Suspension structure for lower part of vehicle

The suspension structure for battery-powered electric vehicles addresses the risk of rear load-induced electrical issues by using a rear guard structure that releases under pressure and a deformable front structure, effectively reducing load influence and preventing electrical faults.

JP2025038867APending Publication Date: 2025-03-19HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024117238
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-09-07
Filing Date
2024-07-22
Publication Date
2025-03-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

When a large load is applied to a battery-powered electric vehicle from the rear, such as during a collision, the rear subframe can push forward and contact the relay connector, leading to potential ground faults and short circuits due to high voltage exposure.

Method used

A suspension structure is designed with a rear structure that guards the suspended object from the rear and releases from the lower part of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied, while a front structure partially deforms and releases the suspended object to the front when the rear structure is released, preventing direct contact and energy absorption.

Benefits of technology

This configuration effectively reduces the influence of rear loads on the suspension material, preventing direct contact and potential electrical issues like ground faults and short circuits, ensuring the reliability and safety of the vehicle's electrical components.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a suspension structure which even if a load from a rear side is applied to a vehicle, can reduce influence of a load on an object to be suspended, without making a structure at a rear part of the vehicle directly contact the object to be suspended.SOLUTION: A suspension structure (1), which suspends an object (100) to be suspended onto a lower part of a vehicle, comprises a front-side structure (10), connected to the lower part of the vehicle, which is connected to a front side of the vehicle of the object (100) to be suspended, and a rear-side structure (20), connected to the lower part of the vehicle, which is connected to a rear side of the vehicle of the object (100) to be suspended. The rear-side structure (20) is configured to guard the object (100) to be suspended from the rear side of the vehicle and to separate from the lower part of the vehicle when predetermined pressing force is applied thereto from the rear side of the vehicle. When the rear-side structure (20) separates from the lower part of the vehicle, at least a portion of the front-side structure (10) deforms to let out the object (100) to be suspended toward the front side of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suspension structure for use under a vehicle, primarily a BEV (battery electric vehicle). [Background technology]

[0002] As the development of vehicle electrification progresses, there is an increasing need to place parts and units required for electrification on the underside of the vehicle (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). In particular, various requirements arise for the layout of the E-Axle (a unit that integrates a motor and a reduction mechanism) on the vehicle and the inverter that controls the motor drive. The E-Axle that drives the rear wheels is required to be placed on the rear subframe at the bottom rear of the vehicle, while the inverter that controls it is sometimes required to be placed at the front of the vehicle. In that case, the harness that connects them must be routed under the vehicle, and for the convenience of assembly, a relay connector is sometimes placed in the middle. The relay connector is placed at the end of the harness and covered with an aluminum casting case. It is then suspended from the vehicle body under the vehicle, in front of the rear subframe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6974512 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2022-081322 [Patent Document 3] Special table 2004-161056 publication [Patent Document 4] JP 2006-44537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a large load is applied from the rear of the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the rear subframe is pushed forward of the vehicle. This may cause the rear subframe to come into contact with the relay connector. If the rear subframe comes into direct contact with the relay connector or if the relay connector absorbs all of the energy of the load, the relay connector, which is subjected to high voltage, may be affected by the load, which may cause a malfunction such as a ground fault or short circuit. For this reason, it is required to prevent the rear subframe from directly transmitting the load from the rear to the relay connector, and to prevent the relay connector from absorbing the load energy as much as possible.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and its object is to provide a suspension structure that can reduce the effect of the load on the suspended object even when a load is applied to the vehicle from behind, without causing a structure at the rear of the vehicle to come into direct contact with the suspended object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the suspension structure of the present invention is a suspension structure (1) that suspends a suspended object (100) from the underside of a vehicle (200), and includes a front structure (10) that is connected to the underside of the vehicle (200) and is connected to the front side of the suspended object (100) and a rear structure (20) that is connected to the underside of the vehicle (200) and is connected to the rear side of the suspended object (100), the rear structure (20) guards the suspended object (100) from the rear of the vehicle and is configured to detach from the underside of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied from the rear of the vehicle, and the front structure (10) is configured such that when the rear structure (20) detaches from the underside of the vehicle, at least a portion of the front structure (10) deforms to allow the suspended object (100) to escape to the front of the vehicle.

[0007] With this configuration, even if a load is applied to the vehicle from behind, the structure at the rear of the vehicle will not come into direct contact with the suspended load, and the effect of the load on the suspended load can be reduced.

[0008] It is preferable that the front structure (10) has a front bracket (11) connected to the lower part of the vehicle (200), and a front stay (12) connected to the front bracket (11) and the suspended object (100) and having easy deformation.

[0009] With this configuration, the deformation function of the front structure can be realized by deformation of at least the front stay.

[0010] It is preferable that the front bracket (11) has a web portion (11a), multiple arm portions (11c) and a flange portion (11b), and is made of a metal plate having an approximately hat shape in a side view of the vehicle, the multiple arm portions (11c) are connected to the vehicle (200), the web portion (11a) is connected to the front stay (12), the front stay (12) has a web portion (12a), a first flange portion (12b) and a second flange portion (12c), and is made of a metal plate having an approximately Z shape in a side view of the vehicle, the first flange portion (12b) is connected to the front bracket (11), and the second flange portion (12c) is connected to the suspended object (100).

[0011] With this configuration, the front bracket is connected to the vehicle with multiple arm portions, so that it can maintain its connection to the vehicle even when a load is applied to the vehicle from behind, etc., and the front stay has an approximately Z-shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, which allows it to easily deform when subjected to force from behind.

[0012] The front stay (12) and the suspended object (100) may be connected by screwing a bolt (BT) into a screw hole (101) provided in the suspended object (100) through a through hole (12e) drilled in the second flange portion (12c) of the front stay (12).

[0013] With this configuration, the front stay and the suspended object can be detachably connected, ensuring ease of assembly and maintenance.

[0014] The front bracket (11) and the front stay (12) may be connected by inserting a weld bolt (WB) joined to the web portion (11a) of the front bracket (11) into a through hole (12d) drilled in the first flange portion (12b) of the front stay (12) and screwing a nut (NT) onto the weld bolt (WB).

[0015] With this configuration, the weld bolt will not fall off the front bracket, making maintenance easier and ensuring a strong connection between the front bracket and the front stay.

[0016] The arm portions (11c) of the front bracket (11) may be connected to the vehicle (200) by welding.

[0017] This configuration allows a strong connection between the front bracket and the vehicle, preventing the suspended structure from falling off when a load is applied to the vehicle.

[0018] In the front stay (12), it is preferable that a connection portion between the front stay (12) and the suspended object (100) and a connection portion between the front stay (12) and the front bracket (11) are offset in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0019] With this configuration, the ease of deformation of the front stay can be further increased.

[0020] The plate thickness of the front stay (12) may be greater than the plate thickness of the front bracket (11).

[0021] This configuration also allows the front bracket to be easily deformed.

[0022] The rear structure (20) has a rear stay (21) connected to the underside of the vehicle (200) and to the suspended object (100), and a rear bracket (22) connected to the rear stay (21) and to the suspended object (100) to guard the suspended object (100) from the rear of the vehicle, and it is preferable that the rear stay (21) is configured to detach from the underside of the vehicle (200) when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the rear bracket (22) from the rear of the vehicle.

[0023] With this configuration, the rear bracket prevents a force from acting directly on the suspended load from behind, and also prevents the rear bracket from being crushed due to the rear stay coming off the lower part of the vehicle.

[0024] The rear stay (21) may be made of a substantially flat metal plate, the front side of the vehicle being connected to the suspended object (100) and the rear side of the vehicle being connected to the vehicle (200), and the rear bracket (22) being connected between the connection part with the suspended object (100) and the connection part with the vehicle (200), the rear bracket (22) being made of a metal plate having a web portion (22a), a first flange portion (22b) and a second flange portion (22c), the first flange portion (22b) being connected to the rear stay (21), the second flange portion (22c) being connected to the suspended object (100), and the web portion (22a) being positioned at a position to shield part or all of the rear of the vehicle with a predetermined gap from the suspended object (100).

[0025] This configuration can provide a guard function for the rear bracket and a connection structure for the rear stay and the rear bracket.

[0026] The rear stay (21) has a slit-shaped cut portion (21a) from the rear of the vehicle (200) at the connection portion with the vehicle (200), and is connected to the vehicle (200) by fastening a bolt (BT) through the slit-shaped cut portion (21a), and the width of the slit-shaped cut portion (21a) may be wider than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt (BT) and narrower than the diameter of the head.

[0027] This configuration enables the rear stay to be released from the lower part of the vehicle.

[0028] The bolt (BT) fastening the rear stay (21) and the vehicle (200) may be only one bolt, and may be configured so that when a predetermined or greater load is applied forward to the rear stay (21), slippage occurs between the bolt fastening the vehicle (200) and the rear stay (21), causing the bolt (BT) to come out of the slit-shaped cut portion (21a) of the rear stay (21).

[0029] These configurations enable the rear stay to be released from the lower part of the vehicle.

[0030] The rear stay (21) and the suspended object (100) may be connected by screwing a bolt (BT) into a screw hole (102) provided in the suspended object (100) through a through hole (21b) drilled in the rear stay (21), and the rear bracket (22) and the suspended object (100) may be connected by screwing a bolt (BT) into a screw hole (103) provided in the suspended object (100) through a through hole (22d) drilled in the second flange (22c).

[0031] With these configurations, the rear stay and the rear bracket can be detachably connected to the suspended object, ensuring ease of assembly and maintenance.

[0032] The rear stay (21) and the rear bracket (22) may be connected by welding.

[0033] With this configuration, the rear bracket and rear stay can be firmly connected, eliminating the need to separate them during maintenance, and when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the rear bracket from the rear of the vehicle, the rear stay can be reliably detached from the lower part of the vehicle together with the rear bracket.

[0034] The plate thickness of the rear stay (21) may be greater than the plate thickness of the rear bracket (22).

[0035] This configuration makes it possible to prevent deformation of the rear stay even when a load is applied to the vehicle, thereby ensuring the ability to separate from the vehicle.

[0036] The suspended object (100) may be a relay connector that relays a harness mounted on a vehicle (200), the suspended object (100) may be a relay connector that relays a harness that is mounted on a vehicle (200) and connects an inverter and a motor of an electric vehicle, and the suspended object (100) may be a relay connector having a cast aluminum alloy case.

[0037] These configurations make it possible to prevent damage to the connector when a load is applied to the vehicle, and to prevent external ground faults and short circuits of current flowing between, for example, the inverter and motor of an electric vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0038] The suspension structure of the present invention is composed of a rear structure that protects the suspended object from the rear of the vehicle and is configured to detach from the underside of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied from the rear of the vehicle, and a front structure that is configured so that when the rear structure detaches from the underside of the vehicle, at least a portion of it deforms to allow the suspended object to escape to the front of the vehicle.Therefore, even if a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear, the structure at the rear of the vehicle will not come into direct contact with the suspended object, and the effect of the load on the suspended object can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0039] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a suspension structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the suspension structure of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the suspension structure of FIG. 1 attached to a vehicle body. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a transition diagram showing the changes that occur when a pushing force is applied from the rear to the suspension structure in FIG. 1. (a) shows the state before the force is applied, (b) shows the state immediately after the force is applied, (c) shows the state immediately before the rear stay 21 detaches from the vehicle body, and (d) shows the state after the rear stay has detached from the vehicle body, causing the front structure to deform and allowing the suspended load to escape. [Diagram 5] 2 is a graph showing changes in force acting on the suspension structure of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a suspension structure 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view thereof. The suspension structure 1 of this embodiment is a structure that suspends a relay connector 100 as a suspended object from the lower part of a vehicle 200 (see Fig. 3), and is composed of a front structure 10 and a rear structure 20.

[0041] The front structure 10 is a structure that connects the lower part of the vehicle 200 and the vehicle front side (hereinafter simply referred to as the “front side”) of the relay connector 100, and in this embodiment is composed of a front bracket 11 and a front stay 12.

[0042] The front bracket 11 is a component connected to the lower part of the vehicle 200. As shown in Fig. 1 or 2, the front bracket 11 is a component formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially hat shape in side view, and is composed of a central web portion 11a, two flange portions 11b bending at substantially right angles and extending in the same direction from both sides of the central web portion 11a, and two arm portions 11c bending at right angles and extending from the tip of each flange portion 11b so as to open out on both sides.

[0043] 3, the two arm portions 11c are each fixed to a lower portion of the vehicle 200. In this embodiment, the two arm portions 11c of the front bracket 11 are connected to the vehicle 200 by welding. This configuration allows the front bracket 11 and the vehicle 200 to be firmly connected, and prevents the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, from falling off when a load is applied to the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the front bracket 11 may be fixed by screwing a bolt into a screw hole provided in the vehicle 200. Furthermore, the number of arm portions 11c is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0044] On the other hand, the web portion 11a is connected to a front stay 12, which will be described later, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a weld bolt WB is inserted into a through hole 11d of the web portion 11a of the front bracket 11 and joined by welding, and a nut NT is screwed into a bolt hole 12d drilled in a first flange portion 12b of the front stay 12 to connect the web portion 11a of the front bracket 11 to the front stay 12, as shown in Figure 2. With this configuration, the weld bolt WB will not fall off from the front bracket 11, facilitating maintenance and firmly connecting the front bracket 11 and the front stay 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the front bracket 11 and the front stay 12 may be fixed together using, for example, normal bolts and nuts.

[0045] The front stay 12 is an easily deformable component that connects the front bracket 11 and the relay connector 100. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front stay 12 is a component formed by bending a metal plate into a substantial Z-shape in side view, and has a central web portion 12a, a first flange portion 12b, and a second flange portion 12c. The first flange portion 12b is connected to the web portion 11a of the front bracket 11, and the second flange portion 12c is connected to the relay connector 100. This configuration having a substantial Z-shape in side view of the vehicle allows the front stay 12 to be easily deformed when subjected to a force from the rear of the vehicle (hereinafter also simply referred to as "rear"). However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the front stay 12 may have any shape as long as it is easily deformable.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second flange portion 12c of the forward stay 12 and the relay connector 100 are connected by screwing a bolt BT into a screw hole 101 provided in the relay connector 100 via a through hole 12e drilled in the second flange portion 12c, as shown in Figure 2. With this configuration, the front stay 12 and the suspended object, the relay connector 100, can be detachably connected, ensuring ease of assembly and maintenance. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the front stay 12 and the suspended object, the relay connector 100, may be connected by any connection structure.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the front stay 12, a joint portion between the relay connector 100 and the front bracket 11 is offset in the lateral direction of the vehicle. With this configuration, when a force is applied from the rear, a moment is applied to the front stay 12, so that the ease of deformation of the front stay 12 can be further improved. Also, when the deformation amount of the front stay 12 increases, the web portion 12a approaches the first flange portion 12b, but by offsetting the joint in the left-right direction of the vehicle, the crushed web portion 12a can approach the first flange portion 12b without interfering with the weld bolt WB and the nut NT, so that the amount of deformation movement and the amount of absorbed energy can be increased. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and as long as the ease of deformation of the front stay 12 or the front bracket is sufficient, the joint portion with the relay connector 100 and the joint portion with the front bracket 11 do not need to be offset.

[0048] Also, the plate thickness of the front stay 12 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness of the front bracket 11. In other words, the plate thickness of the front bracket 11 is formed to be thinner than the plate thickness of the front stay 12. This configuration also makes it possible to realize easy deformation of the front bracket 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the plate thickness of the front stay 12 may be the same as or thinner than the plate thickness of the front bracket 11 as long as the easy deformation of the front stay 12 or the front bracket is sufficient.

[0049] On the other hand, the rear structure 20 is a structure that guards the suspended load from the rear of the vehicle and is configured to detach from the underside of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied from the rear of the vehicle. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear structure 20 includes a rear stay 21 and a rear bracket 22.

[0050] The rear stay 21 is a component connected to the underside of the vehicle 200 and to the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object. It is made of a substantially flat metal plate, and is connected to the relay connector 100 at the front side of the vehicle and to the vehicle 200 at the rear side of the vehicle. The rear stay 21 is connected to the rear bracket 22 between the connection point with the relay connector 100 and the connection point with the vehicle 200.

[0051] 1 and 2, the rear stay 21 has a slit-shaped cutout 21a from the rear of the vehicle at a connection point with the vehicle 200, and is connected to the vehicle 200 by fastening a bolt BT through this slit-shaped cutout 21a. The width of the slit-shaped cutout 21a is formed to be wider than the outer diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt BT and narrower than the diameter of the head. This configuration enables the rear stay 21 to be released from the lower part of the vehicle 200.

[0052] In this embodiment, there is only one bolt BT fastening the rear stay 21 to the vehicle 200, and it is configured so that when a load of a predetermined amount or more is applied forward to the rear stay 21, slippage occurs between the bolt BT fastening the vehicle 200 and the rear stay 21, causing the bolt BT to come out of the slit-shaped cut portion 21a of the rear stay 21. These configurations enable the rear stay to be released from the lower part of the vehicle.

[0053] In addition, the rear stay 21 and the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, are connected by screwing a bolt BT into a screw hole 102 provided in the relay connector 100 through a through hole 21b drilled in the rear stay 21, as shown in Figure 2. With this configuration, the rear stay 21 can be detachably connected to the relay connector 100, ensuring ease of assembly and maintenance. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the rear stay 21 and the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, may be connected by any connection structure.

[0054] 1 and 2, the rear bracket 22 is a member connected to the rear stay 21 and the relay connector 100, and protects the relay connector 100 from the rear of the vehicle, and is made of a metal plate having a web portion 22a, a first flange portion 22b, and a second flange portion 22c. The first flange portion 22b is connected to the rear stay 21, the second flange portion 22c is connected to the relay connector 100, and the web portion 22a is disposed at a position that blocks a part or all of the rear of the vehicle with a predetermined gap from the relay connector 100. This configuration makes it possible to realize a guard function for the rear bracket 22 and a connection structure between the rear stay 21 and the rear bracket 22.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the rear bracket 22 and the intermediate connector 100 are connected by screwing a bolt BT into a screw hole 103 provided in the intermediate connector 100 through a through hole 22d drilled in the second flange portion 22c. With this configuration, the rear bracket 22 can be detachably connected to the relay connector 100, ensuring ease of assembly and maintenance. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the rear bracket 22 and the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, may be connected by any connection structure.

[0056] The rear stay 21 and the first flange portion 22b of the rear bracket 22 are connected by welding. This configuration allows the rear bracket 22 and the rear stay 21 to be firmly connected, which does not need to be separated during maintenance, and when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the rear bracket 22 from the rear of the vehicle, the rear stay 21 can be reliably detached together with the rear bracket 22 from the lower part of the vehicle 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the rear stay 21 and the rear bracket 22 may be connected by any connection structure as long as the connection structure is strong enough to allow the rear bracket 22 to be reliably detached together with the rear stay 21 from the lower part of the vehicle 200.

[0057] In this embodiment, the plate thickness of the rear stay 21 is formed to be thicker than the plate thickness of the rear bracket 22 . With this configuration, even when a load is applied to the vehicle, deformation of the rear stay 21 can be prevented and the ability to separate from the vehicle can be ensured. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the plate thickness of the rear stay 21 may be the same as or thinner than the plate thickness of the rear bracket 22 as long as deformation of the rear stay 21 can be prevented and the ability to separate from the vehicle can be ensured.

[0058] In this embodiment, a relay connector 100 that relays a harness mounted on a vehicle is used as the suspended object, but this relay connector 100 may also be a relay connector that relays a harness that connects the inverter and motor of an electric vehicle, or a relay connector having a cast aluminum alloy case. These configurations make it possible to prevent damage to the connector when a load is applied to the vehicle, and to prevent external ground faults and short circuits of current flowing between, for example, the inverter and motor of an electric vehicle.

[0059] Next, the action of the suspension structure 1 of this embodiment configured as described above during a vehicle rear collision will be described. Figure 4 is a transition diagram showing changes when the rear subframe 210 is pushed forward from the rear during a vehicle rear collision and a load is applied from the rear to the suspension structure 1, where (a) shows the state before the force is applied, (b) shows the state immediately after the force is applied, (c) shows the state immediately before the rear stay 21 separates from the vehicle body, and (d) shows the state after the rear stay 21 separates from the vehicle body, and the front structure 10 deforms to allow the relay connector 100 to escape.

[0060] 4(a) shows a state before a pressing force is applied to the suspension structure 1 from the rear. In this state, the rear stay 21 is connected to the lower part of the vehicle 200, and the bolt BT fixes the rear stay 21 at the back of the slit-shaped cutout portion 21a (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The rear bracket 22 connected to the rear stay 21 has its second flange portion 22c connected to the relay connector 100, and its web portion 22a positioned a predetermined distance away from the outer periphery of the relay connector 100.

[0061] 4(b) shows the state immediately after the rear subframe 210 comes into contact with the rear bracket 22. In this state, the pressing force applied to the rear bracket 22 is transmitted and applied to the rear stay 21 as well, but the web portion 22a of the rear bracket 22 is not destroyed and protects the relay connector 100, and the rear stay 21 also maintains its connection to the lower part of the vehicle 200.

[0062] Next, Fig. 4(c) shows a state in which the rear subframe 210 further presses the rear bracket 22 of the suspension structure 1, causing the rear bracket 22 to elastically deform but still hold up. When the pressing force applied to the rear stay 21 reaches a predetermined magnitude, slippage occurs between the bolt BT fastening the vehicle 200 and the rear stay 21, causing the bolt BT to come out of the slit-shaped cutout portion 21a (see Figs. 1 and 2) and the rear stay 21 to detach.

[0063] Next, Fig. 4(d) shows the state in which the rear stay 21 has been detached. As a result of the detachment of the rear stay 21, a pressing force is applied to the front structure 10, the Z shape of the front stay 12 is deformed, and the front bracket 11 is also deformed, thereby preventing the relay connector 100 and the rear structure 20 from falling off and allowing them to escape forward.

[0064] 5 is a graph showing changes in force acting on the suspension structure 1, and illustrates changes in force applied to the suspension structure 1 when a structure equivalent to the rear subframe 210 of a vehicle is statically pressed from behind against the rear bracket 22. The horizontal axis represents the stroke of the structure, and the vertical axis represents the actual measured value of the reaction force received by the structure, which corresponds to the force applied to the suspension structure 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "force applied to the suspension structure 1").

[0065] At P1 (stroke 0), in a state corresponding to FIG. 4(b), the structure comes into contact with the rear bracket 22, and the force applied to the suspended structure 1 begins to increase. At P2, in a state corresponding to Fig. 4(c), the stroke progresses due to elastic deformation of the rear bracket 22. When the force applied to the suspension structure 1 reaches a predetermined magnitude, slippage occurs between the bolt BT fastening to the vehicle 200 and the rear stay 21. After that, the force applied to the suspension structure 1 suddenly decreases. At P3, in a state corresponding to FIG. 4(d), the bolt BT comes completely out of the slit-shaped cut portion 21a, and the rear stay 21 is detached from the vehicle. Thereafter, the suspension structure 1 and the relay connector 100 are connected to the vehicle 200 only by the front structure 10, i.e., the front bracket 11 and the front stay 12, and therefore move forward as the deformation progresses, progressing to P4. At this time, the force received by the suspension structure 1 is a relatively weak reaction force against the deformation of the front structure 10.

[0066] Incidentally, even if the rear bracket 22 receives a strong pressing force before the rear stay 21 separates from the vehicle 200 during the above-mentioned vehicle rear-end collision, this pressing force is mainly borne by the rear bracket 22 and the rear stay 21, so the force applied to the relay connector 100 is further reduced. In addition, since the rear bracket 22 guards the relay connector 100, it is also possible to prevent damage to the relay connector 100 due to contact with a protruding portion of the rear subframe 210, etc.

[0067] In this way, the suspension structure 1 of this embodiment is configured to guard the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, from the rear of the vehicle, and to detach from the underside of the vehicle 200 when a predetermined pressing force is applied from the rear of the vehicle, and to include a front structure 10, which is configured so that when the rear structure 20 detaches from the underside of the vehicle 200, at least a portion of the rear structure 20 deforms to allow the relay connector 100, which is the suspended object, to escape to the front of the vehicle.Therefore, even if a load is applied to the vehicle 200 from the rear, the structure at the rear of the vehicle 200 will not come into direct contact with the relay connector 100, and the effect of the load on the relay connector 100 can be reduced.

[0068] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims and the technical ideas described in the specification and drawings. For example, in the above embodiment, the relay connector 100 is used as the suspended object, but the suspended object is not limited to this, and any object that can be suspended from the bottom of the vehicle 200 may be used, such as an on-board battery.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front structure and the rear structure are configured as two independent and separate structures with no parts directly connected to each other, but as long as both structures have similar configurations and functions and ultimately achieve the same effects, it is within the technical scope of the present invention even if the front structure and the rear structure are configured as a single structure with a connecting part.

[0070] In this embodiment, the front structure is easily deformable and the rear structure is detachable from the vehicle, but by switching the front and rear of this structure, it becomes possible to accommodate loads from the front. Alternatively, by switching the installation direction to the left and right, it becomes possible to accommodate loads from the left and right. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Hanging structure 10 Forward structure 11 Front bracket 11a Web Section 11b Flange part 11c Arm section 11d through hole 12 Forward Stay 12a Web Section 12b First flange part 12c Second flange part 12d,12e through hole 20 Rear structure 21 Rear Stay 21a Slit-shaped cut 21b Through hole 22 Rear bracket 22a Web Section 22b First flange portion 22c Second flange part 22d through hole 100 Relay connector 101,102,103 Screw holes 200 vehicles 210 Rear subframe BT Bolt NT Nut WB Weld bolt

Claims

1. A suspension structure for suspending a suspended object under a vehicle, a front structure connected to a lower portion of the vehicle and connected to a front side of the suspended object; a rear structure connected to a lower portion of the vehicle and connected to a rear side of the suspended object, the rear structure is configured to guard the suspended load from the rear of the vehicle and to detach from the lower part of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied from the rear of the vehicle, The front structure is configured such that, when the rear structure separates from the lower portion of the vehicle, at least a portion of the front structure deforms to allow the suspended object to escape forward of the vehicle.

2. The forward structure includes: a front bracket connected to a lower portion of the vehicle; The suspension structure according to claim 1 , further comprising: a front stay connected to the front bracket and the suspended object and having easy deformation.

3. The front bracket is The support member is made of a metal plate having a web portion, a plurality of arm portions, and a flange portion, and having a generally hat-shaped configuration in a side view of the vehicle. the plurality of arm portions are connected to the vehicle; the web portion is connected to the forward stay; the front stay is made of a metal plate having a web portion, a first flange portion, and a second flange portion and having a substantially Z-shape in a side view of the vehicle, the first flange portion is connected to the front bracket, The suspension structure according to claim 2 , wherein the second flange portion is connected to the suspended object.

4. 4. The suspension structure according to claim 3, wherein the front stay and the suspended object are connected by screwing a bolt into a screw hole provided in the suspended object through a through hole drilled in a second flange portion of the front stay.

5. 4. The suspension structure according to claim 3, wherein the front bracket and the front stay are connected by inserting a weld bolt joined to a web portion of the front bracket into a through hole drilled in a first flange portion of the front stay and screwing a nut onto the weld bolt.

6. The suspension structure according to claim 3 , wherein the arms of the front bracket are connected to the vehicle by welding.

7. 3. The suspension structure according to claim 2, wherein in the front stay, a connection portion between the front stay and the suspended object and a connection portion between the front stay and the front bracket are offset in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

8. The suspension structure according to claim 2 , wherein the plate thickness of the front stay is greater than the plate thickness of the front bracket.

9. The rear structure includes: A rear stay connected to a lower portion of the vehicle and to the suspended object; a rear bracket connected to the rear stay and to the suspended object to protect the suspended object from the rear of the vehicle, 3. The suspension structure according to claim 2, wherein the rear stay is configured to separate from the lower portion of the vehicle when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the rear bracket from the rear of the vehicle.

10. The rear stay is made of a substantially flat metal plate, The front side of the vehicle is connected to the suspended object, The rear side of the vehicle is connected to the vehicle, the rear bracket is connected between a connection portion with the suspended object and a connection portion with the vehicle, The rear bracket is a metal plate having a web portion, a first flange portion, and a second flange portion; The first flange portion is connected to the rear stay, The second flange portion is connected to the suspended object, 10. The suspension structure according to claim 9, wherein the web portion is disposed at a position such that a predetermined gap is provided between the web portion and the suspended object, and the web portion shields a part or the whole of a rear portion of the vehicle.

11. the rear stay has a slit-shaped cut portion from the rear of the vehicle at a connection portion with the vehicle, and is connected to the vehicle by fastening a bolt through the slit-shaped cut portion, 11. The suspension structure according to claim 10, wherein the width of the slit-shaped cutout is wider than an outer diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt and narrower than a diameter of the head portion of the bolt.

12. 12. The suspension structure according to claim 11, wherein the rear stay is connected to the vehicle by only one bolt.

13. 12. The suspension structure according to claim 11, wherein when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the rear stay toward the front of the vehicle, the bolt comes out of the slit-shaped cut portion of the rear stay due to slippage between the bolt and the rear stay.

14. 11. The suspension structure according to claim 10, wherein the rear stay and the suspended object are connected by threading a bolt through a through hole drilled in the rear stay into a screw hole provided in the suspended object.

15. The rear bracket and the suspended object are The suspension structure according to claim 10 , wherein the second flange is connected to the suspended object by threading a bolt through a through hole formed in the second flange into a screw hole provided in the suspended object.

16. The suspension structure of claim 10 , wherein the aft stay and the aft bracket are connected by welding.

17. The suspension structure according to claim 10, wherein the plate thickness of the rear stay is greater than the plate thickness of the rear bracket.

18. 18. The suspension structure according to claim 1, wherein the suspended object is a relay connector that relays a harness mounted on a vehicle.

19. 18. The suspension structure according to claim 1, wherein the suspended object is a relay connector mounted on a vehicle and relaying a harness connecting an inverter and a motor of an electric vehicle.

20. 18. The suspension structure according to claim 1, wherein the suspended object is a relay connector having a case made of an aluminum alloy casting.

Citation Information

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