Vehicle body structure

Abstract

This invention provides a vehicle body structure capable of achieving good load transfer performance. The vehicle body structure includes: a pair of side frames; a shock absorber housing; a frame member connecting the pair of side frames and mounting auxiliary equipment; and a partition disposed within the cross-section of the side frames and connected to at least one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frames, as well as the upper surface portion. The partition includes: a housing connecting portion, which is a portion of the partition connected to the connection between the shock absorber housing and the upper surface portion of the side frames; and a frame connecting portion, which is a portion of the partition connected to the connection between the frame member and one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frames.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts to provide access to sustainable transportation systems that also take into account vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and children among traffic participants have become increasingly active. To achieve this goal, research and development are being undertaken to further improve the safety and convenience of transportation through advancements related to collision safety performance.

[0003] In the past, various vehicle body structures have been researched and developed to address different needs regarding the effective transfer of loads during collisions. This project aims to solve these problems and improve collision safety performance. Furthermore, it contributes to the development of sustainable transport systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a vehicle body structure that can achieve good load transfer performance.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body structure includes: a pair of side frames; a shock absorber housing; a frame member connecting the pair of side frames and mounting auxiliary equipment; and a partition disposed inside the cross-section of the side frames and connected to at least one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frames and the upper surface portion, the partition including: a housing connecting portion, which is a portion of the partition connected to the connection between the shock absorber housing and the upper surface portion of the side frames; and a frame connecting portion, which is a portion of the partition connected to the connection between the frame member and one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frames.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from above, the shock absorber housing has a front surface portion and a front flange portion in the upper region overlapping with the side frame. The front surface portion extends in the vehicle height direction and the vehicle width direction, and the front flange portion extends from the lower end of the front surface portion relative to the upper surface portion of the side frame. The front flange portion is connected to the housing connection portion.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame member includes: a first skeleton portion extending along the vehicle width direction; a second skeleton portion connected to the first skeleton portion; and a plurality of skeleton fixing portions extending from the second skeleton portion and connected to the side frame, wherein at least one of the plurality of skeleton fixing portions is connected to the frame connecting portion.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple frame connecting portions are provided, respectively located on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The skeleton fixing portion has a first skeleton fixing portion and a second skeleton fixing portion. The first skeleton fixing portion is provided corresponding to the frame connecting portion located on one side in the vehicle width direction, and the second skeleton fixing portion is provided corresponding to the frame connecting portion located on the other side in the vehicle width direction. The first skeleton fixing portion is connected to one of the frame connecting portions provided on the lower surface portion of the side frame.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second skeleton fixing part is connected to another frame connecting part disposed on the side side of the side frame.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first skeleton portion of the frame member described above is provided in a plurality of ways, and one of the first skeleton portions is a front first skeleton portion. The front first skeleton portion is provided on the front side of the vehicle and is located in front of the skeleton fixing portion. The side frame has a concave-convex shape at the position where it overlaps with the front first skeleton portion in the vehicle length direction.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the side surface or the lower surface of the side frame has an insertion hole, and the frame connecting portion has a fastening hole corresponding to the insertion hole and a fastening member corresponding to the fastening hole, wherein the fastening member and the frame member are mechanically fastened together through the insertion hole.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned housing connecting portion and the frame connecting portion overlap in the vehicle length direction.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the side frame has an inner side frame component and an outer side frame component. The inner side frame component has a cap-shaped body portion that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The outer side frame component closes the cap-shaped body portion. The inner side frame component and the outer side frame component form the cross-section of the side frame by joining an upper flange disposed above the cap-shaped body portion and a lower flange disposed below the cap-shaped body portion. The shock absorber housing has a cutout portion that spans the front surface portion and the front flange portion and is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The cutout portion is configured to be separated from the upper flange in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper flange has a flange extension that extends upward toward the vehicle at a position where it overlaps with the cutout in the vehicle length direction.

[0015] Based on the above, in embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle body structure, through the configuration of a partition connecting at least one of the side and lower surfaces of the side frame and the upper surface of the side frame, can form a load transfer path among components such as the partition, shock absorber housing, side frame, and frame members. In this way, during vehicle operation, vertical loads input from the suspension system to the shock absorber housing can be transferred to the frame members via the partition. Furthermore, horizontal loads caused by vehicle body torsion or other reasons can also be transferred from the frame members to the shock absorber housing via the partition. Therefore, regardless of whether the input load during vehicle operation or a collision originates from the vertical or horizontal direction, the configuration of the vehicle body structure connecting the shock absorber housing and frame members via the partition enables the load to be transferred to a larger area than before, thereby achieving excellent load transfer performance.

[0016] To make the above features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial lower view of the front structure of the vehicle;

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional view of the front structure of the vehicle near the shock absorber housing.

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the vehicle body structure near the first frame fixing part;

[0021] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the side frame near the first frame fixing part;

[0022] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional view of the front structure of the vehicle near the second frame fixing part.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a side view of the front structure of the vehicle.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 100: Vehicle body structure

[0026] 110: Side frame

[0027] 111: Side frame internals

[0028] 111a: Hat-shaped body

[0029] 112: Side frame outer components

[0030] S111: Upper surface

[0031] S112: Side profile

[0032] S113: Lower surface portion

[0033] H110: Insertion hole

[0034] CP: Concave and convex parts

[0035] FP: Planar part

[0036] 110U: Upper flange

[0037] 110P: Flange extension

[0038] 110B: Lower flange

[0039] 120: Shock absorber housing

[0040] 121: Front surface portion

[0041] 122: Anterior flange portion

[0042] 123: Incision site

[0043] 130: Frame components

[0044] 131: First Skeletal Section

[0045] 131f: First skeletal section on the front side

[0046] 132: Second Skeletal Section

[0047] 133: Skeleton Fixation Part

[0048] 133R: First skeleton fixing part

[0049] 133L: Second skeleton fixing part

[0050] 140: partition

[0051] 140B: Main body

[0052] 141: Housing connection part

[0053] 142: Frame connection part

[0054] FH: Fastening Hole

[0055] FX: Fastening components

[0056] AD: Auxiliary equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0058] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial lower view of the front structure of the vehicle; Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional view of the front structure of the vehicle near the shock absorber housing. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the vehicle body structure near the first frame fixing part; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a partial enlarged view of the side frame near the first frame fixing part; Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a partial three-dimensional view of the front structure of the vehicle near the second frame fixing part. Figure 7 yes Figure 3 The diagram shows a side view of the front structure of the vehicle. It should be noted that, for convenience, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the vehicle are defined as shown in the diagram. The composition of each part will be explained according to these definitions, and the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions correspond to the vehicle's length, width, and height, respectively.

[0059] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5In this embodiment, the vehicle body structure 100 includes a pair of side frames 110, a shock absorber housing 120, a frame member 130, and a partition 140. The shock absorber housing 120 supports the suspension system and has strength and rigidity. The frame member 130 connects the pair of side frames 110 and carries an auxiliary device AD. In this embodiment, the auxiliary device AD ​​is, for example, a device for driving an electric vehicle, such as a battery or compressor, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the auxiliary device AD ​​can also be a motor or a heat exchanger (radiator, condenser), etc. Any item that can be installed on the frame member 130 connecting the side frames 110 can be used as the auxiliary device AD ​​in the vehicle. The partition 140 is disposed inside the cross-section of the side frame 110 and is connected to at least one of the side surface portion S112 and the lower surface portion S113 of the side frame 110 and the upper surface portion S111. The partition 140 includes a housing connection portion 141 and a frame connection portion 142. The housing connection portion 141 is the part of the partition 140 that connects to the upper surface portion S111 of the shock absorber housing 120 and the side frame 110. The frame connection portion 142 is the part of the partition 140 that connects to one of the side surface portion S112 and the lower surface portion S113 of the frame member 130 and the side frame 110.

[0060] Thus, by configuring at least one of the side surface portion S112 and the lower surface portion S113 of the side frame 110 and the partition plate 140 of the upper surface portion S111 of the side frame 110, a housing connection portion 141 of the partition plate 140 can be provided at the connection between the shock absorber housing 120 and the upper surface portion S111 of the side frame 110, thereby joining the three components of the partition plate 140, the shock absorber housing 120 and the side frame 110, and thus forming a load transmission path.

[0061] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, when viewed from above, the shock absorber housing 120 has a front surface portion 121, a front flange portion 122, and a cutout portion 123 in the upper region overlapping with the side frame 110. The front surface portion 121 extends along the vehicle height and vehicle width directions. The front flange portion 122 extends from the lower end of the front surface portion 121 relative to the upper surface portion S111 of the side frame 110. The front flange portion 122 is connected to the housing connection portion 141. The cutout portion 123 spans the front surface portion 121 and the front flange portion 122 and is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side frame 110 has a side frame inner member 111 and a side frame outer member 112. The side frame inner member 111 has a cap-shaped body portion 111a that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The side frame outer member 112 closes the cap-shaped body portion 111a. The side frame inner member 111 and the side frame outer member 112 form the cross-section of the side frame 110 by joining an upper flange 110U disposed above the cap-shaped body portion 111a and a lower flange 110B disposed below the cap-shaped body portion 111a. The cutout portion 123 of the shock absorber housing 120 is configured to be separate from the upper flange 110U in the vehicle width direction. The upper flange 110U of the side frame inner member 111 has a flange extension portion 110P, which extends upward toward the vehicle at a position where it overlaps with the cutout portion 123 in the vehicle length direction.

[0062] Thus, by arranging the front surface portion 121 and the front flange portion 122 of the shock absorber housing 120 in the upper region overlapping with the side frame 110, the vertical load input to the shock absorber housing 120 can be transmitted downwards from the front surface portion 121 through the front flange portion 122, and the load can be transmitted to the partition 140 without changing direction. Furthermore, by arranging the cutout portion 123 of the shock absorber housing 120 separately from the upper flange 110U of the side frame 110, the vertical load input to the shock absorber housing 120 is less likely to be transmitted to the upper flange 110U of the side frame 110, and the load is more easily transmitted to the partition 140. Furthermore, by configuring the flange extension 110P of the upper flange 110U of the side frame inner member 111, the joint area between the side frame inner member 111 and the side frame outer member 112 can be expanded and reinforced in the vehicle height direction, and the deformation of the cross section of the side frame 110 can be suppressed when the vertical load of the input shock absorber housing 120 is transmitted to the partition 140.

[0063] And, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in this embodiment, the housing connection portion 141 and the frame connection portion 142 overlap in the vehicle length direction. Thus, by configuring the housing connection portion 141 and the frame connection portion 142 of the partition 140 to overlap in the vehicle length direction, that is, by creating a structure in which the body portion 140B of the partition 140 extends in the vehicle height direction, the vertical load input to the shock absorber housing 120 can be appropriately transferred to the lower frame member 130 through the partition 140 extending in the vehicle height direction.

[0064] Furthermore, please refer to again Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, the frame member 130 is a structure with the strength and rigidity to support the auxiliary device AD, and includes a first frame portion 131, a second frame portion 132, and a plurality of frame fixing portions 133. The first frame portion 131 extends along the vehicle width direction. The second frame portion 132 connects to the first frame portion 131. In this embodiment, the second frame portion 132 extends, for example, along the vehicle length direction, but the invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the second frame portion 132 may also extend in other directions (such as extending obliquely and crossing to connect to the first frame portion 131), as long as it can be stably connected to the first frame portion 131. A plurality of frame fixing portions 133 extend from the second frame portion 132 and connect to the side frame 110, and at least one of the plurality of frame fixing portions 133 is connected to the frame connecting portion 142. Furthermore, by configuring the partition 140 connected to at least one of the side surface portion S112 and the lower surface portion S113 of the side frame 110 and the upper surface portion S111 of the side frame 110, a frame connecting portion 142 of the partition 140 can be provided at the connection between the frame member 130 and one of the side surface portion S112 and the lower surface portion of the side frame 110, so as to join the partition 140, the frame member 130 and the side frame 110. In this way, the load input to the shock absorber housing 120 can be transmitted to the frame fixing portion 133 connected to the frame connecting portion 142 of the partition 140, and then transmitted from the frame fixing portion 133 to the second frame portion 132, and then to the first frame portion 131 connected to the second frame portion 132. Therefore, the load can be transmitted and distributed to the entire frame member 130.

[0065] In this way, during vehicle operation, the vertical load input from the suspension system to the shock absorber housing 120 can be transferred to the frame member 130 via the partition 140. Furthermore, horizontal loads caused by vehicle body torsion can also be transferred from the frame member 130 to the shock absorber housing 120 via the partition 140. Therefore, regardless of whether the input load during vehicle operation or a collision originates from the vertical or horizontal direction, the configuration of the vehicle structure 100 connecting the shock absorber housing 120 and the frame member via the partition 140 enables the load to be transferred to a larger area than before, thereby achieving excellent load transfer performance.

[0066] In addition, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, multiple frame connection portions 142 are provided, respectively located on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The frame fixing portion 133 has a first frame fixing portion 133R and a second frame fixing portion 133L. The first frame fixing portion 133R is provided corresponding to the frame connection portion 142 located on one side in the vehicle width direction, and the second frame fixing portion 133L is provided corresponding to the frame connection portion 142 located on the other side in the vehicle width direction. The first frame fixing portion 133R is connected to one of the frame connection portions 142 provided on the lower surface portion S113 of the side frame 110, and the second frame fixing portion 133L is connected to the other frame connection portion 142 provided on the side surface portion S112 of the side frame 110.

[0067] With the above configuration, the frame member 130 can connect the first skeleton fixing part 133R to one of the frame connecting parts 142 provided on the lower surface part S113 of the side frame 110 at the position corresponding to the partition 140, and connect the second skeleton fixing part 133L to another frame connecting part 142 provided on the side part S112 of the side frame 110. The skeleton fixing part 133 can be fixed at the position reinforced by the partition 140. In this way, the frame member 130 can be supported and fixed without being restricted by the fixed position, even on the side or below of the side frame 110. This allows the frame member 130 to have an asymmetrical installation structure, that is, on both sides in the vehicle width direction, the first skeleton fixing part 133R and the second skeleton fixing part 133L of the frame member 130 can be fixed at different heights.

[0068] On the other hand, such as Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the frame member 130 has multiple first skeleton portions 131, one of which is a front first skeleton portion 131f. The front first skeleton portion 131f is located on the front side of the vehicle and in front of the skeleton fixing portion 133. The side frame 110 has a concave-convex portion CP at the position where it overlaps with the front first skeleton portion 131f in the vehicle length direction. The area of ​​the side frame 110 where the partition 140 is provided between the shock absorber housing 120 and the frame member 130 (the position corresponding to the skeleton fixing portion 133) is a flat surface FP without any unevenness. Thus, when a collision load from the front of the vehicle acts on the side frame 110, since the area of ​​the side frame 110 where the partition 140 is provided between the shock absorber housing 120 and the frame member 130 (the position corresponding to the skeleton fixing portion 133) is a flat surface FP without any unevenness, the cross-section of the side frame 110 at this location will not deform excessively. On the other hand, since the side frame 110 has a concave-convex part CP with an uneven shape at the position where it overlaps with the front first frame part 131f located in front of the frame fixing part 133, the area up to the front of the partition plate 140 can be made into an area of ​​cross-sectional deformation (compression deformation or bending deformation) of the side frame 110 by adjusting the shape of the concave-convex part CP. In this way, the mounting area of ​​the partition plate 140 (the position corresponding to the frame fixing part 133) can be used as a boundary to form a strength difference, which can stabilize the fracture mode during collision, thereby preventing cross-sectional collapse of the structure and improving its rigidity performance.

[0069] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the side surface S112 or lower surface S113 of the side frame 110 has an insertion hole H110, and the frame connecting part 142 has a fastening hole FH corresponding to the insertion hole H110 and a fastening member FX corresponding to the fastening hole FH. The fastening member FX is mechanically fastened to the frame member 130 through the insertion hole H110. For example, in this embodiment, the fastening member FX can be a bolt and a nut. Thus, since the partition 140 and the frame member 130 are mechanically fixed through the insertion hole H110 of the side frame 110, the shape of the frame member 130 can be appropriately changed according to the load provided on the frame member 130 as an auxiliary device AD ​​or the load weight on it, thereby adapting to the needs of different vehicle products.

[0070] In summary, in the embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle body structure, through the configuration of a partition connecting at least one of the side and lower surfaces of the side frame and the upper surface of the side frame, can form a load transfer path among components such as the partition, shock absorber housing, side frame, and frame members. In this way, during vehicle operation, the vertical load input from the suspension system to the shock absorber housing can be transferred to the frame members via the partition. Furthermore, horizontal loads caused by vehicle body torsion can also be transferred from the frame members to the shock absorber housing via the partition. Therefore, regardless of whether the input load during vehicle operation or a collision originates from the vertical or horizontal direction, the configuration of the vehicle body structure connecting the shock absorber housing and frame members via the partition can transfer the load to a larger area than before, thereby achieving excellent load transfer performance.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle body structure, characterized in that, include: A pair of side frames; Shock absorber housing; A frame member, connecting the pair of side frames, and equipped with auxiliary equipment; as well as A partition, disposed within the cross-section of the side frame and connected to at least one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frame, and the upper surface portion, the partition comprising: The housing connection portion is the part in the partition that connects to the upper surface portion of the shock absorber housing and the side frame; as well as The frame connection portion is the part of the partition that connects to one of the side surface portion and the lower surface portion of the side frame.

2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed from above, the shock absorber housing has a front surface portion and a front flange portion in the upper region overlapping with the side frame. The front surface portion extends in the vehicle height and vehicle width directions, and the front flange portion extends from the lower end of the front surface portion relative to the upper surface portion of the side frame. The front flange portion is connected to the housing connection portion.

3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame components include: The first frame section extends along the width of the vehicle; The second skeleton part is connected to the first skeleton part; and Multiple skeleton fixing parts extend from the second skeleton part and are connected to the side frame, and at least one of the multiple skeleton fixing parts is connected to the frame connecting part.

4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frame has multiple connecting parts, located on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The frame fixing part has a first frame fixing part and a second frame fixing part. The first frame fixing part is provided corresponding to the frame connecting part located on one side in the vehicle width direction, and the second frame fixing part is provided corresponding to the frame connecting part located on the other side in the vehicle width direction. The first frame fixing part is connected to one of the frame connecting parts provided on the lower surface of the side frame.

5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second frame fixing part is connected to another frame connecting part disposed on the side side of the side frame.

6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that, The frame member has multiple first skeleton portions, one of which is a front first skeleton portion. The front first skeleton portion is located on the front side of the vehicle and in front of the skeleton fixing portion. The side frame has a concave-convex shape at the position where it overlaps with the front first skeleton portion in the vehicle length direction.

7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side or lower surface of the side frame has an insertion hole, and the frame connecting part has a fastening hole corresponding to the insertion hole and a fastening member corresponding to the fastening hole. The fastening member and the frame member are mechanically fastened together through the insertion hole.

8. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing connection portion overlaps with the frame connection portion in the vehicle length direction.

9. The vehicle body structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side frame has an inner side frame component and an outer side frame component. The inner side frame component has a cap-shaped body portion that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. The outer side frame component closes the cap-shaped body portion. The inner side frame component and the outer side frame component form the cross-section of the side frame by joining an upper flange disposed above the cap-shaped body portion and a lower flange disposed below the cap-shaped body portion. The shock absorber housing has a cutout portion that spans the front surface portion and the front flange portion and is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The cutout portion is configured to be separate from the upper flange in the vehicle width direction.

10. The vehicle body structure according to claim 9, characterized in that, The upper flange has a flange extension portion, which extends upward at a position where it overlaps with the cut portion in the vehicle length direction.

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