Front structure of vehicle and method for assembling front structure of vehicle
The vehicle front structure's innovative support mechanism with inclined surfaces and adjustable mounting allows for precise alignment of headlamps and exterior members, addressing assembly errors and enhancing symmetry.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024063992
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-24
AI Technical Summary
The existing vehicle front structure assembly method, particularly involving the mounting of headlamps and exterior members, suffers from assembly errors due to dimensional inaccuracies, leading to symmetry issues in the vehicle's appearance.
A vehicle front structure design featuring a support member with inclined surfaces and a support mechanism that allows for precise alignment of headlamps and exterior members by enabling positional adjustment in the vehicle width direction, using bolts and nuts to secure the components at the point of contact between inclined surfaces.
This design enhances the assembly accuracy of exterior members and headlamps, ensuring symmetrical alignment and improving the overall appearance of the vehicle.
Smart Images

Figure 2025161088000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle and a method for assembling the front structure of a vehicle. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a lamp unit mounting structure (hereinafter referred to as mounting structure) for a vehicle. The mounting structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of headlamp units and a pair of receiving portions that are provided on the vehicle body and support the pair of headlamp units.
[0003] A radiator support member extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at the front of the vehicle. The radiator support member has a pair of support pillars extending downward from both ends in the vehicle width direction.
[0004] The support pillar has a receiving portion fixed thereto. The receiving portion has a vertical plate portion fixed to the support pillar and a horizontal plate portion protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the vertical plate portion. The horizontal plate portion is provided with a main hook portion protruding upward.
[0005] The headlamp unit has a housing that opens forward and a lens that covers the housing opening. The head housing contains multiple lamps that serve as light sources. The underside of the housing is provided with a main fastening portion that engages with the main hook.
[0006] The headlamp unit is attached to the receiving portion by engaging the main fastening portion of the headlamp unit with the main hook portion of the horizontal plate portion. Furthermore, conventionally, an exterior member that constitutes part of the design surface of the front of the vehicle is provided between the pair of headlamp units. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-248900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0008] In the vehicle front structure including the mounting structure described in Patent Document 1, a main hook provided on the radiator support engages with a main fastening portion provided on the headlamp unit. This results in an assembly error of the headlamp unit to the radiator support member. Furthermore, because the structure involves assembling an exterior member to the radiator support, factors such as dimensional errors in the exterior member may result in a large assembly error between the headlamp and the exterior member. This can cause problems, such as impairing the symmetry of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, i.e., the vehicle's appearance. [Means for solving the problem]
[0009] Various aspects of a vehicle front structure and a method for assembling the vehicle front structure to solve the above problems will be described. [Aspect 1] A front structure of a vehicle comprising: a pair of headlamps spaced apart in a vehicle width direction; an exterior member provided between the pair of headlamps; and a support member located rearward of the exterior member and to which the headlamps and the exterior member are attached, wherein the exterior member has a first inclined surface that abuts against the headlamp in the vehicle width direction, the headlamp has a second inclined surface that is inclined along the first inclined surface, and the first inclined surface is inclined so as to be positioned higher or lower as it approaches an outer portion in the vehicle width direction, and the support member has a main body to which the exterior member is attached and a support member that fixes the main body to a vehicle body. a main body fixing portion that fastens the mounting portions to the main body portion at a position where the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in contact with each other; a pair of mounting portions that are connected to both ends of the main body portion in the vehicle width direction and to which the pair of headlamps are respectively attached; and a fastening portion that fastens the mounting portions to the main body portion at a position where the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface are in contact with each other, wherein the support member comprises a support mechanism that supports the mounting portions to the main body portion by allowing the mounting portions to be changed in position relative to the main body portion in the vehicle width direction when the main body portion and the mounting portions are not fastened to each other by the fastening portions, while restricting the mounting portions from being changed in position relative to the main body portion in a direction different from the vehicle width direction.
[0010] According to the above configuration, when the main body portion and the mounting portions are not fastened by the fastening portions, the exterior member is attached to the main body portion, and a pair of headlamps are respectively attached to the pair of mounting portions. Furthermore, the support mechanism allows the position of the mounting portions to be changed relative to the main body portion in the vehicle width direction, while restricting the position of the mounting portions to be changed relative to the main body portion in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, allowing the headlamp to be moved toward the exterior member from the outside in the vehicle width direction. This allows the second inclined surface of the headlamp to contact the first inclined surface of the exterior member from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the main body portion and the mounting portions are fastened by the fastening portions at a position where the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface contact each other. In this way, the support member, with the main body portion and the mounting portions fastened by the fastening portions, is fixed to the vehicle body by the main body fixing portions. This improves the assembly accuracy of the exterior member and the headlamp.
[0011] [Aspect 2] The support mechanism includes a long hole provided in one of the main body portion and the mounting portion and extending in the vehicle width direction, a hole provided in the other of the main body portion and the mounting portion, a bolt inserted into the long hole and the hole, and a nut that clamps the main body portion and the mounting portion together in cooperation with the bolt, in the front structure of a vehicle described in [Aspect 1].
[0012] According to the above configuration, the support mechanism is configured by the elongated hole provided in one of the main body and the mounting part, the hole provided in the other of the main body and the mounting part, the bolt, and the nut, so that the support mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0013] [Aspect 3] The mounting portion has a mounting portion main body and a connecting portion that protrudes from the mounting portion main body toward the main body in the vehicle width direction, the main body has a guide groove portion that opens on a side of the main body and extends in the vehicle width direction, and into which the connecting portion is inserted, the guide groove portion is configured to abut against the connecting portion to guide movement of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction when the main body and the mounting portion are not fastened by the fastening portion, and the long hole is provided in the guide groove portion.
[0014] According to the above configuration, when the main body and the mounting portion are not fastened by the fastening portion, the guide groove guides movement of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction. This makes it easier to abut the second inclined surface of the headlamp against the first inclined surface of the exterior member from the vehicle width direction. This improves the assembly accuracy of the exterior member and the headlamp.
[0015] [Aspect 4] The vehicle front structure according to [Aspect 3], wherein the connecting portion and the guide groove portion are provided in plural and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle.
[0016] According to the above configuration, by providing a plurality of connecting portions and guide groove portions, it is possible to stabilize the change in position of the attachment portion relative to the main body portion in the vehicle width direction. [Aspect 5] A method for assembling a front structure of a vehicle according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4], comprising the steps of: fixing the main body portion to the vehicle body via the main body fixing portion; supporting the mounting portion relative to the main body portion by the support mechanism; attaching the exterior member to the main body portion; attaching the headlamp to the mounting portion; changing the position of the mounting portion relative to the main body portion in the vehicle width direction to bring the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface into contact; and fastening the mounting portion to the main body portion by the fastening portion.
[0017] According to the above method, the same effects as those of the above [Aspect 1] can be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]
[0018] According to the vehicle front structure and the method for assembling the same according to the present invention, the precision of assembling the exterior member and the headlamp is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the support member of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper support mechanism of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the upper support mechanism of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower support mechanism of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the front structure of the vehicle of FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a front view showing the exterior member and the headlamp attached to the support member in a state where the main body and the attachment portion are not fastened together with bolts. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing the headlamp and the exterior member attached to the support member in a state in which the main body and the attachment portion are fastened together with bolts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Hereinafter, one embodiment of a vehicle front structure and a method for assembling the vehicle front structure will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the front-to-rear direction L, the vehicle width direction will be referred to as the vehicle width direction W, and the up-down direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the up-down direction Z. In the following description, the front and rear in the front-to-rear direction L will be simply referred to as the front and rear, respectively, and the inside and outside in the vehicle width direction W will be simply referred to as the inside and outside, respectively.
[0021] The front structure of the vehicle of this embodiment has a symmetrical structure in the vehicle width direction W. Therefore, hereinafter, only the left half of the front of the vehicle when viewed from the front to the rear will be described, and a description of the right half will be omitted.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the front structure of the vehicle includes a pair of headlamps 10 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction W, an exterior member 20 disposed between the pair of headlamps 10, and a support member 30 located behind the exterior member 20.
[0023] <Support member 30> As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 30 includes a main body portion 31, a main body fixing portion 40, a pair of mounting portions 50, and a bolt 69.
[0024] In this embodiment, the main body portion 31, the main body fixing portion 40, and the pair of mounting portions 50 are made of resin. However, the main body portion 31, the main body fixing portion 40, and the pair of mounting portions 50 may also be made of metal.
[0025] <Main body 31> As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 31 is located at the center in the vehicle width direction W, and has a plate-shaped main body base 32, a peripheral wall 39, an upper guide groove 37, and a lower guide groove .
[0026] The main body side base portion 32 has an upper portion 33 extending in the vehicle width direction W, a pair of side portions 34 extending downward from both ends of the upper portion 33 in the vehicle width direction W, a pair of lower portions 35 extending from the lower ends of the side portions 34 toward the center of the upper portion 33 in the vehicle width direction W, and a pair of intermediate portions 36.
[0027] The upper portion 33 is curved so that the portion located closer to the center in the vehicle width direction W is positioned lower. The side portions 34 are inclined so that the portions located on the outer sides are positioned more downward.
[0028] The lower portion 35 is connected to the center of the upper portion 33 in the vehicle width direction W, and is inclined so that the more inward the portion, the higher it is positioned. The middle portion 36 is located more inward than the side portion 34, and extends from the connection between the upper portion 33 and the side portion 34 toward the lower portion 35. The middle portion 36 is connected to the lower portion 35, and is inclined so that the more inward the portion, the lower the position.
[0029] The peripheral wall portion 39 has an upper upper wall 33a protruding forward from the upper edge of the upper portion 33, a side outer wall 34a protruding forward from the outer edge of the side portion 34, and a lower lower wall 35c protruding forward from the lower edge of the lower portion 35.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an elongated hole 81 that penetrates the upper upper wall 33a in the vertical direction Z and is long in the vehicle width direction W is provided at an end of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W. 3, a nut 48 is provided in a portion of the upper upper wall 33a that is more inward than the elongated hole 81 and is aligned with the elongated hole 81 in the vehicle width direction W. The nut 48 is provided with a groove that clamps the upper upper wall 33a in the up-down direction Z.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of mounting pieces 33c to which the exterior member 20 is attached are provided at a distance from each other in the vehicle width direction W at the center of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W. The outer side wall 34a is provided with an upper notch 37c and a lower notch 38c located below the upper notch 37c. The upper notch 37c and the lower notch 38c are spaced apart in the vertical direction Z and open in the vehicle width direction W and forward.
[0032] The upper notch 37c is provided at the upper end of the outer side wall 34a. A through hole 31a is formed in the main body side base portion 32 by a side inner wall 34b protruding forward from the inner edge of the side portion 34, an intermediate outer wall 36a protruding forward from the outer edge of the intermediate portion 36, and a first lower upper wall 35a.
[0033] The first lower upper wall 35a extends in the vehicle width direction W and connects the upper edge of the lower cutout 38c, the lower edge of the side inner wall 34b, and the lower edge of the intermediate outer wall 36a. A portion of the first lower upper wall 35a located between the side portion 34 and the middle portion 36 protrudes forward from an upper edge of the lower portion 35 located between the side portion 34 and the middle portion 36. In addition, a long hole 91 that penetrates the first lower upper wall 35a in the up-down direction Z and is long in the vehicle width direction W is provided in the portion of the first lower upper wall 35a located between the side portion 34 and the middle portion 36 (see FIG. 5).
[0034] A through hole 31b is provided in the main body-side base portion 32 on the opposite side of the intermediate portion 36 from the through hole 31a in the vehicle width direction W. The through hole 31b is formed by an upper lower wall 33b protruding forward from the lower edge of the upper portion 33, an intermediate inner wall 36b protruding forward from the inner edge of the intermediate portion 36, and a second lower upper wall 35b protruding forward from a portion of the upper edge of the lower portion 35 that is positioned more inward than the intermediate portion 36.
[0035] An upper support wall 37a and an upper side wall 37b are respectively provided to protrude from the front surface of the main body 31 and positioned below the end of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W. The upper side wall 37b is located inside the nut 48, extends along the vertical direction Z, and is connected to the upper upper wall 33a.
[0036] The upper support wall 37a connects the lower edge of the upper side wall 37b and the lower edge of the upper notch 37c, and extends in the vehicle width direction W. The upper support wall 37a has an enlarged portion extending from the lower edge of the upper notch 37c, and a reduced portion located closer to the upper upper wall 33a than the enlarged portion.
[0037] The upper guide groove portion 37 is formed by the main body base portion 32, the upper upper wall 33a, the upper side wall 37b, the upper support wall 37a, and the upper notch 37c. A lower support wall 38a and a lower side wall 38b are respectively provided to protrude from the front surface of the main body 31 and positioned below the first lower upper wall 35a.
[0038] The lower side wall 38b is connected to the connection portion between the intermediate outer wall 36a and the first lower upper wall 35a, and extends in the up-down direction Z. The lower support wall 38a connects the lower edge of the lower side wall 38b and the lower edge of the lower notch 38c, and extends along the vehicle width direction W.
[0039] The main body base portion 32, the first lower upper wall 35a, the lower side wall 38b, the lower support wall 38a, and the lower notch 38c form a lower guide groove portion 38. In this embodiment, the side outer wall 34a corresponds to the side surface of the main body according to the present invention.
[0040] <Mounting part 50> As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of mounting portions 50 are connected to both ends of the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W.
[0041] The mounting portion 50 has a plate-shaped mounting base portion 52 and a peripheral wall portion 59 . The mounting base portion 52 has a first side portion 54 , a second side portion 53 , a lower portion 55 , an upper connecting base portion 62 , and a lower connecting base portion 72 .
[0042] The first side portion 54 is adjacent to the side portion 34 in the vehicle width direction W, and extends in the up-down direction Z along the side portion 34. The second side portion 53 extends outward from the upper end of the first side portion 54 and is inclined so that the more outwardly the portion is positioned, the lower the position.
[0043] The lower portion 55 connects the lower end of the first side portion 54 and the lower end of the second side portion 53, extends along the vehicle width direction W, and extends further outward in the vehicle width direction W than the lower end of the second side portion 53. The outer end of the lower portion 55 is provided with a mounting piece 52a to which the headlamp 10 is attached.
[0044] The upper connecting base portion 62 protrudes from the upper end of the first side portion 54 toward the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W, and is inserted into the upper guide groove portion 37. The upper edge of the upper connecting base portion 62 extends along the end portion in the vehicle width direction W of the upper upper wall 33a.
[0045] The tip of the upper connecting base portion 62 is spaced apart from the upper side wall 37b in the vehicle width direction W. The lower edge of the upper connecting base portion 62 has an enlarged portion extending from the first side portion 54 along the vehicle width direction W, and a reduced portion located closer to the upper upper wall 33a than the enlarged portion.
[0046] The lower connecting base portion 72 protrudes from a portion of the first side portion 54 below the upper connecting base portion 62 toward the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W, and is inserted into the lower guide groove portion 38.
[0047] The upper edge of the lower connecting base portion 72 extends along the first lower upper wall 35a. The tip of the lower connecting base portion 72 is spaced apart from the lower side wall 38b in the vehicle width direction W.
[0048] The lower edge of the lower connection base portion 72 extends along the lower support wall 38a. The peripheral wall portion 59 has a first side inner wall 54b protruding forward from the inner edge of the first side portion 54, a second side outer wall 53a protruding forward from the outer edge of the second side portion 53, and a lower lower wall 55b protruding forward from the lower edge of the lower portion 55. The peripheral wall portion 59 also has an upper wall portion 62a protruding forward from the upper edge of the upper connecting base portion 62, a side wall portion 62b protruding forward from the leading edge of the upper connecting base portion 62, and a lower wall portion 62c protruding forward from the lower edge of the upper connecting base portion 62. The peripheral wall portion 59 also has an upper wall portion 72a protruding forward from the upper edge of the lower connecting base portion 72, a side wall portion 72b protruding forward from the leading edge of the lower connecting base portion 72, and a lower wall portion 72c protruding forward from the lower edge of the lower connecting base portion 72.
[0049] The second side outer wall 53a is provided with a mounting piece 53c that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction W and to which the headlamp 10 is attached. A through hole 52b is formed in the mounting side base portion 52 by a first side outer wall 54a protruding forward from the outer edge of the first side portion 54, a second side inner wall 53b protruding forward from the inner edge of the second side portion 53, and a lower upper wall 55a protruding forward from the upper edge of the lower portion 55.
[0050] The lower upper wall 55a is provided with an attachment piece 55c that protrudes upward and to which the headlamp 10 is attached. The side wall portion 62b is located outside the nut 48.
[0051] The lower wall portion 62c is supported from below by the upper support wall 37a. The side wall portion 72b is located outward from the lower side wall 38b. The lower wall portion 72c is supported from below by the lower support wall 38a.
[0052] The upper connecting portion 60 is configured by the upper connecting base portion 62, the upper wall portion 62a, the side wall portion 62b, and the lower wall portion 62c. The lower connecting base portion 72, the upper wall portion 72a, the side wall portion 72b, and the lower wall portion 72c form the lower connecting portion 70.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, a nut 65 and a nut 82 are provided on the upper wall portion 62a in line in this order from the outer side in the vehicle width direction W. The nuts 65 and 82 are located below the elongated hole 81. The nuts 65 and 82 are each provided with a groove that holds the upper wall portion 62a in the vertical direction Z.
[0054] The hole 66 of the nut 65 and the hole 83 of the nut 82 communicate with the elongated hole 81 in the vertical direction Z. A bolt 84 is fastened to the hole 83 and the elongated hole 81 of the nut 82, and cooperates with the nut 82 to clamp the main body 31 and the mounting portion 50 together. The bolt 84 is a so-called stepped bolt, having a shaft portion 84a that is threaded onto the nut 82, an enlarged diameter portion 84b that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion 84a, a flange portion 84c that expands in diameter outward from the upper end of the enlarged diameter portion 84b, and a head portion 84d that protrudes upward beyond the flange portion 84c.
[0055] The expanded diameter portion 84b abuts against the nut 82, thereby restricting the bolt 84 from entering the nut 82. The width of the expanded diameter portion 84b in the front-rear direction L is approximately the same as the width of the elongated hole 81 in the front-rear direction L.
[0056] The flange portions 84c extend outward beyond the edges of the elongated hole 81 on both sides in the front-rear direction L (see FIG. 4). The portion of the upper upper wall 33a around the elongated hole 81 is loosely sandwiched between the flange portions 84c and the nuts 82.
[0057] A nut 92 is insert-molded into the upper wall portion 72a and positioned below the elongated hole 91. The elongated hole 91 is provided with a groove that holds the upper wall portion 72a in the vertical direction Z. The hole 93 of the nut 92 communicates with the elongated hole 91 in the vertical direction Z.
[0058] A bolt 94 is fastened to the hole 93 and the elongated hole 91 of the nut 92, and cooperates with the nut 92 to clamp the main body 31 and the mounting portion 50 together. The bolt 94 is a so-called stepped bolt that has a shaft portion 94a that is threaded onto the nut 92, an enlarged diameter portion 94b that is larger in diameter than the shaft portion 94a, a flange portion 94c that expands in diameter outward from the upper end of the enlarged diameter portion 94b, and a head portion 94d that protrudes above the flange portion 94c.
[0059] The enlarged diameter portion 94b abuts against the nut 92, thereby restricting the bolt 94 from entering the nut 92. The width of the enlarged diameter portion 94b in the front-rear direction L is substantially the same as the width of the elongated hole 91 in the front-rear direction L.
[0060] The flange portions 94c extend outward beyond the edges of the elongated hole 91 on both sides in the front-rear direction L. The portion of the first lower upper wall 35a surrounding the elongated hole 91 is loosely sandwiched between the flange portions 94c and the nuts 92.
[0061] <Main body fixing part 40 and bolt 69> As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of main body fixing parts 40 fix the main body part 31 to a vehicle body (not shown).
[0062] The main body fixing portion 40 has a front end portion 41 located adjacent to and above the end portion of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W, and an extension portion 45 extending outward and rearward from the front end portion 41. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front end 41 has an elongated hole 43 that communicates with the nut 48 in the vertical direction Z, an elongated hole 42 that communicates with the elongated hole 81 and the nut 65 in the vertical direction Z, and an elongated hole 44 that communicates with the elongated hole 81 and the nut 82 in the vertical direction Z.
[0063] Between the front end portion 41 and the upper upper wall 33a in the vertical direction Z, an annular member 46 having an annular shape and communicating with the elongated holes 42 and 81 is provided. A bolt 49 inserted through the long hole 43 is screwed into a nut 48, thereby fixing the main body 31 and the front end 41 to each other.
[0064] The bolts 69 inserted through the elongated holes 42, 81, and annular member 46 are threaded into the nuts 65, thereby fixing the mounting portion 50, the main body 31, the annular member 46, and the front end portion 41 to one another.
[0065] A head 84d of a bolt 84 is inserted into the elongated hole 44. The rear end of the extension 45 is fastened to the vehicle body by a bolt. In this embodiment, the bolt 69 corresponds to a fastening portion according to the present invention. Also, in this embodiment, the first side portion 54, the second side portion 53, and the lower portion 55 correspond to an attachment portion main body according to the present invention.
[0066] <Headlamp 10> As shown in FIG. 6, the headlamp 10 has a housing 11 that opens forward, and a transparent cover 12 that covers the opening of the housing 11.
[0067] The housing 11 accommodates a light source (not shown) inside. The light source may be, for example, a headlight, an indicator light, an illumination light, a projector, a daytime running lamp, or the like, either singly or in combination.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the housing 11 has a plurality of mounting pieces 11a that are provided at positions corresponding to the mounting pieces 52a, 53c, and 55c, and to which the mounting portion 50 is fastened by bolts.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the cover 12 is provided with a second inclined surface 13 that is inclined so that the outer portions are positioned higher. <Exterior member 20> 1, the exterior member 20 is attached to the main body 31 and forms part of the front surface of the vehicle. The exterior member 20 is, for example, a front garnish.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 6, the exterior member 20 has an exterior member main body 21 located in front of the main body portion 31, and a pair of protrusions 24 protruding rearward from the rear surface of the exterior member main body 21. The rear end of the protrusion 24 is attached to the attachment piece 33c with a bolt, whereby the exterior member 20 is attached to the main body 31.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 1, the exterior member main body 21 extends in the vehicle width direction W and abuts against the pair of headlamps 10 in the vehicle width direction W. The exterior member main body 21 has a lower surface provided with a first inclined surface 23 that abuts against the headlamp 10 in the vehicle width direction W and is inclined along the second inclined surface 13.
[0072] The exterior member main body 21 is integrally molded from hard resin. <Assembly method for the front structure of the vehicle> As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the method for assembling the front structure of a vehicle includes a mounting portion supporting step, an exterior member mounting step, a headlamp mounting step, a position changing step, a fastening step, and a main body fixing step.
[0073] <Mounting part support process> As shown in FIG. 7, first, in the mounting portion supporting step, the upper connecting portion 60 and the lower connecting portion 70 of the mounting portion 50 are inserted into the upper guide groove portion 37 and the lower guide groove portion 38 of the main body portion 31, respectively.
[0074] Next, the bolt 84 inserted through the elongated hole 81 is threaded into the hole 83 of the nut 82, thereby supporting the upper connecting portion 60 relative to the upper upper wall 33a. Furthermore, the bolt 94 inserted through the elongated hole 91 is threaded into the hole 93 of the nut 92, thereby supporting the lower connecting portion 70 relative to the first lower upper wall 35a. In this way, the upper support mechanism 80 and the lower support mechanism 90 support the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31.
[0075] Note that, when the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened by the bolts 69, the upper support mechanism 80 and the lower support mechanism 90 support the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 while allowing the position of the mounting portion 50 to be changed relative to the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W. On the other hand, the upper support mechanism 80 and the lower support mechanism 90 support the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 by restricting the position of the mounting portion 50 from being changed relative to the main body portion 31 in directions different from the vehicle width direction W, i.e., in the front-rear direction L and the up-down direction Z. Note that the elongated hole 81 allows the position of the bolt 84 to be changed in the vehicle width direction W, while restricting the positional displacement of the bolt 84 in the front-rear direction L. Furthermore, the elongated hole 91 allows the position of the bolt 94 to be changed in the vehicle width direction W, while restricting the positional displacement of the bolt 94 in the front-rear direction L. Furthermore, the bolt 84 and nut 82, and the bolt 94 and nut 92 restrict the position of the mounting portion 50 from being changed relative to the main body portion 31 in the up-down direction Z.
[0076] The upper guide groove portion 37 is configured to abut against the upper connecting portion 60 to guide movement of the upper connecting portion 60 in the vehicle width direction W when the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolt 69. The lower guide groove portion 38 is configured to abut against the lower connecting portion 70 to guide movement of the lower connecting portion 70 in the vehicle width direction W when the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolt 69.
[0077] <Exterior component installation process> As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, in the exterior member attaching step, the exterior member 20 is disposed in front of the main body portion 31 and attached to the main body portion 31.
[0078] <Headlamp installation process> As shown in FIG. 7, in the headlamp mounting step, the headlamp 10 is placed in front of the mounting portion 50 and mounted to the mounting portion 50.
[0079] At this time, the mounting portion 50 is moved outward to a position where the outward movement of the bolt 94 is restricted by the outer end of the elongated hole 91 in the vehicle width direction W. As a result, a gap is generated between the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 13 in the vehicle width direction W.
[0080] <Position change process> 8, in the position changing step, the position of the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W is changed to bring the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 13 into contact with each other. That is, by moving the headlamp 10 inward in the vehicle width direction W, i.e., toward the exterior member 20, the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 13 come into contact with each other.
[0081] <Fascinating process> As shown in FIG. 8, in the fastening step, the attachment portion 50 is fastened to the main body portion 31 with a bolt 69.
[0082] In the fastening step, first, the front end 41 of the main body fixing part 40 is placed on the upper upper wall 33a of the main body part 31 so that the elongated hole 42, elongated hole 81, and nut 65 overlap with the elongated hole 43 and nut 48, respectively.
[0083] Next, the mounting portion 50 is fastened to the main body portion 31 with the bolt 69 at a position where the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 13 contact each other. At this time, the bolt 69 further fastens the main body fixing portion 40 to the main body portion 31.
[0084] <Body part fixing process> As shown in Figure 8, in the main body fixing process, the rear end of the extension portion 45 of the main body fixing portion 40 is fastened to the vehicle body (both not shown) with a bolt, thereby fixing the main body portion 31 to the vehicle body via the main body fixing portion 40.
[0085] <Operation of this embodiment> As shown in FIG. 7 , in a state in which the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolts 69, the exterior member 20 is attached to the main body portion 31, and the headlamp 10 is attached to the mounting portion 50. Furthermore, each of the support mechanisms 80 and 90 allows the position of the mounting portion 50 to be changed relative to the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W, while restricting the position of the mounting portion 50 from being changed relative to the main body portion 31 in directions other than the vehicle width direction W. This allows the headlamp 10 to be moved toward the exterior member 20 from the outside in the vehicle width direction W. This allows the second inclined surface 13 of the headlamp 10 to come into contact with the first inclined surface 23 of the exterior member 20 from the outside in the vehicle width direction W. Furthermore, the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are fastened together by the bolts 69 at a position where the first inclined surface 23 and the second inclined surface 13 come into contact with each other. In this way, the support member 30, in a state in which the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are fastened together by the bolts 69, is fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) by the main body fixing portion 40.
[0086] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) Each of the support mechanisms 80, 90 allows the position of the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 to be changed in the vehicle width direction W when the main body portion 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolts 69. On the other hand, each of the support mechanisms 80, 90 supports the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 by restricting the position of the mounting portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 from being changed in directions other than the vehicle width direction W.
[0087] According to this configuration, the above-mentioned effects are achieved, and therefore the precision of assembling the exterior member 20 and the headlamp 10 is improved. (2) The upper support mechanism 80 has an elongated hole 81 provided in the main body 31, a hole 83 provided in the mounting portion 50, a bolt 84 inserted through the elongated hole 81 and the hole 83, and a nut 82. The lower support mechanism 90 has an elongated hole 91 provided in the main body 31, a hole 93 provided in the mounting portion 50, a bolt 94 inserted through the elongated hole 81 and the hole 83, and a nut 92.
[0088] According to this configuration, the support mechanisms 80, 90 are respectively constituted by the elongated holes 81, 91 provided in the main body 31, the holes 83, 93 provided in the mounting portion 50, the bolts 84, 94, and the nuts 82, 92. Therefore, the support mechanisms 80, 90 can be realized with a simple configuration.
[0089] (3) When the main body 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolts 69, the upper guide groove 37 is configured to abut against the upper connecting portion 60 to guide the movement of the upper connecting portion 60 in the vehicle width direction W. The same is true for the lower guide groove 38 and the lower connecting portion 70.
[0090] According to this configuration, when the main body 31 and the mounting portion 50 are not fastened together by the bolts 69, the upper guide groove 37 guides the movement of the upper connecting portion 60 in the vehicle width direction W. This makes it easier to bring the second inclined surface 13 of the headlamp 10 into contact with the first inclined surface 23 of the exterior member 20 from the vehicle width direction W. This improves the accuracy of assembling the exterior member 20 and the headlamp 10 together.
[0091] (4) The upper connecting portion 60, the lower connecting portion 70, the upper guide groove portion 37, and the lower guide groove portion 38 are provided at intervals in the vertical direction Z. According to this configuration, by providing a plurality of connecting portions and guide groove portions, it is possible to stabilize the change in position of the attachment portion 50 relative to the main body portion 31 in the vehicle width direction W.
[0092] (5) The method for assembling the front structure of a vehicle includes a mounting portion supporting step, an exterior member mounting step, a headlamp mounting step, a position changing step, a fastening step, and a main body fixing step. According to this method, it is possible to achieve the same effect as effect (1) above.
[0093] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.
[0094] In the above embodiment, the headlamp mounting step is performed after the exterior member mounting step, but the headlamp mounting step may be performed before the exterior member mounting step. In the above embodiment, two connecting portions and guide groove portions are provided: an upper connecting portion 60 and an upper guide groove portion 37, and a lower connecting portion 70 and a lower guide groove portion 38. However, the number of connecting portions and guide groove portions may be one, or three or more.
[0095] In the above embodiment, the connecting portion is inserted into the guide groove, but this is not limiting. For example, the upper connecting portion 60 may be provided on the upper surface of the end portion of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W. In this case, it is sufficient that the upper connecting portion 60 is supported by a support mechanism relative to the end portion of the upper upper wall 33a in the vehicle width direction W.
[0096] If the attachment portion 50 is supported by a support mechanism relative to the main body portion 31, the guide groove portion may be omitted. The position of the elongated hole 81 constituting the upper support mechanism 80 may be changed as appropriate as long as it is in the peripheral wall constituting the upper guide groove portion 37, or it may be a elongated hole that penetrates the main body base portion 32 in the front-to-rear direction L. Similarly, the position of the elongated hole 91 constituting the lower support mechanism 90 may be changed as appropriate as long as it is in the peripheral wall constituting the lower guide groove portion 38.
[0097] In the above embodiment, the support mechanisms 80, 90 are respectively configured by bolts 84, 94 inserted into the elongated holes 81, 91. However, this is not limiting. For example, elongated holes may be provided in the main body 31, and protrusions may be provided on the mounting portion 50 to be inserted into the elongated holes.
[0098] In the above embodiment, the elongated holes 81, 91 are provided in the main body 31, and the holes 83, 93 into which the bolts 84, 94 are threaded are provided in the mounting portion 50, but this is not limiting. The elongated holes 81, 91 may be provided in the mounting portion 50, and the holes 83, 93 into which the bolts 84, 94 are threaded may be provided in the main body 31.
[0099] In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 50, the main body portion 31, and the main body fixing portion 40 are fixed together by the bolts 69, but this is not limitative. A mounting portion for the main body fixing portion 40 may be provided separately on the main body portion 31, and the mounting portion 50 and the main body portion 31 may be fixed together by the bolts 69.
[0100] The first inclined surface 23 is not limited to being provided on the lower surface of the exterior member main body 21, and may be provided on the upper surface of the exterior member main body 21. That is, the first inclined surface 23 may be provided on the upper surface of the exterior member main body 21 and inclined so that the more outer the portion in the vehicle width direction W, the lower the position. In this case, the second inclined surface 13 may be provided on the lower surface of the headlamp 10 and inclined along the first inclined surface 23. In this case, it is also sufficient that the first inclined surface 23 abuts against the second inclined surface 13 of the headlamp 10 in the vehicle width direction W. [Explanation of symbols]
[0101] 10...Headlamp 11. Housing 11a...Mounting piece 12...Cover 13…Second slope 20...Exterior material 21...Exterior member body 23...First slope 24...Protruding part 24a...Mounting hole 30...Support member 31...Main body 31a...Through hole 31b...Through hole 32...Main unit base 33...Upper 33a...Top top wall 33b...Upper lower wall part 33c...Mounting piece 34...Side 34a...Side outer wall 34b...Side inner wall 35...lower part 35a...First lower upper wall 35b…Second lower upper wall 35c…Lower lower wall 36...Middle section 36a...Intermediate outer wall 36b…Middle inner wall 37...Upper guide groove 37a...Upper support wall 37b…Upper side wall 37c…Upper notch 38...Lower guide groove 38a…Lower support wall 38b…Lower side wall 38c…lower notch 39...peripheral wall part 40…Body fixing part 41...Front end 42…Long hole 43…Long hole 44…Long hole 45...Extension part 46...Annular member 48...Nut 49...Bolt 50...Mounting part 52...Mounting base part 52a...Mounting piece 52b...Through hole 53...Second side 53a...Second side exterior wall 53b...Second side inner wall 53c...Mounting piece 54...First side 54a...First side outer wall 54b...First side inner wall 55. Lower part 55a...lower upper wall 55b...Lower lower wall 55c...Mounting piece 59...Peripheral wall part 60…Upper connection part 62...Upper connecting base 62a...Upper wall 62b...Side wall part 62c…Lower wall part 65...Nut 66…hole 69...Bolt 70…Lower connection part 72...Lower connecting base 72a...Upper wall part 72b...Side wall part 72c…Lower wall part 80...Upper support mechanism 81…Long hole 82...Nut 83…hole 84...Bolt 84a...Shaft part 84b…Enlarged diameter part 84c...Flange part 84d…Head 90…Lower support mechanism 91...long hole 92...Nat 93…hole 94...Bolt 94a...shaft 94b...Expanded diameter part 94c...Flange 94d…Head
Claims
1. A front structure of a vehicle including a pair of headlamps spaced apart from each other in a vehicle width direction, an exterior member provided between the pair of headlamps, and a support member located rearward of the exterior member and to which the headlamps and the exterior member are attached, the exterior member has a first inclined surface that abuts against the headlamp in the vehicle width direction, the headlamp has a second inclined surface inclined along the first inclined surface, the first inclined surface is inclined so that the outer portions thereof in the vehicle width direction are positioned higher or lower, The support member is a main body to which the exterior member is attached; a main body fixing portion that fixes the main body portion to a vehicle body; a pair of mounting portions connected to both ends of the main body in a vehicle width direction, to which the pair of headlamps are respectively attached; a fastening portion that fastens the mounting portion to the main body portion at a position where the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface contact each other, The support member includes a support mechanism that allows a change in position of the mounting portion relative to the main body portion in the vehicle width direction when the main body portion and the mounting portion are not fastened by the fastening portion, while restricting a change in position of the mounting portion relative to the main body portion in a direction different from the vehicle width direction, thereby supporting the mounting portion relative to the main body portion. Front structure of the vehicle.
2. The support mechanism includes: a long hole provided in one of the main body portion and the mounting portion and extending in a vehicle width direction; a hole provided in the other of the main body portion and the attachment portion; a bolt inserted through the elongated hole and the hole; a nut that cooperates with the bolt to clamp the main body portion and the mounting portion, The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1.
3. The mounting portion is A mounting body; a connecting portion that protrudes from the mounting portion main body toward the main body in the vehicle width direction, the main body portion has a guide groove portion that opens on a side surface of the main body portion, extends in a vehicle width direction, and into which the connecting portion is inserted; the guide groove portion is configured to guide movement of the connecting portion in the vehicle width direction by contacting the connecting portion when the main body portion and the mounting portion are not fastened by the fastening portion, The long hole is provided in the guide groove portion. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 2.
4. a plurality of the connecting portions and a plurality of the guide groove portions are provided at intervals from each other in the up-down direction of the vehicle; The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3.
5. A method for assembling the front structure of a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: a step of supporting the attachment portion relative to the main body portion by the support mechanism; attaching the exterior member to the main body; mounting the headlamp on the mounting portion; changing a position of the mounting portion relative to the main body portion in a vehicle width direction to bring the first inclined surface into contact with the second inclined surface; fastening the attachment portion to the main body portion with the fastening portion; and fixing the main body portion to the vehicle body via the main body fixing portion. How to assemble the front structure of a vehicle.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Lamp unit attaching structure of vehicle
JP2009248900A