Vehicle front part structure

Abstract

To ensure protection performance of an electric device.SOLUTION: In a vehicle front part structure S, a front support portion 54 of a support mechanism 50 includes a lower front frame 54B that supports an upper portion of a radiator core 20 and an upper front frame 54A that is disposed on one side (rear and upper side) of the radiator core 20 in the inclination direction. At the time of a frontal collision of a vehicle V, the radiator core 20 moving rearward is guided by the lower front frame 54B to be moved toward one side in the inclination direction, and an upper end of the radiator core 20 moving toward one side in the inclination direction is received by the upper front frame 54A. Thus, the radiator core 20 can be prevented from directly colliding with an inverter device 42 as an electric device. Therefore, protection performance for the inverter device 42 can be ensured even when the radiator core 20 is disposed in an inclined manner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In a vehicle (automobile), a radiator core for cooling a power unit and the like of the vehicle is provided at the front end of the vehicle (see Patent Document 1 below). The radiator core is arranged along the vertical direction of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle width direction.

[0003] Here, by arranging the radiator core so that it is tilted toward the rear of the vehicle as it approaches the upper side of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction, it is possible to reduce the installation space for the radiator core in the vertical direction. As a result, the space above the radiator core can be utilized to provide, for example, a trunk or the like in the front part of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2023-101999 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the radiator core is disposed at an angle, the upper end of the radiator core is positioned further rearward than when the radiator core is disposed upright. Meanwhile, in a vehicle, electrical devices such as an inverter are disposed rearward of the radiator core. That is, when the radiator core is disposed at an angle, the upper end of the radiator core tends to be closer to the electrical devices than when the radiator core is disposed upright. Therefore, for example, if the upper end of the radiator core, which is moving backward, collides with the electrical devices during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the protective performance of the electrical devices is reduced. Therefore, it is desirable for the vehicle front structure to have a structure that can ensure the protective performance of the electrical devices even when the radiator core is disposed at an angle.

[0006] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front structure that can ensure the protection performance of electrical devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle front structure comprising: a pair of front side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both sides of the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction; a radiator core arranged between the pair of front side frames and inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it approaches the upper side of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle width direction; an electric device provided on the rear and upper side of the radiator core; and a support mechanism that supports the electric device from the underside of the vehicle, wherein a front support portion that constitutes the front end of the support mechanism supports an upper part of the radiator core from the underside of the vehicle, and in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the front support portion guides the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle and receives the upper end of the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, protection performance of an electrical device can be ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view seen from above, schematically showing the front part of a vehicle to which a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of the front part of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the left side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] 2 is a perspective view of the support mechanism shown in FIG. 1, seen obliquely from the front left. [Figure 4] 4 is a side view for explaining the behavior of the radiator core during a frontal collision of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 5] 5 is a side view for explaining the behavior of the radiator core when the collision object shown in FIG. 4 enters further rearward. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a vehicle (automobile) V to which a vehicle front structure S according to this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the front side of the vehicle V is indicated by an arrow FR, the upper side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow UP, and the left side of the vehicle (one side in the vehicle width direction) when viewed from above the vehicle is indicated by an arrow LH. In addition, in the following description, when the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down direction of the vehicle, the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction of the vehicle unless otherwise specified.

[0011] 1 and 2, a vehicle front structure S is applied to the front of a vehicle V. The vehicle front structure S has a pair of left and right front side frames 10, a bumper beam 16, a subframe 18, a radiator core 20, a cross member 30, and an inverter unit 40. Each component of the vehicle front structure S will be described below.

[0012] The pair of front side frames 10 are formed in the shape of hollow, approximately rectangular pillars extending in the front-to-rear direction, and are arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction (on both sides in the left-to-right direction) of a power unit compartment 12 at the front of the vehicle V. Crash boxes 14 are provided in front of the front side frames 10. The crash boxes 14 are formed in the shape of approximately rectangular cylinders with their axial directions extending in the front-to-rear direction, and the rear ends of the crash boxes 14 are connected to the front ends of the front side frames 10.

[0013] The bumper beam 16 extends in the vehicle width direction and forms a framework at the front end of the vehicle V. The bumper beam 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape in a cross section seen from the longitudinal direction of the bumper beam 16. That is, the bumper beam 16 has a rectangular closed cross-sectional structure. The bumper beam 16 is connected to the front end portions of the crash boxes 14 with both end portions of the bumper beam 16 in the vehicle width direction protruding outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the front side frames 10. In this way, the bumper beam 16 is connected to the front side frames 10 via the crash boxes 14. Note that the crash boxes 14 may be omitted and the bumper beam 16 may be directly connected to the front end portions of the front side frames 10.

[0014] The subframe 18 is provided below the front side frames 10 and constitutes the lower end of the framework at the front of the vehicle V. The subframe 18 is formed in a generally rectangular ring shape in a plan view. Specifically, the subframe 18 has a pair of left and right subframe side portions 18A and a subframe front portion 18B spanning the front ends of the subframe side portions 18A. The subframe side portions 18A are formed in a generally hollow columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction and are connected to the front side frame 10 by brackets (not shown). The front ends of the subframe side portions 18A are bent in a generally crank-like shape that protrudes upward when viewed from the left and right. That is, the front ends of the subframe side portions 18A are provided with an inclined portion 18A1 that slopes upward toward the front and a protruding portion 18A2 that protrudes upward from the front end of the inclined portion 18A1. The subframe front portion 18B extends in the left-right direction and spans the protruding portion 18A2.

[0015] The radiator core 20 is a cooling device for cooling a power unit (not shown) of the vehicle V and the like. The radiator core 20 is formed in a generally rectangular, flat shape overall and is disposed between the front ends of a pair of left and right front side frames 10 in a rearwardly tilted state. Specifically, the radiator core 20 is tilted rearward as it extends upward in a side view. In the following description, the extending direction of the radiator core 20 in a side view is referred to as the tilting direction (see arrows A and B in FIG. 2). A lower end (front end) of the radiator core 20 is supported from below by a subframe front portion 18B of the subframe 18 via a mount member (not shown). An upper end portion (rear end portion) of the radiator core 20 is supported from below by a lower front frame 54B of a support mechanism 50 (described later) via a mount member (not shown).

[0016] The cross member 30 is formed in a hollow, generally rectangular pillar shape extending in the vehicle width direction. The cross member 30 is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the front side frame 10, and the lower wall of the cross member 30 is joined to the upper wall of the front side frame 10 by welding or the like.

[0017] Both longitudinal ends of the cross member 30 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the front side frames 10. Outer connecting portions 31 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the cross member 30. The outer connecting portions 31 are formed in a substantially rectangular tubular shape with the axial direction extending in the up-down direction, and extend downward from the cross member 30 outside the front side frames 10 in the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the outer connecting portion 31 is located below the front side frames 10, and is joined to the upper wall of the rear end of the overhanging portion 18A2 of the subframe 18 by welding or the like.

[0018] Additionally, inner connecting portions 32 are provided at both longitudinal end portions of the cross member 30. The inner connecting portions 32 are formed in a generally rectangular tubular shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction, and extend downward from the cross member 30 on the inner side of the front side frame 10 in the vehicle width direction. The lower end of the inner connecting portion 32 is located below the front side frame 10, and is joined to the upper wall of the subframe front portion 18B of the subframe 18 by welding or the like.

[0019] The cross member 30 is located above the lower end portion of the radiator core 20 and is located in front of the upper part of the radiator core 20. In other words, the cross member 30 is located below the upper end of the radiator core 20, and the cross member 30 overlaps with the radiator core 20 in both a front view and a plan view. In addition, a lower rear corner of the cross member 30 is located above and in close proximity to the front of the vertical middle portion of the radiator core 20.

[0020] Details will be described later, but in the event of a frontal collision of vehicle V, the collision load to the rear of the vehicle is input to the cross member 30, causing the connection (joint) between the cross member 30 and the front side frame 10 to be released.

[0021] The inverter unit 40 is disposed behind the cross member 30 and above the front side frame 10. The inverter unit 40 includes an inverter device 42 as an electric device and a support mechanism 50 that supports the inverter device 42.

[0022] 1 to 3, the support mechanism 50 is formed in a generally rectangular ring shape in a plan view. Specifically, the support mechanism 50 includes a rear support portion 52 that constitutes the rear end of the support mechanism 50, a front support portion 54 that constitutes the front end of the support mechanism 50, and side support frames 56 that serve as a pair of left and right side support portions that connect the rear support portion 52 and the front support portion 54.

[0023] The rear support portion 52 is formed in a generally rectangular annular shape with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle width direction in a front view. Specifically, the rear support portion 52 includes a pair of upper and lower rear frames 52A extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right rear connecting frames 52B connecting both longitudinal ends of the rear frames 52A. The rear frames 52A are formed in the shape of hollow, generally rectangular pillars extending in the vehicle width direction, and the rear connecting frames 52B are formed in the shape of hollow, generally rectangular pillars extending in the up-down direction. The upper end of the rear connecting frame 52B is joined to the lower surface of the upper rear frame 52A, and the lower end of the rear connecting frame 52B is joined to the upper surface of the lower rear frame 52A.

[0024] A connecting shaft 60 is provided at both longitudinal ends of the lower rear frame 52A. The connecting shaft 60 is disposed with its axial direction aligned in the left-right direction and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from both longitudinal ends of the rear frame 52A. The connecting shaft 60 is rotatably supported by a bracket 22 provided on a side of the power unit compartment 12. The bracket 22 constitutes a part of the body of the vehicle V. This allows the rear end of the support mechanism 50 (rear support portion 52) to be rotatably connected to the vehicle body with its axial direction aligned in the left-right direction. Note that the connecting shaft 60 may be provided on the bracket 22, and the rear support portion 52 may be rotatably supported by the connecting shaft 60.

[0025] The front support portion 54 is located forward of the rear support portion 52. The front support portion 54 is formed in a generally rectangular ring shape with the vehicle width direction as the longitudinal direction in a front view. Specifically, the front support portion 54 is configured to include an upper front frame 54A as a receiving frame extending in the vehicle width direction, a lower front frame 54B as a support frame extending in the vehicle width direction below the upper front frame 54A, and a pair of left and right front connecting frames 54C that connect both longitudinal end portions of the upper front frame 54A and the lower front frame 54B.

[0026] The upper front frame 54A and the lower front frame 54B are formed as hollow, generally rectangular pillars extending in the vehicle width direction, with the length of the upper front frame 54A in the front-to-rear direction being longer than the length of the lower front frame 54B in the front-to-rear direction. The upper front frame 54A is disposed diagonally rearward and above the lower front frame 54B. The front connecting frame 54C is formed as a hollow, generally pillar-like pillar extending in the vertical direction, and is tilted rearward as it extends upward in a side view. The length of the front connecting frame 54C in the front-to-rear direction is set to increase as it extends upward. The upper end of the front connecting frame 54C is joined to the lower surface of the upper front frame 54A, and the lower end of the front connecting frame 54C is joined to the upper surface of the lower front frame 54B.

[0027] A guide shaft 62 is provided at each of the longitudinal ends of the upper front frame 54A and the lower front frame 54B. The guide shaft 62 is disposed with its axial direction aligned in the left-right direction and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from each of the longitudinal ends of the upper front frame 54A and the lower front frame 54B. The guide shaft 62 is inserted into a guide groove 64 formed in the bracket 22. The guide groove 64 is formed in a generally arcuate shape centered on the connecting shaft 60 in a side view. The guide shaft 62 is disposed at the lower end of the guide groove 64. In addition, as will be described in detail later, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the inverter unit 40 rotates about the connecting shaft 60, causing the guide shaft 62 to displace upward along the guide groove 64 and lifting the front end of the inverter unit 40. Alternatively, the guide shaft 62 may be provided in the bracket 22 and the guide groove 64 in the front support portion 54.

[0028] An engagement protrusion 64A (see FIG. 2) serving as an engagement portion is formed on the inner periphery of the lower end side of the guide groove 64. The engagement protrusion 64A protrudes into the guide groove 64 and is disposed adjacent to the upper side of the guide shaft 62. This allows the engagement protrusion 64A and the guide shaft 62 to engage with each other, thereby restricting the rotation of the inverter unit 40 relative to the vehicle body. The mechanical strength, etc. of the engagement protrusion 64A are set so that, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the engagement protrusion 64A is broken by a collision load input from the guide shaft 62 to the engagement protrusion 64A, thereby disengaging the engagement protrusion 64A from the guide shaft 62. Note that the groove width of the guide groove 64 and the shape of the engagement protrusion 64A may be set so that, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the guide shaft 62 overcomes the engagement protrusion 64A, thereby disengaging the engagement protrusion 64A from the guide shaft 62.

[0029] The side support frames 56 are formed in the shape of hollow, generally rectangular pillars extending in the front-to-rear direction. The side support frames 56 span both longitudinal ends of the upper front frame 54A of the front support portion 54 and both longitudinal ends of the upper rear frame 52A of the rear support portion 52, connecting the front support portion 54 and the rear support portion 52.

[0030] Here, the upper front frame 54A of the front support portion 54 is disposed with a predetermined gap on one side in the inclination direction (the side in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) of the radiator core 20. The front end portion of the lower wall of the upper front frame 54A is formed as a radiator receiving portion 54A1.

[0031] Furthermore, the lower front frame 54B of the front support portion 54 is disposed below the upper part of the radiator core 20. In other words, the lower front frame 54B is located above the middle part in the front-rear direction of the radiator core 20. The upper part of the radiator core 20 is supported from below by the lower front frame 54B via a mount member (not shown).

[0032] The inverter device 42 is disposed above the support mechanism 50 and is supported from below by the support mechanism 50 via mount members 66. Specifically, the front end of the inverter device 42 is supported by a pair of left and right mount members 66 provided on the front support portion 54, and the rear end of the inverter device 42 is supported by a pair of left and right mount members 66 provided on the rear support portion 52. The mount members 66 are ball joints. As a result, for example, when the support mechanism 50 is torsionally deformed, the mount members 66 support the inverter device 42 while absorbing the amount of torsion of the support mechanism 50. Note that the mount members 66 are not limited to ball joints and may be elastic rubber bushings or the like.

[0033] A trunk room 26 is provided at the front end of the power unit compartment 12 of the vehicle V. The trunk room 26 is formed in a recessed shape that is open upward, and is disposed above the radiator core 20 and in front of the inverter device 42. A hood 28 is also provided at the front of the vehicle V. The hood 28 is formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular panel with its thickness direction extending in the up-down direction, and is provided at the front of the vehicle V in a state in which the power unit compartment 12 of the vehicle V is closed from above.

[0034] (Action and effect) Next, the behavior of the front part of the vehicle V in a frontal collision and a small wrap collision of the vehicle V will be explained, and the operation and effect of this embodiment will be explained.

[0035] In a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the impact body BL collides with the front end of the vehicle V. As a result, a collision load to the rear of the vehicle is input to the bumper beam 16, and the collision load compresses and deforms the crash boxes 14. As a result, the crash load is absorbed by the crash boxes 14 in the early stages of the frontal collision.

[0036] When the colliding object BL penetrates further into the power unit compartment 12, the front ends of the crash boxes 14 and the front side frames 10 are compressed and deformed, and collide with the cross member 30. As a result, a collision load acts on the rear side of the cross member 30, breaking the joint between the cross member 30 and the front side frame 10, and the joint between the cross member 30 and the front side frame 10 is released.

[0037] Furthermore, when the colliding object BL enters the power unit compartment 12, the colliding object BL collides with the subframe front portion 18B of the subframe 18, causing the subframe front portion 18B to move backward together with the lower end (front end) of the radiator core 20. That is, a rearward collision load is input to the lower end of the radiator core 20. Here, the lower front frame 54B of the support mechanism 50 is positioned rearward of the upper part of the radiator core 20 and supports the radiator core 20 from below. Therefore, the radiator core 20 is guided by the lower front frame 54B to move backward toward one side in the inclination direction (toward the radiator receiving portion 54A1 of the upper front frame 54A). More specifically, the inclination angle of the radiator core 20 with respect to the front-to-rear direction gradually increases, while the radiator core 20 moves backward toward one side in the inclination direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper end of the radiator core 20 collides with the radiator receiving portion 54A1 of the upper front frame 54A of the support mechanism 50, and the radiator core 20, which retreats to one side in the tilt direction, is received by the radiator receiving portion 54A1.

[0038] Furthermore, when the radiator core 20 is received by the radiator receiving portion 54A1, a collision load toward one side in the inclination direction is input from the guide shaft 62 to the engaging protrusion 64A of the guide groove 64. As a result, the engaging protrusion 64A breaks, the engagement between the engaging protrusion 64A and the guide shaft 62 is released, and the front end of the inverter unit 40 is lifted by the radiator core 20. Specifically, when viewed from the left side, the inverter unit 40 rotates clockwise about the connecting shaft 60, and the guide shaft 62 moves to the upper end of the guide groove 64. When the guide shaft 62 reaches the upper end of the guide groove 64, the rotation of the inverter unit 40 is prevented, and a reaction force toward the other side in the inclination direction from the upper front frame 54A of the front support portion 54 acts on the upper end of the radiator core 20. Meanwhile, as described above, a collision load toward the rear from the colliding object BL acts on the lower end of the radiator core 20. As a result, the radiator core 20 is sandwiched between the collision object BL and the front support portion 54 from both sides in the front-rear direction, and is crushed in the front-rear direction.

[0039] Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the cross member 30, which has been released from its connection with the front side frame 10, moves rearward and collides with the vertically middle portion of the radiator core 20. Also, as described above, the lower front frame 54B of the front support portion 54 is located rearward of the radiator core 20. Therefore, when the radiator core 20 collapses in the front-to-rear direction, the vertically middle portion of the radiator core 20 is sandwiched in the front-to-rear direction between the cross member 30 and the front support portion 54. As a result, the radiator core 20 is bent at a position below the inverter unit 42. Therefore, the collision of the radiator core 20 with the inverter unit 42 after the collapse is suppressed.

[0040] In a small lap collision of the vehicle V, the collision object BL collides with the front end of the vehicle V on the outer side of the front side frame 10 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the collision object BL collides with the front end of the subframe 18. As a result, a reaction force is applied from the subframe 18 to the collision object BL.

[0041] Furthermore, outer coupling parts 31 are provided on the outer sides of the front side frames 10 in the vehicle width direction, and the outer coupling parts 31 couple the cross member 30 and the subframe 18. Therefore, if the collision object BL intrudes further rearward, the collision object BL collides with the outer coupling parts 31 and the cross member 30, and a reaction force acts on the collision object BL from the outer coupling parts 31 and the cross member 30. As described above, in the event of a small lap collision of the vehicle V, the reaction force acts effectively on the collision object BL from the subframe 18, outer coupling parts 31, and cross member 30, and the rearward invasion of the collision object BL can be suppressed by the subframe 18, outer coupling parts 31, and cross member 30.

[0042] As described above, in the vehicle front structure S, the radiator core 20 is disposed between a pair of front side frames 10 and is inclined rearward as it extends upward when viewed in the vehicle width direction. This reduces the installation space for the radiator core 20 in the vertical direction. As a result, space for installing the trunk room 26 can be effectively secured at the front end of the power unit compartment 12. The inverter device 42 is disposed above and behind the radiator core 20 and is supported from below by the support mechanism 50. The front support portion 54 of the support mechanism 50 includes a lower front frame 54B that supports the upper portion of the radiator core 20 and an upper front frame 54A that is disposed on one side (rear and upper side) in the oblique direction of the radiator core 20. As described above, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the lower front frame 54B guides the rearward moving radiator core 20 to move toward one side in the oblique direction, and the upper front frame 54A receives the upper end of the radiator core 20 moving toward one side in the oblique direction. This makes it possible to prevent the radiator core 20 from directly colliding with the inverter device 42. Therefore, even if the radiator core 20 is disposed at an angle, the protection performance of the inverter device 42 can be ensured.

[0043] Furthermore, as described above, the inverter device 42 is supported from below by the support mechanism 50. Therefore, the support mechanism 50 that supports the inverter device 42 can be utilized to support the radiator core 20 and to control the behavior of the radiator core 20 in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V.

[0044] A connecting shaft 60 is provided on the rear support portion 52 of the support mechanism 50. The connecting shaft 60 is disposed with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle width direction and is rotatably supported by the vehicle body (bracket 22). A guide shaft 62 is provided on the front support portion 54 of the support mechanism 50. The guide shaft 62 is disposed with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle width direction and is inserted into a lower end portion of a guide groove 64 formed in the vehicle body (bracket 22). When the upper end portion of the radiator core 20 moving backward is received by the front support portion 54, the inverter unit 40 rotates about the connecting shaft 60, the front end portion of the inverter unit 40 is raised, and the guide shaft 62 moves upward along the guide groove 64. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the inverter device 42 can be retracted toward the rear of the vehicle. This further improves the protection performance of the inverter device 42.

[0045] Further, an engaging protrusion 64A is provided in the guide groove 64. The guide shaft 62 engages with the engaging protrusion 64A, thereby restricting the relative movement of the guide shaft 62 with respect to the guide groove 64. Meanwhile, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V, the engaging protrusion 64A is broken by the collision load input from the guide shaft 62 to the engaging protrusion 64A, the engagement between the guide shaft 62 and the engaging protrusion 64A is released, and the guide shaft 62 moves along the guide groove 64. This makes it possible, with a simple configuration, to restrict the relative movement of the inverter unit 40 with respect to the guide groove 64, while allowing the inverter device 42 to retract toward the rear of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle V.

[0046] The support mechanism 50 is configured to include a rear support portion 52 and a front support portion 54 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right side support frames 56 connecting both longitudinal ends of the rear support portion 52 and the front support portion 54. That is, the support mechanism 50 is formed in a rectangular ring shape in a plan view and supports the inverter device 42 from below. This further improves the protection performance for the inverter device 42. That is, for example, in the event of a small overlap collision of the vehicle V, a collision load may be input to the outer end of the support mechanism 50 in the vehicle width direction. In this case, if the support mechanism 50 were a rigid body, the collision load would be input directly to the inverter device 42 via the support mechanism 50. This could reduce the protection performance for the inverter device 42. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the support mechanism 50 is formed in a rectangular ring shape in a plan view. Therefore, when a collision load is input to the outer end of the support mechanism 50 in the vehicle width direction, the support mechanism 50 is torsionally deformed so that the input end is lifted. As a result, even in the event of a small lap collision, the guide shaft 62 on the load input side and the engaging protrusion 64A can be disengaged, and the front end of the inverter unit 40 can be lifted, thereby improving the protection performance for the inverter device 42.

[0047] Furthermore, the inverter device 42 is supported by the support mechanism 50 via a mount member 66, which is a ball joint. This allows the amount of deformation that occurs when the support mechanism 50 is torsionally deformed to be absorbed by the mount member 66. This further improves the protection performance of the inverter device 42.

[0048] In addition, in the support mechanism 50, the front support portion 54 is connected to the vehicle body by a guide shaft 62, and the rear support portion 52 is connected to the vehicle body by a connecting shaft 60. In other words, the support mechanism 50 spans both sides of the power unit compartment 12 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the support mechanism 50, which supports the inverter device 42, can increase the rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle V.

[0049] Furthermore, the rear support portion 52 and the front support portion 54 of the support mechanism 50 are formed in a rectangular ring shape with the longitudinal direction aligned with the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front, thereby increasing the rigidity of the front and rear ends of the support mechanism 50.

[0050] Additionally, a cross member 30 extending in the vehicle width direction is bridged over the pair of left and right front side frames 10 above them. Furthermore, an outer connecting portion 31 extends downward from the cross member 30 on the outer side of the front side frame 10 in the vehicle width direction, and is joined to the outer end of the subframe 18 in the vehicle width direction. This enables the cross member 30 to increase the rigidity of the front portion of the vehicle V.

[0051] In addition, the cross member 30, which is bridged across the pair of left and right front side frames 10, is located above the radiator core 20. Therefore, the space above the inclined radiator core 20 can be effectively utilized to position the cross member 30. This allows the installation space for the cross member 30 and the radiator core 20 to be made more compact.

[0052] Furthermore, the cross member 30 is disposed below the upper end of the radiator core 20. More specifically, the cross member 30 overlaps with the radiator core 20 in both a front view and a plan view. This allows the cross member 30, which moves rearward during a frontal collision of the vehicle V, to collide with the vertical middle portion of the radiator core 20. Therefore, as described above, when the radiator core 20 collapses in the front-to-rear direction, the cross member 30 and the front support portion 54 sandwich the vertical middle portion of the radiator core 20 in the front-to-rear direction, and the radiator core 20 can be bent at a position below the inverter device 42. Therefore, when the radiator core 20 collapses, the radiator core 20 can be effectively prevented from moving toward the inverter device 42.

[0053] In this embodiment, the cross member 30 and the subframe 18 are connected by the outer connecting portion 31 and the inner connecting portion 32, but the outer connecting portion 31 and the inner connecting portion 32 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Front side frame 20 Radiator Core 42 Inverter device (electrical device) 50 Support mechanism 52 Rear support 54 Front support 54A Upper front frame (support frame) 54B Lower front frame (support frame) 56 Side support frame (side support part) 62 Guide shaft 64 Guide groove 64A Engagement protrusion (engagement part) S Vehicle front structure V vehicle

Claims

1. a pair of front side frames extending in a front-to-rear direction of the vehicle on both sides in a vehicle width direction of a front portion of the vehicle; a radiator core disposed between the pair of front side frames and inclined toward the rear of the vehicle as it extends toward the upper side of the vehicle when viewed in the vehicle width direction; an electric device provided on the vehicle rear side and on the vehicle upper side of the radiator core; a support mechanism that supports the electric device from the underside of the vehicle; Equipped with a front support portion constituting a front end portion of the support mechanism supports an upper portion of the radiator core from the underside of the vehicle, In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the front support portion guides the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle, and receives the upper end of the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

2. The front support portion is a support frame extending in a vehicle width direction and supporting the radiator core; a receiving frame extending in a vehicle width direction above the support frame; It has 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the support frame guides the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle, and the support frame receives the upper end of the radiator core as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

3. a rear end portion of the support mechanism is rotatably connected to the vehicle body with the vehicle width direction as its axial direction, a guide shaft having an axial direction parallel to the vehicle width direction is provided on one of the front support portion and the vehicle body, a guide groove into which the guide shaft is inserted is provided on the other of the front support portion and the vehicle body, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein when the front support portion receives the upper end of the radiator core moving toward the rear of the vehicle, the guide shaft moves along the guide groove, and the front end of the support mechanism is raised.

4. The guide groove is provided with an engagement portion, The engagement portion is engaged with the guide shaft, thereby restricting a relative movement of the guide shaft with respect to the guide groove, 4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, wherein, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the guide shaft is disengaged from the engaging portion, and the guide shaft moves along the guide groove.

5. The support mechanism includes: a rear support portion that forms a rear end portion of the support mechanism and extends in the vehicle width direction; a pair of side support portions connecting an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear support portion and an outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the front support portion; It has 5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, wherein a front end of the electric device is supported by the front support portion, and a rear end of the electric device is supported by the rear support portion.

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