JP7825151B2 - Vehicle side structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle side structure.

For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a structure is known in which a roof cross member extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the underside of the roof panel in the roof portion of the upper part of a vehicle. Such a roof cross member is configured to connect roof side rail portions provided on both sides of the roof panel in the vehicle width direction, and functions as a reinforcement that increases the rigidity of the roof portion.

On the other hand, in vehicles with sliding rear side doors, the rear sliding door runs on a rail attached to the side of the vehicle body to open and close the rear door opening. The rail on the upper part of the vehicle body is located, for example, inside a bulge that bulges out toward the inside of the vehicle from the roof side rail. This bulge is usually located above or near the center pillar.

In this type of structure, the rigidity of the upper part of the vehicle near the bulge is lower than the rigidity of the upper part of a vehicle with side doors that open and close via hinges, which may result in a reduction in the support rigidity of the roof member that supports the roof panel, etc. A reduction in the support rigidity of the roof cross member may result in primary mode bending deformation in the vertical direction of the vehicle. This primary mode is a cause of muffled noise at low revolutions. For this reason, the structure in the above example attempts to ensure rigidity by connecting the outer portion of the roof cross member in the vehicle width direction to the bulge.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-213694

The roof side rail portion, including the bulge, has a side body outer panel that forms the outside of the vehicle body, and a roof side inner panel that is placed inside the side body panel, forming a closed cross section. Furthermore, in the normal assembly sequence for a vehicle body, the side body outer panel and the roof panel are joined together first. During this manufacturing process, the roof side inner panel that forms the bulge is separated from the roof cross member.

Even if attempts are made to weld the reinforcing member to the bulge and roof cross member, the structure in the above example does not provide enough space for a welding robot arm to pass through, making welding difficult. Therefore, the bulge and roof cross member are fastened together with bolts, for example. Because bolting is a manual process, it is difficult to increase the speed of the production line. As such, structures that require bolting can make it difficult to improve production efficiency. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the structure in the above example when attempting to effectively reinforce the upper part of the center pillar without reducing production efficiency.

The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle side structure that can effectively reinforce the upper part of the center pillar section in the bulge that houses the rail along which the sliding side door runs, without reducing production efficiency.

The vehicle side structure of the present invention, which is intended to achieve the above-mentioned objective, comprises a roof panel arranged on the upper part of the vehicle, a roof cross member arranged on the underside of the roof panel and extending in the vehicle width direction, a side body outer panel arranged on the side of the vehicle, a roof side rail portion arranged on the outer side of the roof panel in the vehicle width direction and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a door opening arranged on the side of the vehicle and opened and closed by a rear sliding door, and a center pillar portion arranged in front of the door opening. In this vehicle side structure, the roof side rail portion has a bulge portion that bulges toward the inside of the vehicle and accommodates a rail member along which the rear sliding door runs, a reinforcing member is joined to the front of the bulge portion, the vehicle width directional outer ends of the front and rear portions of the roof cross member are spaced apart in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the reinforcing member is joined to the vehicle width directional outer end of the front portion, and the side body outer panel and the roof panel are joined in three layers to the vehicle width directional outer end of the rear portion, and a space is defined by the reinforcing member, the front portion of the roof cross member, and an inner panel located on the vehicle inside of the roof side rail portion when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

This invention makes it possible to effectively reinforce the upper part of the center pillar section in the bulge that houses the rails along which the sliding side door runs, without reducing production efficiency.

1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle side structure according to the present invention, seen from below the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a perspective view including a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 1. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reinforcing member of FIG. 1 as viewed from the front of the vehicle. 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle from below with the bulging portion of FIG. 1 omitted, and the upper side in the figure corresponds to the lower side of the vehicle. FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle as seen from the front, with the upper side in the figure corresponding to the lower side of the vehicle. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the reinforcing member of FIG. 9, viewed from an angle different from that of FIG. 9. FIG.

One embodiment of a vehicle side structure for a vehicle according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings (Figs. 1 to 10). In the drawings, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the description of the embodiment, the "front (front end) and rear (rear end)" refer to the front and rear in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, arrows R and L indicate the right and left sides when an occupant is looking forward of the vehicle. Furthermore, arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle.

The vehicle side structure of this embodiment is an upper structure of the vehicle side, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, includes a roof panel 1, a roof cross member 5, a side body outer panel 10, a roof side rail portion 20, and a reinforcing member 30. Each component will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the roof panel 1 is a metal member that is placed on the upper part of the vehicle and forms the roof of the upper part of the vehicle. In this example, it is a panel material that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 2, the roof panel 1 is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with an outer wall 1a and an outer flange 1b. The outer wall 1a is a wall surface that protrudes downward from the outer end of the upper surface of the roof panel 1 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The outer flange 1b protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the outer wall 1a and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. An outer roof portion 14 (described later) of the side body outer panel 10 is joined to the outer flange 1b. The joining of the roof panel 1 and the side body outer panel 10 will be explained later.

As shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10, the roof cross member 5 is a metal member that is placed on the underside of the roof panel 1 and extends in the vehicle width direction. The roof cross member 5 has a predetermined length in the vehicle front-to-rear direction and is joined to the underside of the roof panel 1, for example, with an adhesive. The vehicle width outer portion of the roof cross member 5 is joined to the reinforcing member 30, the side body outer panel 10, the roof panel 1, etc. The shape of the vehicle width outer portion of the roof cross member 5 will be explained later.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the side body outer panel 10 is a highly rigid metal member located on the side of the vehicle and constituting the outermost portion of the vehicle body. The side body outer panel 10 has a front side door opening 11, a rear side door opening (door opening) 12, a pillar portion (not shown), and an outer roof portion 14. The front side door opening 11 is an opening that is opened and closed by a front side door (not shown). The rear side door opening 12 is an opening that is opened and closed by a rear side door (not shown) and is located on the rear side of the front side door opening 11 via a pillar portion. The rear side door in this embodiment is a slide type that opens and closes the rear side door opening 12 by traveling on a rail member (not shown) provided on the vehicle body.

A roof side drip molding (not shown) is attached to the upper part of the side body outer panel 10. The roof side drip molding is a component made of resin that guides water droplets from the roof in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in rainy weather and prevents rainwater from flowing into the front side door opening 11 or rear side door opening 12 when the front side door or rear side door is opened. In this example, the roof side drip molding is attached to a recess formed between the inner wall 14a of the outer roof portion 14 and the outer wall 1a of the roof panel 1, and hides the welding points (spot welding points) where the inner flange 14b of the outer roof portion 14 and the outer flange 1b of the roof panel 1 are spot welded.

The center pillar portion 3 is provided on the side of the vehicle body, positioned in front of the rear side door opening 12, and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The center pillar portion 3 includes a pillar portion of the side body outer panel 10, a pillar inner panel 26, and a center extension panel 27. As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 9, the pillar inner panel 26 is a metal member positioned inside the pillar portion of the side body outer panel 10 and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The center extension panel 27 is positioned inside the pillar portion of the side body outer panel 10 and is a panel formed of a metal material that connects the lower part of the roof side rail portion 20 and the pillar inner panel 26. The front portion of the upper part of the center extension panel 27 protrudes forward of the vehicle and is joined, for example, to the roof side inner front panel 22. Additionally, the rear portion of the upper part of the center extension panel 27 is joined to the roof side inner center panel 23, and in this example, to the bulge portion 24 described below. Although not shown in the figure, the lower portion of the center pillar portion 3 is connected to the side sill (not shown) of the vehicle body or the like.

The roof side rail portion 20 is provided on the outer side of the roof panel 1 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. In this example, the roof side rail portion 20 is located at the upper part of the vehicle on the inner side of the side body outer panel 10 in the vehicle width direction. The roof side rail portion 20 has a roof side reinforcement 21, a roof side inner front panel 22, and a roof side inner center panel 23, which together form a closed cross-sectional structure. The roof side rail portion 20 also has a bulge portion 24 that bulges toward the inside of the vehicle and houses a rail member along which the rear sliding door runs. The bulge portion 24 will be described later.

Although detailed illustration is omitted, the roof side reinforcement 21 extends in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction and has a convex shape that protrudes toward the outside of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. The upper part of the roof side reinforcement 21 is joined to the roof side inner front panel 22, roof side inner center panel 23, etc., as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The lower part of the roof side reinforcement 21 is also joined directly or indirectly to the roof side inner front panel 22, roof side inner center panel 23, etc. Joined in this manner, the roof side reinforcement 21 and the roof side inner front panel 22, or the roof side reinforcement 21 and the roof side inner center panel 23, form a closed cross-sectional structure.

The roof side inner front panel 22 is located inside the roof side reinforcement 21 in the vehicle width direction, above the front side door opening 11, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 10, the rear portion of the roof side inner front panel 22 is located above the center pillar portion 3 and is joined to the front portion of the roof side inner center panel 23, the reinforcing member 30, and the center extension panel 27 located above the center pillar portion 3.

The roof side inner center panel 23 is located inside the roof side reinforcement 21 in the vehicle width direction, above the rear side door opening 12, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 10, the front portion of the roof side inner center panel 23 is located above the center pillar portion 3 and is joined to the reinforcing member 30, center extension panel 27, roof side inner front panel 22, etc.

Next, the bulge portion 24 will be described. As shown in Figures 1, 6, 9, and 10, the bulge portion 24 in this embodiment is provided on the roof side rail portion 20 and bulges toward the inside of the vehicle. In this example, the bulge portion 24 is formed by the front portion of the roof side inner center panel 23 bulging inward in the vehicle width direction, and has a lower surface portion 24a, an inner wall portion 24b, and a front wall portion 24c.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower surface portion 24a extends inward from the vehicle widthwise outer edge at the lower end of the roof side inner center panel 23. The inner wall portion 24b is a wall portion that extends upward from the vehicle widthwise inner edge of the lower surface portion 24a and faces the vehicle widthwise inner side, and extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, sloping inward in the vehicle width direction as it moves from a position rearward of the center pillar portion 3 toward the front of the vehicle. The front wall portion 24c is a wall portion that faces the front of the vehicle and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 24b. In addition, a curved portion 24d that curves toward the front of the vehicle is provided on the vehicle widthwise outer portion of the front wall portion 24c, and the vehicle widthwise outer end of the curved portion 24d is joined to the rear portion of the roof side inner front panel 22.

The reinforcing member 30 is joined to the roof side rail portion 20, located on the vehicle front side of the bulge portion 24. The reinforcing member 30 is plate-shaped and has an outer inclined portion 31 that slopes downward toward the vehicle's outer side in the vehicle width direction, as shown in Figures 1 and 6 to 10. The reinforcing member 30 is also joined to the roof cross member 5, and is further joined to the bulge portion 24 of the roof side rail portion 20. Details of the shape of the reinforcing member 30 and details of the joints between the reinforcing member 30 and each member will be described later.

Next, the shape of the vehicle widthwise outer portion of the roof cross member 5 will be described. The vehicle widthwise outer ends of the front and rear roof cross member 5 are spaced apart in the vertical direction of the vehicle. As shown in Figures 5 to 7, 9, and 10, the vehicle widthwise outer portion of the roof cross member 5 has a branch portion 6 that branches off above and below in the middle in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In addition, a reinforcing member 30 is joined to the vehicle widthwise outer end of the front roof cross member 5, and a side body outer panel 10 and a roof panel 1 are joined in a triple layer to the vehicle widthwise outer end of the rear roof cross member 5.

More specifically, a front inclined portion 7 is provided at the front portion of the branching portion 6 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The front inclined portion 7 extends at an angle downwards on the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The outer end of the front inclined portion 7 in the vehicle width direction is joined to an inner joint portion 37 (described below) of the reinforcing member 30. The inclination direction of the front inclined portion 7 extends along the inclination direction of the outer inclined portion 31 of the reinforcing member 30. In this example, the front portion of the branching portion 6 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is connected to the roof side rail portion 20 via the reinforcing member 30.

In addition, as shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, the rear portion of the branching portion 6 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction has a straight portion 8 that continues from the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the branching portion 6 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The straight portion 8 extends outward in the vehicle width direction while being spaced apart from the underside of the bulging portion 24, and is joined by spot welding to the side body outer panel 10 and roof panel 1 in a three-layer configuration.

Furthermore, when viewed from the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, a space S is defined by the reinforcing member 30, the front portion of the roof cross member 5, and the roof side inner front panel (inner panel) 22 located on the vehicle inside of the roof side rail portion 20. In this example, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the space S is defined by the main body of the reinforcing member 30, the front portion (front inclined portion 7) of the roof cross member 5 located outside the branch portion 6 in the vehicle width direction, the roof side inner center panel 23, and the roof panel 1.

The vehicle side structure configured as described above effectively reinforces the upper part of the center pillar portion 3 for the bulge portion 24, which houses the rail along which the sliding side door runs, without reducing production efficiency. Furthermore, because the reinforcing member 30 is joined to the roof side rail portion 20, which forms a highly rigid structure, the rigidity of the roof cross member 5 is also improved. This suppresses primary bending mode deformation in the roof portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle and also reduces muffled noise at low revolutions. Furthermore, because the rear portion of the reinforcing member 30 is joined to the bulge portion 24, which has lower rigidity than the surrounding area, the rigidity of the bulge portion 24 can be ensured. The reinforcing member 30 also has joints at three locations: the outer and inner ends in the vehicle width direction, and the rear end. This allows the three joints to work in conjunction with the respective joined components to achieve a highly rigid structure.

Furthermore, because the space S is defined as described above, it is possible to secure a working space for spot welding. More specifically, the robot arm for welding can enter the space S from the front of the vehicle, making it possible to join the reinforcing member 30 by spot welding. As a result, there is no need to use fastening methods such as bolt fastening, which reduces the amount of manual work required. Furthermore, it is desirable that a robot arm with a rectangular cross-section of approximately 43 mm x 47 mm be able to enter the space S.

The shape of the reinforcing member 30 will now be described in detail. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 30 has an outer inclined portion 31 on its outer side in the vehicle width direction, which slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. The outer and rear ends of the outer inclined portion 31 are provided with flanges 33, 34 that protrude downward in the vehicle direction. The flanges 33, 34 are joined to the roof side inner center panel (inner panel) 23 of the roof side rail portion 20 and the front wall portion 24c (front portion) of the bulge portion 24. The outer inclined portion 31 and the front inclined portion 7 extend continuously, as shown in Figure 3. These are described in detail below.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6 to 10, the reinforcing member 30 of this embodiment has the outer inclined portion 31, flange portions 33, 34, and inner joint portion 37, as described above. Each portion will be described below. The outer inclined portion 31 is provided on the outer side of the main body of the reinforcing member 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is inclined downward toward the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the outer inclined portion 31 is a roughly rectangular plate in plan view that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the outer corner on the rear side of the vehicle width direction cut out.

In detail, the front end of the outer inclined portion 31 extends linearly along the inclination direction. The rear end of the outer inclined portion 31 extends linearly along the inclination direction from the inner end in the vehicle width direction toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, bends toward the front of the vehicle at the middle part in the vehicle width direction, and further extends at an incline toward the front of the vehicle as it extends toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The outer end and inner end in the vehicle width direction extend approximately parallel along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the outer inclined portion 31 constitutes the main body of the reinforcing member 30. Note that the outer inclined portion 31 may also be part of the main body of the reinforcing member 30.

Furthermore, multiple ribs 31a, 31b are provided within the surface of the outer inclined portion 31. In this example, the outer inclined portion 31 has, in a plan view, three widthwise ribs 31a extending in the vehicle width direction and two longitudinal ribs 31b extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The three widthwise ribs 31a extend from the outer end of the outer inclined portion 31 in the vehicle width direction toward the inside of the vehicle width direction and are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle front-rear direction. The two longitudinal ribs 31b extend from a portion of the rear end of the outer inclined portion 31 that extends linearly in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle and are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle width direction. In this example, the front ends of the two longitudinal ribs 31b are arranged on extensions of the rearmost widthwise rib 31a.

Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the inclination direction of the outer inclined portion 31 extends along the inclination direction of the front inclined portion 7 of the roof cross member 5 and is continuous with it. In other words, when viewed in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, the outer inclined portion 31 and the front inclined portion 7 form a single inclined wall.

The flange portions 33, 34 include an outer flange portion 33 and a rear flange portion 34. The outer flange portion 33 protrudes downward from the outer end of the outer inclined portion 31 in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The outer flange portion 33 is joined by spot welding to the roof side inner front panel 22 and roof side inner center panel 23 of the roof side rail portion 20. Note that the outer flange portion 33, the roof side inner front panel 22, and the roof side inner center panel 23 may be joined in parts. The rear flange portion 34 protrudes downward from the rear end of the outer inclined portion 31 and extends along the rear end to correspond to the curved shape of the rear end. The rear flange portion 34 is joined by spot welding to the middle portion of the front wall portion 24c of the bulge portion 24 in the vehicle vertical direction. The bent shape of the rear flange portion 34 roughly corresponds to the shape of the curved portion 24d of the front wall portion 24c of the bulge portion 24. In this example, a slight gap may be formed between the curved portion 24d and the rear flange portion 34.

By providing the inclined shape as described above, it is possible to prevent the space S from becoming narrower, making welding easier. Furthermore, by providing flange portions 33, 34 that curve toward the inside of the vehicle cabin, the rigidity of the reinforcing member 30 is improved. As the rigidity of the reinforcing member 30 is improved, it is also possible to improve the rigidity of the members surrounding the reinforcing member 30. As a result, the effect of suppressing the primary bending mode of the roof portion can be further enhanced.

Furthermore, by aligning the inclination directions of the front inclined portion 7 and the outer inclined portion 31 and forming them so that they are continuous, it is possible to suppress stress concentration. Compared to when the front inclined portion 7 is not provided, the inclination of the outer inclined portion 31 can be set more gently, making it possible to suppress deformation due to loads in the vertical direction of the vehicle. By providing a branch portion 6 (bending portion) at a position a predetermined distance inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner end of the bulge portion 24 in the vehicle width direction, the inclination becomes even gentler, resulting in a structure that is strong against vertical loads.

In addition, in this embodiment, a joint is provided at the rear of the reinforcing member 30 to be joined to the front of the bulge 24. This joint faces the rear of the vehicle and extends from the inner side of the center pillar 3 toward the inside of the vehicle width direction. The joint is located between the front and rear ends of the center pillar 3 and between the front and rear ends of the roof cross member 5 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In this example, a rear flange (joint) 34 provided at the rear end of the outer inclined portion 31 is joined to the front wall (front portion) 24c of the bulge 24.

As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the position of the rear flange portion 34 in the vehicle longitudinal direction corresponds to the position between the front and rear ends of the center pillar portion 3. The rear flange portion 34 is also positioned to correspond to the position between the front and rear ends of the roof cross member 5.

The center pillar portion 3 has a closed cross-sectional structure and is one of the most rigid components of the vehicle body. By placing the rear flange portion 34 in a position corresponding to the area between the front and rear ends of the highly rigid center pillar portion 3, it becomes easier to ensure the rigidity of the reinforcing member 30. This makes it possible to more effectively suppress primary bending mode deformation in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the roof portion. Furthermore, for example, when an impact load acts on the roof cross member 5 in the vehicle width direction due to a side collision, the reinforcing member 30 can more effectively withstand the load.

In addition, in this embodiment, a balance panel 28 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the roof cross member 5, with a portion that slopes downward toward the vehicle rear. The rear end of the balance panel 28 is joined to a bulge portion 24 that is located rearward of the center pillar portion 3. In this example, the balance panel 28 is disposed at the corner formed by the bulge portion 24 and the straight portion 8 of the roof cross member 5, as shown in Figures 1 and 10.

As described above, the front portion of the bulge 24 is positioned so as to overlap the roof cross member 5 in a plan view. In this case, the inner end of the front portion of the bulge 24 in the vehicle width direction is positioned at a distance below the roof cross member 5 in the vehicle vertical direction. In this embodiment, a balance panel 28 is provided in this space. The front end of the balance panel 28 is joined by spot welding to the rear end of the straight portion 8 of the roof cross member 5. The balance panel 28 extends at an angle downward toward the rear of the vehicle. The rear portion of the balance panel 28 is joined by spot welding to the upper end of the inner end of the bulge 24 in the vehicle width direction.

This configuration makes it possible to improve the support rigidity in the vehicle's vertical direction of the wide roof cross member 5, which has a predetermined length in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, because the balance panel 28 is joined to the roof cross member 5 and the roof side rail portion 20, it is possible to create a highly rigid structure in conjunction with the joined members, and the rigidity of the components surrounding the balance panel 28 is also increased. As a result, the effect of suppressing primary bending deformation of the roof portion is further improved.

The description of this embodiment is merely an example for explaining the present invention and does not limit the invention described in the claims. Furthermore, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

For example, in this embodiment, the outer inclined portion 31 is configured as a linearly inclined plane, but this is not limited to this. It may also have a slightly curved shape. In this case, for example, the outer inclined portion 31 may be curved downward on the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction.

1 Roof panel 1a Outer wall 1b Outer flange 3 Center pillar portion 5 Roof cross member 6 Branch portion 7 Front inclined portion 8 Straight portion 10 Side body outer panel 11 Front side door opening 12 Rear side door opening (side door opening)
14 Outer roof portion 14a Inner wall 14b Inner flange 20 Roof side rail portion 21 Roof side reinforcement 22 Roof side inner front panel 23 Roof side inner center panel (inner panel)
24 Bulging portion 24a Lower surface portion 24b Inner wall portion 24c Front wall portion 24d Curved portion 26 Pillar inner panel 27 Center extension panel 28 Balance panel 30 Reinforcing member 31 Outer inclined portion 31a Width direction rib 31b Front-rear direction rib 33 Outer flange portion (flange portion)
34 Rear flange portion (flange portion)
37 Inner joint part S space part

Claims (4)

A roof panel located at the top of the vehicle,
a roof cross member disposed on the underside of the roof panel and extending in the vehicle width direction;
a side body outer panel disposed on a side of the vehicle;
a roof side rail portion provided on an outer side of the roof panel in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction;
a door opening provided on a side of the vehicle and opened and closed by a rear sliding door;
a center pillar portion disposed in front of the door opening,
The roof side rail portion is provided with a bulging portion that bulges toward the inside of the vehicle and accommodates a rail member along which the rear sliding door travels,
A reinforcing member is joined to the front portion of the bulging portion,
The vehicle width direction outer ends of the front and rear portions of the roof cross member are disposed spaced apart from each other in the vehicle up-down direction,
The reinforcing member is joined to an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front portion,
the side body outer panel and the roof panel are joined in three layers to the outer end of the rear portion in the vehicle width direction,
A vehicle side structure characterized in that, when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a space is defined by the reinforcing member, the front portion of the roof cross member, and an inner panel located on the inside of the vehicle of the roof side rail portion. an outer inclined portion inclined downward toward the vehicle as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction is provided on an outer portion of the reinforcing member in the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion protruding downward toward the vehicle is provided on an outer end and a rear end of the outer inclined portion in the vehicle width direction, and the flange portion is joined to the inner panel of the roof side rail portion and a front portion of the bulge portion,
a front inclined portion that bends downward and slopes downward as it extends outward in the vehicle width direction, at a front portion of the roof cross member that is located more inward in the vehicle width direction than the inner end of the bulging portion;
The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein the outer inclined portion and the front inclined portion extend continuously. a joint portion that is joined to the front portion of the bulge portion is provided at a rear portion of the reinforcing member, the joint portion facing the rear of the vehicle and extending inward in the vehicle width direction from an inner portion of the center pillar portion in the vehicle width direction,
A vehicle side structure as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the joint portion is arranged between the front and rear ends of the center pillar portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and between the front and rear ends of the roof cross member. A balance panel having a sloped portion that slopes downward toward the rear of the vehicle is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the roof cross member,
3. The vehicle side structure according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of the balance panel is joined to the bulging portion located rearward of the center pillar portion of the vehicle.