Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front part structure capable of arranging a wiper driving part along a side part on the outside in the vehicle width direction in a front part of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A front part 10 of a vehicle includes a die-cast front skeleton part 12 having a second member part 20 extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the front part 10 of the vehicle and having a through-hole 48 formed in a part thereof, and a suspension tower part 24. Further, the front portion 10 of the vehicle is equipped with a front windshield glass 14 that separates the vehicle cabin interior and the vehicle cabin exterior. The front section 10 of the vehicle further includes a wiper device 16 that is fixed to the second member section 20 in a state in which a portion of the wiper device 16 is disposed inside the through hole 48. The wiper device 16 includes a wiper 54 that wipes the front windshield glass 14, and a wiper arm 56 that supports the wiper 54 and whose pivot position is positioned at the vehicle width direction inner side of the through hole 48.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a wiper drive unit that drives a wiper for wiping the front windshield of a vehicle. A cowl portion having a dash panel and a cowl front panel is provided below the front windshield glass at the front of the vehicle described in this document. The wiper drive unit is disposed within the cowl portion and fixed to the dash panel and the cowl front panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-079776 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Depending on the vehicle design, it may be desirable to adopt a low hood structure at the front of the vehicle. In this case, it is considered desirable to arrange the wiper drive unit for driving the wiper along the outer side in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle in order to ensure a wiping range by the wiper. However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 does not take this into consideration.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front structure that can ensure good visibility even in a vehicle that employs a low hood structure from the standpoint of design. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first embodiment of the vehicle front structure includes a die-cast skeleton portion having a pair of left and right member portions extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle and having a through hole formed in a portion thereof, and a suspension tower portion formed to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, with the through hole being positioned outward in the vehicle width direction from the suspension tower portion; a front windshield glass provided at the front of the vehicle rearward of the pair of left and right member portions and separating the interior and exterior of the vehicle cabin; a wiper for wiping the front windshield glass; and a wiper arm on which the wiper is supported and whose rotation position is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the through hole, the wiper device being fixed to the member portion with at least a portion positioned inside the through hole.

[0007] A die-cast skeleton having a member portion is provided at the front of a vehicle to which the vehicle front structure of the first aspect is applied. A through-hole is formed in the member portion of the skeleton on the vehicle widthwise outer side relative to the suspension tower portion. At least a portion of a wiper device including a wiper for wiping the front windshield glass and a wiper arm supporting the wiper is fixed to the member portion while being disposed inside the through-hole formed in the member portion of the skeleton. In this way, the vehicle front structure of the first aspect allows at least a portion of the wiper device to be disposed along a portion of the front of the vehicle that is outer in the vehicle width direction. As a result, even in a vehicle that employs a low hood structure from a design perspective, it is possible to ensure a wider wiping range for the wiper compared to when the wiper drive unit is disposed in a portion of the front of the vehicle that is inner in the vehicle width direction.

[0008] A second aspect of the vehicle front structure is the vehicle front structure of the first aspect, wherein the wiper device is provided with a wiper drive unit that tilts the wiper arm, and the wiper drive unit is fixed to the member portion with at least a portion of it positioned inside the through hole.

[0009] In the vehicle front structure of the second aspect, at least a portion of the wiper drive unit is fixed to a member portion of the framework while being disposed inside a through-hole formed in the member portion. In this way, in the vehicle front structure of the second aspect, the wiper drive unit can be disposed along a portion of the front portion of the vehicle that is on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, even in a vehicle that employs a low hood structure from a design perspective, it is possible to ensure a wider wiping range for the wipers compared to when the wiper drive unit is disposed on a portion of the front portion of the vehicle that is on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0010] A third aspect of the vehicle front structure is the vehicle front structure of the first or second aspect, wherein the dimension of the front windshield glass in the vehicle longitudinal direction is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] In the third aspect of the vehicle front structure, the wiper drive unit can be positioned along the outer side of the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, thereby realizing a design configuration in which the dimension of the front windshield glass in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] The vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect is a vehicle front structure of any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the member portion is formed in a hollow open cross-sectional shape that is open on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the through hole is formed in a vertical wall extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and the vehicle up-and-down direction, and further, a tubular portion is erected in the thickness direction of the vertical wall from the peripheral portion of the through hole, and a reinforcing rib that reinforces the tubular portion is integrally formed around the periphery of the tubular portion.

[0013] In the vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect, the member portion is formed in a hollow open cross-sectional shape that is open on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. This configuration allows the weight of the framework to be reduced compared to a configuration in which the member portion is solid. In addition, a reinforcing rib that reinforces the tubular portion is integrally formed around the periphery of the tubular portion. This allows the tubular portion to be reinforced.

[0014] A vehicle front structure of a fifth aspect is the vehicle front structure of the fourth aspect, wherein the reinforcing rib extends in at least one of the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction.

[0015] In the vehicle front structure of the fifth aspect, the reinforcing rib extends in at least one of the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction. When the reinforcing rib extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical portion forming the through hole from collapsing in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, when the reinforcing rib extends in the vehicle vertical direction, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical portion forming the through hole from collapsing in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the vehicle front structure is a vehicle front structure of the second aspect or any one of the third to fifth aspects including the second aspect, in which at least a part of the wiper drive unit is located outward in the vehicle width direction than the outer end of the front windshield glass in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] In the vehicle front structure of the sixth aspect, at least a portion of the wiper drive unit is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the front windshield glass. In this configuration, compared to a configuration in which at least a portion of the wiper drive unit is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge of the front windshield glass, the wipers driven by the wiper drive unit can be more easily positioned toward the outer edge of the front windshield glass in the vehicle width direction. This makes it easier to wipe all the way to the outer edge of the front windshield glass in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the vehicle front structure is the vehicle front structure of any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the framework is molded integrally with a wheel arch in which a wheel is stored.

[0019] In the vehicle front structure of the seventh aspect, the frame is molded integrally with the wheel arch that houses the wheels. This configuration makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts that make up the front of the vehicle compared to a configuration in which the frame and the wheel arch are separate.

[0020] The vehicle front structure of the eighth aspect is the vehicle front structure of the seventh aspect, in which the skeleton portion is molded integrally with a vehicle width direction extending portion that connects a pair of left and right wheel arches, each provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction, in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] In the vehicle front structure of the eighth aspect, the frame is integrally formed with the vehicle width direction extending portion that connects the pair of left and right wheel arches in the vehicle width direction. This configuration makes it possible to suppress an increase in the number of parts that make up the front of the vehicle compared to a configuration in which the frame and the vehicle width direction extending portion are separate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention has the excellent effect of ensuring good visibility even in a vehicle in which a low hood structure is adopted from the standpoint of design. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front part of the vehicle of the present embodiment as viewed from the right front side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the right member portion as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. [Figure 3] 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the right member portion where a through hole is formed, as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of a member portion taken along line 4-4 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 1 to 4, a front part 10 of a vehicle to which a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. Note that, in each figure, an arrow FR, as appropriate, indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, an arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction, an arrow RH indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction, and an arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, when the terms "front-rear," "left-right," and "up-down" are used simply, they refer to front-rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, left-right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), and up-down in the vehicle vertical direction, unless otherwise specified.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the front portion 10 of the vehicle is provided with a front skeleton portion 12 as a skeleton portion that forms the skeleton of the front portion 10 of the vehicle, a front windshield glass 14 that separates the interior and exterior of the vehicle, and a pair of left and right wiper devices 16 that wipe the front windshield glass 14.

[0026] The front skeleton 12 is, for example, a die-cast skeleton in which each of the components described below is integrally molded using an aluminum alloy. The front skeleton 12 includes a pair of left and right first member components 18 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extending in the front-rear direction. The front skeleton 12 also includes a second member component 20 serving as a member extending in the front-rear direction above and outside the pair of left and right first member components 18 in the vehicle width direction. The front skeleton 12 also includes a pair of left and right wheel arches 22 that connect the first member components 18 and the second member component 20 and house a pair of left and right front wheels 21, respectively. Portions of these wheel arches 22 serve as suspension tower components 24 that bulge inward in the vehicle width direction. The front skeleton 12 also includes a vehicle width-extending component 26 that connects rear portions of the pair of left and right wheel arches 22 in the vehicle width direction. The spaces between the pair of left and right first member portions 18, the space between the pair of left and right second member portions 20, and the space between the pair of left and right wheel arches 22 form a power unit room 28 that accommodates a power unit (not shown) and the like. As an example, the first member portion 18 is a front side member, and the second member portion 20 is an apron upper member.

[0027] 2 and 3 show the right-side second member portion 20. A portion of the second member portion 20 rearward of the right-side suspension tower portion 24 constitutes a wiper-device fixing portion 30 to which a wiper device 16 (described later) is fixed. The wiper-device fixing portion 30 includes an inner wall portion 32 as a vertical wall facing the power unit compartment 28. As shown in FIG. 3 , the wiper-device fixing portion 30 includes an upper wall portion 34 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the inner wall portion 32, and a lower wall portion 36 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner wall portion 32. The wiper-device fixing portion 30 also includes a front wall portion 38 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the inner wall portion 32, and a rear wall portion 40 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the inner wall portion 32. The upper and lower ends of the front wall portion 38 are connected to the front end of the upper wall portion 34 and the front end of the lower wall portion 36, respectively. In addition, the upper and lower ends of the rear wall portion 40 are connected to the rear end of the upper wall portion 34 and the rear end of the lower wall portion 36, respectively. As a result, a hollow open cross-section shape is formed with a box-shaped hollow portion 42 between the inner wall portion 32, the upper wall portion 34, the lower wall portion 36, the front wall portion 38, and the rear wall portion 40.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the inner wall portion 32 has a circular opening 44 formed therethrough. A cylindrical tubular portion 46 is provided inside the hollow portion 42. The tubular portion 46 is arranged coaxially with the opening 44 formed in the inner wall portion 32. The end of the tubular portion 46 on the inner wall portion 32 side is connected to the inner wall portion 32. As a result, a through hole 48 penetrating the inner wall portion 32 in the vehicle width direction extends from the opening 44 formed in the inner wall portion 32 to the tubular portion 46. The through hole 48 is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the suspension tower portion 24. The through hole 48 may also be arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of a member (dash panel) that separates the space between the interior and exterior of the vehicle cabin and the space between the pair of left and right second member portions 20 or a member (cowl) that spans between the rear ends of the pair of left and right second member portions 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, fastening holes 50 are formed on both sides of the opening 44 in the front-rear direction in the inner wall portion 32, into which fastening members (not shown) are screwed.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3 , four reinforcing ribs 52 are provided inside the hollow portion 42. The first reinforcing rib 52 extends to vertically connect the upper end of the tubular portion 46 and the longitudinally intermediate portion of the upper wall portion 34. The second reinforcing rib 52 extends to vertically connect the lower end of the tubular portion 46 and the longitudinally intermediate portion of the lower wall portion 36. The third reinforcing rib 52 extends to vertically connect the front end of the tubular portion 46 and the longitudinally intermediate portion of the front wall portion 38. The fourth reinforcing rib 52 extends to vertically connect the rear end of the tubular portion 46 and the longitudinally intermediate portion of the rear wall portion 40. The inner ends of the four reinforcing ribs 52 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the inner wall portion 32.

[0030] The left second member part 20 is also provided with a wiper device fixing part 30 having the same configuration as the right second member part 20.

[0031] 1, the front windshield glass 14 of this embodiment is provided on the rear side of the pair of left and right second member portions 20, and is configured such that the dimension A1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction is longer than the dimension A2 in the vehicle width direction. A central portion 14A in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the front windshield glass 14 is located between the left and right wiper device fixing portions 30.

[0032] The wiper device 16 includes a wiper 54 (wiper blade), a wiper arm 56 supporting the wiper 54, and a wiper drive unit 58 (see FIG. 4) that tilts the wiper arm 56 within a predetermined range. As shown in FIG. 4, a majority of the wiper drive unit 58 is disposed within the through-hole 48. A pair of fastening members (not shown) inserted through the wiper drive unit 58 are screwed into the pair of fastening holes 50, thereby fixing the wiper drive unit 58 (wiper device 16) to the wiper device fixing portion 30. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, when the wiper drive unit 58 is fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30, a majority of the wiper drive unit 58 is located outward in the vehicle width direction from an outer end 14B of the front windshield glass 14 in the vehicle width direction. The wiper arm 56 rotates inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the through-hole 48. The rotation position (center of rotation) is provided between the wiper drive unit 58 and the wiper arm 56, and is the center of rotation of the wiper arm 56 in the circumferential direction.

[0033] In Fig. 1, the area wiped by the wiper 54 of the wiper device 16 fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 of the right-side second member 20 is indicated by a two-dot chain line B1. The wiper 54 of the wiper device 16 fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 of the right-side second member 20 wipes the area from the front end 14A to the right end 14C of the front windshield glass 14. In Fig. 1, the area wiped by the wiper 54 of the wiper device 16 fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 of the left-side second member 20 is indicated by a two-dot chain line B2. The wiper 54 of the wiper device 16 fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 of the left-side second member 20 wipes the area from the front end 14A to the left end 14D of the front windshield glass 14.

[0034] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , in the front portion 10 of a vehicle to which the vehicle front structure of this embodiment is applied, the wiper drive unit 58 is fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 with most of the wiper drive unit 58 disposed inside the through-hole 48. This configuration allows the wiper drive unit 58 to be disposed along the outer side of the front portion of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. This allows for a different vehicle design compared to a configuration in which the wiper drive unit 58 is fixed to a cowl portion provided in front of the front windshield glass 14. As an example, in the front portion 10 of a vehicle to which the vehicle front structure of this embodiment is applied, it is possible to realize a design in which the dimension A1 of the front windshield glass 14 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is longer than the dimension A2 of the front windshield glass 14 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, even in a vehicle with a low hood structure from the standpoint of design, a wider wiping range of the wiper 54 can be ensured compared to a configuration in which the wiper drive unit 58 is disposed in the inner side of the front portion 10 of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0036] 3, in this embodiment, a hollow portion 42 is provided around the through hole 48 in the wiper device fixing portion 30. With this configuration, the weight of the front skeleton 12 can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the wiper device fixing portion 30 has a solid portion around the through hole 48. Furthermore, four reinforcing ribs 52 are provided around the through hole 48 in the wiper device fixing portion 30. This makes it possible to reinforce the tubular portion 46 that forms the through hole 48 in the wiper device fixing portion 30. Specifically, the four reinforcing ribs 52 can prevent the tubular portion 46 from falling in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0037] 1 and 4, when the wiper drive unit 58 is fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30, most of the wiper drive unit 58 is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge 14B of the front windshield glass 14. In this configuration, the wiper 54 driven by the wiper drive unit 58 can be more easily positioned toward the outer edge 14B of the front windshield glass 14 in the vehicle width direction, compared to a configuration in which at least a portion of the wiper drive unit 58 is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge 14B of the front windshield glass 14. This makes it easier to wipe the front windshield glass 14 all the way to the outer edge in the vehicle width direction.

[0038] 1, in this embodiment, the front skeleton 12 is molded integrally with the wheel arches 22 that house the wheels. In this configuration, an increase in the number of parts that make up the front portion 10 of the vehicle can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the front skeleton 12 and the wheel arches 22 are separate bodies.

[0039] In addition, the front skeleton 12 is molded integrally with the vehicle width direction extending portion 26 that connects the pair of left and right wheel arches 22 in the vehicle width direction. In this configuration, an increase in the number of parts that make up the front portion 10 of the vehicle can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the front skeleton 12 and the vehicle width direction extending portion 26 are separate. Furthermore, by molding each part of the front skeleton 12 integrally, the rigidity of the front skeleton 12 can be increased.

[0040] In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the front skeleton 12 is an integrated structure having the pair of left and right wheel arches 22 and the vehicle width direction extending portion 26, but the present invention is not limited to this. Whether each part of the front skeleton 12 is integrated or separate can be determined appropriately taking into consideration the manufacturing process of the front skeleton 12, the configuration of the mold, etc.

[0041] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the majority of the wiper drive unit 58 is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge 14B of the front windshield glass 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The position of the wiper drive unit 58 relative to the outer edge 14B of the front windshield glass 14 in the vehicle width direction may be set appropriately taking into consideration the design of the front windshield glass 14, the configuration of the front frame 12, etc.

[0042] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the four reinforcing ribs 52 are used to prevent the tubular portion 46 from tipping in the front-to-back and up-to-down directions, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rib extending diagonally from the tubular portion 46 may be provided between the rib 52 extending in the up-to-down direction and the rib 52 extending in the front-to-back direction.

[0043] In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle longitudinal dimension A1 of the front windshield glass 14 is longer than the vehicle width dimension A2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vehicle width dimension A2 of the front windshield glass 14 relative to the vehicle longitudinal dimension A1 may be appropriately set in consideration of the design of the front windshield glass 14, etc.

[0044] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the wiper drive unit 58 is fixed to the wiper device fixing portion 30 with most of the wiper drive unit 58 disposed inside the through-hole 48, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the wiper device 16 may be fixed with at least some of the components constituting the wiper device 16 disposed inside the through-hole 48.

[0045] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Front of vehicle 12 Anterior skeletal part (skeletal part) 14 Front windshield glass 16. Wiper device 20 Second member section (member section) 22 Wheel arch 24 Suspension tower section 26 Vehicle width direction extension part 32 Inner wall (vertical wall) 46 Cylindrical part 48 through holes 52 Reinforcing rib 54 wiper 56 Wiper arm 58 Wiper drive unit

Claims

1. a die-cast skeleton portion having a pair of left and right member portions extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle and having through holes formed in parts thereof, and a suspension tower portion formed to bulge inward in the vehicle width direction, the through holes being disposed outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the suspension tower portions; a front windshield glass provided at a front portion of the vehicle rearward of the pair of left and right member portions and separating the interior and exterior of the vehicle; a wiper device including a wiper that wipes the front windshield glass, and a wiper arm that supports the wiper and has a rotation position that is located inside the through hole in the vehicle width direction, the wiper arm being fixed to the member portion with at least a portion of the wiper arm being disposed inside the through hole; A vehicle front structure comprising:

2. The wiper device includes a wiper drive unit that tilts the wiper arm, The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the wiper drive portion is fixed to the member portion with at least a portion of the wiper drive portion disposed inside the through hole.

3. 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the front windshield glass has a dimension in the vehicle longitudinal direction longer than a dimension in the vehicle width direction.

4. the member portion is formed in a hollow open cross-sectional shape that is open on an outer side in a vehicle width direction, and the through hole is formed in a vertical wall that extends in a vehicle front-rear direction and a vehicle up-down direction, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a cylindrical portion extending from the peripheral edge of the through hole in the thickness direction of the vertical wall; and a reinforcing rib integrally formed around the cylindrical portion to reinforce the cylindrical portion.

5. 5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing rib extends in at least one of the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction.

6. 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the wiper drive unit is located outward in the vehicle width direction from an outer edge of the front windshield glass in the vehicle width direction.

7. 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the framework is integrally formed with a wheel arch in which a wheel is housed.

8. The vehicle front structure according to claim 7, wherein the framework is integrally formed with a vehicle width direction extending portion that connects a pair of left and right wheel arches provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle width direction.

Images