Vehicle body structure

Abstract

A vehicle body structure includes a floor, a dash cross member mounted at a front edge of the floor, and a dash panel connected to a top edge of the dash cross member, in which the dash cross member includes a crossing portion extending in a width direction of a vehicle and a front portion extending in a width direction of the vehicle. The front portion protrudes from the crossing portion towards the front of the vehicle, the front portion comprises a horizontal wall protruding horizontally from the crossing portion towards the front of the vehicle, an upper flange extending vertically upwards from the horizontal wall, and a lower flange extending vertically downwards from the horizontal wall, and wherein the upper flange extends vertically downwards from the horizontal wall. Each of the horizontal wall, the upper flange, and the lower flange extends in a width direction of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0176006, filed on December 6, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a vehicle body structure. Background Art

[0004] The vehicle may include a dash panel that separates the passenger compartment from the front compartment. The front surface of the dash panel may face the front compartment, and the rear surface of the dash panel may face the passenger compartment. A powertrain system including a prime mover may be disposed in the front compartment. For example, an internal combustion engine vehicle may have a mechanical powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and a transmission in the front compartment, and an electric vehicle may have an electric powertrain system including a motor, an inverter, and a transmission in the front compartment.

[0005] Since the electric vehicle does not have an internal combustion engine in the front cabin, the front cabin of the electric vehicle can have a larger space than the front cabin of the internal combustion engine vehicle. By placing the battery under the floor of the electric vehicle, the electric vehicle can have a flat floor structure.

[0006] In an internal combustion engine vehicle according to the related art, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module may be disposed in a passenger compartment, so the space of the passenger compartment may be relatively small. For example, an HVAC module in a related art internal combustion engine vehicle may be mounted on a rear surface of a dash panel, so that the HVAC module may be disposed in the passenger compartment.

[0007] On the other hand, the electric vehicle does not have an internal combustion engine in the front cabin, so the front cabin of the electric vehicle can have enough space for at least some of the HVAC components of the HVAC module. Accordingly, when at least some of the HVAC components of the HVAC module are arranged in the front cabin of the electric vehicle, a relatively large space can be ensured for the passenger cabin of the electric vehicle.

[0008] The above information described in this Background section is provided to help understanding the background of the present inventive concepts and may include any technical concepts that are not considered to be known prior art. Summary of the invention

[0009] Certain embodiments relate to a vehicle body structure that improves crashworthiness and facilitates installation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module.

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention can solve the problems occurring in the prior art while completely maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle body structure that improves crashworthiness and facilitates installation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle body structure may include a floor, a dash cross member installed at a front edge of the floor, and a dash panel connected to a top edge of the dash cross member. The dash cross member may include a cross section and a front section, the cross section extending in a width direction of the vehicle, and the front section protruding from the cross section toward the front of the vehicle. The front section may include a horizontal wall protruding horizontally from the cross section toward the front of the vehicle, an upper flange extending vertically upward from the horizontal wall, and a lower flange extending vertically downward from the horizontal wall. The horizontal wall, the upper flange, and the lower flange may extend in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0013] The upper flange may be vertically aligned with the lower flange.

[0014] The vehicle body structure may further include a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module mounted to the dash panel, and a protective wall disposed in front of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module.

[0015] The heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module may be connected to the upper flange of the front portion by a bracket, and the bottom flange of the protective wall may be mounted on the lower flange of the front portion.

[0016] The front portion may further include a stud protruding from the lower flange toward the front of the vehicle. The bottom flange of the protective wall may be mounted on the stud.

[0017] The front portion may further include a protruding wall protruding from the horizontal wall toward the front of the vehicle. The protective wall may further include a horizontal wall connected to the bottom flange and a concave wall recessed downward from the horizontal wall. The protruding wall of the front portion may contact the concave wall of the protective wall.

[0018] The protruding wall may be horizontally aligned with a horizontal wall of the front portion.

[0019] The front portion may further include a plurality of reinforcing ribs disposed on the horizontal wall.

[0020] The cross portion may include a reinforcement member and a vertical wall vertically extending from the reinforcement member. A bottom edge of the dash panel may be fixed to a top edge of the vertical wall.

[0021] The horizontal wall of the front portion may protrude horizontally toward the front of the vehicle from the vertical wall of the cross portion.

[0022] The dash cross member may further include a pair of outrigger portions provided at both ends of the cross portion and a pair of reinforcing portions provided at both ends of the front portion. The width of each reinforcing portion may gradually increase from each end of the front portion toward the corresponding outrigger portion.

[0023] Each reinforcement portion may include a horizontal wall and a side extension wall disposed at a front edge of the horizontal wall. The side extension wall may extend obliquely from each end of the front portion toward the corresponding outrigger portion.

[0024] Each reinforcement portion may further include reinforcement ribs provided on a horizontal wall thereof.

[0025] The vehicle body structure may further include a pair of reinforcement members mounted on the floor, and each reinforcement member may extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0026] Each reinforcement portion may be aligned with a corresponding reinforcement member in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0027] The reinforcement member may have a higher strength than the dash cross member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The above and other objects, features and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description presented in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a vehicle body structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 A plan view of the vehicle body structure viewed in the direction of arrow A, wherein the front panel is removed;

[0031] Figure 3 Shown along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view obtained along line BB;

[0032] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing a connection between a front portion and a protective wall in a vehicle body structure according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] Figure 5 A perspective view showing a steering shaft and a reinforcement portion of a vehicle body structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Below will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to represent the same or equivalent elements throughout. In addition, the detailed description of the known technology associated with the present invention will be omitted to avoid unnecessary obscurity of the gist of the present invention.

[0035] For example, the term of first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) can be used to describe the elements in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish an element from another element, and the essential characteristics, order or sequence of the corresponding elements, etc. are not limited by these terms. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical or scientific terms) used in this article have the same meaning as the meaning generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the field to which the present invention belongs. The terms defined in the general dictionary should be interpreted as having the same meaning as the contextual meaning in the relevant technical field, unless clearly defined in the application, it should not be interpreted as having an ideal or excessive form of meaning.

[0036] Reference Figure 1 , a vehicle body structure 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a floor panel 2 , a dash cross member 10 installed at a front edge of the floor panel 2 , and a dash panel 20 connected to a top edge of the dash cross member 10 .

[0037] The floor panel 2 may form a bottom of the passenger compartment 6 , and the battery may be disposed below the floor panel 2 .

[0038] The dash cross member 10 may be fixed to the front edge of the floor panel 2 using fasteners, welding, etc. The dash cross member 10 may extend in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0039] The cowl panel 20 may be secured to the top edge of the cowl cross member 10 by mechanical, thermal and / or chemical coupling / bonding. Figure 1 The front panel 20 may include a panel portion 21 and a windshield matching portion 22 integrally formed with a top edge of the panel portion 21. The panel portion 21 may have a plurality of mounting openings 23 and 24, in which some HVAC components of the HVAC module 50 are mounted. The windshield matching portion 22 may have a matching surface 22a that matches the bottom end of the windshield, and the matching surface 22a may be inclined at an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the windshield. The windshield matching portion 22 may be located below a windshield wiper. For example, the front panel 20 may include at least one of a metal and a resin. The front panel 20 may be manufactured by pressing, casting, or the like.

[0040] The dash cross member 10 may be mounted on the front edge of the floor 2, and the dash panel 20 may be connected to the top edge of the dash cross member 10, so that the dash cross member 10 and the dash panel 20 may separate the front cabin 5 from the passenger cabin 6. A powertrain system including a prime mover may be disposed in the front cabin 5. For example, an internal combustion engine vehicle may have a mechanical powertrain system including an internal combustion engine and a transmission in the front cabin 5, and an electric vehicle may have an electric powertrain system including a motor, an inverter, and a transmission in the front cabin 5.

[0041] A pair of front longitudinal beams 3 may extend from the dash cross member 10 toward the front of the vehicle. A pair of front pillars 4 may be mounted at both ends of the dash cross member 10 and at both ends of the dash panel 20, respectively. Each front pillar 4 may be fixed to a corresponding end of the dash cross member 10 and a corresponding end of the dash panel 20 using fasteners, welding, etc.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 The dash cross member 10 may include a cross portion 11 extending in the width direction of the vehicle, a front portion 12 protruding from the cross portion 11 toward the front of the vehicle, and a pair of outrigger portions 13 provided at both ends of the cross portion 11. The dash cross member 10 may be manufactured by a casting method such as a high vacuum die casting method, so that the cross portion 11, the front portion 12, and the outrigger portion 13 may form an integral single-piece structure.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the cross portion 11 may include a reinforcement 11a and a vertical wall 11b vertically extending from the reinforcement 11a. The reinforcement 11a and the vertical wall 11b may extend in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0044] The reinforcement 11a may include a plurality of ribs intersecting each other, and the plurality of ribs may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the width direction of the vehicle, and the oblique direction. Therefore, the rigidity of the reinforcement 11a may be improved by the plurality of ribs.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 , the vertical wall 11 b may extend vertically from the reinforcement 11 a toward the dash panel 20 , and the bottom edge of the dash panel 20 may be fixed to the top edge of the vertical wall 11 b using fasteners, welding, or the like.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 , the front portion 12 may extend in the width direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction across the portion 11. Figure 3 The front portion 12 may protrude from the cross portion 11 toward the front of the vehicle by a predetermined length, so that the front portion 12 may absorb impact energy in the event of a frontal collision / impact of the vehicle. Figure 3The front portion 12 may include a horizontal wall 12a horizontally protruding from the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11 toward the front of the vehicle, an upper flange 12b vertically extending upward from the horizontal wall 12a, and a lower flange 12c vertically extending downward from the horizontal wall 12a. The upper flange 12b may be vertically aligned with the lower flange 12c, and the upper flange 12b and the lower flange 12c may be spaced apart from the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0047] Reference Figure 2 , the front part 12 may further include a plurality of reinforcing ribs 12f disposed on the horizontal wall 12a of the front part 12. The rigidity of the front part 12 may be improved by the plurality of reinforcing ribs 12f. Each reinforcing rib 12f may be configured to connect the upper flange 12b of the front part 12 and the vertical wall 11b of the cross-section 11. The reinforcing rib 12f and the upper flange 12b may be connected to intersect each other. According to an exemplary embodiment, each reinforcing rib 12f may extend on the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, so the reinforcing rib 12f may be perpendicular to the upper flange 12b. The plurality of reinforcing ribs 12f may be spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the vehicle, and the front part 12 may have a plurality of cavities defined by the plurality of reinforcing ribs 12f, the upper flange 12b of the front part 12, and the vertical wall 11b of the cross-section 11.

[0048] Reference Figure 3 , the horizontal wall 12a, the upper flange 12b, and the lower flange 12c of the front portion 12 may extend along the width direction of the vehicle and the longitudinal direction of the cross portion 11, and the horizontal wall 12a of the front portion 12 may be perpendicular to the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11. The upper flange 12b and the lower flange 12c of the front portion 12 may be parallel to the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11. The horizontal wall 12a, the upper flange 12b, and the lower flange 12c of the front portion 12 may form an asymmetric H-shaped cross section together with the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11. Therefore, the upper flange 12b and the lower flange 12c of the front portion 12, the horizontal wall 12a of the front portion 12, and the vertical wall 11b of the cross portion 11 may define a cavity.

[0049] Some HVAC components of the HVAC module 50 (e.g., the air conditioning part and the blower part) may be disposed in front of the dash panel 20 so that some HVAC components of the HVAC module 50 may be located in the front cabin 5, and other components of the HVAC module 50 (e.g., the air distributor part) may be disposed behind the dash panel 20 so that other HVAC components of the HVAC module 50 may be located in the passenger cabin 6. Some HVAC components of the HVAC module 50 located in the front cabin 5 may be protected by the protective wall 60. The protective wall 60 may be disposed in the front of the HVAC module 50, so that the protective wall 60 may protect the HVAC module 50 from heat damage, etc.

[0050] A pair of suspension towers (not shown) may be mounted on a pair of front longitudinal members 3, respectively. An upper portion of a suspension shock absorber (e.g., a shock absorber) may be mounted on each suspension tower. Each suspension tower may be laterally connected to a corresponding fender member and its adjacent front longitudinal member 3. The top edge of the suspension tower may be fixed to the fender member, and the bottom edge of the suspension tower may be fixed to the front longitudinal member 3. Both the left and right edges of the protective wall 60 may be mounted on the pair of suspension towers using fasteners, welding, etc., and the bottom edge of the protective wall 60 may be mounted on the dash cross member 10 using fasteners, welding, etc.

[0051] Reference Figure 3 , the HVAC module 50 may be connected to the upper flange 12b of the front portion 12 by a plurality of brackets 55 so that the HVAC module 50 may be stably supported by the upper flange 12b of the front portion 12. The bottom end portion of each bracket 55 may be mounted on the upper flange 12b of the front portion 12 using fasteners or the like.

[0052] The protection wall 60 may have a bottom flange 61 provided at the bottom edge thereof, and the bottom flange 61 of the protection wall 60 may be mounted on the lower flange 12c of the front portion 12 using fasteners, welding, etc. In addition, the protection wall 60 may have a horizontal wall 62 extending horizontally from the top end of the bottom flange 61 toward the front of the vehicle. Figure 3 , the front part 12 may have a stud 12d protruding from the lower flange 12c toward the front of the vehicle. The bottom flange 61 of the protective wall 60 may have a through hole, the stud 12d of the lower flange 12c is inserted into the through hole, and the stud 12d and the nut may be tightened so that the bottom flange 61 of the protective wall 60 can be mounted on the stud 12d of the front part 12.

[0053] As described above, the HVAC module 50 installed in the mounting openings 23 and 24 of the dash panel 20 may be connected to the front portion 12 of the dash cross member 10 through the bracket 55, and the protection wall 60 for protecting the HVAC module 50 may be connected to the front portion 12 of the dash cross member 10. Therefore, the HVAC module 50 and the protection wall 60 may be stably supported by the front portion 12 of the dash cross member 10, and the installation of the HVAC module 50 and the protection wall 60 may be facilitated.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the front portion 12 may further include a protruding wall 12h protruding toward the front of the vehicle. The protruding wall 12h may protrude from the upper flange 12b and / or the lower flange 12c. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the protruding wall 12h may be horizontally aligned with the horizontal wall 12a of the front portion 12. Figure 4, the protective wall 60 may further include a recessed wall 63 recessed from the horizontal wall 62 by a predetermined depth, and the protruding wall 12h of the front portion 12 may contact the top surface 63a of the recessed wall 63. Since the protruding wall 12h of the front portion 12 contacts the top surface 63a of the recessed wall 63 of the protective wall 60, the sealing performance between the front portion 12 and the protective wall 60 can be ensured. The protruding wall 12h of the front portion 12 may be fixed to the top surface 63a of the recessed wall 63 using fasteners, welding, etc. According to an exemplary embodiment, the depth of the recessed wall 63 may correspond to the thickness of the protruding wall 12h of the front portion 12.

[0055] Reference Figure 2 A pair of outrigger portions 13 may be provided at both ends of the cross portion 11, and rear end portions of a pair of front longitudinal beams 3 may be respectively connected to the pair of outrigger portions 13. A gap between front ends of the pair of outrigger portions 13 may be smaller than a gap between rear ends of the pair of outrigger portions 13.

[0056] Reference Figure 2 , each outrigger portion 13 may include an inner portion 13a facing the interior of the vehicle, an outer portion 13b facing the exterior of the vehicle, and a front connecting portion 13c provided at the front thereof. The inner portion 13a may be closed to the interior of the vehicle, and the inner portion 13a may be connected to the cross portion 11 and the front portion 12. The outer portion 13b may be open to the exterior of the vehicle. The outrigger portion 13 may have a plurality of ribs formed therein, and the rigidity of the outrigger portion 13 may be improved by the plurality of ribs. Each front longitudinal beam 3 may be connected to a corresponding front connecting portion 13c, and the front connecting portion 13c may have an accommodation space for a rear end portion of the front longitudinal beam 3. The rear end portion of the front longitudinal beam 3 may be accommodated in the accommodation space of the front connecting portion 13c, and the rear end portion of the front longitudinal beam 3 may be fixed to the front connecting portion 13c using fasteners, welding, or the like.

[0057] Reference Figure 1 The dash cross member 10 may further include a pair of outer panels 15 respectively fixed to the pair of outrigger portions 13. Each outer panel 15 may be fixed to the outer side portion 13b of the corresponding outrigger portion 13, thereby closing the outer side portion 13b of the outrigger portion 13 and improving the rigidity of the outrigger portion 13.

[0058] Reference Figure 2, the dash cross member 10 may further include a pair of reinforcing portions 14 disposed at both ends of the front portion 12. Each reinforcing portion 14 may form a triangular truss structure at each end of the dash cross member 10, and thus the rigidity and strength of the dash cross member 10 may be increased by the pair of reinforcing portions 14. The width of each reinforcing portion 14 may gradually increase from each end of the front portion 12 toward the inner portion 13a of the corresponding outrigger portion 13. Each front longitudinal beam 3 may be connected to a front connecting portion 13c of a corresponding outrigger portion 13, so that each reinforcing portion 14 may be closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the corresponding front longitudinal beam 3 and the corresponding outrigger portion 13. The cross portion 11, the front portion 12, the pair of outrigger portions 13, and the pair of reinforcing portions 14 may form an integral single-piece structure. Since the cross section 11, the front section 12, the pair of outrigger sections 13, and the pair of reinforcement sections 14 form an integral single-piece structure, the number of components of the dash cross member 10 can be reduced, and the joint portion of the dash cross member 10 can be minimized, so that the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the dash cross member 10 has no joint portion made by fasteners, welding, etc., not only the rigidity of the load path can be improved, but also the strength and connection rigidity of the dash cross member 10 can be improved. In the event of a vehicle collision / impact, the deformation of the dash cross member 10 can be minimized, so that damage to the battery can be prevented.

[0059] Reference Figure 2 , each reinforcement portion 14 may include a horizontal wall 14a extending from an upper flange 12b of the front portion 12 toward an inner portion 13a of a corresponding outrigger portion 13 and a side extension wall 14b provided at a front edge of the horizontal wall 14a. The horizontal wall 14a may be configured to connect the side extension wall 14b and the upper flange 12b of the front portion 12. The side extension wall 14b may extend obliquely from each end of the upper flange 12b of the front portion 12 toward a front connection portion 13c of a corresponding outrigger portion 13, so that the reinforcement portion 14 may form a triangular truss structure. Each side extension wall 14b may be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Since each reinforcement portion 14 integrally connects the front portion 12 and the corresponding outrigger portion 13, deformation between the front portion 12 and the outrigger portion 13 may be minimized in the event of a vehicle collision / impact.

[0060] Each reinforcement portion 14 may further include a reinforcement rib 14f provided on the horizontal wall 14a, and the reinforcement rib 14f may be connected to the side extension wall 14b. The reinforcement rib 14f may be inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal wall 14a. The reinforcement rib 14f may extend obliquely from the side extension wall 14b toward the corresponding outrigger portion 13.

[0061] Reference Figure 2, the vehicle body structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a pair of reinforcing members 16 mounted on the floor 2. Each reinforcing member 16 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a front end portion 16a of the reinforcing member 16 may be directly fixed to the cross-section 11 of the dash cross member 10. Each reinforcing portion 14 may be aligned with the corresponding reinforcing member 16 along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In particular, the rear end of the reinforcing portion 14 may be configured to face the front end portion 16a of the corresponding reinforcing member 16. The reinforcing portions 14 may be aligned with the reinforcing members 16, respectively, along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that the rigidity, strength, and crashworthiness of the vehicle body structure may be improved.

[0062] According to the exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement member 16 may have a higher strength than the dash cross member 10 , thereby significantly improving the crash resistance of the vehicle body structure.

[0063] Reference Figure 2 The vehicle body structure according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a pair of connection members 17 respectively connected to the pair of reinforcement members 16. Each connection member 17 may extend in the width direction of the vehicle, and thus the connection member 17 may be perpendicular to the corresponding reinforcement member 16.

[0064] The steering shaft may extend obliquely from a steering wheel provided at a driver's seat through a through hole of the dash panel 20 toward the bottom of the vehicle. Figure 1 The panel portion 21 of the dash panel 20 may include a sleeve 25 aligned with the through hole.

[0065] Reference Figure 5 , a portion of the steering shaft 40 may be located in front of the reinforcing portion 14 in front of the driver's seat. When an impact load is applied to the steering shaft 40 in the event of a vehicle collision / impact (see the direction of arrow L), the steering shaft 40 may move along the side extension wall 14b of the reinforcing portion 14 (see the direction of arrow P), thereby preventing the steering shaft 40 from intruding into the passenger compartment.

[0066] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the HVAC module installed in the front panel opening can be connected to the front portion of the front panel cross member through the bracket, and the protection wall for protecting the HVAC module can be connected to the front portion of the front panel cross member. Therefore, the HVAC module and the protection wall can be stably supported by the front portion of the front panel cross member, and the installation of the HVAC module and the protection wall can be facilitated.

[0067] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pair of reinforcement portions may be provided at both ends of the front portion of the dash cross member, and each reinforcement portion may form a triangular truss structure, thereby improving the rigidity and strength of the dash cross member. In particular, the reinforcement portion may integrally connect the front portion and the corresponding outrigger portion, thereby minimizing deformation between the front portion and the outrigger portion in the event of a vehicle collision / impact.

[0068] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a reinforcement member may be connected to a spanning portion of a dash cross member, and the reinforcement portions may be aligned with the reinforcement member in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, respectively, so that rigidity, strength, and crashworthiness of a vehicle body structure may be improved.

[0069] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the steering shaft may be located in front of the reinforcement portion of the dash cross member. In the event of a vehicle collision / impact, the steering shaft may move along the side extension wall of the reinforcement portion, thereby preventing the steering shaft from intruding into the passenger compartment.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be changed and modified in various different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as provided by the following claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure, comprising: floor; A dash cross member is mounted at the front edge of the floor, the dash cross member comprising: a cross-section extending in the width direction of the vehicle; and a front portion protruding from the cross portion toward the front of the vehicle, the front portion including a horizontal wall protruding horizontally from the cross portion toward the front of the vehicle, an upper flange extending vertically upward from the horizontal wall, and a lower flange extending vertically downward from the horizontal wall, wherein each of the horizontal wall, the upper flange, and the lower flange extends in the width direction of the vehicle; and A cowl panel is connected to a top edge of the cowl cross member.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The upper flange is vertically aligned with the lower flange.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, further comprising: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning module mounted on the dash panel; and A protective wall is provided at the front of the HVAC module.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, wherein: The HVAC module is connected to the upper flange of the front portion via a bracket; The bottom flange of the protective wall is mounted on the lower flange of the front part.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, wherein: The front portion further includes a stud projecting from the lower flange toward the front of the vehicle; The bottom flange of the protective wall is mounted on the stud.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, wherein: The front portion further includes a protruding wall protruding toward the front of the vehicle; The protective wall further includes a second horizontal wall connected to the bottom flange and a recessed wall recessed from the second horizontal wall; The protruding wall of the front portion contacts a top surface of the concave wall of the protection wall.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 6, wherein: The protruding wall is horizontally aligned with the horizontal wall of the front portion.

8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The front portion further includes a plurality of reinforcing ribs disposed on the horizontal wall.

9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, wherein: The span portion further includes a reinforcement member and a vertical wall extending vertically from the reinforcement member; The bottom edge of the dash panel is fixed to the top edge of the vertical wall.

10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, wherein: The horizontal wall of the front portion protrudes horizontally toward the front of the vehicle from the vertical wall of the cross portion.

11. A vehicle body structure, comprising: floor; A dash cross member is mounted at the front edge of the floor, the dash cross member comprising: a cross-section extending in the width direction of the vehicle; a front portion protruding from the cross portion toward the front of the vehicle, the front portion including a horizontal wall protruding horizontally from the cross portion toward the front of the vehicle, an upper flange extending vertically upward from the horizontal wall, and a lower flange extending vertically downward from the horizontal wall, wherein each of the horizontal wall, the upper flange, and the lower flange extends in the width direction of the vehicle; a pair of outrigger sections disposed at both ends of the spanning section; and a pair of reinforcing portions provided at both ends of the front portion, wherein a width of each reinforcing portion of the pair of reinforcing portions gradually increases from each end of the front portion toward a corresponding outrigger portion of the pair of outrigger portions; and A cowl panel is connected to a top edge of the cowl cross member.

12. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, wherein: Each reinforcement portion of a pair of reinforcement portions includes a second horizontal wall and a side extension wall disposed at a front edge of the second horizontal wall; The side extension wall extends obliquely from an end of the front portion toward a corresponding outrigger portion of the pair of outrigger portions.

13. The vehicle body structure according to claim 12, wherein: Each of the pair of reinforcing portions further includes a reinforcing rib disposed on the second horizontal wall thereof.

14. The vehicle body structure according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of reinforcement members mounted on the floor, wherein: Each of the pair of reinforcing members extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle body structure according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the pair of reinforcing portions is aligned with a corresponding one of the pair of reinforcing members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

16. The vehicle body structure according to claim 14, wherein: Each of the pair of reinforcement members has a higher strength than the dash cross member.

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