Patent Description:
A vehicle body of an automobile includes a front pillar. The front pillar is formed by a combination of a front pillar inner, a front pillar outer and the like. From the viewpoint of improving the fuel consumption of the automobile, the front pillar is desirably lightweight. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of improving the collision safety, the front pillar desirably has high strength. Therefore, there is a demand for reducing the weight and improving the strength of the front pillar.

Vehicle body components improved in strength are described in <CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>), <CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>), and <CIT> (Patent Literature <NUM>), for example.

In Patent Literature <NUM>, a front pillar lower provided with a reinforcement component is described. The reinforcement component described in Patent Literature <NUM> includes a vertical face part opposed to a front wheel and a horizontal face part having high strength. When a head-on collision of the vehicle occurs, the front wheel moves toward the rear of the vehicle. The vertical face part limits the movement of the front wheel toward the rear of the vehicle. The horizontal face part absorbs the collision energy applied to the vertical face part. In Patent Literature <NUM>, it is disclosed that the deformation of the front pillar lower caused by the collision can be reduced in this way.

The vehicle body component disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> has a first structure that has a closed cross section, and a second structure that has a closed cross section and is welded to the first structure. Therefore, the vehicle body component includes a portion formed by only the first structure and a portion formed by the first structure and the second structure. In short, the vehicle body component includes two portions having different plate thicknesses. In Patent Literature <NUM>, it is disclosed that the collision energy absorption capacity of the vehicle body component is improved in this way.

The vehicle body component disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> has a first component having a U-shape, and a second component having a U-shape. A slit is formed in each of an end part of the first component and an end part of the second component. With the slit of the first component being arranged to overlap with the slit of the second component, the first component and the second component are welded to each other. In other words, in a part of the vehicle body component, the two components overlap with each other, and therefore, the strength is increased. In Patent Literature <NUM>, it is disclosed that the vehicle body component has high strength even if the vehicle body component is not provided with a reinforcement plate or the like as a separate member.

In other techniques for reducing weight and improving strength than Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM>, a tailored welded blank (referred to also as TWB, hereinafter) or a tailored rolled blank (referred to also as TRB, hereinafter) can be used as the material of the front pillar. Alternatively, a reinforcement plate can also be attached to a part of the front pillar.

TWB is a material formed by a plurality of metal plates that are different in material or plate thickness and combined by welding. A component made of TWB partially has one or both of variations in plate thickness and variations in strength.

TRB is a metal plate that is formed by special rolling and has a continuously varying plate thickness. A component made of TRB partially has one or both of variations in plate thickness and variations in strength.

However, the front pillar lower described in Patent Literature <NUM> is provided with a reinforcement component as a separate member. The vehicle body component described in Patent Literature <NUM> has the second structure that is welded to the first structure along the longitudinal direction of the first structure. With the vehicle body component described in Patent Literature <NUM>, the first component and the second component are welded over the entire cross section in the weld zone of the first component and the second component. Therefore, the vehicle body components according to Patent Literatures <NUM> to <NUM> are heavy.

In addition, since TWB is a plurality of metal plates joined to each other, an additional joining process is needed for producing TWB. Therefore, components formed from TWB are expensive. A joining process is also needed for producing a component reinforced with a reinforcement plate. Therefore, such a component is also expensive. Production of TRB is highly costly. Therefore, components formed from TRB are also expensive.

<CIT> discloses a front pillar outer (<NUM>) provided with a first member (<NUM>) and a second member (<NUM>). The first member (<NUM>) includes a first glass side flange part (<NUM>) and a first door side flange part (<NUM>). The second member (<NUM>) has a smaller sheet thickness than the first member (<NUM>). The second member (<NUM>) includes a second glass side flange part (<NUM>) and a second door side flange part (<NUM>). The first door side flange part (<NUM>) protrudes to the rear of the front pillar outer (<NUM>) beyond the first glass side flange part (<NUM>) and a first body part (<NUM>) and overlaps with the second door side flange part (<NUM>). The second glass side flange part (<NUM>) overlaps with a rear area (<NUM>) of the first glass side flange part (<NUM>). A second body part (<NUM>) overlaps with a rear area (<NUM>) of the first body part (<NUM>). In the area where the first member (<NUM>) overlaps with the second member (<NUM>), the first member (<NUM>) is joined together with the second member (<NUM>).

An objective of the present invention is to provide a front pillar outer that is inexpensive, lightweight and strong.

A front pillar outer according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a glass-face-side flange part, a door-side flange part, and a main body part that connects the glass-face-side flange part and the door-side flange part to each other. In a partial area of the door-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first plate part that is connected to a side edge of the door-side flange part is folded so that the first plate part is overlaid on the door-side flange part. In a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second plate part that is connected to a side edge of the glass-face-side flange part is folded so that the second plate part is overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part.

The front pillar outer according to the embodiment of the present invention is inexpensive, lightweight and strong.

In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Although examples of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below, the present invention is not limited to the examples described below. Although particular numerical values or particular materials may be referred to as examples in the following description, the present invention is not limited to such examples.

A front pillar outer according to this embodiment includes a glass-face-side flange part, a door-side flange part, and a main body part that connects the glass-face-side flange part and the door-side flange part to each other. In a partial area of the door-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first plate part that is connected to a side edge of the door-side flange part is folded so that the first plate part is overlaid on the door-side flange part. In a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second plate part that is connected to a side edge of the glass-face-side flange part is folded so that the second plate part is overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part.

When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, the front pillar outer is curved. As a result, a compressive strain is exerted on a partial area of the door-side flange part along the longitudinal direction. In this specification, the area on which the compressive strain is exerted is referred to also as a "door-side compressive region". On the other hand, a tensile strain is exerted on a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part along the longitudinal direction. In this specification, the area on which the tensile strain is exerted is referred to also as a "glass-face-side tensile region". Furthermore, a compressive strain is exerted on another partial area of the glass-face-side flange part along the longitudinal direction. In this specification, the area on which the compressive strain is exerted is referred to also as a "glass-face-side compressive region". The door-side compressive region and the glass-face-side compressive region are generically referred to also as a compressive strain region. The glass-face-side tensile region is generically referred to also as a "tensile strain region". In a collision, the compressive strain region is likely to buckle.

With the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, in the door-side compressive region, the first plate part is arranged and overlaid on the door-side flange part. Furthermore, in the glass-face-side compressive region, the second plate part is arranged and overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part. In short, in both the door-side compressive region and the glass-face-side compressive region, two layers of material are stacked on one another. Here, the collision resistance of the compressive strain region is approximately proportional to the product of the strength of the material and the third power of the plate thickness of the material. Therefore, increasing the plate thickness of the material of the compressive strain region greatly contributes to the improvement of the collision resistance. Specifically, the collision resistance is buckling strength. With the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, in the compressive strain regions (the door-side compressive region and the glass-face-side compressive region), two layers of material are stacked on one another, and the plate thickness is substantially increased. Therefore, the buckling strength of the compressive strain region is significantly improved. In this way, the strength of the front pillar outer can be increased.

With the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, the glass-face-side tensile region is formed by a single material. Here, the collision resistance of the tensile strain region is proportional to the product of the strength of the material and the plate thickness of the material. Therefore, increasing the plate thickness of the material of the tensile strain region makes a smaller contribution to the improvement of the collision resistance than increasing the plate thickness of the material of the compressive strain region. In order to improve the collision resistance of the tensile strain region, the strength of the material can be increased. If the strength of the material is increased, the collision resistance of the compressive strain region is further improved. With the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, the plate thickness of the tensile strain region does not increase. Therefore, an increase of the weight can be reduced, and the weight of the front pillar outer can be reduced by increasing the strength of the material.

With the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, in the door-side compressive region, the first plate part that is integral with the door-side flange part is folded onto the door-side flange part, so that two layers of material are stacked on one another. Furthermore, in the glass-face-side compressive region, the second plate part that is integral with the glass-face-side flange part is folded onto the glass-face-side flange part, so that two layers of material are stacked on one another. In short, in both the door-side compressive region and the glass-face-side compressive region, two members separately formed do not need to be joined to each other, and folding the first plate part and the second plate part suffices. Therefore, the front pillar outer can be inexpensively produced.

Folding of each of the first plate part and the second plate part is preferably achieved by hot stamping. In the case where the folding is achieved by hot stamping, the temperature of the material is high during the processing, and therefore, the ductility of the material is high. Therefore, even though the first plate part is folded at an acute angle at the side edge of the door-side flange part, no crack occurs in the folded part. Similarly, even though the second plate part is folded at an acute angle at the side edge of the glass-face-side flange part, no crack occurs in the folded part. However, the folding of each of the first plate part and the second plate part can also be achieved by cold pressing, depending on the properties of the material.

The direction in which each of the first plate part and the second plate part is folded is not particularly limited. Specifically, the first plate part may be folded so as to be exposed to the outside of the front pillar outer or may be folded so as to be hidden behind the front pillar outer. Similarly, the second plate part may be folded so as to be exposed to the outside of the front pillar outer or may be folded so as to be hidden behind the front pillar outer.

However, when it is required to ensure an intimate contact with another component, for example, the direction of folding of the first plate part and the second plate part needs to be determined based on the details of the problem. For example, when the windshield needs to rest on and be in intimate contact with the glass-face-side flange part, if the first plate part and the second plate part are folded to the front side, a step is formed on the glass-face-side flange part, and there is a possibility that the windshield is not in intimate contact with the glass-face-side flange part. If this is a problem, the first plate part and the second plate part need to be folded to the back side.

The front side and the back side of the front pillar outer referred to here means the front side and the back side of the front pillar outer installed in an automobile. Specifically, the front side of the front pillar outer means the outer side of the front pillar outer, and the back side of the front pillar outer means the inner side of the front pillar outer.

In the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, provided that a length of the glass-face-side flange part is denoted by L, the area in which the first plate part and the door-side flange part overlap with each other is provided in the door-side flange part over a part or the whole of a range between a position corresponding to a rear end of the glass-face-side flange part and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the position corresponding to the rear end of the glass-face-side flange part.

In many cases, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer, a large compressive strain is likely to occur in the door-side flange part in the curved area close to the rear end of the front pillar outer. In other words, the door-side compressive region is likely to be disposed close to the rear end of the front pillar outer. Therefore, if the first plate part and the door-side flange part overlap with each other over a part or the whole of such a range, buckling of the front pillar outer can be further reduced.

In the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, provided that a length of the glass-face-side flange part is denoted by L, the area in which the second plate part and the glass-face-side flange part overlap with each other is preferably provided over a part of a range between a position at a distance of L x <NUM>/<NUM> from a fore end of the glass-face-side flange part and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end of the glass-face-side flange part.

In a front pillar outer according to an alternative embodiment, provided that a length of the glass-face-side flange part is denoted by L, the area in which the second plate part and the glass-face-side flange part overlap with each other is provided over the whole of a range between a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from a fore end of the glass-face-side flange part and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end of the glass-face-side flange part.

When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer, a large compressive strain is likely to occur in the glass-face-side flange part in the vicinity of the fore end of the front pillar outer. In other words, the glass-face-side compressive region is likely to be disposed close to the fore end of the front pillar outer. Therefore, if the second plate part and the glass-face-side flange part overlap with each other over a part or the whole of such a range, buckling of the front pillar outer can be further reduced.

In the front pillar outer described above, the plate thickness is not particularly limited. Practically, the plate thickness is preferably <NUM> or more to <NUM> or less. The lower limit of the plate thickness is more preferably <NUM>. The upper limit of the plate thickness is more preferably <NUM>. The tensile strength (the strength of the material) of the front pillar outer is preferably <NUM> MPa or more. The lower limit of the tensile strength is more preferably <NUM> MPa.

Note that in the area in which the first plate part and the door-side flange part overlap with each other, the first plate part and the door-side flange part may be joined to each other. Similarly, in the area in which the second plate part and the glass-face-side flange part overlap with each other, the second plate part and the glass-face-side flange part may be joined to each other. The joining method is welding, for example. The welding method may be laser welding or spot welding, for example. The joining method may be mechanical fastening or bonding using an adhesive, for example. Some of these joining methods can also be used in combination.

In this case, the front pillar outer is suitable as a front pillar outer for an automobile.

In this specification, each direction of the front pillar outer means a direction of the front pillar outer installed in an automobile. For example, "forward", "rearward", "left", "right", "upward", and "downward" directions agree with the respective directions of an automobile. In the drawings, symbols "F", "Re", "Le", "R", "U", and "D" mean forward, rearward, left, right, upward, and downward directions of an automobile. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the term "longitudinal direction" means a direction from the fore end to the rear end of the front pillar outer. The term "cross section" means a cross section that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the front pillar outer.

In the following, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example of a front pillar outer <NUM> according to this embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a front pillar <NUM> taken along a line II-II in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a cross section of a part of the front pillar outer <NUM> that is close to a rear end 1re thereof. The cross section shown in <FIG> includes a door-side compressive region A1. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the front pillar <NUM> taken along a line III-III in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a cross section of a part of the front pillar outer <NUM> that is close to a fore end 1fe thereof. The cross section shown in <FIG> includes a glass-face-side compressive region A2 and the door-side compressive region A1. <FIG> is a perspective view of the front pillar outer <NUM> shown in <FIG> in a step of the formation thereof. The front pillar outer <NUM> shown in <FIG> is one of two front pillar outers of an automobile that is disposed on the left side of the automobile.

With reference to <FIG>, the front pillar <NUM> supports a windshield <NUM>. More strictly, the front pillar <NUM> referred to here is a front pillar upper forming a chassis of a vehicle body. The front pillar outer <NUM> is one of members forming the front pillar upper.

The front pillar <NUM> includes a side panel <NUM>, a front pillar inner <NUM>, and the front pillar outer <NUM>. The side panel <NUM> is disposed on the outer side of the front pillar inner <NUM> and the front pillar outer <NUM>. The side panel <NUM> and the front pillar inner <NUM> form a closed cross section. The front pillar outer <NUM> is disposed inside the closed cross section. The front pillar outer <NUM> serves to reinforce the front pillar <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the front pillar outer <NUM> includes a glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, a door-side flange part <NUM>, and a main body part <NUM>. The main body part <NUM> is disposed between the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and the door-side flange part <NUM> in the width direction of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The main body part <NUM> connects the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and the door-side flange part <NUM> to each other.

The glass-face-side flange part <NUM> of the front pillar outer <NUM> is joined to the side panel <NUM> and the front pillar inner <NUM> by welding or the like. The glass-face-side flange part <NUM> includes an area that directly or indirectly supports a side edge of the windshield <NUM>. The glass-face-side flange part <NUM> supports the side edge of the windshield <NUM> in cooperation with the side panel <NUM> and the front pillar inner <NUM>.

The door-side flange part <NUM> is joined to the side panel <NUM> and the front pillar inner <NUM> by welding or the like. The door-side flange part <NUM> includes an area that is directly or indirectly opposed to an upper edge of the door <NUM>. The door-side flange part <NUM> is opposed to the upper edge of the door <NUM> along with the side panel <NUM> and the front pillar inner <NUM>. The cross-sectional shape of the front pillar outer <NUM> is a hat-like shape.

With reference to <FIG>, the door-side flange part <NUM> includes the door-side compressive region A1. The door-side compressive region A1 is a partial area of the door-side flange part <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. A compressive strain is applied to the door-side compressive region A1 when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>.

The glass-face-side flange part <NUM> includes the glass-face-side compressive region A2. The glass-face-side compressive region A2 is a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. A compressive strain is applied to the glass-face-side compressive region A2 when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>.

The glass-face-side flange part <NUM> further includes a glass-face-side tensile region B. The glass-face-side tensile region B is a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> along the longitudinal direction. A tensile strain is applied to the glass-face-side tensile region B when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>.

A first plate part 3a is disposed over the whole range of the door-side compressive region A1. In the door-side compressive region A1, the first plate part 3a is connected to a side edge 3b (see <FIG>) of the door-side flange part <NUM>. The first plate part 3a is a part of the door-side flange part <NUM> protruding beyond the side edge 3b, and is integral with the door-side flange part <NUM>. The first plate part 3a is folded onto the door-side flange part <NUM> and overlaid on the door-side flange part <NUM>. In short, in the whole range of the door-side compressive region A1, two layers of material are stacked on one another. As a result, the thickness of the door-side compressive region A1 is substantially increased over the whole range thereof. Therefore, the buckling strength of the door-side compressive region A1 is significantly improved. In this way, the strength of the front pillar outer <NUM> can be increased.

Note that the first plate part 3a is not arranged in the other areas of the door-side flange part <NUM> than the door-side compressive region A1.

In the door-side compressive region A1, two members separately formed do not need to be joined to each other, and folding the first plate part 3a suffices. Therefore, the front pillar outer <NUM> can be inexpensively produced.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the first plate part 3a is folded so as to be exposed to the outside of the door-side flange part <NUM>, and is overlaid on the surface of the door-side flange part <NUM>. A part of the first plate part 3a may lie over a ridge part <NUM> that connects the door-side flange part <NUM> and the main body part <NUM> to each other or may further lie over the main body part <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, an overlapping area O1 in which the first plate part 3a and the door-side flange part <NUM> overlap with each other agrees with the range of the door-side compressive region A1. In this specification, the overlapping area O1 is referred to also as a "door-side overlapping area". Provided that the length of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> is denoted by L, the range of the door-side compressive region A1 is a range on the door-side flange part <NUM> between a position corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the position corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. Therefore, the door-side overlapping area O1 is provided over the whole range of the door-side compressive region A1. However, the door-side overlapping area O1 may be provided over a part of the range of the door-side compressive region A1. For example, the compressive strain may be small in an area close to the rear end 3re of the door-side flange part <NUM>. In that case, the first plate part 3a need not be present in the area close to the rear end 3re of the door-side flange part <NUM>.

A second plate part 2a is disposed over the whole range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. In the glass-face-side compressive region A2, the second plate part 2a is connected to a side edge 2b (see <FIG> and <FIG>) of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. The second plate part 2a is a part of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> that protrudes beyond the side edge 2b, and is integral with the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. The second plate part 2a is folded onto the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In short, over the whole range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2, two layers of material are stacked on one another. As a result, the plate thickness of the glass-face-side compressive region A2 is substantially increased over the whole range thereof. Therefore, the buckling strength of the glass-face-side compressive region A2 is significantly improved. In this way, the strength of the front pillar outer <NUM> can be increased.

Note that the second plate part 2a is not arranged in the other areas of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> than the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

In the glass-face-side compressive region A2, two members separately formed do not need to be joined to each other, and folding the second plate part 2a suffices. Therefore, the front pillar outer <NUM> can be inexpensively produced.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the second plate part 2a is folded so as to be exposed to the outside of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, and overlaid on the surface of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. A part of the second plate part 2a may lie over a ridge part <NUM> that connects the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and the main body part <NUM> to each other or may further lie over the main body part <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, an overlapping area O2 in which the second plate part 2a and the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> overlap with each other agrees with the range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. In this specification, the overlapping area O2 is referred to also as a "glass-face-side overlapping area". Provided that the length of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> is denoted by L, the range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2 is a range between a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. Therefore, the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 is provided over the whole range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. However, the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 may be provided over a part of the range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

The glass-face-side tensile region B is located at the rear of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. The glass-face-side tensile region B is adjacent to the glass-face-side compressive region A2 and extends to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. The second plate part 2a is not disposed in the glass-face-side tensile region B. Therefore, the glass-face-side tensile region B is made of a single material. Therefore, an increase of the weight can be reduced, and the weight of the front pillar outer <NUM> can be reduced by increasing the strength of the material.

The folding of each of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a is achieved by hot stamping. The folding of each of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a may be achieved by cold pressing. The folding of each of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a may be performed in parallel with the formation of the front pillar outer <NUM>. However, the folding of the plate parts may be performed before or after the formation of the front pillar outer <NUM>.

As described above, in the door-side overlapping area O1 that corresponds to the door-side compressive region A1, two layers of material are stacked on one another. In the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 that corresponds to the glass-face-side compressive region A2, two layers of material are also stacked on one another. On the other hand, the glass-face-side tensile region B is made of a single material. Therefore, the plate thickness of a compressive strain region (the door-side compressive region Al and the glass-face-side compressive region A2) is substantially greater than a tensile strain region (the glass-face-side tensile region B) and the other areas. Therefore, the collision resistance of the compressive strain region is higher than that of the tensile strain region and the other areas.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the front pillar outer <NUM> on which a collision load is applied. With reference to <FIG>, in a state where the front pillar outer <NUM> is installed on an automobile, the fore end <NUM> fe of the front pillar outer <NUM> is located at a lower position than the rear end 1re. In the case of a head-on collision of the automobile, a collision load P is applied to the fore end 1fe of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The front pillar outer <NUM> has a curved shape, and is convex upward between the fore end 1fe and the rear end 1re. When the collision load P is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>, the stress is concentrated in the curved part of the front pillar outer <NUM>, and the curved part is to be bent upward. As a result, a compressive stress occurs in the door-side flange part <NUM>, and a compressive strain is exerted on the door-side flange part <NUM>. On the other hand, a tensile stress occurs in the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, and a tensile strain is exerted on the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. The compressive stress occurring in the door-side flange part <NUM> and the tensile stress occurring in the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> exert a compressive strain on the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>.

If the compressive strain excessively increases, the front pillar outer <NUM> buckles and is bent upward. If the front pillar outer <NUM> buckles, the collision energy absorption capacity of the front pillar outer <NUM> markedly decreases. Therefore, in order to increase the collision resistance of the front pillar outer <NUM>, buckling of the front pillar outer <NUM> needs to be prevented.

To prevent buckling of the front pillar outer <NUM>, it is effective to increase the collision resistance of the area of the door-side flange part <NUM> on which the compressive strain is exerted, that is, the door-side compressive region A1. Increasing the collision resistance of the area of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> on which the compressive strain is exerted, that is, the glass-face-side compressive region A2, also contributes to the prevention of buckling of the front pillar outer <NUM>.

With the front pillar outer <NUM>, in an area S shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the curvature of the door-side flange part <NUM> is large. The compressive strain is exerted on this area S. This area is the door-side compressive region A1. The compressive strain is also exerted on a part of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. This area is the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

In the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, the tensile strain is exerted on an area at the rear of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. This area is the glass-face-side tensile region B.

The collision resistance (buckling strength) of the front pillar outer <NUM> largely depends on the plate thickness of the material of the compressive strain region. The plate thickness of the material of the tensile strain region has a smaller effect on the collision resistance of the front pillar outer <NUM> than the plate thickness of the material of the compressive strain region. Therefore, the plate thickness of the material of the glass-face-side tensile region B can be smaller than the plate thickness of the material of the door-side compressive region A1 and the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a part of a vehicle body structure including the front pillar outer <NUM>. In <FIG>, illustration of the side panel of the front pillar is omitted. With reference to <FIG>, the rear end of the front pillar is joined to a roof <NUM> of the vehicle. The roof <NUM> is provided to be approximately horizontal with respect to the ground. On the other hand, the windshield <NUM> of the vehicle is disposed to be inclined with respect to the ground. Therefore, the front pillar is curved in a part that is close to the rear end thereof. Accordingly, the front pillar outer <NUM> is also curved in a part that is close to the rear end 1re thereof.

When a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>, a large compressive strain is likely to occur in the door-side flange part <NUM> in the curved area S close to the rear end 1re of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The shape of the front pillar outer <NUM> varies with the model. Therefore, the part in which a large compressive strain occurs varies with the model. In many cases, however, the area on which a compressive strain is exerted can be determined in a certain range. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in the door-side flange part <NUM>, a compressive strain is exerted in the range between a position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In short, this range is the range of the door-side compressive region A1. Here, L means the arc length (length in the longitudinal direction) of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> of the front pillar outer <NUM> along the door-side edge thereof. The position R1 corresponds to the rear end 3re of the door-side flange part <NUM>.

Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the door-side overlapping area O1 is provided over at least a part of the range of the door-side flange part <NUM> between the position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and the position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the position R1 corresponding to the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In other words, the door-side overlapping area O1 is provided over a part or the whole of the range of the door-side compressive region A1. <FIG> shows an example in which the door-side overlapping area O1 is provided over the whole range of the door-side compressive region A1.

<FIG> is a perspective view of another example of the front pillar outer <NUM> according to this embodiment. With the front pillar outer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the compressive strain is small in an area close to the rear end 3re of the door-side flange part <NUM>. In this case, the first plate part 3a is not present in the area close to the rear end 3re of the door-side flange part <NUM>. In other words, <FIG> shows an example in which the door-side overlapping area O1 is provided over a part of the door-side compressive region A1.

With reference to <FIG>, when a collision load is applied to the front pillar outer <NUM>, a large compressive strain is likely to occur in the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> close to the fore end 1fe of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The compressive strain is caused by a compressive stress occurring in the door-side flange part <NUM> and a tensile stress occurring in the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In many cases, the area on which the compressive strain is exerted can be determined in a certain range. Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, in the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, the compressive strain is exerted in the range between a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In short, this range is the glass-face-side compressive region A2. Here, L means the arc length (length in the longitudinal direction) of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> of the front pillar outer <NUM> along the door-side edge thereof.

Therefore, as shown in <FIG>, the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 is provided over at least a part of the range of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> between the position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> and the position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the fore end 2fe of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. In other words, the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 is provided over a part or the whole of the range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2. <FIG> shows an example in which the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 is provided over the whole range of the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

With the front pillar outer <NUM>, practically, the plate thickness is preferably <NUM> or more to <NUM> or less. When the plate thickness is <NUM> or more, a sufficient strength of the compressive strain region in which two layers of material are stacked on one another can be ensured. The same holds true for the tensile strain region and the other areas that are formed by a single layer of a single material. On the other hand, when the plate thickness is <NUM> or less, an increase of the weight can be reduced. In addition, when the plate thickness is <NUM> or less, the folding of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a can be performed without problems.

With the front pillar outer <NUM>, the tensile strength is preferably <NUM> MPa or more. When the tensile strength is <NUM> MPa or more, the strength of the compressive strain region in which two layers of material are stacked on one another can be sufficiently improved. The same holds true for the tensile strain region and the other areas that are formed by a single layer of a single material. The lower limit of the tensile strength is more preferably <NUM> MPa, and even more preferably <NUM> MPa.

Folding of each of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a is preferably achieved by hot stamping. In the case where the folding is achieved by hot stamping, the temperature of the material is high during the processing, and therefore, the ductility of the material is high. Therefore, even though the first plate part 3a is folded at an acute angle at the side edge 3b of the door-side flange part <NUM>, no crack occurs in the folded part. Similarly, even though the second plate part 2a is folded at an acute angle at the side edge 2b of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>, no crack occurs in the folded part. However, the folding of each of the first plate part 3a and the second plate part 2a can also be achieved by cold pressing, depending on the properties of the material.

In the door-side overlapping area O1 corresponding to the door-side compressive region A1, the first plate part 3a and the door-side flange part <NUM> may be joined to each other. Similarly, in the glass-face-side overlapping area O2 corresponding to the glass-face-side compressive region A2, the second plate part 2a and the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> may be joined to each other. This is because, if the two layers of material stacked on one another are joined to each other, the strength of the compressive strain region is further improved.

The joining method is welding, for example. The welding method may be laser welding or spot welding, for example. The joining method may be mechanical fastening or bonding using an adhesive, for example. Some of these joining methods can also be used in combination. Of these joining methods, laser welding or spot welding are preferably used, since the productivity is high.

To check the effectiveness of the front pillar outer according to this embodiment, computer aided engineering (CAE) analysis was performed. To evaluate the collision resistance, a collision test was simulated by CAE analysis. As models of Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM>, the front pillar outer <NUM> shown in <FIG> was fabricated. The models of Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM> differ in plate thickness. As a model of Comparative Example, a front pillar outer not having the first plate part and the second plate part was fabricated. A fixed tensile strength of <NUM> (MPa) was used for all the models.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram for illustrating analysis conditions in Examples. With reference to <FIG>, a displacement D in the longitudinal direction of the front pillar outer <NUM> was exerted on the fore end 1fe of the front pillar outer <NUM>. On the other hand, the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM> was fixed.

The displacement D caused bending moment M1 in the vicinity of the fore end 1fe of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The direction of the bending moment M1 was clockwise when viewed from the left of the vehicle. It was assumed that the displacement D was positive when the displacement D was in the direction from the fore end 1fe to the rear end 1rc of the front pillar outer <NUM>. The displacement D caused a bending moment M2 in the rear end 2re of the glass-face-side flange part <NUM>. The direction of the bending moment M2 was clockwise, as with the bending moment M1, when viewed from the left of the vehicle.

For each model, the load at the time when buckling occurred because of the exertion of the displacement D, that is, the maximum load, was investigated. Furthermore, the increase in percentage of the maximum load for each model was calculated with respect to the maximum load for the model of Comparative Example. The weight of each model was investigated. Furthermore, the decrease in percentage of the weight of each model was calculated with respect to the weight of the model of Comparative Example. The models were evaluated by comparison of the increase ratio of the maximum load and the weight reduction ratio.

The results in Table <NUM> show the following conclusions. The weight reduction ratio was more than <NUM> for all Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. In other words, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM> were lighter than the front pillar outer of Comparative Example. The increase ratio of the maximum load was more than <NUM> for all Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM>. In other words, the front pillar outers of Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM> were improved in collision resistance (buckling strength) over the front pillar outer of Comparative Example.

As in Example <NUM>, CAE analysis was performed. In the models of Invention Examples <NUM> to <NUM> in Example <NUM>, the main bodies had the same plate thickness of <NUM>, and the area in which the first plate part was provided and the area in which the second plate part was provided differed between the models. As a model of Comparative Example in Example <NUM>, the model of Comparative Example in Example <NUM> (plate thickness: <NUM>) was used. Table <NUM> below shows conditions for the models that are different from those in Example <NUM>. The other conditions were the same as those in Example <NUM>.

The results of the Examples <NUM> and <NUM> prove that the front pillar outer according to this embodiment is reduced in weight and improved in strength. In particular, the result of Example <NUM> proves that the reduction in weight and the improvement in strength can be more effectively achieved if the area in which the first plate part is provided, that is, the door-side overlapping area O1, is provided over a part or the whole of the door-side compressive region A1, and the area in which the second plate part is provided, that is, the glass-face-side overlapping area O2, is provided over a part or the whole of the glass-face-side compressive region A2.

Claim 1:
A front pillar outer (<NUM>) including a glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>), a door-side flange part (<NUM>), and a main body part (<NUM>) that connects the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>) and the door-side flange part (<NUM>) to each other,
wherein in a partial area of the door-side flange part (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction thereof, a first plate part (3a) that is connected to a side edge (3b) of the door-side flange part (<NUM>) is folded so that the first plate part (3a) is overlaid on the door-side flange part (<NUM>), and
in a partial area of the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>) in a longitudinal direction thereof, a second plate part (2a) that is connected to a side edge (2b) of the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>) is folded so that the second plate part (2a) is overlaid on the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>),
the front pillar outer (<NUM>) characterized in that
provided that a length of the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>) is denoted by L,
the area in which the first plate part (3a) and the door-side flange part (<NUM>) overlap with each other is provided in the door-side flange part (<NUM>) over a part of or the whole of a range between a position corresponding to a rear end (2re) of the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>) and a position at a distance of L × <NUM>/<NUM> from the position corresponding to the rear end (2re) of the glass-face-side flange part (<NUM>).