Rear structure for a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rear structure for a vehicle, comprising a rear floor and a pair of inclined members joined to a lower surface of the rear floor and configured to be symmetrical to each other with respect to a longitudinal center line of the rear floor, each of the pair of inclined members extending from a first side and a second side of the rear floor to a rear portion of the rear floor, respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a rear structure for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] The statements in this section are provided only as background information relating to the invention and do not constitute prior art.

[0003] Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are driven by both a motor and an engine. The motor powers the HEV by drawing electrical energy from the battery and through regenerative braking, and the engine powers the HEV when the battery's charge level drops to a certain point. HEVs can be driven by continuously charging their batteries through self-generated electricity and regenerative braking during driving. Therefore, HEVs exhibit low fuel consumption and low emissions and are considered environmentally friendly vehicles.

[0004] Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a type of HEV that features a larger battery capacity compared to traditional HEVs. PHEVs are driven by an external power source charging the battery, which powers the electric motor. The motor then operates when the battery is depleted.

[0005] These HEVs house both a fuel tank and a battery. Not only must the fuel tank and battery be installed within the limited space of the vehicle, but they must also be protected from external impacts in the event of a collision. Therefore, HEVs require appropriate protective structures and a suitable layout design. Taking both aspects into account, the battery and fuel tank, along with the necessary protective structures, are primarily installed on the rear floor of the vehicle body.

[0006] For example, such as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, batteries 650A and 650B are mounted on the upper surface of the rear floor 630, and the fuel tank 610 is mounted on the lower surface of the rear floor 630. In order to protect the fuel tank 610 in the event of a vehicle collision, the fuel tank 610 is arranged at a specified distance from the rear of the vehicle, and two separate batteries 650A and 650B are arranged to provide battery capacity.

[0007] Offset crash testing (where a vehicle collides at a location offset from its longitudinal centerline) is typically used to assess a vehicle's ability to withstand a rear-end collision. In this test, the rear beam deforms and breaks upon impact. The rear lateral members suppress additional deformation. However, for example, in an offset crash on the left side relative to the vehicle's centerline, the leading edge of the corresponding side member bends. Furthermore, due to the breakage of the rear beam, the impact distribution is inadequate, resulting in less impact force absorbed by the right-side member. The left-side member rotates inward.

[0008] The information disclosed in the background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the background technology of the present invention, and therefore the information it may contain does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention provides a rear structure for a vehicle that can effectively protect the fuel tank and battery in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides a rear structure for a vehicle, the rear structure comprising: a rear floor and a pair of inclined members, the pair of inclined members engaging a lower surface of the rear floor and configured to be symmetrical to each other with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the rear floor, each of the pair of inclined members extending from a first side and a second side of the rear floor to a rear portion of the rear floor, respectively.

[0011] Other applications will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that this specification and specific embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To provide a good understanding of the invention, various embodiments thereof are now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1A This is a top view of the rear floor of an exemplary hybrid electric vehicle;

[0014] Figure 1B This is a bottom view of the rear floor of an exemplary hybrid electric vehicle;

[0015] Figure 2 It is a top view of the rear floor of a vehicle's rear structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 3 This illustrates a rear structure for a vehicle according to the present invention. Figure 2 The dotted line in the image represents the 3D view of the portion from which the rear floor has been removed;

[0017] Figure 4yes Figure 3 Exploded 3D diagram;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an inclined member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 6A It is a top view of the rear floor of a vehicle's rear structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6B It is a bottom view of the rear floor of a vehicle's rear structure, including an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7A It is a bottom view of the rear floor of a vehicle's rear structure, including an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7B It is a bottom perspective view of a rear floor of a vehicle rear structure including an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8A This is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] Figure 8B It is along Figure 8A The cross-sectional view shown by line AA in the diagram.

[0025] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, application, or use. It should be understood that throughout the specification and drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific structures or functions described in the embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only. Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should be understood not to be construed as limited to the embodiments described in this specification, but rather to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutions contained within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0028] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the teachings of the invention, the first element discussed below may be referred to as the second element. Similarly, the second element may also be referred to as the first element.

[0029] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as "joined" or "connected" to another element, it can be directly joined or connected to the other element, or there can be an intermediate element between them. Conversely, it should be understood that when an element is referred to as "directly joined" or "directly connected" to another element, there is no intermediate element. Other expressions explaining the relationship between elements, such as "between," "directly between," "adjacent," or "directly adjacent," should be interpreted in the same way.

[0030] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that when terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of the said component, step, operation, and / or element, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements thereof.

[0031] The present invention provides a rear structure for a vehicle that gives the body of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), particularly a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), excellent ability to withstand rear-end collisions.

[0032] A vehicle having a rear structure for use with respect to vehicles according to the present invention includes a single high-voltage battery. The high-voltage battery also has an increased size due to its increased capacity. In the present invention, in order to efficiently arrange the battery with its increased size, the fuel tank can be arranged behind the battery on the rear floor via a rear structure that has excellent impact resistance.

[0033] The deformation rate of fuel tanks in general internal combustion engine vehicles is allowed to be as high as about 40%, while the deformation rate of fuel tanks in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) is only allowed to reach about 15% due to stricter conditions. Therefore, in Figure 1A and Figure 1B In the vehicle shown, the fuel tank 610 is positioned relatively close to the front of the vehicle from the rear. Therefore, the two batteries 650A and 650B are installed separately. Due to the characteristics of these separate batteries, batteries 650A and 650B are cooled by air. In fact, air-cooled batteries perform worse than water-cooled batteries.

[0034] This invention provides a rear structure for a vehicle, which may include a structure configured to effectively distribute collision energy applied to the rear floor, such that the fuel tank is positioned close to the rear end of the vehicle. Furthermore, a single high-voltage battery is used for water cooling, thereby improving battery performance.

[0035] In the following text, reference will be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below.

[0036] Figure 2 It is a top view including the rear floor of the rear structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This illustrates a rear structure for a vehicle according to the present invention. Figure 2 The 3D view shows the portion indicated by the dashed lines, from which the rear floor was removed. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An exploded perspective view. In the following text, the X direction represents the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the Y direction represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0037] like Figures 2 to 4 As shown, a rear structure 1 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on the rear floor 10 of the vehicle. Structure 1 may include a lateral member 20, a side extension 30, a connecting element 40, and an inclined member 50. In particular, the lateral member 20, the side extension 30, the connecting element 40, and the inclined member 50 are connected to the lower surface of the rear floor 10.

[0038] The lateral member 20 is engaged with the lower surface of the rear floor 10 and extends in the lateral direction (X direction) of the vehicle.

[0039] The transverse member 20 engages with the lower surface of the rear floor 10 to define a first space S1 together with the rear floor 10, the first space S1 being an empty space. For example, the first space S1 may have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the invention, the transverse member 20 includes end flanges 22 configured to bend from both sides of the transverse member 20. The end flanges 22 are formed to bend from both sides of the transverse member 20 in the longitudinal direction of the transverse member 20. The end flanges 22 are configured to have a profile corresponding to the rear floor 10 for attachment to the lower surface of the rear floor 10.

[0041] The side extensions 30 are respectively engaged at both ends of the transverse member 20. The side extensions 30 are engaged on both sides of the lower surface of the rear floor 10. The side extensions 30 extend along both side surfaces of the rear floor 10 to a specified distance in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vehicle.

[0042] The side extension 30 engages with the lower surface of the rear floor 10, thereby forming a corresponding second space S2 together with the rear floor 10, which is an empty space.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the invention, each side extension 30 includes a side flange 32. The side flange 32 is formed to bend from both sides of the side extension 30 and attach to the lower surface of the rear floor 10.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lateral extension 30 is engaged to the transverse member 20 by engaging elements 40. Engaging elements 40 are disposed at both ends of the transverse member 20. Engaging elements 40 can provide additional reinforcement to the ends of the transverse member 20 and facilitate engagement with the transverse member 20.

[0045] The joining member 40 is configured to have the same cross-sectional shape as the transverse member 20 and is positioned inside the transverse member 20. A flange element 42, bent from the outer periphery of each joining member 40, is disposed at one end of each joining member 40. The flange element 42 engages with the outer surface of the side extension 30, and the joining element 40 strengthens and facilitates the engagement between the transverse member 20 and the side extension 30.

[0046] A pair of inclined members 50 are disposed on each side of the rear floor 10, extending from the transverse member 20 to the side extension 30. The inclined members 50 engage with the lower surface of the rear floor 10 and are obliquely disposed on the lower surface of the rear floor 10, i.e., inclined relative to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) or the lateral direction (X direction) of the vehicle. One side of each inclined member 50 engages with the transverse member, and the other side of each inclined member 50 extends to a corresponding side surface of the rear floor 10, more specifically, engages with a corresponding side extension 30.

[0047] refer to Figure 5 According to one embodiment of the invention, each inclined member 50 includes a first member 150 and a second member 250. The first member 150 and the second member 250 form a third space S3 with one side open therebetween. The third space S3 with the open side engages with the lower surface of the rear floor 10 and is thus closed.

[0048] The first member 150 has an L-shaped cross-section. The first member 150 includes a first portion 152 and a second portion 154. The first portion 152 is formed substantially parallel to or in a horizontal direction to the rear floor 10, and the second portion 154 is bent substantially perpendicularly from the first portion 152.

[0049] The proximal end 152a of the first portion 152 engages with the lower surface of the transverse member 20. The proximal end 152a of the first portion 152 changes its orientation from an inclined direction and then extends parallel to the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the vehicle to facilitate engagement with the transverse member 20. Therefore, the proximal end 152a of the first portion 152 has an enlarged area compared to the other portions of the first portion 152, thereby increasing the force of engagement with the transverse member 20. Here, the proximal end is defined as the end of the element closest to the transverse member 20, while the distal end is defined as the other end of the element furthest from the transverse member 20.

[0050] The distal end 152b of the first portion 152 may be bent downward or toward the ground from the first portion 152. The distal end 152b of the first portion 152 has a profile substantially the same as the outer surface of the side extension 30, thereby facilitating engagement with the side extension 30.

[0051] The second portion 154 extends substantially vertically from the first portion 152 and includes an engagement flange 1154 that engages with the rear floor 10. The engagement flange 1154 bends from the second portion 154 and attaches to the lower surface of the rear floor 10.

[0052] The second component 250 is engaged with the first component 150. According to one embodiment of the invention, the second component 250 includes an engaging portion 252, a vertical portion 254, and a connecting flange 256.

[0053] The connecting portion 252 is directly connected to the first portion 152 of the first member 150. According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower surface of the connecting portion 252 may be connected to the upper surface of the first portion 152. According to another embodiment of the invention, the upper surface of the connecting portion 252 may be connected to the lower surface of the first portion 152.

[0054] The vertical portion 254 bends from the joining portion 252 and extends substantially in the vertical direction. Therefore, due to the joining of the first member 150 and the second member 250, the vertical portion 254 and the second portion 154 face each other.

[0055] The connecting flange 256 is formed to bend from the outer periphery of the vertical portion 254. The connecting flange 256 may include a pair of side connecting flanges 1256a and 1256b and an upper connecting flange 2256. The side connecting flanges 1256a and 1256b formed on both sides of the vertical portion 254 bend obliquely from the vertical portion 254 and extend substantially parallel to the outer surface of the transverse member 20 and the outer surface of the side extension 30. The upper connecting flange 2256 formed on the upper part of the vertical portion 254 bends from the vertical portion 254 and is attached to the rear floor 10. For example, the upper connecting flange 2256 may have the same construction as the engagement flange 1154.

[0056] Although the first component 150 and the second component 250 are provided as separate components in the above description, the first component 150 and the second component 250 can be integrated into a whole.

[0057] Figure 6A It is a top view including the rear floor of the rear structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6B It is a bottom view of the rear floor of a vehicle's rear structure, including an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] The vehicle body provides the ability to withstand rear-end collisions by connecting load paths. Although components for withstanding rear-end collisions are located on both sides of the vehicle (i.e., the left and right sides), these components may not function fully if the load is concentrated on one side of the vehicle. When the load is transferred only along a load path set in one direction, the load is concentrated on one part of the vehicle, the collision energy is not properly absorbed, and the local deformation is amplified.

[0059] According to the invention, a structure for distributing the force of the rear bumper beam, particularly an inclined member 50 configured to support the lateral member 20, is used to prevent the rear beam from breaking and the lateral member 20 from being ejected, effectively dispersing the impact force to both sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, according to the invention, even after a collision, the action of the individual members can remain constant.

[0060] exist Figure 6B In the diagram, B represents the protection section of battery 200, and F represents the protection section of fuel tank 100. According to the present invention, when a moving deformable barrier (MDB) collides with the vehicle at a 70% leftward offset in the lateral direction (X direction) (as shown by L1), the protection section F of fuel tank 100 coincides with line L2 formed by the end of the inclined member 50. This position corresponds to the maximum protective position of fuel tank 100. Furthermore, a maximized buckling induction section L3 can be provided on each of the two sides of the vehicle to stably absorb the impact.

[0061] In other words, the rear structure for vehicles according to the present invention exhibits excellent collision force distribution in the event of a rear-end collision, particularly an offset collision.

[0062] like Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, reinforcing members 60 may be disposed on the lower surface of the rear floor 10. The proximal end 60a of each reinforcing member 60 may be engaged to the transverse member 20 or the inclined member 50. The distal end 60b of each reinforcing member 60 may be engaged to the lower surface of the rear floor 10.

[0063] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing member 60 includes a fourth space S4 formed therein, the fourth space S4 being an empty space.

[0064] As described above, since the permissible deformation of the fuel tank in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is very low, additional protection for the fuel tank 100 is required. Therefore, in this invention, one or more reinforcing members 60 are configured to support the fuel tank 100. In particular, the reinforcing member 60 has a fourth space S4 inside. For at least these reasons, deformation of the fuel tank 100 can be effectively suppressed in the event of a collision.

[0065] As is evident from the above description, the present invention provides a rear structure for a vehicle that can effectively distribute collision energy in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0066] Furthermore, the rear structure for vehicles according to the present invention can effectively protect the battery and fuel tank in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0067] The invention has been described in detail with reference to its preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A rear structure for a vehicle, the rear structure comprising: The rear floor includes a fuel tank section where the fuel tank is mounted; A pair of inclined members, which engage with the lower surface of the rear floor and are configured to be symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the rear floor, each of the pair of inclined members extending from a first side and a second side of the rear floor to the rear portion of the rear floor, respectively; as well as At least one reinforcing member, comprising: Proximal end, which engages at the rear of the rear floor with the first of a pair of inclined members; as well as The distal end, which engages with the lower surface of the rear floor, The at least one reinforcing member is configured to support the fuel tank by extending from the proximal end to the distal end below the fuel tank.

2. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, A pair of inclined members extend from the first and second sides of the rear floor toward each other to the rear of the rear floor.

3. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, A pair of inclined members form a third space with the lower surface of the rear floor.

4. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, At least one reinforcing member includes a fourth space formed therein, the fourth space being vacant.

5. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein, Each of a pair of inclined members includes a first member and a second member engaged with the first member.

6. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: A pair of side extensions, which respectively engage with a first side and a second side of the lower surface of the rear floor, and are configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of the rear floor; as well as A transverse member is disposed at the rear of the lower surface of the rear floor and configured to connect the pair of side extensions.

7. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, Each of the pair of side extensions is respectively engaged to the first side of each inclined member, and the transverse member is engaged to the second side of each inclined member.

8. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a pair of engaging elements, the pair of engaging elements engaging a first side and a second side of the transverse member respectively, and configured to engage the transverse member to a pair of side extensions.

9. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein, Each of a pair of engagement elements includes a flange element configured to bend from the engagement element and engage with a side extension.

10. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein, The transverse member and a pair of inclined members are joined to the rear floor in a flange manner, and the transverse member and the rear floor form a first space.

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