Front structure of vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a front structure of a vehicle, which can effectively absorb collision load when a front column collides. A front structure (1) for a vehicle is provided with: a pair of left and right front side frames (11) which extend in the front-rear direction, have a closed cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the direction in which the front side frames (11) extend, and have a recess (26) in an inner wall section (11a) located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, the recess (26) being recessed rearward from the front edge (21a) of the inner wall section (11a) and penetrating the inner wall section (11a) in the vehicle width direction; and a first cross member (12) extending in the vehicle width direction between the left and right pairs of front side frames (11), both side portions of the first cross member (12) in the vehicle width direction being fitted into and fixed to the recesses (26) in front of the recesses (26) at the left and right inner wall portions (11a), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle front structure comprising: a pair of left and right front longitudinal beams extending in a longitudinal direction; a front crossbeam extending in a vehicle width direction between the left and right pairs of front longitudinal beams; and a pair of left and right connecting members respectively disposed at the front ends of the left and right pairs of front longitudinal beams. The left and right pairs of connecting members in this vehicle front structure each have a cylindrical insertion portion protruding inward in the vehicle width direction. The two ends of the front crossbeam are inserted into and connected to the left and right insertion portions.

[0003] [Existing Technical Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-199407. Summary of the Invention

[0004] [The technical problem the invention aims to solve] A frontal pole collision, in which a pole-shaped obstacle such as a utility pole collides approximately at the center of a vehicle's width, is a known type of vehicle collision. In a frontal pole collision, the rearward-facing impact load acts on the front crossbeam. At this point, the impact load acts as a shear load on the joint between the front crossbeam and the front side frame, posing a risk of breakage. As a result, the front crossbeam detaches from the front side frame, and the front side frame's ability to absorb impact loads decreases.

[0005] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide a front structure of a vehicle that can effectively absorb collision loads in the event of a frontal pole collision.

[0006] Technical means to solve technical problems One aspect of the present invention provides a front structure for a vehicle, comprising: The left and right pairs of front side frames extend in the front-rear direction. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the direction of extension is a closed section. The inner wall portion located inside the vehicle width direction has a recess. The recess is recessed from the front edge of the inner wall portion to the rear and penetrates the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction. A crossbeam extends along the vehicle width direction between the left and right paired front side frames, and its two sides in the vehicle width direction are respectively embedded in and fixed in front of the recess at the inner wall portion on the left and right sides.

[0007] In this design, the two sides of the crossbeam are embedded in recesses at the front of the vehicle and fixed within the inner walls of the paired left and right front side frames. As a result, collision loads acting on the crossbeam, such as those caused by a frontal pole impact, are supported by the recesses in the axial direction of the front side frames, thus suppressing their shear load action on the fixing parts of the crossbeam on the front side frames.

[0008] Therefore, in a frontal pole collision, the two sides of the crossbeam are prevented from detaching from the paired front side frames, allowing the crossbeam to easily deform rearward in a U-shape. Simultaneously, as the distance between the two sides of the crossbeam shortens, the paired front side frames fixed to these sides easily bend inward in the vehicle width direction. This increases the crossbeam's ability to absorb collision loads in a frontal pole collision through the crossbeam and the paired front side frames.

[0009] [Invention Effects] This invention can effectively absorb collision loads in the event of a frontal column impact. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a top view of the front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A side view of the front structure of the vehicle; Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the front part of the front frame from a diagonal angle. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the first crossbeam from a slightly rearward angle. Figure 5 This is an oblique view of the joint between the first crossbeam and the front frame, viewed from the rear. Figure 6 A schematic top view showing the deformation of the front structure of a vehicle in a frontal pole collision; Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the front part of the front frame involved in the modified example, viewed from the oblique front. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates a front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This description is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention, its applicability, or its uses.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a top view of the front structure 1 of the vehicle involved in this embodiment. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 This is a side view of the front structure 1 of a vehicle. The front structure 1 of the vehicle in this embodiment is a front body structure for a vehicle such as an automobile. In the following description, the longitudinal direction, width direction, and vertical direction of the vehicle on which the front structure 1 is mounted are sometimes referred to as "longitudinal direction," "vehicle width direction," and "vertical direction," respectively. Furthermore, in the following description, the side of the vehicle's centerline in the vehicle width direction is sometimes referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, while the side in the vehicle width direction opposite to the vehicle's centerline is sometimes referred to as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the vehicle width direction is consistent with the vehicle's left-right direction.

[0013] like Figure 1 As shown, the front structure 1 of the vehicle includes: a front bulkhead 2 (refer to...) Figure 2 The front bulkhead 2 separates the passenger compartment (C) and engine compartment (E) in the longitudinal direction. A pair of front side frames 11 extend in the axial direction A, i.e., from the front bulkhead 2, along the left and right sides of the engine compartment E, inclined outwards in the vehicle width direction. A first crossbeam 12 and a second crossbeam 13 extend in the vehicle width direction between the pair of front side frames 11. The first crossbeam 12 is located at the front end of the front side frame 11. The second crossbeam 13 is located behind the first crossbeam 12.

[0014] The front structure 1 of the vehicle also includes a pair of side skirt reinforcements 14, which extend forward from the front bulkhead 2 on the outer side of the pair of front side frames 11 in the vehicle width direction. A suspension cover 15 is provided between each front side frame 11 and each side skirt reinforcement 14. The front-rear position of the second crossbeam 13 corresponds substantially to the front-rear position of the suspension cover 15.

[0015] The front structure 1 of the vehicle also includes: a pair of energy-absorbing boxes 16, which extend in the longitudinal direction in front of the first crossbeam 12 at positions corresponding to the pair of front side frames 11 in the vehicle width direction; and a bumper reinforcement 17, which connects the front ends of the pair of energy-absorbing boxes 16 in the vehicle width direction. The energy-absorbing boxes 16 constitute impact-absorbing components, which absorb collision loads by compressing in the axial direction, for example, in a frontal collision.

[0016] The energy-absorbing box 16 extends parallel to the axial direction A of the corresponding front side frame 11. More specifically, the inner side 16a of the energy-absorbing box 16, located inside in the vehicle width direction, is located on the area obtained by extending the inner wall portion 11a of the corresponding front side frame 11 forward, and the outer side 16b of the energy-absorbing box 16, located outside in the vehicle width direction, is located on the area obtained by extending the outer wall portion 11b of the front side frame 11 forward.

[0017] The rear end of the energy-absorbing box 16 is fixed to the front end of the first crossbeam 12 by clamping the fixing plate 18, for example, by fastening. The front end of the box is fixed to the bumper reinforcement 17 by welding, for example.

[0018] like Figure 2 As shown, the front structure 1 of the vehicle also has a subframe 50 located below the front side frame. The front half of the subframe 50 is suspended and fixed to the front side frame 11, and the rear half is fixed to the body frame. In this embodiment, the subframe 50 is a suspension crossbeam that supports the front suspension, etc. The subframe 50 also includes: a pair of auxiliary energy-absorbing boxes 51 extending forward from the front end; and a auxiliary bumper reinforcement 52 connecting the front ends of the pair of auxiliary energy-absorbing boxes 51 in the vehicle width direction. Similarly, the auxiliary energy-absorbing boxes 51, like the energy-absorbing box 16, constitute impact-absorbing members.

[0019] Figure 3 The image shows the front frame 11 unit located on the left side, which is a perspective view of the front perimeter from the left front. (See image.) Figure 3 As shown, the front side frame 11 has a side frame inner part 20 located inside the vehicle width direction and a side frame outer part 30 located outside the vehicle width direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, the side frame inner component 20 is formed by stamping a steel plate to create a cap-shaped cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction A, which opens outward in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the side frame inner component 20 has: an inner side wall portion 21 extending in the vertical direction; an inner upper wall portion 22 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the inner side wall portion 21; an inner lower wall portion 23 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the inner side wall portion 21; an inner upper flange portion 24 extending upward from the outer edge of the inner upper wall portion 22 in the vehicle width direction; and an inner lower flange portion 25 extending downward from the outer edge of the inner lower wall portion 23 in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] An internal recess 26 is formed at the front end, i.e., the leading edge 21a, of the inner sidewall portion 21 in the longitudinal direction. This internal recess 26 is recessed rearward in a side view and extends through the inner sidewall portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. The internal recess 26 is formed by cutting the front end of the inner sidewall portion 21, resulting in a trapezoidal shape in a side view where its width increases in the vertical direction and it opens forward. The internal recess 26 is located approximately at the center of the inner sidewall portion 21 in the vertical direction.

[0022] The inner recess 26 is defined by an upper and lower extending bottom edge 26a, an upper edge 26b connecting the upper end of the bottom edge 26a and the front edge 21a, and a lower edge 26c connecting the lower end of the bottom edge 26a and the front edge 21a. The upper edge 26b extends in a rearward downward sloping direction. The lower edge 26c extends in a rearward upward sloping direction.

[0023] In this embodiment, the side frame outer member 30 is formed by stamping a steel plate to create a cap-shaped cross-section orthogonal to the axial direction A, opening inwards in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the side frame outer member 30 has: an outer side wall portion 31 extending in the vertical direction; an outer upper wall portion 32 extending inwards in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the outer side wall portion 31; an outer lower wall portion 33 extending inwards in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the outer side wall portion 31; an outer upper flange portion 34 extending upwards from the inner edge of the outer upper wall portion 32 in the vehicle width direction; and an outer lower flange portion 35 extending downwards from the inner edge of the outer lower wall portion 33 in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] An external recess 36 is formed at the front end, i.e., the leading edge 31a, of the outer sidewall portion 31 in the longitudinal direction. This external recess 36 is recessed rearward in a side view and extends through the outer sidewall portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. The external recess 36 is formed by cutting the front end of the outer sidewall portion 31, resulting in a trapezoidal shape in a side view where its width increases in the vertical direction and it opens forward. The external recess 36 is located approximately at the center of the outer sidewall portion 31 in the vertical direction.

[0025] The outer recess 36 is defined by an upper and lower extending bottom edge 36a, an upper edge 36b connecting the upper end of the bottom edge 36a and the front edge 31a, and a lower edge 36c connecting the lower end of the bottom edge 36a and the front edge 31a. The upper edge 36b extends in a rearward downward sloping direction. The lower edge 36c extends in a rearward upward sloping direction.

[0026] In the front frame 11, the inner upper flange 24 and the outer upper flange 34 abut against each other and are joined by, for example, spot welding, and the inner lower flange 25 and the outer lower flange 35 abut against each other and are joined by, for example, spot welding, so that the inner part 20 and the outer part 30 of the side frame are configured to have a closed cross-section that is orthogonal to the axial direction A.

[0027] The inner sidewall portion 21 forms the inner wall portion 11a of the front side frame 11 located inside in the vehicle width direction. The outer sidewall portion 31 forms the outer wall portion 11b of the front side frame 11 located outside in the vehicle width direction. The interlocking inner upper flange portion 24 and outer upper flange portion 34 form the upwardly extending upper flange portion 11c of the front side frame 11. The interlocking inner lower flange portion 25 and outer lower flange portion 35 form the downwardly extending lower flange portion 11d of the front side frame 11.

[0028] The front end face 11f of the front side frame 11 is located on the same plane. In other words, the front end faces of each wall portion of the side frame inner component 20 and the side frame outer component 30 are located on the same plane. In this embodiment, the front end face 11f of the front side frame 11 is located on a plane that is parallel to the extension direction and the vertical direction of the first crossbeam 12 (i.e., a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction).

[0029] The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are formed with the same shape when viewed from the extension direction of the first crossbeam 12. The first crossbeam 12 extends in the vehicle width direction, so in the side view of the vehicle, the bottom edges 26a, 36a, the upper edges 26b, 36b, and the lower edges 26c, 36c of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 overlap.

[0030] Figure 4 The image shows the 12th individual beam, viewed from the rear left at an angle. (See image.) Figure 4As shown, the first crossbeam 12 has a rearward first crossbeam main body portion 40 and a front first crossbeam front wall portion 48. The front first crossbeam front wall portion 48 extends in an in-plane direction parallel to the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first crossbeam main body 40 is formed by stamping a steel plate to create a cap-shaped cross-section orthogonal to its extension direction (vehicle width direction), which opens forward. Specifically, the first crossbeam main body 40 includes: a rear wall portion 41 extending vertically; an upper wall portion 42 extending forward from the upper edge of the rear wall portion 41; a lower wall portion 43 extending forward from the lower edge of the rear wall portion 41; an upper flange portion 44 extending upward from the front edge of the upper wall portion 42; and a lower flange portion 45 extending downward from the front edge of the lower wall portion 43. In the first crossbeam main body 40, the cross-sectional shapes orthogonal to its extension direction are all the same in its extension direction.

[0032] The upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam extends in a rearward downward inclined direction, parallel to the upper edge 26b of the inner recess and the upper edge 36b of the outer recess, and has the same length along the axial direction A. The lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam extends in a rearward upward inclined direction, parallel to the lower edge 26c of the inner recess and the lower edge 36c of the outer recess, and has the same length along the axial direction A. The upper end of the upper flange portion 44 of the crossbeam is vertically aligned with the upper end of the front wall portion 48 of the first crossbeam. The lower end of the lower flange portion 45 of the crossbeam is located above the lower end of the front wall portion 48 of the first crossbeam.

[0033] By having the upper flange 44 and lower flange 45 of the first crossbeam body 40 abut against the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam from behind and joined by, for example, spot welding, the cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 orthogonal to its extending direction is configured as a closed cross-section that is the same in its extending direction. The cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 orthogonal to its extending direction is configured as a trapezoidal shape in which the height decreases rearward in the vertical direction.

[0034] Figure 5 This is an enlarged, oblique view from the rear left, showing the perimeter of the joint where the left-side front frame 11 meets the first crossbeam 12. (See image below.) Figure 5 As shown, the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 is complementary to the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 of the front frame 11, and is inserted into the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 from the front side.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first crossbeam 12 extends through the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the first crossbeam 12 extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the outer sidewall portion 31 of the front side frame 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first crossbeam 12 extends further outward in the vehicle width direction than the outer side surface 16b of the energy-absorbing box 16.

[0036] Therefore, the rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam is parallel to the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess and the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess, and its length is the same as its length along the extension direction of both recesses, and it abuts against both recesses. Similarly, the upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam is parallel to the upper edge 26b of the inner recess and the upper edge 36b of the outer recess, and its length is the same as its length along the extension direction of both recesses, and it abuts against both recesses. Similarly, the lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam is parallel to the lower edge 26c of the inner recess and the lower edge 36c of the outer recess, and its length is the same as its length along the extension direction of both recesses, and it abuts against both recesses.

[0037] The portion of the front frame 11 other than the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36, namely the front end face 11f, abuts against the upper flange 44 and the lower flange 45 of the crossbeam from behind.

[0038] The upper end of the upper flange 11c of the front frame 11 is in the same vertical position as the upper end of the upper flange 44 of the crossbeam. The lower end of the lower flange 11d of the front frame 11 is in the same vertical position as the lower end of the lower flange 45 of the crossbeam.

[0039] The first crossbeam 12 is pre-embedded in front of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 and then fixed. Specifically, the edges 26a to 26c of the inner recess 26 and the edges 36a to 36c of the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 abut against the rear wall 41, the upper wall 42 and the lower wall 43 of the first crossbeam 12 from the rear and are joined by wire welding.

[0040] Furthermore, the first crossbeam 12 is fixed to the front end face 11f of the front frame 11 by wire welding at the upper flange 44 and the lower flange 45 of the crossbeam.

[0041] The energy-absorbing box 16 is fixed to the first crossbeam 12 from the front by a fastening connection. Specifically, the energy-absorbing box 16, clamping the fixing plate 18, is fixed to the upper flange 44, lower flange 45, and front wall 48 of the first crossbeam 12 by a fastening connection. Therefore, the upper flange 44, lower flange 45, and front wall 48 of the first crossbeam 12 simultaneously serve as fixing plates for fixing the energy-absorbing box 16.

[0042] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view illustrating the deformation of the front structure 1 of the vehicle upon a frontal pole collision. (Example) Figure 6As shown, when the cylindrical impact object 60 collides with the center of the front structure 1 of the vehicle in the width direction, the first crossbeam 12, the bumper reinforcement 17, and the secondary bumper reinforcement 52 (see reference) Figure 2 Together, the central part of these three vehicles in the width direction shifts backward. At the same time, along with the backward shift, the two sides of these three vehicles in the width direction shift inward and deform into a U-shape.

[0043] In this design, the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 in the vehicle width direction are embedded and fixed in front of the inner recess 26 and outer recess 36 formed at the front ends of the left and right paired front side frames 11. As a result, the collision load input to the first crossbeam 12 is received in the axial direction A of the front side frame 11, and the shear load acting on the fixing part of the first crossbeam 12 on the left and right paired front side frames 11 is reduced. This prevents the first crossbeam 12 from detaching from the front side frame 11 and keeps it fixed.

[0044] Therefore, the U-shaped first crossbeam 12 pulls the paired left and right front side frames 11 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, causing the paired left and right front side frames 11 to bend and deform toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Thus, the collision load input to the center in the vehicle width direction is not only absorbed by the U-shaped bumper reinforcement 17, the secondary bumper reinforcement 52, and the first crossbeam 12, but also precisely absorbed by the paired left and right front side frames 11 bending toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the front structure 1 can increase the absorption performance of the collision load during a frontal pole impact.

[0045] The front structure 1 of the vehicle of the present invention has the following effects.

[0046] (1) The front structure 1 of the vehicle includes: The left and right pairs of front side frames 11 extend in the front-rear direction and have a closed cross-section orthogonal to their extension direction. The inner wall portion 11a located inside the vehicle width direction has an inner recess 26. The inner recess 26 is recessed from the front edge 21a of the inner wall portion 11a to the rear and penetrates the inner wall portion 11a in the vehicle width direction. The first crossbeam 12 extends along the vehicle width direction between the left and right paired front side frames 11, and its two sides in the vehicle width direction are respectively embedded in the inner recess 26 in front of the inner recess 26 at the inner wall portion 11a on the left and right sides and fixed therein. Here, the front side frame 11 referred to in this specification as extending in the front-rear direction includes not only the case of extending parallel in the front-rear direction, but also the case of extending in a direction inclined towards the vehicle width in the front-rear direction.

[0047] In this design, the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 are respectively embedded in and fixed to the inner wall portion 11a of the paired left and right front side frames 11 at the front of the vehicle via the inner recess 26. As a result, the collision load acting on the first crossbeam 12, for example, caused by a frontal pole impact, is supported by the inner recess 26 in the axial direction A of the front side frame 11, thus reducing the shear load acting on the fixing portion of the first crossbeam 12 on the front side frame 11.

[0048] Therefore, the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 are prevented from detaching from the paired front side frames 11 during a frontal pole impact. This allows the first crossbeam 12 to easily deform rearward in a U-shape. Simultaneously, as the distance between the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 decreases, the paired front side frames 11 fixed to these two sides easily bend inward in the vehicle width direction. This increases the energy absorption capacity during a frontal pole impact through the first crossbeam 12 and the paired front side frames 11.

[0049] (2) Furthermore, the outer wall portion 11b located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right paired front side frames 11 also has an outer recess 36, which is recessed from the front edge 31a of the outer wall portion 11b to the rear and penetrates the outer wall portion 11b in the vehicle width direction. The two sides of the first crossbeam 12 are also respectively embedded in the outer recess 36 in front of the outer recess 36 at the left and right outer wall portions 11b and fixed.

[0050] In this design, in addition to the inner wall portion 11a of the front side frame 11, the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 are also embedded and fixed at the outer wall portion 11b of the front side frame 11 from the front of the vehicle's external recess 36. As a result, the collision load caused by a frontal pole impact is more precisely supported by the front side frame 11 in the axial direction B, thus further suppressing the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 from detaching from the paired front side frames 11. This further enhances the energy absorption performance during a frontal pole impact.

[0051] (3) In the first crossbeam 12, The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction (vehicle width direction) is the same in the vehicle width direction; It includes: a rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam, extending in the vertical direction; The upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam extends forward from the upper edge of the rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam; The lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam extends forward from the lower edge of the rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam; Internal recess 26 has: The bottom edge of the internal recess 26a extends in the vertical direction; The upper edge 26b of the inner recess extends forward from the upper end of the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess; The lower edge 26c of the inner recess extends forward from the lower end of the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess; The outer recess 36 has: The bottom edge 36a of the outer recess extends in the vertical direction; The upper edge 36b of the outer recess extends forward from the upper end of the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess; The lower edge 36c of the outer recess extends forward from the lower end of the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess; The rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess in front of the inner recess. The upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge 26b of the inner recess below the inner recess. The lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam is fixed above the lower edge 26c of the inner recess; And / or, The rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess in front of the outer recess. The upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge 36b of the outer recess below the outer recess. The lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam is fixed above the lower edge 36c of the outer recess.

[0052] In this design, the internal recess 26 and / or the external recess 36 support the first crossbeam 12 from the vertical direction and from the rear, thus further suppressing the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 from detaching from the left and right paired front side frames 11.

[0053] (4) The first crossbeam 12 has: The first crossbeam main body 40 includes a crossbeam rear wall 41, a crossbeam upper wall 42, a crossbeam lower wall 43, a crossbeam upper flange 44 extending upward from the front edge of the crossbeam upper wall 42, and a crossbeam lower flange 45 extending downward from the front edge of the crossbeam lower wall 43. The front wall portion 48 of the first crossbeam extends vertically between the upper flange portion 44 and the lower flange portion 45 of the crossbeam, and is fixed to the front side of the main body portion 40 of the first crossbeam.

[0054] In this design, the first crossbeam 12 is configured as a closed section by the main body 40 and the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam, thus easily improving the stiffness of the first crossbeam 12.

[0055] (5) The rear wall portion 41 of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess and / or the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess by wire welding; The upper wall portion 42 of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge 26b of the inner recess and / or the upper edge 36b of the outer recess by wire welding; The lower wall portion 43 of the crossbeam is fixed to the lower edge 26c of the inner recess and / or the lower edge 36c of the outer recess by wire welding.

[0056] In this design, the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 are securely fixed to the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36 by three-sided wire welding, thus further suppressing the two sides of the first crossbeam 12 from detaching from the paired front frame 11.

[0057] (6) The two sides of the first crossbeam 12 protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the left and right paired front side frames 11.

[0058] In this design, even if the collision load is applied to the outer side of the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction, the portion of the first crossbeam 12 that protrudes further outward in the vehicle width direction than the front side frame 11 can easily absorb the collision load.

[0059] (7) It also has a pair of energy-absorbing boxes 16 on the left and right sides, which sandwich the first crossbeam 12 and are positioned in the vehicle width direction corresponding to the front side frame 11 on the left and right sides respectively, and extend from the first crossbeam 12 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0060] In this design, the impact load acting on the energy-absorbing box 16 is transferred in the front-rear direction to both sides of the immediately following first crossbeam 12. Since both sides of the first crossbeam 12 are supported in the axial direction A by the inner recess 26 and / or outer recess 36 of the front frame 11, the frontal impact load is efficiently transferred to the front frame 11 and effectively absorbed by the front frame 11.

[0061] (8) The two sides of the first crossbeam 12 protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the paired energy-absorbing boxes 16 on the left and right.

[0062] In this design, even if the collision load is applied to the outer side of the energy-absorbing box 16 in the vehicle width direction, the portion of the first crossbeam 12 that protrudes further outward in the vehicle width direction than the energy-absorbing box 16 will easily support the collision load.

[0063] (9) In the first crossbeam 12, The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction (vehicle width direction) is the same in the vehicle width direction; It has: a front wall portion 48 of the first crossbeam, extending in the vertical direction; The main body 40 of the first crossbeam is joined to the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam behind the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam, and together with the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam, the cross-sectional shape is formed as a closed section. The energy-absorbing box 16 is fixed to the front wall 48 of the first crossbeam.

[0064] In this design, the front wall portion 48 of the first crossbeam can also be used as a fixing plate for fixing the rear end portion of the energy-absorbing box 16, so there is no need to set up a separate fixing plate.

[0065] (10) The front end face 11f of the left and right paired front side frames 11 is fixed to the upper flange 44 and the lower flange 45 of the crossbeam behind them.

[0066] In this design, the first crossbeam 12 is supported not only by the inner recess 26 and / or outer recess 36 of the front frame 11, but also axially at the front end face 11f of the front frame 11. This increases the support stiffness of the front frame 11 supporting the first crossbeam 12, thus dispersing the impact load transmitted to the fixing portion of the first crossbeam 12 on the front frame 11 during a frontal collision to the inner recess 26 and / or outer recess 36 and the front end face 11f of the front frame 11. Therefore, it more effectively prevents the first crossbeam 12 from detaching from the front frame 11.

[0067] Figure 7 The front frame 71 unit involved in the modified example is shown, which is and Figure 3 Same perspective view. The front frame 71 differs from the front frame 11 in the above embodiment in that its inner wall portion 71a and outer wall portion 71b have grooves 77.

[0068] The groove 77 is recessed from the inner wall portion 71a and the outer wall portion 71b in the vehicle width direction, and extends rearward from the bottom edges 26a and 36a of each of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36. A curved ridge 77a, defining the groove 77 and extending rearward, extends rearward from the bottom edges 26a and 36a of each recess. The curved ridge 77a increases the stiffness of the inner wall portion 71a and the outer wall portion 71b of the front frame 71 in the axial direction A, and also increases the bending stiffness in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the highly stiff curved ridge 77a firmly supports the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 from the rear.

[0069] Therefore, the front side frame 71 can improve the absorption performance of collision loads acting in the axial direction A during, for example, small overlap collisions, and can also improve the absorption performance of collision loads by bending inward in the vehicle width direction during frontal pole collisions.

[0070] In this modified example, the groove 77 is formed by extending rearward from the bottom edges 26a, 36a of each recess, but it can be designed such that the curved ridge 77a extends rearward from the upper edges 26b, 36b and / or the lower edges 26c, 36c of each recess. That is, from the perspective of improving the support stiffness of the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36, the groove 77 can be formed and the curved ridge 77a can be connected to the edges of the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36.

[0071] In this modified example, the case in which concave grooves 77 are formed in the inner wall portion 71a and the outer wall portion 71b is described. However, a protrusion (not shown) that protrudes in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward from the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36 can be formed based on or instead of the groove 77. The curved ridge of the protrusion can also improve the support stiffness of supporting the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 from the rear.

[0072] The front structure 1 of the vehicle involved in this invention is not limited to the solution described in the above embodiments, and can be modified in various ways.

[0073] The above embodiment illustrates the case where the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are trapezoidal in shape, but is not limited thereto. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 can be formed into various shapes, such as triangular, rectangular, polygonal, semi-circular, etc., as long as they are complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 embedded in the front. In addition, from the perspective of improving the supporting stiffness of the first crossbeam 12 in the front-rear direction, it is preferable that the vertical dimension of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 decreases towards the rear, thereby enabling the upper and lower edges of each recess to withstand the load in the front-rear direction.

[0074] The above embodiment illustrates the case where the front frame 11 has both an internal recess 26 and an external recess 36, but it is also possible to have only one of them.

[0075] The above embodiments illustrate the case where the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 have the same shape, but are not limited thereto. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 can be formed as complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 in which they are embedded. For example, when the portions of the cross-sectional shape of the first crossbeam 12 in which the inner recess 26 and the portion in which the outer recess 36 are embedded are different, the shapes of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 can be different.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are located at the center of the inner wall portion 11a and the outer wall portion 11b of the front frame 11 in the vertical direction, but are not limited thereto. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 may be provided at an upper or lower position in the inner wall portion 11a and the outer wall portion 11b of the front frame 11, and may be provided with an upward opening or a downward opening. In addition, from the perspective of clamping the first crossbeam 12 in the vertical direction, it is preferable that they are provided within the range of the inner wall portion 11a and the outer wall portion 11b without opening to the upper or lower side of the inner wall portion 11a and the outer wall portion 11b of the front frame 11.

[0077] The above embodiments illustrate the case where the front frame 11 and the first crossbeam 12 are constructed using a connecting plate member, but are not limited thereto. The front frame 11 and / or the first crossbeam 12 may, for example, be constructed from extruded aluminum alloy profiles.

[0078] The above embodiments illustrate wire welding as a method of fixing the first crossbeam 12 on the front frame 11, but it is not limited to this. Various joining structures such as spot welding, fastening, and bonding can be used.

[0079] The above embodiments illustrate the application of the fixing structure according to the present invention to the two sides of fixing the first crossbeam 12 on the front side frame 11, but are not limited thereto. The subframe 50 can also be applied. Although figures are omitted, for example, when fixing the left and right paired front side subframes extending in the longitudinal direction to the first sub-crossbeam extending in the vehicle width direction between the left and right paired front subframes at their front ends in the subframe 50, the fixing structure according to the present invention can be applied. In this case, the subframe 50 can also effectively absorb the collision load during a frontal pole impact.

[0080] [Postscript] The front structure of the vehicle involved in this invention is provided in the following form.

[0081] [Form 1] A front structure of a vehicle, comprising: The left and right pairs of front side frames extend in the front-rear direction. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the direction of extension is a closed cross-section. The inner wall portion located inside the vehicle width direction has a recess. The recess is recessed from the front edge of the inner wall portion to the rear and penetrates the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction. A crossbeam extends along the vehicle width direction between the left and right paired front side frames, and its two sides in the vehicle width direction are respectively embedded in and fixed in front of the recess at the inner wall portion on the left and right sides.

[0082] [Form 2] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 1, the outer wall portion of the left and right paired front side frames located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction also has the recessed portion, which is recessed from the front edge of the outer wall portion to the rear and penetrates the outer wall portion in the vehicle width direction. The two sides of the crossbeam are also respectively embedded in and fixed in front of the recess at the left and right outer wall portions.

[0083] [Form 3] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 1 or 2, the crossbeam, The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction is the same in the vehicle width direction; It has: a rear wall portion of the crossbeam that extends in the vertical direction; The upper wall portion of the crossbeam extends forward from the upper edge of the rear wall portion of the crossbeam; The lower wall portion of the crossbeam extends forward from the lower edge of the rear wall portion of the crossbeam; The recess has: The bottom edge of the concave portion extends in the vertical direction; The upper edge of the recess extends forward from the upper end of the bottom edge of the recess; The lower edge of the recess extends forward from the lower end of the bottom edge of the recess; The rear wall portion of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess in front of the bottom edge of the recess; The upper wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge of the recess below the upper edge of the recess; The lower wall portion of the crossbeam is fixed above the lower edge of the recess and to the lower edge of the recess.

[0084] [Form 4] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 3, the crossbeam has: The main body of the crossbeam includes a rear wall portion of the crossbeam, an upper wall portion of the crossbeam, a lower wall portion of the crossbeam, an upper flange portion of the crossbeam extending upward from the front edge of the upper wall portion of the crossbeam, and a lower flange portion of the crossbeam extending downward from the front edge of the lower wall portion of the crossbeam. The front wall portion of the crossbeam extends vertically between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion of the crossbeam, and is fixed to the crossbeam body portion on the front side of the crossbeam body portion.

[0085] [Form 5] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 3 or 4. The rear wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess by wire welding; The upper wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge of the recess by wire welding; The lower wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the lower edge of the recess by wire welding.

[0086] [Form 6] In the front structure of the vehicle described in any one of forms 1 to 5 The two sides of the crossbeam protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the left and right paired front side frames.

[0087] [Form 7] In the front structure of the vehicle described in any one of forms 1 to 6, It also has left and right pairs of impact-absorbing components, which are sandwiched between the crossbeam and are positioned in front of the left and right pairs of front side frames, respectively, and extend from the crossbeam toward the front of the vehicle.

[0088] [Form 8] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 7. The two sides of the crossbeam protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the paired left and right impact-absorbing components.

[0089] [Form 9] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 7 or 8, the crossbeam, The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction is the same in the vehicle width direction; It has: a front wall portion of the crossbeam, extending in the vertical direction; The main body of the beam is joined to the front wall of the beam behind the front wall of the beam, and together with the front wall of the beam, the cross-sectional shape is formed as a closed cross-section. The impact-absorbing component is fixed to the front wall of the crossbeam.

[0090] [Form 10] In the front structure of the vehicle described in form 4. The front end faces of the paired left and right front side frames are fixed to the upper flange and the lower flange of the crossbeam behind them.

[0091] [Form 11] In the front structure of the vehicle described in any one of forms 1 to 10, The sidewall portion of the left and right paired front side frames that has the recessed portion has a groove that is recessed in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward from the recessed portion, or has a protrusion that protrudes in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward from the recessed portion.

[0092] [Numbering Explanation] 1. Front Structure 2. Front panel 11 Front Side Frame 11a Inner wall portion 11b Outer wall portion 12 First crossbeam 16 Energy Absorbing Boxes 17 Bumper reinforcement 18 Fixing Plate 20 Side frame internals 21a Leading edge 26 Internal recess 26a Bottom edge of inner recess 26b Upper edge of the internal recess 26c Lower edge of the internal recess 30 Side frame outer parts 31a Leading edge 36 External recess 36a Bottom edge of outer recess 36b Upper edge of the outer recess 36c Lower edge of the outer recess 40 First crossbeam main body 41. Rear wall of the crossbeam 42 Upper wall of the beam 43. Lower wall of the beam 44. Upper flange of the crossbeam 45. Lower flange of the crossbeam 48 Front wall of the first crossbeam 50 subframes 51 energy-absorbing boxes 52 Secondary bumper reinforcement components 60 Collision Objects 71 Front Side Frame 71a Inner wall portion 71b Outer wall portion 77. Groove section.

Claims

1. A front structure for a vehicle, characterized in that... have: The left and right pairs of front side frames extend in the front-rear direction. The cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the direction of extension is a closed cross-section. The inner wall portion located inside the vehicle width direction has a recess. The recess is recessed from the front edge of the inner wall portion to the rear and penetrates the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction. A crossbeam extends along the vehicle width direction between the left and right paired front side frames, and its two sides in the vehicle width direction are respectively embedded in and fixed in front of the recess at the inner wall portion on the left and right sides.

2. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: Furthermore, the outer wall portion of the left and right paired front side frames located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction also has the aforementioned recess, which is recessed from the front edge of the outer wall portion to the rear and penetrates the outer wall portion in the vehicle width direction. The two sides of the crossbeam are also respectively embedded in and fixed in front of the recess at the left and right outer wall portions.

3. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: In the crossbeam, the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction is the same in the vehicle width direction; The crossbeam has: a rear wall portion that extends in the vertical direction; The upper wall portion of the crossbeam extends forward from the upper edge of the rear wall portion of the crossbeam; The lower wall portion of the crossbeam extends forward from the lower edge of the rear wall portion of the crossbeam; The recess has: The bottom edge of the concave portion extends in the vertical direction; The upper edge of the recess extends forward from the upper end of the bottom edge of the recess; The lower edge of the recess extends forward from the lower end of the bottom edge of the recess; The rear wall portion of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess in front of the bottom edge of the recess; The upper wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge of the recess below the upper edge of the recess; The lower wall portion of the crossbeam is fixed above the lower edge of the recess and to the lower edge of the recess.

4. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The crossbeam has: The main body of the crossbeam includes a rear wall portion of the crossbeam, an upper wall portion of the crossbeam, a lower wall portion of the crossbeam, an upper flange portion of the crossbeam extending upward from the front edge of the upper wall portion of the crossbeam, and a lower flange portion of the crossbeam extending downward from the front edge of the lower wall portion of the crossbeam. The front wall portion of the crossbeam extends vertically between the upper flange portion and the lower flange portion of the crossbeam, and is fixed to the crossbeam body portion on the front side of the crossbeam body portion.

5. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rear wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess by wire welding; The upper wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the upper edge of the recess by wire welding; The lower wall of the crossbeam is fixed to the lower edge of the recess by wire welding.

6. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The two sides of the crossbeam protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the left and right paired front side frames.

7. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It also has left and right pairs of impact-absorbing components, which are sandwiched between the crossbeam and are positioned in front of the left and right pairs of front side frames, respectively, and extend from the crossbeam toward the front of the vehicle.

8. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The two sides of the crossbeam protrude further outward in the vehicle width direction than the paired left and right impact-absorbing components.

9. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the crossbeam, the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to its extension direction is the same in the vehicle width direction; The crossbeam has: a front wall portion that extends in the vertical direction; The main body of the beam is joined to the front wall of the beam behind the front wall of the beam, and together with the front wall of the beam, the cross-sectional shape is formed as a closed cross-section. The impact-absorbing component is fixed to the front wall of the crossbeam.

10. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The front end faces of the paired left and right front side frames are fixed to the upper flange and the lower flange of the crossbeam behind them.

11. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The sidewall portion of the left and right paired front side frames that has the recessed portion has a groove that is recessed in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward from the recessed portion, or has a protrusion that protrudes in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward from the recessed portion.

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