JP6740168B2 - Vehicle side structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle side structure.

Patent Document 1 below discloses an invention relating to an external airbag occupant protection system. In this external airbag occupant protection system, an inflator and an airbag are provided inside a side door, and a predictive collision detection system that predicts a collision between a vehicle and an object is provided. Then, when a collision between the vehicle and the object is predicted by the predictive collision detection system, the inflator operates and the airbag is inflated and deployed from the side door to the vehicle width direction outer side. Therefore, the collision energy when the object collides with the vehicle is absorbed by the airbag, and as a result, the relative speed of the object with respect to the vehicle can be reduced.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-537165

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, there is no room for improvement in terms of stabilizing the deployment behavior of the airbag which is inflated and deployed from the side door to the vehicle width direction outer side, since a member for supporting the deployment reaction force of the airbag is not provided. There is.

In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle side portion structure that can stabilize the deployment behavior of an airbag that inflates and deploys from the side door to the vehicle width direction outside.

A vehicle side part structure according to the present invention according to claim 1 is a door outer panel forming a vehicle width direction outside portion of a side door, and a door inner panel forming a vehicle width direction inside portion of the side door, An inflator disposed between the door outer panel and the door inner panel is actuated to inflate and deploy an airbag that is inflated outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door by an ejected gas, and an object approaching the vehicle is A control unit that operates the inflator when it is determined that the object and the side door collide based on a signal output from the prediction unit together with a prediction unit that predicts whether to collide with the side door, It is normally closed, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag bulge portion provided on the door outer panel so that the airbag can be inflated and deployed outside the door outer panel in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle width of the inflator. And a reinforcing member that is disposed on the inner side in the direction and that supports the inflator and that is attached to the door inner panel.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the inflator is arranged between the door outer panel forming the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the side door and the door inner panel forming the vehicle width direction inner side portion of the side door. Has been done. The inflator is controlled by a control unit including a prediction unit that predicts whether or not an object approaching the vehicle collides with a side door of the vehicle. Then, when the control unit determines that the object and the side door collide with each other based on the signal output from the prediction unit, the control unit operates the inflator.

Further, the door outer panel is provided with an airbag bulging portion, and the airbag bulging portion is normally closed, and when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the airbag is outside of the door outer panel in the vehicle width direction. It is said that it can be expanded and deployed. Therefore, when a collision between the object and the side door of the vehicle is predicted, the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator causes the airbag to inflate and deploy from the airbag bulging portion to the vehicle width direction outer side of the side door. As a result, even if the object collides with the vehicle, the collision energy at the time of collision between them can be absorbed by the airbag.

Incidentally, it is conceivable that the deployment behavior of the airbag becomes unstable unless there is a member that supports the deployment reaction force of the airbag when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

Here, in the present invention, the reinforcing member is attached to the door inner panel, and the reinforcing member includes a support portion that is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator and supports the inflator. Therefore, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the support portion of the reinforcing member.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to the first aspect, wherein the support portion has a side wall portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction with a plate thickness direction being a vehicle width direction. An upper wall portion extending from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle upper side to the vehicle width direction outside, and a lower wall portion extending from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle lower side to the vehicle width direction outside, The inflator has a tubular shape with closed ends and is disposed in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the vehicle width direction outer side.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the supporting portion includes the side wall portion, the upper wall portion, and the lower wall portion. The side wall portion extends in the vehicle front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction as the vehicle width direction, and the upper wall portion extends from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the side wall portion to the vehicle width direction outer side, and the lower wall portion. Extends from the peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle lower side to the vehicle width direction outer side. On the other hand, the inflator has a tubular shape with its end closed, and is arranged in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present invention, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag can be supported from three different directions except the vehicle width direction outer side.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a third aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the support portion extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a cross-sectional shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction that is outward in the vehicle width direction. The inflator is in the form of a circular arc-shaped plate, and the inflator is in the form of a cylinder whose ends are closed and is arranged in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the outside in the vehicle width direction.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the support portion is an arc-shaped plate shape that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a cross-sectional shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction that is open outward in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the inflator has a cylindrical shape with its end closed, and is arranged in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present invention, the shape of the inflator and the shape of the support portion can be made to correspond to each other, and the occurrence of a gap between the inflator and the support portion can be suppressed.

A vehicle side part structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side part structure according to the second or third aspect of the invention, wherein the reinforcing member is arranged outside the support portion in the vehicle width direction. The upper extension wall portion extending from the peripheral edge portion on the vehicle upper side to the vehicle upper side and the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion are arranged to extend from the vehicle lower side peripheral edge portion of the support portion to the vehicle lower side. It is configured to include at least one of the formed lower extension wall portions.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the reinforcing member is configured to include at least one of the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion. The upper extending wall portion is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion and extends to the vehicle upper side from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the support portion, and the lower extending wall portion is the vehicle width of the support portion. It is arranged outside in the direction and extends from the peripheral portion of the support portion on the vehicle lower side to the vehicle lower side. Therefore, in the present invention, at least one of the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the airbag after the inflation and deployment.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to the first aspect, wherein the inflator has a tubular shape extending in a vehicle front-rear direction with an end closed. Is an inner side wall portion that is arranged on the inner side of the inflator in the vehicle width direction and extends along the inflator and that is joined to the door inner panel in a state where the plate thickness direction is the vehicle width direction, and the inner side wall portion. A first extending wall portion extending from a vehicle upper side or vehicle lower side peripheral portion to the vehicle width direction outer side, and a vehicle width direction outer side peripheral edge portion of the first extending wall portion to a side opposite to the inflator. It is configured to include an extended outer side wall portion and a second extended wall portion extended inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge portion of the outer side wall portion opposite to the inflator.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the inflator has a tubular shape that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has an end closed. On the other hand, the support portion includes an inner side wall portion, a first extending wall portion, an outer side wall portion, and a second extending wall portion. The inner side wall portion is arranged inside the inflator in the vehicle width direction, extends along the inflator, and is joined to the door inner panel with the plate thickness direction being the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the inner side wall portion and the door inner panel.

Further, the first extending wall portion extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a vehicle upper side or vehicle lower side peripheral portion of the inner side wall portion, and the outer side wall portion is the vehicle of the first extending wall portion. It extends from the peripheral portion on the outer side in the width direction to the side opposite to the inflator. The second extending wall portion extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the peripheral edge portion of the outer side wall portion on the side opposite to the inflator.

Therefore, the portion of the reinforcing member that is configured by the first extending wall portion, the outer side wall portion, and the second extending wall portion has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape that is open inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed in the longitudinal direction. Is composed of. As a result, it is possible to secure the rigidity of the reinforcing member against the collision load transmitted from the object that collides with the vehicle to the side door via the airbag.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to the second aspect, wherein the reinforcing member includes the upper extension wall portion and the lower extension wall. Portions are provided, and the reinforcing member is a pair of tubular beam members that are respectively arranged inside the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion in the vehicle width direction and extend along the supporting portion. Equipped with.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the airbag is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag can be supported by the support portion from three different directions except the vehicle width direction outer side. Further, the reinforcing member is provided with an upper extension wall portion and a lower extension wall portion, and along the vehicle width direction inner side of the upper extension wall portion and the lower extension wall portion, along the support portion, respectively. A cylindrical beam member that extends in the vertical direction is arranged. Therefore, in the present invention, the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door via the airbag can be supported by the pair of beam members.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the invention according to the fourth aspect, which cites the second aspect, wherein the reinforcing member includes the upper extension wall portion and the lower extension wall. A portion is provided, a first reinforcing portion is continuous with the upper extending wall portion on the vehicle upper side of the upper extending wall portion, and the lower extending portion is on the vehicle lower side of the lower extending wall portion. A second reinforcing portion is provided so as to be continuous with the outlet wall portion, and the first reinforcing portion extends from the peripheral portion of the upper extending wall portion on the vehicle upper side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. 1 upper side reinforcing wall portion, and a second upper side reinforcing wall portion extending to the vehicle upper side from a vehicle width direction inner peripheral edge portion of the first upper side reinforcing wall portion. Is a first lower reinforcing wall portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion of the lower extending wall portion on the vehicle lower side, and a peripheral edge of the first lower reinforcing wall portion inward of the vehicle width direction. A second lower reinforcing wall portion extending from the portion to the vehicle lower side.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first reinforcing portion is configured at the vehicle upper side portion of the reinforcing member including the first upper reinforcing wall portion and the second upper reinforcing wall portion. Then, in the first reinforcing portion, the upper extending wall portion, the upper wall portion and the side wall portion of the supporting portion, a hat-shaped portion whose cross-sectional shape viewed from the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member is opened to the vehicle width direction inner side is configured. ing. On the other hand, a second reinforcing portion including the first lower reinforcing wall portion and the second lower reinforcing wall portion is formed on the vehicle lower side portion of the reinforcing member. Then, the second reinforcing portion, the lower extending wall portion, the lower wall portion and the side wall portion of the support portion constitute a hat-shaped portion whose cross-sectional shape viewed from the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing member is open to the inside in the vehicle width direction. Has been done.

Therefore, as compared with the case where the reinforcing member has a uniform plate shape, the second moment of area of the reinforcing member with respect to the neutral axis of bending in the vehicle width direction can be increased. As a result, the rigidity of the reinforcing member against the collision load transmitted from the object that collides with the vehicle to the side door via the airbag can be increased.

A vehicle side portion structure according to the present invention described in claim 8 is the vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag bulging portion is the airbag when inflated and deployed. The cover member is configured to include a cover member that is capable of passing and covers the opening formed in the door outer panel and is removable from the door outer panel by being pressed by the airbag.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the door outer panel is formed with an opening through which the airbag at the time of inflation and deployment can pass, and when a collision between an object and a side door of the vehicle is predicted, The airbag passes through the opening and is inflated and deployed outside the side door in the vehicle width direction.

By the way, from the viewpoint of ensuring the appearance of the side door, it is preferable that the opening of the outer panel is normally invisible from the outside in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of smoothly inflating and deploying the airbag, it is preferable that the opening portion does not have a resistance to the airbag when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

Here, in the present invention, the opening formed in the door outer panel is covered with the cover member, and the opening and the airbag are hidden by the cover member in the normal state. Further, the cover member is detachable from the door outer panel by being pressed by the airbag at the time of inflation and deployment, and the cover member is detached from the door outer panel toward the vehicle width direction outer side at the time of inflation and deployment of the airbag, The opening is in an open state.

A vehicle side structure according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side structure according to the eighth aspect, wherein the cover member is connected to the reinforcing member via a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is It is possible to maintain the connected state of the covering member and the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the door outer panel.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 9, the cover member is connected to the reinforcing member via the connecting portion, and the cover member and the reinforcing member are connected in a state in which the cover member is separated from the door outer panel. Is also maintained in.

A vehicle side structure according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side structure according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the airbag bulging portion is the airbag when inflated and deployed. The cover member is configured to include a cover member that is passable and covers an opening formed in the door outer panel, and is cleaved by being pressed by the airbag so that the airbag can be opened.

According to the present invention described in claim 10, it is basically the same configuration as the invention described in claim 1 and has the same operation. In addition, in the present invention, the cover member that covers the opening of the door outer panel is ruptured by being pressed by the airbag at the time of inflation and deployment, and opens so that the airbag can pass therethrough. That is, in the present invention, the airbag can be inflated and deployed outside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction of the side door in the state where the cover member is arranged on the door outer panel.

A vehicle side structure according to the present invention described in claim 11 is the vehicle side structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the airbag bulging portion is provided on the door outer panel and expands. The door outer panel is cleaved by being pushed by the airbag at the time of deployment, and the opening through which the airbag can pass is configured to include a tear portion formed on the door outer panel. ..

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the door outer panel is provided with the tear portion, and the tear portion is torn when the door outer panel is pressed by the airbag when inflated and deployed. Then, by tearing the tear portion, an opening through which the airbag can pass is formed in the door outer panel, and the airbag is inflated and deployed outside the side door in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, as compared with a configuration in which an opening through which the airbag can pass is provided in the door outer panel and a cover member that covers the opening is arranged, a convex portion that is unnecessary in terms of design is formed on the design surface of the side door. This can be suppressed, and the appearance of the design surface can be prevented from being impaired.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the door outer panel is made of resin.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the door outer panel is made of resin, and the door outer panel can be reduced in weight. Further, compared to the case where the door outer panel is made of metal, the load that the airbag receives from the door outer panel when inflated and deployed is reduced.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the inflator is a vehicle rather than a vehicle longitudinal direction central portion of the side door. It is located in the front part.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the inflator is arranged in the vehicle front side portion of the side door in the vehicle front-rear direction central portion. Accordingly, even if an object collides with the side door of the vehicle and the inflator is pressed and moved by the object, at least the upper half of the occupant's upper body cannot be positioned on the track of the inflator.

A vehicle side portion structure according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle side portion structure according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the reinforcing member is one of the reinforcing members when viewed in a vehicle width direction. The part constitutes a part of the vehicle body, and also constitutes a part of the vehicle body and a front pillar arranged so that a part thereof overlaps with the vehicle front side peripheral edge portion of the door inner panel when viewed from the vehicle width direction. It is arranged so as to partially overlap with at least one of the center pillars arranged so as to partially overlap with the vehicle rear side peripheral portion of the door inner panel when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 14, the reinforcing member has at least one of a front pillar forming a part of the vehicle body and a center pillar forming a part of the vehicle body when a part thereof is viewed from the vehicle width direction. It is arranged to overlap with. The front pillar is arranged so that a part of the front pillar overlaps with a peripheral portion of the door inner panel on the front side of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The inner panel is arranged so as to overlap with the peripheral portion of the vehicle rear side. Therefore, even if the reinforcing member is pressed by an object that collides with the side door, the reinforcing member is supported by at least one of the front pillar and the center pillar via the door inner panel.

As described above, the vehicle side portion structure according to the present invention described in claim 1 has an excellent effect that the deployment behavior of the airbag that inflates and deploys from the side door to the vehicle width direction outer side can be stabilized. ..

The vehicle side portion structure relating to the present invention described in claim 2 has an excellent effect that it is possible to improve the accuracy with which the airbag is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle side portion structure relating to the present invention described in claim 3 has an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the expansion of the space necessary for disposing the inflator and the reinforcing member.

The vehicle side structure according to the present invention according to claim 4 has an excellent effect that the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle to the side door side through the airbag can be supported by the reinforcing member. Have.

The vehicle side portion structure according to the present invention according to claim 5 can increase the deployment reaction force of the airbag that can be supported by the reinforcing member, and at the side door side from the object that collides with the vehicle via the airbag. It has an excellent effect that the collision load transmitted to the vehicle can be stably supported by the reinforcing member.

The vehicle side portion structure relating to the present invention according to claim 6 has an excellent effect that the supporting of the deployment reaction force of the airbag and the supporting of the collision load on the side door side can be performed by different members. Have.

The vehicle side portion structure according to the present invention described in claim 7 has an excellent effect that the collision load on the side door side can be stably supported.

The vehicle side structure according to the present invention according to claim 8 is excellent in that it is possible to ensure both the appearance of the side door in normal times and the reduction of the resistance to the airbag when the airbag is inflated and deployed. Have the effect.

The vehicle side part structure relating to the present invention described in claim 9 has an excellent effect that it is possible to suppress the loss of the cover member when the airbag is inflated and deployed.

According to the vehicle side portion structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 10, the appearance of the side door can be ensured under normal conditions, and the cover member can be removed from the side door as compared with the structure in which the cover member is separated from the side door. It has an excellent effect that the influence exerted can be reduced.

The vehicle side portion structure relating to the present invention as set forth in claim 11 has an excellent effect that both reduction of the number of parts of the side door and securing of appearance quality can be achieved at the same time.

The vehicle side structure according to the present invention described in claim 12 has an excellent effect that it is possible to reduce the weight of the side door and improve the accuracy with which the airbag is inflated and deployed outward in the vehicle width direction. Have.

The vehicle side structure according to the present invention according to claim 13 has an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the inflator from moving toward the upper body side of the occupant due to a collision load of an object that collides with a side door of the vehicle. ..

The vehicle side portion structure relating to the present invention as set forth in claim 14 has an excellent effect that the skeletal member of the vehicle body can support the collision load caused by the object colliding with the side door of the vehicle.

An enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a side door in a vehicle to which the vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment is applied (a state cut along a line 1-1 in FIG. 6 is shown. FIG. It is a flow chart which shows the processing performed by the airbag system for side impacts provided in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 1st embodiment is applied. It is sectional drawing seen from the vehicle front side which shows the behavior of the airbag provided in the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment is applied, (A) shows the state of normal time. (B) shows the state immediately after the collision load input prediction, and (B) shows the state after expansion and deployment. FIG. 4 is a side view (four-direction arrow view of FIG. 3C) viewed from the vehicle width direction outside showing a state after deployment of the airbag of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side portion structure according to the first embodiment is applied. is there. It is the side view seen from the vehicle width direction outside which shows the composition of the important section of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 1st embodiment was applied, in the state where the door outer panel is not illustrated. It is the side view seen from the vehicle width direction outside which shows the composition of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 1st embodiment was applied. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1) viewed from the vehicle front side showing a configuration of a main part of a side door in a vehicle to which a vehicle side portion structure according to a second embodiment is applied. FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1) viewed from the vehicle front side, showing a configuration of a main part of a side door in a vehicle to which a vehicle side portion structure according to a third embodiment is applied. It is an expanded sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Drawing 1) seen from the vehicles front side which shows the composition of the important section of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 4th embodiment was applied. It is an expanded sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Drawing 1) seen from the vehicles front side which shows the composition of the important section of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 5th embodiment was applied. It is an expanded sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Drawing 1) seen from the vehicles front side which shows the composition of the important section of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 6th embodiment was applied. It is sectional drawing seen from the vehicle front side which shows the behavior of the airbag and the cover member which were provided in the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure which concerns on 6th Embodiment is applied. It is an expanded sectional view (sectional view corresponding to Drawing 1) seen from the vehicles front side which shows the composition of the important section of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 7th embodiment was applied. It is the side view seen from the vehicle width direction outside which shows the composition of the side door in the vehicle to which the vehicle side part structure concerning a 7th embodiment was applied.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a vehicle side portion structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In addition, an arrow FR shown in each drawing appropriately indicates the vehicle front side, an arrow UP indicates the vehicle upper side, and an arrow RH indicates the vehicle width direction right side.

First, the schematic configuration of the “vehicle 10” to which the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Note that, in the present embodiment, the vehicle 10 is basically configured to be bilaterally symmetrical, and therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the right side portion of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction will be mainly described, and the left side portion in the vehicle width direction will be described. The description of the configuration will be omitted as appropriate. The vehicle 10 is configured to include a “body 12”, a “side door (front side door) 14” attached to the body 12, and a side collision airbag system 34, which will be described later, mounted on the vehicle 10.

The vehicle body 12 constitutes a part of the vehicle body 12 on the upper side of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a portion of the vehicle body 12 on the lower side of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. It is configured to include the existing rocker 18.

Further, a "front pillar 20" and a "center pillar 22" that connect the roof side rail 16 and the rocker 18 are provided on the side portion 12A of the vehicle body 12. More specifically, the front pillar 20 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and connects the vehicle front side portion of the roof side rail 16 and the vehicle front side portion of the rocker 18 in the vehicle vertical direction. On the other hand, the center pillar 22 extends in the vehicle vertical direction and connects the central portion of the roof side rail 16 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the central portion of the rocker 18 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The side portion 12A of the vehicle body 12 is partitioned by a roof side rail 16, a rocker 18, a front pillar 20, and a center pillar 22, and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction opened and closed by the side door 14. A door opening 24 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the side door 14 has a width direction (door width direction) that coincides with the vehicle front-rear direction when the door opening 24 is closed (the side door 14 is closed), and its thickness Direction (door thickness direction) matches the vehicle width direction. It should be noted that the door width direction and the door thickness direction used in the following description both refer to the direction in which the side door 14 is closed.

The side door 14 includes a metallic "door outer panel 26" that constitutes an outer portion of the side door 14 in the vehicle width direction, and a metallic "door inner panel" that constitutes an inner portion of the side door 14 in the vehicle width direction. Panel 28". The door outer panel 26 extends in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and is viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction such that the vehicle width-direction central portion is convex outward in the vehicle width-direction in a cross-sectional view viewed from the vehicle up-down direction. When viewed in cross section, the center of the vehicle in the vertical direction is curved so as to be convex outward in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the door outer panel 26 is bulged so that its center portion is convex outward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.

On the other hand, the door inner panel 28 extends in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, and has service holes 30 used for maintenance work and the like at a plurality of locations. The peripheral edge of the door inner panel 28 is joined to the peripheral edge of the door outer panel 26 by hemming.

As shown in FIG. 5, the side door 14 configured as described above is located in front of the door inner panel 28 when viewed from the vehicle width direction (door thickness direction) when the door opening 24 is closed. The peripheral portion on the side (one side in the door width direction) is arranged so as to overlap the front pillar 20. Further, in this state, the peripheral portion of the door inner panel 28 on the vehicle rear side (the other side in the door width direction) overlaps with the center pillar 22 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Further, an inner space 32 having a depth in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction is formed between the door outer panel 26 and the door inner panel 28. As shown in FIG. 1, a well-known window regulator, an “impact beam 48” as a reinforcing member described later, an airbag device 36, and the like are arranged in the internal space 32.

The airbag device 36 is attached to the impact beam 48 as will be described later, and as shown in FIG. 1, constitutes a part of the side collision airbag system 34 together with the “control unit 43”. The airbag device 36 includes an "airbag 38" and an "inflator 40" which is a gas generator.

The airbag 38 is formed in a bag shape, for example, by sewing an outer peripheral portion of a plurality of base fabrics made of a nylon-based material or a polyester-based material. Further, an inflator 40 is built in at the base end side (inside the vehicle width direction) of the airbag 38, and the airbag 38 is folded into a columnar shape by a predetermined folding method such as bellows folding or roll folding. Then, it is wrapped with a wrap material (not shown) that is easily broken together with the inflator 40 by the inflation pressure of the airbag 38. In addition, in the figure in which the airbag 38 is illustrated, the outline of the airbag 38 is schematically shown.

On the other hand, the inflator 40 is a so-called cylinder type in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are closed, and is a so-called cylinder type. Is arranged such that the end portion of is located on the lower rear side of the vehicle. That is, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the inflator 40 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. The inflator 40 is located inside the end of the airbag 38 on the vehicle front side in a state where the longitudinal direction of the inflator 40 and the longitudinal direction of the folded airbag 38 coincide with each other (see FIG. 5 ). ). In addition, a pair of stud bolts (not shown) that project inward in the vehicle width direction and that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the inflator 40 are provided in the base portion 42 that is provided inside the inflator 40 in the vehicle width direction. Has been. Then, the airbag device 36 including the inflator 40 is attached to the impact beam 48 by the stud bolts.

In the airbag device 36 configured as described above, when the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator 40 is supplied to the airbag 38, the wrap material is cleaved by the inflation pressure of the airbag 38, and the side door is opened. 14 is inflated and deployed to the outside in the vehicle width direction (one side in the door thickness direction). Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the airbag 38 is configured such that the shape in the inflated and deployed state is a column shape that is an ellipse when viewed in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal direction of the airbag 38 is substantially the same in the folded state and the inflated and deployed state. The inflator 40 is electrically connected to the controller 43, and the operation of the inflator 40 is controlled by the controller 43.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 43 is configured to include an ECU 44 that controls the operation of the inflator 40 and a “collision prediction sensor 46” that is electrically connected to the ECU 44 and serves as a prediction unit. Then, the ECU 44 operates the inflator 40 based on the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46.

The collision prediction sensor 46 is provided on the side portion of the vehicle 10 and is composed of a millimeter wave radar, a stereo camera, a laser radar (LiDAR), and the like. Then, the collision prediction sensor 46 detects an object approaching the side portion of the vehicle 10, more specifically, the side door 14, and measures the distance from the vehicle 10 to the object and the relative speed between the vehicle 10 and the object. As they are performed, these signals are output to the ECU 44 as signals.

On the other hand, the ECU 44 determines the presence or absence of an object approaching the vehicle 10 based on the signal input from the collision prediction sensor 46, and if there is an object approaching the vehicle 10, the object and the vehicle 10 collide. Or not. When the ECU 44 determines (predicts) that a side collision between the vehicle 10 and the object approaching the vehicle 10 is unavoidable, the side collision airbag system 34 activates the inflator 40 by the activation signal from the ECU 44. It is set to be done.

Here, in the present embodiment, the first characteristic is the configuration of the impact beam 48 that is arranged in the internal space 32 of the side door 14 and supports the airbag device 36. In addition, an “airbag inflatable portion” including an “opening portion 52” for inflating the airbag 38 formed in the door outer panel 26 and a “door outer molding 54” as a cover member attached to the opening portion 52 is included. The second feature is that the projecting portion 50" is configured. Hereinafter, the configurations of the impact beam 48 and the airbag bulging portion 50, which form the main part of the present embodiment, will be described in detail.

First, the configuration of the impact beam 48 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. As an example, the impact beam 48 is formed by pressing a steel material, and as a whole, the end portion 48B on the vehicle rear side is opposite to the end portion 48B on the vehicle rear side when viewed from the vehicle width direction. It extends in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to be located on the lower rear side. The impact beam 48 includes a "supporting portion 48C" for supporting the inflator 40, an "extending wall portion 48D" as an upper extending wall portion, an "extending wall portion 48E" as a lower extending wall portion, and a first extension wall portion 48E. The "reinforcing portion 48F" as the reinforcing portion and the "reinforcing portion 48G" as the second reinforcing portion are included.

The support portion 48C includes a "side wall portion 48C1" arranged on the vehicle width direction inner side of the inflator 40 and an "upper wall portion 48C2" extending outward from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1. And a "lower wall portion 48C3" extending outward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1 on the vehicle lower side.

More specifically, the side wall portion 48C1 is formed into a rectangular plate shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from the vehicle width direction, with the plate thickness direction being the vehicle width direction, and the upper wall portion 48C2 and the lower wall portion 48C3. Is formed in a rectangular plate shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from the vehicle up-down direction. The upper wall portion 48C2 and the lower wall portion 48C3 are arranged in a state along the side wall portion 48C1 so as to face each other with a predetermined gap in which the airbag device 36 is accommodated. Further, the interval between the upper wall portion 48C2 and the lower wall portion 48C3 gradually increases from the vehicle width direction inner side toward the vehicle width direction outer side.

The extending wall portion 48D extends to the vehicle upper side from a peripheral portion of the upper wall portion 48C2 on the vehicle width direction outer side, and the extending wall portion 48D is arranged on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion 48C. In addition, it can be considered that it extends from the peripheral portion of the support portion 48C on the vehicle upper side to the vehicle upper side. Specifically, the extending wall portion 48D has a rectangular plate shape extending along the support portion 48C when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and is in a state of being separated from the door outer panel 26 by a predetermined distance and the door outer panel. It is arranged so as to face 26.

On the other hand, the extending wall portion 48E extends toward the vehicle lower side from a peripheral portion of the lower wall portion 48C3 on the vehicle width direction outer side, and the extending wall portion 48E is arranged on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion 48C. In addition, it can be considered that the support portion 48C is extended to the vehicle lower side from the vehicle lower side peripheral portion of the support portion 48C. Specifically, the extending wall portion 48E has a rectangular plate shape extending along the support portion 48C when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and is in a state of being spaced from the door outer panel 26 by a predetermined distance and the door outer panel. It is arranged so as to face 26.

The reinforcing portion 48F is configured to include a "reinforcing wall portion 48F1" as a first upper reinforcing wall portion and a "flange portion 48F2" as a second upper reinforcing wall portion. Specifically, the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the vehicle upper side peripheral edge portion of the extending wall portion 48D, and has a rectangular shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction. It has a plate shape. The flange portion 48F2 extends toward the vehicle upper side from the vehicle width direction inner peripheral edge portion of the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 and also has a rectangular plate extending along the extension wall portion 48D when viewed in the vehicle width direction. It is said to be a state.

On the other hand, the reinforcing portion 48G includes a "reinforcing wall portion 48G1" as the first lower reinforcing wall portion and a "flange portion 48G2" as the second lower reinforcing wall portion. Specifically, the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge portion of the extending wall portion 48E on the vehicle lower side, and has a rectangular shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction. It has a plate shape. The flange portion 48G2 extends downward from the vehicle width direction inner peripheral edge portion of the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 toward the vehicle lower side, and also extends along the extending wall portion 48E when viewed in the vehicle width direction. It is said to be a state.

In the impact beam 48 configured as described above, the airbag device 36 has the longitudinal direction thereof in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48, and the side wall portion 48C1 and the upper wall portion 48C2 of the support portion 48C. And the lower wall portion 48C3 except the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Further, a pair of inserted parts (not shown) corresponding to the stud bolts of the inflator 40 are formed on the side wall part 48C1. Then, the stud bolt of the inflator 40 is inserted into the inserted portion of the side wall portion 48C1 and a fastened member such as a nut (not shown) is fastened to the stud bolt from the vehicle width direction inner side of the side wall portion 48C1. 36 is fixed to the impact beam 48. In the state where the airbag device 36 is fixed to the impact beam 48, a part of the airbag device 36 is projected outward of the impact beam 48 in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the vehicle vertical direction. From the perspective, the entirety may be hidden by the impact beam 48.

Further, the impact beam 48 is fixed by joining the flange portions 48F2 and 48G2 to the door inner panel 28 at a joining portion such as welding (not shown). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the impact beam 48, when fixed to the door inner panel 28, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, has its end portion 48A at the front pillar 20 and its end portion 48B at the center pillar. 22 and 22 respectively. The inflator 40 of the airbag device 36 is arranged in a portion of the side door 14 on the vehicle front side with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction central portion in a state of being fixed to the side door 14. The position of the inflator 40 in the vehicle vertical direction is set to be near the center of the side door 14 in the vehicle vertical direction.

Next, the configuration of the airbag bulging portion 50 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. The opening 52 formed in the door outer panel 26 has a rectangular shape along the longitudinal direction of the retracted airbag device 36 and one size larger than the airbag device 36 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and expands. The airbag 38 at the time of deployment is allowed to pass through. In FIG. 6, the opening 52 is indicated by a dotted line.

The door outer molding 54 includes a cover portion 54A and a plurality of locking portions 54B, and is made of an elastically deformable resin material. The cover portion 54A is formed in a rectangular plate shape that is slightly larger than the opening portion 52 when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

On the other hand, a plurality of sets of the locking portions 54B are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 54A, and two sets of the locking portions 54B that face each other in the lateral direction of the cover portion 54A are arranged. The locking portion 54B is formed in a substantially triangular shape that is convex toward the peripheral edge portion of the cover portion 54A extending in the lengthwise direction when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 54A. More specifically, on the cover portion 54A side of the locking portion 54B, an inclined surface portion 54B1 that is inclined in a direction in which the width in the lateral direction of the cover portion 54A of the locking portion 54B increases toward the side opposite to the cover portion 54A side. Are formed. Further, an inclined surface portion 54B2 is formed on the side of the locking portion 54B opposite to the cover portion 54A so as to incline in the direction in which the width of the locking portion 54B increases toward the cover portion 54A.

The door outer molding 54 configured as described above is attached to the door outer panel 26 by the locking portion 54B being locked to the peripheral edge of the opening 52. That is, the opening 52 is normally closed by the door outer molding 54, in other words, the airbag bulging part 50 is normally closed. Further, with the above-described configuration of the locking portion 54B, when the door outer molding 54 is attached to the opening 52, the inclined surface portion 54B2 is pressed against the peripheral edge of the opening 52 when the locking portion 54B is inserted into the opening 52. While being locked, the locking portion 54B is elastically deformed.

Furthermore, when the door outer molding 54 is pressed by the inflating and deploying airbag 38, the locking portion 54B is elastically deformed while the inclined surface portion 54B1 of the locking portion 54B is pressed by the peripheral edge portion of the opening 52. There is. As a result, the locked state of the locking portion 54B with respect to the peripheral edge of the opening 52 is released, and the door outer molding 54 is detached from the door outer panel 26.

(Operation and effect of the present embodiment)
Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

First, the control flow of the side impact airbag system 34 will be outlined with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of a control flow by the control unit 43. When this control flow is started, in step S1, the ECU 44 determines whether there is an object approaching the vehicle 10 based on the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46. When it is determined that there is no object approaching the vehicle 10, step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an object approaching the vehicle 10, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, the ECU 44 determines whether or not an object approaching the vehicle collides with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 based on the signal output from the collision prediction sensor 46. If it is determined that the object approaching the vehicle 10 does not collide with the vehicle 10, the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when it is determined that an object approaching the vehicle 10 collides with the vehicle 10, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the inflator 40 is activated by the activation signal from the ECU 44, and the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed. Then, after the inflator 40 operates, the control flow ends.

Next, the behavior of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle 10 to which the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is applied and the components arranged around the airbag device 36 will be described.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, between the door outer panel 26 that constitutes the vehicle width direction outer side portion of the side door 14 and the door inner panel 28 that constitutes the vehicle width direction inner side portion of the side door 14. An inflator 40 is arranged in the. The inflator 40 is operated by the controller 43 when a collision between the side door 14 and an object approaching the vehicle 10 is predicted as described above.

Further, the door outer panel 26 is provided with an airbag bulging portion 50. The airbag bulging portion 50 is normally closed, and when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the airbag 38 is closed. Inflatable and deployable outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the control unit 43 predicts a collision between the object and the side door 14 of the vehicle 10, the gas ejected by the operation of the inflator 40 causes the gas to be ejected from the airbag bulging unit 50 in the vehicle width direction of the side door 14. The airbag 38 is inflated and deployed outside. As a result, even if the object collides with the vehicle 10 (side door 14), the collision energy at the time of collision between them can be absorbed by the airbag 38.

By the way, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, it is conceivable that the deployment behavior of the airbag 38 becomes unstable if there is no member that supports the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38.

Here, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 48 is attached to the door inner panel 28, and the impact beam 48 includes the side wall portion 48C1 disposed inside the inflator 40 in the vehicle width direction and supports the inflator 40. The support portion 48C is provided. Therefore, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the support portion 48C of the impact beam 48. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to stabilize the deployment behavior of the airbag 38 that is inflated and deployed from the side door 14 to the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the support portion 48C is configured to include the side wall portion 48C1, the upper wall portion 48C2, and the lower wall portion 48C3. The side wall portion 48C1 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction as the vehicle width direction, and the upper wall portion 48C2 extends outward from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1 in the vehicle width direction. The wall portion 48C3 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion of the side wall portion 48C1 on the vehicle lower side. On the other hand, the inflator 40 has a tubular shape with its end closed, and is arranged so as to be surrounded by the support portion 48C except for the vehicle width direction outer side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported from three different directions except the vehicle width direction outer side, and as a result, the airbag 38 It is possible to improve the accuracy of expansion and deployment toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 48 is configured to include the extending wall portion 48D and the extending wall portion 48E. The extension wall portion 48D is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion 48C and extends to the vehicle upper side from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the support portion 48C, and the extension wall portion 48E is the vehicle of the support portion 48C. It is arranged on the outer side in the width direction and extends to the vehicle lower side from the peripheral portion of the support portion 48C on the vehicle lower side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the extending wall portion 48D and the extending wall portion 48E are arranged inside the airbag 38 after the inflation and deployment in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 48 can support the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing portion 48F including the reinforcing wall portion 48F1 and the flange portion 48F2 is formed in the vehicle upper side portion of the impact beam 48. Then, the cross-sectional shape of the reinforcing portion 48F, the extending wall portion 48D, the upper wall portion 48C2 and the side wall portion 48C1 of the support portion 48C, which is viewed in the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48, is a hat shape that is opened inward in the vehicle width direction. The parts are made up. On the other hand, a reinforcing portion 48G including the reinforcing wall portion 48G1 and the flange portion 48G2 is formed in the vehicle lower side portion of the impact beam 48. The reinforcing portion 48G, the extending wall portion 48E, the lower wall portion 48C3, and the side wall portion 48C1 of the supporting portion 48C have a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the impact beam 48 and are open to the inside in the vehicle width direction. Is configured.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second moment of area of the impact beam 48 with respect to the neutral axis of bending in the vehicle width direction can be increased as compared with the case where the impact beam 48 has a uniform plate shape. it can. As a result, the rigidity of the impact beam 48 with respect to the collision load transmitted from the object that collides with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38 (in particular, the rigidity with respect to bending in the vehicle width direction) can be increased. Therefore, in this embodiment, the collision load on the side door 14 side can be supported in a stable state.

Further, in the present embodiment, the door outer panel 26 is formed with an opening 52 through which the airbag 38 at the time of inflation and deployment can pass. When a collision between the object and the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 is predicted, the airbag 38 passes through the opening 52 and is inflated and deployed outside the side door 14 in the vehicle width direction.

From the viewpoint of ensuring the appearance of the side door 14, it is preferable that the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26 is not visible from the outside in the vehicle width direction at normal times. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of smoothly inflating and deploying the airbag 38, it is preferable that the opening 52 does not have any resistance to the airbag 38 when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the opening 52 formed in the door outer panel 26 is covered with the door outer molding 54, and in a normal state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the opening 52 and the airbag. 38 is hidden by the door outer molding 54. Further, the door outer molding 54 can be detached from the door outer panel 26 by being pressed by the airbag 38 when inflated and deployed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the door outer molding 54 separates from the door outer panel 26 toward the vehicle width direction outer side, and the opening 52 is opened. .. Then, in this state, as shown in FIG. 3C, the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to secure both the appearance of the side door 14 in the normal state and reduce the resistance to the airbag 38 when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the inflator 40 is arranged in a portion of the side door 14 that is closer to the vehicle front side than the central portion in the vehicle front-rear direction. Accordingly, even if an object collides with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 and the inflator 40 is pressed and moved by the object, at least the upper half of the occupant 56 is not positioned on the track of the inflator 40. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the inflator 40 from moving to the upper body side of the occupant 56 due to the collision load of the object that collides with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 48 includes the front pillar 20 whose end portion 48A constitutes a part of the vehicle body 12 and the end portion 48B thereof also constitutes a part of the vehicle body 12 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. It is arranged so as to overlap the constituent center pillars 22, respectively. The front pillar 20 is arranged so that a part of the front pillar 20 overlaps with the peripheral portion of the door inner panel on the vehicle front side when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the center pillar 22 has a part thereof when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Are arranged so as to overlap the peripheral portion of the door inner panel 28 on the vehicle rear side. Therefore, even if the impact beam 48 is pressed by an object that collides with the side door 14, the impact beam 48 is supported by at least one of the front pillar 20 and the center pillar 22 via the door inner panel 28. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the collision load due to the object that collides with the side door 14 of the vehicle 10 can be supported by the frame member of the vehicle body 12.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the vehicle side structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the "impact beam 60" as the reinforcing member is not provided with the portions corresponding to the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G, and the tear portion is provided on the "door outer molding 62" as the covering member. The feature is that 64 is formed. In the present embodiment, the door outer molding 62 functions as an airbag bulging portion, as will be described later.

More specifically, the impact beam 60 includes a “support portion 60A”, an “extended wall portion 60B” as an upper extended wall portion, and an “extended wall portion 60C” as a lower extended wall portion. It is configured. The support portion 60A has the same shape as the support portion 48C, the extension wall portion 60B has the same extension wall portion 48D, and the extension wall portion 60C has the same extension wall portion 48E.

The impact beam 60 is, for example, made of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength higher than that of the steel material forming the impact beam 48, and has the same rigidity as the impact beam 48 (rigidity against bending in the vehicle width direction). doing. Further, in the present embodiment, the impact beam 60 is fixed by joining the support portion 60A to the door inner panel 28 at a joining portion such as welding (not shown).

On the other hand, the door outer molding 62 is configured to include a cover portion 62A having the same shape as the cover portion 54A of the door outer molding 54 when viewed from the vehicle width direction outer side, and a locking portion 62B. The locking portion 62B is arranged similarly to the locking portion 54B of the door outer molding 54, but the shape thereof is different from the locking portion 54B.

Specifically, the locking portion 62B is formed in a trapezoidal shape that widens toward the cover portion 62A side when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 62A. Therefore, although the locking portion 62B can be inserted into the opening 52 like the locking portion 54B, the locking portion 62B functions as a return after the door outer molding 62 is attached to the door outer panel 26. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the door outer molding 62 is pressed from the inside in the vehicle width direction, the door outer molding 62 is not separated from the door outer panel 26.

Further, in the present embodiment, a groove-shaped tear portion 64 is formed on the surface of the cover portion 62A on the inner side in the vehicle width direction along the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the cover portion 62A. As a result, the cover portion 62A is ruptured (deployed) in the vehicle vertical direction from the tear portion 64 by being pressed by the airbag 38 that is inflated and deployed, and the airbag 38 is opened so that the airbag 38 can pass therethrough. ing. Note that, in FIG. 7, the cover portion 62A after the development is shown by a chain double-dashed line.

With such a configuration, basically the same actions and effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be achieved, except for the actions and effects of the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the door outer molding 62 that covers the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26 is ruptured by being pressed by the airbag 38 when inflated and deployed, and opens so that the airbag 38 can pass through. .. That is, in the present embodiment, the airbag 38 can be inflated and deployed outside the side door 14 in the vehicle width direction while the door outer molding 62 is arranged on the door outer panel 26. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the appearance of the side door 14 in a normal state can be ensured, and the door outer molding 62 affects the surroundings as compared with the configuration in which the side outer door 54 is detached from the side door 14. The influence can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the vehicle side structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the "impact beam 70" as a reinforcing member is formed in a substantially semi-cylindrical shape.

More specifically, the impact beam 70 extends similarly to the impact beam 48, and is configured to include the “support portion 70A” and the “extended wall portion 70B” as the upper extended wall portion. .. Specifically, the support portion 70A is a plate-like plate that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a cross-sectional shape viewed from the longitudinal direction that is open to the vehicle width direction outer side. On the other hand, the extending wall portion 70B extends to the vehicle upper side from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the support portion 70A, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction. In addition, depending on the configuration of the side doors 14 and the like, the extending wall portion 70B is configured to extend from the peripheral portion of the supporting portion 70A on the vehicle lower side toward the vehicle lower side, and is caused to function as a lower extending wall portion. You may do it.

Further, in the present embodiment, the airbag device 36 is in a state in which the airbag 38 is folded so as to have a columnar shape along the inner peripheral surface of the support portion 70A, and the support portion 70A except for the vehicle width direction outer side. It is placed in a surrounded state. In the present embodiment, the door outer molding 54 or the door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

With such a configuration, basically the same operation and effect as those of the above-described first embodiment can be achieved except for the operation and effect by the extending wall portion 48E and the reinforcing portions 48F and 48G. In addition, in the present embodiment, the shape of the inflator 40 and thus the airbag device 36 and the shape of the support portion 70A are made to correspond to each other, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the inflator 40 and the support portion 70A. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the expansion of the space required for disposing the inflator 40 and the impact beam 70.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle side portion structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side portion structure according to the present embodiment, the “impact beam 80” as the reinforcing member extending similarly to the impact beam 48 includes the “support portion 80A” and the flange portion 80B and is viewed from the longitudinal direction thereof. It is characterized in that it has a hat-shaped cross section.

More specifically, the support portion 80A includes the "inner side wall portion 80A1", the "extended wall portion 80A2" as the first extended wall portion, the "outer side wall portion 80A3", and the "extended wall portion 80A3". The extended wall portion 80A4" is included. The inner side wall portion 80A1 is arranged inside the inflator 40 in the vehicle width direction so as to extend along the inflator 40 and have the plate thickness direction as the vehicle width direction. The extending wall portion 80A2 extends to the vehicle width direction outer side from the vehicle lower side peripheral edge portion of the inner side wall portion 80A1, and the inflator 40 is connected to the vehicle width direction outer peripheral edge portion of the extending wall portion 80A2. The outer side wall portion 80A3 extends on the opposite side. An extending wall portion 80A4 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge portion of the outer side wall portion 80A3 opposite to the inflator 40.

Depending on the configuration of the side door 14 and the like, in the support portion 80A, the extension wall portion 80A2, the inner side wall portion 80A1 and the extension wall portion 80A4 are arranged in this order on the vehicle upper side of the inner side wall portion 80A1. It may have any configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the flange portion 80B and the inner side wall portion 80A1 extending from the peripheral edge portion of the extending wall portion 80A4 on the vehicle width direction inner side to the side opposite to the inflator 40 are welded to the door inner panel 28, not shown. The impact beam 80 is fixed by being joined at the joining portion of. In the present embodiment, the door outer molding 54 or the door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

With such a configuration, the inner side wall portion 80A1 is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the inflator 40 and extends along the inflator 40, and is joined to the door inner panel 28 with the plate thickness direction being the vehicle width direction. ing. Accordingly, when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the inner side wall portion 80A1 and the door inner panel 28.

Further, the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38 is supported by the outer side wall portion 80A3. Then, in the present embodiment, a portion of the impact beam 80 formed by the extending wall portion 80A2, the outer side wall portion 80A3, and the extending wall portion 80A4 is opened to the inside in the vehicle width direction in the cross-sectional shape viewed from the longitudinal direction. It has a U-shape. Therefore, the rigidity of the impact beam 80 against the collision load transmitted from the object colliding with the vehicle 10 to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38 can be ensured. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 that can be supported by the impact beam 80 can be increased, and at the same time, the object that collides with the vehicle 10 is transmitted to the side door 14 side via the airbag 38. The collision beam can be stably supported by the impact beam 80.

<Fifth Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle side portion structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the "impact beam 90" as the reinforcing member includes the panel member 92 basically having the same shape as the impact beam 48 and the pair of "beam members 94". It is characterized in that it is configured.

Specifically, the panel member 92 includes a "support portion 92A", an "extended wall portion 92B" as an upper extended wall portion, an "extended wall portion 92C" as a lower extended wall portion, and a first extended wall portion 92C. It is configured to include a "reinforcement portion 92D" as a reinforcement portion and a "reinforcement portion 92E" as a second reinforcement portion. Further, the panel member 92 is made of a steel material having a smaller plate thickness and a lower tensile strength than the steel material forming the impact beam 48. The panel member 92 is joined to the door inner panel 28 at a joining portion such as welding (not shown).

On the other hand, the beam member 94 is configured in a cylindrical shape extending along the support portion 92A, is arranged inside the extending wall portions 92B and 92C in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the panel by welding (not shown) or the like. It is joined to the member 92. It should be noted that plate-shaped extension portions (not shown) are provided at both ends of the beam member 94, and the extension portions are joined to the door inner panel 28 by joining portions (not shown) such as welding. Further, in the present embodiment, the door outer molding 54 or the door outer molding 62 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26.

With such a configuration, basically, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, in the present embodiment, the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 can be supported by the support portion 92A from three different directions except the vehicle width direction outer side, and an object that collides with the vehicle 10 via the airbag 38. The collision load transmitted to the side door 14 side can be supported by the pair of beam members 94. Therefore, in the present embodiment, different members can support the deployment reaction force of the airbag 38 and the collision load on the side door 14 side.

<Sixth Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the vehicle side part structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the impact beam 48 and the door outer molding 54 are connected via a "strap 100" as a connecting portion.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the strap 100 is made of a resin material in a string shape, and one end portion 100A of the strap 100 in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the cover portion 54A. It is attached to the inside by a not-shown locking portion, joining portion, or the like. On the other hand, the other end portion 100B of the strap 100 is attached to a surface of the extending wall portion 48D of the impact beam 48 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction by a not-shown locking portion, a joint portion, or the like.

Further, in a portion of the cover portion 54A on the vehicle upper side that overlaps with the door outer panel 26, a groove portion 102 extending from the peripheral portion of the one end portion 100A of the strap 100 in the lateral direction of the cover portion 54A is formed. The groove portion 102 has a size capable of accommodating the strap 100, and a portion of the strap 100 extending in the vehicle vertical direction from one end portion 100</b>A of the strap 100 is arranged inside the groove portion 102.

On the other hand, a rectangular slit portion 104, which is open to the lower side of the vehicle, is formed in a peripheral portion of the opening 52 in the door outer panel 26 on the vehicle upper side at a position overlapping with the groove 102 of the door outer molding 54 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. Has been formed. The size of the slit portion 104 is such that the strap 100 can be inserted, and the strap 100 extends inward in the vehicle width direction via the groove portion 102 and the slit portion 104 in this order from the one end portion 100A side as a starting point. ing. The portion of the strap 100 arranged between the door outer panel 26 and the impact beam 48 is in a loose state.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the door outer molding 54 is detached from the door outer panel 26, the strap 100 maintains the fastening state between the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48. Has become. The strap 100 is in a loose state when the door outer molding 54 is attached to the door outer panel 26. Therefore, the detached door outer molding 54 can be displaced relative to the airbag 38 when inflated and deployed, and does not hinder the inflation and deployment of the airbag 38.

With such a configuration, basically, the same operation and effect as those of the above-described first embodiment can be achieved. In addition, in the present embodiment, the door outer molding 54 is connected to the impact beam 48 via the strap 100, and the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48 are connected to each other by the door outer molding 54. It is maintained even when the player is separated from. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the door outer molding 54 from being lost when the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed.

<Seventh Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a seventh embodiment of the vehicle side part structure according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The same components as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle side structure according to the present embodiment, the "door outer panel 110" is made of resin having a predetermined strength, and the "airbag bulging portion 112" is provided on the door outer panel 110 and the "tear portion 114". It is characterized in that it is configured to include ".

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the shape of the door outer panel 110 is basically the same as the shape of the door outer panel 26, but the door outer panel 110 is different from the door outer panel 26. It is attached to the door inner panel 28 by a not-shown locking portion or joining portion.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the tear portion 114 is provided on the inner surface of the door outer panel 110 in the vehicle width direction, and is, for example, substantially H-shaped when viewed from the vehicle width direction. When the inflation pressure of the airbag 38 of a predetermined value or more acts, the airbag 38 is configured to be split (broken). More specifically, the tier portion 114 is configured to include a first tier portion 114A, a second tier portion 114B, and a third tier portion 114C. The first tier portion 114A has a groove shape extending along the airbag 38 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the second tier portion 114B is provided at both ends of the first tier portion 114A, and has a groove shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the first tier portion 114A. The third tier portion 114C has a groove shape extending from both ends of the second tier portion 114B obliquely with respect to the second tier portion 114B and on the opposite side of the first tier portion 114A.

Further, the door outer panel 110 is provided with the tear portion 114 as described above, so that an airbag door 116 including a pair of upper and lower doors 116A and 116B is formed. The airbag door 116 is configured such that, when the tear portion 114 is torn open by the inflation pressure of the airbag 38, the upper door 116A deploys to the vehicle upper side and the lower door 116B deploys to the vehicle lower side. When the airbag door 116 is deployed, the door outer panel 110 is formed with an “opening 118” through which the airbag 38 can pass.

According to such a configuration, the door outer panel 110 is provided with the tear portion 114 including the first tear portion 114A and the second tear portion 114B, and the tear portion 114 is provided by the airbag 38 at the time of inflation and deployment. When the door outer panel 110 is pressed, the door outer panel 110 is split. Then, by tearing the tear portion 114, the airbag door 116 expands in the vehicle up-down direction (extending direction of the second tear portion 114B), and an opening 118 through which the airbag 38 can pass is formed in the door outer panel 110. Then, the airbag 38 is inflated and deployed outside the side door 14 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the door outer panel 110 is provided with an opening through which the airbag 38 can pass and a cover member that covers the opening is arranged, compared to a configuration in which the side door 14 has a design surface. It is possible to suppress the formation of unnecessary convex portions and prevent the appearance of the design surface from being impaired. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the side door 14 and secure the appearance quality at the same time.

Further, in the present embodiment, the door outer panel 110 is made of resin, and the door outer panel 110 can be made lighter. Further, compared to the case where the door outer panel 110 is made of metal, the load that the airbag 38 receives from the door outer panel 110 when inflated and deployed is reduced. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the weight of the side door 14 and improve the accuracy with which the airbag 38 inflates and deploys outward in the vehicle width direction.

<Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment>
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle side portion structure according to the above-described embodiment is applied to both side portions of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction, but the vehicle side portion is provided on one side portion in the vehicle width direction. The structure may be applied.

(2) Further, in the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 36 and the impact beam are attached to the front side door, but they may be provided to the rear side door depending on the configuration of the vehicle 10.

(3) Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the impact beam is configured such that the outside of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle width direction is opened, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the impact beam may be configured such that the outside of the airbag device 36 in the vehicle width direction is covered within a range that does not hinder the inflation and deployment of the airbag 38, depending on the manufacturing process and the like.

(4) In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the airbag device 36 including the fabric airbag 38 is arranged on the side door 14, but the invention is not limited to this. As an example, a metal airbag supported by an impact beam is arranged inside the side door 14, and a tear portion as an airbag bulging portion that is cleaved by being pressed by the metal airbag is provided on the door outer panel 26. It may be configured. According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to attach the door outer molding to the door outer panel 26 as in the above-described seventh embodiment.

(5) In the first embodiment described above, the door outer molding 54 is attached to the opening 52 of the door outer panel 26, but the door outer molding 62 may be attached to the opening 52.

(6) In the above-described second embodiment, the impact beam 70 is provided with the extending wall portion 70B, but the impact beam 70 is not provided with the extending wall portion 70B depending on the configuration of the side door 14 or the like. May be

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the inflator 40 has a cylindrical shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are closed. However, in the embodiments of the first to fifth embodiments other than the third embodiment, The inflator 40 may have different shapes. As an example, in the embodiments excluding the third embodiment of the first to fifth embodiments, the inflator 40 may be configured in a rectangular tube shape with both ends in the longitudinal direction closed. With this configuration, the inflator 40 can be easily positioned with respect to the impact beam.

(8) In the sixth embodiment described above, the door outer molding 54 and the impact beam 48 are connected by the strap 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the impact beam 48, any one of the impact beams 60, 70, 80, 90 may be arranged, and the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 may be connected via the strap 100. Good. Further, the configuration of the strap 100 is not limited to the one described above, and the strap 100 may be configured in a strip shape with synthetic fibers such as nylon fiber according to the configuration of the impact beam, for example. Further, the connecting portion of the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 by the strap 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned one. For example, the vehicle lower side portion of the impact beam and the vehicle lower side portion of the door outer molding 54 may be connected via the strap 100 depending on the configuration of the side door 14. Note that the shape and the location of the groove 102 and the slit 104 are appropriately changed depending on the location where the impact beam and the door outer molding 54 are connected by the strap 100.

(9) In the seventh embodiment described above, the tear portion 114 is basically arranged along the peripheral edge portion of the airbag door 116, but not limited to this, the tear portion along the rotation center of the airbag door 116. May be arranged. With such a configuration, the airbag door 116 can be deployed more smoothly. Further, the door outer panel 110 may be configured by two-color molding in which a portion of the airbag door 116 is made of a soft resin and the other portion is made of a hard resin.

10 Vehicle 12 Vehicle Body 14 Side Door 20 Front Pillar 22 Center Pillar 26 Door Outer Panel 28 Door Inner Panel 38 Airbag 40 Inflator 43 Control Section 46 Collision Prediction Sensor (Prediction Section)
48 Impact beam (reinforcing member)
48C support portion 48C1 side wall portion 48C2 upper wall portion 48C3 lower wall portion 48D extension wall portion (upper extension wall portion)
48E extension wall (lower extension wall)
48F Reinforcement part (first reinforcement part)
48F1 Reinforcement wall section (first upper side reinforcement wall section)
48F2 Flange part (second upper reinforcing wall part)
48G reinforced part (second reinforced part)
48G1 Reinforcement wall (first lower reinforcement wall)
48G2 Reinforcement wall (second lower reinforcement wall)
50 Airbag bulging part 52 Opening part 54 Door outer molding (cover member)
60 Impact beam (reinforcing member)
60A support portion 60B extension wall portion (upper extension wall portion)
60C extension wall (lower extension wall)
62 Door outer molding (cover member, airbag bulge)
70 Impact beam (reinforcing member)
70A Support 70B Extension wall (upper extension wall)
80 Impact beam (reinforcing member)
80A support part 80A1 inner side wall part 80A2 extension wall part (1st extension wall part)
80A3 Outer side wall part 80A4 Extension wall part (2nd extension wall part)
90 Impact Beam 92A Supporting Part 92B Extending Wall Part (Upper Extending Wall Part)
92C extension wall portion (lower extension wall portion)
92D reinforcement section (first reinforcement section)
92E Reinforcing part (second reinforcing part)
94 beam member 100 strap (connecting part)
110 Door Outer Panel 112 Airbag Swelling Part 114 Tear Part 118 Opening Part

Claims (14)

A door outer panel that forms a vehicle width direction outer side portion of the side door,
A door inner panel that constitutes a vehicle width direction inner side portion of the side door,
An airbag that is inflatable and deployable outward in the vehicle width direction of the side door by the gas ejected by operating an inflator arranged between the door outer panel and the door inner panel,
The inflator includes a prediction unit that predicts whether an object approaching the vehicle collides with the side door, and the inflator is determined when the object collides with the side door based on a signal output from the prediction unit. A control unit for activating
An airbag bulging portion provided on the door outer panel that is normally closed and at the time of inflating and deploying the airbag such that the airbag is inflatable and deployable outward in the vehicle width direction of the door outer panel,
A reinforcing member that is disposed on the inner side of the inflator in the vehicle width direction and that includes a support portion that supports the inflator and that is attached to the door inner panel;
Vehicle side structure having. The support portion includes a side wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction with the plate thickness direction being the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion extending outward from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the side wall portion in the vehicle width direction, A lower wall portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle lower side,
The inflator has a tubular shape with closed ends, and is arranged in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the vehicle width direction outside.
The vehicle side structure according to claim 1. The support portion is an arc-shaped plate shape that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a cross-sectional shape viewed from the longitudinal direction that is open to the vehicle width direction outer side,
The inflator has a cylindrical shape with closed ends, and is arranged in a state of being surrounded by the support portion except the vehicle width direction outer side,
The vehicle side structure according to claim 1. The reinforcing member is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion, and the upper extending wall portion extended to the vehicle upper side from the vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the support portion and the vehicle width direction outer side of the support portion. And includes at least one of the lower extension wall portions extended to the vehicle lower side from the vehicle lower side peripheral portion of the support portion,
The vehicle side structure according to claim 2 or 3. The inflator has a tubular shape that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction with its end closed.
The support portion is disposed inside the vehicle width direction of the inflator, extends along the inflator, and is joined to the door inner panel in a state where the plate thickness direction is the vehicle width direction; A first extending wall portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral portion of the side wall portion on the vehicle upper side or the vehicle lower side, and the inflator from the peripheral edge portion of the first extending wall portion on the vehicle width direction outer side. It is configured to include an outer side wall portion extending to the opposite side, and a second extending wall portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a peripheral edge portion of the outer side wall portion opposite to the inflator. ,
The vehicle side structure according to claim 1. The reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion,
The reinforcing member includes a pair of tubular beam members that are respectively arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion and extend along the supporting portion.
The vehicle side structure according to claim 4, which cites claim 2. The reinforcing member is provided with the upper extending wall portion and the lower extending wall portion, and the first reinforcing portion is continuous with the upper extending wall portion on the vehicle upper side of the upper extending wall portion. However, on the vehicle lower side of the lower extension wall portion, the second reinforcing portion is provided continuously with the lower extension wall portion,
The first reinforcing portion includes a first upper reinforcing wall portion extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a vehicle upper side peripheral portion of the upper extending wall portion, and a vehicle width direction inner side of the first upper reinforcing wall portion. And a second upper reinforcing wall portion extending from the peripheral edge portion to the vehicle upper side,
The second reinforcing portion includes a first lower reinforcing wall portion extending inward in a vehicle width direction from a vehicle lower peripheral edge portion of the lower extending wall portion, and a vehicle of the first lower reinforcing wall portion. A second lower reinforcing wall portion extending from the peripheral portion on the inner side in the width direction to the vehicle lower side,
The vehicle side structure according to claim 4, which cites claim 2. The airbag bulging portion covers the opening formed in the door outer panel through which the airbag can pass when inflated and deployed, and can be detached from the door outer panel by being pressed by the airbag. Is configured to include,
The vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The covering member is connected to the reinforcing member via a connecting portion, and the connecting portion is capable of maintaining a connected state between the covering member and the reinforcing member in a state of being separated from the door outer panel. Is
The vehicle side part structure according to claim 8. The airbag bulging portion allows the airbag to pass therethrough when inflated and deployed, covers the opening formed in the door outer panel, and is ruptured by being pressed by the airbag to allow the airbag to pass. It is configured to include a cover member that opens in various states,
The vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The airbag bulging portion is provided on the door outer panel, and is cleaved by the door outer panel being pressed by the airbag at the time of inflation and deployment, and an opening through which the airbag can pass is provided. It is configured to include a tear portion formed on the door outer panel,
The vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The door outer panel is made of resin,
The vehicle side structure according to claim 11. The inflator is arranged in a portion on the vehicle front side of the vehicle front-rear direction central portion of the side door,
The vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12. A part of the reinforcing member constitutes a part of the vehicle body when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and a part of the reinforcing member overlaps with a peripheral portion of the door inner panel on the vehicle front side when viewed from the vehicle width direction. And a part of the vehicle body that is disposed in the vehicle and overlaps with at least one of the center pillars that are disposed so as to partially overlap with the vehicle rear side peripheral portion of the door inner panel when viewed from the vehicle width direction. Are arranged as
The vehicle side part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13.