VEHICLE REAR STRUCTURE

The vehicle rear structure comprises a pair of rear component members, a pair of rear side members, a cross connection member, and a pair of vertical posts. The cross connection member includes a connecting portion and an arm portion. The connecting portion is disposed rearward of the rear component member and extends in the vehicle width direction. The arm portion extends from both ends of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle and is connected to the tower portion. The cross connection member has a substantially U-shape convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. The vertical post vertically connects the arm portion and the rear side member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-207921 filed on Dec. 26, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety including the specification, claims, drawings, and abstract.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This specification discloses a vehicle rear structure.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a suspension, a suspension member, a suspension tower, and a rear side member are disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of integrally molding a suspension member and a suspension tower by casting for the purpose of improving collision safety. According to this technique, collision safety can be improved to some extent.

However, in Patent Document 1, the structure behind the casting member was not sufficiently examined. Accordingly, the present specification discloses a vehicle rear structure capable of further improving the rigidity of the vehicle rear portion.

CITATION LIST

SUMMARY

A vehicle rear structure disclosed in the present specification comprises a pair of rear component members disposed at intervals in a vehicle width direction; a pair of rear side members disposed at intervals in the vehicle width direction, each of which extending from a rear end of the rear component member toward a rear side of the vehicle; a cross connection member connecting the pair of rear component members to each other; and a pair of vertical posts, wherein the rear component member is a hollow member in which a main body portion, a tower portion, and a suspension member portion are integrally cast, the main body portion has a front end connected to a rear pillar and a rear end connected to the rear side member, the tower portion has a tower shape opened toward a lower side of the vehicle so as to receive a part of a suspension device, and extends from the main body portion toward an upper side of the vehicle, the suspension member portion supports the suspension device, has a front end connected to a rocker, and extends from the main body portion toward the lower side of the vehicle, the cross connection member includes a connecting portion and a pair of arm portions, the connecting portion is disposed rearward of the rear component member and extends in the vehicle width direction, the arm portion extends from both ends of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction toward the front side of the vehicle, and is connected to the tower portion, the cross connection member has an approximately U-shaped shape convex toward a rear side in a plan view, and the vertical post vertically connects the arm portion and the rear side member.

With such a configuration, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the vehicle behind the rear component member.

In this case, the rear side member may extend from the rear end of the main body portion toward a rear side of the vehicle, and in a side view of the vehicle, a rectangular ring shape may be formed by the rear side member, the vertical post, the arm portion, and the tower portion.

By forming the rectangular ring shape, the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle can be further improved.

A rear end of the rear side member may be positioned rearward of a rear end of the cross connection member.

With this configuration, when a rear collision occurs, the collision load can be received by the rear side member having high rigidity. As a result, deformation of the rear portion of the vehicle can be suppressed.

The arm portion may be inclined with respect to the rear side member in a plan view such that a front end of the arm portion is positioned at an outer side in the vehicle width direction than the rear side member and a rear end of the arm portion is positioned at an inner side in the vehicle width direction than the rear side member, and the vertical post may be disposed at a position where the arm portion and the rear side member intersect with each other in a plan view.

With such a configuration, the shape of the vertical post can be simplified.

The vehicle rear structure further may comprise an access opening in communication with a luggage space; and a rear door for opening and closing the access opening, wherein the access opening extends in an approximately horizontal direction at a height substantially equal to that of the cross connection member, the cross connection member surrounds a portion of a peripheral edge of the access opening, the rear door is disposed above the cross connection member, and the rear side member and the cross connection member are cylindrical extruded members.

With this configuration, the rigidity of the vehicle around the access opening can be improved. Further, the downward force generated when the rear door is closed can be supported by the vertical post.

According to the vehicle rear structure disclosed in this specification, the rigidity of the vehicle rear portion can be further improved.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, a vehicle rear structure will be described with reference to the drawings.FIG.1is a right side view of a vehicle rear structure;FIG.2is a plan view of the vehicle rear structure. In the drawings, “Fr”, “Up” and “Rh” indicate front, upper, and right sides of the vehicle, respectively. InFIG.2, the rear pillar10, the rocker12, the roof rail16and the rear door94are not shown.

The vehicle rear structure is generally bilaterally symmetrical, as shown inFIG.2. Therefore, many of the elements included in the vehicle rear structure are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction two by two. For example, the rear pillar10(not shown inFIG.2), the rocker12(not shown inFIG.2), the roof rail16(not shown inFIG.2), the rear component member28, the rear side member60, and the connecting member80are all arranged two by two.

As shown inFIG.1, the rear pillar10is a skeleton member extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The lower end of the rear pillar10is connected to the vicinity of the rear end of the rocker12. The upper end of the rear pillar10is connected to the roof rail16.

The rocker12is a skeleton member extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at a lower portion of the vehicle. The roof rail16is a skeleton member disposed at a boundary between a side surface and a top surface of the vehicle. The rear pillar10is connected to an intermediate portion of the roof rail16.

A rear component member28is disposed rearward of the rear pillar10. InFIGS.1and2, the rear component members28are gray-hatched. The rear component member28is a casting member made of metal such as aluminum. The rear component member28is a hollow member having a thickness in the vehicle width direction and having a space formed therein. The front end of the rear component member28is connected to the rear pillar10and the rocker12. In order to reinforce the connection, the connection plate14is bonded to the rear component member28, the rear pillar10, and the rocker12.

As shown inFIG.1, the rear component member28is roughly divided into a main body portion30, a suspension member portion40, and a tower portion50. The main body portion30has a front end connected to the rear pillar10and a rear end connected to the rear side member60. In other words, the main body portion30is a portion elongated in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The main body portion30functions as a side member. A first assembly portion32is formed at an upper front corner of the main body portion30. The first assembly portion32is a portion to which a front end of a connecting member80described later is assembled. The first assembly portion32stands from the upper front corner of the main body portion30in an obliquely upward direction toward the rear of the vehicle. A second assembly portion34is formed at the rear end of the main body portion30. The second assembly portion34is a portion to which a front end of a rear side member60described later is assembled. The second assembly portion34has a rectangular tube shape into which the rear side member60having a rectangular tube shape can be inserted.

The suspension member portion40extends downward from the main body portion30. The front end of the suspension member portion40is connected to the rear pillar10and the rocker12. The suspension member portion40functions as a suspension member that supports a suspension device (not shown). An opening42through which a drive shaft (not shown) of the rear wheel is inserted is formed approximately at the center of the suspension member portion40. A plurality of fastening seats44are formed on the main body portion30and the suspension member portion40. InFIG.1, dark gray-hatching is applied to the fastening seat44. The fastening seat44is a portion to which the arm portion72of the suspension device is fastened.

The tower portion50extends upward from the upper end of the main body portion30. The tower portion50functions as a suspension tower that houses a part of a shock absorber (not shown) of the suspension device. The tower portion50has a tower shape opened toward the lower side of the vehicle. In other words, the tower portion50has a mounting recess52opened below the vehicle. The shock absorber is inserted into the mounting recess52from below and fixed to the tower portion50.

The tower portion50is provided with a third assembly portion54, a fourth assembly portion56, and a fifth assembly portion58. The third assembly portion54is disposed on the top surface of the tower portion50. The rear end of the roof rail16is assembled to the third assembly portion54. The fourth assembly portion56is disposed near the upper end of the tower portion50and at the rear end thereof. The rear end of the cross connection member70is assembled to the fourth assembly portion56. The fourth assembly portion56has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and the cross connection member70can be inserted into the fourth assembly portion56. The fifth assembly portion58is disposed near the upper end of the tower portion50and at the front end. The front end of the connecting member80is assembled to the fifth assembly portion58. The fifth assembly portion58has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and the connecting member80can be inserted into the fifth assembly portion58.

The rear side member60is a skeleton member extending from the rear end of the main body portion30toward the rear of the vehicle. The rear side member60is a rectangular cylindrical extruded member. An end plate62is joined to the rear end of the rear side member60.

A cross connection member70is disposed above the rear side member60in the vehicle. The cross connection member70is a skeleton member formed of a rectangular cylindrical extruded member. As shown inFIG.2, the cross connection member70has an approximately U-shape convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view. More specifically, the cross connection member70is roughly divided into a pair of arm portions72and a connecting portion74. The arm portion72extends rearward from the fourth assembly portion56of the tower portion50. More precisely, the arm portion72approaches the center in the vehicle width direction as it extends rearward in a plan view. The arm portion72is inclined with respect to the rear side member60in a plan view. Accordingly, the front end of the arm portion72is positioned on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side member60, and the rear end of the arm portion72is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side member60. Accordingly, in plan view, the arm portion72crosses the rear side member60. Further, as shown inFIG.1, the arm portion72approaches the rear side member60as it extends rearward in a side view. The connecting portion74connects the rear ends of the two arm portions72in the vehicle width direction. A support plate78(seeFIG.1) is attached to the center of the connecting portion74in the vehicle width direction. The support plate78is a plate material that connects the connecting portion74and a floor panel (not shown). The rear end of the cross connection member70is positioned in front of the rear end of the rear side member60.

InFIGS.1and2, the cross connection member70is illustrated as a single member. However, as shown inFIG.3, the cross connection member70May be configured by combining the right cross connection piece71R and the left cross connection piece71L. In this case, the right cross connection piece71R is symmetrical with the left cross connection piece71L. The right cross connection piece71R and the left cross connection piece71L are connected to each other at the connecting portion74via the connecting plate76.

As shown inFIG.1, the arm portion72of the cross connection member70and the rear side member60are vertically connected by a vertical post90. The vertical post90is a rectangular cylindrical member. The vertical post90is disposed at a position where the arm portion72and the rear side member60intersect with each other in a plan view.

A floor panel (not shown) is disposed between the pair of rear side members60. The upper space of the floor panel functions as a luggage space. An access opening96(seeFIG.2) for accessing the luggage space is formed at the upper end of the luggage space. The access opening96extends in an approximately horizontal direction at a height approximately equal to that of the cross connection member70. The cross connection member70surrounds a part of the peripheral edge of the access opening96.

As shown inFIG.1, a rear door94is disposed above the cross connection member70. The rear door94is a lid member that closes the access opening96. A swing shaft extending in the vehicle width direction is set near the front end of the rear door94, and the rear door94is opened and closed by swinging around the swing shaft.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, a connecting member80is further disposed between the tower portion50and the rear pillar10. The connecting member80is a skeleton member that connects the upper front corner of the main body portion30and the upper end of the tower portion50. The connecting member80is a rectangular tube-shaped extruded member. The connecting member80extends obliquely upward from the upper front corner of the main body portion30, then curves, and extends rearward of the vehicle. Accordingly, the connecting member80is roughly divided into a rising portion82, a bending portion84, and a lateral portion86. The rising portion82stands from the upper front corner of the main body portion30. The lower end of the rising portion82is assembled to the first assembly portion32. The rear end of the lateral portion86is assembled to the fourth assembly portion56. Here, as is apparent fromFIG.1, the lateral portion86is positioned on an extension line of the arm portion72of the cross connection member70in a side view.

As shown inFIG.2, a plurality of cross members are further disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle. Specifically, in order from the front side of the vehicle, the second cross member20, the first cross member18, and the third cross member22are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The three cross members18,20and22are arranged at approximately the same height.

The first cross member18connects the lower ends of the tower portions50of the pair of rear component members28to each other in the vehicle width direction. The second cross member20connects the front ends of the pair of rear component members28to each other in the vehicle width direction. Both left and right ends of the third cross member22connect the rear ends of the pair of rear component members28to each other in the vehicle width direction.

Here, as is apparent from the above description, in the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the present specification, the suspension tower, the suspension member, and the side member are integrally cast as the rear component member28. With such a configuration, the number of components of the vehicle can be reduced. Further, the connecting portion between the members tends to become a weak portion where stress is likely to concentrate. By integrally casting the three members, such a connecting portion can be eliminated, so that the rigidity of the vehicle body around the suspension device is improved.

Further, in the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the present specification, the rear side member60, the cross connection member70and the connecting member80are each a rectangular cylindrical extruded member. When such an extruded member is used as a skeleton member, the vehicle rigidity can be improved as compared with a case where a skeleton member formed by joining a plurality of panel materials is used.

Further, an approximately U-shaped cross connection member70convex toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view is disposed rearward of the tower portion50with respect to the vehicle. The cross connection member70surrounds a portion of the peripheral edge of the access opening96. Normally, the rigidity of the periphery of the access opening96tends to decrease. The peripheral edge of the access opening96is surrounded by the cross connection member70to further improve the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle. In this case, since the rear door94is supported by the cross connection member70, the rigidity of the rear door94is improved.

As shown inFIG.1, the vertical post90connects the arm portion72and the rear side member60vertically. Thereby, the rear side member60is reinforced by the vertical post90and the cross connection member70. As a result, the rigidity of the vehicle behind the rear component member28can be improved.

Here, in a case where a rear collision occurs, when buckling of the rear side member60occurs early, collision energy is transmitted to the cabin side without being sufficiently consumed by deformation of the rear side member60. In the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed herein, since the rear side member60is reinforced by the vertical post90, early buckling of the rear side member60is prevented. Thus, the collision energy is sufficiently consumed in the rear side member60, thereby appropriately protecting the cabin.

Further, as shown inFIG.1, in a side view, an approximately rectangular ring shape C is formed by the rear side member60, the vertical post90, the arm portion72, and the tower portion50. The four members60,90,72, and50constituting the ring shape C suppress deformation of each other. Since the four members60,90,72, and50constituting the ring shape C transmit the applied collision load to each other, the collision load is dispersed. As a result, deformation of the four members60,90,72, and50constituting the ring shape C is effectively prevented, and the rigidity of the vehicle at the rear portion of the vehicle is further improved.

Further, by providing the vertical post90, the rigidity of the vehicle body around the access opening96is further improved. That is, usually, the rigidity of the vehicle body around the opening tends to decrease. In the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed herein, the cross connection member70encloses a portion of the perimeter of the access opening96. Therefore, the vehicle body around the access opening96is reinforced by the cross connection member70. As a result, the rigidity of the vehicle body around the access opening96is improved. Further, in the case of the vehicle rear structure disclosed in the present specification, the cross connection member70is supported from below by the vertical post90. Therefore, by providing the vertical post90, the rigidity of the vehicle body around the access opening96is further improved. In particular, when the rear door94is closed, a downward force is applied to the cross connection member70. Since the cross connection member70is supported from below by the vertical post90, even if such downward force is applied, the cross connection member70and the surrounding vehicle body do not deform.

As described above, the vertical post90is disposed at a position where the arm portion72and the rear side member60intersect with each other in a plan view. With this arrangement, as shown inFIGS.1and3, the vertical post90has a simple shape extending straight in the vertical direction. With such a configuration, the downward force exerted on the cross connection member70can be reliably received by the rear side member60. Further, since the vertical post90does not have a portion where stress is concentrated like a curved portion, the rigidity of the vertical post90and, consequently, the rigidity of the rear portion of the vehicle is improved.

The rear side member60has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross connection member70and has a higher rigidity than the cross connection member70. As shown inFIGS.1and2, the rear end of the rear side member60is positioned rearward of the rear end of the cross connection member70. Therefore, when a rear collision occurs, the rear side member60receives a collision load prior to the cross connection member70. Since the rear side member60having high rigidity receives a collision load, deformation of the rear portion of the vehicle can be effectively suppressed, and consequently, the cabin can be appropriately protected.

Any of the configurations described above is an example, and other configurations may be modified as long as they have the configuration described in claim1. For example, the shape and position of the vertical post90May be changed as appropriate. Further, the shape of the cross connection member70May be appropriately changed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

C ring shape.