underbody structure

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of vehicle body lower structure.The vehicle body lower structure includes the left and right pair of vehicle body skeleton components extending along the vehicle length direction at the both sides in the vehicle width direction, the suspension beam being configured below the left and right pair of vehicle body skeleton components and being fixed on each vehicle body skeleton component, and the floor panel being configured behind the suspension beam, wherein the configuration position of the suspension beam is lower than the floor panel, the bulging portion bulging downward is provided on the floor panel, the height of the lower surface of the bulging portion is consistent with the height of the lower surface of the part of the suspension beam connected with the vehicle body skeleton component, and the support member horizontally extending along the vehicle length direction is erected between the part of the suspension beam connected with the vehicle body skeleton component and the bulging portion.Based on the above structure, even if the configuration position of the suspension beam is lower than the floor panel, the load applied to the suspension beam can also be effectively transmitted to the floor panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the lower structure of a vehicle body. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, the lower structure of a vehicle body (i.e., the lower structure at the front of the vehicle) includes front longitudinal beams, suspension beams, sills, and a floor panel. The front longitudinal beams extend along the length of the vehicle on both sides of the powertrain compartment (called the engine compartment in traditional cars and the motor compartment in electric vehicles) in the width direction. The suspension beams are positioned beneath the two front longitudinal beams and are fixed to them. The suspension arms of the vehicle's suspension system are pivotally supported by the suspension beams. The two sills extend along the length of the vehicle on their respective sides in the width direction and are connected to the rear ends of the front longitudinal beams on each side via torque boxes. The floor panel is the component that forms the floor inside the passenger compartment, extending from the lower end of the dashboard towards the rear of the vehicle. The dashboard isolates the powertrain compartment from the passenger compartment. The sills are connected to the two ends of the floor panel in the width direction. The front end of the floor panel is connected to the rear end of the suspension beams via connecting brackets.

[0003] Among the loads exerted on the suspension beams by the vehicle's suspension system and other mechanisms, there are loads acting towards the rear of the vehicle. These loads are transmitted from the suspension beams through connecting brackets to the floor panel, where they are absorbed.

[0004] Typically, electric vehicles are equipped with a large battery (hereinafter referred to as the driving battery) that powers the driving motor and is fixed to the floor panel.

[0005] However, when the driving battery is fixed to the floor panel (for example, when the driving battery is positioned below and fixed to the floor panel), the floor panel is positioned higher, so the suspension beam is positioned lower than the floor panel.

[0006] In order for the loads (loads acting towards the rear of the vehicle) applied to the suspension beams by the vehicle's suspension system and other mechanisms to be absorbed after being transferred to the floor panel, the suspension beams, connecting brackets, and floor panel need to be on the same plane so that the loads are transferred horizontally from the front of the vehicle to the rear (so that the loads are transferred in a straight line).

[0007] However, in structures where the suspension beam is positioned below the floor panel as described above, it is impossible to place the suspension beam, connecting brackets, and floor panel on the same plane. Therefore, it is difficult to effectively transfer the aforementioned loads to the floor panel, thus limiting the improvement of the vehicle's load absorption performance. Utility Model Content

[0008] In view of the above situation, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a vehicle body substructure that can effectively transfer the load applied to the suspension beam to the floor panel even if the suspension beam is positioned lower than the floor panel.

[0009] As a technical solution to the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a vehicle body lower structure, which includes a pair of left and right vehicle body frame members extending along the vehicle length direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction, a suspension beam disposed below the pair of left and right vehicle body frame members and fixed to each of the vehicle body frame members, and a floor panel disposed behind the suspension beam. The suspension beam is positioned lower than the floor panel; a downwardly bulging portion is provided on the floor panel, the height of the lower surface of the bulging portion being consistent with the height of the lower surface of the portion of the suspension beam connected to the vehicle body frame member; and a support member extending horizontally along the vehicle length direction is erected between the portion of the suspension beam connected to the vehicle body frame member and the bulging portion.

[0010] The advantages of the vehicle body lower structure of this utility model with the above-described structure are as follows: When the load applied to the suspension beam by the vehicle's suspension system and other mechanisms includes a load acting towards the rear of the vehicle, this load is transferred from the suspension beam to the bulge of the floor panel via the support member. Then, since the support member is mounted between the lower surface of the portion of the suspension beam connected to the vehicle body frame member and the lower surface of the bulge of the floor panel, and extends horizontally along the length of the vehicle, the load is transferred horizontally from the front of the vehicle body towards the rear. Therefore, even if the suspension beam is positioned lower than the floor panel, the load applied to the suspension beam can be effectively transferred to the floor panel.

[0011] In addition, in the above-mentioned lower body structure of the present invention, preferably, a first bracket is joined at the part of the suspension beam that is connected to the body frame member; a second bracket is joined at the bulge, the lower surface of the first bracket is at the same height as the lower surface of the second bracket, and the support member extends horizontally along the length of the vehicle by being mounted between the lower surface of the first bracket and the lower surface of the second bracket.

[0012] Based on this structure, by appropriately setting the height of the first bracket and the height of the second bracket, it can be ensured that the support components extend horizontally along the vehicle length direction. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a side view of the lower structure of the vehicle body, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a bottom view showing the lower structure of the vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line A-A in the diagram.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line B-B in the diagram.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the C-C line. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the application of the present invention to the lower body structure of a hybrid electric vehicle will be described.

[0019] <Substructure of Vehicle Body>

[0020] Figure 1 This is a side view showing the lower structure of the vehicle body (lower structure of the front of the car) according to this embodiment. Figure 2 This is a bottom view showing the lower structure of the vehicle body in this embodiment. Figure 1 In the diagram, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, and arrow UP indicates the top. Figure 2 In the diagram, arrow FR indicates the front of the vehicle, and arrow RH indicates the right side in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0021] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the lower body structure of the hybrid vehicle in this embodiment includes a pair of left and right front longitudinal beams (the body frame components mentioned in this utility model) 1, a suspension beam 2, a pair of left and right door sills 3, and a floor panel 4.

[0022] A pair of left and right front longitudinal beams 1 extend along the vehicle length direction on both sides of the powertrain compartment PR in the width direction. The front end of each front longitudinal beam 1 is connected to the bumper reinforcement 11. At the rear end of each front longitudinal beam 1, there is an inclined section 12 that slopes downwards towards the rear of the vehicle. The powertrain compartment PR houses the driving motor M, which serves as one of the driving power sources for the hybrid vehicle (see...). Figure 1 (The dashed line in the diagram). The driving force of the motor M is transmitted to the drive wheel (front wheel) T.

[0023] Suspension beam 2 is positioned below a pair of front longitudinal beams 1. For example... Figure 2As shown, the suspension beam 2 includes a front crossbeam portion 21 extending along the vehicle width direction near the front side of the vehicle body, a rear crossbeam portion 22 extending along the vehicle width direction near the rear side of the vehicle body compared to the front crossbeam portion 21, and a pair of side beam portions 23 connecting the front crossbeam portion 21 and the rear crossbeam portion 22 on both sides in the vehicle width direction. When viewed from above, the suspension beam 2 is roughly in the shape of a quadrangular frame.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown, the left and right ends (corners) of the front side of the suspension beam 2 are connected to the left and right front longitudinal beams 1 via connecting members (mounting members) 24; the left and right ends (corners) of the rear side of the suspension beam 2 are connected to the left and right front longitudinal beams 1 via connecting members 25. The suspension beam 2 provides swing-supporting support for the suspension arms (not shown) of the vehicle's suspension system.

[0025] Each side beam 23 is provided with a rear extension 26. The rear extension 26 extends to the rear of the part where the side beam 23 connects to the rear cross beam 22. The upper surface of each rear extension 26 engages with the lower surface of the inclined part 12 of the front longitudinal beam 1.

[0026] A pair of door sills 3 extend along the length of the vehicle from the lower part of each side in the width direction and are connected to the rear end of the front longitudinal beams 1 on each side through torque boxes 31 on each side.

[0027] The floor panel 4 is a component that forms the floor of the passenger compartment, extending from the lower end of the dashboard (not shown) towards the rear of the vehicle. The dashboard separates the powertrain compartment PR from the passenger compartment. At multiple locations along the length of the vehicle, on the upper surface of the floor panel 4, crossbeams 41 are joined (…). Figure 1 Only one beam 41 is shown in the image.

[0028] In this embodiment, a bulge 42 is provided, which is formed by a portion of the floor panel 4 bulging downward. The space formed by the bulge 42 is used to house the driving battery (hybrid battery) BA.

[0029] More specifically, the bulge 42 is formed by bulging the approximate middle portion of the floor panel 4 downwards in the vehicle length direction. The bulge dimension (the downward recess dimension) of the bulge 42 is approximately the same as the height dimension of the driving battery BA.

[0030] Because a downwardly bulging portion 42 is formed on the floor panel 4, in order to ensure sufficient clearance between the lower surface of the bulge 42 and the ground, the height of the portion of the floor panel 4 excluding the bulge 42 is set relatively high, that is, higher than the height of the lower surface of the inclined portion 12 of the front longitudinal beam 1. Here, since the upper surfaces of the two rear extensions 26 of the suspension beam 2 respectively engage with the lower surfaces of the inclined portions 12 of the front longitudinal beam 1 on both sides, the height of the suspension beam 2 is lower than the height of the portion of the floor panel 4 excluding the bulge 42. That is, in the vehicle body lower structure of this embodiment, the configuration height of the suspension beam 2 is lower than the height of the floor panel 4 (the height of the portion excluding the bulge 42).

[0031] The feature of this embodiment is that two support members 5 are installed between the suspension beam 2 and the bulge 42 of the floor panel 4. This will be described in detail below.

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line B-B. (See diagram below.) Figure 4 As shown, a first bracket 6 is joined to the lower surface of the rear extension 26 of the suspension beam 2. The first bracket 6 is joined to the lower surface of the rear extension 26 of the suspension beam 2 by means of welding or the like. Specifically, the first bracket 6 includes: a support member fastening part 61 located below the rear extension 26 and at a predetermined distance from the rear extension 26; two upright parts 62 extending upward from the two ends of the support member fastening part 61 in the vehicle width direction; and a joining part 63 extending horizontally from the upper end of each upright part 62 and joining the lower surface of the rear extension 26.

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along the C-C line. (See figure.) Figure 5 As shown, a second bracket 7 is joined to the lower surface of the bulge 42. The second bracket 7 is joined to the lower surface of the bulge 42 by means of welding or the like. Specifically, the second bracket 7 includes: a support member fastening portion 71 located below the bulge 42 and at a predetermined distance from the bulge 42; an upright portion 72 extending upward from both ends of each support member fastening portion 71 in the vehicle width direction; and a joining portion 73 extending horizontally from the upper end of each upright portion 72 and joining to the lower surface of the bulge 42.

[0034] The fastening part 61 of the support member of the first bracket 6 and the fastening part 71 of the support member of the second bracket 7 are at the same height. Furthermore, when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, the fastening parts 61 and 71 of the support member of the first bracket 6 and the second bracket 7 are positioned in the same direction in the vehicle width. That is, the positions of the fastening parts 61 and 71 of the support member of the first bracket 6 and the second bracket 7 are set such that they are at the same height and face each other in the direction of vehicle length (they are located on the same straight line parallel to the direction of vehicle length).

[0035] In addition, a support member 5 is provided between the support member fastening part 61 of the first bracket 6 and the support member fastening part 71 of the second bracket 7.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view along line A-A (cross-sectional view of support member 5). Figure 3 As shown, the support member 5 is a component formed by joining the upper member 51 and the lower member 52 together. The upper member 51 is composed of a long strip plate extending along the length of the vehicle. The length dimension of the upper member 51 in the length direction is approximately the same as the length dimension between the support member fastening part 61 of the first bracket 6 and the support member fastening part 71 of the second bracket 7.

[0037] The lower member 52 includes a lower horizontal portion 52a located below the upper member 51 and at a predetermined distance from the upper member 51, two upright portions 52b extending upward from the two ends of the lower horizontal portion 52a in the vehicle width direction, and a joint portion 52c extending horizontally from the upper end of each upright portion 52b and engaging with the lower surface of the upper member 51.

[0038] At the front end of the support member 5, the upper member 51 and the lower horizontal portion 52a of the lower member 52 overlap to form a fastening portion 53. Furthermore, this fastening portion 53 overlaps with the lower surface of the fastening portion 61 of the support member of the first bracket 6. By inserting a bolt B1 from below into the bolt insertion holes (not shown) formed on the lower member 52, the upper member 51, and the fastening portion 61 of the support member of the first bracket 6, the lower member 52, the upper member 51, and the fastening portion 61 of the support member of the first bracket 6 are fastened together.

[0039] Similarly, at the rear end of the support member 5, the upper member 51 and the lower horizontal portion 52a of the lower member 52 overlap to form a fastening portion 54. Furthermore, this fastening portion 54 overlaps with the lower surface of the support member fastening portion 71 of the second bracket 7, and by inserting the bolt B2 from below into the bolt insertion holes (not shown) formed on the lower member 52, the upper member 51, and the support member fastening portion 71 of the second bracket 7, the lower member 52, the upper member 51, and the support member fastening portion 71 of the second bracket 7 are fastened together.

[0040] Thus, the bulge 42 of the suspension beam 2 and the floor panel 4 are connected by a support member 5 extending horizontally along the vehicle length direction via brackets 6 and 7.

[0041] <Load Transfer>

[0042] When the suspension system and other mechanisms of the vehicle apply a load to the suspension beam 2 that acts towards the rear of the vehicle body, this load is transferred from the suspension beam 2 to the front end (fastening part 53) of the support member 5 via the first bracket 6. Since the support member 5 extends horizontally along the length of the vehicle, the applied load is also transmitted horizontally along the length of the vehicle. The load transmitted to the rear end (fastening part 54) of the support member 5 is transmitted to a wider area on the floor panel 4 via the second bracket 7 and the bulge 42, and can thus be absorbed by the floor panel 4.

[0043] <Effects of the Implementation Method>

[0044] As described above, in this embodiment, a support member 5 extending horizontally along the vehicle length is installed between the lower surface of the portion of the suspension beam 2 that connects to each of the front longitudinal beams 1 and the lower surface of the downwardly bulging portion 42 provided on the floor panel 4, which is positioned at a height lower than the floor panel 4. Therefore, the load applied to the suspension beam 2 acting towards the rear of the vehicle can be transmitted horizontally from the front of the vehicle to the rear, thereby effectively transferring the load applied to the suspension beam 2 to the floor panel 4.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front end of the support member 5 is fastened to the rear extension 26 of the suspension beam 2 via the first bracket 6, and the rear end of the support member 5 is fastened to the bulge 42 of the floor panel 4 via the second bracket 7. Therefore, by appropriately setting the height of the first bracket 6 and the height of the second bracket 7 (i.e., making the height of the lower surface of the first bracket 6 the same as the height of the lower surface of the second bracket 7), it can be ensured that the support member 5 extends horizontally along the vehicle length direction.

[0046] <Other Implementation Methods>

[0047] This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified appropriately. For example, the above embodiments describe the application of this invention to the lower body structure of a hybrid electric vehicle. However, this invention is not limited thereto and is also applicable to various vehicles equipped with a driving battery (BA), such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles.

[0048] In addition, in the above embodiment, the fastening part 53, which is the front end portion of the support member 5, is fastened to the suspension beam 2 via the first bracket 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fastening part 53 may also be directly fastened to the suspension beam 2. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the fastening part 54, which is the rear end portion of the support member 5, is fastened to the bulge 42 via the second bracket 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fastening part 54 may also be directly fastened to the bulge 42.

Claims

1. A lower body structure, comprising a pair of left and right body frame members extending along the length direction on both sides in the width direction, a suspension beam disposed below the pair of left and right body frame members and fixed to each of the body frame members, and a floor panel disposed behind the suspension beam, characterized in that: The suspension beam is positioned below the floor panel; The floor panel is provided with a downwardly bulging portion, the lower surface of which is at the same height as the lower surface of the portion of the suspension beam that connects to the vehicle body frame component. A support member extending horizontally along the length of the vehicle is installed between the portion of the suspension beam that connects to the vehicle body frame member and the bulge.

2. The vehicle body lower structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that: A first bracket is engaged at the portion of the suspension beam that connects to the vehicle body frame component; A second bracket is joined to the bulge. The lower surface of the first bracket is at the same height as the lower surface of the second bracket. The support member extends horizontally along the vehicle length direction by being mounted between the lower surface of the first bracket and the lower surface of the second bracket.

Images