Impact absorbing structure for vehicle

Abstract

An impact absorbing structure for a vehicle is provided with an impact absorbing member (22) in a side member that is formed in a hollow shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the impact absorbing member (22) is configured to absorb energy during a side impact of the vehicle. The impact absorbing member (22) is disposed in a corrugated plate shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The corrugated plate shape is configured in such a manner that reinforcing shapes (first ribs (36)) are provided between ridge lines (24a) and (24b) and between ridge lines (24c) and (24d) arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the reinforcing shapes (first ribs (36)) prevent or suppress tilting deformation of the ridge lines (24a), (24b), (24c) and (24d) in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle impact absorbing structure, and more particularly to a vehicle impact absorbing structure for effectively absorbing an impact load during a side collision (side impact) of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] In vehicles, especially electric vehicles, a structure is adopted in which a battery is housed under the floor of the vehicle. In addition, such a vehicle is provided with a shock absorbing structure for protecting the battery from the shock when the vehicle collides. In particular, as for the shock absorbing structure, since the battery is arranged under the floor in the center of the vehicle, the shock absorbing structure against the collision from the side of the vehicle becomes important.

[0003] The impact absorption structure for collisions from the side of the vehicle is usually arranged on the side beam (also called "sill"), which is a vehicle frame member arranged between the floor where the battery is arranged below and the side door of the car. The side beam is a hollow member extending in the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, and an impact absorption member is arranged inside to absorb the energy during a side collision.

[0004] For example, the impact absorbing member disposed in the side beam disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-146973 is disposed in a strip shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Specifically, the strip shape is a form in which a member having a corrugated plate shape is disposed in an extended manner when viewed from the cross-sectional shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The corrugated plate shape enhances the strength against the impact load acting in the vehicle width direction, thereby strongly absorbing the energy accompanying the deformation of the impact absorbing member.

[0005] In addition, the energy absorption evaluation test of the impact absorbing structure in response to the collision from the side of the vehicle is usually conducted by making the side of a vehicle such as an automobile collide with a cylindrical pole erected on the side. This is generally called a "pole side impact test". And, in this pole side impact test, a predetermined evaluation must be obtained.

[0006] In the impact absorbing member of the corrugated plate shape as described above, the direction of the ridgeline forming the corrugated plate shape is in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle is hit sideways, especially when the vehicle is hit sideways by a pole, the side impact load is inputted from an oblique direction with respect to the ridgeline formed in the vehicle width direction of the impact absorbing member. Therefore, there is a case where the ridgeline is tilted due to the input of the side impact load, and the energy absorption by the axial crushing deformation of the corrugated plate shape becomes insufficient. Summary of the invention

[0007] Therefore, it is preferable to be able to reliably absorb energy during a side collision.

[0008] One method is a vehicle impact absorbing structure, in which an impact absorbing component for absorbing energy during a side collision of the vehicle is arranged in a side beam formed into a hollow shape along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, wherein the impact absorbing component is arranged in a corrugated plate shape in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a reinforcing shape is provided between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to prevent or suppress the ridges from tipping over and deforming in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0009] According to an embodiment, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the reinforcement shape is a rib shape.

[0010] According to an embodiment, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the rib shape is a concave shape that is concave downward from a surface formed by a corrugated plate.

[0011] According to an embodiment, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the rib shape is a convex shape that bulges upward from a surface formed on a corrugated plate.

[0012] According to an embodiment, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the convex shape is continuously formed on a corrugated plate surface of the corrugated plate shape in a vehicle front-rear direction.

[0013] According to an embodiment, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the concave shape is continuously formed in a corrugated plate surface of the corrugated plate shape in a vehicle front-rear direction.

[0014] According to the embodiment, by reinforcing the strength between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member, it is possible to prevent or suppress the ridges of the corrugated plate from tilting and deforming in the vehicle width direction, thereby reliably absorbing energy during a side collision. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle according to one embodiment, and shows a state in which a pole for a pole side impact test is arranged on the side of a vehicle.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a hollow side sill composed of two side sill members having a hat-shaped cross section and having a shock absorbing member disposed therein.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing a corrugated plate-shaped shock absorbing member as one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a perspective view showing a corrugated plate-shaped shock absorbing member as another embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 It is a perspective view showing a corrugated plate-shaped shock absorbing member as still another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing a corrugated plate-shaped shock absorbing member as still another embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the shape of a corrugated plate of a shock absorbing member in a line diagram in order to explain the shock absorbing effect according to one embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 It is shown in top view Figure 7 A diagram showing a state in which the impact absorbing member collides with a rod.

[0023] Fig. 9 It is a plan view showing a deformed state of ridgelines of a corrugated plate shape of a shock absorbing member according to one embodiment in a pole side impact test.

[0024] Fig.10 It is a plan view showing the deformation state of the ridge line of the impact absorbing member according to the conventional structure in the pole side impact test. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, corresponding or similar features are marked with the same reference numerals to avoid duplication of description.

[0026] 〔Shock absorbing structure〕

[0027] One embodiment is a structure for absorbing the impact of a side collision in order to protect the battery of an electric vehicle. In addition, UPR in the direction display of the description of the figure indicates the upward direction, OUT indicates the outer direction viewed from the interior of the vehicle, and FR indicates the front direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the direction indicated by UPR is the up-down direction of the vehicle, the direction indicated by OUT is the vehicle width direction, and the direction indicated by FR is the front-back direction of the vehicle.

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of an impact absorbing structure 10. A pole 12 for a pole side impact test is arranged on the side of the vehicle body. A battery 14 as a power source of the electric vehicle is arranged under a floor 16 of the electric vehicle. Figure 1 It is observed that a side member 18 forming a frame of the vehicle body is disposed on the right side of the floor 16, and a side door 20 (usually a front door) is further disposed on the right side of the side member 18. The pole 12 in the pole side impact test is further disposed on the right side of the side door 20. When the side door 20 collides with the pole 12, the impact absorbing structure 10 absorbs the collision energy in the range S between the side door 20 and the battery 14 to protect the battery 14. In particular, energy absorption is performed in the side member 18.

[0029] [Shock absorbing parts]

[0030] As one embodiment, an impact absorbing member 22 is provided in the side sill 18, so that the impact of a side collision can be strongly absorbed at the position of the side sill 18. Figure 1 In view, the outer side beam member 18A disposed on the right side and the inner side beam member 18B disposed on the left side are formed into a so-called hat-shaped cross-section shape, and the side beam 18 is formed by combining the two members 18A and 18B. As a result, the side beam member is formed into a hollow shape, and the hollow shape extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In addition, the material of the impact absorbing member 22 can be any steel material suitable for absorbing energy through deformation caused by axial crushing.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the arrangement of the impact absorbing member 22 disposed in the side beam 18 by disassembling the outer and inner side beam members 18A and 18B. The impact absorbing member 22 is formed into a corrugated plate shape when viewed from a cross section in the vehicle front-rear direction, and is arranged so that the length direction faces the vehicle front-rear direction. The impact absorbing member 22 absorbs energy while being flattened in the vehicle width direction due to the impact from the vehicle width direction during a side collision. At this time, since the impact absorbing member 22 is formed into a corrugated plate shape, the strength is improved, so more energy can be absorbed. The corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22 is formed by alternating and repeating the longitudinal wall 32 extending in the vehicle up-down direction and the plane wall 34 (upper surface 34U and lower surface 34L) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0032] In addition, the impact absorbing member 22 can be formed by connecting a plurality of members having a corrugated plate portion in the longitudinal direction (vehicle front-rear direction). If possible, it can also be formed from one sheet. Figure 2 As shown, the impact absorbing member 22 is fixed to the inner side member 18B at its inner end by mounting members 30 provided on the upper surface and the lower surface in a positioning manner.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, since the impact absorbing member 22 is formed in a corrugated plate shape along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, a ridgeline 24 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed. Specifically, in one cycle of the wave, two ridgelines 24a and 24b are formed on the upper surface 34U of the corrugated plate shape, and two ridgelines 24c and 24d are formed on the lower surface 34L of the corrugated plate shape. In addition, since the curved portion of the corrugated plate shape is formed in a rounded shape, the edge portion 26 of the ridgeline 24 of this embodiment is formed with a predetermined rounded width.

[0034] [tendon]

[0035] like Figure 3As shown, the impact absorbing member 22 is formed by connecting a vertical wall 32 arranged in the vehicle up-down direction and a plane wall 34 arranged in the vehicle front-back direction. A first rib 36 is formed on the plane wall 34. The first rib 36 is formed on the upper surface 34U and the lower surface 34L of the plane wall 34. The first rib 36 formed on the upper surface 34U is formed between the ridge line 24a and the ridge line 24b throughout the vehicle front-back direction. The first rib 36 formed on the lower surface 34L is formed between the ridge line 24c and the ridge line 24d throughout the vehicle front-back direction.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, the first rib 36 is formed on the inner side of the central part of the corrugated plate shape in the width direction, and is formed at one of the upper surface 34U and the lower surface 34L of the plane wall 34. In addition, the first rib 36 formed on the upper surface 34U and the first rib 36 formed on the lower surface 34L are at the same position in the width direction. Moreover, the first rib 36 is a convex shape. The first rib 36 is a reinforcement shape that prevents or suppresses the ridges 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d of the corrugated plate shape from tilting and deforming in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0037] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , in this embodiment, the second rib 38 is formed on the vertical wall 32 arranged along the vehicle vertical direction. Specifically, the second rib 38 is provided on the vertical wall 32 between the ridge line 24a and the ridge line 24c. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, two second ribs 38 are provided, and the two second ribs 38 are provided at equal intervals from the edge 26 of the outer end of the corrugated plate shape to the center position. In addition, the second rib 38 is concave.

[0038] In addition, if Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the edge portion 26 to which the impact load is applied during a side collision is formed at the position of the ridge lines 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d as curved surfaces 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d formed by rolling the end shape of the edge portions 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d inward. As a result, the direction of the ridge line 24 in the edge portion 26 is formed to be inclined from the vehicle width direction.

[0039] By the structure of the edge portion 26 described above, in the above embodiment, the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22 is configured to have a predetermined length range in the vehicle front-rear direction, for example, a line length L1 of the edge portion 26 of the corrugated plate shape within one cycle of the corrugated plate shape is different from a line length L2 of a cross section at a portion other than the edge portion 26, for example, at a center portion 28. In the present embodiment, the line length L1 of the edge portion 26 of the corrugated plate shape in the vehicle front-rear direction and the line length L2 of the portion other than the edge portion 26, for example, at a center portion 28 in the vehicle front-rear direction can be formed to satisfy a relationship of L1<L2.

[0040] [Other embodiments of the shock absorbing member 22]

[0041] Reference Figure 4 Another embodiment is described. In another embodiment, the second rib 38 in one embodiment is not formed. In addition, the end shape of the edge portions 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d of the ridge lines 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d in one embodiment is not formed as a curved surface rolled inward.

[0042] Moreover, in Figure 4 In the other embodiment shown, the first ribs 36 formed on the upper surface 34U and the lower surface 34L of the plane wall 34 are formed into a concave shape. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first rib 36 is formed in the later described Figure 7 The plane walls 34 are shown in the range of the impact contact with the pole 12 in the pole side impact test. However, the first ribs 36 may be provided on all the plane walls 34.

[0043] [Another Embodiment of the Shock Absorbing Member 22]

[0044] Reference Figure 5 In still another embodiment, the end shapes of the edges 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d of the ridges 24a, 24b, 24c, and 24d in one embodiment are not formed as curved surfaces rolled inward.

[0045] Moreover, in Figure 5 In yet another embodiment shown, the first ribs 36 formed on the upper surface 34U and the lower surface 34L of the plane wall 34 and the second ribs 38 formed on the vertical wall 32 are formed as continuous ribs in the vehicle front-rear direction. Figure 5 The first rib 36 and the second rib 38 of the other embodiment shown in the figure are formed into a convex shape. Therefore, the convex shape is formed continuously in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Figure 5 In the other embodiments shown, the range in which the first ribs 36 and the second ribs 38 are formed is the same as that in the other embodiments described above, but the first ribs 36 and the second ribs 38 may be provided on all the planar walls 34 and the vertical walls 32 .

[0046] In yet another embodiment, only one second rib 38 is formed on the vertical wall 32, and the position of the second rib 38 is the same as that of the first rib 36. Figure 3 The first ribs 36 in the first embodiment are shown in the same position.

[0047] [Another Embodiment of the Shock Absorbing Member 22]

[0048] Reference Figure 6 Still another embodiment is described. Figure 6 In the embodiment, the first rib 36 formed on the upper surface 34U and the lower surface 34L of the plane wall 34 and the second rib 38 formed on the longitudinal wall 32 are formed as ribs continuous in the vehicle front-rear direction. However, the first rib 36 and the second rib 38 are different in that the rib shapes are formed in a concave shape, and the other structures are the same as those of the above-mentioned other embodiment.

[0049] [Effects of the above-mentioned embodiment]

[0050] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22 in a line diagram in order to explain the impact absorbing effect during a side collision. Figure 8 The impact absorbing member 22 is shown in a top view, showing a state where it collides with the rod 12. Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 2 , the ridgeline 24 of the impact absorbing member 22 in the shape of a corrugated plate extends in the vehicle width direction. Figure 8 As shown, when the vehicle collides sideways, the rod 12 bites into the ridgeline 24 of the corrugated plate shape from the edge portion 26 of the impact absorbing member 22 as shown by the arrow P. Then, the corrugated shape of the impact absorbing member 22 collapses axially to absorb energy.

[0051] In the conventional corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22, the energy absorbed by the impact absorbing member 22 due to axial collapse in the event of a side collision is Figure 8 The ridgeline 24 of the corrugated plate shape shown in the figure is deformed as shown by the dotted line. This is because, in the pole side impact test, the pole 12 as the collision object is round, so the side impact load is input from the inclined direction relative to the ridgeline 24 of the impact absorbing member 22. Therefore, the ridgeline 24 is opened as shown by the arrow W, and the ridgeline 24 is tilted. The tilting deformation is shown by the dotted line.

[0052] Fig.10 The state of the pole side impact test results related to the conventional impact absorbing member 22 is shown. As can be seen from the state of the test results, in the corrugated plate shape of the conventional impact absorbing member 22, tilting deformation occurs at the ridgeline 24, so that the wave shape of the corrugated plate collapses in the axial crushing during the side impact, thereby absorbing energy. Therefore, the purpose of setting the impact absorbing member 22 in the corrugated plate shape to improve energy absorption is not fully realized.

[0053] In contrast, in the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22 of one embodiment, the first rib 36 is formed on the plane wall 34. When the rod 12 enters during a side collision, the first rib 36 supports the force of the ridgeline 24 in the vehicle width direction being pushed in the vehicle front-rear direction, thereby reinforcing the strength of the ridgeline 24. As a result, even in the axial crushing during a side collision, the tilting deformation of the ridgeline 24 in the vehicle width direction is prevented or suppressed. As a result, the wave shape of the corrugated plate is maintained and energy is absorbed.

[0054] Fig. 9 With Fig.10 The state of the results of the pole side impact test in the impact absorbing member 22 of the above-mentioned embodiment is shown in comparison with the prior art. Fig. 9 As shown, in one embodiment, the first rib 36 formed on the plane wall 34 supports the intrusion of the rod 12 as the collision input during a side collision in a manner that maintains the corrugated plate shape, thereby reinforcing the corrugated plate shape. As a result, the ridgeline 24 is prevented or suppressed from tilting and deforming in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As a result, energy is absorbed while maintaining the corrugated plate shape. As a result, the energy absorption brought about by setting it to the corrugated plate shape can be fully exerted.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, there is also an effect of being able to achieve a reduction in weight and cost of components, compared with a component that absorbs energy similarly to the impact absorbing structure 10 for a vehicle.

[0056] In the above embodiment, energy can also be effectively absorbed by forming the edge 26 of the ridgeline 24 of the impact absorbing member 22 into an inwardly curved surface and forming the second rib 38 on the vertical wall 32. This will be described below.

[0057] First, the effect of forming the edge portion 26 of the ridge 24 of the impact absorbing member 22 as a curved surface rolled inward will be described. By forming the edge portion 26 as a curved surface rolled inward, the direction of the ridge 24 at the edge portion 26 becomes a direction inclined from the vehicle width direction. In the past, the ridge 24 of the corrugated plate shape extended straightly at the edge portion 26. In this case, the impact load during a side collision is applied from the front toward the edge portion 26, so that there is a possibility that the ridge 24 will break. If a break occurs at the ridge 24, the longitudinal wall 32 and the plane wall 34 will deform separately to absorb energy. If the longitudinal wall 32 and the plane wall 34 are deformed separately, the energy absorption as a corrugated plate shape cannot be performed well.

[0058] In contrast, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, if the direction of the ridgeline 24 at the edge portion 26 is formed to be inclined from the vehicle width direction, the impact load during a side collision will not be applied to the edge portion 26 from the front. As a result, the ridgeline 24 that has been previously broken is prevented or suppressed, and the axial crushing caused by the impact load is deformed into a wrinkle shape to absorb energy. As a result, better energy absorption can be performed based on the corrugated plate shape.

[0059] Next, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the effect of forming the second rib 38 on the vertical wall 32 of the impact absorbing member 22 is described. By setting the position of the second rib 38 to the position where the wrinkle shape is formed in the above-mentioned energy absorption, the wrinkle shape of the impact load during the side collision can be reliably formed. As a result, further good energy absorption based on the corrugated plate shape can be performed. In addition, in this energy absorption, there is also a case where the wrinkle shape forms two peaks, so Figure 3 The second ribs 38 shown are formed with two ribs.

[0060] [Other implementation methods]

[0061] The above-described embodiment is a case of the impact absorbing structure 10 for a vehicle for protecting a battery of an electric vehicle during a side collision, but the impact absorbing structure 10 can be applied to other than electric vehicles as another embodiment.

[0062] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the edge 26 of the ridgeline 24 in the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member 22 is formed as an inwardly rolled curved surface. Although the above-mentioned structure is not essential, by adopting the above-mentioned structure, better energy absorption can be surely performed.

[0063] In addition, as another embodiment, the second ribs 38 are formed on the vertical wall 32 of the impact absorbing member 22 in the above embodiment. Although the above structure is not essential, by setting it as the above structure, it is possible to reliably perform better energy absorption.

[0064] [Effects of implementation methods]

[0065] Finally, the effects of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

[0066] In the above-mentioned embodiment, in the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member, a reinforcement shape is provided between the ridges arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle to prevent or suppress the ridges from tilting and deforming in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. By means of the reinforcement shape, even when the collision load acts on the corrugated plate shape in a side collision, the tilting and deformation of the ridges in the front-rear direction of the vehicle can be prevented or suppressed. As a result, the energy absorption by the axial crushing deformation of the corrugated plate shape can be appropriately performed, and the energy absorption by the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member in a side collision can be reliably performed.

[0067] According to the embodiment, the reinforcing shape set in the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member is a rib shape. The rib shape can strengthen the strength between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As a result, the energy absorption achieved by the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member can be reliably performed.

[0068] According to the embodiment, the rib shape of the reinforcement shape is a concave shape that is concave downward from the corrugated plate. The concave shape can reliably reinforce the strength between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape. As a result, the energy absorption achieved by the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member can be reliably performed.

[0069] According to the embodiment, the rib shape of the reinforcement shape is a convex shape protruding upward from the corrugated plate. The convex shape can reliably reinforce the strength between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape. As a result, the energy absorption achieved by the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member can be reliably performed.

[0070] According to the embodiment, the rib shape of the reinforcement shape is a convex shape protruding upward from the corrugated plate forming surface, or a concave shape recessed downward, and the convex shape or concave shape is continuously formed on the corrugated plate surface of the corrugated plate shape along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. As a result, the strength between the ridges of the corrugated plate shape can be reliably reinforced. As a result, the energy absorption achieved by the corrugated plate shape of the impact absorbing member can be reliably performed.

[0071] Various embodiments have been described above, but the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art can implement various additions, deletions, changes, and improvements.

Claims

1. A vehicle impact absorbing structure that absorbs energy during a side collision of the vehicle. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle is characterized by comprising: a side member formed in a hollow shape in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; and an impact absorbing member disposed in the side member; The shock absorbing member is formed in a corrugated plate shape along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and reinforcement shapes are provided between ridges of the corrugated plate shape arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction to prevent or suppress the ridges from tilting and deforming in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

2. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The reinforcement shape is a rib shape.

3. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The rib shape is a concave shape formed downward from the corrugated plate.

4. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein: The rib shape is a convex shape that protrudes upward from the surface formed by the corrugated plate.

5. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein: The convex shape is formed continuously along the vehicle front-rear direction on the corrugated plate surface of the corrugated plate shape.

6. The impact absorbing structure for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein: The concave shape is formed continuously along the vehicle front-rear direction on the corrugated plate surface of the corrugated plate shape.

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