Anti-drill protector

Abstract

Provided is a drill guard with improved strength. A drill guard (1) provided at the rear of a vehicle includes an inner member (2), an outer member (3), and a connecting portion (4). The inner member (2) includes an inner face portion (21) extending in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction (D3), a lateral face portion (22) extending rearward from one end of the inner face portion (21) on at least one side in the vehicle height direction (D3), and a longitudinal extension portion (23) extending from a rear end of the lateral face portion (22) on at least the other side in the vehicle height direction (D3). The outer member (3) includes an outer face portion (31) extending in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction (D3) and disposed rearward of the longitudinal extension portion (23), a lateral extension portion (32) extending forward from one end of the outer face portion (31) on one side in the vehicle height direction (D3) and overlapping the lateral face portion (22) on the outside in the vehicle height direction (D3), and the other end of the outer face portion (31) on the other side in the vehicle height direction (D3) is connected to the other end of the inner face portion (21) on the other side in the vehicle height direction (D3). The connecting portion (4) connects the lateral face portion (22) and the lateral extension portion (32) to each other.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an underrun protector provided at a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle such as a truck having a high vehicle height is provided with an underrun protector for preventing the penetration of another vehicle having a low vehicle height such as a normal automobile or a light automobile when colliding with the other vehicle. Generally, the underrun protector is provided extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle body frame, and is fixed to the vehicle body frame via a support member (bracket) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-186080 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] For the underrun protector for preventing the penetration of another vehicle as described above, it is required to have a strength (load resistance) capable of withstanding the collision with the other vehicle. In recent years, the strength required for the underrun protector has been further increased.

[0008] The present application has been made in view of the above-described problems, and one of the objects thereof is to provide an underrun protector having an increased strength.

[0009] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The present application has been made in order to solve at least a part of the above-described problems, and can be implemented as the following solutions or application examples.

[0011] (1) The present application example relates to a penetration preventing protector provided at at least one of a front portion and a rear portion of a vehicle, the penetration preventing protector including: an inner member having an inner face portion extending in a vehicle width direction and a vehicle height direction, a lateral face portion extending from one end of the inner face portion on at least one side in the vehicle height direction to an outer side in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal extension portion extending from an outer side end of the lateral face portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction to at least the other side in the vehicle height direction; an outer member having an outer face portion extending in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction and disposed at an outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction than the longitudinal extension portion, and a lateral extension portion extending from one end of the outer face portion on at least one side in the vehicle height direction to an inner side in the vehicle longitudinal direction and overlapping an outer side in the vehicle height direction of the lateral face portion, the other end of the outer face portion on the other side in the vehicle height direction being connected to the other end of the inner face portion on the other side in the vehicle height direction; and a connection portion connecting the lateral face portion and the lateral extension portion to each other.

[0012] According to such a penetration preventing protector, the outer face portion of the outer member is reinforced by the longitudinal extension portion extending from the lateral face portion of the inner member, and the lateral face portion of the inner member is reinforced by the lateral extension portion extending from the outer face portion of the outer member. Thus, a penetration preventing protector having improved strength (load resistance) can be provided. As a result, the generation of buckling with respect to a collision load input to the outer face portion can be suppressed.

[0013] (2) In the penetration preventing protector according to the present application example, the inner member can have a pair of the lateral face portions extending from both ends in the vehicle height direction of the inner face portion to the outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a pair of the longitudinal extension portions extending from the outer side ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the pair of the lateral face portions to directions approaching each other, and the outer member can have a pair of the lateral extension portions extending from both ends in the vehicle height direction of the outer face portion to the inner side in the vehicle longitudinal direction and overlapping the outer side in the vehicle height direction of the lateral face portion, respectively.

[0014] Thus, by providing the inner member with a pair of the lateral face portions and a pair of the longitudinal extension portions, and providing the outer member with a pair of the lateral extension portions, the configuration of the inner member and the outer member can be symmetrical on both sides in the vehicle height direction. Thus, the burden at the time of manufacturing and assembly can be reduced.

[0015] (3) In the penetration preventing protector according to the present application example, the outer face portion can be disposed in abutment with the longitudinal extension portion.

[0016] If the outer face portion of the outer member is in abutment with the longitudinally extending portion of the inner member, the transfer efficiency of the collision load from the outer face portion to the longitudinally extending portion can be improved. Thus, the collision load transferred from the outer member to the inner member through the connecting portion is further reduced, and thus the load applied to the connecting portion can be reduced. Thus, the strength required for the connecting portion can be further suppressed.

[0017] In addition, by placing the outer face portion in abutment with the longitudinally extending portion, the transversely extending portion extending from the outer face portion and the transversely face portion extending from the longitudinally extending portion can overlap in a larger range than when the outer face portion is placed apart from the longitudinally extending portion. Thus, the generation of buckling with respect to the collision load input to the outer face portion can be further suppressed.

[0018] (4) In the under-run protector according to the present application, the connecting portion can be a welding portion that connects the transversely face portion and the transversely extending portion to each other by welding, and can be discontinuously provided in the vehicle width direction.

[0019] According to the welding portion discontinuously provided in this way, the welding work becomes easier than when the welding portion is provided throughout the entire region in the vehicle width direction, and the deformation of the under-run protector due to welding heat can be suppressed. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency and the shape accuracy of the under-run protector can be improved at the same time.

[0020] (5) In the under-run protector according to the present application, the connecting portion can be provided at a position closer to the outer face portion than an intermediate position between the inner face portion and the outer face portion.

[0021] According to the connecting portion configured in this way, the generation of buckling and the dimension of the transversely extending portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be suppressed as described above, and thus the weight and the material cost of the outer member can be reduced.

[0022] (6) In the under-run protector according to the present application, the plate thickness of the outer member can be smaller than the plate thickness of the inner member.

[0023] If the plate thickness of the outer member is made smaller than the plate thickness of the inner member in this way, the weight and the material cost of the outer member can be reduced compared to when the plate thickness of the outer member is made equal to the plate thickness of the inner member.

[0024] (7) In the under-run protector according to the present application, the outer member can be formed of a material having a lower tensile strength than the inner member.

[0025] Generally, the lower the tensile strength, the cheaper the material cost. Therefore, if a material having a lower tensile strength than the inner side member is used for the outer side member, the material cost of the outer side member can be reduced compared to a case where a material having the same tensile strength as the inner side member is used for the outer side member.

[0026] Effects of Invention

[0027] According to the present application, an under-run protector having improved strength can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic rear view of a vehicle to which the under-run protector according to the embodiment is applied.

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the under-run protector of Figure 1 (A-A cross-sectional view of Figure 1 ).

[0030] Figure 3 is a plan view of a welding portion of the under-run protector of Figure 1 .

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional under-run protector (corresponding to Figure 2 ). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to exclude various modifications and applications of the embodiments that are not explicitly described. Each of the components of the following embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiments. In addition, selection or appropriate combination can be made as necessary.

[0033] [1. Configuration]

[0034] [1-1. Overall Configuration]

[0035] As shown in Figure 1 , the under-run protector 1 according to the present embodiment is provided at at least one of the front and rear portions of a vehicle 10 having a high vehicle height, and has a function of preventing another vehicle having a lower vehicle height than the vehicle 10 from under-running into the lower portion of the vehicle 10. Here, as the under-run protector 1, a rear under-run protector (RUPD; Rear Underrun Protecting Device) provided at the rear portion of a truck, i.e., the vehicle 10, is exemplified.

[0036] Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of vehicle 10 will also be referred to as the vehicle length direction D1, and the lateral direction of vehicle 10 will also be referred to as the vehicle width direction D2. Additionally, the vertical direction, which is orthogonal to both the vehicle length direction D1 and the vehicle width direction D2, will also be referred to as the vehicle height direction D3. In the attached drawings, the front is indicated by "FR", the right by "RH", and the top by "UP".

[0037] The vehicle 10 is provided with a pair of longitudinal beams 11 extending along the length direction D1. The pair of longitudinal beams 11 are arranged separately from each other in the width direction D2. Between the pair of longitudinal beams 11, a plurality of crossbeams 12 extending along the width direction D2 are arranged. The longitudinal beams 11 and the crossbeams 12 form a ladder-shaped trapezoidal frame (vehicle body frame). A cargo box 13 is arranged, for example, above the longitudinal beams 11 and the crossbeams 12.

[0038] At the rear of a pair of longitudinal beams 11, a pair of support members (brackets) 14 are fixed. Each support member 14 extends rearward and downward from the longitudinal beam 11, connecting the longitudinal beam 11 to the anti-drilling protector 1.

[0039] The anti-drilling protector 1 is positioned rearward of the longitudinal beam 11, the support member 14, and the left and right rear wheels 15, extending along the vehicle width direction D2. Here, the anti-drilling protector 1 extending to the outer side of the pair of support members 14 in the vehicle width direction D2 is shown as an example. In addition, caps 16 are installed at both ends of the anti-drilling protector 1.

[0040] [1-2. Essential Components]

[0041] The following description, based on the condition that the anti-drilling protector 1 is mounted on the vehicle 10, will explain the configuration of the anti-drilling protector 1. In the rear anti-drilling protector 1, which is provided at the rear of the vehicle 10 as described above, the outer side of the vehicle length direction D1 corresponds to the rear, and the inner side of the vehicle length direction D1 corresponds to the front. Therefore, in the description relating to the anti-drilling protector 1 of this embodiment, the outer side of the vehicle length direction D1 is also referred to as the rear, and the inner side of the vehicle length direction D1 is also referred to as the front.

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown, the anti-drilling protector 1 of this embodiment has a closed cross-section structure with a generally rectangular cross-section perpendicular to the vehicle width direction D2. The anti-drilling protector 1 includes an inner member 2 installed on the support member 14, an outer member 3 disposed behind the inner member 2 (outside the vehicle length direction D1), and a connecting portion 4 connecting the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 to each other. Here, an example is shown of an anti-drilling protector 1 having multiple connecting portions 4 connecting the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 to each other on both sides (upper and lower sides) of the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 in the vehicle height direction D3. The inner member 2 and the outer member 3 connected by each connecting portion 4 divide a hollow portion 6 extending along the vehicle width direction D2.

[0043] The inner member 2 and the outer member 3 of the present embodiment are each formed of a plate-shaped member. Here, the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 are exemplified as being formed by processing a steel sheet of the same thickness by roll forming.

[0044] However, the outer member 3 of the present embodiment has a smaller thickness t3 than the thickness t2 of the inner member 2 (t3 < t2). In other words, the outer member 3 is formed of a steel sheet having a smaller (thinner) thickness than the steel sheet used for the inner member 2.

[0045] In addition, the outer member 3 of the present embodiment is formed of a material having a lower tensile strength than the inner member 2. In other words, the material used for the outer member 3 has a lower tensile strength S3 than the tensile strength S2 of the material used for the inner member 2 (S3 < S2).

[0046] The inner member 2 of the present embodiment has an inner face portion 21 extending along the vehicle width direction D2 and the vehicle height direction D3, a pair of lateral face portions 22 extending from both ends (upper end and lower end) of the inner face portion 21 in the vehicle height direction D2 toward the rear (outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1), and a pair of longitudinal extension portions 23 extending from the rear ends (outer side ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1) of the pair of lateral face portions 22 in directions in which the respective ends are brought closer to each other. By these inner face portion 21, pair of lateral face portions 22, and longitudinal extension portions 23, the inner member 2 has a substantially C-shaped cross section.

[0047] The inner face portion 21 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The inner face portion 21 is fastened and joined to the rear end portion of the support member 14, for example, by a bolt and a nut (both not shown).

[0048] The pair of lateral face portions 22 are arranged apart from each other in the vehicle height direction D3. Here, the pair of lateral face portions 22 are exemplified as being arranged in parallel with each other.

[0049] The pair of longitudinal extension portions 23 extend from the pair of lateral face portions 22 in the vehicle height direction D3, respectively, and are arranged apart from each other in the vehicle height direction D3. Specifically, the upper longitudinal extension portion 23 extends downward from the rear end of the upper lateral face portion 22, and the lower longitudinal extension portion 23 extends upward from the rear end of the lower lateral face portion 22. Here, the pair of longitudinal extension portions 23 are exemplified as being aligned with each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1. In addition, the distance x1 in the vehicle height direction D3 between the pair of longitudinal extension portions 23 is ensured to be longer than the dimension L1 in the vehicle height direction D3 of each longitudinal extension portion 23 (x1 > L1). In the inner member 2, each corner portion between the inner face portion 21 and the lateral face portion 22 and each corner portion between the lateral face portion 22 and the longitudinal extension portion 23 are curved in a smooth circular arc shape.

[0050] The outer member 3 of this embodiment has an outer face portion 31 extending along the vehicle width direction D2 and the vehicle height direction D3, and a pair of lateral extension portions 32 extending forward (inward in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1) from both ends (upper end and lower end) in the vehicle height direction D3 of the outer face portion 31. The outer member 3 takes a channel shape by the outer face portion 31 and the pair of lateral extension portions 32. That is, the outer member 3 has a substantially U-shaped cross section.

[0051] The outer face portion 31 is formed in a substantially flat plate shape. The outer face portion 31 is disposed at a position further rearward (outward in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1) than each longitudinal extension portion 23 of the inner member 2. The outer face portion 31 of this embodiment is in abutting contact with each longitudinal extension portion 23.

[0052] Both ends in the vehicle height direction D3 of the outer face portion 31 are connected to both ends in the vehicle height direction of the inner face portion 21 in the inner member 2. That is, the upper end (one end on one side in the vehicle height direction D3) of the outer face portion 31 is connected to the upper end (one end on one side in the vehicle height direction D3) of the inner face portion 21, and the lower end (other end on the other side in the vehicle height direction D3) of the outer face portion 31 is connected to the lower end (other end on the other side in the vehicle height direction D3) of the inner face portion 21.

[0053] In this embodiment, the upper lateral extension portion 32 extending from the upper end of the outer face portion 31 and the upper lateral face portion 22 extending from the upper end of the inner face portion 21 are connected (welded) by the upper connecting portion 4, whereby the upper end of the outer face portion 31 is connected to the upper end of the inner face portion 21. Similarly, the lower lateral extension portion 32 extending from the lower end of the outer face portion 31 and the lower lateral face portion 22 extending from the lower end of the inner face portion 21 are connected (welded) by the lower connecting portion 4, whereby the lower end of the outer face portion 31 is connected to the lower end of the inner face portion 21.

[0054] The pair of lateral extension portions 32 are disposed apart from each other in the vehicle height direction D3, and overlap the outer sides in the vehicle height direction D3 of the pair of lateral face portions 22 of the inner member 2, respectively. In detail, the upper lateral extension portion 32 overlaps the upper side of the upper lateral face portion 22, and the lower lateral extension portion 32 overlaps the lower side of the lower lateral face portion 22. In this embodiment, the outer face portion 31 is in abutting contact with the longitudinal extension portion 23, and therefore substantially the entire region of the lateral extension portion 32 extending from both ends in the vehicle height direction D3 of the outer face portion 31 overlaps the lateral face portion 22 in the vehicle height direction D3.

[0055] Each lateral extension portion 32 is formed to be shorter than the lateral surface portion 22 in the vehicle length direction D1. Here, an example is shown where the dimension L2 of each lateral extension portion 32 in the vehicle length direction D1 is less than half of the dimension L3 of the lateral surface portion 22 in the vehicle length direction D1 (L2 < L3 / 2). In addition, from the perspective of reducing the weight and material cost of the outer member 3, the dimension L2 of the lateral extension portion 32 in the vehicle length direction D1 is preferably set small within the range where an overlapping region with the lateral surface portion 22 in the vehicle height direction D3 is ensured.

[0056] In the outer member 3, each corner portion between the outer surface portion 31 and the lateral extension portion 32 is formed to be smoothly curved in an arc shape. However, each corner portion between the outer surface portion 31 and the lateral extension portion 32 of the outer member 3 is arranged outside each corner portion between the lateral surface portion 22 and the longitudinal extension portion 23 of the inner member 2, and thus, is formed to have a larger curvature than each corner portion between the lateral surface portion 22 and the longitudinal extension portion 23.

[0057] The connecting portion 4 connects the lateral surface portions 22 and the lateral extension portions 32 that overlap each other. Specifically, at least one (upper side) connecting portion 4 connects the upper lateral surface portion 22 and the lateral extension portion 32 that overlaps it above, and the remaining (lower side) connecting portion 4 connects the lower lateral surface portion 22 and the lateral extension portion 32 that overlaps it below.

[0058] Each connecting portion 4 of the present embodiment is provided at a position closer to the outer surface portion 31 than the intermediate position C between the inner surface portion 21 and the outer surface portion 31. More specifically, each connecting portion 4 is adjacent to the front end (the inner end in the vehicle length direction D1) of the lateral extension portion 32.

[0059] The connecting portion 4 of the present embodiment is a welded portion that connects the lateral surface portions 22 and the lateral extension portions 32 that overlap each other by welding. The connecting portion 4 as the welded portion connects the front end of the lateral extension portion 32 to the outer surface of the lateral surface portion 22 on the outer side in the vehicle height direction D3 by welding.

[0060] As Figure 3 shown, the connecting portion 4 as the welded portion is intermittently provided in the vehicle width direction D2. Here, the connecting portions 4 arranged at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction D2 are illustrated. In addition, the distance (interval) x2 between adjacent connecting portions 4 is, for example, set to be equal to the dimension L4 of each connecting portion 4 in the vehicle width direction D2 (x2 = L4).

[0061] [2. Function and Effect]

[0062] As Figure 4As shown in the drawing, the conventional drill guard 1' is a structure in which the inner member 2' and the outer member 3' each having a channel shape (a substantially U-shaped cross section) are connected to each other by the upper and lower pair of welding portions 4'. Specifically, after the top ends of the flange portions 32' of the outer member 3' are overlapped with the outer sides (upper and lower sides) of the flange portions 22' of the inner member 2' in the vehicle height direction D3, respectively, the flange portions 22', 32' are connected to each other by the welding portions 4'. Further, the conventional welding portions 4' are provided at positions closer to the inner face portion 21' than the intermediate position C' between the inner face portion 21' of the inner member 2' and the outer face portion 31' of the outer member 3'.

[0063] In the conventional drill guard 1', the entire flange portions 22', 32' (the entire portion between the inner face portion 21' and the outer face portion 31') connected by the welding portions 4' become the effective portion 5' that can be buckled with respect to the collision load F in the vehicle length direction D1. Therefore, in the conventional drill guard 1', in the calculation of the buckling load P represented by the following expression (1), the dimension L5' of the effective portion 5' in the vehicle length direction D1, which is substituted for the buckling length L, corresponds to the entire length of the drill guard 1' in the vehicle length direction D1.

[0064] P = (π 2 · E · I) / (L 2 )... Expression (1)

[0065] Further, in the above expression (1), E is the Young's modulus, and I is the second moment of area.

[0066] As shown in the above expression (1), in the case where the Young's modulus E and the second moment of area I are fixed values, the shorter the buckling length L is, the greater the buckling load P is, and thus it can be said that it is difficult to cause buckling (it is easy to ensure the required strength).

[0067] Further, in the conventional drill guard 1', the inner member 2' and the outer member 3' each having a channel shape are connected by the welding portions 4', and thus the collision load F input to the outer face portion 31' is transmitted from the flange portion 32' of the outer member 3' to the flange portion 22' of the inner member 2' through the welding portions 4'. That is, in the conventional drill guard 1', the collision load F is mainly transmitted from the outer member 3' to the inner member 2' through the welding portions 4'. Therefore, for the conventional welding portions 4', it is necessary to ensure a high strength that can withstand the collision load F, and it is necessary to extend the welding portions 4' continuously over the entire region in the vehicle width direction D2 of the drill guard 1'.

[0068] Furthermore, conventional anti-drilling protectors 1' lack a structure to reinforce the outer surface 31' subjected to the input impact load F. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the outer surface 31' can also withstand the high strength of the impact load F. Consequently, in conventional anti-drilling protectors 1', it is difficult to make the plate thickness t3' of the outer member 3' smaller than the plate thickness 2t' of the inner member 2'.

[0069] In addition, such as Figure 4 As shown by the double-dotted line, in the conventional anti-drilling protector 1′, the welded part 4′ is located closer to the inner part 21′ than the aforementioned middle position C′. Therefore, when an impact load F is input, the flanges 22′ and 32′ form a V-shaped deformation pattern with the welded part 4′ as the starting point.

[0070] In contrast, the anti-drilling protector 1 according to this embodiment can achieve the following functions and effects.

[0071] (1) As Figure 2 As shown, in the drill-proof protector 1, the longitudinal extension 23 extends from the transverse portion 22 of the inner member 2, and the transverse extension 32 extends from the outer portion 31 of the outer member 3. Therefore, the longitudinal extension 23 can strengthen the outer portion 31 of the outer member 3, and the transverse extension 32 can strengthen the transverse portion 22 of the inner member 2. Thus, a drill-proof protector 1 with increased strength (load resistance) can be provided.

[0072] In detail, in the anti-drilling protector 1, by providing a longitudinal extension portion 23 and a transverse extension portion 32, the effective portion 5, which can be bent by a collision load F relative to the vehicle length direction D1, can be set to a portion that does not overlap with the transverse extension portion 32 in the transverse portion 22. As a result, the dimension L5 of the effective portion 5 in the vehicle length direction D1 can be shorter than the total length of the anti-drilling protector 1 in the vehicle length direction D1 (equivalent to L5+L2).

[0073] Thus, in the calculation of the buckling load P in the anti-drilling protector 1, the dimension L5 of the effective part 5 in the length direction D1, which is substituted into the buckling length L, can be made shorter than the dimension L2 of the transverse extension part 32 in the length direction D1 of the anti-drilling protector 1. Therefore, in the anti-drilling protector 1, the buckling length L can be shortened compared to the conventional anti-drilling protector 1′, and thus it is easier to ensure a large buckling load P.

[0074] Therefore, in the anti-drilling protector 1, even when a collision load F is applied to the outer surface 31, and a compressive load in the vehicle length direction D1 is applied due to the collision load F and the reaction force from the support member 14 acting on the inner surface 21, buckling can be suppressed. Thus, the anti-drilling protector 1 can effectively suppress crushing deformation caused by compression in the vehicle length direction D1.

[0075] Further, since the outer face portion 31 of the outer side member 3 is arranged on the outer side of the longitudinal extension portion 23 of the inner side member 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction Dl, the collision load F input to the outer face portion 31 can be directly transmitted from the outer face portion 31 to the longitudinal extension portion 23 (without passing through the connecting portion 4). Thus, the collision load F transmitted from the outer side member 3 to the inner side member 2 through the connecting portion 4 is reduced, and thus the load applied to the connecting portion 4 can be reduced. Therefore, the strength required for the connecting portion 4 can be suppressed, and thus the structure of the connecting portion 4 can be simplified, and the cost applied to the connecting portion 4 can be reduced.

[0076] (2) If one pair of the lateral face portion 22 and the longitudinal extension portion 23 of the inner side member 2 and one pair of the lateral extension portion 32 of the outer side member 3 are provided, the structure of the inner side member 2 and the outer side member 3 can be made symmetrical on both sides in the vehicle height direction. Therefore, the burden at the time of manufacturing and assembling can be reduced.

[0077] (3) If the outer face portion 31 of the outer side member 3 is arranged in abutment with the longitudinal extension portion 23 of the inner side member 2, the transmission efficiency of the collision load F from the outer face portion 31 to the longitudinal extension portion 23 can be improved. Thus, the load applied to the connecting portion 4 can be further reduced, and the strength required for the connecting portion 4 can be further suppressed.

[0078] Further, by arranging the outer face portion 31 in abutment with the longitudinal extension portion 23, the lateral extension portion 32 extending from the outer face portion 31 and the lateral face portion 22 extending from the longitudinal extension portion 23 can be overlapped in a larger range than when the outer face portion 31 and the longitudinal extension portion 23 are arranged with a gap therebetween. Thus, the dimension L5 of the effective portion 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction Dl can be further shortened, and thus the buckling load P can be further increased. Therefore, the roll-over protector 1 having a further improved strength can be provided.

[0079] (4) In the roll-over protector 1, the load applied to the connecting portion 4 is reduced as described above, and thus even if the connecting portion 4 is a weld portion which is discontinuously provided in the vehicle width direction D2, the strength required for the connecting portion 4 can be ensured. Further, according to such a discontinuously provided weld portion, the workability of welding can be improved, and the deformation of the roll-over protector 1 caused by welding heat can be suppressed, as compared with the conventional weld portion 4' which is provided throughout the entire region in the vehicle width direction D2. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency and the shape accuracy of the roll-over protector 1 can be improved at the same time.

[0080] (5) If the connecting portion 4 is provided at a position closer to the outer face portion 31 than the intermediate position C between the inner face portion 21 and the outer face portion 31, the generation of buckling and the dimension L2 of the lateral extension portion 32 in the vehicle longitudinal direction Dl can be suppressed as described above. Thus, the weight and the material cost of the outer side member 3 can be reduced.

[0081] (6) In the drill protector 1, since the outer face portion 31 of the outer member 3 is reinforced by the longitudinally extending portion 23 of the inner member 2 as described above, even if the plate thickness t3 of the outer member 3 is made smaller than the plate thickness t2 of the inner member 2, the strength required for the outer face portion 31 can be ensured. In addition, if the plate thickness t3 of the outer member 3 is thus made smaller than the plate thickness t2 of the inner member 2, the weight and material cost of the outer member 3 can be reduced as compared with the case where the plate thickness t3 of the outer member 3 is made equal to the plate thickness t2 of the inner member 2.

[0082] (7) In the drill protector 1, since the outer face portion 31 of the outer member 3 is reinforced by the longitudinally extending portion 23 of the inner member 2 as described above, even if the outer member 3 is formed of a material having a lower tensile strength than the inner member 2, the strength required for the outer face portion 31 can be ensured. In addition, generally, the lower the tensile strength, the cheaper the material cost, so if a material having a lower tensile strength than the inner member 2 is used for the outer member 3 as described above, the material cost of the outer member 3 can be reduced as compared with the case where a material having the same tensile strength as the inner member 2 is used for the outer member 3.

[0083] (8) For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if the distance x1 in the vehicle height direction D3 between the pair of longitudinally extending portions 23 is ensured to be longer than the dimension L1 in the vehicle height direction D3 of each longitudinally extending portion 23, the outer face portion 31 can be reinforced by each longitudinally extending portion 23 as described above and the weight and material cost of the inner member 2 can be reduced. Figure 2

[0084] [3. Modified Example]

[0085] The above-described configurations of the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 are examples. The various dimensions, plate thicknesses, tensile strengths, etc. relating to the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 are not limited to the above-described examples. For example, the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 can have mutually equal plate thicknesses, and can be formed of mutually equal materials in terms of tensile strength.

[0086] Instead of the configuration in which the lateral face portion 22 and the longitudinally extending portion 23 of the inner member 2 are provided on both the upper side and the lower side (one pair is provided on each side), it is also possible to provide them on only one of the upper side and the lower side. Specifically, it is sufficient if the lateral face portion 22 extends rearward from at least one of the upper end and the lower end of the inner face portion 21 (one end on at least the vehicle height direction D3 side of the inner face portion 21). In addition, it is sufficient if the longitudinally extending portion 23 extends downward and upward from the rear end of the lateral face portion 22 on at least one of the vehicle height direction D3 sides.

[0087] ​The same applies to the lateral extension 32 of the outer member 3. The lateral extension 32 is desirably extended from at least one of the upper end and the lower end (one end on the vehicle height direction D3 side) of the outer portion 31 to the front side and overlaps the outer side of the vehicle height direction D3 of the lateral portion 22.

[0088] Further, even in the case where one of the lateral portion 22, the longitudinal extension 23, and the lateral extension 32 is provided, the other of the upper end and the lower end of the outer portion 31, which is opposite to the one from which the lateral extension 32 is extended (the other end on the vehicle height direction D3 side), is connected to the other of the upper end and the lower end of the inner portion 21, which is opposite to the one from which the lateral portion 22 is extended (the other end on the vehicle height direction D3 side). The configuration in which the upper end or the lower end of the inner portion 21 and the upper end or the lower end of the outer portion 31 are connected to each other is not particularly limited, but a configuration in which flange portions respectively extended from the inner portion 21 and the outer portion 31 are overlapped and welded to each other, as in the conventional roll-over protective structure 1' shown in FIG. 6, for example, can be applied. Alternatively, a member different from the inner member 2 and the outer member 3 can be erected to connect the upper end or the lower end of the inner portion 21 and the upper end or the lower end of the outer portion 31 to each other. Figure 4

[0089] The lateral portion 22, the longitudinal extension 23, and the lateral extension 32 are desirably provided on at least the side on which the collision load F is large among the upper side and the lower side of the roll-over protective structure 1. In the embodiment described above in which the support 14 is extended obliquely upward from the central portion of the inner portion 21 in the vehicle height direction D3, the collision load F input to the roll-over protective structure 1 is transmitted to the obliquely upper side via the support 14, and thus the stress is large on the upper side of the roll-over protective structure 1 compared to the lower side. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable that the lateral portion 22, the longitudinal extension 23, and the lateral extension 32 are provided on at least the upper side of the roll-over protective structure 1. On the other hand, it is also considered that in the case where the support 14 is extended only to the front side from the lower side of the inner portion 21, for example, the stress is large on the lower side of the roll-over protective structure 1 compared to the upper side. Therefore, in this case, it is desirable that the lateral portion 22, the longitudinal extension 23, and the lateral extension 32 are provided on at least the lower side of the roll-over protective structure 1.

[0090] The inner member 2 and the outer member 3 can be formed by bending a steel sheet, or can be formed by combining a plurality of members by welding or the like. For example, the outer member 3 can be formed of one sheet in which the outer portion 31 and the lateral extension 32 extended from the outer portion 31 are connected in advance, or can be formed by integrating after being formed of sheets different from each other. In this specification, the expressions "extended" and "extended" mean that the members are physically connected.

[0091] ​The configuration of the connection portion 4 described above is also an example. The connection portion 4 is configured to connect the lateral surface portion 22 and the lateral extension portion 32 that overlap each other, and may, for example, be an adhesive portion using an adhesive instead of the welding described above, or a fastening connection portion using a bolt, a nut, or the like. In addition, the connection portion 4 can be provided (continuously) over the entire region in the vehicle width direction D2 of the underrun protector 1.

[0092] The position of the connection portion 4 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1 is not limited to the example described above. The connection portion 4 can be provided at an intermediate position C between the inner surface portion 21 and the outer surface portion 31, or can be provided at a position closer to the inner surface portion 21 than the intermediate position C.

[0093] The underrun protector 1 can be a front underrun protector (FUPD) provided at the front of the vehicle 10. In such a front underrun protector, that is, the underrun protector 1, the outer side in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1 corresponds to the front, and the inner side in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1 corresponds to the rear, in contrast to the rear underrun protector exemplified in the embodiment described above.

[0094] In addition, the vehicle 10 to which the underrun protector 1 is applied is not limited to a truck.

[0095] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0096] 1 Underrun protector

[0097] 2 Inner side member

[0098] 3 Outer side member

[0099] 4 Connection portion (welding portion)

[0100] 5 Effective portion

[0101] 6 Hollow portion

[0102] 10 Vehicle

[0103] 11 Longitudinal beam

[0104] 12 Lateral beam

[0105] 13 Cargo box

[0106] 14 Support member

[0107] 15 Rear wheel

[0108] 16 Cover

[0109] 21 Inner surface portion

[0110] 22 Lateral surface portion

[0111] 23 Longitudinal extension portion

[0112] 31 outer face portion

[0113] 32 lateral extension portion

[0114] C intermediate position

[0115] D1 vehicle longitudinal direction

[0116] D2 vehicle width direction

[0117] D3 vehicle height direction

[0118] L1 dimension of the longitudinal extension portion 23 in the vehicle height direction D3

[0119] L2 dimension of the lateral extension portion 32 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1

[0120] L3 dimension of the lateral face portion 22 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1

[0121] L4 dimension of the connecting portion 4 in the vehicle width direction D2

[0122] L5 dimension of the effective portion 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction D1

[0123] S2 tensile strength of the material for the inner side member 2

[0124] S3 tensile strength of the material for the outer side member 3

[0125] t2 plate thickness of the inner side member 2

[0126] t3 plate thickness of the outer side member 3

[0127] x1 distance between the longitudinal extension portions 23 in the vehicle height direction D3

[0128] x2 distance between adjacent connecting portions 4

Claims

1. A drill-proof protector, which is installed at least on one of the front and rear of a vehicle, characterized in that, The drill-proof protector has the following features: The inner member has an inner part extending along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction, a pair of transverse parts extending outward from both ends of the inner part in the vehicle height direction in the vehicle length direction, and a pair of longitudinal extensions extending outward from the outer ends of the pair of transverse parts in the vehicle length direction in a direction approaching each other. The cross section of the inner member perpendicular to the vehicle width direction is C-shaped. An outer member having an outer portion extending along the vehicle width and height directions and disposed on the outer side of the longitudinal extension portion in the vehicle length direction, and a pair of transverse extension portions extending from both ends of the outer portion in the vehicle height direction inward in the vehicle length direction and overlapping the outer side of the transverse portion in the vehicle height direction, wherein the cross section of the outer member perpendicular to the vehicle width direction is U-shaped; and A connecting portion that connects the overlapping transverse portions and the transverse extension portions to each other. The lateral extension is formed to be shorter than the lateral face in the vehicle length direction.

2. The anti-drilling protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer portion is configured to abut against the longitudinally extending portion.

3. The anti-drilling protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting portion is a welded portion that connects the transverse section and the transverse extension to each other by welding, and is intermittently provided in the vehicle width direction.

4. The anti-drilling protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting portion is located closer to the outer portion than the midpoint between the inner portion and the outer portion.

5. The anti-drilling protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the outer component is smaller than that of the inner component.

6. The anti-drilling protector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer member is formed of a material with a lower tensile strength than the inner member.

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