Load transmission member

A load transmission member includes an outside load transmission member attached to one face of a panel member; an inside load transmission member attached to a position corresponding to the outside load transmission member at the other face of the panel member, and a temporary attachment device provided on at least one of the outside load transmission member or the inside load transmission member for temporarily attaching to the panel member. A load is transmitted through the panel member from the outside load transmission member to the inside load transmission member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT

The present invention relates to a load transmission member attached to a panel member.

There is a vehicle, especially, an automobile provided with a load transmission member for transmitting a load from an outside of an auto body to the auto body through a seat rod of an automobile seat relative to an impact from a side face of the automobile body, i.e. a side impact (for example, see Patent Document 1).

In the Patent Document 1, the load transmission member (a side impact pad) is formed by an outer-side pad disposed between an outer panel and an inner panel of an automobile interior door, and an inner-side pad disposed on an opposite side of the outer-side pad by sandwiching the inner panel, i.e. between the inner panel and a door trim.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-6838.

However, the side impact pad disclosed in the Patent Document 1 has a structure of sandwiching the inner panel by the outer-side pad and the inner-side pad, and in that state, attaching the outer-side pad and the inner-side pad to the inner panel by a screw clamp and the like, so that the side impact pad is difficult to be attached and there is a possibility that it requires time for an attachment operation.

In view of the aforementioned circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a load transmission member wherein the attachment operation to the panel member is easily carried out.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A load transmission member according to the first aspect comprises a first load transmission member attached to one face of a panel member; a second load transmission member attached to a position corresponding to the first load transmission member at the other face of the panel member, wherein a load is transmitted through the panel member from the first load transmission member to the second load transmission member; and a temporary attachment device provided on at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member for temporarily attaching to the panel member.

In the load transmission member according to the first aspect, at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member can be temporarily attached to the panel member by the temporary attachment device, so that, for example, compared to a structure which cannot temporarily attach, an attachment operation of the load transmission member to the panel member becomes easy.

As for the load transmission member according to a second aspect, in the load transmission member according to the first aspect, the temporary attachment device includes a hooking portion hooked on a hooked portion provided in the panel member.

In the load transmission member according to the second aspect, at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member can be temporarily attached to the panel member by a simple operation which hooks the hooking portion on a hooked portion of the panel member.

As for the load transmission member according to a third aspect, in the load transmission member according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the temporary attachment device includes an engagement claw inserted into a marginal portion of an engagement hole provided in the panel member to be engaged.

In the load transmission member according to the third aspect, at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member can be temporarily attached to the panel member by a simple operation of engaging the engagement claw with the marginal portion of the engagement hole of the panel member.

As for the load transmission member according to a fourth aspect, the load transmission member according to any one of the first to third aspects, further includes an engagement device engaging the first load transmission member with the second load transmission member in a state of sandwiching the panel member.

In the load transmission member according to the fourth aspect, in the state of sandwiching the panel member, the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member are engaged by the engagement device. Consequently, when the load is transmitted to the second load transmission member from the first load transmission member through the panel member, a positional displacement between the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member can be controlled. Thereby, the load from the first load transmission member can be reliably transmitted to the second load transmission member.

As for the load transmission member according to a fifth aspect, in the load transmission member according to the fourth aspect, the engagement device includes a fastener for fastening the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member in the state of sandwiching the panel member by passing through an attachment hole provided in the panel member and attaching the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member to the panel member; and insertion holes respectively provided in the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member, into which the fastener is inserted.

In the load transmission member according to the fifth aspect, in a state wherein the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member sandwich the panel member, the fastener is inserted into the insertion hole of the second load transmission member (or the insertion hole of the first load transmission member) through the insertion hole of the first load transmission member (or the insertion hole of the second load transmission member) and the attachment hole of the panel member to fasten the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member so as to firmly fix the first load transmission member and the second load transmission member to the panel member. Thereby, the load from the first load transmission member can be more reliably transmitted to the second load transmission member.

As for the load transmission member according to a sixth aspect, in the load transmission member according to the fifth aspect, in a marginal portion of any one of the insertion holes of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member, there is provided a positioning protrusion inserted into the attachment hole.

In the load transmission member according to the sixth aspect, the protrusion provided in the marginal portion of any one of the insertion holes of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member is inserted into the attachment hole of the panel member so as to carry out the positioning of the insertion hole wherein the protrusion is provided in the marginal portion, and the attachment hole. Thus, since the insertion hole where the protrusion is provided in the marginal portion and the attachment hole are easily positioned, a fastening operation using the fastener becomes easy, and the attachment operation of the load transmission member to the panel member becomes easy further.

As for the load transmission member according to a seventh aspect, in the load transmission member according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member further includes a handle portion.

In the load transmission member according to the seventh aspect, at least one of the first load transmission member or the second load transmission member can be temporarily attached to the panel member while holding the handle portion, so that the attachment operation of the load transmission member to the panel member becomes easy further.

As for the load transmission member according to an eighth aspect, in the load transmission member according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the panel member is an inner panel for an automobile door, the first load transmission member is attached to a face of the inner panel at an outer side of an auto body, and the second load transmission member is attached to a face of an inside of the inner panel.

In the load transmission member according to the eighth aspect, the first load transmission member is attached to the face of the inner panel of the automobile door at an outer side of the auto body, and the second load transmission member is attached to the face of the inner panel inside the auto body. Consequently, in a case wherein a load acts on the automobile door from the outside of the auto body, one portion of the load acts on the first load transmission member, and a load received at the first load transmission member is transmitted to the second load transmission member through the panel member. The load received at the second load transmission member is transmitted to the auto body, for example, through a fixation member fixed to the auto body, and is absorbed.

Since the present invention has the aforementioned structure, the load transmission member whose attachment operation to the panel member is easily carried out can be provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Next, one embodiment of a load transmission member according to the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 1 to 14.

Incidentally, an arrow UP shown in a part of the drawings represents an upper side of an auto body; an arrow IN represents an inside of the auto body in a width direction, and an arrow FR represents the front of the auto body.

As shown inFIG. 12, at a rear side portion of an auto body20of an automobile, there is provided a rear side door22(one example of an automobile door of the present invention). Also, inside the rear side door22, there are provided an impact beam23and a load transmission member30at positions corresponding to a seat portion of a passenger sitting seat (not shown in the drawings). The impact beam23has a long shape, and a front end portion23A is fixed to a front end portion of the rear side door22, and a back end portion23B is fixed to a back end portion of the rear side door22, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 13, the rear side door22comprises an outer panel24provided on an outside of the auto body, and an inner panel26provided on the inside of the auto body. Incidentally, the inner panel26of the present embodiment is one example of the panel member of the present invention.

In the outer panel24and the inner panel26, respective peripheral edge portions are connected by welding and the like. Also, a space is formed between the outer panel24and the inner panel26, and in this space, the later-described outside load transmission member32and impact beam23are disposed. An intermediate portion23C except for both end portions of the impact beam23has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed along a reverse face of the outer panel24of the rear side door22. Also, in the inside of the auto body (here, an automobile interior side) of the inner panel26, there is attached a door interior material (a door trim)25.

Next, a structure of the load transmission member30will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the load transmission member30comprises the outside load transmission member32attached to a face26A of the outside of the auto body, which is one face of the inner panel26; and an inside load transmission member34attached to a position corresponding to the outside load transmission member32at a face26B of the inside of the auto body, which is the other face of the inner panel26. As shown inFIG. 14, in a case wherein a load acts on the rear side door22from the outside, one portion of the load is transmitted to the inside load transmission member34through the inner panel26from the outside load transmission member32. Incidentally, details of a load transmission will be described later. Incidentally, the outside load transmission member32of the present embodiment is one example of a first load transmission member of the present invention, and the inside load transmission member34of the present embodiment is one example of a second load transmission member of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, the outside load transmission member32comprises a plate portion36; a plurality of ribs38provided to stand on one face (a left side face inFIG. 5) of the plate portion36; and a surrounding wall40provided to stand on one face of the plate portion36and surrounding all the ribs38.

The plate portion36has approximately a square shape, and there is formed the surrounding wall40along a peripheral edge portion. An external shape of the surrounding wall40has approximately the same square cylinder shape as the plate portion36, and inside the surrounding wall40, there is arranged the plurality of ribs38approximately in a lattice manner. In the ribs38, a height from the plate portion36is the same as a height of the surrounding wall40. Namely, tip faces of the ribs38become one face with a tip face of the surrounding wall40.

Also, the outside load transmission member32comprises a hooking portion42for temporarily attaching to the inner panel26; claw portions44and46; attachment portions48and50for attaching to the inner panel26; and a handle portion52.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5, the hooking portion42is a plate-like portion extending by bending toward the inside (a lower side inFIG. 3andFIG. 5) of the surrounding wall40from a tip portion of one wall portion (an upper wall portion inFIG. 3andFIG. 5) of the surrounding wall40, and is hooked on a marginal portion27A of an opening27provided in the inner panel26. The hooking portion42is hooked on the marginal portion27A of the opening27of the inner panel26, so that the outside load transmission member32is temporarily attached to the inner panel26. Incidentally, the hooking portion42of the present embodiment is one example of a temporary attachment device of the present invention, and the marginal portion27A of the opening27of the inner panel26of the present embodiment is one example of a hooked portion of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 3, the attachment portion48is a plate-like portion provided to stand on a wall portion (a right side wall portion inFIG. 3) adjacent to the wall portion where the hooking portion42of the surrounding wall40is provided, and in a tip portion48A, there is formed an insertion hole54(seeFIG. 8) into which a fastener53(in the present embodiment, a screw member) is inserted.

On the other hand, the attachment portion50is a plate-like portion provided to stand on a wall portion (a lower wall portion inFIG. 3) on a side opposite to the wall portion where the hooking portion42of the surrounding wall40is provided, and at a tip portion50A, there is formed an insertion hole56(seeFIG. 9) into which a fastener55(a screw member in the present embodiment) is inserted. The insertion holes54and56respectively provided in the attachment portions48and50are provided at positions respectively corresponding to attachment holes28and29provided in the inner panel26. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a diameter of the insertion hole54is smaller than that of the attachment hole28, and a diameter of the insertion hole56is smaller than that of the attachment hole29. Also, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the insertion hole54is set to have a size (seeFIG. 8) wherein a screw portion of the fastener53is twisted in, and the diameter of the insertion hole56is set to have a size (seeFIG. 9) wherein a screw portion of the fastener55is twisted in.

As shown inFIG. 11, at a marginal portion of the insertion hole54provided in the tip portion48A of the attachment portion48, there is provided a pair of positioning protrusions58inserted into the attachment hole28by sandwiching the insertion hole54. An outer peripheral face of the protrusion58has a shape along an inner peripheral face of the attachment hole28. When the pair of protrusions58is inserted into the attachment hole28, the respective outer peripheral faces abut against the inner peripheral face of the attachment hole28, so that the insertion hole54relative to the attachment hole28is positioned.

Also, at a tip portion of the protrusion58, there is provided an elastically deformable plate-like piece60extending while curving along the marginal portion of the insertion hole54from the tip portion. A tip of the plate-like piece60is a free end. Also, at a tip portion of the plate-like piece60, there is provided the claw portion44. The claw portion44is a portion projecting from an outer periphery of the tip portion of the plate-like piece60, and is engageable with a marginal portion28A of the attachment hole28. Also, an outer peripheral face of the claw portion44inclines in such a way as to project to an outside in a radial direction of the insertion hole54toward a root side from a tip side of the protrusion58. Also, the plate-like piece60provided respectively in the pair of protrusions58extends in the same direction along the marginal portion of the insertion hole54. Here, when the protrusion58is inserted into the attachment hole28, the outer peripheral face of the claw portion44abuts against the marginal portion28A of the attachment hole28, and the plate-like piece60elastically deforms in such a way that the claw portion44retracts to an inside in the radial direction of the insertion hole54. Then, after the claw portion44passes through the attachment hole28, the plate-like piece60is restored, and the respective claw portions44engage with the marginal portion of the attachment hole28(seeFIG. 8). Namely, the pair of protrusions58is inserted into the attachment hole28, and the respective claw portions44are respectively engaged with the marginal portion28A of the attachment hole28, so that in a state wherein the attachment hole28and the insertion hole54are positioned, the outside load transmission member32is temporarily attached to the inner panel26. Incidentally, the claw portion44of the present embodiment is one example of the temporary attachment device of the present invention, and the attachment hole28of the present embodiment is the attachment hole of the present invention, and one example of an engagement hole.

Also, at the marginal portion of the insertion hole56provided in the tip portion50A of the attachment portion50, there is provided a pair of positioning protrusions62to be inserted into the attachment hole29by sandwiching the insertion hole56. An outer peripheral face of the protrusion62has a shape along the inner peripheral face of the attachment hole29. When the pair of protrusions62is inserted into the attachment hole29, the respective outer peripheral faces contact with the inner peripheral face of the attachment hole29, and the insertion hole56is positioned relative to the attachment hole29.

At a tip portion of the protrusion62, there is provided an elastically deformable plate-like piece64extending while curving along the marginal portion of the insertion hole56from the tip portion. A tip of the plate-like piece64is a free end. Also, at a tip portion of the plate-like piece64, there is provided the claw portion46. The claw portion46is a portion projecting from an outer periphery of the tip portion of the plate-like piece64, and is engageable with the marginal portion29A of the attachment hole29. Also, an outer peripheral face of the claw portion46inclines in such a way as to project to an outside in a radial direction of the insertion hole56toward a root side from a tip side of the protrusion62. Also, the plate-like piece64provided respectively in the pair of protrusions62extends in the same direction along the marginal portion of the insertion hole56. Here, when the protrusion62is inserted into the attachment hole29, the outer peripheral face of the claw portion46abuts against the marginal portion29A of the attachment hole29, and the plate-like piece64elastically deforms in such a way that the claw portion46retracts to the inside in the radial direction of the insertion hole54. Then, after the claw portion46passes through the attachment hole29, the plate-like piece64is restored, and the respective claw portions46engage with the marginal portion29A of the attachment hole29(seeFIG. 9). Namely, the pair of protrusions62is inserted into the attachment hole29, and the respective claw portions46are respectively engaged with the marginal portion29A of the attachment hole29, so that in a state wherein the attachment hole29and the insertion hole56are positioned, the outside load transmission member32is temporarily attached to the inner panel26. Incidentally, the claw portion46of the present embodiment is one example of the temporary attachment device of the present invention, and the attachment hole29of the present embodiment is the attachment hole of the present invention, and one example of the engagement hole.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the handle portion52is a plate-like portion provided to stand on a wall portion (a left side wall portion inFIG. 3) on a side opposite to the wall portion wherein the attachment portion50of the surrounding wall40is provided, and is a portion where an operator can hold when attaching the outside load transmission member32to the inner panel26.

As shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 5, andFIG. 6, the outside load transmission member32comprises a plurality of ribs66provided to stand on the other face (a right side face inFIG. 5) of the plate portion36; and a surrounding wall68provided to stand on the other face of the plate portion36and surrounding all the ribs66. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the surrounding wall40and the surrounding wall68are continued on an upper face and both side faces; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure, and the surrounding wall40and the surrounding wall68may not be continued.

The plurality of ribs66and the surrounding wall68are provided on a hooking portion42side (an upper side inFIG. 3) of the plate portion36so as not to interfere with the impact beam23(seeFIG. 2) in a state wherein the outside load transmission member32is attached to the rear side door22. Also, in the ribs66, a height from the plate portion36is the same as a height of the surrounding wall68. Namely, tip faces of the ribs66become one face with a tip face of the surrounding wall68. Incidentally, in the plate portion36of the present embodiment, there is formed a through-hole at a portion where the hooking portion42is formed.

As shown inFIG. 1,FIG. 3, andFIG. 5, the inside load transmission member34comprises a plate portion70; a plurality of ribs72provided to stand on one face (the left side face inFIG. 5) of the plate portion70; and a surrounding wall74provided to stand on one face of the plate portion70and surrounding all the ribs72.

The plate portion70has approximately a square shape, and there is formed the surrounding wall74along a peripheral edge portion. An external shape of the surrounding wall74has approximately the same square cylinder shape as the plate portion70, and inside the surrounding wall74, there is arranged the plurality of ribs72approximately in a lattice manner. In the ribs72, a height from the plate portion70is the same as a height of the surrounding wall74. Namely, tip faces of the ribs72become one face with a tip face of the surrounding wall74.

Also, the inside load transmission member34comprises attachment portions76and78for attaching to the inner panel26.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the attachment portion76is a plate-like portion provided to stand on one wall portion (the right side wall portion inFIG. 3andFIG. 4) of the surrounding wall74, and at a tip portion76A, there is formed an insertion hole80(seeFIG. 8) into which a fastener53is inserted. Specifically, the attachment portion76is provided in a position substantially corresponding to the attachment portion48of the outside load transmission member32in a state wherein the inside load transmission member34is attached to the inner panel26.

On the other hand, the attachment portion78is a plate-like portion provided to stand on a wall portion (the lower wall portion inFIG. 3andFIG. 4) adjacent to the wall portion where the attachment portion76of the surrounding wall74is provided, and in a tip portion78A, there is formed an insertion hole82(seeFIG. 9) into which the fastener55is inserted.

The insertion holes80and82respectively provided in the attachment portions76and78are provided at positions respectively corresponding to the attachment holes28and29provided in the inner panel26. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, a diameter of the insertion hole80is larger than that of the insertion hole54, and a diameter of the insertion hole82is larger than that of the insertion hole56. Also, the insertion hole82is a long hole for adjusting an attachment position.

Also, a plate-like portion84is provided to stand on a wall portion (a left side wall portion inFIG. 3) on a side opposite to a wall portion where the attachment portion76of the surrounding wall74is provided. At a tip portion84A of the plate-like portion84, there is formed a C-shaped opening portion86(seeFIG. 4andFIG. 10) in which one portion is open. A trim clip88is fitted into the opening portion86. A tip portion of the trim clip88is attached to a clip hole26C provided in the inner panel26. Specifically, the diameter-reducable tip portion of the trim clip88is inserted into the clip hole26C in a reduced diameter state, and is restored from the reduced diameter state so as to engage with a marginal portion of the clip hole26C to be attached to the clip hole26C.

Also, in the attachment portion76, there is formed a C-shaped opening portion90(seeFIG. 4andFIG. 7) in which one portion is open. A trim clip92is fitted into the opening portion90. A tip portion of the trim clip92is attached to a clip hole26D provided in the inner panel26. Specifically, the diameter-reducable tip portion of the trim clip92is inserted into the clip hole26D in a reduced diameter state, and is restored from the reduced diameter state so as to engage with a marginal portion of the clip hole26D to be attached to the clip hole26D.

Also, the trim clips88and92are respectively attached to the clip holes26C and26D, so that the inside load transmission member34is temporarily attached to the inner panel26in a state wherein the attachment holes28and29, and the insertion holes80and82are respectively positioned. Incidentally, the trim clips88and92of the present embodiment are one example of the temporary attachment device of the present invention.

Next, procedures of attaching the load transmission member30to the inner panel26will be explained.

First, the hooking portion42of the outside load transmission member32is hooked on the marginal portion27A of the opening27of the inner panel26from a face26A side of the inner panel26, and the claw portions44and46are respectively engaged with (hooked on) the attachment holes28and29of the inner panel26to temporarily attach the outside load transmission member32to the inner panel26.

Next, the trim clips88and92mounted on the inside load transmission member34are respectively attached to the clip holes26C and26D of the inner panel26from a face26B side of the inner panel26to temporarily attach the inside load transmission member34to the inner panel26.

Then, in a state wherein the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34are temporarily attached by sandwiching the inner panel26, the fastener53to which a washer is attached is twisted into the insertion hole54from the inside of the auto body through the insertion hole80and the attachment hole28, and the fastener55to which a washer is attached is twisted into the insertion hole56through the insertion hole82and the attachment hole29. Thereby, the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34are fastened in a state of sandwiching the inner panel26. Namely, the load transmission member30is attached to the inner panel26. Incidentally, the fasteners53and55, the insertion holes54and56, and the insertion holes80and82of the present embodiment are examples of an engagement device of the present invention.

Incidentally, regarding procedures of temporarily attaching the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34to the inner panel26, after the inside load transmission member34is temporarily attached to the face26B of the inner panel26, the outside load transmission member32may be temporarily attached to the face26A of the inner panel26.

Next, a flow of transmitting the load from the outside of the auto body to the auto body20using the load transmission member30will be explained.

As shown inFIG. 14, for example, in a case wherein a collision object K such as another vehicle and the like collides with the rear side door22toward the inside of the width of the auto body (an arrow A direction inFIG. 14) from the outside in the width direction of the auto body, the impact beam23receives a collision load so as to reduce a deformation in an inward direction of an automobile interior of the rear side door22. The collision load which the impact beam23receives is transmitted to the auto body20from a connecting portion between the rear side door22and the auto body20to be absorbed (dispersed). On the other hand, in a case wherein the impact beam23or the outer panel24is deformed by receiving the collision load, and abuts against the outside load transmission member32, one portion of the collision load is transmitted to the outside load transmission member32. Here, the collision load received by the outside load transmission member32is transmitted to the inside load transmission member34through the inner panel26. Then, the collision load received by the inside load transmission member34is transmitted to a reinforcement21and the like on an under side fixed to the auto body20through the door interior material25, and is absorbed (dispersed) by the auto body20. Consequently, even in a case wherein the collision object K collides with the rear side door22of the auto body20toward the inside of the width of the auto body from the outside in the width direction of the auto body, the deformation of the rear side door22to the inside in the width direction of the auto body is controlled, i.e., an automobile interior space is maintained.

In the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the inner panel26is sandwiched by the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34, so that an efficiency of the load transmission is difficult to change by a positional relationship between the ribs38of the outside load transmission member32and the ribs72of the inside load transmission member34, and the load from the outside load transmission member32is stably transmitted to the inside load transmission member34through the inner panel26.

Next, an operation and an effect of the load transmission member30of the present embodiment will be explained.

In the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the outside load transmission member32can be temporarily attached to the face26A of the inner panel26using the hooking portion42and the claw portions44and46, and the inside load transmission member34can be temporarily attached to the face26B of the inner panel26using the trim clips88and92, so that, for example, compared to a structure which cannot temporarily attach at least one of the outside load transmission member32or the inside load transmission member34, an attachment operation of the load transmission member30to the inner panel26becomes easy. Especially, in the outside load transmission member32, the outside load transmission member32can be temporarily attached to the inner panel26by a simple operation in that after the hooking portion42is hooked on the marginal portion27A of the opening27of the inner panel26, the claw portion44is engaged with the marginal portion28A of the attachment hole28of the inner panel26, and the claw portion46is engaged with the marginal portion29A of the attachment hole29of the inner panel26. Also, in the inside load transmission member34, the inside load transmission member34can be temporarily attached to the inner panel26by a simple operation in that the trim clip88is attached to the clip hole26C of the inner panel26(the tip portion of the trim clip88is engaged with the marginal portion of the clip hole26C), and the trim clip92is attached to the clip hole26D of the inner panel26(the tip portion of the trim clip92is engaged with the marginal portion of the clip hole26D).

In the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34are fastened in the state of sandwiching the inner panel26using the fasteners53and55, and the like, so that the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34are firmly fixed to the inner panel26. Consequently, when the load is transmitted to the inside load transmission member34through the inner panel26from the outside load transmission member32, a positional displacement between the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34is controlled, and the load from the outside load transmission member32can be reliably transmitted to the inside load transmission member34.

Also, in the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the insertion hole54and the attachment hole28are positioned by inserting the pair of protrusions58provided to stand in the marginal portion of the insertion hole54of the outside load transmission member32into the attachment hole28, and the insertion hole56and the attachment hole29are positioned by inserting the pair of protrusions62provided to stand in the marginal portion of the insertion hole56into the attachment hole29. Namely, in the present embodiment, the insertion holes54and56of the outside load transmission member32and the attachment holes28and29can be easily positioned. Consequently, a fastening operation between the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34using the fasteners53and55becomes easy, and the attachment operation of the load transmission member30to the inner panel26becomes easy further.

Also, moreover, in the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the handle portion52is provided in the outside load transmission member32so as to temporarily attach the outside load transmission member32to the inner panel26while holding the handle portion52, so that the attachment operation of the load transmission member30to the inner panel26becomes easy further.

Also, in the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, the fastener53is twisted into the insertion hole through the insertion hole80of the outside load transmission member32and the attachment hole28of the inner panel26from the inside of the auto body, and the fastener55is twisted into the insertion hole56through the insertion hole82of the outside load transmission member32and the attachment hole29of the inner panel26, so that the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34can be fastened. Namely, the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34can be fastened by the operation from one side, so that an operation of attaching the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34to the inner panel26becomes easy.

Also, moreover, in the load transmission member30of the present embodiment, at tip portion sides of the positioning protrusions58and62, there are respectively provided the claw portions44and46, so that, for example, compared to a case wherein the positioning protrusion and a temporarily attaching claw portion are separately provided, a structure of the outside load transmission member32can be simplified, and moreover, an increase of the number of the holes formed in the inner panel26can be controlled.

Other Embodiments

The aforementioned embodiment has the structure such that the hooking portion42is hooked on the marginal portion27A of the opening27of the inner panel26; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, a dedicated portion (one example of the hooked portion of the present invention) for hooking the hooking portion42may be provided on the face26A of the inner panel26to have a structure of hooking the hooking portion42on the dedicated portion.

The aforementioned embodiment has the structure in that the fastener53is twisted into the insertion hole54through the insertion hole80and the attachment hole28, and the fastener55is twisted into the insertion hole56through the insertion hole82and the attachment hole29so as to fasten the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, the present invention may have a structure such that the fastener53is twisted into a nut member (not shown in the drawings) through the insertion hole80, the attachment hole28, and the insertion hole54, and the fastener55is twisted into another nut member (not shown in the drawings) through the insertion hole82, the attachment hole29, and the insertion hole56so as to fasten the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34.

Also, the aforementioned embodiment has the structure of fastening the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34using the fastener53and the fastener55; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, a locking portion may be provided in one of the outside load transmission member or the inside load transmission member34, and a locked portion locked in the locking portion may be provided in the other of the outside load transmission member32or the inside load transmission member34, so that the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34may be locked (engaged) in the state of sandwiching the inner panel26using the aforementioned locking portion and locked portion. Incidentally, as for the locking portion and the locked portion, for example, there may be an elastically deformable locking claw, and a locking hole wherein the locking claw is hooked on a marginal portion.

Also, moreover, the aforementioned embodiment has a structure of fastening the attachment portion48of the outside load transmission member32and the attachment portion76of the inside load transmission member34using the fastener53at the same position of the inner panel26(the position of the attachment hole28), and of fastening the attachment portion50and the attachment portion78using the fastener55at the same position of the inner panel26(the position of the attachment hole29); however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, the attachment portion48of the outside load transmission member32and the attachment portion76of the inside load transmission member34may be fastened using the fastener at separate positions of the inner panel26; the attachment portion50and the attachment portion78may be fastened using the fastener at separate positions of the inner panel26; or the attachment portion48and the attachment portion76, and the attachment portion50and the attachment portion78may be fastened using the fastener at separate positions of the inner panel26, respectively.

The aforementioned embodiment has the structure of providing the claw portion44on the tip portion side of the protrusion58, and providing the claw portion46on the tip portion side of the protrusion62; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. The present invention may have a structure wherein the protrusion58and the claw portion44are provided separately, and the protrusion62and the claw portion46are provided separately.

The aforementioned embodiment has the structure wherein the hooking portion42is provided in the outside load transmission member32; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure, and may have a structure of providing the hooking portion in the inside load transmission member34, or a structure of providing the hooking portion respectively in the outside load transmission member32and the inside load transmission member34.

Also, the aforementioned embodiment has the structure wherein the positioning protrusions58and62relative to the attachment holes28and29are respectively provided in the respective marginal portions of the insertion holes54and56of the outside load transmission member32, and the claw portions44and46are provided respectively on the tip portion sides of the protrusions58and62; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, the present invention may have a structure wherein the positioning protrusions relative to the attachment holes28and29are provided respectively on the respective marginal portions of the insertion holes80and82of the inside load transmission member34, and the claw portions44and46are respectively provided on the tip portion sides of the protrusions.

The aforementioned embodiment has the structure wherein the handle portion52is provided in the wall portion (the left side wall portion inFIG. 3) on the side opposite to the wall portion in which the attachment portion50of the surrounding wall40is provided; however, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned structure. For example, the present invention may have a structure that the handle portion52is provided on another wall portion of the surrounding wall40. Also, in addition to the outside load transmission member32, the present invention may have a structure such that the handle portion is provided on a wall portion of the surrounding wall74of the inside load transmission member34; or a structure that the handle portion is provided only in the inside load transmission member34.

Incidentally, the load transmission member30of the present embodiment can be applied to an inner panel of a front side door, an inner panel of a back door, or the like other than the inner panel of the rear side door22of the auto body20as well. Also, moreover, the load transmission member30of the present embodiment can be applied to a panel member other than the auto body of the automobile as well.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-032260, filed on Feb. 20, 2015, is incorporated in the application.