KR102002502B1 - Vehicle side section structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle side structure capable of stabilizing the deploying behavior of the airbag inflating and deploying outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the side door is obtained. An impact beam is mounted on the door inner panel. The impact beam includes a side wall portion disposed on an inner side in the vehicle width direction of the inflator, and has a support portion for supporting the inflator. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the support portion of the impact beam.

Description

VEHICLE SIDE SECTION STRUCTURE [0002]

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle side structure.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-537165 (Patent Document 1) discloses an invention related to an external airbag occupant protection system. In this external airbag occupant protection system, an inflator and an airbag are provided inside the side door, and a predictive collision detection system for predicting collision between the vehicle and an object is provided. When the collision between the vehicle and the object is predicted in the predictive collision detection system, the inflator is actuated and the airbag is inflated and expanded outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the side door. Therefore, the collision energy when the object collides with the vehicle is absorbed by the airbag, and as a result, the relative speed of the object with respect to the vehicle can be reduced.

However, in the prior art described above, there is room for improvement in that the deployment behavior of the airbag inflated and expanded outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the side door is stabilized because no member for supporting the deployment reaction force of the airbag is provided.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle side structure capable of stabilizing the deployment behavior of an airbag that inflates and deploys outward from the side door in the vehicle width direction.

A vehicle side structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a door outer panel constituting a portion of the side door in the vehicle width direction outer side, a door inner panel constituting a portion of the side door in the vehicle width direction inner side, An airbag that is inflatable and deployable outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door by the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator disposed between the door inner panels; a prediction unit that predicts whether an object approaching the vehicle will collide with the side door; And a control unit for actuating the inflator when it is determined that the object and the side door will collide with each other based on a signal output from the predicting unit, The airbag is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel In the air bag inflation projections art enables deployment expansion installed to a door outer panel, with also having a support part that is arranged in the vehicle width inside direction of the inflator the art supports the inflator has a reinforcing member mounted to the door inner panel.

According to the first aspect, the inflator is disposed between the door outer panel constituting the portion of the side door on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the door inner panel constituting the inner side portion of the side door in the vehicle width direction. The inflator is controlled by a control unit having a predictor for predicting whether an object approaching the vehicle will collide with a side door of the vehicle. When the control unit determines that the object and the side door will collide based on the signal output from the predicting unit, the control unit operates the inflator.

In addition, the door outer panel is provided with an airbag inflation projection. The airbag inflation projection is normally closed, and when the airbag is inflated and expanded, the airbag is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel . Therefore, when the collision between the object and the side door of the vehicle is predicted, the airbag is inflated and expanded from the airbag inflation projection to the outside of the side door in the vehicle width direction by the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator. As a result, even if the object and the vehicle collide with each other, the collision energy when they collide with each other can be absorbed by the airbag.

However, when there is no member for supporting the deployment reaction force of the airbag when the airbag is inflated and deployed, it can be considered that the deployment behavior of the airbag becomes unstable.

Here, in the present disclosure, a reinforcing member is mounted on the door inner panel, and the reinforcing member is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator to support the inflator. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the supporting portion of the reinforcing member.

The vehicle side structure according to the second aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the support portion includes a side wall portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction with the plate thickness direction in the vehicle width direction, and a side wall portion extending from the peripheral portion on the vehicle upper side of the side wall portion And a lower wall portion protruding outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of the lower side of the side wall portion of the side wall portion, wherein the inflator has a cylindrical shape in which the end portion is closed And is disposed on the support portion so as to be surrounded except for the outside in the vehicle width direction.

According to the second aspect, the support portion includes the side wall portion, the upper wall portion, and the lower wall portion. The side wall portion extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the vehicle width direction and the upper wall portion extends and protrudes outward from the periphery of the vehicle upper side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction and the lower wall portion extends in the vehicle width direction, And extends outward in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the inflator is formed in a cylindrical shape with its end portion closed, and is disposed in a state surrounded by the support portion except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present disclosure, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag can be supported from three different directions except for the outside in the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle side structure according to the third aspect is characterized in that, in the first aspect, the support portion is in the shape of an arc-like plate extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and having a sectional shape seen in the longitudinal direction opened to the outside in the vehicle width direction, The inflator is formed in a cylindrical shape with its end portion closed, and is disposed on the support portion in a state surrounded by the support portion except the outside in the vehicle width direction.

According to the third aspect, the support portion is formed in an arc-like plate shape which extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and which has a cross-sectional shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction, open to the outside in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the inflator is formed in a cylindrical shape with its end closed, and is arranged so as to be surrounded by the supporting portion except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, in the present disclosure, the shape of the inflator and the shape of the support portion are made to correspond to each other, so that generation of a gap between the inflator and the support portion can be suppressed.

The vehicle side structure according to the fourth aspect is the vehicle side structure according to the second or third aspect, wherein the reinforcing member is disposed on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the support portion and extends upward from the peripheral portion on the vehicle upper side of the support portion toward the vehicle upper side And at least one of the extending projecting wall portion and at least one of the lower extending projecting wall portion which is disposed outside the vehicle width direction of the supporting portion and which extends from the peripheral portion of the lower side of the vehicle to the downward side of the vehicle.

According to the fourth aspect, the reinforcing member includes at least one of an upper extending projection wall portion and a lower extended projection wall portion. The upper extending projection wall portion is disposed on the outside of the supporting portion in the vehicle width direction so as to extend from the periphery of the upper portion of the supporting portion to the upper side of the vehicle and the lower extended projecting wall portion is disposed on the outside of the supporting portion in the vehicle width direction, And extends from the periphery of the vehicle toward the lower side of the vehicle. Therefore, in the present disclosure, at least one of the upper extending projection portion and the lower extending projection portion is arranged inside the vehicle width direction of the inflated and deployed airbag.

The vehicle side structure according to the fifth aspect is such that, in the first aspect, the inflator has a tubular shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in which the end portion is closed, and the support portion is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator An inner sidewall portion extending along the inflator and joined to the door inner panel in a state in which the thickness direction of the inflator is in the vehicle width direction and an inner sidewall portion extending from the inner side sidewall portion of the inner sidewall portion to the vehicle widthwise outer side An outer side wall portion extending and projecting from the periphery of the first extending projection wall portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inflator and an outer side wall portion extending from the periphery of the outer side wall portion on the side opposite to the inflator in the vehicle width direction And a second extending projection wall portion extending inwardly.

According to the fifth aspect, the inflator is in the shape of a cylinder extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the end of which is closed. On the other hand, the support portion includes an inner side wall portion, a first extending projection wall portion, an outer side wall portion, and a second extending projection wall portion. The inner side wall portion is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator and extends along the inflator and is joined to the door inner panel with the plate thickness direction in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the inner side wall portion and the door inner panel.

The first extending projection wall portion is extended from the vehicle upper side or the vehicle lower side side of the inner side wall portion to the vehicle width direction outer side and the outer side wall portion extends from the peripheral portion of the first extending projection wall portion on the vehicle widthwise outer side And protrudes toward the opposite side of the inflator. The second extending projection wall portion extends and protrudes inward from the periphery of the outer side wall portion opposite to the inflator in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, the portion constituted by the first elongated projecting wall portion, the outer side wall portion, and the second elongated projecting wall portion of the reinforcing member is configured in a U-shape in which the cross-sectional shape viewed in the longitudinal direction is opened to the inside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the rigidity of the reinforcing member with respect to the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door through the airbag can be secured.

In a vehicle side structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect cited in the second aspect, the reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending projection portion and the lower extended projection wall portion, And a pair of tubular beam members arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the extended projecting wall portion and the lower extended projecting wall portion and extending along the support portion.

According to the sixth aspect, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the supporting portion from three different directions except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcing member is provided with an upper extending projection portion and a lower extending projection wall portion, and a cylindrical beam member extending along the supporting portion is disposed on the vehicle width direction inner side of the upper extending projection portion and the lower extended projecting wall portion have. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a collision load transmitted from an object colliding with a vehicle through an airbag to a side door can be supported by a pair of beam members.

The vehicle side structure according to the seventh aspect is the vehicle side structure according to the fourth aspect cited in the second aspect, wherein the reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending projection wall portion and the lower extending projection wall portion, And the first reinforcing portion is provided on the lower side of the lower extending projecting wall portion in succession to the lower extending projecting wall portion, and the first reinforcing portion is provided on the upper side of the upper extending portion A first upper side reinforcing wall portion extending and protruding inward from the periphery of the projecting wall portion in the vehicle width direction and a second upper side reinforcing wall portion extending and projecting upward from the periphery of the first upper side reinforcing wall portion in the vehicle width direction And the second reinforcing portion is provided on a lower side of the lower extending projection wall portion, And a second lower reinforcement wall portion extending and projecting downward from the periphery of the first lower reinforcement wall portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first lower reinforcement wall portion.

According to the seventh aspect, the first reinforcing portion is formed on the vehicle upper side portion of the reinforcing member, including the first upper reinforcing wall portion and the second upper reinforcing wall portion. The first reinforcing portion, the upper extending portion, and the upper portion and the side wall of the supporting portion constitute a hat-shaped portion having a cross-sectional shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member opened inward in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, a portion of the reinforcing member on the lower side of the vehicle has the second reinforcing portion including the first lower reinforcing wall portion and the second lower reinforcing wall portion. The second reinforcement portion, the lower extension projection wall portion, the lower wall portion of the support portion, and the side wall portion constitute a hat-shaped portion having a cross-sectional shape seen in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcement member opened inward in the vehicle width direction.

This makes it possible to increase the secondary moment of inertia of the reinforcement member with respect to the neutral axis of bending in the vehicle width direction, as compared with the case where the reinforcement member is formed into a uniform plate shape. As a result, the rigidity of the reinforcing member with respect to the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door through the airbag can be increased.

The vehicle side structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is the vehicle side structure according to the eighth aspect, wherein the airbag inflating and deflating portion is configured to cover the opening formed in the door outer panel, And a lid member which is detachable from the door outer panel by being pressed together by the airbag.

According to the eighth aspect, the door outer panel is provided with an opening through which the airbag can pass during inflation and deployment. When the collision between the object and the side door of the vehicle is predicted, the airbag passes through the opening, And is expanded and expanded outward in the width direction.

However, from the viewpoint of securing the appearance of the side door, it is preferable that the opening portion of the outer panel is not visible from the outside in the vehicle width direction at a normal time. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of smoothly expanding and deploying the airbag, it is preferable that there is no resistance of the airbag in the opening portion when the airbag is inflated and expanded.

Here, in the present disclosure, the opening formed in the door outer panel is covered with a lid member, and normally, the opening and the airbag are concealed by the lid member. The lid member is detachable from the door outer panel by being pressed by the airbag at the time of inflating and expanding. When the airbag is inflated and expanded, the lid member is released from the door outer panel to the outside in the vehicle width direction, .

The vehicle side structure according to the ninth aspect is the vehicle side structure according to the eighth aspect, wherein the lid member is connected to the reinforcing member via a connecting portion, the connecting portion is connected to the lid member in a state of being separated from the door outer panel So that the connection state of the reinforcing member can be maintained.

According to the ninth aspect, the lid member is connected to the reinforcing member via the connecting portion, and the connection state of the lid member and the stiffener is maintained even when the lid member is detached from the door outer panel.

The vehicle side structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is the vehicle side structure according to the tenth aspect, characterized in that the airbag inflating and deflating portion is configured to cover the opening formed in the door outer panel, And a lid member which is opened by being pressed by the airbag together and opened so as to allow the airbag to pass therethrough.

According to the tenth aspect, the structure is basically the same as that of the first aspect and exhibits the same function. Further, in the present disclosure, the lid member covering the opening of the door outer panel is opened by being pressed by the airbag at the time of inflating and expanding, and is opened so that the airbag can pass therethrough. That is, in the present disclosure, the airbag can be inflated and expanded toward the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side door in a state in which the lid member is disposed on the door outer panel.

The vehicle side structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects is the vehicle side structure according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the airbag inflation projection is provided on the door outer panel, and the airbag when inflated and deployed causes the door outer panel And a tear portion formed in the door outer panel through which the airbag is allowed to pass by opening the door.

According to the eleventh aspect, the door outer panel is provided with a tier portion, and the tier portion is cleared by pressing the door outer panel by the airbag at the time of expansion and expansion. By opening the tier portion, an opening portion through which the airbag can pass is formed in the door outer panel, and the airbag is inflated and expanded outside the side door in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, as compared with the construction in which the opening portion through which the airbag can pass through the door outer panel is provided and the lid member which covers the opening portion is arranged, it is possible to suppress formation of unnecessary convex portions on the design surface of the side door , The appearance of the design surface can be prevented from being damaged.

In the vehicle side structure according to the twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the door outer panel is made of resin.

According to the twelfth aspect, the door outer panel is made of resin, and the door outer panel can be made lighter. Further, as compared with the case where the door outer panel is made of metal, a load received by the airbag from the door outer panel at the time of expanding deployment is reduced.

The vehicle side structure according to the thirteenth aspect is the inflator according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the inflator is disposed at a portion closer to the vehicle front side than the vehicle longitudinal direction center portion of the side door.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the inflator is disposed at a portion closer to the vehicle front side than the vehicle longitudinal direction center portion of the side door. Accordingly, even if the object collides with the side door of the vehicle and the inflator is pressed and moved by the object, at least the upper half of the occupant can not be positioned on the trajectory of the inflator.

In a vehicle side structure according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the reinforcing member is configured such that when viewed in the vehicle width direction, a part of the reinforcing member constitutes a part of the vehicle body, A front filler part of the vehicle body which is arranged such that a part of the front pillow is overlapped with a peripheral part of the vehicle front side of the door inner panel when viewed in the width direction, And a center pillar disposed so as to overlap with the periphery of the center pillar.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the reinforcing member is arranged so as to overlap with at least one of a front pillar constituting a part of the vehicle body and a center pillar constituting a part of the vehicle body when part of the reinforcing member is viewed in the vehicle width direction. The front filler is arranged such that a part of the front filler is overlapped with the periphery of the front inner side of the door inner panel when viewed from the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. Therefore, even if the reinforcing member is pressed by the object colliding with the side door, the reinforcing member is supported on at least one of the front filler and the center pillar with the door inner panel interposed therebetween.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the vehicle side structure related to the first aspect has an excellent effect that the deployment behavior of the airbag that inflates and deploys outward from the side door in the vehicle width direction can be stabilized.

The vehicle side structure related to the first aspect has an excellent effect that it is possible to improve the reliability that the airbag is inflated and expanded toward the vehicle width direction outer side.

The vehicle side structure relating to the second aspect has an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the expansion of the space required for disposing the inflator and the reinforcing member.

The vehicle side structure relating to the fourth aspect has an excellent effect that the impact load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door side through the airbag can be supported by the reinforcing member.

The vehicle side structure according to the fifth aspect is capable of increasing the deployment reaction force of the airbag that can be supported by the reinforcing member and stably supporting the impact load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door side through the airbag, It has an excellent effect that it can do.

The vehicle side structure according to the sixth aspect has an excellent effect that the support of the deploying reaction force of the airbag and the support of the collision load on the side door side can be taken as different members, respectively.

The vehicle side structure according to the seventh aspect has an excellent effect that the collision load on the side door side can be stably supported.

The vehicle side structure according to the eighth aspect has an excellent effect that both the securing of the appearance of the side door at the time of normal operation and the reduction of the resistance to the airbag at the time of expansion and expansion of the airbag can be achieved.

The vehicle side structure according to the ninth aspect has an excellent effect that the loss of the lid member during inflation and expansion of the airbag can be suppressed.

The vehicle side structure according to the tenth aspect can secure the appearance of the side door in the normal state and can reduce the influence of the lid member on the surroundings as compared with the structure in which the lid member is detached from the side door .

The vehicle side structure according to the eleventh aspect has an excellent effect that both the reduction in the number of parts of the side door and the securing of the appearance quality can be achieved.

The vehicle side structure according to the twelfth aspect has an excellent effect that it is possible to improve the reliability that the airbag is inflated and expanded toward the vehicle width direction outer side while reducing the weight of the side door.

The vehicle side structure according to the thirteenth aspect has an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the inflator from moving toward the upper half of the occupant due to a collision load caused by an object colliding with the side door of the vehicle.

The vehicle side structure according to the fourteenth aspect has an excellent effect that the impact load caused by an object colliding with the side door of the vehicle can be supported by the skeletal member of the vehicle body.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged sectional view (a sectional view showing a state cut along the line 1-1 in Fig. 6) seen from the front side of the vehicle showing a configuration of a main portion of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied; to be.
2 is a flowchart showing a process performed in a side impact crash airbag system installed in a vehicle to which a vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied.
Fig. 3 (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the behavior of an airbag installed in a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle, and shows a state at a normal time.
Fig. 3 (b) is a cross-sectional view of the airbag installed in the side door of the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied, viewed from the front side of the vehicle, Respectively.
Fig. 3C is a sectional view of the airbag installed in the side door of the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle, and shows a state after expansion and expansion.
Fig. 4 is a side view (viewed from the direction of arrow 4 in Fig. 3 (c)) as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, showing the state after the airbag deployment of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied .
5 is a side view of the main portion of the side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied, as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, in a state in which the door outer panel is not shown.
6 is a side view of the side door seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the first embodiment is applied.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing the configuration of the main portion of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the second embodiment is applied.
Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing a configuration of a main portion of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the third embodiment is applied.
Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing the configuration of the main portion of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the fourth embodiment is applied.
10 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing a configuration of a main portion of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the fifth embodiment is applied.
Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing a configuration of a main portion of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the sixth embodiment is applied.
12 is a cross-sectional view of the airbag and lid member installed on the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the sixth embodiment is applied, as viewed from the vehicle front side.
Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1) seen from the vehicle front side showing a configuration of a main portion of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the seventh embodiment is applied.
14 is a side view of the side door viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle to which the vehicle side structure according to the seventh embodiment is applied.

≪ First Embodiment >

1 to 6, a first embodiment of a vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described below. The arrows FR appropriately shown in the drawings indicate the front side of the vehicle, the arrows UP indicate the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrows RH indicate the right side of the vehicle width direction.

5 and 6, a schematic configuration of the " vehicle 10 " to which the vehicle side structure related to the present embodiment is applied will be described. In the present embodiment, since the vehicle 10 is basically symmetrical in the left and right direction, the following description will mainly focus on the configuration of the right portion of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction. The description of the constitution of the part of FIG. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12, a side door (front side door) 14 mounted on the vehicle body 12, and a side collision air bag system 34 ).

The vehicle body 12 constitutes a portion of the vehicle body 12 on the upper side of the vehicle body 12 and forms a part of the vehicle lower side of the vehicle body 12 and a roof side rail 16 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction And a rocker 18 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

The side pillars 12A of the vehicle body 12 are provided with a "front filler 20" and a "center pillar 22" for connecting the roof side rail 16 and the locker 18 together. Specifically, the front filler 20 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and connects the portion on the vehicle front side of the roof side rail 16 and the portion on the vehicle front side of the locker 18 in the vehicle vertical direction . On the other hand, the center pillar 22 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and connects the vehicle longitudinal direction central portion of the roof side rail 16 with the vehicle front-rear direction central portion of the rocker 18. [ The side portion 12A of the vehicle body 12 is divided into a roof side rail 16, a rocker 18, a front filler 20 and a center pillar 22, And a substantially rectangular door opening 24 is formed in the vehicle width direction.

6, the side door 14 is configured such that the width direction (door width direction) of the side door 14 is the same as the front-rear direction of the vehicle in the state where the door opening 24 is closed (the side door 14 is closed) And the thickness direction (door thickness direction) coincides with the vehicle width direction. In addition, the door width direction and the door thickness direction used in the following description all indicate the direction in which the side door 14 is closed.

The side door 14 includes a metal outer door panel 26 constituting a part of the side door 14 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and a portion of the side door 14 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction And a "door inner panel 28" made of a metal. The door outer panel 26 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction and is formed so as to be convex outward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle width direction central portion in the cross section viewed from the vehicle vertical direction, And the central portion thereof is curved so as to be convex outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the door outer panel 26 is bulged so that its central portion is convex outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle longitudinal direction.

On the other hand, the door inner panel 28 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a service hole 30 used for maintenance work or the like is formed at a plurality of locations. The peripheral edge of the door inner panel 28 is joined to the peripheral edge of the door outer panel 26 by hemming.

5, the side door 14 configured as described above is configured so as to be movable in the vehicle width direction (door thickness direction) in a state where the door opening portion 24 is closed, And a peripheral portion on the vehicle front side (one side in the door width direction) is arranged so as to overlap with the front filler 20. [ In this state, the rear edge of the door inner panel 28 (the other side in the door width direction) overlaps with the center pillar 22 as viewed in the vehicle width direction. Between the door outer panel 26 and the door inner panel 28, an inner space 32 having a depth in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle width direction is formed. 1, a wind regulator (not shown), an "impact beam 48", and an airbag device 36 as reinforcing members to be described later are disposed in the inner space 32. As shown in FIG.

The airbag device 36 is mounted on the impact beam 48 as described later and constitutes a part of the side impact crash airbag system 34 together with the " control part 43 " . The airbag device 36 includes an airbag 38 and an inflator 40 as a gas generating device.

The airbag 38 is formed in an envelope shape by sewing, for example, an outer peripheral portion of a plurality of base cloths made of a nylon-based or polyester-based material. An inflator 40 is built in the base end side (vehicle width direction inner side) of the airbag 38. The airbag 38 is folded into a columnar shape by a predetermined folding method such as folding folding or roll folding Which is easily broken by the inflating pressure of the airbag 38 together with the inflator 40. [0064] As shown in Fig. In addition, in the drawings in which the airbag 38 is shown in the drawing, the outline of the airbag 38 is schematically shown.

On the other hand, the inflator 40 is of a so-called cylinder type in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction are closed. The inflator 40 has an end on the vehicle front side, As shown in Fig. That is, the inflator 40 is disposed such that its longitudinal direction is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The inflator 40 is located inside the end of the airbag 38 on the vehicle front side in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the inflated airbag 38 coincides with the longitudinal direction thereof (see Fig. 5). The base portion 42 provided on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the inflator 40 is shown in a pair of drawings protruding inward in the vehicle width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the inflator 40 Stud bolts are installed. The airbag device 36 including the inflator 40 is attached to the impact beam 48 by the stud bolt.

When the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator 40 is supplied to the airbag 38, the airbag device 36 having the above-described structure is cooled by the expansion pressure of the airbag 38, And is expanded and deployed to the outside in the vehicle width direction (one side in the door thickness direction). 1 and 4, the airbag 38 is configured such that the shape of the airbag 38 in the inflated and deployed state is a columnar shape that becomes an ellipse when viewed in the longitudinal direction thereof. The longitudinal direction of the airbag 38 is substantially the same in the folded state and the inflated and expanded state. The inflator 40 is electrically connected to the control unit 43, and the operation of the inflator 40 is controlled by the control unit 43. [

1, the control unit 43 includes an ECU 44 for controlling the operation of the inflator 40 and a "collision prediction sensor 46" as a predictor electrically connected to the ECU 44 . The ECU 44 operates the inflator 40 on the basis of the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46. [

The collision prediction sensor 46 is provided on the side of the vehicle 10 and is composed of a millimeter-wave radar, a stereo camera, and a laser radar (LiDAR). The collision prediction sensor 46 detects the distance from the vehicle 10 to the side of the vehicle 10, more specifically, the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object, The relative speed of the object is measured, and these signals are output to the ECU 44 as a signal.

On the other hand, the ECU 44 determines the presence or absence of an object approaching the vehicle 10 based on the signal input from the collision prediction sensor 46, and when there is an object approaching the vehicle 10, It is determined whether the object and the vehicle 10 will collide. When the side collision air bag system 34 judges (predicts) that a side collision between the vehicle 10 and the object approaching the vehicle 10 by the ECU 44 is judged to be inevitable (predicted), the ECU 44 So that the inflator 40 is operated.

In this embodiment, the impact beam 48 is disposed in the inner space 32 of the side door 14 and supports the airbag device 36. The impact beam 48 has a first feature. The opening portion 52 for the inflation and projection of the airbag 38 formed in the door outer panel 26 and the door outer molding 54 as the lid member attached to the opening portion 52 are also referred to as " Airbag inflation protrusion 50 " as shown in Fig. Hereinafter, the configuration of the impact beam 48 and the airbag inflation projection 50 constituting the main part of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

First, the configuration of the impact beam 48 will be mainly described with reference to Figs. 1 and 5. Fig. The impact beam 48 is formed by press working a steel material as an example. The impact beam 48 is formed by pressing an end portion 48B of the vehicle rear side with respect to the vehicle front side end portion 48A And extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle so as to be positioned in the lower rear of the vehicle. The impact beam 48 includes a supporting portion 48C for supporting the inflator 40, an extending projection wall portion 48D as an upper extending projection wall portion, an extending projection wall portion 48E as a lower extending projection wall portion, Reinforced portion 48F " as the first reinforcing portion and " reinforcing portion 48G " as the second reinforcing portion.

The support portion 48C includes a side wall portion 48C1 disposed on the vehicle width direction inner side of the inflator 40 and an upper wall portion 48C2 projecting from the periphery of the side wall portion 48C1 on the vehicle upper side outward in the vehicle width direction, And a " lower wall portion 48C3 " extending outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1 on the lower side of the vehicle.

More specifically, the side wall portion 48C1 is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction when viewed in the vehicle width direction with the plate thickness direction in the vehicle width direction. The upper wall portion 48C2, The portion 48C3 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle vertical direction. The upper wall portion 48C2 and the lower wall portion 48C3 are disposed so as to face each other at a predetermined interval in which the airbag device 36 is accommodated in the direction along the side wall portion 48C1. The gap between the upper wall portion 48C2 and the lower wall portion 48C3 is gradually widened from the vehicle width direction toward the vehicle width direction outer side.

The extended projection wall portion 48D extends from the peripheral edge of the upper wall portion 48C2 on the vehicle widthwise outer side to the vehicle upper side and the extended projection wall portion 48D is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the supporting portion 48C And extends from the periphery of the support portion 48C on the vehicle upper side to the vehicle upper side. More specifically, the extended projection wall portion 48D is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending along the support portion 48C when seen in the vehicle width direction, and is formed in a state of being spaced apart from the door outer panel 26 by a predetermined distance And is arranged so as to be opposed to the door outer panel 26 in question.

The extended projection wall 48E extends from the periphery of the lower wall 48C3 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction to the lower side of the vehicle and the extending projection 48E extends outwardly of the supporting portion 48C in the vehicle width direction And extends from the peripheral edge of the supporting portion 48C on the lower side of the vehicle to the lower side of the vehicle. More specifically, the extending projection 48E is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending along the support portion 48C when viewed in the vehicle width direction, and is formed in a state of being spaced apart from the door outer panel 26 by a predetermined distance And is arranged so as to be opposed to the door outer panel 26 in question.

The reinforcing portion 48F includes a "reinforcing wall portion 48F1" as a first upper side reinforcing wall portion and a "flange portion 48F2" as a second upper side reinforcing wall portion. Specifically, the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 extends from the periphery of the extended projection wall portion 48D inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. The flange portion 48F2 extends from the periphery of the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the upper side of the vehicle and extends in the width direction of the vehicle from a rectangular shape extending along the extending projection portion 48D As shown in Fig.

On the other hand, the reinforcing portion 48G includes a "reinforcing wall portion 48G1" as a first lower reinforcing wall portion and a "flange portion 48G2" as a second lower reinforcing wall portion. Specifically, the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 is extended and projected inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of the vehicle lower side of the extending projection portion 48E, and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. The flange portion 48G2 extends from the periphery of the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to the lower side of the vehicle and extends in the width direction of the vehicle from a rectangular shape extending along the extending projection portion 48E As shown in Fig.

The impact beam 48 configured as described above is in the state in which the longitudinal direction of the air bag apparatus 36 is in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48 and the side wall portions 48C1, Wall portion 48C2 and lower wall portion 48C3 so as to be surrounded except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. The side wall portion 48C1 is formed with a portion to be inserted which is not shown in a pair of corresponding to the stud bolt of the inflator 40. [ The stud bolt of the inflator 40 is inserted into the inserting portion of the side wall 48C1 and inserted into the stud bolt from the inside of the side wall 48C1 in the vehicle width direction, So that the airbag device 36 is fixed to the impact beam 48. The airbag device 36 is in a state in which it is fixed to the impact beam 48 and a part of the airbag device 36 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the impact beam 48 when viewed in the vehicle vertical direction, All of them may be hidden by the impact beam 48 as seen in FIG.

The impact beam 48 is fixed by bonding the flange portions 48F2 and 48G2 to the door inner panel 28 at the joint portion by welding or the like not shown in the drawing. 5, when the impact beam 48 is fixed to the door inner panel 28, the end portion 48A of the impact beam 48, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, And the end portions 48B are disposed so as to overlap with the center pillar 22, respectively. The inflator 40 of the airbag device 36 is disposed in a portion of the side door 14 closer to the vehicle front side than the vehicle front-rear direction center portion of the side door 14 in a state fixed to the side door 14. The position of the inflator 40 in the up-and-down direction of the vehicle is set so as to be close to the center portion of the side door 14 in the vehicle vertical direction.

Next, the configuration of the airbag inflating projection 50 will be described mainly mainly with reference to Figs. 1 and 6. Fig. The opening 52 formed in the door outer panel 26 has a rectangular shape that is larger than the airbag device 36 along the longitudinal direction of the airbag device 36 in the retracted state when viewed from the vehicle width direction , And the airbag 38 at the time of inflation and expansion can pass through. In Fig. 6, the openings 52 are indicated by dotted lines.

The door outer molding 54 is composed of a resiliently deformable resin material including a lid portion 54A and a plurality of engaging portions 54B. The lid portion 54A is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is larger than the opening portion 52 when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

On the other hand, a plurality of sets of the engaging portions 54B are provided in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 54A, the two sets of which are opposed to each other in the width direction of the lid portion 54A. The engagement portion 54B is formed in a substantially triangular shape convexed toward the peripheral portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 54A when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 54A. More specifically, on the lid portion 54A side of the latching portion 54B, the width in the width direction of the lid portion 54A in the latching portion 54B is increased toward the opposite side from the lid portion 54A side And the inclined surface portion 54B1 is inclined in the direction of the arrow. An inclined surface portion 54B2 is formed on the opposite side of the lid portion 54A of the engaging portion 54B so as to be inclined in the direction in which the width of the engaging portion 54B increases toward the lid portion 54A side .

The door outer molding 54 constructed as described above is mounted on the door outer panel 26 by engaging the engaging portion 54B with the periphery of the opening 52. [ That is, the opening 52 is normally closed with the door outer molding 54, in other words, the airbag inflation projection 50 is normally closed. When the latching portion 54B is inserted into the opening portion 52 when the door outer molding 54 is attached to the opening portion 52 with the above-described configuration, the inclined surface portion 54B2 can be inserted into the opening portion 52, the engaging portion 54B is elastically deformed.

When the door outer molding 54 is pressed against the inflated and deployed airbag 38, the inclined surface portion 54B1 of the engaging portion 54B is pressed against the periphery of the opening portion 52 so that the engaging portion 54B is elastically deformed . As a result, the latching state of the latching portion 54B with respect to the periphery of the opening 52 is released, and the door outer molding 54 is released from the door outer panel 26. [

(Action and effect of the present embodiment)

Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.

First, the control flow of the side collision air bag system 34 will be schematically described with reference to Fig. 2 shows an example of the control flow by the control section 43. [ When this control flow is started, the presence or absence of an object approaching the vehicle 10 from the ECU 44 is determined based on the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46 in step S1. If it is determined that there is no object approaching the vehicle 10, step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is an object approaching the vehicle 10, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, it is determined whether or not an object approaching the vehicle by the ECU 44 will collide with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10, based on the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46. [ If it is determined that an object approaching the vehicle 10 will collide with the vehicle 10, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined that an object approaching the vehicle 10 collides with the vehicle 10, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the inflator 40 is operated by the operation signal from the ECU 44, and the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed. Then, after the inflator 40 is operated, the control flow ends.

Next, the behavior of the airbag device 36 and the components disposed in the vicinity of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle 10 to which the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is applied will be described.

1, the door outer panel 26 constituting a part of the side door 14 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the door 20 constituting a part of the side door 14 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction An inflator (40) is disposed between the inner panels (28). The inflator 40 is operated by the control unit 43 when the collision between the object approaching the vehicle 10 and the side door 14 is predicted as described above.

The door outer panel 26 is provided with an airbag inflation projection 50. The airbag inflation projection 50 is normally closed and the airbag 38 Can expand and expand outward in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel 26. Therefore, when the collision between the object and the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 is predicted in the control unit 43, the inflator 40 is operated to blow the gas from the airbag inflation protrusion 50 to the side door 14 The airbag 38 is inflated and deployed to the outside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, even if the object and the vehicle 10 (side door 14) collide with each other, the collision energy when they collide can be absorbed by the airbag 38.

It is conceivable that the deployment behavior of the airbag 38 becomes unstable if there is no member for supporting the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 when the airbag 38 expands.

Here, in this embodiment, the impact beam 48 is mounted on the door inner panel 28, and the impact beam 48 has a side wall portion 48C1 disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator 40 And a support portion 48C for supporting the inflator 40. [ Therefore, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the support portion 48C of the impact beam 48. [ Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to stabilize the unfolding behavior of the airbag 38 inflated and expanded from the side door 14 outward in the vehicle width direction.

In the present embodiment, the support portion 48C includes the side wall portion 48C1, the upper wall portion 48C2, and the lower wall portion 48C3. The side wall portion 48C1 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction with the plate thickness direction in the vehicle width direction and the upper wall portion 48C2 extends and protrudes outwardly in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1 on the vehicle upper side And the lower wall portion 48C3 extend and protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of the side wall portion 48C1 on the lower side of the vehicle. On the other hand, the inflator 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its end closed, and is disposed in a state surrounded by the support portion 48C except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, it is possible to support the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 in three different directions except the outside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, It is possible to improve the reliability of expansion and expansion toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 48 is composed of an extending projection wall portion 48D and an extending projection wall portion 48E. The extended projection wall portion 48D is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion 48C and extends from the peripheral portion on the vehicle upper side of the support portion 48C toward the upper side of the vehicle, and the extended projection wall portion 48E extends from the support portion 48C And is extended outward from the periphery of the support portion 48C on the lower side of the vehicle toward the vehicle lower side. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the extending projection wall portion 48D and the extending projection wall portion 48E are arranged inside the vehicle width direction of the inflated and deployed air bag 38. [ Therefore, in the present embodiment, the impact load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38 can be supported by the impact beam 48. [

In the present embodiment, the reinforcing portion 48F is formed on the vehicle upper side portion of the impact beam 48, including the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 and the flange portion 48F2. The sectional shape of the impact beam 48 viewed from the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48 is directed inwardly in the vehicle width direction by the reinforcing portion 48F, the extending projection wall portion 48D, the upper wall portion 48C2 and the side wall portion 48C1 of the supporting portion 48C Thereby forming an open-hat-shaped portion. On the other hand, the reinforcing portion 48G including the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 and the flange portion 48G2 is formed on the portion of the impact beam 48 below the vehicle. The sectional shape viewed in the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48 is opened to the inside in the vehicle width direction by the reinforcing portion 48G, the extending projection wall portion 48E, the lower wall portion 48C3 of the supporting portion 48C and the side wall portion 48C1. Thereby forming a hat-shaped portion.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with the case where the impact beam 48 is formed in a uniform plate shape, the secondary moment of the impact beam 48 with respect to the neutral axis of bending in the vehicle width direction can be increased have. As a result, the rigidity (in particular, the rigidity against the bending in the vehicle width direction) of the impact beam 48 against the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 via the airbag 38 is increased can do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the impact load on the side door 14 side can be supported in a stable state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the door outer panel 26 is provided with an opening 52 through which the airbag 38 can be passed during expansion and expansion. When the collision between the object and the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 is predicted, the airbag 38 expands and spreads outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door 14 through the opening 52.

However, from the viewpoint of securing the appearance of the side door 14, it is preferable that the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26 is not seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of smoothly expanding and deploying the airbag 38, it is preferable that there is no resistance of the airbag 38 in the opening 52 when the airbag 38 is inflated and expanded.

In this embodiment, the opening 52 formed in the door outer panel 26 is covered with the door outer molding 54, and normally, as shown in Fig. 3 (a), the opening 52 And the airbag 38 are concealed by the door outer molding 54. Further, the door outer molding 54 can be detached from the door outer panel 26 by being pressed by the airbag 38 at the time of expansion and expansion. 3 (b), the door outer molding 54 is detached from the door outer panel 26 outward in the vehicle width direction during inflation and expansion of the airbag 38, Is opened. Then, in this state, as shown in Fig. 3 (c), the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure both the securing of the appearance of the side door 14 at the time of normal operation and the reduction of the resistance to the airbag 38 at the time of expansion and expansion of the airbag 38.

5, the inflator 40 is disposed at a portion closer to the front of the vehicle than the center portion of the side door 14 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. Accordingly, even if the object collides with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 and the inflator 40 is pressed and moved by the object, at least the upper half of the occupant 56 is not positioned on the trajectory of the inflator 40 can do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the inflator 40 from moving toward the upper half of the occupant 56 by the impact load caused by the object colliding with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10. [

The impact beam 48 has a front filler 20 whose end portion 48A constitutes a part of the vehicle body 12 and an end portion 48B And the center pillar 22 constituting a part of the vehicle body 12 in the same manner. The front filler 20 is arranged such that a part of the front filler 20 overlaps with the periphery of the front inner side of the door inner panel when viewed in the vehicle width direction. The center filler 22, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, And is arranged so as to overlap the periphery of the rear inner side of the door inner panel 28. Therefore, even when the impact beam 48 is pressed by the object colliding with the side door 14, the impact beam 48 is transmitted to the front filler 20 and the center filler 22). Therefore, in the present embodiment, a collision load caused by an object colliding with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 can be supported by the skeletal member of the vehicle body 12.

≪ Second Embodiment >

Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 7, a second embodiment of the vehicle side portion structure related to the present disclosure will be described. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the portions corresponding to the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G are not provided in the " impact beam 60 " as the reinforcing member, and the " door outer molding 62 " And an etched portion 64 is formed. Further, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, the door outer molding 62 functions as an airbag inflation projection.

More specifically, the impact beam 60 includes the supporting portion 60A, the extending projection wall portion 60B as the upper extending projection wall portion, and the extending projection wall portion 60C as the lower extending projection wall portion . The supporting portion 60A has the same shape as the supporting portion 48C and the extending projection wall portion 60B has the extending projection wall portion 48D and the extending projection wall portion 60C has the same shape as the extending projection wall portion 48E .

The impact beam 60 is made of a high tensile steel having a tensile strength greater than that of the steel constituting the impact beam 48. The impact beam 60 has rigidity (rigidity against bending in the vehicle width direction) equivalent to that of the impact beam 48, Lt; / RTI > In this embodiment, the impact beam 60 is fixed by the support portion 60A being joined to the door inner panel 28 at the joint portion by welding or the like not shown in the figure.

On the other hand, the door outer molding 62 includes a lid portion 62A which is shaped like the lid portion 54A of the door outer molding 54, . Although the engaging portion 62B is disposed in the same manner as the engaging portion 54B of the door outer molding 54, the engaging portion 62B is different in shape from the engaging portion 54B.

More specifically, the engagement portion 62B is formed in a trapezoidal shape having a wider width toward the lid portion 62A as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 62A. Therefore, after the door outer molding 62 is mounted on the door outer panel 26, the engaging portion 62B can be inserted into the opening 52 in the same manner as the engaging portion 54B, 62B function as a return unit. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even when the door outer molding 62 is pushed from the inside in the vehicle width direction, the door outer panel 26 is prevented from being detached from the door outer panel 26.

In the present embodiment, a groove-shaped tier portion 64 is formed on the inner side surface in the vehicle width direction of the lid portion 62A along a center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the lid portion 62A. The lid portion 62A is opened (expanded) from the tier portion 64 in the vehicle vertical direction by being pressed by the inflated and deployed airbag 38, and is opened so as to allow the airbag 38 to pass therethrough. In Fig. 7, the lid portion 62A after development is indicated by a chain double-dashed line.

With such a configuration, the same actions and effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be basically achieved except for the actions and effects of the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G.

The door outer molding 62 covering the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26 is opened by being pressed by the airbag 38 at the time of expansion and expansion so that the airbag 38 can pass therethrough. . That is, in the present embodiment, the airbag 38 can be inflated and expanded to the outside in the vehicle width direction of the side door 14 in a state where the door outer molding 62 is disposed on the door outer panel 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared with the configuration in which the exterior of the side door 14 can be secured during normal operation and the door is separated from the side door 14 like the door outer molding 54, It is possible to reduce the influence of the air bag 62 on the surroundings.

≪ Third Embodiment >

Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 8, a third embodiment of the vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the "impact beam 70" as the reinforcing member is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

More specifically, the impact beam 70 extends like the impact beam 48, and includes a "support portion 70A" and an "extended projection wall portion 70B" as an upper extended projection wall portion . More specifically, the support portion 70A is formed in an arc-like plate shape that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a cross-sectional shape seen in the longitudinal direction opened to the outside in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the extending projection wall portion 70B is extended from the peripheral portion of the supporting portion 70A on the upper side of the vehicle to the upper side of the vehicle, and is formed into a rectangular plate shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Depending on the configuration of the side door 14 or the like, the extended projection wall portion 70B may be configured to extend downward from the peripheral edge of the vehicle lower side of the support portion 70A to function as a lower extended projection wall portion .

In the present embodiment, the airbag apparatus 36 is in a state in which the airbag 38 is folded so as to have a cylindrical shape along the inner circumferential surface of the support portion 70A, and in the state where the support portion 70A is surrounded Respectively. In this embodiment, a door outer molding 54 or a door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

With this configuration, the same actions and effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be basically achieved except for the action and effect of the extending projection 48E and the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G. In addition, in the present embodiment, the shape of the inflator 40, the airbag device 36, and the shape of the support portion 70A are associated with each other to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the inflator 40 and the support portion 70A can do. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the space required for disposing the inflator 40 and the impact beam 70. [

≪ Fourth Embodiment &

Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 9, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the "impact beam 80" as a reinforcing member extending in the same way as the impact beam 48 includes the "support portion 80A" and the flange portion 80B, And the cross-sectional shape viewed in the direction is a hat shape.

More specifically, the support portion 80A includes the inner side wall portion 80A1, the elongated projecting wall portion 80A2 as the first elongated projecting wall portion, the outer side wall portion 80A3, and the second elongated projecting wall portion And an extending projection wall portion 80A4 ". The inner side wall portion 80A1 extends along the inflator 40 inwardly of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction of the inflator 40 and is disposed in a state in which the plate thickness direction is in the vehicle width direction. The extended projection wall portion 80A2 extends from the periphery of the vehicle lower side of the inner side wall portion 80A1 outward in the vehicle width direction and extends from the periphery of the extended projection wall portion 80A2 on the vehicle widthwise outer side, 40 and the outer side wall portion 80A3 is extended and protruded. An extended projection wall portion 80A4 extends inwardly in the vehicle width direction from the periphery of the outer side wall portion 80A3 on the side opposite to the inflator 40. [

The support portion 80A is formed such that the extending projection wall portion 80A2, the inner side wall portion 80A1 and the extending projection wall portion 80A4 are located on the vehicle upper side of the inner side wall portion 80A1, In this order.

In the present embodiment, the flange portion 80B and the inner side wall portion 80A1, which extend and protrude from the periphery of the extended projection wall portion 80A4 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the inflator 40, And the impact beam 80 is fixed by being joined at the joint portion by welding or the like not shown in the drawing. In this embodiment, a door outer molding 54 or a door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

The inner side wall portion 80A1 is disposed on the inner side of the inflator 40 in the vehicle width direction and extends along the inflator 40. The inner side wall portion 80A1 extends in the width direction of the vehicle, Respectively. Accordingly, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the deploying reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the inner side wall portion 80A1 and the door inner panel 28. [

An impact load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38 is supported by the outer side wall portion 80A3. In the present embodiment, the portion constituted by the extending projection wall portion 80A2, the outer side wall portion 80A3, and the extending projection wall portion 80A4 of the impact beam 80 has a sectional shape viewed in the longitudinal direction thereof, And is formed in a U-shape that is open to the inside in the direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the impact beam 80 with respect to the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 via the airbag 38 can be secured. Therefore, in this embodiment, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 that can be supported by the impact beam 80 can be increased, and the collision of the side door 14 with the airbag 38 from the object colliding with the vehicle 10, The impact load transmitted to the impact beam 80 can be stably supported by the impact beam 80.

≪ Embodiment 5 >

Hereinafter, with reference to Fig. 10, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the " impact beam 90 " as the reinforcing member is composed of the panel member 92 basically configured in the same shape as the impact beam 48, And the like.

More specifically, the panel member 92 includes a supporting portion 92A, an extending projection wall portion 92B as an upper extending projection wall portion, an extending projection wall portion 92C as a lower extending projection wall portion, Quot; reinforcing portion 92D " as a second reinforcing portion and " reinforcing portion 92E " as a second reinforcing portion. The panel member 92 is made of a steel material having a plate thickness smaller than that of the steel material constituting the impact beam 48 or a steel material having a small tensile strength. The panel member 92 is joined to the door inner panel 28 at the joint portion by welding or the like not shown in the drawing.

On the other hand, the beam member 94 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the support portion 92A, and is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the extending projecting wall portions 92B and 92C, And is joined to the panel member 92 at the joining portion by the joining portion. In addition, a plate-like extension portion not shown in the drawing is provided at both ends of the beam member 94, and the extension portion is joined to the door inner panel 28 at the joint portion by welding or the like not shown in the figure. In this embodiment, a door outer molding 54 or a door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

According to this configuration, basically, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be shown. In addition, in the present embodiment, the deploying reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the support portion 92A in three different directions except the vehicle width direction outside, and the airbag 38 can be supported from an object colliding with the vehicle 10 The collision load transmitted to the side door 14 side through the pair of beam members 94 can be supported by the pair of beam members 94. Therefore, in this embodiment, the support of the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 and the support of the collision load to the side door 14 side can be taken as different members, respectively.

≪ Sixth Embodiment &

Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 11 and 12, a sixth embodiment of the vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described. Fig. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the impact beam 48 and the door outer molding 54 are connected via a strap 100 as a connecting portion.

More specifically, as shown in Fig. 11, the strap 100 is made of a resin material and has a string shape, and one end portion 100A of the strap 100 is attached to the peripheral portion of the lid portion 54A on the vehicle upper side (Not shown) on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle. On the other hand, the other end 100B of the strap 100 is attached to a latching portion, a joint portion or the like not shown in the figure on the outer side surface of the extending projection wall portion 48D of the impact beam 48 in the vehicle width direction.

A portion of the lid portion 54A that overlaps with the door outer panel 26 on the vehicle upper side portion is extended from the peripheral portion of the one end portion 100A of the strap 100 in the width direction of the lid portion 54A A groove portion 102 is formed. The groove portion 102 is configured to accommodate the strap 100 and a strap 100 extending from the one end portion 100A of the strap 100 in the vertical direction of the vehicle is provided on the inner side of the groove portion 102, As shown in Fig.

On the other hand, on the periphery of the opening portion 52 of the door outer panel 26 on the upper side of the vehicle, at a position overlapping with the groove portion 102 of the door outer molding 54 as viewed in the vehicle width direction, Shaped slit portion 104 is formed. The size of the slit portion 104 is such that the strap 100 can be inserted therethrough and the strap 100 is provided with the groove portion 102 and the slit portion 104, And extends inward in the vehicle width direction. The portion of the strap 100 disposed between the door outer panel 26 and the impact beam 48 is in a loosened state.

12, even if the door outer molding 54 is detached from the door outer panel 26, even if the state of engagement between the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48 reaches the strap 100 As shown in Fig. Further, in a state where the door outer molding 54 is attached to the door outer panel 26, the strap 100 is in a loose state. Therefore, the door outer molding 54 in the disengaged state is relatively displaceable relative to the airbag 38 at the time of inflation and deployment, and does not inhibit the inflation and deployment of the airbag 38.

According to this configuration, basically, the same actions and effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be shown. In addition, in the present embodiment, the door outer molding 54 is connected to the impact beam 48 via the strap 100, and the connection state of the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48, Even when the outer molding 54 is separated from the door outer panel 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment, loss of the door outer molding 54 during expansion and expansion of the airbag 38 can be suppressed.

≪ Seventh Embodiment &

Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 13 and 14, a seventh embodiment of the vehicle side structure related to the present disclosure will be described. The same constituent elements as those of the above-described first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the "door outer panel 110" is made of a resin having a predetermined strength, and the "airbag inflation projection 112" (114) ".

14, the shape of the door outer panel 110 is basically the same as the shape of the door outer panel 26, but the door outer panel 110 has the same shape as that of the door outer panel 26. In other words, And is attached to the door inner panel 28 at an engagement portion or a joining portion (not shown).

13, the tear portion 114 is provided on the inner side surface of the door outer panel 110 in the vehicle width direction, and is, for example, substantially H-shaped as viewed from the vehicle width direction And is opened (broken) when an inflation pressure of the airbag 38 of a predetermined value or more acts. More specifically, the tier portion 114 includes a first tier portion 114A, a second tier portion 114B, and a third tier portion 114C. The first tier portion 114A has a groove shape extending along the airbag 38 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the second tier portion 114B is provided at both end portions of the first tier portion 114A and has a groove shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the first tier portion 114A. The third tier portion 114C is formed in a groove shape which is inclined relative to the second tier portion 114B at both ends of the second tier portion 114B and extends to the opposite side of the first tier portion 114A .

The door outer panel 110 is provided with the tear portion 114 as described above to form the airbag doors 116 composed of the upper and lower pairs of upper and lower doors 116A and 116B . The airbag door 116 is configured such that when the tear portion 114 is opened by the inflation pressure of the airbag 38, the upper door 116A is deployed to the upper side of the vehicle and the lower door 116B is deployed to the lower side of the vehicle . When the airbag door 116 is deployed, the door outer panel 110 is provided with an " opening 118 " through which the airbag 38 can pass.

According to this configuration, the door outer panel 110 is provided with the tier portion 114 having the first tier portion 114A and the second tier portion 114B, and the tier portion 114 is provided with the expansion / The door outer panel 110 is pressed by the airbag 38 at the time of opening. The airbag door 116 is deployed in the vehicle vertical direction (the extending direction of the second tier portion 114B) by opening the tear portion 114 and the opening portion 118 through which the airbag 38 can pass, And is formed on the panel 110 so that the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door 14. [ Therefore, compared to the configuration in which the opening portion through which the airbag 38 can pass through the door outer panel 110 is provided and the lid member that covers the opening portion is disposed in the door outer panel 110, It is possible to suppress the formation of unnecessary convex portions on the design and to prevent the appearance of the design surface from being damaged. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve both reduction in the number of parts of the side door 14 and securing the appearance quality.

Further, in the present embodiment, the door outer panel 110 is made of resin, and the door outer panel 110 can be made lighter. Further, as compared with the case where the door outer panel 110 is made of metal, a load received by the airbag 38 from the door outer panel 110 at the time of inflating and expanding is reduced. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the reliability that the airbag 38 is inflated and expanded toward the outside in the vehicle width direction while reducing the weight of the side door 14.

<Supplementary Explanation of the Embodiment>

(1) In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle side structure related to the above-described embodiment is applied to the side portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 10. However, Structure may be applied.

(2) Although the airbag device 36 and the impact beam are mounted on the front side door in the above-described embodiment, depending on the configuration of the vehicle 10, the airbag device 36 and the impact beam may be provided on the rear side door do.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the impact beam is configured to open the outside of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle width direction, but is not limited thereto. That is, the impact beam may be structured such that the outer side of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle width direction is covered in a range that does not hinder the inflation and deployment of the airbag 38, depending on the manufacturing process and the like.

(4) Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 36 provided with the airbag 38 made of fabric is disposed in the side door 14, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As an example, a metal airbag supported by an impact beam is disposed inside the side door 14, and a tear portion serving as an airbag inflating and deflating portion that is opened by being pressed by the metal airbag is installed on the door outer panel 26 . According to such a configuration, mounting of the door outer molding to the door outer panel 26 becomes unnecessary similarly to the seventh embodiment described above.

(5) Although the door outer molding 54 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26 in the above-described first embodiment, the door outer molding 62 is mounted on the opening 52 .

(6) In the above-described second embodiment, the impact beam 70 is provided with the extending projection wall portion 70B. However, depending on the configuration of the side door 14 or the like, the impact beam 70 may be provided with the extending projection wall portion 70B may be omitted.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the inflator 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction are closed. However, in the embodiments except for the third embodiment in the first to fifth embodiments, (40) may have different shapes. As an example, in the embodiments other than the third embodiment of the first to fifth embodiments, the inflator 40 may be formed in the shape of square cylinders in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are closed. With this configuration, it is possible to easily position the impactor of the inflator 40 with respect to the impact beam.

(8) In the above-described sixth embodiment, the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48 are connected by the strap 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the impact beam of any one of the impact beams 60, 70, 80, 90 may be arranged in place of the impact beam 48 so that the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 are connected to each other via the strap 100 . The structure of the strap 100 is not limited to that described above. For example, the strap 100 may be formed of synthetic fibers such as nylon fibers or the like in accordance with the configuration of the impact beam. Also, the connection position of the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 by the strap 100 is not limited to that described above. For example, the lower portion of the impact beam and the lower portion of the door outer molding 54 may be connected to each other via the strap 100 depending on the configuration of the side door 14 . The shapes and positions of the groove portion 102 and the slit portion 104 are appropriately changed in accordance with the connection position of the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 by the strap 100. [

(9) In the seventh embodiment described above, the tier portion 114 is basically arranged along the periphery of the airbag door 116, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a tier portion along the rotation center of the airbag door 116 . With this configuration, the airbag door 116 can be more smoothly deployed. The door outer panel 110 may be formed of a two-color molding in which a portion of the airbag door 116 is formed of a soft resin and the other portion is formed of a hard resin.

Claims (15)

A door outer panel constituting a portion of the side door on an outer side in the vehicle width direction,
A door inner panel constituting a part of the side door in the vehicle width direction,
An airbag which is inflatable and deployable outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door by the gas ejected by operating the inflator disposed between the door outer panel and the door inner panel,
And a predictor for predicting whether or not an object approaching the vehicle will collide with the side door. The inflator is operated when it is determined that the side door will collide with the object based on the signal output from the predictor A control unit,
An airbag inflation protrusion provided on the door outer panel so as to be inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel when the airbag inflates and deploys,
A reinforcing member mounted on the door inner panel and having a support portion disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator for supporting the inflator,
Wherein the airbag expansion protrusion includes an opening formed in the door outer panel for inflating the airbag and a door outer molding being a lid member mounted on the opening,
Wherein the door outer molding includes two sets of lids facing each other along the width direction of the lid portion and a latch portion disposed along the longitudinal direction of the lid portion,
Each of the engaging portions has a pair of inclined surface portions,
The inclined surface portion formed on the side of the lid portion of the engaging portion which is the first side of the pair of inclined surface portions is inclined in a direction in which the width of the lid portion in the width direction is increased as the side of the engaging portion facing away from the lid portion side ,
Wherein the inclined surface portion formed on the second side of the pair of inclined surface portions is inclined in a direction in which the width of the lid portion in the width direction increases toward the first side,
Vehicle side structure. The method according to claim 1,
The support portion includes a side wall portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction with a plate thickness direction in the vehicle width direction, a top wall portion extending and protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle upper side, And a lower wall portion extending and protruded outward from the periphery of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction,
Wherein the inflator has a cylindrical shape with an end closed and is disposed in a state surrounded by the support portion except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. The method according to claim 1,
The support portion has an arc-like plate shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and having a cross-sectional shape seen in the longitudinal direction opened to the outside in the vehicle width direction,
Wherein the inflator has a cylindrical shape with an end portion closed and is disposed in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except for the outside in the vehicle width direction. 3. The method of claim 2,
The reinforcing member includes an upper extending projection wall portion disposed on the outside of the supporting portion in the vehicle width direction and extending and protruding from the periphery of the supporting portion on the upper side of the vehicle to an upper side of the vehicle, And a lower extended projection wall portion projecting from the peripheral edge of the vehicle body toward a lower side of the vehicle. The method of claim 3,
The reinforcing member includes an upper extending projection wall portion disposed on the outside of the supporting portion in the vehicle width direction and extending and protruding from the periphery of the supporting portion on the upper side of the vehicle to an upper side of the vehicle, And a lower extended projection wall portion projecting from the peripheral edge of the vehicle body toward a lower side of the vehicle. The method according to claim 1,
The inflator has a tubular shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in which the end portion is closed,
Wherein the support portion includes an inner side wall portion which is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator and extends along the inflator and which is joined to the door inner panel in a state in which the thickness direction of the inflator is the vehicle width direction, And an outer sidewall portion protruding from the periphery of the first extending projection portion in a vehicle width direction outer side of the first extending projection portion and extending outwardly from the inflator in a vehicle width direction, And a second extending projection wall portion extending and protruded inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge of the outer side wall portion opposite to the inflator. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending projection portion and the lower extending projection wall portion,
Wherein the reinforcing member includes a pair of tubular beam members which are respectively disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the upper extending projection portion and the lower extending projecting wall portion and extending along the supporting portion. 5. The method of claim 4,
The reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending projection portion and the lower extending projection wall portion. The upper portion of the upper extending projection portion is provided with a first reinforcing portion continuous with the upper extending projection wall portion on the vehicle upper side, And a second reinforcing portion is provided on the side of the lower extended projection wall portion,
The first reinforcing portion includes a first upper side reinforcing wall portion extending and protruding inwardly in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion on the vehicle upper side of the upper extending wall portion and a second upper side reinforcing wall portion extending from the periphery of the first upper side reinforcing wall portion inward in the vehicle width direction And a second upper side reinforcing wall portion which is extended and protruded,
The second reinforcing portion includes a first lower reinforcing wall portion extended from the periphery of the lower extended wall portion inwardly in the vehicle width direction and a second lower reinforcing wall portion extending from the periphery of the first lower reinforcing wall portion inward in the vehicle width direction And a second lower reinforcing wall portion protruding from the first lower reinforcement wall portion. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the lid member is connected to the reinforcing member via a connecting portion and the connecting portion is capable of maintaining the connection state of the lid member and the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the door outer panel. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The airbag inflation protrusion includes a cover member which is openable to allow passage of the airbag during expansion and covering the opening formed in the door outer panel and being opened by being pressed by the airbag so that the airbag can pass therethrough A configured vehicle side structure. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the airbag expansion protrusion is disposed on the door outer panel and is opened by pressing the door outer panel by the airbag when the inflated and deployed airbag is inflated and opened so that an opening through which the airbag can pass is formed on the door outer panel, A vehicle side structure including the vehicle side portion. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the door outer panel is made of resin. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the inflator is disposed at a portion of the side door closer to the front side of the vehicle than a vehicle longitudinal direction center portion of the side door. 9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Wherein the reinforcing member is configured such that when viewed in the vehicle width direction, a part of the reinforcing member constitutes a part of the vehicle body, and a part of the reinforcing member, when viewed in the vehicle width direction, overlaps with the front edge of the door inner panel And a center pillar arranged so as to partially overlap the periphery of the vehicle rear side of the door inner panel when viewed in the vehicle width direction, so as to overlap with at least one of the pillar and the vehicle body side structure.

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