Vehicle front structure

Abstract

A vehicle front structure (S) has a pair of side frames (11L, 11R), a pair of pillar towers (21L, 21R), a pair of suspension arm support portions (32L, 32R), a lower cross member (41), a pair of upper brackets (52L, 52R), and a pair of lower brackets (42L, 42R). The pair of side frames (11L, 11R) extend in a vehicle front-rear direction. The pair of pillar towers (21L, 21R) are respectively coupled to the pair of side frames (11L, 11R). The pair of suspension arm support portions (32L, 32R) respectively support suspension arms (31L, 31R) and are respectively fixed to the pair of side frames (11L, 11R). The lower cross member (41) is coupled to the pair of suspension arm support portions (32L, 32R). The pair of upper brackets (52L, 52R) mount a power train (61) having at least an engine or a drive motor (62) to the pair of side frames (11L, 11R) or the pair of pillar towers (21L, 21R), respectively. The pair of lower brackets (42L, 42R) mount the power train (61) to the lower cross member (41).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses the following structure: In a motor unit support device that mounts and supports a motor unit on a crossbeam, in order to ensure the mounting rigidity in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, there is a shaft-shaped fastening component whose axial direction is consistent with the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-114785 Summary of the Invention

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

[0007] However, the motor unit support device in Patent Document 1 has an increased number of parts and a more complex structure. When a powertrain including a motor is mounted at the front of a vehicle, a simpler structure is sometimes required for supporting the powertrain. On the other hand, there is a need to improve the mounting rigidity in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a front structure of a vehicle that supports the powertrain and improves the mounting rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with a simple structure.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] One aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle front structure comprising a pair of side beams, a pair of strut towers, a pair of suspension arm supports, a lower crossbeam, a pair of upper supports, and a pair of lower supports. The pair of side beams are located at the front of the vehicle and extend along the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The pair of strut towers are located above the pair of side beams and are respectively connected to the pair of side beams. The pair of suspension arm supports are located below the pair of side beams, respectively supporting suspension arms and respectively fixed to the pair of side beams. The lower crossbeams are located between the pair of suspension arm supports and are connected to the pair of suspension arm supports. The pair of upper supports respectively mount a powertrain having at least an engine or a drive motor to the pair of side beams or the pair of strut towers. The pair of lower supports mount the powertrain to the lower crossbeams.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] Based on the above-described vehicle front structure, a vehicle front structure that supports the power transmission system can be provided, which can improve the mounting rigidity of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction with a simple structure. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1This is a perspective view showing the front structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a side view showing the front structure of the vehicle according to the embodiment, and a diagram showing the structure of the upper and lower supports on the right side of the front structure of the vehicle.

[0015] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the lower crossbeam and lower support.

[0016] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the suspension arm and the suspension arm support.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing the structure when the upper crossbeam is installed on the front structure of the vehicle in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, the front structure S of the vehicle mounted on the vehicle of the embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, FW represents the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, UP represents the upper in the vehicle's vertical direction, and LH and RH represent the left and right sides in the vehicle's width direction, respectively. In the following description, the front, front side, rear, and rear sides in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the upper, upper side, lower side, and lower side in the vehicle's vertical direction, and the left, left side, right side, and right side in the vehicle's width direction will be abbreviated as front, front side, rear, rear side, upper, upper side, lower side, lower side, left side, left side, and right side, respectively. In addition, structures with the same functions as those already described will be labeled with the same reference numerals and their descriptions will be omitted.

[0019] The front structure S of the vehicle includes a pair of side beams 11L and 11R, a pair of strut towers 21L and 21R, a pair of suspension arm supports 32L and 32R, and a lower crossbeam 41 (see reference). Figure 1 Additionally, the front structure S of the vehicle includes a powertrain 61 with at least an engine or a drive motor 62. The upper part of the powertrain 61 is mounted to a pair of side beams 11L, 11R or a pair of strut towers 21L, 21R via a pair of upper brackets 52L, 52R. The lower part of the powertrain 61 is mounted to a lower crossbeam 41 via a pair of lower brackets 42L, 42R (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0020] A pair of side beams 11L and 11R are skeletal structural components mounted on the left and right sides of the vehicle. The pair of side beams 11L and 11R extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Support brackets 13L and 13R, which connect to the lower suspension arm support portions 32L and 32R, are joined at the front of the pair of side beams 11L and 11R. Support arms 14L and 14R, which connect to the lower suspension arm support portions 32L and 32R, are joined at the rear of the pair of side beams 11L and 11R (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 2 ).

[0021] Above a pair of side beams 11L and 11R, there are a pair of support towers 21L and 21R (see reference). Figure 1 A power transmission system 61, having at least an engine or motor for vehicle propulsion, is arranged between the left support tower 21L and the right support tower 21R. Figure 1 In the illustrated structure, the powertrain 61 includes a drive motor 62, an inverter 63 disposed behind the drive motor 62, and a differential device 64 disposed below the drive motor 62. Furthermore, the components constituting the powertrain 61 and their arrangement are not limited to those described above.

[0022] Upper fixed shafts 65L and 65R, extending outwards in the vehicle width direction from the left and right ends of the powertrain 61, are respectively provided on the upper part of the powertrain 61. The left and right upper fixed shafts 65L and 65R are supported by inserting upper brackets 52L and 52R, and fixed to side beams 11L and 11R or support towers 21L and 21R. Figure 1 In the example structure, the upper supports 52L and 52R are fixed to the side beams 11L and 11R and the support towers 21L and 21R, respectively.

[0023] The upper support 52R may also have two upper legs 53RU and two lower legs 53RD located at the right end (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 2 The upper leg 53RU is bolted to the right side of the support tower 21R. The lower leg 53RD is bolted to the right side of the right side beam 11R extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The bolt-based front fastening point of the upper leg 53RU is the upper mounting point P1R1 of the upper bracket 52R, and the bolt-based rear fastening point of the upper leg 53RU is the upper mounting point P1R2. The bolt-based front fastening connection point of the lower leg 53RD is the lower mounting point P2R of the upper bracket 52R, and the bolt-based rear fastening connection point of the lower leg 53RD is the lower mounting point P2R. The structure of the left upper bracket 52L is the same as that of the right upper bracket 52R, so its description is omitted. The upper part of the powertrain 61 is fastened to the upper brackets 52L and 52R respectively in a direction parallel to the vehicle width direction via upper fixing shafts 65L and 65R (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 2 ).

[0024] Mounting points 23L and 23R for the suspension struts are provided on the upper part of strut towers 21L and 21R. Upper brackets 52L and 52R can also be installed on the sides of strut towers 21L and 21R at positions overlapping with the mounting points 23L and 23R of the suspension struts in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see reference). Figure 2 More specifically, in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the mounting point 23L for fixing the left suspension strut can also be configured between the two fastening points at the front and rear of the upper bracket 52L, namely the upper mounting points P1L1 and P1L2. Additionally, in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the mounting point 23L for fixing the left suspension strut can also be configured between the lower mounting points P2L1 and P2L2 (see reference). Figure 2 The positional relationship between the fixing point 23R of the strut fixed to the right suspension and the upper bracket 52R can be the same as the positional relationship between the fixing point 23L of the strut fixed to the left suspension and the upper bracket 52L, so the explanation is omitted.

[0025] The left suspension arm 31L has a V-shape and supports a wheel (not shown). The suspension arm 31L is connected to the strut tower 21L. A suspension strut is mounted at the front end of the V-shape of the suspension arm 31L. The suspension arm 31L is fixed to the lower crossbeam 41 (see reference) via the suspension arm support 32L. Figure 3 ).

[0026] Suspension arm support portions 32L and 32R are respectively attached to the front and rear ends of the left and right ends of the lower crossbeam 41. V-shaped suspension arms 31L are attached to the front and rear suspension arm support portions 32L respectively. The suspension arm support portions 32L are fixed to the upper side beam 11L via support brackets 13L and support arms 14L. The structure of the right suspension arm 31R is the same as that of the left suspension arm 31L, therefore its description is omitted.

[0027] A lower crossbeam 41 is disposed below a pair of side beams 11L and 11R. The lower crossbeam 41 is a frame structure component extending in the longitudinal and vehicle width directions (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lower crossbeam 41 is also known as a suspension component.

[0028] The lower crossbeam 41 is located between the suspension arm support sections 32L and 32R. The lower crossbeam 41 is composed of side crossbeams 41L and 41R, a rear crossbeam 41B, and a front crossbeam 41F (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0029] Side crossbeams 41L and 41R slope upwards from both ends of the rear crossbeam 41B and extend forward. The front ends of the side crossbeams 41L and 41R are connected by the front crossbeam 41F extending along the vehicle width direction (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0030] The lower part of the power transmission system 61 is supported by the left and right lower brackets 42L and 42R respectively, and fixed to the lower crossbeam 41 (see reference). Figure 1-4 More specifically, lower fixed shafts 66L and 66R, extending outward in the vehicle width direction, are respectively provided at the left and right ends of the lower part of the powertrain 61. The left and right lower fixed shafts 66L and 66R are supported by inserting into lower brackets 42L and 42R, respectively, and fixed to the lower crossbeam 41. The lower part of the powertrain 61 is fastened to the lower brackets 42L and 42R in a direction parallel to the vehicle width direction via the lower fixed shafts 66L and 66R (see reference). Figure 1-4 ).

[0031] The left and right lower brackets 42L and 42R each have: a through hole H for inserting the lower fixing shafts 66L and 66R; cylindrical bearing portions 43L and 43R extending along the vehicle width direction with the through hole H as the center; and cylindrical main body portions 44L and 44R that house and fix the bearing portions 43L and 43R (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4 ).

[0032] The left and right main body sections 44L and 44R are respectively provided with a front fixing part 45F extending forward and a rear fixing part 45B extending rearward and having fastening points on both the left and right sides (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4 The lower bracket 42L on the left side is bolted to the left side of the rear crossbeam 41B, with a front fixing part 45F and a rear fixing part 45B. The bolt-based fastening connection point of the front fixing part 45F is the front fixing point 47F. The bolt-based fastening point of the rear fixing part 45B is the rear fixing point 47B (see reference). Figure 4 The lower bracket 42R on the right side is fixed to the right side of the rear crossbeam 41B in the same manner as described above, so the description is omitted.

[0033] Alternatively, through holes 46L and 46R can be provided on the left and right sides of the rear crossbeam 41B of the lower crossbeam 41 (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4Holes 46L and 46R are respectively provided at positions corresponding to lower supports 42L and 42R. With lower supports 42L and 42R fastened to the lower crossbeam 41, the main bodies 44L and 44R and bearings 43L and 43R of the lower supports 42L and 42R are partially housed and installed in holes 46L and 46R. That is, when lower supports 42L and 42R are fixed to the lower crossbeam 41, a portion of the main bodies 44L and 44R and bearings 43L and 43R are housed in holes 46L and 46R, and the vertical position of lower supports 42L and 42R is lower than when holes 46L and 46R are not provided. Therefore, the vertical position of lower fixing shafts 66L and 66R is lower than when holes 46L and 46R are not provided. Therefore, in the vertical direction of the vehicle, it is not necessary to move the positions of the pair of upper supports 52L and 52R upwards to set a predetermined interval between the pair of upper supports 52L and 52R and the pair of lower supports 42L and 42R. This ensures the sound and vibration performance of the powertrain 61.

[0034] The front fixing part 45F and the rear fixing part 45B extending from the main body 44L and 44R of the lower brackets 42L and 42R can also be installed on the lower crossbeam 41 respectively by passing over the holes 46L and 46R in the vehicle longitudinal direction (see reference). Figure 3 , Figure 4 That is, the front fixing part 45F and the rear fixing part 45B are arranged to bridge the holes 46L and 46R, and are fixed to the lower crossbeam 41 in front of and behind the holes 46L and 46R respectively. In addition, the holes 46L and 46R may not be through the lower crossbeam 41 in the vertical direction, for example, they may be recessed from the surface of the lower crossbeam 41 downward.

[0035] The upper brackets 52L and 52R and the lower brackets 42L and 42R can also be configured at positions that overlap at least partially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see reference). Figure 2That is, in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, any one of the upper mounting points P1L1, P1L2 and lower mounting points P2L1, P2L2 of the left upper bracket 52L can be positioned between the front fixing point 47F and the rear fixing point 47B of the left lower bracket 42L. Similarly, the positional relationship between any one of the upper mounting points P1R1, P1R2 and lower mounting points P2R1, P2R2 of the right upper bracket 52R and the front fixing point 47F and the rear fixing point 47B of the right lower bracket 42R can also be the same as described above. Furthermore, the lower brackets 42L and 42R can also be positioned at the rear of the vehicle's output shaft 62A of the drive motor 62. That is, in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the through holes H in the lower brackets 42L and 42R for inserting the lower fixing shafts 66L and 66R can also be positioned at the rear of the vehicle's output shaft 62A of the drive motor 62. In this embodiment, the powertrain 61 has an inverter 63 on the rear side, so the center of gravity of the powertrain 61 is located on the rear side of the drive motor 62. With the above configuration, the lower supports 42L and 42R can stably support the above structure at a position closer to the center of gravity.

[0036] The upper crossbeam 71 can also be installed between the support tower 21L and the support tower 21R and above the power transmission system 61 (see reference). Figure 5 The upper crossbeam 71 is connected to the support towers 21L and 21R, and has a mounting surface 71A between the support towers 21L and 21R capable of supporting various vehicle-mounted components. The left edge 71L of the upper crossbeam 71 is bolted to the front and rear of the side of the support tower 21L. Similarly, the right edge 71R of the upper crossbeam 71 is bolted to the front and rear of the side of the support tower 21R.

[0037] (1) The front structure S of the vehicle has a pair of side beams 11L and 11R, a pair of strut towers 21L and 21R, a pair of suspension arm support parts 32L and 32R, a lower crossbeam 41, a pair of upper supports 52L and 52R, and a pair of lower supports 42L and 42R. The pair of side beams 11L and 11R are located at the front of the vehicle and extend along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The pair of strut towers 21L and 21R are located above the pair of side beams 11L and 11R and are connected to the pair of side beams 11L and 11R respectively. The pair of suspension arm support parts 32L and 32R are located below the pair of side beams 11L and 11R, respectively supporting the suspension arms 31L and 31R, and are respectively fixed to the pair of side beams 11L and 11R. The lower crossbeam 41 is located between the pair of suspension arm support parts 32L and 32R and is connected to the pair of suspension arm support parts 32L and 32R. A pair of upper supports 52L, 52R respectively mount a power transmission system 61, which has at least an engine or a drive motor, to a pair of side beams 11L, 11R or a pair of support towers 21L, 21R. A pair of lower supports 42L, 42R mount the power transmission system 61 to the lower crossbeam 41.

[0038] In the above structure, by placing the upper brackets 52L and 52R on one or both of the side beams 11L and 11R and the strut towers 21L and 21R, which have relatively high rigidity in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and placing the lower brackets 42L and 42R on the lower crossbeam 41, which also has relatively high rigidity in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the mounting rigidity of the power transmission system 61 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction can be improved. Therefore, it is not necessary to add new components to increase the rigidity of the power transmission system 61.

[0039] (2) In addition, according to the embodiment, the upper part of the pair of strut towers 21L and 21R respectively has fixing points 23L and 23R for fixing the struts of the suspension, and the pair of upper brackets 52L and 52R are respectively arranged at positions that overlap with the fixing points 23L and 23R in the vehicle longitudinal direction. By arranging the pair of upper brackets 52L and 52R in the vehicle longitudinal direction at positions corresponding to the fixing points 23L and 23R of the strut towers 21L and 21R with relatively high rigidity, the installation rigidity of the powertrain 61 in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be further improved.

[0040] (3) Furthermore, according to the embodiment, a pair of upper supports 52L and 52R are respectively disposed at positions that at least partially overlap with a pair of lower supports 42L and 42R in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. According to the above structure, when a load is input to the vehicle body from the front, a larger crumple zone in the vehicle's longitudinal direction can be ensured, further absorbing the load from the front. In addition, without this structure, sometimes the crumple zone in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is ensured by increasing the size of the vehicle's front structure. With this structure, the need to increase the size of the vehicle's front structure in the vehicle's longitudinal direction can be avoided.

[0041] (4) Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the powertrain 61 includes a drive motor 62 and a power conversion device, i.e., an inverter 63, located at the rear of the vehicle where the drive motor 62 is positioned. A pair of lower supports 42L and 42R are located at the rear of the vehicle where the output shaft 62A of the drive motor 62 is positioned. Because the inverter 63 is located at the rear, the center of gravity of the front structure of the vehicle is shifted to the rearward side from the powertrain 61. With the above configuration, the structure can be stably supported at a position closer to the center of gravity.

[0042] (5) Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the powertrain 61 is fastened to a pair of upper supports 52L, 52R and a pair of lower supports 42L, 42R in the vehicle width direction. With the above structure, the loads generated by the weight of the powertrain 61, road input, and driving reaction force can be appropriately borne. In addition, the above loads can be distributed in four parts, and the load on each part can be reduced. Therefore, for example, regarding the vibration isolators provided on the upper supports 52L, 52R and the lower supports 42L, 42R, a softer vibration isolator can be used, and the sound vibration performance can be improved.

[0043] (6) Furthermore, according to the embodiment, the lower crossbeam 41 has holes 46L and 46R at positions corresponding to the pair of lower supports 42L and 42R, respectively. The holes 46L and 46R respectively receive at least a portion of the lower supports 42L and 42R, and the pair of lower supports 42L and 42R are mounted on the lower crossbeam 41 such that they span the holes 46L and 46R. According to the above structure, a predetermined interval can be set between the pair of upper supports 52L and 52R and the pair of lower supports 42L and 42R in the vertical direction of the vehicle without raising the position of the pair of upper supports 52L and 52R. As a result, the sound and vibration performance of the powertrain 61 can be ensured. Moreover, since the pair of lower supports 42L and 42R are mounted on the lower crossbeam 41 such that they span the holes 46L and 46R, a decrease in the support support rigidity can be prevented.

[0044] The above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for ease of understanding of the invention. The technical scope of the invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above embodiments, but also includes various modifications, alterations, and substitutions that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the structure in which the differential device 64 is provided directly below the drive motor 62 has been described as an example. However, the differential device 64 can also be configured in a different position. In this case, by configuring a pair of lower brackets 42L and 42R on the rear side of the output shaft 62A, space can be provided directly below the output shaft 62A. Therefore, the front axle layout can be made easier.

[0046] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0047] 11L, 11R: Side beams

[0048] 21L, 21R: Support Tower

[0049] 23L, 23R: Fixed points

[0050] 31L, 31R: Suspension arm

[0051] 32L, 32R: Suspension arm support section

[0052] 41: Lower crossbeam

[0053] 42L, 42R: Lower bracket

[0054] 46L, 46R: Hole section

[0055] 52L, 52R: Upper bracket

[0056] 61: Powertrain

[0057] 62: Drive motor

[0058] 62A: Output shaft

[0059] 63: Inverter (Power Conversion Device)

[0060] S: Front structure of the vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure characterized by comprising: have: A pair of side beams are located at the front of the vehicle and extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; A pair of support towers are positioned above the pair of side beams and are respectively connected to the pair of side beams; A pair of suspension arm support portions are disposed below the pair of side beams, respectively supporting the suspension arms and respectively fixed to the pair of side beams; The lower crossbeam is disposed between the pair of suspension arm support portions and is connected to the pair of suspension arm support portions; A pair of upper supports, wherein at least a power transmission system having an engine or a drive motor is respectively mounted on the pair of side beams or the pair of support towers; A pair of lower supports that mount the power transmission system to the lower crossbeam.

2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper parts of the pair of pillar towers each have fixing points for the suspension pillars. The pair of upper brackets are respectively positioned at locations overlapping the fixing point in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pair of upper brackets are respectively positioned at a location that overlaps with the pair of lower brackets in at least a portion of the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The powertrain includes: the drive motor and a power conversion device located at the rear of the vehicle side of the drive motor. The pair of lower brackets are positioned on the rear side of the vehicle at the output shaft of the drive motor.

5. The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The power transmission system is fastened to the pair of upper brackets and the pair of lower brackets in the vehicle width direction, respectively.

6. The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The lower crossbeam has holes at positions corresponding to the pair of lower supports. The holes each receive at least a portion of the lower support. The pair of lower supports are mounted on the lower crossbeam in a manner that spans the hole.

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