JPH1076893A - Impact energy absorbing structure of automobile body upper part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a rupture from the initial stage where more than specified load is added so as to be surely caused for the end. SOLUTION: This is an impact energy absorbing structure of the body upper part of an automobile equipped with a pillar 14 to be formed in a closed sectional structure and a pillar garnish 18 being set up at an interval 16 necessary for energy absorption into a car room from an inner panel 12 of the pillar, it is provided with a first energy absorbent 20 to be locked to the inner panel 12, and a second energy absorbent 22 integrated with the pillar garnish as one body, respectively. The first energy absorbent 20 has two rib parts 30, 31 and two recess parts 32 and 33, while the second energy absorbent 22 has two rib parts 40, 41 and two recess parts 43 and 42. The rib parts 30 and 31 are fitted in the recess parts 43 and 42, while the rib parts 40 and 41 are fitted in the recess parts 33 and 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an impact energy absorbing structure for an upper part of a vehicle body of an automobile, and more particularly to a structural member formed by joining flanges of an outer panel and an inner panel to form a closed sectional structure, and a vehicle formed from the inner panel. The present invention relates to an impact energy absorbing structure on an upper portion of a vehicle body, which includes an interior material disposed indoors at a space required for energy absorption and an energy absorbing material disposed within the space.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pillar formed by joining flanges of an outer panel and an inner panel to form a closed cross-sectional structure, and a pillar garnish arranged at an interval necessary for absorbing energy from the inner panel toward a vehicle interior; There is proposed a shock energy absorbing structure including a resin lattice-shaped energy absorbing material disposed in the space, the energy absorbing material being formed separately from the pillar garnish, and attached to the inner panel or the pillar garnish. (Particularly FIGS. 17 to 2 of JP-A-8-119047)
7).

[0003]

When the energy absorbing material is made of a resin grid, the ideal energy absorption can be achieved by appropriately selecting the material, the number of vertical ribs and horizontal ribs of the grid, the thickness, the height, and the like. It is possible to obtain a characteristic or a characteristic close thereto, but for that purpose, it is necessary to ensure that the breaking of the lattice progresses from the initial stage when a load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the outside of the cabin. The grid contacts the pillar garnish and the inner panel when a load is applied, and breaks when the resulting frictional force becomes sufficiently large to prevent relative sliding. Therefore, it is essential that a sufficient frictional force be obtained in the initial stage in order to progress the fracture of the lattice from the beginning of the load application. However, since the coefficient of friction varies greatly depending on the roughness of the surface of the inner panel or pillar garnish to which the vertical ribs and horizontal ribs of the lattice should come in contact or the presence of oil or grease, a stable and sufficient frictional force in the initial stage of load application Difficult to get.

[0004] Although it is not a problem only at the initial stage when a load is applied,
The grid is attached to one of the inner panel and pillar garnish and is movable with respect to the other, so it tends to move with respect to the other when a load is applied, and the frictional force is affected by the dynamic friction coefficient instead of the static friction coefficient. To receive it. As a result, the vertical ribs and the horizontal ribs of the lattice may start to break accidentally, and a sufficient break may not occur.

[0005] The present invention provides an energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the body of an automobile, which can surely cause a rupture from the initial stage when a predetermined load or more is applied.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a structural member formed by joining flanges of an outer panel and an inner panel to form a closed cross-sectional structure, and a space required for energy absorption from the inner panel to a vehicle interior. A first energy absorbing member made of a resin fixed to the inner panel and disposed within the space, comprising: a first energy absorbing member fixed to the inner panel; A second energy absorbing material made of resin, which is integrated with the material and is disposed within the space in opposition to the first energy absorbing material. The first energy absorbing member and the second energy absorbing member each have a plurality of rib portions projecting toward each other and a plurality of concave portions. The ribs of the first energy absorbing material are fitted in the recesses of the second energy absorbing material, and the ribs of the second energy absorbing material are fitted in the first energy absorbing material. It fits in each of the recesses.

In a preferred aspect, the rib portions and the concave portions of the energy absorbing members are arranged alternately.

Preferably, the rib portion of each of the energy absorbing members extends in a longitudinal direction of the structural member, and the interior material has at least one terminal portion and an auxiliary rib portion. The terminal portion is convex in a section cut along a virtual plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member in a direction substantially the same as a flange joint portion of the structural member located near the terminal portion. The terminal is formed so that a concave portion is provided on the rear surface, and the most protruding portion of the terminal portion is longer than the flange joint portion. The auxiliary rib portion is disposed in a recess on the back surface of the terminal portion so as to intersect the rib portion.

[0009]

[Function and Effect] When a predetermined load or more directed toward the outside of the cabin is applied through the interior material, even if the load is oblique to the rib portion of each energy absorbing material, the first energy absorption is performed. The material is fixed to the inner panel of the structural member,
Since the second energy absorbing material is integrated with the interior material and the rib portion is restrained by the concave portion, the relative movement between the first energy absorbing material and the second energy absorbing material is sealed. . Thereby, the breaking of the rib portion of the energy absorbing material proceeds from the initial stage when the load is applied.

The rib portion of the energy absorbing material is reliably broken from the initial stage of applying a load without relying on frictional force, and absorbs impact energy efficiently. Thus, stable load-displacement energy absorption characteristics can be obtained. Further, since the rib portion is fitted in the concave portion and the movement is restricted, generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed.

Since two energy absorbing members are used, the materials may be made different from each other, or the thickness and the number of the rib portions of the first energy absorbing member may be changed to the thickness and the number of the rib portions of the second energy absorbing member. And can be different.
Further, the interval and height of the rib portions of each energy absorbing material, the depth of the concave portions, and the like can be changed. As described above, since the degree of freedom in adjusting the amount of energy absorption or the factor that affects the energy absorption characteristics is large, it is possible to realize a wide range of load-displacement energy absorption characteristics in combination with the resin rib structure. .

In one embodiment, the rib portions and the concave portions of each energy absorbing material are alternately arranged, that is, a concave portion is provided next to one rib portion, and another rib portion is provided next to the concave portion. According to one aspect, for example, two rib portions are located adjacent to each other, and one rib portion has one concave portion,
In a case where another concave portion is provided next to the other rib portion, it is possible to eliminate a variation in the amount of energy absorption caused by a difference in a location where a load is applied. Further, when a load is applied, even if the rib portion of the second energy absorbing material comes off from the concave portion of the first energy absorbing material, the rib portion of the second energy absorbing material remains in the first energy absorbing material. It can deform by colliding with the ribs and absorb energy.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the auxiliary rib portion is located in the concave portion on the back surface of the terminal portion of the interior material, and the terminal portion protrudes longer than the flange joint portion, so that it faces the outside of the vehicle compartment. When a load equal to or more than a predetermined value is applied to the terminal portion, energy is absorbed by deformation of the auxiliary rib portion, and excessive deformation of the terminal portion can be prevented. Further, the reaction force applied from the flange joint can be suppressed.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A structural member formed by joining flanges of an outer panel and an inner panel to form a closed sectional structure is a pillar such as a front pillar, a center pillar or a rear pillar of an automobile, or a roof side rail. . An interior material arranged at a distance required for energy absorption from the inner panel toward the vehicle interior, for example, at a distance of 10 to 30 mm is a pillar garnish or a roof trim. The first energy absorbing material is formed by molding a hard resin such as polypropylene, and is fixed to the inner panel of the structural member by screwing, clipping or bonding. On the other hand, the second energy absorbing material is formed integrally with the interior material by molding together with the interior material, or is formed separately from the interior material by molding a hard resin such as polypropylene, and is screwed. Clip or glue to integrate with interior material.

The first energy absorbing material and the second energy absorbing material are respectively directed to each other, that is, from the first energy absorbing material to the second energy absorbing material, and to the second energy absorbing material. And a plurality of recesses protruding toward the first energy absorbing member from the first member. Preferably, the rib portions and the concave portions of one energy absorbing material are alternately arranged, and the respective rib portions of the first energy absorbing material fit into the respective concave portions of the second energy absorbing material, The ribs of the second energy absorbing material are positioned and dimensioned so as to fit into the recesses of the first energy absorbing material. The rib portion of each energy absorbing material extends in the longitudinal direction of the structural member,
For example, it can be provided with a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and a pitch of 10 to 20 mm.

The interior material includes at least one terminal portion,
It is preferable to have an auxiliary rib portion. In this case, the terminal portion is directed substantially in the same direction as the flange joint portion of the structural member located near the terminal portion in a cross section cut along a virtual plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member. The terminal portion is provided with a concave portion on the rear surface, and the most protruding portion of the terminal portion is formed longer than the flange joint portion. When the structural member is a front pillar, a rear pillar or a roof side rail, one terminal portion is provided on the interior material, and when the structural member is a center pillar, two terminal portions are provided on the interior material. The auxiliary rib portion is disposed in a recess on the back surface of the terminal portion so as to intersect the rib portion. The auxiliary rib portion may have the same thickness as the rib portion, and may be formed in the longitudinal direction of the structural member.
It is preferable to provide a plurality at intervals of up to 20 mm.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a horizontal cross-sectional state of an impact energy absorbing structure at the upper part of an automobile body, a structural member 14 formed by joining flanges of an outer panel 10 and an inner panel 12 to form a closed cross-sectional structure. , The space 1 required for energy absorption from the inner panel 12 to the vehicle interior
And absorbing the impact energy in the upper part of the body of the vehicle having the interior material 18 disposed at 6
A first energy absorbing material 20 and a second energy absorbing material 2
2 is provided.

The structural member 14 is, in the embodiment shown, a front pillar of a motor vehicle. The front pillar 14 has two flange joints 24 and 25. The front flange joint 24 is located near the front shield glass 26, and the rear flange joint 25 has an opening trim 28 attached thereto. The interior material 18 is a pillar garnish formed by molding a hard resin.

The first energy absorbing member 20 is made by molding a hard resin, and has a plurality of rib portions and a plurality of concave portions. In the embodiment shown, the two ribs 30, 31
And two concave portions 32 and 33 are provided. The two rib portions 30, 31 project from the base portion 34 so as to have substantially the same thickness. Further, two small ribs 35 for forming the recess 32 and two small ribs 36 for forming the recess 33 project from the base 34. The ribs 30 and 31 and the recesses 32 and 33 are alternately arranged, and extend in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, that is, in a longitudinal direction of the structural member 14. The first energy absorbing material 20 is fixed to the inner panel 12 by screws or clips (not shown) passing through the base 34 or by bonding.
It is also possible to put a soundproof material such as felt between the base 34 and the inner panel 12.

The second energy absorbing member 22 is formed integrally with the pillar garnish 18 when the pillar garnish 18 is formed. The second energy absorbing member 22 is disposed so as to face the first energy absorbing member 20, and has a plurality of rib portions. And a plurality of recesses.
In the illustrated embodiment, two rib portions 40 and 41 and two concave portions 42 and 43 are provided. Two ribs 4
0 and 41 project from the pillar garnish 18 so as to have substantially the same thickness. Further, two small rib portions 45 for forming the concave portion 42 and two small rib portions 46 for forming the concave portion 43 are formed by the pillar garnish 1.
8 protrudes. The rib portions 40 and 41 and the concave portion 42,
43 are alternately arranged and extend in the longitudinal direction of the structural member 14. The pillar garnish 18 integrally having the second energy absorbing member 22 is fixed to the inner panel 12 by a clip (not shown).

The rib portions 30 of the first energy absorbing material 20
31 and the rib portions 40 and 41 of the second energy absorbing member 22 are in a form protruding toward each other.
As a result, when the second energy absorbing member 22 is arranged at a predetermined position by attaching the pillar garnish 18 to the inner panel 12, the rib portions 30, 31 of the first energy absorbing member 20 are moved to the second energy absorbing member. 22 recesses 4
3 and 42, respectively, and the ribs 40 and 41 of the second energy absorbing material 22
3 and 32 respectively.

In the embodiment shown, the interior material 18 has one terminal 48. The terminal portion 48 is located near the flange joint 25 of the structural member to which the opening trim 28 is attached in a cross section cut along a virtual horizontal plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member 14, and substantially corresponds to the flange joint 25. Are convexly curved toward the same direction, thereby forming a recess 49 on the back surface. Terminal 48
The most protruding part of this terminal is the flange joint 2
It is formed to be longer than 5. And the auxiliary rib part 50 is arrange | positioned in the recessed part 49 of the back surface of the terminal part 48 so that the rib part 40 may be crossed. A plurality of auxiliary rib portions 50 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the structural member 14.
The plurality of auxiliary rib portions 50 are formed together with the connecting portion 51 having a shape substantially matching the shape of the concave portion 49 of the terminal portion 48,
The connecting portion 51 and the terminal portion 48 are attached to the interior material 18 by heat caulking or bonding.

The structural member 54 shown in FIG. 3 is a center pillar of an automobile. The center pillar 54 has two flange joints 60 and 61 in which the flanges of the outer panel 56 and the inner panel 58 are joined, and an opening trim 62 is attached to each of the flange joints 60 and 61.

In the embodiment shown, the first energy absorbing member 64 has two rib portions 66 and 67 and two concave portions 68 and 67.
69. The two rib portions 66 and 67 are
7 so that the thickness of the base 7 is larger than that of the rib 66.
It protrudes from zero. Further, two small ribs 71 for forming the recess 68 and two small ribs 72 for forming the recess 69 protrude from the base 70.
The ribs 66 and 67 and the recesses 68 and 69 are arranged alternately and extend in the longitudinal direction of the structural member 54. The first energy absorbing material 64 is fixed to the inner panel 58 by screws or clips (not shown) passing through the base 70 or by bonding.

The second energy absorbing member 74 is formed integrally with the pillar garnish 76 when forming the pillar garnish 76 as an interior material, and is disposed to face the first energy absorbing member 64. The illustrated embodiment has two ribs 78 and 79 and two recesses 80 and 81. The two rib portions 78, 79 project from the pillar garnish 76 such that the rib portion 79 has a greater thickness than the rib portion 78. Further, one small rib portion 82 for forming the concave portion 80 and two small rib portions 83 for forming the concave portion 81 protrude from the pillar garnish 76. In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 80 is formed by a small rib portion 82 and an auxiliary rib portion 84. The rib portions 78 and 79 and the concave portions 80 and 81 are alternately arranged,
The structural member 54 extends in the longitudinal direction. The pillar garnish 76 integrally having the second energy absorbing member 74 is
It is fixed to the inner panel 58 by a clip (not shown).

The ribs 66 of the first energy absorbing member 64,
The 67 and the rib portions 78 and 79 of the second energy absorbing member 74 have a form protruding toward each other.
As a result, when the second energy absorbing member 74 is arranged at a predetermined position by attaching the pillar garnish 76 to the inner panel 58, the rib portions 66 and 67 of the first energy absorbing member 64 74 recess 8
0, 81, and the ribs 78, 79 of the second energy absorbing member 74 are
8 and 69 respectively.

The interior material 76 has two terminal portions 86 and 87. The ends 86 and 87 are located near the flange joints 60 and 61 of the structural member 54, respectively. Terminal 86
Is convexly curved substantially in the same direction as the flange joint 60 in a cross section cut along a virtual horizontal plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member 54, thereby forming a recess 89 on the back surface. ing. In addition, the terminal unit 87
In a cross section cut along a virtual horizontal plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member 54, the structural member 54 is convexly curved in substantially the same direction as the flange joint portion 61, thereby providing a recess 90 on the back surface. . The terminal portion 86 is formed such that the most protruding portion of the terminal portion is longer than the flange joint portion 60, and the terminal portion 87 is formed such that the most protruding portion of the terminal portion is longer than the flange joint portion 61. Have been. Then, the auxiliary rib portion 84 is disposed in the recess 89 on the back surface of the terminal portion 86 so as to intersect the rib portion 78,
The auxiliary rib portion 88 is disposed in the recess 90 on the back surface of the terminal portion 87 so as to intersect the rib portion 79. Auxiliary rib 8
4 and 88 are provided in a plurality so as to be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the structural member 54. The plurality of auxiliary rib portions 84 and 88 are attached to the interior material 76 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

The impact energy absorbing structure functions as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, when a load equal to or more than a predetermined amount toward the outside A of the vehicle compartment is applied via the interior material 18, the first energy absorbing material 20 is fixed to the inner panel 12 of the structural member 14,
The second energy absorbing material 22 is integral with the interior material 18 and the ribs 30, 31, 40, 41
Since the first energy absorbing member 20 is restrained by the third energy absorbing member 32, the relative movement between the first energy absorbing member 20 and the second energy absorbing member 22 is blocked. by this,
The rib portions 30, 31, 40, of the energy absorbing materials 20, 22
The fracture of 41 progresses from the initial stage when a load is applied. When the load is further increased, the rib portions 30, 31, 40, 41 are completely broken. As a result, the energy absorption characteristic C in FIG.
Is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a predetermined load or more directed toward the outside B of the vehicle compartment is applied via the interior material 18, the ribs 40, 41 of the second energy absorbing material 22 come off the recesses 33, 32. , The rib portion 40 abuts against the rib portion 31 of the first energy absorbing material 20, and the rib portion 41 abuts against the rib portion 30 of the first energy absorbing material 20, and the rib portions 40, 3
1, 41, 30 are broken. As a result, the energy absorption characteristic D of FIG. 4 is obtained. When the auxiliary rib portion 50 is present as in the illustrated embodiment, the auxiliary rib portion 50 breaks and absorbs energy, so that the impacted member and the opening trim 28 are removed.
Collision can be avoided. Even if a load exceeding the predetermined amount directed to the vehicle exterior B is applied, when the speed of the load is low, the ribs 40 and 41 are deformed and broken without the ribs 40 and 41 coming off the recesses 33 and 32. As a result, the energy absorption characteristic E of FIG. 4 is obtained. Note that FIG.
Are substantially the same as those described above.

In the case where the energy absorbing material is restrained by the frictional force between the energy absorbing material and the inner panel or the pillar garnish to absorb the energy, F ₁ in FIG.
As shown by F ₂ , F ₃ , and F ₄ , the energy absorption characteristics varied widely, and stable energy absorption characteristics could not be expected. On the other hand, in the impact energy absorbing structure according to the present invention, stable energy absorbing characteristics can be obtained as shown by C, D, and E in FIG.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal plane of an embodiment of an impact energy absorbing structure of an upper part of a vehicle body of an automobile according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a horizontal plane of the embodiment of the impact energy absorbing structure of the upper part of the vehicle body of the automobile according to the present invention, in which a rib portion of a second energy absorbing material is detached from a concave portion of the first energy absorbing material. The state is shown.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along a horizontal plane of another embodiment of the impact energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the body of the automobile according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an energy absorption characteristic diagram of the impact energy absorption structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an energy absorption characteristic diagram that can be generated by the impact energy absorption structure described in the above publication.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 56 Outer panel 12, 58 Inner panel 14 Structural member (front pillar) 16 Interval 18, 76 Interior material (pillar garnish) 20, 64 First energy absorbing material 22, 74 Second energy absorbing material 24, 25, 60 , 61 Flange joints 30, 31, 40, 41, 66, 67, 78, 79 Ribs 32, 33, 42, 43, 68, 69, 80, 81 Recesses 48, 86, 87 Terminals 49, 89, 90 Recess 50,84,88 Auxiliary rib

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A structural member formed by joining flanges of an outer panel and an inner panel to form a closed cross-sectional structure, and an interior material disposed at a space required for energy absorption from the inner panel toward a vehicle interior. A first energy absorbing member made of resin fixed to the inner panel and disposed within the gap, and integrated with the interior material, wherein the first A second energy absorbing material made of resin and disposed in the space in opposition to the first energy absorbing material, wherein the first energy absorbing material and the second energy absorbing material project toward each other. A plurality of ribs to be
A plurality of concave portions, wherein each of the rib portions of the first energy absorbing material is fitted in each of the concave portions of the second energy absorbing material, and each of the rib portions of the second energy absorbing material is Fitting in each of the recesses of the first energy absorbing material,
Impact energy absorbing structure on the upper part of the body of the car. 2. The impact energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, wherein the rib portions and the concave portions of the energy absorbing members are alternately arranged. 3. The rib portion of each of the energy absorbing members extends in a longitudinal direction of the structural member, the interior material has at least one terminal portion, and an auxiliary rib portion, and the terminal portion is In a cross section cut along a virtual plane in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the structural member, the structural member is convexly curved in substantially the same direction as a flange joint of the structural member located near the terminal portion, To create a recess on the back,
And the most protruding part of the terminal part is formed so as to be longer than the flange joint part, and the auxiliary rib part,
3. The impact energy absorbing structure according to claim 1, wherein the impact energy absorbing structure is disposed in a concave portion on the back surface of the terminal portion so as to intersect the rib portion. 4.