Vehicle

Abstract

To provide an art for improving strength against a lateral collision of a vehicle while inhibiting increase of a mass of an entire rocker.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: a floor panel; rockers extending in a front-back direction along a side edge of the floor panel; reinforcements each of which extends in the front-back direction in the rocker and is joined to an upper wall and a vertical wall at the inner side of the rocker; rocker beads each of which is integrally formed with the vertical wall at the inner side of the rocker and extends in the front-back direction at a position below the reinforcement; and at least one bulk arranged in a direction intersecting with the front-back direction in the rocker and joined to at least the reinforcement and the rocker bead.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle. The vehicle includes a floor panel, a pair of rockers extending along the front-rear direction, and reinforcements extending in the front-rear direction inside each rocker. Relatively large reinforcing members such as shock absorbing members and stiffeners (also called reinforcements) are arranged inside the rockers. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-226353 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Side collisions of a vehicle include those in which a relatively large load is applied locally, such as a side collision with a pole. In order to improve the strength against such side collisions, it is conceivable to place a large reinforcing member inside the rocker, as in the above vehicle. However, simply increasing the dimensions or thickness of the reinforcing member would increase the weight of the entire rocker.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, this specification provides a technique for improving the strength of a vehicle against a side collision while suppressing an increase in the mass of the entire rocker. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The technology disclosed in this specification is embodied in a vehicle. In a first aspect, the vehicle includes a floor panel, a rocker extending in the front-rear direction along the side edge of the floor panel, a reinforcement extending in the front-rear direction inside the rocker and joined to an upper wall and an inner vertical wall of the rocker, a rocker bead formed integrally with the inner vertical wall of the rocker and extending in the front-rear direction at a position lower than the reinforcement, and at least one bulk disposed in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction inside the rocker and joined to at least the reinforcement and the rocker bead.

[0007] In the above-mentioned vehicle, the reinforcement arranged inside the rocker and the rocker bead formed integrally with the rocker are connected to each other by a bulk. With this configuration, it is possible to significantly increase the strength of the rocker while using a reinforcement with a relatively small size. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the vehicle against side collisions without significantly increasing the mass of the entire rocker.

[0008] In a second aspect, in the first aspect, the vehicle may further include a cross member extending in the left-right direction from the rocker along the floor panel. In this case, at least one bulk may include a bulk located on an extension line of the cross member. With this configuration, when a side collision of the vehicle occurs, the collision energy is efficiently transmitted from the rocker to the cross member. At this time, the bulk located on the extension line of the cross member and the cross member function as a transmission path (so-called load path) that transmits the load in the left-right direction during the side collision. As a result, the strength of the vehicle against side collisions can be improved.

[0009] In a third aspect, the bulk located on the extension line of the cross member in the first or second aspect may be located on the extension line of the vertical wall of the cross member. The vertical wall of the cross member is arranged in a direction intersecting the fore-and-aft direction, just like the bulk. That is, the vertical wall of the cross member is arranged parallel to the bulk or in a posture close to it. Therefore, when the bulk is located on the extension line of the vertical wall of the cross member, the two are arranged substantially on the same plane, so that the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker to the cross member.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, a bulk bead extending in the left-right direction may be integrally formed with the bulk. In this case, the bulk bead may be located on an extension of a ridge line located at the lower end of the vertical wall of the cross member. With this configuration, the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker to the cross member (particularly the lower end of the vertical wall of the cross member).

[0011] In a fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the reinforcement may be located on an extension line of the cross member. With this configuration, the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker to the cross member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a left side view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle 10 according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle 10 according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 . [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a reinforcement 30, a locker bead 32, and multiple bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between a first cross member 26, a first bulk 34, and a second bulk 36. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A vehicle 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle 10 according to the embodiment belongs to an electric vehicle having a motor 16 that drives wheels 14f, 14r, and is typically an electric vehicle (a so-called automobile) that runs on a road surface. However, some or all of the techniques described in the embodiment can also be adopted in an electric vehicle that runs on a track. Furthermore, the vehicle 10 is not limited to one that is driven and operated by a user, and may be one that is remotely operated by an external device or one that runs autonomously.

[0014] Here, the direction FR in the drawings indicates the front in the fore-aft direction (or length direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction RR indicates the rear in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the direction LH indicates the left in the left-right direction (or width direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction RH indicates the right in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the direction UP indicates the upward direction in the up-down direction (or height direction) of the vehicle 10, and the direction DW indicates the downward direction in the up-down direction of the vehicle 10.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body 12 and a plurality of wheels 14f, 14r. The vehicle body 12 has a passenger compartment 12c, which is a space for carrying passengers. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r are rotatably attached to the vehicle body 12. The plurality of wheels 14f, 14r include a pair of front wheels 14f located at the front of the vehicle body 12 and a pair of rear wheels 14r located at the rear of the vehicle body 12. The pair of front wheels 14f are arranged coaxially with each other, and the pair of rear wheels 14r are also arranged coaxially with each other. The number of wheels 14f, 14r is not limited to four. Although not particularly limited, the vehicle body 12 is made of a metal such as a steel material or an aluminum alloy. The material constituting a part or all of the vehicle body 12 may be a nonmetallic material such as a fiber-reinforced resin.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 further includes a motor 16, a power control unit 18, and a battery pack 20. The motor 16 is a driving motor that drives a pair of front wheels 14f and is connected to the pair of front wheels 14f. The battery pack 20 is a power supply device that supplies power to the motor 16 and is electrically connected to the motor 16 via the power control unit 18. The battery pack 20 incorporates a plurality of secondary battery cells and is configured to be repeatedly charged by external power or regenerative power of the motor 16. As an example, the battery pack 20 is located below a floor panel 22 and is arranged along the floor panel 22. The power control unit 18 incorporates a DC-DC converter and / or an inverter, and controls the driving power supplied from the battery pack 20 to the motor 16 and the regenerative power supplied from the motor 16 to the battery pack 20 in response to, for example, a driving operation by a user.

[0017] The motor 16 is not limited to the pair of front wheels 14f, but may be configured to drive at least one of the multiple wheels 14f, 14r. The vehicle 10 may further include another motor that drives the pair of rear wheels 14r in addition to the motor 14f that drives the pair of front wheels 14. The vehicle 10 may further include another prime mover such as an engine instead of or in addition to the motor 16. The vehicle 10 may also include another power supply device such as a fuel cell unit or a solar panel in addition to or instead of the battery pack 20. The vehicle 10 is not limited to the electric vehicle described here, but may be a hybrid vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, a solar car, or the like.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2-4, the vehicle body 12 includes a floor panel 22 and a pair of rockers 24. The floor panel 22 is a plate-like member that constitutes the bottom surface of the vehicle interior 12c. Each of the pair of rockers 24 is a hollow member having a constant cross section along the front-rear direction, and constitutes part of the framework of the vehicle body 12. The pair of rockers 24 are provided symmetrically with respect to each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10. The pair of rockers 24 extend in the front-rear direction along both side edges of the floor panel 22. That is, the floor panel 22 is provided between the pair of rockers 24. The pair of rockers 18 may have a symmetrical shape or an asymmetrical shape.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the vehicle body 12 further includes a plurality of cross members 26, 28. Each of the cross members 26, 28 generally has a channel member structure and has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an open lower portion. Each of the cross members 26, 28 extends in the left-right direction between the pair of rockers 24 along the upper surface of the floor panel 22. The multiple cross members 26, 28 include a first cross member 26 and a second cross member 28. The first cross member 26 is disposed forward of the second cross member 28. Although not limited thereto, each of the cross members 26, 28 is joined to the floor panel 22 by welding or the like. As a result, each of the cross members 26, 28, together with the floor panel 22, forms a closed space extending in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the first cross member 26 includes a first vertical wall 26a, a second vertical wall 26b, and an upper wall 26c. The first vertical wall 26a is located in the front, and the second vertical wall 26b is located in the rear. The first vertical wall 26a and the second vertical wall 26b face each other in the front-rear direction. The upper end of the first vertical wall 26a is connected to the upper end of the second vertical wall 26b via the upper wall 26c. Although not particularly limited, the lower end of the first vertical wall 26a is provided with a flange protruding forward, and the lower end of the second vertical wall 26b is provided with a flange protruding rearward. The second cross member 28 also has a similar configuration to the first cross member 26, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, each of the pair of rockers 24 includes a rocker inner panel 24a and a rocker outer panel 24b. The rocker inner panel 24a is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the rocker outer panel 24b is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The rocker inner panel 24a and the rocker outer panel 24b are joined to each other at their upper and lower edges, and a closed space extending in the front-rear direction is formed inside the rocker 24. However, in other embodiments, each rocker 24 is not limited to being composed of only the rocker inner panel 24a and the rocker outer panel 24b, and may be composed of three or more panels.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3-5, each of the pair of rockers 24 further includes a reinforcement 30. The reinforcement 30 is a reinforcing member that improves the strength of each rocker 24. The reinforcement 30 extends in the front-rear direction inside each rocker 24. The reinforcement 30 includes a vertical wall 30a and a horizontal wall 30b that protrudes from the upper end of the vertical wall 30a to the outside in the vehicle width direction. That is, the reinforcement 30 has a cross section that is approximately L-shaped. The vertical wall 30a of the reinforcement 30 is joined to the inner vertical wall 24c of the rocker inner panel 24a by welding or the like, and the horizontal wall 30b of the reinforcement 30 is joined to the upper wall 24d of the rocker inner panel 24a by welding or the like. In this way, the reinforcement 30 is joined to the rocker inner panel 24a of the rocker 24, and mainly improves the strength of the rocker inner panel 24a.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3-5, each of the pair of rockers 24 further includes a rocker bead 32. The rocker bead 32 is a structure that improves the strength of each rocker 24. The rocker bead 32 is integrally formed with the inner vertical wall 24c of each rocker inner panel 24a, and locally protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction in each rocker inner panel 24a. In other embodiments, the rocker bead 32 may protrude inward in the vehicle width direction. The rocker bead 32 extends in the front-rear direction at a position lower than the reinforcement 30. In this way, the rocker bead 32 is provided on the rocker inner panel 24a of the rocker 24, and mainly improves the strength of the rocker inner panel 24a. Although not particularly limited, the rocker bead 32 is formed by bead processing (so-called string processing) using a press mold.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3-5, each of the pair of rockers 24 further includes a plurality of bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. Each of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 is a reinforcing member that improves the strength of each rocker 24. Each of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 is a plate-shaped member and is arranged in a direction that crosses the front-rear direction inside the rocker 24. Each of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 is joined to both the reinforcement 30 and the rocker bead 32 by welding or the like. That is, the reinforcement 30 and the rocker bead 32 are connected to each other by each of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. As a result, each of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 mainly improves the strength of the rocker inner panel 24a.

[0025] The bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 include the first bulk 34, the second bulk 36, the third bulk 38, the fourth bulk 40, and the fifth bulk 42. The first bulk 34 is located at the front, the second bulk 36 is located between the first bulk 34 and the third bulk 38, the third bulk 38 is located between the second bulk 36 and the fourth bulk 40, the fourth bulk 40 is located between the third bulk 38 and the fifth bulk 42, and the fifth bulk 42 is located at the rear. That is, the first bulk 34, the second bulk 36, the third bulk 38, the fourth bulk 40, and the fifth bulk 42 are located in this order from the front to the rear of the vehicle 10. The number of the bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 is not particularly limited.

[0026] In the vehicle 10 described above, the reinforcement 30 disposed inside the rocker 24 and the rocker bead 32 formed integrally with the rocker 24 are connected to each other by a plurality of bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42. With this configuration, it is possible to significantly increase the strength of the rocker 24 while employing a reinforcement 30 with a relatively small size. This makes it possible to improve the strength of the vehicle 10 against side collisions without significantly increasing the mass of the entire rocker 24.

[0027] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first bulk 34 is located on the extension of the first cross member 26. Here, the first bulk 34 being located on the extension of the first cross member 26 means that the first bulk 34 is located in at least a part of the range obtained by extending in the left-right direction the range in the front-rear direction in which the first cross member 26 is provided (specifically, the range from the tip of the flange protruding forward from the first vertical wall 26a to the tip of the flange protruding rearward from the second vertical wall 26b). Similarly, the second bulk 36 is located on the extension of the first cross member 26. With this configuration, when a side collision of the vehicle 10 occurs, the collision energy is efficiently transmitted from the rocker 24 to the first cross member 26. At this time, the first bulk 34, the second bulk 36, and the first cross member 26, which are located on the extension of the first cross member 26, function as a transmission path (so-called load path) that transmits the load in the left-right direction during a side collision. As a result, the strength of the vehicle 10 against side collisions can be improved.

[0028] As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the first bulk 34 is located on the extension of the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26. Here, the first bulk 34 being located on the extension of the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 means that the first bulk 34 is located in at least a part of the range obtained by extending the range in the front-rear direction in which the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 is provided in the left-right direction. The first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 is arranged in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, like the first bulk 34. That is, the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 is arranged in parallel with the first bulk 34. Therefore, when the first bulk 34 is located on the extension of the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26, the two are arranged substantially on the same plane, so that the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle 10 can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker 24 to the first cross member 26.

[0029] As an example, as shown in Fig. 5, the second bulk 36 is located on an extension of the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26. The second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26 is arranged in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction, like the second bulk 36. That is, the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26 is arranged parallel to the second bulk 36. Therefore, when the second bulk 36 is located on an extension of the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26, the two are arranged substantially on the same plane, so that the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle 10 can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker 24 to the first cross member 26.

[0030] It should be noted that the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 does not necessarily have to be arranged parallel to the first bulk 34. In another embodiment, the first vertical wall 26a of the first cross member 26 may be arranged in a posture close to parallel to the first bulk 34. The second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26 also does not necessarily have to be arranged parallel to the second bulk 36, and may be arranged in a posture close to parallel to the second bulk 36.

[0031] As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the second bulk 36 includes a bulk bead 44. The bulk bead 44 is a structure that improves the strength of the second bulk 36 and extends in the left-right direction. The bulk bead 44 is integrally formed with the second bulk 36 and locally protrudes forward from the second bulk 36. The bulk bead 44 is provided to match the position of the ridge line 46 (fold line) of the first cross member 26 in the up-down direction. As described above, the second bulk 36 is located on an extension line of the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26. Therefore, the bulk bead 44 of the second bulk 36 is located on an extension line of the ridge line 46 (i.e., the boundary line between the second vertical wall 26b and its flange) located at the lower end of the second vertical wall 26b. Here, the bulk bead 44 of the second bulk 36 is located on the extension of the ridge 46 located at the lower end of the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26 means that the ridge 46 of the first cross member 26 is located in at least a part of the range obtained by extending the vertical range in which the bulk bead 44 of the second bulk 36 is provided in the left-right direction. Although not particularly limited, the bulk bead 44 is formed by bead processing (so-called string processing) using a press die. In addition to the above, the first bulk 34 also has the same structure as the second bulk 36 shown in FIG. 3 and includes a bulk bead 44. The bulk bead 44 of the first bulk 34 is located on the extension of the ridge 46 located at the lower end of the first vertical wall 26a.

[0032] With this configuration, the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle 10 can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker 24 to the first cross member 26 (particularly, the lower end of the first vertical wall 26a and the lower end of the second vertical wall 26b of the first cross member 26). Note that similar bulk beads 44 may be provided on the other bulks 38, 40, 42.

[0033] In some of the embodiments described above, the first bulk 34 is located on the extension line of the first vertical wall 26a of the corresponding first cross member 26, and the second bulk 36 is located on the extension line of the second vertical wall 26b of the corresponding first cross member 26. However, it is not necessary that both the first bulk 34 and the second bulk 36 are located on the extension line of the corresponding vertical walls 26a, 26b of the first cross member 26. In other embodiments, either the first bulk 34 or the second bulk 36 may be located on the extension line of the corresponding vertical walls 26a, 26b of the first cross member 26.

[0034] In still another embodiment, instead of the first bulk 34 or the second bulk 36, another bulk 36, 38, 40 may be located on the extension of the vertical walls 26a, 26b of the first cross member 26. Also, the multiple bulks 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 may be located on the extension of the second cross member 28 instead of the first cross member 26.

[0035] As one example, as shown in Fig. 3, the reinforcement 30 is located on an extension of the first cross member 26. Here, the reinforcement 30 being located on an extension of the first cross member 26 means that the reinforcement 30 is located in at least a part of a range obtained by extending in the left-right direction the range in the up-down direction in which the first cross member 26 is provided. Although not shown, the reinforcement 30 is also located on an extension of the second cross member 28. With this configuration, the collision load in a side collision of the vehicle 10 can be efficiently transmitted from the rocker 24 to the first cross member 26 and the second cross member 28.

[0036] Although several specific examples have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 10: Vehicle 12: Body 12c: Cabin 14f, 14r: Wheels 16: Motor 18: Power control unit 20: Battery pack 22: Floor panel 24: Rocca 24a: Rocker inner panel 24b: Rocker outer panel 24c: Vertical wall 24d: Upper wall 26: First cross member 26a: 1st vertical wall 26b: Second vertical wall 26c: Upper wall 28: Second cross member 30: Reinforcement 30a: Vertical wall 30b: Side wall 32: Rockabide 34: First bulk 36: 2nd Bulk 38: 3rd Bulk 40: 4th Bulk 42: 5th Bulk 44: Bulk Bead 46: Ridgeline

Claims

1. Floor panels and A rocker extending in the front-rear direction along a side edge of the floor panel; A reinforcement extending in the front-rear direction inside the rocker and joined to an upper wall and an inner vertical wall of the rocker; A rocker bead is integrally formed on the inner vertical wall of the rocker and extends in the front-rear direction at a position lower than the reinforcement; At least one bulk is disposed in the interior of the rocker in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction and is joined to at least the reinforcement and the rocker bead; A vehicle comprising:

2. A cross member extending in the left-right direction from the rocker along the floor panel is further provided. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one bulk includes a bulk located on an extension of the cross member.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the bulk located on the extension line of the cross member is located on an extension line of a vertical wall of the cross member.

4. The bulk is integrally formed with a bulk bead extending in the left-right direction, 4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the bulk bead is located on an extension of a ridge line located at a lower end of the vertical wall of the cross member.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement is positioned on an extension line of the cross member.

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