Vehicle front structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle front structure. A vehicle front structure (10) has: an engine hood provided at the upper side of a front cabin (S1); a fender panel (30) provided at one side of the front cabin (S1); a flap portion (40) provided at a lower side of the fender panel (30); and a flapper seal (50) that is provided at a lower side of the hood, covers a gap provided between the fender panel (30) and the flapper portion (40), and separates the front cabin (S1) from an external space (S2) of the front cabin (S1). A first through-hole and a second through-hole are formed in the shutter seal (50), the first through-hole penetrating in a predetermined direction, the second through-hole penetrating in the predetermined direction, being provided at an upper side of the first through-hole, and communicating with an upper end portion of the first through-hole. The baffle seal (50) is secured to the baffle portion (40) by a fastener (60) inserted through the first through hole. The second through hole is covered by a cover portion (57) from the predetermined direction.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle front structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] Known are vehicles provided with a member (hereinafter referred to as "sealing member") that closes a gap between a fender panel and a apron portion so that hot air and noise in an engine room are not emitted to the outside. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2008-195306 discloses a vehicle in which a fender apron protector (sealing member) that extends from an upper end portion of a fender panel toward a vehicle lower side at a vehicle lower side of a hood to the vicinity of a apron is provided as a countermeasure against NV (noise / vibration) at a front fender portion. In this vehicle, since the fender apron protector closes a gap between the fender panel and the apron, noise from the engine room and the suspension is suppressed.

[0003] In the vehicle disclosed in JP-A No. 2008-195306, in the event that a pedestrian's head collides with the hood, for example, a load from the vehicle upper side is input to the sealing member (fender apron protector in JP-A No. 2008-195306) via the hood. At this time, for example, if the sealing member and the vehicle body side (e.g., the apron) are fixed, movement of the sealing member toward the lower side is restricted at the fixed position. As a result, a large load is generated at the fixed position, and along with this, there is a possibility that the load input to the pedestrian's head will increase. SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle front structure that can reduce an impact received by a pedestrian's head.

[0005] A vehicle front structure related to a first aspect of this disclosure includes: an engine hood covering the upper vehicle surface side of the front compartment; a fender panel disposed on the outer side of the front compartment in the vehicle lateral direction; a baffle portion disposed on the lower vehicle side of the fender panel, thereby separating it from the fender panel in the vehicle lateral direction; and a sealing portion disposed on the lower vehicle side of the engine hood, covering a gap between the fender panel and the baffle portion, and separating the interior of the front compartment from the exterior of the front compartment, wherein the sealing portion has a first through hole and a second through hole, wherein the first through hole extends in a predetermined direction, the second through hole extends in the predetermined direction, is disposed on the upper vehicle side of the first through hole and communicates with the upper part of the first through hole, and the sealing portion is secured to the baffle portion by a fastener inserted through the first through hole, and the second through hole is covered by a cover portion from the predetermined direction.

[0006] In the vehicle front structure related to the first aspect, a first through-hole through which a fastener is inserted is formed; and a second through-hole is connected to the upper part of the first through-hole. In the event, for example, a pedestrian's head collides with the hood, the load input to the hood is transferred to a seal located on the lower side of the hood. Specifically, at this time, the load is transferred from the upper side of the vehicle to the seal via the hood. When the load is input to the seal from the upper side, the seal deforms and moves downward. The seal related to the first aspect is fixed to the baffle by a fastener inserted through the first through-hole. However, as described above, a second through-hole is provided, and the second through-hole is connected to the upper part of the first through-hole through which the fastener is inserted. Therefore, when the seal moves downward, the fastener moves relative to the second through-hole from the first through-hole. In this way, at least while the fastener moves relative to the second through-hole from the first through-hole, the fastener does not restrict the movement of the seal. Therefore, at the seal, it is possible to suppress the generation of load near the fastener. This can thereby reduce the impact received by the pedestrian's head.

[0007] In a vehicle front structure related to the second aspect of this disclosure, in the first aspect, the fastener has: a shaft portion extending in the predetermined direction and inserted through the first through hole; and a head disposed at a side end of the shaft portion in the predetermined direction, wherein the length of the head in a cross direction that is a direction intersecting the predetermined direction is longer than the length of the shaft portion in the cross direction, and the length of the second through hole in the cross direction is longer than the length of the head in the cross direction.

[0008] In the vehicle front structure related to the second aspect, the length of the second through-hole in the intersecting direction is longer than the length of the fastener head in the intersecting direction. Because the second through-hole is larger than the fastener head in this way, the engagement between the fastener and the seal is eliminated at the second through-hole. Therefore, when a load is input from the upper side of the vehicle to the seal and the fastener moves relative to the second through-hole from the first through-hole, the engagement between the fastener and the seal is eliminated at the second through-hole. Since the engagement between the seal and the fastener is eliminated, the seal and the fastener are less likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of load near the fastener even more effectively. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the impact received by the pedestrian's head more effectively.

[0009] In a vehicle front structure related to the third aspect of this disclosure, in either the first or second aspect, a recess is provided in the surface of the sealing portion located on the inner side of the front compartment, recessed toward the outer side of the front compartment, and a second through hole is provided in the recess, and a cover portion covers the second through hole from the inner side of the front compartment.

[0010] In the vehicle front structure related to the third aspect, a cover covers the second through-hole from the inside of the front compartment. Therefore, the cover is configured to extend towards the inside of the front compartment. On the other hand, in the vehicle front structure related to the third aspect, the second through-hole is provided in a recessed portion facing the outside of the front compartment. Thus, the position of the second through-hole is further towards the outside of the front compartment than the other parts of the sealing portion (the parts without recesses). By setting the position of the second through-hole, which is an object covered by the cover, on the outside of the front compartment in this way, the cover is also positioned on the outside of the front compartment. Therefore, the length by which the cover extends towards the inside of the front compartment is shorter.

[0011] As described above, the vehicle front structure related to this disclosure has an excellent effect of reducing the impact received by a pedestrian's head. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the main parts of the front structure of a vehicle in relation to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 2 Along the direction of the arrow Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of line AA;

[0015] Figure 3 It is shown in an enlarged manner Figure 1 A perspective view of the main part (part B);

[0016] Figure 4It is as seen in the direction of the arrow along... Figure 3 A sectional view of line CC; and

[0017] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic side view of the main part of the baffle seal shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following reference Figures 1 to 5 An embodiment of the vehicle front structure 10 related to this disclosure is described. Note that the arrow FR, suitably shown in the corresponding figures, indicates the forward direction of the vehicle as the front side in the longitudinal direction, the arrow IN indicates the inner side in the lateral direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upward direction of the vehicle as the upper side in the vertical direction. In the following description, longitudinal direction, lateral direction, and vertical direction refer to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, lateral direction, and vertical direction, respectively. Furthermore, left and right directions refer to the left and right directions when facing the vehicle's forward direction.

[0019] The front compartment S1 is located in the vehicle 100. The front compartment S1 is a space located at the front of the passenger compartment (not shown) of the vehicle 100, and the drive source of the vehicle 100 (e.g., an engine or motor for driving) is housed in the front compartment S1.

[0020] [Vehicle Front Structure]

[0021] The vehicle front structure 10 is located at the front of the vehicle 100. Note that since the vehicle front structure 10 is constructed to be symmetrical, the right side will be described primarily below, and a detailed description of the left side will be omitted.

[0022] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle front structure 10 includes: an engine hood 20 covering the upper surface of the front compartment S1; a fender panel 30 disposed on the outer side of the front compartment S1 in the vehicle's lateral direction; a fender baffle (baffle portion) 40 disposed on the lower side of the fender panel 30, thereby separating it from the fender panel 30 in the vehicle's lateral direction; and a baffle seal (seal portion) 50 covering the gap between the fender panel 30 and the fender baffle 40. Note that... Figure 1 The diagram shows the front structure 10 of the vehicle with the engine hood 20 removed from the front structure 10.

[0023] like Figure 2As shown, the engine hood 20 covers the front compartment S1 from the upper side of the vehicle so that it can be opened and closed. The engine hood 20 is located on the inner side of the fender panel 30 in the vehicle's lateral direction. The engine hood 20 and the fender panel 30 are separate from each other. In addition, the engine hood 20 is located on the upper side of the baffle seal 50.

[0024] The fender panel 30 is located on the outer side of the hood 20 in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The fender panel 30 forms the side surface of the front of the vehicle 100. The fender panel 30 has an outer sidewall portion 31 and an inner sidewall portion 32, the outer sidewall portion 31 forming part of the design surface of the vehicle 100, and the inner sidewall portion 32 curving downward from the upper and inner ends of the outer sidewall portion 31.

[0025] The fender flare 40 forms part of the wheel arch. The cross-sectional shape of the fender flare 40 is generally L-shaped. The fender flare 40 has an outer fender flare 41 and an inner fender flare 42. The outer fender flare 41 is located on the outer side in the vehicle's lateral direction and extends in the lateral direction. The inner fender flare 42 bends from the inner end of the outer fender flare 41 in the vehicle's lateral direction and extends toward the underside of the vehicle.

[0026] Fender baffle 40 is disposed on the lower side of fender panel 30 of the vehicle. Fender baffle 40 and fender panel 30 are separated from each other in the vertical and lateral directions of the vehicle, and a gap is provided between fender baffle 40 and fender panel 30. This gap connects the interior of front compartment S1 and the exterior of front compartment S1 (hereinafter referred to as "exterior space S2").

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the baffle seal 50 is disposed on the inner side of the fender panel 30 in the vehicle lateral direction and extends in the longitudinal direction. Figure 2 As shown, a baffle seal 50 is disposed on the underside of the engine hood 20. The baffle seal 50 covers the gap between the fender panel 30 and the fender baffle 40 in the lateral direction (predetermined direction) of the vehicle. The baffle seal 50 separates the front compartment S1 from the external space S2 of the front compartment S1.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the baffle seal 50 has a front wall portion 51, a rear wall portion 52, and an inclined portion 53. The front wall portion 51 is disposed at the front, and the rear wall portion 52 is disposed further rearward and inward in the lateral direction of the vehicle than the front wall portion 51. The inclined portion 53 connects the rear end of the front wall portion 51 and the front end of the rear wall portion 52. The inclined portion 53 is inclined relative to the front wall portion 51 and the rear wall portion 52, thereby positioning itself further inward in the lateral direction of the vehicle while moving rearward.

[0029] The front wall portion 51 has a transverse wall portion 51A, an upper vertical wall portion 51B, a step portion 51C, and a lower vertical wall portion 51D. The transverse wall portion 51A extends in the transverse direction at its upper end. The upper vertical wall portion 51B bends from the inner end of the transverse wall portion 51A and extends toward the lower side of the vehicle. The step portion 51C bends from the lower end of the upper vertical wall portion 51B and extends toward the outer side of the vehicle in the transverse direction and toward the lower side of the vehicle. The lower vertical wall portion 51D bends from the lower end of the step portion 51C and extends toward the lower side of the vehicle.

[0030] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the rear wall portion 52 has: a transverse wall portion 52A that extends generally horizontally at its upper end; an upper vertical wall portion 52B that bends from the inner end of the transverse wall portion 52A and extends toward the lower side of the vehicle; a step portion 52C that bends from the lower end of the upper vertical wall portion 52B and extends toward the outer side of the vehicle in the transverse direction and toward the lower side of the vehicle; and a lower vertical wall portion 52D that bends from the lower end of the step portion 52C and extends toward the lower side of the vehicle.

[0031] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the recess 58 is provided in the lower vertical wall portion 52D of the baffle seal 50. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, a first through hole 55 and a second through hole 56 are formed in the recess 58. The baffle seal 50 is secured to the fender baffle 40 by inserting a bolt (fastener) 60 through the first through hole 55. In addition, the baffle seal 50 has a cover 57 that covers the second through hole 56.

[0032] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the recess 58 is configured to be recessed from the inner surface of the lower vertical wall portion 52D in the vehicle's lateral direction (i.e., from the surface exposed to the front compartment S1, hereinafter referred to as the "inner surface") toward the outer surface in the vehicle's lateral direction (i.e., toward the outer side). When viewed from the vehicle's lateral direction, the recess 58 is formed into an ellipse whose length direction is vertical.

[0033] The recess 58 has a diameter-reduced portion 58A and a bottom surface portion 58B. The diameter of the diameter-reduced portion 58A decreases outward in the lateral direction of the vehicle, and the bottom surface portion 58B is connected to the outer end of the diameter-reduced portion 58A in the lateral direction of the vehicle. When viewed from the lateral direction of the vehicle, the bottom surface portion 58B is shaped similarly to the outer shape of the recess 58. That is, when viewed from the lateral direction of the vehicle, the bottom surface portion 58B is shaped like an ellipse with its length direction being vertical.

[0034] like Figure 4As shown, a first through hole 55 and a second through hole 56 are formed in the bottom surface portion 58B. The first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 penetrate the bottom surface portion 58B in the vehicle's lateral direction (predetermined direction). Since the bottom surface portion 58B of the recess 58 is part of the baffle seal 50, it can be said that the first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 pass through the baffle seal 50. As described above, the baffle seal 50 separates the front compartment S1 and the external space S2 of the front compartment S1. Therefore, the first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 penetrating the baffle seal 50 connect the front compartment S1 and the external space S2 of the front compartment S1.

[0035] like Figure 5 As shown, the first through hole 55 is formed into a rectangle whose length direction is vertical. The upper end of the first through hole 55 communicates with the lower end of the second through hole 56. The longitudinal length of the first through hole 55 is set to be slightly longer than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 61 of the bolt 60 and shorter than the outer diameter L1 of the head 62 of the bolt 60. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, the first through hole 55 is configured to overlap with the through hole 42A provided in the inner fender baffle 42. The fender baffle 40 and the baffle seal 50 are fastened and secured together by bolts 60 inserted through the first through hole 55 and the through hole 42A.

[0036] like Figure 5 As shown, a second through hole 56 is provided on the upper side of the first through hole 55 on the vehicle side. The second through hole 56 is formed in a rectangular shape. The lower end of the second through hole 56 is connected to the upper end of the first through hole 55 at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction. The length L2 of the second through hole 56 in the longitudinal direction (intersecting direction) is longer than the outer diameter L1 of the head 62 of the bolt 60. Furthermore, the length L3 of the second through hole 56 in the vertical direction (intersecting direction) is longer than the outer diameter L1 of the head 62 of the bolt 60. The second through hole 56 is covered from the inside in the transverse direction by a cover portion 57.

[0037] like Figure 4 As shown, the bolt 60 has: a shaft portion 61 extending in the vehicle's transverse direction (predetermined direction) and inserted through a first through hole 55; and a head 62 disposed at one end of the shaft portion 61 in the vehicle's transverse direction. The shaft portion 61 is formed as a solid cylinder and is inserted through the first through hole 55 and through hole 42A. The head 62 is formed as a solid cylinder, and its outer diameter L1 (see...) Figure 5 The outer diameter of the shaft portion 61 is greater than that of the shaft portion 61. The outer surface of the head portion 62 in the lateral direction of the vehicle contacts the bottom surface portion 58B of the recess 58.

[0038] As from Figures 3 to 5As shown, a cover 57 is disposed on the inner surface of the baffle seal 50 in the vehicle's lateral direction. The cover 57 is configured to extend from the inner surface. The cover 57 covers the second through-hole 56 from the front compartment S1 side (in other words, the inner side in the vehicle's lateral direction). The cover 57 covers the entire second through-hole 56. That is, when viewed from the vehicle's lateral direction, the cover 57 is configured to overlap the entire second through-hole 56.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, the cover 57 has: a transverse plate portion 57A that extends from the inner surface of the baffle seal 50 (specifically, the lower vertical wall portion 51D) toward the inner side in the vehicle's transverse direction; an inclined plate portion 57B that bends and extends obliquely from the inner end of the transverse plate portion 57A in the vehicle's transverse direction; and a vertical plate portion 57C that bends from the inner end of the inclined plate portion 57B in the vehicle's transverse direction and extends substantially parallel to the bottom surface portion 58B. The cover 57 is configured to protrude further toward the inner side in the vehicle's transverse direction than the second through hole 56.

[0040] [Operation and Effects]

[0041] The following operations and effects are demonstrated according to this embodiment.

[0042] In this embodiment, a first through-hole 55 through which a bolt 60 is inserted is formed; and a second through-hole 56 is connected to the upper edge of the first through-hole 55. In the event, for example, a pedestrian's head collides with the hood 20, the load input to the hood 20 is transferred toward the baffle seal 50 located on the underside of the hood 20. Specifically, at this time, the load is transferred from the upper side of the vehicle to the baffle seal 50 via the hood 20. When the load is input from the upper side of the vehicle to the baffle seal 50, the baffle seal 50 deforms and moves toward the underside of the vehicle. The baffle seal 50 associated with this embodiment is fixed to the fender baffle 40 by the bolt 60 inserted through the first through-hole 55, but the second through-hole 56 is located on the upper side of the vehicle through which the bolt 60 is inserted. Therefore, as the baffle seal 50 moves toward the underside of the vehicle, the bolt 60 slides relative to the second through-hole 56 from the first through-hole 55 (see reference). Figure 5 (The arrow in the image). In this way, at least when the bolt 60 moves relative to the second through hole 56 from the first through hole 55, the bolt 60 does not restrict the movement of the baffle seal 50, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of loads near the bolt 60. Thus, it is possible to reduce the impact received by the pedestrian's head 62.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second through-hole 56 is covered by the cover 57 in the lateral direction. Thus, noise and hot air penetrating the second through-hole 56 and traveling from the front compartment S1 toward the external space S2 of the front compartment S1 are blocked by the cover 57. Therefore, noise and hot air emitted from the front compartment S1 to the external space S2 of the front compartment S1 can be reduced.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length L2 in the longitudinal direction and the length L3 in the vertical direction of the second through hole 56 are longer than the outer diameter L1 of the head 62 of the bolt 60. Because the second through hole 56 is larger than the head 62 of the bolt 60 in this way, the engagement between the bolt 60 and the baffle seal 50 is eliminated at the second through hole 56. Therefore, when a load is input to the baffle seal 50 from the upper side of the vehicle as described above, the bolt 60 moves relative to the second through hole 56 from the first through hole 55, and the engagement between the bolt 60, which has moved to the second through hole 56, and the baffle seal 50 is eliminated at the second through hole 56. Since the engagement between the baffle seal 50 and the bolt 60 is eliminated, the baffle seal 50 and the bolt 60 are less likely to interfere with each other. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of load near the bolt 60 even more effectively. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the impact received by the pedestrian's head 62 more effectively.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cover 57 covers the second through hole 56 from the front compartment S1 side. The cover 57 is configured to extend towards the front compartment S1 side. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the second through hole 56 is provided in a recess 58 that is recessed towards the outer space S2. Thus, the position of the second through hole 56 is further towards the outer space S2 side than the other parts of the baffle seal 50 (the parts without the recess 58). By setting the position of the second through hole 56, which is covered by the cover 57, at the outer space S2 side of the front compartment S1 in this way, the cover 57 is also positioned at the outer space S2 side of the front compartment S1. Therefore, the length of the cover 57 extending towards the front compartment S1 side can be short.

[0046] [Modified Example]

[0047] Although the vehicle front structure associated with the embodiments has been described above, the design of this disclosure may be appropriately modified without departing from its essential points.

[0048] For example, although the above embodiments describe an example in which the baffle seal 50 is fixed to the fender baffle 40, this disclosure is not limited thereto. The component to which the baffle seal 50 is fixed may be, for example, an upper baffle component.

[0049] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe examples where the first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 are rectangular, the shapes of the first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 related to this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the first through hole 55 and the second through hole 56 can be polygonal or circular. In addition, the second through hole 56 can be a notch extending upward from the upper end of the first through hole 55.

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure comprising: a hood covering an upper surface side of a front compartment; a fender panel provided at an outer side of the front compartment in a vehicle transverse direction; a dash panel portion provided at a lower side of the fender panel in the vehicle, so as to be separated from the fender panel in the vehicle transverse direction; and a seal portion provided at a lower side of the hood in the vehicle, covering a gap provided between the fender panel and the dash panel portion, and partitioning an inside of the front compartment from an outside of the front compartment, wherein: a first through-hole and a second through-hole are provided in the seal portion, wherein the first through-hole is penetrated in a predetermined direction; and the second through-hole is penetrated in the predetermined direction, is provided at an upper side of the first through-hole, and communicates with an upper portion of the first through-hole, and the seal portion is fixed to the dash panel portion by a fastener inserted through the first through-hole, and the second through-hole is covered from the predetermined direction by a cover portion.

2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein: the fastener has a shaft portion and a head portion, wherein the shaft portion extends in the predetermined direction and is inserted through the first through-hole; and the head portion is provided at a side end portion of the shaft portion in the predetermined direction, and a length of the head portion in a cross direction is longer than a length of the shaft portion in the cross direction, the cross direction being a direction intersecting the predetermined direction, and a length of the second through-hole in the cross direction is longer than the length of the head portion in the cross direction.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein: a recessed portion recessed toward an outside side of the front compartment is provided in a surface of the seal portion at an inside side of the front compartment, the second through-hole is provided in the recessed portion, and the cover portion covers the second through-hole from the inside side of the front compartment. ​

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