WO2011033949A1

WO2011033949A1 - Front pillar structure, front pillar component member manufacturing method, and front pillar manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2011033949A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/065115
Authority: WO
Inventors: 久佳加藤; 登美彦牧村; 格五井
Original assignee: トヨタ車体株式会社
Priority date: 2009-09-15
Filing date: 2010-09-03
Publication date: 2011-03-24
Also published as: JP2011084262A; JP5392066B2

Abstract

A front pillar (10) is provided with a pillar outer panel (11), a pillar inner panel (12), and a front pillar component member (13). A third flange section (13a) of the front pillar component member (13) is disposed in such a way as to face a longitudinally intermediate section of a pillar garnish (15). The front pillar component member (13) is provided, on the outer periphery thereof, with a bond surface (13s) (support surface) which supports a windshield glass plate (17), the bonding surface (13s) being located at a position between the third flange section (13a) and a fourth flange section (13b).

Description

Front pillar structure, front pillar component manufacturing method, and front pillar manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a structure of a front pillar, a method of manufacturing a front pillar component, and a method of manufacturing a front pillar, and more particularly, to a structure of a front pillar of a vehicle, a method of manufacturing a front pillar component of a vehicle, and a front pillar of a vehicle. It relates to a manufacturing method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a structure of a conventional front pillar of an automobile. A configuration of a conventional front pillar will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional shape of the front pillar 100 viewed from the axial direction (longitudinal direction). As shown in FIG. 18, the front pillar 100 includes a pillar outer panel 110 that constitutes the vehicle body outer side portion, a pillar inner panel 120 that constitutes the vehicle body inner side portion of the front pillar 100, and the pillar outer panel 110 and the pillar inner panel 120. The front pillar reinforcing member 130 is provided. A closed section 140 is formed by the pillar outer panel 110 and the pillar inner panel 120.

In the pillar outer panel 110, the pillar inner panel 120, and the front pillar reinforcing member 130, the front flange portions 110a, 120a, and 130a are overlapped with each other and joined by spot welding. The

rear flange portions

110b, 120b, and 130b are also overlapped with each other and joined by spot welding. An intermediate portion 110c between the flange portion 110a and the flange portion 110b of the pillar outer panel 110 is formed so as to protrude outward from the passenger compartment. A stepped portion 110e protruding outward is formed on the rear wall 110d between the intermediate portion 110c and the flange portion 110b.

An intermediate portion 130c between the flange portion 130a and the flange portion 130b of the front pillar reinforcing member 130 is formed so as to protrude outward from the passenger compartment.
In the pillar inner panel 120, an intermediate portion 120c between the flange portion 120a and the flange portion 120b is formed so as to slightly protrude toward the vehicle interior side.

The pillar garnish 150 is arranged in the passenger compartment of the pillar inner panel 120. A vehicle interior side portion of the front pillar 100 is covered with a pillar garnish 150. An opening weather strip 160 is attached to the

flange portions

110b, 120b, and 130b so as to be in close contact with a front side door (not shown). A windshield glass 170 is bonded to the flange portion 110 a of the pillar outer panel 110 with an adhesive 180.

Conventionally, when spot welding of the flange portions 110a, 130a, and 120a is performed with a spot welding gun, in order to avoid interference between the spot welding gun and the intermediate portion 120c of the pillar inner panel 120, the vehicle interior side of the intermediate portion 120c is used. The amount of protrusion to is set small. However, if the amount of protrusion of the intermediate portion 120c toward the vehicle interior side is set small, the opening cross-sectional area of the closed cross-sectional portion 140 becomes small, and the rigidity of the entire front pillar 100 is affected. For this reason, by increasing the width in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 110c of the pillar outer panel 110, a predetermined opening cross-sectional area of the closed cross-sectional portion 140 is secured so that the rigidity required for the front pillar 100 is obtained.

JP 2005-145369 A

However, when the width in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 110c of the pillar outer panel 110 is widened, there is a problem that the driver of the driver seat has a poor visibility outside the vehicle via the front pillar 100.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the length of the front pillar in the front-rear direction, that is, to reduce the width of the front pillar. As a result, it is possible to improve the field of view outside the vehicle through the front pillar from the driver. An object of the present invention is to provide a pillar structure, a method for manufacturing a front pillar component, and a method for manufacturing a front pillar.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a pillar outer panel, a front pillar component member, and a front pillar having a pillar inner panel fixed to each other, and a vehicle interior side of the front pillar are covered. A front pillar structure comprising a pillar garnish is provided. In the structure of the front pillar, the pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment. The pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively, having four flange portions and an intermediate portion protruding outward from the passenger compartment. The front pillar structure is formed by joining the third and fourth flange portions of the front pillar component member to form a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar, and the third flange portion of the front pillar component member is the longitudinal direction of the pillar garnish. The front pillar component member is provided with a support surface for supporting the windshield glass between the third and fourth flange portions on the outer peripheral surface of the front pillar component member.

The closed cross-sectional structure is formed by a front pillar component member, and the third and fourth flange portions of the front pillar component member are connected to face each other, and the front pillar component member is a concave shape extending forward from the third flange portion. A first curved surface portion; a convex second curved surface portion coupled to the first curved surface portion and including a support surface; a concave third curved surface portion extending outward from the fourth flange portion; and a third curved surface portion It is preferable that the middle part of the front pillar component member connects the second curved surface part and the fourth curved surface part.

The intermediate portion of the front pillar component member includes a chamfered portion, and the chamfered portion is configured such that the distance from the third and fourth flange portions increases as it approaches both end portions from the longitudinal center portion of the front pillar component member. It is preferable to arrange in the bulging part.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a front pillar component from a single metal plate having a first side edge and a second side edge extending along the longitudinal direction. The method includes a first step of forming a pair of arc-shaped recesses that are symmetrical about a virtual reference line extending in the longitudinal direction at the first side edge and the second side edge, respectively, and a metal plate In the first region from the reference line to the first side edge, a first proximal proximal to the reference line along an arcuate first fold line having the same radius of curvature as the recess of the first side edge In the second region from the reference line of the metal plate to the second side edge, a second arc-shaped second fold having the same radius of curvature as the concave portion of the second side edge is provided. A second step of bending and erecting the second side plate portion in the same direction as the erecting direction of the first side plate portion from the second proximal region proximal to the reference line along the bend line; The first and second side plates are erected with respect to an intermediate region that is included in a part of the proximal region and extends in the longitudinal direction with the reference line as the center line. By pressing in the opposite direction, the bulging portion where the bulging amount increases as it approaches the both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the flange portions provided on the first and second side edge portions, respectively, A third step of contacting.

The third step preferably includes a step of forming a chamfered portion in the intermediate region.
In the third step, flanges formed on the first and second side edges are formed in the intermediate region by forming a bulge portion that swells in the same direction as the standing direction, and pressing and crushing the bulge portion. It is preferable to make it contact elastically.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a structure of a front pillar including a pillar outer panel fixed to each other, a front pillar having a pillar inner member, and a pillar inner panel, and a pillar garnish covering the vehicle interior side of the front pillar. Is provided. The pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the vehicle interior, and the front pillar component member has third and fourth flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively. The pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively. By connecting the third flange of the front pillar component and the fifth flange of the pillar inner panel to each other, a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar is formed, and the third flange portion of the front pillar component is arranged in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish. It arrange | positions so that it may oppose an intermediate part, and a front pillar structural member is provided with the support surface which supports a windshield glass between the 3rd and 4th flange parts.

The pillar inner panel is located between the fifth and sixth flange portions and has an intermediate portion protruding toward the vehicle interior side. The fifth flange portion of the pillar inner panel and the third flange portion of the front pillar component member Are spot-welded to each other, and an intermediate portion of the front pillar component member and a first flange portion of the pillar outer panel are spot-welded to each other and are respectively located at the rear portion of the pillar outer panel, the front pillar component member, and the pillar inner panel. The fourth and sixth flange portions are preferably overlapped and spot welded.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a front pillar is provided that includes a pillar outer panel fixed to each other, a front pillar having a front pillar component member, and a pillar inner panel, and a pillar garnish that covers a vehicle interior side of the front pillar. A method is provided. The pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the vehicle interior, and the front pillar component member has third and fourth flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively. The pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at the front and rear ends, respectively, and a third flange of the front pillar component member and a fifth flange of the pillar inner panel. Are connected to each other to form a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar. The method for manufacturing the front pillar includes a first step of spot welding the intermediate portion of the front pillar component member and the first flange portion of the pillar outer panel to each other, the fifth flange portion of the pillar inner panel, and the first step of the front pillar component member. A second step of spot welding the three flange portions to each other, and a third step of spot welding by superimposing the second, fourth and sixth flange portions located at the rear portion of the pillar outer panel, the front pillar constituting member and the pillar inner panel, respectively. After the step, and after the third step, a fourth step of disposing the third flange portion at the front portion of the front pillar component member so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish by pillar garnish.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the length of the front pillar in the front-rear direction can be shortened, that is, the width can be reduced. As a result, the visibility outside the vehicle through the front pillar from the driver can be improved.

By forming a closed cross-sectional structure with the first to fourth curved surface portions formed between the third and fourth flange portions, the above effect can be easily realized.
By forming the chamfered portions at the portions that bulge at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar component member, the strength of both ends of the front pillar component member can be improved.

According to the 2nd aspect of this invention, when press-molding with respect to a metal plate, elongation and shrinkage | contraction can be suppressed.
A front pillar component member having a chamfered portion in the intermediate region can be obtained.

By forming the bulge portion and pressing and deforming the bulge portion, the front pillar component member elastically connects the flange portions formed on the first and second side edges by deformation of the bulge portion. It can be made to contact.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the length of the front pillar in the front-rear direction can be shortened, that is, the width of the front pillar can be reduced, and as a result, the visibility outside the vehicle through the front pillar from the driver is improved. be able to.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the length of the front pillar in the front-rear direction can be shortened. As a result, the visibility outside the vehicle through the front pillar from the driver can be improved.

Sectional drawing seen from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the front pillar of 1st Embodiment. The schematic side view which shows the vehicle body of a motor vehicle. The perspective view which shows a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the principle of bending of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the principle of bending of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. The perspective view for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. (A)-(e) is sectional drawing for demonstrating the manufacturing method of a front pillar structural member. Sectional drawing seen from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the front pillar of a comparative example. (A) is the perspective view for demonstrating the front pillar structural member of a comparative example, (b) is the expanded view which flattened the front pillar structural member. (A)-(e) is explanatory drawing of the manufacturing method of the front pillar of a comparative example. Sectional drawing of the structure of the front pillar of 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing seen from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the front pillar of other embodiment. Sectional drawing seen from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the conventional front pillar.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment embodying the structure of the front pillar of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, “front” of the arrow indicates the front side of the vehicle and “outside” indicates the outer side of the vehicle.

A pair of left and right roof side rails 6 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at both ends in the vehicle width direction at the upper part of the vehicle body 5 of the automobile. A front roof rail 7 A is disposed at the front end of the roof side rail 6. A rear roof rail 7 B is disposed at the rear end portion of the roof side rail 6. An upper end portion of the front pillar 10 is connected to the front end portion of the roof side rail 6. The upper end portion of the rear pillar 8 is connected to the rear end portion of the roof side rail 6, and the upper end portion of the center pillar 9 is connected to the middle portion of the roof side rail 6 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional shape (AA cross section) viewed from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the front pillar 10. FIG. 1 shows a front pillar 10 on the right side of the vehicle body 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front pillar 10 includes a pillar outer panel 11 that constitutes the outer side of the vehicle body, a pillar inner panel 12 that constitutes the inner side of the vehicle body of the front pillar 10, and the pillar outer panel 11 and the pillar inner panel 12. And a front pillar constituting member 13 arranged in the manner described above.

The pillar outer panel 11 has a first flange portion 11a and a second flange portion 11b at both front and rear ends. An intermediate portion 11c is formed to protrude outward from the passenger compartment. In the present embodiment, the intermediate portion 11c is formed to protrude in a U-shaped cross section, but is not limited to a U-shape. Further, a step portion 11e is formed on the rear wall 11d from the intermediate portion 11c so as to protrude outward.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front pillar constituting member 13 is formed of a single metal plate and has a third flange portion 13a and a fourth flange portion 13b at both front and rear ends. The front pillar constituting member 13 includes a first curved surface portion 13f, a second curved surface portion 13d, an intermediate portion 13c, a fourth curved surface portion 13m, and a third curved surface portion between the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b. 13j. That is, the 3rd flange part 13a and the 4th flange part 13b are connected by spot welding in the state contact | abutted so that it may mutually oppose. In the front pillar constituting member 13, portions around the third and

fourth flange portions

13a and 13b are formed in a Y-shaped cross section. Between the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b, the first curved surface portion 13f, the second curved surface portion 13d, the intermediate portion 13c, the fourth curved surface portion 13m, and the third curved surface portion 13j are shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. The closed section 14 corresponds to a closed section structure.

More specifically, a first curved surface portion 13f extending forward is connected to the third flange portion 13a via a bent portion 13g. The surface extending along the front of the first curved surface portion 13f is formed in a concave shape in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG.

The second curved surface portion 13d extending toward the outside via the bent portion 13e is connected to the first curved surface portion 13f. As shown in FIG. 1, the second curved surface portion 13 d has a bonding surface 13 s for bonding the windshield glass 17 and a connection surface 13 r to which the first flange portion 11 a of the pillar outer panel 11 is series-welded. A windshield glass 17 is bonded to the bonding surface 13 s with an adhesive 18. The bonding surface 13s corresponds to a support surface that supports the windshield glass 17.

The second curved surface portion 13d is arranged to face forward. The second curved surface portion 13d is formed to have a convex surface that swells forward in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar 10.
On the other hand, a third curved surface portion 13j extending outward through a bent portion 13i is connected to the fourth flange portion 13b. The third curved surface portion 13j has a concave surface that is parallel to the second curved surface portion 13d in the longitudinal direction.

The third curved surface portion 13j is connected to a fourth curved surface portion 13m that extends forward through a bent portion 13k. The fourth curved surface portion 13m has a convex surface in the longitudinal direction.
Between the second curved surface portion 13d and the fourth curved surface portion 13m, an intermediate portion 13c protruding outside the vehicle compartment is connected. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the intermediate portion 13 c includes a chamfered portion 13 p extending in a band shape in the longitudinal direction at both ends of the front pillar constituting member 13, and the chamfered portion 13 p as a second curved surface portion 13 d and a fourth curved surface. And connecting portions 13q and 13t respectively connected to the portion 13m. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the intermediate portion 13c is formed to bulge out so as to form a U-shaped cross section by the connecting portions 13q and 13t and the chamfered portion 13p. The chamfered portion 13p is a flat surface. In FIG. 3, the cross-sectional views of the front pillar constituting member 13 along the lines AA, BB, and CC are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

The bulged portion corresponds to a bulged portion. In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the bulging portion is not limited to the U-shape, and may be a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, or the whole may be a circular arc shape.
Further, in the intermediate portion 13c, the connecting portion 13q is omitted in the central portion of the front pillar constituting member 13, that is, in the region in the vicinity of the line BB in FIG. Accordingly, the chamfered portion 13p is connected to the second curved surface portion 13d and is connected to the fourth curved surface portion 13m via the fourth curved surface portion 13m. In addition, the connection part 13q in the center part of the front pillar structural member 13 does not need to be omitted. In this case, the bulging amount (height) of the connecting portion 13q at the center of the front pillar component member 13 may be set smaller than that of the connecting portion 13q at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

Further, the chamfered portion 13p has the bulged portion (the bulged portion) so that the distance from the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b increases as the distance from the central portion of the front pillar constituting member 13 toward both ends increases. ).

The first flange portion 11a of the pillar outer panel 11 is series-welded to the connecting surface 13r of the second curved surface portion 13d facing the front of the front pillar component member 13 at the intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar component member 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, the third flange portion 13a of the front pillar component member 13 is located on the vehicle interior side from the intermediate portion 13c via the second curved surface portion 13d, the bent portion 13e, the first curved surface portion 13f, and the bent portion 13g. Is located. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the fourth flange portion 13b is located on the vehicle interior side from the intermediate portion 13c via the fourth curved surface portion 13m, the bent portion 13k, the third curved surface portion 13j, and the bent portion 13i. Yes.

The pillar inner panel 12 includes a front fifth flange portion 12a, an intermediate portion 12c, and a rear sixth flange portion 12b. As shown in FIG. 1, the fifth flange portion 12 a is bent in a substantially L shape and is series-welded to the third curved surface portion 13 j of the front pillar constituting member 13. This series welding is performed simultaneously with the series welding of the first flange portion 11a of the pillar outer panel 11 and the connecting surface 13r of the front pillar constituting member 13. The sixth flange portion 12 b is spot welded to the second flange portion 11 b of the pillar outer panel 11.

In the present embodiment, the third flange portion 13a projects to the vehicle interior side via the bent portion 13e, the first curved surface portion 13f, and the bent portion 13g of the front pillar constituting member 13. The fourth flange portion 13b protrudes from the intermediate portion 13c to the vehicle interior side through the fourth curved surface portion 13m, the bent portion 13k, the third curved surface portion 13j, and the bent portion 13i. The third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b are spot welded together.

That is, the spot welded portions of the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b are arranged so as not to be positioned at the front end of the pillar garnish 15. The spot welding site is covered with the pillar garnish 15 at a position away from the front end of the pillar garnish 15, that is, the proximal end of the windshield glass 17.

Incidentally, in the prior art, as shown in FIG. 18, the spot welded portions of the flange portions 120 a, 130 a and 110 a are arranged at the front end of the pillar garnish 150, that is, the proximal end of the windshield glass 170. The spot welding site is covered with the pillar garnish 15.

Thus, in this embodiment, the opening cross-sectional area of the closed cross-section portion 14 can be made larger than that of the conventional closed cross-section portion 140 shown in FIG. For this reason, even if the width in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 11c of the pillar outer panel 11 is made narrower than that in the prior art (see, for example, FIG. 18), that is, even if the length in the front-rear direction of the front pillar 10 is shortened. The required rigidity required for the above can be obtained.

A pillar garnish 15 is disposed in the vehicle interior of the pillar inner panel 12, and the vehicle interior side of the front pillar 10 is covered. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b are covered with the pillar garnish 15. Further, the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b are disposed so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish 15. The third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b are located at a position separated from the bonding surface 13s. The bonding surface 13 s is disposed between the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b on the outer periphery of the front pillar component member 13. That is, the bonding surface 13s is disposed at a position in the middle of the front pillar component member 13 from the third flange portion 13a to the fourth flange portion 13b. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening weather strip 16 is attached to the second flange portion 11b and the sixth flange portion 12b so as to be in close contact with a front side door (not shown).

(Production method)
Here, the front pillar constituting member 13 is formed in a substantially square pipe shape by a single metal plate. Further, the front pillar constituting member 13 has a concave first curved surface portion 13f, a convex second curved surface portion 13d, an intermediate portion 13c, a concave third curved surface portion 13j, and a convex fourth curved surface portion 13m. This is a new configuration. Therefore, the manufacturing method of the front pillar component member 13 is demonstrated.

1. Examination of Manufacturing Method of Comparative Example First, as a comparative example, a manufacturing method generally considered when a front pillar component member is formed in the shape of a square pipe from one metal plate will be described with reference to FIGS. .

FIG. 13 shows the structure of the front pillar when the front pillar component of the comparative example is used. In FIG. 13, each part of the pillar outer panel 11, each part of the pillar inner panel 12, the pillar garnish 15, the opening weather strip 16, and the windshield glass 17 are the same as the configuration of the present embodiment already described, and thus the same reference numerals are given. Attached.

Further, the front pillar constituent member of the comparative example is denoted by reference numeral 200, and in each part of the front pillar constituent member 200, a configuration corresponding to each part of the front pillar constituent member 13 is assigned to each part of the front pillar constituent member 13. Append the lower case letter to 200.

As shown in FIG. 13, the front pillar component member 200 includes a front flange portion 200a, a curved surface portion 200f, a bent portion 200e, a curved surface portion 200d facing forward, a curved surface portion 200m facing outward, a bent portion 200k, and a curved surface portion 200j. And a rear flange portion 200b. The front pillar component member 200 is formed into a quadrangular pipe shape and has a closed cross section 14.

The curved surface portion 200f has a concave surface in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar constituting member 200. The curved surface portion 200 d has a convex surface in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar component member 200. The curved surface portion 200j has a concave surface parallel to the convex surface of the curved surface portion 200d in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar component member 200. The curved surface portion 200 m has a convex surface in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar component member 200.

As described above, in the front pillar constituent member 200 of the comparative example, the correspondence of the concave surface of the front pillar constituent member 13, the front and rear positions of the convex surface, and the position with respect to the vehicle outer side is the same as that of the front pillar constituent member 13 of the present embodiment. It is.

The curved surface portion 200d includes an adhesive surface 200s to which the windshield glass 17 is adhered by the adhesive 18, and a connecting surface 200r for series welding the first flange portion 11a. 14A, a plurality of escape holes 210 for spot welding are formed in the curved surface portion 200m in the longitudinal direction. A welding gun (not shown) is inserted into the space in the closed cross-section portion 14 through the escape hole 210, and the

flange portions

200a and 200b overlapped with each other are spot-welded by the welding gun.

When the front pillar component 200 configured as described above is formed from a single metal plate 250, it is necessary to perform the following steps. As shown in FIG. 15A, a concave flange portion 200a is formed by bending the metal plate 250 with a press at the bent portion 200e. As shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C, a convex curved surface portion 200d is formed by bending the metal plate 250 with a press at a bending portion between the curved surface portion 200m and the curved surface portion 200d. The Further, as shown in FIGS. 15C and 15D, the left portion of the bent portion 200k is bent by a press, and a convex curved portion 200m is formed. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15D and 15E, the concave curved surface portion 200j is formed by bending the metal plate 250 with a press at a bending portion between the curved surface portion 200j and the flange portion 200b. A flange portion 200b that is formed and has a concave surface is formed.

However, when a concave surface and a convex surface are formed in curved portions adjacent to each other at these bent portions, the bent portions are stretched or shrunk, and it is difficult to maintain the bending accuracy of the bent portions. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure the predetermined accuracy of the front pillar component member 200.

More specifically, FIG. 14B is a virtual explanatory diagram when the front pillar component 200 in FIG. 14A is expanded to be flattened.
As shown in FIG. 14B, in a state where the front pillar component member 200 is expanded, hatched portions indicated by D1 and D2 are indicated between the flange portion 200b and each end portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved surface portion 200j. A large overlap occurs. Therefore, at the time of press forming described with reference to FIG. 15, the flange portion 200b is formed with elongation due to a large lack of meat.

In FIG. 14B, a small gap occurs at the hatched portion indicated by E, that is, between the curved surface portion 200j and the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved surface portion 200m. Therefore, at the time of press molding described with reference to FIG. 15, shrinkage due to a small surplus occurs at the same portion. In FIG. 14B, a large gap occurs in the hatched portions indicated by F1 and F2, that is, between the curved surface portion 200m and each end portion in the longitudinal direction of the curved surface portion 200d. Therefore, at the time of press forming described with reference to FIG. 15, shrinkage due to a large surplus occurs at the same portion. In FIG. 14B, small gaps are generated in the hatched portions indicated by G1 and G2, that is, between the curved surface portion 200d and the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion 200a. Therefore, at the time of press molding described with reference to FIG. 15, shrinkage due to a small surplus occurs at the same portion. As described above, in the comparative example, elongation or shrinkage occurs between the curved surface portions and between the flange portion and the curved surface portion during press molding. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to actually manufacture the front pillar component 200 with this manufacturing method.

2. Method for Manufacturing Front Pillar Component Member Next, the principle of the method for manufacturing the front pillar component member 13 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

2.1. Principle As shown in FIG. 5, when a single flat metal plate 350 is bent upward (Z direction) with an arcuate curve 351 extending in the longitudinal direction (X direction) as a boundary, as shown in FIG. The metal plate 350 is formed with plate portions 352 and 353 having three-dimensional curved surfaces that do not stretch.

5, when viewed from the side view direction in FIG. 5 (the anti-Y direction in FIG. 5), both ends in the longitudinal direction are displaced upward (Z direction) from the central portion in the plate portion 352 positioned in the lower part. Therefore, the lower surface of the plate part 352 becomes a convex curved surface (three-dimensional curved surface).

In addition, in the plate portion 353 formed by bending so as to stand up with respect to the plate portion 352, when viewed from the plan view direction (anti-Z direction) in FIG. In FIG. 5, it is displaced in the direction opposite to the Y direction. Therefore, the surface facing the anti-Y direction of the plate portion 353 has a concave curved surface (three-dimensional curved surface). In this case, when the metal plate 350, that is, the material is not stretched or contracted, the curvature radii of the curved surfaces of the plate portions 352 and 353 are the same.

Here, by forming both

side portions

355 and 356 along the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 350 so as to be parallel to the curve 351, the plate portion 352 has the same width along the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. It will have. Similarly, the plate portion 353 has the same width along the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the side portion 355 is an arc-shaped recess whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is recessed in the Y direction from both ends. The side portion 356 is an arc-shaped convex portion whose central portion in the longitudinal direction protrudes in the Y direction from both end portions.

4, L1 indicates the width of the side portion 355 positioned in the anti-Y direction with respect to the curve 351, and L2 indicates the width of the side portion 356 positioned in the Y direction with respect to the curve 351. The width L1 and the width L2 may be the same value or may not be the same value.

The principle of forming a flat metal plate into a square pipe shape using the above principle will be described with reference to FIGS.
The metal plate 400 has a shape formed by connecting a pair of metal plates 350. Specifically, the metal plate 400 is formed in a shape in which a pair of metal plates 350 face each other in opposite directions and is connected at a central portion in the longitudinal direction of the side portion 356, with a virtual reference line O as a center line. It has a shape that is line symmetric. The metal plate 400 is formed by molding means such as press molding.

The reference line O is drawn as a curve in FIG. 6 for convenience of explanation, but is actually a straight line.
In FIGS. 6 and 7, for convenience of explanation, reference numerals A and B are added to the same reference numerals used in FIG. 6 and 7, it should be understood that the hatched portions N1 and N2 between both ends of the

side portions

356A and 356B do not have a metal plate portion for convenience in the description here.

The side portion 355A has an arcuate recess whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is recessed in the Y direction from both ends. Further, the side portion 355B has an arcuate recess whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is recessed in the anti-Y direction from both ends. Both

side portions

355A and 356A along the longitudinal direction of the metal plate portion 350A are formed to be parallel to the curve 351A. Both

side portions

355B and 356B along the longitudinal direction of the metal plate portion 350B are formed to be parallel to the curve 351B. The curvature radii of the

curves

351A and 351B are set to be the same.

6, L3 indicates the width of the side portion 355A located in the anti-Y direction with respect to the curve 351A, and L4 indicates the width of the side portion 356A located in the Y direction with respect to the curve 351A. The width L3 and the width L4 may be the same value or may not be the same value. L5 indicates the width of the side portion 356B positioned in the anti-Y direction with respect to the curve 351B, and L6 indicates the width of the side portion 355B positioned in the Y direction with respect to the curve 351B. The width L5 and the width L6 may be the same value or may not be the same value. The width L3 and the width L5 are preferably equal to or substantially equal to each other. Further, it is preferable that the width L4 and the width L6 are equal to each other or approximately equal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 7, the

plate portions

353A and 353B stand up from the

plate portions

352A and 352B by press molding using the molds on the

curves

351A and 351B of the metal plate 400 formed as described above. Established. By performing laser cutting on the

curves

351A and 351B in a broken line shape, the

plate portions

353A and 353B can be erected from the

plate portions

352A and 352B, respectively, as shown in FIG. 7 without using a mold. is there.

In the state shown in FIG. 7, the

plate portions

352A and 352B have a convex surface in which the center portion in the longitudinal direction swells in the anti-Z direction from both end portions. The plate portion 353A has a concave portion whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is directed in the Y direction from both end portions. The plate portion 353B has a concave surface whose central portion in the longitudinal direction is directed in the opposite Y direction from both end portions. The plate portion 352A and the plate portion 353A, and the plate portion 352B and the plate portion 353B are arranged in an L-shaped cross section, respectively.

Here, in the state of FIG. 7, when the metal plate 400 is not stretched or contracted, the curvature radii of the curved surfaces of the

plate portions

352A, 352B, 353A, and 353B are the same.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the metal plate portion 350B is bent by approximately 90 ° in the Z direction at the connection point on the reference line O, so that the side portion 355A and the side portion 355B are brought into contact with each other at the edges. Arranged to touch.

In this state, the metal plate 400 can be formed into a square pipe shape having a closed cross section. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the metal plate 400 is only bent approximately 90 ° in the Z direction at the connection point on the reference line O from the state of FIG. No expansion or contraction occurs. Therefore, the curvature radii of the curved surfaces of the

plate portions

352A, 352B, 353A, 353B are the same. Accordingly, the edges extending along the longitudinal direction of the

side portions

355A and 355B can be brought into contact with each other.

2.2 Method for Manufacturing Front Pillar Component 13 Next, a specific method for manufacturing the front pillar component 13 will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the metal plate 400 will be described. In the explanation of the above principle, the metal plate 400 is formed by directly connecting the

metal plate portions

350A and 350B to each other at the central portion in the longitudinal direction. In practice, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal plate 400 is connected to the metal plate portions 350 A and 350 B through an intermediate region T having a predetermined width H and extending in the longitudinal direction. The center line of the intermediate region T coincides with the reference line O that is the center line of the metal plate 400. The predetermined width H will be described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the metal plate 400 has side portions 355 A and 355 B that are portions that become the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b, that is, portions that are illustrated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 9. It is formed by press molding so as to have. Therefore, the

side portions

356A and 356B in the description of the principle are omitted.

Here, the metal plate 400 has portions that become the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b on the

side portions

355A and 355B, that is, portions shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. The side edge portions of the portion indicated by the two-dot chain line correspond to a first side edge portion 401 and a second side edge portion 402 that respectively extend in the longitudinal direction, and are respectively provided with the same arcuate recesses.

The concave portion of the first side edge portion 401 is formed in parallel with a curve 351A described later. The concave portion of the second side edge portion 402 is formed in parallel with a curve 351B described later.
A portion from the reference line O to the first side edge 401 of the metal plate 400 corresponds to the first region 403, and a portion from the reference line O to the second side edge 402 corresponds to the second region 404.

Here, in the first region 403, a curve 351A parallel to the recess of the first side edge 401 is set, and in the second region 404, a curve 351B parallel to the recess of the second side edge 402 is set. Yes.

The boundary line located near the curve 351A in the intermediate region T is parallel to the curve 351A and is separated from the curve 351A by the width L7. Curve 351A corresponds to the first fold line. The boundary line at a position close to the curve 351B in the intermediate region T is parallel to the curve 351B and is separated from the curve 351B by a width L8. Curve 351B corresponds to the second fold line. Therefore, the predetermined width H of the intermediate region T is a value obtained by subtracting the width (L3 + L7 + L8 + L6) obtained by adding the widths L3, L7, L8, and L6 from the width orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 400. The predetermined width H has a minimum value at the central portion in the longitudinal direction, and has a value that gradually increases toward the both end portions.

The region having the width L7 described above corresponds to the first proximal region closer to the reference line O than the region having the width L3, that is, the region that later becomes the plate portion 353A as the first side plate portion. The region having the width L8 described above corresponds to the second proximal region closer to the reference line O than the region having the width L6, that is, the region that later becomes the plate portion 353B as the second side plate portion.

The width L7 corresponds to the width L4 described in the above principle, and the width L8 corresponds to the width L5. Therefore, the width L3 and the width L7 may be the same value or may not be the same value. The width L8 and the width L6 may be the same value or may not be the same value. The width L3 and the width L8 are preferably equal to or substantially equal to each other, and the width L7 and the width L6 are preferably equal to or approximately equal to each other.

With respect to the intermediate region T of the metal plate 400 formed as described above, as shown in FIG. 11A, a bulging portion 13w is formed in the longitudinal direction by a pair of upper and lower molds KA1 and KA2. The

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the metal plate 400 is placed on the die KA4 fixed on the bolster KA5. In this state, press molding is performed as shown in FIG. 11 (c) by moving the punch KA3 movable in the vertical direction to a bottom dead center by a ram (not shown). By this press molding, the

plate portions

353A and 353B are erected from the

plate portions

352A and 352B, respectively. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 11C, the portions to be the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b are formed by bending. Note that a contact member KA6 is in contact with the lower surface of the bulging portion 13w of the metal plate 400, as shown in FIG. 11B, on the die KA4 and the bolster KA5. The upper surface of the contact member KA6 is formed in a triangular cross section so as to be fitted to the valley surface of the lower surface of the bulging portion 13w. The abutting member KA6 is supported by a cushion pin CP that applies cushion pressure, and is movable in the vertical direction. When the punch KA3 moves to the bottom dead center, the contact member KA6 moves downward to the position shown in FIG.

In this way, as shown in FIG. 11 (c), the fourth flange portion 13b, the third curved surface portion 13j, the bent portion 13k, the fourth curved surface portion 13m, the connecting portion 13t, the connecting portion 13q, the second metal plate 400 are provided. Regions corresponding to the curved surface portion 13d, the first curved surface portion 13f, and the third flange portion 13a are defined. At this time, the region corresponding to the connecting portion 13t and the connecting portion 13q is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the metal plate 400 as it approaches the both ends in the longitudinal direction by the punch KA3 and the die KA4. The length of is formed to be large. That is, the regions corresponding to the connecting portion 13t and the connecting portion 13q are formed such that when the bulging portion is formed later, the amount of bulging increases as it approaches both ends.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11C, the fourth curved surface portion 13m and the second curved surface portion 13d are formed so as to be included in a common plane (horizontal plane in FIG. 11C). . However, the fourth curved surface portion 13m and the second curved surface portion 13d are not necessarily formed so as to be included in one common plane. For example, the fourth curved surface portion 13m and the second curved surface portion 13d may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

As described in the principle, the

plate portions

353A and 353B may be erected from the

plate portions

352A and 352B without using a mold by performing laser cutting on the

curves

351A and 351B in a broken line shape.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12A, the metal plate 400 is placed on the mold KA8. That is, a pair of flat plate molds KA10 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance is fixed to the upper surface of the mold KA8, and the connecting portion 13t and the connecting portion 13q of the metal plate 400 are inserted between the molds KA10. As shown in FIG. 12A, the predetermined distance is such that the connecting portion 13t and the connecting portion 13q are inserted, and the fourth curved surface portion 13m and the second curved surface portion 13d can be placed on each mold KA10. It is set to length. Further, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), a contact member KA9 is in contact with the lower surface of the bulging portion 13w of the metal plate 400 as shown in FIG. 11 (b). The abutting member KA9 is supported by a cushion pin (not shown) that applies a cushion pressure and is movable in the vertical direction. The abutting member KA9 moves down to a position shown in FIG. 12B when a cored bar KA11 described later moves to the bottom dead center. The upper end surface that contacts the bulging portion 13w of the contact member KA9 has a flat surface.

Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, the cored bar KA11 is arranged so as to face the contact member KA9, and is configured to be movable in the vertical direction by a ram (not shown). By moving the core metal KA11 to the bottom dead center, the bulging portion 13w is press-formed over the longitudinal direction. Thereafter, punching is performed so as to crush the bulging portion 13w, so that the central portion in the longitudinal direction has a band-shaped chamfered portion 13p. By the pressing of the core metal KA11, the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b of the metal plate 400 are deformed until they contact the core metal KA11.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12C, the contact member KA9 and the core metal KA11 are moved slightly upward.
It should be noted that both ends of the metal plate 400 include a fourth flange portion 13b, a third curved surface portion 13j, a bent portion 13k, a fourth curved surface portion 13m, a second curved surface portion 13d, a first curved surface portion 13f, and a third flange portion 13a. May not have. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12D, the punch KA12 moves down to the bottom dead center with respect to both ends of the metal plate 400. The punch KA12 is connected through a spring member KA13 to a member KA14 connected to a ram (not shown) so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12D, the contact member KA9 and the core metal KA11 are moved slightly upward.

Then, from the state shown in FIG. 12 (c), the cored bar KA11 is extracted from the metal plate 400 as shown in FIG. 12 (e). After being extracted, the third flange portion 13 a and the fourth flange portion 13 b of the metal plate 400 are in contact with each other due to elastic deformation of the metal plate 400.

That is, in the metal plate 400, the region where the bulging portion 13w is formed tries to recover its shape by elasticity, so that the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b are kept in contact with each other. Therefore, it is possible to reliably maintain the state where the closed cross-section portion 14 is formed.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front pillar constituting member 13 connects the chamfered portion 13p extending in a band shape in the longitudinal direction and the chamfered portion 13p to the second curved surface portion 13d and the fourth curved surface portion 13m, respectively. The connecting portions 13q and 13t are formed. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a bulging portion is formed by the connecting portions 13q and 13t and the chamfered portion 13p so as to form a U-shaped cross section. Further, the connecting portion 13q is omitted at the center portion of the front pillar constituting member 13. The central portion of the front pillar constituting member 13 is connected to the punch KA3 so that the chamfered portion 13p is connected to the second curved surface portion 13d and is connected to the fourth curved surface portion 13m via the fourth curved surface portion 13m. It is formed by a die KA4 and a core metal KA11. Note that when the bulging amount (height) is made smaller than the connecting portions 13q at both ends in the longitudinal direction without omitting the connecting portions 13q, the shapes of the processed surfaces of the punch KA3 and the die KA4 are changed. That's fine.

In the case where the bulging portion 13w is not formed, the step of FIG. 11A may be omitted and the upper surface of the contact member KA6 shown in FIG.
The first embodiment has the following features.

(1) In the structure of the front pillar of the present embodiment, the third flange portion 13a of the front pillar constituting member 13 is disposed so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish 15. On the outer peripheral surface of the front pillar component 13, an adhesive surface 13s (support surface) that supports the windshield glass 17 is provided between the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b. For this reason, the length of the front pillar 10 in the front-rear direction can be shortened, that is, the front pillar 10 can be narrowed. As a result, the visibility outside the vehicle through the front pillar 10 from the driver can be improved.

(2) In the structure of the front pillar of the present embodiment, a closed cross-section portion 14 (closed cross-section structure) is formed. In the closed section 14, the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b are connected to face each other, and a concave first curved surface portion 13f extending forward from the third flange portion 13a is formed. A convex second curved surface portion 13d is formed which is connected to the first curved surface portion 13f and includes an adhesive surface 13s (support surface). A concave third curved surface portion 13j extending outward from the fourth flange portion 13b is formed. A convex fourth curved surface portion 13m is formed by bending forward from the third curved surface portion 13j. An intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar constituting member 13 connects the second curved surface portion 13d and the fourth curved surface portion 13m.

As a result, according to the present embodiment, the first curved surface portion 13f, the second curved surface portion 13d, the third curved surface portion 13j, and the fourth curved surface portion 13m formed between the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b. A closed cross-sectional structure is formed. Thereby, the effect (1) can be easily realized.

(3) In the structure of the front pillar of the present embodiment, the intermediate part 13c of the front pillar component member 13 includes a chamfered part 13p. The chamfered portion 13p is disposed at a portion that bulges so that the distance from the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b increases as the distance from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar constituting member 13 approaches both ends. Yes. As a result, in the present embodiment, the chamfered portions 13p are formed at the portions that bulge at both longitudinal end portions of the front pillar constituting member 13, thereby improving the strength of the both end portions of the front pillar constituting member 13. Can do.

(4) The method for manufacturing the front pillar component member 13 of the present embodiment includes the first to third steps. As a first step, a first side edge 401 and a second side edge 402 extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the metal plate 400. The first side edge 401 and the second side edge 402 have a virtual reference line O extending in the same longitudinal direction as the center line, and the first side edge 401 and the second side edge 402 have the same arcuate recess. Prepare each.

As a second step, in the first region 403 from the reference line O of the metal plate 400 to the first side edge 401, a concave curve 351A (first bending) having an arc-shaped radius of curvature of the first side edge 401 is used. By bending the metal plate 400 along the line), the plate portion 353A (first side plate portion) is erected from the first proximal region proximal to the reference line O. Further, in the second region 404 from the reference line O to the second side edge 402, the metal plate along the concave curve 351B (second folding line) having the arc-shaped curvature radius of the second side edge 402. By bending 400, the plate portion 353B (second side plate portion) is erected in the same direction as the first side plate portion from the second proximal region proximal to the reference line O.

Moreover, a bulging part is formed with respect to the intermediate | middle area | region T as a 3rd process. The intermediate region T is a region included in a part of each of the first and second proximal regions, and extends in the longitudinal direction with the reference line O as the center line. The bulging portion bulges in the direction opposite to the standing direction of the plate portion 353A and the plate portion 353B. The closer the both ends of the plate portion 353A and the plate portion 353B are in the longitudinal direction, the more the bulging amount of the bulging portion increases. The 4th flange part 13b and the 3rd flange part 13a which were each provided in the 1st side edge part 401 and the 2nd side edge part 402 contact | abut. As a result, when press-molding the metal plate 400, it is possible to obtain the front pillar constituting member 13 in which expansion and contraction are suppressed.

(5) In the manufacturing method of the front pillar component member 13 of the present embodiment, the chamfered portion 13p is formed in the intermediate region T in the third step. As a result, the front pillar constituting member 13 having the chamfered portion 13p in the intermediate region T can be obtained.

(6) In the method for manufacturing the front pillar component member 13 of the present embodiment, in the third step, the bulging portion 13w that bulges in the same direction as the standing direction of the plate portion 353A and the plate portion 353B is formed in the intermediate region T. . By pressing and squeezing the bulging portion 13w, the fourth flange portion 13b and the third flange portion 13a respectively formed on the first side edge portion 401 and the second side edge portion 402 are elastically contacted with each other. . As a result, after the bulging portion 13w is formed, the bulging portion 13w is pressed and crushed and deformed, whereby the front pillar constituting member 13 is deformed by the bulging portion 13w, whereby the first side edge portion 401 and the second side edge portion 401w are deformed. The 4th flange part 13b and the 3rd flange part 13a which were each formed in the side edge part 402 can be contacted elastically.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, about the same structure as the structure of 1st Embodiment, or the structure corresponded, the same part number is attached | subjected and it demonstrates focusing on a different structure. FIG. 16 shows the configuration of the front pillar of the second embodiment, and corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 3 as viewed from the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the front pillar 10.

The front pillar constituting member 13 has a third flange portion 13a and a fourth flange portion 13b at both front and rear end portions. An intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar constituting member 13 is formed so as to protrude outward from the passenger compartment. And the 1st flange part 11a of the pillar outer panel 11 is spot-welded with respect to the surface 13n which faces the front in the intermediate part 13c of the front pillar structural member 13. FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the third flange portion 13a of the front pillar constituting member 13 is connected to the vehicle interior from the intermediate portion 13c via a surface 13n, a bent portion 13e, an extended portion 13o, and a bent portion 13g to be welded. Located inside.

In the pillar inner panel 12, an intermediate portion 12c between the fifth flange portion 12a and the sixth flange portion 12b is formed in an L-shaped cross section so as to protrude toward the vehicle interior side. In the present embodiment, the intermediate portion 12c is formed in a mountain shape.

The front third flange portion 13 a of the front pillar component 13 is spot welded to the front fifth flange portion 12 a of the pillar inner panel 12. The second flange portion 11b, the sixth flange portion 12b, and the fourth flange portion 13b, which are respectively positioned at the rear portion of the pillar outer panel 11, the pillar inner panel 12, and the front pillar component member 13, are overlapped and joined by spot welding. .

In the pillar outer panel 11 and the front pillar component member 13, a closed section 14 is formed by a portion from the bent portion 13 e to the flange 13 and the pillar inner panel 12.

In the present embodiment, the third flange portion 13a protrudes toward the vehicle interior via the bent portion 13e, the extended portion 13o, and the bent portion 13g. The third flange portion 13a and the fifth flange portion 12a projecting toward the vehicle interior side through the intermediate portion 12c of the pillar inner panel 12 formed in an L-shaped cross section are spot welded to each other. That is, a position spaced from the front end of the pillar garnish 15 so that the spot welded portions of the fifth flange portion 12a and the third flange portion 13a are not located at the front end of the pillar garnish 15, that is, the proximal end of the windshield glass 17. The spot welded portion is covered with the pillar garnish 15.

Incidentally, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 18, the spot welded portions of the flange portions 120a, 130a, and 110a are arranged at the front end of the pillar garnish 150 and the end proximal to the windshield glass 170, so that the spot welded portions are formed. It is covered with pillar garnish 15.

In this embodiment, the opening cross-sectional area of the closed cross-section portion 14 can be made larger than that of the conventional closed cross-section portion 140 shown in FIG. For this reason, even if the width in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 11c of the pillar outer panel 11 is made narrower than that in the prior art (see, for example, FIG. 18), that is, even if the length in the front-rear direction of the front pillar 10 is shortened. The required rigidity required for the above can be obtained.

A pillar garnish 15 is disposed in the vehicle interior of the pillar inner panel 12, and the vehicle interior side of the front pillar 10 is covered. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the fifth flange portion 12 a and the third flange portion 13 a are covered with the pillar garnish 15. An opening weather strip 16 is attached to the second flange portion 11b, the sixth flange portion 12b, and the fourth flange portion 13b so as to be in close contact with a front side door (not shown). A windshield glass 17 is bonded to the first flange portion 11 a of the pillar outer panel 11 with an adhesive 18. In the present embodiment, the surface 13n that supports the first flange portion 11a to which the windshield glass 17 is bonded with the adhesive 18 from the back corresponds to a support surface that supports the windshield glass 17.

Now, a method for manufacturing the front pillar configured as described above will be described.
First, as a first step, in the intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar constituting member 13, the first flange portion 11a at the front portion of the pillar outer panel 11 is spot-welded to the surface 13n. In this case, in FIG. 16, since the left side of the intermediate portion 13c is opened in the front pillar component member 13 and the intermediate portion 13c protrudes to the outside of the passenger compartment, the spot welding gun does not interfere with the intermediate portion 13c. .

Next, as a second step, the third flange portion 13a at the front portion of the front pillar constituting member 13 is spot-welded to the fifth flange portion 12a at the front portion of the pillar inner panel 12. In this case, in FIG. 16, the third flange portion 13a protrudes from the extending portion 13o to the vehicle interior via the bent portion 13g, and the fifth flange portion 12a protrudes from the intermediate portion 12c to the vehicle interior. The spot welding gun does not interfere with the intermediate part 12c and the extension part 13o.

Next, as a third step, the pillar outer panel 11, the front pillar constituting member 13, and the second flange portion 11b, the sixth flange portion 12b, and the fourth flange portion 13b, which are respectively positioned at the rear portion of the pillar inner panel 12, are overlapped. Spot welded.

The second embodiment has the following features.
(7) According to the structure of the front pillar of the present embodiment, the third flange portion 13 a of the front pillar constituting member 13 is disposed so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish 15. On the outer peripheral surface of the front pillar component 13, a surface 13n (support surface) that supports the windshield glass 17 is provided between the third flange portion 13a and the fourth flange portion 13b. As a result, the length of the front pillar 10 in the front-rear direction can be shortened, that is, the width can be reduced. As a result, the visibility outside the vehicle through the front pillar 10 from the driver can be improved.

(8) According to the structure of the front pillar of the present embodiment, the fifth flange portion 12a at the front portion of the pillar inner panel 12 and the third flange portion 13a at the front portion of the front pillar constituting member 13 are spot-welded to each other. The The intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar constituting member 13 and the first flange portion 11a at the front portion of the pillar outer panel 11 are spot-welded to each other. The second flange portion 11b, the fourth flange portion 13b, and the sixth flange portion 12b, which are positioned at the rear portion of the pillar outer panel 11, the front pillar component member 13, and the pillar inner panel 12, are overlapped and spot welded. As a result, the length of the front pillar 10 in the front-rear direction can be shortened, that is, the width can be reduced. As a result, the visibility of the outside of the vehicle through the front pillar 10 from the driver can be improved.

(9) According to the method for manufacturing the front pillar of the present embodiment, as a first step, the intermediate portion 13c of the front pillar component 13 and the first flange portion 11a of the pillar outer panel 11 are spot-welded to each other. As a second step, the fifth flange portion 12a of the pillar inner panel 12 and the third flange portion 13a of the front pillar constituting member 13 are spot-welded to each other. As a subsequent third step, the pillar outer panel 11, the front pillar constituting member 13, and the second flange portion 11b, the fourth flange portion 13b, and the sixth flange portion 12b, which are respectively positioned at the rear portion of the pillar inner panel 12, are overlapped. Spot welded. Subsequently, as a fourth step, the pillar garnish 15 is disposed so that the third flange portion 13a at the front portion of the front pillar component 13 is opposed to the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish 15. As a result, the length of the front pillar 10 in the front-rear direction can be shortened. As a result, it is possible to provide a method of manufacturing a front pillar that can improve the field of view outside the vehicle through the front pillar from the driver.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change as follows.
-In 2nd Embodiment, the 3rd flange part 13a protrudes in the vehicle interior side via the bending part 13e, the extension part 13o, and the bending part 13g. The third flange portion 13a and the fifth flange portion 12a projecting toward the vehicle interior side through the intermediate portion 12c of the pillar inner panel 12 formed in an L-shaped cross section are spot welded to each other. Instead of this configuration, it may be changed as shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure same as 2nd Embodiment or an equivalent structure.

In this modified embodiment, a step portion 11f is formed between the U-shaped intermediate portion 11c of the pillar outer panel 11 and the first flange portion 11a. In this embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, the surface 13n is not spot welded to the first flange portion 11a. A step portion 13h is formed between the surface 13n and the third flange portion 13a, and the step portion 13h and the first flange portion 11a are spot-welded to each other. The step portion 11f and the surface 13n are overlapped with each other. The step portion 11 f and the windshield glass 17 are bonded to each other with an adhesive 18.

In the spot welding method of the present embodiment, the first flange portion 11a and the stepped portion 13h are spot-welded to each other as the first step. As the next second step, the fifth flange portion 12a and the third flange portion 13a are spot welded together. As the third step, the second flange portion 11b, the fourth flange portion 13b, and the sixth flange portion 12b are overlapped and spot-welded.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the third flange portion 13a protrudes toward the vehicle interior via the step portion 13h, the bent portion 13e, the extended portion 13o, and the bent portion 13g. The third flange portion 13a and the fifth flange portion 12a projecting toward the vehicle interior side through the intermediate portion 12c of the pillar inner panel 12 formed in an L-shaped cross section are spot welded to each other.

That is, at a position away from the front end of the pillar garnish 15 so that the spot welded portions of the fifth flange portion 12a and the third flange portion 13a are not located at the front end of the pillar garnish 15 and the proximal end of the windshield glass 17. The spot welded part is covered with the pillar garnish 15. Thereby, the opening cross-sectional area of the closed cross-section part 14 can be made larger than the conventional closed cross-section part 140 shown in FIG. For this reason, even if the width in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 11c of the pillar outer panel 11 is made narrower than that in the prior art (see, for example, FIG. 18), that is, even if the length in the front-rear direction of the front pillar 10 is shortened. The required rigidity required for the above can be obtained.

The structure of the front pillar and the spot welding method of this embodiment also have the same effects as (7) to (9) of the second embodiment.

Claims

A pillar outer panel fixed to each other, a front pillar component, and a front pillar having a pillar inner panel;
A structure of a front pillar comprising a pillar garnish covering a vehicle interior side of the front pillar,
The pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment.
The front pillar component member has third and fourth flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment,
In the structure of the front pillar, the pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at both front and rear ends,
By joining the third and fourth flange portions of the front pillar component member, a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar is formed,
The third flange portion of the front pillar component member is disposed so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish,
The front pillar component includes a support surface that supports a windshield glass between the third and fourth flange portions on the outer periphery of the front pillar component.
The closed cross-sectional structure is formed by the front pillar component member,
The third and fourth flange portions of the front pillar component member are connected to face each other,
The front pillar component is
A concave first curved surface portion extending forward from the third flange portion;
A second curved surface portion that is connected to the first curved surface portion, includes the support surface, and is convex;
A concave third curved surface portion extending outward from the fourth flange portion;
A convex fourth curved surface portion bent forward from the third curved surface portion,
The structure of the front pillar according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the front pillar component member connects the second curved surface portion and the fourth curved surface portion.
The intermediate portion of the front pillar component member includes a chamfered portion,
The chamfered portion is arranged at a portion that bulges so that the distance from the third and fourth flange portions increases as it approaches the both end portions from the longitudinal center portion of the front pillar component member. The structure of the front pillar according to claim 2.
A method of manufacturing a front pillar component from a single metal plate having a first side edge and a second side edge extending along the longitudinal direction,
A first step of forming a pair of arc-shaped recesses that are symmetrical with respect to a virtual reference line extending in the longitudinal direction at the first side edge and the second side edge, respectively,
In the first region from the reference line to the first side edge of the metal plate, along the arc-shaped first fold line having the same radius of curvature as the concave portion of the first side edge, the reference The first side plate portion is bent from the first proximal region proximal to the line, and in the second region from the reference line to the second side edge portion of the metal plate, the second side edge portion A second side plate portion from the second proximal region proximal to the reference line in the same direction as the standing direction of the first side plate portion, along an arcuate second fold line having the same radius of curvature as the concave portion A second step of bending and standing,
Each of the first and second side plate portions is included in a part of each of the first and second proximal regions, with respect to an intermediate region extending in the longitudinal direction with the reference line as a center line. By pressing in the direction opposite to the standing direction, the bulging portion is formed such that the bulging amount increases as it approaches the both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is provided at the first and second side edges, respectively. And a third step of bringing the flange portions into contact with each other.
The method for manufacturing a front pillar component member according to claim 4, wherein the third step includes a step of forming a chamfered portion in the intermediate region.
In the third step, a bulge portion that swells in the same direction as the standing direction is formed in the intermediate region, and the bulge portion is pressed and crushed to form the first and second side edges, respectively. The method of manufacturing a front pillar component member according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flanges are elastically brought into contact with each other.
A pillar outer panel fixed to each other, a front pillar component, and a front pillar having a pillar inner panel;
A structure of a front pillar comprising a pillar garnish covering a vehicle interior side of the front pillar,
The pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment.
The front pillar component member has third and fourth flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment,
In the structure of the front pillar, the pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at both front and rear ends,
By connecting the third flange of the front pillar component member and the fifth flange of the pillar inner panel to each other, a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar is formed,
The third flange portion of the front pillar component member is disposed so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish,
The front pillar component includes a support surface for supporting a windshield glass between the third and fourth flange portions on the outer peripheral surface of the front pillar component.
The pillar inner panel is positioned between the fifth and sixth flange portions and has an intermediate portion protruding toward the vehicle interior side.
The fifth flange portion of the pillar inner panel and the third flange portion of the front pillar component member are spot welded to each other, the intermediate portion of the front pillar component member, and the first flange portion of the pillar outer panel. Are spot welded to each other, and the second, fourth, and sixth flange portions positioned at the rear portion of the pillar outer panel, the front pillar component member, and the pillar inner panel are overlapped and spot welded. The structure of the front pillar according to claim 7.
A pillar outer panel fixed to each other, a front pillar component, and a front pillar having a pillar inner panel;
A front pillar manufacturing method comprising a pillar garnish that covers a vehicle interior side of the front pillar,
The pillar outer panel has first and second flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment.
The front pillar component member has third and fourth flange portions at both front and rear ends, and has an intermediate portion protruding to the outside of the passenger compartment,
The pillar inner panel has fifth and sixth flange portions at both front and rear ends,
In the method of manufacturing a front pillar, a closed cross-sectional structure of the front pillar is formed by connecting the third flange of the front pillar component member and the fifth flange of the pillar inner panel to each other.
A first step of spot welding the intermediate portion of the front pillar component and the first flange portion of the pillar outer panel to each other;
A second step of spot welding the fifth flange portion of the pillar inner panel and the third flange portion of the front pillar component;
A third step of spot-welding the second, fourth, and sixth flange portions positioned on the rear portion of the pillar outer panel, the front pillar constituent member, and the pillar inner panel, respectively;
After the third step, the fourth step includes arranging the third flange portion of the front portion of the front pillar component member so as to face the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the pillar garnish by the pillar garnish. A method for manufacturing a front pillar, which is characterized.