Vehicle front structure

The vehicle front structure with a battery cross-member and suspension member disperses collision loads, protecting the battery and passenger compartment in electric vehicles, addressing the challenge of load distribution in frontal collisions.

JP2025078518AInactive Publication Date: 2025-05-20TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023191139
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-11-08
Publication Date
2025-05-20
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle front structures fail to effectively distribute collision loads during a frontal collision, particularly in electric vehicles where the battery is located under the passenger compartment, necessitating protection for both the battery and the passenger compartment.

Method used

A vehicle front structure incorporating a battery cross-member extending in the vehicle width direction and a suspension member connected to it, which disperses collision loads along the width of the vehicle, reducing impact on the battery and distributing loads to the passenger compartment.

Benefits of technology

The structure efficiently protects the battery from impact and distributes collision loads, reducing the load on the passenger compartment and vehicle body frame members, enhancing overall safety in frontal collisions.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a vehicle front structure capable of dispersing a collision load input to a suspension member at the time of front collision.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure includes: a battery cross member 22 arranged in a vehicle front side of a battery 14 mounted in a vehicle cabin lower side and extending in a vehicle width direction; and a suspension member 30 arranged in a vehicle front side of the battery cross member 22 and connected to the battery cross member 22 in a rear end side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle front structure. In this technology, a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction and a subframe (suspension member) having a rear end fixed to the lower surface of the dash cross member are provided in the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, a pair of left and right extension side members extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and joined to a pair of left and right front side members are provided in the front of the vehicle. Both ends of the dash cross member are joined to the pair of left and right extension side members. The pair of left and right extension side members extend along both sides of the vehicle width direction of a floor panel of the passenger compartment.

[0003] According to the above-mentioned prior art, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, a collision load is transmitted from the pair of left and right front side members to the pair of left and right extension side members. The collision load is also transmitted from the suspension member to the dash cross member. The load transmitted to the dash cross member is distributed to the pair of extension side members. In this way, the above-mentioned prior art suppresses deformation of the passenger compartment by distributing the collision load in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-224104 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, there is known an electric vehicle in which a battery is mounted on the lower side of the passenger compartment. In the case of such an electric vehicle, it is necessary to consider the distribution of the collision load not only to the passenger compartment as in the prior art, but also to the battery. In other words, it is desirable to protect the passenger compartment by distributing the collision load input to the front of the vehicle while protecting the battery from the impact during a frontal collision.

[0006] The present invention takes into consideration the above-mentioned facts and aims to provide a vehicle front structure in an electric vehicle in which the battery is located on the lower side of the passenger compartment, which can protect the battery from impact during a frontal collision while distributing the collision load input to the front of the vehicle to protect the passenger compartment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle front structure of claim 1 comprises a battery cross-member arranged on the vehicle front side of a battery mounted on the lower side of the passenger compartment and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a suspension member arranged on the vehicle front side of the battery cross-member and connected to the battery cross-member at its rear end.

[0008] According to the present invention described in claim 1, the suspension member is connected to the battery cross-member at its rear end. Therefore, the collision load input to the suspension member during a frontal collision of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as "frontal collision") is transmitted to the battery cross-member. Since the battery cross-member extends in the vehicle width direction, the collision load input to the battery cross-member is distributed along the vehicle width direction. Note that the "frontal collision" referred to here is a concept that includes not only a full-wrap frontal collision (head-on collision), but also an offset collision, an oblique collision, and a small-wrap collision. Also, the "connection" referred to here is a concept that includes not only a case where the suspension member is directly connected to the battery cross-member, but also a case where the suspension member is indirectly connected via a separate member.

[0009] Here, the battery cross member is disposed on the vehicle front side of the battery. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, this battery cross member receives the collision load and transfers the collision load in the vehicle width direction, thereby preventing the collision load from being directly input to the battery. Therefore, the collision load input to the battery is reduced compared to a vehicle front structure not equipped with a battery cross member.

[0010] In addition, because the battery cross-member is located below the passenger compartment, the collision load is dispersed across the vehicle width at the lower side of the passenger compartment, thereby reducing the collision load input from the suspension members to the vehicle body frame members such as pillars that reinforce the passenger compartment during a frontal collision.

[0011] A vehicle front structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect, wherein the suspension member is connected to a surface of the battery cross member on the vehicle front side.

[0012] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the rear end of the suspension member is connected to the surface of the battery cross-member on the vehicle front side, so that the collision load input to the suspension member is input to the surface of the battery cross-member on the vehicle front side. This increases the distance from the battery to the load input point (site). In addition, the collision load transmitted from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side during a frontal collision is input to the battery cross-member from the surface on the vehicle front side, so that it is input to the battery cross-member over the shortest distance.

[0013] The vehicle front structure according to claim 3 is the invention as defined in claim 1, wherein a rear end side of the suspension member is directly fixed to the battery cross member.

[0014] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the collision load input to the suspension member during a frontal collision is directly transmitted to the battery cross member.

[0015] The vehicle front structure of claim 4 is the invention described in claim 2, wherein the suspension member has a side portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a flange portion is formed on the rear end side of the side portion, and the suspension member is fixed to the vehicle front side surface of the battery cross member at the flange portion.

[0016] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, a collision load during a frontal collision is transferred to the rear of the vehicle through the side portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a load path. The collision load transferred from the side portion to the rear of the vehicle is transferred to the battery cross member through the surface of the flange portion formed on the rear end side of the side portion.

[0017] A vehicle front structure according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the invention described in the fourth aspect, wherein the flange portion extends in the vehicle width direction from the rear end side of the side portion.

[0018] According to the present invention described in claim 5, the battery cross-member extends in the vehicle width direction, and the flange portion extends in the same direction as the battery cross-member extends, so that the collision load distributed to the outside in the vehicle width direction at the flange portion is transmitted to the battery cross-member, and the collision load is also distributed in the same direction inside the battery cross-member.

[0019] The vehicle front structure according to claim 6 is the invention as defined in claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the suspension member is joined to a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 6, the collision load during a frontal collision is distributed not only from the suspension member to the battery cross-member but also to the dash cross-member.

[0021] A vehicle front structure according to claim 7 is the invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery cross member is joined to a dash cross member extending in a vehicle width direction.

[0022] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 7, a collision load during a frontal collision input from the suspension member to the battery cross member is transmitted to the dash cross member.

[0023] The vehicle front structure of claim 8 is the invention described in claim 6 or claim 7, in which the dash cross member is joined to the front portions of a pair of left and right rockers extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle floor.

[0024] According to the present invention described in claim 8, in the event of a frontal collision, the collision load input from the suspension member or the battery cross member to the dash cross member is distributed to a pair of left and right rockers arranged on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle floor.

[0025] The vehicle front structure of claim 9 is the invention described in claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising a pair of left and right front side members extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both sides of the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the dash cross member is joined to the rear of the pair of left and right front side members.

[0026] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 9, a collision load input from the front side of the vehicle to the front side member during a front collision is transferred to the dash cross member joined to the rear of the front side member. In particular, in the case of an offset collision, an oblique collision, or a slight overlap collision, a large collision load is input to one of the front side members. At this time, the collision load input to the front side member is transferred from one side to the other side in the vehicle width direction along the dash cross member and the battery cross member joined to the dash cross member. Therefore, the collision load is not borne by only one side of the vehicle that has been hit.

[0027] A vehicle front structure according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the invention as recited in the ninth aspect, wherein the pair of left and right front side members and the dash cross member are integrally formed.

[0028] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a collision load input to the front side member is efficiently distributed to the dash cross member which is integrally formed with the front side member.

[0029] The vehicle front structure according to claim 11 is the invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the battery cross member constitutes a part of a battery case that houses the battery.

[0030] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a collision load input to the battery cross member is distributed to the entire battery case that houses the battery.

[0031] The vehicle front structure of claim 12, in the invention described in claim 4, further has a pair of left and right battery side members extended from both vehicle width end portions of the battery cross member toward the rear of the vehicle, and each of the pair of left and right side portions is fixed to the battery cross member at a position closer to the battery side members than the vehicle width center of the battery cross member.

[0032] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 12, the side portion of the suspension member is fixed to the battery cross member at a position close to the battery side member, so that the collision load transmitted from the suspension member to the battery cross member is distributed to the left and right battery side members via a short load path. Effect of the Invention

[0033] As described above, the vehicle front structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 has the excellent effect of protecting the battery from impact during a frontal collision while dispersing the collision load input to the front of the vehicle to protect the passenger compartment in an electric vehicle in which the battery is located on the lower side of the passenger compartment.

[0034] The vehicle front structure of the present invention as described in claim 2 has the excellent effect of further suppressing the transmission of impact during a frontal collision to the battery, and efficiently transmitting collision load from the front side of the vehicle to the rear side of the vehicle to the battery cross member.

[0035] The vehicle front structure of the present invention as described in claim 3 has the excellent effect of being able to efficiently distribute collision loads to the battery cross-member compared to a case in which the rear end of the suspension member is joined to the battery cross-member via a separate member.

[0036] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 4 has an excellent effect of being able to efficiently distribute a collision load to the battery cross member via the surface of the flange portion.

[0037] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 5 has an excellent effect of being able to efficiently transmit a collision load in the vehicle width direction to the battery cross member.

[0038] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 6 has the excellent effect of ensuring a plurality of load paths from the suspension member against a collision load during a frontal collision.

[0039] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 7 has the excellent effect of further reducing the impact on the battery by dissipating the collision load from the battery cross member to the dash cross member.

[0040] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 8 has an excellent effect of reducing the amount of collision load input to the vehicle interior.

[0041] The vehicle front structure of the present invention as described in claim 9 has the excellent effect of distributing collision loads input to one front side member to the opposite side of the vehicle in the event of an offset collision, an oblique collision, or a slight overlap collision.

[0042] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 10 has the excellent effect of efficiently distributing the collision load input to the front side members during a frontal collision to the dash cross member.

[0043] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention as set forth in claim 11 has an excellent effect of being able to widely distribute a collision load input to the front of the vehicle over the entire battery case as a load path.

[0044] The vehicle front structure of the present invention as described in claim 12 has the excellent effect of suppressing the collision load transmitted from the suspension member to the battery cross member from being input to the battery and the vehicle compartment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle front structure according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] Hereinafter, a vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and RH shown appropriately in each figure indicate the front side, upper side, and right side in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle, respectively. Furthermore, when the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are used in the following description unless otherwise specified, they respectively indicate front-rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, up-down in the up-down direction of the vehicle, and left-right in the left-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle.

[0047] 1 shows a plan view of a front part 13 of a vehicle 12 to which the vehicle front structure according to this embodiment is applied. The vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle equipped with a battery 14 under the floor (below the vehicle of a floor panel 46 of a vehicle interior 44 described later). The battery 14 is accommodated in a battery case 16. The battery case 16 is configured to include, as an example, a battery frame 18 configured in a substantially rectangular frame shape in a plan view, an upper panel (not shown) arranged above the battery frame 18, and a lower panel (not shown) arranged below the battery frame 18. Note that the configuration of the battery case is not limited to the above.

[0048] The battery frame 18 includes a pair of left and right battery side members 20 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The battery frame 18 also includes a battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side that connects the front ends of the pair of left and right battery side members 20 in the vehicle width direction, and a battery cross member (not shown) on the vehicle rear side that connects the rear ends of the pair of left and right battery side members 20 in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] The vehicle front structure includes a pair of left and right front side members 24 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a dash cross member 26 connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right front side members 24 in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right battery side members 20 are disposed outboard of the pair of left and right front side members 24 in the vehicle width direction. The battery cross member 22 is disposed on the vehicle lower side of the dash cross member 26 (see FIG. 2). The pair of left and right front side members 24 and the dash cross member 26 are integrally molded by die casting. Note that the pair of left and right front side members and the dash cross member may be integrally molded not only by die casting but also, for example, from resin.

[0050] A pair of left and right rockers 28 are disposed at both widthwise ends of a floor panel 46 of the vehicle 12, which will be described later. The pair of left and right rockers 28 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, outside the vehicle width direction of the pair of left and right battery side members 20. The dash cross member 26 connects the front ends of the pair of left and right rockers 28 to each other in the vehicle width direction. In FIG. 1, the pair of left and right front side members 24 and the dash cross member 26, which are integrally molded, and the pair of left and right rockers 28 joined to the dash cross member 26 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0051] Furthermore, a suspension member 30 in which the inner end of a suspension arm (not shown) is swingably supported is disposed in the front portion 13 of the vehicle 21. This suspension member 30 is disposed inside the pair of left and right front side members 24 in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and is disposed below the front side members 24 in a side view.

[0052] The suspension member 30 has a pair of left and right side portions 32 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right side portions 32 are disposed at approximately the same height as the battery cross member 22, on the vehicle front side of the battery cross member 22 and on the vehicle lower side of the dash cross member 26. Since the pair of left and right side portions 32 are configured symmetrically, the following description will focus on the side portion 32 on the right side of the vehicle, and a description of the side portion 32 on the left side of the vehicle will be omitted.

[0053] The side portion 32 is formed in a square tube shape having a substantially rectangular closed cross section when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. A pair of left and right flange portions 34 are formed at the rear end of the side portion 32. The right flange portion 34 extends from the rear end of the surface of the side portion 32 on the right side of the vehicle toward the right side of the vehicle. Similarly, the left flange portion 34 extends from the rear end of the surface of the side portion 32 on the left side of the vehicle toward the left side of the vehicle. As an example, the pair of left and right flange portions 34 are formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0054] A through hole 34A (see FIG. 2) is formed in the center of the pair of left and right flange portions 34 in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle width direction. A through hole 22A (see FIG. 2) is formed in the surface of the battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side at a position corresponding to the through hole 34A (see FIG. 2) of the pair of left and right flange portions 34. A bolt 36 is inserted into each of the through holes 34A (see FIG. 2) and the through hole 22A (see FIG. 2). A weld nut 38 that screws into the bolt 36 is provided around the through hole 22A of the battery cross member 22. The pair of left and right flange portions 34 are fastened to the surface of the battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side by the bolt 36 and the weld nut 38 (see FIG. 2). In other words, the side portion 32 is fastened to the battery cross member 22 in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0055] Here, the side portion 32 on the right side of the vehicle is fixed to the battery cross member 22 at a position closer to the battery side member 20 on the right side of the vehicle than the center of the battery cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2, the dash cross member 26 is formed in an approximately L-shape when viewed from the side of the vehicle, and is composed of a bottom portion 26A extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a rear wall portion 26B extending from the rear end portion of the bottom portion 26A toward the upper side of the vehicle.

[0057] A dash panel 40 is integrally formed on the upper side of the dash cross member 26. The dash panel 40 is formed with a downward slope that slopes downward toward the vehicle rear side. The dash panel 40 is a member that has a function of dividing a power unit room 42 and a passenger compartment 44, and pedals are arranged on the inclined surface. Note that, as an example, the lower end of another dash panel (not shown) that extends in the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle width direction is joined to the front end of the dash panel 40 shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the dash panel 40 corresponds to the dash panel lower, and the other dash panel corresponds to the dash panel upper. An extension portion 40A is formed at the rear end of the dash panel 40, which extends from the upper end of the rear wall portion 26B of the dash cross member 26 toward the vehicle rear side. A floor panel 46 that constitutes the floor of the passenger compartment 44 is placed on the extension portion 40A. Specifically, a surface of the floor panel 46 on the lower side of the vehicle at the front end portion thereof is fixed to a surface of the extension portion 40A on the upper side of the vehicle. Note that the vehicle 12 does not necessarily have to include the floor panel 46. In this case, an upper panel (not shown) disposed above the battery frame 18 may function as the floor panel.

[0058] A front portion of the bottom 26A of the dash cross member 26 is fixed to the vehicle upper surface of a pair of left and right side portions 32 of the suspension member 30. A rear portion of the bottom 26A of the dash cross member 26 is fixed to the vehicle upper surface of the battery cross member 22. A pair of left and right suspension member through holes (not shown) for fastening to the suspension member 30 and a pair of left and right battery cross member through holes (not shown) for fastening to the battery cross member 22 are formed in the bottom 26A of the dash cross member 26, each penetrating in the plate thickness direction. The suspension member through holes (not shown) and the battery cross member through holes (not shown) are formed, for example, side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0059] At the rear end of the side portion 32 of the suspension member 30, a pair of upper and lower through holes (both not shown) are formed in the plate thickness direction of an upper plate formed on the vehicle upper side and a lower plate formed on the vehicle lower side. A bolt 48 is inserted through the suspension member through hole (not shown) of the dash cross member 26 and the pair of upper and lower through holes (not shown) of the side portion 32. The bolt 48 is screwed into a nut 50. As a result, the rear end of the side portion 32 of the suspension member 30 is fastened to the front portion of the bottom portion 26A of the dash cross member 26. In other words, the front portion of the bottom portion 26A of the dash cross member 26 and the rear end of the side portion 32 of the suspension member 30 are fastened in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0060] The battery cross member 22 is formed in a square tube shape having a substantially rectangular closed cross section when viewed from the vehicle width direction. In the battery cross member 22, an upper plate formed on the vehicle upper side and a lower plate formed on the vehicle lower side are each formed with a pair of upper and lower through holes (both not shown) penetrating in the plate thickness direction. A bolt 52 is inserted through the battery cross member through hole (not shown) of the dash cross member 26 and the pair of upper and lower through holes (not shown) of the battery cross member 22. The bolt 52 is screwed into a nut 54. As a result, the battery cross member 22 is fastened to the rear of the bottom portion 26A of the dash cross member 26. In other words, the rear of the bottom portion 26A of the dash cross member 26 and the battery cross member 22 are fastened in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0061] (action) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0062] According to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the battery cross member 22 is disposed on the vehicle front side of the battery 14. This reduces the collision load input to the battery 14 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12. In addition, the rear end side of the suspension member 30 is joined to the battery cross member 22. Therefore, the collision load input to the suspension member 30 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is transmitted to the battery cross member 22 extending in the vehicle width direction, and is dispersed along the vehicle width direction.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the rear end of the suspension member 30 is fixed to the surface of the battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side, so that the collision load input to the suspension member 30 is input to the surface of the battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side. This increases the distance from the battery 14 to the load input point (site), reducing the impact on the battery 14. Furthermore, the collision load that is transmitted from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side during a frontal collision is input to the battery cross member 22 from the surface on the vehicle front side, and is transmitted efficiently.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the collision load input to the suspension member 30 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is transmitted to the rear of the vehicle via the side portion 32 extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction as a load path. The collision load transmitted from the side portion 32 to the rear of the vehicle is then input to the battery cross member 22 via the flange portion 34. Moreover, since the flange portion 34 formed at the rear end of the side portion 32 abuts against the battery cross member on its surface, the collision load input to the suspension member 30 is efficiently distributed to the battery cross member 22.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the flange portion 34 extends in the same direction (vehicle width direction) as the battery cross member 22. Therefore, the collision load can be efficiently transmitted from the suspension member 30 to the battery cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction.

[0066] Furthermore, with the vehicle front structure according to this embodiment, the collision load during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is distributed from the suspension member 30 not only to the battery cross-member 22 but also to the dash cross-member 26 .

[0067] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, when the vehicle 12 experiences a frontal collision, the collision load input from the suspension member 30 to the battery cross member 22 is transmitted to the dash cross member 26 .

[0068] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the collision load during a frontal collision input from the suspension member 30 and the battery cross member 22 to the dash cross member 26 is distributed to a pair of left and right rockers 28 arranged on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle floor.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the collision load input to the front side member 24 from the front side of the vehicle during a front collision of the vehicle 12 is transmitted to the battery cross member 22 via the dash cross member 26. In particular, in the case of an offset collision, an oblique collision, or a slight overlap collision, a large collision load is input to one of the front side members 24. At this time, the collision load input to the front side member 24 is transmitted from one side to the other side in the vehicle width direction along the dash cross member 26 and the battery cross member 22 joined to the dash cross member 26. Therefore, the collision load does not have to be borne only by the one side of the vehicle that has been hit.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the pair of left and right front side members 24 and the dash cross member 26 are integrally molded, so that the collision load input to the front side members 24 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 12 is efficiently transmitted to the dash cross member 26. Also, because the pair of left and right front side members 24 and the dash cross member 26 are integrally molded, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced.

[0071] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the battery cross member 22 constitutes part of the battery case 16 that houses the battery 14, so that the collision load input to the battery cross member 22 is widely distributed throughout the entire battery case 16.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the side portions 32 of the suspension member 30 are fixed to the battery cross member 22 at positions close to the battery side members 20. Therefore, the collision load transmitted from the suspension member 30 to the battery cross member 22 is efficiently transmitted to the left and right battery side members 20. In this manner, the vehicle front structure has multiple load paths for the collision load received in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 12.

[0073] [Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment] In the above embodiment, the suspension member 30 is fastened to the battery cross member 22, and the suspension member 30 and the battery cross member 22 are each fastened to the dash cross member 26, but this is not limited thereto. For example, each member may be joined by other joining methods such as fitting or welding. For example, the suspension member may be connected to the battery cross member via a separate member.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the suspension member 30 is described as being fixed to the surface of the battery cross member 22 on the vehicle front side, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the suspension member may be fixed to the surface of the battery cross member on the vehicle lower side.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the suspension member 30 has been described as having a pair of left and right side portions 32 each extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the rear end of the side portion 32 is fastened to the battery cross member 22, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the suspension member may be formed in a rectangular frame shape in a plan view, and may have a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the vehicle, and the cross member may be joined to the battery cross member.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a pair of left and right flanges 34 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed at the rear end of each side portion 32, and the suspension member 30 is described as being fixed to the battery cross member 22 at the pair of left and right flanges 34, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the flanges of the side portions may extend in the vehicle vertical direction. Also, the side portions may not have flanges. For example, the rear end of the side portion formed in a rectangular tube shape may be welded to the battery cross member. Furthermore, for example, when the suspension member is connected to the battery cross member via a separate member extended to the rear end side of the suspension member, the flanges may be formed on the separate member.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the rear end of the suspension member 30 is described as being joined to the dash cross member 26 in the vehicle up-down direction, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the suspension member may be joined to the dash cross member in the vehicle front-rear direction. Also, for example, the suspension member may be joined to the dash cross member at a position on the vehicle front side of the rear end of the suspension member, not limited to the rear end. Also, the suspension member does not have to be joined to the dash cross member.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the battery cross member 22 is described as being joined to the dash cross member 26 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the battery cross member and the dash cross member may be joined in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Also, the battery cross member does not have to be joined to the dash cross member.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the dash cross member 26 has been described as connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right rockers 28 in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the dash cross member may connect not only the front ends of the pair of left and right rockers, but also a position on the rear side of the front ends in the vehicle width direction at the front part. Also, for example, the dash cross member may connect the pair of left and right rockers in the vehicle width direction via a separate member.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the dash cross member 26 has been described as connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right front side members 24 in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the dash cross member is not limited to connecting the rear ends of the pair of left and right front side members in the vehicle width direction, but may connect the pair of left and right front side members at a position forward of the rear ends of the rear portions of the front side members in the vehicle width direction. For example, the dash cross member may connect the pair of left and right front side members in the vehicle width direction via a separate member such as a dash panel.

[0081] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the pair of left and right front side members 24 and the dash cross member 26 are described as being integrally molded by Gigacast, but this is not limited thereto. For example, one front side member and the dash cross member may be integrally molded, and the other front side member may be molded separately. Also, the pair of left and right front side members and the dash cross member may be molded separately.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the battery cross member 22 is described as constituting a part of the battery case 16 that houses the battery 14, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the battery case that houses the battery and the battery frame including the battery cross member may be configured separately. In this case, the battery frame may also serve as a frame that constitutes the vehicle body.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the side portion 32 on the right side of the vehicle has been described as being fixed to the battery cross member 22 at a position closer to the battery side member 20 on the right side of the vehicle than the center of the battery cross member 22 in the vehicle width direction, and the side portion 32 on the left side of the vehicle has been described as being symmetrical to the side portion 32 on the right side of the vehicle, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the pair of left and right side portions may each be fixed to a position that divides the battery cross member into thirds in the vehicle width direction.

[0084] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0085] (Appendix 1) A battery cross member is disposed on a vehicle front side of a battery mounted on a lower side of a vehicle compartment and extends in a vehicle width direction; A suspension member disposed on a vehicle front side of the battery cross member and having a rear end side connected to the battery cross member; A vehicle front structure having the above structure. (Appendix 2) The suspension member is connected to a surface of the battery cross member on a vehicle front side. 1. A vehicle front structure as described in appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The rear end side of the suspension member is directly fixed to the battery cross member. 1. A vehicle front structure as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The suspension member has a side portion extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, A flange portion is formed on the rear end side of the side portion, The suspension member is fixed to a vehicle front side surface of the battery cross member at the flange portion. 1. A vehicle front structure as set forth in appendix 2 or appendix 3. (Appendix 5) The flange portion extends in the vehicle width direction from the rear end portion of the side portion. 1. A vehicle front structure as described in appendix 4. (Appendix 6) The rear portion of the suspension member is joined to a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. 6. A vehicle front structure according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5. (Appendix 7) The battery cross member is joined to a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. 7. A vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) The dash cross member is joined to the front portions of a pair of left and right rockers extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body floor, 1. A vehicle front structure as set forth in appendix 6 or appendix 7. (Appendix 9) The vehicle further includes a pair of left and right front side members extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front part of the vehicle, The dash cross member is joined to the rear portions of the pair of left and right front side members. The vehicle front structure according to any one of Supplementary Note 6 to Supplementary Note 8. (Appendix 10) The pair of left and right front side members and the dash cross member are integrally formed. 10. A vehicle front structure as described in appended note 9. (Appendix 11) The battery cross member constitutes a part of a battery case that houses the battery. The vehicle front structure according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 10. (Appendix 12) A pair of left and right battery side members are extended from both ends of the battery cross member in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle, The pair of left and right side portions are fixed to the battery cross member at positions closer to the pair of left and right battery side members than the center of the battery cross member in the vehicle width direction. 1. A vehicle front structure as set forth in appendix 4 or appendix 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 12 Vehicles 13 Front 14 Battery 16 Battery case 20 Battery side member 22 Battery cross member 24 Front side member 26 Dash cross member 28 Rocca 30 Suspension member 32 Side section 34 Flange section 44 Cabin 46 Body floor

Claims

1. A battery cross member is disposed on a vehicle front side of a battery mounted on a lower side of a vehicle compartment and extends in a vehicle width direction; A suspension member disposed on a vehicle front side of the battery cross member and connected to the battery cross member at a rear end side; A vehicle front structure having the above structure.

2. The suspension member is connected to a surface of the battery cross member on a vehicle front side. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

3. The rear end side of the suspension member is directly fixed to the battery cross member. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

4. The suspension member has a side portion extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle, A flange portion is formed on the rear end side of the side portion, The suspension member is fixed to a vehicle front side surface of the battery cross member at the flange portion. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2 .

5. The flange portion extends in the vehicle width direction from the rear end side of the side portion. The vehicle front structure according to claim 4.

6. The rear portion of the suspension member is joined to a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

7. The battery cross member is joined to a dash cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

8. The dash cross member is joined to the front portions of a pair of left and right rockers extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body floor, The vehicle front structure according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The vehicle further includes a pair of left and right front side members extending in a front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front part of the vehicle, The dash cross member is joined to the rear portions of the pair of left and right front side members. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6 or 7.

10. The pair of left and right front side members and the dash cross member are integrally formed. The vehicle front structure according to claim 9.

11. The battery cross member constitutes a part of a battery case that houses the battery. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1 .

12. A pair of left and right battery side members are extended from both ends of the battery cross member in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle, The pair of left and right side portions are fixed to the battery cross member at positions closer to the pair of left and right battery side members than the center of the battery cross member in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle front structure according to claim 4.

Citation Information

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