Hood lock structure

Abstract

To improve holding performance of a hood closed state.SOLUTION: The hood lock structure 100 includes the front hood 1 having the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12, the holding member 2 attached to the center portion on the front end side of the inner panel 12, and the striker 3 joined to the holding member 2, the holding member 2 has the overlapping portion 2a formed of the two bottom walls (the side 21a and the 22a) overlapped with each other in the up-down direction, and the striker 3 has the hook 31 releasably locked to the vehicle-body side and the falling-off prevention leg 32 extending from the upper end of the hook 31 in the direction intersecting the vehicle-height direction. The hook 31 protrudes downward from the side 2a of the overlapping portion, and the falling prevention leg 32 extends along the two bottom walls (side 21a and side 22a) inside the side 2a of the overlapping portion and is joined to the side 2a of the overlapping portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The power compartment at the front of the vehicle, where the engine and other components are located, is covered from above by a front hood. The front hood is attached to the vehicle body via hinges at the rear of the hood so that it can be opened and closed freely. The front hood is kept closed by a striker located in the front center of the hood locking with a latch on the vehicle body.

[0003] One example of a hood lock structure having a front hood and a striker is the hood lock structure described in Patent Document 1. The hood lock structure described in Patent Document 1 includes a U-shaped striker and a lock reinforcement attached to the front of the hood inner panel near the center in the vehicle width direction, the lock reinforcement having a hat-shaped cross section and extending in the vehicle width direction. The striker is attached to a flat portion of the lock reinforcement facing downward so as to protrude from the underside of the flat portion. Specifically, a bracket is provided above the flat portion of the lock reinforcement to reinforce the flat portion, and the upper ends of the two legs of the striker pass through the flat portion of the lock reinforcement and the bracket and are joined by welding to the upper surface of the bracket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-8169 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the structure of Patent Document 1, if a strong impact load acts on the joint between the striker and the bracket in the event of a frontal collision, the joint may break, causing the striker to fall off and making it impossible to keep the hood closed.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a hood lock structure that can improve the ability to maintain the hood in a closed state when an impact load is applied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hood lock structure including a front hood having an outer panel provided at the front of a vehicle and an inner panel attached to the outer panel from below, a retaining member attached to a center portion of the front end of the inner panel, and a striker joined to the retaining member for locking the front hood to the vehicle body in a closed state. In this hood lock structure, the retaining member has an overlapping portion made of two bottom walls overlapping one another, the striker has a hook that is releasably locked to the vehicle body, and a drop-prevention leg extending from an upper end of the hook in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction of the vehicle, the hook protruding downward from the overlapping portion, and the drop-prevention leg extending along the two bottom walls within the overlapping portion and joined to the overlapping portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a hood lock structure that can improve the performance of maintaining the hood in a closed state when an impact load is applied. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a hood lock structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hood lock structure as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which an outer panel is removed in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a hood reinforcing member has been further removed from FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hood lock structure taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the holding member with the striker joined thereto; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the retaining member with the striker attached thereto. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the retaining member with the striker attached thereto. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a striker and a holding member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 to 4 are perspective views illustrating a hood lock structure 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view seen from the front and diagonally above the vehicle, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view seen from the front and diagonally below the vehicle. In Fig. 3, an outer panel 11 (described later) has been removed, and in Fig. 4, a hood reinforcing member 4 (described later) has also been removed. In the drawings, the arrow Fr direction indicates the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the arrow O direction indicates the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow U direction indicates the up in the vehicle vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, "up" and "down" correspond to the up and down in the vehicle vertical direction, and "left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle width direction when a vehicle occupant is facing forward of the vehicle.

[0011] 1 to 4, the hood lock structure 100 includes a front hood 1, a retaining member 2, and a striker 3. In the illustrated example, the hood lock structure 100 further includes a hood reinforcing member 4.

[0012] The front hood 1 is a member that covers from above a power compartment P (see FIG. 5, described later) located at the front of the vehicle. The front hood 1 is mainly made of steel plate. A power source for driving the vehicle is arranged in the power compartment P. The power source is at least one of an engine and an electric motor. The front hood 1 is rotatably attached to the vehicle body via a hinge (not shown) located at the rear of the front hood 1, and is configured so that the power compartment P can be opened and closed by rotating via the hinge.

[0013] The front hood 1 is provided at the front of the vehicle and has as its main components an outer panel 11 and an inner panel 12 attached to the outer panel 11 from below. Each panel (11, 12) is formed by pressing a steel plate or the like. The outer panel 11 is a panel that forms part of the vehicle's design surface. The inner panel 12 is located below the outer panel 11 and has an outer peripheral shape that is generally the same as the outer peripheral shape of the outer panel 11. The inner panel 12 is attached to the outer panel 11 from below by being joined to the outer panel 11 by spot welding, adhesive, or the like. The outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 are joined by welding mainly at the outer peripheral edges of the panels. In most parts of the front hood 1, except for the joint between the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12, the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. The front hood 1 must be strong enough to withstand the impact that occurs when the hood is closed, and the strength of the front hood 1 is adjusted mainly by the uneven shape (bulge shape) and holes formed in the inner panel 12. Furthermore, from the perspective of pedestrian protection, it is necessary to mitigate the impact that may act on the pedestrian if their head collides with the front hood 1.

[0014] The retaining member 2 is a member for holding the striker 3 and attaching the striker 3 to the inner panel 12 of the front hood 1. The retaining member 2 is attached to the center of the front end side of the inner panel 12. The retaining member 2 is formed by performing processes such as pressing, bending, and drilling on a steel plate. The retaining member 2 is attached to the inner panel 12 by joining it by spot welding near the front end of the inner panel 12 and at the center in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the center part on the front end side). The upper part of the retaining member 2 is joined to the inner panel 12, and most of the retaining member 2, including the lower part of the retaining member 2, protrudes downward from the inner panel 12. The detailed shape of the retaining member 2 will be described later.

[0015] The striker 3 is a member joined to the retaining member 2 and used to lock the front hood 1 to the vehicle body in a closed state. In other words, the striker 3 is a member used to hold the front hood 1 in a closed state. The striker 3 is releasably locked to a latch (not shown) provided on the vehicle body, thereby locking the front hood 1 to the vehicle body in a closed state. The front hood 1 is maintained in a closed state by the striker 3 being locked to the latch. The front hood 1 is released from the vehicle body by operating a lever provided in the passenger compartment. The detailed shape of the striker 3 will be described later.

[0016] The hood reinforcing member 4 is a member that reinforces the front end center of the front hood 1. The hood reinforcing member 4 is formed by performing stamping, bending, hole drilling, etc. on a steel plate. The hood reinforcing member 4 is disposed in the region between the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 so as to cover the retaining member 2 from above. The hood reinforcing member 4 is joined to the inner panel 12 by spot welding, for example, and is joined to the underside of the outer panel 11 with an adhesive.

[0017] Next, the main parts of the hood lock structure 100 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 9. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hood lock structure 100 taken along line AA in Figure 1. Figures 6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the retaining member 2 with the striker 3 joined, with Figure 6 being a perspective view of the integrally joined member (2, 3) of the retaining member 2 and the striker 3, Figure 7 being a front view of the integrally joined member (2, 3), and Figure 8 being a side view of the integrally joined member (2, 3). Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the integrally joined member (2, 3).

[0018] 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the inner panel 12 has a plurality of through holes 12a spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction, and an insertion hole 12b into which the retaining member 2 is inserted. The plurality of through holes 12a are formed as relatively large openings on the rear side of the inner panel 12. The insertion hole 12b is located between the plurality of through holes 12a and the front end of the inner panel 12 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is located at the center of the inner panel 12 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the insertion hole 12b is opened in the center of the front end side of the inner panel 12. The insertion hole 12b has an opening shape and opening dimensions that allow a bulging portion 2b (described later) of the retaining member 2 to be inserted therein. In the illustrated example, the insertion hole 12b is opened in a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vehicle width direction, and has opening dimensions that are slightly larger than the bulging portion 2b (described later).

[0019] 2 to 5 (particularly FIG. 5), a recessed portion 12c that is recessed downward is formed in a portion near the front end of the inner panel 12. The recessed portion 12c is recessed downward (in other words, bulges) in the vehicle longitudinal direction generally in a range from near the front edge of the opening of the through-hole 12a to near the front end of the inner panel 12, and is recessed (bulges) in the vehicle width direction in a range corresponding to a portion of the front end of the inner panel 12 that extends generally linearly in the vehicle width direction. In other words, most of the portion near the front end of the inner panel 12 bulges downward at the recessed portion 12c, and the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12 are separated from each other more at the recessed portion 12c than at other portions.

[0020] The retaining member 2 is joined to the inner panel 12 with a lower portion of the retaining member 2 protruding downward beyond the inner panel 12 through the insertion hole 12b. The striker 3 is joined to the retaining member 2 with a lower portion of the striker 3 protruding downward beyond the retaining member 2.

[0021] 5 to 8, the retaining member 2 has an overlapping portion 2a. In this embodiment, the retaining member 2 further has a bulging portion 2b, a front flange 2c, and a rear flange 2d. In the illustrated example, the retaining member 2 has a generally hat-shaped cross section that is open upward and extends in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the retaining member 2 in the vehicle width direction are open.

[0022] The overlapping portion 2a is made up of two bottom walls (a first bottom wall portion 21a and a second bottom wall portion 22a, which will be described later, in the illustrated example) that are overlapped one above the other. In other words, the holding member 2 has an upper and lower double-wall structure at the overlapping portion 2a. The two bottom walls (21a, 22a) are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0023] In this embodiment, the overlapping portion 2a is inclined so as to move away from the outer panel 11 toward the front of the vehicle. In other words, the overlapping portion 2a does not extend horizontally, but is inclined so that the front portion is positioned lower than the rear portion.

[0024] The bulging portion 2b bulges downward with the overlapping portion 2a as its bottom (lower end). In other words, the bottom of the bulging portion 2b is formed by the overlapping portion 2a. Specifically, the bulging portion 2b has a groove-shaped cross section that opens upward, and is made up of the overlapping portion 2a, a bulging front portion 2b1 that extends upward from the front of the overlapping portion 2a, and a bulging rear portion 2b2 that extends upward from the rear of the overlapping portion 2a.

[0025] The bulging portion 2b is inserted into the insertion hole 12b. The bulging portion 2b protrudes downward through the insertion hole 12b below the inner panel 12. The bottom of the holding member 2 is formed by the overlapping portion 2a, which is the bottom of the bulging portion 2b.

[0026] The front flange 2c is a flange that extends forward from the front upper end of the bulging portion 2b. The front flange 2c is a portion that forms the front upper portion of the holding member 2. In the illustrated example, the front flange 2c extends generally horizontally.

[0027] The rear flange 2d is a flange that extends rearward from the upper rear end of the bulging portion 2b. The rear flange 2d is a portion that forms the upper rear portion of the holding member 2. In the illustrated example, the rear flange 2d extends generally horizontally.

[0028] In this embodiment, the front flange 2c and the rear flange 2d are joined to the periphery of the insertion hole 12b on the upper surface of the inner panel 12. Specifically, the front flange 2c has a length in the vehicle width direction that is slightly shorter than a leading edge 12b1 of the periphery of the insertion hole 12b. The rear flange 2d has a length in the vehicle width direction that is slightly shorter than a trailing edge 12b2 of the periphery of the insertion hole 12b. The front flange 2c extends along the leading edge 12b1 and is joined to the leading edge 12b1 by spot welding, and the rear flange 2d extends along the trailing edge 12b2 and is joined to the trailing edge 12b2 by spot welding. The front flange 2c and rear flange 2d, which are the upper part of the retaining member 2, are positioned inside the closed cross-sectional portion formed by the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12, and are hooked onto the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 12b.In this state, the front flange 2c and rear flange 2d are joined to the peripheral portion of the insertion hole 12b of the inner panel 12.

[0029] The striker 3 has a hook 31 and a fall-prevention leg 32. The striker 3 is formed by bending a metal rod-shaped member, and the hook 31 and the fall-prevention leg 32 are integrally formed from a continuous rod-shaped member.

[0030] The hook 31 is a part that is releasably engaged with the vehicle body side (a latch not shown), and protrudes downward from the overlapping portion 2a. A hook insertion slot 2e into which the hook 31 is inserted is opened in the lower bottom wall (first bottom wall portion 21a in the illustrated example) of the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) that make up the overlapping portion 2a. In the illustrated example, the hook insertion slot 2e is opened in a roughly T-shape, consisting of front and rear slot portions that extend in the front-rear direction and left and right slot portions that extend from the middle of the front and rear slot portions in one direction in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] In this embodiment, the hook 31 is formed in a U-shape that opens upward. That is, the hook 31 includes a horizontal bar portion 31a, a first vertical leg 31b extending upward from one end of the horizontal bar portion 31a, and a second vertical leg 31c extending upward from the other end of the horizontal bar portion 31a. In the illustrated example, when the striker 3 is joined to the retaining member 2, the horizontal bar portion 31a extends parallel to the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and generally horizontally, the first vertical leg 31b extends upward and vertically from the front end of the horizontal bar portion 31a, and the second vertical leg 31c extends upward and vertically from the rear end of the horizontal bar portion 31a. The lengths of the first vertical leg 31b and the second vertical leg 31c are set to lengths corresponding to the inclination of the overlapping portion 2a so that the horizontal bar portion 31a of the hook 31 is horizontal when the striker 3 is joined to the retaining member 2. Since the overlapping portion 2a is inclined downward toward the front, the length of the first vertical leg 31b is shorter than the length of the second vertical leg 31c. The hooks 31 protrude downward from the overlapping portion 2a through the front and rear slot portions of the hook insertion slot 2e.

[0032] The fall-prevention leg 32 is a portion that extends from the upper end of the hook 31 in a direction intersecting the vehicle vertical direction. The fall-prevention leg 32 constitutes the upper portion of the striker 3 and has the function of preventing the striker 3 from falling off from the retaining member 2. The fall-prevention leg 32 extends along the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) inside the overlapping portion 2a and is joined to the overlapping portion 2a. In other words, the fall-prevention leg 32 is joined to the inner surface of the overlapping portion 2a. Furthermore, the fall-prevention leg 32, which is the upper portion of the striker 3, is disposed in a state where it is sandwiched between the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) of the overlapping portion 2a, and in this state, the fall-prevention leg 32 is joined to the inner surface of the overlapping portion 2a of the retaining member 2 by, for example, arc welding. In the illustrated example, the anti-fall-off leg 32 is joined to the underside (more specifically, the inner wall surface of the leg fitting recess 2f described later) of the upper bottom wall (second bottom wall portion 22a) of the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) of the overlapping portion 2a.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the fall-prevention leg 32 extends generally horizontally and in a direction intersecting the vehicle up-down direction and the extension direction of the horizontal bar portion 31a (here, the vehicle front-rear direction). In the illustrated example, the fall-prevention leg 32 extends generally horizontally from the upper end of the hook 31 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, as described above, the hook 31 is formed in a U-shape that opens upward, and the fall-prevention legs 32 are provided at one upper end of the hook 31 and the other upper end of the hook 31. The fall-prevention legs 32 provided at one upper end of the hook 31 and the fall-prevention leg 32 provided at the other upper end of the hook 31 extend in directions away from each other in a direction intersecting the vehicle up-down direction. Specifically, the fall-prevention legs 32 are provided at the upper end of the first vertical leg 31b and the upper end of the second vertical leg 31c that is spaced rearward of the vehicle from the first vertical leg 31b. The front fall-prevention leg 32 extends in one direction in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the first vertical leg 31b, and the rear fall-prevention leg 32 extends in the other direction in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the second vertical leg 31c.

[0035] In this embodiment, the holding member 2 is made up of a front member 21 and a rear member 22. That is, the holding member 2 is made up of two members, and the front member 21 and the rear member 22 are joined together to form the holding member 2.

[0036] Specifically, the front member 21 has a first bottom wall portion 21a, a first front vertical wall 21b extending upward from the front end of the first bottom wall portion 21a, a first rear vertical wall 21c extending upward from the rear end of the first bottom wall portion 21a, and a first front flange piece 21d extending forward from the upper end of the first front vertical wall 21b. The rear member 22 has a second bottom wall portion 22a overlapping the first bottom wall portion 21a from above, a second rear vertical wall 22b extending upward from the rear end of the second bottom wall portion 22a and overlapping the first rear vertical wall 21c from the rear, and a second rear flange piece 22c extending rearward from the upper end of the second rear vertical wall 22b.

[0037] In this embodiment, the front member 21 and the rear member 22 overlap vertically at the overlapping portion 2a, and also overlap front to back at a rear bulge portion 2b2 of the bulging portion 2b that extends upward from the rear of the overlapping portion 2a. The front member 21 forms a front bulge portion 2b1 of the bulging portion 2b that extends upward from the front of the overlapping portion 2a.

[0038] Specifically, the two bottom walls of the overlapping portion 2a that form the bottom of the bulging portion 2b are composed of a first bottom wall portion 21a of the front member 21 and a second bottom wall portion 22a of the rear member 22. The bulging front portion 2b1 is composed of a single vertical wall (first front vertical wall 21b) on the front side of the front member 21, and the bulging rear portion 2b2 is composed of two vertical walls (21c, 22b) consisting of a first rear vertical wall 21c of the front member 21 and a second rear vertical wall 22b of the rear member 22. In the illustrated example, the front member 21 partially overlaps the rear member 22 with the first bottom wall portion 21a located below the second bottom wall portion 22a and the first rear vertical wall 21c located rearward of the second rear vertical wall 22b. In other words, in the illustrated example, the bulging portion 2b has an overlapping portion 2a consisting of a first bottom wall portion 21a and a second bottom wall portion 22a, a bulging front portion 2b1 consisting of a first front vertical wall 21b, and a bulging rear portion 2b2 consisting of a first rear vertical wall 21c and a second rear vertical wall 22b.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the front flange 2c of the holding member 2 is formed by the first front flange piece 21d of the front member 21, and the rear flange 2d of the holding member 2 is formed by the second rear flange piece 22c of the rear member 22.

[0040] 5, in the hood closed state, the front edge 12b1 of the inner panel 12 to which the front flange 2c (first front flange piece 21d) is joined is at a height position that is approximately the same as the height position of the rear edge 12b2 of the inner panel 12 to which the rear flange 2d (second rear flange piece 22c) is joined. In the illustrated example, the front part of the bottom (overlapping part 2a) of the bulging portion 2b is positioned lower than the rear part of the bottom of the bulging portion 2b, and therefore the vertical length of the vertical wall (first front vertical wall 21b) of the bulging front portion 2b1 is set to be longer than the vertical length of the vertical walls (first rear vertical wall 21c, second rear vertical wall 22b) of the bulging rear portion 2b2 so that the height positions of the front and rear flanges (2c, 2d) match when the hood is closed.

[0041] 5, the overlapping portion 2a of the holding member 2 has a hollow structure (in other words, a closed cross-sectional structure). In the illustrated example, the center of the upper bottom wall (second bottom wall 22a) of the two bottom walls (first bottom wall 21a and second bottom wall 22a) of the overlapping portion 2a bulges slightly upward. That is, the second bottom wall 22a has an upper bulging portion 22a1 that bulges upward and is separated from the first bottom wall 21a, and an abutting portion 22a2 that abuts on the upper surface of the first bottom wall 21a and is generally flat and surrounds the periphery of the upper bulging portion 22a1. The portion of the second bottom wall 22a facing the upper bulging portion 22a1 of the first bottom wall 21a is generally flat, and a hook insertion slot 2e is opened in this portion. At the overlapping portion 2a, the first bottom wall portion 21a is overlapped by abutting against the abutment portion 22a2 of the second bottom wall portion 22a, and the first bottom wall portion 21a is separated from the second bottom wall portion 22a at a portion corresponding to the upper bulge portion 22a1, forming a hollow structure in cooperation with the second bottom wall portion 22a. The fall-out prevention leg 32 of the striker 3 is disposed within the hollow structure at the overlapping portion 2a.

[0042] Furthermore, the upper bulging portion 22a1 is formed with leg fitting recesses 2f into which the fall-prevention legs 32 are fitted. The leg fitting recesses 2f are recessed (bulged) upward. The leg fitting recesses 2f are formed at positions corresponding to the front and rear fall-prevention legs 32. Each fall-prevention leg 32 is fitted into the corresponding leg fitting recess 2f from below and guided therein, and then joined to the inner wall surface of the leg fitting recess 2f by arc welding. As a result, each fall-prevention leg 32 is joined to the inner surface of the overlapping portion 2a, specifically, to the inner wall surface of the leg fitting recess 2f on the lower surface of the second bottom wall portion 22a (upper bulging portion 22a1), within the hollow structure of the overlapping portion 2a. Therefore, the front leg fitting recess 2f, which is the front joining point of the striker 3 to the overlapping portion 2a, is positioned lower than the rear leg fitting recess 2f, which is the rear joining point of the striker 3 to the overlapping portion 2a.

[0043] In this embodiment, the front member 21 and the rear member 22 are joined to each other at a portion of the overlapping portion 2a that is forward of the striker 3 and at the bulging rear portion 2b2. Specifically, a portion of the first bottom wall portion 21a that is forward of the hook insertion slot 2e and a front portion of the abutting portion 22a2 of the second bottom wall portion 22a are joined to each other by spot welding while being overlapped vertically, and the first rear vertical wall 21c and the second rear vertical wall 22b are joined to each other by spot welding while being overlapped longitudinally.

[0044] In this embodiment, a trapezoidal opening 2g is formed in the bulging front portion 2b1. In the illustrated example, the bulging front portion 2b1 is formed by one first front vertical wall 21b of the front member 21 as described above, and a plurality of (here, two) openings 2g spaced apart in the vehicle width direction are formed in the first front vertical wall 21b. In the illustrated example, the openings 2g are trapezoidal in shape with the top side shorter than the bottom side.

[0045] In this embodiment, the front member 21 has a plurality of beads 2h spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction, each extending from the front flange 2c to the bulging front portion 2b1. The lower ends of the plurality of beads 2h are positioned lower than the height position of the upper edge of the opening 2g in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, three beads 2h are formed. Each bead 2h is formed from the rear of the front flange 2c (first front flange piece 21d) to the upper part of the bulging front portion 2b1 (first front vertical wall 21b). The central bead 2h is formed along the front flange 2c and the bulging front portion 2b1 at a widthwise position corresponding to the space between the two openings 2g, and the outer beads 2h are formed along the front flange 2c and the bulging front portion 2b1 at positions closer to the widthwise outer side than the opening 2g.

[0046] In this embodiment, the front member 21 has side flanges 21e that extend rearward from both side edges of the bulging front portion 2b1 in the vehicle width direction. At least a portion of the area in the vertical direction of the vehicle where each side flange 21e is formed overlaps with the area in the vertical direction of the vehicle where each opening 2g is formed. Referring to Figure 7, the opening 2g is located approximately in the center of the bulging front portion 2b1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the side flanges 21e are positioned upward in the vertical direction of the vehicle in the bulging front portion 2b1.

[0047] 3 and 5, the hood reinforcing member 4 has an upwardly convex, generally hat-shaped cross section and extends in the vehicle width direction. The hood reinforcing member 4 is joined to the inner panel 12 so as to cover from above substantially the entire downwardly recessed portion 12c of the inner panel 12. Specifically, the front reinforcing flange 4a of the hood reinforcing member 4, the front flange 2c of the holding member 2, and the front edge portion 12b1 of the insertion hole 12b of the inner panel 12 are joined in a three-layer configuration by spot welding. The rear reinforcing flange 4b ​​of the hood reinforcing member 4 is also joined to the rear vicinity of the recessed portion 12c of the inner panel 12 by spot welding.

[0048] According to the hood lock structure 100 of this embodiment, the retaining member 2 has an overlapping portion 2a consisting of two bottom walls (21a, 22a) overlapped one above the other, and the striker 3 has a hook 31 that is releasably engaged with the vehicle body and protrudes downward from the overlapping portion 2a, and a fall-prevention leg 32 that extends from the upper end of the hook 31 in a direction intersecting the vehicle up-and-down direction, the fall-prevention leg 32 extending along the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) inside the overlapping portion 2a and joined to the overlapping portion 2a. Therefore, even if a strong impact load acts on the joint between the fall-prevention leg 32 (striker 3) and the overlapping portion 2a in the event of a frontal collision or the like, causing the joint (welded portion) to break (even if weld peeling occurs), the fall-prevention leg 32 will hook on the lower of the two bottom walls (21a, 22a) of the overlapping portion 2a, and therefore the striker 3 is reliably prevented from falling off. As a result, in the event of a frontal collision or the like, the front hood 1 can be reliably maintained in a closed state, and the front hood 1 is prevented from opening due to the striker 3 falling off.

[0049] In this way, the hood lock structure 100 according to this embodiment has a structure that can improve the ability to keep the hood closed when an impact load is applied. Furthermore, the strength (rigidity) of the retaining member 2 is effectively improved by the overlapping portion 2a, which is made up of two bottom walls overlapping one above the other, and stress concentration is also reduced, which effectively reduces the occurrence of fracture (weld peeling) at the joint (weld) between the fall-off prevention leg 32 (striker 3) and the overlapping portion 2a.

[0050] In this embodiment, the member to which the striker 3 is joined is formed by the retaining member 2, which is a separate member from the inner panel 12. The retaining member 2 bulges downward from the overlapping portion 2a, where the striker 3 is joined, and has a bulging portion 2b that is inserted into the insertion hole 12b of the inner panel 12. Therefore, simply by making the vertical dimension of the bulging portion 2b of the retaining member 2, which is a separate member from the inner panel 12, relatively large, the vertical separation distance between the outer panel 11 and the striker 3 can be easily increased to a length required to ensure pedestrian protection performance in the event of a frontal collision. As a result, the distance (space) from the outer panel 11 to the striker 3 can be sufficiently secured without compromising the formability of the inner panel 12 or the design freedom of the front hood 1. By ensuring a sufficient vertical separation distance between the outer panel 11 and the striker 3, a large deformation stroke capable of ensuring the amount of energy absorption required for pedestrian protection can be easily secured in the bulging portion 2b. In this way, safety can be easily improved, and the moldability of the member for ensuring the separation distance can also be improved.

[0051] The retaining member 2 also has a front flange 2c and a rear flange 2d that are joined to the peripheral edges (front edge 12b1 and rear edge 12b2 in the illustrated example) of the insertion hole 12b on the upper surface of the inner panel 12. In other words, the front flange 2c and the rear flange 2d, which are the upper parts of the retaining member 2, are disposed inside the closed cross-sectional portion formed by the outer panel 11 and the inner panel 12, and are joined to the peripheral edges of the insertion hole 12b in a state of being hooked on the peripheral edges of the insertion hole 12b. Therefore, even if a strong impact load acts on the joints between the front flange 2c and the rear flange 2d (retaining member 2) and the inner panel 12 during a frontal collision or the like, causing the joints (welded parts) to break (even if weld peeling occurs), the front flange 2c and the rear flange 2d are hooked on the peripheral edges of the insertion hole 12b of the inner panel 12, and therefore the retaining member 2 is reliably prevented from falling off the inner panel 12. As a result, in the event of a frontal collision or the like, the front hood 1 can be more reliably held closed, preventing the front hood 1 from opening due to the retention member 2 falling off. In this way, the front flange 2c and the rear flange 2d have the same function as the fall-off prevention legs 32 of the striker 3, and the hood lock structure 100 has a two-stage fall-off prevention structure using the fall-off prevention legs 32 and the flanges (2c, 2d), further improving safety.

[0052] In this embodiment, the fall-prevention legs 32 are provided at one upper end of the U-shaped hook and the other upper end of the hook, and the one fall-prevention leg 32 and the other fall-prevention leg 32 extend in directions away from each other in a direction intersecting the vehicle up-down direction, thereby improving the support rigidity of the striker 3 and improving the stability of the striker 3 in a frontal collision.

[0053] In this embodiment, the overlapping portion 2a of the retaining member 2 is inclined so as to move away from the outer panel 11 toward the front of the vehicle. This makes it easy to ensure that the front region of the interior space of the front hood 1, which is the region above the front portion of the overlapping portion 2a, is wide in the vertical direction. As a result, sufficient deformation space for the front hood 1 is ensured in the event of a frontal collision. Furthermore, because the vertical length of the bulging front portion 2b1 of the bulging portion 2b can be set relatively long, a sufficient deformation stroke of the bulging front portion 2b1 (the front wall of the bulging portion 2b) due to an impact load that may be input in the event of a frontal collision can be ensured. This effectively absorbs a portion of the impact energy input in the event of a frontal collision as deformation energy, thereby improving pedestrian protection performance.

[0054] In this embodiment, the front member 21 and the rear member 22 are joined to each other at a portion of the overlapping portion 2a that is forward of the striker 3 and at the bulging rear portion 2b2. Therefore, the joint surface of the front joint between the front member 21 and the rear member 22 and the joint surface of the rear joint between the front member 21 and the rear member 22 extend in different directions, and the front and rear joints between the front member 21 and the rear member 22 are set on surfaces that extend in different directions. As a result, the joint strength between the front member 21 and the rear member 22 is improved, and damage to the retaining member 2 due to rupture (weld peeling) of the joint between the front member 21 and the rear member 22 in the event of a frontal collision and detachment of the striker 3 due to damage to the retaining member 2 are prevented.

[0055] In this embodiment, a trapezoidal opening 2g is formed in the bulging front portion 2b1 made of the front member 21. Therefore, by forming the bulging front portion 2b1 made of a single vertical wall (first front vertical wall 21b) extending generally vertically at the opening 2g, the bulging front portion 2b1 is more likely to break in a frontal collision, and pedestrian protection performance in a frontal collision is easily ensured. Furthermore, by forming the opening 2g in a trapezoidal shape, stress acting on the bulging front portion 2b1 when the hood is closed during normal use is dispersed in the vehicle width direction. As a result, stress concentration in the bulging front portion 2b1 is effectively suppressed when the hood is closed, and the required strength performance is easily achieved.

[0056] In this embodiment, the front member 21 has a plurality of beads 2h spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction, each extending from the front flange 2c to the bulging front portion 2b1. Therefore, the strength of the bent portion at the front upper portion of the front member 21 is ensured, and the bulging front portion 2b1 can be deformed in the intended mode during a frontal collision. Furthermore, the lower ends of each of the plurality of beads are positioned below the height position of the upper edge of the opening 2g in the vertical direction. Therefore, stress concentration near the opening 2g during a frontal collision is effectively suppressed. As a result, the desired impact energy is more reliably absorbed by the deformation of the bulging front portion 2b1 during a frontal collision.

[0057] In this embodiment, the front member 21 has side flanges 21e extending rearward from both side ends of the bulging front portion 2b1 in the vehicle width direction, and at least a portion of the area in the vehicle up-down direction of the side flanges 21e overlaps with the area in the vehicle up-down direction of the opening 2g. This ensures the strength of the bulging front portion 2b1 around the opening 2g, allowing the bulging front portion 2b1 to deform in the intended mode more reliably in the event of a frontal collision, and more reliably absorbs impact energy by deformation of the bulging front portion 2b1.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and variations are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention. For example, the fall-off prevention leg 32 is not limited to being attached to the first bottom wall portion 21a, but may be attached to the second bottom wall portion 22a, or may be attached to both the first bottom wall portion 21a and the second bottom wall portion 22a. The number of fall-off prevention legs 32 is not limited to two, but may be one. The holding member 2 is not limited to a hat-shaped cross section, but may be formed in any appropriate cross-sectional shape. The number, size, and shape of the openings 2g and beads 2h can be appropriately set depending on the required strength and predicted stress concentration locations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Front hood 11 Outer panel 12 Inner panel 12a Through hole 12b Insertion hole 12b1 leading edge 12b2 Trailing edge 12c Concave portion 2. Retaining member 2a Overlapped part 2b Bulge 2b1 Anterior part of the bulge 2b2 Posterior bulge 2c Front flange 2d rear flange 2e Hook insertion slot 2f Leg fitting recess 2g opening 2h bead 21 Front member 21a 1st bottom wall part 21b First front vertical wall 21c 1st rear vertical wall 21d First front flange piece 21e Side flange 22 Rear part 22a 2nd bottom wall part 22a1 Upper bulge 22a2 Contact part 22b 2nd rear vertical wall 22c Second rear flange piece 3 Striker 31 Hook 31a Horizontal bar 31b 1st vertical leg 31c 2nd vertical leg 32 Fall-off prevention legs 4 Hood reinforcement member 4a Front reinforcing flange 4b Rear reinforcement flange 100 Hood lock structure P…power room

Claims

1. A hood lock structure including a front hood provided at a front portion of a vehicle and having an outer panel and an inner panel attached to the outer panel from below, a retaining member attached to a center portion of a front end side of the inner panel, and a striker joined to the retaining member for locking the front hood to a vehicle body side in a closed state, the holding member has an overlapping portion made up of two bottom walls overlapped one above the other, The striker has a hook that is releasably engaged with the vehicle body side, and a fall-off prevention leg that extends from an upper end of the hook in a direction intersecting with the vehicle up-down direction, The hook protrudes downward from the overlapping portion, A hood lock structure, characterized in that the anti-fall-off legs extend along the two bottom walls inside the overlapping portion and are joined to the overlapping portion.

2. An insertion hole into which the holding member is inserted is opened in the center portion of the front end side of the inner panel, the retaining member has a bulging portion that bulges downward from the overlapping portion as a bottom and is inserted into the insertion hole, a front flange that extends forward from a front upper end of the bulging portion, and a rear flange that extends rearward from a rear upper end of the bulging portion, 2. The hood lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the front flange and the rear flange are joined to a peripheral edge portion of the insertion hole on the upper surface of the inner panel.

3. The hook is formed in a U-shape that is open upward, The fall prevention legs are provided at one upper end of the hook and at the other upper end of the hook, The hood lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the anti-fall-off leg provided at the upper end of one of the two locking members and the anti-fall-off leg provided at the upper end of the other locking member extend in directions away from each other in the intersecting direction.

4. 4. The hood lock structure according to claim 3, wherein the overlapping portion is inclined so as to move away from the outer panel toward the front of the vehicle.

5. the holding member comprises a front member and a rear member, the front member and the rear member overlap each other vertically at the overlapping portion, and also overlap each other front-to-rear at a rear bulging portion of the bulging portion that extends upward from a rear portion of the overlapping portion, 5. The hood lock structure according to claim 1, wherein the front member and the rear member are joined to each other at a portion of the overlapping portion forward of the striker and at the bulging rear portion.

6. a front bulge portion of the bulging portion extending upward from a front portion of the overlapping portion is made of the front member, The hood lock structure according to claim 5, wherein the bulging front portion has a trapezoidal opening.

7. the front member has a plurality of beads spaced apart from one another in the vehicle width direction, each extending from the front flange to the bulging front portion, The hood lock structure according to claim 6, wherein a lower end of each of the plurality of beads is positioned lower than a height position of an upper edge of the opening in the vertical direction.

8. the front member has side flanges extending rearward from both side ends of the bulging front portion in the vehicle width direction, The hood lock structure according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of a region in the vehicle vertical direction where the side flanges are formed overlaps a region in the vehicle vertical direction where the opening is formed.

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