Patent Publication Number: US-9889888-B2

Title: Side body structure of vehicle

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to a body structure of a vehicle, and particularly relates to a side body structure of a vehicle in a connecting part between a hinge pillar and a side sill, and a part therearound. 
     Generally, when a vehicle experiences a frontal collision, a pair of left and right front-side frames provided in a front part of the vehicle and extending in vehicle longitudinal directions, crashes and absorbs the impact load, and via the front side frames, distributes the impact load to various vehicle parts, in order to reduce cabin deformation. 
     When a so-called small overlap collision where the vehicle overlaps with a collision object at an outer side of the front side frame in vehicle width directions occurs, a front wheel in the overlapped area may move rearwardly (retreat) with respect to the vehicle body and the impact load may be applied to a hinge pillar from the front wheel. 
     The applied impact load is distributed rearwardly via structures, such as a side sill extending rearwardly from a lower end of the hinge pillar, a front pillar extending upwardly and rearwardly from an upper end of the hinge pillar, and an impact bar of a front door. The distribution of the load from the hinge pillar to various parts on the rear side reduces the cabin deformation caused by the retreating of the hinge pillar and a dashboard. 
     Generally, the hinge pillar includes a pair of inner and outer hinge pillar members joined together by welding a pair of front and rear flanges thereof. A closed section space is continuously formed extending vertically between the inner and outer hinge pillar members, and thus, a suitable load transmission occurs between the lower end and the upper end of the hinge pillar. 
     Further the side sill includes a pair of inner and outer side sill members joined together by welding a pair of upper and lower flanges thereof. A closed section space is continuously formed extending in the vehicle longitudinal directions between the inner and outer side sill members, and thus, the load is suitably transmitted rearward by the side sill. 
     A front end part of the outer side sill member projecting forwardly of a rear edge of the hinge pillar may be disposed inside a connecting part between the hinge pillar and the side sill. In this case, the projecting part of the outer side sill member cannot form a closed section space because the welding of the upper flange of the outer side sill member becomes difficult, and the closed section space may only be formed on the rear side of the hinge pillar. 
     When such a vehicle with the side body structure experiences the small overlap collision, the outer side sill member applied with the impact load from the front side easily bends in the front end part with no closed section space, and thus, the effective rearward load distribution cannot be achieved via the side sill. 
     Regarding this inconvenience, JP2013-159290A discloses a structure in which an inner reinforcing member extending in vehicle longitudinal directions is disposed inside a connecting part between a lower end part of a hinge pillar and a front end part of a side sill, and a second closed section space smaller than a closed section space of the side sill itself is continuously formed extending in the vehicle longitudinal directions between the inner reinforcing member and an inner wall of the connecting part. 
     The formation of the second closed section space on the front side of a rear edge of the hinge pillar allows an impact load applied to the hinge pillar from the front side to be transmitted to the closed section space of the side sill formed on the rear side of the hinge pillar, via the second closed section space. 
     Recently, as countermeasures against the small overlap collision, vehicle body structures for facilitating the retreating of a front wheel while sliding outwardly in vehicle width directions are discussed or put in use, in order to reduce a frontal impact load applied from a collision object to a hinge pillar via the front wheel. 
     When the small overlap collision occurs to a vehicle with such a body structure, a frontal impact load is still applied to the hinge pillar from the collision object via the obliquely outwardly retreated front wheel. 
     When the front wheel retreats obliquely outwardly as described above, a front-wheel-side suspension member coupled to the front wheel and extending vertically retreats obliquely outwardly along with the front wheel while falling down, and is disengaged from a vehicle-body-side suspension member during the retreating process. 
     Additionally, if a tire of the front wheel sandwiched by the hinge pillar and the collision object becomes flat, the front-wheel-side suspension member which continues to retreat obliquely outwardly comes into contact with the hinge pillar, and thus another collision occurs between the collision object and the hinge pillar via the suspension member. 
     In such a collision mode, the retreating suspension member comes into contact with the hinge pillar at an outwardly offset position with respect to a center of the hinge pillar in the vehicle width directions, and the impact load may be applied to the hinge pillar at this position. 
     In terms of developments in vehicle body structures, there still is room for improvement in rearwardly distributing a load more stably even in the collision mode as described above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is made in view of the above issues and aims to effectively reduce rearward movement of a hinge pillar and a dashboard, and further reduce a deformation of a cabin, by stably distributing an impact load applied to the hinge pillar from a vehicle front to rear side. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a side body structure of a vehicle is provided, which includes a hinge pillar having inner and outer hinge pillar members forming, in a side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in vertical directions of the vehicle, a side sill having a side sill member forming, on a rear side of the hinge pillar in the side part of the vehicle, a closed section space extending continuously in longitudinal directions of the vehicle, and a closed section space component forming a closed section space extending continuously in the longitudinal directions along an outer surface of the inner hinge pillar member in width directions of the vehicle, the closed section space of the closed section space component connecting to the closed section space of the side sill on the rear side. The inner hinge pillar member is formed with a bend-facilitating portion extending in the vertical direction continuously or intermittently and for facilitating a bending deformation of the inner hinge pillar member by protruding outwardly in the width directions due to a concentration of a stress caused by a frontal impact load applied to the hinge pillar. The bend-facilitating portion is adjacently disposed on the front side of a front end part of the closed section space component. 
     Here, “connecting” means that a rear end section of the closed section space of the closed section space component is disposed inside a front end section of the closed section space of the side sill and a part of a circumferential wall constituting the rear end section of the closed section space of the closed section space component is formed by a member also used for a part of a circumferential wall constituting the front end section of the closed section space of the side sill. 
     According to the above structure, when one of front wheels moves rearwardly (retreats) and obliquely outwardly with respect to the vehicle body due to a small overlap collision and the frontal impact load is applied to a part of the hinge pillar which is outwardly offset with respect to a center thereof in the width directions, the bending deformation occurs by the bend-facilitating portion, which is formed in the inner hinge pillar member, protruding outwardly in the width directions. Thus the front end part of the closed section space component adjacently disposed on the rear side of the bend-facilitating portion is displaced outwardly. Accordingly, when the frontal impact load is obliquely applied from the outer side, the impact load is easily applied to the closed section space component, and thus the shape of the closed section space is sufficiently maintained and a smooth load transmission to the side sill via the closed section space component is achieved. Therefore, the load is effectively distributed rearwardly via the side sill, and a rearward movement of the hinge pillar and a dashboard is reduced, which effectively reduces deformation of a cabin. 
     A vertical dimension of the closed section space component may increase toward a front side. 
     According to the above structure, the closed section space formed by the closed section space component is capable of receiving, at the front end part, the frontal impact load in a wide area in the vertical direction. Therefore, a stress applied to the front end part of the closed section space component due to the frontal impact load is distributed, and thus the shape of the closed section space is sufficiently maintained and the load is effectively distributed rearwardly via the side sill. 
     The bend-facilitating portion may include a vertical bead portion formed in the inner hinge pillar member to extend in the vertical direction. 
     According to the above structure, when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillar, a stress concentrates in the vertical bead portion formed in the inner hinge pillar member, thus the above-described bending deformation at the bend-facilitating portion including the vertical bead portion is effectively facilitated. 
     The bend-facilitating portion may include one end portion of a horizontal bead portion formed in the inner hinge pillar member to extend in the longitudinal directions. 
     According to the above structure, when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillar, a stress concentrates in the end portion of the horizontal bead portion formed in the inner hinge pillar member, and thus the above-described bending deformation at the bend-facilitating portion including the end portion is effectively facilitated. 
     The bend-facilitating portion may have a corner forming a ridge line extending in the vertical direction at a circumferential edge of a concave or convex portion of the inner hinge pillar member. 
     According to the above structure, when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillar, a stress concentrates at the corner forming the ridge line extending in the vertical direction at the circumferential edge of the concave or convex portion of the inner hinge pillar member, thus the above-described bending deformation at the bend-facilitating portion including the corner is effectively facilitated. 
     The bend-facilitating portion may include a boundary portion between a high rigidity portion of the inner hinge pillar member and a low rigidity portion of the inner hinge pillar member, the low rigidity portion having a lower rigidity than the high rigidity portion. 
     According to the above structure, when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillar, a stress concentrates in the boundary portion between the high rigidity portion and the low rigidity portion, thus the above-described bending deformation at the bend-facilitating portion including the boundary portion is effectively facilitated. 
     The bend-facilitating portion may be disposed along the front end part of the closed section space component. 
     According to the above structure, since the bend-facilitating portion is disposed along the front end part of the closed section space component, when the bending deformation occurs by the bend-facilitating portion protruding outwardly in the width directions, the front end part of the closed section space component is entirely uniformly displaced outwardly. Therefore, the frontal impact load obliquely applied from the outer side is evenly applied to the entire front end part of the closed section space component, and thus the shape of the closed section space of the closed section space component is sufficiently maintained and the load transmission to the side sill via the closed section space component is effectively achieved. 
     The side body structure may further include a dashboard extending in the width directions between the hinge pillars disposed as a pair of left and right side parts of the vehicle, and a gusset member coupling an inner surface of the inner hinge pillar member in the width directions to a rear surface of the dashboard in a bracing manner. The bend-facilitating portion may be adjacently disposed on the rear side of a part of the gusset member joined to the inner hinge pillar member. 
     According to the above structure, when the frontal impact load applied to the dashboard via the hinge pillar or a different vehicle part is transmitted to the inner hinge pillar member via the gusset member, a stress easily concentrates in the bend-facilitating portion adjacently disposed on the rear side of the part of the gusset member joined to the inner hinge pillar member. Thus, the bending deformation at the bend-facilitating portion as described above is facilitated more effectively. Therefore, the effective rearward load distribution and the reduction of the rearward movement of the hinge pillar and the dashboard, which leads to the reduction of the deformation of the cabin, are achieved more reliably. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a side body structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an inner part of an internal structure of a hinge pillar and a side sill. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an outer part of the internal structure of the hinge pillar and the side sill. 
         FIG. 4  is a partially-broken front perspective view illustrating the hinge pillar and an inside thereof, seen from an inner side in vehicle lateral directions. 
         FIG. 5  is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the inside of the hinge pillar. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustrating the inner part of the internal structure of the hinge pillar and the side sill. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a first inner reinforcement. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a second inner reinforcement. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating a third inner reinforcement. 
         FIGS. 10A to 10C  show front cross-sectional views illustrating the first to third inner reinforcements and parts therearound, taken along lines A-A, B-B and C-C of  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
         FIGS. 11A to 11C  show front cross-sectional views illustrating the first to third inner reinforcements and parts therearound, taken along lines D-D, E-E and F-F of  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
         FIG. 12  is an inner perspective view illustrating the hinge pillar and parts therearound on the left side of a vehicle body. 
         FIG. 13  is a top cross-sectional view illustrating a gusset member illustrated in  FIG. 12  and parts therearound. 
         FIG. 14  is an inner perspective view illustrating the hinge pillar and parts therearound on the right side of the vehicle body. 
         FIG. 15  is a top cross-sectional view illustrating a connecting part between a lower end part of the hinge pillar and a front end part of the side sill, taken along a line G-G of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 16  is an inner perspective view illustrating the hinge pillar and the parts therearound on the left side of the vehicle body in a deformed state due to an application of a frontal impact load. 
         FIG. 17  is a top cross-sectional view illustrating one example of a state of the connecting part between the lower end part of the hinge pillar and the front end part of the side sill when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillar. 
         FIG. 18  is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the connecting part in the state of  FIG. 17 , taken along a line H-H of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, a side body structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the following description, words indicating directions, such as “front side” (“forward”), “rear side” (“rearward(ly)”), “left side” (“leftward(ly)”), “right side” (“rightward(ly)”), “upper side” (“upward(ly)”), and “lower side” (“downward(ly)”), indicate directions defined by having a forward traveling direction of the vehicle as “front,” unless otherwise defined. Further in the drawings, the reference character “X” indicates vehicle width (lateral) directions, the reference character “Y” indicates vehicle longitudinal directions, and the reference character “Z” indicates vehicle height (vertical) directions. In the following description, the phrases “inner side” and “inward(ly)” indicate directions toward a center of the vehicle in the vehicle lateral directions and the phrases “outer side” and “outward(ly)” indicate directions away from the center in the vehicle lateral directions, unless otherwise defined. Moreover, the phrases “lateral directions” and “lateral(ly)” indicate the vehicle lateral directions and the phrases “longitudinal directions” and “longitudinal(ly)” indicate the vehicle longitudinal directions, unless otherwise defined. 
     Overall Structure 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a left side body of an automobile (vehicle)  1  having the side body structure of this embodiment. Note that in  FIG. 1 , a cabin side outer  48  (see  FIG. 4  etc.) constituting a surface of a side body part of the vehicle is omitted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  1  includes side sills  4  extending longitudinally, and hinge pillars  20  extending vertically. A lower end part of each hinge pillar  20  is connected to a front end part of the side sill  4 . 
     The side sills  4  are provided in left and right side parts of a vehicle body, respectively, and a floor panel  2  (see  FIG. 13 ) is built between the left and right side sills  4 . The hinge pillars  20  are also provided in the left and right side parts of the vehicle body, and a dashboard  10  is built to extend laterally from the left hinge pillar  20  to the right hinge pillar  20  (see  FIGS. 12 to 14 ). Note that a toe board  3  (see  FIGS. 13 and 16 ) extending over an upper surface of the floor panel  2  and a rear surface of the dashboard  10  is disposed between the lower end parts of the left and right hinge pillars  20 . 
     Further as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  1  includes a front pillar  30  extending obliquely upwardly and rearwardly from an upper end part of each hinge pillar  20 , a roof rail  36  extending rearwardly from an upper end part of the front pillar  30 , and a center pillar  38  vertically extending from the roof rail  36  to the side sill  4 . 
     The side body part of the vehicle  1  is formed with a door opening  40  surrounded by an upper edge of the side sill  4 , a rear edge of the hinge pillar  20 , a rear edge of the front pillar  30 , a lower edge of the roof rail  36 , and a front edge of the center pillar  38 . A curved corner  42  is formed in a circumferential edge of the door opening  40 , between a lower end portion of the rear edge of the hinge pillar  20  and a front end portion of the upper edge of the side sill  4 . 
     Hinge Pillar 
     The hinge pillar  20  includes a hinge pillar outer  21  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , having a hat-shaped cross section opening inwardly. The hinge pillar  20  also includes a lower hinge pillar inner  22  and an upper hinge pillar inner  23  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , having a hat-shaped cross section opening outwardly. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  are disposed vertically continuously to each other, and an upper end part of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  is joined to a lower end part of the upper hinge pillar inner  23 . 
     The lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  include side surface parts  22   a  and  23   a  constituting an inner surface of the hinge pillar  20 , front surface parts  22   b  and  23   b  constituting a front surface of the hinge pillar  20 , rear surface parts  22   c  and  23   c  constituting a rear surface of the hinge pillar  20 , first flanges  22   d  and  23   d  provided at outer edges of the front surface parts  22   b  and  23   b , and second flanges  22   e  and  23   e  provided to outer edges of the rear surface parts  22   c  and  23   c , respectively. 
     The lower hinge pillar inner  22  has a pillar structure  22 A extending vertically and constituting the lower end part of the hinge pillar  20 , a curve structure  22 B curving obliquely downwardly and rearwardly from a lower end of the pillar structure  22 A, and a rear elongated structure  22 C extending rearwardly from a rear end of the curve structure  22 B. The curve structure  22 B constitutes the part connecting the lower end part of the hinge pillar  20  and the front end part of the side sill  4  to each other. The rear elongated structure  22 C constitutes a part of the side sill  4  and is joined at a rear end to a front end of a side sill inner  6  (described later). 
     The pillar structure  22 A, the curve structure  22 B, and the rear elongated structure  22 C of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  extend integrally. Each of the side surface part  22   a , the front surface part  22   b , the rear surface part  22   c , and the first and second flanges  22   d  and  22   e  constituting the lower hinge pillar inner  22  is formed continuously over the pillar structure  22 A, the curve structure  22 B, and the rear elongated structure  22 C. The front surface part  22   b  constitutes lower surface parts of the curve structure  22 B and the rear elongated structure  22 C, and the rear surface part  22   c  constitutes upper surface parts of the curve structure  22 B and the rear elongated structure  22 C. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the hinge pillar outer  21  includes a side surface part  21   a  constituting an outer surface of the hinge pillar  20 , a front surface part  21   b  constituting the front surface of the hinge pillar  20 , a rear surface part  21   c  constituting the rear surface of the hinge pillar  20 , a first flange  21   d  provided to an inner edge of the front surface part  21   b , and a second flange  21   e  provided to an inner edge of the rear surface part  21   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the hinge pillar outer  21  is disposed on the outer side of the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23 , opposing thereto. The hinge pillar outer  21  is joined to the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  by joining the first flanges  21   d ,  22   d  and  23   d  and joining the second flanges  21   e ,  22   e  and  23   e  (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     Note that flange  48   d  and  48   e  of the cabin side outer  48  are further joined to the outer side of the first and second flanges  21   d  and  21   e , respectively (see  FIG. 15 ). 
     Thus, a closed section space S 1  is formed vertically continuously by the hinge pillar outer  21  and the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  (see  FIG. 15 ). Hereinafter, this closed section space is referred to as “the closed section space S 1  of the hinge pillar  20 .” 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , a hinge reinforcement  50  is disposed in a space inside the hinge pillar  20  defined by the hinge pillar outer  21  and the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23 . The hinge reinforcement  50  is disposed at a position higher than a vertical center of the hinge pillar  20 . 
     The hinge reinforcement  50  includes a side surface part  51  disposed along the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21 , an upper surface part  52  extending inwardly from an upper edge of the side surface part  51 , and a lower surface part  53  extending inwardly from a lower edge of the side surface part  51 . The hinge reinforcement  50 , as a whole, has a substantially channel shape in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     The side surface part  51  of the hinge reinforcement  50  is joined to the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21  by a fastener (bolt, screw etc.) along with the cabin side outer  48  and a hinge member  120  for a front door (see  FIG. 5 ). The upper and lower surface parts  52  and  53  of the hinge reinforcement  50  are joined to the upper hinge pillar inner  23  by a fastener (bolt, screw etc.) in inner edge portions thereof. The hinge reinforcement  50  has a higher rigidity than the hinge pillar outer  21  and the upper hinge pillar inner  23 . In this embodiment, a bolt is used as the fastener. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a first outer reinforcement panel  26  and a second outer reinforcement panel  28  extending vertically are disposed inside the hinge pillar  20 , on the lower side of the hinge reinforcement  50 . The first and second outer reinforcement panels  26  and  28  are joined to the hinge pillar outer  21 . The first and second outer reinforcement panels  26  and  28  have higher rigidities than the hinge pillar outer  21 . 
     The first outer reinforcement panel  26  includes a side reinforcing part  26   a  disposed along an inner surface of the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21 , and a front reinforcing part  26   b  disposed along a rear surface of the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21 . The front reinforcing part  26   b  laterally extends from a front edge of the side reinforcing part  26   a . Thus, the first outer reinforcement panel  26  has an L-shaped cross section in the vertical directions Z. 
     The side reinforcing part  26   a  of the first outer reinforcement panel  26  is joined to the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21  by spot welding, for example. A lower end portion of the side reinforcing part  26   a  is joined to a side sill outer  5  (described later). An upper end portion of the side reinforcing part  26   a  is provided with an engaging part (not illustrated) for engaging with the side surface part  51  of the hinge reinforcement  50 , on the front side. The front reinforcing part  26   b  of the first outer reinforcement panel  26  is joined to the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21  by spot welding, for example. 
     The second outer reinforcement panel  28  is entirely disposed on the rear side of the first outer reinforcement panel  26 . The second outer reinforcement panel  28  has a substantially L-shaped cross section and is joined to the side surface part  21   a  and the rear surface part  21   c  of the hinge pillar outer  21 . The second outer reinforcement panel  28  is vertically shorter than the first outer reinforcement panel  26 , and an upper end of the second outer reinforcement panel  28  is disposed at substantially the same height as an upper end of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a lower end part of the second outer reinforcement panel  28  protrudes downwardly of a lower end of the hinge pillar outer  21  and is joined to the side sill outer  5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a reinforcing member  29  is disposed across the internal space of the hinge pillar  20  from the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  to the hinge pillar outer  21 . The reinforcing member  29  is formed in a crank shape in the longitudinal directions Y. The reinforcing member  29  is joined to the lower end part of the upper hinge pillar inner  23  at an inner edge, and joined to hinge pillar outer  21  via the first and second outer reinforcement panels  26  and  28  at an outer edge. Note that in  FIG. 3 , the illustration of the reinforcing member  29  is omitted. 
     Side Sill 
     The side sill  4  includes the side sill outer  5  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , having a hat-shaped cross section opening inwardly, and the side sill inner  6  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , having a hat-shaped cross section opening outwardly. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the side sill inner  6  includes a side surface part  6   a  constituting an inner surface of the side sill  4 , an upper surface part  6   b  extending outwardly from an upper edge of the side surface part  6   a  and constituting an upper surface of the side sill  4 , a lower surface part  6   c  extending outwardly from a lower edge of the side surface part  6   a  and constituting a lower surface of the side sill  4 , an upper flange  6   d  extending upwardly from an outer edge of the upper surface part  6   b , and a lower flange  6   e  extending downwardly from an outer edge of the lower surface part  6   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the side sill outer  5  includes a side surface part  5   a  constituting an outer surface of the side sill  4 , an upper surface part  5   b  extending inwardly from an upper edge of the side surface part  5   a  and constituting the upper surface of the side sill  4 , a lower surface part  5   c  extending inwardly from a lower edge of the side surface part  5   a  and constituting the lower surface of the side sill  4 , an upper flange  5   d  extending upwardly from an inner edge of the upper surface part  5   b , and a lower flange  5   e  extending downwardly from an inner edge of the lower surface part  5   c.    
     The side sill outer  5  is disposed on the outer side of the side sill inner  6 , opposing thereto. The side sill outer  5  is joined to the side sill inner  6  by joining the upper flanges  5   d  and  6   d  and joining the lower flanges  5   e  and  6   e  by spot welding, for example. 
     Thus, a closed section space S 2  is formed continuously in the longitudinal directions Y between the side sill outer  5  and the side sill inner  6  (see  FIG. 11C ). Hereinafter, this closed section space is referred to as “the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4 .” 
     Note that, although they are not illustrated, a plurality of reinforcing members extending from the side sill outer  5  to the side sill inner  6  are disposed in a space inside the side sill  4  defined by the side sill outer  5  and the side sill inner  6 , and spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     The side sill outer  5  protrudes forwardly of the side sill inner  6 . A front end of the side sill outer  5  is located on the front side of the rear edge of the hinge pillar  20 , for example, between the front surface part  21   b  and the rear surface part  21   c  of the hinge pillar outer  21  in the longitudinal directions Y. In other words, the front end of the side sill outer  5  is disposed in the connecting part between the hinge pillar  20  and the side sill  4 . 
     In a front end part of the side sill outer  5 , front ends of the upper end part  5   b  and the upper flange  5   d  are disposed on the front side of front ends of the lower surface part  5   c  and the lower flange  5   e . The front end of the upper surface part  5   b  of the side sill outer  5  is coupled to the front end of the lower surface part  5   c  by a reinforcing member  9  extending vertically. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the front end of the side sill outer  5  is located on the inner side of the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21  and on the outer side of the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . In other words, the front end part of the side sill outer  5  is disposed below the internal space of the hinge pillar  20 . The side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21  is joined to the outer side of a front end portion of the side surface part  5   a  of the side sill outer  5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 10C , the lower flange  5   e  of the side sill outer  5  is joined to the first flange  22   d  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  by, for example, spot welding, on the front side of the rear edge of the hinge pillar  20 . The upper flange  5   d  of the side sill outer  5  is not joined to either one of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the hinge pillar outer  21 . In other words, the side sill outer  5  does not form a closed section space on the front side of the rear edge of the hinge pillar  20 , and the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4  is only formed on the rear side of the hinge pillar  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an inner surface of the side sill outer  5  is joined to a side sill outer reinforcing member  8  extending longitudinally. The side sill outer reinforcing member  8  includes a side surface reinforcing part  8   a  joined to the side surface part  5   a  of the side sill outer  5 , an upper surface reinforcing part  8   b  joined to the upper surface part  5   b  of the side sill outer  5 , and a lower surface reinforcing part  8   c  joined to the lower surface part  5   c  of the side sill outer  5 . The side sill outer reinforcing member  8 , as a whole, has a substantially channel-shaped cross section in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     Front ends of the side and lower surface reinforcing parts  8   a  and  8   c  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  are located on the rear side of the front end of the side sill outer  5 , at substantially the same position as the rear surface part  21   c  of the hinge pillar outer  21  in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     A front end of the upper surface reinforcing part  8   b  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  is located at a position on the front side of the front ends of the side and lower surface reinforcing parts  8   a  and  8   c  and on the rear side of the front end of the side sill outer  5 . 
     A front end portion of the upper surface reinforcing part  8   b  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  is provided with a flange  8   d  extending upwardly from an inner edge. The flange  8   d  is joined to the upper flange  5   d  of the side sill outer  5 . 
     The flange  8   d  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  extends longitudinally. A front end of the flange  8   d  is located on the rear side of a front end of the upper flange  5   d  and on the front side of the rear surface part  21   c  of the hinge pillar outer  21 . A rear end of the flange  8   d  is located on the rear side of a front end of the second flange  21   e  of the hinge pillar outer  21  and on the front side of a rear end of the second flange  21   e.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a lower end portion of the side surface part  21   a  of the hinge pillar outer  21  is joined to the outer surface of the side surface part  5   a  of the side sill outer  5 . Lower ends of the first and second outer reinforcement panels  26  and  28  intervene between the side surface part  5   a  and the side surface part  21   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the side body part of the vehicle is provided, on the outer side, with a reinforcing member  7  extending longitudinally, near the curved corner  42  of the door opening  40 . A front end portion of the reinforcing member  7  extends forwardly while curving upwardly along the curved corner  42 . The reinforcing member  7  is joined to the hinge pillar outer  21  and the side sill outer  5  to extend from the hinge pillar outer  21  to the side sill outer  5 . 
     Connecting Part Between Hinge Pillar and Side Sill 
     As illustrated in the side view of  FIG. 6 , a first inner reinforcement  60 , a second inner reinforcement  70 , and a third inner reinforcement  80  which extend longitudinally are disposed in the connecting part between the lower end part of the hinge pillar  20  and the front end part of the side sill  4 . 
     The first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  are joined to the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the side sill inner  6 . These members  6 ,  22 ,  60 ,  70  and  80  constitute a closed section space component and closed section spaces S 3 , S 4  and S 5  described later (see  FIGS. 10 and 11 ) are formed in the closed section space component. 
     The first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  have higher rigidities than the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the side sill inner  6 . The first inner reinforcement  60  has a higher rigidity than the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80 . 
     A structure relating to the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 11  in addition to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the first inner reinforcement  60 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the second inner reinforcement  70 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the third inner reinforcement  80 .  FIGS. 10A to 11C  show cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A to F-F of  FIG. 6 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 7 and 10A , the first inner reinforcement  60  has a hat-shaped cross section and is joined to an outer surface of the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the first inner reinforcement  60  includes a first side surface part  61  opposing the outer side of the side surface part  22   a , an upper surface part  62  extending inwardly from an upper edge of the first side surface part  61 , a lower surface part  63  extending inwardly from a lower edge of the first side surface part  61 , an upper flange  64  extending upwardly from an inner edge of the upper surface part  62 , and a lower flange  65  extending downwardly from an inner edge of the lower surface part  63 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first side surface part  61  is formed to have a vertical dimension that increases toward the front side as compared to the rear side. The first side surface part  61  is arranged to incline so that a lower end of a front end portion is located higher than an upper end of a rear end portion. 
     A front edge  61   a  of the first side surface part  61  extends substantially straight and is inclined so that an upper end of the front edge  61   a  is located on the rear side of a lower end. A rear edge  61   b  of the first side surface part  61  also extends substantially straight and is inclined so that an upper end of the rear edge  61   b  is located on the rear side of a lower end. The inclination of the rear edge  61   b  of the first side surface part  61  with respect to the vertical directions Z is larger than that of the front edge  61   a  of the first side surface part  61 . 
     The front end portion of the first side surface part  61  is located higher than the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 . Although the front end portion of the first side surface part  61  of this embodiment is entirely located higher than the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 , the front end portion of the first side surface part  61  may be located higher than the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6  only partially. 
     The upper flange  64  extends from a front end to a center portion of the upper surface part  62  and is joined to the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . The upper flange  64  is located on the front side of the rear surface part  22   c  (upper surface part  22   c ) corresponding to the pillar structure  22 A of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , at a height position which is on the upper side of the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  constituting the rear elongated structure  22 C, and overlaps with the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  constituting the curve structure  22 B. 
     The lower flange  65  is joined to the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  via a flange  73  (described later) of the second inner reinforcement  70 . A rear end of the lower flange  65  is located at a position which overlaps, in the longitudinal directions Y, with the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  constituting the curve structure  22 B. Further, the lower flange  65  is located at a position which overlaps, in the vertical directions Z, with the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  constituting the curve structure  22 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the second inner reinforcement  70  includes a second side surface part  71  opposing the outer side of the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , an upper surface part  72  extending inwardly from an upper edge of the second side surface part  71 , and the flange  73  extending upwardly from an inner edge of the upper surface part  72 . 
     The second side surface part  71  entirely extends longitudinally. A part from a center portion to a front end of the second side surface part  71  extends forwardly while inclining slightly upwardly and has a longitudinal dimension tapering on the front side. The second side surface part  71  and the first side surface part  61  are disposed substantially in a single plane (see  FIGS. 10A to 10C ). 
     A rear end of the upper surface part  72  of the second inner reinforcement  70  is located on the rear side of the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  constituting the curve structure  22 B. The flange  73  of the second inner reinforcement  70  extends from a front end to a center portion of the upper surface part  72  and is joined to the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  along with the lower flange  65  of the first inner reinforcement  60 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 9 , the third inner reinforcement  80  includes a third side surface part  81  opposing the outer side of the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , a lower surface part  82  extending inwardly from a lower edge of the third side surface part  81 , a lower flange  83  extending downwardly from an inner edge of the lower surface part  82 , and an upper flange  84  extending outwardly from an upper edge of the third side surface part  81 . 
     The third side surface part  81  has a base portion  81   a  extending longitudinally along the second side surface part  71 , and an upper elongated portion  81   b  extending upwardly from the rear side of a front end. The base portion  81   a  is joined to the second side surface part  71 , for example, an outer surface of the second side surface part  71 . The upper elongated portion  81   b  is joined to the first side surface part  61 , for example, an outer surface of the first side surface part  61 . 
     The base portion  81   a  protrudes rearwardly of a rear end of the second side surface part  71 , and a rear end of the base portion  81   a  is disposed on the rear side of the front end of the side sill inner  6 . In the first side surface part  61 , the upper elongated portion  81   b  is joined to a position on the rear side of a center in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     The lower surface part  82  of the third inner reinforcement  80  is disposed opposing the lower side of the upper surface part  72  of the second inner reinforcement  70 . On the rear side of the rear end of the second inner reinforcement  70 , the lower surface part  82  is disposed further opposing the lower side of the upper surface part  22   c  corresponding to the rear elongated structure  22 C of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 . 
     The lower flange  83  of the third inner reinforcement  80  is joined to the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  at a front end portion, and joined to the side surface part  6   a  of the side sill inner  6  at a rear end portion. 
     The upper flange  84  of the third inner reinforcement  80  is disposed along a lower surface of the upper surface portion  22   c  corresponding to the rear elongated portion  22 C of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and a lower surface of the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 , and is joined to these surfaces. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the closed section space component is formed with the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  continuously in the longitudinal directions Y, and a frontal impact load applied to the hinge pillar  20  is transmittable to the rear side by the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4 . The first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  are disposed vertically. 
     The first closed section space S 3  is formed between the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the first inner reinforcement  60 , and is easily formable by simply joining the first inner reinforcement  60  having the hat-shaped cross section to the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . 
     The first closed section space S 3  is defined by a pair of side walls formed by the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the first side surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  opposing each other, an upper wall formed by the upper surface part  62  of the first inner reinforcement  60  connecting upper ends of the pair of side walls with each other, and a lower wall formed by the lower surface part  63  of the first inner reinforcement  60  connecting lower ends of the pair of side walls with each other (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
     A vertical dimension of the first closed section space S 3  increases toward the front side. A lateral dimension of the first closed section space S 3  is substantially fixed and a cross-sectional area of the first closed section space S 3  increases toward the front side compared to the rear side. 
     The first closed section space S 3  at the front end where the vertical dimension becomes largest is capable of receiving the frontal impact load in a vertically wide area. Therefore, a stress applied to a front end part of the first inner reinforcement  60  due to the frontal impact load is distributed, thus the shape of the first closed section space S 3  is sufficiently maintained and a rearward load transmission via the first closed section space S 3  is effectively achieved. 
     A corner C 1  of the first closed section space S 3  between the side and upper surface parts  61  and  62  of the first inner reinforcement  60  forms a substantially straight ridge line L 1  extending obliquely downwardly as it extends rearwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , this ridge line L 1  extends to be longitudinally continuous to a substantially straight line L 2  formed by the upper surface part  22   c  corresponding to the rear elongated portion  22 C of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6  in a side view of the vehicle body, via a curved line L 3  formed by the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  constituting the curve structure  22 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the second closed section space S 4  is disposed on the lower side of the first closed section space S 3  to be spaced apart therefrom. The second closed section space S 4  is formed inside a space defined by the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80 . The second closed section space S 4  is easily formable by simply joining the second and third side surface parts  71  and  81  of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  having simple structures, and joining the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  to the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . 
     The second closed section space S 4  is defined by a pair of side walls formed by the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the second and third side surface parts  71  and  81  of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  opposing each other, an upper wall formed by the upper surface part  72  of the second inner reinforcement  70  connecting upper ends of the pair of side walls with each other, and a lower wall formed by the lower surface part  82  of the third inner reinforcement  80  connecting lower ends of the pair of side walls with each other (see  FIGS. 6, 8 and 9 ). 
     A vertical dimension, a lateral dimension, and a cross-sectional area of the second closed section space S 4  are substantially fixed over the entire longitudinal length. Therefore, a total vertical dimension and a total cross-sectional area of the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  increases toward the front side compared to the rear side. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10C , the third side surface part  81  of the third inner reinforcement  80  is joined to the first side surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  on the outer side of the first closed section space S 3 , and joined to the second side surface part  71  of the second inner reinforcement  70  on the outer side of the second closed section space S 4 . Therefore, on the rear side of rear ends of the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4 , a single converged closed section space S 5  is formed between the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the third inner reinforcement  80 . Thus, rear end sides of the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  are converged into the single converged closed section space S 5  at the rear end sides. 
     This converged closed section space S 5  is formed using the third side surface part  81  joined to the outer side of the first side surface part  61  constituting the first closed section space S 3  and the outer side of the second side surface part  71  constituting the second closed section space S 4 . Therefore, the rear end sides of the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  are easily converged into the converged closed section space S 5 . 
     In each of the joined part between the first side surface part  61  and the third side surface part  81  and the joined part between the second side surface part  71  and the third side surface part  81 , since the frontal impact load acts in a shear direction, the joining strengths at the joined parts are increased. Thus, the load transmission from the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  to the converged closed section space S 5  is sufficiently achieved. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11A to 11C , the converged closed section space S 5  is formed longitudinally continuously. A front end section of the converged closed section space S 5  overlaps, in the longitudinal directions Y, with the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  constituting the curve structure  22 B (see the line C-C of  FIG. 6 ). A rear end section of the converged closed section space S 5  is disposed on the rear side of the front end of the side sill inner  6  (see the line F-F of  FIG. 6 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 11A to 11C , the converged closed section space S 5  is defined by a pair of side walls formed by the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  or the side surface part  6   a  of the side sill inner  6  and the third side surface part  81  of the third inner reinforcement  80  opposing thereto, an upper wall connecting upper ends of the pair of side walls, and a lower wall formed by the lower surface part  82  of the third inner reinforcement  80  connecting lower ends of the pair of side walls with each other. The upper wall is formed by one of the portion of the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  constituting the curve structure  22 B or the rear elongated structure  22 C, and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 . 
     As described above, the converged closed section space component forming the converged closed section space S 5  is comprised of the third side surface part  81  and the lower surface part  82  of the third inner reinforcement  80 , the side surface part  22   a  and the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , and the side surface part  6   a  and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6 . 
     In addition to the converged closed section space S 5 , the side surface part  22   a  and the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the side surface part  6   a  and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6  also constitute the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4 . Thus, the rear end section of the converged closed section space S 5  is formed by using a member also used for the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4 , and the rear end section of the converged closed section space S 5  is connected to the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4 . 
     Coupling Part Between Hinge Pillar and Dashboard 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the hinge pillar  20  and the dashboard  10  are coupled to each other by a gusset member  12 . 
     The gusset member  12  includes a first joining surface part  13  joined to the dashboard  10  by, for example, a pair of fasteners (bolts, screws etc.), a second joining surface part  14  joined to the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  by, for example, a pair of fasteners (bolts, screws etc.), and a bridging surface part  15  bridging the first and second joining surface parts  13  and  14 . The gusset member  12  has a higher rigidity than the dashboard  10  and the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . In this embodiment, bolts are used as the pair of fasteners. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the first joining surface part  13  is disposed to extend laterally along the dashboard  10  and the second joining surface part  14  is disposed to extend longitudinally along the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 . The bridging surface part  15  is disposed to extend obliquely rearwardly from an outer edge of the first joining surface part  13  while extending outwardly. A rear end of the bridging surface part  15  extends continuously to a front end of the second joining surface part  14 . 
     The gusset member  12  formed as described above couples the rear surface of the dashboard  10  to the inner surface of the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  in a bracing manner. 
     While the gusset member  12  illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  couples the hinge pillar  20  on the left side of the vehicle body to the dashboard  10 , the hinge pillar  20  on the right side of the vehicle body is similarly coupled to the dashboard  10  via a similar gusset member  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , in the side surface parts  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inners  22  of the left and right hinge pillars  20 , bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  extending intermittently vertically are formed at positions adjacent to rear ends of the second joining surface parts  14  of the gusset members  12 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 12 , the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the left side of the vehicle body is formed with a bulging portion  22   f  bulging outwardly, a horizontal bead portion  22   g  extending longitudinally, and a first vertical bead portion  22   h  and a second vertical bead portion  22   i  extending vertically. 
     The bulging portion  22   f  is disposed on the upper side of the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6  (see  FIG. 6 ). A rear end portion of the bulging portion  22   f  overlaps with the first side surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIG. 6 ) in the vehicle side view. A front end portion of the bulging portion  22   f  overlaps with the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     The horizontal bead portion  22   g  bulges outwardly from the side surface part  22   a . The horizontal bead portion  22   g  is disposed on the upper side of the bulging portion  22   f  and the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). A rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   g  is disposed on the upper side of the first surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIG. 6 ), adjacently to a position on the upper front side of a front end of the upper flange  64  of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The first vertical bead portion  22   h  bulges outwardly from the side surface part  22   a . The first vertical bead portion  22   h  is disposed on the lower side of the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   g  to be spaced apart therefrom, and is also slightly offset to the front side from the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   g . The first vertical bead portion  22   h  is formed at an upper edge of the bulging portion  22   f . The first vertical bead portion  22   h  is adjacently disposed on the front side of an upper end portion of the front edge  61   a  of the first side surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIG. 6 ). The first vertical bead portion  22   h  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     The second vertical bead portion  22   i  bulges outwardly from the side surface part  22   a . The second vertical bead portion  22   i  is disposed on the lower side of a lower end of the first vertical bead portion  22   h  to be spaced apart therefrom, and is also slightly offset to the front side from the first vertical bead portion  22   h . The second vertical bead portion  22   i  is formed at a lower edge of the bulging portion  22   f . The second vertical bead portion  22   i  is adjacently disposed on the front side of a lower end portion of the front edge  61   a  of the first side surface part  61  of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIG. 6 ). The second vertical bead portion  22   i  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     In the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , the horizontal bead portion  22   g , the first vertical bead portion  22   h , and the second vertical bead portion  22   i  have higher rigidities than portions therearound. For example, circumferential edge portions of the horizontal bead portion  22   g , the first vertical bead portion  22   h  and the second vertical bead portion  22   i  are boundary portions between higher rigidity portions which are the horizontal bead portion  22   g , the first vertical bead portion  22   h , and the second vertical bead portion  22   i , and lower rigidity portions which are portions therearound. A stress caused by the impact load applied to the lower hinge pillar inner  22  easily concentrates at the boundary portions. 
     The bend-facilitating portion  90  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the left side of the vehicle body vertically extends intermittently through the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   g , upper and lower ends of the first vertical bead portion  22   h , and upper and lower ends of the second vertical bead portion  22   i.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the right side of the vehicle body is formed with a first bulging portion  22   j  bulging outwardly, a second bulging portion  22   k  (concave or convex portion) bulging further outwardly from the first bulging portion  22   j , a horizontal bead portion  22   l  extending longitudinally, and a vertical bead portion  22   m  extending vertically. 
     A front end of the first bulging portion  22   j  overlaps with the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12  in the vehicle side view (see  FIG. 14 ). The second bulging portion  22   k  is formed continuously to the lower side of the first bulging portion  22   j . A front edge of the second bulging portion  22   k  is formed with a corner  22   n  forming a vertical ridge line. 
     The horizontal bead portion  22   l  bulges outwardly from the side surface part  22   a . The horizontal bead portion  22   l  is disposed on the upper side of the first bulging portion  22   j  and the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12 . 
     The vertical bead portion  22   m  bulges outwardly from the side surface part  22   a . The vertical bead portion  22   m  is disposed on the lower side of a lower end of the horizontal bead portion  22   l  to be spaced apart therefrom, and is also slightly offset to the front side from the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   l . The vertical bead portion  22   m  is formed at an upper edge of the first bulging portion  22   j . The vertical bead portion  22   m  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12 . The vertical bead portion  22   m  is disposed between the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   l  and the corner  22   n  at the front edge of the second bulging portion  22   k.    
     In the side surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the right side of the vehicle body, the vertical bead portion  22   m  and the corner  22   n  of the second bulging portion  22   k  have higher rigidities than portions therearound. 
     The bend-facilitating portion  91  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the right side of the vehicle body vertically extends intermittently through the rear end of the horizontal bead portion  22   l , upper and lower ends of the vertical bead portion  22   m , and the corner  22   n  of the second bulging portion  22   k.    
     The stress caused by the frontal impact load applied to the lower hinge pillar inners  22  easily concentrates in the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  formed in the left and right lower hinge pillar inners  22  as described above. Therefore, bending deformations of the lower hinge pillar inners  22  are facilitated by the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  protruding outwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     Note that, although  FIG. 16  illustrates one example of the bending deformation of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the left side of the vehicle body, a similar bending deformation of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  on the right side of the vehicle body may occur. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , each of the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  formed in the left and right lower hinge pillar inners  22  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the second joining surface part  14  of the gusset member  12 . 
     When the frontal impact load is applied to one of the hinge pillars  20  due to, for example, a small overlap collision, the side surface parts  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inners  22  receive impact loads directly from the parts of the hinge pillar  20  to which the load is applied, and also indirectly from the hinge pillar  20  via the dashboard  10  and the gusset member  12 . 
     The stress caused by the impact load transmitted to the side surface parts  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inners  22  via the gusset members  12  easily concentrates in the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  adjacently disposed on the rear sides of the second joining surface parts  14  of the gusset members  12 . Thus, the bending deformation described above is facilitated more effectively. 
     Positional Relationship of Respective Members 
       FIG. 15  is a top cross-sectional view of the connecting part between the lower end part of the hinge pillar  20  and the front end part of the side sill  4 , taken along a line G-G of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates the front end part of the side sill outer  5  disposed in a lower section of the space inside the hinge pillar  20 . A front end  5   f  of the upper surface part  5   b  of the side sill outer  5  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21 . Note that the first outer reinforcement panel  26  intervenes between the front end  5   f  of the side sill outer  5  and the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21 . An outer corner of a front end portion of the upper surface part  5   b  of the side sill outer  5  is cut out to form a cutout section  5   g.    
     A front end  8   f  of the upper surface reinforcing part  8   b  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  joined to the inner surface of the side sill outer  5  is disposed on the rear side of the front end  5   f  of the side sill outer  5 . An outer corner of a front end portion of the upper surface reinforcing part  8   b  is cut out to form a cutout section  8   g . The cutout section  8   g  is adjacently disposed on the rear side of the cutout section  5   g  of the side sill outer  5 . 
     The first inner reinforcement  60  and the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  located on the lower side of the first inner reinforcement  60  (see  FIGS. 6 and 10A ) are disposed on the inner side of the side sill outer  5  to be spaced apart therefrom. 
     The front end of the first inner reinforcement  60  is disposed on the rear side of the front end  5   f  of the side sill outer  5 , and disposed at substantially the same position as the front end  8   f  of the side sill outer reinforcing member  8  in the longitudinal directions Y. The front ends of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  are also disposed at substantially the same position as the front end of the first inner reinforcement  60  in the longitudinal directions Y (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the second side surface part  71  of the second inner reinforcement  70  and the third side surface part  81  of the third inner reinforcement  80  vertically overlap with the upper flange  5   d  of the side sill outer  5 , and the upper flange  5   d  opposes to the outer side of the second and third side surface parts  71  and  81 . 
     For example, the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  are disposed so that when the frontal impact load is obliquely applied to the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  from the outer side, the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21  moves into the front side of the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  (see  FIG. 17 ) and the upper flange  5   d  of the side sill outer  5  comes into contact with the second and third side surface parts  71  and  81  of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  (see  FIG. 18 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the bend-facilitating portion  90  formed in the sides surface part  22   a  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  described above is adjacently disposed on the front side of the front end part of the first inner reinforcement  60 . Further the bend-facilitating portion  90  is disposed along the front end part of the first inner reinforcement  60  in the vehicle side view. 
     Note that  FIG. 6  illustrates the positional relationship between the bend-facilitating portion  90  of the hinge pillar  20  and the first inner reinforcement  60  on the left side of the vehicle body, and a similar positional relationship is applied to the bend-facilitating portion  91  of the hinge pillar  20  and the first inner reinforcement  60  on the right side of the vehicle body. 
     Thus, when the frontal impact load is applied to the hinge pillars  20 , the bending deformations occur by the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  protruding outwardly as described above, which causes the front end parts of the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  adjacently disposed on the rear side of the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91 , to be displaced outwardly (see  FIGS. 17 and 18 ). As a result, when the frontal impact load is obliquely applied to the hinge pillar  20  from the outer side, the impact load is easily applied to the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4 . 
     Here, since each of the front end parts of the first inner reinforcements  60  disposed along the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  in the vehicle side view is entirely uniformly displaced outwardly, the frontal impact load obliquely applied from the outer side is easily and evenly applied to the entire front end part of the first inner reinforcement  60 . 
     Operations and Effects 
       FIG. 17  is a top cross-sectional view of the connecting part between the lower end part of the hinge pillar  20  and the front end part of the side sill  4 .  FIG. 18  is a front cross-sectional view of the connecting part, taken along a line H-H of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate one example of a collision mode in which due to a small overlap collision, one of front wheels moves rearwardly (retreats) and obliquely outwardly with respect to the vehicle body, and comes into contact with the hinge pillar  20 , a tire of the front wheel sandwiched by the hinge pillar  20  and a collision object  100  becomes flat, then a suspension member  98  on the front wheel side which continues to retreat obliquely outwardly in a fallen posture comes into contact with the hinge pillar  20 , and thus another collision occurs between the collision object  100  and the hinge pillar  20  via the suspension member  98 . 
     In the collision mode of  FIG. 17 , a part of the cabin side outer  48 , a part of the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21 , and a part of the first outer reinforcement panel  26  which are pushed obliquely rearwardly toward the inner side by the suspension member  98 , move into and are stopped by the front sides of the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  displaced outwardly by the bend-facilitating portions  90  and  91  as described above. 
     Here, the front surface part  21   b  of the hinge pillar outer  21  is partially deformed by being bent to protrude inwardly at a bent portion  21   f , and this bent portion  21   f  and a portion therearound are stopped to the front end parts of the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80 . 
     The rear end part of the first outer reinforcement panel  26  and the front end part of second outer reinforcement panel  28  are stopped to in the cutout section  5   g  formed in the front end part of the side sill outer  5 . 
     In this state, each of the side sill outer  5  and the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  receives the impact load from the suspension member  98  via the first outer reinforcement panel  26 , the hinge pillar outer  21 , and the cabin side outer  48 . Therefore, the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  are stimulated to retreat together with the side sill outer  5 . As a result, the side sill outer  5  is prevented from retreating relatively to the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80 . 
     Further as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the upper flange  5   d  of the side sill outer  5  contacts with the outer side of the second and third side surface parts  71  and  81  of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80 . Thus, the lower hinge pillar inner  22 , the third inner reinforcement  80 , and the side sill outer  5  newly form a third closed section space S 6  extending continuously in the longitudinal directions Y. 
     Since the side sill outer  5  is prevented from retreating relatively to the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  as described above, the rearward load transmission is effectively achieved in the newly formed third closed section space S 6 . 
     The first closed section space S 3  transmits rearwardly the impact load applied from the front end side of the first inner reinforcement  60  at a position higher than the side sill  4 . The second closed section space S 4  transmits rearwardly the impact load applied from the front end sides of the second and third inner reinforcements  70  and  80  or the third closed section space S 6  side at substantially the same height as the upper end part of the side sill  4 . 
     Since the plurality of closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  are formed in the spaces formed by the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80 , compared to a case where only one closed section space is formed, a stress on the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  due to the frontal impact load is distributed more. As a result, the bearing forces of the first to third inner reinforcements  60  to  80  against the frontal impact load are increased. 
     The rear end sides of the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  are converged into the converged closed section space S 5  described above (see  FIG. 11 ) at the position overlapping with the curved corner  42  of the door opening  40  in the longitudinal directions Y (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Additionally as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the ridge line L 1  (see  FIG. 6 ) formed by the corner C 1  of the first closed section space S 3  described above (see  FIG. 10A ) extends continuously in the longitudinal directions Y to the line L 2  formed by the upper surface part  22   c  of the lower hinge pillar inner  22  and the upper surface part  6   b  of the side sill inner  6  in the vehicle side view. 
     Therefore, the impact load transmitted rearwardly via the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  is smoothly transmitted to the converged closed section space S 5  while avoiding a stress concentration in the curved corner  42  of the door opening  40 . Thus, a generation of moment acting rearwardly to cause the hinge pillar  20  to collapse is reduced while effectively distributing the impact load applied to the part of the hinge pillar  20  higher than the side sill  4 . 
     As described above, the rear end section of the converged closed section space S 5  is connected to the closed section space S 2  of the side sill  4  (see  FIG. 11C ). Therefore, a smooth load transmission from the first and second closed section spaces S 3  and S 4  to the closed section space S 2  via the converged closed section space S 5  is achieved. Thus, the load is effectively distributed rearwardly via the side sill  4 . As a result, the retreating of the hinge pillar  20  and the dashboard  10  is reduced, thus a deformation of the cabin is also reduced. 
     Although the embodiment is described above as an example of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. 
     In the above embodiment, the example in which the bend-facilitating portions extend intermittently is described; however, the bend-facilitating portions may extend continuously. 
     Further in the above embodiment, the example in which the outer hinge pillar member is comprised of the single hinge pillar outer  21  and the inner hinge pillar member is comprised of the lower and upper hinge pillar inners  22  and  23  is described; however, the outer hinge pillar member may be comprised of a plurality of members and/or the inner hinge pillar member may be comprised of one, three, or more members. 
     As described above, according to the present invention, by effectively distributing rearwardly the frontal impact load applied to the hinge pillar, retreating of the hinge pillar and the dashboard is effectively reduced, which effectively reduces the deformation of the cabin. Therefore, it is possible to suitably use the present invention in the industrial fields of manufacturing automobiles with hinge pillars. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof, are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
     
         
           1  Automobile 
           2  Floor Panel 
           3  Toe Board 
           4  Side Sill 
           5  Side Sill Outer (Side Sill Member) 
           6  Side Sill Inner (Side Sill Member) 
           7  Reinforcing Member 
           10  Dashboard 
           20  Hinge Pillar 
           21  Hinge Pillar Outer (Outer Hinge Pillar Member) 
           22  Lower Hinge Pillar Inner (Inner Hinge Pillar Member) 
           22   g  Horizontal Bead Portion 
           22   h  First Vertical Bead Portion 
           22   i  Second Vertical Bead Portion 
           22   l  Horizontal Bead Portion 
           22   m  Vertical Bead Portion 
           22   n  Corner 
           22 A Pillar Structure 
           22 B Curve Structure 
           22 C Rear Elongated Structure 
           23  Upper Hinge Pillar Inner (Hinge Pillar Member) 
           30  Front Pillar 
           36  Roof Rail 
           38  Center Pillar 
           40  Door Opening 
           42  Curved Corner 
           48  Cabin Side Outer 
           50  Hinge Reinforcement 
           60  First Inner Reinforcement (Closed Section Space Component) 
           70  Second Inner Reinforcement (Closed Section Space Component) 
           80  Third Inner Reinforcement (Closed Section Space Component) 
           90 ,  91  Bend-facilitating Portion 
           98  Suspension Member 
           100  Collision Object 
         S 1  Closed Section Space of Hinge Pillar 
         S 2  Closed Section Space of Side Sill 
         S 3  First Closed Section Space 
         S 4  Second Closed Section Space 
         S 5  Converged Closed Section Space 
         S 6  Third Closed Section Space