Invention name: Front pillar outer
Technical field
[0001]
　The present invention relates to a front pillar outer that constitutes a front pillar.
Background technology
[0002]
　The body of the car includes the front pillars. The front pillar is composed of a combination of a front pillar inner, a front pillar outer, and the like. From the viewpoint of improving the fuel efficiency of automobiles, it is desirable that the front pillars are lightweight. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving collision safety, it is desirable that the front pillars have high strength. Therefore, the front pillars are required to be lighter in weight and improved in strength.
[0003]
　The vehicle body parts having improved strength are described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11809 (Patent Document 1), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-310147 (Patent Document 2), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-2781 (Patent Document 3). Has been done.
[0004]
　Patent Document 1 describes a front pillar lower provided with a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component described in Patent Document 1 includes a vertical surface portion facing the front wheel and a high-strength horizontal surface portion. When a vehicle collides head-on, the front wheels move to the rear of the vehicle. The vertical surface limits the movement of the front wheels to the rear of the vehicle. The horizontal surface portion absorbs the collision energy loaded on the vertical surface portion. It is described in Patent Document 1 that the deformation of the front pillar lower due to a collision can be suppressed by this.
[0005]
　The vehicle body component disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a first structure having a closed cross section and a second structure having a closed cross section and welded to the first structure. Therefore, the vehicle body component includes a region composed of only the first structure and a region composed of the first structure and the second structure. In short, the body parts include areas of two different plate thicknesses. It is described in Patent Document 2 that this enhances the ability to absorb the collision energy of the vehicle body parts.
[0006]
　The vehicle body parts disclosed in Patent Document 3 include a U-shaped first part and a U-shaped second part. Slits are provided at the ends of the first component and the ends of the second component, respectively. The slit of the first component is arranged so as to overlap the slit of the second component, and the first component and the second component are welded to each other. Therefore, since the two parts overlap in a part of the vehicle body parts, the strength is increased. It is described in Patent Document 3 that the strength of the vehicle body parts is high even if the reinforcing plate or the like of another member is not provided.
[0007]
　In addition to Patent Documents 1 to 3, as a technique for reducing the weight and improving the strength, the material of the front pillar may be a tailored welded blank (hereinafter, also referred to as "TWB") or a tailored rolled blank (hereinafter, "TWB"). It is also conceivable to use "TRB"). It is also conceivable to attach a reinforcing plate to a part of the front pillar.
[0008]
　TWB is a material in which a plurality of metal plates having different materials or plate thicknesses are combined by welding. Parts molded from TWB have partial plate thickness differences, strength differences, or both.
[0009]
　TRB is a metal plate formed by special roll rolling, and is a material whose plate thickness changes continuously. Parts molded from TRB have partial plate thickness differences, strength differences, or both.
Prior art literature
Patent documents
[0010]
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-11809
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-
Open No. 5-310147 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-2781
Outline of the invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
[0011]
　However, the front pillar lower described in Patent Document 1 includes a reinforcing component which is a separate member. The vehicle body component described in Patent Document 2 includes a second structure welded to the first structure along the longitudinal direction of the first structure. In the vehicle body component described in Patent Document 3, the first component is welded to the second component over the entire cross section of the welded portion between the first component and the second component. Therefore, the weights of the vehicle body parts of Patent Documents 1 to 3 are all heavy.
[0012]
　Further, since the TWB is formed by joining a plurality of metal plates, a separate joining step is required to manufacture the TWB. For this reason, parts molded from TWB are expensive. In addition, a joining process is required to manufacture a part reinforced by a reinforcing plate. Therefore, this part is also expensive. TRB has a high manufacturing cost. Therefore, parts molded from TRB are also expensive.
[0013]
　An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, lightweight and high-strength front pillar outer.
Means to solve problems
[0014]
　The front pillar outer according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a glass surface side flange portion, a door side flange portion, and a main body portion connecting the glass surface side flange portion and the door side flange portion. In a part of the region in the longitudinal direction of the door side flange portion, the first plate portion connected to the side edge of the door side flange portion is folded back, and the first plate portion is overlapped with the door side flange portion. In a part of the region in the longitudinal direction of the glass surface side flange portion, the second plate portion connected to the side edge of the glass surface side flange portion is folded back, and the second plate portion is overlapped with the glass surface side flange portion.
The invention's effect
[0015]
　The front pillar outer according to the embodiment of the present invention is inexpensive, lightweight, and has high strength.
A brief description of the drawing
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a front pillar outer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar in lines II-II of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar in lines III-III of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a stage during molding of the front pillar outer shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a front pillar outer when a collision load is applied.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a part of a vehicle body structure including a front pillar outer.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of the front pillar outer according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing analysis conditions of Examples.
Embodiment for carrying out the invention
[0017]
　Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the following description, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples described below. In the following description, specific numerical values ​​and specific materials may be exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.
[0018]
　The front pillar outer according to the present embodiment includes a glass surface side flange portion, a door side flange portion, and a main body portion connecting the glass surface side flange portion and the door side flange portion. In a part of the region in the longitudinal direction of the door side flange portion, the first plate portion connected to the side edge of the door side flange portion is folded back, and the first plate portion is overlapped with the door side flange portion. In a part of the region in the longitudinal direction of the glass surface side flange portion, the second plate portion connected to the side edge of the glass surface side flange portion is folded back, and the second plate portion is overlapped with the glass surface side flange portion.
[0019]
　When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the front pillar outer is curved. As a result, compressive strain is applied to a part of the region of the flange portion on the door side in the longitudinal direction. In the present specification, the region to which this compression strain is applied is also referred to as a “door-side compression portion”. On the other hand, tensile strain is applied to a part of the flange portion on the glass surface side in the longitudinal direction. In the present specification, the region to which this tensile strain is applied is also referred to as a “glass surface side tensile portion”. Further, compressive strain is applied to a part of the other region in the longitudinal direction of the flange portion on the glass surface side. In the present specification, the region to which this compression strain is applied is also referred to as a “glass surface side compression portion”. The door side compression part and the glass surface side compression part are also collectively referred to as "compression strain part". The tensile parts on the glass surface side are also collectively referred to as "tensile strain parts". At the time of collision, the compression strain site tends to buckle.
[0020]
　In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the first plate portion is arranged and overlapped with the door side flange portion at the door side compression portion. Further, in the compression portion on the glass surface side, the second plate portion is arranged and overlapped with the flange portion on the glass surface side. In short, the materials are doubly stacked in both the door side compression portion and the glass surface side compression portion. Here, the collision characteristic of the compression strain portion is proportional to the product of the strength of the material and the plate thickness of the material to the third power. Therefore, increasing the plate thickness of the material at the compression strain site greatly contributes to the improvement of the collision characteristics. This collision characteristic is called buckling resistance. In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the materials are doubly stacked at the compression strain portion (door side compression portion and glass surface side compression portion), and the plate thickness is substantially increased. Therefore, the buckling resistance of the compression strain portion is greatly improved. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the front pillar outer.
[0021]
　In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the glass surface side tension portion is composed of a single material. Here, the collision characteristic of the tensile strain portion is proportional to the product of the strength of the material and the plate thickness of the material. Therefore, increasing the plate thickness of the material at the tensile strain portion does not contribute to the improvement of the collision characteristics as much as increasing the plate thickness of the material at the compression strain portion. In order to improve the collision characteristics of the tensile strain site, the strength of the material may be increased. If the strength of the material is increased, the collision characteristics of the compression strain site are further improved. In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the plate thickness of the tensile strain portion does not increase. Therefore, the increase in weight is suppressed, and the weight of the front pillar outer can be reduced by increasing the strength of the material.
[0022]
　Further, in the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, the materials are doubly stacked on the door side compression portion by folding back the first plate portion integrated with the door side flange portion with respect to the door side flange portion. .. Further, in the compression portion on the glass surface side, the second plate portion integrated with the flange portion on the glass surface side is folded back with respect to the flange portion on the glass surface side, so that the materials are doubly stacked. In short, it is sufficient to fold back the first plate portion and the second plate portion, respectively, without joining the two separately molded members at either the door side compression portion and the glass surface side compression portion. Therefore, the front pillar outer can be manufactured at low cost.
[0023]
　It is preferable that the folding process of each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion is performed by hot stamping. In the case of folding back processing by hot stamping, the ductility of the material is high because the temperature of the material is high during processing. Therefore, when the first plate portion is sharply bent at the side edge of the door side flange portion, cracks do not occur in this bent portion. Similarly, when the second plate portion is sharply bent at the side edge of the flange portion on the glass surface side, cracks do not occur in this bent portion. However, the folding process of each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion can be performed by a cold press depending on the characteristics of the material.
[0024]
　The folding direction of each of the first plate portion and the second plate portion is not particularly limited. Specifically, the first plate portion may be folded back so as to be exposed to the front surface of the front pillar outer portion, or the first plate portion may be folded back so as to be hidden behind the front pillar outer portion. Similarly, the second plate portion may be folded back so as to be exposed to the front surface of the front pillar outer portion, or the second plate portion may be folded back so as to be hidden behind the front pillar outer portion.
[0025]
　However, when it is necessary to ensure the close contact with other parts, it is necessary to appropriately set the folding direction of the first plate portion and the second plate portion according to the content of the defect. For example, when it is necessary to place the windshield on the flange on the glass surface side and bring it into close contact, if the first plate and the second plate are folded back to the front side, a step will be created on the flange on the glass surface and the windshield will be on the glass surface. There is a risk that it will not come into close contact with the side flange portion, and if this causes a problem, it is necessary to turn the first plate portion and the second plate portion face down.
[0026]
　The front and back of the front pillar outer here means the front and back of the front pillar outer when it is mounted on an automobile. Specifically, the front of the front pillar outer means the outside of the front pillar outer, and the back of the front pillar outer means the inside of the front pillar outer.
[0027]
　In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L, the overlapping region between the first plate portion and the door side flange portion is the glass surface side flange portion in the door side flange portion. It is preferably provided in a part or the entire range between the position corresponding to the rear end and the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass surface side flange portion to the position of L × 2/3.
[0028]
　In many cases, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer, a large compressive strain is likely to occur on the door-side flange portion of the curved region near the rear end of the front pillar outer. That is, the door-side compression portion is likely to be arranged near the rear end of the front pillar outer. Therefore, if the first plate portion and the door side flange portion overlap each other in a part or all of such a range, the buckling of the front pillar outer can be further suppressed.
[0029]
　In the front pillar outer of the present embodiment, when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L, the overlapping region between the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion is L × 1 from the front end of the glass surface side flange portion. It is preferably provided in a part or the whole range of the range between the position of / 8 and the position of L × 2/3 from the front end of the flange portion on the glass surface side.
[0030]
　When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer, a large compressive strain is likely to occur on the glass surface side flange portion in the region near the front end of the front pillar outer. That is, the compression portion on the glass surface side is likely to be arranged near the front end of the front pillar outer. Therefore, if the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion overlap each other in a part or all of such a range, the buckling of the front pillar outer can be further suppressed.
[0031]
　In the above front pillar outer, the plate thickness is not particularly limited. Practically, the plate thickness is preferably 0.60 mm or more and 1.60 mm or less. The lower limit of the plate thickness is more preferably 0.85 mm. The upper limit of the plate thickness is more preferably 1.05 mm. Further, the tensile strength (strength of the material) of the front pillar outer is preferably 800 MPa or more. The lower limit of the tensile strength is more preferably 1200 MPa.
[0032]
　In the overlapping region between the first plate portion and the door side flange portion, the first plate portion and the door side flange portion may be joined to each other. Similarly, in the overlapping region between the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion, the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion may be joined to each other. The joining method is, for example, welding. The welding method is laser welding, spot welding, or the like. The joining method may be mechanical fastening, bonding with an adhesive, or the like. These joining methods can also be used together.
[0033]
　In this case, the front pillar outer is suitable for the front pillar outer for automobiles.
[0034]
　In the present specification, each direction of the front pillar outer means a direction in which the front pillar outer is mounted on an automobile. For example, each direction of "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" coincides with each direction of the automobile. The symbols "F", "Re", "Le", "R", "U" and "D" in the drawings mean the front, rear, left, right, top and bottom of the vehicle, respectively. Further, in the present specification, unless otherwise specified, the "longitudinal direction" means a direction along the front end to the rear end of the front pillar outer. "Cross section" means a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the front pillar outer.
[0035]
　Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.
[0036]
　[Front Pillar Outer 1]
　FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the front pillar outer 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar 101 in line II-II of FIG. FIG. 2 shows a cross section in the vicinity of the rear end 1re of the front pillar outer 1. The cross section shown in FIG. 2 includes a door-side compression portion A1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar 101 in line III-III of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a cross section in the vicinity of the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1. The cross section shown in FIG. 3 includes a glass surface side compression portion A2 and a door side compression portion A1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a stage during molding of the front pillar outer 1 shown in FIG. 1 to 4 show a front pillar outer 1 arranged on the left side of two front pillar outers mounted on an automobile.
[0037]
　First, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the front pillar 101 supports the windshield 102. Strictly speaking, the front pillar 101 here is a front pillar upper that constitutes the skeleton of the vehicle body. One of the members constituting the front pillar upper is the front pillar outer 1.
[0038]
　The front pillar 101 includes a side panel 104, a front pillar inner 105, and a front pillar outer 1. The side panel 104 is arranged outside the front pillar inner 105 and the front pillar outer 1. A closed cross section is formed by the side panel 104 and the front pillar inner 105. The front pillar outer 1 is arranged inside the closed cross section. The front pillar outer 1 plays a role of reinforcing the front pillar 101.
[0039]
　With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the front pillar outer 1 includes a glass surface side flange portion 2, a door side flange portion 3, and a main body portion 4. The main body portion 4 is arranged between the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the door side flange portion 3 in the width direction of the front pillar outer 1. The main body 4 connects the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the door side flange portion 3.
[0040]
　The glass surface side flange portion 2 of the front pillar outer 1 is joined to the side panel 104 and the front pillar inner 105 by welding or the like. The glass surface side flange portion 2 includes a region that directly or indirectly supports the side edge of the windshield 102. The glass surface side flange portion 2 supports the side edge of the windshield 102 together with the side panel 104 and the front pillar inner 105.
[0041]
　The door side flange portion 3 is joined to the side panel 104 and the front pillar inner 105 by welding or the like. The door-side flange portion 3 includes a region directly or indirectly facing the upper edge of the door 103. The door-side flange portion 3 faces the upper edge of the door 103 together with the side panel 104 and the front pillar inner 105. The cross-sectional shape of the front pillar outer 1 is a hat shape.
[0042]
　With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the door-side flange portion 3 includes a door-side compression portion A1. The door-side compression portion A1 is a partial region in the longitudinal direction of the door-side flange portion 3. A compression strain is applied to the door-side compression portion A1 when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer 1.
[0043]
　The glass surface side flange portion 2 includes the glass surface side compression portion A2. The glass surface side compression portion A2 is a partial region in the longitudinal direction of the glass surface side flange portion 2. A compression strain is applied to the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer 1.
[0044]
　Further, the glass surface side flange portion 2 includes a glass surface side tension portion B. The glass surface side tension portion B is a part of the glass surface side flange portion 2 in the longitudinal direction. A tensile strain is applied to the glass surface side tensile portion B when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer 1.
[0045]
　The first plate portion 3a is arranged in the entire area of ​​the door side compression portion A1. In the door-side compression portion A1, the first plate portion 3a is connected to the side edge 3b (see FIGS. 2 to 4) of the door-side flange portion 3. The first plate portion 3a is originally a portion protruding from the side edge 3b of the door side flange portion 3 and is integrated with the door side flange portion 3. The first plate portion 3a is folded back with respect to the door side flange portion 3 and is overlapped with the door side flange portion 3. In short, the materials are doubly stacked in the entire area of ​​the door-side compression portion A1. As a result, the plate thickness of the entire area of ​​the door-side compression portion A1 is substantially increased. Therefore, the buckling resistance of the compression portion A1 on the door side is greatly improved. Thereby, the strength of the front pillar outer 1 can be increased.
[0046]
　The first plate portion 3a is not arranged in the region of the door side flange portion 3 other than the door side compression portion A1.
[0047]
　At the door-side compression portion A1, it is sufficient to fold back the first plate portion 3a without joining the two separately molded members. Therefore, the front pillar outer 1 can be manufactured at low cost.
[0048]
　In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first plate portion 3a is folded back so as to appear on the front side of the door side flange portion 3 and is overlapped with the surface of the door side flange portion 3. A part of the first plate portion 3a may be applied to the ridge line portion 5 connecting the door side flange portion 3 and the main body portion 4, or may further be applied to the main body portion 4.
[0049]
　In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the overlapping region O1 between the first plate portion 3a and the door side flange portion 3 coincides with the range of the door side compression portion A1. In the present specification, this overlapping region O1 is also referred to as a “door-side overlapping region”. The range of the door side compression portion A1 is the position corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 in the door side flange portion 3 and the glass surface side when the length of the glass surface side flange portion 2 is L. It is a range between the position corresponding to the rear end 2re of the flange portion 2 and the position of L × 2/3. Therefore, the door-side overlapping region O1 is provided over the entire range of the door-side compression portion A1. However, the door-side overlapping region O1 may be provided in a part of the range of the door-side compression portion A1. For example, the compression strain may be small in the region near the rear end 3re of the door side flange portion 3. In this case, the first plate portion 3a may not exist in the region near the rear end 3re of the door side flange portion 3.
[0050]
　The second plate portion 2a is arranged in the entire area of ​​the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side. In the glass surface side compression portion A2, the second plate portion 2a is connected to the side edge 2b (see FIGS. 3 to 4) of the glass surface side flange portion 2. The second plate portion 2a is originally a portion protruding from the side edge 2b of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and is integrated with the glass surface side flange portion 2. The second plate portion 2a is folded back with respect to the glass surface side flange portion 2 and is overlapped with the glass surface side flange portion 2. In short, the materials are doubly stacked in the entire area of ​​the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side. As a result, the plate thickness of the entire area of ​​the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side is substantially increased. Therefore, the buckling resistance of the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side is greatly improved. Thereby, the strength of the front pillar outer 1 can be increased.
[0051]
　The second plate portion 2a is not arranged in the region of the glass surface side flange portion 2 other than the glass surface side compression portion A2.
[0052]
　At the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side, it is sufficient to fold back the second plate portion 2a without joining the two separately molded members. Therefore, the front pillar outer 1 can be manufactured at low cost.
[0053]
　In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the second plate portion 2a is folded so as to appear on the surface of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and is overlapped with the surface of the glass surface side flange portion 2. A part of the second plate portion 2a may be applied to the ridge line portion 6 connecting the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the main body portion 4, or may further be applied to the main body portion 4.
[0054]
　In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the overlapping region O2 between the second plate portion 2a and the glass surface side flange portion 2 coincides with the range of the glass surface side compression portion A2. In the present specification, this overlapping region O2 is also referred to as a “glass surface side overlapping region”. The range of the glass surface side compression portion A2 is the position of L × 1/8 from the front end 2fe of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the glass surface side flange portion 2 when the length of the glass surface side flange portion 2 is L. It is a range between the front end 2fe and the position of L × 2/3. Therefore, the glass surface side overlapping region O2 is provided in the entire range of the glass surface side compression portion A2. However, the glass surface side overlapping region O2 may be provided in a part of the range of the glass surface side compression portion A2.
[0055]
　The glass surface side tension portion B is located behind the glass surface side compression portion A2. The glass surface side tension portion B is adjacent to the glass surface side compression portion A2 and exists up to the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2. The second plate portion 2a is not arranged on the glass surface side tension portion B. Therefore, the glass surface side tension portion B is composed of a single material. As a result, the increase in weight can be suppressed, and the weight of the front pillar outer 1 can be reduced by increasing the strength of the material.
[0056]
　The folding process of each of the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a is performed by, for example, hot stamping. The first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a may be folded back by a cold press. The folding process of each of the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a may be performed together with the molding of the front pillar outer 1. However, those folding processes may be performed before the molding of the front pillar outer 1 or may be performed after the molding of the front pillar outer 1.
[0057]
　[Relationship between the deformation behavior of the front pillar outer 1 at the time of collision and the compression strain portion and the tensile strain portion]
　As described above, in the door side overlapping region O1 corresponding to the door side compression portion A1, the materials are doubly stacked. .. In the glass surface side overlapping region O2 corresponding to the glass surface side compression portion A2, the materials are doubly stacked. On the other hand, the glass surface side tension portion B is made of a single material. Therefore, the plate thickness of the compression strain portion (door side compression portion A1 and the glass surface side compression portion A2) is substantially thicker than that of the tensile strain portion (glass surface side tension portion B) and other regions. Therefore, the collision characteristics of the compressive strain site are higher than those of the tensile strain site and other regions.
[0058]
　FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front pillar outer 1 when a collision load is applied. With reference to FIG. 5, in a state where the front pillar outer 1 is mounted on an automobile, the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1 is arranged at a position lower than the rear end 1re. When a vehicle collides head-on, the collision load P is applied to the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1. The front pillar outer 1 has a shape that is convexly curved upward from the front end 1fe to the rear end 1re. When a collision load P is applied to the front pillar outer 1, stress is concentrated on the curved portion of the front pillar outer 1, and the curved portion tends to bend upward. Therefore, compressive stress acts on the door-side flange portion 3 to apply compressive strain. On the other hand, tensile stress acts on the flange portion 2 on the glass surface side, and tensile strain is applied. Compressive strain is applied to the glass surface side flange portion 2 by the compressive stress acting on the door side flange portion 3 and the tensile stress acting on the glass surface side flange portion 2.
[0059]
　When the compressive strain becomes excessively large, the front pillar outer 1 buckles and bends upward. When the front pillar outer 1 buckles, the collision energy absorption capacity of the front pillar outer 1 is significantly reduced. Therefore, in order to improve the collision characteristics of the front pillar outer 1, it is necessary to suppress the buckling of the front pillar outer 1.
[0060]
　In order to suppress the buckling of the front pillar outer 1, it is effective to enhance the collision characteristic of the region where the compression strain is applied, that is, the door side compression portion A1 in the door side flange portion 3. In the glass surface side flange portion 2, enhancing the collision characteristic of the region where the compression strain is applied, that is, the glass surface side compression portion A2 also contributes to the suppression of buckling of the front pillar outer 1.
[0061]
　In the case of the front pillar outer 1, the curvature of the door side flange portion 3 is large in the region S shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5. Compressive strain is applied to this region S. This region becomes the door side compression portion A1. Further, compressive strain is also applied to a part of the flange portion 2 on the glass surface side. This region becomes the compression portion A2 on the glass surface side.
[0062]
　In the glass surface side flange portion 2, tensile strain is applied to the region behind the glass surface side compression portion A2. This region becomes the glass surface side tension portion B.
[0063]
　Here, the collision characteristic (buckling resistance) of the front pillar outer 1 largely depends on the plate thickness of the material at the compression strain site. The plate thickness of the material at the tensile strain portion does not affect the collision characteristics of the front pillar outer 1 as much as the plate thickness of the material at the compression strain portion. Therefore, the plate thickness of the material at the glass surface side tension portion B may be thinner than the plate thickness of the material at the door side compression portion A1 and the glass surface side compression portion A2.
[0064]
　FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a part of the vehicle body structure including the front pillar outer 1. In FIG. 6, the side panel of the front pillar is not shown. With reference to FIG. 6, the rear end of the front pillar is joined to the roof 106 of the vehicle. The roof 106 is provided approximately horizontally with respect to the ground. On the other hand, the windshield 102 of the vehicle is arranged obliquely with respect to the ground. Therefore, the front pillar curves near its rear end. Along with this, the front pillar outer 1 also curves in the vicinity of its own rear end 1re.
[0065]
　When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer 1, a large compression strain is likely to occur on the door-side flange portion 3 of the curved region S near the rear end 1re of the front pillar outer 1. The shape of the front pillar outer 1 differs depending on the vehicle model. Therefore, the portion where a large compressive strain is generated differs depending on the vehicle model. However, in many cases, the region to which the compressive strain is applied is defined within a certain range. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, in the door side flange portion 3, the position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the position corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 Compressive strain is applied in the range between R1 and the position of L × 2/3. In short, this range is the range of the door-side compression portion A1. Here, L means an arc length (length in the longitudinal direction) along the door side edge of the glass surface side flange portion 2 of the front pillar outer 1. The position R1 corresponds to the rear end 3re of the door side flange portion 3.
[0066]
　Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the door side overlapping region O1 has a position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 in the door side flange portion 3. It is provided in at least a part of the range between the position R1 corresponding to the position R1 and the position L × 2/3. That is, the door-side overlapping region O1 is provided in a part or the entire range of the door-side compression portion A1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the door-side overlapping region O1 is provided over the entire range of the door-side compression portion A1.
[0067]
　FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of the front pillar outer 1 of the present embodiment. In the front pillar outer 1 shown in FIG. 7, the compression strain is small in the region near the rear end 3re of the door side flange portion 3. In this case, the first plate portion 3a does not exist in the region near the rear end 3re of the door side flange portion 3. That is, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the door-side overlapping region O1 is provided in a part of the door-side compression portion A1.
[0068]
　With reference to FIG. 1, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer 1, a large compressive strain is likely to occur on the glass surface side flange portion 2 in the vicinity of the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1. This compressive strain is caused by the compressive stress acting on the door side flange portion 3 and the tensile stress acting on the glass surface side flange portion 2. In many cases, the region to which this compressive strain is applied is defined within a certain range. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, in the glass surface side flange portion 2, the position of L × 1/8 from the front end 2fe of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the front end 2fe to L of the glass surface side flange portion 2 Compressive strain is applied in the range between the position of × 2/3. In short, this range is the glass surface side compression portion A2. Here, L means an arc length (length in the longitudinal direction) along the door side edge of the glass surface side flange portion 2 of the front pillar outer 1.
[0069]
　Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the glass surface side overlapping region O2 is located at the position of L × 1/8 from the front end 2fe of the glass surface side flange portion 2 and the glass surface side flange portion 2 in the glass surface side flange portion 2. It is provided in at least a part of the range between the front end 2fe and the position of L × 2/3. That is, the glass surface side overlapping region O2 is provided in a part or the entire range of the glass surface side compression portion A2. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the glass surface side overlapping region O2 is provided in the entire range of the glass surface side compression portion A2.
[0070]
　[Plate Thickness]
　In the front pillar outer 1, the plate thickness is practically preferably 0.60 mm or more and 1.60 mm or less. When the plate thickness is 0.60 mm or more, it is possible to sufficiently secure the strength of the compression strain portion where the materials are double stacked. The same is true for tensile strain sites and other regions that are composed of a single material without material overlap. On the other hand, if the plate thickness is 1.60 mm or less, the increase in weight can be suppressed. Further, if the plate thickness is 1.60 mm or less, the folding process of the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a can be performed without any trouble.
[0071]
　[Tensile Strength]
　In the front pillar outer 1, the tensile strength is preferably 800 MPa or more. When the tensile strength is 800 MPa or more, the strength of the compression strain portion where the materials are doubly stacked can be sufficiently improved. The same is true for tensile strain sites and other regions that are composed of a single material without material overlap. The lower limit of the tensile strength is more preferably 1200 MPa, still more preferably 1500 MPa.
[0072]
　[Folding process of
　the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a] It is preferable that the folding process of each of the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a is performed by hot stamping. In the case of folding back processing by hot stamping, the ductility of the material is high because the temperature of the material is high during processing. Therefore, when the first plate portion 3a is sharply bent at the side edge 3b of the door side flange portion 3, the bent portion is not cracked. Similarly, when the second plate portion 2a is sharply bent at the side edge 2b of the glass surface side flange portion 2, cracks do not occur in this bent portion. However, the folding process of each of the first plate portion 3a and the second plate portion 2a can be performed by a cold press depending on the characteristics of the material.
[0073]
　[Additional Technique]
　In the door-side overlapping region O1 corresponding to the door-side compression portion A1, the first plate portion 3a and the door-side flange portion 3 may be joined to each other. Similarly, in the glass surface side overlapping region O2 corresponding to the glass surface side compression portion A2, the second plate portion 2a and the glass surface side flange portion 2 may be joined to each other. This is because if the doubly stacked materials are joined together, the strength of the compression strain portion is further improved.
[0074]
　The joining method is, for example, welding. The welding method is laser welding, spot welding, or the like. The joining method may be mechanical fastening, bonding with an adhesive, or the like. These joining methods can also be used together. Of these joining methods, laser welding or spot welding is preferable. This is because it is excellent in productivity.
Example 1
[0075]
　In order to confirm the effect of the front pillar outer of this embodiment, CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) analysis was carried out. In order to evaluate the collision characteristics, the collision test was simulated by CAE analysis. As a model of Invention Examples 1 to 4, the front pillar outer 1 shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured. In the models of Invention Examples 1 to 4, the plate thickness was variously changed. As a model of the comparative example, a front pillar outer having no first plate portion and a second plate portion was manufactured. The tensile strength of each model was constant at 1500 (MPa).
[0076]
　[Analysis Conditions]
　FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the analysis conditions of the examples. With reference to FIG. 8, a displacement D along the longitudinal direction of the front pillar outer 1 is applied to the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1. On the other hand, the rear end 2re of the glass surface side flange portion 2 was fixed.
[0077]
　Due to the displacement D, a bending moment M1 is generated in the vicinity of the front end 1fe of the front pillar outer 1. The direction of this bending moment M1 was clockwise when viewed from the left side of the vehicle. The displacement D is positive in the direction from the front end 1fe to the rear end 1re of the front pillar outer 1. Due to the displacement D, a bending moment M2 is generated at the rear end 2re of the flange portion 2 on the glass surface side. The direction of the bending moment M2 was clockwise in the same direction as the bending moment M1 when viewed from the left side of the vehicle.
[0078]
　[Evaluation method] In
　each model, the load at the time when buckling occurred due to the application of displacement D, that is, the maximum load was investigated. Furthermore, based on the maximum load of the model of the comparative example, the percentage of the increase in the maximum load of each model with respect to the maximum load of the model of the comparative example was calculated. In addition, the weight of each model was calculated. Further, based on the weight of the model of the comparative example, the percentage of the weight reduction of each model with respect to the weight of the model of the comparative example, that is, the weight reduction rate was calculated. Then, the rate of increase in the maximum load and the rate of weight reduction were compared and evaluated.
[0079]
　[Results]
　The results are shown in Table 1 below.
[0080] [0080]
[table 1]

[0081]
　The results in Table 1 show the following. The weight reduction rate of Invention Examples 1 to 4 exceeded 0. That is, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples 1 to 4 were lighter than the front pillar outers of Comparative Examples. The rate of increase in the maximum load of Invention Examples 1 to 4 exceeded 0. That is, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples 1 to 4 have improved collision characteristics (buckling resistance) as compared with the front pillar outers of the comparative examples.
Example 2
[0082]
　CAE analysis was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. In the models of Invention Examples 11 to 20 in Example 2, the plate thickness of the main body was kept constant at 1.05 mm, and the installation areas of the first plate portion and the second plate portion were variously changed. As the model of the comparative example in Example 2, the model of the comparative example in Example 1 (plate thickness: 1.25 mm) was used. Table 2 below shows the changed conditions for each model. Other conditions were the same as those in Example 1.
[0083]
[Table 2]

[0084]
　The results in Table 2 show the following. The weight reduction rate of Invention Examples 11 to 20 exceeded 0. That is, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples 11 to 20 were lighter than the front pillar outers of Comparative Examples. The rate of increase in the maximum load of Invention Examples 11 to 20 exceeded 0. That is, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples 11 to 20 have improved collision characteristics (buckling resistance) as compared with the front pillar outers of the comparative examples.
[0085]
　From the results of Examples 1 and 2, it was demonstrated that the front pillar outer of the present embodiment can realize light weight and high strength. In particular, from the results of Example 2, the installation area of ​​the first plate portion, that is, the door side overlapping region O1 is installed in a part or the entire area of ​​the door side compression portion A1, and further, the installation area of ​​the second plate portion, that is, glass. It was demonstrated that when the surface-side overlapping region O2 is installed in a part or the entire area of ​​the glass surface-side compression portion A2, it is possible to more effectively achieve light weight and high strength.
[0086]
　The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the embodiments described above are merely examples for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the above-mentioned embodiment can be appropriately modified and carried out within a range not deviating from the gist thereof.
Code description
[0087]
　1: Front pillar outer
　1fe: Front end of front
　pillar outer 1re: Rear end of front pillar outer
　2: Glass surface side flange
　2a: Second plate
　2b: Side edge
　2fe: Glass surface side flange front end
　2re: Glass surface Rear end of
　side flange 3: Door side flange
　3a: First plate
　3b: Side edge
　3re: Rear end of door side flange
　4: Main body
　5: Ridge
　6: Ridge
　A1: Door side compression part
　A2 : Glass surface side compression part
　B: Glass surface side tension part
　O1: Door side overlap area
　O2: Glass surface side overlap area
　101: Front pillar
　102: Windshield
　103: Door
　104: Side panel
　105: Front pillar inner
　106: Roof

The scope of the claims
[Claim 1]
　A front pillar outer including a glass surface side flange portion, a door side flange portion, a main body portion connecting the glass surface side flange portion and the door side flange portion, and
　one in the longitudinal direction of the door side flange portion. In the area of ​​the portion, the first plate portion connected to the side edge of the door side flange portion is folded back, the first plate portion is overlapped with the door side flange portion, and the
　glass surface side flange portion is one in the longitudinal direction. A front pillar outer in which a second plate portion connected to a side edge of the flange portion on the glass surface side is folded back and the second plate portion is overlapped with the flange portion on the glass surface side.
[Claim 2]
　In the front pillar outer according to claim 1,
　when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L,
　the overlapping region between the first plate portion and the door side flange portion is the door side flange portion. In a part of the range between the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass surface side flange portion and the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass surface side flange portion to the position of L × 2/3. , Front pillar outer.
[Claim 3]
　In the front pillar outer according to claim 1,
　when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L,
　the overlapping region between the first plate portion and the door side flange portion is the door side flange portion. In the entire range between the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass surface side flange portion and the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass surface side flange portion to the position of L × 2/3. Front pillar outer.
[Claim 4]
　In the front pillar outer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
　when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L,
　the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion overlap. The region is provided in a part of the range between the position of L × 1/8 from the front end of the glass surface side flange portion and the position of L × 2/3 from the front end of the glass surface side flange portion. Front pillar outer.
[Claim 5]
　In the front pillar outer according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
　when the length of the glass surface side flange portion is L,
　the second plate portion and the glass surface side flange portion overlap. The region is provided over the entire range between the position of L × 1/8 from the front end of the glass surface side flange portion and the position of L × 2/3 from the front end of the glass surface side flange portion. Pillar outer.