Vehicle

Abstract

To provide a vehicle that is able to secure an amount of energy absorption even in a configuration including an integrally cast member having an open cross-sectional structure.SOLUTION: A front side member 38 is formed separately from an integrally cast member 24 including a wheel arch 12. As a result, even if the wheel arch 12 itself is formed with an open cross-sectional structure, a lower part of the wheel arch 12 can be formed with a closed cross-sectional structure by fixing a front side member 38 to the lower part of the wheel arch 12. For this reason, it is possible to secure an amount of energy absorption even with a configuration provided with the integrally cast member 24 having the so-called open cross-sectional structure, which makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the wheel arch 12 including the front side member 38.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a vehicle including a structure in which left and right wheel arches, a cross member connecting the left and right wheel arches, and members corresponding to front side members are integrally formed by die casting.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, when a collision load is input to a vehicle along the vehicle longitudinal direction during a frontal collision of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "during a frontal collision of the vehicle"), the amount of energy absorbed by compression or crushing of the front side member is large compared to other components around the front side member. On the other hand, since the front side member of the vehicle according to the prior art slides the mold outward in the vehicle width direction during molding, it has a so-called open cross-section structure in which the outside in the vehicle width direction is open, and the rigidity is lower than that of a closed cross-section structure.

[0005] In consideration of the above fact, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle capable of ensuring an energy absorption amount even in a configuration including an integrally cast member having an open cross-section structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes left and right wheel arches and a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right wheel arches, and the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting, or the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting in a state of being divided at a joint provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle width direction and are joined and integrated with each other at the joint, and a side member fixed to a lower portion of the wheel arch constituting a part of the integrally cast member and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided.

[0007] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1, an integrally cast member and a side member are provided. The integrally cast member includes left and right wheel arches and a cross member, the cross member extends along the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel arches are connected by the cross member.

[0008] Here, the integrally cast member in the present invention is, for example, one in which the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting. In addition, the integrally cast member in the present invention may be one in which the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting in a state of being divided at a joint provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle width direction and are then joined and integrated with each other at the joint.

[0009] For example, when the joint is at a substantially central portion in the vehicle width direction, the right half of the right wheel arch and the cross member is integrally formed by casting (right casting member), and the left half of the left wheel arch and the cross member is integrally formed by casting (left casting member). And an integrally cast member is formed by joining and integrating the integrally formed right casting member and left casting member at the joint. Even in this case, it is included in the integrally cast member in the present invention.

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, a side member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is fixed at a lower portion of the wheel arch constituting a part of the integrally cast member.

[0011] Generally, when a collision load is input to a vehicle along the vehicle longitudinal direction, the front side members and the rear side members bear a large proportion of energy absorption by compression or crushing. On the other hand, when the wheel arch and the side member are integrally formed by casting, due to the structure of the mold, the wheel arch and the side member have a substantially U-shaped open cross-section structure in which the outer or inner side in the vehicle width direction is an opening.

[0012] Therefore, in the present invention, by forming the side member as a separate body from the integrally cast member including the wheel arch, even if the wheel arch itself is formed in an open cross-section structure, the lower part of the wheel arch can be formed into a closed cross-section structure by fixing the side member to the lower part of the wheel arch.

[0013] For this reason, it becomes possible to improve the rigidity in the wheel arch including the side member. That is, in the present invention, it is possible to secure the energy absorption amount even in a configuration including an integrally cast member having a so-called open cross-section structure.

[0014] In addition, the side member in the present invention may have a closed cross-section structure itself, or may form a closed cross-section structure with the lower part of the wheel arch having an open cross-section structure. Further, since the side member is formed as a separate body from the integrally cast member, it may be an extrusion member formed by an extruded material, a sheet metal member formed by sheet metal, or a casting member formed by casting.

[0015] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 2 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the integrally cast member is integrally formed by casting of the left and right wheel arches and the cross member.

[0016] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 2, in the integral casting member, the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where a right casting member in which the right half of the right wheel arch and the cross member is integrally formed by casting and a left casting member in which the left half of the left wheel arch and the cross member is integrally formed by casting are joined and integrated at the joint, the number of parts (members) can be reduced. As a result, in the present invention, the work of joining the members can be reduced, and accordingly, cost reduction can be achieved.

[0017] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the side member is a front side member provided at the front of the vehicle.

[0018] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3, since the front side member provided at the front of the vehicle needs to ensure a larger energy absorption amount than the rear side member provided at the rear of the vehicle, the side member is a front side member.

[0019] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 4 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3, wherein the front side member is an extrusion member or a sheet metal member formed by an extruded material or sheet metal.

[0020] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 4, when the front side member is an extrusion member or a sheet metal member, it is possible to have higher strength than when the front side member is a casting member.

[0021] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3, wherein the front side member has a closed cross-section structure in which the cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section.

[0022] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5, the front side member has a closed cross-section structure in which the cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section, and the rigidity can be higher than that of the open cross-section structure as a comparative example, and the energy absorption amount can be increased. Note that examples of the closed cross-section structure include those having a polygonal shape such as a rectangular shape or a honeycomb shape in cross-section.

[0023] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 6 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 5, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the front side member forms a substantially rectangular shape, and the front side member includes an inner wall portion that constitutes the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member, an outer wall portion that constitutes the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member and is disposed opposite to the inner wall portion, an upper wall portion that connects the upper ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion that connects the lower ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion and is provided opposite to the upper wall portion. The wheel arch extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction and includes a vertical wall portion where the inner wall portion abuts and the front side member can be coupled.

[0024] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 6, the cross-sectional shape of the front side member forms a substantially rectangular shape. The front side member includes an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, an upper wall portion, and a lower wall portion. The inner wall portion and the outer wall portion are disposed opposite to each other, the inner wall portion constitutes the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member, and the outer wall portion constitutes the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member. Further, the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion are disposed opposite to each other, the upper wall portion connects the upper ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and the lower wall portion connects the lower ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion.

[0025] On one hand, the wheel arch is configured to include a vertical wall portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction. The inner wall portion of the front side member abuts against the vertical wall portion, and the front side member can be coupled thereto. Thus, since the inner wall portion of the front side member abuts against and is coupled to the vertical wall portion of the wheel arch, it is possible to suppress so-called inward folding in which the front side member folds inward along the vehicle width direction during a frontal collision of the vehicle, assist the axial compression of the front side member, and efficiently absorb impact energy.

[0026] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 7 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 6, wherein the wheel arch further includes a first transverse wall portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and capable of facing the upper wall portion, and a second transverse wall portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion, disposed opposite to the first transverse wall portion, and capable of facing the lower wall portion.

[0027] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 7, the wheel arch is further configured to include a first transverse wall portion and a second transverse wall portion. The first transverse wall portion and the second transverse wall portion are disposed opposite to each other. The first transverse wall portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and can face the upper wall portion of the front side member. Also, the second transverse wall portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and can face the lower wall portion of the front side member.

[0028] That is, in the present invention, the front side member is disposed (fixed) in a state of being held by an integrally cast member. Therefore, it is possible to suppress so-called upward convex folding and downward convex folding in which the front side member folds in the vehicle vertical direction during a frontal collision of the vehicle, assist the axial compression of the front side member, crush the front side member in order from the front end to the rear end, and more efficiently absorb impact energy.

[0029] The vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 8 is the vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 3, wherein the integrally cast member further includes a front wall portion provided at the front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a notch portion which is notched inward in the vehicle width direction in the front wall portion and through which the front side member is inserted so that the front end portion of the front side member in the vehicle longitudinal direction protrudes forward of the vehicle with respect to the front wall portion.

[0030] In the vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 8, the integrally cast member further includes a front wall portion and a notch portion. The front wall portion is provided at the front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the integrally cast member, and a notch portion is formed in the front wall portion which is notched inward in the vehicle width direction and through which the front side member can be inserted. In the present invention, the front side member is inserted into this notch portion, and the front end portion of the front side member in the vehicle longitudinal direction protrudes forward of the vehicle with respect to the front wall portion of the integrally cast member.

[0031] Thereby, it becomes possible to make the front end portion of the front side member also serve as the crush box as the impact absorbing member instead of separately providing a crush box as the impact absorbing member on the front side of the front side member. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the number of parts.

[0032] The vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 9 is the vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 3, wherein the front side member is coupled to the integrally cast member by a fastening member.

[0033] In the vehicle according to the present invention as recited in claim 9, the front side member is coupled to the integrally cast member by a fastening member, and it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in material strength due to heat as compared with coupling by welding or the like.

[0034] The vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 10 is the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 3, wherein the integrally cast member is provided on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the front side member, and includes a support wall capable of supporting the rear end of the front side member, and a reinforcing portion provided on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction with respect to the support wall, configured to include the support wall and having higher rigidity than other portions.

[0035] In the vehicle according to the present invention described in claim 10, the integrally cast member is further configured to include a support wall and a reinforcing portion. The support wall is provided on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the front side member, and the rear end of the front side member can be supported. The reinforcing portion is provided on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction with respect to the support wall, configured to include the support wall and having higher rigidity than other portions.

[0036] Thus, in the present invention, the rear end of the front side member is supported by the support wall provided with the reinforcing portion on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, so that sufficient reaction force can be obtained against the axial compression of the front side member during a frontal collision of the vehicle. Thereby, in the present invention, an impact load can be stably applied to the front side member. On the contrary, in the present invention, it is possible to efficiently absorb the amount of impact energy absorbed by the front side member.

Effects of the Invention

[0037] As described above, the vehicle according to the present invention can ensure the energy absorption amount even with a configuration including an integrally cast member having a so-called open cross-section structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0039] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the vehicle body structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each figure, the arrow FR appropriately shown indicates the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle up-down direction. The arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment, it indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when simply using the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right, unless otherwise specified, it shall indicate the front and rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, the up and down in the vehicle up-down direction, and the left and right in the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

[0040] <Configuration of the Vehicle> First, the configuration of the vehicle according to this embodiment will be described.

[0041] FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the vehicle showing the skeleton of the vehicle 10. For example, although not shown in the figure, this vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, etc. that runs on power generated by a power unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 according to this embodiment is provided with wheel arches 12 on the left and right of the front part of the vehicle where wheels (not shown) are arranged, and the right wheel arch 12 and the left wheel arch 12 are connected by a cross member 14.

[0042] At the upper end of the wheel arch 12, an apron upper member 16 extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction. The apron upper member 16 has a substantially U-shaped cross-section with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and a suspension tower 18 is provided inside the apron upper member 16 in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] Also, at the rear end of the wheel arch 12, a front pillar 20 that forms the side part of the vehicle front is coupled. Further, on the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the lower end of the wheel arch 12, a rocker 22 that extends along the vehicle longitudinal direction and forms the framework of the vehicle body side is coupled.

[0044] In this embodiment, the left and right wheel arches 12, cross member 14, apron upper member 16, and suspension tower 18 are integrally formed by casting using an aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, etc. as materials (integral casting member 24).

[0045] In the integral casting member 24 in this embodiment, due to the structure of the mold, a part of the mold is slid outward in the vehicle width direction in forming the inner surface sides of the left and right wheel arches 12. For this reason, the wheel arch 12 in this embodiment is formed such that the outer side in the vehicle width direction is an opening.

[0046] Specifically described, the wheel arch 12 includes a vertical wall portion 26 that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction inside the vehicle width direction. At the front end of the vertical wall portion 26, a front wall portion 28 that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction projects outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] In addition, at a substantially central portion in the vehicle up-and-down direction in the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12, a transverse wall portion (first transverse wall portion) 30 that projects outward in the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction is provided. Further, from the lower end of the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12, a lower wall portion (second transverse wall portion) 32 that projects outward in the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction is provided. That is, the wheel arch 12 has a substantially U-shaped open cross-sectional structure with an opening on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] Furthermore, a plurality of vertical ribs 34 extend along the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12 and are bridged between the apron upper member 16 and the transverse wall portion 30, and the vertical ribs 34 are arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction. A plurality of convex beads 36 that project upward and extend in the vehicle width direction are provided on the upper surface of the transverse wall portion 30 between adjacent vertical ribs 34. In the present embodiment, a front side member (side member) 38 is fixed between the transverse wall portion 30 and the lower wall portion 32 of the wheel arch 12.

[0049] (Front side member) In the present embodiment, the front side member 38 is, for example, an extrusion member formed by an extruded material. Further, the front side member 38 has a closed cross-sectional structure 40 in which the cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-and-down direction is a closed cross-section.

[0050] Specifically described, the cross-sectional shape of the front side member 38 forms a substantially rectangular shape with the vehicle up-and-down direction as the longitudinal direction. Note that, as the closed cross-sectional structure 40, in addition to having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, it may have other polygonal shapes such as a honeycomb shape.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the front side member 38 is configured to include an inner wall portion 42, an outer wall portion 44, an upper wall portion 46, and a lower wall portion 48. The inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 44 of the front side member 38 are arranged to face each other, with the inner wall portion 42 forming the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member 38, and the outer wall portion 44 forming the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member 38.

[0052] Also, the upper wall portion 46 and the lower wall portion 48 of the front side member 38 are arranged to face each other. The upper wall portion 46 connects the upper ends of the inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 44, and the lower wall portion 48 connects the lower ends of the inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 44. And the inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 44 are longer in dimension than the upper wall portion 46 and the lower wall portion 48.

[0053] Furthermore, with the front side member 38 fixed between the lateral wall portion 30 and the lower wall portion 32 of the wheel arch 12, the upper wall portion 46 of the front side member 38 can be made to face the lateral wall portion 30 of the wheel arch 12, and the lower wall portion 48 of the front side member 38 can be made to face the lower wall portion 32 of the wheel arch 12.

[0054] Also, within the closed cross-sectional portion 50 formed by the inner wall portion 42, the outer wall portion 44, the upper wall portion 46, and the lower wall portion 48, for example, a partition wall 52 that partitions vertically and a partition wall 54 that partitions horizontally cross in a cross shape, and here four rooms 56 are provided.

[0055] Here, a plurality of cylindrical bosses 58 stand upright from the inner surface 26A of the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12 toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, an insertion hole 60 through which the boss 58 can be inserted is formed in the inner wall portion 42 of the front side member 38, and an insertion hole 66 having substantially the same size as the hollow portion 62 of the boss 58 and into which a bolt (fastening member) 64 can be screwed is formed in the outer wall portion 44 of the front side member 38.

[0056] The boss 58 is inserted into the insertion hole 60 formed in the inner wall portion 42 of the front side member 38, and the bolt 64 is screwed into the boss 58 through the insertion hole 66 formed in the outer wall portion 44 of the front side member 38 with the inner wall portion 42 of the front side member 38 being in contact with the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12. Thereby, the front side member 38 is fixed to the wheel arch 12.

[0057] By the way, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, at the front end of the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12, the front wall portion 28 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. A substantially rectangular notch portion 68 that is cut inward in the vehicle width direction and through which the front side member 38 can be inserted is formed in the front wall portion 28.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the front portion (front end portion) 38A of the front side member 38 is inserted into the notch portion 68, and the front portion 38A of the front side member 38 protrudes forward of the vehicle with respect to the front wall portion 28 of the wheel arch 12. And a front bumper 70 extending along the vehicle width direction is coupled to the front ends of the left and right front side members 38.

[0059] That is, in the present embodiment, the front portion 38A of the front side member 38 has a function of a crash box as a so-called impact absorbing member, and there is no crash box intervening between the front portion 38A of the front side member 38 and the front bumper 70.

[0060] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, a support wall 72 against which the rear end of the front side member 38 can abut is spanned between the horizontal wall portion 30 and the lower wall portion 32 of the wheel arch 12. The rear end of the front side member 38 can be supported by this support wall 72. Note that the support wall 72 may be thicker than other vertical ribs 34 formed on the wheel arch 12.

[0061] Further, a reinforcing portion 74 is provided on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the support wall 72. The reinforcing portion 74 is configured to include a transverse wall portion 76 extending from the transverse wall portion 30 and a transverse wall portion 78 extending from the lower wall portion 32. Note that the transverse wall portions 76 and 78 and the transverse wall portion 30 and the lower wall portion 32 may not be directly connected and may be separated by the support wall 72.

[0062] Further, a transverse wall portion 80 formed substantially parallel to the transverse wall portions 76 and 78 is provided at a substantially central portion between the transverse wall portion 76 and the transverse wall portion 78. And between the transverse wall portion 76 and the transverse wall portion 78, a pair of inclined ribs 82 that are inclined with respect to the transverse wall portions 76 and 78 and intersect on the transverse wall portion 80 are continuously provided along the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0063] In this way, by providing a plurality of inclined ribs 82 between the transverse wall portions 76, 78, and 80, a truss structure composed of a plurality of triangles is formed. Thereby, the reinforcing portion 74 has higher rigidity than other portions (for example, the upper side of the reinforcing portion 74). Note that as long as the reinforcing portion 74 can obtain higher rigidity than other portions, the formed shape is not limited to a triangular shape and may be a honeycomb shape. Also, not limited to the shape, the wall thickness of the wall portion constituting the reinforcing portion 74 may be formed thicker than other portions.

[0064] Further, a transverse wall portion 81 and an inclined rib 83 formed substantially parallel to the transverse wall portion 78 are provided on the lower side of the reinforcing portion 74. That is, on the rear side of the support wall 72 that supports the rear end of the front side member 38, the height of the cross-sectional shape in the vehicle up-down direction is increased.

[0065] Furthermore, a columnar or cylindrical boss 84 is provided at the intersection of the inclined rib 82 (or the inclined rib 83) and the transverse wall portions 78 and 80 (or the transverse wall portion 81), and the boss 84 has a thicker wall thickness than the inclined rib 82, the transverse wall portions 78, and 80.

[0066] The boss 84 can be applied as a pedestal for an extrusion pin that abuts when the integral casting member 24 is released from the mold, for example, when the integral casting member 24 is molded. In addition to this, it can also be applied as a thickened portion for improving the fluidity of the material with respect to the inclined ribs 82 and the transverse wall portions 78 and 80 during the molding of the integral casting member 24, and can also be applied as a mounting seat for a fastening member for attaching other components to the integral casting member 24.

[0067] <Vehicle operation and effects> Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 10 in the present embodiment includes an integral casting member 24 and front side members 38. In the present embodiment, the integral casting member 24 is configured to include left and right wheel arches 12 and a cross member 14. The cross member 14 extends along the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel arches 12 are connected by the cross member 14.

[0069] Here, in the integral casting member 24 in the present embodiment, the left and right wheel arches 12 and the cross member 14 are integrally formed by casting. As a result, in the present embodiment, fasteners for fastening the left and right front side members 38 to the left and right wheel arches 12 and the left and right wheel arches 12 to the cross member 14 are not required, and the number of components can be reduced.

[0070] Also, in the present embodiment, a front side member 38 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is fixed to the lower portion of the wheel arch 12.

[0071] Generally, when the vehicle 10 undergoes a frontal collision, the front side member 38 has a function of absorbing impact energy by compression or crushing. However, the front side member 38 has a larger proportion of the energy absorption burden than, for example, the crash box. On the other hand, when the wheel arch 12 and the front side member 38 are integrally formed by casting, due to the structure of the mold, the wheel arch 12 and the front side member 38 have a substantially U-shaped open cross-section structure with the outer or inner side in the vehicle width direction being an opening.

[0072] Therefore, in the present embodiment, by forming the front side member 38 separately from the integrally cast member 24 including the wheel arch 12, even if the wheel arch 12 itself is formed in an open cross-section structure, the lower part of the wheel arch 12 can be made into a closed cross-section structure by fixing the front side member 38 to the lower part of the wheel arch 12.

[0073] For this reason, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the wheel arch 12 including the front side member 38. That is, in the present embodiment, even in a configuration including the integrally cast member 24 having a so-called open cross-section structure, it is possible to ensure the energy absorption amount. Note that as long as the lower part of the wheel arch 12 can be made into a closed cross-section structure by fixing the front side member 38, the front side member 38 does not necessarily need to have a closed cross-section structure.

[0074] Further, in the present embodiment, by making the front side member 38 an extrusion member, it is possible for the front side member 38 to have higher strength than when it is a cast member. Note that the front side member 38 is not limited to an extrusion member, and may be a sheet metal member formed by sheet metal or a cast member formed by casting. In the case of a sheet metal member or a cast member, the degree of freedom in design can be increased compared to an extrusion member.

[0075] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the front side member 38 has a closed cross-sectional structure in which the cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section, and the rigidity can be made higher than that of the open cross-sectional structure as a comparative example, and the amount of energy absorption can be increased.

[0076] Here, in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the front side member 38 forms a substantially rectangular shape with the vehicle vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The front side member 38 includes an inner wall portion 42, an outer wall portion 44, an upper wall portion 46, and a lower wall portion 48, and the inner wall portion 42 and the outer wall portion 44 are longer in dimension than the upper wall portion 46 and the lower wall portion 48.

[0077] Thereby, compared with the case where the cross-sectional shape of the front side member 38 is a square shape, the second moment of area is increased, and at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, it is possible to suppress so-called upward convex bending and downward convex bending in which the front side member 38 bends in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0078] On the other hand, the wheel arch 12 includes a vertical wall portion 26 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction, and the inner wall portion 42 of the front side member 38 abuts against the vertical wall portion 26 and the front side member 38 can be coupled thereto.

[0079] Thus, since the inner wall portion 42 of the front side member 38 abuts against and is coupled to the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12, it is possible to suppress so-called inward bending in which the front side member 38 bends inward along the vehicle width direction at the time of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, assist the axial compression of the front side member 38, and efficiently absorb impact energy.

[0080] Further, in the present embodiment, the wheel arch 12 is further configured to include a transverse wall portion 30 and a lower wall portion 32. The transverse wall portion 30 and the lower wall portion 32 are arranged to face each other. The transverse wall portion 30 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion 26 and is capable of facing the upper wall portion 46 of the front side member 38. Also, the lower wall portion 32 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion 26 and is capable of facing the lower wall portion 48 of the front side member 38.

[0081] That is, in the present embodiment, the front side member 38 is disposed (fixed) in a state of being held by the integral casting member 24. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the upward and downward buckling of the front side member 38 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, and it is possible to assist the axial compression of the front side member 38. As a result, in the present embodiment, the front side member 38 can be crushed in order from the front end to the rear end, and it is possible to more efficiently absorb the impact energy.

[0082] Also, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the integral casting member 24 is further configured to include a front wall portion 28 and a notch portion 68. The front wall portion 28 is provided at the front end of the integral casting member 24, and a notch portion 68 through which the front side member 38 can be inserted is formed in the front wall portion 28. In the present embodiment, the front side member 38 is inserted into the notch portion 68, and the front portion 38A of the front side member 38 protrudes forward of the vehicle with respect to the front wall portion 28 of the integral casting member 24.

[0083] As a result, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to reduce the number of parts as compared with a configuration in which a separate crush box (side member) 87 is provided on the front side of the front side member 85. Thereby, in the present embodiment, the work of joining the members can be reduced, and accordingly, cost reduction can be achieved.

[0084] Incidentally, as a first modification, as shown in FIG. 5, it goes without saying that a separate crash box 87 may be provided on the front side of the front side member 85. In this case, in the front wall portion 28 of the integral casting member 24, it is not necessary to form the notch portion 68 (see FIG. 2), and the rear end of the crash box 87 is coupled to the front wall portion 28 by welding or the like. Thus, when the front side member 85 and the crash box 87 are formed of separate members, it becomes possible to change the material, shape, etc. between the front side member 85 and the crash box 87.

[0085] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the integral casting member 24 further includes a support wall 72 and a reinforcing portion 74. The support wall 72 is provided on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the front side member 38 and supports the rear end of the front side member 38. Further, the reinforcing portion 74 includes transverse wall portions 76, 78, 80 and a plurality of inclined ribs 82, and a truss structure composed of a plurality of triangles is formed. It is provided on the rear side of the support wall 72 and has higher rigidity than other portions including the support wall 72.

[0086] Thus, in the present embodiment, the rear end of the front side member 38 is supported by the support wall 72 provided with the reinforcing portion 74 on the rear side, so that sufficient reaction force can be obtained against the axial compression of the front side member 38 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 10. Thereby, in the present embodiment, an impact load can be stably applied to the front side member 38. Conversely, in the present embodiment, it becomes possible to efficiently absorb the amount of impact energy absorbed by the front side member 38.

[0087] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the front side member 38 is fixed to the wheel arch 12 via bolts 64. Therefore, for example, it becomes possible to suppress a decrease in material strength due to heat as compared with the case where the front side member 38 is coupled to the wheel arch 12 by welding.

[0088] In addition, when an impact load is input to the front side member 38 during a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, a shearing force acts on the bolt 64. However, by adjusting the diameter dimension, number, arrangement, etc. of the bolt 64, it is possible to suppress the detachment of the front side member 38 from the wheel arch 12.

[0089] Here, in FIG. 4, as a method of fixing the front side member 38 to the wheel arch 12, an example is described in which a plurality of bosses 58 are erected from the inner surface 26A of the vertical wall portion 26 of the wheel arch 12, and the bolt 64 is fastened to the bosses 58. However, the fixing method is not limited to this.

[0090] For example, as a second modification, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to fix the front side member 38 to the wheel arch 12, a metal cylindrical collar 86 may be used instead of the boss 58 shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the cylindrical collar 86 is attached to the front side member 38, and the bolt 64 is fastened to the cylindrical collar 86.

[0091] Further, as a third modification, as shown in FIG. 7, a pop nut 88 may be used to fix the front side member 38 to the wheel arch 12. In these cases, although the number of parts and the like increase, it is not necessary to erect the boss 58 on the wheel arch 12.

[0092] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the integral casting member 24 has been described as an example in which the left and right wheel arches 12 and the cross member 14 are integrally formed by casting. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, although not shown, a right casting member in which the right half of the right wheel arch 12 and the cross member 14 are integrally formed by casting and a left casting member in which the left half of the left wheel arch 12 and the cross member 14 are integrally formed by casting may be joined and integrated at a joint portion.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the front side member 38 has been described. However, the present invention is applicable not only to the front side member 38 but also to other members. For example, it may be applied to the rear side member 90 (see FIG. 1). Note that the input direction of the impact load will change depending on the skeletal member to which it is applied.

[0094] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and one embodiment and various modifications may be used in appropriate combination, and of course, the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0095] <Addendum> Note that the following configurations may be appropriately combined to form the vehicle body structure according to the present invention.

[0096] (Configuration 1) The vehicle includes left and right wheel arches and a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right wheel arches. The left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting, or the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting in a state of being divided at a joint provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle width direction and are joined and integrated with each other at the joint, and a side member fixed to the lower part of the wheel arch constituting a part of the integrally cast member and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0097] (Configuration 2) In the integrally cast member, the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting.

[0098] (Configuration 3) The side member is a front side member provided at the front of the vehicle.

[0099] (Configuration 4) The front side member is an extrusion member or a sheet metal member formed by an extruded material or sheet metal.

[0100] (Configuration 5) The front side member has a closed cross-sectional structure in which the cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section.

[0101] (Configuration 6) The cross-sectional shape of the front side member is substantially rectangular, and the front side member includes an inner wall portion that constitutes the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member, an outer wall portion that constitutes the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member and is disposed opposite to the inner wall portion, an upper wall portion that connects the upper ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion that connects the lower ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion and is provided opposite to the upper wall portion. The wheel arch is configured to include a vertical wall portion that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction and with which the inner wall portion abuts and to which the front side member can be coupled.

[0102] (Configuration 7) The wheel arch further includes a first transverse wall portion that projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and is opposed to the upper wall portion, and a second transverse wall portion that projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and is disposed opposite to the first transverse wall portion and is opposed to the lower wall portion.

[0103] (Configuration 8) The integrally cast member further includes a front wall portion provided at the front end in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a notch portion that is notched inward in the vehicle width direction in the front wall portion and through which the front side member is inserted to project the front end portion of the front side member in the vehicle front-rear direction forward of the front wall portion.

[0104] (Configuration 9) The front side member is coupled to the integrally cast member by a fastening member.

[0105] (Configuration 10) The integral casting member further includes a support wall provided on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the front side member and capable of supporting the rear end of the front side member, and a reinforcing portion provided on the rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the support wall, configured to include the support wall and having higher rigidity than other portions.

Explanation of Signs

[0106] 10 Vehicle 12 Wheel Arch (Integral Casting Member) 14 Cross Member (Integral Casting Member) 16 Apron Upper Member (Integral Casting Member) 18 Suspension Tower (Integral Casting Member) 24 Integral Casting Member 26 Vertical Wall Portion (Wheel Arch) 28 Front Wall Portion (Integral Casting Member) 30 Transverse Wall Portion (First Transverse Wall Portion, Wheel Arch) 32 Lower Wall Portion (Second Transverse Wall Portion, Wheel Arch) 38 Front Side Member (Side Member) 40 Closed Cross-Section Structure 42 Inner Wall Portion (Front Side Member) 44 Outer Wall Portion (Front Side Member) 46 Upper Wall Portion (Front Side Member) 48 Lower Wall Portion (Front Side Member) 64 Bolt (Fastening Member) 68 Notch Portion (Integral Casting Member) 72 Support Wall (Integral Casting Member) 74 Reinforcing Portion (Integral Casting Member) 85 Front Side Member (Side Member) 87 Crash Box (Side Member) 90 Rear Side Member (Side Member)

Claims

1. Comprising left and right wheel arches and a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right wheel arches, wherein the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting, or the left and right wheel arches and the cross member are integrally formed by casting respectively in a state where they are divided at a joint provided at a predetermined position in the vehicle width direction and are joined and integrated with each other at the joint, and a side member fixed to a lower portion of the wheel arch constituting a part of the integrally cast member and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a vehicle provided with the same.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the integrally cast member is formed by integrally casting the left and right wheel arches and the cross member.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the side member is a front side member provided at the front portion of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the front side member is an extrusion member or a sheet metal member formed by an extruded material or sheet metal.

5. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the front side member has a closed cross-section structure in which a cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction is a closed cross-section.

6. The cross-sectional shape of the front side member is substantially rectangular, and the front side member includes an inner wall portion constituting the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member, an outer wall portion constituting the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side member and disposed opposite to the inner wall portion, an upper wall portion connecting the upper ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion, and a lower wall portion connecting the lower ends of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion and provided opposite to the upper wall portion, and is configured to include the same, and the wheel arch extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction, and includes a vertical wall portion with which the inner wall portion abuts and to which the front side member can be coupled, according to the vehicle of claim 5.

7. The wheel arch further includes a first transverse wall portion that projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion and is capable of facing the upper wall portion, and a second transverse wall portion that projects outward in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall portion, is disposed opposite to the first transverse wall portion, and is capable of facing the lower wall portion, and is further configured to include the same, according to the vehicle of claim 6.

8. The integrally cast member includes a front wall portion provided at the front end in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and In the front wall portion, there is a notch that is cut inward in the vehicle width direction, and the front side member is inserted through the notch so that the front end portion of the front side member in the vehicle front-rear direction protrudes forward of the vehicle with respect to the front wall portion. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising the same. **Claim 9** The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the front side member is coupled to the integrally cast member by a fastening member. **Claim 10** The integrally cast member is provided on the rear side of the front side member in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a support wall capable of supporting the rear end of the front side member; is provided on the rear side of the support wall in the vehicle front-rear direction and includes a reinforcing portion that includes the support wall and has higher rigidity than other portions. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising the same.

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