Vehicle body front structure

Abstract

To reduce a burden on a pedestrian or the like when a collision with the pedestrian or the like occurs from a vehicle front side.SOLUTION: A vehicle front structure includes: a front hood part 10 in a vehicle V; a frame part 100; a front trunk part 200 which is placed on the frame part 100; a front airbag 300 which is disposed at a vehicle lower side of the front trunk part 200; an inflator IF which supplies gas to the front airbag 300; and a front hood opening / closing part 400 which allows the front hood part 10 to be opened and closed in a vehicle vertical direction and be moved in the vehicle vertical direction and a vehicle front-rear direction. The front airbag 300 includes: a first gas chamber 310; a second gas chamber 320; a joint gas chamber JC which allows the second gas chamber 320 and a third gas chamber 330 to communicate with each other; the third gas chamber 330 which is provided with a vent hole BH and is disposed on a vehicle upper side of the first gas chamber 310; and a fourth gas chamber 340 which is disposed on the vehicle upper side of the second gas chamber 320.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, as electric vehicles have become more popular and power units that drive the front wheels have become smaller, front trunks are sometimes installed under the front hood at the front of the vehicle. In this case, the front trunk may be located directly below the front hood on the vehicle front side.

[0003] On the other hand, when a collision occurs with a pedestrian or a bicyclist (hereinafter referred to as a pedestrian, etc.) in front of the vehicle, the pedestrian, etc. may fall onto the upper side of the front hood of the vehicle. Therefore, when a pedestrian or the like falls onto the front hood, it is necessary to reduce the impact that the front hood gives to the pedestrian or the like.

[0004] As a technology to address the above-described problems, a rear movement mechanism for a front hood has been disclosed in which the rear end of a front hood provided at the front of the vehicle body is supported on the vehicle body side by a hinge so as to be able to open and close, and the front hood is lifted by an actuator.Technology relating to a hood pop-up structure has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1), in which the rear end of a pop-up link is rotatably connected to an upper hinge provided on the hinge, the hood is rotatably connected to the front end of the pop-up link, and the actuator is connected between the upper hinge and the hood. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-147074 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The hood pop-up structure in the technology described in Patent Document 1 lifts the rear end of the hood when the vehicle collides with a pedestrian or other object, thereby absorbing the impact on the pedestrian or other object with the hood.

[0007] However, the above technology does not take into consideration the case where a front trunk is provided below the front hood, and therefore there is a risk that a pedestrian or the like may be affected by the front trunk via the front hood when the pedestrian or the like falls onto the upper side of the front hood of the vehicle. Furthermore, there is a problem that the front end of the front hood when raised may interfere with the pedestrian or the like.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a front body structure that reduces the burden on pedestrians, etc. when a collision with a pedestrian, etc. occurs from the front of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One or more embodiments of the present invention include a front hood section having an opening / closing axis facing in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of a cabin of a vehicle, a frame section that forms the framework of a front vehicle body structure and is provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood section, a front trunk section that is provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood section and has its vehicle underside placed on the frame section, a front airbag that is disposed on the vehicle underside of the front trunk section and between the front trunk section and the frame section and that inflates and deploys on the vehicle underside of the front trunk section when a collision occurs to the vehicle, an inflator that supplies gas to the front airbag when a collision occurs to the vehicle, and a front airbag that opens and closes the front hood section in the vehicle up-down direction and and a front hood opening / closing section that can move in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, wherein the front airbag includes at least a first air chamber to which gas is supplied from the inflator, a second air chamber that is connected to the rear side of the first air chamber and communicates with the air chamber, a connecting air chamber that is connected to the rear side of the upper part of the vehicle of the second air chamber and that is provided above the first air chamber and the second air chamber from the rear side of the vehicle to the front side of the vehicle, a third air chamber that is connected to the front side of the upper part of the vehicle of the connecting air chamber and that has a vent hole on the upper side of the vehicle for releasing internal gas to the outside, and that is provided above the first air chamber, and a fourth air chamber that is connected to the rear side of the vehicle of the third air chamber and communicates with the air chamber and that is provided above the second air chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, when a collision occurs between a vehicle and a pedestrian or the like from the front side, the burden on the pedestrian or the like can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 2]2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, showing a state in which a front hood is closed in the vehicle body front structure relating to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the front airbag according to the first embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 1 as viewed from the direction of the arrow, where FIG. 2A shows the front airbag in a folded state, and FIG. 2B shows the front airbag in an inflated and deployed state. [Figure 4] 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion B shown in FIG. 2 in the front hood opening / closing portion of the vehicle body front structure relating to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are enlarged views of part B shown in FIG. 2 at the front hood opening / closing section of the vehicle front body structure relating to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a cross-sectional view showing the front hood in an open state, (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the front hood in a state where it has been lifted up toward the upper side of the vehicle, and (c) is a cross-sectional view showing the front hood in a state where it has been moved toward the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 6] 2A to 2D are cross-sectional views showing, in time series order, the movement of the vehicle body front structure when a collision occurs from the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle body front structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, showing a state in which a front hood is closed in a vehicle body front structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 6A to 6D are cross-sectional views showing, in time series, the movement of a vehicle body front structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention when a collision occurs from the front side of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The vehicle body front structure 1 and vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in the drawings indicates the vehicle traveling direction of the vehicle V, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle V, and the arrow RH indicates the right side when facing the vehicle traveling direction. Furthermore, in the following description, when the up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are used, they refer to the up / down direction when facing the vehicle traveling direction, the front / rear direction with the vehicle traveling direction as the front, and the left / right direction when facing the vehicle traveling direction, unless otherwise specified.

[0013] First Embodiment The configuration of a vehicle body front structure 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG.

[0014] <About Vehicle V> The vehicle V is, for example, an electric vehicle (EV) using a vehicle drive motor in the drive unit DU as a drive source. Note that the vehicle V may also be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having multiple drive sources such as an engine and a power unit, or an internal combustion vehicle having an internal combustion engine.

[0015] (Regarding front body structure 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle V has a cabin CA as the interior of the vehicle where the occupant P sits, configured on the rear side of the toe board section 110, and a vehicle front structure 1 configured on the front side of the toe board section 110. The vehicle body front structure 1 is configured to include a frame portion 100, a front trunk portion 200, a front airbag 300, and a front hood opening / closing portion 400. A front hood portion 10 is provided on the upper side of the vehicle of the vehicle body front structure 1 so as to be able to open and close. A lock portion 20 is provided on the front side of the upper part of the vehicle of the frame portion 100, which is engaged with a front hood fixing portion EG provided on the front hood portion 10 when the front hood portion 10 is closed. A front grille portion FG formed of a material such as resin is provided in the vehicle vertical direction on the vehicle front side of the vehicle front body structure 1. The front grille portion FG is fixed to the frame portion 100 so as to cover the frame portion 100 on the vehicle front lower side of the front hood portion FF. A drive unit DU including a power unit and an inverter is configured on the vehicle rear side of the front vehicle body structure 1. The power unit is a drive device provided with a vehicle drive motor (not shown) that drives the front wheels FT, a transmission, a clutch, a drive shaft, etc. The inverter generates the high voltage required to drive the power unit.

[0016] (Regarding front hood section 10) The front hood portion 10 is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the vehicle of the vehicle body front structure 1. The front hood section 10 is provided with an opening / closing axis TR having a rotation axis facing in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the cabin CA of the vehicle V. The front hood section 10 is configured to open and close by raising and lowering the front side of the vehicle of the front hood section 10 with the opening / closing axis TR as a fulcrum. As shown in Fig. 2, a front hood fastening part EG is provided on the underside of the front of the vehicle of the front hood part FF. The front hood fastening part EG is formed by, for example, an engaging member formed into a substantially U-shape from a metal rod or the like, which is connected to the underside of the front of the vehicle of the front hood part FF. The front hood fixing part EG engages with a lock part 20 provided on the front end cross member 140 when the front hood part FF is closed. The front end of the front hood portion FF is disposed at a position substantially flush with the upper side of the front grill portion FG.

[0017] (Regarding locking part 20) The locking portion 20 is engaged with a front hood fixing portion EG provided on the front hood portion 10 when the front hood portion FF is closed. The locking portion 20 is provided at approximately the center of the front end cross member 140 in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] (Regarding the frame portion 100) The frame portion 100 forms the skeleton of the vehicle V in the vehicle body front structure 1. The frame section 100 is configured to include a toe board section 110 , a front side frame 120 , a front frame 130 , a front end cross member 140 , and an upper frame 150 . A bumper beam BP is provided at the front lower portion of the vehicle, extending in the vehicle width direction and joined to the front portion of the front frame 130 by welding or the like.

[0019] The toe board portion 110 is erected in the vehicle up-down direction at the vehicle front side of the cabin CA, and forms a partition wall that separates the cabin CA from the vehicle body front structure 1. The toe board portion 110 is made of metal or the like.

[0020] The front side frames 120 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front side frames 120 are made of metal or the like and have a substantially rectangular closed cross section. The front side frame 120 is joined to the toe board portion 110 at the rear end of the vehicle by welding or the like. The front side frame 120 is joined to the front frame 130 at the front end of the vehicle.

[0021] The front frame 130 has a substantially rectangular closed cross section, and extends substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle V on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front frame 130 is connected to the front side frame 120 on the vehicle lower side, and to the upper frame 150 on the vehicle upper side. A front end cross member 140 is connected to the upper side of the front frame 130. A bumper beam BP is connected to the lower side of the front frame 130. The front frame 130 is configured by a front end cross member 140 and a bumper beam BP to have a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the vehicle traveling direction.

[0022] The front-end cross member 140 has a generally rectangular closed cross section and extends in the vehicle width direction at the front upper part of the vehicle. The front-end cross member 140 is made of a material such as metal. The front-end cross member 140 is connected to the upper frame 150 on both sides of the front-end cross member 140 in the vehicle width direction, and is connected to the front frame 130 on the vehicle lower surface of the front-end cross member 140.

[0023] The upper frames 150 are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction above the front side frames 120 and extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper frames 150 are made of metal or the like and have a substantially rectangular closed cross section. The upper frame 150 is connected to the toe board portion 110 at the rear side of the vehicle, and is connected to the front frame 130 at the front side of the vehicle.

[0024] (Regarding the front trunk 200) The front trunk section 200 is a storage box made of resin or other material for storing luggage, etc. The interior of the front trunk section 200 is formed in a recessed shape with an opening on the upper side of the vehicle. The front trunk section 200 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the front end cross member 140 and on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the upper frame 150, above the front side frame 120. The front trunk section 200 is placed above the upper frame 150 and the airbag storage section AC.

[0025] (For front airbag 300) The front airbag 300 is disposed below the front trunk section 200 and between the front trunk section 200 and the frame section 100, and when a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the front airbag 300 inflates and deploys below the front trunk section 200. The front airbag 300 is formed from a member such as a base fabric material, and as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), has a plurality of air chambers that are connected to each other.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3(a), the front airbag 300 is stored in an airbag storage compartment AC in a folded state. The airbag storage compartment AC is a storage box made of resin, metal, or other material and having an opening on the upper side of the vehicle. The airbag storage compartment AC is placed and fixed to the upper side of the front side frame 120.

[0027] The front airbag 300 is configured to include at least a first air chamber 310 as a first air chamber, a second air chamber 320 as a second air chamber, a joint air chamber JC, a third air chamber 330 as a third air chamber, and a fourth air chamber 340 as a fourth air chamber.

[0028] The first chamber 310 is connected to an inflator IF, and gas is supplied to the first chamber 310 from the inflator IF when the vehicle V is hit by a collision. The first air chamber 310 is formed in the shape of an elliptical cylinder extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0029] The second air chamber 320 is connected to the vehicle rear side of the first air chamber 310 so that the air chambers communicate with the first air chamber 310. The second air chamber 320 is connected to the vehicle upper rear side so that the connecting air chamber JC communicates with the second air chamber 320. The second air chamber 320 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of the first air chamber 310 and is formed in the shape of an elliptical cylinder extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] The joint air chamber JC is connected to the rear side of the upper part of the vehicle of the second air chamber 320 so as to communicate with the air chambers, and is placed on the upper side of the vehicle of the first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320. The joint air chamber JC is connected to the front side of the upper part of the vehicle of the third air chamber 330 so as to communicate with the air chambers. The joint air chamber JC has a generally rectangular shape with its long sides extending in the vehicle width direction. The joint chamber JC is provided as a flow path for sending gas from the second chamber 320 to the third chamber 330.

[0031] The third air chamber 330 is connected to the upper front side of the vehicle of the joint air chamber JC by communicating with the air chamber, and a vent hole BH is provided on the upper side of the vehicle to release gas inside the third air chamber 330 to the outside, and is arranged on the upper side of the vehicle above the first air chamber 310. The third air chamber 330 is formed in the shape of an elliptical cylinder extending in the vehicle width direction. The vent hole BH is provided on the front upper part of the third air chamber 330 of the vehicle.

[0032] The fourth air chamber 340 is connected to the vehicle rear side of the third air chamber 330 by communicating the air chambers, and is disposed above the vehicle above the second air chamber 320. The fourth air chamber 340 is formed in the shape of an elliptical cylinder extending in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] 3(b), when a collision occurs in vehicle V, first air chamber 310 is inflated and deployed by being supplied with gas from inflator IF, and second air chamber 320, which is in communication with first air chamber 310, is inflated and deployed below joining air chamber JC on the vehicle side. Then, third air chamber 330 and fourth air chamber 340 are inflated and deployed above first air chamber 310 and second air chamber 320 on the vehicle side via joining air chamber JC. The third air chamber 330 and the fourth air chamber 340 are inflated and deployed in a state where the front trunk section 200 is placed above the third air chamber 330 and the fourth air chamber 340 of the vehicle. In the first air chamber 310 to the fourth air chamber 340, the flow paths that connect the respective air chambers are provided with, for example, check valves (not shown).

[0034] (Front hood opening / closing part 400) The front hood opening and closing section 400 opens and closes the front hood section 10 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, using the front hood opening and closing section 400 as a fulcrum, and also enables the front hood section 10 to move in the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The front hood opening and closing section 400 is provided on the rear side of the lower part of the vehicle of the front hood section 10 and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. 4, the front hood opening / closing section 400 is configured to include a first hinge 410 and a second hinge 420. The first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 are flat plates made of metal or the like. The first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 are provided with hinge axes HA1 to HA3.

[0035] Specifically, for example, the first hinge 410 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is bent toward the upper side of the vehicle at the rear side of the vehicle. The first hinge 410 has a hinge axis HA1 on the upper rear side of the vehicle and a hinge axis HA2 on the front side of the vehicle. The first hinge 410 has a hinge axis HA1 that is the same rotation axis as the opening / closing axis TR of the front hood section 10. The first hinge 410 is rotatably connected to the front hood section 10 at the hinge axis HA1. The first hinge 410 is rotatably connected to the second hinge 420 at the hinge axis HA2.

[0036] Second hinge 420 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and is bent upward at the rear of the vehicle. Second hinge 420 is provided with a hinge axis HA2 on the front side of the vehicle and a hinge axis HA3 on the rear side of the vehicle. The second hinge 420 is rotatably connected to the first hinge 410 at a hinge axis HA2. The second hinge 420 is rotatably fixed to the toe board portion 110 or the upper frame 150 at a hinge axis HA3. A holder HL fixed to the upper frame 150 abuts against the vehicle underside of the second hinge 420. The vehicle undersides of the first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 abut against the holder HL, thereby restricting the movement of the first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 toward the vehicle underside.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c), when an external force is applied to the front hood portion 10, the front hood opening / closing portion 400 moves the front hood portion 10 in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction. Specifically, when a user opens or closes the front hood section 10 by lifting the front side of the vehicle, the front side of the front hood section 10 rotates in the vertical direction of the vehicle around the opening / closing axis TR as a fulcrum, as shown in Fig. 5(a). At this time, the first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 are in contact with the holder HL, so that the opening / closing axis TR is fixed. 5(b), when the front hood section 10 is pushed from the lower side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, the hinge axis HA1 of the first hinge 410 is lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle by the front hood section 10. The second hinge 420 rotates about the hinge axis HA3 as a fulcrum, and the hinge axis HA2 moves toward the upper side of the vehicle. When the front hood section 10 is pushed from the underside of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle and toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 5(c), the hinge axis HA1 of the first hinge 410 is lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle by the front hood section 10. Then, as the front hood section 10 is pushed toward the rear of the vehicle, the first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 are lifted toward the upper side of the vehicle and rotate around the hinge axis HA3 as a fulcrum, and the first hinge 410 moves toward the rear of the vehicle. The front hood section 10 is movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by the front hood opening and closing section 400 .

[0038] <Actions and Effects> The operation of the vehicle body front structure 1 according to this embodiment configured as described above when a collision occurs between the front side of the vehicle V and a pedestrian PD will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] (If a collision occurs with vehicle V) 6(a), when a collision occurs between the front side of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the pedestrian or the like PD comes into contact with the front grille portion FG. When the pedestrian or the like PD comes into contact with the front grille portion FG and receives an impact, the vehicle body front structure 1 activates the inflator IF, which supplies gas to the front airbag 300, causing the front airbag 300 to inflate and deploy.

[0040] In the front airbag 300, the first air chamber 310 to which the inflator IF is connected is inflated and deployed, while the joint air chamber JC, the second air chamber 320, the third air chamber 330, and the fourth air chamber 340 remain folded. The inflated and deployed first air chamber 310 lifts the front side of front trunk section 200, which is placed on the upper side of the vehicle, in the direction indicated by arrow AR1. The front side of front trunk section 200 comes into contact with front hood section 10 and pushes front hood section 10 up in the direction indicated by arrow AR2. When the front hood section 10 is pushed from the lower side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, the hinge axis HA1 of the first hinge 410 in the front hood opening and closing section 400 is raised toward the upper side of the vehicle, with the hinge axis HA2 of the first hinge 410 as the fulcrum. The rear side of the front hood section 10 is raised with the lock section 20 as the fulcrum.

[0041] Gas is supplied from the inflator IF, and the second air chamber 320, which is in communication with the first air chamber 310, is inflated and deployed. The first air chamber 310 remains in an inflated state, while the joint air chamber JC, the third air chamber 330, and the fourth air chamber 340 remain in a folded state. 6(b), as second air chamber 320 inflates and deploys, second air chamber 320 lifts the vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 in the direction indicated by arrow AR3. The vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 abuts against front hood section 10, pushing up front hood section 10 in the direction indicated by arrow AR4. As the front hood section 10 is pushed from the underside of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, the first hinge 410 and the second hinge 420 of the front hood opening / closing section 400 are further raised toward the upper side of the vehicle, with the hinge axis HA3 as the fulcrum. The rear side of the front hood section 10 is further raised with the lock section 20 as the fulcrum.

[0042] Further gas is supplied from the inflator IF, and the third air chamber 330 is inflated and deployed via the joint air chamber JC, which is in communication with the second air chamber 320. The first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 remain inflated, and the fourth air chamber 340 remains folded. 6(c), as third air chamber 330 inflates and deploys, third air chamber 330 further lifts the vehicle front side of front trunk section 200 in the direction indicated by arrow AR5. The vehicle front side of front trunk section 200 abuts against front hood section 10, further pushing up the vehicle front side of front hood section 10 in the direction indicated by arrow AR5. When the front hood section 10 is pushed from the lower side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, the rear side of the front hood section 10 is further raised with the lock section 20 as a fulcrum.

[0043] Further gas is supplied to the front airbag 300, causing the fourth air chamber 340, which is in communication with the third air chamber 330, to inflate and deploy. The first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 remain inflated. 6(d), the third air chamber 330 is deflated by a vent hole BH provided in the third air chamber 330. The first air chamber 310, the second air chamber 320, and the fourth air chamber 340 are maintained in an inflated state by, for example, check valves (not shown) provided at the communication points. The rear side of the front trunk section 200 is raised toward the upper side of the vehicle due to the expansion of the fourth air chamber 340. Meanwhile, the front side of the front trunk section 200 is lowered toward the lower side of the vehicle due to the contraction of the third air chamber 330. As a result, the front hood section 10 is inclined from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle.

[0044] At this time, the front end of the front hood portion 10 is pushed down to a position lower than the upper side of the front grille portion FG of the vehicle, with the lock portion 20 serving as a fulcrum, as the front hood portion 10 tilts toward the front of the vehicle. A pedestrian or the like PD that collides with the vehicle V is received by the front hood part 10, which is inclined from the rear upper part of the vehicle toward the front lower part of the vehicle, without interfering with the front end of the vehicle of the front hood part 10.

[0045] As described above, when a collision occurs between the front of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the air chambers of the front airbag 300 sequentially inflate and deflate, pushing up the front trunk section 200 and causing the front hood section 10 to slope from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle via the front hood opening / closing section 400. The front end of the front hood section 10 is pressed down to a position lower than the upper side of the front grille FG, with the lock section 20 as a fulcrum. The pedestrian or the like PD that collides with the vehicle V is received by the slope provided in the front hood section 10 without interfering with the front end of the front hood section 10. Since the front hood portion 10 is lifted by the front airbag 300 via the front trunk portion 200, the impact that the pedestrian or the like PD receives from the front hood portion 10 is absorbed by the front airbag 300.

[0046] Then, when the vehicle V comes to a stop, the absorption of the impact caused by the collision in the vehicle body front structure 1 ends.

[0047] As described above, the vehicle body front structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a front hood section 10 having an opening / closing axis TR facing in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of a cabin CA of the vehicle V, a frame section 100 that forms the skeleton of the vehicle body front structure 1 and is provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood section 10, a front trunk section 200 that is provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood section 10 and has its vehicle underside placed on the frame section 100, a front airbag 300 that is disposed on the vehicle underside of the front trunk section 200 and between the front trunk section 200 and the frame section 100 and that inflates and deploys on the vehicle underside of the front trunk section 200 when a collision occurs to the vehicle V, an inflator IF that supplies gas to the front airbag 300 when a collision occurs to the vehicle V, and an inflator IF that opens and closes the front hood section 10 in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. The front airbag 300 includes at least a first air chamber 310 as a first air chamber to which gas is supplied from an inflator IF, a second air chamber 320 as a second air chamber connected to the rear side of the vehicle of the first air chamber 310 by communicating with an air chamber, and a second air chamber 320 connected to the rear side of the upper part of the vehicle of the second air chamber 320 by communicating with an air chamber, and a front hood opening / closing part 400 that can be moved from the rear side of the vehicle to the upper part of the vehicle of the first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 by communicating with an air chamber. The system includes a third air chamber 330 as a third air chamber arranged above the first air chamber 310, which is connected to the previously installed connecting air chamber JC via an air chamber communicating with the front upper part of the vehicle of the connecting air chamber JC and has a vent hole BH on the upper side of the vehicle for releasing the internal gas to the outside, and a fourth air chamber 340 as a fourth air chamber arranged above the second air chamber 320, which is connected to the rear side of the vehicle of the third air chamber 330 via an air chamber communicating with the rear side of the vehicle of the third air chamber 330. In other words, when a collision occurs between the front of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the pedestrian or the like PD is caused to climb onto the front end of the front hood portion 10 due to the impact of the collision, and then falls down the upper side of the front hood portion 10 toward the rear of the vehicle, with the front end of the front hood portion 10 as a fulcrum. At this time, in the vehicle body front structure 1, gas is supplied from the inflator IF to the front airbag 300, causing the front airbag 300 to inflate. As the first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 of the front airbag 300 inflate and deploy, the front trunk section 200 rises toward the upper side of the vehicle. After the third air chamber 330 and the fourth air chamber 340 inflate and deploy, the third air chamber 330 contracts through the vent hole BH, causing the front trunk section 200 to tilt toward the front side of the vehicle. As a result, the front hood section 10, which is in contact with the upper side of the front trunk section 200, rises toward the upper side of the vehicle and tilts from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle. As the front hood part 10 inclines from the rear side of the upper part of the vehicle toward the front side of the lower part of the vehicle, the front end of the front hood part 10 is pushed down to a position lower than the upper side of the front grill part FG of the vehicle with the lock part 20 as a fulcrum. Therefore, when a pedestrian or the like PD that has collided with vehicle V runs onto front hood portion 10, inflated and deployed front airbags 300 lift front hood portion 10 toward the upper side of the vehicle via front trunk portion 200, and vehicle front structure 1 can tilt from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle. Thus, vehicle front structure 1 receives pedestrian or the like PD with the tilt of front hood portion 10, and can reduce the burden that the front end of front hood portion 10 imposes on pedestrian or the like PD. Therefore, when a collision occurs with a pedestrian or the like from the front of the vehicle, the burden on the pedestrian or the like can be reduced.

[0048] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, a vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0049] The configuration of a vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0050] (Regarding front body structure 1A) As shown in Figure 7, the vehicle V has a cabin CA as the interior of the vehicle where the occupant P sits, configured on the rear side of the toe board section 110, and a vehicle body front structure 1A configured on the front side of the toe board section 110. The vehicle body front structure 1A is configured to include a frame portion 100, a front trunk portion 200, a front airbag 300, and a front hood opening / closing portion 400. An openable and closable front hood portion 10A is provided on the upper side of the vehicle of the vehicle body front structure 1A. A lock portion 20A is provided on the front side of the upper part of the vehicle of the frame portion 100, which is engaged with a front hood fixing portion EG provided on the front hood portion 10A when the front hood portion 10A is closed.

[0051] (Front hood section 10A) The front hood portion 10A is disposed so as to cover the upper side of the vehicle of the vehicle body front structure 1A. The front hood fixing portion EG engages with a lock portion 20A provided on the front end cross member 140 when the front hood portion FF is closed. The front hood portion 10A is provided with front trunk engagement portions TE (front trunk engagement portions TE1 and TE2) on the vehicle underside of the front hood portion 10A, which engage with the upper side of the front trunk portion 200 when the front airbag 300 is inflated and deployed. Front trunk engagement portion TE is provided as a protrusion extending in the vehicle width direction on the underside of front hood portion 10A. Front trunk engagement portions TE are provided at two locations, one at the front and one at the rear of front trunk portion 200, sandwiching the front and rear of the vehicle. When front trunk portion 200 is pushed up toward the upper side of the vehicle and abuts against front hood portion 10A, the upper side of front trunk portion 200 engages between front trunk engagement portion TE1 and front trunk engagement portion TE2.

[0052] (Regarding locking part 20A) When the front hood section FF is closed, the lock section 20A is engaged with the front hood fixing section EG provided on the front hood section 10A, and when the front airbag 300 is inflated and deployed, the engagement with the front hood fixing section EG is released. When the front airbag 300 is inflated and deployed, for example, the front hood fixing part EG is engaged in a half-locked state so that it can easily move in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle within a limited range, with the lock part 20A as a fulcrum.

[0053] <Actions and Effects> The operation of the vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment configured as described above when a collision occurs between the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD from the front side of the vehicle will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] (If a collision occurs with vehicle V) 8(a), when a collision occurs between the front side of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the pedestrian or the like PD comes into contact with the front grille portion FG. When the pedestrian or the like PD comes into contact with the front grille portion FG and receives an impact, the vehicle body front structure 1A activates the inflator IF, which supplies gas to the front airbag 300, causing the front airbag 300 to inflate and deploy. When the front airbag 300 inflates and deploys, the engagement between the front hood fastening parts EG and the locking parts 20A in the front hood section 10A is released. At this time, for example, the front hood fastening parts EG are in a half-locked state in which they are engaged and can move in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle fore-and-aft direction with the locking parts 20A as a fulcrum. The front end of the front hood section 10A is raised higher than when it is engaged with the locking parts 20A.

[0055] In the front airbag 300, the first air chamber 310 to which the inflator IF is connected is inflated and deployed, while the joint air chamber JC, the second air chamber 320, the third air chamber 330, and the fourth air chamber 340 remain folded. The inflated and deployed first air chamber 310 lifts the front side of front trunk section 200, which is placed on the upper side of the vehicle, in the direction indicated by arrow BR1. The front side of front trunk section 200 comes into contact with front hood section 10A and pushes front hood section 10A up in the direction indicated by arrow BR2. At this time, the upper side of the front trunk section 200 engages with front trunk engagement parts TE provided at two locations on the front and rear of the front hood section 10A. With the front side of the vehicle raised, the front trunk section 200 forms an incline toward the rear of the vehicle, and the front trunk section 200 pushes the front hood section 10A in the direction indicated by arrow BR3 via the front trunk engagement parts TE. When front hood section 10A is pushed from the lower side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, hinge axis HA1 of first hinge 410 in front hood opening / closing section 400 is raised toward the upper side of the vehicle, with hinge axis HA2 of first hinge 410 as the fulcrum. Front hood section 10A is raised at the rear side of the vehicle, with lock section 20A as the fulcrum.

[0056] Gas is supplied to the front airbag 300, causing the second air chamber 320, which is in communication with the first air chamber 310, to inflate and deploy. The first air chamber 310 remains inflated, while the joint air chamber JC, the third air chamber 330, and the fourth air chamber 340 remain folded. As shown in Figure 8(b), when second air chamber 320 inflates and deploys, second air chamber 320 lifts the vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 in the direction indicated by arrow BR4. The vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 abuts against front hood section 10A, pushing up front hood section 10A in the direction indicated by arrow BR4. Movement of front hood section 10A toward the vehicle rear side is restricted by lock section 20A, which is in a half-locked state. As front hood section 10A is pushed from the lower side of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, first hinge 410 and second hinge 420 of front hood opening / closing section 400 are further raised toward the upper side of the vehicle, with hinge axis HA3 as the fulcrum. Front hood section 10A is now in a state where the rear side of the vehicle is further raised, with lock section 20A as the fulcrum.

[0057] Further gas is supplied to the front airbag 300, causing the third air chamber 330 to inflate and deploy via the joint air chamber JC, which is in communication with the second air chamber 320. The first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 remain inflated, and the fourth air chamber 340 remains folded. 8(c), as third air chamber 330 inflates and deploys, third air chamber 330 further lifts the vehicle front side of front trunk section 200 in the direction indicated by arrow BR5. The vehicle rear side of front trunk section 200 abuts against front hood section 10A, pushing up the vehicle front side of front hood section 10A in the direction indicated by arrow BR5. As the front hood section 10A is pushed from the underside of the vehicle toward the upper side of the vehicle, the rear side of the front hood section 10A is further raised with the lock section 20A as a fulcrum. The movement of the front hood section 10A toward the rear side of the vehicle is restricted by the lock section 20A, which is in the half-locked state, so that it does not move significantly.

[0058] Further gas is supplied to the front airbag 300, causing the fourth air chamber 340, which is in communication with the third air chamber 330, to inflate and deploy. The first air chamber 310 and the second air chamber 320 remain inflated. 8(d), for example, after fourth air chamber 340 has inflated and deployed, third air chamber 330 reaches a predetermined air pressure, and then contracts as vent hole BH provided in third air chamber 330 operates to release gas to the outside. First air chamber 310, second air chamber 320, and fourth air chamber 340 maintain their inflated states by, for example, check valves (not shown) provided at the communicating locations. The rear side of the front trunk section 200 is raised toward the upper side of the vehicle due to the expansion of the fourth air chamber 340. Meanwhile, the front side of the front trunk section 200 is lowered toward the vehicle lower side due to the contraction of the third air chamber 330. As a result, the front hood section 10A is inclined from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle. The front trunk section 200 pushes the front trunk engagement section TE1 toward the vehicle front side, causing the front hood section 10A to move toward the vehicle front side.

[0059] At this time, the front end of front hood section 10A is pressed down to a position lower than the upper side of front grille section FG, with lock section 20A serving as a fulcrum, as front hood section 10A tilts toward the front of the vehicle. A pedestrian or the like PD that collides with vehicle V is received by front hood portion 10A, which is inclined from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle, without interfering with the front end of front hood portion 10A. Because front hood portion 10A is lifted by front airbag 300 via front trunk portion 200, the impact that pedestrian or the like PD receives from front hood portion 10A is absorbed by front airbag 300.

[0060] As described above, when a collision occurs between the front of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the air chambers of the front airbag 300 are sequentially inflated and deflated, thereby pushing up the front trunk 200. The locking portion 20A is released to the half-locked state, and the front trunk 200 engages with the front trunk engaging portion TE provided on the front hood portion 10A. The front trunk 200 moves toward the front of the vehicle, inclining from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle, to the front hood portion 10A via the front hood opening / closing portion 400. As front hood section 10A moves toward the front of the vehicle, the front end of front hood section 10A is pushed down to a position lower than the upper side of front grille section FG, with lock section 20A as a fulcrum. A pedestrian PD that collides with vehicle V is received by the slope of front hood section 10A, which has been lifted by front airbag 300, without interfering with the front end of front hood section 10A.

[0061] Then, when the vehicle V comes to a stop, the absorption of the impact caused by the collision in the vehicle body front structure 1A ends.

[0062] As described above, the vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment is provided with a locking portion 20A which engages with the front hood fixing portion EG provided on the front hood portion 10A when the front hood portion 10A is closed, and which disengages from the front hood fixing portion EG when the front airbag 300 is inflated and deployed. In other words, when a collision occurs with a pedestrian or the like PD from the front of the vehicle V, the locking portion 20A is released to a half-locked state, and the air chambers of the front airbag 300 are sequentially inflated and deflated, causing the front hood portion 10A to easily move within a limited range in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle, and to form an incline from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle via the front trunk portion 200. The front end of the front hood portion 10A can be easily moved in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle within a limited range, and can be reliably pushed down to a position lower than the upper side of the front grill portion FG with the lock portion 20A as a fulcrum. Therefore, when a pedestrian or the like PD that has collided with vehicle V runs onto front hood portion 10, vehicle front structure 1A can receive the pedestrian or the like PD at the inclination that front airbag 300 forms on front hood portion 10A via front trunk portion 200, without the pedestrian or the like PD interfering with the vehicle front end of front hood portion 10A. Thus, vehicle front structure 1A can reduce the impact on the pedestrian or the like PD and also reduce the burden that the vehicle front end of front hood portion 10A imposes on the pedestrian or the like PD. Therefore, when a collision occurs with a pedestrian or the like from the front of the vehicle, the burden on the pedestrian or the like can be reduced.

[0063] The vehicle body front structure 1A according to this embodiment is provided with a front trunk engagement portion TE on the vehicle underside of the front hood portion 10A, which engages with the upper side of the vehicle of the front trunk portion 200 when the front airbag 300 is inflated and deployed. In other words, when a collision occurs between the front of the vehicle V and a pedestrian or the like PD, the air chambers of the front airbag 300 sequentially inflate and contract, thereby pushing up the front trunk section 200. The front trunk section 200 engages with the front trunk engagement parts TE (front trunk engagement parts TE1, TE2) provided on the front hood section 10A, and the front airbag 300 reliably causes the front hood section 10A to tilt from the upper rear side of the vehicle toward the lower front side of the vehicle via the front trunk section 200. The front end of the front hood section 10A is reliably pushed down, with the lock part 20A as a fulcrum, to a position lower than the upper side of the front grille section FG. Therefore, when a pedestrian or the like PD that has collided with vehicle V runs onto front hood portion 10, vehicle front structure 1A can receive the pedestrian or the like PD at the inclination of front hood portion 10A that has been lifted by front airbag 300 without the pedestrian or the like PD interfering with the vehicle front end of front hood portion 10A. Thus, vehicle front structure 1A can reduce the impact on the pedestrian or the like PD and also reduce the burden that the vehicle front end of front hood portion 10A imposes on the pedestrian or the like PD. Therefore, when a collision occurs with a pedestrian or the like from the front of the vehicle, the burden on the pedestrian or the like can be reduced.

[0064] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1; Front body structure 10; Front hood section 10A: Front hood section 20; Rock Club 20A; lock part 100;frame part 110;Toe board section 120;Front side frame 130;Front frame 140; front end cross member 150; upper frame 200; Front trunk 300;Front airbags 310; First air chamber 320; Second air chamber 330; Third air chamber 340; 4th air chamber 400;Front hood opening 410; First hinge 420; Second hinge BH: Vent hole FG: Front grille IF; Inflator JC: Joint chamber PD; pedestrians, etc. V; Vehicle

Claims

1. a front hood portion in which an opening / closing axis facing in a vehicle width direction is provided on a vehicle front side of a cabin of the vehicle; a frame portion that forms the framework of the vehicle body front structure and is provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood portion; a front trunk section provided on the vehicle underside of the front hood section, the vehicle underside of which is placed on the frame section; a front airbag disposed below the front trunk portion and between the front trunk portion and the frame portion, the front airbag inflating and deploying below the front trunk portion when a collision occurs; an inflator that supplies gas to the front airbag when a collision occurs to the vehicle; a front hood opening / closing unit that opens and closes the front hood unit in the vehicle up-down direction and that allows the front hood unit to move in the vehicle up-down direction and the vehicle front-rear direction; Equipped with The front airbag includes at least a first air chamber to which gas is supplied from the inflator; a second air chamber connected to the first air chamber on the vehicle rear side so as to communicate with the first air chamber; a connecting air chamber that is connected to the rear side of the upper part of the vehicle of the second air chamber and communicates with the first air chamber and is provided on the upper part of the vehicle of the second air chamber from the rear side of the vehicle to the front side of the vehicle; a third air chamber connected to the front upper vehicle side of the joint air chamber so as to communicate with the first air chamber, the third air chamber having a vent hole at the upper vehicle side for releasing gas therein to the outside, the third air chamber being disposed above the first air chamber; a fourth air chamber connected to the third air chamber at the vehicle rear side and communicating with the third air chamber, and disposed above the second air chamber; A vehicle body front structure comprising:

2. 2. The vehicle body front structure according to claim 1, further comprising a locking portion that engages with a front hood fixing portion provided on the front hood portion when the front hood portion is closed, and that disengages from the front hood fixing portion when the front airbag is inflated and deployed.

3. 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein a front trunk engaging portion is provided on the vehicle lower surface of the front hood portion, which engages with the vehicle upper side of the front trunk portion when the front airbag is inflated and deployed.

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