Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front structure capable of efficiently absorbing a load.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure 100 includes a front side member 110 that is located at an end in a vehicle width direction of a power unit installation room and extending in a vehicular fore-and-aft direction, and a cowl side member 102 which is located above the front side member 110 outside a vehicle, whose rear part 103 extends in the vehicular fore-and-aft direction, and whose front part 105 bends toward the front side member 110 and extends. The cowl side member 102 includes a bottom part 122 facing below the vehicle, and a side wall part 118 extending upward from an edge in the vehicle width direction of the bottom part 122. The side wall part 118 includes a side wall rear part 118a formed on the rear part 103, a side wall front part 118b formed on the front part 105, and a first bead 126 formed in such a manner that a range over a predetermined vertical direction of the side wall front part 118b is swelled toward the front side member 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A member called a cowl side member is provided above the front wheels of a vehicle. A typical cowl side member has a shape that protrudes forward in a tapered manner from near the end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction along the upper part of the wheel apron.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a wheel apron reinforcement panel 8 is provided on the upper part of a wheel apron 1 as a member similar to the above-mentioned cowl side member. The wheel apron reinforcement panel 8 is provided with a plurality of beads 17a and the like extending vertically so as to buckle and absorb the load in the event of a frontal collision or the like while protecting the suspension tower 10 on the vehicle interior side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-293680 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Some vehicles, such as small vehicles, have a shorter front-to-rear dimension of the front part of the vehicle forward of the dash panel. In such cases, the cowl side member also has a shorter front-to-rear dimension, making it difficult to ensure an area that allows buckling during a frontal collision. If the front-to-rear dimension of the cowl side member is short, the load during a frontal collision cannot be sufficiently consumed and absorbed as impact energy due to buckling of the cowl side member, and the load is likely to be transmitted to members arranged behind the cowl side member. For example, the load may be concentrated on the joint between the upper end of the front pillar and the roof side member behind the cowl side member, causing damage to these parts.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle front structure that can shorten the front-to-rear dimension of a cowl side member and suppress the transmission of load to the rear of the cowl side member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front side member provided at the vehicle width end of a power unit mounting room of the vehicle and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a cowl side member disposed above the outer side of the front side member or above the inner side of the vehicle, with a rear portion extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and a front portion extending and curving from the rear portion toward the front side member, wherein the cowl side member has a bottom facing downwardly of the vehicle and a side wall portion bending upward from the vehicle width edge of the bottom, and the side wall portion has a side wall rear portion formed at the rear of the cowl side member, a side wall front portion formed at the front of the cowl side member, and a first bead formed in a state in which a predetermined vertical range of the side wall front portion bulges toward the front side member or the opposite side. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front structure that is capable of shortening the front-to-rear dimension of a cowl side member and suppressing the transmission of load to the rear of the cowl side member. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1(b) as viewed from a different direction. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the cowl side member of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cowl side member taken along line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a view showing the cowl side member in FIG. 2(b) as viewed from the front of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cowl side outer in FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a bottom view of the cowl side outer shown in FIG. 6. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of each bead in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a diagram showing each narrowed portion of the cowl side outer in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of the cowl side outer of FIG. 7. [Figure 11] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first bead in FIG. 8(a). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising: a front side member provided at the vehicle width end of a power unit mounting room of the vehicle and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle; and a cowl side member disposed above the outer side of the front side member or above the inner side of the vehicle, with a rear portion extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction while a front portion extends and curves from the rear portion toward the front side member, wherein the cowl side member has a bottom facing downwardly of the vehicle and a side wall portion extending upward from the vehicle width edge of the bottom, and the side wall portion has a rear side wall portion formed at the rear of the cowl side member, a front side wall portion formed at the front of the cowl side member, and a first bead formed in a state in which a predetermined vertical range of the front side wall portion bulges toward the front side member or the opposite side.

[0011] When the cowl side member receives a load from the front, it can absorb the load by inducing deformation in the sidewall front portion. For example, the sidewall front portion extends while being curved with respect to the sidewall rear portion, and the periphery of the first bead in the sidewall front portion is likely to be curved or bent in the bulging direction of the first bead, so that the load is likely to be concentrated in this bent region and the cowl side member can be deformed efficiently. In addition, the cowl side member is bent toward the front side member, so that deformation is likely to be induced in the cowl side member along the buckling of the front side member. As a result, a part of the load transmitted to the sidewall front portion can be released to the front side member side, and even if the load cannot be absorbed as deformation energy due to the buckling of the cowl side member, it is possible to reduce the load transmitted to the rear of the cowl side member.

[0012] In addition, because the cowl side member extends from the rear toward the front and toward the front side member, it is possible to reduce the dimensions in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle while extending the entire length to ensure a deformable area, compared to when the cowl side member simply extends in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0013] The cowl side member may further have a first narrowed portion in which a dimension of a range including the first bead in the side wall front portion and bottom portion is narrowed in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the front portion of the side wall of the cowl side member induces deformation in the first bead and the first narrowing portion, while the portion including the first bead and the first narrowing portion buckles together with the front side member, making it possible to absorb loads during a frontal collision, etc., as deformation energy.

[0015] The bottom portion is curved toward the lower front side member as it moves forward, and the cowl side member may further have a second bead formed in a state in which a range of the bottom portion rearward of the first bead bulges upward or downward over a specified width direction of the vehicle.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the cowl side member is easily deformed to follow the lower front side member starting from the second bead extending in the vehicle width direction at its bottom, and can efficiently absorb loads. Also, because the cowl side member extends from the rear toward the front lower front side member, it is possible to reduce the dimensions in the vehicle fore-aft direction while securing a deformable area by extending the entire length, compared to a case where the cowl side member simply extends in the fore-aft direction.

[0017] The second bead may be formed so as to extend continuously upward from the bottom portion onto the side wall portion.

[0018] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cowl side member becomes more easily deformed starting from the second bead extending to the side wall portion, and can efficiently absorb the load during a frontal collision, etc. In particular, since the second bead is provided continuously from the bottom portion to the side wall portion, the cowl side member can smoothly deform to follow the front side member.

[0019] The cowl side member may further include a third bead formed in a state in which a range of a bottom part rearward of the second bead and extending across a predetermined width in the vehicle width direction is bulged upward or downward.

[0020] According to the above configuration, the cowl side member becomes more easily deformed starting from the third bead, and is able to absorb a load.

[0021] The third bead may be formed so as to extend continuously upward from the bottom portion onto the side wall portion.

[0022] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the cowl side member becomes more easily deformable starting from the third bead extending to the side wall portion, and can efficiently absorb the load during a frontal collision, etc. In particular, since the third bead is provided continuously from the bottom portion to the side wall portion, the cowl side member can smoothly deform to follow the front side member.

[0023] The cowl side member may further have a second narrowed portion in which a dimension of a range including the second bead and the third bead in the bottom portion and the side wall portion is narrowed in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] The second narrowed portion makes it easier for loads to concentrate during a frontal collision, etc., and makes it possible to efficiently absorb the load as deformation energy, such as by inducing deformation in the second and third beads during a frontal collision, causing them to buckle together with the front side member.

[0025] A distance between the first bead and the second bead in the vehicle front-rear direction may be greater than a distance between the second bead and the third bead.

[0026] According to the above configuration, the cowl side member can absorb a load by deforming in two stages on the front and rear sides of the second bead. In particular, the area between the first bead and the front side of the second bead is secured to be wider than the area between the second bead and the third bead, so that when the cowl side member deforms toward the front side member, the frontal projection area of ​​the area between the first bead and the second bead is increased to easily receive a load from the front, and the load is released to the front side member while being gathered near the second bead and the third bead, where it is deformed and absorbed.

[0027] The cowl side member may further have a top surface portion extending from an upper end of the side wall portion above the bottom portion, and the first bead may be formed so as to extend continuously from the side wall portion to the top surface portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] The above-mentioned cowl side member includes a cowl side outer having a bottom and a side wall, and a cowl side inner connected rearward of a first bead of the cowl side outer to form a closed cross section between the bottom and the side wall of the cowl side outer, and the cowl side outer further has a flange bent from a range of an upper end of the side wall portion spanning the fore-and-aft direction of the first bead to the opposite side to the cowl side inner, and the flange may have a notch portion cut out in the vicinity of an extension of the first bead.

[0029] According to the above-mentioned configuration, by forming a closed cross section at the rear side of the cowl side member to increase rigidity, it is possible to protect a structure such as a suspension tower located on the vehicle interior side at the rear of the cowl side member. Also, by forming a notch in the vicinity of the longitudinal extension of the first bead in the flange, it is possible to fully absorb deformation originating from the first bead and the associated load. EXAMPLES

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1(a) is a diagram showing a vehicle to which the vehicle front structure 100 is applied, as seen from the right side of the vehicle. Hereinafter, in Fig. 1 and all other drawings of the present application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0032] The vehicle front structure 100 is configured mainly around a front side member 110, and is capable of efficiently absorbing a load from the front that may occur in a frontal collision. Specifically, when a load is applied to the vehicle from the front, the front side member 110 is caused to buckle, making it possible to absorb the load as deformation energy of the front side member 110. In addition, the load is transmitted to the cowl side member 102 disposed around the front side member 110, causing it to buckle, making it possible to absorb a portion of the load as deformation energy.

[0033] The front pillar 106 is a panel member located behind the cowl side member 102. It has been known that if the load transmitted to the cowl side member 102 cannot be sufficiently absorbed, the load concentrates at, for example, the joint between the upper end of the front pillar 106 and the roof side member 108 or the joint between the front pillar 106 and the side sill 104, making these areas susceptible to damage. In this embodiment, the load is efficiently absorbed by utilizing the buckling of the cowl side member 102 while preventing such a load from the front from being transmitted rearward from the cowl side member 102, thereby making it possible to prevent unexpected damage.

[0034] Fig. 1(b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(a). The front pillar outer 106a is a panel member constituting the outer side of the front pillar 106 of the vehicle. The front side member 110 is a member constituting the body frame at the front of the vehicle, and is a member long in the front-rear direction provided at both ends in the vehicle width direction below the power unit mounting room at the front of the vehicle, and extends forward from the inner side of the vehicle beyond the front pillar 106. The cowl side member 102 is disposed above a wheel apron 112 for the front wheels, and is connected to the front pillar 106 above the front side member 110, and extends therefrom while curving forward and downward.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a view of the vehicle front structure 100 of Fig. 1(b) seen from a different direction. Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the vehicle interior side of the vehicle front structure 100 of Fig. 1(b). The cowl side member 102 is disposed above the front side member 110 on the vehicle exterior side. A suspension tower 114 for the front wheels is provided on the vehicle interior side of the cowl side member 102.

[0036] Fig. 2(b) is a top view of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(b). The cowl side member 102 extends forward and inward from the front pillar 106, and is connected to the front side member 110 via a front mount bracket 116a. The rear mount bracket 116b mainly connects a suspension front panel 117 in front of the suspension tower 114 to the front side member 110.

[0037] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the cowl side member 102 in Fig. 2(b). Fig. 3(a) shows the cowl side member 102 in Fig. 2(b) alone. The cowl side member 102 is a long member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a front side curved toward the vehicle interior, and is configured to include a cowl side outer 102a on the vehicle exterior and a cowl side inner 102b on the vehicle interior.

[0038] Fig. 3(b) is a view in which the cowl side member 102 in Fig. 3(a) is separated. The cowl side inner 102b is connected to a portion of the cowl side outer 102a that is rearward of a first bead 126 (see Fig. 6) described later.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Fig. 2(b) of the cowl side member 102. In the cowl side member 102, a closed cross section S1 is formed between a cowl side outer 102a and a cowl side inner 102b on the vehicle outer side of a suspension tower 114 (see Fig. 2(b)).

[0040] The cowl side outer 102a has a side wall portion 118 extending in the vertical direction, an upper flange 120 bending and extending from the upper end of the side wall portion 118 toward the outside of the vehicle, a bottom portion 122 bending and extending from the lower end of the side wall portion 118 toward the inside of the vehicle so as to face the bottom of the vehicle, and a lower flange 124 bending and extending downward from the inside end of the bottom portion 122. The cowl side inner 102b is connected to the upper flange 120 and lower flange 124 of the cowl side outer 102a, and forms a closed cross section S1 between the side wall portion 118 and the bottom portion 122.

[0041] The closed cross section S1 of the cowl side member 102 is formed on the vehicle outer side of the suspension tower 114 (see FIG. 2(b)). In this way, by forming the closed cross section S1 on the rear side of the cowl side member 102 and increasing its rigidity, structures such as the suspension tower 114 present on the vehicle inner side at the rear of the cowl side member 102 can be protected, and the suspension tower 114 can be prevented from approaching the passenger compartment at the rear in the event of a frontal collision, for example.

[0042] 1(b), a fourth bead 136 and a fifth bead 138 are provided on the side wall portion 118 of the cowl side outer 102a as beads formed rearward of a first bead 126, which will be described later. The fourth bead 136 and the fifth bead 138 are formed such that a long range of the side wall portion 118 in the vehicle front-rear direction bulges outward toward the vehicle exterior.

[0043] The fourth bead 136 and the fifth bead 138 also increase the rigidity of the cowl side outer 102a on the vehicle outer side of the suspension tower 114, suppressing deformation of the cowl side member 102 in the vicinity of the suspension tower 114. For example, in Fig. 2(b), the fourth bead 136 (see Fig. 1(b)) is provided on the vehicle outer side of the suspension shaft 115 of the suspension tower 114, that is, at a position overlapping with the suspension shaft 115 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a view showing the cowl side member 102 of FIG. 2(b) as seen from the front of the vehicle. In FIG. 5, the suspension tower 114 (see FIG. 2(b)) is omitted. The front pillar 106 is configured to include a front pillar outer 106a on the vehicle exterior side and a front pillar inner 106b on the vehicle interior side. The cowl side member 102 extends forward from the front pillar 106 and further extends curved toward the front side member 110 in the vehicle width direction, i.e., toward the vehicle interior side. The cowl side member 102 is connected to the front side member 110 from above, and also plays a role in suppressing upward deformation of the front side member 110 in the event of a frontal collision, and in controlling the direction of deformation of the front side member 110.

[0045] Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the cowl side outer 102a in Fig. 3(b). The bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a extends from the front pillar 106 (see Fig. 5) to the front side member 110. The cowl side outer 102a has a rear portion 103 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a front portion 105 that extends from the rear portion 103 toward the front side member 110 (see Fig. 2(b) etc.), i.e., curved toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0046] The bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a curves downward toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 1(b)) as it moves forward. The side wall portion 118 is formed by bending upward from the edge of the bottom portion 122 opposite the front side member 110, i.e., the edge on the outer side of the vehicle.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a view showing the cowl side outer 102a of Fig. 6 from below. The cowl side outer 102a has a shape in which the front side is bent toward the vehicle interior toward the front side member 110 (see Fig. 5). Due to this shape, the side wall portion 118 can be divided into a side wall rear portion 118a formed at the rear portion 103 of the cowl side outer 102a and a side wall front portion 118b formed at the front portion 105. The side wall rear portion 118a is a portion that extends forward from the front pillar 106 (see Fig. 5). The side wall front portion 118b is a portion that extends from the front end of the side wall rear portion 118a toward the front side member 110 while bending.

[0048] In this embodiment, in order to induce deformation in the cowl side outer 102a and absorb the load when an impact such as a frontal collision occurs, a plurality of beads such as the first bead 126 are provided as deformation inducing portions. The first bead 126 is formed in such a manner that a portion on the rear end side of the side wall front portion 118b bulges toward the vehicle interior, i.e., toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 2(b), etc.).

[0049] The second bead 128 is formed in a state in which a range in the vehicle width direction of the bottom portion 122 rearward of the first bead 126 bulges upward. The third bead 130 is formed in a state in which a range in the vehicle width direction of the bottom portion 122 rearward of the second bead 128 bulges upward. The second bead 128 and the third bead 130 are provided forward of the suspension shaft 115 illustrated in FIG. 2(b).

[0050] Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective view of each bead in Figure 7. Figure 8(a) is an enlarged perspective view of the first bead 126 in Figure 7. The first bead 126 extends in the up-down direction in the side wall front portion 118b.

[0051] The first bead 126 is formed by causing the side wall front portion 118b to bulge toward the vehicle interior, and the lower end of the first bead 126 is recessed toward the vehicle interior at an outer angle 132 formed by the side wall front portion 118b and the bottom portion 122. With this configuration, the side wall front portion 118b and the bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a become more likely to deform starting from the first bead 126 when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, and the load can be absorbed favorably.

[0052] As described above, when the cowl side outer 102a receives a load from the front, it induces deformation in the side wall front portion 118b to absorb the load. In particular, the side wall front portion 118b extends while bending toward the vehicle interior side, i.e., toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5, etc.), relative to the side wall rear portion 118a, and the periphery of the first bead 126 of the side wall front portion 118b is likely to curve or bend in the bulging direction of the first bead 126, so that the load tends to concentrate in this bending region, enabling efficient deformation.

[0053] In addition, because cowl side outer 102a is bent toward front side member 110, deformation of cowl side member 102 is easily induced along with the buckling of front side member 110. As a result, a part of the load transmitted to side wall front portion 118b can be released toward front side member 110, and even if the load cannot be completely absorbed as deformation energy due to buckling of cowl side member 102, the load transmitted to the rear of cowl side member 102 can be reduced.

[0054] In this way, the cowl side outer 102a can transmit the load transmitted to the side wall front portion 118b to the front side member 110. Therefore, the cowl side outer 102a can promote buckling of the front side member 110, for example, and suppress the transmission of the load to rear members such as the front pillar 106 (see FIG. 1(b)). Furthermore, since the cowl side outer 102a can deform in accordance with the buckling of the front side member 110, it is also possible to stabilize the buckling behavior of the front side member 110.

[0055] 1(b) again. The front side member 110 has a front horizontal portion 110a disposed in the front of the vehicle, an inclined portion 110b inclined downward to the rear from the rear end of the front horizontal portion 110a, and a rear horizontal portion 110c extending from the inclined portion 110b to the rear of the vehicle. In addition, a front bent portion 111a is formed between the front horizontal portion 110a and the inclined portion 110b, and a rear bent portion 111b is formed between the inclined portion 110b and the rear horizontal portion 110c.

[0056] The front side member 110 can absorb the impact during a front collision as deformation energy of the front bent portion 111a and the rear bent portion 111b. At this time, the first bead 126 of the cowl side member 102 is disposed around the front bent portion 111a of the front side member 110.

[0057] When the front side member 110 configured as described above receives a load from the front, the front bent portion 111a and the rear bent portion 111b are deformed so as to bend further, and the front horizontal portion 110a moves rearward. The cowl side member 102, which is located above the front side member 110 on the outer side of the vehicle, is capable of deforming toward the front side member 110 on the inner side of the vehicle, downward, around the first bead 126.

[0058] Furthermore, the front portion 105 of the cowl side member 102 has a vertical dimension that gradually decreases toward the front, making it easier to bend. Also, the vertical dimension is narrowed around the first bead 126. Furthermore, the upper surface (upper surface of the cowl side inner 102b in FIG. 2(a)) and lower surface (bottom surface 122 of the cowl side outer in FIG. 7) of the cowl side member 102 are formed in a substantially arc shape (including an ellipse), which prevents the impact of a frontal collision from concentrating locally on parts of the upper and lower surfaces and causing buckling.

[0059] In this way, the cowl side member 102 of the present embodiment is easily deformed in response to the buckling of the front side member 110, making it possible to release the load transmitted to the cowl side member 102 to the front side member 110 side and to stabilize the buckling behavior of the front side member 110.

[0060] 5, the cowl side outer 102a extends forward and inward from the rear front pillar outer 106a. Therefore, the cowl side member 102 can be shortened in the vehicle longitudinal direction while securing a deformable region by extending the overall length, compared to a case in which the cowl side member 102 extends only in the longitudinal direction.

[0061] 8(a) is formed by bending from a range of the upper end of the side wall portion 118 across the first bead 126 in the fore-and-aft direction toward the opposite side to the cowl side inner 102b (see FIG. 4), i.e., toward the vehicle exterior. Then, the upper flange 120 is formed with a first notch 134 and a second notch 140 in the vicinity of the front and rear of the first bead 126 on an extension in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0062] The first cutout portion 134 is formed by cutting out a rear range of the upper flange 120 along an extension of the first bead 126. The second cutout portion 140 is formed by cutting out a front range of the upper flange 120 along an extension of the first bead 126. By providing the first cutout portion 134 and the second cutout portion 140, the cowl side outer 102a reduces the rigidity of the upper flange 120 around the first bead 126, and can fully absorb deformation originating from the first bead 126 and the associated load.

[0063] The first bead 126, the first cutout portion 134, and the second cutout portion 140 are provided to be located in a range E1 between the rear end of the upper surface of the front mount bracket 116a and the front end of the upper surface of the rear mount bracket 116b in the vehicle front-rear direction in Fig. 2(b). By providing them within this range E1, the cowl side outer 102a is able to deform appropriately following the front side member 110 while being connected to the front side member 110 by the mount brackets 116a, 116b.

[0064] 8(b) is an enlarged perspective view of the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 in FIG. 7. The second bead 128 is formed so as to extend upward from the bottom portion 122 to the side wall portion 118. In particular, the second bead 128 is in a state in which the bottom portion 122 bulges upward and the side wall portion 118 bulges toward the vehicle interior side, i.e., toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5, etc.). The second bead 128 causes an outer angle 132 between the side wall portion 118 and the bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a to be recessed.

[0065] The third bead 130 is also formed so as to extend upward continuously from the bottom portion 122 to the side wall portion 118. In particular, the third bead 130 is in a state in which the bottom portion 122 bulges upward and the side wall portion 118 bulges toward the vehicle interior side, i.e., toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5, etc.). The third bead 130 also causes the outer angle 132 between the side wall portion 118 and the bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a to be recessed.

[0066] According to the above configuration, the cowl side outer 102a can efficiently absorb loads by deforming the bottom 122 and the side wall 118 starting from the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 of the above configuration. In particular, the cowl side member 102 has the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 formed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction at the bottom 122, and is provided so as to extend upwardly from there to the side wall 118, so that it can efficiently deform in accordance with the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5, etc.).

[0067] Also, the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 are formed from the bottom portion 122 to the side wall portion 118, and therefore have a slightly higher rigidity than the first bead 126 (see FIG. 8(a)), which is formed only on the side wall portion 118. This configuration makes it possible for the cowl side outer 102a to deform preferentially from the front first bead 126, thereby suppressing unexpected behavior during deformation.

[0068] 7, a distance L1 between the first bead 126 and the second bead 128 in the vehicle front-rear direction is set to be larger than a distance L2 between the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 (L1>L2). According to this configuration, the cowl side outer 102a becomes able to absorb a load by deforming in two stages on the front and rear sides of the second bead 128.

[0069] The area from the second bead 128 to the first bead 126 includes a front portion 105 of the cowl side outer 102a, including the side wall front portion 118b. This front portion 105 is bent toward the vehicle interior as shown in Fig. 5, and therefore has a larger frontal projection area, which is the area when viewed from the front of the vehicle, than the rear portion 103, which extends in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0070] As described above, the range (distance L1) between the first bead 126 on the front side of the second bead 128 of the cowl side outer 102a is not only wider in the front-rear direction than the range (distance L2) between the second bead 128 and the third bead, but also has a larger frontal projection area. Therefore, the range between the first bead 126 and the second bead 128 is more likely to receive a load from the front when the cowl side member 102 deforms toward the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5) because the frontal projection area is increased. With this configuration, the cowl side outer 102a is able to release the received load to the front side member 110 while also collecting the load near the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 and deforming to absorb it.

[0071] 9 is a diagram showing each narrowed portion (first narrowed portion 142, second narrowed portion 144) of the cowl side outer 102a in FIG. 7. In the cowl side outer 102a, the first narrowed portion 142 is formed as a deformation inducing portion on the front side of the first bead. The first narrowed portion 142 is a portion in which a dimension of a predetermined range including the first bead 126 of the side wall front portion 118b and the bottom portion 122 is narrowed in the vehicle width direction. The first bead 126 is formed on the vehicle rear side of the first narrowed portion 142.

[0072] With the above-described configuration, the side wall front portion 118b of the cowl side outer 102a induces deformation near the first bead 126 and the first narrowing portion 142, while causing the portion including the first bead 126 and the first narrowing portion 142 to buckle together with the front side member 110 (see FIG. 1(b), etc.), thereby absorbing loads during a frontal collision, etc., as deformation energy.

[0073] The cowl side outer 102a further includes a second narrowed portion 144 as a deformation inducing portion, which is formed by narrowing the dimension of the range of the bottom portion 122 and the side wall portion 118 including the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 in the vehicle width direction.

[0074] The portion where the second narrowing portion 144 is provided is more likely to collect load during a frontal collision, etc., and this induces deformation in the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 during a frontal collision, etc., causing them to buckle together with the front side member 110 (see Figure 1(b), etc.), making it possible to efficiently absorb the load as deformation energy.

[0075] As described above, in the vehicle front structure 100, the cowl side members 102 (see FIG. 3), and in particular the cowl side outers 102a, are used to suitably absorb loads from the front during a frontal collision, etc. In particular, the cowl side outers 102a are curved toward the front side members 110 to reduce the dimension in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle, making it applicable to vehicles with short fore-aft dimensions at the front of the vehicle.

[0076] In the vehicle front structure 100, as another example of the first bead 126 in Figure 8 (a), the first bead 126 can also be formed in a state in which the side wall portion 118 bulges outward from the vehicle, i.e., on the opposite side from the front side member 110 (see Figure 5, etc.).

[0077] As another example of the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 in FIG. 8(b), the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 may be formed in such a manner that the bottom 122 bulges downward and the side wall 118 bulges toward the vehicle exterior, i.e., toward the opposite side of the front side member 110 (see FIG. 5, etc.). For example, one of the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 may be formed in such a manner that the bottom 122 bulges upward and the other bulges downward. In addition, the second bead 128 and the third bead 130 may not only be formed continuously from the bottom 122 to the side wall 118, but may also be provided as an intermittent bead that is once interrupted near the outer corner 132, for example. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a further bead behind the third bead 130, in which the bottom surface 122 bulges upward or downward.

[0078] Furthermore, as another example of the cowl side member 102 (see FIG. 5) of the vehicle front structure 100, for example, the cowl side member can be realized as a configuration located above the vehicle interior side with respect to the front side member 110 and curved from the rear to the front and exterior of the vehicle. In that case, the cowl side member can be realized as a configuration symmetrical to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, with the side wall portion 118 bent upward from the edge of the bottom portion 122 on the vehicle interior side.

[0079] 9, the first bead 126 and the first narrowed portion 142 are arranged to overlap as the deformation inducing portion, but the first bead 126 and the first narrowed portion 142 may be arranged without overlapping each other, and it is also possible to provide only one of the first bead 126 or the first narrowed portion 142. In either case where the first bead 126 and the first narrowed portion 142 are provided apart from each other or where only the first bead 126 or the first narrowed portion 142 is provided, by inducing deformation in the first bead 126 or the first narrowed portion 142, it is possible to absorb the load received by the cowl side member 102 and reduce the transmission of the load to the member behind the cowl side member 102.

[0080] The second bead 128, the third bead 130 and the second narrowed portion 144 provided as the deformation inducing portion can also be arranged without overlapping each other, and it is also possible to provide only the second bead 128 and the third bead 130, or only the second narrowed portion 144. In any case where the second bead 128, the third bead 130 and the second narrowed portion 144 are provided apart from each other, or where only one of the second bead 128, the third bead 130 and the second narrowed portion 144 is provided, by inducing deformation in the second bead 128, the third bead 130 and the second narrowed portion 144, it is possible to absorb the load received by the cowl side member 102 and reduce the transmission of the load to the member behind the cowl side member 102.

[0081] (Modification) Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example (cowl side outer 200) of the cowl side outer 102a of Fig. 7. In Fig. 9 and subsequent figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those already described in the above embodiment, and the description of the already mentioned components will be omitted. In the following description, components with the same names as those already described will have the same functions unless otherwise specified, even if they are given different reference numerals.

[0082] The cowl side outer 200 is formed by joining a plurality of members. For example, the cowl side outer 200 is configured to include a front part 206 that configures a front portion 202 of the cowl side outer 200, and a rear part 208 that configures a rear portion 204.

[0083] Fig. 10(b) is a diagram in which the cowl side outer 200 in Fig. 10(a) is divided into a front part 206 and a rear part 208. By dividing the cowl side outer 200 into the front part 206 and the rear part 208 at the periphery of the part with the greatest degree of curvature, it becomes easier to mold the cowl side outer 200 as a whole.

[0084] 10(a), in this modification, the front side of the first bead 126 is divided into a front part 206 and a rear part 208, and these parts are joined at a joint portion 210 where they overlap. In order to increase the connection rigidity between the front part 206 and the rear part 208, the joint portion 210 is joined by welding or the like across the flange 120, the side wall front portion 118b, and the bottom portion 122.

[0085] Bolt holes 212 into which a bolt can be fastened are provided within the range of the joint portion 210. As shown in Fig. 10(b) , a bolt hole 212a is provided in the rear component 208, and a bolt hole 212b is provided in the front component 206. By overlapping the bolt holes 212a and 212b and fastening them with a bolt, the joint portion 210 can fix the front component 206 and the rear component 208 together, thereby increasing the connection rigidity.

[0086] Since the joint portion 210 has an increased rigidity, it makes it difficult for the surrounding area to deform during a frontal collision, and this may hinder buckling of the cowl side outer 200 in accordance with the front side member 110 (see FIG. 1(b) and the like). For this reason, in this modified example, a first bead 126 is formed adjacent to the rear side of the connection portion 210, and adjustments are made so that buckling in accordance with the front side member 110 occurs sufficiently.

[0087] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example (first bead 228) of the first bead 126 in Fig. 8(a). The first bead 228 is different in configuration from the first bead 126 in Fig. 8(a) in that the first bead 228 is provided on the cowl side inner 222 of the cowl side member 220.

[0088] The cowl side inner 222 has a side wall portion 224 extending in the vertical direction, and a top surface portion 226 bending and extending from the upper end of the side wall portion 224 upwardly toward the bottom portion 122. The side wall portion 224 can be imagined as a side wall front portion of the cowl side inner 222 that is bent toward the vehicle interior, similar to the side wall front portion 118b of the cowl side outer 102a.

[0089] The first bead 228 is formed by causing the side wall portion 224 and the top surface portion 226 of the cowl side inner 222 to bulge inwardly of the closed cross section S1 of the cowl side member 220. In detail, the first bead 228 is composed of a side bead portion 228a provided to extend in the vertical direction on the side wall portion 224, and an upper bead 228b provided to continue from the side bead 228a and extend in the vehicle width direction on the top surface portion 226.

[0090] The first bead 228 configured as described above also makes it possible to deform the cowl side member 220 to conform to the front side member 110 (Figure 1(b), etc.), thereby dissipating the load toward the front side member 110, and protecting the members located behind the cowl side member 220.

[0091] The first bead 228 of the cowl side inner 222 can also be provided together with the first bead 126 of the cowl side outer 102a (see FIG. 7). By providing the first beads 126, 228 at the front portions of the side walls of the cowl side outer 102a and the cowl side inner 222, respectively, the cowl side member 220 can be made more easily deformed.

[0092] As a further modified example of the first bead 126, the first bead can be provided on the bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a (see Figs. 4 and 11) so as to extend in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the first bead on the bottom portion 122 may be provided continuous with either or both of the first beads on the side wall portions 118, 224. The first bead can also be provided on each of the bottom portion 122 of the cowl side outer 102a and the top surface portion 226 of the cowl side inner 222 so as to extend in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] As described above, the first bead may be provided on one of the four surfaces of the sidewalls, bottom and top surface on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the cowl side member 102, 220 (see Figs. 4, 11, etc.), or it can be provided continuously or discontinuously on multiple surfaces or all surfaces. In any configuration, the first bead makes the cowl side member 102, 220 more easily deformable when a load is applied from the front, absorbs the load, and reduces the transmission of the load to members behind the cowl side member 102, 220.

[0094] The second bead 128 (see FIG. 8(b)) may also be provided on one of the four surfaces of the cowl side members 102, 220 (see FIGS. 4, 11, etc.), or may be provided continuously or discontinuously on multiple surfaces or all surfaces. Similarly, the third bead 130 (see FIG. 8(b)) may also be provided on one of the four surfaces of the cowl side members 102, 220 (see FIGS. 4, 11, etc.), or may be provided continuously or discontinuously on multiple surfaces or all surfaces. In any example, the cowl side members 102, 220 can be deformed further from the second and third beads as starting points, and the load can be absorbed efficiently.

[0095] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0096] For example, in each of the above embodiments, a plurality of beads such as first bead 126, second bead 128, and third bead 130 are provided as deformation inducing portions that induce deformation of cowl side member 102, but instead of each bead, it is also possible to provide a weakened portion such as a notch or a thin-walled portion with a thin plate thickness in a predetermined vertical range of side wall portion 118 as a similar deformation inducing portion. Even with these configurations, when an impact is transmitted to cowl side member 102 during a frontal collision, deformation of cowl side member 102 toward front side member 110 can be induced, and the load can be released toward front side member 110. [Industrial Applicability]

[0097] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] E1...range between mounting brackets, S1...closed cross section, L1, L2...distance, 100...vehicle front structure, 102...cowl side member, 102a...cowl side outer, 102b...cowl side inner, 103...rear, 104...side sill, 105...front, 106...front pillar, 106a...front pillar outer, 106b...front pillar inner, 108...roof side member, 110...front side member, 110a...horizontal portion, 110b...inclined portion, 110c...rear horizontal portion, 111a...front bent portion, 111b...rear bent portion, 112...wheel apron, 114...suspension tower, 115...suspension shaft, 116a, 116b...mount bracket, 11 8...side wall portion, 118a...side wall rear portion, 118b...side wall front portion, 120...upper flange, 122...bottom portion, 124...lower flange, 126...first bead, 128...second bead, 130...third bead, 132...outer corner, 134...first notch portion, 136...fourth bead, 138...fifth bead, 140...second notch portion, 142...first narrowed portion, 144...first narrowed portion part, 200... cowl side outer, 204... rear part, 202... front part, 206... front part, 208... rear part, 210... joint part, 212, 212a, 212b... bolt holes, 220... cowl side member, 222... cowl side inner, 224... side wall part, 226... top surface part, 228... first bead, 228a... side bead, 228b... upper bead

Claims

1. A front side member provided at an end side in a vehicle width direction of a power unit mounting room of the vehicle and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cowl side member disposed above the front side member on an outer side of the vehicle or above the front side member on an inner side of the vehicle, the rear portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and the front portion extending and curving from the rear toward the front side member, The cowl side member is A bottom portion facing downward of the vehicle; A side wall portion extending upward from an edge of the bottom portion in a vehicle width direction; One or more deformation inducing portions provided on the bottom or the side wall portion, The one or more deformation inducing parts are a narrowed portion in which the dimensions of the side wall portion and the bottom portion are narrowed in a vehicle width direction; A vehicle front structure comprising: a bead portion formed by bulging a predetermined vertical range of the side wall portion toward the front side member or the opposite side, or a weak portion by weakening said range.

2. 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the bead portion or the weakened portion is formed within the range of the narrowed portion in the side wall portion.

3. The front side member is A front horizontal portion disposed at the front of the vehicle; an inclined portion inclined downward to the rear from a rear end of the front horizontal portion; a front bent portion formed between the front horizontal portion and the inclined portion, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more deformation inducing portions is formed in a position of the cowl side member that overlaps with the front bent portion of the front side member in the vehicle width direction.

4. 4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, wherein the narrowed portion is formed in the cowl side member at a position that overlaps with the front bent portion of the front side member in the vehicle width direction.

5. 4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, wherein the bead portion or the weak portion is formed in the cowl side member at a position that overlaps with the front bent portion of the front side member in the vehicle width direction.

6. At least one of the one or more deformation inducing portions is formed in the front portion of the cowl side member, 6. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the front portion has a vertical dimension that gradually decreases forward.

7. The cowl side member is A front part constituting the front portion; A rear part constituting the rear portion; a joint portion where the front part and the rear part overlap each other, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the bead portion or the weak portion is formed adjacent to a rear side of the joint portion.

8. 8. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the cowl side member has a narrower dimension in the up-down direction around the bead portion or the weak portion.

9. A front side member provided at an end side in a vehicle width direction of a power unit mounting room of the vehicle and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cowl side member disposed above the front side member on an outer side of the vehicle or above the front side member on an inner side of the vehicle, the rear portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and the front portion extending and curving from the rear toward the front side member, The cowl side member is A bottom portion facing downward of the vehicle; A side wall portion extending upward from an edge of the bottom portion in a vehicle width direction; One or more deformation inducing portions provided on the bottom or the side wall portion; A front part constituting the front portion; A rear part constituting the rear portion; a joint portion where the front part and the rear part overlap each other, A vehicle front structure, characterized in that at least one of the one or more deformation inducing portions is formed adjacent to a rear side of the joint portion.

10. 10. The vehicle front structure according to claim 7, wherein the joint portion is formed by welding and fastening bolts between the front component and the rear component.

11. A front side member provided at an end side in a vehicle width direction of a power unit mounting room of the vehicle and extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; a cowl side member disposed above the front side member on an outer side of the vehicle or above the front side member on an inner side of the vehicle, the rear portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and the front portion extending and curving from the rear toward the front side member, The cowl side member is A bottom portion facing downward of the vehicle; A side wall portion extending upward from an edge of the bottom portion in a vehicle width direction; One or more deformation inducing portions provided on the bottom or the side wall portion, The front side member is A front horizontal portion disposed at the front of the vehicle; an inclined portion inclined downward to the rear from a rear end of the front horizontal portion; a front bent portion formed between the front horizontal portion and the inclined portion, A vehicle front structure, characterized in that at least one of the one or more deformation inducing portions is formed in a position of the cowl side member that overlaps with the front bent portion of the front side member in the vehicle width direction.

12. The vehicle front structure according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the one or more deformation-inducing portions include one or more bead portions formed in a state in which a predetermined vertical range of the side wall portion is bulged toward the front side member or the opposite side, or one or more weak portions that weaken the range.

13. 13. The vehicle front structure according to claim 12, wherein the cowl side member has a narrower dimension in the up-down direction around the bead portion or the weakened portion.

Images