Front structure of the vehicle

Abstract

To provide a front vehicle structure that can reliably drop the drive unit diagonally downwards from the dashboard panel during a frontal collision, thereby mitigating the impact transmitted from the drive unit to the dashboard panel. [Solution] The rear mounting device 10 of the front structure of the vehicle 1 has a mounting portion 12 fixed to the cross member 3 and a mounting bracket 13 connected to the mounting portion 12 and the drive unit 5, and a dash panel 25 is positioned above the mounting portion 12. The dash panel 25 has inclined lower surfaces 25a and 28a that slope downward from front to rear. The rear mounting device 10 has a mass 14 provided on the upper part of the mounting portion 12 and having an inclined upper surface 14a that slopes downward from front to rear, and the mass 14 is positioned higher than the lower end 28b in the inclined direction of the inclined lower surfaces 25a and 28a.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an automotive power unit support mechanism for preventing a power unit from protruding into a passenger compartment during a vehicle collision has been known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] This automotive power unit support mechanism has an inner cylinder fitting fixed to the power unit and an outer cylinder fitting fixed to a suspension member of the vehicle, which are connected by a rubber elastic body. By reducing the rigidity of a part of the outer cylinder fitting, a part of the outer cylinder fitting is deformed during a vehicle collision to drop the rear part of the power unit obliquely downward of the vehicle, thereby preventing the power unit from strongly colliding with the dash panel and protruding into the passenger compartment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional automotive power unit support mechanism, by reducing the rigidity of a part of the outer cylinder fitting, a part of the outer cylinder fitting is deformed during a vehicle collision to drop the rear part of the power unit obliquely downward of the vehicle. However, it is hard to say that the rear part of the power unit can be surely dropped obliquely downward of the vehicle only by this. Therefore, there is a risk that the power unit collides with the dash panel with a strong impact force.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a front vehicle structure that can reliably drop the drive unit diagonally downward from the dashboard panel during a frontal collision, thereby mitigating the impact transmitted from the drive unit to the dashboard panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a front vehicle structure comprising: a drive unit located at the front of a vehicle and transmitting driving force to the drive wheels; a cross member located behind the drive unit and extending in the vehicle width direction; a mounting device connecting the drive unit and the cross member in the front-rear direction and supporting the drive unit on the cross member; and a dash panel located behind the drive unit, wherein the mounting device has a mounting portion fixed to the cross member and a mounting bracket connected to the mounting portion and the drive unit; the dash panel is located above the mounting portion, the dash panel has an inclined lower surface that slopes downward from front to rear; and the mounting device includes an inclined member provided on the upper part of the mounting portion and having an inclined upper surface that slopes downward from front to rear, the inclined member being located higher than the lower end of the inclined lower surface in the inclined direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] As described above, according to the present invention, the drive unit can be reliably dropped diagonally downwards from the dashboard panel during a frontal collision, thereby mitigating the impact transmitted from the drive unit to the dashboard panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a rear view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a right side view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a right side view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the mass is positioned directly in front of the bracket during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a right side view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing the state in which the inclined upper surface of the mass is in contact with the inclined lower surface of the bracket during a frontal collision of the vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] A vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a drive unit located at the front of the vehicle and transmitting driving force to the drive wheels, a cross member located behind the drive unit and extending in the vehicle width direction, a mounting device connecting the drive unit and the cross member in the front-rear direction and supporting the drive unit on the cross member, and a dash panel located behind the drive unit, wherein the mounting device has a mounting portion fixed to the cross member and a mounting bracket connected to the mounting portion and the drive unit, and the dash panel is located above the mounting portion, the dash panel has an inclined lower surface that slopes downward from front to rear, and the mounting device has an inclined member provided on the upper part of the mounting portion and having an inclined upper surface that slopes downward from front to rear, the inclined member is located at a position higher than the lower end of the inclined lower surface in the inclined direction.

[0011] As a result, the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention can reliably drop the drive unit diagonally downward from the dash panel during a frontal collision, thereby mitigating the impact transmitted from the drive unit to the dash panel. [Examples]

[0012] The front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 5 show the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] First, let me explain the structure. In FIGS. 1 to 5, the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions are based on the drive device in the state of being arranged in the vehicle. The front-rear direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction, the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle is the left-right direction, and the vertical direction (height direction) of the vehicle is the vertical direction.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 includes a left side member 2L, a right side member 2R, and a cross member 3.

[0015] The left side member 2L and the right side member 2R are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction. The vehicle width direction is the left-right direction.

[0016] The cross member 3 extends in the vehicle width direction, and its left and right ends are connected to the left side member 2L and the right side member 2R.

[0017] A drive device 5 is arranged in the space surrounded by the left side member 2L, the right side member 2R, and the cross member 3.

[0018] Specifically, the drive device 5 is arranged between the left side member 2L and the right side member 2R in the vehicle width direction at the front part of the vehicle 1, and is arranged in front of the cross member 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0019] The drive device 5 all has a motor generator (not shown), an inverter as a power control device for controlling the power supplied to the motor generator, a speed reducer for reducing the driving force (rotation speed) of the motor generator, and a differential device for transmitting the power of the speed reducer to the left and right front wheels 7L, 7R via the left drive shaft 6L and the right drive shaft 6R.

[0020] That is, the drive device 5 transmits the driving force to the left and right front wheels 7L, 7R. The front wheels 7L, 7R of this embodiment constitute drive wheels.

[0021] The motor generator, the inverter, the speed reducer, and the differential device are housed in the drive case 8.

[0022] The motor generator has two functions: that of an electric motor driven by power supplied from a high-voltage battery 9 via an inverter, and that of a generator that generates electricity using the reverse driving force input from a differential device.

[0023] The inverter converts the DC power supplied from the high-voltage battery 9 into three-phase AC power and supplies it to the motor generator, and also converts the three-phase AC power generated by the motor generator into DC power to charge the high-voltage battery 9. The high-voltage battery 9 is composed of a secondary battery, such as a lithium-ion battery.

[0024] The high-voltage battery 9 is located behind the cross member 3, and the high-voltage battery 9 and the cross member 3 are positioned at the same height. The high-voltage battery 9 and the inverter of the drive unit 5 are connected by a wire harness (not shown). In this embodiment, the high-voltage battery 9 constitutes an electrical component.

[0025] At the rear of vehicle 1 are a drive source (not shown), the left and right rear drive shafts to which the power from the drive source is transmitted, and the left and right rear wheels.

[0026] In this embodiment, vehicle 1 can be driven in two-wheel drive mode when only the front drive unit 5 is driven, and in four-wheel drive mode when both the drive unit 5 and the drive source are driven. The rear drive source is not particularly limited.

[0027] Furthermore, the front drive unit 5 may be a combination of an internal combustion engine and a motor as the drive source, or it may be an internal combustion engine alone as the drive source, instead of the motor used as the drive source in this embodiment.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive unit 5 is elastically supported on the cross member 3 by the rear mounting device 10.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the rear mounting device 10 includes a mounting bush 11, a mounting portion 12, a mounting bracket 13, and a mass 14. In this embodiment, the rear mounting device 10 constitutes a mounting device.

[0030] The mounting bush 11 comprises an inner cylinder 11A whose central axis extends in the front-rear direction, an outer cylinder 11B provided radially outward from the inner cylinder 11A and whose central axis also extends in the front-rear direction, and a mounting rubber 11C provided radially between the inner cylinder 11A and the outer cylinder 11B and connecting the inner cylinder 11A and the outer cylinder 11B, and is formed in a cylindrical shape overall.

[0031] The mounting portion 12 has a cylindrical portion 12A extending in the front-rear direction, a first leg portion 12B, and a second leg portion 12C.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower part of the cylindrical portion 12A is provided with a first leg portion 12B extending in the vehicle width direction and a second leg portion 12C extending rearward from the first leg portion 12B. The first leg portion 12B and the second leg portion 12C are fixed to the center of the cross member 3 in the vehicle width direction by bolts 31A and 31B (see Figure 1).

[0033] A mounting bush 11 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 12A, and the mounting bush 11 is housed within the cylindrical portion 12A. The mass 14 is fixed to the upper part of the cylindrical portion 12A by welding or the like.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, a boss portion 8a is provided on the rear wall 8A, and the boss portion 8a protrudes rearward from the rear wall 8A. The left end of the mounting bracket 13 in the vehicle width direction is fastened to the boss portion 8a by a bolt 31C behind the rear wall 8A.

[0035] The upper end of the mounting bracket 13 is fastened (connected) to the rear wall 8A by bolt 31D, and the lower end of the mounting bracket 13 is fastened (connected) to the rear wall 8A by bolt 31E.

[0036] In other words, the mounting bracket 13 is connected to the mounting section 12 and the drive unit 5, and the drive unit 5 and the mounting section 12 are linked together.

[0037] In this manner, the rear mounting device 10 connects the drive unit 5 and the cross member 3 in the front-rear direction and supports the drive unit 5 on the cross member 3.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the drive unit 5 is elastically supported on the left side member 2L by the left mounting device 15.

[0039] The left mounting device 15 has a cylindrical portion 16, a mounting bracket 17, and a mass 18. The cylindrical portion 16 extends in a cylindrical shape in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] A leg portion 16A is provided at the lower part of the cylindrical portion 16, and the leg portion 16A is fixed to the left side member 2L by a bolt 31F.

[0041] A mounting bush (not shown) is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 16, and the mounting bush is housed within the cylindrical portion 16. The mass 18 is fixed to the upper part of the cylindrical portion 16 by welding or the like.

[0042] The mounting bracket 17 is fastened to the mounting bush by bolt 31G and to the left side wall 8B of the drive case 8 by bolt 31H, connecting the mounting bush and the left side wall 8B of the drive case 8.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the drive unit 5 is elastically supported on the right side member 2R by the right mounting device 19.

[0044] The right mounting device 19 includes a mounting bush 20, a cylindrical portion 21, and a mass 22. The mount bush 20 comprises an inner cylinder 20A whose central axis extends in the vehicle width direction, an outer cylinder 20B provided radially outward from the inner cylinder 20A and whose central axis also extends in the vehicle width direction, and a mount rubber 20C provided radially between the inner cylinder 20A and the outer cylinder 20B and connecting the inner cylinder 20A and the outer cylinder 20B, and is formed in a cylindrical shape overall.

[0045] The cylindrical portion 21 extends cylindrically in the vehicle width direction. A leg portion 21A is provided at the lower part of the cylindrical portion 21, and the leg portion 21A is fixed to the right side member 2R by a bolt 31J.

[0046] A mounting bush 20 is press-fitted into the cylindrical portion 21, and the mounting bush 20 is housed within the cylindrical portion 21. The mass 22 is fixed to the upper part of the cylindrical portion 21 by welding or the like.

[0047] The mounting bush 20 is fastened to the right side wall 8C of the drive case 8 by bolts 31K, and the cylindrical portion 21 is connected to the right side wall 8C of the drive case 8 via the mounting bush 20.

[0048] In other words, the drive unit 5 is elastically supported by the left side member 2L, the right side member 2R, and the cross member 3, so as to be mounted on the left side member 2L, the right side member 2R, and the cross member 3 by the rear mount device 10, the left mount device 15, and the right mount device 19.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle 1 is provided with a dash panel 25. The dash panel 25 extends in the vehicle width direction and diagonally in the vertical direction, and is located behind the drive unit 5 and above the mounting portion 12.

[0050] The dashboard panel 25 divides the vehicle 1 into an engine compartment 26 where the drive unit 5 is housed and a passenger compartment 27 where the occupants are seated. In other words, the area in front of the dashboard panel 25 constitutes the engine compartment 26, and the area behind the dashboard panel 25 constitutes the passenger compartment 27.

[0051] A sloping lower surface 25a is formed at the lower end of the dash panel 25, and the sloping lower surface 25a is inclined downward from front to rear.

[0052] A bracket 28, roughly U-shaped, is fixed to the lower end of the inclined lower surface 25a of the dash panel 25 in the direction of inclination. The bracket 28 extends in the vehicle width direction of the dash panel 25 (see Figure 1) and protrudes downward from the inclined lower surface 25a. In this embodiment, the bracket 28 constitutes a reinforcing member.

[0053] A slanted bottom surface 28a is formed on the lower surface of the bracket 28, and the slanted bottom surface 28a is inclined downward from front to rear. In other words, the lower surface of the dash panel 25 has slanted bottom surfaces 25a and 28a that are inclined downward from front to rear, and the lower end of the slanted bottom surface 25a in the direction of inclination is formed with the slanted bottom surface 28a of the bracket 28.

[0054] An inclined upper surface 14a is formed on the upper surface of the mass 14, and the inclined upper surface 14a is inclined downward from front to rear. In this embodiment, the mass 14 constitutes an inclined member.

[0055] Mass 14 is positioned above the lower end 28b of the inclined lower surface 28a in the direction of inclination, and below the upper end 25b of the inclined lower surface 25a in the direction of inclination, and is positioned between the lower end 28b of the inclined lower surface 28a in the direction of inclination and the upper end 25b of the inclined lower surface 25a in the direction of inclination in the front-rear direction.

[0056] Furthermore, the lower end of the dash panel 25 is reinforced by a reinforcing plate 25A, and the inclined lower surface 25a is reinforced by the reinforcing plate 25A and bracket 28, resulting in high rigidity.

[0057] Next, the effects of the front structure of vehicle 1 in this embodiment will be explained. The front structure of the vehicle 1 in this embodiment includes a drive unit 5 positioned at the front of the vehicle 1 that transmits driving force to the front wheels 7L and 7R, a cross member 3 positioned behind the drive unit 5 and extending in the vehicle width direction, a rear mounting device 10 that connects the drive unit 5 and the cross member 3 in the front-rear direction and supports the drive unit 5 on the cross member 3, and a dash panel 25 positioned behind the drive unit 5.

[0058] The rear mounting device 10 has a mounting portion 12 fixed to the cross member 3 and a mounting bracket 13 connected to the mounting portion 12 and the drive unit 5, and the dash panel 25 is positioned above the mounting portion 12.

[0059] The dash panel 25 has inclined lower surfaces 25a and 28a that slope downward from front to rear. The rear mounting device 10 is provided on the upper part of the mounting section 12 and includes a mass 14 having an inclined upper surface 14a that slopes downward from front to rear, and the mass 14 is positioned higher than the lower end 28b of the inclined lower surfaces 25a and 28a in the direction of inclination.

[0060] As a result, when the vehicle 1 is struck from the front, the drive unit 5 is hit by an impact from the front and moves backward, the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 comes into contact with the inclined lower surface 25a of the dash panel 25 near the bracket 28 and moves diagonally downward and rearward along the inclined lower surface 25a (see Figure 4), then comes into contact with the inclined lower surface 28a of the bracket 28 and moves downward and rearward along the inclined lower surface 28a (see Figure 5).

[0061] Here, the relative positions of the inclined lower surface 25a of the dash panel 25 and the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 are set such that when the drive unit 5 moves backward, the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 contacts the inclined lower surface 25a of the dash panel 25 near the bracket 28. Alternatively, the position may be set such that when the drive unit 5 moves backward, the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 immediately contacts the inclined lower surface 28a of the bracket 28.

[0062] In other words, it is preferable that the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 contacts the inclined lower surface of the dash panel 25 at a point where the dash panel 25 has high rigidity.

[0063] Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision of vehicle 1, the drive unit 5 can be lowered diagonally downward and rearward relative to the dash panel 25, thereby mitigating the impact transmitted from the drive unit 5 to the dash panel 25.

[0064] Furthermore, since the drive unit 5 can be lowered diagonally downward and rearward using the mass 14 and the dash panel 25, it becomes unnecessary to provide a high-strength stopper or the like behind the drive unit 5 to restrict its rearward movement. As a result, the front structure of the vehicle 1 can be simplified, and the cost of the front structure of the vehicle 1 can be reduced.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the front structure of the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, a bracket 28 for reinforcing the dash panel 25 is provided on the lower end side in the direction of inclination of the inclined lower surface 25a of the dash panel 25, and the bracket 28 has an inclined lower surface 28a that slopes downward from front to rear.

[0066] The lower end of the inclined lower surface 25a is located below the upper end 25b in the direction of inclination. As the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 moves along the inclined lower surface 25a and the drive unit 5 is dropped diagonally downward and backward, the reaction force (load acting upward from the drive unit 5) acting from the drive unit 5 to the inclined lower surface 25a becomes larger.

[0067] Therefore, by reinforcing the lower end of the inclined lower surface 25a with a bracket 28 and moving the inclined upper surface 14a of the mass 14 along the inclined lower surface 28a of the bracket 28, the rigidity of the dash panel 25 can be increased against the impact force applied from the drive unit 5, even when a large reaction force is applied from the drive unit 5 to the inclined lower surface 28a, and the impact transmitted from the drive unit 5 to the dash panel 25 can be mitigated more effectively.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the front structure of the vehicle 1 in this embodiment, the high-voltage battery 9 is located behind the cross member 3, and the high-voltage battery 9 and the cross member 3 are located at the same height.

[0069] Therefore, when the drive unit 5 is lowered diagonally downward and rearward, the cross member 3 can be lowered diagonally downward and rearward together with the drive unit 5, preventing the cross member 3 from colliding with the high-voltage battery 9. This protects the high-voltage battery 9 from the cross member 3.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the front structure of the vehicle 1 of this embodiment, the mounting portion 12 has a cylindrical portion 12A in which the mounting bush 11 is housed, and a mass 14 attached to the upper part of the cylindrical portion 12A, with an inclined upper surface 14a formed on the mass 14.

[0071] As a result, there is no need to add a new component to drop the drive unit 5 diagonally downward and rearward, which more effectively prevents an increase in the number of parts in the front structure of the vehicle 1 and more effectively reduces the cost of the front structure of the vehicle 1.

[0072] While embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. All such modifications and equivalents are intended to be included in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1 vehicle 3 Cross Member 5. Drive unit 7L, 7R Front wheels (drive wheels) 9. High-voltage battery (electrical component) 10. Rear mounting device (mounting device) 11 Mounting bush 12 Mounting section 12A Cylindrical section 13 Mounting Bracket 14 squares (inclined members) 14a Slanted top surface 25 Dash Panel 25a Slanted bottom surface 28 Bracket (reinforcement member) 28a Sloped bottom surface 28b Lower end (lower end in the direction of inclination of the inclined lower surface)

Claims

1. A drive unit located at the front of the vehicle that transmits driving force to the drive wheels, A cross member is positioned behind the aforementioned drive unit and extends in the vehicle width direction, A mounting device that connects the drive unit and the cross member in the front-rear direction and supports the drive unit on the cross member, The drive unit is equipped with a dash panel located behind the drive unit, The mounting device comprises a mounting portion fixed to the cross member and a mounting bracket connected to the mounting portion and the drive device. The aforementioned dash panel is a front structure of the vehicle located above the mounting portion, The aforementioned dashboard panel has an inclined lower surface that slopes downward from front to rear, The mounting device includes an inclined member provided on the upper part of the mounting portion, which has an inclined upper surface that slopes downward from front to rear. The front structure of a vehicle is characterized in that the inclined member is positioned higher than the lower end of the inclined lower surface in the direction of inclination.

2. A reinforcing member is provided on the lower end side in the direction of inclination of the inclined lower surface of the dash panel, The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing member has an inclined lower surface that slopes downward from the front to the rear.

3. Electrical components are located behind the aforementioned cross member. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the electrical components and the cross member are arranged at the same height.

4. The mounting portion has a cylindrical portion in which a mounting bush is housed, and a mass attached to the upper part of the cylindrical portion. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inclined member is composed of the mass.

5. The mounting portion has a cylindrical portion in which a mounting bush is housed, and a mass attached to the upper part of the cylindrical portion. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that the inclined member is composed of the mass.

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