JP7313290B2 - vehicle pillar - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to vehicle pillars, and more particularly to those having transparent members.

Conventional vehicle pillars are opaque materials that block the driver's view and create blind spots. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed to reduce the blind spots caused by vehicle pillars.

Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle pillar in which a transparent member is held by two frame members. Further, the document describes that the transparent member has curved surfaces on both the vehicle outer side surface and the vehicle inner side surface, and that the curvature of the vehicle outer side surface is the same as the curvature of the vehicle inner side surface. This prevents the size of the image visually recognized by the driver from being different from the real image.

JP 2006-273057 A

However, in Patent Document 1, since the vehicle inner side surface and the vehicle outer side surface have the same curvature, the degree of freedom in shape of the vehicle inner side surface is low, and it is difficult to improve buckling resistance, rigidity, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve buckling resistance and rigidity of a vehicle pillar having a transparent member while reducing distortion of an image viewed by a driver through the transparent member.

The present invention is a vehicle pillar having a transparent member, wherein the vehicle outer side surface of the transparent member has a first outer curved surface that is a circular arc in a horizontal cross section, and a region of the vehicle inner side surface of the transparent member that faces the first outer curved surface has a shape having a first inner curved surface that is two or more circular arcs having the same center of curvature as the first outer curved surface and different curvature radii from each other in the horizontal cross section.

In the present invention, the shape of the vehicle inner side surface may be a stepped shape in which the thickness of the transparent member increases from the end of the first outer curved surface toward the center, and the surface of each step of the stepped shape may be the first inner curved surface.

In the present invention, the vehicle outer side surface may be connected to both ends of the first outer curved surface and have an outer plane which is a flat surface, and a region of the vehicle inner side surface facing the outer plane may be an inner plane which is a plane parallel to the outer plane.

The vehicle outer side surface may be connected to one end of the first outer curved surface and have a second outer curved surface that is an arc having a larger curvature radius than the first outer curved surface in a horizontal cross section, and a region of the vehicle inner side surface that faces the second outer curved surface may be a second inner curved surface that is an arc having the same center of curvature as the second outer curved surface in the horizontal cross section.

According to the present invention, in a vehicle pillar having a transparent member, it is possible to improve buckling resistance and rigidity while reducing distortion of an image visually recognized by a driver through the transparent member.

The figure which showed the vehicle which had the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1. FIG. The figure which showed the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the vehicle pillar 1 of Embodiment 1; The figure which showed the structure of the vehicle pillar of a modification. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2; FIG. 8 is a view showing the configuration of the transparent member of the vehicle pillar of Embodiment 2; FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of a transparent member of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3; FIG. 10 is a view showing the configuration of a transparent member of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4; The figure which showed the structure of the transparent member of the vehicle pillar of Example 3. FIG. FIG. 11 is a view showing the configuration of a transparent member of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5; FIG. 11 is a view showing the configuration of a transparent member of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6;

Specific examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle having a vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the vehicle pillar 1 as seen from the outside of the vehicle. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicle pillar 1 of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle pillar 1 of the first embodiment is a front pillar of a vehicle, and is a columnar structure provided at the intersection of the front window 2 and the side window 3 of the front seat.

Moreover, the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1 is comprised by the 1st frame|skeleton member 10, the 2nd frame|skeleton member 11, and the transparent member 12 like FIG.1 and FIG.2.

The first frame member 10 and the second frame member 11 are made of steel plate or carbon fiber reinforced resin, each have a columnar shape, and are arranged substantially parallel to each other with a predetermined interval. Also, the first skeleton member 10 and the second skeleton member 11 each have a recess, and the two recesses are arranged to face each other. This concave portion is for holding the transparent member 12 by fitting the end portion of the transparent member 12 .

Although the first frame member 10 and the second frame member 11 actually have a structure for connecting and supporting the front window 2 and the side window 3, the description thereof is omitted in the first embodiment.

The transparent member 12 is a columnar or plate-like member made of a material having sufficiently high transmittance to visible light, and has a uniform refractive index. The ends of the transparent member 12 are fitted into the recesses of the first skeleton member 10 and the second skeleton member 11 . As a result, the transparent member 12 is held between the first skeleton member 10 and the second skeleton member 11 . Resin, glass, or the like can be used as the material of the transparent member 12, and fiber-reinforced resin may be used in terms of strength.

As described above, the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1 has a structure in which a window is provided and the transparent member 12 is fitted. The transparent member 12 reduces blind spots caused by the vehicle pillar 1 and improves the driver's visibility.

A vehicle outer side surface 12a of the transparent member 12 has a curved surface (corresponding to a first outer curved surface of the present invention) that is convex outward from the vehicle inner side. In addition, the horizontal cross section has a constant radius of curvature and forms an arc. As shown in FIG. 3, let O be the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle inner side surface 12b, and R be the radius of curvature.

As shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle inner side surface 12b of the transparent member 12 has a three-step shape 13 in which the thickness of the transparent member 12 increases stepwise from the end side of the transparent member 12 toward the center side. Therefore, the distance between the straight line connecting both ends of the transparent member 12 and the center of gravity of the transparent member 12 is reduced, and the thickness of the transparent member 12 at the center is increased. As a result, the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1 has improved buckling resistance and rigidity.

The surface of each step of the stepped shape 13 is a curved surface (corresponding to the first inner curved surface of the present invention), and hereinafter, the lower surface of each step of the stepped shape 13 is referred to as the first surface 13a, the middle surface is referred to as the second surface 13b, and the upper surface is referred to as the third surface 13c. Each of the first surface 13a, the second surface 13b, and the third surface 13c forms an arc with a constant center of curvature and a constant radius of curvature in the horizontal cross section. Further, the center of curvature of the first surface 13a, the second surface 13b, and the third surface 13c coincides with the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle outer side surface 12a. Further, the radii of curvature of the first surface 13a, the second surface 13b, and the third surface 13c are defined as R1, R2, and R3, respectively, and R>R1>R2>R3.

The side surface of each step of the stepped shape 13 is a plane, and the angle thereof is arbitrary as long as the visibility of the vehicle pillar 1 of the first embodiment is high and the buckling resistance and rigidity can be improved. For example, it is -30 to 30° with respect to the radius of curvature. Further, the side surface of each step of the stepped shape 13 may be continuous with a curved surface or the like, but it is preferable to use a flat surface from the viewpoint of visibility.

As a result of setting the vehicle inner side surface 12b of the transparent member 12 as described above, in a horizontal cross section, each of the first surface 13a region, the second surface 13b region, and the third surface 13c region becomes a part of the concentric circle of the vehicle outer side surface 12a, and light refraction is suppressed. Therefore, the distortion of the image viewed by the driver from the vicinity of the center of curvature O through the transparent member 12 is reduced.

The curved surface of the vehicle outer side surface 12a and the curved surface of the vehicle inner side surface 12b do not need to have a completely constant radius of curvature, and may vary as long as the improvement of visibility, buckling resistance, and rigidity can be improved at the same time. For example, the ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value of the curvature radius should be 1.1 or less, preferably 1.05 or less.

Further, the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle outer side surface 12a and the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle inner side surface 12b do not need to be completely aligned, and there may be a deviation within a range in which both improvement of visibility and improvement of buckling resistance and rigidity can be achieved. For example, the distance between the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle outer side surface 12a and the center of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle inner side surface 12b may be 0.1 times or less, preferably 0.05 times or less than the radius of curvature of the curved surface of the vehicle outer side surface.

Further, the number of steps of the step shape 13 does not need to be three steps as in the first embodiment, and the number of steps need not be symmetrical between the first frame member 10 side and the second frame member 11 side. Any stepped structure having two or more arcuate curved surfaces with mutually different curvature radii may be used, and the stepped structure can be set according to desired visibility, buckling resistance, rigidity, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the stepped shape 13 may have four steps on the first frame member 10 side and five steps on the second frame member 11 side. In the vehicle pillar of FIG. 4, the surface of each step is the same curved surface as in Example 1, and the curvature radii of the five steps on the second frame member 11 side are R5, R4, R3, R2, and R1 in order from the top step, where R1>R2>R3>R4>R5. Also, the curvature radii of the four steps on the first frame member 10 side are R5, R4, R3, and R2 in order from the top step.

As described above, in the vehicle pillar 1 of the first embodiment, the vehicle inner side surface 12b of the transparent member 12 has two or more arcs with different curvature radii in the horizontal cross section, and these arcs have the same center of curvature as the vehicle outer side surface 12a. Therefore, it is possible to improve the buckling resistance and rigidity of the vehicle pillar 1 while reducing the distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the transparent member 12 .

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1. FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 12 of the vehicle pillar of Example 1 with a transparent member 112, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 1.

A vehicle-outer side surface 112 a of the transparent member 112 is a curved surface similar to the vehicle-outer side surface 12 a of the transparent member 12 . The vehicle inner side surface 112b of the transparent member 112 is an arc that is concentric with the vehicle outer side surface 112a in a horizontal cross section, has a center of curvature O, and a curvature radius R1.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1, in the horizontal cross section, the vehicle inner side surface 112b is a part of the concentric circle of the vehicle outer side surface 112a, so the refraction of light is suppressed and the distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the transparent member 112 is reduced. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1 has the same visibility as the vehicle pillar of Example 1. However, in the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 1, the distance between the straight line connecting both ends of the transparent member 112 and the center of gravity of the transparent member 112 is greater than in the case of the transparent member 12 of the vehicle pillar of Example 1, and the buckling resistance and rigidity are inferior to those of Example 1.

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2. As shown in FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 12 of the vehicle pillar of Example 1 with a transparent member 212, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 1.

A vehicle-outer side surface 212 a of the transparent member 212 is a curved surface similar to the vehicle-outer side surface 12 a of the transparent member 12 . A vehicle inner side surface 212b of the transparent member 212 is flat.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2, the vehicle outer side surface 212a is curved and the vehicle inner side surface 212b is flat, so the center of the transparent member 212 is thick. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2 has buckling resistance and rigidity equivalent to those of the vehicle pillar of Example 1. However, the transparent member 212 of Comparative Example 2 has a lens shape, and the image viewed by the driver through the transparent member is distorted. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 2 is inferior to the vehicle pillar of Example 1 in visibility.

Thus, in the vehicle pillars of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, it is not possible to achieve both high visibility and improved buckling resistance and rigidity. On the other hand, the vehicle pillar of Example 1 can achieve both.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle pillar of the second embodiment. The vehicle pillar of Example 2 is composed of a first frame member 20, a second frame member 21, and a transparent member 22, as shown in FIG. The first skeleton member 20 and the second skeleton member 21 are the same as the first skeleton member 10 and the second skeleton member 11 of Example 1 except that the shapes of the recesses for fitting and holding the transparent member 22 are different.

The transparent member 22 differs from the transparent member 12 of the first embodiment in a vehicle outer side surface 22a and a vehicle inner side surface 22b. Other than that, it has the same structure as the transparent member 12 .

The vehicle outer side surface 22a of the transparent member 22 has a curved surface 22aa that is an arc with a constant curvature radius in a horizontal cross section, and flat surfaces 22ab (corresponding to the outer plane of the present invention) that connect the curved surface 22aa at both ends. Let O be the center of curvature of the curved surface, and R be the radius of curvature.

The vehicle inner side surface 22b of the transparent member 22 has a plane 22ba (corresponding to the inner plane of the present invention) parallel to the plane ab in the area facing the plane 22ab of the vehicle outer side surface 22a, and the area facing the curved surface 22aa of the vehicle outer side surface 22a has a three-step shape 23 that gradually thickens toward the center. The stepped shape 23 has the same structure as the stepped shape 13 of the first embodiment. The surface of each step of the stepped shape 23 is a circular arc with a constant curvature radius at the center of curvature O in a horizontal cross section.

When the vehicle outer side surface 22a of the transparent member 22 is composed of the curved surface 22aa and the flat surface 22ab as in the second embodiment, stress is concentrated on the curved surface 22aa when the transparent member 22 is buckled. Therefore, the area of the vehicle inner side surface 22b that faces the curved surface 22aa has a stepped structure similar to that of the first embodiment, thereby improving the buckling resistance and rigidity of the vehicle pillar and preventing distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the curved surface area of the transparent member 22.

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3. As shown in FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 22 of the vehicle pillar of Example 2 with a transparent member 122, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 2.

The transparent member 122 is the same as the transparent member 22 except that the region of the vehicle inner side surface 22b of the transparent member 22 where the stepped shape 23 is provided is replaced with a curved surface 122ba having a center of curvature O and a radius of curvature R1 in a horizontal cross section.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3, the curved surface 122ba of the vehicle inner side surface becomes a part of the concentric circle of the curved surface 22aa of the vehicle outer side surface 22a in the horizontal cross section, so that the refraction of light is suppressed and the distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the area of the curved surface 22aa of the transparent member 122 is reduced. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3 has the same visibility as the vehicle pillar of Example 2. However, in the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 3, the distance between the straight line connecting both ends of the transparent member 122 and the center of gravity of the transparent member 122 is greater than in the case of the transparent member 22 of the vehicle pillar of Example 2, and the buckling resistance and rigidity are inferior to those of Example 2.

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4)
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4. As shown in FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 22 of the vehicle pillar of Example 2 with a transparent member 222, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 2.

The transparent member 222 is the same as the transparent member 22 except that the region of the vehicle inner side surface 22b of the transparent member 22 where the stepped shape 23 is provided is replaced with a flat surface 222ba.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4, the area of the vehicle inner side surface facing the curved surface 22aa is a flat surface 222ba, so the center of the transparent member 222 is thick. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4 has buckling resistance and rigidity equivalent to those of the vehicle pillar of Example 2. However, the curved surface area of the transparent member 222 of Comparative Example 4 has a lens shape, and the image viewed by the driver through the area of the curved surface 22aa of the transparent member 222 is distorted. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 4 is inferior to the vehicle pillar of Example 2 in visibility.

Thus, the vehicle pillars of Comparative Examples 3 and 4 cannot achieve both high visibility and improved buckling resistance and rigidity. On the other hand, the vehicle pillar of Example 2 can achieve both.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle pillar of the third embodiment. The vehicle pillar of Example 3 is composed of a first frame member 30, a second frame member 31, and a transparent member 32, as shown in FIG. The first skeleton member 30 and the second skeleton member 31 are the same as the first skeleton member 10 and the second skeleton member 11 of the first embodiment, except that the shapes of the recesses for fitting and holding the transparent member 32 are different.

The transparent member 32 differs from the transparent member 12 of the first embodiment in a vehicle outer side surface 32a and a vehicle inner side surface 32b. Other than that, it has the same structure as the transparent member 12 .

The vehicle outer side surface 32a of the transparent member 32 has a curved surface 32aa that is an arc with a constant curvature radius in a horizontal cross section, a curved surface 32ab (corresponding to a second outer curved surface of the present invention) that is connected at one end of the curved surface 32aa and has a larger curvature radius than the curved surface 32aa in a horizontal cross section, and a flat surface 22ac that is connected at the other end of the curved surface 32aa. Here, let O be the center of curvature of the curved surface 32aa, and R be the radius of curvature.

A region of the vehicle inner side surface 32b of the transparent member 32 facing the plane 32ac of the vehicle outer side surface 32a is a plane 32bc parallel to the plane 32ac. In addition, the area facing the curved surface 32ab of the vehicle outer side surface 32a is a curved surface 32bb (corresponding to the second inner curved surface of the present invention) having the same center of curvature as the curved surface 32ab in the horizontal cross section and a smaller radius of curvature than the curved surface 32ab. A region facing the curved surface 32aa of the vehicle outer side surface 32a has a three-stepped shape 33 that gradually thickens toward the center. This stepped shape 33 has the same structure as the stepped shape 13 of the first embodiment. The surface of each step of the stepped shape 33 is a circular arc with a constant curvature radius at the center of curvature O in a horizontal cross section.

When the vehicle outer side surface 32a of the transparent member 22 is composed of a curved surface 32aa, a curved surface 32ab having a larger radius of curvature than the curved surface 32aa, and a flat surface 32ac as in the third embodiment, the stress concentrates on the curved surface 32aa having the smallest radius of curvature when the transparent member 32 buckles. Therefore, the area of the vehicle inner side surface 32b that faces the curved surface 32aa has a stepped structure similar to that of the first embodiment, thereby improving the buckling resistance and rigidity of the vehicle pillar and preventing distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the area of the curved surface 32aa of the transparent member 32.

Of course, the region of the vehicle inner side surface 32b facing the curved surface 32ab may also be provided with a stepped shape similar to that of the first embodiment to further improve the buckling resistance and rigidity of the vehicle pillar.

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5. As shown in FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 32 of the vehicle pillar of Example 3 with a transparent member 132, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 3.

The transparent member 132 is the same as the transparent member 32 except that the region of the vehicle inner side surface 32b of the transparent member 32 where the stepped shape 33 is provided is replaced with a curved surface 132ba that is an arc having a center of curvature O and a radius of curvature R1 in a horizontal cross section.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5, the curved surface 132ba of the vehicle inner side surface is a part of the concentric circle of the curved surface 32aa of the vehicle outer side surface 32a in the horizontal cross section, so that the refraction of light is suppressed and the distortion of the image viewed by the driver through the area of the curved surface 32aa of the transparent member 132 is reduced. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5 has the same visibility as the vehicle pillar of Example 3. However, in the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 5, the distance between the straight line connecting both ends of the transparent member 132 and the center of gravity of the transparent member 132 is greater than that of the transparent member 32 of the vehicle pillar of Example 3, and the buckling resistance and rigidity are inferior to those of Example 3.

(Regarding the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6)
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6. As shown in FIG. The vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6 is obtained by replacing the transparent member 32 of the vehicle pillar of Example 3 with a transparent member 232, and other configurations are the same as those of Example 3.

The transparent member 232 is the same as the transparent member 32 except that the region of the vehicle inner side surface 32b of the transparent member 32 where the stepped shape 33 is provided is replaced with a flat surface 232ba.

In the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6, the region of the vehicle inner side surface facing the curved surface 32aa is the flat surface 232ba, so the center of the curved surface 32aa is thick. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6 has buckling resistance and rigidity equivalent to those of the vehicle pillar of Example 3. However, the area of the curved surface 32aa of the transparent member 232 of Comparative Example 6 has a lens shape, and the image viewed by the driver through the area of the curved surface 32aa of the transparent member 232 is distorted. Therefore, the vehicle pillar of Comparative Example 6 is inferior to the vehicle pillar of Example 3 in visibility.

Thus, the vehicle pillars of Comparative Examples 5 and 6 cannot achieve both high visibility and improved buckling resistance and rigidity. On the other hand, the vehicle pillar of Example 3 can achieve both.

(Various modifications)
In the vehicle pillar 1 of Example 1, the number of frame members is only two, the first frame member 10 and the second frame member 11, but the number of frame members does not matter as long as the visibility is not impaired. Also, the position of the skeleton member does not need to be supported by both ends of the transparent member 12 as in the first embodiment. For example, it may be provided so as to penetrate the inside of the transparent member 12 . Also, the skeleton members may be connected to each other in a ladder shape, a triangular lattice shape, a square lattice shape, or the like. Also, the skeleton member may have a shape such as a net shape or a punched sheet shape. In short, the frame member is arbitrary as long as it has a structure and shape that can support the transparent member, and has an opening that allows the passenger to recognize the outside of the vehicle.

Although Embodiment 1 shows an example in which the vehicle pillar of the present invention is applied to the front pillar, the vehicle pillar of the present invention can be applied to other than the front pillar.

The vehicle pillar of the present invention can be applied to any vehicle pillar such as automobiles and trains.

The vehicle pillar of the present invention can be applied to various vehicles.

1: Vehicle Pillar 10, 20, 30: First Frame Member 11, 21, 31: Second Frame Member 12, 22, 32: Transparent Member 12a, 22a, 32a: Vehicle Outer Side 12b, 22b, 32b: Vehicle Inner Side

Claims (4)

In a vehicle pillar having a transparent member,
The vehicle outer side surface of the transparent member has a first outer curved surface that is an arc in a horizontal cross section,
A region of the vehicle inner side surface of the transparent member facing the first outer curved surface has a first inner curved surface that is two or more arcs having the same center of curvature as the first outer curved surface and different radii of curvature in a horizontal cross section.
A pillar for a vehicle characterized by: 2. The vehicle pillar according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner side surface of the vehicle is a stepped shape such that the thickness of the transparent member increases from the end of the first outer curved surface toward the center, and the surface of each step of the stepped shape is the first inner curved surface. The vehicle outer side surface has an outer plane that is a plane connected to both ends of the first outer curved surface,
A region of the vehicle inner side surface facing the outer plane is an inner plane parallel to the outer plane,
The vehicle pillar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The vehicle outer side surface has a second outer curved surface that is connected to one end of the first outer curved surface and that is an arc having a larger curvature radius than the first outer curved surface in a horizontal cross section,
A region of the vehicle inner side surface facing the second outer curved surface is a second inner curved surface that is an arc having the same center of curvature as the second outer curved surface in a horizontal cross section,
The vehicle pillar according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: