Vehicle beam

Abstract

To provide a vehicle beam that reduces the number of parts while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the beam body. [Solution] The beam 20 comprises a cylindrical beam body 30 positioned behind the cowl panel 12 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a stay portion 50 that protrudes forward from the beam body 30 and connects the beam body 30 and the cowl panel 12. The beam body 30 is composed of an upper beam half-body 30a and a lower beam half-body 30b made of resin. The stay portion 50 is composed of an upper arm portion 51 integrally molded with the upper beam half-body 30a and a lower arm portion 54 integrally molded with the lower beam half-body 30b. The front ends 53 and 56 of the upper arm portion 51 and the lower arm portion 54 are formed with through holes 53c and 56c that communicate with each other and through which bolts 61 for fastening to the cowl panel 12 are inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle beam.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a steering support beam (hereinafter simply referred to as a beam) that extends in the left - right direction of a vehicle on the back side of an instrument panel. This beam has a resin - made beam body, a metal - made shaft bracket, and a stay member. The beam body is composed of two divided members that are divided in the front - rear direction of the vehicle. By assembling the divided members with each other, a hollow air - conditioning duct is defined longitudinally inside the beam body. On the upper part of each divided member, a connecting portion (hereinafter referred to as an upper connecting portion) that extends upward from the outer peripheral surface of the beam body is formed. Also, on the lower part of each divided member, a connecting portion (hereinafter referred to as a lower connecting portion) that extends downward from the outer peripheral surface of the beam body is formed. In each connecting portion, a fastening insertion hole through which a bolt is inserted is formed.

[0003] The shaft bracket is assembled at a position corresponding to the steering shaft of the beam body. The shaft bracket is divided into a first bracket that covers the beam body from the front side and a second bracket that covers the beam body from the rear side. In the first bracket and the second bracket, fastening insertion holes through which bolts are inserted are formed.

[0004] With the first bracket overlapped from the front side on the upper and lower connecting portions of the front - side divided member and the second bracket overlapped from the rear side on the upper and lower connecting portions of the rear - side divided member, bolts are inserted into each insertion hole, so that the divided members are fastened to each other and the shaft bracket is fastened to the beam body.

[0005] The stay member connects the first bracket and the dash panel of the vehicle body. In this type of beam, each segmented member is supported by the vehicle body via stay members and shaft brackets. As a result, the number of support points for each segmented member on the vehicle body side increases, improving the rigidity and strength of the beam. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-345396 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] However, in such beams, the beam body and the dash panel are connected via brackets and stay members, which are separate components from the beam body. This results in an increase in the number of parts due to the addition of these brackets and stay members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The following describes various configurations of vehicle beams to solve the above problems. [Aspect 1] A vehicle beam comprising: a cylindrical beam body positioned behind a panel member constituting a part of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction; and a stay portion projecting forward from the beam body in the longitudinal direction and connecting the beam body and the panel member, wherein the beam body is composed of a first divided body and a second divided body made of resin that divide the beam body in the circumferential direction of the beam body; and the stay portion is composed of a first arm portion integrally molded with the first divided body and a second arm portion integrally molded with the second divided body, wherein the front ends of the first arm portion and the second arm portion each have through holes formed therein that communicate with each other and through which fastening members for fastening to the panel member are inserted.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the beam body and the panel member are connected by inserting the fastening member through the insertion holes in the first arm portion and the second arm portion, and through the fastening holes formed in the panel member, or through the fastening holes formed in a bracket or other member interposed between the panel member and the stay portion to connect them. As a result, the beam body is supported by the panel member, which constitutes a part of the vehicle body, via the stay portion. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the beam body can be increased.

[0010] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the stress generated in the beam body by the load acting from the panel member through the first arm portion and the second arm portion is suitably distributed to the first and second divided portions. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the beam body can be increased compared to, for example, the case where the stay portion is composed of only one of the first arm portion or the second arm portion.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the stay portion is integrally molded with the beam body. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate stay member when connecting the beam body and the panel member. Also, for example, when the stay portion and the panel member are connected via a bracket, the stay portion protrudes forward from the beam body in the front-rear direction; in other words, it protrudes so as to move closer to the panel member from the beam body in the front-rear direction, so the size of the bracket in the front-rear direction can be reduced by the amount of the stay portion. On the other hand, if the stay portion and the panel member are connected directly without using a bracket, there is no need to provide a separate bracket. Therefore, the number of parts can be reduced compared to conventional vehicle beams that require separate brackets and stay members.

[0012] Based on the above, it is possible to reduce the number of parts in a vehicle beam while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the beam itself. [Aspect 2] The vehicle beam according to [Aspect 1], wherein the vehicle beam further comprises a steering support portion for supporting a steering column, and the stay portion is provided at a position adjacent to the steering support portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the portion of the vehicle beam where the steering support is located is supported by the stay portion. As a result, the steering column is firmly supported by the steering support. Therefore, vibrations of the steering column, and consequently the steering wheel, during vehicle operation can be suppressed.

[0014] [Aspect 3] The vehicle beam according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], wherein a pair of stay portions are provided on the vehicle beam so as to sandwich the steering support portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] The stress generated in the beam body by the load acting from the steering column through the steering support propagates to both sides in the vehicle width direction, centered on the steering support. In this configuration, the vehicle beam is provided with a pair of stays that sandwich the steering support in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the stress is distributed to the panel members that constitute part of the vehicle body via the pair of stays. This allows the steering column to be supported even more firmly by the steering support. Therefore, vibrations of the steering column, and consequently the steering wheel, during vehicle operation can be further suppressed.

[0016] [Aspect 4] A vehicle beam according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3], wherein the front end of either the first arm portion or the second arm portion has a surrounding portion that protrudes toward the front end of the other arm portion and surrounds the other front end from the outside in the radial direction centered on the insertion hole.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the shape rigidity of either the first arm portion or the second arm portion's front end is increased by the surrounding portion. As a result, that front end portion is reinforced. Further, according to the above configuration, the surrounding portion protrudes toward the other front end portion and protrudes so as to surround the outside of the other front end portion in the radial direction. In other words, the other front end portion is in a state of being accommodated in the internal space formed by the surrounding portion of the one front end portion. Therefore, when enhancing the shape rigidity of the one front end portion, for example, compared with the case where the surrounding portion is formed so as to protrude toward the side opposite to the other front end portion, the physical size in the thickness direction of the stay portion can be reduced.

[0018] Therefore, it is possible to improve the rigidity and strength of the front end portion of the arm portion while suppressing an increase in the physical size of the stay portion. [Aspect 5] At least one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a bottom wall portion facing the other in the vertical direction, a pair of side wall portions protruding from both end edges in the vehicle width direction of the bottom wall portion toward the side opposite to the other, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs protruding from the bottom wall portion and bridging between the pair of side wall portions. The vehicle beam according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 4].

[0019] According to the above configuration, compared with the case where one arm portion is simply constituted by only the bottom wall portion, the shape rigidity of one arm portion is increased by the pair of side wall portions and the reinforcing ribs. Therefore, one arm portion, and thus the stay portion, is reinforced. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the stay portion can be improved. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the vehicle beam while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the beam body. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle beam according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle beam of FIG. 1 viewed from the opposite side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an end view of a cut portion along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the right side portion of the vehicle beam of this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an end view of the cut portion along line 5-5 of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the vehicle beam will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the front-rear direction, and the front and rear in the front-rear direction will be simply referred to as the front and the rear. Also, the width direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the vehicle width direction, and the right side and the left side in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the rear to the front of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the right side and the left side. Further, the up-down direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is located on a horizontal plane will be referred to as the up-down direction, and the upper and lower in the up-down direction will be simply referred to as the upper and the lower.

[0023] <Vehicle Beam> As shown in FIGS. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, the vehicle beam (hereinafter, beam 20) is disposed behind the cowl panel 12 and the dash panel 13 as panel members constituting a part of the vehicle body 10 and extends in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the beam 20 in the vehicle width direction are attached to the front pillar 11 constituting a part of the vehicle body 10. The beam 20 has a beam main body 30 and a functional portion 40 for imparting functions to the beam main body 30.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 2, the beam main body 30 passes through the central portion of the beam main body 30 in the vehicle width direction and has a shape symmetric with respect to a virtual plane orthogonal to the vehicle width direction. That is, the beam main body 30 has a bilaterally symmetric shape. The beam main body 30 has a duct portion 31, an inlet 33, an outlet 34, and a mounting portion 35.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the duct section 31 extends in the vehicle width direction and mainly constitutes the beam body 30. The duct section 31 has a hollow shape. More specifically, the duct section 31 is cylindrical with both ends in the vehicle width direction closed. A flow path 32 is formed inside the duct section 31 through which the conditioned air A from the air conditioning unit 15 flows (see Figure 3).

[0026] The inlet 33 is cylindrical and protrudes forward from the center of the duct section 31 in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the inlet 33 is connected to the air conditioning unit 15 (see Figure 2). Thus, the inlet 33 functions to guide the conditioned air A from the air conditioning unit 15 into the flow path 32.

[0027] The outlet 34 is cylindrical and protrudes rearward from the duct section 31. The rear end of the outlet 34 is connected to the air outlet 16 for conditioned air A, which is attached to the instrument panel (see Figure 1). Thus, the outlet 34 functions to guide the conditioned air A flowing through the passage 32 toward the air outlet 16. In this embodiment, two outlets 34 are provided in the center of the duct section 31 in the vehicle width direction, and one outlet 34 is provided at each end of the duct section 31 in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the air outlet 16.

[0028] Mounting portions 35 are provided one at each end of the duct portion 31 in the vehicle width direction. Each mounting portion 35 has an upper mounting portion 35a that protrudes upward from the outer surface of the duct portion 31 and a lower mounting portion 35b that protrudes downward from the same outer surface. By fastening each mounting portion 35 to the front pillar 11, the beam body 30, and consequently the beam 20, are fixed to the vehicle body 10.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 5, the functional unit 40 includes a plurality of support parts for supporting peripheral components of the beam body 30 and a stay part 50 for connecting the beam body 30 and the cowl panel 12.

[0030] The multiple support sections include an airbag support section 41 (see Figure 1) that supports the airbag device 17 as a peripheral component, and a steering support section 42 (see Figures 4 and 5) that suspends and supports the steering column 14 as a peripheral component from above. Note that in Figure 1, the portion of the beam 20 where the steering support section 42 is located is omitted from the illustration.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the airbag support portion 41 is integrally provided with the left portion of the beam body 30. The airbag support portion 41 is provided in the vehicle width direction between the outlet 34 provided in the center of the duct portion 31 and the outlet 34 provided at the left end of the duct portion 31.

[0032] The airbag support portion 41 has two fastening holes 41a that penetrate vertically and through which bolts (not shown) serving as fastening members are inserted, spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. After inserting bolts (not shown) through the two fastening holes 41a and two holes formed in the bracket at positions corresponding to the two fastening holes 41a, nuts (not shown) are screwed onto the bolts, thereby fastening the airbag device 17 to the airbag support portion 41.

[0033] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the steering support portion 42 is provided on the right side of the beam body 30. That is, a vehicle equipped with the beam 20 of this embodiment is a right-hand drive vehicle. In the vehicle width direction, the steering support portion 42 is provided between the inlet 33 and outlet 34 provided in the center of the duct portion 31 and the outlet 34 provided at the right end of the duct portion 31.

[0034] The steering support portion 42 has a front support portion 43 that protrudes forward from the beam body 30 and a rear support portion 44 that protrudes rearward from the beam body 30. The front support portion 43 is inclined and extends downward as it moves forward (see Figure 5). The front part 14a of the steering column 14 is fastened to the front support portion 43 via a bracket (not shown) (see Figure 5). In addition, a fastening hole 43d is formed in the front end portion 43c of the front support portion 43, which penetrates vertically and through which a bolt (not shown) as a fastening member is inserted (see Figure 4). After inserting a bolt (neither shown) through the fastening hole 43d and a fastening hole formed in the dash panel 13 which constitutes part of the vehicle body 10, a nut (not shown) is screwed onto the bolt, thereby fastening the front support portion 43 to the dash panel 13. In this way, the dash panel 13 and the beam body 30 are connected via the front support portion 43. In other words, the right side portion of the beam body 30 is supported by the dash panel 13 via the front support portion 43.

[0035] The rear end portion 44c of the rear support portion 44 has two fastening holes 44d that penetrate vertically and through which bolts (not shown) serving as fastening members are inserted, spaced apart in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 4). After inserting bolts (not shown) through the two fastening holes 44d and two fastening holes formed in the bracket or the like at positions corresponding to the two fastening holes 44d, nuts (not shown) are screwed onto the bolts, thereby fastening the rear portion 14b of the steering column 14 to the rear support portion 44.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment, one stay portion 50 is provided on each of the adjacent positions on both the left and right sides of the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the pair of stay portions 50 are arranged so as to sandwich the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. Each of the pair of stay portions 50 protrudes forward from the beam body 30. In this embodiment, the pair of stay portions 50 have the same configuration except that the left stay portion 50 protrudes further forward than the right stay portion 50. For this reason, in the following, the description of the right stay portion 50 may be omitted.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the stay portion 50 bends midway along its extension direction and extends upward. More specifically, the stay portion 50 is inclined to be positioned higher as it extends forward from its midway along its extension direction. Note that in Figure 6, for explanatory purposes, only the end faces of the cut portions of components other than the stay portion 50 are shown.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, each stay portion 50 has a fastening hole 50b formed at its front end 50a, which penetrates vertically and through which a bolt 61, serving as a fastening member 60, is inserted. After inserting the bolt 61 through the fastening hole 50b and the fastening hole 12a formed in the cowl panel 12, which constitutes part of the vehicle body 10, the stay portion 50 is fastened to the cowl panel 12 by screwing a nut 62 onto the bolt 61 (see Figure 6). This connects the cowl panel 12 and the beam body 30 via the stay portion 50. In other words, the right side of the beam body 30 is supported by the cowl panel 12 via the stay portion 50.

[0039] <Upper divided body, lower divided body> As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the beam 20 is composed of multiple segments. In this embodiment, the beam 20 is composed of two segments: an upper segment 21 that constitutes the upper part of the beam 20, and a lower segment 23 that constitutes the lower part of the beam 20. The segments 21 and 23 divide the beam body 30 into two parts in the circumferential direction of the duct portion 31 of the beam body 30.

[0040] The upper split body 21 includes an upper beam split body 30a that constitutes the upper half of the beam body 30, an upper support split body 42a (see Figure 5) that constitutes the upper part of the steering support part 42, and an upper arm part 51 (see Figure 6) that constitutes the upper part of each stay part 50. The upper beam split body 30a and the upper arm part 51 correspond to the "first split body" and "first arm part" described in the [Means for Solving the Problem] section.

[0041] The upper beam split section 30a has an opening at the bottom. The upper beam split section 30a has a split cylindrical upper peripheral wall section 31a, an upper inlet split section 33a protruding forward from the upper peripheral wall section 31a, a plurality of upper outlet split sections 34a protruding rearward from the upper peripheral wall section 31a, and a pair of upper mounting sections 35a.

[0042] The upper peripheral wall portion 31a constitutes the upper half of the duct portion 31. The upper inlet split portion 33a constitutes the upper half of the inlet 33. The upper outlet split portion 34a constitutes the upper half of the outlet 34.

[0043] A flange-shaped upper joint portion 22 is integrally provided on the peripheral portion of the upper peripheral wall portion 31a that mainly constitutes the opening 30c (see Figure 3) of the upper beam half-body 30a, and on the lower ends of the upper inlet half-body 33a and the multiple upper outlet half-body 34a connected to the same peripheral portion. The upper joint portion 22 has an upper opposing surface 22a that extends along the dividing surface of the beam body 30 (the opening surface of the opening 30c), and an upper welding rib 22b that protrudes downward from the upper opposing surface 22a (see Figure 3).

[0044] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the upper support section division 42a has a front support section division 43a that forms the upper part of the front support section 43, a rear support section division 44a that forms the upper part of the rear support section 44, and an upper reinforcing rib 45a. The front support section division 43a extends further forward from the tip of the upper joint section 22 that faces forward. The rear support section division 44a extends further rearward from the tip of the upper joint section 22 that faces rearward. Multiple upper reinforcing ribs 45a protrude upward from each support section division 43a, 44a.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, the upper arm portion 51 has a base portion 52 that protrudes further forward from the tip of the upper joint portion 22 facing forward, and a front end portion 53 that constitutes the upper part of the front end portion 50a. The base portion 52 has a bottom wall portion 52a that extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, and a pair of side wall portions 52b that extend upward from both ends of the bottom wall portion 52a in the vehicle width direction. The front end portion 53 has a thickened portion 53a that is thicker in the vertical direction than the bottom wall portion 52a, and a first surrounding portion 53b that rises upward from the periphery of the thickened portion 53a. The thickened portion 53a has an insertion hole 53c that penetrates in the vertical direction and through which a bolt 61 as a fastening member 60 is inserted. A metal collar 63 is inserted into the insertion hole 53c. The first surrounding portion 53b extends along the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 53c and surrounds the insertion hole 53c. The circumferential ends of the first surrounding portion 53b on one and the other sides are connected to the left and right side wall portions 52b, respectively.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the base 52 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs 52c integrally formed thereon, which protrude upward from the bottom wall 52a and are spanned between a pair of side wall sections 52b. Note that the reinforcing ribs 52c are not shown in Figure 6.

[0047] The upper segmented body 21 (upper beam split body 30a, upper joint 22, upper support segmented body 42a, upper reinforcing rib 45a, and a pair of upper arm portions 51) is integrally molded from a resin material. Any hard resin used in injection molding can be used as the resin material, but it is preferable to use a fiber-reinforced resin from the viewpoint of improving rigidity and strength. In this embodiment, a glass fiber-reinforced polyamide resin is used.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the lower split body 23 has a lower beam split body 30b that constitutes the lower half of the beam body 30, a lower support split body 42b that constitutes the lower part of the steering support part 42 (see Figure 5), and a lower arm part 54 that constitutes the lower part of each stay part 50 (see Figure 6). Note that the lower beam split body 30b and the lower arm part 54 correspond to the "second split body" and "second arm part" described in the [Means for Solving the Problem] section.

[0049] The lower beam split section 30b is open upwards. The lower beam split section 30b has a split cylindrical lower peripheral wall section 31b, a lower inlet split section 33b protruding forward from the lower peripheral wall section 31b, a plurality of lower outlet split sections 34b protruding rearward from the lower peripheral wall section 31b, and a pair of lower mounting sections 35b.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the lower beam half-body 30b has an airbag support portion 41. The airbag support portion 41 protrudes rearward from the outer surface of the lower peripheral wall portion 31b.

[0051] The lower peripheral wall portion 31b constitutes the lower half of the duct portion 31. The lower inlet split portion 33b constitutes the lower half of the inlet 33. The lower outlet split portion 34b constitutes the lower half of the outlet 34.

[0052] A flange-shaped lower joint portion 24 is integrally provided on the peripheral portion of the lower peripheral wall portion 31b that mainly constitutes the opening 30d (see Figure 3) of the lower beam half-body 30b, and on the upper ends of the lower inlet half-body 33b and the multiple lower outlet half-body 34b connected to the same peripheral portion. The lower joint portion 24 has a lower opposing surface 24a that extends along the dividing surface of the beam body 30 (the opening surface of the opening 30d), and a lower welding rib 24b that protrudes upward from the lower opposing surface 24a (see Figure 3). The lower opposing surface 24a faces the upper opposing surface 22a in the vertical direction. The upper welding rib 22b and the lower welding rib 24b are welded together using a well-known welding method such as vibration welding, thereby joining the upper joint 22 and the lower joint 24, and consequently the upper divided body 21 and the lower divided body 23 to each other.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the lower support section division 42b includes a front support section division 43b that constitutes the lower part of the front support section 43, a rear support section division 44b that constitutes the lower part of the rear support section 44, and a lower reinforcing rib 45b. The front support section division 43b extends further forward from the protruding end of the forward-facing lower joint section 24. The front end of the front support section division 43b is superimposed on the front end of the front support section division 43a from below. The rear support section division 44b extends further rearward from the protruding end of the rear-facing lower joint section 24. The rear support section division 44b is superimposed on the rear support section division 44a from below. Multiple lower reinforcing ribs 45b protrude downward from each support section division 43b, 44b.

[0054] As shown in Figure 6, the lower arm portion 54 is superimposed on the upper arm portion 51 from below. The lower arm portion 54 has a base portion 55 that protrudes further forward from the tip of the lower joint portion 24 facing forward, and a front end portion 56 that constitutes the lower part of the front end portion 50a. The base portion 55 has a bottom wall portion 55a that extends in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, and a pair of side wall portions 55b that extend downward from both ends of the bottom wall portion 55a in the vehicle width direction. The front end portion 56 has a thickened portion 56a that is partially thicker in the vertical direction than the bottom wall portion 55a, and a second surrounding portion 56b that rises upward from the periphery of the thickened portion 56a. The thickened portion 56a has an insertion hole 56c that penetrates in the vertical direction and through which a bolt 61, which serves as a fastening member 60, is inserted. A metal collar 64 is inserted into the insertion hole 56c. The through hole 56c communicates with the through hole 53c in the vertical direction. The through holes 53c and 56c constitute the fastening hole 50b. The front ends 53 and 56 abut each other via collars 63 and 64 inserted through the through holes 53c and 56c. The second surrounding portion 56b extends along the circumferential direction of the through hole 56c and surrounds the through hole 56c. The second surrounding portion 56b surrounds the front end 53 from the outside with a small gap in the radial direction centered on the through hole 53c. As a result, the front end 53 of the upper arm portion 51 is housed in the internal space surrounded by the second surrounding portion 56b and the thickened portion 56a. The second surrounding portion 56b extends to the base portion 55 and covers the pair of side wall portions 52b from the outside in the vehicle width direction (see the dashed line portion in Figure 6). In this embodiment, the second surrounding portion 56b corresponds to the "surrounding portion" described in the [Means for Solving the Problem] section. Although not shown in the illustration, the base portion 55 has a plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally formed thereon, which protrude downward from the bottom wall portion 55a and are spanned between the pair of side wall portions 55b.

[0055] The lower segmented body 23 (lower beam split body 30b, lower joint 24, lower support segmented body 42b, lower reinforcing rib 45b, and a pair of lower arm sections 54) is integrally molded from the same resin material as the resin material that forms the upper segmented body 21.

[0056] <Operation of this embodiment> The beam body 30 and the cowl panel 12 are connected by inserting bolts 61, which serve as fastening members 60, through the insertion holes 53c and 56c of the upper arm portion 51 and the lower arm portion 54, respectively, and through the fastening holes 12a formed in the cowl panel 12. As a result, the beam body 30 is supported by the cowl panel 12, which constitutes part of the vehicle body 10, via the stay portion 50. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the beam body 30 can be increased.

[0057] Furthermore, according to the beam 20 of this embodiment, the stress generated in the beam body 30 by the load acting from the cowl panel 12 via the upper arm portion 51 and the lower arm portion 54 is suitably distributed to the upper beam half 30a and the lower beam half 30b. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the beam body 30 can be increased compared to, for example, the case where the stay portion 50 is composed of only one of the upper arm portion 51 or the lower arm portion 54.

[0058] Furthermore, in the beam 20 of this embodiment, the stay portion 50 is integrally molded with the beam body 30. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate stay member when connecting the beam body 30 and the cowl panel 12. Also, since the stay portion 50 and the cowl panel 12 are directly connected without using a bracket, there is no need to provide a separate bracket. Consequently, the number of parts can be reduced compared to conventional vehicle beams that require separate brackets and stay members.

[0059] <Effects of this embodiment> (1) The beam 20 comprises a cylindrical beam body 30 positioned behind the cowl panel 12 and extending in the vehicle width direction, and a stay portion 50 that protrudes forward from the beam body 30 and connects the beam body 30 and the cowl panel 12. The beam body 30 is composed of an upper beam half 30a and a lower beam half 30b made of resin. The stay portion 50 is composed of an upper arm portion 51 integrally molded with the upper beam half 30a and a lower arm portion 54 integrally molded with the lower beam half 30b. The front ends 53 and 56 of the upper arm portion 51 and the lower arm portion 54 are formed with through holes 53c and 56c that communicate with each other and through which bolts 61 serving as fastening members 60 for fastening to the cowl panel 12 are inserted.

[0060] This configuration produces the effects described above. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the beam 20 while ensuring the rigidity and strength of the beam body 30. (2) The beam 20 further includes a steering support portion 42 for supporting the steering column 14. The stay portion 50 is provided in a position adjacent to the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction.

[0061] With this configuration, the right-hand portion of the beam 20, where the steering support portion 42 is located, is supported by the cowl panel 12 via the stay portion 50. As a result, the steering column 14 is firmly supported by the steering support portion 42. Therefore, vibrations of the steering column 14, and consequently the steering wheel, during vehicle operation can be suppressed.

[0062] (3) The beam 20 is provided with a pair of stay portions 50 that sandwich the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. The stress generated in the beam body 30 by the load acting from the steering column 14 via the steering support portion 42 propagates to both sides in the vehicle width direction, centered on the steering support portion 42. In this configuration, the beam 20 is provided with a pair of stay portions 50 that sandwich the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the stress is distributed to the cowl panel 12 via the pair of stay portions 50. This allows the steering column 14 to be supported even more firmly by the steering support portion 42. Therefore, vibrations of the steering column 14, and consequently the steering wheel, during vehicle operation can be further suppressed.

[0063] (4) The front end portion 43c of the front support portion 43 of the steering support portion 42 is fastened to the dash panel 13 which is part of the vehicle body 10. With this configuration, the steering support portion 42 is directly supported by the dash panel 13. As a result, the steering column 14 is more firmly supported by the steering support portion 42. Consequently, vibrations of the steering column 14, and thus the steering wheel, during vehicle operation can be further suppressed.

[0064] (5) The front end portion 56 of the lower arm portion 54 has a second surrounding portion 56b that protrudes toward the front end portion 53 of the upper arm portion 51 and surrounds the front end portion 53 from the outside in the radial direction centered on the insertion hole 53c.

[0065] With this configuration, the shape rigidity of the front end portion 56 of the lower arm portion 54 is increased compared to the case where the front end portion 56 is composed only of the thickened portion 56a. Therefore, the front end portion 56 of the lower arm portion 54 is reinforced by the second surrounding portion 56b.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the second surrounding portion 56b protrudes toward the front end portion 53 of the upper arm portion 51 and also protrudes radially so as to surround the front end portion 53 from the outside. In other words, the front end portion 53 is housed in the internal space formed by the second surrounding portion 56b of the front end portion 56. Therefore, in order to increase the shape rigidity of the front end portion 56, for example, the size of the stay portion 50 in the thickness direction can be reduced compared to the case where the second surrounding portion 56b is formed to protrude toward the opposite side from the front end portion 53.

[0067] Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the front end portion 56 of the lower arm portion 54 can be improved while suppressing an increase in the size of the stay portion 50. (6) The upper arm portion 51 has a bottom wall portion 52a, a pair of side wall portions 52b projecting upward from both ends of the bottom wall portion 52a in the vehicle width direction, opposite to the lower arm portion 54, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 52c projecting from the bottom wall portion 52a and spanning between the pair of side wall portions 52b.

[0068] With this configuration, the shape rigidity of the upper arm portion 51 is increased by the pair of side walls 52b and reinforcing ribs 52c compared to the case where the upper arm portion 51 is composed solely of the bottom wall portion 52a. As a result, the upper arm portion 51, and consequently the stay portion 50, are reinforced. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the stay portion 50 can be improved.

[0069] (7) The lower arm portion 54 has a bottom wall portion 55a, a pair of side wall portions 55b that protrude downward from both ends of the bottom wall portion 55a in the vehicle width direction, opposite to the upper arm portion 51, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (not shown) that protrude from the bottom wall portion 55a and are spanned between the pair of side wall portions 55b.

[0070] With this configuration, the shape rigidity of the lower arm portion 54 is increased by the pair of side walls 55b and reinforcing ribs (not shown) compared to the case where the lower arm portion 54 is composed solely of the bottom wall portion 55a. As a result, the lower arm portion 54, and consequently the stay portion 50, are reinforced. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the stay portion 50 can be further improved.

[0071] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0072] At least one of the reinforcing ribs 52c of the base 52 and the reinforcing ribs (not shown) of the base 55 may be omitted. At least one of the side wall portion 52b of the base portion 52 and the side wall portion 55b of the base portion 55 may be omitted. For example, if the side wall portion 52b is omitted, the thickness of the bottom wall portion 52a of the base portion 52 in the vertical direction may be increased. Similarly, if the side wall portion 55b is omitted, the thickness of the bottom wall portion 55a of the base portion 52 in the vertical direction may be increased.

[0073] The first surrounding portion 53b may be omitted from the upper arm portion 51. The surrounding portion according to the present invention is not limited to the second surrounding portion 56b formed on the lower arm portion 54 as illustrated in this embodiment. For example, the surrounding portion according to the present invention may be a surrounding portion that protrudes downward from the thickened portion 53a toward the front end portion 56, i.e., downward, and surrounds the front end portion 56 from the outside in the radial direction centered on the insertion hole 56c.

[0074] Either one of the pair of stay sections 50 may be omitted from the beam 20. The stay portion 50 is not limited to being located adjacent to the steering support portion 42 in the vehicle width direction. The stay portion 50 may be located on the left side of the beam body 30. In this case, for example, the stay portion 50 may be located adjacent to the airbag support portion 41 in the vehicle width direction.

[0075] In this embodiment, the example shows that the stay portion 50 and the cowl panel 12 are directly fastened together by the fastening member 60. However, for example, the beam 20 may be indirectly connected to the stay portion 50 and the cowl panel 12 via a bracket. In this case, the stay portion 50 protrudes forward from the beam body 30, in other words, it protrudes in the front-rear direction so as to move closer to the cowl panel 12 from the beam body 30. Therefore, the size of the bracket in the front-rear direction can be reduced by the amount of the stay portion 50. Furthermore, even in this case, it is not necessary to provide the stay member as a separate member from the beam body 30, so the number of parts can be reduced by the amount of the stay member.

[0076] The steering support portion according to the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the steering support portion 42 illustrated in this embodiment, which consists of an upper support portion divided body 42a integrally molded from a resin material with an upper beam half-body 30a, and a lower support portion divided body 42b integrally molded from a resin material with a lower beam half-body 30b. For example, the steering support portion may be formed separately from the beam body 30 using a metal material. In this case, for example, the steering support portion and the beam body 30 can be integrated by injection molding the upper beam half-body 30a with a metal steering support portion as an insert member.

[0077] The beam 20 does not need to have a duct function. In this case, the inlet 33 and outlet 34 can be omitted from the beam body 30. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] A...Air for air conditioning 10... Vehicle body 11…Front pillar 12... Cowl panel 12a…Fastening hole 13…Dash panel 14…Steering column 14a... Front 14b... Rear 15...Air conditioner 16…Air outlet 17…Airbag system 20... Beam 21…Upper split body 22...Upper joint 22a... Upper opposing surface 22b... Upper welded rib 23…Lower division body 24…Lower joint part 24a...Lower opposing surface 24b...Lower welded rib 30... Beam body 30a... Upper beam split section (first split section) 30b...Lower beam split body (second split body) 30c,30d…Aperture 31... Duct section 31a...Upper peripheral wall part 31b…Lower peripheral wall part 32…flow channel 33...Inlet 33a... Upper inlet half-body 33b...Half-cut lower inlet 34…Outlet 34a... Upper outlet half-body 34b...Lower outlet half-body 35…Mounting part 35a... Upper mounting section 35b...Lower mounting section 40…Functional parts 41...Airbag support section 41a...fastening hole 42... Steering support section 42a...Upper support segment 42b…Lower support part split body 43…Front support part 43a, 43b...Front support division 43c...front end 43d…Fastening hole 44...Rear support part 44a, 44b...Rear side support segment 44c...Rear end 44d…Fastening hole 45a... Upper reinforcing rib 45b... Lower reinforcing rib 50...Stay section 50a...front end 50b…Fastening hole 51…Upper arm section (first arm section) 52...Base 52a...Bottom wall part 52b...Side wall part 52c...Reinforcement rib 53...Front end 53a...Thick wall part 53b…First enclosing part 53c... Through hole 54...Lower arm section (second arm section) 55...Base 55a...Bottom wall 55b…Side wall part 56...Front end 56a...Thick wall part 56b…Second enclosure 56c... Through hole 60… Fastening member 61... Bolts 62... Nut 63...Color 64...Color

Claims

1. A cylindrical beam body positioned behind a panel member that constitutes part of the vehicle body in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and extending in the width direction of the vehicle, The beam body includes a stay portion that protrudes forward in the front-rear direction from the beam body and connects the beam body and the panel member, The beam body is composed of a first divided body and a second divided body made of resin that divide the beam body in the circumferential direction of the beam body. The stay portion is composed of a first arm portion integrally molded with the first divided body and a second arm portion integrally molded with the second divided body. The front ends of the first arm portion and the second arm portion each have through holes through which fastening members for fastening to the panel member are inserted, and which are in communication with each other. Vehicle beam.

2. The aforementioned vehicle beam further comprises a steering support portion for supporting the steering column, The aforementioned stay portion is provided at a position adjacent to the steering support portion in the vehicle width direction. A vehicle beam according to claim 1.

3. The vehicle beam is provided with a pair of stay portions that sandwich the steering support portion in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle beam according to claim 2.

4. The front end of either the first arm portion or the second arm portion has a surrounding portion that protrudes toward the front end of the other arm portion and surrounds the other front end from the outside in the radial direction centered on the insertion hole. A vehicle beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. At least one of the first arm portion and the second arm portion has a bottom wall portion facing the other in the vertical direction, a pair of side wall portions projecting from both ends of the bottom wall portion in the vehicle width direction toward the opposite side from the other, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs projecting from the bottom wall portion and spanning between the pair of side wall portions. A vehicle beam according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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