Vehicle rear frame structure

Abstract

A vehicle rear frame structure is provided. The vehicle rear frame structure has a rear frame main body portion integrally formed by casting and including a wheel house portion, and a reinforcement portion integrally formed with the rear frame main body portion and extending from an upper portion of the wheel house portion in a vehicle up-down direction to a vehicle upper side, and an upper end of which is joined to an upper side beam or a pillar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rear frame structure for a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-117583 discloses a vehicle rear frame structure comprising a pair of left and right wheel arches integrally formed by casting. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the aforementioned rear frame structure of a vehicle, when the longitudinal beams are not properly compressed and stand upright during a collision, the wheel arches will also stand upright. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the overall rigidity of the rear frame structure. Furthermore, when stiffeners are joined to beam components, there is a decrease in the strength of the joint, so there is also room for improvement in terms of strength.

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle rear frame structure that can improve rigidity and strength.

[0005] The first aspect of the vehicle rear frame structure disclosed herein includes: a rear frame main body integrally formed by casting and including a wheel arch portion; and a reinforcing rib portion integrally formed with the rear frame main body and extending from the upper part of the wheel arch portion in the vehicle vertical direction toward the vehicle upper side, with its upper end engaging with an upper beam or column.

[0006] In the aforementioned rear frame structure of the vehicle, strength is increased by integrally forming the main body of the rear frame and the reinforcing ribs. Furthermore, when the wheel arches rise due to the longitudinal beams, the upper ends of the reinforcing ribs are pressed down by the upper beams or pillars. This presses down the wheel arches as a whole, thus preventing them from rising. Consequently, the overall rigidity of the rear frame structure of the vehicle is improved.

[0007] In the rear frame structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment, the reinforcing ribs support the upper end of the shock absorber.

[0008] In the aforementioned vehicle rear frame structure, since the reinforcing rib supports the upper end of the shock absorber, the input load that passes through the upper end of the shock absorber and is input to the upper end of the wheel arch can be distributed by the reinforcing rib.

[0009] In the vehicle rear frame structure of the first embodiment, the reinforcing rib extends continuously from the wheel arch portion in the vehicle front-rear direction at both ends of the reinforcing rib portion.

[0010] In the aforementioned vehicle rear frame structure, since the two ends of the reinforcing rib in the vehicle's longitudinal direction extend continuously from the two ends of the wheel arch in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, load can be smoothly transferred between the reinforcing rib and the wheel arch.

[0011] As explained above, the rear frame structure of the vehicle according to this disclosure can improve rigidity and strength. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same parts, wherein: Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically representing the rear frame structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment; Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A three-dimensional view showing the detailed features of the reinforcing ribs; Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the details of the reinforcing ribs of the rear frame structure of the vehicle according to the second embodiment; Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the rear frame structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment; Figure 5 It is a schematic representation Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a deformed example of the installation position of the reinforcing rib. Detailed Implementation

[0013] First Implementation Method

[0014] Hereinafter, a vehicle using the rear frame structure 10 of the first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in this specification and the accompanying drawings, constituent elements having substantially the same functional structure are omitted from repeated description by using the same reference numerals. Additionally, in each figure, arrow FR appropriately indicates the front side in the vehicle's front-rear direction, and arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle's vertical direction. Arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle's width direction, and arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle's width direction; in this embodiment, it indicates the outer side in the vehicle's width direction. Hereinafter, only the directions of front-rear, vertical, left-right, and inner and outer will be used in the description, unless otherwise specified, referring to the front-rear direction, vertical direction, left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and inner and outer sides in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in the specification, each element may be not limited to one, and multiple elements may exist. Additionally, in the accompanying drawings, substantially identical elements are labeled with the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions from the specification are omitted.

[0016] Vehicles that utilize the rear frame structure 10 of the first embodiment are, for example, pure electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles that have a power unit including an electric motor, an engine, etc., as a drive source and that travel using the power generated by the power unit.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing the rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. Additionally, in Figure 1 The detailed shape of the rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle is shown in a simplified manner. Figure 1 The rear frame structure 10 shown is provided at the rear of the vehicle, serving as the vehicle's skeleton. The rear frame structure 10 is integrally formed by casting.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle has a rear frame main body 11, which is configured to include: a pair of left and right wheel arches 12; a floor 14 disposed between the pair of left and right wheel arches 12 and serving as the floor of the rear of the vehicle; and a longitudinal beam 16 extending from the pair of left and right wheel arches 12 toward the front and rear of the vehicle.

[0019] The rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle has reinforcing ribs (also called support members) 13 on the upper part of a pair of wheel arch portions 12 on the left and right sides. As an example, the reinforcing ribs 13 extend from the inner side 12A of the wheel arch portion 12 in the vehicle width direction along the vehicle top direction. The reinforcing ribs 13 are formed with an open cross-sectional shape with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcing ribs 13 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The floor section 14 includes a floor base 18 extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle. Wheel arch sections 12 are provided at the left and right ends of the floor base 18. A generally rectangular opening 20 extending vertically through the floor base 18 is provided approximately at the center of the floor base 18 in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. A floor panel (not shown) is provided in this opening.

[0021] The longitudinal beams 16 are provided in pairs, left and right, extending from the front end of the rear frame structure 10 in the longitudinal direction to the rear end. Furthermore, the front ends of the longitudinal beams 16 are connected by a connecting portion 22 extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the front part of the rear frame structure 10 is formed into a generally frame shape by the floor base 18, the longitudinal beams 16, and the connecting portion 22. In addition, the longitudinal beams 16 include a rear longitudinal beam 16A extending from the wheel arch portion 12 towards the rear of the vehicle. A bumper reinforcement (not shown) is installed at the rear end of the rear longitudinal beam 16A.

[0022] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A perspective view showing the details of the reinforcing rib 13. The reinforcing rib 13 extends upward from the upper part of the wheel arch portion 12. The reinforcing rib 13 has a main body portion 13A that opens outward in the vehicle width direction and extends upward. The main body portion 13A bends inward in the vehicle width direction. The main body portion 13A has an upper flange portion 13B that bends inward in the vehicle width direction at its upper end. This upper flange portion 13B engages with the upper side beam 24 of the vehicle. As an engagement method, it can be fastened by bolts or other known methods.

[0023] Furthermore, the main body 13A includes lower flange portions 13C extending from the outer ends of the main body 13A in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides. Additionally, a mounting portion 13D extending outward in the vehicle width direction is provided on the upper part of the lower flange portions 13C. The lower flange portions 13C and the mounting portion 13D engage with a common panel 30 disposed on the outer side of the wheel arch portion 12 in the vehicle width direction. The common panel 30 is disposed on the upper part of the wheel arch portion 12 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the common panel 30 functions as an endurance wall.

[0024] The rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle, as described above, includes a rear frame main body 11, a pair of left and right wheel arches 12, a floor 14 (floor base 18, opening 20), a longitudinal beam 16 and a connecting part 22, and a reinforcing rib 13, all integrally formed by casting.

[0025] Functions and effects

[0026] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be explained.

[0027] In the rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle according to the first embodiment, the strength can be improved by forming the rear frame main body 11 and the reinforcing rib 13 as one piece. In addition, when the rear longitudinal beam 16A stands up during a rear-end collision, causing the wheel arch 12 to stand up, the upper end of the reinforcing rib 13 is pressed down by the upper side beam 24, thus suppressing the standing up of the wheel arch 12. As a result, the overall rigidity of the rear frame structure 10 of the vehicle can be improved.

[0028] Second Implementation Method

[0029] Next, the vehicle rear frame structure 10A according to the second embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, structures identical to those in the vehicle rear frame structure 10 of the first embodiment described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted here; only the different structures will be described in detail. Figure 3This is a perspective view showing the details of the reinforcing rib 33 of the rear frame structure 10A of the vehicle according to the second embodiment.

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown, the reinforcing rib 33 of the rear frame structure 10A of the second embodiment further includes a support 34 compared to the reinforcing rib 13 of the first embodiment. The support 34 supports the upper end 40A of the shock absorber 40 from above via the wheel arch 12.

[0031] Specifically, the support portion 34 is roughly triangular in shape when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In the reinforcing rib portion 33, the corner is located at the curved portion 33A that bends from the upper part of the wheel arch portion 12. That is, one side of the support portion 34 other than the inclined side engages with the upper part of the wheel arch portion 12, and the other side other than the inclined side engages with the main body portion 13A of the reinforcing rib portion 33. Furthermore, the support portion 34 is positioned to overlap with the upper end portion 40A mounted on the upper inner side of the wheel arch portion 12 when viewed from above. That is, the support portion 34 supports the upper end portion 40A of the shock absorber 40 from above via the wheel arch portion 12. In this embodiment, as an example, two support portions 34 are provided in a manner that creates a gap in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0032] The rear frame structure 10A of the vehicle, as described above, includes a rear frame main body 11, a pair of left and right wheel arches 12, a floor 14 (floor base 18, opening 20), a longitudinal beam 16 and connecting part 22, a reinforcing rib 13, and two support parts 34, all integrally formed by casting.

[0033] Functions and effects

[0034] Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be explained.

[0035] In the rear frame structure 10A of the vehicle in the second embodiment, the support portion 34 supports the upper end portion 40A of the shock absorber 40 from above via the wheel arch portion 12. Therefore, the input load input to the upper end portion of the wheel arch portion 12 via the upper end portion 40A of the shock absorber 40 can be distributed and borne by the reinforcing rib portion 33.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the support portion 34 is joined to the upper part of the wheel arch portion 12 and the main body portion 13A of the reinforcing rib portion 33. Therefore, when the wheel arch portion 12 stands up during a rear-end collision, the upper end of the reinforcing rib portion 33 is pressed down by the upper side beam 24, thus suppressing the standing up of the wheel arch portion 12. In addition, when the upper end of the reinforcing rib portion 33 is pressed down by the upper side beam 24, the support portion 34 can suppress the bending of the reinforcing rib portion 33 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, thus improving the rigidity of the reinforcing rib portion 33. As a result, the overall rigidity of the rear frame structure 10A of the vehicle can be improved.

[0037] Third Implementation Method

[0038] Next, the vehicle rear frame structure 10B according to the third embodiment of this disclosure will be described. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, structures identical to those in the vehicle rear frame structure 10 of the first embodiment described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted here; only the different structures will be described in detail. Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the rear frame structure 10B of the vehicle according to the third embodiment.

[0039] like Figure 4 As shown, in the reinforcing rib 43 of the rear frame structure 10B of the third embodiment, the two ends of the reinforcing rib 43 in the vehicle longitudinal direction extend continuously from the two ends of the wheel arch portion 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Specifically, as... Figure 4 As shown, the reinforcing rib 43 has a main body 43A that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction and extends upward from the upper part of the wheel arch 12.

[0040] The main body 43A curves inward in the vehicle width direction. The main body 43A has lower flange portions 43C extending from the outer ends of the main body 43A in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides. The lower flange portions 43C extend downward beyond the lower end of the main body 43A, and the extended portion 43D engages with the wheel arch portion 12. The width of the extended portion 43D narrows as it faces downward; for example, it extends to a height near the rear longitudinal beam portion 16A in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0041] Functions and effects

[0042] Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be explained.

[0043] In the vehicle rear frame structure 10B of the third embodiment, the two ends of the reinforcing rib 43 in the vehicle front-rear direction extend continuously from the two ends of the wheel arch 12 in the vehicle front-rear direction, so that the load can be smoothly transferred between the reinforcing rib 43 and the wheel arch 12.

[0044] Supplementary Explanation

[0045] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the upper end of the reinforcing rib 13, i.e., the upper flange 13B, is joined to the upper side beam 24, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, as Figure 5 As shown, the upper end of the reinforcing rib, namely the upper end 13E extending from the main body 13A, can also be joined to the rear column 25.

[0046] Furthermore, in the second embodiment described above, the reinforcing rib 33 has two support portions 34, but this disclosure is not limited to this. There may be one support portion 34 or more. Additionally, the shape of the support portion 34 is not limited to a roughly triangular shape; it may also be a roughly quadrilateral shape, and can be appropriately modified.

[0047] Furthermore, the structure disclosed herein is not limited to the above-described embodiments; the structure can be appropriately modified as long as the problem can be solved.

Claims

1. A rear frame structure for a vehicle, comprising: The rear frame body is integrally formed by casting and includes wheel arches; and The reinforcing rib is integrally formed with the main body of the rear frame and extends from the upper part of the wheel arch in the vertical direction of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, and its upper end is joined to the upper beam or column.

2. The vehicle rear frame structure according to claim 1, wherein, The reinforcing rib supports the upper end of the shock absorber.

3. The vehicle rear frame structure according to claim 1, wherein, In the reinforcing rib, both ends of the reinforcing rib in the vehicle longitudinal direction extend continuously from both ends of the wheel arch in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

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