Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

The objective is to provide a vehicle rear structure that can protect the battery from loads such as rear-end collisions with a simple configuration. [Solution] The vehicle rear structure 100 comprises a rear floor 104 of the vehicle 102, a rear member 108 connected to the rear end of the rear floor 104, a pair of rear side members 112 and 114 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left and right sides of the lower side of the rear floor 104, a brace 116 provided in the area between the pair of rear side members 112 and 114 on the lower side of the rear floor 104, and a battery tray 110 installed on the upper side of the rear floor 104 and holding the battery 106. The battery tray 110 is installed on the rear floor 104, with at least a portion of it installed in the area E1 between the rear side members 112 and the brace 116 in the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, some vehicles may have a small battery mounted above the rear floor at the rear of the vehicle. For example, FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1 shows a state where the battery 1 is mounted on the rear floor portion 2 at the rear of the vehicle. The battery 1 is a so-called auxiliary machine battery and is protected from damage caused by a rear collision or the like by being installed adjacent to the L-shaped reinforcing member 4.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, the battery 1 is protected by the unique reinforcing member 4. However, in the vicinity of the rear floor of the vehicle, there are also members for, for example, hooking a towing hook. In recent years, vehicles are required to reduce weight and cost, and from those viewpoints, protection of the battery with a configuration that utilizes existing members as much as possible is demanded.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle rear structure capable of protecting a battery from loads such as a rear collision with a simple configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the vehicle rear structure according to the present invention is a vehicle rear structure comprising a rear floor of a vehicle, a rear member connected to the rear end of the rear floor, a pair of rear side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left and right sides of the lower side of the rear floor, a brace provided in the area between the pair of rear side members on the lower side of the rear floor, and a battery tray installed on the upper side of the rear floor and holding a predetermined battery, characterized in that at least a part of the battery tray is installed in the area between one of the pair of rear side members and the brace. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle rear structure that can protect the battery from loads such as rear-end collisions with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an overview of the rear vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure, following Figure 1, shows an overview of the vehicle's rear structure. [Figure 3] This figure shows the rear structure of the vehicle in Figure 2(b) viewed from a different direction. [Figure 4] This figure shows the rear structure of the vehicle in Figure 1(b) viewed from a different direction. [Figure 5] This is a further cross-sectional view of the vehicle's rear structure shown in Figure 4(a). [Figure 6] This figure shows the reinforcement provided within the rear side member shown in Figure 5(a). [Figure 7] This figure shows a modified example of the rear vehicle structure shown in Figure 5(a). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] A vehicle rear structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a vehicle rear floor, a rear member connected to the rear end of the rear floor, a pair of rear side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the left and right sides of the lower side of the rear floor, a brace provided in the area between the pair of rear side members on the lower side of the rear floor, and a battery tray installed on the upper side of the rear floor and holding a predetermined battery, characterized in that at least a part of the battery tray is installed in the area between the pair of rear side members and the brace.

[0010] Of the rear floor described above, the area enclosed on both sides by the rear side members and braces has increased rigidity. In particular, the area enclosed by the rear side members and braces has high rigidity in the longitudinal direction compared to other parts of the rear floor, which is advantageous in the event of a rear-end collision. In the above configuration, by installing the battery tray in this highly rigid area, it is possible to protect the battery from loads caused by rear-end collisions and the like with a simple configuration.

[0011] The battery tray described above may have one or more external fixing points that are fixed in an area that overlaps with one of the rear side members of the rear floor.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by fixing the outer fixing part of the battery tray to the area of ​​the rear floor where the rigidity is increased by the rear side member, it becomes difficult for it to detach from the rear floor when a load such as a rear-end collision is applied.

[0013] The battery tray described above may have one or more internal fixing points that are fixed to the rear floor in the area overlapping with the brace.

[0014] With the above configuration, the inner fixing part of the battery tray is fixed to the area of ​​the rear floor where the rigidity is increased by the brace, making it less likely to come off the rear floor when a load such as a rear-end collision is applied.

[0015] The brace described above is provided on the rear member side and has a downward bulging portion that bulges downward from the rear floor. One or more inner fixing portions may be fixed on the front side of the downward bulging portion within the range overlapping with the brace of the rear floor.

[0016] In a rear collision or the like, the downward bulging portion provided on the rear side of the brace receives and absorbs the load first. Therefore, according to the above configuration, by providing the inner fixing portion of the battery tray on the front side of the downward bulging portion, it becomes possible to reduce the load that can act on the inner fixing portion in a rear collision or the like.

[0017] At least two of the one or more outer fixing portions described above may be provided at a predetermined interval in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0018] According to the above configuration, by providing two or more outer fixing portions at a predetermined interval in the vehicle front-rear direction, when a load such as a rear collision acts on the rear floor, it becomes difficult for the battery tray to come off the rear floor and difficult for the battery tray to rotate on the rear floor.

Embodiment

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in such embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a view showing an outline of a vehicle rear structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view showing the vehicle rear structure 100 as viewed from the upper left front.

[0021] In the following, in Figure 1 and all other drawings of this application, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left-right direction in the vehicle width direction is illustrated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is illustrated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0022] The vehicle rear structure 100 holds a battery 106 above the rear floor 104 of the vehicle 102. The battery 106 is a small auxiliary battery that supplies power to electrical components such as wipers and power windows. The vehicle rear structure 100 is mainly implemented on the rear right side of the vehicle 102 and protects the battery 106 from loads such as rear-end collisions through the configurations described later.

[0023] The vehicle rear structure 100 includes a rear floor 104 and a rear member 108. The rear floor 104 is a panel member that constitutes the floor at the rear of the vehicle. The rear member 108 is a general term for members connected to the rear end of the rear floor 104, and includes, for example, a back panel and a tail end member.

[0024] Figure 1(b) is a diagram of the vehicle rear structure 100 in Figure 1(a) with the battery 106 omitted. A battery tray 110 is installed on the upper side of the rear floor 104.

[0025] The battery tray 110 is a component that holds the battery 106 (see Figure 1(a)) on the rear floor. The battery tray 110 is fixed to the rear floor 104 by outer fixing parts 128, 130 and inner fixing part 132. The battery 106 is placed on the battery tray 110 and held in place by a predetermined holder member or the like which is attached from above.

[0026] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the vehicle rear structure 100, following Figure 1. Figure 2(a) is a diagram of the vehicle rear structure 100 from Figure 1(b) with the rear floor 104 omitted.

[0027] The battery tray 110 is fixed on the rear floor 104 in a position overlapping the rear side member 112 and the brace 116. Both the rear side member 112 and the brace 116 are members joined to the underside of the rear floor 104 and serve to increase the rigidity of the rear floor 104. In the rear structure 100 of the vehicle, these rear side member 112 and the brace 116 are used to increase the mounting rigidity of the battery tray 110.

[0028] Figure 2(b) is a view of the vehicle 102 shown in Figure 1(a) from below. The rear side members 112 and 114 are provided in pairs on the left and right sides below the rear floor 104.

[0029] The rear side members 112 and 114 are elongated members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and are provided along the left and right sides of the underside of the rear floor 104. The rear side members 112 and 114 are connected by cross members 120 and 122, etc., which extend in the width direction of the vehicle, and constitute the vehicle's frame.

[0030] In this embodiment, the brace 116 is implemented as a fastening member having a towing hook 118. However, the brace 116 is not limited to its embodiment as a fastening member; it can also be implemented, for example, as a reinforcing member to reinforce the underside of the rear floor 104. In either case, the brace 116 is an existing component installed in the vehicle, regardless of whether or not the battery 106 (see Figure 1(a)) is mounted.

[0031] The brace 116 is located on the underside of the rear floor 104, in the area between the pair of rear side members 112 and 114. The brace 116 is positioned closer to the rear side member 112 with respect to the center of the rear floor 104 in the vehicle width direction. The brace 116 has an elongated configuration in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, with its rear end connected to the rear member 108 and its front end connected to the cross member 120.

[0032] The rear side members 112 and 114 and the brace 116 are all joined to the rear floor 104 by welding or the like. The rear member 108 is joined by welding or the like across the rear end of the rear floor 104, the rear ends of the rear side members 112 and 114, and the rear end of the brace 116, and constitutes the rear of the vehicle 102.

[0033] Figure 3 shows the vehicle rear structure 100 of Figure 2(b) viewed from a different direction. Figure 3(a) shows the rear side member 112 of Figure 2(b) viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] As mentioned above, the rear side member 112 is located beneath the rear floor 104. The rear side member 112 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, passing beneath the battery tray 110, and its rear end is joined to the rear member 108.

[0035] Figure 3(b) shows the brace 116 of Figure 2(b) as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction. As mentioned above, the brace 116 is implemented as a fastening member having a towing hook 118.

[0036] The brace 116 has a downward bulge 124 on the rear member 108 side that bulges downward from the rear floor 104. The downward bulge 124 is the part where the towing hook 118 is installed, and it bulges downward to make it easier to use the towing hook 118.

[0037] The towing hook 118 is a component to which hooks extending from other structures are connected, and is joined to the downward bulge 124 by welding or the like. The towing hook 118 is formed by joining both ends of a bent metal rod to the brace 116, creating a ring shape when viewed from the vehicle width direction.

[0038] The front portion 126 of the brace 116 is the part in front of the downward bulge 124. The front portion 126 is lower in height relative to the rear floor 104 than the downward bulge 124, and its front end is joined to the cross member 120.

[0039] The brace 116 is not only joined to the underside of the rear floor 104, but its rear end is joined to the rear member 108 and its front end is joined to the cross member 120, thereby increasing its mounting rigidity.

[0040] Figure 4 shows the vehicle rear structure 100 of Figure 1(b) viewed from a different direction. Figure 4(a) shows the vehicle rear structure 100 of Figure 1(b) viewed from above.

[0041] The battery tray 110 is fixed to the rear floor 104 by two outer fixing parts 128 and 130 on the outside in the vehicle width direction and one inner fixing part 132 on the inside in the vehicle width direction. The outer fixing parts 128 and 130 and the inner fixing part 132 are fixed to the rear floor 104 by fasteners such as bolts or by welding.

[0042] The outer fixing portion 128 is formed by projecting forward the area at the right end of the front edge in the vehicle width direction of the battery tray 110. The outer fixing portion 130 is formed by projecting rearward the area at the right end of the rear edge in the vehicle width direction of the battery tray 110. The inner fixing portion 132 is formed by projecting to the left side in the vehicle width direction of the battery tray 110, at the portion located between the outer fixing portions 128 and 130 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0043] The battery tray 110 is installed on the rear floor 104 such that at least a portion of it is located in the range E1 between the rear side member 112 and the brace 116 in the vehicle width direction.

[0044] More specifically, range E1 is the area on the rear floor 104 demarcated by virtual lines L1 to L4. Virtual line L1 is a virtual line segment along the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the rear side member 112. Virtual line L2 is a virtual line segment along the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the brace 116.

[0045] The imaginary line L3 is a hypothetical line segment extending in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the brace 116 toward the rear end of the rear side member 112. The imaginary line L4 is a hypothetical line segment extending in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the brace 116 toward the rear side member 112.

[0046] In addition, if the rear end of the rear side member 112 is located behind the rear end of the brace 116 in the virtual line L3, it is also possible to define virtual line L3 as a virtual line segment extending in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the brace 116 toward the rear side member 112.

[0047] The battery tray 110 is installed on the rear floor 104 such that at least a portion of it is located within the range E1. In particular, in this embodiment, the entire battery tray 110, including the outer fixing parts 128, 130 and the inner fixing part 132, is installed so that it is located within the range E1.

[0048] Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view AA of the rear vehicle structure shown in Figure 4(a).

[0049] Within the rear floor 104, the area E1, which is surrounded on both sides by the rear side members 112 and the brace 116, has increased rigidity. In particular, in this embodiment, the two elongated members consisting of the rear side members 112 and the brace 116 extend forward from the rear member 108 (see Figure 2(b)). Therefore, the area E1 has high rigidity in the longitudinal direction within the rear floor 104, which is advantageous in the event of a rear-end collision.

[0050] In this embodiment, the battery tray 110 is installed such that at least a portion of it is located within the high-rigidity range E1. As a result, the battery tray 110 is fixed to the rear floor 104 in a simple yet highly rigid configuration that utilizes the existing rear side member 112 and brace 116. Therefore, the battery tray 110 can suitably hold the battery 106 (see Figure 1(a)) so that it does not move or detach even when a load is applied in an emergency such as a rear-end collision, and can protect the battery 106 from loads caused by rear-end collisions.

[0051] Figure 5 is a further cross-sectional view of the vehicle rear structure 100 in Figure 4(a). Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of BB of the vehicle rear structure 100 in Figure 4(a).

[0052] The outer fixing parts 128 and 130 are fixed to the rear floor 104 in the area that overlaps with the rear side member 112. By fixing the outer fixing parts 128 and 130 to the area of ​​the rear floor 104 in which the rigidity is increased by the rear side member 112, they are less likely to detach from the rear floor 104 when a load such as a rear-end collision is applied.

[0053] The battery tray 110 has two external fixing parts 128 and 130, which are provided at a predetermined distance apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. For example, the external fixing parts 128 and 130 are provided on the front and rear sides of the battery 106 in Figure 1(a), and are provided at a distance greater than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the battery 106. By providing two or more external fixing parts 128 and 130 at a predetermined distance apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on one fixing part when a load such as a rear collision acts on the rear floor 104, making it difficult for the battery tray 110 to detach from the rear floor 104.

[0054] Furthermore, even if a load such as a rear-end collision is applied and other fixing parts become detached, the presence of the two outer fixing parts 128 and 130 makes it difficult for the battery tray 110 to rotate on the rear floor 104.

[0055] Furthermore, the battery tray 110 is not limited to the two external fixing parts 128 and 130; it is also possible to provide three or more external fixing parts. For example, it is possible to add other external fixing parts in the range between external fixing part 128 and external fixing part 130, in a position that overlaps with the rear side member 112.

[0056] Figure 5(b) is a cross-sectional view of the rear vehicle structure 100 shown in Figure 4(a).

[0057] The inner fixing portion 132 is fixed to the rear floor 104 in the area that overlaps with the brace 116. By fixing the inner fixing portion 132 to the area of ​​the rear floor 104 in which the rigidity is increased by the brace 116, it is less likely to come off the rear floor 104 when a load such as a rear-end collision is applied.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4(b), the rear floor 104 has multiple upwardly convex shapes in the area between the outer fixing portion 128 and the inner fixing portion 132 of the battery tray 110 in the vehicle width direction, improving bending rigidity. The rear floor 104 can also increase the mounting rigidity of the battery tray 110 through these convex shapes.

[0059] As shown in Figure 5(b), the inner fixing portion 132 is fixed in a range that overlaps with the brace 116 of the rear floor 104 and in a range that overlaps with the front portion 126 that is in front of the downward bulge 124.

[0060] In the event of a rear collision, the brace 116 is designed so that the downward bulge 124 located at the rear takes the lead in receiving and absorbing the load. Therefore, by providing the inner fixing portion 132 on the front portion 126, which is in front of the downward bulge 124, the load that can act on the vehicle in a rear collision can be reduced.

[0061] Furthermore, the battery tray 110 is not limited to having only one inner fixing part 132; it is also possible to have two or more inner fixing parts. For example, it is possible to add another inner fixing part to the side edge of the battery tray 110, behind the inner fixing part 132, at a position that overlaps with the front portion 126 of the brace 116.

[0062] Figure 6 shows the reinforcement 140 located within the rear side member 112 shown in Figure 5(a). Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the reinforcement 140.

[0063] The rear vehicle structure 100 has a reinforcement 140 within the rear side member 112. The reinforcement 140 is a reinforcing member that is joined to the side walls 112a and 112b of the rear side member 112 on the inside of the rear side member 112. The outer fixing parts 128 and 130 in Figure 5(a) can be joined together with the rear floor 104 to the reinforcement 140 within the rear side member 112.

[0064] The reinforcement 140 in Figure 6(a) has an upper top surface portion 142, a front wall portion 144, and a rear wall portion 146. The top surface portion 142 is provided with through holes 152 and 154 that can be joined to the outer fixing portions 128 and 130 (see Figure 5(a)).

[0065] Flange portions 150a and 150b are provided at the right ends of the front wall portion 144 and the rear wall portion 146. The flange portions 150a and 150b are welded to the side wall 112a of the rear side member 112. In addition, flange portions 150c and 150d are provided at the left ends of the front wall portion 144 and the rear wall portion 146. The flange portions 150c and 150d are welded to the side wall 112b of the rear side member 112.

[0066] The flange portions 150a to 150d are welded to the side walls 112a and 112b, respectively, at two welding points P1 to P8. For example, flange 150a is welded to side wall 112a by two welding points P1 and P2, which are aligned front to back. By providing two welding points, front to back, on a single flange, it is possible to prevent the load from concentrating on a single welding point during a rear collision, while distributing the load in the front-to-rear direction. This makes it difficult for the battery tray 110 to detach from the rear floor 104.

[0067] Figure 6(b) is an enlarged view of the reinforcement 140 in Figure 5(a). The outer fixing portion 128 is not only joined to the rear floor 104, but also to the reinforcement 140 which is joined to the rear side member 112 (see Figure 6(a)). In other words, the outer fixing portion 128 is indirectly joined to the rear side member 112 via the reinforcement 140.

[0068] The welding points P1 to P8 of the flange portions 150a to 150d mentioned above are located in the range H1 between the imaginary line V1 that passes horizontally through the lower end of the rear floor 104 and the imaginary line V2 that passes horizontally through the lower ends of the outer fixing portions 128 and 130 (see Figure 5(a)) in the vehicle's vertical direction.

[0069] The outer fixing portion 130 (see Figure 5(a)) is also joined to the rear side member 112 via the reinforcement 140, similar to the outer fixing portion 128. Furthermore, the inner fixing portion 132 (see Figure 5(b)) can also be indirectly joined to the brace 116 via a predetermined reinforcement joined to the inside of the brace 116. In this way, the outer fixing portions 128, 130 and the inner fixing portion 132 are joined to the rear side member 112 and the brace 116 via their respective reinforcements, thereby further improving the installation rigidity.

[0070] Each reinforcement that joins the outer fixing portion 130 (see Figure 5(a)) and the inner fixing portion 132 (see Figure 5(b)) can also be joined to the rear side member 112 and the brace 116 by providing two welding points on each flange portion, similar to the reinforcement 140 in Figure 6(a). In particular, similar to Figure 6(b), each welding point can be provided in the range H1 between the dashed lines V1 and V2 in the vehicle's vertical direction. This improves the mounting rigidity of the battery tray 110 relative to the rear floor 104 by each reinforcement, below the rear floor 104 and above the lower ends of the outer fixing portions 128 and 130 (see Figure 5(a)).

[0071] Figure 7 shows a modified example (vehicle rear structure 200) of the vehicle rear structure 100 in Figure 5(a). In the vehicle rear structure 200, brackets 202 and 204 are provided on the upper side of the rear floor 104, and the battery tray 110 is installed thereon.

[0072] Brackets 202 and 204 are support members joined to the upper side of the rear floor 104, to which the outer fixing parts 128 and 130 are joined. Similar brackets can also be provided on the lower side of the inner fixing part 132 (see Figure 5(b)).

[0073] Brackets 202, 204, etc. can be installed on the rear floor 104 (see Figure 4(a)) within range E1, for example, in a position that overlaps with the rear side member 112 and the brace 116. Even if the battery tray 110 is installed on the rear floor 104 via brackets 202, 204, etc., the rigidity of the rear side member 112 and the brace 116 makes it possible to suitably protect the battery 106 (see Figure 1(a)) from loads such as rear-end collisions by utilizing the rigidity of the rear side member 112 and the brace 116.

[0074] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0075] This invention can be used in the rear structure of a vehicle. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 100...Rear vehicle structure, 102...Vehicle, 104...Rear floor, 106...Battery, 108...Rear component, 110...Battery tray, 112...Rear side member, 112a, 112b...Side wall, 114...Rear side member, 116...Brace, 118...Towing hook, 120, 122...Cross member, 124...Lower bulge, 126...Front section, 128 …Outer fixing part, 130…Outer fixing part, 132…Inner fixing part, 140…Reinforcement, 142…Top surface part, 144…Front wall part, 146…Rear wall part, 150a~150b…Flange part, 152, 154…Through hole, E1…Range, H1…Range, L1~L4…Imaginary line, P1~P8…Welding point, V1, V2…Imaginary line, 200…Rear structure of vehicle, 202, 204…Bracket

Claims

1. The rear floor of the vehicle, A rear member connected to the rear end of the rear floor, A pair of rear side members extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction along the left and right sides of the lower part of the rear floor, A brace is provided in the area between the pair of rear side members on the underside of the rear floor, In a vehicle rear structure comprising a battery tray installed on the upper side of the rear floor and holding a predetermined battery, A rear vehicle structure characterized in that at least a portion of the battery tray is installed in the area between one of the pair of rear side members and the brace.

2. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery tray has one or more outer fixing portions fixed to the rear floor in an area that overlaps with one of the rear side members.

3. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the battery tray has one or more inner fixing parts fixed to the rear floor in a range that overlaps with the brace.

4. The brace is provided on the rear member side and has a downward bulge portion that protrudes downward from the rear floor, The vehicle rear structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more inner fixing portions are fixed to the rear floor in a region that overlaps with the brace, and is located in front of the downward bulge portion.

5. The vehicle rear structure according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two of the one or more outer fixing parts are provided at predetermined intervals in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

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