IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,565,268
Granted Patent B2
US 12,565,268 · App. 18/348,373 · Granted Mar 3, 2026

Vehicle body structure

Inventor: Kazuhisa Maeda (Toyota, JP)
Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
B62D21/157B60R16/04B62D25/025B62D25/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,565,268
App. No.
18/348,373
Granted
Mar 3, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle body structure includes a rocker configuring a portion at an outer side, in a vehicle width direction, of a vehicle body lower section. The rocker extends in a vehicle front-rear direction. The vehicle body structure also includes a metal center pillar, which is a separate component from the rocker. A lower section in a vehicle up-down direction of the center pillar is detachably attached to the rocker by an attachment member.

Claims (25)

1 . A vehicle body structure comprising:

a rocker configuring a portion at an outer side, in a vehicle width direction, of a vehicle body lower section, the rocker extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; and

a metal center pillar, which is a separate component from the rocker, a lower section in a vehicle up-down direction of the center pillar being detachably attached to the rocker by an attachment member, wherein:

a cross-sectional shape of the rocker seen in the vehicle front-rear direction is a closed cross-section,

the vehicle body structure further comprises a width direction supporting section that is disposed at an inside of the rocker, and the width direction supporting section includes a penetrating section extending in the vehicle width direction,

the rocker and the center pillar are connected, in the vehicle width direction, by a width direction attachment member serving as the attachment member, and

the width direction attachment member extends horizontally within the penetrating section of the width direction supporting section between an outer side wall section and an inner side wall section of the rocker.

2 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 , wherein:

the lower section of the center pillar includes an outer side wall section positioned at an outer side, in the vehicle width direction, of the rocker, and an inner side wall section positioned at an inner side, in the vehicle width direction, of the rocker; and

the width direction attachment member being inserted through an outer side insertion section provided at the outer side wall section, an inner side insertion section provided at the inner side wall section, and the penetrating section of the width direction supporting section.

3 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , wherein:

the width direction supporting section is configured as a shock absorbing member that is capable of absorbing a collision load in the vehicle width direction; and

the width direction supporting section is configured to be disposed at a position overlapping with a battery pack, which is disposed at an inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rocker, when seen in the vehicle width direction.

4 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 3 , further comprising an up-down direction supporting section that is disposed at an inside of the rocker, and at which a penetrating section extending in the vehicle up-down direction is formed, wherein:

an upper side wall section positioned at an upper side of the rocker is provided at the lower section of the center pillar; and

the rocker and the lower section of the center pillar are connected, in the vehicle up-down direction, by an up-down direction attachment member serving as the attachment member, the up-down direction attachment member being inserted through an upper side insertion section provided at the upper side wall section and the penetrating section.

5 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 4 , wherein the up-down direction supporting section is configured as a shock absorbing member.

6 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 3 , wherein the width direction attachment member is configured to connect the battery pack to the rocker.

7 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 2 , further comprising an up-down direction supporting section that is disposed at an inside of the rocker, and at which a penetrating section extending in the vehicle up-down direction is formed, wherein:

an upper side wall section positioned at an upper side of the rocker is provided at the lower section of the center pillar; and

the rocker and the lower section of the center pillar are connected, in the vehicle up-down direction, by an up-down direction attachment member serving as the attachment member, the up-down direction attachment member being inserted through an upper side insertion section provided at the upper side wall section and the penetrating section.

8 . The vehicle body structure according to claim 1 , further comprising an up-down direction supporting section that is disposed at an inside of the rocker, and at which a penetrating section extending in the vehicle up-down direction is formed, wherein:

an upper side wall section positioned at an upper side of the rocker is provided at the lower section of the center pillar;

the rocker and the lower section of the center pillar are connected, in the vehicle up-down direction, by an up-down direction attachment member serving as the attachment member, the up-down direction attachment member being inserted through an upper side insertion section provided at the upper side wall section and the penetrating section, and

the up-down direction attachment member extends vertically within the penetrating section of the up-down direction supporting section between the upper side wall section and a lower side wall section of the rocker.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2023
From: MAEDA, KAZUHISA
To: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 064267/0903 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-135049 · Aug 26, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240067270A1 · Feb 29, 2024
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