Lateral structure of vehicle

Abstract

To provide a lateral structure of a vehicle that is highly versatile and can protect apparatuses, which are mounted in a vehicle, from an impact derived from a side collision.SOLUTION: A lateral structure of a vehicle 1 includes a cover 5 that is interposed between a cab 100 of the vehicle 1 and a truck bed 200 and expands outside in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1, a protector 6 that is located below the cover 5 and fixed to a frame of the vehicle 1, and a main sill 7 that is fixed to the frame via a mount bracket 8 (connection member) and extended in a fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 1. When seen from outside in the vehicle width direction, electric apparatuses including a high-voltage component which are mounted in a rear part of the cab of the vehicle 1 can be covered with the cover 5, protector 6, and main sill 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle side structure. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle side structure. The vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of vertical joists extending along the front-rear direction on the chassis frame of the vehicle, and a battery box storage section provided between the pair of vertical joists and between the chassis frame and the bodywork. The battery box contains a battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-095146 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, with the development of various vehicles such as electric vehicles, various electrical equipment is being installed in the vehicle. Therefore, a structure for protecting equipment such as a battery installed in the vehicle from impacts such as a side collision may be required. However, the space available for providing a protective member for protecting the equipment varies depending on the structure of the vehicle, the size of the body, etc. Therefore, there is a risk of a problem that providing the protective member takes away space for the body. There is a demand for a structure that can protect equipment installed in the vehicle from impacts during a side collision, regardless of the structure of the vehicle, the size of the body, etc.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a versatile vehicle side structure capable of protecting equipment mounted on the vehicle from impact during a side collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle side structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cover disposed between the vehicle cab and cargo bed and extending outward in the vehicle width direction, a protector provided under the cover and fixed to the vehicle frame, and a vertical joist fixed to the frame via a connecting member and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0007] In such a vehicle side structure, when viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the equipment mounted behind the cab of the vehicle can be covered with the cover, protector, and vertical beam. This makes it possible to protect the equipment even if an impact force is applied to the vehicle due to a side collision. The cover, protector, and vertical beam can be provided regardless of the structure or layout of the vehicle. As a result, the versatile side structure, which is not dependent on the vehicle structure, can protect the equipment mounted on the vehicle from the impact during a side collision.

[0008] The frame has a front frame portion, an intermediate frame portion, and a rear frame portion extending along the front-rear direction, and is bent at a boundary between the front frame portion and the intermediate frame portion so that the front frame portion is located higher than the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the protector may be fixed to the intermediate frame portion. In this configuration, the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion are located lower than the front frame portion, so that the floor surface of the cargo bed is lower.

[0009] The cover has a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion arranged in sequence from the front of the vehicle, the front portion being formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the rear portion being formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the front portion and the rear portion may be fixed to the middle portion. In this configuration, the width dimension of the outermost portion in the left-right direction of the cover (the dimension in the front-rear direction of the vehicle) is ensured, so that the impact received in the event of a side collision is reduced. Therefore, the equipment mounted on the vehicle can be further protected from the impact in the event of a side collision. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a versatile vehicle side structure capable of protecting devices mounted on a vehicle from impact during a side collision. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a cover. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a vertical joist and a mounting bracket. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a vertical joist and a mounting bracket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following description, up, down, left, right and up refer to the up, down, left, right and up directions of a vehicle (unless otherwise specified). "Front and rear" corresponds to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, "left and right" corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle, and "up and down" corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle. In each figure, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, and "R" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0013] The vehicle 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is configured as an electric vehicle equipped with a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a truck. The vehicle 1 may be, for example, any of a large vehicle, a medium-sized vehicle, an ordinary passenger car, a small vehicle, and a light vehicle. The vehicle 1 may be a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine as a drive source.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a vehicle 1 includes a frame 2. The frame 2 extends along the front-to-rear direction as a whole. The frame 2 has a front frame portion 10, an intermediate frame portion 20, and a rear frame portion 30. The front frame portion 10, the intermediate frame portion 20, and the rear frame portion 30 are lined up in order from the front side in the front-to-rear direction.

[0015] The front frame section 10 has a pair of first side rails 11 and a cross member 12. The middle frame section 20 has a pair of second side rails 21 and cross members 22, 23. The rear frame section 30 has a pair of third side rails 31 and a cross member 32.

[0016] The pair of first side rails 11 extend in the front-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. Each first side rail 11 has a main body portion 11a extending straight in the front-rear direction and an extension portion 11b extending rearward from the main body portion 11a. The rear end of the extension portion 11b is connected to a cross member 22 of the intermediate frame portion 20. The extension portion 11b extends straight, inclining downward as it approaches the rearward. The cross member 12 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the front end of each first side rail 11.

[0017] The pair of second side rails 21 extend straight in the front-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the pair of second side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of first side rails 11 in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to secure a large space for arranging a battery 15, which will be described later. The cross member 22 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the front ends of each of the second side rails 21. The cross member 23 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear ends of each of the second side rails 21. The cross members 22, 23 face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0018] The pair of third side rails 31 extend straight in the front-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the pair of third side rails 31 in the vehicle width direction is approximately equal to the distance between the pair of first side rails 11 in the vehicle width direction and is narrower than the distance between the pair of second side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction. Each third side rail 31 is connected to a cross member 23 of the intermediate frame portion 20. The cross member 32 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear end of each third side rail 31.

[0019] The front frame portion 10 is located above the intermediate frame portion 20 in the vehicle vertical direction. More specifically, the upper edge of the main body portion 11a of the pair of first side rails 11 is located above the upper edge of the pair of second side rails 21. That is, the frame 2 is bent at the boundary portion P between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20 so that the front frame portion 10 is located above the intermediate frame portion 20. As a result, the frame 2 has a stepped frame structure in which a stepped portion S is formed between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20. In this example, the extension portion 11b extends at an angle, but the extension portion 11b may extend straight in the vertical direction. That is, the frame 2 may be bent at 90 degrees at the boundary portion P. Alternatively, the extension portion 11b may extend in a curved manner.

[0020] The intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30 are formed flat. That is, the upper edges of the pair of second side rails 21 are located on the same plane as the upper edges of the pair of third side rails 31. Therefore, the front frame portion 10 is located higher than the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30.

[0021] The frame 2 supports a vehicle body (not shown) that constitutes a vehicle compartment. The vehicle body is arranged, for example, so that the bottom wall (floor surface) is located on the frame 2. A cab 100 having a driver's seat is provided at the front of the vehicle 1. Spaces for loading luggage, for example, are provided at the center and rear of the vehicle 1. That is, a loading platform 200 is provided at the center of the vehicle 1. An entrance for loading and unloading luggage is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1. The front, center, and rear of the vehicle 1 are parts that overlap with the front frame portion 10, the intermediate frame portion 20, and the rear frame portion 30, respectively, when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Therefore, the cab 100 is located at a position corresponding to the front frame portion 10. The loading platform 200 is located at a position corresponding to the intermediate frame portion 20.

[0022] The frame 2 also supports an axle 3a connected to the front wheels 3 and an axle 4a connected to the rear wheels 4. In this example, the vehicle 1 is front-wheel drive, and the front wheels 3 are drive wheels. The axle 3a is supported by the front frame portion 10, and the axle 4a is supported by the rear frame portion 30. The axle 3a is located below the first side rail 11, and the axle 4a is located above the third side rail 31. Since the axle 4a is located above the third side rail 31, it is easy to adopt a layout in which the frame 2 extends straight across the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a part of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the vehicle 1 further includes a box 13, a pair of harnesses 14, and a battery 15. The box 13, the pair of harnesses 14, and the battery 15 are components for applying a high voltage of, for example, 200V or more.

[0024] The box 13 is disposed vertically on the upper part of the cross member 22 (on the upper front part of the intermediate frame portion 20). The box 13 houses a relay and a fuse.

[0025] The pair of harnesses 14 electrically connect the high-voltage components in the box 13 and the battery 15 described below. One end of each harness 14 is housed in the box 13, and the other end of each harness 14 is connected to the battery 15. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the entirety of each harness 14 is located between the pair of second side rails 21. When viewed from the width direction, each harness 14 is located above the second side rails 21.

[0026] The battery 15 supplies power to a motor (not shown) which is a drive source. The battery 15 is mounted on the intermediate frame portion 20 of the frame 2. More specifically, the battery 15 is fixed to each second side rail 21 and the cross members 22, 23. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the entire battery 15 is located between the pair of second side rails 21. The position of the upper end surface of the battery 15 is higher than the position of the upper end surfaces of the second side rails 21.

[0027] The vehicle 1 further includes a pair of covers 5, a pair of protectors 6, and a pair of vertical joists 7. The pair of covers 5, the pair of protectors 6, and the pair of vertical joists 7 are protective members that protect the box 13, the pair of harnesses 14, and the battery 15, respectively.

[0028] The pair of covers 5 are protective members that protect the box 13 and the harness 14 connected to the box 13. The pair of covers 5 are provided on the outer sides of the box 13 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The pair of covers 5 are located on the cross member 22 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The pair of covers 5 protrude in the left-right direction.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of each cover 5. Fig. 5 shows the cover 5 provided on the right side in the left-right direction. Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing an example of the configuration of each cover 5. Fig. 6(a) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VI(a)-VI(a) in Fig. 5, and Fig. 6(b) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VI(b)-VI(b) in Fig. 5.

[0030] Each cover 5 has an attachment portion 51, a front portion 52, a middle portion 53, and a rear portion 54. The attachment portion 51, the front portion 52, the middle portion 53, and the rear portion 54 are arranged in sequence from the front in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the front portion 52, the middle portion 53, and the rear portion 54 are connected to each other to form a space Q. A part of the harness 14 is housed in the space Q. The cover 5 is formed of a plate material such as aluminum or iron, for example.

[0031] The mounting portion 51 is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from above in the vertical direction. The mounting portion 51 has a fixing portion 51a fixed to the front portion 52 by welding or the like, and a mounting portion 51b bent forward in the front-rear direction from one end of the fixing portion 51a. The mounting portion 51 is fixed to a rear cab mount (not shown) that supports the rear side of the cab 100 by a fastener such as a bolt.

[0032] The front portion 52 is formed to have a substantially inverted L-shaped cross section when viewed from above in the vertical direction. In other words, the front portion 52 is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from below (one side) in the vertical direction. The front portion 52 has a fixed portion 52a fixed to the middle portion 53 by welding or the like, and a side wall portion 52b bent from one end of the fixed portion 52a inward in the left-right direction (to the left in FIG. 6). The side wall portion 52b is fixed to the fixed portion 51a.

[0033] The middle part 53 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from the front side in the front-rear direction. The middle part 53 has a top part 53a, an upper inclined part 53b, a lower inclined part 53c, and a lower part 53d. Specifically, the end of the top part 53a on the outer side in the left-right direction (the right side in FIG. 6) is provided with an upper inclined part 53b that inclines outward in the left-right direction as it approaches the lower side. The lower end of the upper inclined part 53b is provided with a lower inclined part 53c that inclines outward in the left-right direction as it approaches the lower side. The lower end of the lower inclined part 53c is provided with a lower part 53d that extends downward in the up-down direction. One end of the middle part 53 is fixed to the fixing part 52a by welding or the like when viewed from the up-down direction. The other end of the middle part 53 is fixed to the rear part 54 by welding or the like when viewed from the up-down direction.

[0034] The rear portion 54 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from above (one side) in the vertical direction. The rear portion 54 has a fixed portion 54a fixed to the intermediate portion 53, and a side wall portion 54b bent inward in the left-right direction (to the left in FIG. 6) from one end of the fixed portion 54a. The side wall portion 54b faces the side wall portion 52b in the front-rear direction.

[0035] Since the middle portion 53 of the cover 5 has a top portion 53a, an upper inclined portion 53b, a lower inclined portion 53c, and a lower portion 53d, the dimension of the cover 5 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) increases toward the bottom of the cover 5. Therefore, the harness 14 can be effectively accommodated in the space Q in the lower region of the cover 5, and a desired space can be secured around the upper region of the cover 5 in the vehicle 1.

[0036] The pair of protectors 6 are protective members that protect the lower part of the box 13 and the pair of harnesses 14. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the pair of protectors 6 are provided on the lower side of each cover 5. The pair of protectors 6 are provided outside in the left-right direction of the lower part of the box 13 and the pair of harnesses 14. Figs. 3 and 4 show the protector 6 provided on the left side in the left-right direction.

[0037] Each protector 6 is provided on the outer side of each cover 5 in the left-right direction when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Each protector 6 is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the front-rear direction. The lower end of each protector 6 is fixed to the front end of each second side rail 21 by a bolt or the like. The upper end of each protector 6 is bent inward in the left-right direction toward the lower part 53d of the middle part 53 of the cover 5. The height position of the upper end of each protector 6 coincides with the height position of the lower part 53d. The upper end of each protector 6 may or may not be in contact with the lower part 53d. Each protector 6 is formed of a plate material such as aluminum or iron.

[0038] The pair of vertical joists 7 are protective members that protect the pair of harnesses 14 and the battery 15. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the pair of vertical joists 7 are located on the second side rails 21. The pair of vertical joists 7 are provided outside the pair of harnesses 14 and the battery 15 in the left-right direction. The pair of vertical joists 7 face each other in the width direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of each vertical joist 7 and each mounting bracket 8 (described later). FIG. 7 shows the vertical joist 7 provided on the left side in the left-right direction. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of each vertical joist 7 and each mounting bracket 8. FIG. 8 corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. Each vertical joist 7 is formed of a plate material such as aluminum or iron.

[0039] Each vertical joist 7 has a substantially U-shaped cross section when viewed from the front-rear direction. Each vertical joist 7 extends in the front-rear direction. Each vertical joist 7 is fixed to each second side rail 21 via each mounting bracket 8. Each mounting bracket 8 functions as a bracket (connecting member) that fixes each vertical joist 7 to each second side rail 21. Each mounting bracket 8 has an attachment portion 8a, a seat plate 8b, and a fixing portion 8c. Each mounting bracket 8 is formed of a plate material such as aluminum or iron.

[0040] The mounting portion 8a is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The mounting portion 8a is fixed to the vertical joist 7 by fasteners such as bolts. The seat plate 8b is provided on the lower part of the mounting portion 8a. The seat plate 8b is fixed to the fixing portion 8c by fasteners such as bolts. The fixing portion 8c is formed in a substantially inverted L-shape in cross section. The fixing portion 8c is fixed to the second side rail 21 by fasteners such as bolts.

[0041] In the above, when the vehicle 1 is hit from the side, the protector 6 first deforms, causing the upper end of the protector 6 to hit the front portion 52, the middle portion 53, and the rear portion 54 of the cover 5, deforming the cover 5, and the protector 6 hits the vertical joist 7, deforming the vertical joist 7. This protects the box 13, the harness 14, and the battery 15.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the side structure of the vehicle 1 includes the cover 5 disposed between the cab 100 and the loading platform 200 of the vehicle 1 and projecting outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1, the protector 6 provided under the cover 5 and fixed to the second side rail 21 (frame 2) of the vehicle 1, and the vertical joist 7 fixed to the second side rail 21 via a mount bracket 8 (connecting member) and extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1. When viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the cover 5, the protector 6, and the vertical joist 7 can cover electrical equipment such as high-voltage components mounted behind the cab 100 of the vehicle 1. This makes it possible to protect the electrical equipment even if an impact force is applied to the vehicle 1 due to a side collision. The cover 5, the protector 6, and the vertical joist 7 can be provided regardless of the structure or layout of the vehicle 1. As a result, the versatile side structure, which is not dependent on the structure of the vehicle 1, can protect the equipment mounted on the vehicle 1 from the impact during a side collision. Furthermore, there is no need to use a unique impact absorbing material (EA material), which makes it possible to reduce costs and save space while still providing protection from impacts during side collisions.

[0043] In this embodiment, the frame 2 has a front frame portion 10, an intermediate frame portion 20, and a rear frame portion 30 extending along the front-rear direction, and is bent at a boundary portion P between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20 so that the front frame portion 10 is located above the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30, and the protector 6 is fixed to the intermediate frame portion 20. In this configuration, the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30 are located below the front frame portion 10, so that the floor surface of the loading platform 200 is lower. This makes it easier for workers to get on and off the loading platform 200. In addition, the space for arranging the battery 15 on the loading platform 200 can be made larger.

[0044] In this embodiment, the cover 5 has a front portion 52, an intermediate portion 53, and a rear portion 54 arranged in sequence from the front side of the vehicle 1, the front portion 52 being formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, the rear portion 54 being formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, and the front portion 52 and the rear portion 54 being fixed to the intermediate portion 53. The rear portion 55 shown by the imaginary line in (a) of FIG. 6 is a conventional structure of the rear portion 54. As described above, the rear portion 54 is structured to protrude outward in the left-right direction compared to the conventional rear portion 55. Therefore, the cover 5 is structured to be less likely to deform when subjected to an impact such as a side collision than the conventional structure. As described above, the width dimension (front-rear dimension) of the outermost portion in the left-right direction of the cover 5 is secured, so that the impact received during a side collision is reduced. Therefore, the equipment mounted on the vehicle 1 can be further protected from the impact during a side collision.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the left-right dimension of the cover 5 increases toward the lower side of the cover 5, but the structure of the cover 5 is not particularly limited to this form and can be modified in various ways.

[0046] In the above embodiment, the protector 6 is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the front-rear direction, but the structure of the protector 6 is not particularly limited to this shape and can be modified in various ways.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the frame 2 has a stepped frame structure in which a step portion S is formed between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20, but this is not particularly limited to this form, and the frame 2 may extend straight in the front-to-rear direction without inclining from the front end to the rear end.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each vertical joist 7 is formed in a cross section that is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, but this shape is not particularly limited to this. For example, each vertical joist 7 may be formed in a cross section that is approximately U-shaped or approximately L-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, as long as the required strength is ensured. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...vehicle, 2...frame, 5...cover, 6...protector, 7...vertical joist, 8...mount bracket (connecting member), 10...front frame section, 20...middle frame section, 30...rear frame section, 52...front portion, 53...middle portion, 54...rear portion, 100...cab, 200...loading bed, P...boundary portion.

Claims

1. A cover disposed between a cab and a bed of a vehicle and extending outward in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle; a protector provided under the cover and fixed to a frame of the vehicle; A vehicle side structure comprising: a vertical joist fixed to the frame via a connecting member and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

2. the frame has a front frame portion, an intermediate frame portion, and a rear frame portion extending along the front-rear direction, and is bent at a boundary portion between the front frame portion and the intermediate frame portion so that the front frame portion is located higher than the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion, The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 , wherein the protector is fixed to the intermediate frame portion.

3. The cover has a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion arranged in sequence from the front side of the vehicle, The front portion is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, The rear portion is formed in a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, The vehicle side structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front portion and the rear portion are fixed to the intermediate portion.

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