Patent ID: 12195094

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the present specification or application are presented by way of examples only for the purpose of describing the embodiments according to the present invention, and the embodiments according to the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in the present specification or application.

Since the embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various ways and have various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in the present specification or application. However, this is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to the specific forms and should be construed as including all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms such as first and/or second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms only serve the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component without deviating from the scope of the rights according to the concept of the present invention.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it may be directly connected or coupled to the another component, but it should be understood that other components may exist in between. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another component, it should be understood that there are no intervening components present. Other expressions describing the relationship between components such as “between” and “just between” or “adjacent to” and “directly adjacent to” should be interpreted in the same manner.

The terms used herein are used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. In the present specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of implemented features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof and should not be understood to preclude the presence of additional possibilities of one or more of other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof in advance.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as are generally understood by those with common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the present specification, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals shown in the respective drawings indicate the same members.

FIG.1is a view showing a body of a vehicle being coupled according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.2is a view showing a pillar member100of a body of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.3is a view showing an upper end portion of the pillar member100of the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.4is a view showing a lower end portion of the pillar member100of a body of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.5is a view showing a roof side coupling portion200of the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention,FIG.6is a view showing a side sill side coupling portion300of the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.7is a view showing a state in which the pillar member100is coupled to the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of a body of the vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.1to7.

The body of the vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention is manufactured such that a lower body of the vehicle is manufactured first, then an upper body into which an A-pillar and a roof portion are integrally manufactured is manufactured, and then, the lower body and the upper body are coupled to each other.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose technology for mounting a pillar member100to improve the rigidity of the middle side between the upper body and the lower body.

Specifically, the body of the vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention include the pillar member100provided with an upper fastening portion110at an upper end and a lower fastening portion120at a lower end, a roof side coupling portion200provided in a roof member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and coupled to the upper fastening portion110by insertion coupling when the pillar member100is coupled, and a side sill side coupling portion300provided in a side sill member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and coupled to the lower fastening portion120by insertion coupling when the pillar member100is coupled.

The roof side coupling portion200may be provided on the middle side of the roof of the vehicle body in which the lower body and the upper body are coupled to each other, and the side sill side coupling portion300may be provided on the middle side of the side sill of the lower body. Thereafter, in order for the pillar member100to be coupled to the vehicle body, the upper fastening portion no to be coupled to the roof side coupling portion200may be provided in the upper end portion of the pillar member100and the lower fastening portion120to be coupled to the side sill side coupling portion300may be provided in the lower end portion of the pillar member100.

As shown inFIG.1, the roof side coupling portion200and the upper fastening portion110may be coupled to each other by insertion coupling, and the side sill side coupling portion300and the lower fastening portion120may also be easily coupled to each other by insertion coupling.

This has the effect of improving convenience and productivity by enabling easy coupling of the pillar member100to the vehicle body in the vehicle body manufacturing line, and thus, having the effect of preventing an erroneous coupling of the pillar member in a wrong position or a wrong direction.

An adhesive material may be applied to the upper fastening portion110or the roof side coupling portion200for coupling, and an adhesive material may be applied to the lower fastening portion120or the side sill side coupling portion300for coupling.

In the drawings of embodiments of the present invention, a passenger car is shown as the vehicle and a B-pillar is shown as the pillar member100, but the same may apply to all of the plurality of pillars connecting the side sill and the roof when the vehicle is provided with a plurality of pillars.

In addition, an adhesive material may be applied to either the upper fastening portion110or the roof side coupling portion200when the upper fastening portion no and the roof side coupling portion200are coupled to each other, and an adhesive material may be applied to either the lower fastening portion120or the side sill side coupling portion300when the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300are coupled to each other.

This has the effect of firmly fixing the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200by the application of the adhesive material between the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200when the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200are coupled to each other and the effect of firmly fixing the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300by the application of the adhesive material between the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300when the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300are coupled to each other.

When the upper fastening portion110, the roof side coupling portion200, the lower fastening portion120, and the side sill side coupling portion300are made of a metal material, an adhesive for bonding a metal material such as an epoxy adhesive may be used as the adhesive material. When the upper fastening portion110, the roof side coupling portion200, the lower fastening portion120, and the side sill side coupling portion300are made of a synthetic resin material such as plastic, an adhesive for bonding a synthetic resin material such as an acrylic adhesive may be used as the adhesive material.

The pillar member100may be coupled to the vehicle body by the roof side coupling portion200and the side sill side coupling portion300, and then, be fixed to the vehicle body by mechanical coupling.

When the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200are coupled to each other by an adhesive material and the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300are coupled to each other by an adhesive material, mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting may be further performed to reinforce the bonding force, thereby having the effect of strengthened coupling rigidity.

In addition, even in a state where the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200are coupled to each other by insertion coupling and the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300are coupled to each other by insertion coupling so that the pillar member100is tentatively coupled to the vehicle body, further coupling may be performed by mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting. This method has the effect of omitting the intermediate process of applying an adhesive material and improving productivity through directly coupling by mechanical coupling.

The roof side coupling portion200may include a first hook portion210protruding downward from a side surface of the roof and the upper fastening portion110may include a first insertion groove111formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the first hook portion210so that the first hook portion210may be inserted.

As shown inFIGS.3and5, the roof side coupling portion200may include the first hook portion210protruding downward from the roof and the upper fastening portion110may include the first insertion groove111into which the first hook is to be inserted.

This allows the operation of laterally coupling the pillar member100to a side of the vehicle body in the vehicle manufacturing line, thereby having the effect of improving productivity through easy coupling by an operator.

The first hook portion210may include a first protrusion portion211protruding downward from a side surface of the roof and a first extension portion212with a cross-sectional area expanded from the first protrusion portion211, and the upper fastening portion110may be formed to surround the first extension portion212and the first protrusion portion211.

As shown inFIGS.3and5, the first hook portion210may include the first protrusion portion211protruding downward and the first extension portion212with the cross-sectional area expanded from the first protrusion portion211so as to be formed in a hammer shape, and the upper fastening portion110may include the first insertion groove111formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the first hook portion210.

This allows easy lateral coupling when the upper fastening portion110and the first hook portion210are coupled to each other and support for the pillar member100in the up/down direction due to the shape of the first hook portion210once the upper fastening portion110and the first hook portion210are coupled to each other, thereby having the effect of preventing a detachment in the up/down direction.

The upper fastening portion110may be coupled to the pillar member100by mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting or welding coupling, and the roof side coupling portion200may be coupled to the roof side by mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting or welding coupling.

The pillar member100may include a first indentation portion130formed by an indentation of an inner panel in a part of the pillar member100to which the upper fastening portion110is coupled.

As shown inFIG.3, the first indentation portion130may be formed such that the inner panel of the part to which the upper fastening portion110is coupled is opened, and the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200may be coupled to each other through the first indentation portion130.

This allows the pillar member100to laterally move toward the inside of the vehicle so that the roof side coupling portion200may pass through the first indentation portion130and be coupled to the upper fastening portion110while the outer panel of the pillar member100is formed to be connected to the roof in a state where the upper fastening portion110and the roof side coupling portion200are coupled to each other, thereby having the effect of creating stylistic beauty.

FIG.8is a view showing embodiments of the roof side coupling portion200of the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The roof side coupling portion200may include a first coupling portion220extending toward the roof so as to be coupled to the roof, and the first coupling portion220may be manufactured in various shapes.

The roof side coupling portion200may include the first coupling portion220extending toward the roof side so as to be coupled to the roof such that the first coupling portion220may be coupled to the roof by welding coupling or mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting.

The first coupling portion220may be manufactured in a hollow shape with an empty interior, and this has the effect of reducing weight.

As shown inFIG.8, the first coupling portion220may be formed in various shapes according to the shape of the roof and may be made to suit the roof shape, and this facilitates coupling. When the first coupling portion220is manufactured in a hollow shape, it allows the addition of ribs inside to reinforce the rigidity.

In addition, the roof is molded through extrusion or press molding, the roof side coupling portion200is manufactured as a separate product and the first coupling portion220is coupled to the roof. This has the effect of maintaining the rigidity of the roof. Manufacturing the roof side coupling portion200as a separate product has the effect of reducing cost compared with integral manufacturing of the roof and the roof side coupling portion200.

The side sill side coupling portion300may include a second hook portion310protruding upward from the side sill and the lower fastening portion120may include a second insertion groove121formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the second hook portion310so that the second hook portion310may be inserted.

As shown inFIGS.4and6, the second hook portion310protruding upward from the side sill may be formed in the side sill side coupling portion300, and the lower fastening portion120may be provided with the second insertion groove121into which the second hook is to be inserted.

This allows the operation of laterally coupling the pillar member100to the side of the vehicle body in the vehicle manufacturing line, thereby having the effect of improving productivity through easy coupling by an operator.

The second hook portion310may include a second protrusion portion311protruding upward from the upper surface of the side sill and a second extension portion312with a cross-sectional area expanded from the second protrusion portion311, and the lower fastening portion120may be formed to surround the second extension portion312and the second protrusion portion311.

As shown inFIGS.4and6, the second hook portion310may include the second protrusion portions311protruding upward and the second extension portion312with a cross-sectional area expanded from the end of the second protrusion portion311to be formed in a hammer shape, and the lower fastening portion120may include the second insertion groove121formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of the second hook portion310.

This allows easy lateral coupling when the lower fastening portion120and the second hook portion310are coupled to each other and the pillar member100is supported in the up/down direction due to the shape of the second hook portion310once the lower fastening portion120and the second hook portion310are coupled to each other, thereby having the effect of preventing a detachment in the up/down direction.

The lower fastening portion120may be coupled to the pillar member100by mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting or welding coupling, and the side sill side coupling portion300may be coupled to the side sill by mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting or welding coupling.

FIG.9is a view showing embodiments of the side sill side coupling portion300of the body of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A plurality of the second protrusion portions311and the second extension portions312may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the side sill, and a plurality of the lower fastening portions120may be provided to match the second protrusion portions311and the second extension portions312.

As shown inFIGS.7and9, the lower end portion of the pillar member100is wider than the upper end portion so that a greater number of second protrusion portions311are required than the first protrusion portions211.

To prepare for this, a plurality of second protrusion portions311may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the side sill, and a plurality of lower fastening portions120may be provided or a plurality of second insertion grooves121may be formed to match the number of second protrusion portions311.

This has the effect of firmly fixing to the side sill, and supporting, the pillar member100having the lower end wider than the upper end.

The side sill side coupling portion300may include the second coupling portion320extending in the extending direction of the side sill so as to be coupled to the side sill.

The side sill side coupling portion300may include the second coupling portion320extending toward the side sill so as to be coupled to the side sill, and the second coupling portion320may be coupled to the side sill by welding coupling or mechanical coupling such as bolting or riveting.

The second coupling portion320may be manufactured in a hollow shape with an empty interior, and this has the effect of reducing weight.

As shown inFIG.9, the second coupling portion320may be formed in various shapes according to the shape of the side sill and may be made to suit the shape of the side sill. This facilitates coupling. When the second coupling portion320is manufactured in a hollow shape, it allows the addition of ribs inside to reinforce the rigidity.

In addition, the side sill is molded through extrusion or press molding, the side sill side coupling portion300is manufactured as a separate product, and the second coupling portion320is coupled to the side sill. This has the effect of maintaining the rigidity of the side sill. Manufacturing the side sill side coupling portion300as a separate product has the effect of reducing cost compared with integral manufacturing of the side sill and the side sill side coupling portion300.

The pillar member100may include a second indentation portion140formed by an indentation of the inner panel in a part of the pillar member100to which the lower fastening portion120is coupled.

As shown inFIG.4, the second indentation portion140may be formed such that the inner panel of the part to which the lower fastening portion120is coupled is opened, and the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300may be coupled to each other through the second indentation portion140.

This allows the pillar member100to laterally move toward the inside of the vehicle so that the side sill side coupling portion300may pass through the second indentation portion140and be coupled to the lower fastening portion120while the outer panel of the pillar member100is formed to be connected to the side sill in a state where the lower fastening portion120and the side sill side coupling portion300are coupled to each other, thereby having the effect of creating stylistic beauty.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, but it will be self-evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be improved upon and modified in various ways within the scope not departing from the technical spirit of the present invention provided by the patent claims below.