vehicle

Abstract

In the vehicle (10), there is a front bulkhead crossbeam extending along the vehicle width direction, a front longitudinal beam (41, 42) disposed in front of and joined to the front bulkhead crossbeam, a floor member disposed behind the front bulkhead crossbeam, and support arms (81, 82) joined to the front bulkhead crossbeam and the floor member. The joints between the support arms (81, 82) and the front bulkhead crossbeam and the joints between the front longitudinal beams (41, 42) and the front bulkhead crossbeam overlap in the vehicle width direction. The support arms (81, 82) have extensions (81a). The extensions (81a) are joined to the floor member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] The vehicle disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-046166 has a front bulkhead crossbeam extending along the width of the vehicle at the front end of the passenger compartment. Sills extending rearward from the front bulkhead crossbeam are connected to the left and right ends of the crossbeam. A front longitudinal beam extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is positioned in front of the front bulkhead crossbeam. The rear end of the front longitudinal beam is joined to the front bulkhead crossbeam. In the event of a frontal collision, the load is applied from the front longitudinal beam to the sills via the front bulkhead crossbeam. By transferring the load in this way, deformation of the passenger compartment is suppressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] When a load is applied from the front longitudinal beam to the front bulkhead crossbeam, the front bulkhead crossbeam may bend rearward at the joint with the front longitudinal beam. When the front bulkhead crossbeam bends in this way, the load cannot be adequately transferred from the front bulkhead crossbeam to the door sill. This specification proposes a technique to suppress the bending of the front bulkhead crossbeam.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle has a front bulkhead crossbeam, a front longitudinal beam, a sill, a floor member, and a support arm. The front bulkhead crossbeam extends along the width direction of the vehicle. The front longitudinal beam is disposed in front of the front bulkhead crossbeam, extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is engaged with the front bulkhead crossbeam. The sill extends rearward from the front bulkhead crossbeam. The floor member is disposed behind the front bulkhead crossbeam, forming the floor of the passenger compartment. The support arm is disposed behind the front bulkhead crossbeam, engaged with the front bulkhead crossbeam, and engaged with the floor member. The joint between the support arm and the front bulkhead crossbeam is a first joint, and the joint between the front longitudinal beam and the front bulkhead crossbeam is a second joint, the first joint and the second joint overlapping in the width direction of the vehicle. The support arm has a protrusion extending rearward from the first joint. The protrusion is engaged with the floor member.

[0005] In this vehicle, a support arm is positioned behind the front bulkhead crossbeam, connecting the front bulkhead crossbeam to the floor member. The joint between the support arm and the front bulkhead crossbeam is a first joint, and the joint between the front longitudinal beam and the front bulkhead crossbeam is a second joint; the first and second joints overlap in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when a load is applied from the front longitudinal beam to the front bulkhead crossbeam, the front bulkhead crossbeam is supported by the support arm at the point of load application. Consequently, bending of the front bulkhead crossbeam is suppressed. As a result, load can be easily transferred from the front longitudinal beam to the sill via the front bulkhead crossbeam, thus suppressing deformation of the passenger compartment.

[0006] In the vehicle according to the above method, the first joint and the second joint may also overlap in the height direction.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the above method, a first front bulkhead crossbeam and a second front bulkhead crossbeam may also be provided on the front bulkhead crossbeam, with the second front bulkhead crossbeam positioned lower than the first front bulkhead crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam may also be connected to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The strut may also be connected to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam.

[0008] In a vehicle according to the above method, the joint between the protrusion and the floor member may also overlap with the first joint and the second joint in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] The vehicle according to the above method may also include a connecting plate portion, which connects the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. Alternatively, a cylindrical portion and an intermediate plate may be provided on the front longitudinal beam, the cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the intermediate plate being disposed inside the cylindrical portion and positioned separately from the upper and lower plates of the cylindrical portion, and the intermediate plate may also be engaged with the connecting plate portion.

[0010] In vehicles constructed in accordance with the above method, a battery pack may also be disposed on the underside of the floor member. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar parts, wherein:

[0012] Figure 1 It is a 3D view of the front of the carriage floor.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a top view showing the vehicle's frame around the front bulkhead beam.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a longitudinal sectional view along the front-rear direction of the connection between the front longitudinal beam and the front bulkhead crossbeam.

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 , Figure 3 Longitudinal sectional view of the front longitudinal beam at line IV-IV.

[0016] Figure 5 It is a 3D diagram of the support arm. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In one example vehicle disclosed in this specification, the first joint and the second joint overlap in the height direction.

[0018] This structure allows for more effective suppression of bending of the front bulkhead beams.

[0019] In one example vehicle disclosed in this specification, the front bulkhead crossbeam may also have a first front bulkhead crossbeam and a second front bulkhead crossbeam, the second front bulkhead crossbeam being disposed below the first front bulkhead crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam may also be joined to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The strut may also be joined to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam.

[0020] This structure can suppress the bending of each front bulkhead beam.

[0021] In one example vehicle disclosed in this specification, a connecting plate portion may also be provided to connect the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam may also have a cylindrical portion and an intermediate plate, the cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape extending along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the intermediate plate being disposed inside the cylindrical portion and positioned separate from the upper and lower plates of the cylindrical portion. The intermediate plate may also be joined to the connecting plate portion.

[0022] This structure can improve the strength of the second joint.

[0023] In one example vehicle disclosed in this specification, the battery pack may also be configured on the underside of the floor member.

[0024] This structure allows for a reduction in the gap between the floor components and the battery pack.

[0025] Figure 1 , Figure 2 The vehicle 10 of this embodiment is shown. Additionally, in each figure, arrow FR indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction, arrow RH indicates the right side in the left-right direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction. The vehicle 10 of this embodiment has a front bulkhead 24 at the front end of the passenger compartment 20. (As shown...) Figure 2 As shown, the front bulkhead 24 is positioned between the carriage 20 and the front compartment 22, defining the carriage 20 and the front compartment 22. The vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle. Although not shown in the figure, circuits such as an inverter that generate AC power to supply the drive motor are installed in the front compartment 22.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, a first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and a second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 are disposed at the lower part of the front bulkhead 24. In other words, the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 are located at the front end of the carriage 20. Figure 3 As shown, the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 are composed of two plates 34 and 36 (i.e., metal plates). Plate 34 is a plate connected to the front bulkhead 24 and has multiple bends. Plate 36 has multiple bends and is welded to plate 34 from the rear. The cylindrical section formed by plates 34 and 36 constitutes the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. Figure 2 In the diagram, for ease of reading, the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 are indicated by shaded lines. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 extends along the width direction of the vehicle. Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 is positioned lower than the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31. Figure 2 As shown, the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 extends along the width direction of the vehicle. Figure 3 As shown, a connecting plate portion 33 is provided between the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 to connect the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. The connecting plate portion 33 is composed of plates 34 and 36.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, two front longitudinal beams 41 and 42 are disposed in front of the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. Each front longitudinal beam 41 and 42 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The two front longitudinal beams 41 and 42 are disposed at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle. The front longitudinal beam 41 is disposed to the left of the center of the vehicle 10, and the front longitudinal beam 42 is disposed to the right of the center of the vehicle 10.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the front longitudinal beam 41 has a cylindrical portion 44 and an intermediate plate 46. The cylindrical portion 44 is formed by welding multiple metal plates together. The cylindrical portion 44 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, the portion constituting the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 44 is referred to as the upper plate 44a, the portion constituting the right side of the cylindrical portion 44 is referred to as the right side plate 44b, the portion constituting the lower surface of the cylindrical portion 44 is referred to as the lower plate 44c, and the portion constituting the left side of the cylindrical portion 44 is referred to as the left side plate 44d. The intermediate plate 46 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 44. The intermediate plate 46 extends elongated along the cylindrical portion 44 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The intermediate plate 46 is disposed at a position spaced apart from the upper plate 44a and the lower plate 44c. The intermediate plate 46 is welded to the right side plate 44b and the left side plate 44d.

[0029] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the rear end of the front longitudinal beam 41 engages with the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 from the front side. More specifically, as... Figure 3As shown, the upper plate 44a of the cylindrical portion 44 is welded to the upper surface of the first front bulkhead beam 31. The lower plate 44c of the cylindrical portion 44 is welded to the lower surface of the second front bulkhead beam 32. The intermediate plate 46 is welded to the lower surface of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the connecting plate portion 33. Additionally, as... Figure 2 As shown, the right side plate 44b and left side plate 44d of the cylindrical portion 44 are welded to the front surface of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the front surface of the second front bulkhead beam 32. Hereinafter, the joint between the front longitudinal beam 41 and the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 will be referred to as the second joint 52. Figure 3 In this context, the second joint 52 refers to the portion between the upper plate 44a and the lower plate 44c on the surfaces of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32. Figure 2 In this context, the second joint 52 refers to the portion between the right side plate 44b and the left side plate 44d on the surfaces of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32.

[0030] In addition, the front longitudinal beam 42 has a structure that is substantially the same as that of the front longitudinal beam 41, and is joined to the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 in the same way as the front longitudinal beam 41.

[0031] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a floor 60 and two floor frames 62 are disposed behind the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. The floor 60 and the two floor frames 62 are floor components constituting the floor of the carriage 20. The floor 60 constitutes approximately the entire floor of the carriage 20. Figure 3 As shown, the front end of the floor 60 is welded to the plate 36 that forms the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. The floor 60 extends rearward from the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. Two floor frames 62 are disposed on the floor 60. Each floor frame 62 extends elongated in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The floor frames 62 are spaced apart in the vehicle's width direction. Figure 2 As shown, the left floor frame 62 is positioned directly behind the front longitudinal beam 41, and the right floor frame 62 is positioned directly behind the front longitudinal beam 42. Each floor frame 62 is welded to the floor 60 to reinforce the floor 60. Furthermore, a floor passage 64 extending in the longitudinal direction along the center of the vehicle 10 is provided between the two floor frames 62.

[0032] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, sills 70 are provided on both sides of the vehicle 10. Each sill 70 extends along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each sill 70 is welded to the left and right edges of the floor 60. The front end of the left sill 70 is welded to the left end of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32. The front end of the right sill 70 is welded to the right end of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32.

[0033] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, two support arms 81 and 82 are arranged inside the carriage 20. The support arms 81 and 82 are arranged at intervals in the width direction of the vehicle. The support arm 81 is arranged to the left of the center of the vehicle 10, and the support arm 82 is arranged to the right of the center of the vehicle 10.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, the support arm 81 has an elongated shape in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The support arm 81 extends obliquely rearward and downward from its contact point with the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31. (As shown...) Figure 3 As shown, the support arm 81 contacts the rear surface of the first front bulkhead beam 31, the upper surface of the second front bulkhead beam 32, and the upper surface of the floor frame 62. Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the support arm 81 is joined to the rear surface (i.e., plate 36) of the first front bulkhead beam 31 by two bolts 84. Additionally, the support arm 81 is joined to the upper surface (i.e., plate 36) of the second front bulkhead beam 32 by two bolts 86. The support arm 81 has a protrusion 81a extending rearward from the joint formed by the bolts 84 and 86. The protrusion 81a extends to the upper part of the floor frame 62. The protrusion 81a is joined to the floor frame 62 by two bolts 88. Hereinafter, the joint of the support arm 81 with respect to the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 will be referred to as the first joint 51. The first joint 51 refers to the portion of the surfaces of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 that contacts the support arm 81. Furthermore, hereafter, the joint of the support arm 81 with respect to the floor frame 62 will be referred to as the third joint 53. The third joint 53 refers to the portion of the surface of the floor frame 62 that contacts the support arm 81.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from above, the second joint 52 (i.e., the joint of the front longitudinal beam 41 relative to the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32) overlaps with the first joint 51 (i.e., the joint of the support arm 81 relative to the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32) in the vehicle width direction. Additionally, as... Figure 3 As shown, when viewed along the width of the vehicle, the second joint 52 overlaps with the first joint 51 in the vertical direction. That is, the first joint 51 is positioned directly behind the second joint 52. Furthermore, the extension 81a of the support arm 81 extends rearward from the first joint 51. Thus, as... Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from above, the third joint 53 (i.e., the joint of the protrusion 81a relative to the floor frame 62) overlaps with the first joint 51 and the second joint 52 in the vehicle width direction. The support arm 81 reinforces the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32.

[0036] In addition, the support arm 82 has a structure that is substantially the same as that of the support arm 81, and like the support arm 81, it is joined to the first front bulkhead beam 31, the second front bulkhead beam 32, and the floor frame 62 on the right side.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, a battery housing 90 (in other words, a battery pack) is disposed at the lower part of the floor 60. The battery housing 90 houses a single battery for supplying power to the electric motor. As described above, in the vehicle 10, the support arm 81 and the floor frame 62, which serve as reinforcing members, are disposed on the floor 60. Therefore, there are fewer reinforcing members at the lower part of the floor 60. As a result, the gap between the battery housing 90 and the floor 60 can be reduced. In this way, by reducing the number of reinforcing members at the lower part of the floor 60, the space at the lower part of the floor 60 can be utilized effectively.

[0038] When a collision occurs in front of vehicle 10, a rearward load is applied to the front longitudinal beams 41 and 42. The load applied to the front longitudinal beam 41 is transferred to the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 at the second joint 52. When the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 bend at the second joint 52 due to such a load, the deformation of the passenger compartment 20 increases. In contrast, in the embodiment of vehicle 10, a support arm 81 is provided directly behind the second joint 52. Figure 2 As shown, when viewed from above, the support arm 81 extends from the first joint 51 located directly behind the second joint 52 to the third joint 53 located directly behind the second joint 52. Thus, the support arm 81 can properly bear the load applied to the second joint 52 by the front longitudinal beam 41. Consequently, at the second joint 52, the bending of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 is suppressed. Therefore, the load applied to the front longitudinal beam 41 is effectively transferred to the left sill 70 via the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32. Similarly, the support arm 82, like the support arm 81, suppresses the bending of the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32. Therefore, the load applied to the front longitudinal beam 42 is effectively transferred to the right sill 70 via the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32. In this way, since the load is well transferred from the first front bulkhead beam 31 and the second front bulkhead beam 32 to the left and right sills 70, the deformation of the carriage 20 can be suppressed.

[0039] Furthermore, in vehicle 10, at the second joint 52, the intermediate plate 46 of the front longitudinal beam 41 is welded to the connecting plate portion 33. This strengthens the second joint 52. Consequently, the bending of the first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and the second front bulkhead crossbeam 32 at the second joint 52 is more effectively suppressed.

[0040] Furthermore, the vehicle 10 of the above embodiment has a first front bulkhead crossbeam 31 and a second front bulkhead crossbeam 32. However, in another embodiment, there may be only one front bulkhead crossbeam.

[0041] The embodiments have been described in detail above; however, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described within the scope of the claims includes various modifications and alterations to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical features described in this specification or drawings exert their technical effectiveness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of application. Furthermore, although the technology illustrated in this specification or drawings achieves multiple objectives simultaneously, achieving even one of these objectives is itself technically practical.

Claims

1. A vehicle, characterized in that, include: Front bulkhead crossbeam, the front bulkhead crossbeam extending along the width direction of the vehicle; A front longitudinal beam, which is positioned in front of the front bulkhead crossbeam, extends along the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and is joined to the front bulkhead crossbeam; A threshold, which extends rearward from the front bulkhead crossbeam; A floor component, which is disposed behind the front bulkhead crossbeam and forms the floor of the vehicle compartment; A support arm, which is disposed behind the front bulkhead crossbeam, is engaged with the front bulkhead crossbeam, and is also engaged with the floor member. as well as Connecting plate section The joint between the support arm and the front bulkhead crossbeam is the first joint, and the joint between the front longitudinal beam and the front bulkhead crossbeam is the second joint. The first joint and the second joint overlap in the vehicle width direction. The support arm is provided with a protrusion extending rearward from the first joint. The protrusion is engaged with the floor component. The front bulkhead crossbeam includes a first front bulkhead crossbeam and a second front bulkhead crossbeam, with the second front bulkhead crossbeam positioned lower than the first front bulkhead crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam is joined to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The support arm is connected to the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The connecting plate connects the first front bulkhead crossbeam and the second front bulkhead crossbeam. The front longitudinal beam is provided with a cylindrical section and an intermediate plate. The cylindrical section has a cylindrical shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The intermediate plate is disposed inside the cylindrical section and is located at a position separate from the upper and lower plates of the cylindrical section. The intermediate plate is joined to the connecting plate portion.

2. The vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first joint and the second joint overlap in the height direction.

3. The vehicle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The joint between the protrusion and the floor member overlaps with the first joint and the second joint in the vehicle width direction.

4. The vehicle as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A battery pack is disposed on the underside of the floor component.

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