Front structure of electric vehicle

Abstract

To provide a front structure of an electric vehicle which disperses an impact load by improving strength of a tunnel part of a vehicle front part of the electric vehicle.SOLUTION: A front structure of an electric vehicle includes: an inclination part 11 which is provided at a front part of a floor part and extends inclining upward toward the vehicle front; and a tunnel part 12 provided at the floor part of the vehicle. At the lower surface side of the floor part, a lower tunnel reinforcement member 50 configured to reinforce the tunnel part 12 is disposed in a front part of the tunnel part 12. The lower tunnel reinforcement member 50 has an L shaped cross sectional shape and includes a ridge line part 54 extending in a front-back direction. The side part of the lower tunnel reinforcement member 50 is joined to the vertical wall part 14 of the side part of the tunnel part 12. The lower part of the lower tunnel reinforcement member 50 is joined to a floor panel 10 located at the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall part 14. The front part of the lower tunnel reinforcement member 50 extends along the inclination part 11 and is joined to a cross member 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a front structure of an electric vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In the front part of an electric vehicle, for example, a driving motor, a suspension structure for the front wheels, etc. are arranged. Also, in an electric vehicle, a battery pack for supplying power to the driving motor is arranged below the floor part.

[0003] In the front part of an electric vehicle, similar to a vehicle having an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as an engine vehicle), it is necessary to ensure rigidity and strength against impact loads such as a frontal collision. Further, in an electric vehicle, when receiving an impact load due to a frontal collision or the like, in order to protect the battery pack, the rigidity and strength of the front part of the floor part are required.

[0004] As a structure for reinforcing the front part of the floor part of an electric vehicle, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a center tunnel is provided in the floor panel, and a reinforcement is attached to the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the center tunnel. The reinforcement in this example is attached to the dash panel and extends rearward from the dash panel along the longitudinal direction of the center tunnel.

[0005] By providing the center tunnel, a part of the impact load due to a frontal collision or the like can be absorbed. However, in an electric vehicle, a battery pack is arranged below the floor panel. Therefore, the floor panel of the electric vehicle is arranged more upward than the floor panel of the engine vehicle. As a result, in the electric vehicle compared to the engine vehicle, the height of the center tunnel becomes lower. When the height of the center tunnel is low, the energy absorbed by the center tunnel decreases. In the structure of the above example, by providing a reinforcement to reinforce the center tunnel, even when the height of the center tunnel is low, the energy generated by the collision can be absorbed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] On the vehicle front side of the floor part, for example, it is necessary to ensure a predetermined rigidity to support a driving motor and a suspension structure. Therefore, in the front part of the floor part, for example, a high-rigidity member such as a cross member provided with a support part for supporting the suspension structure may be arranged.

[0008] In such a structure, even when a reinforcement extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in the center tunnel (tunnel part) as in the above example, it is desirable that the reinforcement extends linearly. However, when trying to provide a reinforcement extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in the tunnel part as in the structure of the above example, it is necessary to curve or bend the front part of the reinforcement due to layout.

[0009] In a structure in which a curved part or a bent part is provided in the reinforcement, when an impact load due to a frontal collision or the like acts, the tunnel part may be compressed and deformed starting from the curved part or the bent part. Therefore, in the structure of the above example, there was room for improvement in ensuring the strength of the vehicle front part against an impact load due to a frontal collision or the like.

[0010] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a front structure of an electric vehicle capable of effectively dispersing an impact load by improving the strength of the tunnel part against an impact load during a frontal collision and reducing deformation in the front part of the tunnel part.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The front structure of an electric vehicle according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a front side member extending forward from the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front of the floor portion of the vehicle, a cross member disposed at the front of the floor portion and extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear portion of the front side member, an inclined portion provided at the front of the floor portion and extending obliquely upward as it extends forward, and a tunnel portion provided on the floor portion, bulging upward on the vehicle upper side and extending rearward from the front of the floor portion. A battery pack is disposed on the lower side of the floor portion. In the front structure of the electric vehicle, on the lower surface side of the floor portion, a tunnel reinforcing member for reinforcing the tunnel portion is disposed at the front of the tunnel portion. The tunnel reinforcing member has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and has a ridge line portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The side portion of the tunnel reinforcing member is joined to the vertical wall portion on the side portion of the tunnel portion, the lower portion of the tunnel reinforcing member is joined to the floor portion located outside the vertical wall portion in the vehicle width direction, the front portion of the tunnel reinforcing member extends along the inclined portion and is joined to the cross member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, in the front structure of an electric vehicle, by improving the strength of the tunnel portion against the impact load during a frontal collision and reducing the deformation at the front of the tunnel portion, the impact load can be effectively dispersed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the front structure of an electric vehicle according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 9). In the drawings, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the description of the embodiment, "front part (front end) and rear part (rear end)" correspond to the front part and rear part in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Further, arrow R and arrow L indicate the right side and left side when the occupant looks at the front of the vehicle. Further, arrow U indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the front structure of the electric vehicle of the present embodiment has a battery pack 77 disposed below the floor portion of the electric vehicle. Note that the position of the battery pack 77 is virtually shown in FIG. 2. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the front structure of the electric vehicle includes a front side member 20 extending forward from the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front portion of the floor portion, and a cross member 30 disposed at the front portion of the floor portion and extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear portion of the front side member 20. Further, the front structure has an inclined portion 11 provided at the front portion of the floor portion and inclined upward as it extends forward, and a tunnel portion 12 provided on the floor portion, bulging upward on the vehicle side, and extending rearward from the front portion of the floor portion.

[0016] Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the front structure of the present embodiment has tunnel reinforcing members 50 and 57 for reinforcing the tunnel portion 12. The tunnel reinforcing members 50 and 57 will be described in detail later.

[0017] Hereinafter, each member of the front structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0018] As described above, the front structure of the electric vehicle according to the present embodiment has the front side member 20 and the cross member 30, and further has the floor panel 10 that constitutes the floor portion, the dash panel 71, and the dash lower cross member 65. Further, the front structure has the brace 73 and the side sill 75.

[0019] The front side member 20 is formed of a metal material and is a highly rigid member that constitutes the vehicle body skeleton. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front side member 20 is disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle, for example, on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the power chamber where the drive motor is disposed.

[0020] Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front side member 20 has a bottom surface portion 21, an inner wall portion 22, an outer wall portion 23, and an upper surface portion (not shown), and has a substantially rectangular cross section. The front side member 20 extends forward from the front portion of the floor portion. The cross member 30 is joined to the rear portion of the inner wall portion 22 of the front side member 20 by, for example, spot welding. As shown in FIG. 2, the front side member 20 has a member inclined portion 24 that extends obliquely upward as it goes forward from a position slightly forward of the joint portion with the cross member 30. The height of the rear end of the member inclined portion 24 is substantially the same as the height of the cross member 30 and the side sill 75, and the front end of the member inclined portion 24 is disposed above the vehicle compared to the dash lower cross member 65 described later.

[0021] The cross member 30 is, like the front side member 20, a highly rigid member formed of a metal material and constituting the vehicle body skeleton. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, the cross member 30 is disposed at the front portion of the floor portion and extends in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the rear portion of the front side member 20 and the front portion at the side portion of the tunnel portion 12. The cross member 30 of the present embodiment has an outer member 31 and an inner member 35. By joining the outer member 31 and the inner member 35 to each other, one cross member 30 is constituted.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the outer member 31 of the cross member 30 is a hollow member and has a rear wall portion 32, a front wall portion 33, and bottom surface portions 34a, 34b, 34c. The rear wall portion 32 faces the rear of the vehicle and has a vertical wall surface extending vertically and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the front wall portion 33 of the outer member 31 of the cross member 30 has a front inclined surface 33a and an outer inclined surface 33c. The front inclined surface 33a of the outer member 31 is located at the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front wall portion 33, inclines upward in the vehicle as it goes forward in the vehicle, and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] The outer inclined surface 33c of the outer member 31 is disposed outside the front inclined surface 33a in the vehicle width direction, and inclines and extends outward and upward in the vehicle width direction from the outer end of the front inclined surface 33a as it goes forward in the vehicle. At the upper portion of the front wall portion 33 of the outer member 31, that is, at the front end portion located at the upper portion of the front inclined surface 33a, a front flange portion 33b that protrudes forward in the vehicle from the front end portion and extends in the vehicle width direction is provided. The front flange portion 33b is joined to the inner wall portion 22 of the front side member 20 by spot welding.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom surfaces 34a, 34b, 34c of the outer member 31 of the cross member 30 connect the lower part of the front wall portion 33 and the lower part of the rear wall portion 32 and extend in the vehicle width direction. The bottom surfaces 34a, 34b, 34c have an inner bottom surface 34a, an outer bottom surface 34b, and an inclined connecting portion 34c connecting them. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inner bottom surface 34a is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the outer member 31, extends in the vehicle width direction, and is located above the outer bottom surface 34b. The outer bottom surface 34b is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the inner bottom surface 34a and is joined to the bottom surface 21 of the front side member 20 by spot welding.

[0026] The inclined connecting portion 34c extends so as to incline upward in the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the outer end of the inner bottom surface 34a and the inner end of the outer bottom surface 34b. In this example, the front end of the inclined connecting portion 34c is connected to the lower end of the outer inclined surface 33c.

[0027] As described above, a front side flange portion 33b is provided at the upper part of the front wall portion 33 of the outer member 31, and a rear side flange portion 32a that protrudes rearward in the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction is provided at the upper part of the rear wall portion 32 of the outer member 31. The front side flange portion 33b and the rear side flange portion 32a are joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 10 constituting the floor portion by, for example, spot welding.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the inner member 35 of the cross member 30 is a hollow member and has a rear wall portion 36, a front wall portion 37, a bottom surface portion 38, and an inner wall portion 39. The rear wall portion 36 of the inner member 35 is joined to the front surface side of the rear wall portion 32 of the outer member 31. The inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear wall portion 36 protrudes upward (FIG. 7). A rear side flange portion 36a that protrudes rearward is provided at the upper end of this protruding portion (FIG. 5).

[0029] The bottom surface portion 38 of the inner member 35 is joined to the upper surface side of the outer portion of the inner bottom surface portion 34a of the outer member 31. The inner wall portion 39 of the inner member 35 extends obliquely upward from the outer end of the bottom surface portion 38 of the inner member 35 in the vehicle width direction, faces inward and downward in the vehicle direction, and constitutes the inner wall of the cross member 30. A rear protruding portion 39a protruding rearward is provided at the upper portion of the inner wall portion 39 of the inner member 35. The rear flange portion 36a and the rear protruding portion 39a of the inner member 35 extend along the ridge line portion 54 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 described later and are arranged to cover the ridge line portion 54, and are joined to the front portion of the lower surface portion 51 and the front portion of the inner surface portion 52 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50, respectively.

[0030] Here, the floor portion will be described. The floor portion of the present embodiment is the floor portion at the front of the vehicle compartment. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, side sills 75 are arranged on the outer side portions in the vehicle width direction of the floor portion. The side sill 75 is a highly rigid member constituting the vehicle body skeleton and is formed of a metal material. The side sill 75 is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the vehicle body and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this example, the side sill 75 is joined to the lower surface of the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel 10.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, a brace 73 arranged at the front of the floor portion is joined to the front portion of the side sill 75. The brace 73 is a member that extends obliquely inward in the vehicle width direction as it goes forward in the vehicle, and like the side sill 75, is a highly rigid member constituting the vehicle body skeleton. The outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the brace 73 is joined to the front portion of the side sill 75, and the inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the brace 73 is joined to the outer wall portion 23 and the bottom surface portion 21 of the front side member 20. The inner side portion in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the brace 73 is joined to the outer bottom surface portion 34b of the cross member 30 by spot welding. In the present embodiment, the outer side portion in the vehicle width direction of the cross member 30, the rear portion of the front side member 20, and the inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the brace 73 are joined to ensure the rigidity of the lower part of the vehicle body. Further, the upper portion of the brace 73 is joined to the floor panel 10.

[0032] Also, as described above, an inclined portion 11 is provided at the front portion of the floor portion, and a tunnel portion 12 is provided at the middle portion in the vehicle width direction of the floor portion. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the inclined portion 11 is provided at the front portion of the floor portion and is inclined upward as it goes forward in the vehicle. The lower portion of the dash panel 71 is joined to the upper portion of the inclined portion 11. The dash panel 71 is a panel that divides the vehicle compartment and the power compartment and is formed of a metal material.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the tunnel portion 12 is provided at the center in the vehicle width direction of the floor portion, bulges upward in the vehicle with respect to the upper surface of the floor portion located outside the vehicle width direction of the tunnel portion 12, and extends rearward in the vehicle from the inclined portion 11. The upper portion at the front end of the tunnel portion 12 is joined to the rear surface of the dash panel 71.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, floor panels 10 are arranged outside the vehicle width direction of the tunnel portion 12. The left and right floor panels 10 connect the tunnel portion 12 and the side sills 75 arranged at the outer portions in the vehicle width direction of the floor portion and extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the tunnel portion 12 has vertical wall portions 14 arranged on both the left and right sides and a top surface portion 13 connecting the upper ends of the left and right vertical wall portions 14. The vertical wall portion 14 is a wall portion that extends upward in the vehicle from the inner end of the floor panel 10 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the inner end of the floor panel 10. In FIG. 3, only the right vertical wall portion 14 is shown. A lower flange portion 15 protruding outward in the vehicle width direction is provided at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14. The lower flange portion 15 is joined to, for example, the lower surface side of the inner portion of the floor panel 10 by, for example, spot welding. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the front portion at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14 of the tunnel portion 12 is inclined so as to correspond to the inclination direction of the inclined portion 11 of the floor portion. The top surface portion 13 connects the upper ends of the left and right vertical wall portions 14 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] The cross-sections shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 show cross-sections in a vertical plane arranged along a vehicle longitudinal direction line passing through the middle part (substantially the central part) in the vehicle width direction of the top surface part 13.

[0037] Further, the front part structure of the present embodiment has tunnel reinforcing members 50 and 57 for reinforcing the tunnel part 12. The tunnel reinforcing members 50 and 57 of the present embodiment have an upper tunnel reinforcing member 57 and a lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper tunnel reinforcing member 57 is provided on the back side of the corner formed by the outer end of the top surface part 13 of the tunnel part 12 and the upper end of the vertical wall part 14. The upper tunnel reinforcing member 57 is a member that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a whole, and has an upper surface part 58 and an outer surface part 59 that extends downward from the outer end of the upper surface part 58. The upper tunnel reinforcing member 57 has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape.

[0039] The upper surface part 58 faces upward and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The upper surface part 58 is joined to the lower surface side of the top surface part 13 of the tunnel part 12 by, for example, spot welding. The outer surface part 59 faces outward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The outer surface part 59 is joined to the upper part of the inner surface of the vertical wall part 14 of the tunnel part 12 by, for example, spot welding.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5, the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is arranged at the front part of the tunnel part 12 on the lower surface side of the floor part. Further, the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and has a ridge line part 54 that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The side part of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 of the present embodiment is joined to the vertical wall part 14 on the side part of the tunnel part 12, the lower part of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is joined to the floor part located outside the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall part 14, and the front part of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 extends along the inclined part 11 and is joined to the cross member 30. Hereinafter, the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 will be described in detail.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is provided below the corner portion formed by the lower portion of the vertical wall portion 14 of the tunnel portion 12 and the lower flange portion 15 provided at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14. The lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is a member that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction as a whole, and has a lower surface portion 51, an inner surface portion 52 that extends upward from the inner end of the lower surface portion 51, and a front surface portion 55.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface portion 51 faces downward of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lower surface portion 51 is joined to the floor portion disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall portion 14 of the tunnel portion 12. Specifically, the lower surface portion 51 is joined to the lower flange portion 15 provided at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14 by spot welding. In this example, the lower surface portion 51, the lower flange portion 15, and the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel 10 are joined in a three-layered state.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inner surface portion 52 faces inward in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The inner surface portion 52 is joined to the lower portion of the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 14 of the tunnel portion 12 by, for example, spot welding. Further, the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is provided with a ridge line portion 54 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction at a portion (a boundary portion) where the lower surface portion 51 and the inner surface portion 52 are connected. The ridge line portion 54 extends, for example, parallel to the ridge line of the corner portion formed by the lower portion of the vertical wall portion 14 of the tunnel portion 12 and the lower flange portion 15.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the upper end of the inner surface portion 52 corresponding to the inclined portion 11 at the front portion of the floor portion is inclined along the inclined portion 11. That is, the upper end at the front portion of the inner surface portion 52 extends so as to be inclined upward as it goes toward the front of the vehicle. Further, the lower surface portion 51 (the front portion of the lower surface portion 51) located below the inclined portion 11 extends toward the front of the vehicle, and, for example, the rear flange portion 32a of the outer member 31 of the cross member 30 and the rear flange portion 36a of the inner member 35 are joined to the lower surface portion 51.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front portion 55 extends upward from the front end of the lower surface portion 51 of the vehicle. At the upper part of the front portion 55, the inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the front flange portion 33b of the front inclined surface 33a of the cross member 30 is joined by, for example, spot welding. Similarly, at the lower part of the front portion 55, the inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the front inclined surface 33a is joined.

[0046] The ridge line portion 54 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 located below the inclined portion 11 of the floor portion extends linearly forward from the ridge line portion 54 on the rear side of the vehicle of the inclined portion 11. Therefore, the rigidity and strength in the vehicle front-rear direction can be ensured. Thus, for example, when an impact load due to a frontal collision or the like acts on the front portion of the vehicle, it becomes possible to reduce the deformation of the tunnel portion 12 due to the impact load, and the impact load can be effectively dispersed.

[0047] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a plate-shaped bracket 60 formed of a metal material is provided inside the cross member 30, and the front portion and the rear portion of the bracket 60 are joined to the cross member 30. The bracket 60 has a main body portion 61, a front flange portion 62, and a rear flange portion 63.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the main body portion 61 is plate-shaped and horizontally arranged, and is arranged below the inclined portion 11 provided at the front portion of the floor panel 10. The upper surface of the main body portion 61 is arranged at a distance in the vehicle up-down direction from the lower surface of the inclined portion 11. Note that the vertical length of the distance is set to increase toward the front of the vehicle. The inner side portion in the vehicle width direction of the main body portion 61 is joined to the lower surface portion 51 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50. The outer side portion of the main body portion 61 is arranged at a distance in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall portion 22 of the front side member 20.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, the front flange portion 62 of the bracket 60 protrudes so as to incline upward as it extends forward from the front end of the main body portion 61 toward the front of the vehicle, and extends in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the left and right ends at the front end of the main body portion 61. The front flange portion 62 is joined to the rear surface of the front inclined surface 33a of the cross member 30 by, for example, spot welding. Further, the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the front flange portion 62 of the bracket 60 is joined to the front surface portion 55 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, the rear flange portion 63 of the bracket 60 is a portion that protrudes rearward from the rear end of the main body portion 61, and is joined to the lower surface of the floor panel 10 located rearward of the inclined portion 11, that is, the front portion of the flat portion of the floor panel 10. Further, the rear flange portion 63 of the bracket 60 is joined to, for example, the rear portion of the cross member 30. In this example, the rear flange portion 32a of the outer member 31 is joined to the rear flange portion 63 by, for example, spot welding.

[0051] By providing the bracket 60 inside the cross member 30, the front inclined surface 33a of the cross member 30 and the front end portion of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 can be reinforced. Further, since the bracket 60 is horizontally arranged along the ridge line portion 54 and is joined to the lower surface portion 51 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50, the rigidity and strength of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 in the vehicle front-rear direction can be improved. As a result, when an impact load due to a frontal collision or the like acts on the front portion of the vehicle, the effect of suppressing the deformation of the tunnel portion 12 caused by the impact load can be enhanced.

[0052] Further, a suspension mounting portion 40 to which a suspension structure (not shown) is mounted is provided at the lower portion of the cross member 30 of the present embodiment, and a nut 41 extending in the vehicle up-down direction is arranged to penetrate through the lower portion of the cross member 30 and the bracket 60 in the vehicle up-down direction, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the suspension mounting portion 40 of the present embodiment includes the inner bottom surface portion 34a of the outer member 31 of the cross member 30, the bottom surface portion 38 of the inner member 35 of the cross member 30, and the main body portion 61 of the bracket 60. Through holes 45 penetrating in the vehicle up-and-down direction are formed in the inner bottom surface portion 34a of the outer member 31, the bottom surface portion 38 of the inner member 35, and the main body portion 61 of the bracket 60. These through holes 45 communicate with each other, and the nut 41 is disposed so as to penetrate these through holes 45.

[0054] An engaging portion 41a that engages with and is supported by the edges of these through holes 45 is provided on the side portion of the nut 41. A suspension structure is attached to the nut 41 that protrudes downward from the through hole 45 in the inner bottom surface portion 34a of the outer member 31.

[0055] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a closed cross-section structure portion 64 that forms a triangular cross-section in a side view and extends in the vehicle width direction is formed by the front wall portions 33 and 37 of the cross member 30, the bracket 60, and the inclined portion 11 of the floor portion. Here, the triangle is a virtual triangle, and includes those in which each side is not necessarily a straight line. The front portion of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is disposed at the vehicle width direction end of the closed cross-section structure portion 64, and is configured such that the length in the vehicle up-and-down direction becomes longer upward as it goes forward in the vehicle.

[0056] In this example, the closed cross-section structure portion 64 is provided inside the cross member 30, and a triangular cross-section is formed by the front inclined surface 33a of the front wall portion 33 of the outer member 31 of the cross member 30, the main body portion 61 of the bracket 60, and the inclined portion 11 of the floor panel 10. The triangular closed cross-section structure portion 64 extends along the vehicle width direction.

[0057] Also, the front portion and the front surface portion 55 of the inner surface portion 52 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 are disposed at the vehicle width direction end of the closed cross-section structure portion 64. Here, the length in the vehicle up-and-down direction at the front portion of the inner surface portion 52 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 is configured to become longer upward as it goes forward in the vehicle.

[0058] A relatively large load acts on the suspension mounting portion 40 that supports the suspension structure which is a heavy object. Also, since the bracket 60 is joined to the surrounding members, the rigidity around the bracket 60 is improved. Therefore, the suspension structure which is a heavy object can be stably supported.

[0059] For example, in the direction in which a shearing force acts on the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50, the suspension mounting portion 40 can receive the load. As a result, deformation in the vehicle width direction is reduced, so the mounting rigidity of the suspension structure is improved. This reduces the change in the position of the nut 41 due to the load in the vehicle width direction when the vehicle turns left or right, etc., improves the rigidity, and can also suppress a decrease in operability.

[0060] Also, as described above, the dash panel 71 of the present embodiment is disposed at the front portion of the floor portion and is joined to the upper portion of the inclined portion 11 of the floor panel 10 that constitutes the floor portion. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a dash lower cross member 65 that extends in the vehicle width direction is disposed below the dash panel 71 so as to connect the rear portion of the front side member 20 and the front surface portion 55 (front portion) of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50. The dash lower cross member 65 is disposed so as to be continuous above and in front of the triangular closed cross-sectional structure portion 64.

[0061] The dash lower cross member 65 has a front surface portion 66, a lower surface portion 67, and an inner side surface portion 68. The lower surface portion 67 is joined to the upper portion of the front inclined surface 33a by spot welding. The lower portion of the inner side surface portion 68 is joined to the front portion of the inner surface portion 52 of the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50. The upper portion of the front surface portion 66 is joined to the lower portion of the dash side panel 71 and the front wall portion 11a provided at the upper portion of the inclined portion 11 of the floor panel 10.

[0062] By providing the dash lower cross member 65 in this manner, it becomes possible to improve the surface rigidity of the lower part of the dash panel 71 located on the front side of the tunnel part 12, and as a result, it is possible to suppress the concentration of the load on the tunnel part 12. Furthermore, according to this structure, for example, at the time of a frontal collision, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of deformation in the direction in which the tunnel part 12 bends.

[0063] In addition, since the lower tunnel reinforcing member 50 of the embodiment is a member having a linearly extending ridge line portion 54, the formability is improved and the yield during manufacturing becomes more stable.

[0064] The description of this embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention and does not limit the invention described in the claims. Also, each component configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0065] For example, in this embodiment, the cross member 30 is composed of two members, but it is not limited to this. The cross member 30 may be composed of one member.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0066] 10 Floor panel 11 Inclined portion 11a Front wall portion 12 Tunnel portion 13 Top surface portion 14 Vertical wall portion 15 Lower flange portion 20 Front side member 21 Bottom surface portion 22 Inner wall portion 23 Outer wall portion 30 Cross member 31 Outer member 32 Rear wall portion 32a Rear flange portion 33 Front wall portion 33a Front inclined surface 33b Front flange portion 33c Outer inclined surface 34a Inner bottom surface part 34b Outer bottom surface part 34c Inclined connecting part 35 Inner member 36 Rear wall part 36a Rear flange part 37 Front wall part 38 Bottom surface part 39 Inner wall part 39a Rear protruding part 40 Suspension mounting part 41 Nut 41a Engaging part 50 Lower tunnel reinforcement member 51 Lower surface part 52 Inner surface part 54 Ridge line part 55 Front surface part 57 Upper tunnel reinforcement member 58 Upper surface part 59 Outer surface part 60 Bracket 61 Body part 62 Front flange part 63 Rear flange part 64 Closed cross-section structure part 65 Dash lower cross member 66 Front surface part 67 Lower surface part 68 Inner side surface part 71 Dash panel 73 Brace 75 Side sill 77 Battery pack

Claims

1. A front side member extending forward of the vehicle from an outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front portion of the floor portion of the vehicle, a cross member disposed at the front portion of the floor portion and extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear portion of the front side member, an inclined portion provided at the front portion of the floor portion and extending obliquely upward as it extends forward of the vehicle, and a tunnel portion provided in the floor portion, bulging upward of the vehicle, and extending rearward of the vehicle from the front portion of the floor portion. In a front structure of an electric vehicle, a battery pack is disposed below the floor portion. On the lower surface side of the floor portion, a tunnel reinforcing member for reinforcing the tunnel portion is disposed at the front portion of the tunnel portion. The tunnel reinforcing member has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape and has a ridge line portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. A side portion of the tunnel reinforcing member is joined to a vertical wall portion on a side portion of the tunnel portion. A lower portion of the tunnel reinforcing member is joined to the floor portion located outside the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall portion. A front portion of the tunnel reinforcing member extends along the inclined portion and is joined to the cross member. A front structure of an electric vehicle, characterized in that.

2. A plate-shaped bracket is provided inside the cross member. A front portion and a rear portion of the bracket are joined to the cross member. A lower structure of the electric vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. A suspension mounting portion to which a suspension structure is mounted is provided at a lower portion of the cross member. A nut extending in the vehicle up-down direction is disposed through a lower portion of the cross member and the bracket in the vehicle up-down direction in the suspension mounting portion. A lower structure of the electric vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. A structure extending in the vehicle width direction is configured by a front wall portion of the cross member, the bracket, and an inclined portion of the floor portion, which form a triangular cross section in a side view. The front part of the tunnel reinforcing member is arranged at the vehicle-width direction end of the structure, and is configured such that the length in the vehicle up-and-down direction becomes longer upward as it goes forward in the vehicle, according to the front part structure of the electric vehicle described in claim 2 or claim 3.

5. A dash panel is arranged at the front part of the floor part, and the upper part of the inclined part is joined to the dash panel. A dash lower cross member extending in the vehicle-width direction is arranged at the lower part of the dash panel so as to connect the rear part of the front side member and the front part of the tunnel reinforcing member. The front part structure of the electric vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that the dash lower cross member is arranged so as to be continuous with the upper side and the front side of the structure.

Images