Vehicle body structure

A vehicle body structure includes a frame structure portion configured to define an opening; the frame structure portion including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint portion; a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the first panel and the second panel, and the first adhesive portion is arranged within the gap.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-188279 filed on Sep. 16, 2014 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle body structure.

2. Description of Related Art

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-220688 (JP 2013-220688 A) describes technology related to a back door made of resin, illustrated in FIG. 4 of that publication, as one example of a vehicle body structure. In brief, with the related art, a frame portion of the back door is formed by joining together a door inner panel and a door outer panel, both made of resin, by adhesive. Further, a rear window glass is joined to an edge portion of the door outer panel by adhesive. To simplify the description, the former adhesive will be referred to as a “first adhesive”, and the latter adhesive will be referred to as a “second adhesive”.

When examining the joint structure of the back door from the viewpoint of waterproofness, water that has gotten in from the outside the rear window glass is kept out by the second adhesive. However, condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass is unable to be kept out by the second adhesive, and therefore penetrates to the first adhesive side. However, with the related art described above, a terminal portion of the edge portion of the door outer panel is curved toward the first adhesive side, so the condensation water is inhibited to some extent from penetrating to the first adhesive side by this curved portion.

With the related art described above, condensation water is thought to be inhibited to some extent from penetrating to the first adhesive side by the curved portion. However, in cases such as when vibration is transmitted to the door inner panel and the door outer panel due to road surface input, a gap is created between a tip end of the curved portion and the door inner panel, and as a result, condensation water may penetrate to the first adhesive side.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus provides a vehicle body structure capable of inhibiting both water from outside a windowpane, and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the windowpane, from getting in.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle body structure includes a frame structure portion configured to define an opening, the frame structure portion including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint portion; a windowpane that is provided on a vehicle outside of the opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the windowpane, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the first panel and the second panel, and the first adhesive portion is arranged within the gap.

Here, the first adhesive portion is spread out in a state pressed between the first joint portion and the second joint portion. In this aspect of the invention, the second adhesive portion is arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between first panel and the second panel, and within which the first adhesive portion is arranged, and this second adhesive portion adheres to the first panel and the second panel, and the windowpane. As a result, water that has gotten in from outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the windowpane are both able to be stopped by the second adhesive portion. That is, water is physically prevented from getting into the gap formed at the joint between the first panel and the second panel by the second adhesive portion.

As described above, the vehicle body structure according to this aspect of the invention has a beneficial effect in which both water from outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the windowpane are able to be effectively prevented or inhibited from getting in.

In the aspect of the example embodiment described above, the first adhesive portion may be a structural adhesive.

According to this structure, the first adhesive portion is a structural adhesive, so high rigidity is able to be obtained. Therefore, the frame structure portion is able to have high rigidity even if the weight of the vehicle is reduced by making at least one of the first panel and the second panel out of resin.

This structure has a beneficial effect in which high rigidity of the frame structure portion is able to be ensured without adding a metal reinforcing structure, and thus the support rigidity of the windowpane is able to be increased, while reducing the weight of the vehicle.

In the aspect of the invention described above, water resistance of the second adhesive portion may be higher than the water resistance of the first adhesive portion.

According to this structure, the water resistance of the second adhesive portion is higher than the water resistance of the first adhesive portion, so water that has gotten in from outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the windowpane are able to be prevented from getting into the gap formed at the joint between the first panel and the second panel. That is, the second adhesive portion serves as a water stop.

The structure described above has beneficial effects in which water is able to be physically prevented from getting into the gap formed at the joint between the first panel and the second panel by the second adhesive portion, and water is able to be stopped by the property (physical property) of the second adhesive portion. In particular, the vehicle body structure with the first adhesive portion made of a structural adhesive and the second adhesive portion having higher water resistance than the water resistance of the first adhesive portion, is extremely advantageous in that interfacial peeling between the structural adhesive and the first panel or the second panel is able to be prevented by the second adhesive portion effectively preventing or inhibiting water from getting in.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may include an extended portion that extends in a direction toward an end portion of the windowpane via a stepped portion from the first joint portion, the extended portion may be arranged such that the open end is positioned between an end portion of the second joint portion and the stepped portion, and the second adhesive portion may adhere to the end portion of the second joint portion, the extended portion, and the windowpane.

According to this structure, the open end of the gap described above is arranged between the end portion of the second joint portion and the stepped portion of the first panel, when the second joint portion of the second panel is in a state joined to the first joint portion of the first panel by the first adhesive portion. In this state, the second adhesive portion adheres to the end portion of the second joint portion, the extended portion of the first panel and the windowpane, and closes off or covers the open end of the gap. In this structure, a step does not easily form between the extended portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel, so these are able to be made flush by setting the height of the step. Consequently, a worker is able to easily arrange the second adhesive portion on the extended portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel.

This structure has a beneficial effect in which workability with respect to the application of the second adhesive portion is able to be improved, and the work time of this application is able to be shortened. The application of the second adhesive portion is the process before assembling the windowpane to the first panel and the second panel.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may include an extended portion that is adjacent to the first joint portion, and be arranged on the same plane as the first joint portion, and the open end of the gap may be arranged between an end portion of the second joint portion and the first joint portion, and the second adhesive portion may adhere to the end portion of the second joint portion, the extended portion, and the windowpane.

According to this structure, the extended portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel are able to be joined, together with the windowpane, by the second adhesive portion, even if the first panel does not undergo a process to form a step or the like thereon. Therefore, a processing operation of the door first panel is able to be omitted.

As a result, this structure has a beneficial effect in which productivity is able to be improved, and the cost is able to be reduced accordingly.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the first joint portion and the second joint portion may be arranged on the same plane across the gap, the first joint portion and the second joint portion may be joined together by the first adhesive portion being filled in a portion or all of the gap, and the second adhesive portion adheres to the first joint portion, the second joint portion, and the windowpane.

According to this structure, water is able to be inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the first adhesive portion side, even if the first joint portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel do not overlap. Also, in this case, the first joint portion and the second joint portion are able to be made flush, so a worker is able to easily arrange the second adhesive portion on the first joint portion of the first panel and the second joint portion of the second panel. Furthermore, neither the first joint portion of the first panel nor the second joint portion of the second panel need to undergo special processing, so a processing operation of the panel is able to be omitted.

In addition, the positional relationship of the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion is such that they overlap when viewed from the windowpane side, so an effect in which the second adhesive portion directly adds to the joining (adhering) effect of the first joint portion and the second joint portion by the first adhesive portion is able to be obtained. That is, the gap between the first joint portion and the second joint portion is set narrow, so even if the first adhesive portion is filled into the gap, the adhesion range (area) thereof is limited. However, the second adhesive portion joins (adheres) the first joint portion and the second joint portion together in a position overlapping with the first adhesive portion when viewed from the windowpane side, so the second adhesive portion is able to add to the adhesive force of the first adhesive portion.

Thus, according to the second variation of this example embodiment, the joining force (adhesive force) between the first joint portion and the second joint portion by the first adhesive portion is able to be reinforced by the second adhesive.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may include a vertical wall portion that is bent toward the windowpane from an end portion of the first joint portion, the open end of the gap may be arranged between an end portion of the second joint portion and the vertical wall portion, and the second adhesive portion may adhere to the vertical wall portion, the end portion of the second joint portion, and the windowpane.

According to this structure, the first panel is provided with the vertical wall portion that is bent from the end portion of the first joint portion, so this vertical wall portion is able to be used as a water stop wall.

Therefore, according to this structure, water that gets in from outside the windowpane and condensation water that adheres to the inside surface of the windowpane is able to be effectively inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the first adhesive portion side, while the cost required for the second adhesive portion is able to be kept down.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive portion may be an adhesive, and the second adhesive portion may be arranged closing off the open end of the gap.

According to this structure, the second adhesive portion does not need to be filled into the gap, so the amount of second adhesive portion that is applied (used) is able to be reduced.

Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which the water stop member is able to be eliminated, so the cost is able to be reduced accordingly.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive portion may be an adhesive, and the second adhesive portion may be filled in the gap from the open end of the gap.

According to this structure, the second adhesive portion that is an adhesive is filled inside the gap from the open end of the gap, so the adhesion area of the first panel and the second panel increases by that amount.

Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which the joining strength between the first panel and the second panel is able to be increased.

In the aspect of the invention described above, the second adhesive portion may include an elastic body that is arranged between the first panel and the second panel, and the windowpane; a first adhesive member that adheres to the elastic body and the windowpane, and seals a gap between the elastic body and the windowpane; and a second adhesive member that seals a gap between the elastic body and the first panel, and a gap between the elastic body and the second panel.

According to this structure, road surface input transmitted to the frame structure portion when the vehicle is traveling is damped by the elastic body.

Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which vibration of the windowpane when the vehicle is traveling is able to be effectively suppressed.

In the aspect of the invention described above, a dam member may be provided farther on an end portion side of the windowpane than the second adhesive portion, and may seal a gap between the first panel and the windowpane.

According to this structure, if water from outside the windowpane tries to get in, this water is first inhibited from getting in by the dam member.

Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which water from outside the windowpane is able to be more effectively prevented from getting in (i.e., the water penetration inhibiting effect is further increased).

In the aspect of the invention described above, the first panel may be a door inner panel that is made of resin, the door inner panel being a part of a back door and facing a vehicle interior, the second panel may be a door outer panel that is made of resin, the door outer panel being a part of the back door and facing a vehicle exterior, and the windowpane may be a rear window glass of the back door.

According to this structure, the operation of the aspect of the invention described above is able to be obtained for a back door. That is, water that gets in from outside the rear window glass and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass are stopped by the second adhesive portion that is arranged closing off or covering the open end of the gap formed at the joint between the first panel and the second panel, and that adheres to the door inner panel and the door outer panel, and the windowpane together.

Therefore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which water that gets in from outside the rear window glass and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass are able to be effectively inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the side with the first adhesive portion that joins the door inner panel and the door outer panel together. Furthermore, this structure has a beneficial effect in which the effects obtained by the aspects of the invention are able to be obtained for a back door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a first example embodiment of the vehicle body structure according to the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates a vehicle front side, and arrow UP indicates a vehicle upper side. Further, arrow IN indicates the inside in a vehicle width direction.

FIG. 4Ais a plan view schematically showing a rear portion of a vehicle provided with a back door according to this example embodiment. Also,FIG. 4Bis a side view schematically showing the rear portion of the vehicle. As shown in these drawings, a back door12for opening and closing a luggage compartment, not shown, provided in a rear end portion of the vehicle10is provided on this rear end portion in a manner able to open and close in a vehicle vertical direction around an upper edge portion of the rear end portion.

This back door12has a general L-shape in a vehicle side view, and is formed by a door upper portion16that extends gently toward a vehicle rear side from a rear end portion of a roof panel14, and a door lower portion18that extends toward a vehicle lower side from a rear end portion of the door upper portion16. The door upper portion16to which a rear window glass20is mounted will be described in detail later.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the door upper portion16includes a frame structure portion22formed in a generally rectangular frame-shape, and a rear window glass20as a windowpane that is supported by the frame structure portion22and covers an opening24formed in the frame structure portion22. The rear window glass20has a generally rectangular flat plate shape that is gently curved toward the vehicle outside.

FIG. 1is a sectional view of a side portion of the frame structure portion22cut in the vehicle width direction, andFIG. 2is a sectional view of an upper portion of the frame structure portion22cut in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the structure of the frame structure portion22will be described with reference mainly toFIG. 1.

The frame structure portion22includes a door inner panel26as a first panel arranged on the vehicle inside, and a door outer panel28as a second panel arranged on the vehicle outside. The door inner panel26and the door outer panel28are both made of resin. More specifically, the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28are made of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic).

The door outer panel28includes an outer side upper wall portion28A arranged parallel to the rear window glass20, an outer side side wall portion28B that is bent at a substantially right angle in a direction away from the rear window glass20from an end portion on the inside of the outer side upper wall portion28A in the vehicle width direction, and an outer side lower wall portion28C that is bent at an obtuse angle toward the vehicle width direction outside and extends toward the vehicle lower side from an end portion on the extending direction side of the outer side side wall portion28B.

The door inner panel26includes an inner side side wall upper portion26A arranged to the outside of the outer side side wall portion28B in the vehicle width direction and parallel to the outer side side wall portion28B, and an inner side side wall lower portion26B that extends in an L-shape from an end portion on the vehicle lower side of the inner side side wall upper portion26A. An inner side upper wall portion26C is provided by the inner side side wall upper portion26A extending to the outer side upper wall portion28A and being bent toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. An outer end portion26D is provided by the door inner panel26being bent at a substantially right angle toward the rear window glass20side, on an end portion on the outer side of the inner side upper wall portion26C in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, an inner side lower wall portion26E is provided by the inner side side wall lower portion26B extending to the outer side lower wall portion28C and being bent toward the vehicle upper side and the inside in the vehicle width direction. A ball joint30of a damper stay, not shown, in which a male thread is formed on a tip end portion, is fastened (fixed) to the inner side side wall upper portion26A by a nut32. Therefore, the inner side side wall upper portion26A is formed with a thicker plate thickness than other portions.

Here, as shown enlarged inFIG. 3, the outer side upper wall portion28A described above extends in the vehicle width direction in a substantially straight line along the rear window glass20. Also, an outer side joint portion34as a second connecting portion is provided on a portion of the outer side upper wall portion28A that is on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

Meanwhile, the inner side upper wall portion26C described above includes an inner side joint portion26C1as a first joint portion that overlaps with the outer side joint portion34, and an extended portion26C3that extends farther toward the outside in the vehicle width direction via a stepped portion26C2from an end portion of the inner side joint portion26C1that is on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The height of the stepped portion26C2is substantially the same as the dimension of the plate thickness of the outer side joint portion34plus the thickness of a hardened structural adhesive36that will be described later. Therefore, when the outer side joint portion34is in a state joined to the inner side joint portion26C1, the surface of the outer side joint portion34and the surface of the extended portion26C3are positioned on the same plane.

The outer side joint portion34is joined to the inner side joint portion26C1by a structural adhesive36as a first adhering portion being applied to the inner side joint portion26C1and the outer side joint portion34then being overlapped with this structural adhesive36. Similarly, the outer side lower wall portion28C is joined to the inner side lower wall portion26E by the structural adhesive36, as shown inFIG. 1. With this structure, a closed sectional portion38is formed by the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28. A high-strength low-elongation two component urethane adhesive, for example, may be used as the structural adhesive36.

Also, returning toFIG. 3, in a state in which the outer side joint portion34is joined to the inner side joint portion26C1, a gap40is formed between the inner side upper wall portion26C and the outer side upper wall portion28A. An open end40A of the gap40is positioned between a tip end portion of the outer side joint portion34and the stepped portion26C2of the inner side upper wall portion26C. A peripheral parts adhesive42is arranged as a second adhesive portion to close off the open end40A of the gap40. This peripheral parts adhesive42adheres to the extended portion26C3of the inner side upper wall portion26C, the outer side joint portion34, and the rear window glass20together. A one component urethane adhesive, for example, may be used as the peripheral parts adhesive42.

Also, the peripheral parts adhesive42is more water resistant than the structural adhesive36. A test regarding the level of water resistance is performed based on JISK6850 (tension adhesion strength test of adhesive). More specifically, two test pieces (each having a width of 25 mm, length of 200 mm, and a height of 0.8 mm, for example) corresponding to a first panel and a second panel are prepared, and these test pieces are joined together by the test adhesive with a joining allowance of 10 mm. Then adhered test pieces are immersed for a predetermined period of time (such as 10 days, for example) in hot water of a predetermined temperature (such as 60° C., for example), and after which a tension tensile water resistance test (tensile shear test) is performed at normal temperature. After the test is complete, the load generated at the time of fracture and the failure state are ascertained, and the level of water resistance is determined based on these. The generated load is unable to be completely determined due to the fact that the presumed input load differs depending on the part to be used (the intended purpose of the part), but it is be determined for each company when the part to be used is determined. There are three different kinds of failure states. If an interface failure occurs, in which a failure occurs at the boundary between one of the test pieces and the adhesive, the water resistance is given a low valuation. On the other hand, if a cohesion failure occurs, in which the adhesive itself fails, or if a material failure occurs, in which one of the test pieces itself fails, the water resistance is given a high valuation. When the test pieces are adhered together using the high-strength low-elongation two component urethane adhesive given as an example of the structural adhesive36, interfacial peeling occurs. Therefore, the water resistance of the high-strength low-elongation two component urethane adhesive is given a low valuation. On the other hand, when the test pieces are adhered together using the one component urethane adhesive given as an example of the peripheral parts adhesive42, cohesion failure occurs. Therefore, the resistance of the one component urethane adhesive is given a high valuation.

A dam member44is a water stop member outside the peripheral parts adhesive42in the vehicle width direction. The dam member44may be adjacent to the peripheral parts adhesive42. The dam member44is arranged on the extended portion26C3. As a result, a gap between the extended portion26C3and the rear window glass20is sealed.

The structure above is also the similar at the upper portion of the frame structure portion22shown inFIG. 2, so the same reference characters as those used inFIG. 1will be used and a description will be omitted. The structure shown inFIG. 2differs from the structure shown inFIG. 1in that the member that is fixed to the inner side side wall upper portion26A is not the ball joint30, but is a door side fixing portion46B of a door hinge46of the back door12. The door hinge46includes a U-shaped hinge base46A that is fixed to a vehicle body upper portion rear end48by a bolt52, the door side fixing portion46B that extends in a tangential direction from an upper end portion of the hinge base46A, and a hinge pin, not shown, that rotatably supports a base end portion of the door side fixing portion46B at the upper end portion of the hinge base46A. This door side fixing portion46B is fastened (fixed) to the inner side side wall upper portion26A together with a hinge retainer via the bolt52and a nut54.

Next, the operation and effects of the example embodiment will be described.

Both the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28are made of resin (CFRP). Also, the frame structure portion22is formed by the inner side joint portion26C1provided on the door inner panel26and the outer side joint portion34provided on the door outer panel28being joined together by the structural adhesive36. This frame structure portion22defines the glass mounting opening24, and the rear window glass20is arranged so as to close off this opening24from the vehicle outside.

Here, the structural adhesive36expands out in a state pressed between the inner side joint portion26C1and the outer side joint portion34. In this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive42is arranged so as to close off the open end40A of the gap40formed between this inner side upper wall portion26C and the outer side upper wall portion28A. The peripheral parts adhesive42is adhered to the door inner panel26, the door outer panel28, and the rear window glass20. As a result, water that gets in from outside the rear window glass20and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass20are both kept out by the peripheral parts adhesive42. That is, water is physically prevented from getting into the gap40formed at the joint between the inner side upper wall portion26C and the outer side upper wall portion28A by the peripheral parts adhesive42. As a result, according to this example embodiment, water from outside the rear window glass20, as well as condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass20, are both able to be effectively prevented or inhibited from getting into the gap40.

Also, in this example embodiment, the first adhering portion is the structural adhesive36, so high rigidity is able to be obtained. Therefore, the frame structure portion22is able to be highly rigid even if the weight of the vehicle body is reduced by making at least one of the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28out of resin. As a result, according to this example embodiment, high rigidity of the frame structure portion22is able to be obtained without adding a metal reinforcing member, while reducing the weight of the vehicle body. Consequently, the support rigidity of the rear window glass20is able to be increased.

Furthermore, in this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive42is more water resistant than the first adhesive portion (i.e., the structural adhesive36). Therefore, water that has gotten in from outside the rear window glass20and condensation water that adheres to the inside of the rear window glass20are able to be prevented from getting into the gap40defined by the inner side upper wall portion26C and the outer side upper wall portion28A. That is, the peripheral parts adhesive42serves as a water stop (i.e., a seal). As a result, this example embodiment is able to obtain both an effect of physically preventing, by the peripheral parts adhesive42, water from getting into the gap40defined by the inner side upper wall portion26C and the outer side upper wall portion28A, and an effect of stopping water by the property of the peripheral parts adhesive42. In particular, having the peripheral parts adhesive42effectively prevent or inhibit water from getting in enables interfacial peeling between the structural adhesive36and the door inner panel26or the door outer panel28to be prevented.

To elaborate on this, when making vehicle body parts such as the back door that are usually made of metal, out of resin to reduce weight, it is conceivable to employ a closed sectional structure formed by a plurality of parts, and use a highly rigid structural adhesive to join these parts together in order to ensure rigidity equivalent to that of metal. However, in an environment in which the structural adhesive (particularly a urethane adhesive) is covered with water, interfacial peeling may occur between the member and the structural adhesive, and as a result, adhesive performance may not be able to be sufficiently displayed. Therefore, from the viewpoint of ensuring stable strength quality, care must be paid so that water does not penetrate the adhesive portion. In contrast, in this example embodiment, water is inhibited from getting into and collecting in the gap40, by the peripheral parts adhesive42that is highly water resistant closing off the open end40A of the gap40, thereby avoiding a state in which water contacts the structural adhesive36. As a result, interfacial peeling is able to be prevented from occurring between the peripheral parts adhesive42and the door inner panel26or the door outer panel28.

Also, in this example embodiment, when the outer side joint portion34of the door outer panel28is arranged on the inner side joint portion26C1of the door inner panel26, the open end40A of the gap40described above is arranged between the end portion of the outer side joint portion34and the stepped portion26C2of the door inner panel26. In this state, the peripheral parts adhesive42is adhered to the end portion of the outer side joint portion34, the extended portion26C3of the door inner panel26, and the rear window glass20, and the open end40A of the gap40is closed off by the peripheral parts adhesive42. With this kind of example embodiment, a step does not easily form between the extended portion26C3of the door inner panel26and the outer side joint portion34of the door outer panel28, so these are able to be made flush by setting the height of the stepped portion26C2. Consequently, a worker is able to easily arrange the peripheral parts adhesive42on the extended portion26C3of the door inner panel26and the outer side joint portion34of the door outer panel28. As a result, according to this example embodiment, workability with respect to the application of the peripheral parts adhesive42that is the process before assembling the rear window glass20to the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28is able to be improved, and the work time of this application is able to be shortened.

Moreover, in this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive42is arranged closing off the open end40A of the gap40. In other words, the peripheral parts adhesive42does not need to be filled into the gap40, so the amount of peripheral parts adhesive42that is applied (used) is able to be reduced. Thus, according to this example embodiment, water that gets in from outside the rear window glass20and condensation water that adheres to the inside surface of the rear window glass20is able to be effectively inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the structural adhesive36side, while the cost required for the peripheral parts adhesive42is able to be kept down.

Also, in this example embodiment, if water from outside the rear window glass20tries to get in, this water is first inhibited from getting in by the dam member44. Therefore, water from outside the rear window glass20is able to be more effectively prevented from getting in.

Next, a second example embodiment of the vehicle body structure according to the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. Component parts similar to those in the first example embodiment described above will be denoted by like reference characters, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the second example embodiment, variations of the structures of the first joint portion and the second joint portion will be described.

FIG. 5is a view of a first variation. In the first variation, a door inner panel60as a first panel is formed in a flat plate shape without any step.FIG. 5is a view showing a frame format ofFIG. 3. That is, the door inner panel60includes a first joint portion60A, and an extended portion60B that is adjacent to the first joint portion60A and is arranged on the same plane as the first joint portion60A. A second joint portion62A of a door outer panel62is jointed to the first joint portion60A of the door inner panel60by the structural adhesive36. Therefore, the second joint portion62A overlaps with the first joint portion60A via the structural adhesive36. Also, the open end40A of the gap40described in the first example embodiment is arranged between an end portion of the second joint portion62A of the door outer panel62and the first joint portion60A of the door inner panel60. Moreover, the end portion of the second joint portion62A and the extended portion60B of the door inner panel60are joined, together with the rear window glass20, by the peripheral parts adhesive42.

According to this structure, when the second joint portion62A of the door outer panel62is arranged on the first joint portion60A of the door inner panel60, the open end40A of the gap40described above is arranged between the end portion of the second joint portion62A and the first joint portion60A of the door inner panel60. In this state, the peripheral parts adhesive42is adhered to the end portion of the second joint portion62A, the extended portion60B of the door inner panel60, and the rear window glass20, and closes off the open end40A of the gap40. In this way, in the first variation of this example embodiment, the extended portion60B of the door inner panel60and the second joint portion62A of the door outer panel62are able to be joined, together with the rear window glass20, by the peripheral parts adhesive42, even if the door inner panel60does not undergo a process to form a step or the like thereon. Therefore, a processing operation of the door inner panel60is able to be omitted. As a result, according to the first variation of this example embodiment, productivity of the back door12is able to be improved, and the cost is able to be reduced accordingly.

FIG. 6is a view of a second variation. In the second variation, a first joint portion70A of a door inner panel70and a second joint portion72A of a door outer panel72are arranged on the same plane across a gap74of a predetermined width.

Furthermore, in an example shown inFIG. 6A, the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A are joined together by the structural adhesive36being filled into a portion of the gap74from the side opposite the rear window glass20. Moreover, the peripheral parts adhesive42is adhered to the first joint portion70A, the second joint portion72A, and the rear window glass20. As a result, an open end74A of the gap74is closed off by the peripheral parts adhesive42.

Meanwhile, in an example shown inFIG. 6B, the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A are joined together by the structural adhesive36being filled into all of the gap74. In a state in which the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A are joined together, the structural adhesive36overflows from the open end74A of the gap74and hardens in a state accumulated on both sides of the gap74. Then, the peripheral parts adhesive42is further filled on a portion76where the structural adhesive36has accumulated, such that the first joint portion70A, the second joint portion72A, and the rear window glass20are joined together. In this case, the open end74A of the gap74is covered by the peripheral parts adhesive42(via the structural adhesive36).

According to this structure, the first joint portion70A of the door inner panel70and the second joint portion72A of the door outer panel72are arranged on the same plane across the gap74, and the structural adhesive36is filled into a portion or all of this gap74. As a result, the door inner panel70and the door outer panel72are joined together. Further, in this state, the open end74A of the gap74is closed off (in the case ofFIG. 6A) or covered (in the case ofFIG. 6B) by the peripheral parts adhesive42being adhered to the first joint portion70A, the second joint portion72A, and the rear window glass20. In this way, in the second variation of this example embodiment, water is able to be inhibited or prevented from penetrating to the structural adhesive36side, even if the first joint portion70A of the door inner panel70and the second joint portion72A of the door outer panel72do not overlap. Also, in this case, the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A are able to be made flush, so a worker is able to easily arrange the peripheral parts adhesive42on the first joint portion70A of the door inner panel70and the second joint portion72A of the door outer panel72. Furthermore, neither the first joint portion70A of the door inner panel70nor the second joint portion72A of the door outer panel72needs to undergo special processing, so a processing operation of the panel is able to be omitted.

In addition, the positional relationship of the structural adhesive36and the peripheral parts adhesive42is such that they overlap when viewed from the rear window glass20side, so an effect in which the peripheral parts adhesive42directly adds to the joining (adhering) effect of the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A by the structural adhesive36is able to be obtained. That is, the gap74between the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A is set narrow, so even if the structural adhesive36is filled into the gap74, the adhesion range (area) thereof is limited. However, the peripheral parts adhesive42joins (adheres) the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A together in a position overlapping with the structural adhesive36when viewed from the rear window glass20side, so the peripheral parts adhesive42is able to add to the adhesive force of the structural adhesive36.

Thus, according to the second variation of this example embodiment, the joining force (adhesive force) between the first joint portion70A and the second joint portion72A by the structural adhesive36is able to be reinforced by the peripheral parts adhesive42.

Next, a third example embodiment of the vehicle body structure according to the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. Component parts similar to those in the first example embodiment and the like described above will be denoted by like reference characters, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In this third example embodiment, a variation of the second adhering portion will be described.

FIG. 7is a view of a first variation. In this first variation, the structure of the first joint portion of the door inner panel26and the second joint portion of the door outer panel28(i.e., the way in which the panels are joined) is substantially the same as it is in the first example embodiment described above. That is, the door inner panel26includes the inner side joint portion26C1, the stepped portion26C2, and the extended portion26C3, and the outer side joint portion34of the door outer panel28is joined by the structural adhesive36to the inner side joint portion26C1.

However, an end portion (a portion facing the stepped portion26C2) of the outer side joint portion34is cut so as to be inclined in the opposite direction from the inclining direction of the stepped portion26C2. As a result, although the gap40is formed at the connection between the outer side joint portion34and the inner side joint portion26C1when the outer side joint portion34is joined to the inner side joint portion26C1, the open end40A of the gap40has a general V-shape, which differs from the first example embodiment. Furthermore, the peripheral parts adhesive42is adhered to the inner side joint portion26C1, the outer side joint portion34, and the rear window glass20, and a portion is filled inside the gap40. The peripheral parts adhesive42that is filled inside the gap40contacts the structural adhesive36.

According to this structure, the peripheral parts adhesive42is filled inside the gap40from the open end40A of the gap40, so the adhesion area of the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28increases by that amount. As a result, the joining strength between the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28is able to be increased.

In this example embodiment, the peripheral parts adhesive42contacts the structural adhesive36, but the structure is not limited to this. A structure in which the peripheral parts adhesive42is filled inside the gap40but does not contact the structural adhesive36may also be employed.

FIG. 8is a view of a second variation. In this second variation, the structure of the first joint portion of the door inner panel26and the second joint portion of the door outer panel28(i.e., the way in which the panels are connected) is substantially the same as it is in the first example embodiment described above. That is, the door inner panel26includes the inner side joint portion26C1, the stepped portion26C2, and the extended portion26C3, and the outer side joint portion34of the door outer panel28is joined by the structural adhesive36to the inner side joint portion26C1. The gap40is formed between the inner side joint portion26C1and the outer side joint portion34when the outer side joint portion34is joined to the inner side joint portion26C1. The open end40A of the gap40is positioned between the tip end portion of the outer side joint portion34and the stepped portion26C2of the inner side upper wall portion26C. A second adhesive portion80is arranged so as to close off the open end40A of the gap40. This second adhesive portion80is adhered to the extended portion26C3of the door inner panel26, the outer side joint portion34, and the rear window glass20.

The second adhesive portion80includes an elastic body82arranged between the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28, and the rear window glass20, a first adhesive member84that is adhered to both this elastic body82and the rear window glass20and seals a gap between these two, and a second adhesive member86that is adhered to the elastic body82, and the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28and seals a gap between these. The elastic body82is formed by rubber material, for example. Also, the first adhesive member84and the second adhesive member86are formed by double-faced tape, for example.

According to this structure, the first adhesive member84is adhered to the rear window glass20, and the second adhesive member86is adhered to both the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28. As a result, a gap between the first adhesive member84and the rear window glass20is sealed, and a gap between the second adhesive member86, and the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28is sealed. Furthermore, the elastic body82is interposed between the first adhesive member84and the second adhesive member86. Therefore, road surface input transmitted to the frame structure portion22when the vehicle is traveling is damped by the elastic body82. As a result, according to this example embodiment, vibration of the rear window glass20when the vehicle is traveling is able to be effectively suppressed.

Next, a fourth example embodiment of the vehicle body structure according to the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 9. Component parts similar to those in the first example embodiment and the like described above will be denoted by like reference characters, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

This fourth example embodiment is similar to the first example embodiment described above in that a frame structure portion92of a back door90is formed by a door inner panel94and a door outer panel96, but differs from the first example embodiment in that the sectional structure is somewhat different. More specifically, the sectional shape of the door inner panel94is a hat-shape and has a main body portion94A that has a U-shaped sectional shape in which an open side end portion faces a rear window glass98, a pair of left and right flange portions94B and94C that protrude out away from each other along the rear window glass98from both end portions of this main body portion94A, and a pair of left and right vertical wall portions94D and94E that bent toward the rear window glass98from the end portions of these flange portions94B and94C. The left and right flange portions94B and94C serve as the first joint portion of the door inner panel94, i.e., second joint portions96A and96B are joined together by a low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive100. As a result, a closed sectional portion102is formed in the frame structure portion92. The low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive100is not a structural adhesive, but rather is classified as a peripheral parts adhesive. The rear window glass98is also joined to a second joint portion96B of the door outer panel96by the same low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive100.

Here, an open end of a gap formed in a joint (a seam) between the door inner panel94and the door outer panel96described above, i.e., an open end104A of a gap104formed between the vertical wall portion94E formed on an outside end portion, in the vehicle width direction, of the door inner panel94, and the second joint portion96B of the door outer panel96, is closed off by the peripheral parts adhesive42. More specifically, the vertical wall portion94E, the end portion on the vehicle outside in the vehicle width direction of the second joint portion96B, and the outside end portion of the rear window glass98in the vehicle width direction are joined together by the peripheral parts adhesive42being applied or filled so as to extend between the vertical wall portion94E, the end portion on the vehicle outside in the vehicle width direction of the second joint portion96B, and the outside end portion of the rear window glass98in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the open end104A of the gap104formed between the vertical wall portion94E and the second joint portion96B is closed off by the peripheral parts adhesive42.

According to this structure, the manner of ensuring rigidity with respect to the frame structure portion92of the back door90differs from that of the frame structure portion22described in the first to the third example embodiments described above. That is, in this example embodiment, the flange portions94B and94C of the door inner panel94are joined to the second joint portions96A and96B of the door outer panel96by the low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive100, so the rigidity of the frame structure portion92is lower than that of the frame structure portion22of the first to the third example embodiments described above. Therefore, the rigidity of the frame structure portion92is ensured by setting a reinforcing member, not shown, on the frame structure portion92. Even with the frame structure portion92structured in this way, by joining the vertical wall portion94E of the door inner panel94, and the second joint portion96B of the door outer panel96and the rear window glass98together, water that has gotten in from outside the rear window glass98and condensation water that has adhered to the inside of the rear window glass98is stopped by the peripheral parts adhesive42. Because the water resistance of the peripheral parts adhesive42is high, the water will not get into the gap104, so the low-strength high-elongation urethane adhesive100will not become soaked in the water. Therefore, the basic effect of the first example embodiment and the like described above is also able to be obtained with this example embodiment as well.

Also, with this example embodiment, the door inner panel94is provided with the vertical wall portion94E that is bent toward the rear window glass98side from the end portion of the flange portion4C, so this vertical wall portion94E is able to be used as a water stop wall. As a result, with this example embodiment, the water stop member is able to be eliminated, so the cost is able to be reduced accordingly.

When the second adhesive portion80of the second variation of the third example embodiment described above is applied to this example embodiment, the second joint portion96B and the vertical wall portion94E may be joined together by extending the second adhesive member86so that it extends between the two.

Hereinafter, the example embodiment described above will be elaborated on. In the example embodiment described above, the invention is applied to the back door12as one example of the vehicle body structure, but it is not limited to this. That is, at least one panel, of the first panel and the second panel, may be applied to a portion where a windowpane is joined to a frame structure portion made of resin. For example, the invention may also be applied to a joint between a fixed window and a frame portion that supports this fixed window in a side door, or a joint between a sunroof and a frame support portion that supports this sunroof, in a roof of a minivan.

Also, taking the first example embodiment as an example, both the door inner panel26and the door outer panel28are made of resin, but they are not limited to this. That is, it is sufficient to have at least one panel, of the first panel and the second panel, be made of resin. Therefore, at least one of the first panel and the second panel may be made of resin, and the other of the first panel and the second panel may be made of metal such as steel sheet or aluminum alloy sheet.

Moreover, in the example embodiment described above, the vehicle body structure according to the invention is applied to a back door, but the vehicle body structure according to the invention may also be applied to a vehicle outer panel of a hood, a roof, or a luggage door or the like.

The structure below provides a vehicle body structure capable of effectively preventing or inhibiting both water from outside a vehicle outer sheet member, and condensation water that adheres to the inside of a vehicle outer sheet member, from getting in.

One of the embodiments of the present invention may be “a vehicle body structure including a frame structure portion configured to define an opening, the frame structure portion including a first panel having a first joint portion, a second panel having a second joint portion, and a first adhesive portion that adheres to the first joint portion and the second joint portion; a vehicle outer sheet member that is provided on a vehicle outside of the opening and that covers the opening; and a second adhesive portion that adheres to the first panel, the second panel, and the vehicle outer sheet member, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is made of resin, the second adhesive portion is arranged closing off or covering an open end of a gap in a joint between the first panel and the second panel, and the first adhesive portion is arranged within the gap.”

Applying this structure to a hood of a vehicle is advantageous in that water is able to be prevented from getting into a power unit compartment and onto auxiliary equipment, and applying the invention to a luggage door is advantageous in that water is able to be prevented from getting on luggage and the like stored in the luggage compartment.