JP2019156131A - Center pillar of vehicle body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a center pillar of a vehicle body capable of replacing a center pillar made of steel with a center pillar made of fiber reinforced resin while reducing the influence on the design space. SOLUTION: A pillar main body 12 made of a fiber reinforced resin formed in a hollow tubular shape, and flange forming members 20a and 20b joined to at least one of both side surfaces of the pillar main body are provided, and a flange is provided. The forming member has bases 31 and 33 joined to the pillar main body and flanges 21 and 23 erected from the base, and the base is arranged in recesses 41 and 43 provided in the pillar main body. Has been done. [Selection diagram] FIG. 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a center pillar of a vehicle body.

  A structure of a vehicle body such as a passenger car is provided with a center pillar that is connected to a side sill located at a lower portion of the side of the vehicle body and extends in the vertical direction. The structure of the conventional vehicle body side part is comprised from steel, such as a steel plate. The steel center pillar has an outer panel located outside the vehicle body and an inner panel located inside the vehicle body, and these outer panel and inner panel are joined together. Further, in order to increase the strength of the center pillar, for example, a steel reinforcement joined to the inner surface of the outer panel is provided.

  On the other hand, in recent years, for the purpose of reducing the weight of a vehicle body, it has been studied to construct a structural material such as a center pillar using a fiber reinforced resin containing reinforcing fibers such as carbon fibers (for example, Patent Document 1). See). A member made of fiber reinforced resin has a relatively high rigidity, and particularly exhibits high strength against compressive stress or tensile stress acting in the fiber orientation direction. For this reason, the member made from fiber reinforced resin can obtain a desired characteristic according to the orientation direction of a fiber. It is known that a structural material made of fiber reinforced resin can be integrally formed into a cylindrical shape by using, for example, a braiding method.

JP 2013-193637 A

  Here, the center pillar has a flange portion projecting to at least one side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body (vehicle body X-axis direction). The flange portion also functions as a door stop for a front door or a rear door, for example. If the entire center pillar including the flange portion is to be integrally formed into a cylindrical shape, the fiber may break and break at the folded portion of the flange portion, and the characteristics of the fiber reinforced resin may not be utilized. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the center pillar 91 is manufactured by molding a semi-molten fiber reinforced resin formed into a cylindrical shape using a mold or the like, at the tips of the flange portions 93 and 94. The fiber may be folded back 360 °, and the fiber may be broken.

  On the other hand, it is possible to join the flange part after integrally forming the pillar body part other than the flange part into a cylindrical shape, but when the flange part is simply joined to the pillar body part, the joint part of the flange part is It rises from the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main body, and it becomes difficult to have the same outer shape as a conventional steel center pillar. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, when the flange portions 97 and 98 are bonded to the pillar main body portion 95 formed into a cylindrical shape with fiber reinforced resin, the pillar main body portion 95 is equal to the thickness of the bonding portion. A part of the outer shape of the swells up (see the area surrounded by the one-dot chain line). This makes it impossible to replace a conventional steel center pillar with a fiber reinforced resin center pillar without affecting the design space.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the influence on the design space from a steel center pillar to a fiber reinforced resin center pillar. The object is to provide a center pillar of a vehicle body that can be replaced.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, a fiber-reinforced resin pillar main body formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and at least one of both side surfaces of the pillar main body are joined. A flange-forming member, and the flange-forming member has a base portion joined to the pillar main body portion and a flange portion erected from the base portion, and the base portion is disposed in a recess provided in the pillar main body portion. The vehicle body center pillar is provided.

  The base may be joined in the recess.

  The base may be disposed in the recess formed in the first layer made of the fiber reinforced resin of the pillar main body, and the outer peripheral side of the base and the first layer may be covered with the second layer made of the fiber reinforced resin.

  You may have an engagement structure with which a base and a recessed part mutually fit.

  The flange forming member may be made of a metal material or a fiber reinforced resin.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to replace the center pillar made of steel with the center pillar made of fiber reinforced resin with less influence on the design space.

It is a perspective view which shows the center pillar which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the center pillar which concerns on the embodiment in the vehicle body Y-axis direction. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the center pillar which concerns on the embodiment in the vehicle body X-axis direction. It is sectional drawing of the pillar main-body part of the center pillar which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the engagement structure of a base and a recessed part. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the engagement structure of a base and a recessed part. It is sectional drawing of the pillar main-body part of the center pillar which concerns on a 1st modification. It is sectional drawing of the pillar main-body part of the center pillar which concerns on a 2nd modification. It is sectional drawing of the pillar main-body part of the center pillar which concerns on a reference example. It is sectional drawing of the pillar main-body part of the center pillar which concerns on a reference example.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

<Overall configuration of center pillar>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an external appearance of a vehicle body side structure 1 to which a vehicle body center pillar 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The vehicle body side structure 1 shown in FIG. 1 schematically shows a part of the structure on the left side toward the front of the passenger car. As shown in FIG. 1, in this specification, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (vehicle length direction) is also referred to as the vehicle body X-axis direction, the vehicle width direction is also referred to as the vehicle body Y-axis direction, and the vehicle height direction is referred to as the vehicle body Z. Also called axial direction.

  The vehicle body side structure 1 includes a roof pillar 5, a rear pillar 4, a front pillar 2, a center pillar 3, a side sill 6, and the like. The roof pillar 5 extends along the vehicle body X-axis direction in the upper part of the vehicle compartment space of the vehicle, and forms a side portion of the vehicle roof. The side sill 6 extends along the vehicle body X-axis direction at the lower part of the side portion of the vehicle.

  The front pillar 2 has a lower end connected to the front end of the side sill 6 and an upper end connected to the front end of the roof pillar 5. The front pillar 2 forms a front part that constitutes a vehicle compartment space of the vehicle, and is arranged so as to support the side of the windshield. The rear pillar 4 has a lower end connected to the rear end of the side sill 6 and an upper end connected to the rear end of the roof pillar 5. The center pillar 3 has a lower end connected to the center portion of the side sill 6 in the vehicle body X-axis direction and an upper end connected to the center portion of the roof pillar 5 in the vehicle body X-axis direction.

  An opening for a front door is formed between the side sill 6, the roof pillar 5, the front pillar 2, and the center pillar 3. An opening for a rear door is formed between the side sill 6, the roof pillar 5, the rear pillar 4, and the center pillar 3. Each member constituting the vehicle body side structure 1 may be composed of a plurality of members. For example, each member may be configured by joining an outer panel on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an inner panel on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

  In the vehicle body side structure 1, the center pillar 3 has a longitudinal direction along the vertical direction of the vehicle and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape. The center pillar 3 includes a roof pillar connecting portion 16 provided at the upper end, a side sill connecting portion 14 provided at the lower end, and a pillar main body portion 12 positioned between the roof pillar connecting portion 16 and the side sill connecting portion 14. The center pillar 3 may be a structure integrally formed of, for example, a fiber reinforced resin.

  2 to 3 are explanatory views showing a schematic configuration of the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view of the center pillar 3 as viewed along the vehicle body Y-axis direction from the outside of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a view of the center pillar 3 as viewed from the front side of the vehicle along the vehicle body X-axis direction.

  In the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment, the pillar main body 12 has a hollow cylindrical shape in which the axial direction is arranged along the vertical direction of the vehicle body. Both the roof pillar connecting portion 16 and the side sill connecting portion 14 have a hollow cylindrical shape in which the axial direction is disposed along the vehicle body X-axis direction. The center pillar 3 includes a pillar main body portion 12 made of fiber reinforced resin formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and flange portions 21 and 23 formed on at least one of both side surfaces of the pillar main body portion 12. In the present embodiment, the flange portions 21 and 23 are formed along the longitudinal direction on both side surfaces in the vehicle body X-axis direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (vehicle body Z-axis direction) of the pillar main body 12.

  The center pillar 3 is configured by joining flange forming members 20 a and 20 b having flange portions 21 and 23 and base portions 31 and 33 to a hollow cylindrical pillar main body portion 12. The pillar main body 12 and the flange forming members 20a and 20b are structural bodies made of a composite material formed using a fiber reinforced resin obtained by impregnating a reinforced fiber such as carbon fiber with a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. High strength and light weight can be realized. The pillar main body 12 formed in a hollow cylindrical shape may be a molded body integrally formed into a cylindrical shape using, for example, a braiding method. The flange forming members 20a and 20b may be made of a metal material.

  When the pillar main body 12 and the flange forming members 20a and 20b are made of fiber reinforced resin, usable continuous fibers include, for example, carbon fibers, but other fibers may be used. Fibers may be used in combination. However, since carbon fibers are excellent in mechanical properties, it is preferable that the reinforcing fibers include carbon fibers.

  As the matrix resin of the fiber reinforced resin, a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin is used. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, ABS resin (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), polystyrene resin, AS resin (acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer synthetic resin), polyamide resin. And polyacetal resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin, fluorine resin, polyetherimide resin, polyetherketone resin, or polyimide resin.

  As the matrix resin, one or a mixture of two or more of these thermoplastic resins can be used. Alternatively, the matrix resin may be a copolymer of these thermoplastic resins. When the thermoplastic resin is a mixture, a compatibilizer may be used in combination. Furthermore, a brominated flame retardant, a silicon flame retardant, red phosphorus, or the like may be added to the thermoplastic resin as a flame retardant.

  Moreover, as a thermosetting resin, an epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, vinyl ester resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, a silicon resin etc. are illustrated, for example. As the matrix resin, one type of these thermosetting resins or a mixture of two or more types can be used. When these thermosetting resins are used, an appropriate curing agent or reaction accelerator may be added to the thermosetting resin.

  The orientation direction of the continuous fibers of the pillar body 12 may be aligned in one direction or different. However, in order to make the load resistance of the center pillar 3 anisotropic, for example, the orientation direction of the reinforcing fibers is 0 °, 90 °, 45 ° with respect to the vertical direction of the vehicle body (vehicle body Z-axis direction), The pillar body 12 is preferably formed by laminating a fiber reinforced resin layer of −45 °.

  Note that a reinforcement (not shown) may be provided in the internal space of the pillar body 12 of the center pillar 3. In this case, the strength of the center pillar 3 can be increased while suppressing an increase in the weight of the vehicle by providing the reinforcement made of fiber reinforced resin.

<Flange forming member mounting structure>
Next, the attachment structure of the flange forming members 20a and 20b joined to the pillar main body 12 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the pillar main body 12 of the center pillar 3. The cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 4 is the figure which looked at the II cross section shown with the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 2 from the arrow direction.

  Flange forming members 20a and 20b are joined to both ends of the pillar body 12 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the pillar main body 12 has a cylindrical shape with a closed cross section, and a cross-sectional shape in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (hereinafter also referred to as “width direction”) is substantially O-shaped. Although the detailed illustration is omitted in FIG. 4, the pillar main body 12 has a laminated structure composed of a plurality of fiber reinforced resin layers having different orientation directions of the reinforced fibers, for example. When the cross-sectional shape of the pillar main body 12 is substantially O-shaped, the pillar main body 12 can be formed without breaking the reinforcing fiber, and the characteristics of the center pillar 3 made of fiber reinforced resin can be exhibited. it can.

  The flange forming members 20a and 20b have flange portions 21 and 23 and base portions 31 and 33, respectively. The flange portions 21 and 23 are constituent portions erected from the base portions 31 and 33 that are joint portions to the pillar main body portion 12. In the present embodiment, the flange forming members 20a and 20b are molded bodies made of fiber reinforced resin. Similarly to the pillar main body 12, the flange forming members 20a and 20b also have a laminated structure composed of a plurality of fiber reinforced resin layers having different orientation directions of the reinforced fibers, for example.

  The pillar main body 12 has recesses 41 and 43 on the side surfaces on both ends in the width direction. The base portions 31 and 33 of the flange forming members 20a and 20b are disposed in the concave portions 41 and 43, respectively. It is preferable that the planar shapes of the concave portions 41 and 43 substantially coincide with the planar shapes of the base portions 31 and 33 so that the flange portions 21 and 23 are arranged at correct positions. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the bases 31 and 33 are joined into the recesses 41 and 43 via the adhesive layers 51 and 53. Thereby, the rise from the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main-body part 12 of the area | region where the base parts 31 and 33 were joined can be reduced.

  For example, the depths of the recesses 41 and 43 may coincide with the sum of the thicknesses of the base portions 31 and 33 and the thicknesses of the adhesive layers 51 and 53. In this case, the surfaces of the base portions 31 and 33 and the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main body portion 12 can be smoothly connected in a state where the base portions 31 and 33 are joined in the concave portions 41 and 43. The concave portions 41 and 43 of the pillar main body 12 may be formed by reducing the number of fiber reinforced resin sheets to be laminated, or may be formed by cutting or the like.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the base portions 31 and 33 of the flange forming members 20 a and 20 b extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the flange portions 21 and 23, but the base portions 31 and 33 are the flange portions 21 and 23. May extend inward in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, the direction where the two base parts 31 and 33 extend may be reverse.

  Further, in order to more reliably position the flange forming members 20a and 20b with respect to the pillar main body 12, or to prevent displacement of the flange forming members 20a and 20b, the base portions 31 and 33 and the recess portions 41 and 43 are mutually connected. You may have a fitting structure which fits.

  5 and 6 are schematic views showing examples of an engagement structure in which the base 31 and the recess 41 are fitted to each other. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the engagement structure 49 in which the base 31 and the recess 41 are fitted to each other is obtained by making a part of the end of the base 31 and a part of the edge of the recess 41 similar to each other. It is configured. In the engagement structure 49 shown in FIG. 5, the base 31 and the recess 41 are fitted to each other by meandering a part of the end of the base 31 and a part of the edge of the recess 41. ing.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, an overhang portion 37 having a hole portion 35 into which a bolt or the like is inserted is provided at an end portion of the base portion 31, and a hole portion 45 in which the bolt or the like is similarly inserted into an edge portion of the recess portion 41. The receiving part 47 which has is provided. The overhanging portion 37 of the base portion 31 and the receiving portion 47 of the concave portion 41 constitute an engaging structure 57 in which the base portion 31 and the concave portion 41 are fitted together. In such an engagement structure 57, a bolt or the like is inserted through the two holes 35 and 45, thereby further suppressing the positional deviation between the pillar main body 12 and the flange forming member 20 a.

  Note that the engagement structure in which the base portion 31 and the concave portion 41 are fitted to each other is not limited to the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6.

<Modification>
Hereinafter, some modified examples of the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a center pillar according to a first modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to the cross-sectional view of the pillar body 12 shown in FIG. In the first modification, the base portions 31 and 32 of the flange forming member 30a extend from the base end of the flange portion 21 to the outer side and the inner side in the vehicle width direction, respectively. The base portions 31 and 32 are disposed in a recess 41 formed in the pillar main body portion 12, and are joined via an adhesive layer 51. Similarly, the base portions 33 and 34 of the flange forming member 30b extend from the base end of the flange portion 23 to the outer side and the inner side in the vehicle width direction, respectively. The base portions 33 and 34 are disposed in a recess 43 formed in the pillar main body portion 12 and are bonded via an adhesive layer 51. In the first modification, the flange portions 21 and 23 are supported by the base portions 31, 32, 33, and 34 arranged on both sides around the flange portions 21 and 23. Therefore, the stability of the flange forming members 20a and 20b joined to the pillar body 12 can be improved.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the center pillar according to the second modification of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to the cross-sectional view of the pillar body 12 shown in FIG. In the second modification, the outer peripheral sides of the pillar main body 12 and the bases 31 and 33 of the center pillar 3 according to the above embodiment are further covered with fiber reinforced resin layers 61 and 63. That is, in the second modification, the bases 31 and 33 are disposed in the recesses 41 and 43 formed in the first layer 40 made of the fiber reinforced resin of the pillar main body 12, and the bases 31 and 33 and the first layer are arranged. The outer peripheral side of 40 is covered with a second layer (fiber reinforced resin layer) 61 made of fiber reinforced resin. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main-body part 12 containing the junction part of the base parts 31 and 33 can be connected more smoothly.

  In the second modified example, the second layer (fiber reinforced resin layer) 61 covering the region in the vehicle width direction inner side than the flange portions 21 and 23 where the base portions 31 and 33 are not disposed is omitted. May be.

  As described above, the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment includes the pillar main body portion 12 made of fiber-reinforced resin formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and the flange forming members 20a and 20b joined to the pillar main body portion 12. Is provided. The base portions 31 and 33 of the flange forming members 20a and 20b are disposed in the concave portions 41 and 43 formed in the pillar main body portion 12. For this reason, the rising from the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main-body part 12 of the junction part of the base parts 31 and 33 can be reduced. Further, since the pillar body 12 is a hollow cylinder, the pillar body 12 can be formed without breaking the reinforcing fiber, and the characteristics of the center pillar 3 made of fiber reinforced resin can be exhibited. . Accordingly, the influence on the design space can be reduced, and the replacement of the steel center pillar with the center pillar made of fiber reinforced resin can be facilitated.

  In one embodiment, the base portions 31 and 33 of the flange forming members 20a and 20b are disposed in the concave portions 41 and 43 of the pillar body portion 12, and the outer peripheral sides of the base portions 31 and 33 and the pillar body portion 12 are formed by the fiber reinforced resin layer 63. It may be coated. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the pillar main-body part 12 can be connected more smoothly.

  Further, the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment may have an engagement structure in which the base portions 31 and 33 of the flange forming members 20a and 20b are fitted to each other. Thereby, while the reliability of positioning of the flange forming members 20a and 20b is improved, the positional deviation of the flange forming members 20a and 20b can be suppressed.

  Further, in the center pillar 3 according to the present embodiment, the flange forming members 20a and 20b may be made of a fiber reinforced resin together with the pillar body portion 12. Thereby, the vehicle body side part structure 1 can be further reduced in weight.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Moreover, the aspect which mutually combined said embodiment and each modification naturally belongs to the technical scope of this invention.

3 Center pillar 12 Pillar body 20a, 20b Flange forming member 21, 23 Flange 31, 33 Base 41, 43 Recess 49, 57 Engagement structure 51, 53 Adhesive layer

Claims (5)

Pillar body made of fiber reinforced resin formed into a hollow cylinder,
A flange forming member joined to at least one of both side surfaces of the pillar main body,
The flange forming member is
A base part joined to the pillar body part, and a flange part erected from the base part,
The base is a center pillar of a vehicle body disposed in a recess provided in the pillar main body.   The center pillar of the vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the base portion is joined in the recess. The base is disposed in the recess formed in the first layer made of fiber reinforced resin of the pillar main body,
The center pillar of a vehicle body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer peripheral side of the base portion and the first layer is covered with a second layer made of a fiber reinforced resin.   The center pillar of a vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base pillar and the recess have an engagement structure in which the base and the recess fit together. The center pillar of the vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flange forming member is made of a metal material or a fiber reinforced resin.

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