Frame front module and commercial vehicle

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of commercial vehicles, and discloses a frame front module and a commercial vehicle. The upper cross beam is in a U shape, an opening of the upper cross beam faces the upper side of a frame, the upper cross beam is installed between longitudinal beams, the middle section of the upper cross beam is lower than the lower end faces of the longitudinal beams, a left support and a right support are installed on the outer sides of the longitudinal beams respectively, and the middle section of the left support and the middle section of the right support are connected with a plate spring. The bottoms of the left bracket and the right bracket are arranged on the lower side of the longitudinal beam; a lower cross beam is arranged between the bottoms of the left bracket and the right bracket; the problem that the air inlet efficiency of an engine is low due to the fact that upper and lower cross beams are high in position in the prior art is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of commercial vehicle manufacturing, and particularly relates to a front frame module and a commercial vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Upper and lower cross beams are installed at the position of the vehicle frame longitudinal beam close to the vehicle head. In the past, due to problems such as the frame structure and the leaf spring support structure, the positions of the upper and lower cross beams of the front frame module of the vehicle frame were generally above the vehicle frame longitudinal beam. The upper and lower cross beams of the vehicle designed in this way would block the space for engine intake, resulting in a problem of low engine intake efficiency.

[0003] At the same time, in the past, the leaf spring support of the front frame module was connected to the leaf spring through a sleeve on the leaf spring support. The sleeve was inserted into the hole formed by curling the leaf spring support, and then the connection method of using bolts and nuts to clamp the leaf spring was adopted, with the bolts inserted into the sleeve. This connection method requires adding a sleeve for connection, increasing the assembly beat of the front frame module, increasing the part cost, and also increasing the risk of bolt loosening. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a front frame module and a commercial vehicle, so as to solve the problem of low engine intake efficiency caused by the high positions of the upper and lower cross beams in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: The present invention provides a front frame module, including an upper cross beam, a lower cross beam and a connection bracket. The upper cross beam is U-shaped and opens towards the upper side of the vehicle frame. The upper cross beam is installed between the longitudinal beams. The middle section of the upper cross beam is lower than the lower end surface of the longitudinal beam. Left and right brackets are respectively installed on the outer sides of the longitudinal beams. The middle sections of the left and right brackets are connected to the leaf spring. The bottoms of the left and right brackets are located below the longitudinal beam. A lower cross beam is installed in the middle between the bottom of the left bracket and the bottom of the right bracket.

[0006] Preferably, the front frame module further includes a left spring bracket and a right spring bracket. A left spring bracket is installed on the left bracket, and a right spring bracket is installed on the right bracket. A left U-shaped groove is formed on the left spring bracket, and a right U-shaped groove is formed on the right spring bracket. Left through holes are formed on both sides of the left U-shaped groove, and right through holes are formed on both sides of the right U-shaped groove. First bolts respectively pass through the left through holes and the right through holes and are fastened with nuts. The leaf springs are respectively placed in the left U-shaped groove and the right U-shaped groove. The first bolts pass through the mounting holes at the ends of the leaf springs.

[0007] Preferably, a first outer hole is formed on the left bracket, and a second outer hole is formed on the right bracket. The first bolt is inserted into the first outer hole, and the first bolt is also inserted into the second outer hole.

[0008] Preferably, the left spring bracket is installed on one side of the left bracket close to the upper crossbeam through a fastener, and the right spring bracket is installed on one side of the right bracket close to the upper crossbeam through a fastener.

[0009] Preferably, a first connecting portion is formed by extending the middle section of the left spring bracket towards the upper crossbeam, a second connecting portion is formed by extending the middle section of the right spring bracket towards the upper crossbeam, both the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are located below the upper crossbeam, the first connecting portion is connected to the upper crossbeam, and the second connecting portion is connected to the upper crossbeam.

[0010] Preferably, the upper crossbeam is provided with a first connecting hole, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are provided with second connecting holes, and a second bolt passes through the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole and then is connected to the fastener.

[0011] Preferably, the front frame module of the vehicle further includes a transition bracket, the left spring bracket is connected to the lower crossbeam through the transition bracket, and the right spring bracket is connected to the lower crossbeam through the transition bracket.

[0012] Preferably, the transition bracket includes an upper connecting portion and a lower connecting portion, the upper connecting portion is provided with an upper connecting hole, the lower connecting portion is provided with a lower connecting hole, a fastener is inserted through the upper connecting hole to communicate with the left spring bracket and the right spring bracket, and a fastener is inserted through the lower connecting hole to be connected to the lower crossbeam.

[0013] Preferably, the left bracket, the right bracket and the lower crossbeam are connected by welding.

[0014] A commercial vehicle includes the front frame module described above, and further includes longitudinal beams. There are two groups of longitudinal beams. The length direction of the longitudinal beams is the same as the driving direction of the commercial vehicle. The longitudinal beams are parallel to each other, and the left bracket and the right bracket are installed on the longitudinal beams through fasteners.

[0015] Beneficial effects: The upper crossbeam is made into a U shape, so that the middle section of the upper crossbeam is lower than the lower end surface of the longitudinal beam. At the same time, by installing the left bracket and the right bracket extending towards the lower side of the longitudinal beam, the lower crossbeam is installed at the ends of the left bracket and the right bracket. The positions of the upper crossbeam and the lower crossbeam are installed on the lower side of the longitudinal beam at the same time, avoiding coincidence with the engine air intake port in the longitudinal beam position, maximizing the air intake volume of the engine air intake port, and thus making the power of the engine higher. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic installation diagram of the front frame module of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic installation diagram of the left spring bracket of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 It is the main body diagram of the transition support of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 It is the schematic connection diagram of the lower crossbeam of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 It is the main body diagram of the right spring support of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 It is the main body diagram of the left spring support of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1. Lower crossbeam; 2. Transition support; 21. Upper connection part; 22. Lower connection part; 23. Upper connection hole; 24. Lower connection hole; 3. Leaf spring; 4. Left spring support; 41. First connection part; 5. Right spring support; 51. Second connection part; 6. Upper crossbeam; 7. Longitudinal beam; 8. Left support; 9. Right support; 10. First bolt. Detailed implementation manners

[0023] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention. In addition, it should be noted that, for the sake of convenience of description, only the parts related to the present invention rather than all the structures are shown in the drawings.

[0024] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected to", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0025] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through other features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over", and "on" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "below", "under", and "beneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0026] In the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "right", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of description and simplifying the operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0027] In the field of vehicle engineering, as the load-bearing core, the structural design of the front-end module of the vehicle frame has a profound impact on the overall vehicle performance. Among them, for the upper and lower cross beams installed near the front of the longitudinal beam, there are significant structural contradictions in their traditional layout methods, which restricts the operating efficiency of key systems. For a long time, due to the overall configuration of the vehicle frame and the layout coordination with the suspension system (especially the leaf spring bracket), the upper and lower cross beams are generally positioned in the upper area of the vehicle frame longitudinal beam. This space occupation strategy, although meeting the requirements of some structural connections or local strength, inevitably occupies the precious longitudinal space of the engine compartment. The direct consequence is that it physically blocks the intake path of the engine, significantly compressing the unobstructed flow channel required by the intake system. When the air flows through these complex structures, the flow resistance increases, and the intake air flow is prone to turbulence and pressure loss. Eventually, the engine cannot obtain sufficient and stable fresh air supply, and the intake efficiency is substantially weakened. This not only limits the potential power output level of the engine but also may affect the adequacy and stability of combustion under specific working conditions, having an indirect negative effect on fuel economy and emission control. Therefore, reexamining and optimizing the spatial relationship between the upper and lower cross beams and the longitudinal beam to release the necessary intake channels is the key entry point for improving the efficiency of the power system.

[0028] Meanwhile, the traditional connection method between the leaf spring bracket and the leaf spring in the front-end module of the vehicle frame also presents aspects that urgently need improvement in terms of structural efficiency, production assembly, and long-term reliability. Past designs usually relied on an additional metal sleeve as a connection intermediary. This sleeve was pre-embedded into a specific hole formed in the leaf spring bracket itself through a curling process to form a basic connection point. For the final connection and fixation of the leaf spring and the bracket, high-strength bolts were passed through the inner hole of this sleeve, and nuts were tightened on the other side of the leaf spring. The huge clamping force generated by the bolts pressed the leaf spring, the bracket, and the internal sleeve tightly together as a whole. Although this connection mode can transfer loads functionally, its design itself introduces complexity and potential risk points that cannot be ignored. First of all, the additional sleeve part directly increases the material cost, and resources are required for its manufacturing, procurement, warehousing, and management. Secondly, on the vehicle production assembly line, assembly workers must accurately align and insert the sleeve into the curling hole of the bracket, then accurately pass the bolts through and complete the fastening. This series of delicate operation steps significantly prolongs the operation time of a single workstation, increases the complexity of the assembly process and the cycle time, and becomes one of the bottlenecks restricting the overall efficiency improvement of the production line. Moreover, from the perspective of long-term use reliability, there are multiple hidden dangers in this structure. The fit between the sleeve and the curling hole of the bracket is either a clearance fit or an interference fit. When the vehicle continuously bears complex and variable road impact loads, the mating surface may generate gaps due to fretting wear, resulting in a decrease in connection stiffness or abnormal noises. More importantly, the bolt-nut assembly, as the only anti-loosening guarantee, has a risk of gradual attenuation of its pre-tightening force in a long-term severe vibration environment. Once the bolts become loose, the reliability of the entire leaf spring bracket connection will deteriorate sharply, which may cause abnormal noises in the chassis and a decrease in handling stability at least, and may even lead to connection failure and endanger driving safety in severe cases. Therefore, simplifying the connection structure, eliminating redundant sleeve parts, and developing a more direct, reliable, and convenient-to-assemble connection method for the leaf spring bracket is of urgent practical significance for reducing system complexity, improving assembly efficiency, and ensuring long-term durability.

[0029] In summary, there are areas for optimization in both the spatial layout of the upper and lower crossbeams and the connection structure design of the leaf spring brackets in the traditional front-end module of the vehicle frame. The upper placement of the crossbeam restricts the engine intake efficiency, reflecting the conflict between the structural layout and functional requirements. The introduction of the sleeve in the connection of the leaf spring bracket and the accompanying low assembly efficiency and loosening risk highlight the multiple burdens brought by structural redundancy. Future design innovations should focus on breaking through these traditional constraints: on the one hand, actively explore new spatial positioning schemes for the upper and lower crossbeams relative to the longitudinal beams. On the premise of ensuring the structural rigidity and strength, prioritize the smoothness and sufficiency of the engine intake passage to create basic conditions for the efficient operation of the power system. This may require optimizing the overall layout of the engine compartment and adopting design ideas such as sinking, offsetting, or integration to achieve space release. On the other hand, completely abandon the indirect connection mode that relies on sleeves and develop a simpler and more reliable direct connection technology for the leaf spring brackets. The goal should be to reduce the number of parts to lower costs, simplify the assembly process to improve production line efficiency, and fundamentally enhance the anti-loosening ability and overall durability of the connection points under long-term dynamic loads. This two-pronged optimization path aims to achieve a coordinated leap in the functional satisfaction, production economy, and use reliability of the front-end structure of the vehicle frame, laying a solid structural foundation for improving the overall performance of the vehicle. This requires a shift in the design thinking from local subordination to the whole to in-depth coordination of function, efficiency, and reliability, and releasing greater engineering value through structural innovation.

[0030] To solve the above problems, as Figures 1 to 6 shown, the present invention provides a front-mounted module for a vehicle frame, which includes an upper crossbeam 6, a lower crossbeam 1, and a connection bracket. The upper crossbeam 6 is U-shaped and opens towards the upper side of the vehicle frame. The upper crossbeam 6 is installed between the longitudinal beams 7. The middle section of the upper crossbeam 6 is lower than the lower end surface of the longitudinal beams 7. Left and right brackets 8 and 9 are respectively installed on the outer sides of the longitudinal beams 7. The middle sections of the left and right brackets 8 and 9 are connected to the leaf spring 3. The bottoms of the left and right brackets 8 and 9 are placed on the lower side of the longitudinal beams 7. A lower crossbeam 1 is installed between the bottom of the left bracket 8 and the bottom of the right bracket 9. It also includes longitudinal beams 7. There are two groups of longitudinal beams 7. The length direction of the longitudinal beams 7 is the same as the driving direction of the commercial vehicle. The longitudinal beams 7 are parallel to each other. The left and right brackets 8 and 9 are installed on the longitudinal beams 7 through fasteners.

[0031] Generally, two sets of longitudinal beams 7 are installed at the bottom of a commercial vehicle. The cab is located above the two sets of longitudinal beams 7, and the wheels and chassis are located below the longitudinal beams 7. An engine is installed at one end of the longitudinal beam 7 close to the vehicle head, and an air intake is installed on the front side of the engine. To prevent the upper cross beam 6 and the lower cross beam 1 from blocking the air intake of the engine, the upper cross beam 6 is stamped into a U shape with the opening facing upward. The U-shaped groove space of the upper cross beam 6 can be reserved for the air intake of the engine, making the air intake of the engine smoother. At the same time, by extending downward through the left bracket 8 and the right bracket 9, the lower cross beam 1 is installed below the air intake. Through the improvement of the shape of the upper cross beam 6 and the downward movement of the position of the lower cross beam 1, sufficient space can be reserved for the air intake of the engine, increasing the air intake volume of the engine and improving the working efficiency of the engine.

[0032] The front frame module further includes a left spring bracket 4 and a right spring bracket 5. The left spring bracket 4 is installed on the left bracket 8, and the right spring bracket 5 is installed on the right bracket 9. A left U-shaped groove is formed on the left spring bracket 4, and a right U-shaped groove is formed on the right spring bracket 5. Left through holes are formed on both sides of the left U-shaped groove, and right through holes are formed on both sides of the right U-shaped groove. The first bolt 10 passes through the left through hole and the right through hole respectively and is fastened to the nut. The leaf spring 3 is respectively placed in the left U-shaped groove and the right U-shaped groove, and the first bolt 10 passes through the mounting hole at the end of the leaf spring 3.

[0033] The left bracket 8 and the right bracket 9 of the present invention can also be connected to the leaf spring 3. Left through holes and right through holes are respectively formed on the left U-shaped groove and the right U-shaped groove. The first bolt 10 can be horizontally fixed on the left U-shaped groove and the right U-shaped groove, and at the same time, the first bolt 10 is inserted into the round hole on the leaf spring 3 to fix the leaf spring 3, enabling the left bracket 8 and the right bracket 9 to integrate multiple components. At the same time, only through the first bolt 10 can it be connected to the leaf spring 3, reducing the number of connecting components, reducing the production cycle, and improving production efficiency.

[0034] A first outer hole is formed on the left bracket 8, and a second outer hole is formed on the right bracket 9. The first bolt 10 is inserted into the first outer hole, and the first bolt 10 is also inserted into the second outer hole. The first bolt 10 can pass through to connect the left spring bracket 4 and the left bracket 8, and the first bolt 10 can connect the right spring bracket 5 and the right bracket 9, making the front frame module more integrated and improving the safety of the front frame module.

[0035] The left spring bracket 4 is installed on one side of the left bracket 8 close to the upper cross beam 6 through fasteners, and the right spring bracket 5 is installed on one side of the right bracket 9 close to the upper cross beam 6 through fasteners. The left spring bracket 4 of the present invention can be installed on the left bracket 8 through components such as bolts, and the right spring bracket 5 can be installed on the right bracket 9 through components such as bolts. Fixing in a detachable form can be achieved through bolts, facilitating subsequent maintenance and disassembly.

[0036] In the middle section of the left spring support 4, a first connecting portion 41 extends towards one side of the upper crossbeam 6. In the middle section of the right spring support 5, a second connecting portion 51 extends towards one side of the upper crossbeam 6. Both the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 51 are located on the lower side of the upper crossbeam 6. The first connecting portion 41 is connected to the upper crossbeam 6, and the second connecting portion 51 is connected to the upper crossbeam 6.

[0037] By providing the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 51, a direct connection relationship can be established between the left spring support 4 and the right spring support 5 and the upper crossbeam 6, making the integration of the left spring support 4 and the right spring support 5 with the upper crossbeam 6 stronger, enabling it to be more stable during vehicle driving. By establishing connection relationships for more and more components, the integration of the front-mounted module of the frame becomes stronger, and at the same time, vibrations can be reduced.

[0038] A first connection hole is formed in the upper crossbeam 6. Second connection holes are formed in the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 51. After a second bolt passes through the first connection hole and the second connection hole, it is connected to a fastener. Through the second bolt, the left spring support 4 and the right spring support 5 can be directly connected to the upper crossbeam 6. If the second bolt is removed, the first connecting portion 41 and the second connecting portion 51 can still be directly separated from the upper crossbeam 6.

[0039] The front-mounted module of the frame further includes a transition bracket 2. The left spring support 4 is connected to the lower crossbeam 1 through the transition bracket 2, and the right spring support 5 is connected to the lower crossbeam 1 through the transition bracket 2. Through the transition bracket 2, a connection relationship can be established between the left spring support 4 and the right spring support 5 and the lower crossbeam 1, making the integration of the front-mounted module of the frame stronger and enabling the front-mounted module of the frame to have higher strength.

[0040] The transition bracket 2 includes an upper connecting portion 21 and a lower connecting portion 22. An upper connection hole 23 is formed in the upper connecting portion 21, and a lower connection hole 24 is formed in the lower connecting portion 22. Fasteners are inserted into the upper connection hole 23 to communicate with the left spring support 4 and the right spring support 5, and fasteners are inserted into the lower connection hole 24 to be connected to the lower crossbeam 1. Two sets of upper connection holes 23 and two sets of lower connection holes 24 are formed on the transition bracket 2. Through the upper connection hole 23 and the lower connection hole 24, the lower crossbeam 1, the left spring support 4, and the right spring support 5 can be connected. Usually, the fasteners are bolts, which is convenient for subsequent disassembly and maintenance.

[0041] The left bracket 8, the right bracket 9, and the lower crossbeam 1 are connected by welding, making the integration of the left bracket 8, the right bracket 9, and the lower crossbeam 1 stronger and enabling the front-mounted module of the frame to have higher strength.

[0042] Obviously, the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, rather than limitations on the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various obvious changes, re-adjustments and substitutions can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A front frame module, characterized in that, It includes an upper crossbeam (6), a lower crossbeam (1) and a connecting bracket. The upper crossbeam (6) is U-shaped and opens towards the upper side of the vehicle frame. The upper crossbeam (6) is installed between the longitudinal beams (7). The middle section of the upper crossbeam (6) is lower than the lower end face of the longitudinal beams (7). Left brackets (8) and right brackets (9) are respectively installed on the outer sides of the longitudinal beams (7). The middle sections of the left bracket (8) and the right bracket (9) are connected to the leaf spring (3). The bottoms of the left bracket (8) and the right bracket (9) are placed on the lower side of the longitudinal beams (7). The lower crossbeam (1) is installed in the middle of the bottom of the left bracket (8) and the bottom of the right bracket (9).

2. The vehicle frame front-mounted module according to claim 1, wherein The front-mounted module of the vehicle frame further includes a left spring bracket (4) and a right spring bracket (5). The left spring bracket (4) is installed on the left bracket (8), and the right spring bracket (5) is installed on the right bracket (9). A left U-shaped groove is formed on the left spring bracket (4), and a right U-shaped groove is formed on the right spring bracket (5). Left through holes are formed on both sides of the left U-shaped groove, and right through holes are formed on both sides of the right U-shaped groove. The first bolts (10) respectively pass through the left through holes and the right through holes and are fastened with nuts. The leaf spring (3) is respectively placed in the left U-shaped groove and the right U-shaped groove. The first bolts (10) pass through the mounting holes at the ends of the leaf spring (3).

3. The front frame module according to claim 2, wherein A first outer hole is formed on the left bracket (8), and a second outer hole is formed on the right bracket (9). The first bolt (10) is arranged in the first outer hole, and the first bolt (10) is also arranged in the second outer hole.

4. The front frame module according to claim 2, characterized in that The left spring bracket (4) is installed on the side of the left bracket (8) close to the upper crossbeam (6) through fasteners, and the right spring bracket (5) is installed on the side of the right bracket (9) close to the upper crossbeam (6) through fasteners.

5. The front frame module according to claim 2, characterized in that, A first connecting portion (41) extends from the middle section of the left spring bracket (4) towards the upper crossbeam (6), and a second connecting portion (51) extends from the middle section of the right spring bracket (5) towards the upper crossbeam (6). The first connecting portion (41) and the second connecting portion (51) are both placed on the lower side of the upper crossbeam (6). The first connecting portion (41) is connected to the upper crossbeam (6), and the second connecting portion (51) is connected to the upper crossbeam (6).

6. The front frame module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper crossbeam (6) is provided with a first connecting hole, and the first connecting portion (41) and the second connecting portion (51) are provided with second connecting holes. The second bolts pass through the first connecting hole and the second connecting hole and are connected with fasteners.

7. The vehicle frame front-mounted module according to claim 2, characterized in that The front-mounted module of the vehicle frame further includes a transition bracket (2). The left spring bracket (4) is connected to the lower crossbeam (1) through the transition bracket (2), and the right spring bracket (5) is connected to the lower crossbeam (1) through the transition bracket (2).

8. The front frame module according to claim 7, characterized in that The transition bracket (2) includes an upper connecting portion (21) and a lower connecting portion (22). The upper connecting portion (21) is provided with an upper connecting hole (23), and the lower connecting portion (22) is provided with a lower connecting hole (24). A fastener is inserted through the upper connecting hole (23) to communicate with the left spring bracket (4) and the right spring bracket (5), and a fastener is inserted through the lower connecting hole (24) to connect with the lower crossbeam (1).

9. The vehicle frame front-mounted module according to claim 1, wherein The left bracket (8), the right bracket (9) and the lower crossbeam (1) are connected by welding.

10. A commercial vehicle, characterized in that, It includes the front-mounted module of the vehicle frame described in claim 1 above, and further includes longitudinal beams (7). There are two groups of the longitudinal beams (7). The length direction of the longitudinal beams (7) is the same as the driving direction of the commercial vehicle. The longitudinal beams (7) are parallel to each other. The left bracket (8) and the right bracket (9) are mounted on the longitudinal beams (7) by fasteners.

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