Front body structure of vehicle
By optimizing the component layout of the front body structure of the electric vehicle, the interference problem between the air heat pump and the front body structure was solved, ensuring rigidity and expanding the space in front of the passenger compartment, thus achieving stable installation of the air heat pump.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2019-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-29
Smart Images
Figure CN111284565B_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0157416, filed on December 7, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This application relates to a front body structure of a vehicle that prevents components in the engine compartment of an environmentally friendly vehicle from interfering with each other. Background Technology
[0004] Typically, the front body structure of a vehicle is positioned at the front along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus forming a skeletal structure that creates the engine compartment.
[0005] The space located in front of the passenger compartment in a passenger vehicle is usually equipped with the engine and is called the "engine compartment". In electric vehicles that do not typically have an engine installed, the space in front of the passenger compartment is also often referred to as the engine compartment.
[0006] Typically, electric vehicles use the body structure of vehicles with engines, with components for electric vehicles installed inside the engine compartment. For example, Figure 1 The front vehicle body structure according to the relevant technology is shown, with reference to Figure 1 The engine compartment houses: a battery pack for supplying power, a drive motor 101 for generating drive torque, various electrical components for converting power from the battery pack into power suitable for the drive motor 101, and a transmission for converting the drive torque of the drive motor 101. Additionally, a cooling module 102 is provided for cooling. On the other hand, the electric vehicle utilizes an air heat pump 170 for in-vehicle air conditioning.
[0007] However, according to the vehicle body structure of the aforementioned related technologies, since the front body structure of the vehicle forming the engine compartment is optimized for vehicles with engines installed, there is a problem of mutual interference when using this front body structure to install components for electric vehicles.
[0008] A drive motor 101 for generating driving torque is mounted between a front longitudinal beam 121 and a fender member 122 formed along the longitudinal direction, and is arranged along the width direction of the vehicle. A cooling module 103 is mounted at the front end portion. Furthermore, an air heat pump 170 for vehicle interior air conditioning is installed therein.
[0009] However, there is a problem that components of the air heat pump 170 interfere with the front vehicle body structure. For example, components of the air heat pump 170 interfere with front bulkhead components. The upper portion of the air heat pump 170 interferes with front bulkhead components, such as the upper front bulkhead beam 145 or the upper front bulkhead cover 151 (in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 (The part marked with a dotted line in the middle) is therefore difficult to install.
[0010] Furthermore, while electric vehicles have usable space inside the engine compartment compared to vehicles equipped with an engine, the use of a conventional vehicle body structure limits the space that can be extended in front of the passenger compartment.
[0011] On the other hand, to avoid interference between the air heat pump 170 and the front body structure, the form of each component of the front body structure may be modified, but in this case, it may be difficult to maintain rigidity. Each component of the front body structure has been developed with a shape that meets the performance requirements for torsion, bending, vibration, or impact, but if the shape is modified arbitrarily, the required performance may not be met.
[0012] The above statements are intended only to help understand the background art of this application, and are not intended to imply that this application falls within the scope of prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0013] This application aims to solve the aforementioned problems and provides a front body structure of a vehicle optimized for, for example, an electric vehicle or an environmentally friendly vehicle, so as not to interfere with the components installed therein and to provide sufficient rigidity.
[0014] According to one aspect of this application, the front body structure of a vehicle defines a space separated from the passenger compartment by a front bulkhead located between front longitudinal beams arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; the front body structure of the vehicle may include a front shock absorber housing, a front bulkhead cover plate, and a front bulkhead upper crossbeam; the front shock absorber of the front wheel suspension of the wheel is arranged in the front shock absorber housing; the front bulkhead cover plate is connected to the lower end portion of the front pillar of the vehicle; the front bulkhead upper crossbeam is located below the front bulkhead cover plate, the front end portion of the front bulkhead upper crossbeam is attached to the front shock absorber housing, and the rear end portion of the front bulkhead upper crossbeam is attached to the front bulkhead cover plate.
[0015] The upper support member of the front shock absorber connects the upper part of the front shock absorber housing and the upper crossbeam of the front bulkhead, which is connected to the front pillar of the vehicle.
[0016] The width of the support member on the front shock absorber increases from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side.
[0017] The inner side of the upper support member of the front shock absorber in the width direction of the vehicle may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0018] The front end portion of the upper support member of the front shock absorber can be attached to the front shock absorber housing cover, which is attached to the upper end portion of the front shock absorber housing.
[0019] The upper portion of the front damper housing may include the front damper housing cover, and the two end portions of the front damper side support member may be attached to the front damper housing cover to define a closed cross section.
[0020] The lower support member of the front shock absorber can connect the lower part of the front shock absorber housing and the front bulkhead.
[0021] The front and rear end portions of the lower support member of the front shock absorber can be attached to the front shock absorber housing to define a closed cross-section.
[0022] The upper end portion of the upper crossbeam of the front fascia can be attached to the upper cover plate of the front fascia, while the lower end portion of the upper crossbeam of the front fascia can be attached to the front fascia plate to define a closed cross section.
[0023] At the front bulkhead, at least one or more through holes may be defined through the front bulkhead.
[0024] An air heat pump may be disposed on the front side of the front bulkhead; at least one or more mounting brackets may be fastened to the outer surface of the air heat pump; and the at least one or more mounting brackets may fasten the air heat pump to at least one of the front bulkhead upper crossbeam, the front shock absorber housing, or the front longitudinal beam.
[0025] The rear end portion of the upper surface of the air heat pump can be fastened to the front upper beam via a fixed bracket on the air heat pump.
[0026] One side of the upper surface of the air heat pump can be fastened to the front shock absorber housing by means of an upper mounting bracket for the air heat pump.
[0027] One side of the lower surface of the air heat pump can be fastened to the front longitudinal beam by means of a lower mounting bracket for the air heat pump.
[0028] At least one or more bolts may be installed on the front bulkhead, and at least one or more bracket portions may be defined at the air heat pump, the at least one or more bolts being inserted into the at least one or more bracket portions, and the at least one or more bracket portions being fastened to the at least one or more bolts, thereby fixing the air heat pump to the front bulkhead.
[0029] Vehicles may include electric vehicles.
[0030] According to the front body structure of the vehicle of this application with the above-mentioned configuration, sufficient rigidity can be ensured without causing the air heat pump to interfere with the surrounding structure.
[0031] Furthermore, by moving the location of the air heat pump forward from the traditional air conditioning system location, the usability of the forward space in the passenger cabin is enhanced. Attached Figure Description
[0032] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this application will become clearer from the detailed description presented below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0033] Figure 1 A perspective view of the front body structure of a vehicle according to related technologies is shown;
[0034] Figure 2 For along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view presented by line II in the diagram;
[0035] Figure 3 A perspective view showing the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;
[0036] Figure 4 A perspective view showing the cutting lines in the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application, illustrating the cross-sectional structure;
[0037] Figure 5 A perspective view of a front shock absorber upper support member in the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown.
[0038] Figure 6A For along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view presented by line AA;
[0039] Figure 6B For along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view presented by line A'-A';
[0040] Figure 6C For along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view presented by line BB;
[0041] Figure 6D For along Figure 4 The cross-sectional view presented by line CC;
[0042] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view is shown of the portion of the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application in which an air heat pump is mounted.
[0043] Figure 8 A front view of the front bulkhead in the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;
[0044] Figure 9A perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment is provided, wherein an air heat pump is installed in the front body structure of a vehicle according to this application; and
[0045] Figure 10 A perspective view is provided for another exemplary embodiment in which an air heat pump is installed in the front body structure of a vehicle according to this application. Detailed Implementation
[0046] The front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0047] refer to Figures 3 to 10 According to an exemplary embodiment of this application, the front body structure of a vehicle defines a space separated from the passenger compartment by a front bulkhead 11 between front longitudinal beams 21 arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, where components required to drive the vehicle are installed; the front body structure of the vehicle may include a front shock absorber housing 31, a front bulkhead upper cover 51, and a front bulkhead upper crossbeam 45; a front shock absorber of the front wheel suspension is installed at the front shock absorber housing 31; the front bulkhead upper cover 51 is connected to the lower end portion of the front pillar 61 of the vehicle; the front bulkhead upper crossbeam 45 is located below the front bulkhead upper cover 51, and its front end portion is coupled to the front shock absorber housing 31 and its rear end portion is coupled to the front bulkhead upper cover 51.
[0048] The front body structure of a vehicle can be applied to environmentally friendly vehicles, especially electric vehicles.
[0049] The front bulkhead 11 can separate the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. The upper end portion of the front bulkhead 11 can be connected to the front bulkhead cover 51, and the lower end portion can be connected to the front floor panel.
[0050] At the front bulkhead 11, at least one or more through holes 11a, 11b and 11c may be formed through the front bulkhead 11. Pipes may pass through the through holes 11a, 11b and 11c.
[0051] An instrument panel control component 12 can be installed behind the front bulkhead 11, and the instrument panel control component 12 can form a closed cross-section with the front bulkhead 11. The instrument panel control component 12 can be installed at locations where through holes 11a, 11b, and 11c are not formed.
[0052] The front longitudinal beams 21 can be installed on both sides of the vehicle along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
[0053] The mudguard assembly 22 can separate the wheels and engine compartment from the inside of the mudguard. The mudguard assembly 22 can also be located on both sides of the vehicle. The lower end portion of the mudguard assembly 22 can be connected to the front longitudinal beam 21.
[0054] The front end portion and outer surface of the front shock absorber housing 31 can be connected to the fender member 22 to accommodate the suspension. The upper portion of the front shock absorber housing 31 can be provided with a front shock absorber housing cover 32, thereby connecting the front shock absorber housing 31 to the fender member 22, and a front shock absorber housing side member 33 can be provided on the inner side of the front shock absorber housing 31 to connect with the front longitudinal beam 21.
[0055] The two end portions of the front cover plate 51 can be connected to one side of the front pillar 61 respectively.
[0056] The upper front beam 45 can be located below the upper front cover 51, and the two end portions of the upper front beam 45 are respectively connected to the lower end portions of the front pillar 61.
[0057] In a conventional front body structure, the load path is formed by using a front bulkhead crossbeam that connects the front shock absorber housings on the left and right sides; however, in this application, the load path is formed by using a front upper crossbeam 45.
[0058] The front upper crossbeam 45 can be connected via the front shock absorber housing 31 and the front upper support member 42. The front end portion of the front upper support member 42 can connect to the upper end portion of the front shock absorber housing 31, while the rear end portion of the front upper support member 42 can connect to the front upper crossbeam 45, thereby connecting the front upper crossbeam 45 to the front shock absorber housing 31. Accordingly, the load path formed by the front crossbeam is formed via the front upper crossbeam 45 and also via the front upper support member 42 from the front upper crossbeam 45 to the front shock absorber housing 31. Compared to related technologies, this allows the load path to be moved towards the rear of the vehicle, which helps ensure space for installing the air heat pump 70. Figure 7 As shown, since the position of the upper front beam 45 is further back than that of the conventional front beam, it is possible to avoid overlapping with the front components at the upper end of the air heat pump 70.
[0059] The upper support member 42 of the front shock absorber can be configured to widen from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side. Specifically, the upper support member 42 of the front shock absorber can be configured such that its inner side relative to the width direction of the vehicle is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, while its outer side is configured to be closer to the side surface of the vehicle toward the rear side. Accordingly, when the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision, the collision load is dispersed.
[0060] When the current shock absorber housing cover 32 is attached to the upper end portion of the front shock absorber housing 31, the upper support member 42 of the front shock absorber can be attached to the front shock absorber housing cover 32.
[0061] The upper front beam 45 can be connected to the upper front cover 51, and the cross-section of the part where the upper front beam 45 and the upper front cover 51 are connected can be a closed cross-section. That is to say, as Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the upper end portion of the upper front beam 45 is attached to the upper front cover plate 51, while the lower end portion of the upper front beam is attached to the front panel 11 to define a closed cross-section, thereby forming a closed cross-section (marked by dashed lines) and improving rigidity. Figure 6A and Figure 6B The attached diagram with reference numeral 52 indicates the defrosting pipe mounting bracket.
[0062] The front shock absorber side support member 44 may be configured to extend from the side surface of the front shock absorber housing 31 or the front shock absorber housing cover 32 to the inside of the vehicle and support the front shock absorber housing cover 32. For example, as Figure 6C As shown, the two end portions of the front damper side support member 44 can be respectively attached to the front damper housing cover 32. In this way, a closed cross section (marked by the dashed line) can be formed between the front damper housing cover 32 and the front damper side support member 44, thereby improving stiffness.
[0063] By using the lower support member 43, the front damper housing 31 can be connected to the front bulkhead 11 on its lower side. The lower side of the front damper housing 31 is connected to the front bulkhead 11 via the lower support member 43, thereby forming a load path for transferring the load path of the front damper housing 31 to the front bulkhead 11.
[0064] like Figure 6D As shown, the front end portion and the rear end portion of the lower support member 43 of the front shock absorber can be respectively connected to the front shock absorber housing 31 to form a closed cross section (the portion marked by the dashed line).
[0065] Figure 9 In the illustrated configuration, an air heat pump 70 is installed using the front body structure of a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of this application.
[0066] At least one or more mounting brackets 46, 47 and 48 can be fastened to the outer surface of the air heat pump 70, and the air heat pump 70 can be fastened to the front body structure by using the mounting brackets 46, 47 and 48.
[0067] Mounting brackets 46, 47, and 48 can be installed on the upper or lower surface of the air heat pump 70. The air heat pump 70 is then mounted by fastening the air heat pump 70 to the front upper crossbeam 45, the front shock absorber housing 31, and the front longitudinal beam 21 using mounting brackets 46, 47, and 48.
[0068] The rear end portion of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 can be secured to the upper front crossbeam 45 using the upper air heat pump mounting bracket 46. The two end portions of the upper air heat pump mounting bracket 46 can be respectively attached to the rear end portion of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 and the upper front crossbeam 45, thereby securing the rear end portion of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 to the upper front crossbeam 45.
[0069] The upper and lower ends of the side surfaces of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 can be respectively provided with an upper air heat pump mounting bracket 47 and a lower air heat pump mounting bracket 48, thereby securing the upper and lower ends of the side surfaces of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 to the front shock absorber housing 31 and the front longitudinal beam 21. The upper air heat pump mounting bracket 47 and the lower air heat pump mounting bracket 48 can be respectively provided on one side surface of the upper and lower ends of the side surfaces of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70, thereby enabling one side of the air heat pump 70 to be secured to the front shock absorber housing 31 or the front longitudinal beam 21.
[0070] In other words, the upper mounting bracket 47 of the air heat pump secures one side of the upper surface of the air heat pump 70 to the front shock absorber housing 31, while the lower mounting bracket 48 of the air heat pump secures one side of the lower surface of the air heat pump 70 to the front longitudinal beam 21.
[0071] The upper mounting bracket 47 and the lower mounting bracket 48 of the air heat pump can be formed as separate brackets fastened to one side of the air heat pump 70, or integrally formed with the housing of the air heat pump 70 by extending a portion of the housing.
[0072] Furthermore, the upper mounting bracket 47 and the lower mounting bracket 48 of the air heat pump can also be used to adjust the height of the upper and lower end portions of the air heat pump 70.
[0073] On the other hand, at least one or more bracket portions 71 may be formed on the outer surface of the air heat pump 70, and the air heat pump 70 may be fixed to the front bulkhead 11 using the bracket portions 71. At least one or more bolts 72 may be installed on the front bulkhead 11 by welding. The bracket portions 71 and bolts 72 may be formed in corresponding parts, and the bolts 72 are inserted into the bracket portions 71 to tighten them, thereby enabling the air heat pump 70 to be fixed to the front bulkhead 11.
[0074] Figure 10 In another exemplary embodiment shown, an air heat pump 70 is installed using the front body structure of the vehicle according to this application.
[0075] For example Figure 9As shown, the air heat pump 70 is fastened to the front bulkhead 11, the front upper crossbeam 45, the front shock absorber housing 31, and the front longitudinal beam 21.
[0076] However, the lower mounting bracket 48 for securing the lower end portion of the air heat pump 70 to the front longitudinal beam 21 is formed in a T-shape, thereby securing the lower mounting bracket 48 to the upper surface of the front longitudinal beam 21 and the lower surface of the air heat pump 70, as well as to the side surface of the front longitudinal beam 21, thus increasing the securing force of the lower mounting bracket 48.
[0077] According to the front body structure of the vehicle of this application with the above-mentioned configuration, sufficient rigidity can be ensured without causing the air heat pump to interfere with the surrounding structure.
[0078] Furthermore, by moving the location of the air heat pump forward from the traditional air conditioning system location, the usability of the forward space in the passenger cabin is enhanced.
[0079] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the exemplary embodiments described above may be combined in part with each other.
Claims
1. A front body structure for an electric vehicle, wherein a front bulkhead between front longitudinal beams arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle defines a space separated from the passenger compartment, said front body structure comprising: Front shock absorber housing, in which the front shock absorber of the vehicle's front wheel suspension is arranged; The front bulkhead cover is connected to the lower end portion of the vehicle's front pillar; A front upper crossbeam is disposed below the front upper cover plate. The front end portion of the front upper crossbeam is connected to the front shock absorber housing, while the rear end portion of the front upper crossbeam is connected to the front upper cover plate. A front shock absorber upper support member is connected to the upper part of the front shock absorber housing and the front bulkhead upper crossbeam, and the front bulkhead upper crossbeam is connected to the front pillar of the vehicle. as well as An air heat pump is arranged on the front side of the front bulkhead and below the upper crossbeam of the front bulkhead; The upper end portion of the upper crossbeam of the front fascia is connected to the upper cover plate of the front fascia, while the lower end portion of the upper crossbeam of the front fascia is connected to the front fascia plate to define a closed cross section. The upper end of the front bulkhead includes an inclined portion that slopes toward the rear of the vehicle, and the lower end of the upper crossbeam of the front bulkhead is connected to the inclined portion. The width of the support member on the front shock absorber increases from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle. The upper support member of the front shock absorber is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on its inner side in the vehicle width direction.
2. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, The front end portion of the upper support member of the front shock absorber is attached to the front shock absorber housing cover, and the front shock absorber housing cover is attached to the upper end portion of the front shock absorber housing.
3. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein, The upper portion of the front shock absorber housing includes the front shock absorber housing cover. The two end portions of the front damper side support member are attached to the front damper housing cover to define a closed cross section.
4. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a front shock absorber lower support member, the front shock absorber lower support member connecting the lower part of the front shock absorber housing and the front bulkhead.
5. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein, The front and rear end portions of the lower support member of the front shock absorber are attached to the front shock absorber housing to define a closed cross-section.
6. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, At the front bulkhead, at least one or more through holes are defined through the front bulkhead.
7. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one or more mounting brackets are fastened to the outer surface of the air heat pump; The at least one or more mounting brackets secure the air heat pump to at least one of the front bulkhead upper crossbeam, the front shock absorber housing, or the front longitudinal beam.
8. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The rear end portion of the upper surface of the air heat pump is fastened to the upper crossbeam of the front fascia by a fixed bracket on the air heat pump.
9. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, One side of the upper surface of the air heat pump is fastened to the front shock absorber housing by an upper mounting bracket for the air heat pump.
10. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, One side of the lower surface of the air heat pump is fastened to the front longitudinal beam by a lower mounting bracket for the air heat pump.
11. The front body structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, wherein, The front bulkhead has at least one or more bolts. The air heat pump has at least one or more support portions, and the at least one or more bolts are inserted into the at least one or more support portions. The at least one or more bracket portions are fastened to the at least one or more bolts, thereby securing the air heat pump to the front bulkhead.