Vehicle front structure

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle front structure. An instrument panel side portion is integrally provided with an instrument panel main body portion. Vehicle-mounted components are accommodated in the instrument panel side portion. Therefore, even in a vehicle in which an engine compartment is not provided at the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment, it is possible to ensure accommodation space for these vehicle-mounted components. In addition, the instrument panel side portion is integrally provided with the instrument panel main body portion. Therefore, compared with a case in which the instrument panel side portion is separated from the instrument panel main body portion, the space around the driver's seat can be expanded to reduce the amount of dead zone, and the comfort of the driver can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle front structure. Background Art

[0002] The following Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2015-133803 (JP2015-133803A) discloses a technology in which a power unit is arranged at the front of a vehicle, and a driver's seat is arranged at the vehicle upper side of the power unit and at the center in the vehicle width direction. In this prior art, chamber side panels are each provided on the vehicle upper side of a suspension support cover, and a subunit chamber is defined and formed in a vehicle compartment by the chamber side panels.

[0003] In the case of a vehicle having an engine compartment on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment, vehicle-mounted components (such as accessories of a power unit and various components such as a vehicle air conditioning device) are placed in the engine compartment. In contrast, in the case where an engine compartment is not provided on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment, it is necessary to independently ensure a storage space for the vehicle-mounted components.

[0004] In the above-mentioned prior art, subunit rooms are provided on the left and right sides of the driver's seat, and by placing the vehicle-mounted components in the subunit rooms, accommodating space for the vehicle-mounted components can be ensured. Summary of the invention

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned prior art, since the instrument panel and the left and right subunit rooms are arranged around the driver's seat, the freedom of installation of the vehicle-mounted components may be limited from the viewpoint of ensuring the comfort of the driver while ensuring the accommodation space of the vehicle-mounted components.

[0006] In view of the above facts, the present invention can achieve a vehicle front structure that can ensure an accommodation space for vehicle-mounted components while ensuring driver comfort even if the vehicle does not have an engine room on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle compartment.

[0007] According to the first scheme of the present invention, the vehicle front structure includes: a power unit, which is installed on the front of the vehicle; a driver's seat, which is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle and on the center side in the vehicle width direction relative to the power unit; and an instrument panel, which is configured to include: an instrument panel main body, which is arranged on the front side of the vehicle relative to the driver's seat; and left and right instrument panel side parts, which are integrally arranged with the instrument panel main body, arranged on both sides of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction and accommodate vehicle-mounted components inside.

[0008] In the vehicle front structure according to the first scheme of the present invention, a power unit is mounted on the vehicle front, and a driver's seat is arranged on the vehicle upper side and on the center side in the vehicle width direction relative to the power unit. The instrument panel includes an instrument panel body arranged on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat, and left and right instrument panel side portions arranged on the left and right sides of the instrument panel body portion. The instrument panel side portions are provided integrally with the instrument panel body portion, and are arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the driver's seat, and vehicle-mounted components are accommodated in the instrument panel side portions.

[0009] As described above, in the present invention, the left and right instrument panel side portions are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body portion, so that the instrument panel is provided in the vehicle compartment from the vehicle front side relative to the driver's seat to both sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0010] As described above, when the engine compartment is not disposed on the front side of the vehicle inside the vehicle compartment, the arrangement position of the vehicle-mounted components is limited compared to a vehicle in which the engine compartment is disposed on the front side of the vehicle inside the vehicle compartment. In the present invention, by accommodating the vehicle-mounted components on the side of the instrument panel, it is possible to ensure an accommodation space for the vehicle-mounted components.

[0011] In addition, in the present invention, since the instrument panel side portion is integrally provided with the instrument panel main body portion, the dead zone is reduced compared with the case where the instrument panel side portion is provided separately from the instrument panel main body portion. Therefore, in the present invention, the space around the driver's seat can be expanded by the amount of reduction in the dead zone, and the comfort of the driver can be ensured.

[0012] Furthermore, since the instrument panel side portion is integrally provided with the instrument panel main body portion, the outer contours of the instrument panel side portion and the instrument panel main body portion can be continuously formed, thereby improving the design around the driver's seat compared to the case where the instrument panel side portion is provided separately from the instrument panel main body portion.

[0013] Here, the term "the instrument panel side portion is integrally provided with the instrument panel main body portion" does not necessarily mean that the instrument panel side portion and the instrument panel main body portion are formed to be connected to each other by integral molding or the like, as long as the instrument panel side portion and the instrument panel main body portion are formed to be connected.

[0014] In the vehicle front structure according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, the vehicle air conditioner among the vehicle-mounted components is accommodated in one of the instrument panel side portions.

[0015] In the vehicle front structure according to the second aspect of the present invention, the vehicle air conditioner is accommodated in one of the left and right instrument panel side portions arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the driver's seat.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, a reservoir tank storing coolant for a radiator among the vehicle-mounted components is accommodated in the other of the instrument panel side portions.

[0017] In the vehicle front structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, among the left and right instrument panel side portions arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the driver's seat, the reservoir tank is accommodated in the other instrument panel side portion.

[0018] In the vehicle front structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the other one of the instrument panel sides, the relay box accommodating electronic components in the vehicle-mounted components is arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction with the storage tank.

[0019] In the vehicle front structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the left and right side instrument panel sides arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the driver's seat, the relay box is accommodated in the other instrument panel side, and the relay box and the storage tank are arranged along the vehicle front and rear direction.

[0020] Therefore, compared with the case where the relay box and the reservoir tank are arranged in the vehicle width direction, the dimension of the instrument panel side portion in the vehicle width direction can be shortened. As a result, the pressure caused by the instrument panel side portion felt by the driver can be reduced. In addition, by arranging the relay box and the reservoir tank in the vehicle front-rear direction, for example, the relay box can be checked while the coolant of the reservoir tank is supplied, and the operability is good.

[0021] According to the vehicle front structure of the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, at least one of the instrument panel side portions is arranged to overlap with the front portion of the driver's seat when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] In the vehicle front structure of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, among the left and right instrument panel side portions arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the driver's seat, at least one of the instrument panel side portions is arranged to overlap with the front of the driver's seat when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0023] For example, when the dashboard side is positioned to completely overlap the driver's seat when viewed in the vehicle width direction, the dashboard side will be located adjacent to the driver's seat in the entire vehicle front-rear direction of the driver's seat, and the space around the driver's seat feels cramped.

[0024] On the other hand, in the present invention, the instrument panel side and the front of the driver's seat are arranged to overlap in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the rear side of the driver's seat does not overlap with the instrument panel side when viewed in the vehicle width direction. On the rear side of the driver's seat, a space is formed between the driver's seat and the vehicle side, and the space around the driver's seat is expanded by that amount.

[0025] According to the vehicle front structure of the sixth scheme of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure of any one of the first scheme to the fifth scheme of the present invention, the dashboard side portion is configured to include an inner wall portion constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction and a rear wall portion constituting the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the inner wall portion is formed in an arc shape so that in a plan view, as the inner wall portion extends from the dashboard main body toward the rear wall portion, the inner wall portion extends outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] In the vehicle front structure according to the sixth scheme of the present invention, the instrument panel side portion is configured to include an inner wall portion constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction and a rear wall portion constituting the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction. Moreover, the inner wall portion of the instrument panel side portion has an arc shape so that as the inner wall portion extends from the instrument panel main body portion side of the instrument panel side portion toward the rear wall portion of the instrument panel side wall portion, the inner wall portion extends outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present invention, the instrument panel main body portion side of the instrument panel side portion (the front end of the instrument panel side portion) has a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction than the rear wall portion of the instrument panel side portion.

[0027] As a comparative example, when the inner wall portion of the instrument panel side is formed linearly along the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the instrument panel main body side (the front end of the instrument panel side) toward the rear wall portion of the instrument panel side, the front end and rear wall portion of the instrument panel side have the same dimensions in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] Therefore, when the dimensions of the rear wall portion of the instrument panel side portion in the comparative example and the present embodiment in the vehicle width direction are the same, since the dimensions of the front end of the instrument panel side portion in the vehicle width direction are larger in the present invention, the accommodation space in the instrument panel side portion can be increased compared to the comparative example.

[0029] In addition, while the front end of the instrument panel side portion has the same size in the vehicle width direction in the comparative example and the present invention, the rear wall portion of the instrument panel side portion has a shorter size in the vehicle width direction in the present invention. As a result, the separation distance between the instrument panel side portion and the driver's seat can be increased.

[0030] According to the vehicle front structure of the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention, the driver's seat floor portion on which the driver's seat is mounted is arranged at a position higher than other floor portions in the vehicle compartment, and a step is provided between the driver's seat floor portion and the other floor portions.

[0031] In the vehicle front structure according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the driver's seat floor portion in which the driver's seat is placed is arranged at a position higher than other floor portions in the vehicle compartment, and a step is provided between the driver's seat floor portion and other portions. Thus, the other floor portions can be set lower than the driver's seat floor portion, and the occupants can more easily get on and off the other floor portions.

[0032] According to the vehicle front structure of the eighth embodiment of the present invention, in the vehicle front structure according to any one of the first to seventh embodiments of the present invention, a passage portion is provided between one of the side portions of the instrument panel and the driver's seat, and the passage portion connects the driver's seat floor portion and the other floor portions inside the vehicle compartment.

[0033] In the vehicle front structure according to the eighth scheme of the present invention, in the left and right instrument panel side portions arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the driver's seat, a passage portion connecting the driver's seat floor portion and other floor portions in the vehicle compartment is formed between one of the instrument panel side portions and the driver's seat, so that the occupant can enter and exit between the driver's seat floor portion and the other floor portions.

[0034] As described above, with the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the vehicle does not have an engine room on the vehicle front side in the vehicle compartment, it is possible to ensure a storage space for vehicle-mounted components while ensuring driver comfort.

[0035] With the vehicle front structure according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure an accommodation space for the vehicle air conditioner in one of the instrument panel side portions.

[0036] With the vehicle front structure according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure an accommodation space for the storage tank in the other instrument panel side portion.

[0037] With the vehicle front structure according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to ensure an accommodation space for the relay box in the other instrument panel side portion.

[0038] With the vehicle front structure according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the oppressive feeling felt by the driver due to the instrument panel side portion being disposed at one side in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] With the vehicle front structure according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the space around the driver's seat can be widened toward the rear side of the instrument panel side portion, and a sense of openness of that amount can be obtained for the occupant.

[0040] With the vehicle front structure according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible for an occupant to more easily get on and off the vehicle on the floor portion other than the driver's seat floor portion.

[0041] With the vehicle front structure according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the occupant can move between the driver's seat floor portion and the other floor portions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in which:

[0043] Figure 1 is a side sectional view showing the front portion of a vehicle to which the vehicle front portion structure according to the present embodiment is applied;

[0044] Figure 2 is a side sectional view showing the front portion of a vehicle to which the vehicle front portion structure according to the present embodiment is applied; and

[0045] Figure 3 : is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle to which the vehicle front structure according to the present embodiment is applied when viewed diagonally from the left rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Hereinafter, a vehicle front structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the accompanying drawings, some reference symbols may be omitted to make the drawings easier to see. In addition, the arrow "front" (FR), the arrow "left" (LH), and the arrow "up" (UP) described appropriately in each figure respectively represent the front of the vehicle (forward direction), the left side of the vehicle, and the top of the vehicle. Hereinafter, when simply explaining with terms indicating the front and rear, left and right, and up and down directions, unless otherwise specified, these mean the front and rear of the vehicle front and rear direction, the left and right of the vehicle left and right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up and down of the vehicle up and down direction.

[0047] Body structure

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a vehicle 12 to which the vehicle front structure 10 according to the present embodiment is applied is a vehicle having a frame structure in which a body 16 having a compartment is fixed to the upper side of a ladder frame 14, and is, for example, a vehicle for carpooling, such as a bus. Although not shown, the body 16 of the vehicle 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The vehicle 12 is, for example, a battery-type electric vehicle. First, an outline of the frame structure of the vehicle 12 is described.

[0049] The ladder frame 14 includes a pair of left and right side frames 18 and a plurality of cross members 20 and 22. The left and right side frames 18 extend in the front-rear direction on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 12. The cross members 20 and 22 are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction and extend in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the left and right side frames 18 are connected in the vehicle width direction by the cross members 20 and 22.

[0050] The left and right side frames 18 are composed of left and right front side frames 24, left and right center side frames 26, and left and right rear side frames (not shown). The left and right front side frames 24 extend in the front-to-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front portion of the vehicle 12. The left and right center side frames 26 extend in the front-to-rear direction on both sides of the front-to-rear center portion of the vehicle 12 in the vehicle width direction. The left and right rear side frames extend in the front-to-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the rear portion of the vehicle 12.

[0051] In addition, for example, the front side frame 24, the center side frame 26 and the rear side frame are formed of a steel material into a square column shape having a rectangular closed cross section when viewed in the front-rear direction. A plurality of cross members (not shown) are each provided between the left and right center side frames 26 and between the left and right rear side frames.

[0052] Front portions 24F of the left and right front side frames 24 extend linearly in the front-rear direction, and the front-rear intermediate portions of each front portion 24F are connected in the vehicle width direction by the cross member 22. In addition, a suspension support cover 28 is fixed to the vehicle width direction outer surface of each front portion 24F.

[0053] In addition, a motor 32 for driving the vehicle 12 is arranged between the left and right front side frames 24. The motor 32 is supported by the left and right front side frames 24 via the cross members 20, 22 and a support member (not shown). Above the motor 32, an electronic unit 34 that controls the power supplied to the motor 32 is arranged. The electronic unit 34 is supported by the left and right front side frames 24 via a support frame 35, and the motor 32 and the electronic unit 34 constitute a power unit 30.

[0054] The main body 16 supported from the lower side by the ladder frame 14 having the above-mentioned construction has a floor panel 38 constituting a floor portion inside the vehicle compartment 36. The floor panel 38 includes: a front floor panel 40 constituting a floor portion of the front portion inside the vehicle compartment 36; a center floor panel 42 constituting a floor portion of the middle portion in the front-rear direction inside the vehicle compartment 36; and a rear floor panel (not shown) constituting a floor portion of the rear portion inside the vehicle compartment 36. The front floor panel 40, the center floor panel 42, and the rear floor panel are made of, for example, steel plates.

[0055] The front portion of the front floor panel 40 is a driver seat floor portion 40F extending in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. The rear portion of the front floor panel 40 is an inclined portion 40R inclined downward toward the vehicle rear side.

[0056] The driver seat floor portion 40F is arranged to be separated upward from the front portion 24F of the left and right front side frames 24, and the inclined portion 40R is located at the upper side relative to the rear portion 24R of the left and right front side frames 24. The above-mentioned electronic unit 34 is arranged below the driver seat floor portion 40F.

[0057] The front end of the center floor panel 42 is connected to the rear end of the inclined portion 40R. The center floor panel 42 extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction. Below the center floor panel 42, a battery (not shown) for storing power supplied to the above-mentioned motor 32 is arranged.

[0058] A step is provided between the driver's seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion (other floor portion) 42A formed by the center floor panel 42, and the driver's seat floor portion 40F is located on the upper side of the general floor portion 42A. Therefore, a tunnel portion 44 composed of a plurality of steps 44A is provided between the driver's seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion 42A. The passenger can enter and exit between the driver's seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion 42A via the tunnel portion 44.

[0059] The front floor panel 40 is supported by the left and right front side frames 24 via a pair of left and right front side members 48. The left and right front side members 48 extend on the upper side of the left and right front side frames 24 in the front-rear direction and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The left and right front side members 48 are manufactured by, for example, press-forming a steel plate, are joined to the lower surface of the front floor panel 40 by a method such as welding, and are formed to configure a closed section extending from the front floor panel 40 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0060] The front portions 48F of the left and right front side members 48 extend linearly in the front-rear direction, and are joined to the lower surface of the driver's seat floor portion 40F of the front floor panel 40. The rear portions 48R of the left and right front side members 48 are so-called step portions that are inclined downward toward the vehicle rear side, and are joined to the lower surface of the inclined portion 40R of the front floor panel 40. In the following description, the rear portions 48R of the front side members 48 will be referred to as “step portions 48R”.

[0061] In addition, a radiator support upper member 50 extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged at the front end portion of the left and right front side members 48. The radiator support upper member 50 is made of, for example, a steel plate, and has a hat-shaped cross section that opens forward when viewed in the vehicle width direction. For example, the front end portion of the left and right front side members 48 is provided with a flange portion that overlaps with the rear surface of the radiator support upper member 50, and the flange portion is fixed to the rear surface of the radiator support upper member 50 by, for example, bolt connection. Therefore, the front end portions of the left and right front side members 48 are connected in the vehicle width direction by the radiator support upper member 50.

[0062] Both ends of the radiator support upper member 50 in the vehicle width direction are supported by the front end portions 24F1 of the left and right front side frames 24 via the left and right front pillar members 52. The left and right front pillar members 52 are formed, for example, by press-forming a steel plate, and have a box shape with the front side and the upper side opened. In each front pillar member 52, for example, a flange portion (not shown) formed at the upper end portion is fixed to the radiator support upper member 50 by, for example, welding or bolting. The lower end portion of each front pillar member 52 is fixed to the front side frame 24 via a bracket 54 by welding or the like. Each front pillar member 52 is placed on the upper surface of each bracket 54 and is fixed to each bracket 54 by, for example, bolting.

[0063] A radiator support lower member 56 extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged on the front end portion 24F1 of the front side frame 24 below the radiator support upper member 50. The radiator support lower member 56 is made of, for example, a steel plate. The radiator 58 is used to cool the power unit 30, and is fixed to the radiator support lower member 56, the radiator support upper member 50, and the left and right front pillar members 52 so as to be supported by the radiator support lower member 56, the radiator support upper member 50, and the left and right front pillar members 52.

[0064] In addition, although not shown, the vehicle 12 in the present embodiment may be equipped with an autonomous driving unit (hereinafter referred to as "AKD") for controlling autonomous driving. The radiator 62 is separately provided as a part of the AKD. The radiator 62 is used to cool the AKD. For example, the radiator 62 is supported by the radiator support lower member 56 and the left and right front pillar members 52 by being fixed to the radiator support lower member 56 and the left and right front pillar members 52.

[0065] The front end portion of each step portion 48R of the left and right front side members 48 is supported by the left and right front side frames 24 via the left and right rear pillar members 66. The left and right rear pillar members 66 are formed by, for example, press-forming a steel plate, and have a box shape in which the center side and the upper side in the vehicle width direction are open.

[0066] In each rear pillar member 66, for example, a flange portion formed at an upper end portion is fixed to a front end portion of each step portion 48R by welding or the like. The lower end portion of each rear pillar member 66 is fixed to the front side frame 24 via a bracket 68 by welding or the like. Each rear pillar member 66 is disposed on an upper surface of each bracket 68 and is fixed to each bracket 68 by bolt connection or the like.

[0067] The left and right front side members 48 are supported from below by the left and right front side frames 24 via the radiator support upper member 50, the front pillar member 52, the bracket 54, the rear pillar member 66 and the bracket 68. The front floor panel 40 is supported by the left and right front side members 48 from below.

[0068] Furthermore, a dash panel 70 is provided at a front end portion of the front floor panel 40, and an instrument panel 78 is provided at an upper end portion of the dash panel 70 on the front side of the driver's seat 72. On the rear side of the driver's seat 72, in addition to the tunnel portion 44, a defining wall 74 for defining the front floor panel 40 and the center floor panel 42 is provided along the vehicle width direction.

[0069] The driver's seat 72 is supported by a frame 76 having a substantially L-shaped shape when viewed from the side. The frame 76 includes a leg portion 76A arranged in a substantially up-down direction and a pedestal 76B arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The lower end of the leg portion 76A is connected to the front floor panel 40, and the rear end of the pedestal 76B is connected to the limiting wall 74. A seat cushion 72A constituting a seat portion of the driver's seat 72 is fixed to the pedestal 76B, and a bracket 76C is connected to the center of the pedestal 76B in the front-rear direction and the lower portion of the leg portion 76A.

[0070] A general floor portion 42A is provided at the rear side of the defining wall 74, and a plurality of passenger seats (not shown) are arranged on the general floor portion 42A. The passenger seats may be configured to be fixed to the side of the vehicle.

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the instrument panel 78 includes a lower end portion 80A of a windshield plate 80 inside the vehicle compartment 36 (a front end portion 36A inside the vehicle compartment 36), and is formed into a substantially U-shape whose rear side is open in a plan view.

[0072] The instrument panel 78 is configured to include an instrument panel main body 82 provided at the front end portion 36A inside the vehicle cabin 36 , an instrument panel side 84 provided on the right side of the instrument panel main body 82 , and an instrument panel side 86 provided on the left side of the instrument panel main body 82 .

[0073] The instrument panel 78 is continuously formed so that the instrument panel side portion 84, the instrument panel main body portion 82, and the instrument panel side portion 86 are connected to each other, and these components are provided integrally. In the instrument panel 78, it is sufficient that the instrument panel side portion 84, the instrument panel main body portion 82, and the instrument panel side portion 86 are recognized as one piece. The instrument panel side portion 84, the instrument panel main body portion 82, and the instrument panel side portion 86 do not necessarily have to be provided integrally by integral molding or the like.

[0074] Instrument panel main body 82

[0075] An operating unit 88 is provided at the center of the instrument panel main body 82. The operating unit 88 is provided in front of the driver's seat 72. The operating unit 88 has a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and a front end 88A of the operating unit 88 is formed along the vehicle width direction and constitutes a part of an upper surface 82A of the instrument panel main body 82.

[0076] The operation portion 88 includes an upper wall portion 88B, which is formed into an arc shape toward the upper side as the upper wall portion 88B extends from the front end 88A toward the rear side. A rear wall portion 88C constituting the rear side of the operation portion 88 is provided at the rear end of the upper wall portion 88B, and the rear wall portion 88C is formed along the vehicle width direction, and the upper end of the rear wall portion 88C is located above the front end 88A. In addition, the rear wall portion 88C is formed into an arc shape toward the front side toward the upper side, and the steering wheel 90 is arranged at the center of the rear wall portion 88C of the operation portion 88 in the vehicle width direction.

[0077] Furthermore, in the rear wall portion 88C of the operation portion 88, an instrument placement portion 92 in which instruments (not shown) are placed is provided near the center portion in the vehicle width direction. The instrument placement portion 12A is placed slightly offset to one side in the vehicle width direction (here, the left side of the vehicle) with respect to the center in the vehicle width direction of the operation portion 88. Furthermore, the instrument placement portion 92 is placed at the vehicle front portion of the above-mentioned steering wheel 90.

[0078] The ventilation device 96 is provided on the right side of the operation portion 88. The ventilation device 96 is connected to an air conditioning unit (vehicle air conditioning device) 94 disposed in the instrument panel side portion 84 described later, and sends air conditioning air generated by the air conditioning unit 94 into the vehicle compartment 36 side. The ventilation device 98 is provided on the left side of the operation portion 88. The ventilation device 98 is connected to the air conditioning unit 94 in the same manner as the ventilation device 96, and sends air conditioning air generated by the air conditioning unit 94 into the vehicle compartment 36.

[0079] Instrument panel side 84

[0080] The instrument panel side portion 84 is provided on the right side of the instrument panel main body portion 82 and on the lower side of the front side glass 100 (see FIG. Figure 3The instrument panel side portion 84 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in a plan view that is rectangular along the vehicle front-rear direction, and is configured to include: an outer wall portion 84A that constitutes the outer side in the vehicle width direction; an inner wall portion 84B that constitutes the inner side in the vehicle width direction; and a rear wall portion 84C that constitutes the rear side in the front-rear direction.

[0081] The outer wall portion 84A of the instrument panel side portion 84 is formed along the fender 102R provided on the front and side of the vehicle 12. The outer wall portion 84A may be constituted by the fender 102R.

[0082] In a plan view, the inner wall portion 84B of the instrument panel side portion 84 is formed into an arc shape extending toward the vehicle width direction inner side as extending toward the instrument panel main body portion 82 (the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84), and the curvature is set to be greater than the curvature of the outer wall portion 84A.

[0083] The rear wall portion 84C of the instrument panel side portion 84 is configured to include: an inclined portion 84C1, which is connected to the inner wall portion 84B and is inclined toward the outside in the vehicle width direction as it extends toward the rear side; and a transverse wall portion 84C2, which is connected to the outer wall portion 84A and is formed along the vehicle width direction on the outside of the inclined portion 84C1 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the width dimension of the instrument panel side portion 84 decreases as it extends from the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 toward the rear wall portion 84C constituting the rear end of the instrument panel side portion 84. In addition, the side wall portion 84C2 is located on the front side of the rear end portion 85 of the inclined portion 84C1. The inclined portion 84C3 is formed between the inclined portion 84C1 and the side wall portion 84C2, wherein the inclined portion 84C3 is the inclined portion 84C1 reversed around the axis along the vehicle front-rear direction with the rear end portion 85 of the inclined portion 84C1 as the starting point.

[0084] On the other hand, the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 is formed integrally with the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the dash panel 70 so as to match the shapes of the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the dash panel 70 while avoiding interference with the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the dash panel 70 (see FIG. Figure 1 ). Therefore, the instrument panel side portion 84 does not necessarily need a wall portion. The front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 is configured to include: an inclined portion 84D1, which is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above; and a side wall portion 84D2, which is formed continuously with the inclined portion 84D1 and is formed along the vehicle width direction.

[0085] Furthermore, the instrument panel side portion 84 is provided with a plate-shaped upper wall portion 84E at the upper ends of the front end 84D, the outer wall portion 84A, the inner wall portion 84B, and the rear wall portion 84C. The upper wall portion 84E is fixed to the upper ends of the front end 84D, the outer wall portion 84A, the inner wall portion 84B, and the rear wall portion 84C by welding, bolts, etc., and the instrument panel side portion 84 is closed by the upper wall portion 84E. An air conditioning unit (vehicle-mounted component) 94 is accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 84.

[0086] Seat side 104

[0087] A seat side portion 104 is provided on the rear side of the instrument panel side portion 84 and is provided on the right side of the driver's seat 72. The seat side portion 104 has a box shape and is configured to include: an outer wall portion 104A constituting the outer side in the vehicle width direction; an inner wall portion 104B constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction; a front end 104C constituting the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a rear wall portion 104D constituting the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0088] The outer wall 104A of the seat side 104 is formed along the vehicle front-rear direction. The inner wall 104B of the seat side 104 is formed along the shape of the inner wall 84B of the instrument panel side 84 in plan view and is formed in an arc shape extending inward in the vehicle width direction as it extends toward the rear side.

[0089] The front end portion 104C of the seat side portion 104 is formed to have the same angle as the vehicle width direction inner side inclined portion 84C1 constituting the rear wall portion 84C of the instrument panel side portion 84. The front end 104C of the seat side portion 104 does not necessarily need to be a wall portion.

[0090] The rear wall portion 104D of the seat side portion 104 is formed along the vehicle width direction, is provided on the rear side of the driver's seat 72 , and is formed integrally with the defining wall 74 that defines the front floor panel 40 and the center floor 42 .

[0091] The seat side portion 104 is provided with a plate-shaped upper wall portion 104E at the upper ends of the front end portion 104C, the outer wall portion 104A, the inner wall portion 104B, and the rear wall portion 104D. The upper wall portion 104E is fixed to the upper ends of the front end portion 104C, the outer wall portion 104A, the inner wall portion 104B, and the rear wall portion 104D by welding, bolts, etc., and the seat side portion 104 is closed by the upper wall portion 104E.

[0092] The outer edge of the upper wall portion 104E is provided with a protrusion 106 protruding from the upper surface 104E1 of the upper wall portion 104E, and the protrusion 106 restricts the movement of the articles placed on the upper surface 104E1 of the upper wall portion 104E and suppresses the articles from easily sliding off. The upper wall portion 104E of the seat side portion 104 is provided at a lower position than the upper wall portion 84E of the instrument panel side portion 84, and is set to a height at which the occupant sitting on the driver's seat 72 can easily use the upper wall portion 104E of the seat side portion 104 as a mounting platform.

[0093] Instrument panel side 86

[0094] The instrument panel side portion 86 is provided on the left side of the instrument panel main body portion 82 and on the lower side of the front side glass 108 (see FIG. Figure 3 The instrument panel side portion 86 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction when viewed from above, and is configured to have an outer wall portion 86A constituting the outer side in the vehicle width direction, an inner wall portion 86B constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and a rear wall portion 86C constituting the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction, similar to the instrument panel side portion 84.

[0095] The outer wall portion 86A of the instrument panel side portion 86 is formed along the fender 102L provided on the front and side of the vehicle 12. The outer wall portion 86A may be constituted by the fender 102L.

[0096] The inner wall portion 86B of the instrument panel side portion 86 is formed in an arc shape so as to extend toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it extends toward the instrument panel main body portion 82 (the front end 86D of the instrument panel side portion 86) in a plan view, and the curvature is set to be greater than the curvature of the outer wall portion 86A. That is, the width dimension of the instrument panel side portion 86 becomes smaller as it extends from the front end 86D of the instrument panel side portion 86 toward the rear wall portion 86C constituting the rear end of the instrument panel side portion 86.

[0097] A rear wall portion 86C of the instrument panel side portion 86 is formed on the front side of the tunnel portion 44 in the vehicle width direction.

[0098] On the other hand, the front end 86D of the instrument panel side portion 86 is formed integrally with the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the front panel 70 so as to match the shapes of the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the front panel 70 while avoiding interference with the instrument panel main body portion 82 and the front panel 70 (see FIG. Figure 1 ). Therefore, the instrument panel side portion 86 does not necessarily need a wall portion. The front end portion 86D of the instrument panel side portion 86 is configured to include: an inclined portion 86D1, which is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it moves from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above; and a side wall portion 86D2, which is formed continuously with the inclined portion 86D1 and is formed along the vehicle width direction.

[0099] In addition, the instrument panel side portion 86 is provided with a plate-like upper wall portion 86E at the upper ends of the front end portion 86D, the outer wall portion 86A, the inner wall portion 86B, and the rear wall portion 86C. The upper wall portion 86E is fixed to the upper ends of the front end portion 86D, the outer wall portion 86A, the inner wall portion 86B, and the rear wall portion 86C by welding, bolts, etc., and the instrument panel side portion 86 is closed by the upper wall portion 86E.

[0100] A storage tank (vehicle-mounted component) 60 for storing the coolant of the radiator 58 and a relay box (vehicle-mounted component) 64 for storing electronic components are arranged in the instrument panel side portion 86. The storage tank 60 is arranged on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction relative to the relay box 64. In addition, the upper wall portion 86E of the instrument panel side portion 86 can be opened and closed, and by opening the upper wall portion 86E, the coolant can be supplied from the inside of the vehicle compartment 36 to the storage tank 60 accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 86.

[0101] Operation and effects of the vehicle's front structure

[0102] Subsequently, the operation and effects of the vehicle front structure 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0103] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the present embodiment, the power unit 30 is mounted on the vehicle front portion 11, and the driver's seat 72 is arranged on the vehicle upper side and on the center side in the vehicle width direction relative to the power unit 30. The instrument panel 78 includes an instrument panel main body portion 82 provided on the vehicle front side of the driver's seat 72 and left and right instrument panel side portions 86, 84 provided on the left and right sides of the instrument panel main body portion 82.

[0104] The instrument panel side portions 84, 86 are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body portion 82 and are arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction with respect to the driver's seat 72, and the air conditioning unit 94 is accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 84. The reservoir tank 60 and the relay box 64 are accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 86. The air conditioning unit 94, the reservoir tank 60, the relay box 64, etc. are so-called vehicle-mounted components 110.

[0105] In the present embodiment, as described above, the left and right instrument panel side portions 86, 84 are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body portion 82. Therefore, in the vehicle compartment 36, the instrument panel 78 is provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction from the front side of the vehicle relative to the driver's seat 72.

[0106] like Figure 2As shown, when the engine compartment is not provided on the vehicle front side inside the vehicle compartment 36, although not shown, the arrangement position of the vehicle-mounted component 110 is limited compared to a vehicle in which the engine compartment is provided on the vehicle front side inside the vehicle compartment 36. In the present embodiment, since the air conditioning unit 94 is accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 84, and the reservoir tank 60 and the relay box 64 are accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 86, an accommodation space for the vehicle-mounted component 110 can be ensured.

[0107] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the instrument panel side portions 84 and 86 are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body portion 82, the dead zone is reduced compared to a comparative example in which the instrument panel side portions 84 and 86 are provided separately from the instrument panel main body portion 82, although not shown. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the space around the driver's seat 72 is expanded by the amount of reduction in the dead zone, and the comfort of the driver can be ensured.

[0108] Furthermore, by providing the instrument panel side portions 84 and 86 as a whole with the instrument panel main body portion 82, the outer contours of the instrument panel side portions 84 and 86 and the instrument panel main body portion 82 can be continuously formed. Therefore, compared with a comparative example (not shown) in which the instrument panel side portions 84 and 86 are provided in a state separated from the instrument panel main body portion 82, the design around the driver's seat 72 can be improved.

[0109] In addition, in the present embodiment, the relay box 64 is arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction with the reservoir tank 60. Therefore, for example, the relay box 64 can be inspected while the coolant in the reservoir tank 60 is supplied, and the workability is good.

[0110] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the relay box 64 and the reservoir tank 60 are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, the vehicle width direction dimension of the instrument panel side portion 86 can be shortened compared to a comparative example (not shown) in which the relay box 64 and the reservoir tank 60 are arranged in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the sense of oppression felt by the driver caused by the instrument panel side portion 86 can be reduced.

[0111] On the one hand, in the present embodiment, for example, the instrument panel side portion 86 and the front portion 73 of the driver's seat 72 are arranged to overlap in the vehicle width direction. Generally, in order to ensure a wider general floor portion 42A, it is necessary to set the driver's seat floor portion 40F as compactly as possible. For example, as a comparative example (not shown), when the instrument panel side portion 86 is arranged to completely overlap with the driver's seat 72 when viewed in the vehicle width direction, the instrument panel side portion 86 will be arranged to be adjacent to the driver's seat 72 in the entire vehicle front-to-back direction of the driver's seat 72. In this case, since the instrument panel side portion 86 is arranged on one side in the vehicle width direction in the entire vehicle front-to-back direction, the driver feels oppressed, and the space around the driver's seat 72 feels tight.

[0112] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the instrument panel side portion 86 and the front portion 73 of the driver's seat 72 are arranged to overlap in the vehicle width direction. In other words, when viewed in the vehicle width direction, the rear portion 75 side of the driver's seat 72 does not overlap with the instrument panel side portion 86. On the rear portion 75 side of the driver's seat 72, a space is formed between the driver's seat 72 and the vehicle side portion 13, and the space around the driver's seat 72 is expanded by that amount. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sense of oppression felt by the driver caused by the instrument panel side portion 86 being arranged on one side in the vehicle width direction.

[0113] In the present embodiment, the inner wall portion 84B of the instrument panel side portion 84 is formed into an arc shape so as to extend toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it extends toward the instrument panel main body portion 82 (the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84) in a plan view, and the curvature is set to be greater than the curvature of the outer wall portion 84A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 is larger in size in the vehicle width direction than the rear wall portion 84C of the instrument panel side portion 84.

[0114] As a comparative example (not shown), when the inner wall portion 84B of the dashboard side portion 84 is formed into a linear shape along the front-rear direction of the vehicle from the front end 84D of the dashboard side portion 84 toward the rear wall portion 84C of the dashboard side portion 84, the front end 84D and the rear wall portion 84C of the dashboard side portion 84 have the same dimensions in the vehicle width direction.

[0115] Therefore, while the dimensions of the rear wall portion 84C of the instrument panel side portion 84 in the vehicle width direction are the same in the comparative example and the present embodiment, the dimension of the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 in the vehicle width direction is larger in the present embodiment. Thus, the storage space of the instrument panel side portion 84 can be made larger than that of the comparative example.

[0116] In addition, in the comparative example and the present embodiment, while the dimension of the front end 84D of the instrument panel side portion 84 in the vehicle width direction is the same, in the present embodiment, the dimension of the rear wall portion 84C of the instrument panel side portion 84 in the vehicle width direction is shorter. Therefore, the separation distance between the instrument panel side portion 84 and the driver's seat 72 can be increased.

[0117] Therefore, in the present embodiment, the space around the driver's seat 72 can be expanded toward the rear side of the instrument panel side portion 84, so that the occupant can be given a sense of openness to that extent. It should be noted that the same effect as that of the instrument panel side portion 84 can be obtained on the instrument panel side portion 86. That is, by adopting the same structure in the instrument panel side portion 84 and the instrument panel side portion 86, a more open feeling can be obtained for the occupant.

[0118] In addition, in this embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the driver's seat floor portion 40F is arranged at a position higher than the general floor portion 42A, and the tunnel portion 44 is located between the driver's seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion 42A. As a result, the general floor portion 42A can be set lower than the driver's seat floor portion 40F, and the occupant can easily get on and off the general floor portion 42A.

[0119] In addition, in this embodiment, since a tunnel portion 44 is formed between the dashboard side portion 86 and the driver seat 72 to connect the driver seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion 42A in the vehicle interior 36, the occupant can enter and exit between the driver seat floor portion 40F and the general floor portion 42A via the tunnel portion 44.

[0120] In the present embodiment, the air conditioning unit 94 is accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 84, and the storage tank 60 and the relay box 64 are accommodated in the instrument panel side portion 86. However, the configuration is not limited thereto. In addition to these components, an AKD, an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling vehicle travel, and the like may be accommodated.

[0121] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it goes without saying that the right scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure, comprising: a power unit mounted on the front of the vehicle; a driver's seat arranged on the vehicle upper side and on the center side in the vehicle width direction relative to the power unit; as well as An instrument panel is configured to include: an instrument panel main body portion, which is arranged on the front side of the vehicle relative to the driver's seat; and left and right instrument panel side portions, which are provided integrally with the instrument panel main body portion, are arranged on both sides of the driver's seat in the vehicle width direction and accommodate vehicle-mounted components inside. wherein a storage tank storing coolant of a radiator in the vehicle-mounted component is accommodated in another one of the instrument panel side parts, Among them, in the other one of the instrument panel side parts, a relay box accommodating electronic components among the vehicle-mounted components and the reservoir tank are arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein: A vehicle air conditioning device among the in-vehicle components is accommodated in one of the instrument panel side portions.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one of the instrument panel side portions is arranged to overlap with a front portion of the driver's seat when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the instrument panel side portion is configured to include an inner wall portion constituting an inner side in the vehicle width direction and a rear wall portion constituting a rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and The inner wall portion has an arc shape so as to extend outward in the vehicle width direction as the inner wall portion extends from the instrument panel main body portion toward the rear wall portion in a plan view.

5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A driver seat floor portion on which the driver seat is placed is arranged at a position higher than other floor portions in the vehicle compartment, and a step is provided between the driver seat floor portion and the other floor portions.

6. The vehicle front structure according to claim 5, wherein: A tunnel portion is provided between one of the instrument panel side portions and the driver seat, the tunnel portion connecting the driver seat floor portion on which the driver seat is disposed and the other floor portion of the vehicle compartment interior.

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