Front structure of vehicle

Abstract

To provide a front structure of a vehicle which can effectively absorb the collision load in the pole frontal-collision of the vehicle.SOLUTION: A front structure 1 of a vehicle comprises: a pair of right-and-left front side frames 11 extending in a longitudinal direction and having a closed-cross section perpendicular to an extension direction thereof, respectively, and each including a recess portion 26 recessed backward from a front edge 21a in an inner wall portion 11a which is positioned on an inward side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the inner wall portion 11a in the vehicle width direction; and a first cross member 12 extending in a vehicle width direction between the pair of right-and-left front side frames 11 and of which both-side portions, in the vehicle width direction, fit into the respective recess portions 26 of the right-and-left inner wall portions 11a from a forward side and are fixed to the recess portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle front structure including a pair of left and right front side members extending in the longitudinal direction, a front cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front side members, and a pair of left and right joining members provided at the front ends of the pair of left and right front side members, respectively. In this vehicle front structure, the pair of left and right joining members each have a cylindrical insertion portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the front cross member are inserted into and connected to the left and right insertion portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-199407 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One type of vehicle collision is a pole frontal collision, in which a pole-shaped obstacle, such as a utility pole, strikes the vehicle approximately at the center of the vehicle's width. In a pole frontal collision, a rearward collision load may act on the front cross member. In this case, the collision load acts as a shear load on the joint between the front cross member and the front side frame, potentially causing the joint to fracture. As a result, the front cross member may separate from the front side frame, reducing the front side frame's ability to absorb the collision load.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a front structure of a vehicle that can effectively absorb a collision load in the event of a frontal collision with a pole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a pair of left and right front side frames extending along a front-rear direction, each having a closed cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction, and each having a recessed portion recessed rearward from a front edge of an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction; a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front side frames, and both side portions in the vehicle width direction being fitted from the front into the recesses in the left and right inner wall portions, respectively, and fixed thereto; To provide a front structure of a vehicle, comprising:

[0007] With this configuration, both sides of the cross member are fixed by fitting from the front of the vehicle into recesses in the inner wall portions of the pair of left and right front side frames. As a result, a collision load acting on the cross member, such as a frontal collision with a pole, is supported in the axial direction of the front side frames by the recesses, preventing shear loads from acting on the portions where the cross member is fixed to the front side frames.

[0008] Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision with a pole, separation of both side portions of the cross member from the pair of left and right front side frames is suppressed, so the cross member is deformed rearward into a U-shape, and the pair of left and right front side frames fixed to both side portions are more likely to bend inward in the vehicle width direction as the distance between the both side portions of the cross member becomes shorter. Thus, the cross member and the pair of left and right front side frames can increase the ability to absorb collision loads in the event of a frontal collision with a pole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, collision load can be effectively absorbed in the event of a frontal collision with a pole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the front structure of the vehicle of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the front portion of the front side frame as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first cross member as seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the joint between the first cross member and the front side frame as seen obliquely from the rear. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view conceptually showing deformation of the front structure of the vehicle when the vehicle collides with a pole. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a front portion of a front side frame according to a modified example, as viewed obliquely from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle front structure 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle front structure 1 of FIG. 1. The vehicle front structure 1 according to this embodiment is a vehicle body front structure for a vehicle such as an automobile. In the following description, the front-to-rear direction, width direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle on which the vehicle front structure 1 is mounted may be referred to as the "front-to-rear direction," the "vehicle width direction," and the "up-down direction," respectively. In the following description, the side of the center line of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the side opposite the center line of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction may be referred to as the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle width direction coincides with the left-to-right direction of the vehicle.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle front structure 1 includes a dash panel 2 (see Fig. 2) that separates a passenger compartment C and an engine compartment E in the front-to-rear direction, a pair of left and right front side frames 11 that extend forward from the dash panel 2 on both left and right sides of the engine compartment E in an axial direction A that is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction, and a first cross member 12 and a second cross member 13 that extend in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front side frames 11. The first cross member 12 is located at the front end of the front side frame 11. The second cross member 13 is located rearward of the first cross member 12.

[0014] The vehicle front structure 1 further includes a pair of left and right apron reins 14 extending forward from the dash panel 2 above and outside the pair of left and right front side frames 11 in the vehicle width direction. A suspension housing 15 is provided between each front side frame 11 and each apron rein 14. The longitudinal position of the second cross member 13 roughly corresponds to the longitudinal position of the suspension housing 15.

[0015] The vehicle front structure 1 further includes a pair of left and right crash cans 16 extending in the front-to-rear direction at vehicle widthwise positions corresponding to the pair of left and right front side frames 11, forward of the first cross member 12, and a bumper rain 17 connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right crash cans 16 in the vehicle widthwise direction. The crash cans 16 constitute impact absorbing members that absorb collision loads, for example, by compressing in the axial direction during a frontal collision.

[0016] The crash cans 16 extend parallel to the axial direction A of the corresponding front side frames 11. More specifically, the inner surface 16a of the crash can 16 located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is generally located on an area obtained by extending forward the inner wall portion 11a of the corresponding front side frame 11, and the outer surface 16b of the crash can 16 located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is generally located on an area obtained by extending forward the outer wall portion 11b of the front side frame 11.

[0017] The rear end of the crash can 16 is fixed to the front end of the first cross member 12 via a set plate 18, for example, by fastening, and the front end is fixed to the bumper rain 17, for example, by welding.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle front structure 1 further includes a subframe 50 located below the front side frames. The subframe 50 has a front half suspended from and fixed to the front side frames 11, and a rear half fixed to the vehicle body frame. In this embodiment, the subframe 50 is a suspension cross member that supports the front suspension, etc. The subframe 50 further includes a pair of left and right sub-crash cans 51 extending forward at its front end, and a sub-bumper rain 52 connecting the front ends of the pair of left and right sub-crash cans 51 in the vehicle width direction. Like the crash cans 16, the sub-crash cans 51 also constitute an impact absorbing member.

[0019] 3 shows the left-side front side frame 11 alone, and is a perspective view of the periphery of the front end portion as viewed from the front left. As shown in Fig. 3, the front side frame 11 has an inner side frame 20 located on the inside in the vehicle width direction and an outer side frame 30 located on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] In this embodiment, the side frame inner 20 is formed by press-forming a steel plate so that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction A has a hat-shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the side frame inner 20 has an inner side wall portion 21 extending in the vertical direction, an inner upper wall portion 22 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the inner side wall portion 21, an inner lower wall portion 23 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the inner side wall portion 21, an inner upper flange portion 24 extending upward from the outer edge of the inner upper wall portion 22 in the vehicle width direction, and an inner lower flange portion 25 extending downward from the outer edge of the inner lower wall portion 23 in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] An inner recess 26 is formed in the front edge 21a, which is the front end portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the inner side wall portion 21. The inner recess 26 is recessed rearward in side view and penetrates the inner side wall portion 21 in the vehicle width direction. The inner recess 26 is formed by cutting out the front end portion of the inner side wall portion 21 so that it has a trapezoidal shape that increases in vertical width toward the front in side view and opens forward. The inner recess 26 is located approximately in the center of the inner side wall portion 21 in the vertical direction.

[0022] The inner recess 26 is defined by an inner recess bottom edge 26a extending vertically, an inner recess upper edge 26b connecting the upper end of the inner recess bottom edge 26a to the front edge 21a, and an inner recess lower edge 26c connecting the lower end of the inner recess bottom edge 26a to the front edge 21a. The inner recess upper edge 26b extends in a direction sloping downward toward the rear. The inner recess lower edge 26c extends in a direction sloping upward toward the rear.

[0023] In this embodiment, the side frame outer 30 is formed by press-forming a steel plate so that its cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction A is hat-shaped and opens inward in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the side frame outer 30 has an outer side wall portion 31 extending in the vertical direction, an outer upper wall portion 32 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from an upper edge of the outer side wall portion 31, an outer lower wall portion 33 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from a lower edge of the outer side wall portion 31, an outer upper flange portion 34 extending upward from the inner edge of the outer upper wall portion 32 in the vehicle width direction, and an outer lower flange portion 35 extending downward from the inner edge of the outer lower wall portion 33 in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] An outer recess 36 is formed in the front edge 31a, which is the front end portion in the fore-and-aft direction of the outer side wall 31. The outer recess 36 is recessed rearward in side view and penetrates the outer side wall 31 in the vehicle width direction. The outer recess 36 is formed by cutting out the front end portion of the outer side wall 31 so as to have a trapezoidal shape that increases in vertical width toward the front in side view and opens forward. The outer recess 36 is located approximately in the center of the outer side wall 31 in the vertical direction.

[0025] The outer recess 36 is defined by an outer recess bottom edge 36a extending vertically, an outer recess upper edge 36b connecting the upper end of the outer recess bottom edge 36a to the front edge 31a, and an outer recess lower edge 36c connecting the lower end of the outer recess bottom edge 36a to the front edge 31a. The outer recess upper edge 36b extends in a direction sloping downward toward the rear. The outer recess lower edge 36c extends in a direction sloping upward toward the rear.

[0026] The front side frame 11 is configured so that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction A is a closed cross-section by joining the side frame inner 20 and the side frame outer 30 by abutting the inner upper flange portion 24 and the outer upper flange portion 34 together, for example by spot welding, and by abutting the inner lower flange portion 25 and the outer lower flange portion 35 together, for example by spot welding.

[0027] The inner side wall portion 21 constitutes an inner wall portion 11a located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side frame 11. The outer side wall portion 31 constitutes an outer wall portion 11b located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the front side frame 11. The inner upper flange portion 24 and the outer upper flange portion 34 joined together constitute an upper flange portion 11c extending upward of the front side frame 11. The inner lower flange portion 25 and the outer lower flange portion 35 joined together constitute a lower flange portion 11d extending downward of the front side frame 11.

[0028] The front end faces 11f of the front side frames 11 are located on the same plane. In other words, the front end faces of the walls of the inner side frame 20 and the outer side frame 30 are located on the same plane. In this embodiment, the front end faces 11f of the front side frames 11 are located on a plane parallel to the extension direction of the first cross member 12 and the up-down direction (i.e., a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction).

[0029] The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are formed to have the same shape when viewed from the extension direction of the first cross member 12. Because the first cross member 12 extends in the vehicle width direction, the bottom edges 26a, 36a, upper edges 26b, 36b, and lower edges 26c, 36c of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 overlap in a side view of the vehicle.

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first cross member 12 alone, as viewed from the rear left side. As shown in Figure 4, the first cross member 12 has a first cross body portion 40 located at the rear and a first cross front wall portion 48 located at the front. The first cross front wall portion 48 extends in an in-plane direction parallel to the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first cross body 40 is formed by press-forming a steel plate so that its cross section perpendicular to the extension direction (vehicle width direction) is hat-shaped and opens forward. Specifically, the first cross body 40 has a cross rear wall 41 extending in the vertical direction, a cross upper wall 42 extending forward from the upper edge of the cross rear wall 41, a cross lower wall 43 extending forward from the lower edge of the cross rear wall 41, a cross upper flange 44 extending upward from the front edge of the cross upper wall 42, and a cross lower flange 45 extending downward from the front edge of the cross lower wall 43. The cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the first cross body 40 is uniform throughout the extension direction.

[0032] The cross upper wall portion 42 extends in a direction sloping downward toward the rear, is parallel to the inner recess upper edge 26b and the outer recess upper edge 36b, and has the same length along the axial direction A. The cross lower wall portion 43 extends in a direction sloping upward toward the rear, is parallel to the inner recess lower edge 26c and the outer recess lower edge 36c, and has the same length along the axial direction A. The upper end of the cross upper flange portion 44 is at the same vertical position as the upper end of the first cross front wall portion 48. The lower end of the cross lower flange portion 45 is located higher than the lower end of the first cross front wall portion 48.

[0033] The first cross member 12 has a closed cross section whose cross section perpendicular to the extension direction is uniform throughout the extension direction, as can be seen by joining the upper cross flange 44 and lower cross flange 45 of the first cross body 40 to the first cross front wall 48 from the rear by, for example, spot welding. The cross section perpendicular to the extension direction of the first cross member 12 has a trapezoidal shape whose height in the up-down direction decreases toward the rear.

[0034] 5 is an enlarged perspective view, viewed from the rear left side, of the joint area between the left front side frame 11 and the first cross member 12. As shown in Fig. 5, the trapezoidal cross-sectional shape portion of the first cross member 12 is formed to complement the inner recess 26 and outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11, and fits into the inner recess 26 and outer recess 36 from the front side.

[0035] In this embodiment, the first cross member 12 extends through the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the first cross member 12 extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the outer side wall portion 31 of the front side frame 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first cross member 12 extends outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the outer surface 16b of the crash can 16.

[0036] Therefore, the cross rear wall 41 is parallel to the inner recess bottom edge 26a and the outer recess bottom edge 36a, has the same length along the extension direction of these edges, and abuts against them. Similarly, the cross upper wall 42 is parallel to the inner recess upper edge 26b and the outer recess upper edge 36b, has the same length along the extension direction of these edges, and abuts against them. Similarly, the cross lower wall 43 is parallel to the inner recess lower edge 26c and the outer recess lower edge 36c, has the same length along the extension direction of these edges, and abuts against them.

[0037] The front side frame 11, excluding the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36, that is, the front end surface 11f, abuts against the cross upper flange portion 44 and the cross lower flange portion 45 from behind.

[0038] The upper end of the upper flange portion 11c of the front side frame 11 is located at the same vertical position as the upper end of the cross upper flange portion 44. The lower end of the lower flange portion 11d of the front side frame 11 is located at the same vertical position as the lower end of the cross lower flange portion 45.

[0039] The first cross member 12 is fitted from the front into the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 and fixed thereto. Specifically, the edges 26a to 26c of the inner recess 26 and the edges 36a to 36c of the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 abut against the cross rear wall 41, cross upper wall 42, and cross lower wall 43 of the first cross member 12 from the rear and are joined by line welding.

[0040] Furthermore, the first cross member 12 is fixed to the front end surface 11f of the front side frame 11 at the cross upper flange portion 44 and the cross lower flange portion 45 by line welding.

[0041] A crash can 16 is fastened to the front of the first cross member 12. Specifically, the crash can 16 is fastened to the upper cross flange 44, lower cross flange 45, and first cross front wall 48 of the first cross member 12 via a set plate 18. Therefore, the upper cross flange 44, lower cross flange 45, and first cross front wall 48 of the first cross member 12 also serve as set plates for fastening the crash can 16.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a plan view conceptually showing deformation of the vehicle front structure 1 during a frontal collision with a pole. As shown in Fig. 6, when a cylindrical collision object 60 collides with the center of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle front structure 1, the first cross member 12, together with the bumper rain 17 and the sub-bumper rain 52 (see Fig. 2), undergoes a U-shaped deformation such that the center portion in the vehicle width direction is displaced rearward and both side portions in the vehicle width direction are displaced inward.

[0043] Here, both side portions of the first cross member 12 in the vehicle width direction are fitted from the front into inner recesses 26 and outer recesses 36 formed at the front ends of the pair of left and right front side frames 11 and fixed thereto. As a result, a collision load input to the first cross member 12 is received in the axial direction A of the front side frames 11, reducing the shear load acting on the fixed portions of the first cross member 12 to the pair of left and right front side frames 11. This prevents the first cross member 12 from coming off the front side frames 11 and maintains its fixed position.

[0044] Therefore, the pair of left and right front side frames 11 are pulled inward in the vehicle width direction by the first cross member 12 deforming into a U-shape, and are deformed so as to bend inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the collision load input to the center of the vehicle width direction is not only absorbed by the U-shape deformation of the bumper rain 17, sub-bumper rain 52, and first cross member 12, but is also suitably absorbed by bending the pair of left and right front side frames 11 inward in the vehicle width direction, thereby increasing the ability of the front structure 1 to absorb the collision load in the event of a frontal collision with a pole.

[0045] The vehicle front structure 1 of the present disclosure provides the following effects.

[0046] (1) The front structure 1 of the vehicle is a pair of left and right front side frames (11) extending along a front-rear direction, each having a closed cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction, and each having an inner recess (26) recessed rearward from a front edge (21a) in an inner wall portion (11a) located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the inner wall portion (11a) in the vehicle width direction; a first cross member 12 extending in the vehicle width direction between a pair of left and right front side frames 11, and having both side portions in the vehicle width direction fitted from the front into inner recesses 26 at the left and right inner wall portions 11a, respectively; It is equipped with: Here, in this specification, the front side frame 11 extending along the fore-and-aft direction includes not only the case where it extends parallel to the fore-and-aft direction, but also the case where it extends in a direction inclined toward the vehicle width direction toward the fore-and-aft direction.

[0047] According to this configuration, both side portions of the first cross member 12 are fitted from the front of the vehicle into the inner recesses 26 on the inner wall portions 11a of the pair of left and right front side frames 11. As a result, a collision load acting on the first cross member 12, for example due to a frontal collision with a pole, is supported in the axial direction A of the front side frame 11 by the inner recesses 26, thereby reducing the shear load acting on the portion where the first cross member 12 is fixed to the front side frame 11.

[0048] Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision with a pole, both side portions of the first cross member 12 are prevented from separating from the pair of left and right front side frames 11, so that the first cross member 12 is deformed rearward into a U-shape, and the pair of left and right front side frames 11 fixed to both side portions are easily bent inward in the vehicle width direction as the distance between the both side portions of the first cross member 12 becomes shorter. Thus, the first cross member 12 and the pair of left and right front side frames 11 can increase the ability to absorb collision energy in the event of a frontal collision with a pole.

[0049] (2) The pair of left and right front side frames 11 further includes an outer recess 36 in the outer wall portion 11b located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the outer recess 36 being recessed rearward from the front edge 31a and penetrating the outer wall portion 11b in the vehicle width direction, The first cross member 12 has both side portions fitted from the front into the outer recesses 36 at the left and right outer wall portions 11b, respectively, and fixed thereto.

[0050] With this configuration, both side portions of the first cross member 12 are fitted and fixed from the front of the vehicle into the outer recess 36 not only at the inner wall portion 11a but also at the outer wall portion 11b of the front side frame 11. As a result, the collision load caused by a frontal collision with a pole is more suitably supported in the axial direction B by the front side frame 11, which further reduces separation of both side portions of the first cross member 12 from the pair of left and right front side frames 11. This further improves the ability to absorb collision energy in the event of a frontal collision with a pole.

[0051] (3) The first cross member 12 is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction (vehicle width direction) is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a cross rear wall portion 41 extending in the vertical direction; a cross upper wall portion 42 extending forward from the upper edge of the cross rear wall portion 41; a cross lower wall portion 43 extending forward from the lower edge of the cross rear wall portion 41; It has The inner recess 26 is an inner recess bottom edge 26a extending in the vertical direction; an inner recessed portion upper edge 26b extending forward from the upper end of the inner recessed portion bottom edge 26a; an inner recessed portion lower edge 26c extending forward from the lower end of the inner recessed portion bottom edge 26a; It has The outer recess 36 is an outer recess bottom edge 36a extending in the vertical direction; an outer recessed portion upper edge 36b extending forward from the upper end of the outer recessed portion bottom edge 36a; an outer recessed portion lower edge 36c extending forward from the lower end of the outer recessed portion bottom edge 36a; It has The cross rear wall portion 41 is fixed to the bottom edge 26a of the inner recess from the front. The cross upper wall portion 42 is fixed to the inner recess upper edge 26b from below, The cross lower wall portion 43 is fixed from above to the lower edge 26c of the inner recess portion, and / or The cross rear wall portion 41 is fixed to the bottom edge 36a of the outer recess from the front. The cross upper wall portion 42 is fixed to the upper edge 36b of the outer recess from below. The cross lower wall portion 43 is fixed from above to the lower edge 36c of the outer recess portion.

[0052] According to this configuration, the first cross member 12 is supported from the vertical and rear directions by the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36, thereby further preventing both side portions of the first cross member 12 from detaching from the pair of left and right front side frames 11.

[0053] (4) The first cross member 12 is a first cross body portion 40 including a cross rear wall portion 41, a cross upper wall portion 42, a cross lower wall portion 43, a cross upper flange portion 44 extending upward from the front edge of the cross upper wall portion 42, and a cross lower flange portion 45 extending downward from the front edge of the cross lower wall portion 43; a first cross front wall portion 48 extending vertically between the cross upper flange portion 44 and the cross lower flange portion 45 and fixed to the first cross main body portion 40 from the front side; It has the following characteristics.

[0054] According to this configuration, the first cross member 12 is configured to have a closed cross section by the first cross body portion 40 and the first cross front wall portion 48, so that the rigidity of the first cross member 12 can be easily improved.

[0055] (5) The cross rear wall portion 41 is fixed to the inner recess bottom edge 26a and / or the outer recess bottom edge 36a by line welding. The cross upper wall portion 42 is fixed to the inner recess upper edge 26b and / or the outer recess upper edge 36b by line welding, The cross lower wall portion 43 is fixed to the inner recess lower edge 26c and / or the outer recess lower edge 36c by line welding.

[0056] According to this configuration, both side portions of the first cross member 12 are firmly fixed to the inner recess 26 and / or outer recess 36 by line welding on three sides, thereby further preventing the both side portions of the first cross member 12 from detaching from the pair of front side frames 11.

[0057] (6) Both side portions of the first cross member 12 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right front side frames 11 .

[0058] According to this configuration, even if a collision load acts on the outer side of the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction, the collision load is easily absorbed by the portion of the first cross member 12 that protrudes outer side of the front side frame 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0059] (7) The vehicle further includes a pair of left and right crash cans 16, which are provided via a first cross member 12 at positions corresponding to the vehicle width direction on each of the pair of left and right front side frames 11 and extend from the first cross member 12 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0060] With this configuration, the collision load acting on the crash can 16 can be transmitted in the front-to-rear direction to both side portions of the first cross member 12 located immediately behind the crash can 16 via the crash can 16. Because both side portions of the first cross member 12 are supported in the axial direction A by the inner recessed portion 26 and / or the outer recessed portion 36 of the front side frame 11, the front collision load is efficiently transmitted to the front side frame 11 and effectively absorbed by the front side frame 11.

[0061] (8) Both side portions of the first cross member 12 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right crash cans 16 .

[0062] According to this configuration, even when a collision load acts on the outer side of the crash can 16 in the vehicle width direction, the collision load can be easily supported by the portion of the first cross member 12 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the crash can 16.

[0063] (9) The first cross member 12 is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction (vehicle width direction) is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a first cross front wall portion 48 extending in the vertical direction; a first cross body portion (40) joined to the first cross front wall portion (48) from the rear and forming a closed cross section together with the first cross front wall portion (48); It has The crash can 16 is fixed to the first cross front wall portion 48.

[0064] According to this configuration, the first cross front wall portion 48 can also serve as a set plate for fixing the rear end portion of the crash can 16, so there is no need to provide a separate set plate.

[0065] (10) The front end faces 11f of the pair of left and right front side frames 11 are fixed to the cross upper flange portion 44 and the cross lower flange portion 45 from the rear.

[0066] According to this configuration, the first cross member 12 is supported in the axial direction not only by the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 but also by the front end face 11f. This increases the support rigidity of the first cross member 12 by the front side frame 11, so that in the event of a frontal collision with a pole, the collision load transmitted to the fixed portion of the first cross member 12 to the front side frame 11 can be distributed between the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36 of the front side frame 11 and the front end face 11f. This more effectively prevents the first cross member 12 from separating from the front side frame 11.

[0067] Fig. 7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3, showing a front side frame 71 according to a modified example. The front side frame 71 differs from the front side frame 11 according to the above-described embodiment in that it has grooves 77 in the inner wall portion 71a and the outer wall portion 71b.

[0068] The grooves 77 are recessed in the vehicle width direction from the inner wall 71a and the outer wall 71b and extend rearward from the bottom edges 26a, 36a of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36. The bending ridges 77a that define the grooves 77 extend rearward from the bottom edges 26a, 36a of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36. The bending ridges 77a improve the rigidity of the inner wall 71a and the outer wall 71b of the front side frame 71 in the axial direction A, and also improve the bending rigidity in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the highly rigid bending ridges 77a firmly support the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 from behind.

[0069] Therefore, the front side frame 71 can improve the ability to absorb collision loads acting in the axial direction A, for example, during a small overlap collision, and can also improve the ability to absorb collision loads caused by bending inward in the vehicle width direction during a frontal collision with a pole.

[0070] In this modification, the grooves 77 are formed to extend rearward from the bottom edges 26a, 36a of the recesses, but the bending ridges 77a may be formed to extend rearward from the upper edges 26b, 36b of the recesses and / or the lower edges 26c, 36c of the recesses. That is, from the viewpoint of increasing the support rigidity of the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36, the grooves 77 may be formed so that the bending ridges 77a are connected to the edges of the inner recess 26 and / or the outer recess 36.

[0071] In this modified example, the case where concave grooves 77 are formed in the inner wall portion 71a and the outer wall portion 71b has been described as an example, but in addition to or instead of the grooves 77, protrusions (not shown) may be formed that protrude in the vehicle width direction and extend rearward from the inner recessed portion 26 and / or the outer recessed portion 36. The bending ridges of the protrusions can also improve the support rigidity of the inner recessed portion 26 and the outer recessed portion 36 from behind.

[0072] The vehicle front structure 1 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are formed in a trapezoidal shape, but this is not limiting. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 may be formed in various shapes, such as a triangle, a rectangle, a polygon, or a semicircle, as long as they are complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the first cross member 12 into which they fit from the front. From the perspective of increasing the longitudinal support rigidity of the first cross member 12, it is preferable to configure the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 so that their vertical dimensions decrease toward the rear, thereby allowing the upper and lower edges of each recess to also bear longitudinal loads.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the case where both the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are provided in the front side frame 11 has been described as an example, but only one of them may be provided.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 have been described as having the same shape, but this is not limiting. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 may be formed to be complementary to the cross-sectional shape of the first cross member 12 into which they are fitted. For example, if the cross-sectional shapes of the first cross member 12 differ from each other at the portions that fit into the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36, the shapes of the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 may be different from each other.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 are configured to be located in the vertical center of the inner wall 11a and the outer wall 11b of the front side frame 11, but this is not limited to this. The inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 may be located toward the upper or lower of the inner wall 11a and the outer wall 11b of the front side frame 11, and may be located so as to open upward or downward. From the perspective of vertically sandwiching the first cross member 12, it is preferable to locate the inner recess 26 and the outer recess 36 within the range of the inner wall 11a and the outer wall 11b of the front side frame 11 without opening upward or downward.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the front side frame 11 and the first cross member 12 are formed by joining plate members, but this is not limiting. The front side frame 11 and / or the first cross member 12 may be formed from, for example, an extruded aluminum alloy member.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the first cross member 12 is fixed to the front side frame 11 by line welding, but this is not limiting and various joining structures such as spot welding, fastening, and adhesive bonding may also be used.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the fixing structure according to the present disclosure has been described as being applied to fixing both side portions of the first cross member 12 to the front side frames 11, but this is not limiting. It may also be applied to the subframe 50. Although not shown, for example, the fixing structure according to the present disclosure may be applied to fixing between a pair of left and right front side subframes extending in the front-to-rear direction on both sides of the subframe 50 in the vehicle width direction and a first sub-cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front subframes at their front ends. In this case, the subframe 50 can also suitably absorb a collision load in the event of a frontal collision with a pole.

[0080] [Note] The vehicle front structure according to the present disclosure provides the following aspects.

[0081] [Aspect 1] a pair of left and right front side frames extending in a front-rear direction, each having a closed cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction, and each having a recessed portion recessed rearward from a front edge of an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction; a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front side frames, and both side portions in the vehicle width direction being fitted from the front into the recesses in the left and right inner wall portions, respectively, and fixed thereto; A front structure of a vehicle comprising:

[0082] [Aspect 2] the pair of left and right front side frames further have the recessed portion recessed rearward from a front edge in an outer wall portion located on an outer side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the outer wall portion in the vehicle width direction, The cross member is fixed by fitting both side portions into the recesses from the front in the left and right outer wall portions, A front structure of a vehicle according to embodiment 1.

[0083] [Aspect 3] The cross member is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a cross rear wall portion extending in the vertical direction; a cross upper wall portion extending forward from an upper edge of the cross rear wall portion; a cross lower wall portion extending forward from a lower edge of the cross rear wall portion; It has The recessed portion is a bottom edge of the recess extending in the vertical direction; an upper edge of the recess extending forward from an upper end of the bottom edge of the recess; a recessed portion lower edge extending forward from a lower end portion of the recessed portion bottom edge; It has the cross rear wall portion is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess from the front, the cross upper wall portion is fixed to the upper edge of the recess from below, The cross lower wall portion is fixed to the lower edge of the recess from above. A front structure of a vehicle according to aspect 1 or 2.

[0084] [Aspect 4] The cross member is a cross main body portion including the cross rear wall portion, the cross upper wall portion, the cross lower wall portion, a cross upper flange portion extending upward from a front edge of the cross upper wall portion, and a cross lower flange portion extending downward from a front edge of the cross lower wall portion; a cross front wall portion extending vertically between the cross upper flange portion and the cross lower flange portion and fixed to the cross main body portion from a front side; It has A front structure of a vehicle according to embodiment 3.

[0085] [Aspect 5] the cross rear wall portion is fixed to the rear edge of the recess by line welding, the cross upper wall portion is fixed to the upper edge of the recess by line welding; The cross lower wall portion is fixed to the lower edge of the recess by line welding. A front structure of a vehicle according to aspect 3 or 4.

[0086] [Aspect 6] The cross member has both side portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right front side frames. A front structure of a vehicle according to any one of aspects 1 to 5.

[0087] [Aspect 7] The vehicle further includes a pair of left and right impact absorbing members provided via the cross member at positions corresponding to the front of each of the pair of left and right front side frames and extending from the cross member toward the front of the vehicle. A front structure of a vehicle according to any one of aspects 1 to 6.

[0088] [Aspect 8] The cross member has both side portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right impact absorbing members. A front structure of a vehicle according to embodiment 7.

[0089] [Aspect 9] The cross member is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a cross front wall portion extending in the vertical direction; a cross body portion joined to the cross member front wall portion from the rear and forming the cross section into a closed cross section together with the cross front wall portion; It has The impact absorbing member is fixed to the cross front wall portion. A front structure of a vehicle according to aspect 7 or 8.

[0090] [Aspect 10] The pair of left and right front side frames have front end surfaces fixed to the cross upper flange portion and the cross lower flange portion from the rear. A front structure of a vehicle according to embodiment 4.

[0091] [Aspect 11] The pair of left and right front side frames have, in the side wall portion where the recess is formed, a groove portion recessed in the vehicle width direction and extending rearward from the recess, or a protrusion protruding in the vehicle width direction and extending rearward from the recess. A front structure of a vehicle according to any one of aspects 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Front structure 2 Dash Panel 11 Front side frame 11a Inner wall 11b Exterior wall 12 First cross member 16 Crush Can 17 Bumper Rain 18 Set Plates 20 Side frame inner 21a leading edge 26 Inner recess 26a Bottom edge of inner recess 26b Upper edge of inner recess 26c Lower edge of inner recess 30 Side frame outer 31a leading edge 36 Outer recess 36a Bottom edge of outer recess 36b Upper edge of outer recess 36c Lower edge of outer recess 40 First cross body 41 Cross rear wall 42 Upper cross wall 43 Cross lower wall 44 Cross upper flange 45 Cross lower flange 48 First Cross Front Wall 50 subframe 51 Sub-Crash Can 52 Sub-Bumper Lane 60 Collision object 71 Front side frame 71a Inner wall 71b Exterior wall 77 Groove

Claims

1. a pair of left and right front side frames extending in a front-rear direction, each having a closed cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction, and each having a recessed portion recessed rearward from a front edge of an inner wall portion located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the inner wall portion in the vehicle width direction; a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between the pair of left and right front side frames, and both side portions in the vehicle width direction being fitted from the front into the recesses in the left and right inner wall portions, respectively, and fixed thereto; A front structure of a vehicle comprising:

2. the pair of left and right front side frames further have the recessed portion recessed rearward from a front edge in an outer wall portion located on an outer side in the vehicle width direction and penetrating the outer wall portion in the vehicle width direction, The cross member is fixed by fitting both side portions into the recesses from the front in the left and right outer wall portions, The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The cross member is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a cross rear wall portion extending in the vertical direction; a cross upper wall portion extending forward from an upper edge of the cross rear wall portion; a cross lower wall portion extending forward from a lower edge of the cross rear wall portion; It has The recessed portion is a bottom edge of the recess extending in the vertical direction; an upper edge of the recess extending forward from an upper end of the bottom edge of the recess; a recessed portion lower edge extending forward from a lower end portion of the recessed portion bottom edge; It has the cross rear wall portion is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess from the front, the cross upper wall portion is fixed to the upper edge of the recess from below, The cross lower wall portion is fixed to the lower edge of the recess from above. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The cross member is a cross main body portion including the cross rear wall portion, the cross upper wall portion, the cross lower wall portion, a cross upper flange portion extending upward from a front edge of the cross upper wall portion, and a cross lower flange portion extending downward from a front edge of the cross lower wall portion; a cross front wall portion extending vertically between the cross upper flange portion and the cross lower flange portion and fixed to the cross main body portion from a front side; It has The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3.

5. the cross rear wall portion is fixed to the bottom edge of the recess by line welding, the cross upper wall portion is fixed to the upper edge of the recess by line welding; The cross lower wall portion is fixed to the lower edge of the recess by line welding. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3.

6. The cross member has both side portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right front side frames. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The vehicle further includes a pair of left and right impact absorbing members provided via the cross member at positions corresponding to the front of each of the pair of left and right front side frames and extending from the cross member toward the front of the vehicle. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The cross member has both side portions that protrude outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the pair of left and right impact absorbing members. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 7.

9. The cross member is The cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extension direction is uniform across the vehicle width direction, a cross front wall portion extending in the vertical direction; a cross body portion joined to the cross front wall portion from the rear and forming the cross section into a closed cross section together with the cross front wall portion; It has The impact absorbing member is fixed to the cross front wall portion. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 7.

10. The pair of left and right front side frames have front end surfaces fixed to the cross upper flange portion and the cross lower flange portion from the rear. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 4.

11. The pair of left and right front side frames have, in the side wall portions in which the recesses are formed, groove portions that are recessed in the vehicle width direction and extend rearward from the recesses, or protrusions that protrude in the vehicle width direction and extend rearward from the recesses. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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