Vehicle front section body

Abstract

Vehicle front section structure (18), comprising a pair of front side elements (30) extending in the vehicle front-to-rear direction; a transverse element (20) that runs between the front side elements (30); Supports (40) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on a vehicle top of the front side elements (30), each support (40) extending in the direction of a corresponding front side element (30) on a vehicle front; Connecting elements (100), each connected to a corresponding front side element (30), the transverse element (20) and a corresponding support (40); and a suspension element (50) attached to a fastening section (110) formed on each connecting element (100), characterized by the fact that the connecting elements (100) are each connected to the corresponding front side element (30), the transverse element (20) and the corresponding support (40) in a state in which the corresponding front side element (30), the transverse element (20) and the corresponding support (40) are inserted into the connecting element (100).

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle front section structure. 2. State of the art

[0002] Japanese patent JP 5 958 706 B describes a vehicle front end section structure having a plurality of cross members (a second cross member to a fourth cross member) mounted between side members in the vehicle width direction at the rear of a front end cross member serving as a bumper reinforcement. The vehicle front end section structure further includes deformation prevention frames between the two side members and the second cross member, as well as between the third cross member and the fourth cross member. This allows a force applied to the side members to be distributed and dampened.

[0003] The vehicle front section structure described in JP 5 958 706 B thus improves the collision resistance by connecting structural components or components, in particular the plurality of side elements and the deformation prevention frames.

[0004] Although the vehicle front section structure described in JP 5 958 706 B improves collision resistance, it requires an increase in the number of connections between the respective structural components. Thus, there is room for improvement in ensuring a crush path, particularly due to the increase in the number of connections on the side elements.

[0005] Finally, DE 10 2015 220 915 A1 discloses a vehicle connecting part, comprising: a front side portion connected to a crash box; a first connecting section into which a front end portion of a side part is inserted and connected, which side part is provided on the rear side of the crash box, extending along a vehicle longitudinal direction; a second connecting section formed, in a vehicle plan view, on an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first connecting section, and connected to a lower end portion of an outrigger provided on the outer side of the side part, extending along the vehicle longitudinal direction, so as to extend to a lower side in the vehicle vertical direction; and one or more lateral ribs coupling the first connecting section and the second connecting section together. SUMMARY

[0006] Based on the circumstances described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle front section structure which can ensure a crushing stroke and collision resistance by consolidating connections between components.

[0007] A vehicle front section structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pair of front side members, a cross member, outriggers, connecting members, and a suspension member. The cross member extends between the front side members. The outriggers are formed on a vehicle upper side of the front side members extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. Each outrigger extends toward a corresponding front side member at a vehicle front side. The connecting members are each connected to a corresponding front side member, the cross member, and a corresponding outrigger. The suspension member is attached to a fixing portion formed on each connecting member.The connecting elements are each connected to the corresponding front side element, the cross element and the corresponding support in a state in which the corresponding front side element, the cross element and the corresponding support are inserted into the connecting element.

[0008] The vehicle front section structure according to the first aspect is configured with the connecting members connected to the front side members, the cross member, and the outriggers. Furthermore, the suspension member is attached to the connecting members. The connecting members thus consolidate connections with the front side members, the cross member, the outriggers, and the suspension member. Note that the attachment portion to which the suspension member is attached corresponds, for example, to a threaded portion to which a bolt is attached. In the vehicle front section structure according to the first aspect, the connections with various structural members constituting the vehicle are consolidated at an attachment point of the suspension member, where a dead stroke occurs upon collision.This allows the collision force to be distributed among the respective components, ensuring collision resistance. Furthermore, the compression travel can be ensured by reducing the number of connections to the respective components.

[0009] In a vehicle front section structure according to a second aspect of the present invention, the connecting elements are made of cast aluminum.

[0010] The vehicle front section structure according to the second aspect makes it possible to achieve high strength and low weight by using cast aluminum fasteners.

[0011] In a vehicle front section structure according to a third aspect of the present invention, each of the connecting members includes tubular insertion portions at a vehicle front and a vehicle rear. Each of the insertion portions includes a front joint at the vehicle front, to which a pillar-shaped crash box is connected in a state where the crash box is inserted into the front joint, and a rear joint at the vehicle rear, to which a corresponding front side member is connected in a state where the front side member is inserted into the rear joint.

[0012] The vehicle front section structure according to the third aspect is directed to a vehicle front section structure in which pillar-shaped crash boxes are connected to the connecting members. In the vehicle front section structure according to the third aspect, the structural members are connected to the insertion portions formed on the connecting members in a state where each structural member is inserted into a corresponding insertion portion, thereby increasing the connection strength of the structural members and components, respectively. Forming an insertion portion open to the vehicle front side and an insertion portion open to the vehicle rear side at each connecting member of the vehicle front section structure enables adjustment of the connection positions of the structural members in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0013] In a vehicle front section structure according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the connecting members includes tubular insertion portions on a vehicle upper side and a vehicle width direction inner side. Each of the insertion portions includes an upper joint on the vehicle upper side, to which a corresponding support is connected in a state where the support is inserted into the upper joint, and a side joint on the vehicle width direction inner side, to which the cross member is connected in a state where the cross member is inserted into the side joint.

[0014] In the vehicle front section structure according to the fourth aspect, the components are connected to the insertion portions formed on the connecting members in a state where each component is inserted into a corresponding insertion portion, thereby increasing the connection strength of the components. Forming an insertion portion open to the vehicle upper side and an insertion portion open to the vehicle width direction inner side on each connecting member of the vehicle front section structure enables adjustment of the connection positions of the components in the vehicle vertical direction or the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The present invention provides a vehicle front section structure that can ensure crushing stroke and collision resistance by consolidating connections between structural members. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the figures, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a front portion of a vehicle as viewed from the vehicle width direction inner side downward from the front of the vehicle, which is equipped with a vehicle front portion structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a front portion of a vehicle as viewed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction upward from the front of the vehicle, which is equipped with a vehicle front portion structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a side view of a cross-section (cross-section along AA in Fig. 1) shows a connection state of a connecting member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 a front view of a cross section (cross section along BB in Fig. 1) shows a connection state of a connecting member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a connecting member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the function of a vehicle front portion structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a connecting member according to a first modification of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a connecting member according to a second modification of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Hereinafter, a vehicle front section structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to 5. Note that in the drawings, an arrow FR points toward the front of the vehicle, an arrow UP points toward the top of the vehicle, and an arrow OUT points toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. A front portion of the vehicle is designed to be basically left-right symmetrical, so the following description and the figures focus on the right side of the vehicle. Basic structure

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows a front section 12 of a vehicle 10 configured with a vehicle front section structure 18. The front section 12 of the vehicle 10 has a pair of front side members 30 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. End portions of the front side members 30 at the vehicle front each have substantially box-shaped connecting members 100. Each connecting member 100 is connected to the front side member 30, which serves as a structural member, and is further connected to a front cross member 20, a support (skirting member) 40, a suspension member 50, and a crash box 60.

[0019] The connecting elements 100 are components cast from aluminum (in particular, cast aluminum) and include tubular insertion portions 120 at the vehicle front, the vehicle rear, the vehicle top, and the inner side in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the insertion sections 120 comprise a front connector 122 at the front of the vehicle and a rear connector 124 at the rear of the vehicle. A threaded portion 110, which serves as a fastening portion into which a screw 90 is screwed, as described later, is arranged on the vehicle underside of the connecting element 100. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the insertion portions 120 also include an upper connector 126 on the vehicle upper side and a side connector 128 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The structure of the connecting element 100 will be described in detail later.

[0020] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front side members 30 have a closed cross-section and are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction on both sides of the front portion 12 of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. 3, a front end portion 32 constituting an end portion of the front side member 30 at the vehicle front is connected to the rear terminal 124 of each connecting member 100 in a state where it is inserted into the rear terminal 124. A weld line T1 is formed at the connection of each front side member 30 by arc welding around the entire circumference of a step formed between the vehicle-rearward end surface of the rear terminal 124 and an outer peripheral surface of the front end portion 32. Note that the front side members 30 may be fastened to the connecting members 100 instead of or in addition to welding with bolts.

[0021] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the front cross member 20 and a rear cross member 24, which serve as cross members with a closed cross section, are arranged in the vehicle width direction between the two front side members 30 at the front portion 12 of the vehicle 10. As shown in Fig. 4, an outer end portion 22, which is an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front cross member 20, is connected to the side fitting 128 of the connecting member 100 in a state where it is inserted into the side fitting 128. A weld line T2 is formed at the connection of the front cross member 20 by arc welding around the entire circumference of a step formed between the vehicle width direction inner end surface of the side fitting 128 and an outer peripheral surface of the outer end portion 22. Note that the front cross member 20 may be fixed to the connecting members 100 instead of or in addition to welding with bolts.

[0022] As further stated in Fig. As shown in FIG. 1, outer end portions 26 of the rear cross member 24, which are vehicle width-direction outer end portions of the rear cross member 24 located at the vehicle rear with respect to the front cross member 20, are welded or the like to the front side members 30. A pair of coupling members 28 are arranged from a vehicle width-direction central portion of the front cross member 20 toward the outer end portions 26 of the rear cross member 24.

[0023] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the supports 40, which represent apron elements with a closed cross-section, are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction on the vehicle upper side of the front side elements 30 on outer sides of the front section 12 of the vehicle 10 in the vehicle width direction. At the vehicle front, the supports 40 extend in such a way that they are curved in the direction from the vehicle front to the vehicle underside. As shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Fig. 4, a lower end portion 42, which constitutes a lower end portion of the support 40 on the vehicle underside, is connected to the upper terminal 126 of the connecting member 100 in a state where it is inserted into the upper terminal 126. A weld line T3 is formed at the connection of the support 40 by arc welding around the entire circumference of a step formed between the vehicle upper side end surface of the upper terminal 126 and an outer peripheral surface of the lower end portion 42. It should be noted that the supports 40 may be fixed to the connecting members 100 with bolts instead of or in addition to welding.

[0024] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the columnar crash box 60 is arranged at the vehicle front side of each of the front side members 30. An axial center of the front side member 30 and an axial center of the crash box 60 are aligned or substantially aligned with each other. The crash boxes 60 of the present exemplary embodiment each include a body 62 having a closed cross-section, a flange (not shown in the drawings) formed at an end portion of the body 62 facing the vehicle front, and a rear end portion 64 forming a portion at the end facing the vehicle rear (see Fig. 3). As further stated in Fig. 3, the rear end portion 64 of the crash box 60 is connected to the front connector 122 of the connecting member 100 in a state where it is inserted into the front connector 122. A weld line T4 is formed at the connection of the crash box 60 by arc welding around the entire circumference of a step formed between the vehicle-front end surface of the front connector 122 and an outer peripheral surface of the rear end portion 64. Note that the crash box 60 may be fastened to the connecting members 100 with bolts instead of or in addition to welding.

[0025] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle front end portion of the vehicle 10 is configured with a bumper reinforcement 14 connected to flanges (not shown in the drawings) formed toward the vehicle front on the crash boxes 60. The bumper reinforcement 14 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends in the vehicle width direction. Note that, although not shown in the drawings, an absorber member (a shock absorber) made of a foam body or the like is attached to the front surface of the bumper reinforcement 14. The absorber member and the bumper reinforcement 14 are covered by a bumper cover.

[0026] The suspension member 50, which supports a front suspension or the like not shown in the drawings, is arranged on the vehicle lower side of the front side members 30 in the front section 12 of the vehicle 10. The suspension member 50 includes a pair of left and right suspension side members 52 that support left and right front suspensions, respectively, and suspension cross members 56, 58 that connect the left and right suspension side members 52 in the vehicle width direction. Note that the method used to connect the suspension side members 52 and the suspension cross members 56, 58 may be fastening using bolts and nuts, or a welding method such as spot welding or laser welding. In the case of a resin body, a joining method using an adhesive may also be used.

[0027] The suspension member 50 of the present exemplary embodiment is fixed to the connecting members 100 and the front side members 30 on the suspension side members 52 using bolts 90, 94. Specifically, at the vehicle front side, the bolt 90 is passed through a washer 92 and fixed to the connecting member 100 by being inserted into an insertion hole 54 in the suspension side member 52 and being screwed onto the threaded portion 110 of the connecting member 100 (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). Furthermore, at the rear of the vehicle, the screw 94 is inserted through an insertion hole (not shown in the drawings) in a corresponding front side member 30, and is fixed to the front side member 30 by being fastened to the threaded portion (not shown in the drawings) formed on a portion of the front side member 30 facing the vehicle underside. connecting element

[0028] As in Fig. 5, each connecting member 100 includes a rectangular tubular first tubular portion 132 arranged extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a rectangular tubular second tubular portion 134 extending toward the vehicle width direction inner side from a side wall 132A on the vehicle width direction inner side of the first tubular portion 132. Each connecting member 100 further includes a rectangular tubular third tubular portion 136 extending toward the vehicle top side from an upper wall 132B on the vehicle top side of the first tubular portion 132. Note that the second tubular portion 134 and the third tubular portion 136 are connected to a vehicle front-rear direction center portion of the first tubular portion 132.A partition wall 140, consisting of a vertical rib that divides a connecting portion of the first tubular portion 132 in the vehicle front-rear direction, is formed at the central portion in the vehicle front-rear direction on the inner peripheral side of the first tubular portion 132. A central portion in the vehicle width direction of the partition wall 140 forms a columnar portion 142 having a greater thickness. The threaded portion 110 is formed from a vehicle bottom side of the tubular portion 142 toward the top.

[0029] As in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, an opening at the vehicle front side of the first tubular portion 132 of the connecting member 100 serves as the front connector 122, and an opening at the vehicle rear side of the first tubular portion 132 of the connecting member 100 serves as the rear connector 124. An opening at the vehicle width direction inner side of the second tubular portion 134 of the connecting member 100 serves as the side connector 128, and an opening to the vehicle top side of the third tubular portion 136 serves as the upper connector 126.

[0030] In the connectors 100 of the present exemplary embodiment, each insertion portion 120 has a shape that is open at one end and closed at the other end. Specifically, the partition wall 140 separates the front terminal 122 from the rear terminal 124, the side wall 132A separates the side terminal 128, and the top wall 132B separates the top terminal 126. Thus, the strength of the connector 100 of the present exemplary embodiment is improved by the partitions formed at the other end of each insertion portion 120.

[0031] The function and advantageous effects of the present exemplary embodiment are explained below.

[0032] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in FIG. 2, in the present exemplary embodiment, the front side members 30, the front cross member 20, the stays 40, the suspension member 50, and the crash boxes 60 are connected to the respective connecting members 100 on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction. The bumper reinforcement 14 is connected to the vehicle-front end portions of the crash box 60. The vehicle front portion structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment exhibits the following function and advantageous effects. Compression path

[0033] As described above, in the vehicle front section structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment, the axial center of the front side member 30 and the axial center of the crash box 60 are aligned or substantially aligned with each other. Thus, in the vehicle front section structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment, the front side member 30, the connecting member 100, and the crash box 60 are arranged in a mutually connected state extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. It should be noted that since the connecting member 100 of the present exemplary embodiment forms an attachment point of the suspension member 50, the connecting member 100 has higher strength than the front side member 30 and the crash box 60. As shown in Fig. 6, when viewed along the vehicle front-rear direction, the connecting member 100 disposed in a region R2 is a position that is not compressed (corresponding to a dead stroke) in a vehicle frontal collision.

[0034] In the present exemplary embodiment, not only the front side member 30 and the crash box 60 but also the front cross member 20 and the support 40 are connected to the connecting member 100. The front side member 30 and the crash box 60 are not configured with connections to other components (in particular, the front cross member 20, the support 40, and the suspension member 50). Thus, there is no location in the vehicle front-rear direction other than the connecting member 100 where dead lift occurs in a collision. In the present exemplary embodiment, when viewed along the vehicle front-rear direction, the crash box 60 located in the region R1 and the front side member 30 located in the region R3 can be ensured as locations that are crushed in a vehicle frontal collision (where the crush path is thus ensured).

[0035] The vehicle front section assembly 18 of the present exemplary embodiment allows for the consolidation or merging of connections with (structural) components forming the front section 12 of the vehicle 10 at the connecting elements 100, which represent a mounting point of the suspension element 50. This ensures the greatest possible compression travel in the event of a frontal vehicle collision. Setting the connection positions

[0036] In a prior art vehicle front section structure, components are connected to each other using flanges. Since it is difficult to ensure the joint strength in flanged joints, this presents a weakness in collision resistance. Furthermore, in flanged joints, it is difficult to align the joint surfaces, making it difficult to adjust the joint positions. In contrast, in the vehicle front section structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment, each joint member 100 forms a node (at the joints), and the respective components are inserted into and connected to the joint members 100.In particular, components having a closed cross-section are inserted into corresponding insertion portions 120 formed on the connecting element 100 and then connected thereto by means of welds between the connecting element 100 and the respective components. The joining method of the present exemplary embodiment thus enables a higher joint strength of the joints than with flange joints.

[0037] The connection method of the present exemplary embodiment has the following characteristics. In particular, at the front connecting piece 122 into which the rear end portion 64 of the crash box 60 is inserted, the connection position in the vehicle front-rear direction (arrow S1 in Fig. 3) by adjusting the insertion amount of the rear end portion 64 into the front connector 122. At the rear connector 124, into which the front end portion 32 of the front side member 30 is inserted, the connection position in the vehicle front-rear direction (arrow S2 in Fig. 2) by adjusting the insertion amount of the front end section 32 into the rear connecting piece 124. In addition, the connection position in the vehicle vertical direction (arrow S3 in Fig. 4) by adjusting the insertion amount of the lower end portion 42 into the upper connector 126. Furthermore, at the side connector 128, into which the outer end portion 22 of the front cross member 20 is inserted, the connection position in the vehicle width direction (see arrow S4 in Fig. 4) by adjusting the amount of insertion of the outer end portion 22 into the side connector 128.

[0038] As described above, the vehicle front section structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment allows adjustment of the connection positions by adjusting the insertion amount of the components inserted into the respective insertion sections 120. Therefore, adjustment of the connection positions is easier than when using flange connections as in the prior art. Force distribution

[0039] In the above-described connecting element 100 of the present exemplary embodiment, the connections of the front side member 30, the front cross member 20, the support 40, the suspension member 50, and the crash box 60 are consolidated. A collision force F that occurs in a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 is thus Fig. 6 shown distributed as follows.

[0040] First, in a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the collision force F is transmitted from the bumper reinforcement 14 as a force F0 distributed between the crash boxes 60 on the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, and is introduced from the crash boxes 60 into the respective connecting elements 100. The force F0 introduced into the connecting elements 100 is transmitted to the front side members 30 as a force F1 in the vehicle-rear direction, is transmitted to the front cross member 20 as a force F2 in the inward direction in the vehicle width direction, is transmitted to the outriggers 40 as a force F3 in the direction toward the vehicle top, and is transmitted to the suspension element 50 as a force F4 in the direction toward the vehicle bottom.As described above, the force F acting upon a frontal collision of the vehicle 10 is distributed in four directions corresponding to the front side members 30, the front cross member 20, the outriggers 40, and the suspension member 50. Thus, the vehicle front portion structure 18 of the present exemplary embodiment can distribute the force into multiple components during a collision, thereby ensuring collision resistance. Note that, in the present exemplary embodiment, the use of cast aluminum connecting parts 100 enables both high strength and light weight. Variations

[0041] The connecting elements 100 of the above-described exemplary embodiment are integrally formed from cast aluminum elements. However, their manufacturing is not limited to this method. An explanation will be given below regarding modifications with multi-piece structures. Note that in these modifications, configurations similar to those of the connecting elements 100 of the above-described exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows a connecting element 100A of a first modification. The connecting element 100A is divided into left and right in the vehicle width direction. The connecting element 100A can be divided into two parts near an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the connecting element 100A includes a body 150 open on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a cover 152 covering the open portion of the body 150.

[0043] The body 150 includes a first enclosure 162 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and enclosed on a vehicle width-inward side, a vehicle top side, and a vehicle bottom side. The body further includes a rectangular tubular portion 164 extending from a side wall 162A on the vehicle width-inward side of the first enclosure 162 toward the vehicle width-inward side. The body 150 also includes a second enclosure 166 extending from a top wall 162B on the vehicle top side of the first enclosure 162 toward the vehicle top, and enclosed on the vehicle width-inward side, a vehicle front side, and a vehicle rear side.Note that the tubular portion 164 and the second enclosure 166 are connected to a vehicle front-rear center portion of the first enclosure 162. A vehicle front-rear center portion of an inner peripheral side of the first enclosure 162 is formed with a partition wall 140 perpendicular to the vehicle width direction inner side, the vehicle upper side, and the vehicle lower side of the first enclosure 162.

[0044] The cover 152 is a plate-shaped member having a protrusion on the side toward the vehicle upper side. The connecting member 100A of the first modification is formed by connecting the cover 152 to the body 150 so as to close the open portion on the outer side of the body 150 in the vehicle width direction. Note that the method for connecting the body 150 to the cover 152 may be an arc welding method or a method of fastening by screws or the like.

[0045] An opening formed by the first enclosure 162 and the cover 152 on the vehicle-front side of the connecting member 100A of the first modification serves as the first terminal 122, and an opening formed by the vehicle-rear side serves as the rear terminal 124. In addition, an opening on the vehicle-width-inner side of the tubular portion 164 of the connecting member 100A serves as the side terminal 128. An opening formed by the second enclosure 166 and the cover 152 on the vehicle-top side of the connecting member 100A serves as the upper terminal 126.

[0046] Fig.8 shows a connecting element 100B of a second modification. The connecting element 100B is divided into front and rear in the vehicle's front-rear direction. The connecting element 100B can be divided into two parts near a central portion in the vehicle's front-rear direction. Specifically, the connecting element 100B includes a front portion 170 at the front of the vehicle and a rear portion 172 at the rear of the vehicle.

[0047] The front section 170 includes a rectangular tubular first tubular section 182 arranged to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a first enclosure 184 extending from a side wall 182A on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first tubular section 182 to the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and enclosed on one side toward the vehicle front, one side toward the vehicle upper side, and one side toward the vehicle lower side. The front section 170 also includes a second enclosure 186 extending from a top wall 182B on the vehicle upper side of the first tubular section 182 toward the vehicle upper side, and enclosed on one side toward the vehicle front, one side in the vehicle width direction, and one side in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] The rear portion 172 includes a rectangular tubular second tubular portion 192 configured to extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a third enclosure 194 extending from a side wall 192A on the inner side of the second tubular portion 192 in the vehicle width direction toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and enclosed on one side toward the vehicle rear, one side toward the vehicle upper side, and one side toward the vehicle lower side. The rear portion 172 includes a fourth enclosure 196 extending from an upper wall 192B on the vehicle upper side of the second tubular portion 192 toward the vehicle upper side, and enclosed on one side toward the vehicle rear, one side in the vehicle width direction, and one side in the vehicle width direction.The rear section 172 also includes a partition 140 that separates the vehicle front side of the second tubular section 192.

[0049] The connecting member 100B of the second modification is formed by abutting and connecting a vehicle-rear end portion of the front portion 170 and a vehicle-front end portion of the rear portion 172. Note that the method for connecting the front portion 170 and the rear portion 172 may be an arc welding method or a screw fastening method, or the like.

[0050] In the connecting member 100B of the second modification, an opening toward the vehicle front side of the first tubular portion 182 serves as the first connector 122, and an opening toward the vehicle rear side of the second tubular portion 192 serves as the rear connector 124. In addition, an opening formed by the first enclosure 184 and the third enclosure 194 on the vehicle width direction inner side of the connecting member 100B serves as the side connector 128. An opening formed by the second enclosure 186 and the fourth enclosure 196 on the vehicle top side of the connecting member 100B serves as the upper connector 126. Addition

[0051] The connecting element 100 of the present exemplary embodiment and the connecting elements 100A and 100B of the modifications are made of cast aluminum. However, they are not limited to this. For example, the connecting elements may be cast from a metal other than aluminum. Furthermore, in the case of a resin body, the connecting elements may be integrally formed from a resin material.

[0052] It should be noted that the positions of the divisions in the modifications described above are only examples, and the division positions and the division methods can be freely selected.

Claims

[1] Vehicle front section structure (18), comprising a pair of front side members (30) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; a transverse element (20) extending between the front side elements (30); Supports (40) formed on a vehicle upper side of the front side elements (30) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, each support (40) extending towards a corresponding front side element (30) on a vehicle front side; Connecting elements (100) each connected to a corresponding front side element (30), the cross element (20) and a corresponding support (40); and a suspension element (50) attached to a fastening portion (110) formed on each connecting element (100), characterized by , that the connecting elements (100) are each connected to the corresponding front side element (30), the cross element (20) and the corresponding support (40) in a state in which the corresponding front side element (30), the cross element (20) and the corresponding support (40) are inserted into the connecting element (100). [2] Vehicle front section structure (18) according to claim 1, wherein the connecting elements (100) are made of cast aluminum. [3] Vehicle front section structure (18) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: each of the connecting elements (100) comprises tubular insertion portions (120) at a vehicle front and a vehicle rear; and each of the insertion sections (120) comprises: a front connector (122) at the front of the vehicle, to which a column-shaped crash box (60) is connected in a state in which the crash box (60) is inserted into the front connector (122), and a rear connector (124) on the rear of the vehicle, to which a corresponding front side element (30) is connected in a state, in which the front side element (30) is inserted into the rear connecting piece (124). [4] Vehicle front section structure (18) according to claim 3, wherein: a partition wall (140) separating the front connector (122) and the rear connector (124) is formed between the front connector (122) and the rear connector (124); and the fastening section (110) is formed on the partition wall (140). [5] A vehicle front section structure (18) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each of the connecting elements (100) comprises: a body (150) open at an outer side in the vehicle width direction; and a cover (152) covering the open portion of the body (150). [6] A vehicle front section structure (18) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein each of the connecting elements (100) comprises: a front section (170) with the front connector (122); and a rear section (172) with the rear connecting piece (124). [7] Vehicle front section structure (18) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the connecting members (100) comprises tubular insertion portions (120) on a vehicle upper side and an inner side in the vehicle width direction; and each of the insertion sections (120) comprises: an upper connecting piece (126) on the upper side of the vehicle, to which a corresponding support (40) is connected in a state in which the support (40) is inserted into the upper connecting piece (126), and a side connector (128) on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, to which the cross member (20) is connected in a state in which the cross member (20) is inserted into the side connector (128).

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