Front hood structure

Abstract

To improve convenience of a front trunk and reduce interference with a vehicle device when vehicle front side collision occurs.SOLUTION: A front hood structure comprises: a front hood part FF having fragile parts WP at both sides in a vehicle width direction thereof, in which an opening / closing shaft TR facing the vehicle width direction is arranged at a front side of a vehicle of a cabin CA; a front trunk part 200 having a trunk rotary shaft 220 as a first rotary shaft facing the vehicle width direction at an upper front side of the vehicle, which forms a curve shape AS in which a rear side surface of the vehicle swells toward a rear side of the vehicle; a hood part gear 310 having a hood part gear rotary shaft GR as a second rotary shaft facing the same direction as the opening / closing shaft TR in the front hood part FF; a trunk part gear 320 that engages with the hood part gear 310; a hood part rod 330 interlockably connecting a side surface part of the hood part gear 310 to a side closer to a front side of the vehicle than the fragile parts WP provided in the front hood part FF; and a trunk part rod 340 interlockably connecting a side surface part of the trunk part gear 320 to a rear end part of the front trunk part 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a front hood structure. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electric vehicles have become more popular, and as power units that drive the front wheels have become smaller, a front trunk may be attached below a front hood at the front of the vehicle.

[0003] The front trunk is disposed at the front of the vehicle, on the rear side of the bumper, the air intake, or the cooling device. In this case, the front trunk is disposed at a position set back from the front end of the vehicle. Therefore, when a user puts or takes out luggage in or out of the front trunk, a part of the body may come into contact with the front bumper face, making it difficult to put or take out luggage placed at the bottom of the front trunk.

[0004] As a technology to address the above-mentioned issues, a technology has been disclosed for a sliding double floor for a trunk room, which is configured in a vehicle equipped with a trunk lid that opens to the height of the trunk floor in order to ensure the opening dimensions of the trunk room, and which comprises a sliding movable floor that is guided and slid by rollers in guide grooves in the trunk floor and trunk side inner panel, and a wire that links the sliding of the sliding movable floor to the opening and closing of the trunk lid (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Furthermore, in the event of a frontal collision in an electric vehicle, it is necessary to reduce the impact on high-voltage devices such as the power unit or inverter that drives the front wheels by absorbing the impact in the front structure of the vehicle.

[0006] As a technology for addressing the above-described problems, a first weak portion and a second weak portion are formed in an engine hood inner panel of an engine hood (front hood) along the vehicle width direction. The first weak portion is provided in a division on the front side of the vehicle that divides the engine hood into approximately three equal parts in the front-to-rear length, and has a convex shape toward the top of the vehicle. The second weak portion is provided in a division on the rear side of the vehicle that divides the engine hood into approximately three equal parts in the front-to-rear length, and has a convex shape toward the top of the vehicle. A technology has been disclosed in which the cross-sectional shapes of the first weak portion and the second weak portion as viewed in the vehicle width direction are semicircular with the opening facing downward, and the depth of the first weak portion is shallower than the depth of the second weak portion (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-113536 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-226629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the trunk is moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle when the trunk hood is opened. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the movement of the trunk in the vertical direction of the vehicle when the trunk hood is opened, which means there is a problem that it may be difficult to load and unload luggage placed at the bottom of the trunk.

[0009] Furthermore, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, when a collision occurs from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle engine hood (vehicle front hood) bends starting from the first weak portion and the second weak portion, thereby shortening the front-to-rear length of the vehicle front hood at maximum deformation.

[0010] However, the technology described in Patent Document 2 has an issue in that, for example, when a front trunk is provided on the underside of the vehicle front hood of an electric vehicle, there is a risk that the front trunk may interfere with the high-voltage device because no consideration is given to the behavior of the front trunk in the event of a front-side collision.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a front hood structure that improves the convenience of the front trunk and reduces interference with vehicle equipment in the event of a collision from the front of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] Form 1: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a front hood structure comprising: a front hood section having weak portions on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and an opening / closing axis facing in the vehicle width direction is provided on the vehicle front side of the cabin of the vehicle; a front trunk section having a first rotating axis facing in the vehicle width direction on the front upper front side of the vehicle and whose vehicle rear side has a curved shape that bulges towards the vehicle rear side; a front hood gear having a second rotating axis facing in the same direction as the opening / closing axis in the front hood section; a front trunk section gear that meshes with the front hood gear; a front trunk section rod that connects a side portion of the front trunk section gear to the vehicle rear end of the front trunk section so that they can be interlocked; and a front hood section rod that connects a side portion of the front hood gear to the vehicle front side of the weak portions provided on the front hood section so that they can be interlocked.

[0013] Form 2: One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a front hood structure that further includes a collision acceleration detection unit at the front end of the vehicle, and a front hood lifting portion that moves the front hood portion toward the upper side of the vehicle when information indicating that the collision acceleration value is less than a predetermined value is transmitted from the collision acceleration detection unit. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience of a front trunk and reduce interference with vehicle devices in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle front body structure including a front hood structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1 as viewed in the direction of the arrow. [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are three-view and a bottom view showing a front trunk portion in a front hood structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a BB portion (operation portion) shown in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1 when a front hood portion in the front hood structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention is in an open state, as viewed from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing, in time series, the movement of the front hood structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention when an object collides with the front hood structure from the vehicle traveling side. [Figure 7] 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle front body structure including a front hood structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 8] 8(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA-AA as viewed from the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 7, and (b) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion CC shown in FIG. 8(a). [Figure 9] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA-AA in FIG. 7, showing a state in which a front hood portion in a front hood structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention is open, as seen from the direction of the arrows. [Figure 10] 6A to 6B are cross-sectional views showing, in a time series order, the movement of a front hood structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention when an object collides with the front hood structure from the vehicle traveling side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] A front hood structure 100 and a front hood structure 100A according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 10. Note that an arrow FR shown as appropriate in the drawings indicates the vehicle travel direction of the vehicle V shown in Fig. 1, an arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle V, and an arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle as viewed from the vehicle travel direction side. In addition, in the following description, when the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down direction as viewed from the vehicle travel direction side, the front-rear direction with the vehicle travel direction side being the front, and the left-right direction as viewed from the vehicle travel direction side, unless otherwise specified.

[0017] <First embodiment> A vehicle body front structure S including the configuration of a front hood structure 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 6.

[0018] <About vehicle V> The vehicle V is, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) using a vehicle driving motor in a drive unit DA as a driving source. Note that the vehicle V may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having multiple driving sources such as an engine and a power unit.

[0019] (Regarding the front body structure S) As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle V has a vehicle body front structure S formed at the front of a cabin CA serving as an interior space in which passengers board. The vehicle body front structure S includes a toe board portion 10, a drive portion DU, a frame portion FL, and a front hood structure 100.

[0020] The toe board portion 10 is raised in the vehicle up-down direction at the vehicle front side of the cabin CA, and forms a partition wall that separates the vehicle body front structure S from the cabin CA. The toe board portion 10 is formed of metal or the like.

[0021] (About the drive unit DU) The drive section DU is configured to include a power unit section 20 and an inverter section 30. The power unit section 20 is a drive device provided with a vehicle drive motor (not shown) for driving the front wheels FT, a transmission, a clutch, a drive shaft, etc. The inverter section 30 generates a high voltage required to drive the power unit section 20.

[0022] (Regarding the frame part FL) The frame portion FL forms the skeleton of the vehicle V in the vehicle body front structure S. The frame section FL includes a front side frame 40, an upper frame 50, a center cross member 60, an upper cross member 70, a radiator frame 80, a face board section 90, and a bumper beam BP.

[0023] The front side frames 40 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front side frames 40 are joined to the toe board portion 10 at the rear end of the vehicle by welding or the like. The front side frames 40 are formed of metal or the like and have a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape.

[0024] The upper frames 50 are provided above the front side frames 40 on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper frame 50 is connected to the toe board portion 10 at the rear side of the vehicle. The upper frame 50 is made of metal or the like, and has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape.

[0025] The center cross member 60 extends in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front side of the drive unit DU and is joined to the inside in the vehicle width direction of the front side frames 40 on both the left and right sides. The center cross member 60 is made of metal or the like and has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape.

[0026] The upper cross member 70 extends in the vehicle width direction at the vehicle front side of the vehicle body front structure S, and is joined to the vehicle widthwise inner sides at the vehicle front ends of the upper frames 50 on both the left and right sides. The upper cross member 70 is formed from metal or the like, and has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape.

[0027] The radiator frame 80 is formed into a substantially rectangular frame shape at the front end of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle travel direction, and is configured as a frame that supports a radiator of a vehicle V (not shown). The radiator frame 80 is joined to the front side frames 40 by welding or the like on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the upper cross member 70 on the upper side of the vehicle. In addition, a bumper beam BP is connected to the vehicle front side of the radiator frame 80.

[0028] The face board portion 90 is fixed to the vehicle front side of the upper cross member 70. The face board portion 90 is formed of a member such as resin, and is fixed to the vehicle front side of the upper cross member 70 at the front end of an upper portion of the vehicle.

[0029] The bumper beam BP extends in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the lower part of the vehicle. The bumper beam BP is formed of metal or the like and has a substantially rectangular closed cross-sectional shape. The bumper beam BP is joined at both ends in the vehicle width direction to the front ends of the front side frames 40 by welding or the like. The rear side of the bumper beam BP is joined to the radiator frame 80 by welding or the like.

[0030] (Regarding the front hood structure 100) As shown in FIG. 2, the front hood structure 100 includes a front hood section FF, a front trunk section 200, and an operating section 300.

[0031] (Front hood FF) The front hood part FF has weak parts WP on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and an opening / closing axis TR having a rotation axis facing in the vehicle width direction is provided on the vehicle front side of the cabin CA in the vehicle V. The front hood part FF is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the vehicle body front structure S, and is configured to open and close the front hood part FF, for example, by raising and lowering the vehicle front side of the front hood part FF with the opening / closing axis TR as a fulcrum. The weakened portion WP is provided on the outer side of the lower portion of the vehicle in the front hood portion FF, for example, as a V-shaped groove in a side view. A connecting portion CN to which a hood portion rod 330, which will be described later, is connected is provided on the vehicle front side of the fragile portion WP.

[0032] (Regarding the front trunk section 200) Front trunk section 200 has trunk rotation shaft 220 as a first rotation shaft facing in the vehicle width direction at the front upper side of the vehicle, and a curved shape AS that bulges toward the vehicle rear side is formed on the vehicle rear side. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), the front trunk section 200 includes a trunk unit 210, a trunk rotation shaft 220, and a rod receiving section 230.

[0033] Trunk unit 210 is a storage box made of resin or other material for storing luggage, etc. A trunk rotation shaft 220 is fixed to trunk unit 210 on the upper front side of the vehicle. The vehicle upper side and vehicle lower side of trunk unit 210 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape, as shown in Figs. 3(a) and 3(d). 3(c), a circular arc-shaped edge is formed on the vehicle rear side of the side surface of trunk unit 210 in the vehicle width direction. Also, the vehicle rear side surface of trunk unit 210 forms a curved shape AS that bulges out toward the vehicle rear side.

[0034] A trunk rotation shaft 220 is fixed to the upper front side of the vehicle of trunk unit 210. Trunk rotation shaft 220 is formed into a rod shape from a member such as metal or resin, and is provided so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction. The trunk rotation shaft 220 is fitted into the upper cross member 70, so that the trunk unit 210 is rotatably engaged with the upper cross member 70.

[0035] A rod receiving portion 230 is fixed to the upper side of trunk unit 210 at the rear of the vehicle. Rod receiving portion 230 is formed in a rod shape from a member such as metal or resin, and is provided so as to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction on one side of trunk unit 210. A trunk section rod 340, which will be described later, is rotatably connected to rod receiving portion 230.

[0036] (Regarding the operating unit 300) As shown in FIG. 4, actuation section 300 includes a hood section gear 310, a trunk section gear 320, a hood section rod 330, a trunk section rod 340, a hood bracket 350, and a trunk bracket 360.

[0037] The hood gear 310 has a hood gear rotation axis GR as a second rotation axis in the same direction as the opening / closing axis TR in the front hood section FF. For example, the opening / closing axis TR is inserted into the hood gear 310 so as to be rotatable as the hood gear rotation axis GR. A hood rod 330, which will be described later, is rotatably connected to the side surface of the hood gear 310.

[0038] Trunk section gear 320 is provided at a position where hood section gear 310 and trunk section gear 320 mesh with each other. Trunk section gear 320 is rotatably inserted into trunk section gear rotation shaft RT provided on trunk bracket 360. Trunk section rod 340 is rotatably connected to a side surface of trunk section gear 320.

[0039] The hood rod 330 links the side surface of the hood gear 310 and a linking portion CN provided on the front hood portion FF in an interlocking manner. The hood rod 330 is formed of a metal or other material into a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0040] Trunk section rod 340 connects the side surface of trunk section gear 320 and rod receiving portion 230 provided in front trunk section 200 so as to be capable of moving in conjunction with each other. The trunk section rod 340 is made of a metal or other material and is formed into a rod shape extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0041] Hood bracket 350 has a cross-sectional shape obtained by bending a flat plate member such as a metal member into a U-shape, and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. A trunk portion gear rotation shaft RT is provided on the vehicle front side of hood bracket 350, penetrating hood bracket 350 in the vehicle width direction. Hood bracket 350 bends from the vehicle rear side of trunk gear rotation axis RT toward the vehicle upper rear side, and an opening / closing axis TR (hood gear rotation axis GR) is inserted in the vehicle width direction above the vehicle rear side of trunk gear rotation axis RT, penetrating hood bracket 350. In addition, the vehicle rear side of hood bracket 350 is placed on the upper surface side of trunk bracket 360, for example.

[0042] The trunk bracket 360 has a shape obtained by bending a flat metal member or the like into a U-shape, and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. For example, the trunk bracket 360 is fixed to the upper frame 50 at the front side of the vehicle, and is joined to the toe board portion 10 at the rear side of the vehicle by welding or the like. In addition, the trunk bracket 360 has a rear upper side thereof, A trunk portion gear rotation shaft RT is rotatably inserted through trunk bracket 360 on the vehicle front side of trunk bracket 360 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] <Actions and Effects> In the front hood structure 100 according to this embodiment configured as described above, the operation when the front hood portion FF is opened and when a collision occurs from the front side of the vehicle V will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0044] (When opening the front hood FF) As shown in FIG. 5, when the front hood part FF is opened, the front hood part FF rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow AR1 about an opening / closing axis TR as a rotation axis.

[0045] The hood gear 310 inserted into the opening / closing shaft TR rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow AR2 as the front hood section FF rotates. Trunk section gear 320, which is engaged with hood section gear 310, rotates in the direction indicated by arrow AR3 due to the rotation of hood section gear 310, and pushes trunk section rod 340 in the direction indicated by arrow AR4. Then, as rod receiving portion 230 is pressed by trunk portion rod 340, front trunk portion 200 rotates about trunk rotation axis 220 in the direction indicated by arrow AR5, and the bottom portion of trunk unit 210 is lifted up towards the vehicle upper side.

[0046] As described above, when front hood section FF is opened, front hood structure 100 lifts front trunk section 200 toward the upper side of the vehicle by interlocking hood section gear 310, trunk section gear 320, hood section rod 330, and trunk section rod 340 in operating section 300. Then, the bottom surface of front trunk section 200 is lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0047] (When a collision occurs from the front of vehicle V) As shown in FIG. 6(a), when an impact object CO1 collides with a vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle, collision energy is transmitted to the face board portion 90, the bumper beam BP, and the front hood portion FF from the direction indicated by the arrow BR1.

[0048] 6(b), the collision energy transmitted to the face board portion 90 and the bumper beam BP crushes the face board portion 90 and the bumper beam BP, while pushing the upper cross member 70 and the radiator frame 80 toward the rear of the vehicle. The collision energy is then transmitted to the front side frame 40 and the upper frame 50, and is absorbed by crushing the front side frame 40 and the upper frame 50.

[0049] Furthermore, the collision energy transmitted to the front hood portion FF bends the front hood portion FF in the direction indicated by the arrow BR2 at the weakened portion WP provided in the front hood portion FF. Hood section rod 330 connected to connecting portion CN provided on the vehicle front side of weak portion WP rotates hood section gear 310 in the direction indicated by arrow BR4 as front hood section FF bends. Trunk section gear 320 meshing with hood section gear 310 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow BR5, moving trunk section rod 340 in the direction indicated by arrow BR6. When the rod receiving portion 230 is pushed by the trunk rod 340, the front trunk portion 200 rotates about the trunk rotation axis 220 in the direction indicated by the arrow BR7 along the curved shape AS formed on the vehicle rear side of the front trunk portion 200. Then, the vehicle rear side of the front trunk portion 200 moves toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0050] When further collision energy is transmitted from the colliding object CO1, the collision energy further crushes the face board portion 90 and the bumper beam BP, and pushes the upper cross member 70 and the radiator frame 80 further toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 6(c).Then, the collision energy further crushes the front side frame 40 and the upper frame 50, and is absorbed. The upper cross member 70 and the radiator frame 80 are pushed further toward the rear of the vehicle, and the front side frames 40 and the upper frames 50 are further crushed, causing the front trunk section 200 to be pushed further toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0051] As the front hood section FF is further bent in the direction indicated by the arrow BR2, the hood section rod 330 moves further in the direction indicated by the arrow BR3, causing the hood section gear 310 to further rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow BR4. Hood gear 310 rotates trunk gear 320 in the direction indicated by arrow BR5, thereby moving trunk rod 340 in the direction indicated by arrow BR6 and rotating it in the direction indicated by arrow BR7 along curved surface shape AS formed on the vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200. Then, the vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 moves further toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0052] As described above, when an impact object CO1 strikes the front side of the vehicle V, the front hood structure 100 bends the front hood section FF and moves the front trunk section 200 in a direction that does not interfere with the drive section DU by interlocking the hood section gear 310, trunk section gear 320, hood section rod 330 and trunk section rod 340 in the operating section 300.

[0053] Then, as the movement of the colliding object CO1 stops and the input of the collision energy ends, the absorption of the collision energy by the deformation of the frame portion FL forming the skeleton of the vehicle V in the vehicle body front structure S ends.

[0054] As described above, the front hood structure 100 of this embodiment comprises a front hood section FF having weak parts WP on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and an opening / closing axis TR facing in the vehicle width direction provided on the vehicle front side of the cabin CA of the vehicle V, a front trunk section 200 having a trunk rotation axis 220 as a first rotation axis facing in the vehicle width direction on the upper front side of the vehicle, and whose vehicle rear side surface forms a curved shape AS that bulges towards the vehicle rear side, a hood section gear 310 having a hood section gear rotation axis GR as a second rotation axis facing in the same direction as the opening / closing axis TR in the front hood section FF, a trunk section gear 320 that meshes with the hood section gear 310, a hood section rod 330 that connects the side portion of the hood section gear 310 to the vehicle front side of the weak parts WP provided on the front hood section FF so that they can be interlocked, and a trunk section rod 340 that connects the side portion of the trunk section gear 320 to the vehicle rear end of the front trunk section 200 so that they can be interlocked. In other words, when the front hood section FF is opened, the front hood structure 100 rotates the hood section gear 310 inserted into the opening / closing axis TR of the front hood section FF, and rotates the trunk section gear 320 meshing with the hood section gear 310, thereby moving the trunk section rod 340 toward the upper side of the vehicle. Then, the trunk section rod 340 moves the rod receiving section 230 toward the upper side of the vehicle, and rotates about the trunk rotation axis 220, so that the front trunk section 200 is lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle. When an impact object CO1 strikes the vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle, the front hood structure 100 rotates the hood gear 310 inserted into the opening / closing axis TR in the front hood section FF, and rotates the trunk gear 320 meshing with the hood gear 310, thereby moving the trunk rod 340 toward the upper side of the vehicle. The trunk rod 340 then moves the rod receiving portion 230 toward the upper side of the vehicle, and rotates around the trunk rotation axis 220, causing the front trunk section 200 to rise toward the upper side of the vehicle. Therefore, when the front hood section FF is opened, the front hood structure 100 can lift the front trunk section 200 to the upper side of the vehicle by interlocking the hood section gear 310, the trunk section gear 320, the hood section rod 330, and the trunk section rod 340 in the operating section 300. Then, by lifting the bottom surface of the front trunk section 200 to the upper side of the vehicle, the user can easily view the inside of the front trunk section 200 and can easily put in and take out luggage from the bottom surface of the front trunk section 200. When an impact object CO1 strikes the vehicle V from the front side, the front hood structure 100 bends the front hood section FF and links the hood section gear 310, trunk section gear 320, hood section rod 330 and trunk section rod 340 in the operating section 300, thereby moving the front trunk section 200 in a direction that does not interfere with the drive section DU. This improves the convenience of the front trunk and reduces interference with vehicle devices in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0055] <Second embodiment> The configuration of the vehicle body front structure SA including the front hood structure 100A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0056] (Regarding the SA front body structure) As shown in FIG. 7, in a vehicle V, a vehicle body front structure SA is configured on the vehicle front side of a cabin CA serving as the interior of the vehicle where passengers board. The vehicle body front structure SA includes a toe board portion 10, a drive portion DU, a frame portion FLA, and a front hood structure 100A.

[0057] (About the frame part FLA) The frame portion FLA forms the skeleton of the vehicle V in the front body structure SA. The frame section FLA includes a front side frame 40, an upper frame 50, a center cross member 60, an upper cross member 70, a radiator frame 80, a face board section 90A, and a bumper beam BP.

[0058] The face board portion 90A is fixed to the vehicle front side of the upper cross member 70. A collision acceleration detection unit 500, which will be described later, is provided on the vehicle front side of the face board portion 90A.

[0059] (Regarding front hood structure 100A) The front hood structure 100A includes a front hood section FF, a front trunk section 200, an operating section 300A, a front hood lifting section 400, and a collision acceleration detection section 500, as shown in FIG. 8(a).

[0060] (Regarding the operating part 300A) As shown in FIG. 8(b), actuation section 300A includes a hood section gear 310, a trunk section gear 320, a hood section rod 330, a trunk section rod 340, a hood bracket 350A, and a trunk bracket 360.

[0061] The hood bracket 350A has a shape obtained by bending a flat plate member made of metal or the like into a U-shape, and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. A front hood lifting portion 400, which will be described later, is rotatably connected to the vehicle rear side of the hood bracket 350A.

[0062] (Regarding front hood rising portion 400) The front hood lifting portion 400 moves the front hood portion FF toward the upper side of the vehicle when, for example, a collision with a pedestrian occurs. Front hood lifting section 400 is, for example, a cylinder device having a motor and gears (not shown) therein. A control section (not shown) controls front hood lifting section 400 based on a collision acceleration value transmitted from collision acceleration detection section 500 (described later). Front hood lifting section 400 raises or lowers piston section PS in front hood lifting section 400 under the control of the control section. The front hood lift-up portion 400 is disposed, for example, on the vehicle front side of the toe board portion 10. The front hood lift-up portion 400 is rotatably connected to the vehicle rear side portion of the hood bracket 350A at the vehicle upper side portion of the piston portion PS.

[0063] (About the collision acceleration detection unit 500) The collision acceleration detection unit 500 is provided at the front end of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 8(a), detects the collision acceleration when a collision object CO1 or a collision object CO2 collides with the front side of the vehicle V, and transmits the detected collision acceleration value to the control unit. The collision object CO1 is, for example, an assumed collision object that is another vehicle, and the collision object CO2 is, for example, an assumed collision object that is a pedestrian.

[0064] <Actions and Effects> In the front hood structure 100A according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the operation when a pedestrian collides with the vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS. (When opening the front hood FF) As shown in FIG. 9, when the front hood part FF is opened, the front hood part FF rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow CR1 about an opening / closing axis TR as a rotation axis.

[0065] The hood gear 310 inserted into the opening / closing shaft TR rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow CR2 as the front hood section FF rotates. Trunk section gear 320, which is engaged with hood section gear 310, rotates in the direction indicated by arrow CR3 due to the rotation of hood section gear 310, and pushes trunk section rod 340 in the direction indicated by arrow CR4. Then, as rod receiving portion 230 is pushed by trunk section rod 340, front trunk section 200 rotates about trunk rotation shaft 220 in the direction indicated by arrow CR5, and the bottom of trunk unit 210 is lifted up towards the vehicle top.

[0066] As described above, when front hood section FF is opened, front hood structure 100A lifts front trunk section 200 toward the upper side of the vehicle by interlocking hood section gear 310, trunk section gear 320, hood section rod 330, and trunk section rod 340 in operating section 300A. Then, the bottom surface of front trunk section 200 is raised toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0067] (When a collision occurs from the front of vehicle V) As shown in FIG. 10(a), when a collision object CO2 collides with a vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle, collision energy is transmitted to the face board portion 90A and the front hood portion FF from the direction indicated by the arrow DR1.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the collision energy transmitted to the face board portion 90A and the bumper beam BP is detected as a collision acceleration by the collision acceleration detection unit 500 provided in the face board portion 90A, and the collision acceleration detection unit 500 transmits the detected collision acceleration value to the control unit.

[0069] When information is transmitted from the collision acceleration detection unit 500 that the collision acceleration value is less than a predetermined value, the control unit determines that a collision object CO2 has collided and causes the piston portion PT in the front hood rising portion 400 to protrude toward the upper side of the vehicle. The predetermined value here is a collision acceleration value that is set in advance, and for example, when the collision acceleration value transmitted from the collision acceleration detection unit 500 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the control unit determines that a collision object CO1 has collided with the vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle. Also, for example, when the collision acceleration value transmitted from the collision acceleration detection unit 500 is less than the predetermined value, the control unit determines that a collision object CO2 has collided with the vehicle V from the front side of the vehicle.

[0070] When the piston portion PT is projected toward the upper side of the vehicle, the hood bracket 350A connected to the piston portion PT is raised in the direction indicated by the arrow DR2 around the trunk portion gear rotation axis RT. Then, the opening / closing axis TR inserted in the hood bracket 350A is raised in the direction indicated by the arrow DR2, causing the rear side of the front hood portion FF to be raised toward the upper side of the vehicle. A safety space SS (cross-hatched portion in FIG. 8(b)) that absorbs the collision between the colliding object CO2 and the front hood portion FF is provided below the front hood portion FF. At this time, hood gear 310 inserted into hood bracket 350A moves toward the upper side of the vehicle, so that hood gear 310 and trunk gear 320 are separated. As a result of hood gear 310 and trunk gear 320 being separated, front trunk section 200 does not move toward the upper side of the vehicle. In other words, front trunk section 200 does not interfere with front hood section FF.

[0071] As described above, when a collision object CO2 strikes the front side of the vehicle V, the front hood structure 100A lifts the front hood section FF toward the upper side of the vehicle by protruding the piston section PT in the front hood lifting section 400 toward the upper side of the vehicle based on the collision acceleration value detected by the collision acceleration detection section 500. In addition, the front hood structure 100A keeps the hood section gear 310 and the trunk section gear 320 apart, so that the front trunk section 200 does not interfere with the front hood section FF. The front hood structure 100A ensures a safety space SS below the vehicle front hood portion FF, which absorbs a collision between the colliding object CO2 and the front hood portion FF.

[0072] Then, as the motion of the colliding object CO2 stops and the input of the collision energy ends, the absorption of the collision energy by the front hood structure 100A ends.

[0073] As described above, the front hood structure 100A of this embodiment further includes a collision acceleration detection unit 500 at the front end of the vehicle, and a front hood lifting unit 400 that moves the front hood section FF toward the upper side of the vehicle when information indicating that the collision acceleration value is less than a predetermined value is transmitted from the collision acceleration detection unit 500. That is, when the front hood section FF is opened, the front hood structure 100A rotates the hood section gear 310 inserted into the opening / closing axis TR of the front hood section FF, and rotates the trunk section gear 320 meshing with the hood section gear 310, thereby moving the trunk section rod 340 toward the upper side of the vehicle. Then, the trunk section rod 340 moves the rod receiving section 230 toward the upper side of the vehicle, and rotates around the trunk rotation axis 220, so that the front trunk section 200 is lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle. Therefore, when front hood section FF is opened, front hood structure 100A can lift front trunk section 200 toward the upper side of the vehicle by interlocking hood section gear 310, trunk section gear 320, hood section rod 330, and trunk section rod 340 in operating section 300. Then, by lifting the bottom surface of front trunk section 200 toward the upper side of the vehicle, the user can easily view the inside of front trunk section 200 and can easily put in and take out luggage from the bottom surface of front trunk section 200. In the event of a collision occurring from the front side of vehicle V, when a colliding object CO2 collides from the front side of vehicle V, front hood structure 100A lifts front hood section FF to the upper side of the vehicle by protruding piston section PT in front hood lifting section 400 to the upper side of the vehicle based on the collision acceleration value detected by collision acceleration detection section 500. Then, front hood structure 100A separates hood section gear 310 and trunk section gear 320 to prevent front trunk section 200 from moving to the upper side of the vehicle. Therefore, front hood structure 100A can put front trunk section 200 out of interference with front hood section FF by separating hood section gear 310 and trunk section gear 320. Furthermore, front hood structure 100A can ensure a safety space SS below the front hood section FF to absorb the collision between the colliding object CO2 and front hood section FF. This improves the convenience of the front trunk and reduces interference with vehicle devices in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0074] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10;Toe board 50;Upper frame 70;Upper cross member 100;Front hood structure 100A; Front hood structure 200;Front trunk section 210; Trunk unit 220; Trunk rotation axis 230: Rod receiving part 300;operating part 300A; Operating part 310; Hood gear 320; Trunk gear 330;Hood rod 340; Trunk rod 350; hood bracket 350A;Hood bracket 360;trunk bracket 400;Front hood riser 500: Collision acceleration detector AS; curved shape DU; Drive unit FL: Frame section FLA; Frame section S; Front body structure SA; Front body structure WP; vulnerable area V; Vehicle

Claims

1. a front hood portion having a weak portion on both sides in a vehicle width direction, and an opening / closing axis facing in the vehicle width direction is provided on a vehicle front side of a cabin of the vehicle; a front trunk section having a first rotation axis facing in a vehicle width direction at a front side of an upper portion of the vehicle and a curved shape with a rear side of the vehicle that bulges toward the rear side of the vehicle; a front hood gear having a second rotation shaft that faces the same direction as the opening / closing shaft in the front hood portion; a front trunk gear that meshes with the front hood gear; a front trunk rod that links a side portion of the front trunk gear and a vehicle rear end portion of the front trunk so as to be interlocked with each other; a front hood rod that interlockingly connects a side portion of the front hood gear to a vehicle front side of the weak portion provided in the front hood portion; A front hood structure comprising:

2. A collision acceleration detection unit is further provided at a front end of the vehicle, 2. The front hood structure according to claim 1, further comprising a front hood lifting section that moves the front hood section toward the upper side of the vehicle when information indicating that the collision acceleration value is less than a predetermined value is transmitted from the collision acceleration detection section.

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