JPH0616153A - Center pillar reinforcing structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce deformation quantity when a load is applied by increasing rigidity to the load applied from the side. CONSTITUTION:In a reinforcing structure of a center pillar 12 formed so as to define a space 22 by means of a pillar outer panel 18 and a pillar inner panel 20 extending upward from a floor panel 10 of a vehicle body, a bulk head 14 and a reinforcing member 16 are contained. The bulk head 14 is arranged so as to cross this space 22 in the lateral direction in the space, and is connected respectively to the pillar outer panel 18 and the pillar inner panel 20. The reinforcing member 16 is connected to the pillar inner panel 20 substantially on the same level with a level where the bulk head 14 is connected to the pillar inner panel 20.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reinforcing structure for a center pillar, which extends upward from a floor panel of a vehicle body of an automobile, particularly a passenger vehicle, and which is formed by a pillar outer panel and a pillar inner panel to define a space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A center pillar of a vehicle body of an automobile is formed with a closed cross section so as to define a space by a pillar outer panel and a pillar inner panel to increase rigidity, but nevertheless, against a load applied from the side of the vehicle body. The rigidity is not enough.

In order to increase the rigidity against the load applied from the side of the vehicle body, the lower end of the center pillar is connected to the side sill or rocker extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and the floor panel by a reinforcing member, and the reinforcing member is provided. There is a reinforcing structure that extends to the tunnel part of the floor panel (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. Sho 63-122176).

[0004]

In the above-mentioned reinforcing structure, since the rigidity of the joint between the center pillar and the rocker and the floor panel is higher than the rigidity of the center pillar itself, a load is applied from the side. At this time, the cross-sectional shape of the center pillar is deformed before the load is transmitted to the reinforcing member, and the amount of deformation of the vehicle body is increased.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reinforcing structure for a center pillar of an automobile which can increase the rigidity against a load applied from the side and reduce the amount of deformation when a load is applied.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a center pillar reinforcement structure extending upwardly from a floor panel of a vehicle body and formed to define a space by a pillar outer panel and a pillar inner panel. And a reinforcing member. The bulkhead is arranged in the space so as to laterally cross the space, and is coupled to the pillar outer panel and the pillar inner panel, respectively. The reinforcement member is coupled to the pillar inner panel at substantially the same level as the bulkhead is coupled to the pillar inner panel, and is coupled to the floor panel of the vehicle body.

[0007]

[Operation and Effect] The load applied from the side of the vehicle body is transmitted to the floor panel via the bulkhead and the reinforcing member and is received by the floor panel.

When a load is applied from the side of the vehicle body, the bulkhead is arranged so as to laterally cross the space defined by the pillar outer panel and the pillar inner panel, so that the cross sectional size of the center pillar is large. The center pillar can be prevented from being deformed so as to reduce the cross section of the center pillar because the reinforcing member is coupled to the pillar inner panel at substantially the same level as the bulkhead is coupled. Although the size is substantially the same, it is possible to prevent the center pillar from being deformed so as to fall toward the inside of the vehicle body. As described above, since the deformation of the center pillar can be prevented or suppressed from the two sides, the deformation of the vehicle body is small.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is a reinforcing structure for a center pillar 12 extending upward from a floor panel 10 of a vehicle body and includes a bulkhead 14 and a reinforcing member 16.

The center pillar 12 comprises a pillar outer panel 18 and a pillar inner panel 20. The pillar outer panel 18 and the pillar inner panel 20 are press-molded so that each has a groove-shaped cross section, and the flange portion 19 of the pillar outer panel 18 is fixed to the pillar inner panel 2.
It is formed so as to be butt-welded with the flange portion 21 of No. 0 and spot-welded to define a space 22 having a closed cross section.

In the illustrated embodiment, the center pillar 12 is
At its lower end, it is connected to the floor panel 10 and to the rocker 24 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and further, the quarter panel 26 is connected to the front end of the center pillar 12 so that the center pillar 12 is outside. Surrounded by.

The bulkhead 14 is made of one plate material,
In a space 22 defined by the pillar outer panel 18 and the pillar inner panel 20, a flange portion 28, which is arranged substantially horizontally and laterally traverses this space and is bent upward, is provided on the pillar outer panel 18 and further downward. The bent flange portion 29 has the pillar inner panel 20.
Each is spot welded. Flange 28
Has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the pillar outer panel 1
8 and spot welded over a wide range.
As a result, the bulkhead 16 and the pillar outer panel 1
It is possible to increase the joint rigidity with the 8.

The reinforcing member 16 is coupled to the pillar inner panel 20 at substantially the same level as the bulkhead 14 is coupled to the pillar inner panel 20, and is also coupled to the floor panel 10 of the vehicle body.

In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing member 16 is made of a single plate material, and has a body portion 32 arranged obliquely and a pair of triangular reinforcing portions 33 bent from the body portion 32.
A flange portion 34 extending from the upper portion of the main body portion 32 and the reinforcing portion 33 and spot-welded to the pillar inner panel 20, and a flange portion extending from the lower portion of the main body portion 32 and spot-welded to the floor panel 10. 35,
36 and a second reinforcing portion 37 extending from the lower portion of the reinforcing portion 33. The horizontal part of the flange 34 is
Located on the extension of the bulkhead 14, the flange portion 35 is provided on the horizontal portion of the cross member 38 of the floor panel 10,
Further, the flange portion 36 is in contact with the vertical portion of the cross member 38 and the vertical portion of the rocker 24.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the second reinforcing member 42 is interposed between the pillar outer panel 18 and the bulkhead 14. The reinforcing member 42 is attached to the pillar outer panel 18 and the bulkhead 14 at the upper end thereof.
The lower ends thereof are spot-welded to the rockers 24, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, since the upper end of the reinforcing member 42 is in contact with the flange portion 28 of the bulkhead 14 and the pillar outer panel 18, the reinforcing member 42 is particularly connected to the pillar outer panel 18 of the bulkhead 14. The rigidity of the part can be increased.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pillar inner panel 2
At 0, a working hole 44 for spot welding the upper portion of the rocker 24 may be opened, and the rigidity of the center pillar 12 is reduced due to this working hole 44.
By arranging the reinforcing member 16 of the form shown in FIG. 1 so as to cover the working hole 44, not only the decrease in rigidity can be compensated, but also the torsional rigidity required for an automobile can be increased.

When a load is applied from the side of the vehicle body, the load is
The quarter panel 26, the pillar outer panel 18, the second reinforcing member 42, and the bulkhead 14 are transmitted in this order to the pillar inner panel 20, and further via the reinforcing member 16 to the cross member 38 of the floor panel 10, and are received there. . This prevents the center pillar 12 from falling.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reinforcing structure for a center pillar of a vehicle according to the present invention, showing a state as seen from a vehicle interior.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Floor Panel 12 Center Pillar 14 Bulkhead 16 Reinforcing Member 18 Pillar Outer Panel 20 Pillar Inner Panel 22 Space

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An extension extending upward from a floor panel of a vehicle body,
A reinforcing structure for a center pillar formed to define a space by a pillar outer panel and a pillar inner panel, wherein the pillar outer panel and the pillar inner panel are arranged in the space so as to transversely cross the space. And a reinforcing member coupled to the pillar inner panel at substantially the same level as the bulkhead coupled to the pillar inner panel, and coupled to the floor panel of the vehicle body. Reinforcement structure for automobile center pillars including.