Vehicle undercarriage

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle understructure that can effectively absorb collision loads during a side collision. [Solution] The vehicle understructure includes a rocker 22 provided on the side of the vehicle 10 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rocker molding 36 positioned outside the rocker 22 in the vehicle width direction and covering the rocker 22 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, first impact absorbing members 40 and 42 provided inside the rocker 22, and a second impact absorbing member 44 positioned between the rocker 22 and the rocker molding 36, overlapping with the first impact absorbing members 40 and 42 when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which an air dam is provided outside the vehicle width direction of a side sill (rocker). Further, Patent Document 1 describes that a foaming material is disposed inside the air dam, and the foaming material and a side sill beam inside the side sill are provided at corresponding positions, so that a collision load at the time of a side collision is quickly transmitted to the side sill.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of effectively absorbing a collision load at the time of a side collision of a vehicle.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle underbody structure capable of effectively absorbing a collision load at the time of a side collision of a vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle underbody structure according to claim 1 includes a rocker provided on a side portion of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a rocker mold disposed outside the vehicle width direction of the rocker and covering the rocker from the outside in the vehicle width direction, a first shock absorbing member provided inside the rocker, and a second shock absorbing member disposed at a position overlapping the first shock absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction between the rocker and the rocker mold.

[0007] In the vehicle understructure according to claim 1, rockers are provided on the sides of the vehicle, and the rockers extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In addition, a rocker molding is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rocker, and the rocker molding covers the rocker from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, a first impact absorbing member is provided inside the rocker. As a result, in the event of a side collision of the vehicle (hereinafter, this may be referred to as "side collision" as appropriate), at least a portion of the collision load is absorbed by the first impact absorbing member.

[0008] Furthermore, a second impact absorbing member is positioned between the rocker and the rocker molding, overlapping with the first impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction. This allows the collision load applied to the rocker molding during a side collision to be effectively absorbed by the first and second impact absorbing members.

[0009] The vehicle understructure according to claim 2 is configured in claim 1, wherein the rocker comprises a rocker outer panel, a rocker inner panel, and a rocker reinforcement provided between the rocker outer panel and the rocker inner panel to partition the space to the left and right, and the first impact absorbing member comprises an outer-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker outer panel and the rocker reinforcement, and an inner-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker inner panel and the rocker reinforcement, and the outer-side absorbing member, the inner-side absorbing member and the second impact absorbing member are arranged in a position where they overlap when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0010] In the vehicle understructure according to claim 2, the rocker is composed of a rocker outer panel, a rocker inner panel, and a rocker reinforcement, and the internal space of the rocker is divided into left and right sections by the rocker reinforcement. Furthermore, an outer-side absorbing member positioned between the rocker outer panel and the rocker reinforcement, an inner-side absorbing member positioned between the rocker inner panel and the rocker reinforcement, and a second impact absorbing member are positioned to overlap when viewed from the vehicle width direction. As a result, the collision load applied during a side collision can be effectively absorbed by the three absorbing members.

[0011] The vehicle understructure according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1, a side door is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the rocker molding, and the lower part of the side door is positioned to overlap with the first impact absorbing member and the second impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0012] In the vehicle understructure according to claim 3, the collision load is applied from the side door to the rocker molding during a side collision, so the collision load can be distributed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle more effectively than when the collision load is applied directly to the rocker molding.

[0013] The vehicle understructure according to claim 4 is configured in claim 1, wherein the rocker molding includes a vertical wall portion that covers the outside of the rocker in the vehicle width direction and a horizontal wall portion that covers the lower side of the rocker, and the horizontal wall portion is fixed to the under cover that constitutes the lower surface of the vehicle.

[0014] In the vehicle understructure according to claim 4, since the side wall portion constituting the rocker molding is fixed to the under cover, a portion of the load during a side collision can be transmitted to the non-collision side via the rocker molding and the under cover.

[0015] The vehicle underbody structure according to claim 5, in claim 1, the rocker mold includes a proximity portion that is close to the rocker in a plan view and a separation portion that is separated from the rocker, and the second shock absorption member is disposed between the rocker and the rocker mold at the separation portion.

[0016] In the vehicle underbody structure according to claim 5, even when the vehicle has a design surface such that the side door is curved, by disposing the second shock absorption member between the rocker mold and the rocker, the collision safety performance during a side impact can be ensured.

Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, according to the vehicle underbody structure according to the present invention, the collision load during a side collision of the vehicle can be effectively absorbed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a vehicle to which the vehicle underbody structure according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The vehicle underbody structure according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of the vehicle underbody structure according to the embodiment. In the figure, the arrows FR, UP, and LH indicate the vehicle front direction, the vehicle upward direction, and the vehicle left direction in the vehicle, respectively. In the following description, when the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions are used without special mention, the front and rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, the up and down in the vehicle up-down direction, and the left and right in the vehicle left-right direction (width direction) are respectively indicated.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 1, a front side door 12 and a rear side door 14 are provided on the side portion of a vehicle 10 to which a vehicle lower structure is applied. The front side door 12 is located at the front of the vehicle 10 and is attached so as to be openable and closable about its front end portion. Further, the rear side door 14 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the front side door 12 and is attached so as to be openable and closable about its front end portion.

[0022] Here, in the present embodiment, as an example, the front side door 12 and the rear side door 14 are formed in a concavo-convex shape. Specifically, a concave portion 12A is provided at the front portion of the front side door 12, and a substantially triangular inclined surface is formed in a side view from the concave portion 12A toward the rear. By forming the front side door 12 and the rear side door 14 in a concavo-convex shape in this manner, a vehicle having a unique design surface is realized.

[0023] Further, in the present embodiment, an air guiding hole 18 is formed in front of the front wheel 16, and air that has passed through the air guiding hole 18 and passed through the front wheel 16 is configured to be discharged from a discharge hole 20 at the front portion of the front side door 12. That is, by forming the concave portion 12A in the front side door 12, the discharge hole 20 can be formed without increasing the vehicle width.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state cut along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. As shown in this Fig. 2, a rocker 22 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided on the side portion of the vehicle 10. The rocker 22 is a skeletal member having a closed cross-sectional structure disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the front side door 12 and the rear side door 14, and is configured to include a rocker outer panel 24, a rocker inner panel 26, and a rocker reinforcement 28.

[0025] The rocker outer panel 24 is formed in a roughly hat-shaped cross-section with an open inner side in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and an outer-side lower flange 24A is formed at the lower end of the rocker outer panel 24. In addition, an outer-side upper flange 24B is formed at the upper end of the rocker outer panel 24.

[0026] The rocker inner panel 26 is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction compared to the rocker outer panel 24, and is formed in a roughly hat-shaped cross-section with the outer side in the vehicle width direction open when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle. An inner lower flange 26A is formed at the lower end of the rocker inner panel 26. An inner upper flange 26B is formed at the upper end of the rocker inner panel 26.

[0027] The rocker reinforcement 28 is provided between the rocker outer panel 24 and the rocker inner panel 26, dividing the section formed by the rocker outer panel 24 and the rocker inner panel 26 into left and right sections. A center-side lower flange 28A is formed at the lower end of the rocker reinforcement 28, and the outer-side lower flange 24A, the inner-side lower flange 26A, and the center-side lower flange 28A are joined by welding or the like.

[0028] A center-side upper flange 28B is formed at the upper end of the rocker reinforcement 28, and the outer-side upper flange 24B, the inner-side upper flange 26B, and the center-side upper flange 28B are joined together by welding or other means.

[0029] A cross member 30 is provided on the inside of the rocker 22 in the vehicle width direction. The cross member 30 extends in the vehicle width direction and spans between the left and right rockers 22.

[0030] A battery case 32 is provided below the cross member 30. The battery case 32 houses a battery (not shown), and the power stored in the battery is supplied to a drive source such as a motor.

[0031] In this embodiment, the battery case 32 is fastened to the rocker inner panel 26 by bolts 50, as an example.

[0032] An under cover 34 is provided below the battery case 32. The under cover 34 extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, covering the entire battery case 32 from below. In addition, both ends of the under cover 34 in the vehicle width direction extend beyond the battery case 32 in the vehicle width direction and are located below the rocker 22.

[0033] Here, a rocker molding 36 is positioned outside the rocker 22 in the vehicle width direction, covering the rocker 22 from the outside in the vehicle width direction. The rocker molding 36 is composed of a vertical wall portion 36A that extends in the vehicle vertical direction when viewed from the front-rear direction and covers the outside of the rocker 22 in the vehicle width direction, a horizontal wall portion 36C that extends in the vehicle width direction and covers the lower side of the rocker 22, and an inclined wall portion 36B that connects the vertical wall portion 36A and the horizontal wall portion 36C.

[0034] The vertical wall section 36A is positioned to overlap with the rocker 22 and cross member 30 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and a gap is provided between the rocker outer panel 24 and the vertical wall section 36A. The lower end of the vertical wall section 36A is connected to the inclined wall section 36B.

[0035] The inclined wall portion 36B is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction from above the vehicle to below the vehicle, and the lower end of the inclined wall portion 36B is connected to the side wall portion 36C. The side wall portion 36C extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inclined wall portion 36B, and the end of the side wall portion 36C is fixed to the lower surface of the under cover 34 which constitutes the lower surface of the vehicle 10. The method of fixing the side wall portion 36C to the under cover 34 is not particularly limited, and it may be fastened mechanically with bolts, nuts and rivets, or joined by welding, etc.

[0036] In this embodiment, an outer-side absorbing member 40 and an inner-side absorbing member 42 are provided inside the rocker 22 as first shock absorbing members. The outer-side absorbing member 40 is positioned in the space between the rocker outer panel 24 and the rocker reinforcement 28 and is fixed to either the rocker outer panel 24 or the rocker reinforcement 28.

[0037] Furthermore, the outer side absorbing member 40 is made of a hollow material and is configured to collapse and absorb the impact load when a collision load is applied from the vehicle width direction. In other words, the outer side absorbing member 40 has a structure with lower rigidity than the rocker 22.

[0038] The inner absorbing member 42 is positioned in the space between the rocker inner panels 26 and is fixed to the rocker inner panels 26 or the rocker reinforcement 28. The inner absorbing member 42 is also formed of a hollow member, similar to the outer absorbing member 40, and is configured to collapse and absorb the collision load when a collision load is applied from the vehicle width direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, as an example, the inner absorbing member 42 is provided with a partition wall that divides the internal space into left and right sections. However, it is not limited to this, and it may have a structure with only one internal space, similar to the outer absorbing member 40. Alternatively, the outer absorbing member 40 may have a structure with two spaces, left and right, similar to the inner absorbing member 42.

[0040] Here, the outer absorbent member 40 and the inner absorbent member 42 are positioned at approximately the same height. In other words, when viewed from the vehicle width direction, the outer absorbent member 40 and the inner absorbent member 42 are positioned to overlap.

[0041] A second impact absorbing member 44 is provided between the rocker 22 and the rocker molding 36. The second impact absorbing member 44 is formed of a hollow member, similar to the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42, and is positioned to overlap with the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. It should be noted that the term "overlapping position" here does not refer to a configuration in which the entire area of ​​the second impact absorbing member 44 overlaps with the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42, but rather broadly includes a configuration in which a part of the second impact absorbing member 44 is positioned to overlap with the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42.

[0042] Furthermore, the outer side absorbing member 40, the inner side absorbing member 42, and the second impact absorbing member 44 are positioned so as to overlap with the lower part of the front side door 12 when viewed from the vehicle width direction, and are also positioned so as to overlap with the cross member 30.

[0043] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state when cut along line 3-3 in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 3, a recess 12A is provided at the front of the front side door 12, so the rear of the front side door 12 is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the front.

[0044] Furthermore, the rocker molding 36 is formed to conform to the shape of the front side door 12, and the position corresponding to the recess 12A is a proximity portion 52 that is close to the rocker 22 in a plan view. Also, in the rocker molding 36, the position corresponding to the rear of the front side door 12 is a separation portion 54 that is spaced away from the rocker 22.

[0045] Here, the second shock-absorbing member 44 is positioned between the rocker 22 and the rocker molding 36 in the separated portion 54, and the second shock-absorbing member 44 is not provided in the adjacent portion 52.

[0046] (action) Next, the operation of the vehicle understructure according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0047] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a rocker 22 is provided on the side of the vehicle 10, and the rocker 22 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In addition, a rocker molding 36 is provided on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the rocker 22, and the rocker molding 36 covers the rocker 22 from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] Furthermore, an outer-side absorbing member 40 and an inner-side absorbing member 42 are provided inside the rocker 22 as first impact absorbing members. As a result, when the vehicle 10 is involved in a side collision, at least a portion of the collision load is absorbed by the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42.

[0049] Furthermore, a second impact absorbing member 44 is positioned between the rocker 22 and the rocker molding 36, overlapping with the outer side absorbing member 40 and the inner side absorbing member 42 when viewed from the vehicle width direction. This allows the collision load applied to the rocker molding 36 during a side collision of the vehicle 10 to be effectively absorbed by the outer side absorbing member 40, the inner side absorbing member 42, and the second impact absorbing member 44.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rocker 22 is composed of a rocker outer panel 24, a rocker inner panel 26, and a rocker reinforcement 28, and the internal space of the rocker 22 is divided into left and right sections by the rocker reinforcement 28.

[0051] Furthermore, the outer absorbing member 40, the inner absorbing member 42, and the second impact absorbing member 44 are positioned to overlap when viewed from the vehicle width direction. This allows the three absorbing members to effectively absorb the collision load applied during a side collision.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the collision load is input from the front side door 12 to the rocker molding 36 during a side collision, the collision load can be distributed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle more effectively than when the collision load is directly input to the rocker molding 36.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the side wall portion 36A constituting the rocker molding 36 is fixed to the under cover 34, a portion of the load during a side collision can be transmitted to the non-collision side via the rocker molding 36 and the under cover 34.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, even if the front side door 12 has a curved design surface, the second impact absorbing member 44 is positioned between the separated portion 54 of the rocker molding 36 and the rocker 22, thereby ensuring collision safety performance during side impacts. In other words, if the second impact absorbing member 44 is not provided, a space will be created between the rocker molding 36 and the rocker outer panel 24, and the collision load cannot be absorbed in this area, resulting in the barrier simply moving freely. In contrast, as in this embodiment, the gap is filled with the second impact absorbing member 44, which effectively absorbs the collision load.

[0055] The vehicle understructure according to the present invention has been described above, but it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, a recess 12A was formed in the front side door 12 as shown in Figure 1, but it is not limited to this, and a structure without a recess 12A may be adopted.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the rocker 22 is constructed by including a rocker outer panel 24, a rocker inner panel 26, and a rocker reinforcement 28, and the outer-side absorbing member 40 and the inner-side absorbing member 42 are arranged in the internal space, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the rocker may be constructed with only the rocker outer panel 24 and the rocker inner panel 26 without providing the rocker reinforcement 28. In this case, there may be only one first shock absorbing member inside the rocker 22.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rocker 22 was formed by joining steel plates together, but this is not the only option. For example, the rocker may be formed using metal extruded products or the like.

[0058] Furthermore, although a battery case 32 is provided under the floor of the vehicle 10 in this embodiment, the invention is not limited to this and may also be applied to vehicles that do not have a battery under the floor.

[0059] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the above embodiment.

[0060] (Note 1) A rocker is provided on the side of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A rocker molding is positioned outside the rocker in the vehicle width direction and covers the rocker from the outside in the vehicle width direction, The first shock-absorbing member provided inside the rocker, A second impact absorbing member is positioned between the rocker and the rocker molding, in a position that overlaps with the first impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction, A vehicle understructure having the following characteristics. (Note 2) The rocker is composed of a rocker outer panel, a rocker inner panel, and a rocker reinforcement provided between the rocker outer panel and the rocker inner panel to partition the space on the left and right sides. The first shock-absorbing member comprises an outer-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker outer panel and the rocker reinforcement, and an inner-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker inner panel and the rocker reinforcement. The vehicle understructure as described in Appendix 1, wherein the outer absorbing member, the inner absorbing member, and the second impact absorbing member are arranged in a position that overlaps when viewed from the vehicle width direction. (Note 3) Side doors are provided on the vehicle width side of the aforementioned rocker mall. The lower part of the side door is positioned to overlap with the first impact absorbing member and the second impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction, as described in Appendix 1 or 2 of the vehicle understructure. (Note 4) The rocker molding is composed of a vertical wall portion that covers the outer side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction and a horizontal wall portion that covers the lower side of the rocker. The aforementioned side wall portion is fixed to the under cover that constitutes the underside of the vehicle, as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3. (Note 5) The rocker molding is configured to include a close portion that is close to the rocker in a plan view and a spaced portion that is spaced away from the rocker. The second shock-absorbing member is positioned between the rocker and the rocker molding in the separated portion, and is part of the vehicle understructure according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 vehicles 12 Front side doors 22 Rocka 24 Rocker Outer Panels 26 Rocker Inner Panel 28 Rock Reinforcement 34 Undercover 36 Rockamall 36A Vertical wall section 36C Side wall part 40. Outer side shock absorber (first shock absorber) 42. Inner side absorbing member (first impact absorbing member) 44. Second impact absorbing member 52 Close-range section 54 Separation part

Claims

1. A rocker is provided on the side of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, A rocker molding is positioned outside the rocker in the vehicle width direction and covers the rocker from the outside in the vehicle width direction, The first shock-absorbing member provided inside the rocker, A second impact absorbing member is positioned between the rocker and the rocker molding, in a position that overlaps with the first impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction, A vehicle understructure having the following characteristics.

2. The rocker is composed of a rocker outer panel, a rocker inner panel, and a rocker reinforcement provided between the rocker outer panel and the rocker inner panel to partition the space on the left and right sides. The first shock-absorbing member comprises an outer-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker outer panel and the rocker reinforcement, and an inner-side absorbing member disposed between the rocker inner panel and the rocker reinforcement. The vehicle understructure according to claim 1, wherein the outer absorbing member, the inner absorbing member, and the second impact absorbing member are arranged in positions that overlap when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

3. Side doors are provided on the vehicle width side of the aforementioned rocker mall. The lower part of the side door is positioned to overlap with the first impact absorbing member and the second impact absorbing member when viewed from the vehicle width direction, as described in claim 1.

4. The rocker molding is composed of a vertical wall portion that covers the outer side of the rocker in the vehicle width direction and a horizontal wall portion that covers the lower side of the rocker. The vehicle understructure according to claim 1, wherein the side wall portion is fixed to an under cover that constitutes the underside of the vehicle.

5. The rocker molding is configured to include a close portion that is close to the rocker in a plan view and a spaced portion that is spaced away from the rocker. The vehicle understructure according to claim 1, wherein the second shock-absorbing member is disposed between the rocker and the rocker molding in the separated portion.

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