Abstract:
A structure for a side portion of a vehicle body, wherein the respective lower parts of a front pillar are joined to a side sill. A pillar&#39;s lower part ( 64 ) of a center pillar( 21 ) and a pillar&#39;s lower part ( 65 ) of a front pillar ( 16 ) are provided with overlapping joining sections ( 31 ) having circular arc sections ( 68 ) which are formed so as to be separated outward from a corner ( 67 ) of a side sill ( 14 ). The overlapping joining sections ( 31 ) are overlapped on a vertical wall section ( 27 ) of the side sill ( 14 ). The overlapping joining sections ( 31 ) are provided with bead sections ( 72 ) separated from the vertical wall section ( 27 ). The overlapping joining sections ( 31 ) are also provided with contact sections ( 101 ) in contact with the vertical wall section ( 27 ).

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle body side portion structure wherein a front pillar and a center pillar are connected to a side sill at respective lower portions thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Such a vehicle body side portion structure has been proposed in Patent Literature 1 by the present applicant. 
     The structure includes a side sill having a hollow profile of substantially rectangular cross section formed by a side-sill outer member and a side-sill inner member. The side-sill outer member has a U-shaped cross section and includes a vertical wall disposed at an outer side thereof, an upper wall integrally extending from an upper end of the vertical wall toward a passenger compartment, and a lower wall integrally extending from a lower end of the vertical wall toward a passenger compartment. The vertical, upper and lower walls of the side-sill outer member respectively have concave bead parts inwardly concaved toward a hollowed inner part of the side-sill outer member to enhance the strength thereof. 
     The structure also includes a center pillar having at a lower part thereof a connection wall part to be laid on and connected to upper and vertical walls of the side-sill outer member. 
     However, the structure of Patent Literature 1 also has a corner part between the upper and vertical walls of the side sill, which corner part is liable to undesirably contact or interfere with a corner section of the connection wall part of the center pillar. 
     More particularly, when the corner part of the side-sill outer member has a radius smaller than that of the corner section of the connection wall part of the center pillar, the corner part of the side-sill outer contacts the corner section of the center pillar, causing undesirable interference between the corner part and the corner section. 
     The corner part of the side sill may be designed to have a radius so as not to interference with the corner section of the center pillar, but when priority is given to productivity and strength, radius selection for the corner part is limited. 
     PRIOR ART LITERATURE  
     Patent Literature
         Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-176856 (JP 2010-137839 A)       

     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vehicle body side part structure that upon connection of front and center pillars to a side sill, undesired contact or interference between them is avoided, and a connection between the side sill and the front and center pillars is strengthened. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to accomplish the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a vehicle body side portion structure comprising: right and left side sills extending longitudinally of a vehicle and forming right and left ends of a floor of a passenger compartment of the vehicle; pillar lower ends of right and left front pillars each extending upward from a front portion of the respective side sill; and pillar lower ends of right and left center pillars each extending upward from a center portion of the respective side sill, wherein each of the side sills includes a side-sill inner member disposed on a side of the passenger compartment and a side-sill outer member disposed in opposed relation to the side-sill inner member so as to form the side sill into a profile of closed cross section, the side-sill outer member includes an upper wall disposed at an upper portion thereof, a vertical wall continuing from the upper wall, a lower wall continuing from the vertical wall and located at a lower level in opposed relation to the upper wall, and an opening oriented toward the passenger compartment, such that the side-sill outer member has a profile of U- or hat-shaped cross section, at least one of the pillar lower parts of the center and front pillars has an arcuate part spaced radially outwardly from a corner part where the upper wall and the vertical wall meet, and an overlap-connection part continuing from the arcuate part and laid on and connected to the vertical wall, and the overlap-connection part has a contact part, located below and continuing from the arcuate part, for contacting the vertical wall. 
     Preferably, the overlap-connection part includes a bead part provided on a vehicle-forward side or a vehicle-rearward side of the contact part so as to be continuous from a top of the arcuate part and spaced from the vertical wall. 
     Desirably, the contact part and the bead part are provided plurally and arranged alternately in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 
     In a preferred form, the side sill has a vertical-wall bead recessed concavely toward an inside thereof and extending from a front part to a rear part of the side sill, and the vertical-wall bead is covered by the bead part. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the invention, the overlap-connection part has the arcuate part distanced outwardly from the corner part of the side sill, so that the overlap-connection part advantageously does not contact the corner part of the vertical wall positioned behind the overlap-connection part, in a state that the overlap-connection part is connected on the vertical wall of the side sill. 
     Furthermore, the overlap-connection part has the bead part distanced outwardly from the vertical wall, which configuration forms a sidewall (orthogonal-side part) having a width corresponding to the distance between the vertical wall and an outermost of the bead part. The orthogonal-side part enhances the strength of the overlap-connection part and a section (cross-connection part) where the overlap-connection part is connected to the side sill. 
     Furthermore, each of the plurality of contact parts can be disposed separately interposing the bead part therebetween in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, such that each of the contact parts and the bead part are disposed alternately. Such a configuration enhances the strength of the overlap-connection part and the section where the overlap-connection part is connected to the side sill. 
     Moreover, the bead part of the overlap-connection part crosses and covers the vertical-wall bead longitudinally formed in the vertical wall in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, which configuration can further enhance the strength of the section where the overlap-connection part is connected to the side sill. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a vehicle body employing a vehicle body side portion structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between a center pillar and a side sill of FIG.  1 .; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a state of connection between a front pillar and the side sill of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a vehicle body employing a vehicle body side portion structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from an obliquely downward direction; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective view showing the vehicle body of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view showing encircled region  12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the configuration of  FIG. 12 , as seen in the direction of arrow  13 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle body employing a vehicle body side portion structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view showing a state of connection between a lower part of a center pillar and a side sill of the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     [First Embodiment] 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a vehicle body side portion structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a lower part of a vehicle body  12  of a vehicle  10 . 
     The vehicle body side portion structure includes left and right side sills  14 ,  15  provided at a lower part of the vehicle body  12 , and left and right front pillars  16 ,  17  and left and right center pillars  21 ,  22  connected to the side sills  14 ,  15 , respectively. 
     Each of the center pillars  21 ,  22  has at a lower part thereof a center connection structure  24  that is connected to the respective side sill  14  or  15 . Each of the front pillars  16 ,  17  has at a lower part thereof a front connection structure  25  that is connected to the respective side sill  14  or  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the center connection structure  24  includes an overlap-connection part (center overlap-connection part)  31  that is continuous from a side wall  28  of the center pillar  21  and is laid on and connected to a vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14 . 
     The center connection structure  24  of the center pillar  21  also includes a front wall  34  with a front connection part  35  which is laid on and connected to an upper wall  33  of the side sill  14 . 
     The center connection structure  24  of the center pillar  21  includes additionally a rear wall  37  with a rear connection part  38  which is laid on and connected to the upper wall  33  of the side sill  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6  to  9 , the front connection structure  25  includes an overlap-connection part (front overlap-connection part)  42  being continuous from a side wall  41  of the front pillar  16  and laid on and connected to the vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14 . 
     The front connection structure  25  also includes a front connection part  44  continuing from a front wall  43  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the front pillar  16  and laid on and connected to the upper wall  33  of the side sill  14 . 
     The front connection structure  25  includes additionally a rear connection part  47  continuing from a rear wall  46  of the front pillar  16  and laid on and connected to the upper wall  33  of the side sill  14 . 
     Discussion will be made next as to primary members of the vehicle body side portion structure, referring to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
     The vehicle body side portion structure forms left and right side ends of a floor (underbody)  52  of a passenger compartment  51 . More specifically, the left and right side sills  14 ,  15  extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle  10 , while the left and right front pillars  16 ,  17  extend upward from front ends  53 ,  53  of the side sills  14 ,  15 , respectively. The left and right center pillars  21 ,  22  extend upward from the centers of the left and right side sills  14 ,  15 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the side sill  14  has a closed profile in cross section, which is defined by a side-sill inner member  55  facing the passenger compartment  51  and a side-sill outer member  56  opposed to the side-sill inner member  55 . 
     The side-sill outer member  56  includes an upper wall  33  oriented upwardly of the vehicle  10 , a vertical wall  27  continuing from the upper wall  33 , and a lower wall  58  continuing from the vertical wall  27  and opposed to the upper wall  33 . The side-sill outer member  56  has a U- or hat-shaped cross section with an opening  61  opposed to the vertical wall  27  and facing the passenger compartment  51 . 
     In the embodiment being described, each of the left and right center pillars  21 ,  22  includes a pillar lower part  64  while each of the left and right front pillars  16 ,  17  includes a pillar lower part  65 . Both pillar lower parts  64 ,  65  have respective arcuate or curved parts  68 ,  71  distanced or spaced radially outwardly (in the direction of arrow “a 1 ”) from a respective corner part  67  where the upper wall  33  meets the vertical wall  27 . The pillar lower parts  64 ,  65  also include respective overlap-connection parts  31 ,  42  that continue from the respective arcuate parts  68 ,  71  and are laid on and connected to the respective vertical wall  27 . The overlap-connection parts  31 ,  42  have respective bead parts  72 ,  73 , which are distanced or spaced from the respective vertical wall  27  and continuous from respective top parts  74  of the arcuate parts  68 ,  71 . 
     Of the upper wall  33 , lower wall  58  and vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14 , at least the vertical wall  27  has a vertical-wall bead  76  recessed concavely toward an inside of the side sill  14  and extending from a front end  53  to a rear end  77  of the side sill  14 . 
     In the embodiment being discussed, the upper wall  33  has an upper-wall bead part  81 , while the lower wall  58  has a lower-wall bead part  82 . 
     The overlap-connection parts  31 ,  42  are connected to the vertical walls  27 ,  27 , respectively. 
     The bead parts  72 ,  73  of the overlap-connection parts  31 ,  42  are distanced from the respective vertical wall  27  and extend over the vertical-wall beads  76 ,  76  formed in the respective vertical wall  27 , each forming a space therebetween. 
     Next, the overlap-connection part  31  of the center pillar  21  will be described in detail. 
     The overlap-connection part  31  of the center pillar  21  has a height about the same as that of the vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14 , and has a longitudinal length about twice longer than its height. The overlap-connection part  31  has a body part  85  that includes a front section  91 , a rear section  92 , a front lower section  93 , a center upper section  94  and a rear lower section  95 . 
     The front section  91  positioned at a side of the front pillar  16  and the rear section  92  positioned on an opposite side are brought into contact with the vertical wall  27  and connected to the vertical wall  27  with welds  97 . 
     The front section  91  continues from an end (contact part)  101  of the arcuate part  68 , which end  101  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27 . 
     While being partially held in contact with the vertical wall  27 , the front section  91  extends over the vertical-wall bead  76  of the vertical wall  27 . 
     The rear section  92  continues from the end (contact part)  101  of the arcuate part  68  and extends over the vertical-wall bead  76  of the vertical wall  27  and then contact partially with the vertical wall  27 . 
     The front lower section  93 , center upper section  94  and rear lower section  95 , disposed in the named order between the front section  91  and rear section  92 , are connected to the vertical wall  27  with welds  97 . The remaining area of the overlap-connection part  31  forms a bead part  72 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the rear lower section  95  adjacent to the rear section  92  (see  FIG. 2 ) is connected to the vertical wall  27  below the vertical-wall bead  76  with a weld  97 . 
     The front lower section  93  adjacent to the front section  91  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27  below the vertical-wall bead  76  and joined therewith with a weld  97 . 
     The center section  94  at the center of the body part  85  is connected to the vertical wall  27  above the vertical-wall bead  76  with a weld  97 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the front lower section  93 , center upper section  94  and rear lower section  95  each has a front-rear length Lm, i.e., an area of contact with the vertical wall  27 , which is slightly longer than an electrode  103  that pinch-presses those sections upon spot welding. 
     Stated otherwise, the front section  91 , rear section  92 , front lower section  93 , center upper section  94  and rear lower section  95  configuring the body part  85  of the overlap-connection part  31  are disposed in a front-rear direction of the vehicle  10  interposing the bead part  7  therebetween (see  FIGS. 2 and 5 ). 
     The bead part  72  connected to the front section  91 , rear section  92 , center upper section  94  and rear lower section  95  extends parallel to the vertical wall  27  with a distance δ(see  FIG. 5 ) spaced therefrom. 
     The distance δ is generally the same as the height between the vertical wall  27  and the top part  74  of the arcuate part  68 . 
     Specifically, the bead part  72  is formed next to the top part  74  and has an orthogonal-side part  105  having a height δ, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The overlap-connection part  42  of the front pillar  16  will now be described in detail, referring to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . 
     The overlap-connection part  42  of the front pillar  16  has a height about the same as that of the vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14  and a front-rear length that is about twice longer than its height. The overlap-connection part  42  has a body part  111 . 
     The body part  111  includes a front section  112 , a rear section  113 , a first center section  114  and a second center section  115 . 
     The front section  112  at a front side of the vehicle  10  and the rear section  113  at a rear side of the vehicle are brought into contact with and connected to the vertical wall  27  with welds  97 . 
     The front section  112  is continuous with an end (contact part)  116  of the arcuate part  71 . The contact part  116  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27 . 
     The rear section  113  is continuous with the contact part  116  of the arcuate part  71 . The contact part  116  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the second center section  115  is continuous with the end or contact part  116  of the arcuate part  71 . The contact part  116  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27 . The second center section  115  is held in contact with the vertical wall  27  and passes over the vertical-wall bead  76  in such state. 
     The first center section  114  is configured similarly to the second center section  115 . 
     The first center section  114  and second center section  115  are disposed in the named order from the front between the front section  112  and rear section  113 , and connected to the vertical wall  27  with welds  97 . Remaining area of the overlap-connection part  42  forms a bead part  73 . 
     The front section  112 , rear section  113 , first center section  114  and second center section  115  are distanced from one another with a pitch P. 
     Stated otherwise, the body part  111  and bead part  73  are disposed alternately in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. 
     The first center section  114 , front section  112 , rear section  113  and second center section  115  have a front-rear length Lf that is generally the same as the front-rear length Lm in the overlap-connection part  31  of the center pillar  21 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the bead part  73  is spaced from the vertical wall  27  of the side sill  14  by a distance  6  and extends parallel to the vertical wall  27 . 
     The distance  6  has a height generally equal to the height from the vertical wall  27  to a top part  74  of an arcuate part  71 . 
     Specifically, the bead part  73  continues from the top part  74  and has an orthogonal-side part  118  having a height δ, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Next, an operation of the vehicle body side portion structure will be discussed. 
     In the vehicle body side portion structure, a load applied to the side sill  14  is transmitted to the center pillar  21  and front pillar  16  through the center connection structure  24  and front connection structure  25 , respectively. 
     Specifically, the load is partially transmitted to the center pillar  21  through the orthogonal-side part  105  of the bead part  72  in the overlap-connection part  31 , thereby increasing the strength of the overlap-connection part  31  and hence the strength of the section (cross-connection part  121 ) where the side sill  14  is connected to the overlap-connection part  31 . 
     Furthermore, the load is partially transmitted to the front pillar  16  through the orthogonal-side part  118  of the bead part  73  in the overlap-connection  42 , thereby increasing the strength of the overlap-connection part  42  and hence the strength of the section (cross-connection part  123 ) where the side sill  14  is connected to the overlap-connection part  42 . 
     In the vehicle body side portion structure, note additionally that a liquid trapped in the space formed by the arcuate parts  68 ,  71  can be drained in the direction as shown by arrow a 2  (see  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) through the bead parts  72 ,  73 . 
     For example, a surface-treatment liquid held in the space can be drained through the bead parts  72 ,  73 , which liquid is used for treatment of the vehicle  12  by means of a dipping or a spraying process, resulting in a reduced drying operation time of the surface treatment using the liquid. 
     [Second Embodiment] 
     As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a vehicle body side portion structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention is applied to a left side body  213  and a right side body  213  of a vehicle  210 . The structure includes left and right side sills  214 ,  215 , located at a lower part of the side bodies  213 ,  213 , left and right front pillars  216 ,  217 , and left and right center pillars  221 ,  222 . 
     The vehicle  210  includes a vehicle body  212  which is comprised of the side bodies  213 ,  213 , a roof  218  connected between upper portions of the side bodies  213 ,  213 , an underbody  219  that is connected to a lower portion of the side bodies  213 ,  213  and forms a floor of a passenger compartment  251 , and a front section  224  connected in front of the passenger compartment  252 . 
     The front section  224  has left and right front side frames  226 ,  226  extending from a front part  225  of the vehicle  210  to the under body  219 . 
     The side sills  214 ,  215  are connected at their front portions  227 ,  227  with pillar lower parts  228 ,  228  of the front pillars  216 ,  217 , respectively. Furthermore, the side sills  214 ,  215  are connected at their center portions  231 ,  231  with pillar lower parts  232 ,  232  of the center pillars  221 ,  222 , respectively. 
     The vehicle body side portion structure according to the second embodiment will be further described with reference to  FIGS. 10 to 14 . 
     The side sills  214 ,  215  are placed on the left and right side ends of the floor (underbody  219 ) of the passenger compartment  251  and extend in a front-rear direction of the vehicle  210 , respectively. The front pillars  216 ,  217  extend from the front parts  227 ,  227  of the side sills  214 ,  215  to the roof  218 , respectively. The center pillars  221 ,  222  extend from the center parts  231 ,  231  of the side sills  214 ,  214  to the roof  218 , respectively. 
     Since the left side portion structure is configured identically to the left side portion structure, only the left side portion structure will be described. 
     The side sill  214  includes a side-sill outer member  234  and a side-sill inner member  235 , and is formed into a profile of closed cross section. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 to 14 , the side-sill outer member  234  includes an upper wall  236  at an upper portion thereof, a lower wall  237  disposed in opposed relation to the upper wall  236 , and a vertical wall  239  connected to the upper wall  236  and lower wall  237  via corner parts  238 ,  238 , thereby forming an U- or hat-shaped cross-sectional configuration (see  FIG. 14 ). An opening  240  of the side-sill outer  234  is oriented toward the passenger compartment  251 . 
     In the embodiment being described, both the front pillar  216  and center pillar  221  are manufactured by press-draw forming. The front pillar  216  includes a pillar lower part  228  connected to the side-sill outer  234 . The center pillar  221  includes a pillar lower part  232  connected to the side-sill outer  234 . 
     The term “press-draw forming” is used herein to represent draw forming using a press-drawing mold (metal mold), and is categorized in press-molding. 
     The pillar lower part  232  of the center pillar  221  includes a first overlap-connection part  241  and a second overlap-connection part  242 , which are laid on and connected to at least the upper wall  236  and the vertical wall  239 , respectively, among the upper wall  236 , lower wall  237  and vertical wall  239  of the side sill outer member  234 . The pillar lower part  232  also includes an overlap-connection corner part  243  disposed between the upper wall  236  and vertical wall  239  so as to place the latter two in continuity therewith and to pass over the corner part  238  of the side-sill outer member  234 . 
     The pillar lower part  228  of the front pillar  216  is configured similarly to the pillar lower part  232  of the center pillar  221 . 
     The overlap-connection corner part  243  is spaced a distance from a vicinity of the corner part  238 , where the upper wall  236  and vertical wall  239  meet, to avoid interference and contact with the corner part  238 , with the result that the second overlap-connection part  242  is laid on and connected to a widthwise center part  244  of the vertical wall  239 . 
     The term “from a vicinity of the corner part  238 ” specifically means “from a thicknesswise centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239 ”, as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The “distance to avoid contact with the corner part  238 ” is equal to the radius r 2  of the overlap-connection corner part  243 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Namely, the overlap-connection corner part  243  is spaced a distance (radius r 2 ) from the centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239 . 
     The corner part  238 , having a radius r 1 , of the side-sill outer member  234  is formed by means of a roll forming, bending, or press molding. 
     The center pillar  221  includes a grooved outer member  245  having an opening, and an inner member  246  that closes the opening of the outer member  245  to thereby form the center pillar  221  into a profile of closed cross section. The outer member  245  is formed into the grooved profile by press-drawing. 
     The groove profile of the outer member  245  is defined by a center-pillar side wall  247 , a center-pillar front wall  248  and a center-pillar rear wall  249 . The outer member includes, as described above, the first overlap-connection part  241  and second overlap-connection part contacting the side-sill outer member  234 . 
     The center-pillar rear wall  249  has a lower part that is bent rearwardly of the vehicle  210 , forming the first overlap-connection part  241  that is held in contact with and connected to the upper wall  236  of the side-sill outer  234 . 
     The center-pillar front wall  248  has a lower part that is bent forwardly of the vehicle, forming the first overlap-connection part  242  that is held in contact with and connected to the upper wall  236  of the side-sill outer  234 . Provided between the first overlap-connection part  241  and the second overlap-connection part  242  is the overlap-connection corner part  243  having a curved surface of radius r 2 . 
     The center T of the radius r 2  of the overlap-connection corner part  243  is set to lie on the centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239  (see  FIG. 14 ). In other words, the centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239  passes over the center T of the radius r 2  of the overlap-connection corner part  243 . 
     In certain conditions, the center T of the radius r 2  of the overlap-connection corner part  243  may be spaced a distance E radially outwardly from the centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239 . 
     While the “centerline Vs of the vertical wall  239 ” is located at a center of the thickness of the vertical wall  239 , it may be set on a surface thereof. The overlap-connection corner part  243  formed arcuate with the radius r 2  may alternatively be formed polygonal in section. 
     The overlap-connection corner part  243  is formed on the second overlap-connection part  242  including its part not connected to the first overlap-connection part  241 . Specifically, the overlap-connection corner part  243  is formed in the second overlap-connection part  242  all the way along its length in the front-rear direction of the vehicle  210  at the lower part of the center-pillar side wall  247 . 
     Next, discussion will be made as to an operation of the vehicle body side portion structure according to the second embodiment. 
     In the vehicle body side portion structure, as shown in  FIG. 14 , since the center pillar  221  is joined with the side sill  214 , the overlap-connection corner part  243  of the lower part  232  of the outer member  245  does not contact or interfere with the corner part  238  of the side-sill outer  234  when the lower part  232  of the outer member  245  of the press-draw-formed center pillar  221  is laid on and connected to the roll- or bend-formed side-sill outer member  234  of the side sill  214 . Such an arrangement facilitates a connection operation of the center pillar  221  to the side-sill outer  214 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 14 , since the corner part  238  of the side-sill outer member  234  in the side sill  214  has the bent arcuate portion with the radius r 1 , the strength of the side sill  214  is increased compared to one having a radius larger than the radius r 1 . 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the corner part  238  of the side-sill outer  234  does not contact or interfere with the lower part  232  of the outer member  245  of the center pillar  221 , because the side-sill outer  238  has the overlap-connection part  243  at the corner thereof to avoid an interfering contact. 
     Furthermore, the overlap-connection corner part  243  is formed at the corner portion where the first and second overlap-connection parts  241 ,  242  meet, with the result that press-draw forming is enabled and facilitated. 
     Specifically, in the press-draw forming, the radius of the arcuate corner part can be kept large, whereby unevenness that is otherwise liable to occur in the resulting products can be reduced and yields in manufacturing the products can be increased. 
     [Third Embodiment] 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , a vehicle body side portion structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.  FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view corresponding to  FIG. 14  but showing the structure according to the third embodiment. 
     The side sill  314  according to the third embodiment includes an upper wall  333 , a lower wall  358  and a vertical wall  339 , at least one (e.g., upper wall  333 ) of which is provided with a bead (e.g., upper wall bead  381 ) that extends from a front part  327  to a rear end  364  of the side sill  314  to thereby form the side sill  314  into a profile of polygonal closed cross-section More specifically, the upper wall  333  is provided with an upper-wall bead  381  while the lower wall  358  is provided with a lower wall bead  382 . Similarly, the vertical wall  339  is provided with a vertical-wall bead  376 . 
     The center pillar  321  has a lower part  332  which in turn has an overlap-connection corner part  343  and a second overlap-connection part  342 . The side sill  314  includes a side-sill outer member  334  having a corner part  338 . The overlap-connection part  343  is disposed between the corner part  338  and vertical-wall bead  376 . The second overlap-connection part  342  closes an opening  377  of the vertical-wall bead  376 . 
     The vehicle body side portion structure according to the third embodiment operates similarly to and provides the same advantageous effects as that according to the second embodiment. 
     In addition, with the opening  377  of the vertical wall bead  376  being closed, the vertical-wall bead  376  has a profile of closed cross section at a center portion thereof in the longitudinal direction, whereby the side sill  314  is strengthened. 
     Industrial Applicability 
     The vehicle body side portion structure according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use on vehicle bodies. 
     Reference Sings List 
       10  vehicle;  14 ,  15  side sill;  16 ,  17  front pillar;  21 ,  22  center pillar;  27  vertical wall;  31  overlap-connection at a pillar lower part of the center pillar;  33  upper wall;  42  overlap-connection part at a pillar lower part of the front pillar;  51  passenger compartment;  52  floor (under body);  53  front part of the side sill;  55  side-sill inner;  56  side-sill outer;  58  lower wall;  61  aperture;  64  pillar lower part of the center pillar;  65  pillar lower part of the front pillar;  67  corner part;  68  arcuate part at the pillar lower part of the center pillar;  71  arcuate part at the pillar lower part of the front pillar;  72  bead part at the pillar lower part of the center pillar;  73  bead part at the pillar lower part of the front pillar;  74  top of the arcuate part.