Vehicle framework component

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle frame member capable of reducing the work for securing the sealability of a front wall. The left and right wheel covers (14), the cross member (16), the left and right front struts (22), and the cowl (28) are integrally formed. As a result, there is no longer a joint between the cowl (28) and the wheel housing (14) and a joint between the cowl (28) and the front pillar (22). As a result, there is no need for work for securing the sealing properties of the joint between the cowl (28) and the wheel housing (14) and the joint between the cowl (28) and the front pillar (22).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to the front bulkhead of a vehicle. In this prior art, in the joint structure between the front bulkhead and the frame component, a sealing component is provided on the welding flange of the front bulkhead.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-282401 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] In the aforementioned prior art, a process is required to install a sealing component on the front welding flange.

[0007] In view of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle frame component capable of reducing the work required to ensure the sealing of the front fascia.

[0008] Methods for solving problems

[0009] The vehicle frame component of the present invention described in the first technical solution includes: a wheel cover, on which a wheel is disposed; a front pillar, which is disposed on the rear side of the wheel cover and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and is integrally formed with the wheel cover; and a front bulkhead, which supports the front end of the windshield and is integrally formed with the wheel cover and the front pillar.

[0010] The vehicle frame component of the present invention, as described in the first technical solution, includes wheel covers, a front pillar, and a front bulkhead. The wheel covers, on which the wheels are mounted, and the front pillar, extending vertically in the vehicle direction from the rear side of the wheel covers, are integrally formed. Furthermore, the front bulkhead, which supports the front end of the windshield, is integrally formed with the wheel covers and the front pillar.

[0011] In this way, the front bulkhead, wheel arches, and front pillars are integrally formed, eliminating the need for separate joints between the front bulkhead and wheel arches, and between the front bulkhead and front pillars. Therefore, there is no need for operations to ensure the sealing of the joints between the front bulkhead and wheel arches, and between the front bulkhead and front pillars.

[0012] The second technical solution describes a vehicle frame component of the present invention that, based on the vehicle frame component of the present invention described in the first technical solution, further includes a crossbeam. The crossbeam connects the left and right wheel covers in the vehicle width direction. The front bulkhead, the left and right wheel covers, the left and right front pillars, and the crossbeam are integrally formed together.

[0013] In the vehicle frame component of the present invention described in the second technical solution, a crossbeam connecting the left and right wheel arches in the vehicle width direction is further included, and the front bulkhead is integrally formed including the left and right wheel arches, the left and right front pillars, and the crossbeam. Compared with the case where the left and right parts are formed separately and then joined together to form an integral unit, the number of parts can be reduced in the present invention.

[0014] The vehicle frame component of the present invention described in the third technical solution is based on the vehicle frame component of the present invention described in the first technical solution. The vehicle frame component further includes a crossbeam, which connects the left and right wheel covers in the vehicle width direction. The front bulkhead, the left and right wheel covers, the left and right front pillars and the crossbeam are respectively formed in a state of being divided at predetermined positions in the vehicle width direction, and are integrated together at the predetermined positions.

[0015] In the vehicle frame component of the invention described in the third technical solution, there is also a crossbeam that connects the left and right wheel covers in the vehicle width direction. The front bulkhead, the left and right wheel covers, the left and right front pillars and the crossbeam are formed separately in a state of being divided left and right at a predetermined position in the vehicle width direction, and are integrated together at the predetermined position.

[0016] Therefore, in this invention, compared with the case where the front bulkhead, left and right wheel covers, left and right front pillars and crossbeams are integrally formed, the mold size can be reduced. In addition, the mold demolding direction can be set to the left and right direction of the vehicle, which simplifies the mold mechanism compared with the case where the mold demolding direction includes the up and down direction of the vehicle.

[0017] The vehicle frame component of the invention described in the fourth technical solution is based on the vehicle frame component of the invention described in the second technical solution, wherein the aforementioned front bulkhead and the aforementioned crossbeam are arranged in a position that does not overlap when viewed from above.

[0018] In the vehicle frame component of the invention described in the fourth technical solution, the front bulkhead and the crossbeam are positioned in a location that does not overlap when viewed from above. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where, as a comparative example, the front bulkhead and the crossbeam are positioned in a location that overlaps when viewed from above, the mold structure can be simplified because there is no need to provide a sliding core or the like to form the space between the front bulkhead and the crossbeam.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] As described above, the vehicle frame component of the present invention can reduce the work required to ensure the sealing of the front fascia. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle with the vehicle frame component of this embodiment applied, viewed from the left rear and above.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a vehicle with the vehicle frame component of this embodiment applied, viewed from the right rear and upper side.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of a vehicle with the vehicle frame component of this embodiment applied, viewed from the left front and above.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a front view of a vehicle with the vehicle frame component of this embodiment applied.

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view when the AA line is cut.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a vehicle with a modified example of the vehicle frame component applied according to this embodiment, viewed from the left rear and above. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, the vehicle frame component according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using the accompanying drawings. In addition, arrows appropriately shown in the figures indicate the front side in the vehicle's front-rear direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle's vertical direction. Arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment, it indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, only the front-rear, vertical, and left-right directions will be used in the description; unless otherwise specified, these refer to the front-rear direction, the vertical direction, and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

[0028] (Structure of vehicle frame components)

[0029] First, the structure of the vehicle frame component in this embodiment will be described.

[0030] exist Figures 1 to 5 The diagram shows an overall view of the vehicle 10, representing its frame. For example, although not shown, the vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle that operates using power generated by a power unit.

[0031] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in the vehicle 10 using the vehicle frame component 12 of this embodiment, wheel covers 14 are provided on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, respectively, with wheels (not shown). Furthermore, the right wheel cover 14 and the left wheel cover 14 are connected by a crossbeam 16 extending in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0032] At the upper ends of the left and right wheel covers 14, the upper apron component 18 extends along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and suspension towers 20 are respectively provided on the inner side of the left and right upper apron components 18 in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] Additionally, front pillars 22 constituting the side portions of the front of the vehicle are provided on the rear side of the left and right wheel arches 14. A connecting portion 24 is provided on the rear side of the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22, which is connected to a lower side beam (not shown) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and forms the frame of the side of the vehicle body.

[0034] For example, the joint 24 is roughly inverted U-shaped when viewed from the rear of the vehicle. The lower side beam is cylindrical, and the joint 24 can engage from the upper side of the lower side beam. With the joint 24 engaged with the front end of the lower side beam, the joint 24 can engage with the lower side beam from both the upper side of the vehicle and the outer side in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0035] Furthermore, the shape of the joint 24 is not limited to this. In addition, a flange 26 is formed on the inner side of the joint 24 in the vehicle width direction, which is joined to the outer edge of the front end of the floor panel (not shown) by welding, fastening or the like.

[0036] On the other hand, a front fascia 28, which supports the front end of the windshield (not shown), extends in the vehicle width direction on the upper apron members 18 on the left and right sides. In this embodiment, the front fascia 28 is positioned so as not to overlap with the crossbeam 16 when viewed from above. Furthermore, the front fascia 28 is generally bow-shaped when viewed from above, with its rear end 28A forming a straight line along the vehicle width direction and its front end 28B forming an arc shape that bulges forward towards the vehicle.

[0037] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the upper surface 28C of the front bulkhead 28 is formed to slope downwards towards the vehicle side as it approaches the front end 28B from the rear end 28A, and as... Figure 4 As shown, the front bulkhead 28 has an arc shape that bulges outwards from the center of the vehicle width direction.

[0038] Therefore, water droplets flowing from the windshield to the front of the front surround 28 can be guided towards the front side of the front surround 28 or the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, a groove for water droplet flow can be formed on the upper surface of the front surround 28.

[0039] In addition, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, connecting portions 30 are provided at both ends of the front bulkhead 28 in the vehicle width direction, and the front bulkhead 28 is connected to the upper apron member 18 via these connecting portions 30. A mounting portion 32 is provided from the rear end of the connecting portion 30, connecting to the upper end of the upper apron member 18 and extending towards the rear of the vehicle. Although not shown, the upper part of the front pillar constituting the upper edge of the door opening 33 can be mounted to this mounting portion 32.

[0040] In this embodiment... Figure 1 The left and right wheel covers 14, crossbeams 16, left and right front pillars 22 and front bulkhead 28 shown are integrally formed by casting using materials such as aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy (integral casting component 34).

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, the wheel cover 14, crossbeam 16, front strut 22, and front bulkhead 28 are all parts that constitute part of the integrally cast component 34. Strictly speaking, the wheel cover 14 is the wheel cover portion of the integrally cast component 34, the crossbeam 16 is the crossbeam portion of the integrally cast component 34, the front strut 22 is the front strut portion of the integrally cast component 34, and the front bulkhead 28 is the front bulkhead portion of the integrally cast component 34. However, for convenience, in this embodiment, the effects of the wheel cover 14, crossbeam 16, front strut 22, and front bulkhead 28 will be described below respectively.

[0042] (The function and effect of vehicle frame components)

[0043] In this embodiment, as described above, the left and right wheel arches 14, crossbeams 16, left and right front pillars 22, and front bulkhead 28 are integrally formed. That is, in this embodiment, the front bulkhead 28 is integrally formed with the left and right wheel arches 14 and the left and right front pillars 22.

[0044] Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no longer a joint between the front bulkhead 28 and the wheel arch 14, or between the front bulkhead 28 and the front strut 22. Thus, no work is required to ensure the sealing of the joint between the front bulkhead 28 and the wheel arch 14, or between the front bulkhead 28 and the front strut 22.

[0045] In addition, as a variation, such as Figure 6 As shown, the front bulkhead 36 and the crossbeam 38 can also be divided by the joints (predetermined positions) 40 and 42 in the vehicle width direction, and the right front bulkhead 36, the right crossbeam 38, the right wheel cover 44 and the right front pillar 46 and the left front bulkhead 36, the left crossbeam 38, the left wheel cover 44 and the left front pillar 46 can be formed into the right casting component 48 and the left casting component 50, respectively.

[0046] In this case, the right-side cast component 48 and the left-side cast component 50 need to be joined together via the joints 40 and 42 after forming to achieve integration. In this embodiment, since there are no such joints 40 and 42, the number of parts can be reduced accordingly, and assembly time can be reduced.

[0047] However, in this invention, it is sufficient to ensure the sealing of the joint between the front bulkhead 28 and the wheel arch 14, and the joint between the front bulkhead 28 and the front pillar 22. Therefore, as Figure 6As shown, the structure in which the left and right parts are divided into a right casting part 48 and a left casting part 50, and the right casting part 48 and the left casting part 50 are integrated after forming, is included within the scope of the claims of this invention, which is self-evident.

[0048] Here, in Figure 6 In the structure shown, as... Figure 1 Compared to the case where the front bulkhead 28, left and right wheel covers 14, left and right front pillars 22, and crossbeam 16 are integrally formed, the mold can be reduced in size because they are divided into left and right parts. In addition, the mold demolding direction can be set to the left and right direction of the vehicle 10, which simplifies the mold mechanism compared to the case where the mold demolding direction includes the up and down direction of the vehicle.

[0049] In addition, regarding Figure 6 The connecting parts 40 and 42 shown can be joined, for example, by overlapping the front ends of the right half of the front bulkhead 36 and the front ends of the left half of the front bulkhead 36 and the front ends of the crossbeam 38 in the longitudinal or vertical direction of the vehicle. Alternatively, the two parts can be joined separately by other components while the front ends of the right half of the front bulkhead 36 and the front ends of the left half of the front bulkhead 36 and the front ends of the crossbeam 38 are in contact.

[0050] On the other hand, in this embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the front panel 28 and the crossbeam 16 are positioned so as not to overlap when viewed from above. Therefore, for example, although not shown, compared to the case where the front panel 28 and the crossbeam 16 are positioned to overlap when viewed from above, the mold structure can be simplified because there is no need to provide a sliding core or the like to form the space between the front panel 28 and the crossbeam 16.

[0051] The present invention has been described above as an embodiment of the invention, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is also possible to combine the embodiment with various modifications as appropriate, and it can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0052] <Postscript>

[0053] Alternatively, the following structures can be appropriately combined to form the vehicle frame component of the present invention.

[0054] (Structure 1)

[0055] The vehicle frame components include: wheel covers with wheels disposed on them; a front strut located on the rear side of the wheel covers and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and integrally formed with the wheel covers; and a front bulkhead supporting the front end of the windshield and integrally formed with the wheel covers and the front strut.

[0056] (Structure 2)

[0057] It also has a crossbeam that connects the left and right wheel arches in the vehicle width direction. The front bulkhead, the left and right wheel arches, the left and right front pillars and the crossbeam are integrally formed together.

[0058] (Structure 3)

[0059] It also includes a crossbeam that connects the left and right wheel arches in the vehicle width direction. The front bulkhead, the left and right wheel arches, the left and right front pillars and the crossbeam are formed separately in a state of being divided at predetermined positions in the vehicle width direction, and are integrated together at the predetermined positions.

[0060] (Structure 4)

[0061] The aforementioned front fascia and the aforementioned crossbeam are positioned in a position that does not overlap when viewed from above.

[0062] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0063] 10 vehicles

[0064] 12 Vehicle frame components

[0065] 14 Wheel covers

[0066] 16 crossbeams

[0067] 22 Front Pillars

[0068] 28 Front

[0069] 34 One-piece cast components

[0070] 36 Front

[0071] 38 crossbeams

[0072] 44 Wheel Covers

[0073] 46 Front pillars

[0074] 48 Right side casting component

[0075] 50 Left-side cast component.

Claims

1. A vehicle body member comprising: a wheel house in which a wheel is disposed; a front pillar disposed on a rear side of the wheel house in a vehicle longitudinal direction and extending in a vehicle vertical direction, and formed integrally with the wheel house; and a front wall supporting a front end portion of a windshield, and formed integrally with the wheel house and the front pillar.

2. The vehicle body member according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body member further comprises a cross member connecting left and right wheel houses in a vehicle width direction, and the front wall is formed integrally with the left and right wheel houses, left and right front pillars, and the cross member.

3. The vehicle body member according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body member further comprises a cross member connecting left and right wheel houses in a vehicle width direction, and the front wall, the left and right wheel houses, left and right front pillars, and the cross member are formed separately in a state of being divided at predetermined positions in the vehicle width direction, and are integrated with each other at the predetermined positions.

4. The vehicle body member according to claim 2, wherein the front wall and the cross member are disposed at positions that do not overlap when viewed in plan view. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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