Front vehicle frame structure

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle front frame structure capable of efficiently transmitting a collision load from a wheel house to a rocker when the vehicle crashes head-on. [Solution] The vehicle front skeletal structure 12 is composed of left and right wheel houses 14 and a cross member 16 that extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the left and right wheel houses 14, and is equipped with a first skeletal part 36 in which the left and right wheel houses 14 and the cross member 16 are molded integrally, and a second skeletal part 38 that is molded integrally with the first skeletal part 36, is located on the rear side of the first skeletal part 36, and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle front structure (vehicle front skeletal structure) that contributes to suppressing deformation of the vehicle interior during a frontal collision of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a "vehicle front collision").In this prior art, a reinforcing member is provided on the front side of the lower part of the front pillar located behind the front wheel house.

[0003] Therefore, in the prior art, when a collision load is input to the lower portion of the front pillar during a front collision, the rear side of the lower portion, which is not reinforced by a reinforcing member, deforms. This absorbs the collision energy, and in the prior art, the generation of a bending moment on the rocker is suppressed, thereby suppressing bending of the rocker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-229384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the above-mentioned prior art has room for further improvement in terms of suppressing the bending moment from the wheelhouse to the rocker and transmitting the collision load to the rocker side.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front frame structure that can efficiently transmit a collision load from the wheelhouse to the rocker during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 1 is composed of left and right wheel houses and a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel houses and the cross member are provided with a first skeletal portion molded as a whole as a single unit, and a second skeletal portion molded as a single unit with the first skeletal portion, provided on the vehicle rear side of the first skeletal portion, and extending in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0008] The vehicle front skeleton structure according to the present invention described in claim 1 includes a first skeleton and a second skeleton, which are integrally molded. In the present invention, the first skeleton includes left and right wheel houses and a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses, and the left and right wheel houses and the cross member are integrally molded.

[0009] On the other hand, the second framework is provided on the vehicle rear side of the first framework, and extends in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0010] In the present invention, the second skeleton is molded integrally with the first skeleton, which improves the rigidity of the second skeleton compared to when the two are molded separately, thereby making it possible to prevent the concentration of collision load on the second skeleton during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0011] As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending moment on the second skeletal portion during a frontal collision of the vehicle, and to prevent the second skeletal portion from deforming before transmitting the collision load to the rocker, making it possible to efficiently transmit the collision load from the first skeletal portion through the second skeletal portion to the rocker side.

[0012] Furthermore, by molding the first and second skeletal parts as a single unit, not only is the number of parts reduced, but load transmission loss from the first skeletal part through the second skeletal part to the rocker is reduced, improving load transmission performance.

[0013] The term "vehicle frontal collision" as used herein is a concept that includes not only a so-called full-overlap frontal collision, but also an offset collision, an oblique collision, and a small-overlap collision.

[0014] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 2 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein the second skeletal portion includes a wall portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and in the up-and-down direction of the vehicle, and a plurality of ribs erected on the outer side of the wall portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the second frame includes a wall and a plurality of ribs. The wall extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The plurality of ribs are erected on the outer side of the wall in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0016] In this way, by configuring the second skeletal portion to include a wall portion and a plurality of ribs, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the second skeletal portion itself as a skeletal member while reducing weight compared to, for example, increasing the thickness of the plate of the second skeletal portion to improve rigidity.

[0017] Furthermore, since the release direction of the mold for molding the first and second skeletons is the vehicle width direction, by providing the multiple ribs on the outer side of the wall portion in the vehicle width direction, the molded member made up of the first and second skeletons can be easily released from the mold. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a slide core or the like when forming the multiple ribs, which makes it possible to reduce costs associated with the mold mechanism.

[0018] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention as described in claim 3 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention as described in claim 1, wherein the lower end portion in the vehicle vertical direction of at least one of the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion is an extension portion that is connected to the front end portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a rocker that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment.

[0019] In the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 3, the lower end (in the vehicle vertical direction) of at least one of the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion is an extension portion, and the extension portion is connected to the front end portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a rocker that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment.

[0020] Because the rocker itself is a highly rigid skeleton member, the lower end of at least one of the first skeleton portion and the second skeleton portion is an extension portion connected to the rocker, thereby improving the rigidity of the lower end of at least one of the first skeleton portion and the second skeleton portion, thereby suppressing deformation of the lower end of at least one of the first skeleton portion and the second skeleton portion, and enabling the collision load to be effectively transmitted from the lower end of at least one of the first skeleton portion and the second skeleton portion to the rocker side via the extension portion in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0021] Here, the "extension portion" may be provided on the first skeletal portion, or may be provided on the second skeletal portion, or may be provided on both the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion.

[0022] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 4 is a vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 2, in which the rib includes a first horizontal rib that forms part of the first skeletal portion and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a second horizontal rib that is arranged in approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0023] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the rib includes a second horizontal rib extending substantially horizontally along the vehicle longitudinal direction. The second horizontal rib forms part of the first frame and is disposed substantially on the same straight line as the first horizontal rib extending substantially horizontally along the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle. Therefore, in the second frame, a collision load transmitted to the first horizontal rib during a vehicle frontal collision is transmitted to the second horizontal rib, and the collision load can be transmitted via the second horizontal rib toward the rear of the vehicle along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0024] Here, "arranged on approximately the same straight line" means that at least a portion of the first horizontal rib and the second horizontal rib are arranged to overlap when viewed from the front side of the vehicle, and excludes a state in which they do not overlap.

[0025] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 5 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 2, wherein the rib includes a downward inclined rib that inclines downward in the vehicle up-down direction as it approaches the rear side in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0026] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the rib includes a downward inclined rib that is inclined downward in the vehicle vertical direction as it extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the case of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the second frame portion can transmit a collision load downward in the vehicle vertical direction via the downward inclined rib.

[0027] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 6 is a vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 5, in which a portion of the horizontal rib extending approximately horizontally along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction in the second skeletal portion has its front end or rear end intersecting with the downward inclined rib.

[0028] In the vehicle front skeleton structure according to the present invention, the front end of the horizontal rib extending substantially horizontally in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the second skeleton intersects with the downward inclined rib, thereby making it possible to distribute the collision load transmitted to the second skeleton during a frontal collision of the vehicle between the horizontal rib and the downward inclined rib. Also, the rear end of the horizontal rib intersects with the downward inclined rib, making it possible to transmit the collision load transmitted in the vehicle longitudinal direction via the horizontal rib via the downward inclined rib downward in the vehicle up-down direction as it moves rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0029] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 7 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 2, in which an outer edge wall is erected on the outer edge of the second skeletal portion, outside the wall portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] In the vehicle front skeleton structure of the present invention described in claim 7, an outer edge wall is provided on the outer edge of the second skeleton portion, and the outer edge wall is erected on the outer side of the wall portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] In this way, by providing an outer edge wall on the outer edge of the second skeletal portion, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the second skeletal portion itself compared to when the outer edge wall is not provided.

[0032] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 8 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 1, in which the lower side of the second skeletal portion in the vehicle vertical direction has higher rigidity than other portions.

[0033] In the vehicle front skeleton structure according to the present invention, the lower side of the second skeleton (in the vehicle vertical direction) has higher rigidity than other parts, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the lower side of the second skeleton in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle and to reliably transmit the collision load to the rocker side. Here, high rigidity can be achieved by, for example, making the plate thickness of the lower side of the second skeleton thicker than other parts or by providing ribs, or both of these may be implemented.

[0034] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 9 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 1, in which a thick-walled portion is partially provided in the wall portion of the second skeletal portion, the plate thickness of which is relatively thicker than other portions.

[0035] In the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 9, thick-walled portions that are relatively thicker than other portions are partially provided in the wall portion of the second skeletal portion, thereby making it possible to reduce weight while improving the efficiency of transmission of collision loads during a vehicle collision.

[0036] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 10 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 9, in which the thick-walled portion is greater in proportion to the lower side of the second skeletal portion in the vehicle vertical direction than to the upper side.

[0037] In the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 10, the proportion of the thick-walled portion is greater on the lower side of the second skeletal portion (in the vertical direction of the vehicle) than on the upper side, thereby suppressing deformation on the lower side of the second skeletal portion and making it possible to reliably transmit collision loads to the rocker side.

[0038] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 11 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 3, wherein the extension portion is provided with a first connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the extension portion is provided with a first joint portion, and the extension portion is joined to the rocker in the vehicle width direction by the first joint portion. In this case, the first joint portion may be joined to the inside of the rocker in the vehicle width direction or to the outside of the rocker in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the first joint portion may be joined to both the inside and outside of the rocker in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 12 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 3, in which the extension portion is provided with a second connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0041] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the extension portion is provided with a second joint portion, and the extension portion is joined to the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction by the second joint portion. In this case, the second joint portion may be joined to an upper side of the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction, or may be joined to a lower side of the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction. Furthermore, the second joint portion may be joined to both the upper and lower sides of the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0042] The vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 13 is the vehicle front skeletal structure of the present invention described in claim 3, wherein the extension portion is provided with a vertical wall portion that abuts against the front end of the rocker in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0043] In the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention, the extension is provided with a vertical wall that abuts against the front end of the rocker in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This allows the rocker and the extension to be positioned in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the provision of the vertical wall in the extension can improve the rigidity of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0044] As described above, the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention can efficiently transmit the collision load from the wheel house to the rocker during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle to which a vehicle front frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, viewed from diagonally forward left and above the vehicle. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle front frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 3 is an enlarged side view showing the main part of FIG. 2 in an enlarged scale. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged side view of a main part corresponding to FIG. 3, showing the thickness of a front pillar that constitutes part of the vehicle front frame structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5]3 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a modified example of the vehicle front frame structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle front frame structure and a front portion of a rocker according to the present embodiment, as viewed from diagonally rear and above the left side of the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view seen from diagonally rear and above the left side of the vehicle, showing a state in which a rocker is coupled to an extension portion provided in the vehicle front frame structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is a perspective view seen from diagonally forward of the vehicle, showing a joint between an extension portion and a rocker provided in the vehicle front frame structure according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of a joint between an extension and a rocker provided in a vehicle front frame structure according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction and from above. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Hereinafter, a vehicle front frame structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in each drawing indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. The arrow LH indicates the left side in the vehicle width direction, and in this embodiment indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are simply used in the description, they refer to front-rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, up-down in the vehicle vertical direction, and left-right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), unless otherwise specified.

[0047] [Configuration of the vehicle's front frame structure] First, the configuration of the vehicle front frame structure according to this embodiment will be described.

[0048] 1 shows an overall view of a vehicle 10, illustrating the framework of the vehicle. For example, although not shown, the vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle that runs on power generated by a power unit.

[0049] 1, a vehicle 10 to which a vehicle front frame structure 12 according to this embodiment is applied is provided with wheel houses 14 in which wheels (not shown) are arranged on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and the right wheel house (first frame) 14 and the left wheel house (first frame) 14 are connected by a cross member (first frame) 16. At the upper ends of the wheel houses 14, apron upper members 18 extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and suspension towers 20 are provided inside the apron upper members 18 in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Further, a front pillar (second framework) 22 that constitutes the side of the front of the vehicle is provided on the rear side of each wheel house 14. Furthermore, rockers 24 that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and constitute the framework of the side of the vehicle body are connected to the rear side of the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22 via connecting parts 26, which will be described later.

[0051] In this embodiment, for example, the rocker 24 has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape when cut along the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 6 , the rocker 24 includes an inner wall portion 28 disposed on the inside in the vehicle width direction, an outer wall portion 30 disposed on the outside in the vehicle width direction, an upper wall portion 32 connecting the upper ends of the inner wall portion 28 and the outer wall portion 30, and a lower wall portion 34 connecting the lower ends of the inner wall portion 28 and the outer wall portion 30. In this embodiment, ends of rocker cross members 29 extending in the vehicle width direction are respectively coupled to the front ends 25 of the left and right rockers 24. The cross member 16 can be coupled to the rocker cross members 29.

[0052] In this embodiment, the left and right wheel houses 14 and the cross member 16 shown in FIG. 1 are the first skeleton 36, and the front pillar 22 is the second skeleton 38, and the first skeleton 36 and the second skeleton 38 are integrally formed by casting using an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, or the like (integral cast member 40).

[0053] In the integrally cast member 40 of this embodiment, due to the structure of the mold, the mold is slid outward in the vehicle width direction to form the outer surfaces in the vehicle width direction of the wheel house 14 and the front pillar 22. For this reason, the wheel house 14 and the front pillar 22 in this embodiment are formed so that the outer sides in the vehicle width direction are open.

[0054] In this embodiment, the wheel house 14, the cross member 16, and the front pillar 22 are each parts that constitute a part of the integrally cast member 40. Therefore, strictly speaking, the wheel house 14 is the wheel house portion of the integrally cast member 40, the cross member 16 is the cross member portion of the integrally cast member 40, and the front pillar 22 is the front pillar portion of the integrally cast member 40. However, in this embodiment, for convenience, these will be described as the wheel house 14, the cross member 16, and the front pillar 22, respectively.

[0055] <Wheelhouse> First, the wheel house 14 as the first framework 36 in this embodiment will be described.

[0056] 1 and 2, the wheel house 14 has an inner wall portion 42 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction on the inside in the vehicle width direction. A front wall portion 44 that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction projects outward from the front end of the inner wall portion 42 in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] As described above, the apron upper member 18 is provided at the upper end of the wheel house 14, and the side member portion 46 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle at the lower portion of the wheel house 14. In other words, in this embodiment, the side member portion 46 is provided integrally with the wheel house 14.

[0058] Crash boxes 48 are provided along the vehicle longitudinal direction in front of the side member portions 46. The crash boxes 48 function as impact absorbing members, and a front bumper 50 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front ends of the crash boxes 48.

[0059] (Side member part) Here, the side member portion 46 is configured to include an upper wall portion 52 and a lower wall portion 54 that each extend along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a lateral wall portion 56 is provided between the upper wall portion 52 and the lower wall portion 54.

[0060] The side wall portion 56 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the upper wall portion 52 and the lower wall portion 54, and the upper wall portion 52, the lower wall portion 54, and the side wall portion 56 are each erected on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inner wall portion 42 of the wheelhouse 14. The upper wall portion 52, the lower wall portion 54, and the side wall portion 56 are each formed to have substantially the same plate thickness along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0061] In this embodiment, a plurality of vertical ribs 58 extending in the vehicle up-down direction are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction between the upper wall portion 52 and the side wall portion 56. A plurality of vertical ribs 60 extending in the vehicle up-down direction are arranged in the vehicle front-rear direction between the side wall portion 56 and the lower wall portion 54.

[0062] The plurality of vertical ribs 58 and the plurality of vertical ribs 60 are each erected on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inner wall portion 42 of the wheel house 14. The plate thicknesses of the plurality of vertical ribs 58 and the plurality of vertical ribs 60 are each approximately the same, and the vertical ribs 58 and the vertical ribs 60 are arranged above and below the vehicle with the lateral wall portion 56 between them.

[0063] (High rigidity part) Next, the high-rigidity portion 62 provided on the rear side of the side member portion 46 will be described.

[0064] The high rigidity portion 62 has rigidity equal to or greater than that of the side member portion 46, and includes an inner wall portion 64 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction as it extends toward the rear of the vehicle, and is formed with a convex curve toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0065] In this embodiment, the high rigidity portion 62 has a length in the vehicle longitudinal direction that is, for example, approximately half that of the side member portion 46. The high rigidity portion 62 hangs down further downward than the side member portion 46, and has a greater cross-sectional height in the vehicle vertical direction than the side member portion 46.

[0066] In this embodiment, a vertical wall portion 66 that is connected to the side member portion 46 in the front and rear directions of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle up-down direction and vehicle width direction is provided at the front end of the high rigidity portion 62. Meanwhile, a rear wall portion 68 that constitutes part of the outer shape of the wheel house 14 and is formed in an arc shape in side view along the shape of the wheel house 14 is provided at the rear end of the high rigidity portion 62. The vertical wall portion 66 and the rear wall portion 68 are each erected on the outer side of the inner wall portion 64 of the wheel house 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0067] In addition, in the high rigidity portion 62, between the vertical wall portion 66 and the rear wall portion 68, an upper wall portion 70 (first horizontal rib), a first horizontal wall portion 72, and a second horizontal wall portion 74 are extended in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the vertical wall portion 66 in between, and connected to the upper wall portion 52, the horizontal wall portion 56, and the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, respectively.

[0068] Furthermore, between the vertical wall portion 66 and the rear wall portion 68, a third horizontal wall portion 76 (first horizontal rib) extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction below the second horizontal wall portion 74, and a lower wall portion 78 extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction below the third horizontal wall portion 76. Note that, like the vertical wall portion 66 and the rear wall portion 68, the upper wall portion 70, the first horizontal wall portion 72, etc. are also erected on the outer side of the inner wall portion 42 of the wheelhouse 14 in the vehicle width direction.

[0069] As described above, the high rigidity portion 62 hangs down to a position lower than the side member portion 46. For this reason, a difference in height occurs between the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46 and the lower wall portion 78 of the high rigidity portion 62. To fill this difference in height, a triangular portion 80 that forms a triangle shape in a side view of the vehicle is provided below the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46. The rear end of the triangular portion 80 is connected to the vertical wall portion 66 of the high rigidity portion 62.

[0070] In this way, the high rigidity portion 62 has a larger cross-sectional height in the vehicle vertical direction than the side member portion 46, and therefore has a larger moment of inertia than the side member portion 46. As a result, the high rigidity portion 62 has higher bending rigidity than the side member portion 46, making it possible to suppress deformation.

[0071] In addition, in the high-rigidity portion 62, a downward inclined rib 82 that inclines downward toward the vehicle as it extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction and an upward inclined rib 84 that inclines upward toward the vehicle as it extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction are provided between the upper wall portion 70 and the first lateral wall portion 72. The downward inclined rib 82 and the upward inclined rib 84 are each erected on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the inner wall portion 42 of the wheelhouse 14.

[0072] Furthermore, downward inclined ribs 82 and upward inclined ribs 84 are provided between the second lateral wall portion 74 and the third lateral wall portion 76, and between the third lateral wall portion 76 and the lower wall portion 78, similar to the case between the upper wall portion 70 and the first lateral wall portion 72. In other words, the high rigidity portion 62 has a truss structure in which a plurality of downward inclined ribs 82 and upward inclined ribs 84 are provided.

[0073] In addition, at the intersections of the upward inclined rib 84 and the downward inclined rib 82 with the first horizontal wall portion 72 and the second horizontal wall portion 74, and at the intersections of the vertical wall portion 66 and the second horizontal wall portion 74, approximately cylindrical first bosses 86 are erected from the inner wall portion 42 of the wheelhouse 14.

[0074] These first bosses 86 serve as seats against which ejector pins (not shown) abut when releasing the integrally cast member 40 from a mold during molding of the integrally cast member 40 including the wheel house 14. For this reason, the first bosses 86 are arranged offset in the vehicle front-rear direction so as not to overlap in the up-down direction, in order to release the integrally cast member 40 from the mold in a balanced manner.

[0075] The position of the first boss 86 can be changed as needed depending on the mass balance of the integrally cast member 40. Furthermore, the first boss 86 not only functions as a seat against which the ejector pin abuts, but may also be used as a seat for fastening to other components.

[0076] <Front pillar> Next, the front pillar 22 serving as the second framework 38 in this embodiment will be described.

[0077] 2 and 6, the front pillar 22 is molded integrally with the wheel house 14, which serves as the first framework 36. The front pillar 22 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the wheel house 14 and extends in the vehicle up-down direction. The front pillar 22 includes a wall portion 88 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction.

[0078] The front pillar 22 is configured to include, for example, an upper wall portion (outer edge wall) 90 that forms the upper end of the front pillar 22 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a lower wall portion (outer edge wall) 92 that forms the lower end of the front pillar 22 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The upper wall portion 90 and the lower wall portion 92 are erected on the outer side of the wall portion 88 in the vehicle width direction.

[0079] The front end of the upper wall portion 90 and the front end of the lower wall portion 92 are connected by a front wall portion (outer edge wall) 94 that extends substantially in the vehicle up-down direction. The front wall portion 94 of the front pillar 22 is the rear end of the wheel house 14 (rear wall portion 68 of the high-rigidity portion 62), and is therefore formed in an arc shape in side view to follow the shape of the wheel house 14. A vertical wall portion (outer edge wall) 98 is formed at the upper end of the front wall portion 44 and extends in the vehicle up-down direction in side view.

[0080] Meanwhile, the rear ends of the upper wall portion 90 and the lower wall portion 92 are connected by a rear wall portion (outer edge wall) 96 that extends substantially in the vehicle up-down direction. In the following description, the upper wall portion 90, the lower wall portion 92, the front wall portion 94, the vertical wall portion 98, and the rear wall portion 96 may be referred to as the outer edge wall 23 for convenience.

[0081] Furthermore, the lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22 is connected to the third lateral wall portion 76 of the high rigidity portion 62 of the wheel house 14 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with the front wall portion 94 therebetween. In other words, the lower side of the third lateral wall portion 76 of the high rigidity portion 62 of the wheel house 14 protrudes from the lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22.

[0082] In this embodiment, the lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22 is part of the connecting portion 26 that is connected to the rocker 24, and is capable of abutting against and connecting to the upper wall portion 32 of the rocker 24. In addition, the lower end portion of the rear wall portion 68 of the high rigidity portion 62 is capable of abutting against the front end 25 of the rocker 24 as a front wall portion 100.

[0083] Here, a rear wall portion 96 of the front pillar 22 forms part of a door opening 27 for a side door (not shown). Therefore, a lower end portion of the rear wall portion 96 extends toward the rear of the vehicle along the shape of the door opening 27 (extension portion 97). The extension portion 97 is connected to a front end portion 24A of the rocker 24 (connection portion 26, described later).

[0084] An inner wall portion (first connecting portion) 102 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22. This inner wall portion 102 is connected to the front wall portion 100 and is capable of abutting against the inner wall portion 28 of the rocker 24.

[0085] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, a rectangular opening 104, whose longitudinal direction is in the vertical direction of the vehicle, is formed in approximately the center of the front pillar 22 in the vertical direction of the vehicle. A rectangular rib 106 is provided upright around the periphery of the opening 104. In addition, a substantially cylindrical second boss 108 and a substantially columnar third boss 110 are provided upright from the wall portion 88 of the front pillar 22.

[0086] The second bosses 108 have a larger diameter than the third bosses 110, and the second bosses 108 are provided more on the outer edge wall 23 side of the front pillar 22, while the third bosses 110 are provided more on the inside of the front pillar 22 than the second bosses 108.

[0087] Additionally, gaps are provided between the second boss 108, the third boss 110 and the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22, and the second boss 108 and the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22 are connected to each other by connecting ribs 112.

[0088] Furthermore, horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 123 are provided between the vertical wall portion 98, the front wall portion 94 and the rear wall portion 96 of the front pillar 22, and extend substantially horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0089] The connecting rib 112 and horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123 are each erected on the outer side of the wall portion 88 of the front pillar 22 in the vehicle width direction. The connecting rib 112 and the horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123 are each formed to have approximately the same plate thickness. The downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126, which will be described later, are similar to the horizontal rib 114.

[0090] The front end of the horizontal rib 114 is connected to the second boss 108. On the other hand, the rear end of the horizontal rib 114 is connected to a plurality of downwardly inclined ribs 124 that incline downward toward the vehicle as they extend rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a plurality of upwardly inclined ribs 126 that incline upward toward the vehicle as they extend rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an intersection 125 that intersects with the downwardly inclined ribs 124 and the upwardly inclined ribs 126 is provided.

[0091] Furthermore, a plurality of upwardly inclined ribs 126 are provided between the horizontal rib 114 and the horizontal rib 116. Depending on the positions of the second boss 108 and the third boss 110, the second boss 108 may be provided at the leading end of the upwardly inclined rib 126 and the third boss 110 at the trailing end, or the third boss 110 may be provided midway along the upwardly inclined rib 126.

[0092] Furthermore, a plurality of downward inclined ribs 124 are provided between the horizontal rib 120 (second horizontal rib) and the horizontal rib 122. Furthermore, the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126 are provided between the horizontal rib 122 and the horizontal rib 123 (second horizontal rib). The horizontal ribs 120, 123 and the upward inclined rib 126 are connected to the upper wall portion 70, the third lateral wall portion 76 and the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62, respectively, along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the front wall portion 94 interposed therebetween. The rear end of the upward inclined rib 126 is connected to the downward inclined rib 124.

[0093] As described above, the upper wall portion 70 and the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62 are connected to the upper wall portion 52 (first horizontal rib) and the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, respectively. That is, in this embodiment, the upper wall portion 52 of the side member portion 46, the upper wall portion 70 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the horizontal rib 120 of the front pillar 22 are connected (arranged) on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle. In addition, the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the upwardly inclined rib 126 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle. Furthermore, the upper wall portion 76 of the high rigidity portion 62 and the horizontal rib 123 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a side view of the vehicle.

[0094] In this embodiment, the front and rear ends of the horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 123, the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126 are connected to the second boss 108 or the third boss 110, and are connected to the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22 via the connecting rib 112.

[0095] Incidentally, the second boss 108, like the first boss 86, serves as a base against which an ejection pin (not shown) abuts when releasing the integrally cast member 40 including the wheelhouse 14 from the mold during molding.

[0096] For this reason, the second boss 108 is formed to have a height that is approximately flush with the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22. On the other hand, the horizontal ribs 114, 116, etc., the downward inclined rib 124, and the upward inclined rib 126 formed on the inside of the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22 are formed lower than the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22. Because the front pillar 22 is part of the one-piece cast member 40 that is integrally formed by casting, forming the second boss 108 lower than the outer edge wall 23 prevents or suppresses short shots due to poor molten metal flow.

[0097] (joint part) Here, the coupling portion 26 will be described.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 to 8, a connecting portion 26 is provided on the rear side of the lower end portion 22A of the front pillar 22, and a front end portion 24A of the rocker 24 is connected via the connecting portion 26.

[0099] The joint portion 26 is configured to include a front wall portion 100 including the lower end portion of the rear wall portion 68 of the high-rigidity portion 62, a lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22, and an inner wall portion 102. The front wall portion 100 and the lower wall portion 92 are formed to be connected to each other, and the inner wall portion 102 is connected to the cross member 16 side.

[0100] The front wall portion 100 abuts against the front end 25 of the rocker 24, the lower wall portion 92 as the second connecting portion abuts against the upper wall portion 32 of the rocker 24, and the inner wall portion 102 as the first connecting portion abuts against the inner wall portion 28 of the rocker 24. The connecting portion 26 including the lower wall portion 92 and the inner wall portion 102 is connected to the front end portion 24A of the rocker 24 by bolts, welding, or the like (not shown).

[0101] 7 and 9, the aforementioned extension 97 is provided at the rear end of the rear wall 96 of the front pillar 22. The extension 97 is provided with a horizontal wall (second connecting portion) 128 that can come into contact with the upper wall 32 of the rocker 24. A rivet 130 can be attached to the tip of this horizontal wall 128, and the horizontal wall 128 is connected to the upper wall 32 of the rocker 24 via the rivet 130.

[0102] Because the front pillar 22 constitutes part of the door opening 27, the lower end side of the rear wall portion 96 of the front pillar 22 extends toward the rear of the vehicle along the shape of the door opening 27. In other words, the front pillar 22 has an R-shape that protrudes toward the front and bottom of the vehicle.

[0103] The lower end side of the rear wall portion 96 of the front pillar 22 is an extension portion 97 that is connected to the rocker 24, and therefore, a horizontal wall 128 that can abut against the upper wall portion 32 of the rocker 24 is formed on the extension portion 97. For this reason, a vertical wall portion 132 that is at a height different from the rear wall portion 96 is formed on the front end of the horizontal wall 128. A plurality of triangular ribs 134 that are triangular in a side view of the vehicle are formed between the vertical wall portion 132 and the horizontal wall 128, thereby reinforcing the extension portion 97.

[0104] [Action and effect of the vehicle front frame structure] Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle front frame structure according to this embodiment will be described.

[0105] 1, in this embodiment, the vehicle front frame structure 12 includes a first frame 36 including left and right wheel houses 14 and a cross member 16 extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the left and right wheel houses 14, and a second frame 38 including a front pillar 22. In this embodiment, the first frame 36 and the second frame 38 are integrally formed.

[0106] That is, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is molded integrally with the wheel house 14. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22 compared to when the front pillar 22 is configured as a separate body from the wheel house 14. This makes it possible to prevent a collision load from concentrating on the front pillar 22 in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, and in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent a bending moment from being generated in the front pillar 22 in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10.

[0107] Here, the front pillar 22 is connected to a front end portion 25 of the rocker 24. Therefore, in this embodiment, the occurrence of bending moment in the front pillar 22 is suppressed, which makes it possible to suppress deformation of the front pillar 22 before transmitting the collision load to the rocker 24 in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to efficiently transmit the collision load from the wheel house 14 to the rocker 24 side via the front pillar 22.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the wheel houses 14 and the front pillars 22 are integrally formed by casting. As a result, in this embodiment, fasteners for fastening the left and right wheel houses 14 and the front pillars 22 together are not required, making it possible to reduce the number of parts. In other words, in this embodiment, load transmission loss from the wheel houses 14 via the front pillars 22 to the rockers 24 is reduced and load transmission performance is improved without increasing the number of parts.

[0109] 2, the front pillar 22 includes a wall portion 88 and an outer edge wall 23, which includes an upper wall portion 90, a lower wall portion 92, a front wall portion 94, and a rear wall portion 96. This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22 itself compared to a case where the outer edge wall 23 is not provided.

[0110] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is configured to include a wall portion 88 and a plurality of ribs (horizontal ribs 114, 116, downward inclined rib 124, etc.). As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22 itself compared to when the plurality of ribs are not provided.

[0111] In this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is configured to include a wall portion 88, an outer edge wall 23, and the plurality of ribs (horizontal ribs 114, 116, downward inclined rib 124, etc.), and the outer edge wall 23 and the plurality of ribs are indirectly or directly connected to each other. This makes it possible to further improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22 itself as a frame member while achieving weight reduction, compared to, for example, a case in which the plate thickness of the front pillar 22 is increased to improve rigidity.

[0112] In this embodiment, the plurality of ribs are erected on the outer side of the wall portion 88 in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the release direction of the mold that molds the wheel house 14 and the front pillar 22 shown in Fig. 1 is the vehicle width direction. Therefore, by erecting the plurality of ribs from the wall portion 88 along the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to easily release the integrally cast member 40 made up of the wheel house 14 and the front pillar 22 from the mold.

[0113] Furthermore, since the multiple ribs are erected along the vehicle width direction from the wall portion 88, there is no need to provide a slide core or the like to form the ribs in the mold, which makes it possible to reduce costs associated with the mold mechanism.

[0114] 2 and 8, in the present embodiment, at the lower part of the front pillar 22, the horizontal ribs 120, 123 and the upward inclined rib 126 are connected in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the upper wall portion 70, the third lateral wall portion 76, and the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62, respectively, with the front wall portion 94 interposed therebetween. The upper wall portion 70 and the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62 are connected to the upper wall portion 52 and the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, respectively.

[0115] In this embodiment, the upper wall portion 52 of the side member portion 46, the upper wall portion 70 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the horizontal rib 120 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle's side view along the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. In addition, the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the upwardly inclined rib 126 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle's side view along the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the third lateral wall portion 76 of the high rigidity portion 62 and the horizontal rib 123 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in the vehicle's side view along the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction.

[0116] That is, in this embodiment, the upper wall portion 52 of the side member portion 46, the upper wall portion 70 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the horizontal rib 120 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Also, the third lateral wall portion 76 of the high rigidity portion 62 and the horizontal rib 123 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the lower wall portion 54 of the side member portion 46, the second lateral wall portion 74 of the high rigidity portion 62, and the upwardly inclined rib 126 of the front pillar 22 are connected on approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0117] As a result, in this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the collision load transmitted from the side member portion 46 to the high-rigidity portion 62 is reliably transmitted along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction from the horizontal ribs 120, 123 to the horizontal ribs 120, 123. Then, the collision load transmitted to the horizontal ribs 120, 123 can be transmitted along the vehicle fore-and-aft direction to the vehicle rear side of the front pillar 22.

[0118] Furthermore, the collision load transmitted from the side member portion 46 to the high-rigidity portion 62 can be transmitted to the vehicle rear side of the front pillar 22 via the upward inclined rib 126, thereby dispersing the load. For example, at the bottom of the front pillar 22, between the horizontal rib 120 and the horizontal rib 123, an upward inclined rib 126 is provided, the front end of which is connected to the front wall portion 94, and the rear end of the upward inclined rib 126 is connected via the third boss 110 to a downward inclined rib 124A that spans between the horizontal rib 122 and the horizontal rib 123.

[0119] As a result, in this embodiment, the collision load transmitted by the horizontal rib 122 to the upward inclined rib 126 can be transmitted toward the rear of the vehicle, and the collision load transmitted by the downward inclined rib 124A to the upward inclined rib 126 can be transmitted toward the lower side of the vehicle as it moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0120] Here, the rear end of the downward inclined rib 124A is connected to the horizontal rib 123. A connecting portion 26 including a lower wall portion 92 of the front pillar 22 to which the front end portion 24A of the rocker 24 is connected is provided below the horizontal rib 123. Therefore, the collision load transmitted via the downward inclined rib 124A can be effectively transmitted to the rocker 24 side via the connecting portion 26.

[0121] On the other hand, in this embodiment, by connecting ribs with different inclination angles, such as the horizontal ribs 114, 116, etc. and the downward inclined rib 124, and the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126, the ribs are mutually reinforced and the transmitted collision load can be dispersed, making it possible to prevent the collision load from concentrating.

[0122] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, an extension 97 is provided at the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22, and the extension 97 is coupled to the front end 24A of the rocker 24 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction on the outer side of the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment 11. Because the rocker 24 itself is a frame member having high rigidity, the provision of the extension 97 that is coupled to the rocker 24 at the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22 improves the rigidity of the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22.

[0123] Therefore, in this embodiment, deformation of the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22 is suppressed, and in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, it is possible to effectively transmit the collision load from the front pillar 22 to the rocker 24 via the extension portion 97. Note that the rigidity of the extension portion 97 provided at the lower end 22A of the front pillar 22 may be improved by making the plate thickness thicker than other portions or by providing a rib. Furthermore, the rigidity of the extension portion 97 itself may be improved by implementing both of these measures.

[0124] 6 and 9, the extension portion 97 is provided with an inner wall portion 102 as a first connecting portion. The inner wall portion 102 connects the extension portion 97 to the inner wall portion 28 of the rocker 24 in the vehicle width direction.

[0125] In this embodiment, the extending portion 97 is provided with a horizontal wall 128 as a second connecting portion. The horizontal wall 128 connects the extending portion 97 to the upper wall portion 32 of the rocker 24 in the vehicle vertical direction. The horizontal wall 128 is also provided with a triangular rib 134. This makes it possible to improve the rigidity of the horizontal wall 128.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, the extension portion 97 is provided with a front wall portion 100, which is capable of abutting against the front end of the rocker 24. This allows the rocker 24 and the extension portion 97 of the front pillar 22 to be positioned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, by providing the front wall portion 100 in the extension portion 97, it is possible to improve the rigidity of the inner wall portion 102 and the lower wall portion 92.

[0127] As described above, by improving the rigidity of the extension portion 97, high rigidity can be obtained at the joint portion 26. As a result, the vibration level to the rocker 24 is reduced, and pitching of the vehicle 10 can be suppressed.

[0128] 2 and 3, the front pillar 22 is provided with horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123 that extend substantially horizontally along the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the front pillar 22 is able to transmit the collision load toward the rear of the vehicle via the horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123.

[0129] In addition, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is provided with a downward inclined rib 124 that inclines downward toward the vehicle rear. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the front pillar 22 can transmit the collision load downward toward the vehicle via the downward inclined rib 124.

[0130] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is provided with, for example, an intersection 125 where the horizontal rib 114 intersects with the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126. By intersecting the horizontal rib 114 with the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126 in this way, the rigidity of the downward inclined rib 124, the upward inclined rib 126, and the horizontal rib 114 themselves is improved.

[0131] In addition, in this embodiment, in the front pillar 22, ribs with different inclination angles are connected to each other via the intersection 125, so that it is possible to distribute the collision load when the vehicle 10 crashes head-on.

[0132] Although the above explanation does not specifically mention the thickness of the wall portion 88 of the front pillar 22, as shown in Fig. 4, the thickness may be changed depending on the location of the front pillar 22. Here, the dotted portion (thick portion) 136 indicated by fine dots is formed to be thicker than the white portion 138 indicated by white, and in this embodiment, the area (proportion) of the dotted portion 136 is larger on the lower side of the front pillar 22 than on the upper side.

[0133] In this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is partially provided with thick sections 136 that are relatively thicker than other sections, thereby making it possible to reduce weight while partially increasing rigidity and improving the efficiency of transmission of collision loads when the vehicle 10 collides.

[0134] In addition, in this embodiment, the extension portion 97 side of the front pillar 22 has higher rigidity than other portions. As a result, in this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, deformation of the extension portion 97 is suppressed, and the collision load can be reliably transmitted to the rocker 24 side.

[0135] Therefore, in this embodiment, the proportion of the thick portion 136 is greater on the lower side than on the upper side of the front pillar 22, which suppresses deformation on the lower side of the front pillar 22 and makes it possible to reliably transmit the collision load to the rocker 24 side.

[0136] (Modification of this embodiment) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the downward inclined rib 124 and the upward inclined rib 126 are provided on the horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123 that extend approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on the front pillar 22, but the shape of the ribs is not limited to this.

[0137] For example, the shape shown in Fig. 5 may be used. Here, horizontal ribs 158, 160, 162, 164 and a lower wall portion 166 are provided between a vertical wall portion 152, a front wall portion 154 and a rear wall portion 156 of a front pillar 150, and extend substantially horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0138] A plurality of downward inclined ribs 168 intersect with the horizontal ribs 158, 160, 162, and 164, and the upward inclined rib 126 shown in Fig. 2 is not provided. The plurality of downward inclined ribs 168 have approximately the same inclination angle, and the rear ends of the downward inclined ribs 168 are connected to the rear wall portion 156 or the lower wall portion 166. Note that the plurality of downward inclined ribs 168 do not necessarily have to have the same inclination angle.

[0139] As described above, in this embodiment, the rear end of the downward inclined rib 168 is connected to the rear wall portion 156 or the lower wall portion 166. The lower end of the rear wall portion 156 of the front pillar 150 forms an extension portion 170, which is joined to the front end portion 24A of the rocker 24. The lower wall portion 166 of the front pillar 150 is also joined to the front end portion 24A of the rocker 24.

[0140] Therefore, in this embodiment, the collision load transmitted to the front pillar 150 via the horizontal ribs 158, 160, 162, 164 in the vehicle vertical direction can be transmitted to the front end 24A of the rocker 24 via the downward inclined rib 168.

[0141] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the horizontal ribs 162, 164, 164 (second horizontal ribs) formed on the front pillar 150 are connected to the upper wall portion 70, the second lateral wall portion 74, and the third lateral wall portion 76, which serve as first horizontal ribs of the high rigidity portion 62, in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and are each connected on approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle 10, the collision load transmitted from the side member portion 46 to the high rigidity portion 62 is reliably transmitted rearward in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction via the horizontal ribs 162, 164, 164, and can also be transmitted to the front end portion 24A of the rocker 24 via the downward inclined rib 168.

[0142] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, an example has been described in which the one-piece cast member 40 is formed by integrally casting the left and right wheel houses 14 and the cross member 16, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0143] For example, although not shown, a right-side cast member formed by integrally casting the right half of the right wheel house 14 and the cross member 16 may be joined at a joint to be integrated with a left-side cast member formed by integrally casting the left half of the left wheel house 14 and the cross member 16. In this case, the cast member can be made smaller than the integrally cast member 40, which makes it possible to reduce costs associated with the mold mechanism, including the mold equipment.

[0144] Here, the joint is formed by, for example, connecting the tip of the right half of the cross member 16 and the tip of the left half of the cross member 16 so that they overlap in the vehicle longitudinal direction or the vehicle vertical direction. Alternatively, the tip of the right half of the cross member 16 and the tip of the left half of the cross member 16 may be connected by a separate member in a state where they are in contact with each other.

[0145] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front bumper 50 and the crash boxes 48 are described as separate components, but they may also be configured as an integrated unit. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side member portions 46 and the crash boxes 48 are described as separate members, but the side member portions 46 and the crash boxes 48 may also be molded as an integrated unit. In this case, the side member portions 46 have a shape that extends toward the front of the vehicle.

[0146] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the side member portion 46 is molded integrally with the wheel house 14, but it does not necessarily have to be molded integrally. It may be fixed to the lower side of the wheel house 14 as a separate member. In this case, it is possible to use different materials for the wheel house 14 and the side member portion 46.

[0147] 2, in the side member portion 46, the vertical ribs 58 and the vertical ribs 60 are arranged above and below the vehicle with the lateral wall portion 56 therebetween, but this is not limitative. For example, the positions of the vertical ribs 58 and the vertical ribs 60 along the vehicle longitudinal direction may be offset, or the vertical ribs 58, 60 may be inclined ribs that intersect with a straight line along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0148] 6, the extension portion 97 of the front pillar 22 is provided with an inner wall portion 102 as a first joint portion, but the first joint portion is not limited to the inner wall portion 102. For example, although not shown, the extension portion 97 may be provided with an outer wall portion that is joined to the outer wall portion 30 of the rocker 24. Furthermore, the extension portion 97 may be provided with inner and outer wall portions that are joined to the inner and outer wall portions 28 and 30 of the rocker 24, respectively.

[0149] In addition, in this embodiment, the extending portion 97 is provided with a horizontal wall 128 as a second connecting portion, but the second connecting portion is not limited to the horizontal wall 128. For example, although not shown, the extending portion 97 may be provided with an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion that are connected to the upper wall portion 32 and the lower wall portion 34 of the rocker 24.

[0150] In other words, in this embodiment, the extension portion 97 is provided with an inner wall portion 102 as a first connecting portion and a horizontal wall 128 as a second connecting portion, but depending on the shape of the extension portion 97, it may be configured to have either the first connecting portion or the second connecting portion.

[0151] Here, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the extension portion 97 has been described as being provided on the front pillar 22, but this is not limited to this. For example, if there is no clear distinction between the wheel house 14 and the front pillar 22, the extension portion 97 will be provided on a framework that includes these. In this case, the extension portion 97 may be provided on the wheel house 14 as the framework.

[0152] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front pillar 22 is formed with a plurality of ribs, including horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 123, a downward inclined rib 124, and an upward inclined rib 126. The front and rear ends of these ribs are connected to the second boss 108 or the third boss 110, and are connected to the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22 via the connecting rib 112, but this is not limitative. In other words, although not shown, these ribs may be formed so as to be directly connected to the outer edge wall 23 of the front pillar 22.

[0153] In addition, in this embodiment, the horizontal ribs 114, 116, etc., the downward inclined rib 124, and the upward inclined rib 126 are each formed to have approximately the same plate thickness, but this is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the plate thickness of these ribs may be changed depending on the part of the front pillar 22.

[0154] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the horizontal ribs 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 123, the downward inclined rib 124, the upward inclined rib 126, etc. are provided to improve the rigidity of the front pillar 22, and the wall portion 88 is partially provided with the thickened portion 136. However, this is not limiting. For example, the wall portion 88 may be formed to be substantially uniform. Furthermore, the formation of the thickened portion 136 makes it possible to change the shape of these ribs as appropriate. In other words, it is possible to adjust the rigidity for each portion by changing the plate thickness and the formation of the ribs.

[0155] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and one embodiment may be appropriately combined with various modified examples, and the present invention may of course be embodied in various forms as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0156] <Additional Notes> The following configurations may be appropriately combined to form the vehicle front frame structure according to the present invention.

[0157] (Configuration 1) The vehicle front skeletal structure is composed of left and right wheel houses and a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in the vehicle width direction, and the left and right wheel houses and the cross member are provided with a first skeletal portion that is molded as a whole as a single unit, and a second skeletal portion that is molded as a single unit with the first skeletal portion, is located on the rear side of the first skeletal portion, and extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0158] (Configuration 2) The second framework includes a wall extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vehicle vertical direction, and a plurality of ribs provided upright on the outer side of the wall in the vehicle width direction.

[0159] (Configuration 3) An extension portion is provided at the lower end portion in the vehicle vertical direction of at least one of the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion, which is connected to the front end portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a rocker that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the outside of the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment.

[0160] (Configuration 4) The rib is configured to include a first horizontal rib that forms part of the first skeletal portion and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a second horizontal rib that is arranged approximately in the same straight line when viewed from the side of the vehicle and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0161] (Configuration 5) The rib includes a downward inclined rib that inclines downward in the vehicle up-down direction as it extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0162] (Configuration 6) A front end or a rear end of a part of a horizontal rib extending substantially horizontally along the vehicle longitudinal direction in the second framework portion intersects with the downward inclined rib.

[0163] (Configuration 7) An outer edge wall is provided on the outer edge of the second framework portion, outside the wall portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0164] (Configuration 8) The lower side of the second framework in the vehicle vertical direction has higher rigidity than other portions.

[0165] (Configuration 9) The wall of the second skeleton is partially provided with a thick portion that is relatively thicker than other portions.

[0166] (Configuration 10) The thick portion is present in a larger proportion on a lower side of the second framework in the vehicle vertical direction than on an upper side thereof.

[0167] (Configuration 11) The extension portion is provided with a first connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle width direction.

[0168] (Configuration 12) The extension portion is provided with a second connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0169] (Configuration 13) The extension portion is provided with a vertical wall portion that abuts against the front end of the rocker in the vehicle front-rear direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0170] 10 vehicles 11 Cabin 12 Vehicle front frame structure 14 Wheelhouse (first frame part) 16 Cross member (first frame part) 22 Front pillar (second frame) 22A Lower end (lower end of front pillar) 23 Outer Wall 24 Rocca 24A Front end 26 Joint 36 First skeleton 38 Second skeleton 40 Integral casting member 70 Upper wall (first horizontal rib) 74 Second side wall (first horizontal rib) 76 Third horizontal wall section (first horizontal rib) 88 Wall (second skeleton) 90 Upper wall (outer wall) 92 Lower wall (outer edge wall) 94 Front wall (outer wall) 96 Rear wall (outer edge wall) 97 Extension part 98 Vertical wall (outer edge wall) 102 Inner wall portion (first joint portion) 112 Connecting rib (rib) 114 Horizontal rib (rib) 116 Horizontal rib (rib) 120 horizontal rib (second horizontal rib, rib) 122 Horizontal rib (rib) 123 Horizontal rib (second horizontal rib, rib) 124 Downward Inclined Rib (Rib) 125 Intersection 126 Upward Inclined Rib (Rib) 128 Horizontal wall (second joint) 136 Thick wall part 150 front pillar 152 Vertical wall section (outer edge wall) 154 Front wall (outer wall) 156 Rear wall (outer edge wall) 158 Horizontal rib (rib) 160 horizontal rib (rib) 162 horizontal rib (second horizontal rib, rib) 164 Horizontal rib (second horizontal rib, rib) 166 Lower wall (second horizontal rib, outer edge wall) 168 Downward Inclined Rib (Rib) 170 Extension

Claims

1. a first framework including left and right wheel houses and a cross member connecting the left and right wheel houses in a vehicle width direction, the left and right wheel houses and the cross member being integrally molded as a whole; a second skeleton portion that is integrally molded with the first skeleton portion, is provided on the vehicle rear side of the first skeleton portion, and extends in the vehicle up-down direction; A vehicle front skeletal structure comprising:

2. The second skeleton portion is a wall portion extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction; a plurality of ribs provided upright on the outer side of the wall portion in the vehicle width direction; The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 1, comprising:

3. 2. A vehicle front skeletal structure as described in claim 1, wherein the lower end portion in the vehicle vertical direction of at least one of the first skeletal portion and the second skeletal portion is an extension portion that is connected to the front end portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction of a rocker that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on the outside of the vehicle width direction of the passenger compartment.

4. 3. The vehicle front skeletal structure according to claim 2, wherein the rib includes a first horizontal rib that forms part of the first skeletal portion and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a second horizontal rib that is arranged in approximately the same straight line in a side view of the vehicle and extends approximately horizontally along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

5. 3. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 2, wherein the rib includes a downward inclined rib that is inclined downward in the vehicle up-down direction as it extends rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

6. 6. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 5, wherein a front end or a rear end of a horizontal rib extending substantially horizontally along the vehicle longitudinal direction in the second frame portion intersects with the downward inclined rib.

7. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 2 , wherein an outer edge wall is provided on an outer edge of the second frame portion, the outer edge being located outside the wall portion in the vehicle width direction.

8. 2. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 1, wherein a lower portion of the second frame portion in the vehicle vertical direction has higher rigidity than other portions.

9. 2. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the second frame portion is partially provided with a thick portion that is relatively thicker than other portions.

10. 10. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 9, wherein the thick portion is formed in a larger proportion on a lower side of the second frame portion in the vehicle vertical direction than on an upper side thereof.

11. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 3, wherein the extension portion is provided with a first connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle width direction.

12. 4. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 3, wherein the extension portion is provided with a second connecting portion that is connected to the rocker in the vehicle vertical direction.

13. 4. The vehicle front frame structure according to claim 3, wherein the extension portion is provided with a vertical wall portion that abuts against a front end of the rocker in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Images