SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE

Abstract

Support structure for a vehicle component located inside a power unit chamber where a vehicle powertrain unit is located, wherein the support structure comprises: the power unit chamber, which includes a side frame (13) extending in a forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and a suspension tower housing (19) which overlaps with part of the side frame (13) in a top view seen from above the vehicle, wherein the vehicle component is located at a point where the vehicle component overlaps with the side frame (13) in plan view and in front of the suspension tower housing (19) in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and wherein an inner side surface of the vehicle component is supported by a support member (31) which is connected to one of: the side frame (13); and coupled to an inner side surface of a link with a closed cross-section, which is connected to the side frame (13) at a point in front of the suspension tower housing (19) in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a support structure for arranging a vehicle component, such as a water-cooled condenser and an electric water pump, in a power unit chamber of a vehicle, where a powertrain unit is arranged. The present disclosure further relates to a vehicle. BACKGROUND OF THE REVELATION

[0002] JP 2019 - 031 188 A discloses a vehicle component arranged in a power unit chamber. According to the design, the vehicle component is fixed to a side frame that extends in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle within the power unit chamber. The fixed position of the vehicle component is in front of a suspension tower housing of the side frame and on an outwardly facing side surface of the side frame in a vehicle width direction. A suspension beam is used to fix or fasten the vehicle component.

[0003] For the fixed position of the vehicle component, it is desirable to be located near a frame or skeleton member that forms or constitutes a frame of the vehicle body, taking into account any shaking of the vehicle component caused by a vibration of the vehicle.

[0004] However, some vehicles have the suspension tower housing in a position where it overlaps with part of the side frame, which is the skeletal link, in a top view seen from above the vehicle.

[0005] In such a structure, if the vehicle component is fixed above the side frame and in front of the suspension tower housing, this can hinder any intended deformation of the side frame in an offset collision. That is, although the vehicle component moves backward in accordance with the side frame, which is shortened in length by the collision, the vehicle component then impacts the suspension tower housing, thus hindering or impeding the intended deformation of the side frame. In such a case, the desired impact absorption capability cannot be achieved.

[0006] JP 2010 - 162 948 A describes a vehicle body front structure with a simple design that reduces the reaction force of an impact on a pedestrian and further increases the impact absorption stroke at the front of a vehicle. The front body structure includes an opening / closing cover, a front bulkhead, and a support bracket for a radiator and condenser. A front cover portion of the opening / closing cover is shaped to be less strong than a rear cover portion. The support bracket is designed such that, upon impact from the front of the vehicle body, the radiator and condenser are ejected to the rear of the vehicle body. The front bulkhead includes a bulkhead corner piece, a bulkhead side piece, and a bulkhead top piece.A hood locking mechanism is provided at the top of the partition.

[0007] US 2017 / 0 113 533 A1 describes a vehicle front structure comprising a connecting element formed from a belt-shaped metal plate, wherein the connecting element has a plate-shaped bottom section, a first folded section formed by folding a circumferential edge of the bottom section, and a circumferential wall section that is continuously annular and extends through a folded section to the bottom section, and wherein the bottom section of the connecting element is V-shaped upwards or downwards in a longitudinal direction.

[0008] DE 10 2015 009 450 A1 describes a pair of right and left front frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a pair of right and left shielding reinforcements extending straight in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle over and outwards, in the width direction of the vehicle, from the pair of front frames, a pair of right and left protective plates covering the respective outwards sides, in the width direction of the vehicle, of the pair of shielding reinforcements, a pair of right and left connecting frames connecting the front end sections of the pair of shielding reinforcements to the pair of shielding reinforcements, and a pair of right and left connecting brackets connecting the respective front end side sections of the pair of protective plates to the pair of shielding reinforcements.The connecting bracket is essentially located in the same longitudinal position as a connecting section of the shielding reinforcement and the connecting frame in plan view.

[0009] US 2005 / 0 127 717 A1 describes a vehicle front structure comprising a hood ridge extending along the front and rear of the vehicle in an upper edge portion, a front side element extending along the front and rear of the vehicle in a lower edge portion of the front of the vehicle, and a strut housing located between the hood ridge and the front longitudinal member. The structure further comprises a lower front portion of the hood ridge, assembled such that a rear edge portion thereof connects to a front portion of the strut housing, and an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion thereof connect to the hood ridge and the front longitudinal member, respectively. The lower front portion of the hood ridge has an outer element and an inner element.The lower front inner element of the hood strut is designed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the lower front outer element of the hood strut and to form a closed cross-section together with the lower front outer element of the hood strut.

[0010] US 2012 / 0 248 820 A1 describes a vehicle front-end structure that efficiently absorbs collision energy in a low-offset collision where a collision object, such as an oncoming vehicle, makes a frontal impact with a vehicle exterior located outside the front side frames, thereby preventing the front of the vehicle body from moving rearward into the vehicle interior. The front of the vehicle includes a pair of left / right front side frames extending longitudinally along the vehicle and a power unit located longitudinally midway between the left / right front side frames. The left / right front side frames adjacent to the power unit include branch frames extending toward the lateral exterior of the vehicle.The rear end sections of the branch frames penetrate the outer surface of the left / right front side frames and extend along an inner wall. Connecting elements are provided on the front sections of the left / right front side frames.

[0011] CN 103 596 785 A describes a water-cooled condenser that delivers the refrigerant from a vehicle's air conditioning system to an air-cooled condenser via a refrigerant outlet, after the refrigerant has undergone heat exchange with the cooling water. The refrigerant outlet is connected to the air-cooled condenser at a point that, viewed in the direction of airflow to the air-cooled condenser, does not overlap a bumper reinforcement located at the front of the vehicle in front of the air-cooled condenser. A significant amount of the refrigerant flowing from the refrigerant outlet into the air-cooled condenser passes through the water-cooled condenser at the point where it does not overlap the bumper reinforcement, and therefore, due to sufficient cooling air, a satisfactory heat dissipation performance can be achieved.Accordingly, the overall heat dissipation performance of both the air-cooled and water-cooled condensers is improved. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0012] Therefore, one purpose of the present disclosure is to reduce vibration of a vehicle component while ensuring the ability of a frame or skeletal member to absorb impacts in an offset collision.

[0013] The claimed invention is defined by the support structure according to claim 1.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a support structure is provided for a vehicle component, which is arranged inside a power unit chamber where a vehicle powertrain unit is located. The support structure includes the power unit chamber, which contains a side frame extending in a forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and a suspension tower housing that overlaps a portion of the side frame in a plan view from above the vehicle. The vehicle component is located at a position where it overlaps at least partially with the side frame in the plan view (i.e., viewed from above the vehicle) and substantially forward of the suspension tower housing (i.e., at the front) in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle. The vehicle component is...The vehicle component is supported by a side frame and a support member, which is coupled to an inner or inwardly facing side surface of a closed-section member that is connected to the side frame at a point in front of the suspension tower housing in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle. Even if the vehicle component is supported or carried by the side frame, it can specifically be supported or carried by a support member that is coupled to the side frame, in particular to an inner or inwardly facing side surface of the side frame.

[0015] According to this structure, the side frame or support member, coupled to the closed-section member, supports the vehicle component near the side frame as a frame or skeleton member, or as a closed-section member. Furthermore, as the support member moves backward in accordance with the deformation of the deformed side frame during an offset collision, it causes the vehicle component, which is supported in a cantilevered position, to deform inward when it impacts the suspension tower housing. In this way, the path of the vehicle component is changed inward, or it moves past the suspension tower housing without colliding with it from the front.

[0016] The vehicle component can be fixed to the support structure in such a way that a longitudinal direction of the vehicle component is essentially oriented in the direction of an upward-downward direction of the vehicle and can be inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle relative to the upward-downward direction of the vehicle.

[0017] According to this structure, a contact area or contact surface of the vehicle component, whose longitudinal direction is oriented towards the upward-downward direction of the vehicle and inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, is caused to be small, as if it were making point contact with the suspension tower housing, and the force for deformation of the support member can act gently.

[0018] The closed cross-section member can be a side member extending from the side frame to be inclined upwards and forwards, and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle component can be parallel to an extending direction of the side member.

[0019] According to this structure, because the vehicle component is supported in such a way that its longitudinal direction is oriented in the extending direction of the side member and parallel to it, the vehicle component is supported at a point closer to the side member and with minimal influence from vehicle vibration. Furthermore, because the vehicle component is inclined so that its lower end is positioned longitudinally behind its upper end, sufficient clearance between the vehicle component and the suspension tower housing is ensured. Therefore, the clearance for the vehicle component as it passes or moves past the suspension tower housing is fully maintained, and deformation of the side frame and displacement of the vehicle component are prevented.

[0020] The vehicle component can be supported by the support member. The support member can include a stepped part configured or constructed to allow a portion of a free end face, to which the vehicle component is attached, to project inwards from a portion of a base end face, in order to be fixed to one of the side frames and the closed-section member.

[0021] According to this structure, when the load or stress is applied to the free end via the vehicle component, the load is concentrated on the stepped section. This means the stepped section becomes a deformation element, allowing the deformation of the support member, which deflects the vehicle component inwards, to occur smoothly.

[0022] The support member can consist of a plate member, from which plate surfaces are oriented in a vehicle width direction.

[0023] According to this structure, since the support member consists of the plate member and the plate surfaces, which are surfaces of the plate member with large areas, are oriented in the vehicle width direction towards which the deformation is intended, the load can be effectively concentrated compared to a case where the support member consists of rod or bar members, and the backward-moving path of the vehicle component can be turned more smoothly inwards.

[0024] A guide element can be formed in a surface of the vehicle component on the side of the suspension tower housing, and the guide element can be inclined inwards in the vehicle width direction in the top view from the front to the rear.

[0025] According to this structure, if the vehicle component collides with the suspension tower housing, the backward-moving path of the vehicle component is turned or directed inwards by the guide part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body frame, which represents or forms a power unit chamber, and a vehicle component. Fig. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a substantial part inside the power unit chamber, seen from inwards in the vehicle width direction. Fig. Figure 3 is a top view of the essential part inside the power unit chamber, seen from above the vehicle. Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective view that schematically illustrates the vehicle component. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a support or bracing member. Fig. Figure 6 is a top view illustrating behavior in an early phase of a collision. Fig. Figure 7 is a top view illustrating the behavior during a middle phase of the collision. Fig. Figure 8 is a top view illustrating the behavior in a late phase of the collision. Fig. Figure 9 is a side view of a substantial part which uses a support member as shown in another example. Fig. Figure 10 is a side view of an essential part, illustrating an example in which the vehicle component is supported by the side frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE REVELATION

[0026] An embodiment for implementing the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features as shown in the drawings and described below need not necessarily be essential.

[0027] In a support structure for a vehicle component located inside a power unit chamber where a vehicle's powertrain unit is situated, the present disclosure serves to reduce vibration of the vehicle component while ensuring impact absorption capability through a frame or skeleton member in an offset collision. In this example, a water-cooled condenser, which constitutes an air conditioning system, is described as the vehicle component.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle body frame 11, which represents or forms the power unit chamber, and a water-cooled condenser 12, which is supported or carried by the vehicle body frame 11. Fig. Figure 1 illustrates only the right side of the vehicle in the vehicle's width direction. As indicated by a white arrow, the bottom left of this drawing is the front of the vehicle, and the top of the drawing is the top of the vehicle. The "F" of the white arrow means front, and "U" means top. It should be noted that the terms "outward," "outer," or "outside," as used herein, refer to outward in the vehicle's width direction relative to the central line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and that the terms "inward," "inner," or "within," as used herein, refer to inward in the vehicle's width direction relative to the central line.

[0029] As this is in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, the power or drive unit chamber includes a side frame 13, a skirt reinforcement 14 and a side member 15 as frame or skeleton members of a closed cross-section.

[0030] The side frame 13 extends in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and a pointed end of the side frame 13 is connected to an impact box or crash box 17 by an adjusting or fixing plate 16. The impact box or crash box 17 is to be crushed or destroyed by a collision load or stress, as can be seen from a side view in Fig. 2 is illustrated and how this is shown by a top view in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a shock absorber support 18 fixed or attached to one of its pointed ends.

[0031] The skirt reinforcement 14 extends in the forward-reverse direction of the vehicle at a point outside the side frame 13 and above it, in the vehicle width direction. A suspension tower housing 19 is provided between the rear portions of the skirt reinforcement 14 and the side frame 13. In a top-down view of the vehicle, the suspension tower housing 19 overlaps with a portion of the side frame 13, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 is illustrated.

[0032] The side member 15 is an example of a closed-section member, which is connected to an upper surface of the side frame 13 at a point in front of the suspension tower housing 19, and it is designed to connect the side frame 13 to the skirt reinforcement 14. In detail, the side member 15 extends obliquely upwards and forwards from the side frame 13 and spreads outwards in the direction of the vehicle's width.

[0033] A recess or indentation 15b, which has an oval shape in side view, is formed in an inner or inwardly directed side surface 15a of the side member 15 in the vehicle width direction. The oval recess 15b slopes upwards and forwards in the extending direction of the side member 15. The side surface 15a is located above the side frame 13.

[0034] In the power unit chamber, which has such a structure, the water-cooled condenser 12, which is the vehicle component, is arranged at the point where it overlaps the side frame 13 in plan view and in front of the suspension tower housing 19. This position is an inward-facing or internal surface of the side frame 13 or an inward-facing side surface of the closed-section member that is connected to the side frame 13 in front of the suspension tower housing 19. In the example of Fig. In sections 1 to 3, the water-cooled condenser 12 is arranged on the side member 15, which is the member with a closed cross-section. Furthermore, the water-cooled condenser 12 is supported by a support member 31.

[0035] Here, the overview or nature of the water-cooled condenser 12 is described, and the support element 31 is then described.

[0036] The water-cooled condenser 12 serves to cool a coolant using water and has channels through which the coolant and water flow. Since outside air is not required to cool the coolant, it is not necessary to install the water-cooled condenser 12 behind an opening for outside air intake, which is formed in a front surface of the vehicle, unlike a radiator (heat exchanger).

[0037] Fig. Figure 4 schematically illustrates the shape of the water-cooled condenser 12. The water-cooled condenser 12 comprises a box-shaped part 21, which has a substantially rectangular or right-angled parallelepiped shape, and a cylindrical part 22, which has a circular cylindrical shape. The cylindrical part 22 is fixed to a side surface 21a, which forms a rectangular or right-angled face of the box-shaped part 21, such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the box-shaped part 21. The box-shaped part 21 has substantially the same longitudinal length as the cylindrical part 22.

[0038] When comparing the width of the side surface 21a, on which the cylindrical part 22 is fixed, with a diameter of the cylindrical part 22, the cylindrical part 22 is narrower than the box-shaped part 21, and therefore the cylindrical part 22 is or will be fitted within the width of the side surface 21a of the box-shaped part 21.

[0039] When the water-cooled condenser 12, which has such a shape, is installed inside the power unit chamber, its installed position is on the inner side surface 15a of the side member 15, as described above, with the water-cooled condenser 12 being oriented such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the vertical direction or the up-down direction of the vehicle. The term "up-down direction," as used herein, does not refer only to the exact vertical direction. It therefore includes a direction that is inclined to some extent in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle and in the vehicle width direction relative to the vertical direction, but which is generally considered to be in the up-down direction.

[0040] Furthermore, the water-cooled condenser 12 is installed such that the narrow cylindrical part 22 of it is oriented backwards.

[0041] Such are, as this is in Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the support member fixing parts or support member fastening parts 23 for fixing or securing the support member 31 in an inner or inwardly directed side surface 21b under side surfaces adjoining or adjacent to the side surface 21a which holds the cylindrical part 22, of the box-shaped part 21, the longitudinal direction of which is oriented in the vertical direction.

[0042] Although the defining structure of the support-fixing parts 23 can be any suitable structure, each support-fixing part 23 consists of a column-shaped projection or extension 23a and a threaded hole 23b in this example. A plurality of support-fixing parts 23 are formed with a distance between them in the longitudinal direction of the side surface 21b, and in this example, two support-fixing parts 23 are formed.

[0043] A side surface 21a, which holds the cylindrical part 22 (i.e., the surface on the side of the suspension tower housing 19 of the water-cooled condenser 12 inside the power unit chamber), is a flat surface facing the suspension tower housing 19 when the water-cooled condenser 12 consists only of the box-shaped part 21 and the cylindrical part 22. Since an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 22 is circular, even if the cylindrical part 22 moves toward and contacts the suspension tower housing 19, it can change the direction of a load without directly absorbing the load. However, in the case of the flat surface, such as the side surface 21a of the box-shaped part 21, if it moves toward and contacts the suspension tower housing 19, it can collide with the suspension tower housing 19 without changing the direction of the load.

[0044] Therefore, a guide element 24, which inclines inwards from a front or forward-facing side to a rear side in a top view, is formed in the surface of the water-cooled condenser 12 on the side of the suspension tower housing 19 inside the power unit chamber near a side surface 21c on the side opposite the side surface that has the parts 23 fixing the support member (outwards in the vehicle width direction). In other words, the guide element 24 extends obliquely from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical part 22 to the side surface 21c of the box-shaped part 21 and fills a gap or space (stepped section) between the side surface 21a of the box-shaped part 21 and the cylindrical part 22.

[0045] The guide element 24 of this example is formed by defining a guide plate 25. The guide plate 25 is formed by a metal plate, and as shown in Fig. Figure 3, which is the top view, shows a base part 25a, which is fixed parallel to the side surface 21c, which is opposite the side surface 21b to which the support member 31 is fixed, and an inclined part 25b, which is inclined towards the base part 25a and becomes the guide part 24. The inclined angle of the inclined part 25b to the base part 25a is such that the stepped section formed between the box-shaped part 21 and the cylindrical part 22 decreases, and the load or stress applied to the guide part 24 can be changed.

[0046] Both end edges or rims 25c of the guide plate 25 in the upward-downward direction are bent inwards by an arc section from one end to the other end to increase rigidity or stiffness.

[0047] Such a guide plate 25 is fixed to the outer side surfaces of the box-shaped part 21 and the cylindrical part 22. The structure for fixing or fastening the guide plate 25 can be any suitable structure including a threaded engagement, such as the parts 23 that fix the support member, which are described above. Fig. 4 are or serve as metal fitting pieces 26 for fixing the guide plate 25. They are or are fixed to the side surface of the cylindrical part 22 and support the guide part 24 of the guide plate 25 at a given angle.

[0048] The support member 31 consists of a metal plate member, as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 5 is illustrated, and is or is defined such that plate surfaces (an inner surface 31a and an outer surface 31b), which are surfaces of the plate member with large areas, are oriented in the vehicle width direction (i.e. the plate surfaces are directed to the side).

[0049] This support member 31 includes a base-end part 32, which is to be fixed to the inner side surface 15a of the side member 15, a free-end part 33 to which the water-cooled condenser 12 is fixed, and a stepped part 34, which is arranged between the base-end part 32 and the free-end part 33, and causes the free-end part 33 to project inwards from the base-end part 32.

[0050] The part 32 of the base end has a substantially rectangular or right-angled plate shape. Specifically, the part 32 of the base end is sized to fit into the recess 15b formed in the inner or inwardly facing side surface 15a of the side member 15, and has a plurality of through-holes 32a for fixing the part 32 of the base end at various vertical locations. The part 32 of the base end also has a locking claw or latch 35 for positioning, which is formed at a corner at the upper end by being bent. The locking claw 35 projects toward the side of the inner surface 31a.

[0051] The free end part 33 has a rectangular plate shape larger than the base end part 32 and is a part that is to be fixed to the side surface 21b of the box-shaped part 21 of the water-cooled condenser 12, which has the support elements 23. The water-cooled condenser 12 is fixed to the inner surface 31a of the free end part 33. To fix the water-cooled condenser 12, through-holes 33a are formed in an edge of the tip end of the free end part 33 at locations corresponding to the support elements 23. The position and size of the free end part 33 relative to the base end part 32 are adjusted such that the water-cooled condenser 12 is supported at a point as close as possible to the side element 15.

[0052] The direction connecting the two through-holes 32a of part 32 of the base end face is parallel to the direction connecting the two through-holes 33a of part 33 of the free end face. The term "parallel" as used herein does not refer only to "exactly parallel" but may also include a deviation or tolerance within which it is normally recognized or accepted as parallel.

[0053] The stepped section 34 is linear across its entire vertical dimension and is located between the section 32 of the base end and the section 33 of the free end. The stepped section 34 features an inclination that connects the section 32 of the base end to the section 33 of the free end at an angle. A plurality of convex ribs 36 for reinforcement are formed by pressing on the outer surface 31b along a curved section between the stepped section 34 and the section 32 of the base end. Furthermore, a plurality of convex ribs 37 for reinforcement are formed on the inner surface 31a along a curved section between the stepped section 34 and the section 33 of the free end.

[0054] Ribs 38 for reinforcement, which project from the outer surface 31b, are or are formed by bending in an edge at the upper end of the support member 31 from the part 32 of the base end side to the part 33 of the free end side and in an edge at the lower end from the stepped part 34 to the part 33 of the free end side.

[0055] A notch 39 at a lower end position between the part 32 of the base end side and the stepped part 34 serves to allow the support member 31 to be fixed to the recess 15b of the side member 15.

[0056] As this is in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1, a stop hole 15c, where the locking claw 35 engages, and threaded holes 15d are formed at points in the inclined direction of the side member 15 to correspond to the passage holes 32a of the part 32 of the base end side.

[0057] The support member 31, which has such a structure, is or will be fixed to the inner or inwardly facing side surface 15a of the side member 15, after the water-cooled condenser 12 is or will be fixed to the inner surface 31a of the part 33 of the free end side, as indicated by an arrow in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates this. The fixed position of the support member 31 on the side surface 15a is closer to a lower end of the side surface 15a, which is near the side frame 13.

[0058] The water-cooled capacitor 12 is fixed by the support element 31, and it is, as shown in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser 12 is oriented towards the upward-downward direction of the vehicle, so that it is inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle relative to the vertical direction (in detail, its lower end is arranged backward from or behind its upper end). Fig. 2 shows or indicates the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser 12 by a dashed line L1 with a dot.

[0059] This is shown by a line L2 dashed with a dot in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 2, the side member 15 extends from the side frame 13 such that it inclines upward and forward, and the part 32 of the base end of the support member 31 is fixed such that it inclines upward and forward in the same direction. Additionally, since the longitudinal direction of the part 32 of the base end (the arranged direction of the through-holes 32a) is parallel to the arranged direction of the two through-holes 33a of the part 33 of the free end, the longitudinal direction L1 of the water-cooled condenser 12 is parallel to the inclined direction (extending direction) L2 of the side member 15. The term "parallel," as used herein, does not refer only to exactly parallel. Therefore, it includes one which is inclined to some extent in the direction of the other, but which is nevertheless considered to be generally parallel.

[0060] Furthermore, as is the case in Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a space S, which has a dimension (distance) where the water-cooled condenser 12 can move backwards during a collision, formed between the water-cooled condenser 12 and the suspension tower housing 19, which are aligned in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle in a state where the water-cooled condenser 12 is fixed to the side member 15. The distance for backward movement is a distance which allows the water-cooled condenser 12 to move substantially backwards when the side frame 13 and the side member 15 receive a load or stress from the collision and are deformed by compression, and the water-cooled condenser 12 begins to be displaced without the water-cooled condenser 12 immediately contacting the suspension tower housing 19.

[0061] According to the above structure, since the water-cooled condenser 12 is carried or supported closer to the side member 15 of the support member 31, which is fixed to the side member 15 as the skeleton member, the vibration or oscillation of the water-cooled condenser 12 can be reduced.

[0062] Additionally, the support member 31 is fixed to the inner side surface 15a of the side member 15 and supports the water-cooled condenser 12 in a projecting position. In this way, in an offset collision, since the water-cooled condenser 12 is not caught between the support member 31 and the suspension tower housings 19, but rather escapes inwards from the suspension tower housing 19, the support member 31 ensures the ability of the skeletal member to absorb the impact.

[0063] The behavior during the collision is, as described in Fig. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the following: If the vehicle is traveling in the direction of a white arrow A and collides with a collision object X in a manner of offset collision, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, the vehicle will be in the following situation: Fig. As illustrated in Figure 6, the vehicle deforms, as shown by the dashed lines. At this time, a load or stress, as illustrated by the black arrow B, is introduced into the vehicle from a slightly oblique upward direction. In this early phase, the water-cooled condenser 12 remains unchanged in its original state, positioned above the side frame 13 and oriented straight backward.

[0064] Then, as the absorption of the applied load progresses, the shock absorber support 18 and the impact box or crash box 17 are deformed by compression, as shown by continuous lines in Fig. Figure 7 illustrates this. Then, when the deformation begins to take place in the side member 15 and the side frame 13, the water-cooled condenser 12, which is supported as the projecting element, is displaced inwards by the load from an oblique direction, as illustrated by an arrow C with a thick continuous line.

[0065] Then, due to a further compression deformation of the side frame 13, the water-cooled condenser 12 moves backward and contacts the suspension tower housing 19. The contacted water-cooled condenser 12 receives a reaction force from the suspension tower housing 19, as illustrated by arrow D with a thick dashed line. This reaction force is also transmitted to the support member 31, as illustrated by arrow E with a thick dashed line.

[0066] When the support member 31 receives the reaction force, it is displaced or shifted such that the part 33 of the free end is opened in the direction of the outer surface 31b, as indicated by a dashed line in Fig. Figure 5 illustrates this. That is, the support member 31 bends at the stepped part 34.

[0067] Accordingly, as is stated in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 8, the water-cooled condenser 12 is displaced further inwards without colliding with the suspension tower housing 19 from the front and without being pinched or compressed by the suspension tower housing 19. Therefore, the path or movement of the water-cooled condenser 12 is changed inwards, or it passes by the suspension tower housing 19. As a result, as described above, the impact absorption capability of the side frame 13 can be ensured.

[0068] Therefore, the ability of the skeletal member to absorb impacts in an offset collision can be ensured, while reducing the vibration of the water-cooled capacitor 12.

[0069] In particular, in such behavior during the collision, since the water-cooled condenser 12 is oriented such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the upward-downward direction of the vehicle, and it is fixed such that it is inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle relative to the vertical direction, the contact area of ​​the water-cooled condenser 12 to the suspension tower housing 19 is small, as if there were point contact with or on the suspension tower housing 19. Therefore, the force for deformation of the support member 31 can act gently.

[0070] Furthermore, since the water-cooled condenser 12 is fixed to the side member 15, which extends to tilt upwards and forwards, and the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser 12 is parallel to the extending direction of the side member 15, the water-cooled condenser 12 is inclined such that its lower end is located longitudinally behind its upper end. Therefore, the space S between the water-cooled condenser 12 and the suspension tower housings 19 can be ensured, so that the clearance for the water-cooled condenser 12, which passes over or through the suspension tower housing 19, can be fully maintained, and the deformation of the side frame 13 and the displacement of the water-cooled condenser 12 can be prevented.

[0071] Additionally, since the support member 31 has the stepped section 34, which projects inwards from the section 32 of the base end towards the section 33 of the free end to which the water-cooled condenser 12 is fixed, the load or stress from the applied reaction force can be concentrated on the stepped section 34. That is, the stepped section 34 becomes a deformation element, so that the deformation of the support member 31, which deflects the water-cooled condenser 12 inwards, can be carried out smoothly. Since the stepped section 34 is linear along its entire length in the upward-downward direction, its effect is ensured.

[0072] Additionally, since the support member 31 consists of the plate member and is positioned such that the plate surface is oriented towards the vehicle's width direction, the load can be effectively concentrated. Therefore, the expected deformation is ensured, and the path of the reverse movement of the water-cooled condenser 12 can be more smoothly turned inwards.

[0073] Furthermore, since the guide element 24, which is inclined inwards from front to back in plan view, is formed in the surface of the water-cooled condenser 12 on the side of the suspension tower housing 19, the water-cooled condenser 12, which has the shape or form described above, receives the desired path or course of a backward movement after contacting the suspension tower housing 19.

[0074] Other examples are described below. In this description, the same reference symbols are assigned to the same parts as in the structure above, in order to omit a detailed description.

[0075] Fig. Figure 9 is a side view illustrating another example of the support member 31, depicting a view from the inside in the vehicle's width direction. This support member 31 consists of rod or bar links instead of the plate link described above. For example, the support member 31 has two arm sections 42, which are fixed parts, and a coupling or connecting part 43, which joins these arm sections 42. Through holes for fixing with bolts are formed in both ends of each arm section 42. The cross-sectional shape of the rod link can be selected appropriately. Two or more coupling parts 43 can be provided.

[0076] Here is the side of the arm part 42 which is fixed to the side link 15, the part 32 of the base end side, and it is the side which is fixed to the water-cooled capacitor 12, the part 33 of the free end side.

[0077] Fig. Figure 10 illustrates an example in which the support member 31 is fixed to a skeletal member differently from the side member 15 (in detail, the side frame 13). That is, if the support member 31 cannot be fixed to the side member 15 (e.g., if no side member 15 is provided on the vehicle), the support member 31 is fixed to an inner or inwardly facing side surface 13a of the side frame 13.

[0078] Although the specific shape or form of the support member 31 differs, it has fundamentally the same structure as the support member 31 described above. That is, the support member 31 has the part 32 of the base end, the part 33 of the free end, and the stepped part 34. The shape of the support member 31 is selected such that, regardless of the existence of the side member 15, the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser 12 is inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, so that the lower end is positioned behind the upper end, as indicated by the dashed line L1 in Figure 1. Fig.Figure 2 illustrates this. In detail, the overall shape of the support member 31 is essentially rectangular or right-angled, which is extended in the upward-downward direction, and the supported part 34 is formed on an intermediate part in the upward-downward direction, so that it tilts upwards as it extends forwards.

[0079] Through-holes for fixing the support member 31 to the inner side surface 13a of the side frame 13 are formed along an edge of the lower end of the part 32 of the base end. The direction of these through-holes is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side frame 13.

[0080] Through-holes for fixing or securing the water-cooled condenser 12 are formed along a portion at the rear end of the portion 33 of the free end face. The direction of the through-holes is parallel to the inclined direction of the water-cooled condenser 12 described above.

[0081] The above structures are ways of implementing the present revelation, and the present revelation is not limited to the above structures and may adopt or employ other structures.

[0082] For example, the vehicle component is not limited to the water-cooled capacitor 12 and can be an electric water pump.

[0083] Furthermore, if the vehicle component originally has an inclination equivalent to the guide part 24, the guide part 24 can be omitted.

[0084] The stepped part 34 of the support member 31 can consist of an inclination which inclines towards the part 32 of the base end side and the part 33 of the free end side as described above, or can be formed in a cranked or crank shape which is normal to the part 32 of the base end side and the part 33 of the free end side.

[0085] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not limiting. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE MARK 11 Vehicle body frame 12 water-cooled capacitor 13 side frames 13a Side surface 14 Apron reinforcement 15th lateral segment 15a Side surface 19 Suspension tower housings 24 Guide section 31 Support or bracing element 32 Part of the basic end page 33 Part of the free end page 34 stepped part

Claims

[1] Support structure for a vehicle component which is located inside a power unit chamber in which a powertrain unit of the vehicle is located, wherein the support structure comprises: the power unit chamber, which includes a side frame (13) extending in a forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and a suspension tower housing (19) which overlaps with part of the side frame (13) in a top view seen from above the vehicle, wherein the vehicle component is located at a point where the vehicle component overlaps with the side frame (13) in plan view and in front of the suspension tower housing (19) in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle, and wherein an inner side surface of the vehicle component is supported by a support member (31) which is connected to one of: the side frame (13); and is coupled to an inner side surface of a link with a closed cross-section, which is connected to the side frame (13) at a point in front of the suspension tower housing (19) in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle. [2] Support structure according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle component is fixed to the support structure such that a longitudinal direction of the vehicle component is oriented in the direction of an upward-downward direction of the vehicle and is inclined in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle relative to the upward-downward direction of the vehicle. [3] Support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closed cross-section member is a side member (15) extending from the side frame (13) to be inclined upwards and forwards, and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle component is parallel to an extending direction of the side member (15). [4] Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle component is supported by the support member (31), and wherein the support member (31) has a stepped part (34) which is configured to allow a part (33) of a free end face, to which the vehicle component is fixed, to project inwards from a part (32) of a base end face, in order to be fixed to one of the side frame (13) and the closed cross-section member. [5] Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle component is supported by the support member (31), and wherein the support member (31) consists of a plate member, from which plate surfaces are directed in a vehicle width direction. [6] Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a guide part (24) is formed in a surface of the vehicle component on the side of the suspension tower housing (19) and the guide part (24) is inclined inwards in the vehicle width direction in the top view from the front to the rear. [7] Support structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle component is a water-cooled condenser (for an air conditioning system) or an electric water pump. [8] Front body structure of a vehicle comprising the support structure according to any of the preceding claims. [9] Vehicle comprising the support structure according to any of the preceding claims.

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