Front cabin storage box structure of amphibious vehicle and vehicle

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of amphibious vehicles, and discloses a front cabin storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle, which comprises a front cabin storage box assembly, a supporting cross beam and a front cabin cover; the front cabin storage box assembly comprises a storage box and a supporting plate, the storage box is fixedly connected to the supporting plate, the bottom plate of the storage box is closed and the top of the storage box is open, the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the storage box is installed on the supporting cross beam through a bottom sealing assembly, and the supporting cross beam is fixedly connected to the vehicle frame; a first sealing structure is arranged on the outer periphery of the supporting plate away from the storage box, a second sealing structure is arranged on the outer periphery of the open top of the storage box, and the front cabin cover is sealingly connected to the two sealing structures in the closed state, and is surrounded with the storage box to form a sealed buoyancy cavity, so as to provide buoyancy for the front cabin of the vehicle and reduce the sinking of the vehicle head during water navigation. The application provides additional buoyancy support and buoyancy reserve for the front part of the vehicle when the vehicle enters water for navigation, effectively reduces the angle of bow of the vehicle in water, and improves the navigation safety of the amphibious vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of amphibious vehicle technology, specifically relating to a front compartment storage box structure and vehicle for an amphibious vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Because the vehicle's center of gravity is forward, when the amphibious vehicle is sailing on the water, the front of the vehicle sinks, causing the front compartment area to be submerged, which exacerbates the sinking of the front of the vehicle. This phenomenon of the bow sinking during navigation is called bow listing, which can cause navigational hazards.

[0003] The prior art discloses a sealing structure for the front compartment of an electric vehicle, including a decorative cover and a storage box. The storage box is provided with a sealing element, and a water-blocking element is provided near the decorative cover. The end of the water-blocking element away from the decorative cover overlaps with the decorative cover. The sealing element fits into the hood, and the water-blocking element overlaps with the decorative cover to form a seal.

[0004] Although the above solution seals the storage box, when the amphibious vehicle enters the water, the front storage box will be subjected to continuous and high immersion water pressure. The sealing structure of the above solution is difficult to resist the immersion water pressure, causing water to enter the front storage box, increasing the weight of the front of the vehicle, exacerbating the tendency of the vehicle to tilt, and causing the front of the vehicle to repeatedly plunge into the water at speeds exceeding 5 knots, resulting in serious navigation danger. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a front compartment storage box structure and vehicle for an amphibious vehicle, which can solve the technical problem in the prior art that poor sealing of the storage box leads to water ingress into the front compartment storage box and exacerbates the tendency of the vehicle to tilt.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In one aspect, a front compartment storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle is provided, including a front compartment storage box assembly, a supporting crossbeam, and a front compartment hood; The front compartment storage box assembly includes a storage box and a support plate. The storage box is fixedly connected to the support plate. The bottom plate of the storage box is closed and the top is open. The bottom surface of the storage box bottom plate is installed on the support beam through a bottom sealing component. The support beam is fixedly connected to the vehicle frame. A first sealing structure is provided on the outer periphery of the support plate away from the storage box, and a second sealing structure is provided on the outer periphery of the top opening of the storage box. When the front hood is closed, it is sealed and connected to the two sealing structures, forming a sealed buoyancy cavity with the storage box, providing buoyancy to the front compartment of the vehicle and reducing the sinking of the vehicle's front end when sailing on water.

[0007] Furthermore, the material density of the storage box is less than that of water, and the bottom sealing component includes a groove structure fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the storage box bottom plate. Fasteners are installed in the groove structure, and the fasteners pass through and are connected to the support beam. Washers are provided between the groove structure and the fasteners.

[0008] Furthermore, a sealing groove is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the groove structure, the top of the fastener is set inside the groove structure, the washer is sleeved on the fastener, and the washer is set between the top surface of the support beam and the sealing groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the first sealing structure includes a first sealing strip and a second sealing strip, wherein the second sealing strip is connected to the upper part of the lower trim panel assembly of the front windshield, and the first sealing strip is connected to the outer peripheral top surface of the support plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottom surfaces of the first and second sealing strips have built-in buckles.

[0011] Furthermore, the second sealing structure includes a third sealing strip for the top opening of the storage box, with a rib around the outer periphery of the top opening of the storage box, and the bottom of the third sealing strip fastened to the rib.

[0012] Furthermore, the two sides of the support plate are connected to the fender assemblies on both sides of the vehicle via clips, and the front side of the support plate is connected to the upper crossbeam assembly of the vehicle's water tank via clips; the rear end of the support plate is installed on the body sheet metal water channel via self-tapping screws.

[0013] Furthermore, after the vehicle enters the water, the storage box is partially submerged in the water to provide buoyancy, and partially above the water surface to provide buoyancy reserves.

[0014] Furthermore, the storage compartment is divided into three parts vertically by the vehicle body water level line and the vehicle body surge line. The water level line is the dividing line between the part of the storage compartment that is submerged below the water surface and the part that is above the water surface when the vehicle is stationary in the water; the surge line is the position where the water waves are higher than the water level line when the vehicle is sailing normally in the water.

[0015] Secondly, a vehicle is provided, including the aforementioned front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle, wherein the storage box is installed at an angle in the front compartment of the vehicle, and the elevation of the front top surface of the storage box is lower than the elevation of the rear top surface of the storage box.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of this invention are: This invention provides a front-cabin storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle. By incorporating a bottom sealing component, the storage box is securely connected to the supporting crossbeam while effectively sealing the bottom connection path, avoiding the leakage risks associated with traditional bolt-through installations. Simultaneously, a first and second sealing structure, formed when the front hood is closed, create a double-sealed defense for the top opening of the storage box, effectively constructing it as a sealed buoyancy cavity. When the vehicle enters the water, this sealed buoyancy cavity provides additional buoyancy support and buoyancy reserves to the front of the vehicle, effectively reducing the vehicle's bow angle in the water, improving its navigation attitude, avoiding the risk of the vehicle's nose sinking into the water, and enhancing the navigation safety of the amphibious vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the front compartment storage box structure of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a bottom view of the front compartment storage box assembly of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the sealing strip of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing strip and the front cabin mechanism in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the bottom sealing assembly of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connection between the front compartment storage box assembly and the support beam in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the storage box according to Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the storage box of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 of the present invention in an amphibious vehicle; In the picture: 1. Front compartment storage box assembly; 11. Storage box; 12. Support plate; 2. Support beam; 3. Front compartment hood; 4. Bottom sealing assembly; 41. Groove structure; 42. Fastener; 43. Washer; 44. Sealing groove; 5. First sealing structure; 51. First sealing strip; 52. Second sealing strip; 6. Second sealing structure; 61. Third sealing strip; 62. Rib; 7. Lower windshield trim panel assembly; 8. Fender assembly; 9. Radiator upper beam assembly; 10. Body panel water channel. Detailed Implementation

[0019] It should be noted that the following detailed description is illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Example 1 Because the vehicle's center of gravity is located forward, existing amphibious vehicles sink their front end when navigating on the water, causing the front compartment area to be submerged. The existing sealing structure of the vehicle's front compartment is unable to maintain its sealing performance under continuous high-pressure water conditions, resulting in leakage. Water entering the front compartment area causes the front end to sink even deeper, further disrupting the navigation attitude and threatening the amphibious vehicle's navigation safety in the water.

[0022] To address this technical problem, this embodiment discloses a front compartment storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the amphibious vehicle includes a front storage box assembly 1, a support beam 2, and a front hood 3. The front storage box assembly 1 includes a storage box 11 and a support plate 12. The storage box 11 is fixedly connected to the support plate 12, which is connected to the vehicle's body components. The bottom of the storage box 11 is closed, while the top is open. In this embodiment, the front storage box assembly 1 is located in the front compartment of the amphibious vehicle, providing additional storage space for the vehicle and buoyancy reserves for water navigation. Therefore, the sealing of the storage box 11 is crucial. To this end, this embodiment provides two sealing structures on the outside of the opening of the storage box 11, which, together with the front hood 3, form a sealed buoyancy cavity to balance the attitude of the amphibious vehicle when it is navigating on the water and to provide buoyancy reserves for water navigation.

[0023] Specifically, such as Figure 1 As shown, a first sealing structure 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the support plate 12 away from the storage box 11, and a second sealing structure 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the opening of the storage box 11. In this embodiment, the front hatch 3 is sealed to the two sealing structures when closed, forming a sealed buoyancy cavity with the storage box 11. It should be noted that the function of the support plate 12 is to support the storage box 11 and fix the storage box 11 in the front compartment of the amphibious vehicle. When the amphibious vehicle is navigating in water, it prevents the storage box 11 from floating, allowing the storage box 11 to provide buoyancy to the front compartment of the amphibious vehicle and reduce the sinking phenomenon of the amphibious vehicle's front end.

[0024] Understandably, a first sealing structure 5 is installed on the outer periphery of the support plate 12 away from the storage box 11, cooperating with the front hatch 3 to form the first layer of sealing protection, preventing water from entering the front compartment when the amphibious vehicle is navigating on the water. A second sealing structure 6 is installed on the outer periphery of the opening of the storage box 11, cooperating with the front hatch 3 to form the second layer of sealing protection. The first sealing structure is located at the outermost edge of the storage box, used to isolate the opening area of ​​the storage box from the external environment. When water pressure acts on the first layer of sealing protection, and the first layer of sealing protection leaks due to overpressure, the second sealing structure 6 can prevent water from entering the storage box 11. This double sealing protection consumes water pressure energy and prolongs the leakage path.

[0025] It is also understandable that, after ensuring the sealing performance of the storage box 11, the storage box 11, the first sealing structure 5, the second sealing structure 6 and the front hood 3 together form a sealed buoyancy cavity, which can provide buoyancy when the vehicle enters the water to offset part of the weight of the front of the vehicle, thereby improving the vehicle's navigation attitude in the water.

[0026] In some implementations, the first sealing structure and the second sealing structure may have different hardnesses. For example, the material hardness of the first sealing structure may be greater than that of the second sealing structure, so that the first sealing structure has impact resistance and the second sealing structure has a stronger sealing function.

[0027] It should be noted that the support plate 12 only connects the upper part of the storage box 11 to the vehicle body component. When the vehicle enters water, the storage box 11 releases water, generating buoyancy. This buoyancy can only be transferred to the upper part of the vehicle body through the body component connected to the support plate 12. Since the vehicle body is typically connected to the powertrain and transmission components on the chassis at the bottom of the vehicle, the buoyancy acting on the upper part of the body creates stress between the body and the chassis, potentially causing separation. Therefore, it is necessary to effectively transfer the buoyancy generated by the storage box 11 to the chassis while preventing stress from forming between the body and the chassis.

[0028] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, in this embodiment, the bottom surface of the storage box 11's base plate is mounted to the support beam 2 via the bottom sealing assembly 4. The support beam 2 is connected to the longitudinal or transverse beams of the vehicle frame. The storage box 11 is mounted on the support beam 2, and in conjunction with the support plate 12, it supports the storage box 11. When the amphibious vehicle enters the water, the water displaced by the storage box 11 generates buoyancy. The support beam 2 can transfer this buoyancy to the frame, offsetting some of the weight of the front of the vehicle and lifting the frame. This transfers the buoyancy from the storage box 11 to the front compartment of the vehicle, improving the vehicle's navigation attitude in the water. This gives the storage box 11 a dual function of "storage + buoyancy reserve".

[0029] In this embodiment, the supporting crossbeam 2 is made of steel profile and is fixed at both ends to the left and right longitudinal beams of the vehicle frame with bolts, forming a stable lateral load-bearing structure. It should also be noted that connecting the bottom plate of the storage box 11 to the supporting crossbeam 2 can also enhance the impact resistance of the storage box 11.

[0030] In this embodiment, a bottom sealing assembly 4 is used to connect the bottom surface of the storage box 11 to the top surface of the support beam 2, thereby avoiding opening holes in the bottom surface of the storage box 11. This prevents water from seeping into the storage box 11 from the bottom surface after the amphibious vehicle enters the water, thus preventing the storage box 11 from failing to provide the necessary buoyancy reserve for the amphibious vehicle.

[0031] It is understood that the front storage compartment structure of the amphibious vehicle in this embodiment can ensure the buoyancy reserve for the front compartment when the amphibious vehicle is navigating on water, while effectively transferring buoyancy to the chassis to lift the chassis, balancing the attitude of the front compartment in the water, effectively suppressing bow tilting, and improving the safety and stability of the vehicle while navigating on water. In addition, the front storage compartment assembly can also be used for everyday storage.

[0032] It should be noted that, in order to enhance the bow tilt effect of the storage box 11 when the amphibious vehicle is navigating on the water, the material density of the storage box 11 is less than that of water, so that the storage box 11 can float on the water and provide buoyancy. This means that the material of the storage box 11 is a non-metallic material, because the density of common metals that do not react with water is greater than that of water.

[0033] In this embodiment, the storage box 11 can be made of high-strength, lightweight composite materials or engineering plastics to ensure the structural integrity and buoyancy of the storage box 11. Further, as... Figure 1 As shown, the entire front compartment storage box assembly 1 can be integrally injection molded from engineering plastics, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), which have good weather resistance and impact resistance. It is understood that the material selection for the front compartment storage box assembly is not limited to these; in other embodiments, glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) or carbon fiber composite materials can also be used, as long as the structural strength and sealing requirements are met.

[0034] It is understandable that the storage box 11 is made of non-metallic material, while the supporting beam 2 is made of metal. Therefore, it is not possible to use welding to fix the storage box 11 and the supporting beam 2. If fasteners are inserted by drilling holes in the bottom plate of the storage box 11 and the supporting beam 2, leakage points will be formed in the bottom plate of the storage box 11, causing the storage box 11 to lose its buoyancy reserve function, endangering the buoyancy performance of the vehicle and the safety of internal components.

[0035] To achieve the connection between the bottom plate of storage box 11 and the supporting beam 2 without drilling holes in the bottom plate, as follows: Figure 2 , Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment further proposes a bottom sealing assembly 4 including a groove structure 41 fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the storage box 11 bottom plate, such as... Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, a fastener 42 is provided inside the groove structure 41. The fastener 42 passes through the support beam 2 and is connected to the support beam 2. A washer 43 is provided between the groove structure 41 and the fastener 42.

[0036] like Figure 5 , Figure 6As shown, the groove structure 41 is a recessed structure fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the storage box 11 base plate. It provides a space to accommodate the top of the fastener 42 and provides an interface for the installation and pressure bearing of the washer 43. It is understood that the groove structure 41 and the storage box 11 are made of the same material and are fixedly connected by integral molding. In this embodiment, the fastener 42 is placed in the groove structure 41, avoiding opening holes in the base plate of the storage box 11, thereby ensuring the integrity of the storage box 11 and enabling the storage box 11 to provide stable buoyancy reserves for the vehicle when in water.

[0037] It should be noted that common fasteners 42 include bolts, screws, or pins. In one specific embodiment, to ensure the stable connection between the storage box 11 and the support beam, bolts can be used as fasteners 42. After the fasteners 42 pass through the support beam, they are threadedly connected to the nuts to achieve a tight connection between the storage box 11 and the support beam.

[0038] In this embodiment, as Figure 5 As shown, the groove structure 41 has an opening on one side. This design takes into account that the groove structure 41 is integrally formed with the storage box 11. If the groove structure 41 is closed, the top of the fastener 42 cannot be installed into the groove structure 41. Furthermore, when the fastener 42 is a bolt, it is necessary to consider that the top of the fastener 42 may slip relative to the inner wall of the groove structure 41 when tightening the nut. Therefore, the top shapes of the groove structure 41 and the fastener 42 should be consistent and adopt a non-circular shape. Considering the ease of installation of the fastener 42, the shape of the groove structure 41 is usually a rectangular groove, a U-shaped groove, a stepped groove, or a triangular groove.

[0039] In this embodiment, a washer 43 is provided between the groove structure 41 and the fastener 42. When the fastener 42 tightens the storage box 11 and the support beam 2, the washer 43 deforms under the pressure of the groove structure 41 and the support beam 2 to play a sealing role. During the service stage, it absorbs some of the vehicle's vibration energy and reduces the direct impact of vibration on the fastener 42.

[0040] Understandably, the connection between the storage box 11 and the supporting beam 2 not only achieves a stable mechanical fixation, but also, through the synergistic effect of the groove structure 41, fasteners 42, and washers 43, avoids the need for openings in the bottom plate of the storage box 11. This design effectively prevents water from seeping into the bottom plate of the storage box 11, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the front compartment storage box 11 as a sealed buoyancy cavity. This ensures that the buoyancy reserve of the vehicle is not affected when it is traveling on water, improves the vehicle's navigation safety and reliability, and effectively protects potentially sensitive components inside the front compartment from water damage.

[0041] like Figure 5As shown, the groove structure 41 is a doghouse structure fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the storage box 11. The bottom surface of the doghouse structure is fixedly connected to the sealing groove 44. The top of the fastener 42 is set inside the doghouse structure. The washer 43 is sleeved on the fastener 42 and is set between the top surface of the support beam 2 and the sealing groove 44.

[0042] Understandably, the sealing groove 44 provides a stable support and positioning interface for the washer 43 and guides the deformation of the washer 43, ensuring that the washer 43 can fit evenly against the mating surface when under pressure. The washer 43 is fitted onto the shank of the fastener 42, allowing the washer 43 to form a barrier around the fastener 42 and absorb vibration energy. In this embodiment, the washer 43 can be made of an elastic material, such as rubber, silicone, or sponge, to ensure that it can fit tightly against the surface of the fastener 42 and the mating surface when under pressure.

[0043] It should also be noted that the specific structural form of the bottom sealing assembly is not limited to the specific implementation of the groove structure with fasteners; any mechanical connection structure that can achieve the function of "connection and sealing" should be included. For example, a flange is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the bottom plate of the storage box 11, and a sealing gasket is sandwiched between the flange face and the support beam. The support beam is pressed against the flange face by fasteners to achieve the connection. This alternative solution can also achieve "non-through connection + interface sealing", which is also within the scope of this invention.

[0044] In this embodiment, a first sealing structure 5 is provided on the outer periphery of the support plate 12 away from the storage box 11, and a second sealing structure 6 is provided at the top opening of the storage box 11. The front cabin cover 3, when closed, is sealed to both sealing structures, forming a sealed buoyancy cavity with the storage box 11. Specifically, as... Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the first sealing structure 5 includes a first sealing strip 51 and a second sealing strip 52. The second sealing strip 52 is connected to the upper part of the front windshield lower trim assembly 7, and the first sealing strip 51 is connected to the outer peripheral top surface of the support plate 12. The first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 cover the joint surfaces of the front cabin hood perimeter and the front cabin storage box assembly and the front windshield lower trim assembly, forming a continuous annular sealing strip.

[0045] Understandably, when the front hood 3 is closed, the first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52, through compression deformation, form a tight contact with the front hood 3, thereby preventing water, dust, or other impurities from entering the vehicle's front compartment. The first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 can be made of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber. EPDM has excellent weather resistance, ozone resistance, and aging resistance, and can maintain stable elastic properties during long-term outdoor use. Its cross-sectional shape can be designed as D-shaped, P-shaped, or hollow tubular, etc., to adapt to different compression forces and sealing requirements. Furthermore, the material of the sealing strips can be selected according to actual needs. In addition to EPDM, silicone, fluororubber (FKM), or neoprene rubber (CR) can also be used, as long as the requirements for waterproofing, dustproofing, and weather resistance are met.

[0046] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the first sealing strip 51 is installed at the front end and left and right sides of the support plate 12, and the second sealing strip 52 is connected to the upper part of the lower windshield trim assembly 7. The lower windshield trim assembly 7 is located at the rear edge of the vehicle's front compartment. The first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 together form the first sealing structure 5. When the front hood 3 is closed, the lower surface of the front hood 3 will simultaneously press the first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 together. Under the pressing force of the front hood 3, the two sealing strips are squeezed and deformed against each other, blocking the connection between the support plate 12 and the external environment. In this embodiment, the compression rate of the sealing strip is controlled between 20% and 30%. The selection of the compression rate needs to balance the sealing effect and the service life of the sealing strip: if the compression rate is too low, the seal will not be tight; if the compression rate is too high, the sealing strip will age prematurely and lose its elasticity.

[0047] It should be noted that the first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 may age and fail during long-term use. If they are not replaced in time, the first sealing structure 5 may fail, which may cause water to seep into the first sealing structure 5 when the amphibious vehicle is navigating on the water, increasing the pressure on the second sealing structure 6. In severe cases, water may enter the storage box 11 and affect the buoyancy reserve of the storage box 11.

[0048] In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the first sealing strip 51 has a built-in buckle, which is installed on the outer periphery of the support plate 12 through the buckle. The bottom surface of the second sealing strip 52 has a built-in buckle, which is installed on the upper part of the front windshield lower trim panel assembly 7 through the buckle.

[0049] Understandably, the bottom surfaces of the first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 have multiple barbed elastic clips evenly embedded along the length of the sealing strip. The lower windshield trim assembly 7 and the support plate 12 both have interfaces that mate with these clips. By aligning the clips of the sealing strip with the interfaces and pressing them down, the barbed clips will elastically deform, insert into the interfaces, and then return to their original shape to complete the connection. This design not only facilitates the alignment and fixing of the first sealing strip 51 and the second sealing strip 52 during assembly, but also facilitates the replacement of the sealing strips, while ensuring a stable connection between the first sealing strip 51, the second sealing strip 52, and the body components.

[0050] like Figure 3 As shown, the second sealing structure 6 includes a third sealing strip 61 for the top opening of the storage box 11, as... Figure 4 As shown, a rib 62 is provided around the outer perimeter of the top opening of the storage box 11, and the bottom of the third sealing strip 61 is fastened to the rib 62. Figure 4 As shown, the rib 62 is a protruding structure fixedly connected to the outer periphery of the top opening of the storage box 11. The rib 62 has two functions: first, it forms a barrier structure to prevent water seeping from the first sealing structure 5 from flowing into the storage box 11; second, it provides a stable mounting base and positioning support for the third sealing strip 61. When the front hatch 3 is fastened, it presses against the third sealing strip 61, ensuring the sealing effect between the front hatch 3 and the front storage box assembly 1. It can be understood that the rib 62 can be integrally formed with the support plate and the storage box 11, for example, by injection molding.

[0051] It should be noted that "fastening" refers to the bottom opening of the third sealing strip 61, whereby the bottom surface of the third sealing strip 61 is fastened onto the reinforcing rib 62, as shown. Figure 1 As shown, multiple elastic clamping elements are provided inside the opening on the bottom surface of the third sealing strip 61 to strengthen the connection between the third sealing strip 61 and the reinforcing strip 62. It can also be understood that the connection design between the third sealing strip 61 and the reinforcing strip facilitates the installation or replacement of the third sealing strip 61, simplifies the installation process, and improves production efficiency and ease of later maintenance.

[0052] In this embodiment, the third sealing strip 61 can also be made of various elastic materials, such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) with good weather resistance. Its cross-sectional shape can also be designed as D-shaped, P-shaped, or hollow tubular according to actual sealing requirements to provide optimal compression deformation and resilience performance.

[0053] In this embodiment, the support plate 12 is connected to the vehicle body components, which support the support plate 12. Specifically, the body components include the fender assemblies 8 on both sides of the vehicle's front compartment, the water tank upper crossbeam assembly 9 on the front side of the vehicle's front compartment, and the body sheet metal drainage channel 10 on the rear side of the vehicle's front compartment. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the two sides of the support plate 12 are connected to the fender assemblies 8 on both sides of the vehicle via clips, and the front side of the support plate 12 is connected to the upper crossbeam assembly 9 of the vehicle's radiator via clips; Figure 4 As shown, the rear end of the support plate 12 and the front end of the lower windshield trim assembly 7 are mounted to the body sheet metal drainage channel 10 by self-tapping screws.

[0054] It should be noted that clips achieve quick, detachable connections between components through elastic deformation or mechanical locking, while providing sufficient fixing force. Clips are typically designed with a structure featuring elastic barbs, which engage and lock with holes or slots on the mating components; alternatively, clips employ rotary or push-in locking mechanisms, where the locking part meshes with the mating structure through rotation or push-in action. Self-tapping screws are fasteners that create threads on the connected parts without prior tapping, and are particularly suitable for sheet metal structures. They effectively fix components and prevent displacement or vibration during vehicle movement. Self-tapping screws can pass directly through pre-drilled holes in the components to be fixed (support plates, lower windshield trim assembly) and screw into the metal sheet of the body sheet metal drainage channel 10, using their own threads to form mating threads on the sheet metal; alternatively, shims can be added between the self-tapping screw and the component to be fixed to increase the contact area, improve the reliability of the connection, and distribute stress.

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the support plate 12 has injection-molded plastic latches integrated on both sides and the front. The ends of the plastic latches have elastic barbs. These latches can elastically engage with the pre-set slots on the inner edges of the side fender assemblies 8 and the pre-set slots on the top surface of the water tank upper beam assembly 9, achieving a quick and stable connection. It should be noted that the latches on both sides and the front of the support plate 12 are all located on the outside of the first sealing structure 5 to prevent water from entering between the first sealing structure 5 and the second sealing structure 6 through the connection point of the support plate 12.

[0056] Understandably, by connecting the sides, front, and rear of the support plate 12 to the vehicle body components, the support plate 12 can be reliably fixed inside the vehicle's front compartment, effectively resisting impacts, vibrations, and water flow loads from different directions, thereby preventing displacement, deformation, or loosening of the support plate 12. This robust installation method enhances the overall structural strength and reliability of the front compartment storage box assembly 1, ensuring that the sealed buoyancy cavity maintains its expected sealing and buoyancy performance under various operating conditions.

[0057] In this embodiment, after the vehicle enters the water, the storage box 11 is not level with the water surface, but is partially submerged to provide buoyancy, and partially above the water surface to provide buoyancy reserves. Specifically, as... Figure 8As shown, the storage box 11 is divided into three parts vertically, separated by the vehicle body water level line and the vehicle body surge line. The water level line is the boundary between the part of the storage box 11 that is submerged below the water surface and the part that is above the water surface when the amphibious vehicle is stationary in the water; the surge line is the extreme position at which the amphibious vehicle may sink due to the rise and fall of the water waves when it is navigating normally in the water, or the position where the water waves are higher than the water level line.

[0058] Understandably, the space below the waterline of the storage box 11 provides buoyancy reserves for the amphibious vehicle's front compartment to remain stationary in the water; the space between the waterline and the surge line of the storage box 11 provides buoyancy reserves for the amphibious vehicle's front compartment to navigate in the water, preventing the vehicle's front compartment from sinking excessively under the influence of waves, enhancing the vehicle's ability to withstand wind and waves, and ensuring the safe dynamic movement of the amphibious vehicle in the water.

[0059] It is also understandable that the storage compartment 11 above the surge line can provide additional buoyancy reserves for amphibious vehicles, such as preventing excessive sinking of the vehicle's front compartment when the vehicle's load changes or when the surge is large.

[0060] For amphibious vehicles, the mechanism of bow tilt is that the vehicle's center of gravity is located in front of the center of buoyancy. The torque formed by gravity and buoyancy causes the vehicle to rotate around its lateral axis, resulting in the nose sinking. If the bow tilt angle is too large, especially at high speeds (such as speeds greater than 5 knots), the nose is prone to plunging into the water, causing water to enter the engine air intake or even the vehicle to sink, posing a significant safety hazard. In this embodiment, the front compartment storage box assembly 1 is located at the front of the vehicle. When the vehicle enters the water, the storage box 11 is submerged. Because the storage box 11 is sealed by the first sealing structure, the second sealing structure, and the bottom sealing assembly, water cannot enter the interior of the storage box 11. The storage box 11 displaces a corresponding volume of water to provide buoyancy to the front compartment of the vehicle. This buoyancy acts on the front of the vehicle and generates an upward lifting force, which offsets part of the weight of the front compartment and reduces the bow tilt torque around the lateral axis, thereby improving the vehicle's sailing attitude.

[0061] In this embodiment, the sealed buoyancy cavity can provide the amphibious vehicle with buoyancy of no less than 90 liters. That is, when the bottom surface of the support plate 12 is in contact with the water surface, the storage box 11 can provide buoyancy of no less than 90 liters. This quantified buoyancy configuration enables the amphibious vehicle to obtain stable and sufficient upward support force when navigating on the water surface, ensuring the balance of the amphibious vehicle under different loads and water conditions, and improving the safety of the entire vehicle.

[0062] In actual testing, amphibious vehicles equipped with this forward storage compartment system reduced their bow tilt angle by approximately 1 degree after entering water. This reduction significantly improved the vehicle's navigation attitude, allowing the front of the vehicle to maintain a relatively level posture at high speeds, avoiding the risk of the front of the vehicle plunging into the water, and enhancing the navigation safety and maneuverability of the amphibious vehicle.

[0063] It is understood that the 90-liter buoyancy figure is merely a preferred configuration for a specific vehicle type (such as a mid-sized off-road amphibious vehicle) in this embodiment and is not a limitation of the invention. For amphibious vehicles of different tonnages or with different centers of gravity, the volume of the storage box can be adjusted according to actual buoyancy requirements. For example, for heavy amphibious vehicles, the sealed volume can be increased by increasing the depth of the storage box or expanding its lateral dimensions, thereby providing greater buoyancy reserves; for light vehicles, the volume can be appropriately reduced to balance the interior space layout. Any technical solution that provides buoyancy reserves to adjust navigation attitude through a sealed storage box cavity should be covered within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0064] Example 2 This embodiment discloses a vehicle, including, as follows: Figures 1 to 8 The embodiment 1 disclosed herein is a front compartment storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle, such as Figure 8 As shown, the storage box 11 is installed at an angle in the front compartment of the vehicle, and the elevation of the front top surface of the storage box 11 is lower than the elevation of the rear top surface of the storage box 11. That is, the top surface of the storage box 11 gradually rises from the front to the rear of the vehicle. This tilting direction concentrates the buoyancy on the front side of the storage box 11. When the amphibious vehicle is sailing on the water, the water flow not only provides buoyancy to the storage box 11 but also provides impact, which adjusts the sinking attitude of the front compartment of the amphibious vehicle and slows down the sinking trend of the front compartment.

[0065] While the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, this is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative effort based on the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A front compartment storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle, characterized in that, Including the front storage box assembly, support beams, and front engine cover; The front compartment storage box assembly includes a storage box and a support plate. The storage box is fixedly connected to the support plate. The bottom plate of the storage box is closed and the top is open. The bottom surface of the storage box bottom plate is installed on the support beam through a bottom sealing assembly. The support beam is fixedly connected to the vehicle frame. The support plate is provided with a first sealing structure on the outer periphery away from the storage box, and a second sealing structure is provided on the outer periphery of the top opening of the storage box. When the front cabin cover is closed, it is sealed and connected to the two sealing structures, forming a sealed buoyancy cavity with the storage box.

2. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The storage box is made of a material with a density less than that of water. The bottom sealing assembly includes a groove structure fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the storage box base plate. Fasteners are installed inside the groove structure. The fasteners pass through a support beam and are connected to the support beam. A washer is provided between the groove structure and the fasteners.

3. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the groove structure is fixedly connected to the sealing groove, the top of the fastener is set inside the groove structure, the washer is sleeved on the fastener, and the washer is set between the top surface of the support beam and the sealing groove.

4. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first sealing structure includes a first sealing strip and a second sealing strip, wherein the second sealing strip is connected to the upper part of the lower trim panel assembly of the front windshield, and the first sealing strip is connected to the outer peripheral top surface of the support plate.

5. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom surfaces of the first and second sealing strips have built-in buckles.

6. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second sealing structure includes a third sealing strip for the top opening of the storage box, and a rib is provided around the outer periphery of the top opening of the storage box. The bottom of the third sealing strip is fastened to the rib.

7. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two sides of the support plate are connected to the fender assemblies on both sides of the vehicle by clips, and the front side of the support plate is connected to the upper crossbeam assembly of the vehicle's water tank by clips; the rear end of the support plate is installed on the body sheet metal water channel by self-tapping screws.

8. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, characterized in that, After the vehicle enters the water, the storage box is partially submerged in the water to provide buoyancy, and partially above the water surface to provide buoyancy reserves.

9. The front compartment storage box structure of an amphibious vehicle as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The storage box is divided into three parts vertically by the vehicle body water level line and the vehicle body surge line. The water level line is the dividing line between the part of the storage box that is submerged below the water surface and the part that is above the water surface when the vehicle is stationary in the water. The surge line is the position where the water waves are higher than the water level line when the vehicle is sailing normally in the water.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The invention includes a front compartment storage box structure for an amphibious vehicle as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the storage box is installed at an angle in the front compartment of the vehicle, and the elevation of the front top surface of the storage box is lower than the elevation of the rear top surface of the storage box.

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