Cowl cross member structure for vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cowl cross-member structure for a vehicle. The cowl cross-member structure includes: a cowl cross-member outer member located forward of a dash panel; and a dash cross member inner member located rearward of the dash panel. The cowl cross member outer member includes a cowl cross member center member and a cowl cross member side member. The cowl cross member side member is bent downward in a direction toward the cowl cross member center member. The cowl cross member side member is welded to the cowl cross member center member. The cowl cross member inner member is located at a position lower than the cowl cross member outer member. The cowl cross-member structure includes a rear lower member coupled to the cowl cross-member inner member. The rear lower member is coupled to a lower portion of the vehicle body and is mounted at a position lower than the cowl cross member outer member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a front bulkhead beam structure that is mounted on the front of an electric vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, the front longitudinal beams, which are arranged longitudinally on both sides of the front of the vehicle body, need to have a structure to protect passengers from impact energy when the vehicle collides with an object.

[0003] Figure 1A This is a view showing the vehicle body according to relevant technology. Figure 1B This is a view showing a vehicle in which a large-capacity battery is installed, according to relevant technology. Figure 1A and 1B The diagram shows the body of a typical vehicle, with the bumper beam 1, energy-absorbing box 3, longitudinal beam 4, and apron 2 integrated with the body. (Example) Figure 1A and 1B As shown, the vehicle body needs to have a structure to protect passengers from impact energy when the vehicle collides with an object. Here, the front longitudinal beam 4 plays an important role as a shock absorber. The front longitudinal beam 4 is the most important skeletal component constituting the front of the vehicle and is a rigid member that mounts the engine and other important components.

[0004] The front longitudinal beams 4 are connected to the energy-absorbing boxes 3, which are connected to the opposite sides of the rear end of the front bumper crossbeams 1. Each front longitudinal beam includes an impact-absorbing section for mitigating impact energy and an anti-intrusion section for preventing impact from entering the passenger compartment.

[0005] In recent years, increasingly stringent fuel economy regulations have prompted automakers to develop electric vehicles. In addition to these regulations, environmentally friendly vehicles are becoming more widespread due to global national policies supporting them. Furthermore, competition among automakers to increase the driving range of environmentally friendly vehicles has intensified. Consequently, to improve the driving range of electric vehicles, which are typically considered environmentally friendly, the size of the batteries installed in vehicles is increasing, inevitably increasing the vehicle's weight.

[0006] This increase in vehicle weight inevitably leads to an increase in impact energy in the event of a collision, potentially seriously affecting passenger safety. Furthermore, for electric vehicles, additional regulations related to battery fires must be considered when assessing impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to improve crash performance.

[0007] Furthermore, the encapsulation trend of electric vehicles necessitates shorter suspension systems and increased interior space, and from the perspective of the vehicle body, the impact absorption space is reduced, making it difficult to ensure crash performance. In addition, since the high-voltage battery is located in the lower part of the vehicle body, the subframe may impact the battery when the rear subframe mount detaches due to a collision. Therefore, a component structure configured to prevent the rear subframe mount from detaching and improve crash performance is needed.

[0008] The information disclosed in this background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art that is already known, available or used. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This invention relates to a front bulkhead crossbeam structure mounted to the front of an electric vehicle. More specifically, this invention relates to a front bulkhead crossbeam structure configured such that an inner front bulkhead crossbeam is welded to an outer front bulkhead crossbeam, and a front longitudinal beam is welded to a rear lower member, to flexibly absorb the impact of a vehicle collision.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention have been proposed to address the aforementioned problems, and embodiments of the present invention can provide a structure configured to absorb impact in the event of a collision without reducing the interior space of an electric vehicle.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a structure having increased rigidity and configured to prevent the rear subframe mounting from detaching and to prevent impact energy from being transmitted to passengers.

[0012] The advantages of the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the foregoing content, and other advantages of the embodiments of the present invention not mentioned herein can be understood based on the following description and through exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0013] To achieve the above advantages, embodiments of the present invention may provide a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle including the following configuration.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, a front beam structure for a vehicle may include: an outer component of the front beam located in front of the front bulkhead, and an inner component of the front beam located behind the front bulkhead.

[0015] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer component of the front beam includes a central component of the front beam and side components of the front beam.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front crossbeam side component bends downward in the direction toward the center component of the front crossbeam.

[0017] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front crossbeam side component can be welded to the front crossbeam center component.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the inner component of the front crossbeam is arranged lower than the outer component of the front crossbeam.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front beam structure may include a rear lower member connected to the inner components of the front beam.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rear lower member can be connected to the lower part of the vehicle body and can be installed at a position lower than the outer part of the front crossbeam.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front beam structure may include a front longitudinal beam connected to an outer component of the front beam.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer component of the front crossbeam may be integral, such that the connecting surfaces therein are seamlessly joined together.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the outer component of the front crossbeam and the inner component of the front crossbeam can be welded together.

[0024] Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

[0025] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "of a vehicle" or other similar terms as used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger cars, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, and various commercial vehicles; boats, aircraft, etc., including various boats and vessels; and includes, for example, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As described herein, a hybrid vehicle can be a vehicle with two or more power sources, such as a vehicle powered by both gasoline and electricity. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The above and other features of embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given illustratively below and are therefore not necessarily limited to the invention, and wherein:

[0027] Figure 1A It is a view showing the vehicle body according to the relevant technology;

[0028] Figure 1B This is a view showing a vehicle in which a large-capacity battery is installed, according to relevant technology;

[0029] Figure 2 This is an overall perspective view showing a front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a detailed exploded perspective view showing an integral component of a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a view illustrating the connection of a front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a view showing a welded portion in a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a view illustrating a front beam structure for a vehicle located in the pedal and foot area according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a view illustrating the positions of the inner front beam and the outer front beam of the front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is a view illustrating the positions of the inner and outer front bulkhead crossbeams of the front bulkhead crossbeam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0037] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a view illustrating improved collision performance when an impact is applied to a front bulkhead beam structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] It is understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but rather present a slightly simplified representation of various features illustrating some basic principles of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Specific design features of embodiments of the invention, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, may be determined in part by the specific intended application and usage environment.

[0039] In the accompanying drawings, and in several drawings throughout the series, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent portions of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the content described in the drawings may differ from the actual implementation.

[0041] The terms “comprising” and / or “including” as used in this specification mean that the referenced component does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, but may further include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0042] Understandably, when a component is described as being "connected" or "in contact" with other components, the component may be directly connected or in contact with those components, or there may be intermediate components. Conversely, when a component is described as being "directly connected" or "in contact" with another component, there are no intermediate components. Other terms used to describe relationships between components can be interpreted in a similar way (e.g., "between" and "directly between," "adjacent" and "directly adjacent," etc.).

[0043] In the following description, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in the description given with reference to the drawings, the same or corresponding parts may be given the same reference numerals and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0044] Figure 2 This is an overall perspective view showing a front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a detailed exploded perspective view showing an integral component of a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the rear. Figure 5 This is a view illustrating the connection of a front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 This is a view showing a welded portion in a front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 This is a view showing the front bulkhead beam structure of the vehicle located in the pedal and foot area. Figure 8 This is a view illustrating the positions of the inner and outer front beams of the front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a view illustrating the positions of the inner and outer front beams of the front beam structure for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a view illustrating improved collision performance when an impact is applied to a front bulkhead beam structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] refer to Figures 2 to 4 According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front bulkhead beam structure 10 for a vehicle may include a double front bulkhead beam structure, wherein a front bulkhead beam is provided at both the front and rear of the front bulkhead panel.

[0046] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the front bulkhead beam structure 10 may include: an outer front bulkhead beam component 100 located at the front of the front bulkhead and an inner front bulkhead beam component 200 located at the rear of the front bulkhead. The outer front bulkhead beam component 100 and the inner front bulkhead beam component 200 may be welded together.

[0047] The front crossbeam outer component 100 may include an outer center component 110 and an outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam, and the front crossbeam inner component 200 may include a rear lower component 210.

[0048] In other words, the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam can be located at the front of the vehicle frame and can be welded to the outer side member 120 of the front crossbeam to form the outer member 100 of the front crossbeam. Specifically, the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam can be located between at least one or more outer side members 120 of the front crossbeam, and opposite ends of the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam can be connected to the outer side members 120 of the front crossbeam.

[0049] The outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam can be configured as at least one or more components and can be connected to the left and right sides of the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam and bend to the left and right sides of the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam. In other words, the outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam can be bent downwards. More specifically, the outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam can be connected to opposite ends of the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam and can be connected to the front longitudinal beam 130. Furthermore, the outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam, the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam, and the front longitudinal beam 130 can be welded to each other to form the outer front crossbeam component 100 of the vehicle.

[0050] The front crossbeam inner component 200 can be located inside the vehicle and can be located on the lower surface of the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam that constitutes the outer crossbeam outer component 100. In addition, the opposite ends of the front crossbeam inner component 200 can be connected to the rear lower member 210 to form the front crossbeam inner component 200 of the vehicle.

[0051] The rear lower member 210 can be configured as at least one or more, and can be connected to the left and right sides of the front bulkhead crossbeam inner member 200. Specifically, the rear lower member 210 can be connected to the lower part of the vehicle body, and can be installed below the outer center member 110 of the front bulkhead crossbeam to disperse impact energy. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the rear lower member 210 can be manufactured to have a shorter length to easily ensure space on the electric vehicle platform.

[0052] The front longitudinal beam 130 can be configured as one or more. The ends of the front longitudinal beam 130 can be respectively connected to the outer side components 120 of the left and right front crossbeams, and can be welded to the outer center component 110 and the outer side component 120 of the front crossbeam to form the outer component 100 of the vehicle's front crossbeam. In the event of a frontal collision, the front longitudinal beam 130 can prevent rigid objects in the engine compartment from impacting the passenger compartment. The front longitudinal beam 130 can be configured as at least one or more to disperse impact energy, thereby improving passenger safety. In this embodiment, the front longitudinal beam 130 can be manufactured as a rectangular cross-section column because, compared to a circular cross-section column with the same cross-sectional area, a rectangular cross-section column with a large contact area with a rigid object can have a greater capacity to absorb impact energy.

[0053] Therefore, in the front beam structure 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, the outer center member 110, the outer side member 120, and the front longitudinal beam 130 of the front beam can be connected to each other to form the outer member 100 of the front beam, the inner member 200 of the front beam can have a rear lower member 210 connected thereto, and the outer member 100 and the inner member 200 of the front beam can be welded together.

[0054] In the following text, at least refer to Figures 5 to 9 The process by which the outer component 100 and the inner component 200 of the front crossbeam of an embodiment of the present invention can be welded to each other is described sequentially.

[0055] First, the outer center member 110 and the outer side member 120 of the front crossbeam can be welded together to form the outer member 100 of the front crossbeam. Then, the end of the front longitudinal beam 130 and the outer member 100 of the front crossbeam can be welded together. Next, the inner member 200 of the front crossbeam and the rear lower member 210 can be welded together. Finally, the outer member 100 and the inner member 200 of the front crossbeam can be welded together.

[0056] In order to pass the reference Figure 6 The welded sections in the front bulkhead beam structure 10 are described in detail, where the ends of the outer component 100 and the inner component 200 of the front bulkhead beam can be welded together. Here, the outer side component 120 and the rear lower component 210 of the front bulkhead beam can be welded together, fundamentally preventing the transmission of impact energy to the passenger and crew compartment. By welding the outer side component 120 and the rear lower component 210 of the front bulkhead beam together, the rigidity of the front bulkhead beam structure 10 can be increased.

[0057] In order to pass the reference Figure 7The front bulkhead crossbeam structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail. The front bulkhead crossbeam structure 10 can be located at the location where the pedals and foot area are mounted, i.e., the lower part of the vehicle. Considering the internal packaging layout and the clearance with the tires, the outer component 100 of the front bulkhead crossbeam can be located at the upper end of the vehicle, and the inner component 200 of the front bulkhead crossbeam can be located at the lower end of the vehicle. Since the rigidity of the inner component 200 of the front bulkhead crossbeam can be improved, the high-voltage battery located in the lower part of the vehicle can be protected, and the problem of the subframe impacting the battery when the rear subframe mount detaches in a collision can be fundamentally eliminated.

[0058] Vehicles using external front bulkhead crossbeams employing related technologies exhibit slightly reduced stiffness due to the separation of connecting surfaces within the components, while reference... Figure 8 and Figure 9 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the outer center member 110 of the front crossbeam, the outer side member 120 of the front crossbeam, and the front longitudinal beam 130 can be welded to each other to realize the outer front crossbeam, wherein the connecting surfaces are seamlessly joined to each other, thereby realizing the front crossbeam structure 10 with increased rigidity.

[0059] To describe the front beam structure 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which can have improved impact performance when subjected to impact or collision, refer to Figure 10A and Figure 10B When an impact or collision is applied to a vehicle, such as Figure 10A The longitudinal beam shown begins to deform truly, but as... Figure 10B The longitudinal beams shown are completely deformed, but the deformation of the crew compartment is relatively small.

[0060] As can be seen from the above description, the embodiments of the present invention can obtain the following advantages through the above description of the configuration, combination and operation relationship of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0061] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front bulkhead beam structure for a vehicle can be configured to absorb a collision without reducing the interior space of the electric vehicle in the event of a collision.

[0062] According to embodiments of the present invention, the front beam structure for a vehicle can have increased rigidity and can be configured to prevent the rear subframe mounting parts from detaching and to prevent impact energy from being transmitted to passengers.

[0063] The above detailed description illustrates some exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing description is intended to explain exemplary embodiments of the invention, and other embodiments of the invention can be used in various other combinations, changes, and environments. That is, embodiments of the invention can be changed or modified within the scope of this specification, the equivalent scope of the invention, and / or the scope of technology or knowledge in the art. These exemplary embodiments illustrate the best state for realizing the technical spirit of the invention, and various modifications are possible for the detailed application areas and purposes of the invention. Therefore, the above detailed description of the invention should not be construed as limiting it to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, the appended claims can be construed as including other embodiments.

Claims

1. A front bulkhead crossbeam structure for a vehicle, the front bulkhead crossbeam structure comprising: The outer component of the front bulkhead crossbeam located in front of the front bulkhead panel; as well as The internal component of the front bulkhead beam located behind the front bulkhead panel.

2. The front beam structure according to claim 1, wherein, The outer components of the front crossbeam include the central component of the front crossbeam and the side components of the front crossbeam.

3. The front beam structure according to claim 2, wherein, The front crossbeam side component bends downward in the direction toward the center component of the front crossbeam.

4. The front beam structure according to claim 2, wherein, The front crossbeam side component is welded to the front crossbeam center component.

5. The front beam structure according to claim 1, wherein, The inner component of the front beam is located below the outer component of the front beam.

6. The front beam structure according to claim 1, comprising a rear lower member connected to the inner components of the front beam.

7. The front beam structure according to claim 6, wherein, The rear lower component is connected to the lower part of the vehicle body and is installed at a position lower than the outer component of the front bulkhead beam.

8. The front beam structure according to claim 1, comprising a front longitudinal beam connected to an outer component of the front beam.

9. The front beam structure according to claim 1, wherein, The outer components of the front crossbeam are integral, allowing the connecting surfaces to fit together seamlessly.

10. The front beam structure according to claim 1, wherein, The outer component of the front beam and the inner component of the front beam are welded together.

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