Front structure of vehicle body

Abstract

A front structure of a vehicle body includes a chassis frame, a dash panel disposed above the chassis frame, and a dash panel connected to a front portion of the dash panel and including a chassis frame mounting portion to which the chassis frame is mounted.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2024 - 0001600, filed on Jan. 4, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

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

[0004] In a typical monocoque vehicle, loads from the chassis module are supported by a fender apron extending in the vehicle body length direction, and a dash panel is installed on top of the fender apron to serve as a simple support.

[0005] In a vehicle model having a skateboard frame, the dash panel directly receives loads from the mounting portion of the chassis frame, and the fender apron does not extend to the bottom of the dash panel due to interference with the members of the chassis frame, resulting in insufficient strength at the load input points and insufficient connectivity between the load input points.

[0006] The information included in this background art section is for enhancing understanding of the background of the present invention, which may include information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle body. The detailed description relates to a front structure of a vehicle body capable of increasing the strength of load input points transmitted to a dash panel.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a front structure of a vehicle body that can strengthen the strength of load input points of a dash panel and ensure connectivity between the load input points.

[0009] A front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment may include a chassis frame, a dash panel disposed above the chassis frame, and a sub - fender connected to the front portion of the dash panel and including a chassis frame mounting portion for mounting the chassis frame.

[0010] A front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a fender connected to the front portion of the dash panel, and the front end of the sub - fender may be connected to the fender.

[0011] The sub - fender may include a front sub - fender connected to the fender and connected to the dash panel in the vehicle body length direction, and a rear sub - fender connected to the rear portion of the front sub - fender and disposed outside the front sub - fender in the width direction.

[0012] The sub - fender may include a sub - fender connection flange connected to the dash panel, and a sub - fender body formed to protrude from the sub - fender connection flange.

[0013] The sub-fender may further include a frame mounting bracket for mounting the chassis frame and connected to the rear sub-fender.

[0014] The sub-fender may further include a fender partition that is connected to a portion where the front sub-fender and the rear sub-fender are connected and supports the frame mounting bracket.

[0015] The front sub-fender may include an upper main body of the front sub-fender formed along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and a lower main body of the front sub-fender formed by bending from the upper main body of the front sub-fender in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.

[0016] The front body structure according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a front side beam extension member connected to the outside of the rear sub-fender in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.

[0017] The chassis frame may be connected to the front portion of the fender.

[0018] The front body structure according to an exemplary embodiment may further include a front bulkhead reinforcement unit connected to the rear portion of the front bulkhead, which includes at least one longitudinal member provided in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and at least one lateral member provided in the lateral direction of the vehicle body.

[0019] At least a part of the front sub-fender may overlap with one of the longitudinal members.

[0020] At least a part of the joint between the rear sub-fender and the chassis frame overlaps with one of the lateral members.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the front body structure, the strength of the load input point of the front bulkhead can be improved, and the connectivity between the load input points can be ensured.

[0022] In addition, the effects achievable or expected by the embodiments of the present invention are directly or implicitly disclosed in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects according to the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The following drawings are for reference in explaining the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and thus the technical idea of the embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to what is shown in the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 is a side view of a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 is a bottom view of a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 4 is a perspective view in one direction of a sub-baffle applicable to a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figures 5 to 7 is a partial perspective view in different directions of a sub-baffle applicable to a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a front bulkhead reinforcement unit applicable to a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 9 is a front view of a bulkhead applicable to a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 10 is along Figure 2 a sectional view taken along line X-X in

[0032] Figure 11 is along Figure 2 a sectional view taken along line XI-XI in

[0033] The following reference numerals may be used in conjunction with the drawings to describe various features of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] 10: vehicle body 20: chassis frame

[0035] 22: front connection part of chassis frame 24: chassis frame connection bolt

[0036] 30: bulkhead 40: baffle

[0037] 50: sub-baffle 52: chassis frame mounting part

[0038] 60: front sub-baffle 62: front sub-baffle connection flange

[0039] 64: front sub-baffle main body 66: front sub-baffle upper main body

[0040] 68: front sub-baffle lower main body 70: rear sub-baffle

[0041] 72: rear sub-baffle connection flange 74: rear sub-baffle main body

[0042] 76: rear sub-baffle lower flange 80: frame mounting bracket

[0043] 82: mounting bracket hole 84: mounting bracket flange

[0044] 90: baffle partition 92: partition upper flange

[0045] 94: partition central flange 96: partition lower flange

[0046] 100: Front side beam extension member 110: Front panel reinforcement unit

[0047] 120, 122: Longitudinal members 130, 132, 134: Transverse members

[0048] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are simplified representations showing various preferred features presenting the basic principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] For example, the specific design features (including specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes) of the embodiments of the present invention will be determined in part by the specific intended application and the usage environment. Detailed Embodiments

[0050] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, so that those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can easily implement the present invention.

[0051] As those skilled in the art can recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways, and all such modifications do not depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

[0052] As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] To clearly explain the embodiments of the present invention, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and throughout the specification, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar components.

[0054] The dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to what is shown in the drawings. To clearly show each component and region, the thickness is shown by magnification.

[0055] In addition, in the following detailed description, when components are in a similar relationship, the components are named first, second, etc. to distinguish the components, but the following description is not limited to this order.

[0056] Throughout the specification, when a component is described as including a certain component, it does not mean that it does not include other components, but rather that it may also include other components unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0057] In addition, terms such as components, parts, devices, etc. described in this specification mean an integrated unit that performs at least one function or operation.

[0058] When a component (such as a layer, film, region, or plate) is said to be "above" another component, this includes not only the case where it is directly above another component, but also the case where there are other components in between.

[0059] In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there is no intervening element.

[0060] In this specification, the term "connected" indicates a physical relationship between two components. For example, the components are directly connected to each other by welding, self-piercing rivets (SPR), flow drill screws (FDS), structural adhesives, etc., or the components are indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components.

[0061] As used herein, "vehicle", "vehicular", "automobile" or other similar terms generally refer to passenger cars, sports cars, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles, including passenger cars, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, purpose-built vehicles based on electric vehicles (PBVs), hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., non-petroleum fuels derived from resources).

[0062] In this specification, the reference directions for explaining the following components can be set based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle body (e.g., the vehicle body length direction or the longitudinal direction), the width direction (e.g., the lateral direction or the left-right direction), and the up-down direction (e.g., the height direction or the vertical direction).

[0063] Furthermore, in this specification, the "upper end", "upper part", or "upper surface" of a component indicates the end, part, or surface of the component that is relatively located in the upper part in the figure, while the "lower end", "lower part", or "lower surface" of the component indicates the end, part, or surface of the component that is relatively located in the lower part in the figure.

[0064] Furthermore, in this specification, the end of a component (e.g., one end or the other (other) end, etc.) indicates the end of the component in any one direction, while the end portion of the component (e.g., one end portion) or the other (another) end portion, etc.) indicates the part of the component that includes the end.

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] Figure 1 is a side view of a front body structure according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a bottom view of a front body structure according to an embodiment, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a front body structure according to an embodiment.

[0067] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the front body structure according to an embodiment may include a chassis frame 20, a bulkhead 30 disposed above the chassis frame 20, and a sub-baffle 50 connected to the front portion of the bulkhead 30.

[0068] In a typical monocoque vehicle, the load from the chassis module is supported by a bulkhead that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the front bulkhead is mounted on the upper part of the bulkhead to serve a simple supporting function.

[0069] In a vehicle model with a skateboard frame, the size of the chassis frame is relatively large, and the bulkhead does not extend to the bottom of the front bulkhead due to interference with the members of the chassis frame. Therefore, the front bulkhead directly receives the load from the mounting portion of the chassis frame.

[0070] As a result, the strength of the load input point will be insufficient, and the connectivity between the load input points will also be insufficient.

[0071] That is to say, the space between the chassis frame (which is a kind of skateboard frame) and the front bulkhead is narrow, and the bulkhead cannot support the lower part of the front bulkhead due to interference between various components. Therefore, the connection strength between the front bulkhead and the chassis frame is insufficient.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the front body structure has a narrow space between the chassis frame 20 and the front bulkhead 30. Even if the bulkhead 40 cannot extend to the lower part of the front bulkhead 30 due to interference between various components, the front bulkhead 30 can be supported by the sub-bulkhead 50.

[0073] The sub-bulkhead 50 includes a chassis frame mounting portion 52 on which the chassis frame 20 is mounted.

[0074] The front structure according to the embodiment further includes a bulkhead 40 connected to the front part of the front bulkhead 30, and the front end of the sub-bulkhead 50 can be connected to the bulkhead 40.

[0075] The chassis frame 20 can be connected to the front part of the bulkhead 40 via a chassis frame front connection portion 22.

[0076] Figure 4 is a perspective view in one direction of a sub-bulkhead applicable to the front body structure according to the embodiment, Figures 5 to 7 is a partial perspective view in different directions of a sub-bulkhead applicable to the front body structure according to the embodiment.

[0077] Reference Figures 1 to 7 , the sub-bulkhead 50 can include a front sub-bulkhead 60 and a rear sub-bulkhead 70. The front sub-bulkhead 60 is connected to the bulkhead 40 and connected to the front bulkhead 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body 10. The rear sub-bulkhead 70 is connected to the rear part of the front sub-bulkhead 60 and is provided on the outer side of the front sub-bulkhead 60 in the width direction.

[0078] The front body structure according to the embodiment may further include a front side beam extension member 100 connected to the outer side of the rear sub-bulkhead 70 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0079] In the front body structure according to the embodiment, due to the chassis frame 20, it is difficult for the sub-baffle 50 to extend in the inner direction, that is, the inward direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0080] Correspondingly, in the front body structure according to the embodiment, the rear sub-baffle 70 of the sub-baffle 50 is disposed outside in the vehicle body width direction of the vehicle body 10, and the front side beam extension member 100 is connected to the rear sub-baffle 70 outside in the vehicle body width direction.

[0081] The front side beam extension member 100 is connected to a side beam member (not shown) to disperse the input load SLP transmitted from the chassis frame mounting portion 52.

[0082] The sub-baffle 50 may include a sub-baffle connection flange connected to the front bulkhead 30 and a sub-baffle main body formed to protrude from the sub-baffle connection flange.

[0083] That is to say, by including the front sub-baffle connection flange 62 connected to the front bulkhead 30, the bonding strength between the front sub-baffle 60 and the front bulkhead 30 can be improved.

[0084] In addition, the front sub-baffle 60 may further include a front sub-baffle main body 64 formed to protrude from the front sub-baffle connection flange 62, and the strength of the front sub-baffle 60 can be improved by the protruding shape of the front sub-baffle main body 64.

[0085] In addition, the rear sub-baffle 70 may include a rear sub-baffle connection flange 72 connected to the front bulkhead 30, thereby improving the bonding strength with the front bulkhead 30.

[0086] In addition, the rear sub-baffle 70 may include a rear sub-baffle main body 74 formed to protrude from the rear sub-baffle connection flange 72, and the strength of the rear sub-baffle 70 can be improved by the protruding shape of the rear sub-baffle main body 74.

[0087] The sub-baffle 50 may further include a frame mounting bracket 80 for mounting the chassis frame 20 and connected to the rear sub-baffle 70.

[0088] The rear sub-baffle 70 may include a rear sub-baffle lower flange 76 connected to the frame mounting bracket 80.

[0089] The frame mounting bracket 80 includes a mounting bracket flange 84 connected to the front bulkhead 30, and a mounting bracket hole 82 may be formed in the frame mounting bracket 80.

[0090] The chassis frame connection bolt 24 (see Figure 11 ) is inserted into the mounting bracket hole 82 so that the frame mounting bracket 80 and the chassis frame 20 can be connected.

[0091] The frame mounting bracket 80 may form the chassis frame mounting portion 52.

[0092] The sub-baffle 50 may further include a bulk head 90 that is connected to the parts connecting the front sub-baffle 60 and the rear sub-baffle 70 and supports the vehicle frame mounting bracket 80.

[0093] The bulk head 90 may include a bulk head upper flange 92 connected to the front sub-baffle 60, a bulk head central flange 94 connected to the rear sub-baffle 70, and a bulk head lower flange 96 connected to the rear sub-baffle lower flange 76 to support the vehicle frame mounting bracket 80.

[0094] The front sub-baffle 60 may include a front sub-baffle upper main body 66 formed along the length direction of the vehicle body 10 and a front sub-baffle lower main body 68 formed by bending the front sub-baffle upper main body 66 in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0095] The front sub-baffle lower main body 68 may be bent outward in the width direction of the vehicle body 10 from the front sub-baffle upper main body 66 to avoid interference with the chassis frame 20.

[0096] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a front panel reinforcement unit applicable to the front structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment, Figure 9 is a front view of a front panel applicable to the front structure of a vehicle body according to an embodiment.

[0097] Reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the front structure of the vehicle body according to the embodiment may further include a front panel reinforcement unit 110 connected to the rear part of the front panel 30 to support the front panel 30.

[0098] For example, the front panel reinforcement unit 110 may include at least one longitudinal member 120, 122 provided in the length direction of the vehicle body 10 and at least one transverse member 130, 132, 134 provided in the width direction of the vehicle body 10.

[0099] The front panel reinforcement unit 110 is shown in the drawings as combined with the front panel 30 in a grid shape, but is not limited thereto, and the front panel reinforcement unit 110 may also be configured in various shapes capable of strengthening the strength of the front panel 30.

[0100] At least a part of the front sub-baffle 60 may overlap with any one of the longitudinal members 120, 122.

[0101] As Figure 9 shown, the front sub-baffle upper main body 66 of the front sub-baffle 60 may overlap with the installation positions of the longitudinal members 120, 122.

[0102] That is, the single-dot chain line in the vertical direction shown in the drawings indicates the joint positions of the longitudinal members 120 and 122 installed at the rear of the front bulkhead 30, and the upper main body 66 of the front sub-baffle and the longitudinal members 120 and 122 can overlap with the front bulkhead 30 therebetween.

[0103] At least a part of the joint between the rear sub-baffle 70 and the chassis frame 20 can overlap with any one of the transverse members 130, 132, and 134.

[0104] That is, the single-dot chain line in the horizontal direction shown in the drawings indicates the joint position of the lower transverse member 134 installed at the rear of the front bulkhead 30, and the joint between the rear sub-baffle 70 and the chassis frame 20 and the lower transverse member 134 can overlap with the front bulkhead 30 therebetween.

[0105] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 2 the line X-X in Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along Figure 2 the line XI-XI in

[0106] As Figure 10 shown, the load transmitted from the baffle 40 can be dispersed through the upper main body 66 of the front sub-baffle of the front sub-baffle 60 connected to the front of the front bulkhead 30 and the longitudinal member 120 connected to the rear of the front bulkhead 30.

[0107] In addition, as Figure 11 shown, the load transmitted from the chassis frame 20 can be dispersed through the rear sub-baffle 70 of the sub-baffle 50 connected to the front bulkhead 30 and the transverse member 134.

[0108] Referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 , due to the interference with the chassis frame 20, the baffle 40 does not extend to the lower part of the front bulkhead 30. The front chassis connection part 22 (where the chassis frame 20 and the baffle 40 are joined here) forms the front load input point, and the chassis frame mounting part 52 (where the chassis frame 20 and the sub-baffle 50 are joined here) forms the rear load input point.

[0109] However, the sub-baffle 50 connects the baffle 40 and the chassis frame 20, thereby connecting the front load input point and the rear load input point.

[0110] Therefore, according to the embodiment of the front body structure, the connectivity between the load input points can be strengthened, thereby improving the body strength.

[0111] In addition, according to an embodiment of the front body structure, the front side member extension member 100 can disperse the load transmitted from the chassis frame mounting portion 52 to the rear portion of the vehicle body 10 through the side member.

[0112] In addition, according to the front body structure of the embodiment, the load transmitted from the front chassis frame connection portion 22 and the chassis frame mounting portion 52 can be dispersed by the front bulkhead reinforcement unit 110 connected to the rear portion of the bulkhead 30.

[0113] According to an embodiment of the front body structure, the strength of the load input point of the bulkhead can be strengthened and the connectivity between the load input points can be ensured.

[0114] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with the content of the presently considered practical embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present invention are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent means within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A front structure of a vehicle body, the front structure comprising: A chassis frame; A front bulkhead disposed above the chassis frame; And A sub-baffle connected to the front portion of the front bulkhead and including a chassis frame mounting portion for mounting the chassis frame.

2. The front structure according to claim 1 further includes a baffle connected to the front portion of the front bulkhead, wherein, The front end of the sub-baffle is connected to the baffle.

3. The front structure according to claim 2, wherein, The sub-baffle includes: A front sub-baffle connected to the baffle and connected to the front bulkhead in the vehicle body length direction; and A rear sub-baffle connected to the rear portion of the front sub-baffle and disposed outside the front sub-baffle in the vehicle body width direction.

4. The front structure according to claim 3, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes: A sub-baffle connection flange connected to the front bulkhead; and A sub-baffle body protruding from the sub-baffle connection flange.

5. The front structure according to claim 3, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes a frame mounting bracket connected to the rear sub-baffle and for mounting the chassis frame.

6. The front structure according to claim 5, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes a baffle partition connected to the portion where the front sub-baffle and the rear sub-baffle are connected and supporting the frame mounting bracket.

7. The front structure according to claim 3, wherein, The front sub-baffle includes: A front sub-baffle upper body extending in the vehicle body length direction; and A front sub-baffle lower body formed by bending the front sub-baffle upper body in the vehicle body width direction.

8. The front structure according to claim 3, further comprising a front side beam extension member connected to the outside of the rear sub-baffle in the vehicle body width direction.

9. The front structure according to claim 3, wherein The chassis frame is connected to the front portion of the baffle.

10. The front structure according to claim 3, further comprising a front bulkhead reinforcement device connected to the rear portion of the front bulkhead and including a longitudinal member disposed in the vehicle body length direction and a transverse member disposed in the vehicle body width direction.

11. The front structure according to claim 10, wherein, A part of the front sub-baffle overlaps with the longitudinal member.

12. The front structure according to claim 10, wherein, A part of the joint portion between the rear sub-baffle and the chassis frame overlaps with the transverse member.

13. A vehicle, comprising: A vehicle body including a chassis frame; A front bulkhead disposed above the chassis frame; A baffle connected to the front portion of the front bulkhead; A sub-baffle connected to the front portion of the front bulkhead and having a front end connected to the baffle, the sub-baffle including: A chassis frame mounting portion for mounting the chassis frame; A front sub-baffle connected to the baffle and connected to the front bulkhead in the vehicle body length direction; and A rear sub-baffle connected to the rear portion of the front sub-baffle and disposed outside the front sub-baffle in the vehicle body width direction; and A front bulkhead reinforcement device connected to the rear portion of the front bulkhead.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes: A sub-baffle connection flange connected to the front bulkhead; and A sub-baffle body protruding from the sub-baffle connection flange.

15. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes a frame mounting bracket connected to the rear sub-baffle and for mounting the chassis frame.

16. The vehicle according to claim 15, wherein, The sub-baffle further includes a baffle partition connected to the portion where the front sub-baffle and the rear sub-baffle are connected and supporting the frame mounting bracket.

17. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, The front sub-baffle includes: A front sub-baffle upper body extending in the vehicle body length direction; and A front sub-baffle lower body formed by bending the front sub-baffle upper body in the vehicle body width direction.

18. The vehicle according to claim 13 further includes a front side beam extension member connected to the outer side of the rear sub-fender in the vehicle body width direction.

19. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein, The chassis frame is connected to the front portion of the fender.

20. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the front bulkhead reinforcement device includes a longitudinal member disposed in the vehicle body length direction and a transverse member disposed in the vehicle body width direction, a part of the front sub-fender overlaps with the longitudinal member, and a part of the joint between the rear sub-fender and the chassis frame overlaps with the transverse member.

Images