Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure capable of effectively protecting on-vehicle equipment mounted on a lower part of a floor panel even in a rear-end collision.SOLUTION: The rear floor panel 10 includes the projection portion 20 projecting downward on the rear side of the rear suspension cross member 43 in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the projection portion 20 has the lower end side 20B, which is at least a part of the projection portion 20, disposed below the upper end side 43T of the rear suspension cross member 43.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle structure having a rear floor panel with a rear area recessed downward relative to the front area, defining a recess between the front area and the back panel. In this vehicle structure, an electronic control unit is disposed within the recess, and a motor and a power control unit are disposed in front of the recess. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7221840 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a vehicle equipped with on-board equipment such as a motor below the rear floor panel, there is a risk that the rear structure or the object itself may come into contact with the on-board equipment during a rear collision, as it may be pushed forward by a colliding object.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the motor and power control unit are positioned in front of a recess that protrudes downward, but there is a risk that rear structures or colliding objects that are pushed forward during a rear collision may get stuck below the recess, and this is insufficient to prevent the rear structures or colliding objects of the vehicle from coming into contact with the on-board equipment.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle structure that can effectively protect in-vehicle equipment mounted below a floor panel even in the event of a rear-end collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention comprises the following configurations. A floor panel with on-board equipment mounted underneath, a first suspension cross member provided on the vehicle rear side of the on-vehicle equipment and arranged along the vehicle width direction; Equipped with the floor panel has a protruding portion that protrudes downward on the vehicle rear side of the first suspension cross member, At least a portion of the protruding portion is disposed below the upper end of the first suspension cross member. Vehicle structure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a vehicle structure can be provided that can effectively protect in-vehicle equipment mounted below the floor panel even in the event of a rear-end collision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the rear part of a vehicle for explaining the vehicle structure according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle at the time of a rear collision, taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to II-II in FIG. 1, illustrating a vehicle structure according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the symbol FR indicates the front of the vehicle, the symbol UP indicates the top of the vehicle, and the symbol LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction (left side in the direction of travel). The opposite direction of the symbol FR is the rear of the vehicle, the opposite direction of the symbol UP is the bottom of the vehicle, and the opposite direction of the symbol LH is the right side in the vehicle width direction (right side in the direction of travel). Hereinafter, these directions may be simply referred to as the front, rear, top, bottom, left side, and right side.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a bottom view of the rear part of a vehicle, illustrating the vehicle structure according to this embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 1.

[0012] The vehicle structure according to this embodiment is mainly applied to a rear structural portion of a vehicle 100 such as an automobile. There are no limitations on the type of automobile to which the vehicle structure is applied, and the automobile may be an internal combustion engine vehicle (ICEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

[0013] A vehicle 100 to which the vehicle structure of this example is applied includes a rear floor panel (floor panel) 10. The rear floor panel 10 extends substantially horizontally, being substantially perpendicular to the vehicle's up-down direction. The rear floor panel 10 is a plate material that forms the lower part of the passenger compartment at the rear of the vehicle 100, and is formed, for example, by pressing a steel plate. On-board equipment D is mounted on the rear floor panel 10. The on-board equipment D is various types of equipment fixed to the lower part of the rear floor panel 10, and examples include a motor and a high-power unit (converter). The rear floor panel 10 has a protruding portion 20 that protrudes downward, and this protruding portion 20 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the on-board equipment D.

[0014] The vehicle 100 includes a chassis frame 30, which is a skeletal member of the vehicle body, and a suspension member 40, which is a skeletal member that supports the suspension. The chassis frame 30 is provided below the rear floor panel 10, and the suspension member 40 is assembled to the lower part of the chassis frame 30.

[0015] The chassis frame 30 has a pair of left and right side members 31R, 31L. The pair of side members 31R, 31L are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction. The side member 31R is located on the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the side member 31L is located on the left side in the vehicle width direction. The chassis frame 30 also has multiple cross members 33, 35, 37 that extend in the vehicle width direction. The multiple cross members 33, 35, 37 extend in the vehicle width direction at multiple locations spaced apart in the vehicle front-rear direction. Both ends of these multiple cross members 33, 35, 37 in the vehicle width direction are joined to the pair of side members 31R, 31L. The cross member 37 at the rearmost side of the vehicle 100 is joined to the rear ends of the pair of side members 31R, 31L. A rear bumper 39 that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle is fixed to the cross member 37.

[0016] The suspension member 40, fixed to the lower part of the chassis frame 30, includes a front suspension cross member 41 disposed at the front, a rear suspension cross member 43 disposed at the rear as a first suspension cross member, and a pair of connecting members 45R, 45L connecting the front suspension cross member 41 and the rear suspension cross member 43. The front suspension cross member 41 and the rear suspension cross member 43 extend in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. The pair of connecting members 45R, 45L are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. The pair of connecting members 45R, 45L are joined at their front ends to the front suspension cross member 41 and at their rear ends to the rear suspension cross member 43. The suspension member 40 also includes a middle suspension cross member 47 as a second suspension cross member. The middle suspension cross member 47 extends in the vehicle width direction and is located between the front suspension cross member 41 and the rear suspension cross member 43 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Both ends of the middle suspension cross member 47 in the vehicle width direction are joined to a pair of connecting members 45R, 45L.

[0017] The suspension member 40 is configured such that both ends of the front suspension cross member 41 in the vehicle width direction are joined to the joints between a pair of side members 31R, 31L and the cross member 33 in the chassis frame 30, and both ends of the rear suspension cross member 43 in the vehicle width direction are joined to the joints between a pair of side members 31R, 31L and the cross member 35 in the chassis frame 30.

[0018] In a plan view (bottom view), the on-vehicle device D mounted on the rear floor panel 10 is disposed in an area surrounded by a pair of side members 31R, 31L and a pair of cross members 33, 35 of the chassis frame 30, and is further disposed in an area surrounded by the front suspension cross member 41 and rear suspension cross member 43 of the suspension member 40 and a pair of connecting members 45R, 45L. As a result, the cross member 35 and the rear suspension cross member 43 are disposed on the rear side of the vehicle from the on-vehicle device D. In addition, the middle suspension cross member 47 of the suspension member 40 is disposed below the on-vehicle device D, further forward of the rear suspension cross member 43. In other words, when viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle, the on-vehicle device D has a portion that overlaps with the middle suspension cross member 47.

[0019] Next, the protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 will be described in detail. The protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 is disposed between the pair of cross members 35, 37 of the chassis frame 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and protrudes downward on the vehicle rear side of the rear suspension cross member 43. This protruding portion 20 is provided in a range in the vehicle width direction that reaches the vicinity of the pair of side members 31R, 31L of the chassis frame 30 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the protruding portion 20 is provided outward in the vehicle width direction from the entire area of ​​the on-board equipment D in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] In a cross-sectional view along the vehicle longitudinal direction (see FIG. 2 ), the protruding portion 20 has a front upright wall (upright wall) 21 and a rear upright wall 23 extending downward, and a bottom wall 25 connecting the lower ends of the front upright wall 21 and the rear upright wall 23. The protruding portion 20 also has flange portions 21a, 23a at the upper ends of the front upright wall 21 and the rear upright wall 23, extending in directions away from each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The protruding portion 20 is separate from the plate material of the rear floor panel 10 and has a hat-shaped cross section, providing high rigidity. The protruding portion 20 is fixed by being fitted from above into a mounting hole 10a formed in the rear floor panel 10. The protruding portion 20 may also be integrally molded with the rear floor panel 10.

[0021] The rear floor panel 10 has a protruding portion 20, and the interior of the protruding portion 20, surrounded by a front upright wall 21, a rear upright wall 23, and a bottom wall 25, forms a storage space S, which can accommodate various electrical equipment and other items.

[0022] A portion of the protruding portion 20 is positioned below the upper end 43T of the rear suspension cross member 43. In this example, the lower end of the front upright wall 21 on the vehicle equipment D side and the front end of the bottom wall 25 form the lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20. This lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20 is positioned below the upper end 43T of the rear suspension cross member 43. As a result, the protruding portion 20 partially overlaps with the rear suspension cross member 43 in the up-down direction. In other words, when viewed from the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, the protruding portion 20 and the rear suspension cross member 43 at least partially overlap.

[0023] The protruding portion 20 has a front upright wall 21 on the side of the in-vehicle equipment D that is inclined downward toward the rear of the vehicle, i.e., away from the in-vehicle equipment D. A gap C is provided between the front upright wall 21 and the rear suspension cross member 43. The bottom wall 25 of the protruding portion 20 is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0024] The upper end portions of the protruding portion 20 on the vehicle front side and vehicle rear side are joined to cross members 35, 37, respectively. Specifically, a flange portion 21a provided at the upper end of the front upright wall 21 of the protruding portion 20 is joined to the cross member 35 together with the edge of the mounting hole 10a in the rear floor panel 10, and a flange portion 23a provided at the upper end of the rear upright wall 23 of the protruding portion 20 is joined to the cross member 37 together with the edge of the mounting hole 10a in the rear floor panel 10.

[0025] A reinforcing member 29 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the protruding portion 20. The reinforcing member 29 is made of an angle material with an L-shaped cross section, and is joined to the cross member 37 on the vehicle rear side and the rear standing wall 23 of the protruding portion 20. As a result, the protruding portion 20 is reinforced by the reinforcing member 29 between the cross member 37 and the rear suspension cross member 43 in the height direction. Note that the protruding portion 20 may also be reinforced by joining a reinforcing member to the cross member 35 and the front standing wall 21 between the cross member 35 on the vehicle front side in the height direction and the rear suspension cross member 43.

[0026] Next, a situation will be described in which a rear-end collision occurs in the vehicle 100 having the above vehicle structure. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the rear of the vehicle at the time of a rear collision, taken along line II-II in FIG. As shown in Figure 3, when an object W collides with the rear of vehicle 100 from behind (in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3), the rear bumper 39, which is a rear structure of vehicle 100, deforms to absorb the impact. In addition, protrusion 20 provided at the rear of rear floor panel 10 deforms, further absorbing the impact from behind the vehicle.

[0027] Here, the lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20 is positioned lower than the upper end 43T of the rear suspension cross member 43. Therefore, when the protruding portion 20 is pushed forward of the vehicle and deformed by the impact of a rear collision, the lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20 is displaced forward of the vehicle and comes into contact with the rear suspension cross member 43. As a result, during a rear collision, the protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 closes the gap between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43. Therefore, rear structures such as the rear bumper 39 that are pushed forward by the colliding object W or the colliding object W are prevented from entering between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43 and coming into contact with the in-vehicle equipment D.

[0028] As described above, with the vehicle structure according to this embodiment, in the event of a rear collision, the protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 blocks the gap between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43, preventing a rear structure pushed forward by a colliding object W or the colliding object W from entering between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43 and contacting the in-vehicle equipment D, thereby protecting the in-vehicle equipment D. In particular, since at least a portion of the lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20 is positioned below the upper end 43T of the rear suspension cross member 43, even if the protruding portion 20 is deformed by the impact of a rear collision, the lower end 20B of the protruding portion 20 abuts against the rear suspension cross member 43. This more effectively prevents the rear structure of the vehicle 100 or the colliding object W from entering between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43. Moreover, the deformation of the protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 itself allows the impact of a rear collision to be absorbed.

[0029] Furthermore, the front upright wall 21 of the protruding portion 20 on the side of the in-vehicle equipment D is inclined downward in a direction away from the in-vehicle equipment D. This forms a gap C between the rear suspension cross member 43 and the front upright wall 21, ensuring a larger amount of movement of the protruding portion 20 in the event of a rear-end collision than when the front upright wall 21 is vertical, thereby improving the impact absorption effect.

[0030] Furthermore, because the bottom wall 25 of the protruding portion 20 is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle, the impact of a rear collision causes the rear side of the protruding portion 20 to deform and be pushed up toward the front of the vehicle, allowing the protruding portion 20 to better abut against the rear suspension cross member 43 without the lower end 20B on the front side of the vehicle being pushed up. This makes it easier for the protruding portion 20 to seal the gap between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43. Moreover, the protruding portion 20 can be made less noticeable when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, improving the appearance of the vehicle 100.

[0031] Furthermore, since the upper end portions of the protrusion 20 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle are joined to the cross members 35, 37, the upper end portions of the protrusion 20 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle, where stress is likely to concentrate, can be reinforced by the cross members 35, 37, thereby increasing rigidity.

[0032] Furthermore, the protruding portion 20 is reinforced on the vehicle rear side by a reinforcing material 29 between the pair of cross members 35, 37 and the rear suspension cross member 43 in the height direction. Therefore, the protruding portion 20 can be reinforced by the reinforcing material 29 between the pair of cross members 35, 37 and the rear suspension cross member 43 in the height direction, thereby increasing its rigidity. This reduces local deformation of the protruding portion 20 during a rear collision, and the protruding portion 20 can more effectively prevent a rear structure of the vehicle 100 or a colliding object W from getting between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43.

[0033] Furthermore, since the protruding portion 20 is provided on the outer side of the entire width of the vehicle-mounted equipment D, the protruding portion 20 can prevent rear structures of the vehicle 100 or collision objects W from contacting the vehicle-mounted equipment D over the entire width of the vehicle-mounted equipment D.

[0034] Furthermore, if the separate protrusion 20 is assembled to the rear floor panel 10 as in this example, the protrusion 20 can be manufactured with a high degree of freedom without being restricted by the thickness of the rear floor panel 10, etc.

[0035] In addition, in this example, a middle suspension cross member 47 is provided which is arranged along the vehicle width direction, further forward of the rear suspension cross member 43 and below the on-board equipment D, so that the lower part of the on-board equipment D can be protected by this middle suspension cross member 47.

[0036] Next, a vehicle structure according to another embodiment will be described. The same structural parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to II-II in FIG. 1, illustrating a vehicle structure according to another embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, in a vehicle structure according to another embodiment, the protruding portion 20 protrudes further downward, and its lower end 20B is located below the upper end 47T of the middle suspension cross member 47.

[0038] Furthermore, in this vehicle structure, it is preferable that the middle suspension cross member 47 protrudes further rearward than the on-board equipment D and that a portion of the middle suspension cross member 47 overlaps with the rear suspension cross member 43 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, when viewed from the vertical direction of the vehicle, at least a portion of the middle suspension cross member 47 and the rear suspension cross member 43 overlap.

[0039] In this vehicle structure, when a colliding object W strikes the vehicle 100 from behind, the protruding portion 20 deforms, thereby absorbing the impact from behind the vehicle. The protruding portion 20 is pushed forward and deformed by the impact of the rear collision, displacing forward and contacting the rear suspension cross member 43, and its lower end 20B contacting the middle suspension cross member 47 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 ). As a result, in the event of a rear collision, the protruding portion 20 of the rear floor panel 10 blocks the gap between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43 and the gap between the rear suspension cross member 43 and the middle suspension cross member 47. This prevents rear structures, such as the rear bumper 39, that are pushed forward by the colliding object W or the colliding object W from getting between the rear floor panel 10 and the rear suspension cross member 43 and between the rear suspension cross member 43 and the middle suspension cross member 47 and coming into contact with the in-vehicle equipment D.

[0040] As such, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present invention also contemplates the mutual combination of the various components of the embodiments, as well as modifications and applications by those skilled in the art based on the description in the specification and well-known techniques, and these modifications and applications are included in the scope of protection sought.

[0041] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A floor panel with on-board equipment mounted underneath; a first suspension cross member provided on the vehicle rear side of the on-vehicle equipment and arranged along the vehicle width direction; Equipped with the floor panel has a protruding portion that protrudes downward on the vehicle rear side of the first suspension cross member, A vehicle structure, wherein at least a portion of the protruding portion is positioned below an upper end of the first suspension cross member. With this vehicle structure, in the event of a rear collision, the protruding portion of the floor panel blocks the gap between the floor panel and the first suspension cross member, preventing rear structures or impact objects pushed forward by a colliding object from getting between the floor panel and the first suspension cross member and contacting on-board equipment, thereby protecting them. In particular, because at least a portion of the protruding portion is positioned below the upper end of the first suspension cross member, even if the protruding portion is deformed by the impact of a rear collision, the protruding portion abuts against the first suspension cross member. This more effectively prevents rear structures or impact objects from getting between the floor panel and the first suspension cross member. Moreover, the deformation of the floor panel protruding portion itself allows the impact of a rear collision to be absorbed.

[0042] (2) The vehicle structure according to (1), wherein the protruding portion has a vertical wall on the vehicle-mounted device side that is inclined downward in a direction away from the vehicle-mounted device. According to this vehicle structure, by inclining the vertical wall of the protruding portion on the vehicle equipment side downward and away from the vehicle equipment, the protruding portion can move a greater amount in a rear-end collision than a vertical vertical wall, thereby improving the impact absorption effect.

[0043] (3) The vehicle structure according to (1) or (2), wherein the bottom wall of the protruding portion is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle. With this vehicle structure, the rear side of the protrusion is deformed by the impact of a rear collision so that it is pushed up toward the front of the vehicle. This allows the lower end of the front side of the protrusion to better abut against the first suspension cross member, making it easier for the protrusion to seal the gap between the floor panel and the first suspension cross member. Furthermore, the protrusion is less noticeable when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, improving the vehicle's appearance.

[0044] (4) A cross member is provided on at least one of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of the protruding portion, The vehicle structure according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the upper end portion of the protruding portion on at least one of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side is joined to the cross member. According to this vehicle structure, the upper end portion of the protruding portion, where stress tends to concentrate, at least on one of the front and rear sides of the vehicle can be reinforced by the cross member, thereby increasing rigidity.

[0045] (5) A vehicle structure as described in (4), wherein the protruding portion is reinforced by a reinforcing material on at least one of the front and rear sides of the vehicle between the cross member and the first suspension cross member in the height direction. This vehicle structure allows the protruding portion to be reinforced with a reinforcing material between the cross member and the first suspension cross member in the height direction, increasing rigidity. This reduces localized deformation of the protruding portion in a rear-end collision, and more effectively prevents rear vehicle structures or colliding objects from getting between the floor panel and the first suspension cross member.

[0046] (6) The vehicle structure according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the protruding portion is provided over at least the entire area of ​​the on-vehicle device in the vehicle width direction. According to this vehicle structure, the protruding portion can prevent the on-board equipment from coming into contact with the rear structure of the vehicle or a colliding object over the entire area of ​​the on-board equipment in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] (7) The vehicle structure according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the protruding portion is separate from the floor panel. According to this vehicle structure, the protruding portion is separate from the floor panel, so the protruding portion can be manufactured with a high degree of freedom without being restricted by the thickness of the floor panel or the like.

[0048] (8) A vehicle structure described in any one of (1) to (7), comprising a second suspension cross member arranged along the vehicle width direction, forward of the first suspension cross member and below the on-board equipment. According to this vehicle structure, the lower part of the on-board equipment can be protected by the second suspension cross member.

[0049] (9) The vehicle structure according to (8), wherein at least a portion of the protruding portion is positioned below an upper end of the second suspension cross member. According to this vehicle structure, the protruding portion that deforms upon impact during a rear-end collision abuts against the second suspension cross member, thereby preventing rear vehicle structures or colliding objects from entering from below the suspension cross member located on the rear side of the vehicle from the onboard equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 10 Rear floor panel (floor panel) 20 Protruding part 20B bottom end 21 Front standing wall (standing wall) 23 Rear standing wall 25 Bottom Wall 29 Reinforcement 35,37 Cross member 43 Rear suspension cross member (first suspension cross member) 43T top end 47 Middle suspension cross member (second suspension cross member) D In-vehicle equipment

Claims

1. A floor panel with on-board equipment mounted underneath, a first suspension cross member provided on the vehicle rear side of the on-vehicle equipment and arranged along the vehicle width direction; Equipped with the floor panel has a protruding portion that protrudes downward on the vehicle rear side of the first suspension cross member, At least a portion of the protruding portion is disposed below the upper end of the first suspension cross member. Vehicle structure.

2. The protruding portion has a wall on the in-vehicle device side that is inclined downward in a direction away from the in-vehicle device. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

3. The bottom wall of the protruding portion is inclined upward toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

4. a cross member is provided on at least one of the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side of the protruding portion; The protruding portion has an upper end portion on at least one of the front side and the rear side of the vehicle joined to the cross member. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

5. The protruding portion is reinforced by a reinforcing material on at least one of a front side of the vehicle and a rear side of the vehicle between the cross member and the first suspension cross member in the height direction.

5. The vehicle structure according to claim 4.

6. The protruding portion is provided at least over an outer side in the vehicle width direction than the entire area of ​​the on-vehicle device in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

7. The protruding portion is separate from the floor panel. The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

8. a second suspension cross member disposed along the vehicle width direction forward of the first suspension cross member and below the on-vehicle equipment; The vehicle structure according to claim 1 .

9. At least a portion of the protruding portion is disposed below the upper end of the second suspension cross member. The vehicle structure according to claim 8.

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