Lower structure of vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a lower structure of a vehicle capable of protecting a vehicle-mounted member and suppressing deformation of a frame member. The vehicle lower structure is provided with: a protection member (40) disposed below the frame member (2) so as to face the vehicle-mounted member (6) from the outside in the vehicle width direction; and support members (50, 60) fixed to the lower side surface of the frame member (2) and supporting the protective member (40). The support members (50, 60) are provided with: a bottom wall section (61) that includes an opposing section (61A) that opposes the upper end section (43A) of the protective member (40) in the vertical direction, and that extends along the lower side surface (2F) of the frame member (2); a vertical wall part (6) extending downward with the inner side edge of the bottom wall part (61) in the vehicle width direction as the base end; the vertical wall section (62) is provided with: a curved section (62C) curved so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction; and an extension part (62D) which extends from the bent part (62C) to the front end side and is located on the outer side of the bent part (62C) in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, when a vehicle-mounted component such as a fuel tank is mounted under a vehicle, a protection member (protection bar in Patent Document 1) is provided on the side of the vehicle-mounted component in the vehicle width direction in order to protect the vehicle-mounted component.

[0003] Specifically, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which a protection member (protection bar in Patent Document 1) bent and formed into a downward crank shape is disposed on the side of the fuel tank in the vehicle width direction and fixed to the lower side of a frame member (rear longitudinal member in Patent Document 1) of the vehicle. In addition, the middle portion of the protection member is disposed below the frame member and at a height position substantially the same as the bottom of the fuel tank.

[0004] The solution of Patent Document 1 can protect the fuel tank by preventing the obstacle from contacting the fuel tank when the vehicle collides with the vehicle from the side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, when the vehicle passes over a step on the road, the middle portion of the protective member can be in contact with the step to keep the step and the fuel tank separated, thereby preventing the fuel tank from contacting the step.

[0005] [Prior art literature] [Patent Literature] [Patent document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-123584. Summary of the invention

[0006] [Technical problem to be solved by the invention] In the scheme of Patent Document 1, the protection member is directly fixed to the lower side of the frame member. Therefore, when a step or the like hits the protection member, the frame member is easily deformed after receiving the collision load.

[0007] The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lower structure of a vehicle which can protect vehicle-mounted components and suppress deformation of frame members.

[0008]

Technical means to solve technical problems

[0009] In the present invention, a protective member is provided at a position facing the vehicle-borne member on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle-borne member, and the protective member is provided below the frame member, so that when an obstacle collides with the vehicle from the side or below in the vehicle width direction, the protective member can prevent the obstacle from contacting the vehicle-borne member, thereby protecting the vehicle-borne member. In addition, in the present invention, a supporting member is provided between the upper end of the protective member and the frame member. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the collision load being directly applied from the protective member to the frame member, and to suppress the deformation of the frame member. In addition, in addition to being provided with a bottom wall portion extending along the lower side surface of the frame member, the supporting member is also provided with a longitudinal wall portion extending downward with the inner side edge of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction as the base end. Therefore, the rigidity of the supporting member can be improved, the protective member can be stably supported by the supporting member, and the deformation of the supporting member and even the frame member can be more effectively suppressed.

[0010] Furthermore, the longitudinal wall portion is provided with a curved portion that is curved in a manner of bulging inwardly in the vehicle width direction, and an extension portion extending from the curved portion to the front end side is arranged on the outer side of the curved portion in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle is subjected to a side collision, as a load is applied to the frame member from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the longitudinal wall portion swings inwardly in the vehicle width direction with its upper position as the center, and at this time, the curved portion of the longitudinal wall portion can first contact the vehicle-mounted component. Therefore, the sharp front end of the longitudinal wall portion can be prevented from contacting the vehicle-mounted component, and damage to the vehicle-mounted component can be suppressed.

[0011] The above scheme is preferably that the supporting member comprises: a first supporting member, including the bottom wall portion and the longitudinal wall portion; a second supporting member, which is formed separately from the first supporting member and is fixed to the lower side surface of the frame member; wherein the second supporting member has a second bottom wall portion, the second bottom wall portion extends along the bottom wall portion below the bottom wall portion or between the bottom wall portion and the frame member, and includes a second facing portion facing the facing portion in the up and down direction (claim 2).

[0012] In this technical solution, two support members (a first support member and a second support member) are disposed between the upper end of the protection member and the frame member. Therefore, compared with the case where only the first support member is provided, deformation of the frame member can be further suppressed.

[0013] In the above aspect, it is preferred that the second support member includes a second vertical wall portion extending downward from an inner side edge of the second bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction (claim 3 ).

[0014] This configuration can improve the rigidity of the second supporting member, and can more reliably suppress deformation of the second supporting member and thus the frame member.

[0015] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the lower end of the second vertical wall portion is located above the bent portion (claim 4 ).

[0016] This solution can make the curved portion contact the vehicle-mounted component before the lower end of the second vertical wall portion, i.e., the relatively sharp portion, contacts the vehicle-mounted component. Therefore, when the second vertical wall portion is provided on the second supporting member, the second vertical wall portion can be prevented from damaging the vehicle-mounted component.

[0017] In the above aspect, it is preferred that the first support member and the second support member are fastened to the frame member by a common fastening member, and are joined to each other at a front position and a rear position of the fastening member in the vehicle front-rear direction (claim 5 ).

[0018] This solution can fasten the first supporting member and the second supporting member to the frame member using a common fastening member. In addition, the first supporting member and the second supporting member are mutually joined at the front position and the rear position of the fastening part, so that the first supporting member and the second supporting member can be integrated and both can be stably supported by the frame member.

[0019] In the above aspect, the first support member and the second support member are preferably fastened to the frame member by the fastening member at a front position of the facing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and are joined to each other at a rear position of a center of the facing portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction (claim 6).

[0020] In this scheme, the first supporting member and the second supporting member are connected at the front and rear sides sandwiching the center of the facing portion, that is, sandwiching the center of the upper end of the protection member. As a result, the load applied from the upper end of the protection member to the facing portion and the second facing portion is stably received by the first supporting member and the second supporting member. Therefore, the first and second supporting members can be suppressed from being deformed, and the supporting member can stably support the protection member.

[0021] In the above aspect, it is preferred that the extension portion extends downward from the bent portion (claim 7 ).

[0022] In this aspect, the vertical wall portion having the curved portion and having a shape in which the extension portion extending from the curved portion toward the front end side is located outside the curved portion in the vehicle width direction can be realized in the support member by a simple aspect.

[0023] [Effects of the invention] As described above, the vehicle lower structure of the present invention can suppress deformation of the frame member while providing the protection member on the lower side of the frame member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A bottom view showing a portion of the rear of a vehicle; Figure 2 A side view showing a portion of the rear of a vehicle; Figure 3 A rough oblique view of a portion of the rear portion of the vehicle as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction; Figure 4 A rough perspective view showing the periphery of the rear end portion of the protection member as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction; Figure 5 For along Figure 2 A rough cross-sectional view of the VV line; Figure 6 For along Figure 2 A rough cross-sectional view of line VI-VI; Figure 7 For the general Figure 6 A diagram obtained by enlarging a portion of Figure 8 A rough side view of the periphery of the rear end portion of the protection member as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction; Fig. 9 A rough cross-sectional view for explaining the effect; Fig.10 This is a rough cross-sectional view of a modified example, which is also similar to Figure 7 The corresponding figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 It is a schematic bottom view showing a part of the rear portion of a vehicle V to which the lower structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. Figure 2 It is a schematic side view showing a part of the rear part of the vehicle V. In the following description, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is referred to as the front-rear direction, and the vehicle width direction when looking forward is referred to as the left-right direction.

[0026] (General structure of the rear of the vehicle) The left and right sides of the vehicle V are provided with a pair of rear longitudinal beams 2, 2, which extend in the front-rear direction and constitute a part of the vehicle body. The structures of the two rear longitudinal beams 2, 2 are symmetrical. The rear longitudinal beam 2 extends all the way to the vicinity of the front end of the rear wheel 1. Except for the rear end 2A, the rear longitudinal beam 2 extends roughly horizontally. The rear end 2A of the rear longitudinal beam 2 is bent so that it is located on the upper side as it goes to the rear side. In other words, the rear end 2A of the rear longitudinal beam 2 is bent obliquely rearward and upward. Starting from the rear end of the rear longitudinal beam 2, the wheel cover panel 8 surrounding the rear wheel 1 extends rearward. In addition, in the present embodiment, the rear longitudinal beam 2 is composed of a plurality of plate-like components. The rear longitudinal beam 2 is equivalent to the "frame component" of the present invention.

[0027] A floor 4 constituting the floor of the cabin is provided between the two rear longitudinal beams 2, 2. A fuel tank 6 storing fuel is provided below the floor 4 and in the space between the rear longitudinal beams 2, 2. In other words, each of the rear longitudinal beams 2, 2 is provided on both outer sides of the fuel tank 6 in the left-right direction, and extends in the front-rear direction on both outer sides of the fuel tank 6 in the vehicle width direction. The fuel tank 6 corresponds to the "vehicle-mounted component" in the present invention.

[0028] The fuel tank 6 is disposed below the floor 4 and is fixed to a cross member (not shown) provided on the floor 4 and extending in the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the fuel tank 6 extends from a position further in front of the rear wheel 1 to a position further in rear than the front end of the rear wheel 1, and the rear portion of the fuel tank 6 overlaps the rear wheel 1 in a side view (when viewed in the left-right direction). The size of the fuel tank 6 in the left-right direction is set to be slightly smaller than the distance between the two rear longitudinal beams 2, 2 in the left-right direction, and the fuel tank 6 occupies most of the area between the rear longitudinal beams 2, 2 in the left-right direction. The size of the fuel tank 6 in the up-down direction is set so that when the fuel tank 6 is fixed below the floor 4, the lower end of the fuel tank 6 is located below the lower end of each rear longitudinal beam 2. That is, the fuel tank 6 is fixed to the cross member (not shown) provided on the floor 4 and extending in the left-right direction in a state of protruding below the lower end of each rear longitudinal beam 2.

[0029] A suspension frame 20 supporting a suspension (not shown) of a pair of left and right rear wheels 1 (only the right rear wheel 1 is shown in the figure) is provided at the rear of the vehicle V. The suspension frame 20 includes a pair of left and right subframes 21, 21 and a rear suspension cross member 22 extending left and right between the subframes 21, 21.

[0030] Each subframe 21 is connected to the rear longitudinal beam 2 via a support plate 25 described later. Specifically, the right subframe 21 is connected to the right rear longitudinal beam 2 via the right support plate 25, and the left subframe 21 is connected to the left rear longitudinal beam 2 via the left support plate 25. Each subframe 21 passes under the wheel house panel 8 and extends rearward from a position further rearward than the rear end of the rear longitudinal beam 2, wherein the wheel house panel 8 extends rearward from the rear longitudinal beam 2 connected to each subframe 21.

[0031] In this embodiment, a bushing receiving portion 21A for receiving a bushing is provided at the front end of each subframe 21, and the bushing receiving portion 21A extends in the up-down direction and is substantially cylindrical. Each bushing receiving portion 21A is fixed to the rear end of the connecting plate frame 50. Each bushing receiving portion 21A is disposed between the rear end of the connecting plate frame 50 and the support plate 25 disposed above the connecting plate frame 50, and is fixed to the rear end of the connecting plate frame 50 and the support plate 25.

[0032] The rear suspension cross member 22 is located behind the fuel tank 6. That is, the fuel tank 6 is disposed in the area surrounded by the pair of rear longitudinal members 2, 2 and the rear suspension cross member 22.

[0033] The vehicle V is provided with a pair of left and right protection members 40, 40 for protecting the fuel tank 6. These protection members 40 are arranged on both left and right sides of the fuel tank 6, that is, on both outer sides of the fuel tank 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] (Protective components and their surrounding structures) Next, the protection member 40 and the structure of its periphery will be described. Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view of a part of the rear portion of the vehicle V as viewed from the right side, that is, from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Figure 4 This is a schematic perspective view of the periphery of the rear end portion of the right protection member 40 as viewed from the left side, that is, from the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Figure 5 is along Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view of line VV. Figure 6 is along Figure 3 A rough cross-sectional view of the line VI-VI. Figure 7 Is magnification Figure 6 A diagram obtained by taking a part of .

[0035] The two protection members 40 have a bilaterally symmetrical structure. The two protection members 40 are arranged to face the respective side surfaces at a position separated from the respective side surfaces of the fuel tank 6 in the left-right direction to the outside in the left-right direction. Specifically, the right protection member 40 is arranged to face the right side surface 6a of the fuel tank 6 at a position separated from the right side surface 6a of the fuel tank 6 to the right. In addition, the left protection member 40 is arranged to face the left side surface 6b of the fuel tank 6 at a position separated from the left side surface 6b of the fuel tank 6 to the left. In addition, each protection member 40 is arranged in front of the rear wheel 1.

[0036] The protective member 40 is shaped like a U that opens upward. Specifically, the protective member 40 has a front stop 41 extending in the front-to-back direction. The protective member 40 has a front extension 42 extending upward from the front end of the front stop 41, and a rear extension 43 extending upward from the rear end of the front stop 41.

[0037] The front stopper 41 is substantially cylindrical and extends in the front-rear direction. A portion of the front stopper 41 is disposed below the fuel tank 6. In the present embodiment, the front stopper 41 is disposed such that the height position of the upper and lower center thereof substantially coincides with the height position of the lower edge of the fuel tank 6.

[0038] The front and rear extensions 42 and 43 are substantially cylindrical and extend in the vertical direction, respectively. The front and rear extensions 42 and 43 extend from the front and rear ends of the front stop 41 to the vicinity of the center of the fuel tank 6 .

[0039] In each protective member 40, the front stop 41 and the two extensions 42, 43 are formed integrally with each other. In the present embodiment, the front stop 41 and the two extensions 42, 43 are formed by bending a circular tube, i.e., a cylindrical member. Specifically, the circular tube is bent at two locations in the axial direction, so that the front stop 41 is formed in the middle of the circular tube, and the front side extension 42 and the rear side extension 43 are formed on both sides thereof. The bending angle of the circular tube is approximately 90 degrees, and each extension 42, 43 extends approximately upward in the vertical direction from both ends of the front and rear directions of the front stop 41. In addition, in the present embodiment, the circular tube is bent along an arc, and the connecting parts of the front stop 41 and each extension 42, 43 are respectively in the shape of an arc that bulges outward. In addition, in the present embodiment, the upper end 43A of the rear side extension 43 is installed with a sealing member 140 for closing its opening.

[0040] The vehicle V is provided with a left and right pair of connecting plate frames 50, 50, a left and right pair of brackets 60, 60, and a left and right pair of front side support pieces 130, 130. Each protective member 40 is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2 via the above-mentioned members. Specifically, the protective member 40 on the right side is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2 on the right side via the connecting plate frame 50 on the right side, the bracket 60 on the right side, and the front side support piece 130 on the right side. The protective member 40 on the left side is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2 on the left side via the connecting plate frame 50 on the left side, the bracket 60 on the left side, and the front side support piece 130 on the left side. The connecting plate frame 50 is equivalent to the "second support member" of the present invention, the bracket 60 is equivalent to the "first support member" of the present invention, and the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 together are equivalent to the "support member" of the present invention.

[0041] The structures and arrangements of the two connecting plate frames 50, 50, the two brackets 60, 60 and the two front support plates 130, 130 are bilaterally symmetrical, and the structures and arrangements of the above components provided on the right side of the vehicle V are described below as a representative example.

[0042] The front side support piece 130 is a substantially plate-shaped member, and is fixed to the lower side of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by bolts 91 so as to extend along the lower side. The front side extension 42 of the protection member 40 is joined to the lower side of the front side support piece 130 by welding or the like in a state where the upper end of the front side extension 42 is butted against the lower side of the front side support piece 130, and the front side extension 42 is supported by the lower side of the rear longitudinal beam 2 via the front side support piece 130 and the bolts 91.

[0043] The connecting plate frame 50 has a connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 extending approximately horizontally in the front-to-back direction. The connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 is provided over the entire range of the front-to-back direction of the connecting plate frame 50. In addition, the connecting plate frame 50 has left and right paired connecting plate flanges 52A, 52B extending downward from the left and right edges of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51. Specifically, the connecting plate frame 50 has a connecting plate outer flange 52A extending downward with the right edge of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51, i.e., the outer edge in the vehicle width direction, as the base end, and a connecting plate inner flange 52B extending downward with the left edge of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51, i.e., the inner edge in the vehicle width direction, as the base end. In the present embodiment, the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the connecting plate flanges 52A, 52B are formed integrally with each other. For example, a plate-like member is bent so that the connecting plate frame 50 forms the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the connecting plate flanges 52A, 52B. The connection plate bottom wall portion 51 corresponds to the “second bottom wall portion” of the present invention, and the connection plate inner flange 52B corresponds to the “second vertical wall portion” of the present invention.

[0044] The connecting plate frame 50 is arranged below the rear longitudinal beam 2. The connecting plate frame 50 is arranged so that the front end of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 is located above the rear extension portion 43. That is, the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 has a connecting plate side facing portion 51A located above and facing the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43. The connecting plate side facing portion 51A faces the entire upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43 in the up-down direction. The connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the connecting plate frame 50 extend rearward from the front side position of the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43. In the present embodiment, the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the connecting plate frame 50 extend in the front-to-back direction from a position further rearward than the center of the protective member 40 to a position further rearward than the front end of the rear wheel 1. The connecting plate side facing portion 51A is equivalent to the "second facing portion" of the present invention.

[0045] On the rear longitudinal beam 2, a connecting plate frame fixing portion 2C that bulges downward is provided near the boundary between the rear end portion 2A that is bent obliquely rearward and upward and its front side portion. The front end portion of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 is fixed to the lower side surface 2F along the lower side surface 2F of the connecting plate frame fixing portion 2C, that is, along the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2, thereby the connecting plate frame 50 is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2. In the present embodiment, the front end portions of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the connecting plate frame 50 are fastened to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by bolts 92A and nuts 92B. In the front-to-back direction, the bolt 92A fastens the portion of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 that is closer to the front side than the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, that is, the portion of the bolt 92A that is closer to the front side than the upper end portion 43A of the rear side protruding portion 43 in the front-to-back direction to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2.

[0046] The connecting plate flanges 52A, 52B extend substantially straight downward from the left and right edges of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51. The connecting plate flanges 52A, 52B are provided in almost the entire front-to-back direction of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and even the connecting plate frame 50. The height dimension of each connecting plate flange 52A, 52B is set to be smaller than the dimension of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 in the width direction (left-right direction).

[0047] The bracket 60 has a bracket bottom wall portion 61, a bracket flange 62, and a holding portion 63. In the present embodiment, the bracket bottom wall portion 61, the bracket flange 62, and the holding portion 63 are formed integrally with each other. For example, a plate-like member is bent to form the above-mentioned portions 61, 62, and 63 in the bracket 60. The bracket bottom wall portion 61 is equivalent to the "bottom wall portion" of the present invention, and the bracket flange 62 is equivalent to the "vertical wall portion" of the present invention.

[0048] In the front-to-back direction, the bracket 60 extends rearward from a position substantially the same as the front end of the connecting plate frame 50. However, the front-to-back dimension of the bracket 60 is shorter than the front-to-back dimension of the connecting plate frame 50, and the rear end of the bracket 60 is located further forward than the rear end of the connecting plate frame 50. In the present embodiment, the rear end of the bracket 60 is located further forward than the center of the connecting plate frame 50 in the front-to-back direction.

[0049] The bracket bottom wall portion 61 is in the shape of a plate extending in the front-to-back direction along the lower side surface of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51. The bracket bottom wall portion 61 is provided in the entire front-to-back direction of the bracket 60. The bracket 60 is configured so that the bracket bottom wall portion 61 is located above the rear side extension portion 43. That is, the bracket 60 has a bracket side facing portion 61A located above and facing the upper end portion 43A of the rear side extension portion 43. The bracket side facing portion 61A faces the entire upper end portion 43A of the rear side extension portion 43 in the up-down direction. As described above, the upper end portion 43A of the rear side extension portion 43 faces the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, whereby the connecting plate side facing portion 51A and the bracket side facing portion 61A face each other in the up-down direction. In addition, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A and the bracket side facing portion 61A face each other in their entirety. The bracket side facing portion 61A is equivalent to the "facing portion" of the present invention.

[0050] The bracket bottom wall portion 61 is fixed to the lower side surface 2F of the connecting plate frame fixing portion 2C in a state along the lower side surface of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51, whereby the bracket 60 is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2. In the present embodiment, the bracket bottom wall portion 61 is fixed to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by means of the bolts 92A and nuts 92B for fastening the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2. That is, the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the bracket bottom wall portion 61, i.e., the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are screwed together to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by the bolts 92A and nuts 92B. The bolts 92A and nuts 92B for screwing the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 together to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 correspond to the "fastening member" of the present invention.

[0051] The bracket flange 62 is a plate-shaped plate extending downward from the left side edge of the bracket bottom wall 61, that is, the inner side edge in the vehicle width direction. That is, the bracket flange 62 is a plate-shaped plate extending downward from the left side edge of the bracket bottom wall 61, that is, the inner side edge in the vehicle width direction as the base end.

[0052] The bracket flange 62 extends in the up-down direction along the right side surface of the connecting plate inner flange 52B, i.e., the outer side surface in the vehicle width direction. The bracket flange 62 and the connecting plate inner flange 52B extend downward in the up-down direction from a position slightly above the upper end of the rear side extension 43 at a position separated from the rear side extension 43 to the left side, i.e., the inner side in the vehicle width direction. However, the up-down dimension of the bracket flange 62 is longer than the up-down dimension of the connecting plate inner flange 52B, and the bracket flange 62 extends to a position lower than the connecting plate inner flange 52B. In the present embodiment, the up-down dimension of the connecting plate inner flange 52B is set to about 1 / 5 of the up-down dimension of the rear side extension 43, and the up-down dimension of the bracket flange 62 is set to about 1 / 3 of the up-down dimension of the rear side extension 43.

[0053] The bracket 60 is joined to the connecting plate frame 50. In this embodiment, the bracket flange 62 and the connecting plate inner flange 52B are welded to each other at several locations.

[0054] Figure 8 This is a rough side view of the front end of the connecting plate frame 50 as viewed from the left side, i.e., the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the present embodiment, the bracket flange 62 and the connecting plate inner flange 52B are welded to each other at three welding portions P1, P2, and P3 arranged in the front-rear direction. Hereinafter, the portion of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the bracket bottom wall portion 61 fastened to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by the above-mentioned bolts 92A and nuts 92B, i.e., the portion of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 51 and the bracket bottom wall portion 61 overlapping with the bolts 92A in the vertical direction is referred to as the fastening portion Q1.

[0055] In the front-to-back direction, the first weld P1, which is the most front side of the three welds P1 to P2, is located further forward than the bolt 92A, that is, further forward than the fastening portion Q1. In addition, the first weld P1 is located further forward than the connecting plate-side facing portion 51A, the bracket-side facing portion 61A, and the upper end portion 43A of the rear-side extension portion 43.

[0056] In the front-to-back direction, the position of the third weld P3, which is the rearmost of the three welds P1 to P2, is located further to the rear than the bolt 92A, that is, further to the rear than the fastening portion Q1. In addition, the position of the third weld P3 is set to be further to the rear than the upper end 43A of the rear extension 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A. More specifically, in the front-to-back direction, the position of the third weld P3 is set to be further to the rear than the central positions X1 of the upper end 43A of the rear extension 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A.

[0057] In the front-to-back direction, the position of the second welded portion P2 between the first welded portion P1 and the third welded portion P3 is slightly rearward of the bolt 92A, that is, slightly rearward of the fastening portion Q1. In addition, in the front-to-back direction, the position of the second welded portion P2 is set to be further forward than the center positions of the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A, and further rearward than the front end positions of the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A.

[0058] The bracket flange 62 includes a first portion 62A extending downward from the left edge of the bracket bottom wall portion 61, i.e., the inner edge in the vehicle width direction, a second portion 62B extending downward from the lower end of the first portion 62A, a third portion 62C extending downward from the lower end of the second portion 62B, and a fourth portion 62D extending downward from the lower end of the third portion 62C. The third portion 62C corresponds to the "bent portion" in the present invention, and the fourth portion 62D corresponds to the "extended portion" in the present invention.

[0059] The second portion 62B extends substantially along a plane inclined obliquely downward to the left, and is substantially flat as it approaches the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward. The fourth portion 62D extends substantially along a plane inclined obliquely downward to the right in a direction symmetrical to the second portion 62B, and is substantially flat as it approaches the outer side in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward. Furthermore, the third portion 62C connecting the second portion 62B and the fourth portion 62D, that is, the third portion 62C disposed at the middle position in the vertical direction of the bracket flange 62, is curved so as to bulge toward the left side, that is, toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] According to the above configuration, the bracket flange 62 is shaped as a whole to bulge toward the left side, that is, toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the first portion 62A is bent from the left edge of the bracket bottom wall portion 61 toward a position obliquely leftwardly downward therefrom.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the above scheme, the portion of the bracket flange 62 extending from the third portion 62C to the front end side of the bracket flange 62, that is, the fourth portion 62D extending downward from the third portion 62C is closer to the right side than the third portion 62C, that is, the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the bracket flange 62 extends downward with the left edge of the bracket bottom wall portion 61 as the base end as described above, and the lower end of the bracket flange 62 becomes the front end of the bracket flange 62. Therefore, the portion of the bracket flange 62 extending from the third portion 62C to the front end side is consistent with the portion of the bracket flange 62 on the lower side of the third portion 62C.

[0062] The third portion 62C is provided below the lower end of the connecting plate inner flange 52B in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the third portion 62C is provided below the center of the bracket flange 62 in the vertical direction.

[0063] The holding portion 63 supports the rear extension portion 43. That is, the rear extension portion 43 is supported by the bracket 60 through the holding portion 63, and is supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2 via the bracket 60. The holding portion 63 includes a first extension portion 63A extending downward from the rear end portion of the bracket bottom wall portion 61, and a second extension portion 63B extending approximately horizontally from the lower edge of the first extension portion 63A. The first extension portion 63A extends downward from the left side of the rear end portion of the bracket bottom wall portion 61, i.e., the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the second extension portion 63B extends from the lower edge of the first extension portion 63A obliquely to the front left side, i.e., to the front side and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the holding portion 63 including the first extension portion 63A and the second extension portion 63B is plate-shaped.

[0064] The holding portion 63 is fastened to the connecting member 160 fixed to the rear extending portion 43 by means of the bolt 93A and the nut 93B, whereby the rear extending portion 43 is supported via the bolt 93A, the nut 93B, and the connecting member 160 .

[0065] Specifically, the connecting member 160 includes a plate-shaped first connecting piece 161 extending in the vertical direction along the outer circumferential surface of the rear extension portion 43, and a second connecting piece 162 extending approximately horizontally from the lower edge of the first connecting piece 161. The first connecting piece 161 is disposed along the right side portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rear extension portion 43, i.e., the outer portion in the vehicle width direction, and is joined thereto by welding or the like. The second connecting piece 162 extends from the lower edge of the first connecting piece 161 toward the oblique rear left side, i.e., toward the rear side and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The second connecting piece 162 is disposed below and parallel to the second extension portion 63B of the retaining portion 63, and the second connecting piece 162 and the second extension portion 63B are fastened by bolts 93A and nuts 93B. In addition, in the example, the second connecting piece 162 and the second extension portion 63B are connected in a state separated in the vertical direction.

[0066] As described above, the rear extension portion 43 is supported by the holding portion 63 and further the bracket 60 by fastening the second connection piece 162 and the second extension portion 63B. Furthermore, the rear extension portion 43 is supported by the rear side member 2 via the bracket 60 .

[0067] (Effects, etc.) As described above, in the lower structure according to the above embodiment, the two protection members 40 are supported by the respective rear longitudinal beams 2 on both sides of the left-right direction of the fuel tank 6, in a state facing the side surfaces 6a, 6b of the left-right direction of the fuel tank 6. In addition, a part of the front stop 41 of each protection member 40 is arranged below the fuel tank 6. Therefore, the protection member 40 can protect the fuel tank 6. Specifically, when an obstacle collides with the vehicle V from the side in the vehicle width direction, the protection member 40 can prevent the obstacle from contacting the fuel tank 6. In addition, when the vehicle V is about to pass through a step or the like formed on the road surface, the step or the like can be kept separated from the fuel tank 6 by the front stop 41 contacting the step or the like, thereby preventing the step or the like from contacting the fuel tank 6.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are disposed between the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43 of the protection member 40 and the rear longitudinal beam 2, and the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are provided with the connecting plate side facing portion 51A and the bracket side facing portion 61A facing the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the collision load from the rear extension portion 43 being directly applied to the rear longitudinal beam 2, and it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2. In other words, the portion of the rear longitudinal beam 2 that is subjected to the collision load from the protection member 40 is reinforced by the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60, and it is possible to suppress the deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2.

[0069] In particular, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in addition to the bracket bottom wall portion 61 extending along the lower side surface of the rear longitudinal beam 2, the bracket 60 is also provided with a bracket flange 62 extending downward with the inner side edge of the bracket bottom wall portion 61 in the vehicle width direction as a base end, thereby improving the rigidity of the bracket 60. Therefore, deformation of the bracket 60 and even deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2 can be suppressed.

[0070] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the bracket flange 62 is provided with the third portion 62C that is curved so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, and the fourth portion 62D that extends from the third portion 62C toward the front end is arranged on the vehicle width direction outer side of the third portion 62C. Therefore, the fuel tank 6 can be protected more reliably.

[0071] use Fig. 9 To explain in detail. Fig. 9 is with Figure 6 When an obstacle collides with the vehicle V from the side in the vehicle width direction and the collision load is large, the rear longitudinal beam 2 will Fig. 9 The state shown by the solid line is displaced to the state shown by the dotted line. That is, the rear longitudinal beam 2 is deformed so that its lower end is closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. When the rear longitudinal beam 2 is deformed toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the protection member 40, the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 supported by the rear longitudinal beam 2 are also deformed. Fig. 9As shown by the dashed line in FIG. , the bracket flange 62 is swung inward in the vehicle width direction with its upper position as the center. As a result, the bracket flange 62 is displaced toward the fuel tank 6. Therefore, when the collision load is particularly large, the bracket flange 62 may contact the fuel tank 6. Therefore, if the front end, i.e., the sharp portion, of the bracket flange 62 contacts the fuel tank 6 first, the fuel tank 6 may be damaged by the front end. In the above embodiment, the bracket flange 62 is provided with a third portion 62C that is bent so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, and the fourth portion 62D that extends from the third portion 62C to the front end side is arranged on the vehicle width direction outer side of the third portion 62C. Therefore, the third portion 62C that is bent so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, i.e., toward the fuel tank 6 as described above, can contact the fuel tank 6 first, instead of the sharp front end of the bracket flange 62. Thus, the above embodiment can prevent the sharp tip from strongly contacting the fuel tank 6 , and can suppress further swinging of the bracket 60 by the contact between the third portion 62C and the fuel tank 6 , thereby preventing the sharp tip of the bracket flange 62 from contacting the fuel tank 6 .

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fourth portion 62D, which is a portion extending from the third portion 62C to the front end side of the bracket flange 62, extends downward from the third portion 62C. Therefore, the shape of the bracket flange 62 can be simplified compared to the case where the portion extending from the third portion 62C to the front end side is formed to extend upward from the lower end of the third portion 62C.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the connecting plate frame 50 is provided with the connecting plate outer flange 52A and the connecting plate inner flange 52B extending downward with the left and right edges, i.e., the two edges in the vehicle width direction as base ends, and the rigidity of the connecting plate frame 50 is also improved in addition to the bracket 60. Therefore, the deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the third portion 62C is disposed below the lower end of the connecting plate inner flange 52B. Therefore, the connecting plate inner flange 52B can be provided on the connecting plate frame 50 to improve the rigidity of the connecting plate frame 50, and at the same time, the third portion 62C can be contacted with the fuel tank 6 first rather than the sharp lower end of the connecting plate inner flange 52B. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fuel tank 6 from contacting with the sharp lower end of the connecting plate inner flange 52B and causing damage to the fuel tank 6.

[0075] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the bracket 60 and the connecting plate frame 50 are fastened to the rear longitudinal beam 2 by the common bolts 92A and nuts 92B. Therefore, the structure can be simplified compared with the case where they are fastened to the rear longitudinal beam 2 separately. Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the bracket 60 and the connecting plate frame 50 are joined to each other at the first welding portion P1, the second welding portion P2 and the third welding portion P3, wherein the first welding portion P1 is located on the front side of the fastening portion Q1 fastened by the bolts 92A and the nuts 92B, and the second welding portion P2 and the third welding portion P3 are located on the rear side of the fastening portion Q1. Therefore, the bracket 60 and the connecting plate frame 50 can be integrated, allowing the rear longitudinal beam 2 to support both more stably. In addition, the bracket 60 and the connecting plate frame 50 can increase the rigidity of each other, and the deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2 can be further suppressed.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the fastening portion Q1 is located in front of the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A, and the third welding portion P3 is located in the rear of each center position X1 of the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A, and the bracket side facing portion 61A. Therefore, the connecting plate side facing portion 51A and the bracket side facing portion 61A can be integrated, so that the rigidity of the two can be improved. Therefore, the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 can stably bear the load applied from the upper end portion 43A of the rear extension portion 43 to the connecting plate side facing portion 51A and the bracket side facing portion 61A, and the deformation of the two can be suppressed, and even the deformation of the rear longitudinal beam 2 can be suppressed.

[0077] (Variation) In the above embodiment, the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are provided between the rear extension 43 and the rear longitudinal beam 2, but only one of them may be provided between the rear extension 43 and the rear longitudinal beam 2. In addition, it may be designed that the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are formed integrally with each other, and one member is provided between the rear extension 43 and the rear longitudinal beam 2.

[0078] In addition, if Fig.10 As shown, the connecting plate frame can be arranged below the bracket 60. Specifically, the connecting plate frame 50 involved in the above-mentioned embodiment can be replaced by a connecting plate frame 150 (second supporting member) having a connecting plate bottom wall portion 151 (second bottom wall portion) fixed to the rear longitudinal beam 2, wherein the connecting plate bottom wall portion 151 (second bottom wall portion) includes a connecting plate side facing portion 151A (second facing portion) extending along the bracket bottom wall portion 61 below the bracket bottom wall portion 61 and facing the bracket side facing portion 61A in the up-down direction. In addition, Fig.10 is with Figure 7 The corresponding approximate cross-sectional view. In addition, Fig.10The other structures of the connecting plate frame 150 involved in the example are substantially the same as those involved in the above-mentioned embodiment. Fig.10 The connecting plate frame 150 involved in the example is the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, and has a connecting plate inner flange 152B (second longitudinal wall portion) extending downward from the inner side edge of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 151 in the vehicle width direction to the upper position of the third portion 62C, and a connecting plate outer flange 152A extending downward with the outer side edge of the connecting plate bottom wall portion 151 in the vehicle width direction as the base end. In addition, the bracket 60 and the connecting plate frame 150 are screwed together to the lower side surface 2F of the rear longitudinal beam 2 by bolts 92A and nuts 92B. In addition, Fig.10 The solution shown is also preferred: the bracket flange 62 and the inner flange 152B of the connecting plate are the same as the above-mentioned embodiment, that is, Figure 8 Several locations shown are welded to each other.

[0079] The above embodiment describes the case where the third portion D3 curved so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction is provided at the middle position in the vertical direction of the bracket 60 , but the third portion D3 may be provided at the lower end portion of the bracket 60 .

[0080] The above embodiment describes a case where the fourth portion 62D extends downward from the lower end portion of the third portion 62C, but the fourth portion 62D may be formed to extend inward and upward in the vehicle width direction from the third portion 62C.

[0081] The above embodiment describes the case where the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 are disposed between the rear extension 43 and the rear side member 2 , but the connecting plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 may be disposed between the front extension 42 and the rear side member 2 .

[0082] The above embodiment describes the connection plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 being screwed together by the bolts 92A and nuts 92B, and the two are connected, but the scheme for connecting the connection plate frame 50 and the bracket 60 is not limited to this. In addition, the specific position and number of the connection parts are not limited to the above content.

[0083] The above embodiment describes the case where the vehicle-mounted component protected by the protection member 40 is the fuel tank 6 , but the vehicle-mounted component may be a component other than the fuel tank 6 .

[0084] The above embodiment describes the case where the front stopper 41 and the extensions 42 and 43 are integrally formed of a round tube, but they may be formed separately and the components may be joined to each other by welding or the like.

[0085] The above embodiment describes a case where the angle between the front stopper 41 and each of the protruding portions 42 and 43 is substantially 90 degrees, but the angle is not limited thereto.

[0086] In addition, the vehicle body member supporting each of the protruding portions 42, 43 and the protection member 40 is not limited to the rear side member 2 and the connecting plate frame 50. In addition, the positional relationship between the rear wheel 1 and the protection member 40 is not limited to the above.

[0087]

Number Description

Claims

1. A lower structure of a vehicle, characterized in that have: The vehicle-mounted component is arranged under the floor of the vehicle; A frame member is disposed outside the vehicle-mounted member in the vehicle width direction; a protection member disposed below the frame member so as to face the vehicle-mounted member from the outer side in the vehicle width direction; A supporting member, fixed to the lower side of the frame member, supporting the protection member; The support member comprises: a bottom wall portion, including a facing portion facing the upper end portion of the protection member in the up-down direction and extending along the lower side surface of the frame member; a vertical wall portion, extending downwardly with the inner side edge of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction as a base end; The vertical wall portion includes a curved portion curved so as to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, and an extended portion extending from the curved portion toward a front end side and located outward in the vehicle width direction of the curved portion.

2. The lower structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support member comprises: a first support member including the bottom wall portion and the vertical wall portion; a second support member formed separately from the first support member and fixed to the lower side surface of the frame member; The second supporting member has a second bottom wall portion, the second bottom wall portion extends along the bottom wall portion below the bottom wall portion or between the bottom wall portion and the frame member, and includes a second facing portion facing the facing portion in the up-down direction.

3. The lower structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second support member includes a second vertical wall portion extending downward from an inner side edge in the vehicle width direction of the second bottom wall portion.

4. The lower structure of a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The lower end of the second vertical wall portion is located above the bent portion.

5. The lower structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first support member and the second support member are fastened to the frame member by a common fastening member, and are joined to each other at a front position and a rear position of the fastening member in a vehicle front-rear direction.

6. The lower structure of a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first support member and the second support member are fastened to the frame member by the fastening member at a front position of the facing portion in the vehicle front-rear direction, and are joined to each other at a rear position of a center of the facing portion in the vehicle front-rear direction.

7. The lower structure of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The extension portion extends downward from the bent portion.

Images