Vehicle front structure

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle front structure that reduces the weight and cost of the partition. The vehicle front structure includes: a resin partition (10) disposed at the front of the vehicle; an engine hood locking mechanism (15) disposed on an upper member (10b) of the partition (10); and an upper support (13) connected to the left and right ends of the upper member. Metal patches (12) are integrally formed at both ends of the partition (10) in the vehicle width direction as patch components. The metal patches (12) are configured to be fixed by the engine hood locking mechanism (15) and connected to the upper support (13).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle front structure related to a hood locking mechanism with a resin partition. Background Technology

[0002] A partition, positioned at the front of the vehicle and supporting heat exchangers such as radiators, is connected to a pair of longitudinal beams positioned on the left and right sides of the vehicle. As an example of this structure, as described in Patent Document 1, the partition is connected to a pair of left and right longitudinal beams, which are connected to upper members made of FRP (carbon resin) positioned on the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-121955 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, if the partition is made of resin, it may break during a vehicle collision, causing the hood lock attached to it to disengage or break, potentially opening the engine. To mitigate this, a metal patch was considered for reinforcement against the partition. However, to maintain the hood lock even if the partition breaks, the metal patch would need to be extended and connected to metal components such as the vehicle frame. In this case, securing the engine at a single point in the center of the partition would require numerous metal components, increasing the weight and cost of the partition in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0008] The present invention is made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle front structure that can reduce the weight and cost of the partition.

[0009] Methods for solving problems

[0010] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the vehicle front structure of the present invention includes: a resin partition disposed at the front of the vehicle; an engine hood locking mechanism disposed on an upper member of the partition; and a partition support connected to the left and right ends of the upper member in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure is characterized by having metal patch members integrally formed at both ends of the partition in the vehicle width direction. The patch members are fixed by the engine hood locking mechanism and connected to the partition support.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] In this invention, a vehicle front structure that reduces the weight and cost of the partition can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure behind the partition located inside the engine at the front of the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view showing the connection between the metal patch on the left side of the vehicle and the support on the partition.

[0015] Figure 3 This is the rear view of the upper left side of the partition.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing the metal patch in the partition and the fastening structure of the vehicle supported on the partition in the front-rear direction.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the metal patch in the partition and the vertical fastening structure (modified example) of the vehicle supported on the partition.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the upper right side of the partition.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a rear view showing a metal patch in the partition or a recess in the partition.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a rear view showing the pillar portion below the metal patch in the partition and the body mounting portion.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 10 partitions

[0023] 10b Upper component

[0024] The 10c partition plate has a surface for integrally formed metal patches.

[0025] 10c1, 10c2 concave parts

[0026] 10d through hole

[0027] 10e Ribs

[0028] 10f Body fixing part

[0029] 12 Metal Patches (Panel Components)

[0030] 13. Supports on the partition

[0031] 15 Engine Hood Locking Mechanism

[0032] 14j, 14k fastening construction Detailed Implementation

[0033] <Structure of the Implementation Method>

[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In this description, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, in the figures, the arrows indicate the forward and backward direction of the vehicle (not shown), the left and right direction of the vehicle, and the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure behind the partition located inside the engine at the front of the vehicle. Figure 1 The partition 10 shown is made of resin and is located on the front side of the vehicle. It is rectangular in shape when viewed from the rear (or front), and heat exchangers such as radiators are supported within the rectangular frame. The partition 10 is fixed to the front end of a pair of front side frames (not shown) on the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0036] In the partition 10, a metal engine hood locking fastening patch (also called metal patch 12) 12 is fixed to the left end 10b1 and right end 10b2 of the upper member 10b extending horizontally (laterally) along the vehicle width direction. The metal patch 12 is integrally formed with the upper member 10b by insert molding.

[0037] like Figure 2 Taking the metal patch 12 on the left as an example, a metal support (also called an upper support) 13 is fastened to the left end of the metal patch 12 in the vehicle width direction. The upper support 13 has an approximately inverted L-shape when viewed in cross-section. Similarly, an upper support 13 is also fastened to the right end of the metal patch 12 on the right side. This fastening causes the metal patch 12 and the upper support 13 to abut against each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is secured by bolts 14a and nuts 14b. This fastening part is called the fastening part 14. The upper support 13 on the left side forms a U-shaped cross-section extending to the left outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the outer end is connected to a lower member (outer shell assembly side) not shown. The upper support 13 on the right side is the same as the left side. It should be noted that the metal patch 12 constitutes the patch component in the technical solution.

[0038] like Figure 3 Taking the left side of the partition 10 as an example, a column portion 10a extending longitudinally in the partition 10 has a section extending from the middle of the column portion 10a (see reference). Figure 1 A rib portion 10a1 extends upwards. The upper portion of the rib portion 10a1 widens outwards, and this widened portion 10a2 covers the left side portion of the metal patch 12. A fastening portion 14 is provided in the widened portion 10a2. The widened portion 10a2 is included in the left end portion 10b1 of the upper member 10b.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, in from Figure 1On the exposed metal patch 12 of the partition 10 shown, an engine hood locking mechanism 15 is fixed with multiple sets of bolts 16 and nuts to lock the locking part 17 of the vehicle's engine (not shown). This fixing is performed on the left and right sides of the partition 10, so the engine is locked by the engine hood locking mechanisms 15 at two points on the left and right.

[0040] Figure 4 The fastening structure 14j of the metal patch 12 and the upper support 13 on the left end side of the upper member 10b of the partition 10, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, is shown. This fastening structure 14j forms a connection between the rear end (not shown) of the front metal patch 12 and the front end (not shown) of the upper support 13, which is located further rearward than the metal patch 12, in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and is fastened with bolts 14a and nuts 14b. Specifically, a through hole (not shown) is provided at a predetermined position at the front-rear abutment portion of the metal patch 12 and the upper support 13; the bolt 14a is inserted through the through hole, and the connection is fastened with a nut 14b to form the fastening structure 14j.

[0041] In this fastening structure 14j, since the rear of the metal patch 12 abuts and fastens to the front of the upper support 13 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the vertical dimension is long and the longitudinal dimension is short.

[0042] Figure 5 The fastening structure 14k of a modified example of the metal patch 12 and upper support 13 on the left end side of the upper member 10b of the partition 10, as viewed from the front of the vehicle, is shown. The metal patch 12 has a horizontal portion 12a on the left end side facing the vertical direction.

[0043] On the right end side of the partition 10, a rib portion 10a3 constituting a reinforcing bracket extends longitudinally and is curved. The upper portion of the rib portion 10a3 has a horizontal portion 10a4 that curves laterally (horizontally) and extends outward from the vehicle side. A horizontal portion 12a of a metal patch 12 is integrally formed and fixed to this horizontal portion 10a4. A portion of the lower surface of the horizontal portion 12a of the metal patch 12 protrudes from a through hole formed in the horizontal portion 10a4 of the partition 10.

[0044] The exposed horizontal portion 12a of the metal patch 12 abuts against the right-side horizontal portion 13a of the upper support 13. This abutting portion is fastened with a bolt 14a and a nut 14b to form a fastening structure 14k. It should be noted that a through hole (not shown) is provided at a predetermined position on the upper and lower abutting portions of the horizontal portion 12a of the metal patch 12 and the horizontal portion 13a of the upper support 13. The bolt 14a is inserted into the through hole and fastened with a nut 14b.

[0045] In this fastening structure 14k, the upper surface of the metal patch 12 abuts against and is fastened to the lower surface of the upper support 13 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, thus the vertical dimension is short and the front-to-back dimension is long.

[0046] like Figure 4 As shown, in the partition 10, on the front side 10c of the resin bracket with the integrally formed metal patch 12 (refer to...) Figure 5 A through hole 10d is provided. Bolts and nuts used to fix the locking mechanism 15 are exposed in the through hole 10d. Reinforcing ribs 10e are provided around the through hole 10d. The opening of the through hole 10d is a U-shape that is longer in the vertical direction and curved on the lower side.

[0047] Rib 10e is erected perpendicularly to the surface 10c of the resin bracket, forming a U-shape that is elongated in the vertical (longitudinal) direction of the vehicle. In other words, rib 10e protrudes forward in a U-shape from the front of the resin bracket facing the front of the vehicle. The U-shape of rib 10e surrounds the resin-free through hole 10d, thus enhancing the strength of the opening formed by the through hole 10d.

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown in the cross-sectional view on the right side of the partition 10, the engine hood locking mechanism 15, disposed on the back side of the partition 10 to which the metal patch 12 is fixed, includes two upper and lower spring movable parts 15a and 15b and a latch 15c. The locking part 17 of the engine, locked by the latch 15c, is formed into a convex frame shape protruding downward toward the engine. The latch 15c is in a closed state when locking the locking part 17 of the engine, and in an open state when the lock is released. In the spring movable parts 15a and 15b, the springs extend and retract to perform the opening and closing action when the latch 15c is opened and closed.

[0049] The upper movable spring portion 15a is located near the back side of the metal patch 12 fixed to the right end 10b2 of the partition 10. Recesses 10c1 and 12c1 (see reference) are provided on the partition 10 and metal patch 12 at positions opposite to the movable spring portion 15a, recessed in the opposite direction to the movable spring portion 15a. Figure 2 ).like Figure 7 As shown, the recesses 10c1 and 12c1 are shaped like reinforcing ribs. The rigidity of the recess 12c1 of the metal patch 12 is increased due to its rib-like shape. Furthermore, the recess 12c1 of the metal patch 12 is provided in the recesses 10g and 12g of the partition 10 for the latch eye to enter (see reference). Figure 2 The metal patch 12 is located on the lower right side, thus increasing its strength on the right side. Therefore, even if the height h2 on the right side of the metal patch 12 is lower than the height h1 on the left side, rigidity can be ensured.

[0050] Figure 6The lower movable spring portion 15b shown is located near the back of the partition 10 on the lower side of the metal patch 12. A recess 10c2 is provided on the partition 10 at a position opposite to the location of the movable spring portion 15b, recessed in the opposite direction to the movable spring portion 15b. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the recess 10c2 becomes a reinforcing rib shape.

[0051] In this way, by providing recesses 10c1 and 10c2, the movable spring portions 15a and 15b can approach forward without contacting the recesses 10c1 and 10c2. Therefore, the hood locking mechanism 15 can be pulled out to the front of the vehicle. It should be noted that the movable spring portions 15a and 15b must be spaced at least a specified length (e.g., 4 mm) from the metal plate 12 or the partition 10.

[0052] Even if the movable parts 15a and 15b of the spring are brought close to the metal patch 12 and the partition 10, the recesses 10c1 and 10c2 prevent the spring from contacting the metal patch 12 and the partition 10, even if the spring is stretched and displaced in the front-back direction when the latch 15c is opened and closed.

[0053] It should be noted that, in this example, the movable spring parts 15a and 15b are components that extend forward in the hood locking mechanism 15 (front extensions). However, in the hood locking mechanism 15, in addition to the movable spring parts 15a and 15b, any front extension formed by components not shown may be present, or a recessed portion that is recessed forward may be formed at the position of the partition 10 and the metal plate 12 corresponding to the front extension.

[0054] like Figure 8 As shown, a body fixing part 10f is provided on the lower side of the engine hood locking mechanism 15 along the longitudinal (vertical) direction to fix the partition 10 to the vehicle body. The body fixing part 10f is configured such that the partition 10 is fixed to the vehicle body by two screws arranged along the longitudinal line of the column portion 10a on the lower side of the engine hood locking mechanism 15.

[0055] <Effects of the Implementation Method>

[0056] Next, the features and effects of the vehicle front structure of this embodiment will be explained.

[0057] (1) The front structure of the vehicle includes: a resin partition 10 disposed at the front of the vehicle; an engine hood locking mechanism 15 disposed on the upper member 10b of the partition 10; and an upper support (upper support) 13 connected to the left and right ends of the upper member in the vehicle width direction. A metal patch 12, which is a metal patch component, is integrally formed on both ends of the partition 10 in the vehicle width direction. The metal patch 12 is configured to be fixed by the engine hood locking mechanism 15 and connected to the upper support 13.

[0058] According to this configuration, a metal patch 12 is integrally molded and fixed to the resin partition 10, and an engine hood locking mechanism 15 is fixed to the fixed metal patch 12. Therefore, the partition 10 is reinforced by the metal patch 12, and cracks and damage are suppressed. Thus, even if the partition 10 is made of resin, the engine hood locking mechanism 15 can be prevented from being released during a vehicle collision.

[0059] Furthermore, since the metal patch 12 is integrally formed on the partition 10, there is no need to use bolts and nuts for fixing. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced and space can be ensured.

[0060] Furthermore, an engine hood locking mechanism 15 is fixed to two metal tabs 12 at the left and right ends of the partition 10, and a metal upper support 13 fastened to these two metal tabs 12 is located near the vehicle frame side. Therefore, the upper support 13 can be connected to the vehicle frame side with a short length. Thus, compared to the existing structure that fixes the vehicle's engine at a single point in the center of the partition, there are fewer metal parts (metal content), thereby reducing the weight and cost of the partition 10 in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0061] (2) The metal patch 12 and the upper support 13 are configured to abut and fasten (connect) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (fastening structure 14j).

[0062] Based on this configuration, the vertical dimension (height dimension) of the fastening structure 14j in the front of the vehicle is long, while the front-to-back dimension is short. Therefore, it can be efficiently configured in tall vehicle types such as SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles).

[0063] (3) The metal patch 12 and the upper support 13 are configured to abut and fasten (connect) in the vertical direction of the vehicle (fastening structure 14k).

[0064] Based on this configuration, the vertical dimension (height dimension) of the fastening structure 14k in the front of the vehicle is short, while the front-to-back dimension is long. Therefore, it can be efficiently configured in vehicles with varying heights, such as sedans.

[0065] (4) The through hole 10d of the through hole 10d of the surface 10c of the through partition 10 is provided with ribs 10e that are upright relative to the surface 10c.

[0066] According to this configuration, resin is eliminated by providing through holes 10d on the surface 10c where the metal patch 12 of the partition 10 is located, thereby achieving weight reduction. In addition, by providing ribs 10e around the through holes 10d, deformation of the partition 10 can be suppressed.

[0067] (5) It is configured such that at least one of the metal patch 12 and the partition 10 has a recessed portion that is recessed toward the front of the vehicle at a position corresponding to the front extension of the engine hood locking mechanism 15.

[0068] According to this configuration, the engine hood locking mechanism 15 can be fixed closer to the partition 10, thus ensuring space within the engine. Furthermore, by providing a recess 12c1 in the metal patch 12 to increase rigidity, the height (vertical width) of the metal patch 12 can be reduced. Therefore, fewer metal components (metal content) reduce the weight and cost of the partition 10 in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0069] (6) It is configured such that at least one of the metal patch 12 and the partition 10 has a recess 10c1, 10c2 that is recessed toward the front of the vehicle at a position corresponding to the spring movable part 15a, 15b of the engine hood locking mechanism 15.

[0070] With this configuration, the engine hood locking mechanism 15 can be secured closer to the partition 10, thus ensuring sufficient space within the engine. Furthermore, because the metal patch 12 has a recess 12c1 to improve rigidity, the metal patch 12 can be made to have a minimum vertical width. Therefore, with fewer metal components (metal content), the weight and cost of the partition 10 in the front structure of the vehicle can be reduced.

[0071] (7) It is configured such that a body fixing part 10f is provided on the lower side of the engine hood locking mechanism 15 fixed to the partition 10 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, which fixes the partition 10 to the vehicle body.

[0072] According to this configuration, the load when the engine is turned on and off, especially the load from top to bottom when the engine is turned off, is transmitted straight through the column portion 10a to the rigid body fixing portion 10f, so the partition 10 is easily damaged.

[0073] The vehicle body structure of this embodiment has been described above, but the present invention is not limited thereto and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure comprising: a resin-made dash panel provided in front of a vehicle; a hood lock mechanism provided to an upper member of the dash panel; and a dash panel upper support connected to left and right end portions in a vehicle width direction of the upper member, the vehicle front structure being characterized in that: a metal-made patch member is integrally formed to both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel, the patch member is fixed to the hood lock mechanism and is linked to the dash panel upper support, and a rib is provided upright with respect to a surface through which the patch member is integrally formed, around a through-hole of the surface.

2. A vehicle front structure comprising: a resin-made dash panel provided in front of a vehicle; a hood lock mechanism provided to an upper member of the dash panel; and a dash panel upper support connected to left and right end portions in a vehicle width direction of the upper member, the vehicle front structure being characterized in that: a metal-made patch member is integrally formed to both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel, the patch member is fixed to the hood lock mechanism and is linked to the dash panel upper support, and a recess recessed toward a front of the vehicle is provided in at least one of the patch member and the dash panel, at a position corresponding to a front protruding portion of the hood lock mechanism.

3. A vehicle front structure comprising: a resin-made dash panel provided in front of a vehicle; a hood lock mechanism provided to an upper member of the dash panel; and a dash panel upper support connected to left and right end portions in a vehicle width direction of the upper member, the vehicle front structure being characterized in that: a metal-made patch member is integrally formed to both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel, the patch member is fixed to the hood lock mechanism and is linked to the dash panel upper support, and a recess recessed toward a front of the vehicle is provided in at least one of the patch member and the dash panel, at a position corresponding to a spring movable portion of the hood lock mechanism. ​ ​ ​

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