Frame member for vehicle

Abstract

Provided is a frame member for a vehicle that, when an impact load is input, easily absorbs the desired impact load by being uniformly compressed in the axial direction. A vehicle frame member (2) extending in the front-rear direction includes: a frame body portion (20A) having a closed cross section (7a) formed by an upper wall portion (20a), a lower wall portion (20b), and a pair of side wall portions (20c, 20d) in a cross section orthogonal to the extending direction within a predetermined front-rear direction range; groove parts (25, 26) formed by the pair of side wall parts (20c, 20d) which are recessed towards the inner side of the closed cross section (7a); and flanges (20e, 20f) protruding outward from the closed cross-section (7a), the pair of side wall portions (20c, 20d) being provided with a plurality of side wall portions defining the groove portions (25, 26) and having groove upper wall portions (25a, 26a), groove lower wall portions (25b, 26b), and groove bottom wall portions (25c, 26c), and the plurality of side wall portions being formed so that the bending rigidities thereof are substantially equal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a frame component for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle frame component that extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body and has an inner panel and an outer panel. The inner panel has a cross-section orthogonal to the extension direction that is formed into a cap shape that opens outward in the width direction of the vehicle body, and the outer panel has a cross-section orthogonal to the extension direction that is formed into a cap shape that opens inward in the width direction of the vehicle body. The vehicle frame component has a closed cross-section orthogonal to the extension direction formed by joining the upper and lower flanges of the inner panel and the outer panel together in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-166697

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] In the vehicle frame component of Patent Document 1, the flange is biased outward in the width direction of the vehicle body. Therefore, the outer panel has higher bending strength than the inner panel. When an impact load is applied from one side in the front-rear direction, the inner panel is more prone to buckling than the outer panel. Consequently, when an impact load is applied, it is difficult to uniformly compress the vehicle frame component axially, making it difficult to absorb the expected impact load. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a frame component for a vehicle that can easily absorb the expected impact load by axially compressing it evenly when an impact load is input.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame member that extends in a longitudinal direction, wherein it comprises:

[0011] Within a specified front-to-back direction, the main body of the frame has a closed section formed by an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of side walls, which is orthogonal to the extension direction.

[0012] The groove is formed by recessing the pair of sidewall portions toward the inside of the closed section; and

[0013] A flange that protrudes outward from the closed section.

[0014] The pair of sidewall portions have multiple sidewall sections, including an upper groove wall, a lower groove wall, and a bottom groove wall that define the groove. The upper groove wall is located on the upper side and extends along the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower groove wall is located on the lower side, extends along the width direction of the vehicle body, and is opposite to the upper groove wall. The bottom groove wall connects the upper groove wall and the lower groove wall in the vertical direction.

[0015] The plurality of sidewall portions are formed such that their respective bending stiffnesses are approximately equal.

[0016] According to the present invention, the plurality of sidewall portions constituting a pair of sidewall portions are formed such that their respective bending stiffnesses are approximately equal. Therefore, the difference in bending strength of the vehicle frame member relative to loads from the longitudinal direction in the vehicle body width direction can be suppressed. As a result, when an impact load is input to the vehicle frame member, it is easier for the vehicle frame member to compress with a stable operating axial direction, and the expected impact load can be easily absorbed by the vehicle frame member. In addition, compared with the case where the groove is not provided, the cross-sectional second moment of the vehicle frame member can be increased, and the bending strength can be increased.

[0017] The effects of the invention

[0018] According to the present invention, a frame component for a vehicle can be provided that can easily absorb the expected impact load by axially compressing it evenly when an impact load is input. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a top view of the front body structure of a vehicle frame component having one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a side view of the aforementioned front body structure.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view of a single frame component for a vehicle.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic representation along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of the frame components for vehicles on the IV-IV line.

[0023] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the frame components for the VV line vehicle.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a schematic representation along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-section of the frame components for vehicles on the VI-VI line.

[0025] Figure 7 This is an enlarged view of the area surrounding the suspension housing of the aforementioned front body structure.

[0026] Figure 8 This is an enlarged view of the connecting parts between the vehicle frame components and the subframe, as well as the surrounding area.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a first modified example of a vehicle frame component.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second modified example of a vehicle frame component.

[0029] Symbol Explanation

[0030] 7a…Closed section, 20…Front side frame (vehicle frame component), 20a…Upper wall, 20b…Lower wall, 20c…Side wall, 20d…Side wall, 20e…Upper flange, 20f…Lower flange, 21b…Inner lower wall (other side lower wall), 21g…Upper side wall (side wall portion), 21h…Lower side wall (side wall portion), 22a…Outer upper wall (one side upper wall), 22g…Upper side wall (side wall portion) ), 22h…lower sidewall (sidewall portion), 25…slot portion, 25a…slot upper wall portion (sidewall portion), 25b…slot lower wall portion (sidewall portion), 25c…slot bottom wall portion (sidewall portion), 26…slot portion, 26a…slot upper wall portion (sidewall portion), 26b…slot lower wall portion (sidewall portion), 26c…slot bottom wall portion (sidewall portion), t1…plate thickness, t2…plate thickness, L3…side length, L4…side length, L5…side length. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This refers to a front body structure 1 of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle frame component according to one embodiment of the present invention. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front body structure 1 includes: a front bulkhead 10 separating the passenger compartment C and the engine compartment E; a pair of left and right front side frames 20 extending forward from the front bulkhead 10; and a pair of left and right skirt reinforcement members 30 extending outward in the width direction of the vehicle body and upward toward the front of the front bulkhead 10, beyond the front side frame 20. The skirt reinforcement members 30 are connected at their front ends by a hood upper part 31 extending in the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0033] The front body structure 1 includes: a pair of left and right shield members 32 that connect the upper part of the shield 31 and the front end of the front side frame 20 in the vertical direction; a pair of left and right suspension housings 40 disposed between the front bulkhead 10 and the shield members 32 in the front-rear direction; a subframe 50 disposed below the front side frame 20; and a pair of left and right connecting parts 51 that connect the subframe 50 and the front side frame 20 in the vertical direction.

[0034] At the front end of each front side frame 20, a main energy-absorbing box 61, formed of a cylindrical body or the like, extends forward to absorb impact loads from the front of the vehicle. A pair of left and right main energy-absorbing boxes 61 are connected to each other via bumper reinforcements 62 extending along the width of the vehicle body. At the front end of each subframe 50, a secondary energy-absorbing box 63, formed of a cylindrical body or the like, extends forward to absorb impact loads from the front of the vehicle. A pair of left and right secondary energy-absorbing boxes 63 are connected to each other via secondary bumper reinforcements 64 extending along the width of the vehicle body.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, each front side frame 20 has a straight portion 2a extending generally horizontally forward and an inclined portion 2b extending from the rear end of the straight portion 2a toward the rear of the vehicle body and downward.

[0036] When an impact load is input from the front of the vehicle towards the bumper reinforcement 62, a portion of the impact load is absorbed by the main energy-absorbing box 61 and the front side frame 20, and dispersed to the rear of the vehicle frame.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of the front side frame 20. Figure 4 It is a schematic representation along Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a cross-section along line IV-IV (a cross-section of the front portion 2c of the straight section 2a of the front side frame 20). In this embodiment, the left and right front side frames 20 have a substantially symmetrical structure. Therefore, in this embodiment, the structure of the front side frame 20 on the right side in the vehicle width direction will be described.

[0038] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4The front side frame 20 is configured to absorb impact loads through axial compression when impact loads are input in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The front side frame 20 is formed, for example, of iron or aluminum. The front side frame 20 includes a frame body 20A, which has an upper wall 20a, a lower wall 20b, and a pair of side walls 20c and 20d, and a closed section 7a having multiple vertices orthogonal to the extending direction. The front side frame 20 has grooves 25 and 26 that recess the side walls 20c and 20d toward the inner side of the closed section 7a, and these grooves extend in the longitudinal direction. The front side frame 20 has an upper flange 20e and a lower flange 20f that protrude outwards (vertically in this embodiment) from the closed section 7a.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the front side frame 20 is formed, for example, by welding together multiple sheet metal components. In this embodiment, the front side frame 20 has an inner sheet 21 located inside the vehicle body width direction and an outer sheet 22 located outside the vehicle body width direction.

[0040] The inner panel 21 has: an inner upper wall portion 21a extending along the width direction of the vehicle body, an inner lower wall portion 21b opposite to the inner upper wall portion 21a and extending along the width direction of the vehicle body, an inner side wall portion 21c connecting the inner ends of the inner upper wall portion 21a and the inner lower wall portion 21b, and upper and lower flanges 21e and 21f extending in the upper and lower directions respectively from the outer ends of the inner upper wall portion 21a and the outer ends of the inner lower wall portion 21b. The cross section of the inner panel 21 orthogonal to the extension direction is formed into a cap shape that bulges inward toward the width direction of the vehicle body.

[0041] The outer panel 22 has: an outer upper wall portion 22a extending in the vehicle width direction, an outer lower wall portion 22b opposite to the outer upper wall portion 22a and extending in the vehicle width direction, an outer wall portion 22c connecting the outer ends of the outer upper wall portion 22a and the outer lower wall portion 22b, and upper and lower flanges 22e and 22f extending in the upper and lower directions respectively from the inner ends of the outer upper wall portion 22a and the inner ends of the outer lower wall portion 22b. The cross section of the outer panel 22 orthogonal to the extension direction is formed into a cap shape that bulges outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0042] The upper flanges 21e and 22e of the inner panel 21 and the lower flanges 21f and 22f of the outer panel 22 are joined together in the vehicle width direction, for example by welding, thereby forming a front side frame 20 with a closed section 7a having a generally rectangular cross section.

[0043] The upper wall portion 20a, lower wall portion 20b, and a pair of side wall portions 20c and 20d of the front side frame 20 are respectively composed of the upper wall portions 21a and 22a, the lower wall portions 21b and 22b, and the side wall portions 21c and 22c of the inner plate 21 and the outer plate 22. The upper flange 20e and lower flange 20f of the front side frame 20 are respectively composed of the upper flanges 21e and 22e and the lower flanges 21f and 22f of the inner plate 21 and the outer plate 22.

[0044] The protruding position of the upper flange 20e protruding from the closed section 7a is located on the side further outward or inward than the centroid Z in the vehicle body width direction, while the protruding position of the lower flange 20f protruding from the closed section 7a is located on the other side. In this embodiment, the upper flange 20e is located on the side further outward than the lower flange 20f in the vehicle body width direction. The spacing distances L1 and L2 between the upper flange 20e and the lower flange 20f in the vehicle body width direction relative to the centroid Z of the closed section 7a are approximately the same. In this specification, "approximately the same" and "approximately equal" include errors that may occur during the manufacture of the inner panel 21 and the outer panel 22.

[0045] In this specification, the centroid Z of the closed section 7a refers to, Figure 4 The intersection of a straight line C1 passing through the midpoint (center) of the vertical direction between the upper wall portion 20a and the lower wall portion 20b, and a straight line C2 passing through the midpoint (center) of the vehicle width direction between the pair of side wall portions 20c and 20d, is shown in the cross section of the defined area of ​​the front side frame 20. In this embodiment, the defined area is the front portion 2c of the straight section 2a of the front side frame 20.

[0046] Grooves 25 and 26 are formed on the side wall portions 21c and 22c of the inner panel 21 and the outer panel 22, respectively. The grooves 25 and 26 are recessed toward the inner side of the closed section 7a (recessed toward the side wall portions 21c and 22c on the other side) and extend along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the grooves 25 and 26 are positioned opposite each other in the width direction of the vehicle body. In this embodiment, the vertical width W of the grooves 25 and 26 is set to 1 / 3 of the height H of the closed section 7a. The center P of the vertical width W of the grooves 25 and 26 coincides with the straight line C1, and the grooves 25 and 26 are located at the center of the vertical direction of the closed section 7a.

[0048] In this embodiment, the depth D of the grooves 25 and 26 is approximately the same as their width W. The depth D of the grooves 25 and 26 is set to be smaller than the vehicle width distance W2 from the side wall portions 20c and 20d to the centroid Z. The grooves 25 and 26 are located on the outer side compared to the straight line C2 extending vertically through the centroid Z. The depth D of the grooves 25 and 26 is approximately the same as the vehicle width dimensions L3 and L4 of the outer upper wall portion 22a and the inner lower wall portion 21b.

[0049] Each groove 25, 26 has an upper groove wall 25a, 26a, a lower groove wall 25b, 26b, and a bottom groove wall 25c, 26c. The upper groove wall 25a, 26a is located on the upper side and extends along the width direction of the vehicle body on the closed section 7a. The lower groove wall 25b, 26b is located on the lower side and extends along the width direction of the vehicle body on the closed section 7, and is opposite to the upper groove wall 25a, 26a. The bottom groove wall 25c, 26c connects the inner ends of the upper groove wall 25a, 26a and the lower groove wall 25b, 26b in the vertical direction.

[0050] Reference Figure 4 The sidewall portion 21c of the inner plate 21 and the sidewall portion 22c of the outer plate 22 are configured to have approximately equal bending stiffness. Specifically, each sidewall portion 21c, 22c of the inner plate 21 and the outer plate 22 is composed of multiple sidewall portions having approximately equal bending stiffness. In this embodiment, the bending stiffness of each of the multiple sidewall portions is the bending stiffness of each sidewall portion relative to the direction perpendicular to the surface (thickness direction).

[0051] Multiple sidewall portions are provided in the sidewall portions 21c and 22c of the inner plate 21 and the outer plate 22, including: upper sidewall portions 21g and 22g located above the groove portions 25 and 26; lower sidewall portions 21h and 22h located below the groove portion 25; groove upper wall portions 25a and 26a; groove lower wall portions 25b and 26b; and groove bottom wall portions 25c and 26c. The plate thickness t1 of each of the multiple sidewall portions is formed to be approximately the same, and the side length L5 on the closed section 7a is formed to be approximately the same. Moreover, the plate thickness t2 and side lengths L4 and L3 of the inner lower wall portion 21b of the inner plate 21 and the outer upper wall portion 22a of the outer plate 22 are formed to be approximately the same as the plate thickness and side length of each of the sidewall portions.

[0052] like Figure 4As shown, the closed section 7a has multiple vertices (first to twelfth vertices) P1 to P12. The first vertex P1 is the intersection of the outer upper wall 22a and the upper side wall 22g. The second vertex P2 is the intersection of the upper side wall 22g and the upper wall 26a of the groove. The third vertex P3 is the intersection of the upper wall 26a of the groove and the bottom wall 26c of the groove. The fourth vertex P4 is the intersection of the bottom wall 26c of the groove and the lower wall 26b of the groove. The fifth vertex P5 is the intersection of the lower wall 26b of the groove and the lower side wall 22h. The sixth vertex P6 is the intersection of the lower side wall 22h and the outer lower wall 22b. The seventh vertex P7 is the intersection of the inner lower wall 21b and the lower side wall 21h. The eighth vertex P8 is the intersection of the lower side wall 21h and the lower wall 25b of the groove. The ninth vertex P9 is the intersection of the lower wall 25b of the groove and the bottom wall 25c of the groove. The tenth vertex, P10, is the intersection of the bottom wall portion 25c and the upper wall portion 25a of the groove. The eleventh vertex, P11, is the intersection of the upper wall portion 25a and the upper side wall portion 21g. The twelfth vertex, P12, is the intersection of the upper side wall portion 21g and the inner upper wall portion 21a.

[0053] The closed section 7a includes the protruding positions of the upper and lower flanges 20e and 20f, which are symmetrical with respect to the centroid Z of the closed section 7a, and non-linearly symmetrical with respect to all straight lines perpendicular to the front-back direction passing through the centroid Z. Symmetry with respect to the centroid Z means that when the closed section 7a is rotated 180 degrees around the centroid Z, the protruding positions of the first vertex P1 to the sixth vertex P6 and the upper flange 20e are approximately the same as the protruding positions of the seventh vertex P7 to the twelfth vertex P12 and the lower flange 20f before the rotation.

[0054] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The rear sides of the vehicle body, specifically sections 25 and 26, are deeper than the front sides. More specifically, compared to... Figure 4 Compared to the slots 25 and 26 of the closed section 7a located in the front part 2c of the front side frame 20 shown, Figure 6 The grooves 125 and 126 of the closed section 7b located on the rear side portion 2d of the front side frame 20 are shown to be deeper than the depth D2. The side length L15 of the upper wall portion 125a, 126a and the lower wall portion 125b, 126b of the groove in the closed section 7b is longer than the side length L5 of the bottom wall portion 125c, 126c, the upper side wall portion 21g, 22g and the lower side wall portion 21h, 22h of the groove in the closed section 7b.

[0055] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the upper flange 20e of the rear portion 2d of the front side frame 20 protrudes upwards than the upper flange 20e of the front portion 2c. More specifically, the upper flange 22e of the outer plate 22 is longer in the rear portion 2d than in the front portion 2c.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the front part 2c of the front side frame 20 is the part of the straight section 2a that is forward of the suspension housing 40, and the rear part 2d is the part of the straight section 2a in which the suspension housing 40 is mounted.

[0057] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 7 As shown, a suspension housing 40 is mounted on the front side bracket 20. The suspension housing 40 supports the upper end of a front suspension (not shown) positioned at a desired location forward of the vehicle body, above the front bulkhead 10. The suspension housing 40 is configured to span the side skirt reinforcement 30 and the front side bracket 20.

[0058] like Figure 7 As shown, the suspension housing 40 is a generally conical cylinder that extends downward from a generally disc-shaped upper surface. The suspension housing 40 has a generally disc-shaped suspension top support portion 40a that supports the suspension, and a tower portion 40b that extends downward from the suspension top support portion 40a. The suspension top support portion 40a is fixed to the upper surface of the skirt reinforcement member 30 by welding or the like.

[0059] The tower portion 40b is formed to extend downward from the radially outer end of the suspension top support portion 40a. The upper end of the tower portion 40b is fixed to the lower end of the suspension top support portion 40a and the inner side of the side skirt reinforcement 30 by welding or the like. The lower end of the tower portion 40b is fixed by welding or the like to the upper flange 22e of the outer plate 22 of the front side frame 20 in a state of overlapping with the outer side of the outer side plate 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] The suspension housing 40 includes a first reinforcing member 42 extending in the vertical direction. This first reinforcing member 42 is disposed adjacent to the front side of the strut portion 40b and has a generally cap-shaped cross-section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The upper end portion 42a of the first reinforcing member 42 is joined to the front side of the strut portion 40b, which is fixed to the inner side of the skirt reinforcement 30, by welding or the like. The lower end portion 42b of the first reinforcing member 42 is fixed to the inner upper wall portion 21a and the inner side wall portion 21c of the inner panel 21 by welding or the like. An upper surface fixing portion 42c, which is fixed to the inner upper wall portion 21a, and a side fixing portion 42d, which is fixed to the inner side wall portion 21c, are provided at the lower end portion 42b of the first reinforcing member 42. A pair of flange portions 42e extending in the longitudinal direction of the first reinforcing member 42 are joined to the front surface side of the strut portion 40b by welding or the like.

[0061] like Figure 2As shown, the suspension housing 40 includes a second reinforcing member 43, which is disposed on the outer surface of the strut portion 40b in the vehicle width direction. The second reinforcing member 43 is generally cap-shaped and extends in the vertical direction. A pair of flange portions 43a extending in the front-rear direction of the second reinforcing member 43 are joined to the strut portion 40b from the outer surface in the vehicle width direction by welding or the like. The pair of flange portions 43a are joined to the upper flange 22e of the outer panel 22 at the lower end 43b of the second reinforcing member 43 by welding or the like. A side fixing portion 43c is provided at the lower end 43b of the second reinforcing member 43, which is joined to the outer wall portion 22c by welding or the like.

[0062] like Figure 2 and Figure 8 As shown, the subframe 50 and the front side frame 20 are connected by a connecting member 51. The connecting member 51 has: a lower connecting member 52 located on the lower side and connected to the subframe 50; an upper connecting member 53 located on the upper side and connected to the front side frame 20; and a fastening member 56 that fastens the lower connecting member 52 to the upper connecting member 53.

[0063] The lower connecting member 52 has a generally U-shaped cross-section that opens forward and extends in the vertical direction. The lower connecting member 52 is fixed to the sub-frame 50 at its lower end by welding. The plate member 52a for mounting the fastening member 54 is joined to the upper end of the lower connecting member 52 by welding or the like.

[0064] The upper connecting member 53 has a U-shaped pillar member 54 with an approximate cross-section that opens outward in the vehicle width direction and an L-shaped plate member 55 that covers the outer and lower sides of the pillar member 54 in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] The column member 54 has: an inner wall 54a extending in the vertical direction; a front wall 54b and a rear wall 54c extending outward in the width direction from the front edge and the rear edge of the inner wall 54a; and a pair of front and rear flanges 54d extending forward and backward respectively from the outer edges of the front wall 54b and the rear wall 54c.

[0066] The plate member 55 has a longitudinal wall 55a extending in the vertical direction and a bottom wall 55b extending from the lower end of the longitudinal wall 55a in the width direction of the vehicle body. The upper connecting member 53 is formed into a hollow box shape by welding or the like by a pair of flanges 54d of the pillar member 54 joining the longitudinal wall 55a of the plate member 55 in the width direction.

[0067] The column member 54 is provided with a side fixing part 54e and a lower surface fixing part 54f. The side fixing part 54e extends upward from the inner wall 54a and is fixed to the side wall part 21c of the inner plate 21. The lower surface fixing part 54f extends forward and backward from the upper edges of the front wall 54b and the rear wall 54c, respectively, and is fixed to the lower wall part 21b of the inner plate 21. The plate member 55 is joined to the lower flange part 21f of the inner plate 21 at its upper end 55c by welding or the like.

[0068] Fastening components 56 include, for example, welded nuts and bolts fixed to the tongue portion 55d, which is formed by cutting open the longitudinal wall of the plate member 55 and folding it inward in the vehicle width direction. The upper connecting component 51 and the lower connecting component 52 are connected by inserting bolts from below the plate member 52a and screwing them into the welded nuts.

[0069] The vehicle frame component 20 according to the above embodiments has the following effects.

[0070] The front side frame 20 extending in the front-rear direction includes: a frame body 20A, whose cross-section orthogonal to the extension direction is formed into a closed section 7a by an upper wall 20a, a lower wall 20b, and a pair of side walls 20c and 20d within a defined front-rear direction range; grooves 25 and 26, which are recessed toward the inner side of the closed section 7a by the pair of side walls 20c and 20d; and flanges 20e and 20f, which protrude outward from the closed section 7a, and the pair of side walls 20c and 20d have multiple side wall portions that define the grooves 25 and 26. It also has upper wall portions 25a and 26a, lower wall portions 25b and 26b, and bottom wall portions 25c and 26c. The upper wall portions 25a and 26a are located on the upper side and extend along the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower wall portions 25b and 26b are located on the lower side and extend along the width direction of the vehicle body, and are opposite to the upper wall portions 25a and 26a. The bottom wall portions 25c and 26c connect the upper wall portions 25a and 26a and the lower wall portions 25b and 26b in the vertical direction. Multiple side wall portions 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, and 26c are formed such that their respective bending stiffnesses are approximately equal.

[0071] According to the present invention, the plurality of sidewall portions 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, and 26c constituting a pair of sidewall portions 20c and 20d are formed with their respective bending stiffnesses being approximately equal. Therefore, the difference in bending strength of the front side frame 20 relative to loads from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed. As a result, when an impact load is input to the front side frame 20, the front side frame 20 can be axially compressed with a stable action, and the expected impact load can be easily absorbed. In addition, compared with the case where the groove portions 25 and 26 are not provided, the cross-sectional second moment of the front side frame 20 can be increased, and the bending strength can be increased.

[0072] The plate thickness t1 and the side length L5 of the closed section 7a are approximately the same for each of the side wall portions 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, and 26c.

[0073] With this structure, it is easy to make the bending stiffness of each sidewall portion 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, and 26c of a pair of sidewall portions 20c and 20d approximately equal.

[0074] The vehicle frame components are a pair of left and right front side frames 20 located on both sides of the engine compartment E in the body width direction.

[0075] According to this structure, when an impact load is input from the front of the vehicle, the front side frame 20 can be stably axially compressed.

[0076] Flanges 20e and 20f have an upper flange 20e and a lower flange 20f. The upper flange 20e protrudes from the upper wall portion 20a and is located on the outer side relative to the centroid Z of the closed section 7a in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange 20f protrudes from the lower wall portion 20b and is located on the inner side relative to the centroid Z of the closed section 7a.

[0077] According to this structure, by biasing the upper flange 20e outward in the vehicle width direction (to one side of the centroid Z of the closed section 7a), upper mounting components such as the suspension housing 40 can be mounted on the upper wall portion 20a and the upper flange 20e. By biasing the lower flange 20f inward in the vehicle width direction (to the other side of the centroid Z of the closed section 7a), lower mounting components such as the subframe 50 can be mounted on the lower flange 20f.

[0078] The plate thickness t2 of the outer upper wall portion (one side upper wall portion) 22a in the upper wall portion 20a, which is located outside the vehicle width direction compared to the upper flange 20e, and the inner lower wall portion (the other side lower wall portion) 21b in the lower wall portion 20b, which is located inside the vehicle width direction compared to the lower flange 20f, and the side lengths L3 and L4 of the closed section 7a are approximately the same as those of the side wall portions 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, and 26c.

[0079] According to this structure, in addition to the bending stiffness of each side wall portion 21g, 22g, 21h, 22h, 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, 26c, the bending stiffness of the outer upper wall portion 22a and the inner lower wall portion 21b is also consistent, thus enabling more reliable axial compression of the front side frame 20.

[0080] The rear side of the vehicle body of sections 25 and 26 is deeper than the front side of the vehicle body.

[0081] According to this structure, the secondary moment of the cross-section is higher towards the rear of the vehicle body. Therefore, the rear portion 2d of the front side frame 20 has higher bending stiffness compared to the front portion 2c. As a result, the front portion 2c deforms under the impact load from the front of the vehicle body, thereby absorbing the impact load. Furthermore, the increased stiffness of the rear portion 2d allows it to withstand the impact load reliably, thus enabling the front portion 2c to reliably absorb the impact load.

[0082] The sidewall portion has upper sidewall portions 21g and 22g located above the groove portions 25 and 26, and lower sidewall portions 21h and 22h located below the groove portions 25 and 26.

[0083] The plate thicknesses t1 and t2 and the side lengths L3, L4 and L5 of the upper wall portions 25a and 26a, the lower wall portions 25b and 26b, the bottom wall portions 25c and 26c, the upper side wall portions 21g and 22g, the lower side wall portions 21h and 22h, the outer upper wall portion 22a, and the inner lower wall portion 21b are equal.

[0084] According to this structure, compared with the case where the plate thickness and side length of the three sides of the groove wall portions 25a, 26a, 25b, 26b, 25c, 26c constituting the groove portions 25, 26 are different, the two sides of the upper side wall portions 21g, 22g and the lower side wall portions 21h, 22h, the outer upper wall portion 22a and the inner lower wall portion 21b are different, it is easier to suppress the difference in bending stiffness of the wall portions constituting the closed section 7a, and it is easier to make the front side frame 20 stably axially compressed.

[0085] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the structure described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

[0086] In this embodiment, the structure in which flanges 20e and 20f extend from the closed section 7a in the vertical direction has been described, but it is not limited to this; for example, it could also be, as Figure 9 As shown, flanges 120e and 120f extend from the closed section 7c along the width direction.

[0087] In this embodiment, a structure in which the grooves 25 and 26 are aligned vertically has been described, but this is not a limitation; any grooves 25 and 26 can be symmetrical with respect to the centroid Z point. For example, it could also be as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the vertical positions of the grooves 225 and 226 are offset.

[0088] In this embodiment, the grooves 25 and 26 are described as having a cap-shaped structure, but this is not a limitation. The grooves 25 and 26 may also be trapezoidal, semi-circular, or the like.

[0089] In this embodiment, the structure of the vehicle frame component having an inner plate 21 and an outer plate 22 has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The vehicle frame component may also be an extruded component of aluminum or the like.

[0090] [Note] This disclosure includes the following methods.

[0091] [Method 1]

[0092] A vehicle frame component extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein it comprises:

[0093] Within a specified front-to-back direction, the main body of the frame has a closed section formed by an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of side walls, which is orthogonal to the extension direction.

[0094] The groove is formed by recessing the pair of sidewall portions toward the inside of the closed section; and

[0095] A flange that protrudes outward from the closed section.

[0096] The pair of sidewall portions have multiple sidewall sections, each having an upper groove wall, a lower groove wall, and a bottom groove wall that define the groove. The upper groove wall is located on the upper side and extends along the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower groove wall is located on the lower side, extends along the width direction of the vehicle body, and is opposite to the upper groove wall. The bottom groove wall connects the upper groove wall and the lower groove wall in the vertical direction.

[0097] The plurality of sidewall portions are formed such that their respective bending stiffnesses are approximately equal.

[0098] [Method 2]

[0099] The vehicle frame components described in Method 1, wherein,

[0100] The thickness of each of the sidewall portions is approximately the same, and the side length of each closed section is approximately the same.

[0101] [Method 3]

[0102] The vehicle frame components described in method 1 or 2, wherein,

[0103] The vehicle frame components are a pair of front side frames located on both sides of the vehicle body in the width direction of the engine compartment.

[0104] [Method 4]

[0105] The vehicle frame component described in any one of methods 1 to 3, wherein,

[0106] The flange has an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange protrudes from the upper wall portion and is located on one side (outer or inner) relative to the centroid of the closed section in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange protrudes from the lower wall portion and is located on the other side (outer or inner) relative to the centroid of the closed section. [Method 5]

[0107] The vehicle frame components described in Method 4, wherein,

[0108] The plate thickness and the side length of the closed section of the upper wall portion located on one side compared to the upper flange and the lower wall portion located on the other side compared to the lower flange in the lower wall portion are approximately the same as the plate thickness and the side length of the closed section of the side wall portion.

[0109] [Method 6]

[0110] The vehicle frame component described in any one of methods 1 to 5, wherein,

[0111] The rear side of the groove is deeper than the front side of the vehicle body.

[0112] [Method 7]

[0113] The vehicle frame component described in any one of methods 1 to 6, wherein,

[0114] The sidewall portion has an upper sidewall portion located above the groove portion and a lower sidewall portion located below the groove portion.

[0115] The plate thicknesses of the upper wall, lower wall, bottom wall, upper side wall, lower side wall, upper wall on one side, and lower wall on the other side are approximately the same, and the side lengths of the closed sections are approximately the same.

Claims

1. A vehicle frame component extending in a longitudinal direction, characterized in that, have: Within a specified front-to-back direction, the main body of the frame has a closed section formed by an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of side walls, which is orthogonal to the extension direction. The groove is formed by the pair of sidewall portions being recessed towards the inside of the closed section; as well as A flange that protrudes outward from the closed section. The pair of sidewall portions have multiple sidewall sections, each having an upper groove wall, a lower groove wall, and a bottom groove wall that define the groove. The upper groove wall is located on the upper side and extends along the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower groove wall is located on the lower side, extends along the width direction of the vehicle body, and is opposite to the upper groove wall. The bottom groove wall connects the upper groove wall and the lower groove wall in the vertical direction. The plurality of sidewall portions are formed such that their respective bending stiffnesses are approximately equal.

2. The vehicle frame component according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of each of the sidewall portions is approximately the same, and the side length of each closed section is approximately the same.

3. The vehicle frame component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The vehicle frame components are a pair of front side frames located on both sides of the vehicle body in the width direction of the engine compartment.

4. The vehicle frame component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The flange has an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flange protrudes from the upper wall portion and is located on one side of the outer or inner side relative to the centroid of the closed section in the vehicle width direction. The lower flange protrudes from the lower wall portion and is located on the other side of the outer or inner side relative to the centroid of the closed section.

5. The vehicle frame component according to claim 4, characterized in that, The plate thickness and the side length of the closed section of the upper wall portion located on one side compared to the upper flange and the lower wall portion located on the other side compared to the lower flange in the lower wall portion are approximately the same as the plate thickness and the side length of the closed section of the side wall portion.

6. The vehicle frame component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The rear side of the groove is deeper than the front side of the vehicle body.

7. The vehicle frame component according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sidewall portion has an upper sidewall portion located above the groove portion and a lower sidewall portion located below the groove portion. The plate thicknesses of the upper wall, lower wall, bottom wall, upper side wall, lower side wall, upper wall on one side, and lower wall on the other side are approximately the same, and the side lengths of the closed sections are approximately the same.

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