vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a radiator located on the front side of the vehicle body; side supports supporting side portions of the radiator in the vehicle body width direction and extending in the vehicle body up-down direction; side members connected to the side supports and extending in the vehicle body front-back direction; at least one electrical component arranged rearward of the radiator in the vehicle body front-back direction; and a reinforcement member coupled to the side supports and the side members in a space defined by a rear side of the side supports in the vehicle body front-back direction and an upper side of the side members in the vehicle body up-down direction, and extending between the side supports and the side members.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-44911 (JP 2020-44911 A) discloses a front structure for an electric vehicle. This structure includes a cross member for connecting the front end portions of front side members in the vehicle body width direction. The front side members are arranged on the front side of the vehicle body, extending in the vehicle body front-to-back direction. A radiator is provided behind the cross member. This suppresses bending deformation of the front side members at the front side of the vehicle body. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The electrical unit, including the motor of an electric vehicle, is arranged behind the radiator and inward of the front side beam in the vehicle body width direction. Depending on the type of collision the vehicle is involved in, the side supports supporting the right and left sides of the radiator may bend backward. Depending on where the electrical unit is installed, it may also be damaged. For example, the relay box is an electrical unit that is particularly susceptible to damage even in minor collisions, and the effects of this damage often spread throughout the vehicle's electrical equipment. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively arrange the electrical components while suppressing or avoiding damage to them due to collisions.

[0004] The technology disclosed in this specification suppresses rearward bending deformation of a side support supporting a radiator in the front-rear direction of a vehicle body, and provides an improvement in the degree of freedom in arranging electric components behind the radiator.

[0005] This specification discloses a vehicle. According to one aspect of the present invention, the vehicle includes: a vehicle body; a radiator located on the front side of the vehicle body; side supports supporting the radiator's side portions in the vehicle body width direction and extending in the vehicle body vertical direction; side sills connected to the side supports and extending in the vehicle body front-rear direction; and at least one electrical component arranged rearward of the radiator in the vehicle body front-rear direction. The vehicle also includes a reinforcement member coupled to the side supports and the side sills in a space defined by the rear side of the side supports in the vehicle body front-rear direction and the upper side of the side sills in the vehicle body front-rear direction, and extending between the side supports and the side sills.

[0006] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the side support is reinforced by a reinforcing member on its rear side in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. This prevents the side support from bending rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Consequently, damage to the at least one electrical component positioned rearward of the side support in the vehicle's longitudinal direction during a collision is suppressed or avoided. This increases the freedom to position the at least one electrical component rearward of the radiator in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the reinforcing member may include one or more rectangular wave portions in a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the reinforcing member.

[0008] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the reinforcing member may include two rectangular wave portions and a valley portion between the two rectangular wave portions in a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction of the reinforcing member.

[0009] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the reinforcement member may be a bracket member extending between the side support and the side sill.

[0010] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the reinforcement member may be fixed to the side support and the side member by the fastening member.

[0011] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the at least one electric component may include at least one of a vehicle drive motor, a control device for vehicle drive power, an auxiliary battery, and a relay box.

[0012] In the vehicle according to the above aspect, the at least one electrical component may include a relay box and an auxiliary battery, and the relay box may be located rearward of the side support in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and arranged at the frontmost position in the vehicle body among the at least one electrical component.

[0013] The vehicle according to the above aspect may include a pair of reinforcing members, and the vehicle may further include a cross member connecting the pair of side members in a vehicle body width direction, the cross member being located rearward of the radiator in a vehicle body front-rear direction.

[0014] The vehicle according to the above aspect may include a pair of reinforcement members, and each of the reinforcement members may be fixed to a gusset plate that is arranged at a portion where the side member intersects the cross member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like symbols represent like elements, and wherein:

[0016] Figure 1 is a side view of the front of the vehicle body;

[0017] Figure 2 It is a plan view of the front part of the vehicle body;

[0018] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the reinforcement member; and

[0019] Figure 4 is shown along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view taken along line II of the reinforcement member is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In an embodiment of the present technology, the reinforcing member may have one or more rectangular wave portions in a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the reinforcing member extends. Furthermore, the reinforcing member may have two rectangular wave portions and a valley portion between the two rectangular wave portions in a cross section perpendicular to the direction in which the reinforcing member extends. This further suppresses rearward bending of the side support member.

[0021] In the embodiment of the present technology, the reinforcement member may be a bracket member extending between the side support and the side beam. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the rearward bending of the side support while saving space.

[0022] In the embodiment of the present technology, the reinforcing member can be fixed to the side support and the side beam by the fastening member. Therefore, it is easy to replace.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present technology, the at least one electrical component may include at least one of a vehicle drive motor, a control device for vehicle drive power, an auxiliary battery, and a relay box. The at least one electrical component may be provided in both an engine vehicle and an electric vehicle.

[0024] In an embodiment of the present technology, the at least one electrical component may include a relay box and an auxiliary battery. The relay box is located behind the side support in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction and is arranged at the most forward position in the vehicle body among the at least one electrical component. This is because the relay box has high maintenance costs, but the requirements for the relay box, which is located at the front side of the vehicle body and behind the side support in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction, are high.

[0025] In an embodiment of the present technology, a cross member connecting a pair of side members in the vehicle body width direction may be provided, the cross member being located behind the radiator in the vehicle body front-rear direction.

[0026] Note that a pair of side supports are typically provided on the right and left sides of the vehicle body widthwise. Providing the reinforcement member disclosed herein on at least one side support suppresses or prevents rearward bending of the side support toward the electrical components behind the side support.

[0027] The front structure of the vehicle body 12 of the vehicle 10 as an embodiment of the present technology will be described below. The vehicle 10 described in the accompanying drawings is an electric vehicle, and is provided with an electric unit (such as a motor for driving the vehicle), which is arranged in the front in the vehicle body 12. Note that the vehicle 10 may be any of various electric vehicles, or may be an engine vehicle. The direction FR in the figure indicates the front of the vehicle body 12 in the front-to-rear direction, and the direction RR indicates the rear of the vehicle body 12 in the front-to-rear direction. The direction UP indicates the upper part of the vehicle body 12 in the up-down direction, and the direction DW indicates the lower part of the vehicle body 12 in the up-down direction. Note that in this specification, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body 12, the width direction of the vehicle body 12, and the up-down direction of the vehicle body 12 may be referred to as the front-to-rear direction, the width direction, and the up-down direction, respectively.

[0028] Figure 1 The vehicle body structure at the front side of the vehicle body 12 is shown as viewed from the left side, and Figure 2 A plan view of the front of the vehicle body 12 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The radiator 20 arranged at the front side of the vehicle body 12, the radiator support 30 for supporting the radiator 20, a pair of right and left front side members 50 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 12, the electric component group 60, the reinforcement member 70 and the components in the vicinity thereof are exemplarily shown.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a motor compartment 12A (hereinafter simply referred to as “compartment 12A”) serving as a vehicle front space accommodating electric components such as a motor mounted as a prime mover is formed at the front of the vehicle body 12 and behind the radiator 20 .

[0030] Examples of the electrical components housed in the compartment 12A include a motor for driving the vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "motor"), a power control unit, a compressor for an air conditioner, an auxiliary battery, a relay box, and the like. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A motor 62 and an auxiliary battery 64 are arranged in the center. Furthermore, a relay box 66 for switching various electrical devices installed in the vehicle 10 is arranged at the intersection of the front side member 50 and the cross member 40, which will be described later. The relay box 66 is the frontmost electrical component and is arranged behind the headlight 21.

[0031] The following description will begin with the front side of the vehicle body 12. Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a front bumper 14 is provided at the front portion of the vehicle body 12. The front bumper 14 includes a bumper cover 16 and a bumper reinforcement (hereinafter, also referred to as "bumper RF") 18 covered by the bumper cover 16. The bumper RF 18 extends in the width direction of the vehicle body and has a curved shape that protrudes forward from the vehicle body. The bumper RF 18 is a structural member of the front bumper 14, and its cross section perpendicular to the vehicle body width direction is a closed cross section.

[0032] A pair of right and left crash boxes 19 are provided at the widthwise ends of the bumper RF 18. When subjected to axial loads, the crash boxes 19 undergo compressive plastic deformation and absorb energy. A pair of right and left headlights 21 are appropriately positioned above the crash boxes 19 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body, facing outward, via support posts.

[0033] Right and left front side members 50 are provided behind the right and left crash boxes 19 via a pair of right and left radiator support side portions 32, which are part of the radiator support 30. The front side members 50 extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle body on both sides of the compartment 12A. The front side members 50 are an example of the side members disclosed in this specification.

[0034] Front side members 50 are vehicle body structural members, each having a closed cross-sectional structure, for example. They are fixed coaxially with crash box 19 to reduce the collision load from the front of vehicle body 12. Thus, electrical components in compartment 12A are protected.

[0035] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the radiator support side members 32 extend a predetermined length in the vertical direction of the vehicle body to support both widthwise side walls of the radiator 20. Each radiator support side member 32 is constructed to include a lower member 34 and an upper member 36. The lower member 34 has a predetermined length in the vertical direction and is formed as a so-called channel member, having a channel-shaped portion that opens outward in the widthwise direction. The lower member 34 includes an inner wall portion 34a extending vertically along the lower side of the radiator 20 side wall, and a front wall portion 34b and a rear wall portion 34c that protrude orthogonally outward from the front and rear edges of the inner wall portion 34a, respectively. The front end portion of the front side member 50 is fixed to the rear wall portion 34c at its rear side in the vehicle body front-to-back direction, and the crash box 19 is fixed to the front wall portion 34b at its front side. The radiator support side members 32 are an example of the side support member disclosed in this specification.

[0036] The side walls of the radiator 20 are fixed to the inner side of the inner wall portion 34a of the lower member 34 in the width direction. The upper member 36 is fixed to the portion of the lower member 34 surrounded by the groove shape, overlapping with the portion within a predetermined range in the vertical direction of the vehicle body. The front side members 50, the crash box 19, and the upper member 36 are connected to the lower member 34, and thus the lower member 34 also serves as a mounting gusset for the vehicle structural members in the front portion of the vehicle body 12.

[0037] The upper member 36 has a predetermined length in the vertical direction and is formed as a channel member having a groove-shaped portion that opens outward in the width direction. The upper member 36 includes an inner wall portion 36a extending vertically along the upper side of the side wall of the radiator 20, and a front wall portion 36b and a rear wall portion 36c that protrude orthogonally outward from the front and rear edges of the inner wall portion 36a, respectively. The side wall of the radiator 20 is fixed to the inner side of the inner wall portion 36a of the upper member 36 in the width direction.

[0038] The radiator support 30 including the radiator support side portions 32 forms a frame having a substantially square cross-section, so that the radiator 20 can be supported within the frame. Here, the radiator 20 has a generally rectangular shape in a front view along the vertical and width directions of the vehicle body 12, and has a flat structure in the front-to-back direction, for example.

[0039] The radiator support 30 includes the radiator support side portion 32, an upper radiator support 37, and a lower radiator support 38. The upper radiator support 37 supports the upper side portion of the radiator 20. Both ends of the upper radiator support 37 are connected to a member located behind the upper radiator support 37 in the vehicle body 12 via the upper ends of the upper members 36 of the radiator support side portion 32.

[0040] The lower radiator support 38 supports the lower side of the radiator 20. The lower radiator support 38 extends in the width direction along the lower side and is fixed to the lower end portion of the lower member 34 of the radiator support side 32. Figure 1 As shown, for example, the radiator support lower 38 is configured as a front cross member provided below the front side members 50. The front cross member is provided below the front side members 50 and supported by a subframe 90 extending in the front-rear direction. The subframe 90 may constitute a part of the suspension support.

[0041] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a compartment cross member (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "cross member") 40 is fixed in the compartment 12A and behind the radiator 20 and the radiator support 30. The cross member 40 is arranged at a predetermined distance behind the radiator 20, has a closed cross section orthogonal to the width direction of the vehicle body, and extends between the right front side member and the left front side member 50 in the width direction, thereby bridging the front side members 50.

[0042] In a space S1 defined by the rear side of the radiator support side portion 32 in the vehicle body front-rear direction and the front side of the front side member 50 in the vehicle body front-rear direction, reinforcement members 70 are provided. Each of the reinforcement members 70 is fixed to the radiator support side portion 32 and the front side member 50 and extends therebetween.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, in the space S1, the reinforcement member 70 serves as a bracket member and extends diagonally across between the front side member 50 and the radiator support side portion 32. Figure 3 The reinforcement members 70, shown enlarged and illustrated, are formed as plate-like members, each of which has a predetermined width in the vehicle body width direction and is elongated in the direction in which it extends. The reinforcement members can be secured to gussets located at the intersection of the side supports and the cross member. For example, the front side member 50 side of the reinforcement member 70 is secured to the high-strength gusset 42 via fastening members (such as bolts 44), which reinforce the intersection between the front side member 50 and the cross member 40. The radiator support side of the reinforcement member 70 is secured to the rear side of the rear wall portion 36c of the upper member 36 in the vehicle body front-to-back direction via fastening members (such as bolts 46).

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, the cross-sectional profile of the reinforcement member 70 in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the reinforcement member 70 has a rectangular wave portion 72 and a rectangular wave portion 74 on respective sides in the width direction, and has a valley portion 76 between the rectangular wave portions 72 and 74, with the valley portion 76 being more recessed than the two end portions. This makes it possible to more effectively support the rear side of the radiator support side portion 32, thereby suppressing rearward bending of the radiator support side portion 32 and suppressing the length of the rearward stroke.

[0045] Next, the effects and advantages of the vehicle 10 having this vehicle body front structure will be described. In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is a bracket-like member defined by the rear side of the radiator support side portion 32 and the upper side of the front side member 50 in the space S1. Therefore, when collision energy from the front is input to the widthwise ends of the vehicle body 12, rearward bending of the radiator support side portion 32 is suppressed, even when the headlights 21 press the radiator support side portion 32 rearward in the vehicle body. In particular, bending at positions lower than the range bridged by the reinforcement member 70 is suppressed. As a result, the amount of rearward bending of the radiator support side portion 32 (particularly the upper member 36) is reduced, and the overall rearward displacement is reduced.

[0046] Therefore, even when the electrical components 62, 64, and 66 are arranged behind the headlight 21 in the compartment 12A, the transmission of the collision load to the electrical components 62, 64, and 66 can be suppressed or prevented, and damage to the electrical components 62, 64, and 66 can be suppressed or prevented. Therefore, the repair cost of the electrical components 62, 64, and 66 due to the collision is also reduced. Moreover, as a result, electrical components that would be seriously damaged by the input of the collision load (such as the relay box 66) can be arranged at the front of the vehicle body, particularly behind the headlight 21 and behind the radiator support member side portion 32. In other words, the degree of freedom in arranging electrical components (such as the relay box 66) in the compartment 12A is increased.

[0047] In addition to head-on collisions, this technology is also effective for other types of collisions, such as small overlap collisions (when a collision object, such as an obstacle, collides with the front of the vehicle with little overlap in the width direction) or minor collisions. This technology is particularly useful for small overlap collisions and minor collisions because the impact on the front of the vehicle body is relatively large in these types of collisions.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is fastened and fixed by the bolts 44 and 46, etc., and therefore, it is easy to replace the reinforcement member 70 at the time of maintenance. In addition, in the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is attached to the gusset plate 42 that fixes and reinforces the cross member 40 to the front side member 50, and thus damage to the front side member 50 due to the collision load input to the reinforcement member 70 is suppressed or avoided.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is formed as a substantially plate member and serves as a bracket member, and thus can effectively suppress or prevent the radiator support side portion 32 from bending backward while saving space. Furthermore, forming the reinforcement member 70 as a substantially plate member having a cross-sectional profile in a direction orthogonal to the extending direction having rectangular wave portions 72 and 74 and a valley portion 76 makes it possible to more effectively suppress or prevent the radiator support side portion 32 from bending backward.

[0050] In the above embodiment, by arranging the cross member 40 behind the radiator 20 and the radiator support 30, even when a collision load is input to the radiator support 30 from the front of the vehicle body 12, the input of the collision load to the electrical components in the compartment 12A is suppressed or prevented. Therefore, the electrical components can be further protected.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is a plate bracket member, but this is not restrictive, and any arrangement that extends and connects the radiator support side portion 32 and the front side member 50 within the space S1 defined by the rear side of the radiator support side portion 32 and the upper side of the front side member 50 may be used. Thus, for example, the reinforcement member 70 may be a bracket member made of another elongated member (such as a rod). Furthermore, the reinforcement member 70 may be a frame member having a generally right-angled triangular shape, provided with diagonal bracket members such as hypotenuse members, upright side members extending over a predetermined range in the vertical direction of the radiator support side portion 32, and a base member extending over a predetermined range in the front-rear direction of the front side member 50. Furthermore, for example, the reinforcement member 70 may be a plate member having a substantially right-angled triangular shape, the plate member being provided with a hypotenuse extending between the radiator support side portion 32 and the front side member 50, an upright side portion extending over a predetermined range in the vertical direction of the radiator support side portion 32, and a base portion extending over a predetermined range in the front-rear direction of the front side member 50, or the reinforcement member 70 may be a trapezoidal plate member with its right-angled portion cut away. Furthermore, when the reinforcement member 70 is a plate-like body, the plate-like body may also be provided with rectangular wave portions and valley portions as appropriate.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the radiator support side portion 32 is composed of a lower member 34 and an upper member 36, but this is not a limitation. The side supports disclosed herein may be composed of a single member. Furthermore, the side supports may include a separate member for connecting to the front side members 50, etc. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the side supports is not limited to a groove shape and may be appropriately set.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the reinforcement member 70 is provided between the radiator support side portion 32 and the front side member 50, but this is not restrictive. The reinforcement member 70 may be provided between the radiator support side portion 32 and the subframe 90, which is a part of the suspension support downward from the front side member 50.

[0054] While specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various variations and modifications of the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings demonstrate technical utility individually or in various combinations and are not limited to the combinations described in the originally filed claims. The technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously and may itself have technical utility by achieving one of the objectives.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that include: body; a radiator located on a front side in the vehicle body; a pair of side supports supporting side portions of the radiator in a vehicle body width direction and extending in a vehicle body up-down direction; a pair of side members connected to the pair of side supports and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body; a cross member connecting the pair of side members in the vehicle body width direction, the cross member being located behind the radiator in the vehicle body front-rear direction, a gusset plate disposed at an intersection portion where a corresponding one of the pair of side members intersects the cross member and reinforces the intersection portion, a relay box located rearward of one of the pair of side supports in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a reinforcing member joined to the one of the pair of side supports and the one of the pair of side sills in a space defined by a rear side of the one of the pair of side supports in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and an upper side of the one of the pair of side sills in the up-down direction of the vehicle body, and extending between the one of the pair of side supports and the one of the pair of side sills, wherein, in a cross section perpendicular to the extending direction of the reinforcing member, the reinforcing member includes two rectangular wave portions and a valley portion between the two rectangular wave portions, and The reinforcement member is a bracket member extending between the one side support and the one side beam.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that The reinforcement member is fixed to the one side support and the one side member by a fastening member.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The vehicle further includes at least one of a vehicle drive motor, a control device for vehicle drive power, and an auxiliary battery.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The relay box is arranged at a forwardmost position in the vehicle body relative to the at least one of a vehicle drive motor, a control device for vehicle drive power, and an auxiliary battery.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vehicle includes a pair of reinforcement members and a pair of gussets; and Each of the pair of reinforcing members is fixed to a corresponding one of the pair of gusset plates, wherein one of the pair of gusset plates is arranged at an intersection portion where one of the pair of side beams intersects the cross beam, and the other of the pair of gusset plates is arranged at an intersection portion where the other of the pair of side beams intersects the cross beam.

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