Vehicle front structure

Abstract

Multiple components are efficiently arranged around the front end of the front side member while absorbing impact. [Solution] The vehicle front structure 100 includes a dash panel 10, a front bumper 20, a front side member 30, a dash side frame 40 located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front side member 30 and extending from above the front wheel T toward the front bumper 20, a bumper member 50 extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear surface of the front bumper 20, a support brace 60 supporting the front part of the front side member 30 from below, a front panel 70 connecting the front end of the front side member 30 and the front end of the dash side frame 40 and facing the front of the vehicle, and a connecting plate 90 connected to the front end of the front side member 30. The connecting plate 90 is joined to the outer part 50a in the vehicle width direction of the bumper member 50, the upper part of the support brace 60, and the inner part 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a vehicle front structure. In the structure of this example, at the front end of a side member (hereinafter referred to as a front side member) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction at the front of the vehicle, a hook bracket and a radiator support are fastened, and further, a front cross member extending in the vehicle width direction is fastened to the hook bracket and the radiator support. And in the structure of this example, the hook bracket is fitted into the front end portion of the front side member and the hook bracket is fastened to the front end portion of the side member by bolts to improve the support strength of the hook bracket, and the front side member is plastically deformed during a collision to mitigate (absorb) the impact.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, the front of a vehicle may be equipped with a dash side frame that is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front side member and extends toward the front bumper, and a support brace that supports the front of the front side member from below. In this case, a front panel is provided that connects the front end of the front side member and the front end of the dash side frame, and it is conceivable that the impact load during a frontal collision will be transmitted to the dash side frame as well, and the impact will be absorbed by deforming the dash side frame. In this case, since many components must be placed at the front end of the front side member, ingenuity may be required to efficiently arrange multiple components around the front end of the front side member while absorbing impact.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front structure that can efficiently arrange multiple members around the front end of the front side member while absorbing impact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, according to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle front structure is provided, which includes a dash panel provided at the front of the vehicle, a front bumper provided in front of the dash panel and extending in the vehicle width direction, a front side member extending from the lower part of the dash panel on the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the front bumper, a dash side frame located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the front side member and extending from above the front wheels toward the front bumper, a bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear surface of the front bumper, and a support brace supporting the front part of the front side member from below. This vehicle front structure includes a front panel that connects the front end of the front side member and the front end of the dash side frame and faces the front of the vehicle, and a connecting plate connected to the front end of the front side member, the outer part of the bumper member in the vehicle width direction, the upper part of the support brace, and the inner part of the front panel in the vehicle width direction being joined to the connecting plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front structure that can efficiently arrange multiple members around the front end of the front side member while absorbing impact. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a partial front view of the front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the front structure of the aforementioned vehicle. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the main part of the aforementioned front structure of the vehicle, as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the main part of the aforementioned front structure of the vehicle, as seen from the underside and rear of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the main part of the aforementioned front structure of the vehicle, as seen from the upper and rear of the vehicle. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the front side member of the aforementioned vehicle front structure. [Figure 7] This is a front view illustrating the structure of the front side member. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the main part of the front structure of the aforementioned vehicle. [Figure 9] This is a top view of the main part of the front structure of the vehicle. [Figure 10] This is a partially enlarged front view of the vehicle's front structure, including the connecting plate. [Figure 11] This is an enlarged top view taken from direction A in Figure 10. [Figure 12] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams illustrating a vehicle front structure 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a partial front view of the vehicle front structure 100, Figure 2 is a side view of the vehicle front structure 100, and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the vehicle front structure 100 as seen from the front of the vehicle. In the figures, the direction of arrow Fr indicates the front in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the direction of arrow O indicates the outward direction of the vehicle in the vehicle's width direction, and the direction of arrow U indicates the upward direction of the vehicle in the vehicle's vertical direction. In the following description, "front" and "rear" correspond to the front and rear in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, "up" and "down" correspond to the up and down in the vehicle's vertical direction, and "left" and "right" correspond to the left and right in the vehicle's width direction when the occupants inside the vehicle are facing forward.

[0010] The vehicle front structure 100 of this embodiment is mainly applied to the front of a vehicle, as shown in Figures 1 to 3. Although not particularly limited, the vehicle to which the vehicle front structure 100 is applied in this embodiment is a small vehicle with a relatively short longitudinal dimension of the front of the vehicle (specifically, the portion from the dash panel 10 to the front bumper 20, as described later). Note that each figure shows the portion of the vehicle front structure 100 that includes the left front wheel T of the vehicle. The portion of the vehicle front structure 100 that includes the right front wheel has the same structure as the portion that includes the left front wheel T, except that it is symmetrical to the portion that includes the left front wheel T.

[0011] In this embodiment, the vehicle to which the vehicle front structure 100 is applied is an electric vehicle. This vehicle is equipped with, for example, an electric motor for vehicle propulsion (not shown), which is powered by electricity supplied from a battery.

[0012] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle front structure 100 of this embodiment includes a dash panel 10, a front bumper 20, a front side member 30, a dash side frame 40, a bumper member 50, a support brace 60, and a front panel 70.

[0013] The dash panel 10 is provided at the front part of the vehicle. The dash panel 10 is, for example, a panel material that partitions the engine room P and the passenger compartment, and generally extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction. In the engine room P, drive devices such as an engine and an electric motor (in this embodiment, an electric motor) are arranged. The engine room P is also referred to as a power unit room and is mainly formed by the dash panel 10, the front bumper 20, and a front hood (not shown) that extends from the upper end of the dash panel 10 to the upper end of the front bumper. Referring to FIG. 2, a dash side panel 11, which is a panel material extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, is joined to the upper portion of the outer side of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] The front bumper 20 is a member provided in front of the dash panel 10 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and is located at the front end of the vehicle. An electrical component E is attached to the outer portion of the front bumper 20 in the vehicle width direction so as to protrude rearward from the rear surface of the front bumper 20. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, the electrical component E is a fog lamp.

[0015] The vehicle to which the vehicle front structure 100 of this embodiment is applied is a vehicle in which the distance between the front end of the front wheel T and the front bumper 20 is significantly short. Therefore, among small vehicles with a narrow space in the front-rear direction and vehicle width direction of the engine room P, this vehicle is a small vehicle with a significantly narrow space between the front bumper 20 and the front wheel T.

[0016] The front side member 30 is a highly rigid member that forms a part of the vehicle body structure member (vehicle body skeleton) at the bottom of the vehicle body. The front side member 30 extends from the outer portion of the lower part of the dash panel 10 in the vehicle width direction toward the front bumper 20 (forward). In other words, the front side member 30 extends forward from the outer portion of the vehicle floor panel 12 (see FIG. 2) of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the vehicle front structure 100 as viewed from below and rearward of the vehicle, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the vehicle front structure 100 as viewed from above and rearward of the vehicle. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams for explaining the internal structure of the front side member 30, FIG. 6 is a perspective view, and FIG. 7 is a front view. In FIG. 5, the front bumper 20 and the electrical component E are removed, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, members (support brace 60, front panel 70, connecting plate 90 to be described later, etc.) arranged in front of the front side member 30 are removed. In FIG. 7, the outer shape of the connecting plate 90 to be described later is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, in the illustrated example, the front side member 30 has a side member main body 30A and a side member reinforcement 30B. The side member main body 30A has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to its extending direction (the vehicle front-rear direction, the longitudinal direction), and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. The side opening of the side member main body 30A is closed by the side member reinforcement 30B being joined to the lower flange 31 and the upper flange 32 of the side member main body 30A by means such as spot welding. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, in a cross-sectional view orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the front side member 30, a substantially rectangular (in other words, square tubular) closed cross-sectional structure is formed. That is, the side member main body 30A (front side member 30) has a lower wall 33, an upper wall 34 located above the lower wall 33, a member vertical wall 35 connecting the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall 33 and the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall 34, a lower flange 31 extending downward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall 33, and an upper flange 32 extending upward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall 34.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, in the illustrated example, a lower side member 80 extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction below the front side member 30. Specifically, the lower side member 80 is a highly rigid member. The lower side member 80 extends toward the front bumper 20 (forward) from the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front cross member (not shown), which extends in the vehicle width direction below the dash panel 10. The portions of the left and right front side members 30 on the dash panel 10 side are connected to the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front cross member. The front end position of the lower side member 80 is aligned with the front end position of the front side member 30.

[0020] The dash side frame 40 is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front side member 30 and extends from above the front wheel T toward the front bumper 20. In the illustrated example, the dash side frame 40 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper part of the dash panel 10, more specifically from the dash side panel 11 (see Figure 2) toward the front of the vehicle, and is positioned above the outer part in the vehicle width direction of the wheel well (not shown) that covers the front wheel T. Furthermore, the dash side frame 40 extends generally downward in the front direction from the upper part of the dash side panel 11 to a position spaced outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front end of the front side member 30.

[0021] Referring to Figure 2, the dash side frame 40 extends generally in a straight line, sloping downwards towards the front, from the dash panel 10 to a predetermined midpoint in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In the illustrated example, the position of the midpoint in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is set at a predetermined longitudinal position between the radial center of the front wheel T and the front end of the front wheel T. The dash side frame 40 then curves downwards towards the front bumper 20 from the midpoint, extending in an arc shape. The lower end of the dash side frame 40 is positioned in the vehicle's vertical direction to match the height of the lower end of the outer corner in the vehicle width direction of the front bumper 20.

[0022] The dash side frame 40 extends linearly in the vertical direction of the vehicle at its lower end, and at this lower end, it has a front portion 40a that faces forward and is opposite the rear surface of the front bumper 20. The front portion 40a constitutes the front end of the dash side frame 40. The front portion 40a is located between the rear surface (back surface) of the front bumper 20 and the front end of the front wheel T in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and is located within the tire width of the front wheel T in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] In the illustrated example, the dash side frame 40 has a frame body 40A and a lower frame 40B, which are joined to each other. In the illustrated example, the rear end of the frame body 40A is located behind the rear end of the lower frame 40B, and the rear half of the lower frame 40B is positioned to overlap the front half of the frame body 40A from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the frame body 40A and the lower frame 40B overlap in part and are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the frame, and the lower end of the lower frame 40B protrudes (is extended) below the lower end (front end) of the frame body 40A.

[0024] Specifically, the frame body 40A extends from the rear end of the dash side frame 40 to the upper end of the front portion 40a. The frame body 40A extends with a generally crank-shaped cross-section when viewed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to its own extension direction (longitudinal direction). More specifically, the frame body 40A consists of an upper wall 41 having surfaces facing upward and forward, a vertical wall 42 extending downward and rearward from the inner part of the upper wall 41 in the vehicle width direction, and a lower frame flange 43 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the vertical wall 42.

[0025] The lower frame 40B extends with a roughly hat-shaped cross-section (see Figure 4) that is open to the upper and front of the vehicle in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to its own extension direction (longitudinal direction). In the area where the main frame 40A and the lower frame 40B overlap, the upward opening of the lower frame 40B is closed by joining the main frame 40A (the outer part of the upper wall 41 in the vehicle width direction, the lower frame flange 43) to the left flange 44 (the flange on the outer side in the vehicle width direction) and the right flange 45 (the flange on the inner side in the vehicle width direction) of the lower frame 40B by spot welding or the like. As a result, in the area where the main frame 40A and the lower frame 40B overlap, a closed cross-sectional structure with a roughly rectangular shape (in other words, a rectangular tube shape) is formed in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the dash side frame 40.

[0026] The bumper member 50 is a component that supports the front bumper 20 from the rear side and extends in the vehicle width direction along the rear surface of the front bumper 20. The bumper member 50 is supported by the left front side member 30 and the right front side member 30.

[0027] The support brace 60 is a member that supports the front part of the front side member 30 from below. Referring to Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 7, in the illustrated example, the support brace 60 has a brace body portion 61 and a brace extension portion 62.

[0028] The support brace 60 is positioned on the upper surface of the front end of the lower side member 80 and is supported from below by the lower side member 80. The support brace 60 connects the front end 30a of the front side member 30 to the front end of the lower side member 80, and the front part of the front side member 30 is supported by the lower side member 80 via the support brace 60.

[0029] The brace body 61 has a groove-shaped cross-section that is open outward in the width direction of the vehicle, and extends from the upper surface of the lower side member 80 to the lower surface of the side member body 30A of the front side member 30. In other words, in the illustrated example, the brace body 61 has a front wall 61a, a rear wall 61b, an inner wall 61c, and a bottom wall 61d. The lower end of the brace body 61 (i.e., the bottom wall 61d) is attached to the lower side member 80 by a fastening member (a bolt 63 in the illustrated example).

[0030] The brace extension 62 has a front extension 62a that extends upward in conjunction with the front wall 61a, and a side extension 62b that extends upward in conjunction with the inner wall 61c. In the illustrated example, the brace extension 62 protrudes upward from the upper wall 34 of the front side member 30.

[0031] In the illustrated example, a brace reinforcement 64 is attached to the support brace 60. The brace reinforcement 64 is a member that reinforces the outer portion of the front wall 61a of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction from the rear, and is attached to the brace body 61 by spot welding or the like so as to close the side opening of the brace body 61. The brace body 61 and the brace reinforcement 64 form a roughly rectangular cylindrical column that extends in the vertical direction.

[0032] The front panel 70 is a panel that connects the front end 30a of the front side member 30 and the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 and faces the front of the vehicle. The front panel 70 extends from the front end 30a of the front side member 30 to the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 and has a front facing the front of the vehicle, and is joined to the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40.

[0033] The front panel 70 has a larger area than the area of ​​the front end 30a of the front side member 30 and the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 when viewed from the front of the vehicle in a plan view. In the illustrated example, the front panel 70 extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction and is formed as a panel with a generally rectangular outer shape. In this way, a large area plane facing the front of the vehicle is easily formed by the front surface of the front panel 70 between the front end 30a of the high-strength front side member 30 and the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40. As a result, in the vehicle front structure 100, in the event of a collision such as a frontal collision, the impact load input to the front of the vehicle is efficiently transmitted to the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 through the front panel 70, causing the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 to deform, and consequently, the impact energy of the frontal collision is effectively absorbed as deformation energy. In this way, the vehicle front structure 100 has an impact absorbing structure that can absorb the impact of a frontal collision.

[0034] The front panel 70, which is part of the impact absorption structure, is located close to and facing the outer portion of the rear surface of the front bumper 20 in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the front end 30a of the front side member 30 (and the front end of the dash side frame 40) is located near the rear surface of the front bumper 20. The outer portion of the rear surface of the front bumper 20 in the vehicle width direction is set as the location (mounting location) for the electrical component E. That is, the position of the location for the electrical component E in the vehicle longitudinal direction is set near the front end of the front side member 30.

[0035] Figures 8 to 12 are diagrams illustrating the main parts of the vehicle front structure 100. Figure 8 is a front view of the main part, Figure 9 is a top view of the main part, Figure 10 is a partially enlarged front view of the part of the vehicle front structure 100 including the connecting plate 90 which will be described later, Figure 11 is an enlarged top view seen from direction A in Figure 10, and Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 10 along line BB.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, 8 and 9, the front vehicle structure 100 has the following structure in order to achieve the above-mentioned arrangement (layout) of the electrical components E. In the front vehicle structure 100, (1) the front panel 70 has a storage section 71 that forms an area S (hereinafter referred to as the storage area S) inside which houses at least the rear portion of the electrical components E that are attached to the front bumper 20 and protrude rearward from the front bumper 20, and (2) the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 are joined to the front panel 70, spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 are not directly joined to each other on the front panel 70 side, but are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction, and a space is provided between the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40.

[0037] Specifically, the front panel 70 has a large front surface facing the front of the vehicle and opposite the rear surface of the front bumper 20. The front panel 70 fills the gap between the front end 30a of the front side member 30 and the support brace 60 and the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40. The inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the front end 30a of the front side member 30 and the support brace 60 from the front by spot welding or the like, and the outer portion 70b of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 from the front by spot welding or the like.

[0038] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 is offset rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the front end 30a of the front side member 30. The intermediate panel portion 70m of the front panel 70, located between the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40, is inclined so that it moves further rearward relative to the front end 30a of the front side member 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction as it moves from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction. The inside portion 70a and the outside portion 70b of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction each extend linearly in the vehicle width direction and parallel to each other, and the intermediate panel portion 70m connects the inside portion 70a and the outside portion 70b in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] In the illustrated example, the storage section 71 has a plate-shaped annular plate portion 71a that surrounds the rear of the electrical component E. Referring to Figure 9, the rear of the electrical component E is positioned in a region that overlaps with the position of the annular plate portion 71a in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The electrical component E is positioned between the front wheel T and the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction, with its rear end protruding further rearward than the rear surface of the annular plate portion 71a. Specifically, the storage area S is provided in the vehicle width direction from a position near the outer virtual plane V1 along the inner surface of the front wheel T in the vehicle width direction to a position near the inner virtual plane V2 along the outer surface of the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the position of the inner surface of the dash side frame 40 in the vehicle width direction coincides with or approximately coincides with the position of the inner surface of the front wheel T in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the outer virtual plane V1 also coincides with the inner surface of the dash side frame 40 in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] In the illustrated example, the storage section 71 has a cylindrical portion 71b that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle from the inner edge 71a1 of the annular plate portion 71a, and is open in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on the inside of the cylindrical portion 71b. In other words, a hole is made through the front panel 70 in the portion of the front panel 70 corresponding to the storage area S, and the area around the hole is the annular plate portion 71a. The cylindrical portion 71b is formed by burring the inner edge of the annular plate portion 71a. The cylindrical portion 71b of the storage section 71 has no bottom and is open toward the rear.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the front panel 70 has a lateral reinforcing portion 72 extending in the vehicle width direction and a longitudinal reinforcing portion 73 extending in the vehicle vertical direction along the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40. Specifically, the lateral reinforcing portion 72 is provided at both the upper and lower positions of the storage portion 71. The lateral reinforcing portion 72 consists of a bead that bulges forward of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the lateral reinforcing portion 72 extends from the inner end of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction to the front position of the front portion 40a of the dash side frame 40, and is formed to taper in the vertical width on the front side member 30 side. In the illustrated example, the longitudinal reinforcing portion 73 extends continuously with the upper and lower lateral reinforcing portions 72 and, like the lateral reinforcing portions 72, consists of a bead that bulges forward of the vehicle. The longitudinal reinforcing portion 73 extends from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the upper lateral reinforcing portion 72 to the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the lower lateral reinforcing portion 72. Therefore, the bead, consisting of a pair of upper and lower lateral reinforcing sections 72 and a vertical reinforcing section 73, is a U-shaped bead that is generally open inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front. The U-shaped bead is arranged to surround the storage section 71 when viewed from the front.

[0042] In the illustrated example, a projection 74 is provided at the lower part of the front panel 70, extending in the vehicle width direction and projecting forward of the vehicle. The projection 74 extends outwards on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the storage compartment 71. In the illustrated example, the projection 74 is a separate component from the front panel 70 and is joined to the front panel 70 by spot welding or the like. Specifically, the projection 74 extends along the lower edge of the front panel 70. The projection 74 is located at the height of the radial center (central axis) of the front wheel T. Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, the projection 74 consists of a joining flange 74a along the front panel 70, a main body portion 74b projecting forward from the joining flange 74a, and an upper projection 74c extending upward from the front end of the main body portion 74b.

[0043] The protruding portion 74 extends in accordance with the inclined shape of the front panel 70. In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 74 extends outward in the vehicle width direction to a position in front of the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40, and inward in the vehicle width direction to a position near the inner virtual plane V2 that is along the outer surface of the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] In the illustrated example, the front end of the protrusion 74 protrudes forward of the front end of the electrical component E. The rear end of the electrical component E protrudes rearward of the rear surface of the annular plate portion 71a of the front panel 70, as described above. More specifically, the rear end of the electrical component E protrudes rearward of the rear end of the cylindrical portion 71b. Furthermore, the front end of the electrical component E protrudes forward of the front end (bead top) of the lateral reinforcement portion 72 of the front panel 70. In other words, the front end of the electrical component E is located between the front end of the front panel 70 and the front end of the protrusion 74 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0045] As described above, many components, such as the bumper member 50, support brace 60, and front panel 70, must be arranged around the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30. In order to provide a vehicle front structure that can efficiently arrange multiple components around the front end portion of the front side member 30 while absorbing impact during a frontal collision, the vehicle front structure 100 further has the following structure.

[0046] Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the vehicle front structure 100 includes a connecting plate 90 in addition to the members described above. The connecting plate 90 is made of a thin metal plate. The connecting plate 90 is an element that functions as a hub for connecting multiple members to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30.

[0047] The connecting plate 90 is located between the front side member 30 and the front bumper 20 and is connected to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30. The connecting plate 90 is joined to the outer portion 50a in the vehicle width direction of the bumper member 50, the upper part of the support brace 60, and the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70. In other words, multiple components (front side member 30, bumper member 50, support brace 60, and front panel 70) are joined to the connecting plate 90, and the connecting plate 90 connects these multiple components to each other, allowing these multiple components to be positioned in the narrow space around the front end portion of the front side member 30.

[0048] Specifically, in relation to the front side member 30, the front wall 61a of the brace body 61 of the support brace 60 is joined to the front lower flange 33a (see Figure 6) extending downward from the front end of the lower wall 33 of the front side member 30 by spot welding, etc., and the upper end of the rear wall 61b (see Figure 4) of the brace body 61 is joined to the lower wall 33 of the front side member 30 by spot welding, etc. In this way, the support brace 60 connects the front side member 30 and the lower side member 80. The front extension 62a is positioned to cover most of the front end opening of the front side member 30. The front extension 62a is joined to the front upper flange 34a (see Figures 6 and 7) extending upward from the front end of the upper wall 34 of the front side member 30 by spot welding, etc. The side extension 62b is joined to the member vertical wall 35 of the front side member 30 by spot welding, etc. In other words, in this embodiment, the support brace 60 (brace extension 62) has a side extension 62b that is joined to the side wall (member vertical wall 35) of the front side member 30.

[0049] In this embodiment, the front side member 30 has a side member outer flange 36 (see Figures 4-7, 9, and 11-12) that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the front side member 30. In the illustrated example, the side member outer flange 36 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the side member reinforcement 30B. Referring to Figure 4, the side member outer flange 36 extends in a continuous manner with the brace outer flange 64a that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the brace reinforcement 64 that closes the side opening of the brace body portion 61 of the support brace 60. The brace reinforcement 64 is bent in the vehicle width direction in the middle portion such that the lower part is located inward in the vehicle width direction than the upper part, and the brace outer flange 64a is similarly bent. The upper end of the brace outer flange 64a overlaps with the rear surface of the lower end of the side member outer flange 36 and is joined by spot welding or the like. Furthermore, the outer portion of the front extension 62a of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer flange 36 of the side member by spot welding or the like, and the outer portion of the front wall 61a of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer flange 64a of the brace by spot welding or the like. Therefore, the front wall 61a and the front extension 62a of the support brace 60 are supported from the rear by the front lower flange 33a, front upper flange 34a and outer flange 36 of the front side member 30, and the outer flange 64a of the brace reinforcement 64.

[0050] Referring to Figure 7, the upper outer portion of the brace extension 62 (front extension 62a) of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction is cut out. When the support brace 60 is joined to the front end 30a (front lower flange 33a, front upper flange 34a, etc.) of the front side member 30, the portion of the front end opening of the front side member 30 corresponding to the cut-out portion of the brace extension 62 remains open. The connecting plate 90 is provided to close the portion of the front end opening of the front side member 30 corresponding to the cut-out portion of the brace extension 62.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in Figures 7 to 12, the connecting plate 90 is superimposed on the front extension 62a of the support brace 60 and the front upper flange 34a and side member outer flange 36 of the front side member 30, so as to close off the area around the upper left corner of the front end opening of the front side member 30 from the front. The front extension 62a of the support brace 60 is sandwiched between the front upper flange 34a and the connecting plate 90. In this state, in this embodiment, the connecting plate 90 is joined to at least the side member outer flange 36 by spot welding or the like. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the connecting plate 90 is connected to the front end 30a of the front side member 30 by being joined to the side member outer flange 36 and front upper flange 34a of the front side member 30 by spot welding or the like.

[0052] In this embodiment, a towing nut N is provided on the connecting plate 90. The towing nut N is a nut used when towing other vehicles, and is welded to the connecting plate 90 while penetrating it. The rear part of the towing nut N is located inside the closed structure of the front side member 30. The rear part of the towing nut N is joined to the side of the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, a bulging portion 30B1 is formed in the part of the side member reinforcement 30B of the front side member 30 that corresponds to the towing nut N, bulging outward in the vehicle width direction. The rear part of the towing nut N extends along the inner surface of the bulging portion 30B1 of the side member reinforcement 30B of the front side member 30 and is joined to the inner surface of the bulging portion 30B1.

[0053] Referring to Figures 8 to 12, the outer portion 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30. In the illustrated example, the outer portion 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30 by fastening to the front extension portion 62a of the support brace 60, which is welded to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30, by fastening with a fastening member (bolt 51 in the illustrated example).

[0054] Specifically, referring to Figure 11, the front extension 62a and the inner part of the connecting plate 90 in the vehicle width direction are positioned between the inner part of the front upper flange 34a of the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction and the outer part 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction, with the connecting plate 90 sandwiched between the front extension 62a and the outer part 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction. Referring to Figure 12, the outer part 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction is fastened to the connecting plate 90 and the front extension 62a by two upper and lower bolts 51, with the inner part of the connecting plate 90 in the vehicle width direction sandwiched between the outer part 50a and the front extension 62a. In other words, the outer part 50a of the bumper member 50 in the vehicle width direction and the upper part of the support brace 60 (front extension 62a) are joined to the connecting plate 90 by bolt fastening.

[0055] More specifically, the bolt 51 is inserted through the bolt insertion holes formed in the bumper member 50 and the connecting plate 90, and through the bolt insertion hole 62a1 formed in the front extension 62a. The end of the bolt 51 is then screwed into a weld nut 62a2 welded to the rear surface of the front extension 62a, thereby connecting the bumper member 50 and the connecting plate 90 to the front end 30a of the front side member 30 via the front extension 62a of the support brace 60.

[0056] In the illustrated example, when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the upper end of the connecting plate 90 is aligned with the upper end of the front upper flange 34a of the front side member 30, the inner end of the connecting plate 90 in the vehicle width direction is aligned with the inner end of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction and does not protrude inward in the vehicle width direction beyond the side extension 62b, and the outer part of the plate 90a, which is the outer part of the connecting plate 90 in the vehicle width direction, protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the outer end of the support brace 60 in the vehicle width direction and the outer end of the side member outer flange 36 of the front side member 30 in the vehicle width direction. The outer part of the plate 90a of the connecting plate 90 bends towards the rear of the vehicle at a plate bending portion 90a1 set near the outer end of the side member outer flange 36 in the vehicle width direction and extends along the rear surface of the inclined intermediate panel portion 70m of the front panel 70. More specifically, the position of the plate bend 90a1 is aligned with the position of the bend at the boundary between the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 and the intermediate panel portion 70m. The outer portion of the intermediate panel portion 70m in the vehicle width direction is curved to smoothly connect to the outer portion 70b in the vehicle width direction. The portion of the connecting plate 90 that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the plate bend 90a1 constitutes a flat plate portion 90b facing the front of the vehicle. The inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is superimposed from the front onto the flat plate portion 90b of the connecting plate 90, the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front extension 62a of the support brace 60, the outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the front wall 61a, and the outer flange 64a of the brace reinforcement 64.

[0057] In this embodiment, the upper part of the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the connecting plate 90 by, for example, spot welding, and the lower part of the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the support brace 60 by, for example, spot welding.

[0058] Specifically, the upper part of the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the portion of the lower part of the flat portion 90b of the connecting plate 90 that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the plate bent portion 90a1. The lower part of the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the outer portion of the front wall 61a in the vehicle width direction. In the illustrated example, the middle portion of the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle vertical direction is joined to the outer portion of the front extension 62a in the vehicle width direction. The inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is firmly supported from the rear by the flanges (side member outer flange 36, brace outer flange 64a) located behind the connecting plate 90, the front extension 62a, and the front wall 61a. More specifically, the inner portion 70a of the front panel 70 in the vehicle width direction is supported from the rear at the top by the overlapping portion of the connecting plate 90 and the outer flange 36 of the side member, and in part of the middle portion it is supported from the rear by the overlapping portion (a triple-layered element) of the outer portion of the front wall 61a in the vehicle width direction, the lower part of the outer flange 36 of the side member, and the upper part of the outer flange 64a of the brace.

[0059] In the illustrated example, the upper part of the intermediate panel section 70m of the front panel 70 is joined to the portion of the connecting plate 90 that is further outward in the vehicle width direction than the plate bend 90a1 of the outer plate portion 90a of the connecting plate 90. In other words, the joint between the front panel 70 and the connecting plate 90 is set to straddle both the plate bend 90a1 of the connecting plate 90 and the bend of the front panel 70.

[0060] As described above, the connecting plate 90 connected to the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30 is joined to the outer portion 50a in the vehicle width direction of the bumper member 50 and the upper part (front extension portion 62a) of the support brace 60 by bolt fastening, and the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 is joined by spot welding.

[0061] In this embodiment, the front side member 30 has a weak portion 37 provided behind the side extension 62b and adjacent to the side extension 62b. The weak portion 37 is provided in the member vertical wall 35 of the side member body 30A of the front side member 30. The weak portion 37 is a region formed with a lower strength than other regions of the front side member 30 (e.g., compressive strength). Although not particularly limited, in the illustrated example, the weak portion 37 is formed by opening a hole that penetrates the member vertical wall 35. Also in the illustrated example, the holes for forming the weak portion 37 are opened at multiple locations spaced apart in the vertical direction. The portion of the member vertical wall 35 corresponding to the weak portion 37 is recessed inward of the front side member 30 over its entire length in the vertical direction.

[0062] The vehicle front structure 100 according to this embodiment includes a front panel 70 that connects the front end 30a of the front side member 30 and the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40 and faces forward. Therefore, in the event of a collision such as a frontal collision, the impact load applied to the front of the vehicle is efficiently transmitted to the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 through the front panel 70, causing the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40 to deform, and consequently, the impact energy of the frontal collision is effectively absorbed as deformation energy. Furthermore, the vehicle front structure 100 includes a connecting plate 90 connected to the front end 30a of the front side member 30, to which the outer portion 50a in the vehicle width direction of the bumper member 50, the upper part of the support brace 60, and the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 are joined. As a result, the vehicle front structure 100 efficiently connects multiple components (front side member 30, bumper member 50, support brace 60, and front panel 70) using the connecting plate 90, and efficiently arranges these components in the narrow space near the front end of the front side member 30. Furthermore, the connection of multiple components to the connecting plate 90 improves the strength of the connecting plate 90, making it easier to maintain the shape of the front end 30a of the front side member 30 during a frontal collision. As a result, the impact load input from the front during a frontal collision is reliably transmitted to the front side member 30, allowing the intended deformation (impact absorption mode) to occur during a frontal collision.

[0063] As described above, the vehicle front structure 100 of this embodiment allows for the efficient arrangement of multiple members around the front end of the front side member 30 while absorbing impact.

[0064] In this embodiment, the upper part of the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 is joined to the connecting plate 90, and the lower part of the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 is joined to the support brace 60. Therefore, the upper and lower parts of the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction of the front panel 70 are firmly supported from the rear by other members (connecting plate 90, support brace 60). As a result, for example, if the front panel 70 is formed by bending backward on the outside of the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction, as in this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision, the front panel 70 is more likely to bend backward starting from the bend near the inner portion 70a in the vehicle width direction, making it easier to control the deformation and easily produce the intended deformation (impact absorption mode) in the event of a frontal collision.

[0065] In this embodiment, the support brace 60 has a side extension 62b that connects to the member vertical wall 35, which is the side wall of the front side member 30. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the impact load is effectively input to the member vertical wall 35 of the front side member 30 via the side extension 62b. As a result, deformation of the front side member 30 is more easily promoted in the event of a frontal collision, and effective impact absorption is achieved.

[0066] In this embodiment, the front side member 30 has a vulnerable portion 37 provided behind the side extension portion 62b and adjacent to the side extension portion 62b. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the deformation of the front side member 30 is more reliably promoted at the vulnerable portion 37, and impact absorption is more effectively achieved.

[0067] In this embodiment, the front side member 30 has an outer side flange 36 extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the front side member 30, and the connecting plate 90 is joined to at least the outer side flange 36. Therefore, the tilting of the connecting plate 90 outward in the vehicle width direction during a frontal collision is suppressed, and the deformation of the shape of the front end portion 30a of the front side member 30 caused by the tilting of the connecting plate 90 is suppressed. Therefore, the intended deformation of the front side member 30 during a frontal collision is more likely to occur.

[0068] In this embodiment, a towing nut N is provided on the connecting plate 90. As described above, the strength of the connecting plate 90 is improved by joining multiple members to the connecting plate 90, and by providing the towing nut N on this high-strength connecting plate 90, support rigidity for the towing nut N is easily ensured. Furthermore, by joining the rear part of the towing nut N to the vehicle width direction side of the front side member 30 (the inner surface of the side member reinforcement 30B), the strength against longitudinal loads applied to the towing nut N is effectively improved.

[0069] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 100 according to this embodiment, in the event of a frontal collision, the electrical components E retract and are housed in the storage compartment 71, moving to the rear of the vehicle together with the front panel 70. At this time, the vehicle front structure 100 efficiently receives the impact load input from the front of the vehicle with the front panel 70 and efficiently transmits it to the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40, and by deforming the front side member 30 and the dash side frame 40, it can effectively absorb the impact energy. Therefore, the vehicle front structure 100 of this embodiment is a vehicle front structure that can absorb the impact of a frontal collision while arranging the electrical components E and multiple members (bumper member 50, support brace 60, front panel 70 and connecting plate 90) in a narrow space around the front end 30a of the front side member 30. In other words, the storage compartment 71 enables the layout of electrical components E in a narrow space, while the front panel 70 promotes impact absorption.

[0070] In this embodiment, the annular plate portion 71a prevents the electrical component E from moving in all directions (vertically and horizontally) due to the impact of a frontal collision, thereby preventing contact between the electrical component E and the front wheel T, and preventing unintended contact of the component with the front wheel T. In addition, the shape of the storage portion 71 is maintained by the cylindrical portion 71b during a minor collision, ensuring the rigidity of the front panel 70. As a result, the impact absorption performance can be maintained even after a minor collision, for example, during a severe frontal collision (severe collision).

[0071] In this embodiment, the rigidity of the front panel 70 can be improved by the lateral reinforcement portion 72 and the vertical reinforcement portion 73, thereby improving the impact absorption performance. In the illustrated example, during a frontal collision, the deformation of the inclined portion of the front panel 70 is suppressed by the lateral reinforcement portion 72. Furthermore, during a frontal collision, the deformation of the portion of the front panel 70 located in front of the front end portion (front part 40a) of the dash side frame 40 is suppressed by the vertical reinforcement portion 73, so that the front end portion (front part 40a) of the dash side frame 40 makes firm contact with the front of the front wheel T over a wide area. As a result, impact energy is effectively absorbed by the dash side frame 40 and the front wheel T, improving the impact absorption performance.

[0072] In this embodiment, the lower part of the front panel 70 is provided with a projection 74 that extends in the vehicle width direction and protrudes forward of the vehicle, and this projection 74 extends outwards on both sides in the vehicle width direction relative to the storage compartment 71. This further improves the rigidity of the front panel 70, and in the event of a frontal collision, the impact load is efficiently transmitted to the front end (front portion 40a) of the dash side frame 40. As a result, the rearward deformation of the dash side frame 40 is promoted, and impact absorption is made more effective. The projection 74 also helps to maintain the shape of the opening in the storage compartment 71. Furthermore, in the event of a frontal collision, the projection 74 can strike the lower part of the object being hit, causing the lower part of the object to be thrown forward and guide the obstacle onto the front hood, which is advantageous, for example, from the viewpoint of pedestrian protection. The front end of the projection 74 protrudes forward of the front end of the electrical component E. In the event of a minor collision, the electrical component E is protected and damage to the electrical component E is prevented. Furthermore, obstacles can be more reliably deflected during a frontal collision, potentially leading to more reliable protection of pedestrians, for example.

[0073] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications and changes can be made based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0074] For example, the outer portion 90a of the connecting plate 90 may not bend toward the rear of the vehicle, but may extend linearly outward in the vehicle width direction, continuous with the flat portion 90b of the plate. Also, the cylindrical portion 71b of the storage portion 71 may have a bottom and may not be open toward the rear. Furthermore, the storage portion 71 may not have a cylindrical portion 71b. The lateral reinforcement portion 72, the vertical reinforcement portion 73, and the protruding portion 74 may be provided with at least one of these, or none of them may be provided. The protruding portion 74 may be formed integrally with the front panel 70. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10. Dashboard 11. Dash side panel 12 Floor Panels 20 Front Bumper 30 Front side member 30a Front end 30A Side Member Body 30B Side Member Reinforcement 30B1 Bulge 31 Lower flange 32 Upper flange 33 Lower wall 33a Front lower flange 34 Upper wall 34a Front upper flange 35 Member vertical wall 36 Side member outer flange 37 Vulnerable parts 40 Dash Side Frame 40a Front part (front end) 40A Frame Body 40B Lower Frame 41 Upper wall 42 Vertical walls 43 Lower frame flange 44 Left flange 45 Right flange 50 Bumper Members 50a Outer part in the vehicle width direction 51 volts 60 Support Brace 61 Brace body 61a front wall 61b Back wall 61c Inner wall 61d Bottom wall 62 Brace extension 62a Front extension 62a1 Bolt insertion hole 62a2 Weld Nut 62b Side extension 63 volts 64 Brace Reinforcement 64a Brace outer flange 70 Front Panel 70a Inner part in the vehicle width direction 70b Outer part in the vehicle width direction 70m intermediate panel section 71 Storage compartment 71a Annular plate section 71a1 Inner edge 71b Cylindrical part 72 Lateral reinforcement section 73 Vertical reinforcement section 74 Protrusion 74a Joining flange 74b Main body 74c Upper protrusion 80 Lower side member 90 Connecting Plates 90a Outer part of the plate 90a1 Plate bending section 90b Flat section of the plate 100 Vehicle front structure E Electrical components N Towing Nut P power room S Storage area (area) T front wheel V1 outer virtual plane V2 Inner virtual plane

Claims

1. The dashboard panel located at the front of the vehicle, A front bumper is provided in front of the aforementioned dashboard panel and extends in the vehicle width direction, A front side member extending from the lower part of the dash panel on the outer side in the vehicle width direction toward the front bumper, A dash side frame is located outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the front side member and extends from above the front wheels toward the front bumper, A bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction along the rear surface of the front bumper, A support brace that supports the front part of the front side member from below, A vehicle front structure including, A front panel that connects the front end of the front side member and the front end of the dash side frame and faces the front of the vehicle, A connecting plate connected to the front end of the front side member, Includes, The vehicle front structure is characterized in that the connecting plate is joined to the outer portion of the bumper member in the vehicle width direction, the upper portion of the support brace, and the inner portion of the front panel in the vehicle width direction.

2. The upper part of the inner portion of the front panel in the vehicle width direction is joined to the connecting plate. The front vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein the lower part of the inner portion of the front panel in the vehicle width direction is joined to the support brace.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the support brace has a side extension that is joined to the side wall of the front side member.

4. The front vehicle structure according to claim 3, wherein the front side member has a vulnerable portion provided adjacent to the side extension portion at the rear of the side extension portion.

5. The front side member has an outer flange extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the front side member, The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting plate is joined to at least the outer flange of the side member.

6. The connecting plate is provided with a towing nut. The rear portion of the towing nut is joined to the side portion of the front side member in the vehicle width direction, according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images