Peripheral structure of towing hitch for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle, in which a rear side member can efficiently absorb impact.SOLUTION: A peripheral structure 100 of a towing hitch for a vehicle includes: two rear side members 110, 120 extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both left and right sides of a rear of the vehicle and constitute a vehicle body; a first arm 140 and a second arm 150 that are fixed to rear ends of the two rear side members 110, 120 and extend rearward from the rear ends; a cross member 160 that is disposed between the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 so as to penetrate the first arm 140 and the second arm 150, respectively, and intersects with the two rear side members 110 and 120; and a towing hitch 170 that is provided on the cross member 160 and used to tow a towed vehicle. The rear edge of each of the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 is flat from above the cross member 160 to below a center of the cross member 160.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a pair of arm portions fixed to the rear ends of a pair of rear side frames (rear side members) arranged on both the left and right sides of the vehicle width direction, a cross member fixed to the rear ends of the pair of arm portions, and a hook (towing hitch) provided on the cross member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-47807 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, there is a possibility that the arm portion that fixes the cross member to the vehicle body as in Patent Document 1 may be deformed by the impact of a rear-end collision. This deformation of the arm portion may result in the rear side member not being able to efficiently absorb the impact load of the rear-end collision.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle that enables a rear side member to efficiently absorb impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a towing hitch peripheral structure for a vehicle comprising a first arm and a second arm fixed to the rear ends of two rear side members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle and form the vehicle body, and extending rearward from the rear ends, a cross member that is installed between the first arm and the second arm so as to penetrate the rear ends of the first arm and the second arm, respectively, and intersects with the two rear side members, and a towing hitch that is attached to the cross member and tows a towed vehicle, characterized in that the rear edges of the rear ends of each of the first arm and the second arm are flat from at least above the cross member to below the cross-sectional center of the cross member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the rear side member can efficiently absorb impacts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a towing hitch peripheral structure according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a vehicle. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure of FIG. 1 mounted on a vehicle. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between a first arm and a rear side member in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the towing hitch and its surrounding structure shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a side view of the rear end portion of the first arm and its surroundings in the towing hitch-peripheral structure of FIG. 1, as viewed from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 6] 2 is a perspective view of the rear end portion of the second arm of the towing hitch peripheral structure of FIG. 1 and its surroundings, as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and from the rear. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure of FIG. 1 attached to the vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 6 is a diagram comparing the amount of deformation of the first arm in this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 with that of a first arm of a comparative example when hit from behind. [Figure 11] 7 is a diagram comparing deformation states of the second arm in this embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the second arm of a comparative example when hit from behind. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a towing hitch peripheral structure for a vehicle comprising a first arm and a second arm fixed to the rear ends of two rear side members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle and form the vehicle body, and extending rearward from the rear ends, a cross member that is installed between the first arm and the second arm so as to penetrate the rear ends of the first arm and the second arm, respectively, and intersects with the two rear side members, and a towing hitch that is provided on the cross member and tows a towed vehicle, characterized in that the rear edges of the rear ends of each of the first arm and the second arm are flat from at least above the cross member to below the cross-sectional center of the cross member.

[0010] According to the present invention, when the vehicle is hit from behind, the first arm and the second arm receive the impact load at their respective flattened rear edges. Therefore, the first arm and the second arm are less likely to swing up and down and are pushed forward of the vehicle, making it easier to transmit the impact load due to the rear collision to the rear side member. Therefore, the rear side member receives a sufficient compressive load, undergoes a predetermined compressive deformation, and can efficiently absorb the impact.

[0011] The vehicle towing hitch peripheral structure further includes a plate member fixed to each of the first arm and the second arm, adjacent to the rear end of the rear side member and perpendicular to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the width of the plate member being greater than the width of the rear end of the rear side member, and the lower end of the plate member being positioned lower than the lower end of the rear side member.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the width of the plate member is greater than the width of the rear end of the rear side member, and the lower end of the plate member is located lower than the lower end of the rear side member. Therefore, the transmission load transmitted to the rear side member via the plate member out of the impact load received by the first arm and the second arm is transmitted evenly from the surface of the plate member to the rear end of the rear side member. As a result, the rear end of the rear side member can absorb the impact evenly.

[0013] The peripheral structure for a vehicle towing hitch may further include a brace member fixed to a side surface of the rear end portion of each of the first arm and the second arm and to a rear surface of the plate member.

[0014] According to the above configuration, since the brace member is fixed to each side surface of the first arm and the second arm and the rear surface of the plate member, even if the first arm and the second arm receive an impact load from the rear of the vehicle and bend, the brace member can support the first arm and the second arm and prevent them from bending. As a result, the rear side member can absorb the impact more efficiently. Also, even if each of the first arm and the second arm bends and the cross member tries to move forward of the vehicle, the brace member can support the cross member and prevent the cross member from moving forward of the vehicle. As a result, interference due to a collision between the cross member and the vehicle can be prevented.

[0015] In a rear view, the brace member may at least partially overlap the cross member and the rear side member.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the brace member at least partially overlaps with the cross member and the rear side member in a rear view, so that the brace member can receive an impact load from the cross member and transmit it to the rear side member. EXAMPLES

[0017] 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.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle towing hitch-peripheral structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as "towing hitch-peripheral structure 100") attached to a vehicle 101. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the towing hitch-peripheral structure 100 of Fig. 1 attached to a vehicle 101. In Fig. 1 and all other drawings, 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 is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0019] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a vehicle 101 includes two rear side members 110, 120. The two rear side members 110, 120 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle to form a vehicle body. The two rear side members 110, 120 are formed, for example, with a U-shaped cross section (see Fig. 4). A floor panel 130 is disposed on and between the two rear side members 110, 120. A recess 130a capable of storing a tire is formed in the floor panel 130. In addition, a back panel 135 is provided at the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120.

[0020] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 includes a first arm 140 and a second arm 150. The first arm 140 and the second arm 150 have a symmetrical structure. The first arm 140 and the second arm 150 are formed of a plate material having a predetermined thickness in the vehicle width direction. The first arm 140 and the second arm 150 have their plate surfaces facing the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The first arm 140 and the second arm 150 are attached to the rear side members 110, 120 after removing a bumper member (not shown) provided on the vehicle 101.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the first arm 140 and the rear side member 110 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 in Fig. 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the first arm 140 has a fixed portion 141 and a rear end portion 142 that is continuous with the fixed portion 141 toward the rear of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 4, the fixed portion 141 is inserted into the rear end side of the rear side member 110 having a U-shaped cross section, and is fixed to an inner surface 110a (an inner surface of an outer vertical plate portion) on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side member 110. The fixed portion 141 and the rear side member 110 are fixed by a bolt 106 and a nut 107 (fixing member). As shown in FIG. 3, the fixed portion 141 is inclined so as to descend from the front side of the vehicle toward the rear side of the vehicle. The rear end portion 142 extends rearward from the rear end of the rear side member 110.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a side view of the rear end 142 of the first arm 140 and its surroundings of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 in Fig. 1, as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Fig. 5, a hole 142p is formed in the rear end 142. A cross member 160 is inserted through the hole 142p.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, the rear end 142 has a raised inclined end surface 142a in an area on the vehicle front side of the center P1 of the hole 142p on the upper edge side, and has a horizontal end surface 142b and an arc-shaped end surface 142c in an area on the vehicle rear side from the center P1 of the hole 142p. The raised inclined end surface 142a is an end surface that rises toward the vehicle rear. The horizontal end surface 142b is a horizontal end surface that connects from the upper end of the raised inclined end surface 142a to the vehicle rear. The arc-shaped end surface 142c is an end surface that is arc-shaped in side view. The arc-shaped end surface 142c connects from the rear end of the horizontal end surface 142b to the vehicle rear and descends.

[0025] The rear end 142 has a downwardly inclined end surface 142d in a region on the vehicle front side of the center P1 of the hole 142p on the lower edge side, and has an arc-shaped end surface 142e in a region on the vehicle rear side from the center P1 of the hole 142p. The downwardly inclined end surface 142d is an end surface that descends toward the vehicle rear. The arc-shaped end surface 142e is an end surface that has an arc shape in a side view. The arc-shaped end surface 142e rises from the rear end of the downwardly inclined end surface 142d to the vehicle rear. The vertical dimension of the rear end 142 is largest at the position of the center P1 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0026] The rear end 142 has a rear edge surface 142f (rear edge) between the arcuate end surface 142c and the arcuate end surface 142e. The rear edge surface 142f is flat from a position M1 above the position of the cross member 160 (upper end position L1) to a position M2 below the center P1 (center of the cross section) of the cross member 160.

[0027] The trailing edge surface 142f extends obliquely toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle. The trailing edge surface 142f may extend vertically. The area formed by the horizontal end surface 142b, the arcuate end surface 142c, and the trailing edge surface 142f protrudes compared to the area formed by the arcuate end surface 142e.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, the second arm 150 has a fixed portion 151 and a rear end portion 152 that is continuous with the fixed portion 151 at the rear of the vehicle. The fixed portion 151 is inserted into the rear end side of the U-shaped rear side member 120 and fixed to an inner side surface 120a (an inner side surface of an outer vertical plate portion) on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side member 120. The fixed portion 151 and the rear side member 120 are fixed by a bolt 106 and a nut 107 (fixing member). Note that, like the fixed portion 141 in FIG. 3, the fixed portion 151 is inclined downward from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear end portion 152 extends rearward from the rear end of the rear side member 120.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rear end portion 152 of the second arm 150 of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 in Fig. 1 and its surroundings, as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and from the rear. As shown in Fig. 6, a hole 152p is formed in the rear end portion 152. A cross member 160 is inserted through the hole 152p.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear end 152 has a raised inclined end surface 152a in an area on the vehicle front side of the center P2 of the hole 152p on the upper edge side, and has a horizontal end surface 152b and an arc-shaped end surface 152c in an area from the center P2 of the hole 152p to the vehicle rear side. The raised inclined end surface 152a is an end surface that rises toward the vehicle rear. The horizontal end surface 152b is a horizontal end surface that connects from the upper end of the raised inclined end surface 152a to the vehicle rear. The arc-shaped end surface 152c is an end surface that is arc-shaped in side view. The arc-shaped end surface 152c connects from the rear end of the horizontal end surface 152b to the vehicle rear and descends.

[0031] The rear end portion 152 has a downwardly inclined end surface 152d in a region on the vehicle front side of the center P2 of the hole 152p on the lower edge side, and has an arc-shaped end surface 152e in a region on the vehicle rear side from the center P2 of the hole 152p. The downwardly inclined end surface 152d is an end surface that descends toward the vehicle rear. The arc-shaped end surface 152e is an end surface that has an arc shape in a side view. The arc-shaped end surface 152e rises from the rear end of the downwardly inclined end surface 152d to the vehicle rear. The vertical dimension of the rear end portion 152 is largest at the position of the center P2 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0032] The rear end portion 152 has a rear edge surface 152f (rear edge) between the aforementioned arcuate end surface 152c and the arcuate end surface 152e. The rear edge surface 152f is flat from a position N1 above the position of the cross member 160 (upper end position L2) to a position N2 below the center P2 (center of the cross section) of the cross member 160.

[0033] The trailing edge surface 152f extends obliquely toward the rear and upper side of the vehicle. The trailing edge surface 152f may extend vertically. The area formed by the horizontal end surface 152b, the arcuate end surface 152c, and the trailing edge surface 152f protrudes compared to the area formed by the arcuate end surface 152e.

[0034] 1 and 2, the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 includes a cross member 160. The cross member 160 is installed between the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 so as to penetrate the rear end portion 142 of the first arm 140 and the rear end portion 152 of the second arm 150, respectively. The cross member 160 also intersects with the two rear side members 110, 120.

[0035] When viewed from the rear, the cross member 160 is formed to be inclined in a V-shape (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the tip of the V-shape of the cross member 160 is located at the lowest position. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross member 160 is also formed to be inclined in a V-shape when viewed from the rear with the vehicle rear end at the top. Therefore, the tip of the V-shape of the cross member 160 is located at the very front of the vehicle.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 includes a towing hitch 170. The towing hitch 170 is provided on the cross member 160. The towing hitch 170 is fixed to a fixing member 171 that is disposed and fixed in the center of the cross member 160. The towing hitch 170 is formed to have a circular cross section and is formed in an L-shape in side view. The towing hitch 170 is a member for towing a towed vehicle (not shown). When the towing hitch 170 is not used, the user can remove it.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 further includes plate members 181, 191. The plate members 181, 191 are members formed from sheet metal. The plate members 181, 191 are disposed with their plate surfaces facing the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The plate members 181, 191 are formed with elongated holes 181a, 191a. The elongated holes 181a, 191a are long in the vertical direction of the vehicle and short in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] The long hole 181a is formed on the plate member 181 toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The first arm 140 is inserted into the long hole 181a. The fixed portion 141 is disposed on the vehicle front side from the long hole 181a of the plate member 181, and the rear end portion 142 is disposed on the vehicle rear side from the long hole 181a of the plate member 181. The plate member 181 is welded (fixed) to the first arm 140.

[0039] The long hole 191a is formed on the plate member 191 toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The second arm 150 is inserted through the long hole 191a. A fixed portion 151 is disposed on the vehicle front side from the long hole 191a of the plate member 191, and a rear end portion 152 is disposed on the vehicle rear side from the long hole 191a of the plate member 191. The plate member 191 is welded (fixed) to the second arm 150.

[0040] The plate members 181, 191 are disposed outside the back panel 135 at the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120. The lower ends Y1 of the plate members 181, 191 are positioned lower than the lower ends Y2 of the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120 (see FIG. 3). The width X1 of the plate members 181, 191 is larger than the width X2 of the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120 (see FIG. 9).

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 further includes brace members 182, 192. The brace members 182, 192 are formed of sheet metal. The brace members 182, 192 are formed to have a U-shaped cross section. The brace members 182, 192 are arranged so that they have a U-shaped cross section when viewed from the rear, and the opening of the U-shaped cross section faces outward in the vehicle width direction. The brace member 182 is fixed to the inner surface 142g (side surface) of the rear end portion 142 of the first arm 140 and the rear surface 181b of the plate member 181, for example, by welding or the like. Similarly, the brace member 192 is fixed to the inner surface 152g (side surface) of the rear end portion 152 of the second arm 150 and the rear surface 191b of the plate member 191.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 of FIG. 1 attached to the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 7, the brace members 182, 192 at least partially overlap with the cross member 160 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, at least the lower half of the brace members 182, 192 is covered by the cross member 160 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 9 is a rear view of the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 9, the brace members 182, 192 at least partially overlap with the rear side members 110, 120 in the vehicle front-rear direction (as viewed from the rear).

[0043] FIG. 10 is a diagram comparing the amount of deformation when the first arm 140 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is hit from behind with the first arm 240 of the comparative example. FIG. 10(a) is a diagram comparing the state before deformation, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram comparing the state after deformation. For ease of comparison, in FIG. 10, the first arm 240 is illustrated overlapping the first arm 140 of this embodiment on the front side of the paper. In the state before deformation in FIG. 10(a), a part of the first arm 140 protrudes toward the rear and upward of the vehicle compared to the first arm 240 of the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 10(b), in this embodiment, when an impact load is applied to the rear edge surface 142f of the first arm 140, the amount of deformation of the rear end portion 142 is small.

[0044] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 10(b), in the first arm 240 of the comparative example, the trailing edge surface 242f is formed as a surface that is arc-shaped from the upper edge side to the lower edge side in a side view. In the first arm 240 of the comparative example, when an impact load is applied to the trailing edge surface 242f of the first arm 240, the first arm 240 rotates so that the trailing edge surface 242f descends, starting from the contact surface between the impact object and the trailing edge surface 242f. Therefore, the amount of deformation of the rear end portion 242 bending downward is large.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a diagram comparing the deformation state of the second arm 150 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and the second arm 350 of the comparative example when hit from behind. The second arms 150 and 350 are the same element, although the reference numerals are different. FIG. 11(a) is a perspective view showing the deformation state of the second arm 150 having the brace member 192 in this embodiment. FIG. 11(b) is a perspective view showing the deformation state of the second arm 350 having no brace member in the comparative example. As shown in FIG. 11(a), in the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 of this embodiment, the brace member 192 prevents the deformation of the second arm 150, so the degree of deformation of the second arm 150 is small.

[0046] 11(b), the comparative towing hitch peripheral structure 300 does not have a brace member. Therefore, in the comparative towing hitch peripheral structure 300, the deformation of the second arm 350 is not prevented, and the degree of deformation of the second arm 350 is large.

[0047] The action caused by a vehicle rear-end collision in the towing hitch peripheral structure 100 of this embodiment will be described below. Here, the action when the vehicle 101 is rear-ended with the towing hitch 170 detached will be described. When the vehicle 101 is rear-ended by another vehicle from behind, an impact load is applied to the rear edge surfaces 142f, 152f of the rear end portions 142, 152 of the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 shown in FIG.

[0048] Most of the impact load is transmitted from the rear end portions 142, 152 shown in FIG. 1 to the rear side members 110, 120 via the plate members 181, 191 and the back panel 135. A part of the impact load is transmitted from the rear end portions 142, 152 shown in FIG. 4 to the rear side members 110, 120 via the fixed portions 141, 151. The rear side members 110, 120 are compressed and absorb the impact. Even if the towing hitch 170 is attached, if the vehicle 101 is hit from behind, the towing hitch 170 and the cross member 160 bend, and the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 receive the impact, resulting in a similar effect.

[0049] According to the configuration of this embodiment, when the vehicle 101 is hit from behind, the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 shown in Figures 5 and 6 receive an impact load at their respective flat rear edge surfaces 142f, 152f. Therefore, the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 are unlikely to swing up and down and are pushed forward of the vehicle, so that the impact load due to the rear collision is easily transmitted to the rear side members 110, 120. Therefore, the rear side members 110, 120 receive a sufficient compressive load, undergo a predetermined compressive deformation, and are able to efficiently absorb the impact.

[0050] In addition, when the rear edges of the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 are curved in a circular arc shape in a side view, the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 receive the impact load of a rear-end collision at their respective curved rear edges, and therefore tend to swing up and down and are unlikely to be pushed forward of the vehicle. Therefore, the rear side members 110, 120 cannot fully receive the compressive load, are unlikely to undergo the required compressive deformation, and are unable to efficiently absorb the impact.

[0051] The width X1 of the plate members 181, 191 is larger than the width X2 of the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120 (see FIG. 8), and the lower ends Y1 of the plate members 181, 191 are located lower than the lower ends Y2 of the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120 (see FIG. 8). Therefore, of the impact load received by the first arm 140 and the second arm 150, the transmitted load transmitted to the rear side members 110, 120 via the plate members 181, 191 is transmitted evenly from the surfaces of the plate members 181, 191 to the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120. As a result, the rear ends of the rear side members 110, 120 can absorb the impact evenly.

[0052] By fixing the brace members 182, 192 to the inner surfaces 142g, 152g of the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 and the rear surfaces 181b, 191b of the plate members 181, 191, even if the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 receive an impact load from the rear of the vehicle and bend, the brace members 182, 192 support the first arm 140 and the second arm 150 and prevent them from bending. As a result, the rear side members 110, 120 can absorb impacts even more efficiently.

[0053] Furthermore, even if first arm 140 and second arm 150 are each bent and cross member 160 attempts to move forward of the vehicle, brace members 182, 192 support cross member 160 and prevent cross member 160 from moving forward of the vehicle. As a result, interference due to a collision between cross member 160 and vehicle 101 can be prevented.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, the brace members 182, 192 at least partially overlap the cross member 160 and the rear side members 110, 120 in a rear view, so that the brace members 182, 192 can receive impact loads from the cross member 160 and transmit them to the rear side members 110, 120.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by freely combining the inventions described in the claims and examples, regardless of the dependent relationships of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] The present invention can be used in a peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 100... towing hitch peripheral structure, 106... bolt, 107... nut, 110... rear side member, 110a... inner surface, 120... rear side member, 130... floor panel, 130a... recess, 140... first arm, 141... fixed portion, 142... rear end, 142a... raised inclined end surface, 142b... horizontal end surface, 142c... arc-shaped end surface, 142d... lowered inclined end surface, 142e... arc-shaped end surface, 142f... rear edge surface, 142g... inner surface, 142p... hole, 150... second arm, 151... fixed portion, 152... rear end, 152a... raised inclined end surface, 15 2b...horizontal end surface, 152c...arc-shaped end surface, 152d...downward inclined end surface, 152e...arc-shaped end surface, 152f...rear edge surface, 152g...inner surface, 152p...hole, 160...cross member, 170...towing hitch, 171...fixing member, 181...plate member, 181a...long hole, 181b...rear surface, 182...brace member, 191...plate member, 191a...long hole, 191b...rear surface, 192...brace member, 300...towing hitch peripheral structure, M1...upper position, M2...lower position, N1...upper position, N2...lower position, P1...center, P2...center

Claims

1. a first arm and a second arm fixed to rear ends of two rear side members that extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and form a vehicle body on both left and right sides of a rear portion of the vehicle and extend rearward from the rear ends; a cross member that is bridged between the first arm and the second arm so as to penetrate rear ends of the first arm and the second arm, respectively, and that intersects with the two rear side members; A towing hitch peripheral structure for a vehicle, comprising: a towing hitch provided on the cross member for towing a towed vehicle, A towing hitch peripheral structure for a vehicle, characterized in that the rear edges of the rear ends of each of the first arm and the second arm are flattened at least from above the cross member to below the cross-sectional center of the cross member.

2. The vehicle towing hitch peripheral structure further includes: a plate member fixed to each of the first arm and the second arm, adjacent to a rear end of the rear side member, and perpendicular to a vehicle front-rear direction; The width of the plate member is greater than the width of the rear end of the rear side member, 2. The towing hitch peripheral structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the plate member is positioned lower than a lower end of the rear side member.

3. The vehicle towing hitch peripheral structure further includes:

3. The peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a brace member fixed to a side surface of a rear end portion of each of the first arm and the second arm and to a rear surface of the plate member.

4. 4. The peripheral structure of a towing hitch for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the brace member at least partially overlaps with the cross member and the rear side member in a rear view.

Images