阅读说明：本技术 车身侧部结构及车身侧部结构的制造方法 (Vehicle body side structure and method for manufacturing vehicle body side structure ) 是由 河津政裕 友泽幸作 于 2021-05-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供能够良好地抑制下边梁的电化学腐蚀的车身侧部结构及车身侧部结构的制造方法。车身侧部结构具备下边梁外构件(27)、下边梁加强件(26)及第一止水构件(16)。下边梁外构件具备钢制的第一外构件部(45)和铝合金板制的第二外构件部(46)。下边梁加强件是钢制的构件、且具有相对于接合有第一外构件部及第二外构件部的接合部(48)隔开间隔而形成的第一开口部(35)。第一开口部(35)以将第一闭合截面(21)与第二闭合截面连通的方式开口。第一止水构件配置于第一开口部与接合部之间且第二闭合截面的内部。(The invention provides a vehicle body side structure and a method for manufacturing the vehicle body side structure, which can well inhibit electrochemical corrosion of a rocker. The vehicle body side structure is provided with a rocker outer member (27), a rocker reinforcement (26), and a first water stop member (16). The rocker outer member is provided with a first outer member section (45) made of steel and a second outer member section (46) made of an aluminum alloy plate. The rocker reinforcement is a steel member and has a first opening (35) formed at a distance from a joint (48) to which the first outer member and the second outer member are joined. The first opening (35) opens so as to communicate the first closed cross section (21) with the second closed cross section. The first water stop member is disposed between the first opening portion and the joint portion and inside the second closed cross section.)

1. A vehicle body side portion structure in which a rocker outer member, a steel rocker reinforcement, and a steel rocker inner member are joined from the outside in the vehicle width direction to form a rocker, a first closed cross section extending in the front-rear direction of a vehicle body is formed by the rocker inner member and the rocker reinforcement, and a second closed cross section extending along the first closed cross section is formed by the rocker reinforcement and the rocker outer member,

the lower side sill outer member includes:

a first outer member portion made of steel, which forms a vehicle body front portion of the rocker outer member; and

a second outer member portion made of an aluminum alloy plate that forms a vehicle body rear portion of the rocker outer member and is integrally joined to the first outer member portion,

the rocker reinforcement has an opening portion that is formed at a distance from a joint portion where the first outer member portion and the second outer member portion are joined, and that communicates the first closed cross section with the second closed cross section,

the rocker reinforcement includes a water stop member disposed between the opening portion and the joint portion and within the second closed cross section.

2. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 1,

the water stop member is in contact with a surface of the first outer member portion on the second closed cross-section side.

3. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 1,

the water stopping member includes a foaming member expanded by heat.

4. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 3,

the rocker reinforcement has at least an upper wall portion and a side wall portion extending downward from the upper wall portion,

the water stopping member has at least a lateral portion that contacts the upper wall portion, and a longitudinal portion that extends from the lateral portion and contacts the side wall portion,

the lateral portion has a first flat plate portion formed to be wider than other portions in the lateral portion,

the longitudinal portion has a second flat plate portion formed wider than other portions in the longitudinal portion.

5. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 4,

the rocker reinforcement further has an upper flange portion extending upward from the upper wall portion,

the water stop member has an upper flange contact portion extending upward from the lateral portion and contacting the upper flange portion, and is formed by the foaming material.

6. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 4,

the rocker reinforcement has an additional opening portion that communicates the first closed section with the second closed section,

in order to close the additional opening, the rocker reinforcement includes an additional water stop member that is provided in the rocker reinforcement and includes the foam that expands due to heat.

7. The vehicle body side structure according to claim 4,

the rocker reinforcement further has a lower flange portion extending downward from the side wall portion,

the rocker reinforcement includes a rear water stop member provided between a rear end portion of the lower flange portion and a rear joint portion, the rear end portion of the lower flange portion is located rearward of the joint portion with respect to the vehicle body, and the rear joint portion is formed by joining the rocker inner member to an aluminum alloy member located rearward of the rear end portion with respect to the vehicle body.

8. A method of manufacturing a vehicle body side portion structure, characterized in that,

in the vehicle body side portion structure, a rocker outer member, a steel rocker reinforcement, and a steel rocker inner member are joined from the outside in the vehicle width direction to form a rocker, a first closed cross section extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is formed by the rocker inner member and the rocker reinforcement, and a second closed cross section extending along the first closed cross section is formed by the rocker reinforcement and the rocker outer member,

the lower side sill outer member includes:

a first outer member portion made of steel, which forms a vehicle body front portion of the rocker outer member; and

a second outer member portion made of an aluminum alloy plate that forms a vehicle body rear portion of the rocker outer member and is integrally joined to the first outer member portion,

the rocker reinforcement has an opening portion that is formed at a distance from a joint portion where the first outer member portion and the second outer member portion are joined, and that communicates the first closed cross section with the second closed cross section,

the rocker reinforcement includes a water stop member disposed between the opening portion and the joint portion and within the second closed cross section,

the water stopping member includes a foaming member expanded by heat,

the manufacturing method comprises the following steps:

an installation step of installing the water stop member to the rocker reinforcement of the rocker;

an electrodeposition coating step of applying electrodeposition coating to the rocker; and

a coating and sintering step of performing a heating process on the rocker to which the electrodeposition coating is applied,

the electrodeposition coating step is performed after the mounting step, and the coating sintering step is performed after the electrodeposition coating.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle body side structure and a method of manufacturing the vehicle body side structure.

Background

As a vehicle body side portion structure, there is known a structure in which a rocker (rocker) is provided toward the vehicle body front-rear direction at the lower outer side in the vehicle width direction, a reinforcement of the rocker is formed of a steel plate, and a lower end portion of a rocker outer member made of an aluminum alloy is joined to the steel reinforcement from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, the rocker is referred to as a "rocker", and the reinforcement is referred to as a "rocker reinforcement".

The vehicle body side structure has a lower end portion of a rocker outer joined to a reinforcement. In order to suppress water intrusion into the joint portion, the joint portion is covered with a resin rocker garnish (trim member) from the outside in the vehicle width direction. This can suppress electrolytic corrosion (electrochemical corrosion) caused by a potential difference at the joint between dissimilar metals to which the steel reinforcement and the lower end portion of the rocker outer member made of an aluminum alloy are joined (see, for example, patent document 1 (japanese patent application laid-open No. 2019-26061)).

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Here, in the vehicle body side portion structure, for example, it is considered that water splashed by a front wheel of the vehicle splashes on a lower portion (lower surface) of the rocker and enters the inside of the rocker from a gap between mating surfaces of the lower portion. However, the vehicle body side portion structure of patent document 1 is not configured to prevent electrochemical corrosion between different types of metals due to water entering from the gap between the mating surfaces of the lower portions.

The invention aims to provide a vehicle body side structure and a method for manufacturing the vehicle body side structure, which can well inhibit electrochemical corrosion of a rocker.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention proposes the following.

(1) In a vehicle body side portion structure (for example, a vehicle body side portion structure 10 according to an embodiment) of the present invention, a rocker (for example, a rocker 12 according to the embodiment) is configured by joining a rocker outer member (for example, a rocker outer member 27 according to the embodiment), a steel rocker reinforcement (for example, a rocker reinforcement 26 according to the embodiment), and a steel rocker inner member (for example, a rocker inner member 25 according to the embodiment) from outside in a vehicle width direction, a first closed cross section (for example, a first closed cross section 21 according to the embodiment) extending in a vehicle body front-rear direction is formed by the rocker inner member and the rocker reinforcement, and a second closed cross section (for example, a second closed cross section 22 according to the embodiment) extending along the first closed cross section is formed by the rocker reinforcement and the rocker outer member, and the rocker outer member includes: a first outer member portion (e.g., first outer member portion 45 of the embodiment) made of steel, which forms a vehicle body front portion of the rocker outer member; and a second outer member portion (for example, a second outer member portion 46 of the embodiment) made of an aluminum alloy plate, which forms a vehicle body rear portion of the rocker outer member and is integrally joined to the first outer member portion, wherein the rocker reinforcement has an opening portion (for example, a first opening portion 35 of the embodiment) that is formed at a distance from a joint portion (for example, a joint portion 48 of the embodiment) where the first outer member portion and the second outer member portion are joined and that communicates the first closed cross section and the second closed cross section, and the rocker reinforcement includes a water stop member (for example, a first water stop member 16 of the embodiment) that is disposed between the opening portion and the joint portion and within the second closed cross section.

According to this structure, the opening portion of the rocker reinforcement is formed at a distance from the joint portion. The opening is used, for example, as an opening for introducing and discharging the electrodeposition coating agent. Further, a water stop member is disposed between the opening portion and the joint portion and within the second closed cross section.

Therefore, the water stopping member can prevent the water entering the first closed cross section from the mating surface formed at the lower portion of the rocker from entering the joint portion through the opening portion. This makes it possible to favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint (i.e., the rocker) of different types of metals, i.e., the first outer member made of steel and the second outer member made of an aluminum alloy plate.

(2) The water stop member may be in contact with a surface of the first outer member portion on the second closed cross-section side.

According to this configuration, the water stop member provided in the rocker reinforcement is brought into contact with the surface of the first outer member portion on the second closed cross-sectional side, whereby the opening portion and the joint portion can be blocked at the second closed cross-sectional side by the water stop member. Therefore, the water seal member can favorably suppress the water entering the second closed cross section through the opening from entering the joint portion. This can more favorably suppress the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion at the joint between dissimilar metals.

(3) The water stopping member may include a foaming member (for example, the first foaming member 56 of the embodiment) that expands due to heat.

According to this structure, the water stop member includes the foamed material that expands by heat. Therefore, in the subsequent step of joining the rocker outer member to form the second closed cross section, the foamed material can be expanded by heat to block the second closed cross section.

Thus, for example, even when variation occurs in the space of the second closed cross section due to assembly tolerance or the like, the space of the second closed cross section can be appropriately filled with the water blocking member, and the flow path through which water entering the space of the second closed cross section flows to the joint can be blocked.

(4) The rocker reinforcement may have at least an upper wall portion (for example, the upper wall portion 26e of the embodiment) and a side wall portion (for example, the side wall portion 26d of the embodiment) extending downward from the upper wall portion, the water stopping member has at least a lateral portion (e.g., lateral portion 57 of the embodiment) contacting the upper wall portion, and a longitudinal portion (e.g., longitudinal portion 58 of the embodiment) extending from the lateral portion and contacting the side wall portion, the lateral portion has a first flat plate portion (e.g., first flat plate portion 62 of the embodiment) formed to be wider than other portions (e.g., first base portion 61 of the embodiment) in the lateral portion, the longitudinal portion has a second flat plate portion (for example, the second flat plate portion 67 of the embodiment) formed wider than other portions (for example, the second base portion 65 of the embodiment) in the longitudinal portion.

According to this configuration, the wide flat plate portion is formed in each of the longitudinal portion and the lateral portion of the water stop member. Therefore, when the water stopping member is positioned with respect to the rocker reinforcement, the water stopping member is easily held by the first flat plate portion and the second flat plate portion. This enables the water stop member to be positioned more stably with respect to the rocker reinforcement.

(5) The rocker reinforcement may further include an upper flange portion (for example, the reinforcement upper flange 26a according to the embodiment) extending upward from the upper wall portion, and the water stop member may include an upper flange contact portion (for example, the upper flange contact portion 74 according to the embodiment) extending upward from the lateral portion, contacting the upper flange portion, and formed of the foam material.

According to this structure, the water stop member is formed with the upper flange contact portion that contacts the upper flange portion of the rocker reinforcement. This can further firmly hold the water stop member to the rocker reinforcement.

Further, the upper flange contact portion is formed by the foaming material and thermally expanded, so that the gap on the upper flange portion side in the second closed cross section can be blocked. This makes it possible to more favorably exhibit the water stopping effect against the flow of water into the gap on the upper flange portion side.

(6) The rocker reinforcement may have another opening (for example, the second opening 37 of the embodiment) that communicates the first closed cross section and the second closed cross section, and the rocker reinforcement may include another water stop member (for example, the second water stop member 17 of the embodiment) that is provided in the rocker reinforcement and includes the foam (for example, the second foam 78 of the embodiment) that expands due to heat in order to close the another opening.

Here, for example, the rocker reinforcement is further provided with another opening portion for introducing and discharging the electrodeposition coating agent. Therefore, it is considered that the opening portion serves as a flow path for water and electrochemical corrosion occurs at the joint portion.

Then, a separate water seal member is provided to the rocker reinforcement to close the separate opening. Therefore, the water entering the second closed cross-section from the mating surface of the lower portion of the rocker can be prevented from entering the first closed cross-section through the separate opening by the separate water seal member. This makes it possible to more favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint between the first outer member made of steel and the second outer member made of an aluminum alloy plate.

In addition, the water stop member also includes a foaming material that expands due to heat. Therefore, for example, in a state where the rocker reinforcement is provided with the separate water stop member, the separate opening portion can be held in an open state during the electrodeposition coating step. Thus, the first closed cross section and the second closed cross section communicate with each other, and the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section and the second closed cross section.

On the other hand, in the heating step after the electrodeposition coating, the foaming material is thermally expanded, so that the separate opening can be closed by the separate water-stopping member. This makes it possible to more favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint between the dissimilar metals.

(7) The rocker reinforcement may further include a lower flange portion (for example, the reinforcement lower flange 26b of the embodiment) extending downward from the side wall portion, the rocker reinforcement may include a rear water stop member (for example, the third water stop member 18 of the embodiment) provided between a rear end portion (for example, the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange of the embodiment) of the lower flange portion and a rear joint portion (for example, the rear joint portion 49 of the embodiment) located rearward of the joint portion with respect to the vehicle body, and the rocker inner member may be joined to the rear joint portion via a member (for example, the wheel arch 15 of the embodiment) made of an aluminum alloy located rearward of the rear end portion.

Here, for example, the structure is configured to avoid water from entering the inside of the rocker from below the vehicle body at a position further toward the vehicle body rear side than the rear end portion of the lower flange portion of the rocker reinforcement. Therefore, in order to prevent electrochemical corrosion at the rear joint portion between the aluminum alloy member and the steel rocker inner member, which is located rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end portion of the lower flange portion, it is necessary to stop water that has entered the rocker from the rear end portion of the lower flange portion at a position forward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear joint portion.

Then, a rear water stop member is provided between the rear end portion of the lower flange portion and a rear joint portion located rearward of the rear end portion of the vehicle body. Thus, water entering the rocker from the rear end of the lower flange portion can be stopped by the rear water stop member at a position forward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear joint portion, and electrochemical corrosion can be prevented at the rear joint portion of the dissimilar metal.

(8) The method of manufacturing a vehicle body side portion structure of the present invention is the method of manufacturing a vehicle body side portion structure according to any one of (3) to (5), wherein the method of manufacturing a vehicle body side portion structure includes: an installation step of installing the water stop member to the rocker reinforcement of the rocker; an electrodeposition coating step of applying electrodeposition coating to the rocker; and a coating and sintering step of performing a heating process on the rocker to which the electrodeposition coating is applied, the electrodeposition coating step being performed after the mounting step, and the coating and sintering step being performed after the electrodeposition coating.

According to this manufacturing method, the water stopping member is attached to the rocker reinforcement when the rocker is assembled, and the electrodeposition coating step is performed after the water stopping member is attached. In the electrodeposition coating, since the foaming material of the water stopping member does not swell, the flow path of the electrodeposition coating agent can be prevented from being blocked by the water stopping member. After the electrodeposition coating step, the coating and sintering step is performed, whereby the foamed material can be expanded by the heat of the coating and sintering step, and the flow path of the electrodeposition coating agent can be blocked by the water-stopping member.

That is, the coating and sintering step can be used as a step of heating the foamed material of the water stop member. This eliminates the need for a dedicated heating step for expanding the foamed material, and simplifies the manufacturing process of the vehicle body side portion structure.

In this way, the passage of the electrodeposition coating agent is blocked by the water blocking member, whereby the water that has entered the second closed cross section from the mating surface formed at the lower portion of the rocker can be prevented from entering the joint portion via the opening portion by the water blocking member. This makes it possible to favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint between the first outer member made of steel and the second outer member made of an aluminum alloy plate.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the water stop member is disposed between the opening portion and the joint portion and in the second closed cross section. This can favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion of the rocker.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body side portion structure according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the vehicle exterior side.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rocker of the vehicle body side structure of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the rocker of fig. 2 in an exploded manner.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a rocker of the vehicle body side portion structure according to the embodiment as viewed from the rear of the vehicle body.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a rocker reinforcement of the vehicle body side structure according to the embodiment to which a first water stop member, a second water stop member, and a third water stop member are attached.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the first water stop member separated from the rocker reinforcement of the vehicle body side structure according to the embodiment.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the first water stopping member of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the third water stopping member of fig. 3.

Description of reference numerals:

10 vehicle body side portion structure

12 lower side beam

15 wheel arch bar (aluminum alloy component)

16 first water stop member (water stop member)

17 second water stop member (other water stop member)

18 third water stop member (rear water stop member)

21 first closed cross section

22 second closed cross section

25 lower edge beam inner member

26 rocker reinforcement

26a Reinforcement Upper Flange (Upper Flange)

26b Reinforcement lower Flange (lower Flange part)

26c reinforcing member lower flange rear end portion (lower flange rear end portion)

26d side wall part

26e upper wall part

27 lower edge beam outer member

35 first opening part (opening part)

37 second opening part (additional opening part)

45 first outer member part

46 second outer member portion

48 joint part

49 rear joint part

56 first foaming part (foaming part)

57 transverse part

58 longitudinal portion

61 first base (other part in the transverse part)

62 first flat plate part

65 second base (other parts in the longitudinal part)

67 second plate part

74 upper flange contact

78 second foam piece (foam piece).

Detailed Description

A vehicle body side structure and a method of manufacturing a vehicle body side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle.

< vehicle >

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the vehicle Ve includes, for example, a side body structure 10, and the type, shape, and the like of the vehicle are not particularly limited. The vehicle body side portion structure 10 includes a rocker 12, a center pillar 13, a rear pillar 14, and the like as framework members. Hereinafter, an example of a passenger vehicle provided with the vehicle body side portion structure 10 will be described as a vehicle.

< side structure of vehicle body >

As shown in fig. 1 and 3, the vehicle body side portion structure 10 is a structure that forms the left and right side portions of the vehicle body. The vehicle body side portions on the left and right sides of the vehicle body are configured to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical. Therefore, the vehicle body side portion on the left side of the vehicle body will be described below as the vehicle body side portion structure 10, and the description of the vehicle body side portion on the right side of the vehicle body will be omitted.

The vehicle body side portion structure 10 includes a rocker 12, a center pillar 13, a rear pillar 14, a wheel arch 15 (see fig. 4), a first water stop member (water stop member) 16, a second water stop member (separate water stop member) 17, and a third water stop member (rear water stop member) 18 (see fig. 9).

< lower boundary Beam >

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the rocker 12 is disposed on the left outer side in the vehicle width direction. The rocker 12 is a hollow frame member having a first closed cross section 21 and a second closed cross section 22 extending in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. The center pillar 13 extends upward from a center portion in the vehicle body longitudinal direction of the rocker 12. The rear side pillar 14 extends upward from a rear end portion of the rocker 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

The rocker 12 includes a rocker inner 25, a rocker reinforcement (reinforcing member) 26, and a rocker outer 27.

The rocker 12 is configured by joining a rocker outer 27, a rocker reinforcement 26, and a rocker inner 25 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

The rocker inner 25 is a steel member formed of, for example, a steel plate into a top hat shape in cross section so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction. The rocker inner 25 has an inner upper flange 25a extending upward and an inner lower flange 25b extending downward.

The rocker reinforcement 26 is disposed along the rocker inner 25 on the outer side of the rocker inner 25 in the vehicle width direction. The rocker reinforcement 26 is a steel member formed of, for example, a steel plate into a top hat shape in cross section so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction. The rocker reinforcement 26 has a reinforcement upper flange (upper flange portion) 26a projecting upward and a reinforcement lower flange (lower flange portion) 26b projecting downward. The rear end portion 26c (see fig. 5) of the reinforcement lower flange 26b is located rearward of the joint portion 48 described later in the vehicle body.

The reinforcement upper flange 26a is joined to the inner member upper flange 25a from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Further, the reinforcement lower flange 26b is joined to the inner member lower flange 25b from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the rocker 12 is formed with the rocker inner 25 and the rocker reinforcement 26 into the rectangular first closed cross section 21 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. A floor panel 29 and the like are provided on the vehicle width direction inner side of the rocker 12 (specifically, the rocker inner 25).

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the rocker reinforcement 26 includes a side wall portion 26d, an upper wall portion 26e, and a lower wall portion 26f in addition to the reinforcement upper flange 26a and the reinforcement lower flange 26 b.

The side wall portion 26d is disposed vertically outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The side wall portion 26d has an inclined portion 26g at the rear end portion. The inclined portion 26g is formed so as to incline toward the rocker inner 25 as going toward the vehicle body rear direction. The inclined portion 26g includes, for example, a pair of second openings (separate openings) 37 and a second fixing hole 38.

The pair of second opening portions 37 open so as to communicate the first closed cross section 21 with the second closed cross section 22. Therefore, the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22 through the pair of second openings 37. The second fixing hole 38 is formed between the pair of second openings 37 and is used to fix the second water stop member 17 described later.

The side wall portion 26d has a third fixing hole 41 (see fig. 6) at the rear end portion 26 h. The third fixing hole 41 is a hole formed in the rear of the pair of second openings 37 in the vehicle body and used for fixing a third water stop member 18 described later.

The upper wall portion 26e extends from the upper edge of the side wall portion 26d toward the vehicle width direction inner side in an upwardly inclined shape to the lower edge of the reinforcement upper flange 26 a. In other words, the side wall 26d extends downward from the upper wall 26 e. Further, the reinforcement upper flange 26a extends upward from the inner edge of the upper wall portion 26 e.

The upper wall portion 26e has, for example, a first opening (opening) 35 and a first fixing hole 36. The first opening portion 35 opens so as to communicate the first closed cross section 21 with the second closed cross section 22. Therefore, the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22 through the first opening 35. The first fixing hole 36 is a hole formed in the rear of the first opening 35 in the vehicle body and used for fixing the first water stop member 16 described later.

The lower wall portion 26f extends from the lower edge of the side wall portion 26d toward the vehicle width direction inner side in a downwardly inclined shape to the upper edge of the reinforcement lower flange 26 b. That is, the reinforcement lower flange 26b extends downward than the side wall portion 26 d.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the rocker outer 27 is disposed along the rocker reinforcement 26 on the outer side of the rocker reinforcement 26 in the vehicle width direction. The rocker outer 27 is formed by a portion of the outer panel 20 corresponding to the rocker reinforcement 26. The outer panel 20 is a design member that forms an outer surface of the vehicle body side structure.

The rocker outer 27 includes a first outer member portion 45 and a second outer member portion 46.

The first outer member portion 45 is a steel member that forms a portion (vehicle body front portion) of the rocker outer member 27 on the center pillar 13 (see fig. 1) side. The first outer member portion 45 is formed, for example, of a steel plate into a hat-shaped cross section so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction. The first outer member 45 has a first upper flange 45a extending upward and a first lower flange 45b extending downward.

The first outer member 45 includes a first side wall 45c, a first upper wall 45d, and a first lower wall 45e in addition to the first upper flange 45a and the first lower flange 45 b.

The first side wall portion 45c is disposed vertically outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The first upper wall portion 45d extends from the upper edge of the first side wall portion 45c toward the vehicle width direction inner side in an upwardly inclined shape to the lower edge of the first upper flange 45 a. The first lower wall portion 45e extends from the lower edge of the first side wall portion 45c toward the vehicle width direction inner side in a downwardly inclined shape to the upper edge of the first lower flange 45 b.

The second outer member portion 46 is an aluminum alloy member that forms a portion (rear vehicle body portion) of the rocker outer member 27 on the rear side pillar 14 (see fig. 1) side. The second outer member 46 is formed integrally of two members, for example, an upper member 46a made of an aluminum alloy and a lower member 46b made of an aluminum alloy, but in the embodiment, the structure will be described as one member for easy understanding.

That is, the second outer member portion 46 is formed, for example, from an aluminum alloy plate into a top hat shape in cross section so as to bulge outward in the vehicle width direction, for example. The second outer member 46 has a second upper flange 46c extending upward and a second lower flange 46d extending downward.

The second outer member 46 includes a second side wall 46e, a second upper wall 46f, and a second lower wall 46g in addition to the second upper flange 46c and the second lower flange 46 d.

The second side wall portion 46e is disposed vertically outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The second upper wall portion 46f extends from the upper edge of the second side wall portion 46e toward the vehicle width direction inner side in an upwardly inclined shape to the lower edge of the second upper flange 46 c. The second lower wall portion 46g extends from the lower edge of the second side wall portion 46e toward the vehicle width direction inner side in a downwardly inclined shape to the upper edge of the second lower flange 46 d.

The first outer member portion 45 and the second outer member portion 46 form the rocker outer 27 by integrally joining the joint portion 48 by overlapping the front end portion 46h of the second outer member portion 46 with the rear end portion 45f of the first outer member portion 45. That is, the joint 48 is a portion where different kinds of metals, i.e., the first outer member 45 made of steel and the second outer member 46 made of aluminum alloy plate, are joined.

The first upper flange 45a and the second upper flange 46c of the rocker outer 27 are joined to the reinforcement upper flange 26a from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The first lower flange 45b and the second lower flange 46d of the rocker outer 27 are joined to the reinforcement lower flange 26b from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

The first side wall portion 45c and the second side wall portion 46e are disposed at a distance from the side wall portion 26d of the rocker reinforcement 26 outward in the vehicle width direction. The first upper wall portion 45d and the second upper wall portion 46f are arranged at an upward interval with respect to the upper wall portion 26e of the rocker reinforcement 26. The first lower wall portion 45e and the second lower wall portion 46g are disposed at a downward interval with respect to the lower wall portion 26f of the rocker reinforcement 26.

Thus, the rocker 12 is formed with the rocker reinforcement 26 and the rocker outer 27 into the U-shaped second closed cross section 22 along the outer side of the first closed cross section 21.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, a wheel arch 15 is provided between the rear end portion 27a of the rocker outer 27 and the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner 25. The wheel arch 15 is a member made of an aluminum alloy, and is located rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the joint portion 48 (see fig. 3) and rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26 b.

The outer end portion 15a of the wheel arch 15 is joined to the rear end portion 27a of the rocker outer 27 made of aluminum alloy, and the inner end portion 15b is joined to the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner 25 made of steel. A rear joint portion 49 is formed by joining the inner end portion 15b of the wheel arch 15 and the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner 25.

The rear joint portion 49 is a portion to which different kinds of metals, i.e., the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner 25 made of steel and the inner end portion 15b of the wheel arch 15 made of an aluminum alloy plate, are joined. The rear joint portion 49 is located further to the rear of the vehicle body than the joint portion 48 and further to the rear of the vehicle body than the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26 b. The wheel arch 15 is disposed at a distance from the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26 (specifically, the rear end portion of the side wall portion 26d) toward the rear of the vehicle body by a first gap S1.

< first water stopping Member >

As shown in fig. 3, 7, and 8, the first water stop member 16 is provided to the rocker reinforcement 26. The first water stop member 16 is located between the first opening portion 35 and the joint portion 48 in the vehicle body front-rear direction, and is disposed inside the second closed cross section 22 (see fig. 2).

The first water stop member 16 is a spacer provided with a first fixing member 55 and a first foaming material (foaming material) 56. The first fixing member 55 is made of a synthetic resin material such as hard ABS, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon, or an aluminum alloy or a steel material. The first fixing member 55 has a transverse portion 57 and a longitudinal portion 58.

The lateral portion 57 extends in the vehicle width direction so as to contact the upper wall portion 26 e. The lateral portion 57 has a first base portion (other portion in the lateral portion 57) 61, a first flat plate portion 62, and a first locking piece 63. The first base portion 61 extends in a belt shape in the vehicle width direction so as to contact the upper wall portion 26 e. A first flat plate portion 62 is integrally formed with the first base portion 61. The first flat plate portion 62 protrudes from the first base portion 61 toward the front of the vehicle body, and is formed wider in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body than the first base portion 61. The first flat plate portion 62 is in contact with the upper wall portion 26e, and is integrally formed with a first catching piece 63. The first locking member 63 protrudes downward from the first flat plate 62. The first locking piece 63 is locked to the upper wall portion 26e by being inserted into the first fixing hole 36 of the upper wall portion 26e from above.

The vertical portion 58 extends downward from the lateral portion 57 so as to contact the side wall portion 26 d. The longitudinal portion 58 has a second base portion (other portion in the longitudinal portion 58) 65, a protruding portion 66, and a second flat plate portion 67. The second base portion 65 has a vertical portion 68 extending downward from the outer end of the lateral portion 57, and a lateral portion 69 extending rearward of the vehicle body from the lower end of the vertical portion 68. The second base portion 65 is formed in an L-shape in side view by a vertical portion 68 and a horizontal portion 69.

The protrusion 66 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from an upper end portion of the vertical portion 68. The protrusion 66 is formed to have a tapered shape so as to contact a surface (hereinafter referred to as an inner surface) 45g on the second closed cross-section 22 (see fig. 2) side in the first side wall portion 45c of the first outer member 45. Specifically, the protrusion 66 contacts the inner surface 45g of the ridge 45h formed on the first side wall 45 c.

The second flat plate portion 67 is integrally formed at the rear end of the lateral portion 69 via the rising portion 71. The second flat plate portion 67 is formed to be wider outward in the vehicle width direction than the lateral portion 69. The outer end of the second flat plate portion 67 contacts the inner surface 45g of the first side wall portion 45 c.

A first foaming piece 56 is fixed to the first fixing member 55. The first foamed material 56 is formed of a soft material such as polyurethane foam, polyethylene, or the like, which is foamed (expanded) by heating. The first foam piece 56 has a first foam base 73 and an upper flange contact 74. The first foamed base 73 is fixed along the first base 61 of the lateral portion 57, the second base 65 of the longitudinal portion 58, the protruding portion 66, and the second flat plate portion 67. The first portion 73a of the first foam base 73 fixed along the projection 66 and the second portion 73b fixed along the second flat plate portion 67 contact the inner surface 45g of the first side wall portion 45 c.

The upper flange contact portion 74 extends upward from the inner end of the first foam base 73 and contacts the reinforcement upper flange 26a of the rocker reinforcement 26. The inner end of the first foam base 73 is disposed at a position corresponding to the inner end of the first base 61. Thus, the upper flange contact portion 74 extends upward from the inner end of the first base portion 61.

According to the first water stop member 16, the first locking member 63 is locked to the first fixing hole 36 of the upper wall portion 26e, and the first flat plate portion 62 is in contact with the upper wall portion 26 e. In this state, the first water stop member 16 contacts the upper wall portion 26e and the side wall portion 26d of the rocker reinforcement 26. In addition, the upper flange contact portion 74 contacts the reinforcement upper flange 26 a. The protrusion 66, the second flat plate 67, the first portion 73a, and the second portion 73b contact the inner surface 45g of the first side wall 45 c.

Thereby, the first water stop member 16 is stably held inside the second closed cross section 22 (see fig. 2) of the rocker 12. In this state, the first foaming material 56 of the first water stopping member 16 is foamed (expanded) by heating, for example, in the inside of the drying oven, whereby the inside of the second closed cross section 22 can be blocked by the first water stopping member 16.

< second water stop member >

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the second water stop member 17 is locked to the inclined portion 26g of the rocker reinforcement 26 inside the second closed cross section 22 (see fig. 2). The second water stop member 17 is a spacer provided with a second fixing member 77 and a second foaming material (foaming material) 78. The second fixing member 77 is formed of a hard synthetic resin material such as ABS, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon, or an aluminum alloy or a steel material, for example, as in the case of the first fixing member 55. The second fixing member 77 has a flat portion 81, a second locking piece 82, and a flange portion 83.

The flat portion 81 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. The second locking piece 82 is integrally formed at the center of the back surface of the flat portion 81 via a stepped portion 84. The flange portion 83 is formed to protrude from the peripheral edge of the rear surface of the flat portion 81. The back surface of the flat portion 81 is formed in a concave shape by forming a flange portion 83 on the back surface of the flat portion 81. A second foam member 78 is fixed to the concave rear surface.

The second foamed material 78 is formed of a soft material such as polyurethane foam or polyethylene, which is foamed (expanded) by heating, for example, as in the first foamed material 56. The second foamed material 78 has a rectangular outer shape along the flange portion 83, and has a foaming opening 78a at the center. The stepped portion 84 and the second locking piece 82 protrude from the foamed opening portion 78 a.

According to the second water stop member 17, the second locking member 82 is inserted into the second fixing hole 38 of the inclined portion 26g from the side in the vehicle width direction, and is locked to the inclined portion 26 g. Thus, the second water stop member 17 is provided at the inclined portion 26 g. In this state, the second foamed material 78 is disposed at a position corresponding to the pair of second openings 37 formed in the inclined portion 26g from the lateral side in the vehicle width direction, with a gap from the pair of second openings 37.

Thus, the pair of second openings 37 communicate the first closed cross section 21 with the second closed cross section 22, and the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22. On the other hand, the second foamed material 78 is foamed (expanded) by heating in the drying oven, for example, similarly to the first foamed material 56, and thereby the pair of second openings 37 can be closed by the second foamed material 78.

< third water stopping Member >

As shown in fig. 5, 6, and 9, the third water stop member 18 is locked to the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26 inside the first closed cross section 21. The third water stop member 18 is provided between the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26b and the rear joint portion 49 in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

The third water stop member 18 is a spacer provided with a third fixing member 87 and a third foaming member 88. The third fixing member 87 is formed of a hard synthetic resin material such as ABS, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or nylon, or an aluminum alloy or a steel material, for example, as in the first fixing member 55.

The third fixing member 87 includes, for example, a third base 91, a third flat plate 92, a third engaging member 93, a fourth flat plate 94, and a fifth flat plate 95. The third base 91 has an inclined portion 97, a horizontal portion 98, and a vertical portion 99.

The inclined portion 97 extends obliquely toward the rear of the vehicle body as it goes downward from the reinforcement upper flange 26a and the inner member upper flange 25 a. The horizontal portion 98 extends from the lower end of the inclined portion 97 toward the rear of the vehicle body. The vertical portion 99 extends downward from the rear end of the horizontal portion 98.

The third flat plate portion 92 is integrally formed at the horizontal portion 98. The third flat plate portion 92 protrudes downward from the horizontal portion 98. A third engagement member 93 is formed on the third flat plate portion 92.

The fourth flat plate 94 is integrally formed at the upper end of the inclined portion 97. The fourth flat plate portion 94 is, for example, in contact at the outer end with the first closed cross-section 21-side surface (inner surface) 26i in the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26. A fifth flat plate portion 95 is integrally formed at the lower end of the vertical portion 99. The fifth flat plate portion 95 has, for example, an inner end that contacts a surface (inner surface) 25d on the first closed cross-section 21 side in the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner member 25.

A third foaming member 88 is fixed to the third fixing member 87. The third foam material 88 is formed of a soft material such as polyurethane foam or polyethylene, which is foamed (expanded) by heating, for example, as in the case of the first foam material 56. The third foamed member 88 has a third foamed base portion 102 and a click member surrounding portion 103. The third foamed base portion 102 is fixed along the third base portion 91, the fourth flat plate portion 94, and the fifth flat plate portion 95. The locking piece surrounding portion 103 is formed in a rectangular frame shape in the third flat plate portion 92 so as to surround the third locking piece 93.

According to the third water stop member 18, the third locking member 93 is locked to the third fixing hole 41 formed in the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26, whereby the third water stop member 18 is stably held inside the first closed cross section 21 of the rocker 12. In this state, a second gap S2 through which the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22 is formed between the third water stop member 18 and the rocker inner member 25.

In a state where the third water stop member 18 is held inside the first closed cross section 21, the third foaming material 88 of the third water stop member 18 is foamed (expanded) by heating inside the drying oven, for example, thereby being able to block the inside of the first closed cross section 21.

Further, the locking piece surrounding portion 103 foams (expands) by heating, and thereby comes into close contact with the inner surface 26i in the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26. Thereby, the third fixing hole 41 can be blocked from the first closed cross section 21.

< method for manufacturing side structure of vehicle body >

Next, a method of manufacturing the vehicle body side portion structure 10 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 6.

First, in the mounting step, as shown in fig. 3, the first locking member 63 of the first water stop member 16 is locked to the first fixing hole 36 of the upper wall portion 26e of the rocker reinforcement 26 (see fig. 8), and the first water stop member 16 is mounted to the upper wall portion 26e and the side wall portion 26d of the rocker reinforcement 26.

As shown in fig. 4, the second locking member 82 of the second water stopping member 17 is locked to the second fixing hole 38 of the inclined portion 26g of the rocker reinforcement 26, and the second water stopping member 17 is attached to the inclined portion 26 g.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the third locking member 93 of the third water stop member 18 is locked to the third fixing hole 41 of the rear end portion 26h of the rocker reinforcement 26, and the third water stop member 18 is attached to the inner surface 26i of the rear end portion 26 h.

After the first water stop member 16, the second water stop member 17, and the third water stop member 18 are attached to the rocker reinforcement 26, the rocker inner member 25, and the rocker outer member 27 are joined to assemble the rocker 12. A white body (white body) is assembled by joining a floor 29 and the like to the rocker 12.

Next, in the electrodeposition coating step, as shown in fig. 4 to 6, electrodeposition coating is applied to the body-in-white. The electrodeposition coating agent is introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22 through the first opening 35, the pair of second openings 37, the second gap S2, and the first gap S1. In this way, the rocker inner 25, the rocker reinforcement 26, the rocker outer 27, the wheel arch 15, and the like of the rocker 12 are subjected to electrodeposition coating.

In addition, another step may be provided between the mounting step and the electrodeposition coating step without heat treatment.

Then, in the heating step, the rocker 12 (i.e., the body in white) to which the electrodeposition coating is applied is subjected to a heating treatment in the interior of the drying furnace.

The first foaming material 56 of the first water stop member 16 is foamed and expanded by heating, thereby blocking the inside of the second closed cross section 22 (see fig. 8). Further, the second foaming material 78 of the second water stop member 17 foams and expands by heating, and thereby the pair of second openings 37 is closed (blocked) by the second foaming material 78. Further, the third foaming member 88 of the third water stop member 18 is foamed and expanded by heating, thereby blocking the inside of the first closed section 21.

In this way, the electrodeposition coating step is performed after the mounting step, and the coating sintering step is performed after the electrodeposition coating. In the electrodeposition coating, the respective foamed pieces 56, 78, 88 of the first to third water stop members 16, 17, 18 are not expanded. Therefore, the flow path of the electrodeposition coating agent can be prevented from being blocked by the first to third water stop members 16, 17, 18. By performing the coating and sintering step after the electrodeposition coating step, the first to third foams can be expanded by the heat of the coating and sintering step, and the flow path of the electrodeposition coating agent can be blocked by the first to third water stopping members.

That is, the coating and sintering step can be used as a step of heating the first to third foamed materials 56, 78, and 88. Accordingly, a dedicated heating process for expanding the first to third foamed materials 56, 78, 88 can be eliminated, and the manufacturing process of the vehicle body side portion structure 10 can be simplified.

As described above, according to the vehicle body side portion structure 10 of the embodiment, the first opening portion 35 of the rocker reinforcement 26 is formed at a distance in the vehicle body front direction with respect to the joint portion 48. The first opening 35 is used as an opening for introducing and discharging the electrodeposition coating agent, for example. Further, the first water stop member 16 is disposed between the first opening 35 and the joint portion 48 and inside the second closed cross section 22, and the disposed first water stop member 16 is provided to the rocker reinforcement 26.

In this state, it is considered that water is infiltrated into the first closed cross-section 21 from the mating surface (i.e., the joint surface between the inner member lower flange 25b and the reinforcement lower flange 26b) formed at the lower portion of the rocker 12. The immersed water is guided to the second closed section 22 via the first opening portion 35. The water guided to the second closed section 22 stops flowing at the first water stopping member 16 to suppress the intrusion to the joint 48.

Here, the joint 48 is formed by joining different kinds of metals, i.e., a rear end portion 45f of the first outer member 45 made of steel and a front end portion 46h of the second outer member 46 made of an aluminum alloy plate. This suppresses the intrusion of water into the joint portion 48, thereby making it possible to favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by the potential difference of the joint portion 48 (i.e., the rocker 12).

In the subsequent step of joining the rocker inner 25, the rocker reinforcement 26, and the rocker outer 27 to assemble the rocker 12 and form the second closed cross section 22, the first foam material 56 of the first water stop member 16 is expanded by heat. The first foamer 56 is expanded, so that the first foamer 56 can be brought into contact with the second closed cross-section 22 side face (inner face) in the first outer member portion 45.

That is, in the second closed cross section 22, the first opening 35 and the joint 48 can be blocked by the first water seal member 16. Therefore, the first water seal member 16 can favorably suppress the water entering the second closed cross section 22 through the first opening 35 from entering the joint portion 48. This can more favorably suppress the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion at the joint between dissimilar metals.

Further, by expanding the first foaming material 56 by heat to close the second closed cross section 22, even when a variation occurs in the space of the second closed cross section 22 due to, for example, an assembly tolerance or the like, the space of the second closed cross section 22 can be appropriately filled with the first water stop member 16. By filling the second closed cross section 22 with the first water seal member 16, the flow path through which the water entering the space of the second closed cross section 22 flows from the front of the vehicle body to the joint portion 48 can be blocked.

Therefore, the first water seal member 16 can favorably suppress the water entering the second closed cross section 22 through the first opening 35 from entering the joint portion 48. This can more favorably suppress the occurrence of electrochemical corrosion at the joint 48 of dissimilar metals.

In addition, a first wide flat plate portion 62 is formed at the lateral portion 57 of the first water stop member 16, and a second wide flat plate portion 67 is formed at the longitudinal portion 58. Therefore, when the first water stop member 16 is attached in a positioned state with respect to the rocker reinforcement 26, the first flat plate portion 62 and the second flat plate portion 67 can hold the first water stop member 16 in a stable state. This enables the first water stop member 16 to be positioned more stably with respect to the rocker reinforcement 26.

In addition, the first water stop member 16 is formed with an upper flange contact portion 74 that contacts the reinforcement upper flange 26a of the rocker reinforcement 26. This can further firmly hold the first water stop member 16 to the rocker reinforcement 26.

Further, the gap on the reinforcement upper flange 26a side in the second closed cross section 22 can be closed by the thermal expansion due to the upper flange contact portion 74 formed by the first foam 56. This can more satisfactorily exhibit the water stopping effect against the flow of water into the gap on the reinforcement upper flange 26a side.

Here, for example, a pair of second openings 37 for introducing and discharging the electrodeposition coating agent are also provided in the inclined portion 26g of the rocker reinforcement 26. Therefore, considering that the pair of second openings 37 serve as a flow path for water, water enters the joint 48 and causes electrochemical corrosion at the joint 48.

Then, the second water stop member 17 is provided on the inclined portion 26g of the rocker reinforcement 26 to close the pair of second openings 37. Therefore, the second water seal member 17 can suppress the water entering the first closed cross section 21 from the mating surface of the lower portion of the rocker 12 from entering the second closed cross section 22 through the pair of second openings 37.

This makes it possible to more favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint 48 of different metals, i.e., the first outer member 45 made of steel and the second outer member 46 made of aluminum alloy plate.

The second water stop member 17 also includes a second foaming material 78 that expands due to heat. Thus, for example, in a state where the second water stop member 17 is provided on the inclined portion 26g of the rocker reinforcement 26, the pair of second openings 37 can be kept in an open state during the electrodeposition coating step. Thus, the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22 can be communicated with each other through the pair of second openings 37, and the electrodeposition coating agent can be introduced and discharged between the first closed cross section 21 and the second closed cross section 22.

On the other hand, in the heating step after the electrodeposition coating, the pair of second openings 37 can be closed by the second water stop member 17 by thermally expanding the pair of second foams 78. This makes it possible to more favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the joint 48 of dissimilar metals.

Further, for example, the intrusion of water from below the vehicle body into the inside of the rocker is prevented at a position further toward the vehicle body rear side than the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26b of the rocker reinforcement 26. Further, the rear joint portion 49 between the rear end portion 25c of the rocker inner 25 made of steel and the inner end portion 15b of the wheel arch 15 made of aluminum alloy plate is a portion to which different kinds of metals are joined.

Therefore, in order to prevent the electrochemical corrosion at the rear joint portion 49 located rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26b, it is necessary to stop the water entering the first closed cross section 21 at a position forward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear joint portion 49.

Then, the third water stop member 18 is provided between the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26b and the rear joint portion 49 located rearward of the vehicle body with respect to the rear end portion 26 c. This makes it possible to stop water that has entered the first closed cross section 21 from the rear end portion 26c of the reinforcement lower flange 26b by the third water stop member 18 located at the front side of the vehicle body with respect to the rear joint portion 49, for example, and to favorably suppress electrochemical corrosion caused by a potential difference at the rear joint portion 49 made of a different metal.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the example in which the first water stop member 16, the second water stop member 17, and the third water stop member 18 are provided in the rocker reinforcement 26 has been described, but may be provided in other members such as the rocker inner member 25 and the rocker outer member 27.

In addition, the components in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with known components as appropriate within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, and the above-described modifications may be combined as appropriate.