JP5857921B2 - Front pillar structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a front pillar structure of an automobile, and more particularly to a front pillar structure that suppresses the progress of bending deformation of the front pillar due to a collision load when the automobile collides front.

  Conventionally, automobiles have been provided with front pillars to support both sides of the windshield. The front pillar has a closed cross section formed by joining the side member outer panel and the side member inner panel. Inside the closed cross section, along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the front pillar on the lower side of the front pillar. The front pillar reinforcement is disposed, and the rail reinforcement is disposed on the upper side of the front pillar along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar.

  In the case of an automobile having a heavy vehicle weight, the front pillar configured as described above is likely to bend due to its own weight at the time of a frontal collision. Therefore, the front pillar must have a structure capable of suppressing the progress of bending deformation due to its own weight. As such a front pillar structure, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the extended end portion 51a of the front pillar reinforcement 51 and the extended end portion 52a of the rail reinforcement 52 are overlapped. A reinforcement structure for a front pillar of a vehicle is known in which the rigidity of a substantially intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 50 is increased to suppress the progress of the folding of the front pillar 50 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In addition, since the rigidity of the substantially intermediate part in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 50 is enhanced in the reinforcing structure of the front pillar of the vehicle, the first bent portion (roof bent portion) 50a serving as the upper end of the front pillar 50 is provided. , And the second bending part (waist bending part) 50b which is the lower end of the front pillar 50, the bending moment is concentrated respectively, so that the plate thickness of the front pillar reinforcement 51 and the rail reinforcement 52 is increased, The bending moment is prevented from concentrating on the first bent portion 50a and the second bent portion 50b of the front pillar 50.

  On the other hand, when the front pillar is a light vehicle, the amount of bending deformation due to its own weight at the time of a frontal collision is smaller than that of a heavy vehicle, and therefore, the front pillar is shown in FIGS. 5 (A), (B), and (C). Such a front pillar reinforcing structure can be employed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The front pillar reinforcing structure is arranged so that the end portion 61a of the front pillar reinforcement 61 and the end portion 62a of the rail reinforcement 62 that are opposed to each other intersect with each other, so that the front pillar 60 collides along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 60. Even if a load is applied, the end 61a of the front pillar reinforcement 61 can abut against the end 62a of the rail reinforcement 62 without passing through the end 62a of the rail reinforcement 62. The reaction force of the front pillar 60 can be improved while suppressing the increase.

  The front pillar reinforcement structure is formed on the lower side of the end portion 61a side of the front pillar reinforcement 61 disposed opposite to the flange 62b formed on the lower side of the end portion 62a side of the rail reinforcement 62. The flange 61 b is provided with a notch 61 c that is notched along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar reinforcement 61. This notch 61c generates collision energy by breaking the upper half of the front pillar 60 from the notch 61c when a collision load greater than a predetermined collision load is applied along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 60. It can be absorbed.

JP 2002-249069 A JP 2005-145369 A

  In recent years, even automobiles that are relatively heavier than lightweight automobiles have been desired to be reduced in weight in order to improve fuel efficiency. From this viewpoint, even if the thickness of the front pillar material is reduced. Although a structure capable of suppressing bending deformation is desired, in the front pillar reinforcing structure shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C described in the background art, the side member outer panel 63 and the side member inner panel 64 are used. The front pillar reinforcement 61 and the rail reinforcement 62 are each formed with a plate thickness corresponding only to a light vehicle, and the separated front pillar reinforcement 61 and the rail reinforcement 62 are separated from each other. Are joined to the side member outer panel 63 and the side member inner panel 64. The front pillar reinforcement 61 is provided with a notch 61c for folding the upper half of the front pillar 60 when a collision load is large. There is a difficulty that the amount of deformation becomes large.

  On the other hand, when the front pillar structure shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C described in the background art is adopted for a light vehicle, the progress of the bending deformation of the front pillar 50 is suppressed. However, there is a drawback that the vehicle weight increases. In this front pillar structure, if each of the reinforcements 51 and 52 is made of a super high strength steel plate having a higher tensile strength than a so-called high strength steel plate, the plate thickness can be reduced, thereby preventing an increase in vehicle weight. I can. However, the ultra-high strength steel sheet is strong against compressive deformation in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 50, but has a difficulty in that it is not bent and deformed when a collision load of a certain level or more is applied due to low ductility.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and can suppress the progress of bending deformation due to its own weight when the vehicle weight increases without increasing the weight of the front pillar. The purpose is to provide a structure.

The front pillar structure according to the first aspect of the present invention that achieves the above-described object includes a front pillar formed in a closed cross section of a front pillar formed by joining a side member outer panel and a side member inner panel. A front pillar reinforcement is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, and a rail reinforcement is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar. In the front pillar structure, the front pillar reinforcement and the lower end surface of the rail reinforcement in the vertical direction of the vehicle are arranged to face each other and intersect with each other. Concerned Le reinforcement is formed such that the upper is polymerized in the vehicle vertical direction of the front pillar reinforcement against the upper end face portion in the vehicle vertical direction of the rail reinforcement, the upper end surface portion of the front pillar reinforcement The superposition part extends in the rail reinforcement direction, and the upper side of the superposition part of the front pillar reinforcement in the vehicle vertical direction is a side member outer panel and the upper end face side part of the rail reinforcement. It is joined together with the side member inner panel.
In this specification, “arrangement” means provision at each position. Further, “extended” means to be in an extended state.

  According to the front pillar structure which is such a first aspect, when a collision load acts on the front pillar along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar, the lower end surface of the front pillar reinforcement and the lower side of the rail reinforcement are provided. Since the end surfaces intersect each other, the end surfaces collide with each other, so that the front pillar can be prevented from being bent and the lower end surface of the front pillar reinforcement and the lower side of the rail reinforcement. Even if a collision load is applied that would cause the front pillar to move upward and prevent the front pillar reinforcement from moving only by contact with the end face of the front pillar, the front pillar reinforcement The top side of the polymerization site and rail reinforcement Since the front end portion is joined together with the side member outer panel and the side member inner panel, it is possible to generate tensile stress against bending deformation such that the front pillar is directed upward. The progress of deformation can be suppressed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the front pillar structure according to the first aspect, a notch is provided on the upper surface side of the polymerization site of the front pillar reinforcement, and the rail reinforcement of the polymerization site is polymerized. On the upper surface side in the vehicle up-down direction of the end surface side portion, a sledge that fits into the notch is provided.
According to the front pillar structure which is such a second aspect, the segiri provided on the upper surface side of the end surface side portion of the rail reinforcement is provided in the notch provided on the upper surface side of the polymerization portion of the front pillar reinforcement. Since it is fitted, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar, the front pillar moves toward the outside of the vehicle in plan view along with bending deformation that causes the front pillar to move upward in side view. Even in the case where a bending deformation occurs, a notch on the upper surface side of the overlapping portion of the front pillar reinforcement and an upper surface side of the end surface side portion of the rail reinforcement against the bending deformation toward the outside of the vehicle. Since the generated segiri interferes with each other, it is possible to suppress the progress of bending deformation of the front pillar.

  According to the front pillar structure of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the progress of bending deformation due to its own weight when the vehicle weight increases without increasing the weight of the front pillar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows preferable embodiment in the front pillar structure of this invention, (A) is the perspective view seen from the vehicle diagonally back outer side, (B) is a detailed view of P1 part enclosed with the dashed-dotted line of (A). is there. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front pillar structure shown in FIG. (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 (B), (B) is the sectional view on the BB line of FIG. 1 (B). It is a figure which shows the conventional front pillar structure, (A) is the perspective view seen from vehicle diagonally back outer side, (B) is a detailed view of P2 part enclosed with the dashed-dotted line of (A), (C) is (B It is a CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a figure which shows the other conventional front pillar structure, (A) is the perspective view seen from the vehicle diagonally back outer side, (B) is a detailed drawing of P3 part enclosed with the dashed-dotted line of (A), (C) is It is DD sectional view taken on the line of (B).

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for implementing a front pillar structure of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The front pillar structure of the present invention is illustrated only on one side in the vehicle width direction in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, and will be described. Further, in each figure used in the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, a direction is indicated by an arrow, and this indicates a direction seen from a passenger seated in the driver's seat. Arrow UP indicates the vehicle upward direction, arrow FR indicates the vehicle front direction, and arrow OUT indicates the vehicle width outward direction. Furthermore, each arrow has shown the directionality when each component is integrated as a frame.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2, 3A and 3B, the front pillar structure of the present invention includes a side member outer panel 2 arranged in the vehicle outer direction, and a vehicle inner side. A closed cross section is formed by joining the side member inner panels 3 arranged in the direction, and this closed cross section inside 10 is formed below the front pillar 1 along the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the front pillar 1. A front pillar reinforcement 4 is disposed, and a rail reinforcement 5 is disposed above the front pillar 1 along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 1. In FIG. 1A, the side member outer panel 2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in order to make the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 easier to see.

  The side member outer panel 2 has a cross-sectional shape as viewed from above in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the side member outer panel 2 and is formed in a U-shape with the opening facing the vehicle inward. The panel 3 has a cross-sectional shape as viewed from above in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the side member inner panel 3 and is formed in a U-shape with the opening facing outward of the vehicle, and the front pillar reinforcement 4 is The cross-sectional shape seen from above in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the front pillar reinforcement 4 is formed in a U-shape with the opening facing inward of the vehicle, and the rail reinforcement 5 includes the rail reinforcement. The cross-sectional shape seen from above in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the ment 5 is formed in a U-shape with the opening facing the inside of the vehicle. It has been.

  Further, at the joint portions at both ends in the closed cross section formed by joining the side member outer panel 2 and the side member inner panel 3, the side member outer panel 2 and the side member inner panel along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 1 are provided. 3, flanges 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, 3 b are extended to join one flange 2 a that is above the side member outer panel 2 and one flange that is above the side member inner panel 3 to 3 a By joining the other flange 2b, which is the lower side of the member outer panel 2, and the other flange 3b, which is the lower side of the side member inner panel 3, the flange portions 11a, 11b are joined to the joint portions at both ends of the front pillar 1. Will be extended. In this case, each upper side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 is joined between one flange 2a of the side member outer panel 2 and one flange 3a of the side member inner panel 3, Part 11a is configured. Each lower side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 is joined between the other flange 2b of the side member outer panel 2 and the other flange 3b of the side member inner panel 3, and the flange portion 11b is connected. It is composed.

  Further, the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 are arranged such that the lower end surface 4a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the lower end surface 5a of the rail reinforcement 5 are opposed to each other and intersect with each other. The reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 are formed. When the cross-sectional shapes of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 are each formed in a U-shape in which the opening as described above is directed toward the inside of the vehicle, the size of the U-shape is large. By changing the height, the lower end surface 4a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the lower end surface 5a of the rail reinforcement 5 can intersect each other.

  A gap G1 (see FIG. 1B) between the lower end surface 4a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the lower end surface 5a of the rail reinforcement 5 is formed in the front pillar 1 with respect to the front pillar 1. The distance at which the side member outer panel 2 and the side member inner panel 3 can contact each other before the front pillar 1 proceeds to be bent and deformed upward when a collision load is applied along the longitudinal direction. Is set to

  Further, the upper side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 is directed toward the rail reinforcement 5 in the direction of the rail reinforcement 5 so that the upper side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 overlaps with the upper end surface side part 5b of the rail reinforcement 5. Thus, the polymerization site 4c is extended. Further, a notch 4e is provided in the upper surface side 4d of the polymerization site 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4, and the upper surface side 5c of the upper end surface side region 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 where the polymerization site 4c is polymerized. Is provided with a stepped sedge 5d that fits into the notch 4e. The upper surface side 5c is formed so as to be recessed from the front plate surface of the rail reinforcement 5, and the upper end surface side portion 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 is superposed on the polymerization portion 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 so as to form the bottom 5d. Is fitted to the notch 4e, the front plate surface on the upper side of the rail reinforcement 5 and the front plate surface on the upper side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 are set to be flush with each other. Thereby, one flange 2a of the side member outer panel 2 can be planarly bonded to the front plate surface on the upper side of the rail reinforcement 5 and the front plate surface on the upper side of the front pillar reinforcement 4.

  In this case, if the cross-sectional shapes of the side member outer panel 2, the side member inner panel 3, the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 are each formed in a U-shape as described above, the rail By cutting out the lower side of the front pillar reinforcement 4 facing the reinforcement 5, a polymerization site 4 c can be provided in the front pillar reinforcement 4. That is, the superposition | polymerization site | part 4c is extended toward the rail reinforcement 5 direction at the upper end surface side site | part 4b of the front pillar reinforcement 4. As shown in FIG.

  Note that, for example, spot welding or laser welding is employed for joining the members in the front pillar structure of the present invention, and the joint portion is shear joint. The number of welding points for spot welding may be a value that does not decrease the rigidity of shear bonding. In particular, the upper surface side 4 d of the overlapping portion 4 c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 is joined to the end surface side portion 5 b on the upper side of the rail reinforcement 5 together with the side member outer panel 2 and the side member inner panel 3.

  At this time, a notch 4e is provided on the upper surface side 4d of the polymerization site 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4, and a stepped shape is formed on the upper surface side 5c of the upper end surface side region 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 where the polymerization site 4c is polymerized. In the case where the segiri 5d is provided, as shown in FIG. 1B, the upper surface side 4d of the overlapping portion 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 is the upper surface side of the upper end surface side portion 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 5c, spot welded to one flange 2a of the side member outer panel 2 and one flange 3a of the side member inner panel 3, and the segiri 5d of the rail reinforcement 5 is connected to one flange 2a of the side member outer panel 2 and the side member. Spot welded to one flange 3a of the inner panel 3 .

  Further, the upper end surface side portion 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 and the polymerization portion 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 that is superposed on the end surface side portion 5b are spots other than the portions that are spot-welded as described above. Not welded. In FIG. 1B, spot welding points are indicated by marks in which a cross is drawn in a circle.

  In the front pillar structure of the present invention thus configured, when a collision load acts on the front pillar 1 along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 1, the lower end surface 4 a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcement 5 are provided. Since the lower end surface 5a intersects with each other, a compression stress acts on the compressive load when the end surfaces abut against each other, so that the progress of the bending deformation of the front pillar 1 can be suppressed.

  Further, the front pillar reinforcement 4 cannot be prevented from moving only by the contact between the lower end surface 4a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the lower end surface 5a of the rail reinforcement 5, and the front pillar 1 is moved upward. Even if a collision load that causes the forward bending deformation to proceed is applied, the upper surface side 4d of the overlapping portion 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the end surface side portion 5b on the upper side of the rail reinforcement 5 are side by side. Since it is joined together with one flange 2a of the member outer panel 2 and one flange 3a of the side member inner panel 3, a tensile stress is generated against bending deformation such that the front pillar 1 is directed upward in a side view. Can do. That is, since the tensile stress acts on the tensile load due to the joining portion, the progress of the bending deformation of the front pillar 1 can be suppressed.

  Further, a notch 4e is provided on the upper surface side 4d of the polymerization site 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4, and a notch is formed on the upper surface side 5c of the end surface side region 5b of the rail reinforcement 5 where the polymerization site 4c is polymerized. The following actions and effects can be obtained in the case where the margin 5d fitted to 4e is provided.

  That is, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar 1 along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 1, the front pillar 1 is bent and deformed so that the front pillar 1 is upward when viewed from the side, and is folded so as to be directed toward the outside of the vehicle when viewed from above. Even when deformation occurs, it was provided on the upper side of the top side of the overlap portion of the front pillar reinforcement and the upper side of the end surface side portion of the rail reinforcement against bending deformation that goes toward the outside of the vehicle. Since segiri interferes with each other, it is possible to suppress the progress of bending deformation of the front pillar.

  In addition, when the front pillar 1 is curved toward the vehicle outer side in a plan view, when a collision load is applied along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 1, the front pillar 1 is bent and deformed toward the vehicle outer direction in a plan view. Will occur.

  Therefore, even when the reinforcements 4 and 5 are made of ultra high strength steel plates having a higher tensile strength than the so-called high strength steel plates to reduce the plate thickness, the lower end surface 4a of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the rail reinforcements. 5 is not able to prevent the movement of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and only a contact with the lower end face 5a causes a collision load that causes the front pillar 1 to bend upward so that the front pillar 1 moves upward. In addition, since the tensile stress acts on the tensile load by the joining portion of the upper surface side 4d of the polymerization portion 4c of the front pillar reinforcement 4 and the end surface side portion 5b on the upper side of the rail reinforcement 5, the front pillar 1 The progress of the bending deformation can be suppressed. Further, in this case, when the front pillar 1 is bent and deformed so as to be directed upward in a side view, even if the bend deformation that is directed toward the outside of the vehicle in a plan view occurs, the bending deformation is directed toward the outside of the vehicle. On the other hand, the notch on the upper surface side of the polymerization area of the front pillar reinforcement and the segiri provided on the upper surface side of the end surface side of the rail reinforcement interfere with each other. Can be suppressed.

  Therefore, the front pillar structure of the present invention has a plate thickness that is used for the front pillar applied to the light vehicle described in the background art even if the vehicle is heavier than the light vehicle. Thin materials can be used.

  Although the present invention has been described with the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and is known so far as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. It goes without saying that any configuration can be adopted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 …… Front pillar 10 …… Inside closed cross section 2 …… Side member outer panel 3 …… Side member inner panel 4 …… Front pillar reinforcement 4a …… Lower end face 4b …… Upper end face side part 4c …… Polymerization site 4d: Upper surface side of polymerization site 4e ... Notch 5 ... Rail reinforcement 5a ... Lower end surface 5b ... Upper end surface side portion 5c ... Upper surface side of end surface side portion 5d ... Segiri

Claims (2)

Inside the closed cross section of the front pillar formed by joining the side member outer panel and the side member inner panel to the front pillar along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar on the lower side in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar In the front pillar structure in which the reinforcement is arranged and the rail reinforcement is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar on the upper side in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar,
The front pillar reinforcement and the rail reinforcement are formed so that the lower end surface in the vehicle vertical direction of the front pillar reinforcement and the lower end surface in the vehicle vertical direction of the rail reinforcement are arranged to face each other and intersect with each other. And
Such that the upper is polymerized in the vehicle vertical direction of the front pillar reinforcement to the end face side portion of the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction of the rail reinforcement, said rail reinforcement on the end face side portion of the upper of the front pillar reinforcement The polymerization site is extended toward the
An upper surface side in the vehicle vertical direction of the overlapping portion of the front pillar reinforcement is joined to the end surface side portion on the upper side of the rail reinforcement together with the side member outer panel and the side member inner panel. Front pillar structure characterized by that. A notch is provided on the upper surface side of the polymerization portion of the front pillar reinforcement, and the upper surface side in the vehicle vertical direction of the end surface side portion of the rail reinforcement on which the polymerization site is superimposed is The front pillar structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a fitting that fits into the notch.

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