Description:A VEHICLE REAR SIDE BODY STRUCTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to body structure of a vehicle and in particular relates to a rear side body structure of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Seat belts are provided in cabin of a vehicle to secure the passengers against harmful movement that may result during a collision. For passengers in the back seat of the vehicle, seat belts are mounted in rear quarter inner region of the vehicle. The rear quarter inner region of the vehicle is present between rear door of the vehicle and the back door of the vehicle.
[0003] Nowadays, to give vehicles a stylish appearance without affecting cabin space, many changes are performed on the side body structure of the vehicles. Such changes might result in overhang in the quarter inner region near upper side body joinery. Presence of overhang on the quarter inner region may affect the strength and rigidity of the quarter inner region.
[0004] The seat belts are attached in seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner region. Generally, the seat belt mounting portion is provided in the vicinity of the upper side body joinery and the overhang. During vehicle crash, rear passenger tends to move forward. This sometimes may result in unwanted deformation in the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner region. The unwanted deformation in the seat belt mounting portion may result in seat belt malfunction which may eventually cause injuries to the passengers.
[0005] Also, in the event of collision of the vehicle, the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner region may deform due to impact force. Deformation in the seat belt mounting portion may result in seat belt malfunction which may eventually cause injuries to the passengers.
[0006] Various solutions are available in the art to improve rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel. One of the solutions is to increase the thickness of the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel. However, increasing thickness of the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner region incurs additional cost. Thus, the solution is not economic.
[0007] Other solutions are available in the art which does not incur additional cost. The solution includes moving the seat belt mounting on the quarter inner region to inside the cabin and reducing the overhang. However, this solution has drawback of reducing cabin space significantly.
[0008] Further, provision to mount seat belt may be provided on partition compartment of the rear side body structure. Although mounting seat belt on the partition compartment might solve the problem of eliminating deformation of the quarter inner region and does not reduce cabin space, it is not always possible due to design restrictions of the vehicle.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for a vehicle rear side body structure with enhanced rigidity and strength to prevent deformation of the seat belt mounting portion during vehicle crash.

SUMMARY
[0010] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a vehicle rear side body structure with enhanced rigidity and strength to prevent unwanted deformation of the seat belt mounting portion during vehicle crash. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0011] The present subject matter relates to a vehicle rear side body structure. The vehicle rear side body structure comprises a rear pillar inner reinforcement, a first reinforcement and a second reinforcement. The rear pillar inner reinforcement has an upper side body joinery portion and an overhang portion. The rear pillar inner reinforcement has a seat belt mounting portion to facilitate mounting of seat belt and a vertical bead is provided on the rear pillar inner reinforcement in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion. The first reinforcement is fixedly attached over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement. The first reinforcement has an upper side body joinery portion. A seat belt mounting portion is provided on the first reinforcement with a first vertical bead and a second vertical bead provided in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion. The second reinforcement connects side body with partition compartment. The second reinforcement is fixedly attached to the quarter inner panel.
[0012] In an aspect, the vertical bead is a longitudinal bead originating from the upper side joinery portion of the rear pillar inner reinforcement and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion of the rear pillar inner reinforcement.
[0013] In an aspect, a hole is provided in an emboss on the seat belt mounting portion of the rear pillar inner reinforcement.
[0014] In an aspect, the first vertical bead and the second vertical bead are longitudinal beads originating from the upper side body joinery portion of the first reinforcement and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion of the first reinforcement.
[0015] In an aspect, the first vertical bead and the second vertical bead are provided on the opposite sides of the seat belt mounting portion of the first reinforcement.
[0016] In an aspect, the seat belt mounting portion of the first reinforcement is positioned precisely opposite to the seat belt mounting portion of the rear pillar inner reinforcement.
[0017] In an aspect, the first vertical bead of the first reinforcement and the vertical bead of the rear pillar inner reinforcement forms a close box section in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portions of the rear pillar inner reinforcement and the first reinforcement.
[0018] In an aspect, the second reinforcement is an L-shaped reinforcement comprising a main portion and an annex portion. The main portion has an upper side body joinery portion and a bottom edge. The upper side body joinery portion is fixedly attached to the side body and the bottom edge is fixedly attached to the partition compartment. The annex portion extends perpendicularly from side edge of the main portion. The annex portion has an upper side body joinery portion and a bottom edge. The upper side body joinery portion is fixedly attached to the side body and the bottom edge is fixedly attached to the partition compartment.
[0019] In an aspect, the annex portion of the second reinforcement is fixedly attached to the rear pillar inner reinforcement.
[0020] In an aspect, the second reinforcement is one of a single-part structure and a multi-part structure.
[0021] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0022] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0023] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of the vehicle rear side body structure that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates front and rear views of the rear pillar inner reinforcement of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates first reinforcement of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates the second reinforcement of exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0028] FIG. 5a and 5b illustrates inner and outer side view of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0031] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understanding of the present disclosure.
[0032] “Side Body Joinery Portion” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the portion which is used to join said panel with the side body of the vehicle.
[0033] “Overhang Portion” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the portion of panel sticking out from the normal base position.
[0034] “Seat Belt Mounting Portion” may be defined, in the context of the disclosure, as the portion on panel which are designated for mounting of the seat belt.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0035] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0036] Seat belts are standard equipment for almost every kind of vehicle in which passengers are transported in today's transportation systems. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are required to meet strict standards for seat belt engineering and installation. Any malfunction in seat belt during crash may lead to serious injuries to the passengers. Seat belts, for rear seats, are usually mounted on seat belt mounting portion of quarter inner panel.
[0037] The seat belt mounting portion on the quarter inner panel are usually provided in the vicinity of the upper side body joinery and overhang. Presence of the overhang in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion may affect the strength and rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion. Thus, in the event of crash, seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel may deform and may not withstand the load coming on the structure which may lead to seat belt malfunction.
[0038] To solve the problem, a vehicle rear side body structure is required with enhanced rigidity and strength which can withstand load coming during vehicle crash and hold the occupant in its place.
[0039] In order to achieve this goal of enhancing rigidity and strength of the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel to prevent undesired deformation of the seat belt mounting portion in the event of vehicle crash, a vehicle rear side body structure may be modified. The features of the vehicle rear side body structure are described in more detail below.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle rear side body structure 100 comprises a rear pillar inner reinforcement 101, a first reinforcement 102 and a second reinforcement 103. The rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 is fixedly attached over side body with the top edge 101a of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 in upper side body joinery. Lower edge 101b of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 is fixedly attached to the wheel house panel (not shown in FIG. 1). The first reinforcement 102 is fixedly attached over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. Providing first reinforcement 102 over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 provides extra protection to the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 in the event of collision. The second reinforcement 103 is fixedly attached to the inner surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. Further, the second reinforcement 103 rests over partition compartment panel 105 of the rear side body structure 100. Although in FIG. 1, the second reinforcement 103 is formed by a single part, however, it would be obvious to a person skilled in the art to form the second reinforcement 103 by connecting a plurality of parts as per requirement without deviating from the objective of the invention. In another aspect, the second reinforcement 103 is one of a single-part structure and a multi-part structure.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates inner and outer views of the rear pillar inner reinforcement of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 has an upper side body joinery portion 201 and an overhang portion 202. The upper side body joinery portion 201 is the point of attachment of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101 on the side body. A seat belt mounting portion 203 is provided in the vicinity of the overhang portion 202 and the upper side body joinery portion 201. To enhance the strength and rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion 203, a vertical bead 204 is provided on the rear pillar inner reinforcement101 in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion 203. In an aspect, the vertical bead 204 borders the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101.
[0042] The vertical bead 204 is a longitudinal bead originating from the upper side body joinery portion 201 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101 and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101. A hole 207 for harness mounting is provided over the vertical bead 204. The vertical bead 204 on the rear pillar inner reinforcement enhances strength and rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion 203 and result in better stress distribution in the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101.
[0043] The seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 is provided with a hole 205 to accommodate fastening means for fixedly mounting the seat belt over the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. In an aspect, the hole 205 is provided in an emboss 206 provided in the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates first reinforcement of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The first reinforcement 102 is fixedly attached over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. During collision, the first reinforcement 102 shields the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. Thus, providing first reinforcement 102 over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 provides extra protection to the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 in the event of collision. Top edge 102a of the first reinforcement 102 acts as an upper side body joinery. Accordingly, the first reinforcement 102 has upper side body joinery portion 301. The upper side body joinery portion 301 is the point of attachment of the first reinforcement 102 on the side body. A seat belt mounting portion 302 is provided in the vicinity of the upper side body joinery portion 301 of the first reinforcement 102. In an aspect, the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102 is positioned precisely opposite to the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101. To enhance the strength and rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion 302, a first vertical bead 303 and a second vertical bead 304 are provided on the first reinforcement 102 in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion 302. In an aspect, the first vertical bead 303 and the second vertical bead 304 borders the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102.
[0045] The first vertical bead 303 is a longitudinal bead originating from the upper side body joinery portion 301 of the first reinforcement 102 and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102. Similarly, the second vertical bead 304 is a longitudinal bead originating from the upper side body joinery portion 301 of the first reinforcement 102 and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102. Both the first vertical bead 303 and the second vertical bead 304 are provided on the opposite sides of the seat belt mounting portion 302. Jig holes (305, 306) are provided on the first and second vertical beads. The first vertical bead 303 and the second vertical bead 304 on the first reinforcement 102 enhances strength and rigidity of the seat belt mounting portion 302 and result in better stress distribution in the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102 in the event of vehicle crash.
[0046] Since the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102 is positioned precisely opposite to the seat belt mounting portion 203 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement101, the first vertical bead 303 of the first reinforcement 102 is positioned precisely opposite to the vertical bead 204 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. In an aspect, the first vertical bead 303 of the first reinforcement 102 and the vertical bead 204 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 form a close box section in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portions 203, 302 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 and the first reinforcement 102. The close box section enhances rigidity and strength of the seat belt mounting portions 203, 302 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 and the first reinforcement 102.
[0047] The seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102 is provided with a hole 307 to accommodate fastening means for fixedly mounting the seat belt over the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. In an aspect, the hole 307 is provided in an emboss 308 provided in the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102.
[0048] In an aspect, the hole 307 of the first reinforcement 102 is positioned precisely opposite to the hole 205 of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101. The arrangement ensures smooth mounting of the seat belt over the rear pillar inner reinforcement101.
[0049] Further, a plurality of embosses 309 is provided in the seat belt mounting portion 302 of the first reinforcement 102 to facilitate welding of the first reinforcement 102 over the rear pillar inner reinforcement101.
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates the second reinforcement of exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The second reinforcement 103 is fixedly attached to the rear pillar inner reinforcement101 and the partition compartment 105. The second reinforcement 103 is an L-shaped reinforcement. The second reinforcement 103 comprises a main portion 401 and an annex portion 402. Top edge 401a of the main portion 401 act as an upper side body joinery. Accordingly, the main portion 401 has upper side body joinery portion 403. The upper side body joinery portion 403 is the point of attachment of the main portion 401 of the second reinforcement 103 on the side body. Bottom edge 401b of the main portion 401 rests on the partition compartment 105. The annex portion 402 extends perpendicularly from side edge of the main portion 401. Together, the main portion 401 and the annex portion 402 forms the L-shaped profile. Top edge 402a of the annex portion 402 act as an upper side body joinery. Accordingly, the annex portion 402 has upper side body joinery portion 404. The upper side body joinery portion 404 is the point of attachment of the annex portion 402 of the second reinforcement 103 on the side body. Bottom edge 402b of the annex portion 402 rests on the partition compartment. Side edge 402c of the annex portion 402 is fixedly attached to the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101.
[0051] The second reinforcement 103 ensures rigid connection between the side body and the partition compartment. Thus, the second reinforcement 103 ensures better stress distribution in the event of vehicle crash. Further, the second reinforcement 103 includes a plurality of holes for providing mounting provision for quarter trim.
[0052] FIG. 5a and 5b illustrates inner and outer side view of the exemplary vehicle rear side body structure that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5a shows mounting of the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101 and the second reinforcement 103 over the side body. FIG. 5b shows mounting of the first reinforcement 102 over the rear pillar inner reinforcement 101.
ADVANTAGES
[0053] Thus, with the implementation of the vehicle rear side body structure of the present subject matter, the rigidity and strength of the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel is enhanced to prevent unwanted deformation of the seat belt mounting portion during vehicle crash. Further, the first reinforcement of the rear side body structure shields the quarter inner panel during collision, hence, preventing deformation in the seat belt mounting portion of the quarter inner panel. Furthermore, the second reinforcement of the rear side body structure provides rigid connection between the side body and the partition component which ensure better stress distribution in the event of crash.
[0054] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0055] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0056] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0057] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
, Claims:We Claim:
1. A vehicle rear side body structure (100), comprising:
a rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) having an upper side body joinery portion (201) and an overhang portion (202), wherein the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) has a seat belt mounting portion (203) to facilitate mounting of seat belt and a vertical bead (204) is provided on the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion (203);
a first reinforcement (102), having an upper side body joinery portion (301), fixedly attached over the outer surface of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101), wherein a seat belt mounting portion (302) is provided on the first reinforcement (102) with a first vertical bead (303) and a second vertical bead (304) provided in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portion (302); and
a second reinforcement (103) connecting side body with partition compartment (105), wherein the second reinforcement (103) is fixedly attached to the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101).
2. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical bead (204) is a longitudinal bead originating from the upper side joinery portion (201) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion (203) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101).
3. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hole (205) is provided in an emboss (206) on the seat belt mounting portion (203) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101).
4. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vertical bead (303) and the second vertical bead (304) are longitudinal beads originating from the upper side body joinery portion (301) of the first reinforcement (102) and running downwards bordering the seat belt mounting portion (302) of the first reinforcement (102).
5. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vertical bead (303) and the second vertical bead (304) are provided on the opposite sides of the seat belt mounting portion (302) of the first reinforcement (102).
6. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat belt mounting portion (302) of the first reinforcement (102) is positioned precisely opposite to the seat belt mounting portion (203) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101).
7. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vertical bead (303) of the first reinforcement (102) and the vertical bead (204) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) forms a close box section in the vicinity of the seat belt mounting portions (203, 302) of the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101) and the first reinforcement (102).
8. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement (103) is an L-shaped reinforcement comprising:
a main portion (401) having an upper side body joinery portion (403) and a bottom edge (401b), wherein the upper side body joinery portion (403) is fixedly attached to the side body and the bottom edge (401b) is fixedly attached to the partition compartment (105); and
an annex portion (402) perpendicularly extending from side edge of the main portion (402) having an upper side body joinery portion (404) and a bottom edge (402b), wherein the upper side body joinery portion (404) is fixedly attached to the side body and the bottom edge (402b) is fixedly attached to the partition compartment (105).
9. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the annex portion (402) of the second reinforcement (103) is fixedly attached to the rear pillar inner reinforcement (101).
10. The vehicle rear side body structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second reinforcement (103) is one of a single-part structure and a multi-part structure.