.

  The front side joining plate part 57 is disposed opposite to the front side of the pillar panel outer front side joining plate part 40. The rear surface of the front joint plate 57 is joined in surface contact with the front surface of the pillar panel outer front joint plate 40.

  The molding fixing plate 58 extends from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front joint plate 57 by bending forward. The outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front window panel 2 is fixed to the molding fixing plate 58 through a window panel molding (not shown).

  The curved plate portion 59 extends from the front end of the molding fixing plate portion 58 so as to bend outward in the vehicle width direction. The inclined plate portion 60 is bent from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the curved plate portion 59 and extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The front and rear plate portion 61 is bent from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the inclined plate portion 60 and extends rearward.

  The rear joint portion 62 is bent from the rear end of the front and rear plate portion 61 and extends rearward in the vehicle width direction, and is disposed opposite to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion 44. The front surface of the rear joint portion 62 is joined in a state of surface contact with the rear surface of the pillar panel outer rear inclined plate portion 44.

  In the front pillar 35 configured as described above, a closed section 35a is formed by the pillar panel outer 36 and the pillar panel inner 37, and between the reinforcement inner inclined plate portion 53 and the pillar panel inner rear inclined plate portion 48. A closed section 35b is formed. In addition, the curved plate portion 59 is disposed away from the pillar panel outer front side joining plate portion 40, the pillar panel outer front side inclined plate portion 41, and the pillar panel outer rear side inclined plate portion 42 in the vehicle width direction outer side. A closed cross section (second closed cross section) 35 c is defined between the outer panel 36 and the pillar panel outer 36. Further, the pillar panel outer rear side joining plate portion 45, the reinforcement inner rear side joining plate portion 56, and the pillar panel inner rear side joining plate portion 51 are fixed in a state where they are overlapped in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a buffer panel 39 is arranged on a straight line connecting the head of the driver who is seated in a driver seat (not shown) and the pillar panel inner 37. In other words, the buffer panel 39 is disposed in a region where a blind spot is formed by the pillar panel inner 37 in the forward view of the driver seated in the driver's seat.

  The plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39 and the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36 satisfy the condition that the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39 is thinner than the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36, and the front pillar 35. The buffer panel 39 is set so as to be deformed in a desired deformation mode when the overall rigidity is sufficiently secured and an external load is input. In this embodiment, the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36 is set to 1.25 times the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39. The plate thickness Tri of the reinforcement inner 38 is set to be the same as the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39, and the plate thickness Ti of the pillar panel inner 37 is set to 0.75 times the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39. .

  According to the present embodiment, the pillar panel inner 37 is reinforced by the reinforcement inner 38, and the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39 is set to be thinner than the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36. When an external load is input, the buffer panel 39 is deformed in a desired deformation mode before the pillar panel outer 36 and the pillar panel inner 37. Further, the reduction in rigidity of the entire front pillar 35 due to the thinning of the buffer panel 39 is caused by the closed section 35a formed by the pillar panel outer 36 and the pillar panel inner 37, and the buffer panel 39 and the pillar panel outer 36. Since the closed cross-section 35c and the reinforcement inner 38 that reinforces the pillar panel inner 37 are complemented, the rigidity of the entire front pillar 35 is ensured. In this way, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in the thickness of the buffer panel 39 and securing the rigidity of the entire front pillar 35.

  For example, when a pedestrian's head or the like is buffered on the buffer panel, the buffer panel 39 is deformed in a desired deformation mode before the pillar panel outer 36 and the pillar panel inner 37. At this time, since the closed cross-section 35c is formed between the buffer panel 39 and the pillar panel outer 36, the buffer panel 39 is effectively deformed in a region outside the pillar panel outer 36 in the vehicle width direction, and the collision energy is effective. Absorbed. Further, since the reinforcement inner 38 is substantially in surface contact with the surface of the pillar panel inner 37, the buffer panel 39 and the reinforcement inner 38 do not interfere with each other when the buffer panel 39 is deformed, and the buffer panel 39 is not deformed. There is no hindrance. Therefore, the collision energy can be effectively absorbed by the deformation of the buffer panel 39, and the impact on the collision object can be reduced.

  Further, since the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39 and the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36 can be arbitrarily set as long as the above conditions are satisfied, the plate thickness Tb of the buffer panel 39 and the plate thickness To of the pillar panel outer 36 are set. By changing the above, it is possible to appropriately change the deformation mode of the buffer panel 39 when a collision object collides with the buffer panel 39 to a desired deformation mode.

  In this embodiment, the case where the reinforcing panel is coupled to the pillar panel inner in a state where the reinforcing panel is in surface contact with the surface of the pillar panel inner has been described. However, the pillar panel in a state where the reinforcing panel is opposed to the surface of the pillar panel inner. It may be combined with the inner.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the discussion and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a front pillar of a vehicle.

2 Front window panel 3 Side door 4 Front pillar 4a Closed section 7 Pillar panel outer 8 Pillar panel inner 9 Reinforce inner (reinforcement panel)
28 Front pillar 28c Closed section (second closed section)
29 Reinforce outer (second reinforcing panel)
35 Front pillar 35a Closed section 35c Closed section (second closed section)
36 Pillar panel outer 37 Pillar panel inner 38 Reinforce inner (reinforcement panel)
39 Buffer panel

Claims (1)

A pillar panel outer disposed between the front window panel and the side door;
A pillar panel inner disposed opposite to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer to form a closed cross section with the pillar panel outer, and coupled to the pillar panel outer;
A reinforcing panel that is coupled to the pillar panel inner to reinforce the pillar panel inner in a state of being in surface contact with or facing the surface of the pillar panel inner;
A front end portion and a rear end portion respectively coupled to the pillar panel outer; and disposed opposite to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the pillar panel outer to form a second closed cross section with the pillar panel outer A second reinforcing panel that
The thickness of the pillar panel outer is set thinner than the sum of the thickness of the pillar panel inner and the thickness of the reinforcing panel ,
The front pillar structure , wherein the rear end portion of the second reinforcing panel is coupled to an inner surface of the pillar panel outer excluding a coupling portion between the pillar panel outer and the pillar panel inner .

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