Vehicle body structure

Abstract

To efficiently transfer the frontal impact load from the front frame to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision to the side sills and tunnel side frames, which are offset from the front frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle. [Solution] The side sills 4, which are arranged along both the left and right sides of the floor panel 1, are positioned to overlap in the vehicle width direction with the lower end of the hinge pillar outer 72, which has an inward displacement shape in which its lower portion is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction. The rear portion 32 of the front frame 3, which is provided on both the left and right sides in the front space PR of the dash panel 2, is formed as a rearward expanding portion that gradually widens towards the rear end, and the rear end is configured as part of a cast object 100 that is joined to the dash panel 2. The rear end of the cast object 100 is configured to overlap in a vehicle front view with the front end of the side sill 4 and the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 provided in the tunnel portion 10 of the floor panel 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure of a vehicle including a dash panel that partitions a passenger compartment and a front space of the passenger compartment in the vehicle longitudinal direction, a pair of left and right front frames extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both left and right sides of the front space, and a vehicle body frame such as a side sill or a tunnel side frame extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction at the vehicle body floor height behind the dash panel.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as exemplified in Patent Document 1, in a vehicle body, an under load path is formed as a load transmission path for transmitting and dispersing a front collision load (hereinafter referred to as "front collision") from a front frame to the rear of the vehicle along a vehicle body frame having the front collision load at the vehicle body floor height. The under load path of Patent Document 1 transmits a front collision load from the front frame to a side sill, a floor frame, and a tunnel side frame as vehicle body frames having the vehicle body floor height.

[0003] That is, in a conventional vehicle body structure including Patent Document 1, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, since the side sill 400 among the above-described vehicle body frames is offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front frame 300, appropriately, the front end portion of the side sill 400 and the rear end portion of the front frame 300 are connected by a load transmission member such as a torque box 500 extending in the vehicle width direction, so that the front collision load from the front frame 300 is transmitted and dispersed to a vehicle body frame extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction such as the side sill 400 at the vehicle body floor height via the load transmission member to absorb energy.

[0004] However, in the conventional vehicle body structure as shown in FIG. 10, in order to improve the transmission efficiency of the front collision load from the front frame to the side sill 400 offset in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front frame 300, there is a problem that a load transmission member such as the torque box 500 becomes large.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-75167 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] This invention has been made in view of these problems, and aims to provide a vehicle body structure that can efficiently transmit the frontal impact load from the front frame to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision to the side sill and tunnel side frame, which are offset from the front frame in a frontal view of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention comprises a dash panel that separates the passenger compartment from the space in front of the passenger compartment in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a pair of left and right front frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides of the space in front, a pair of left and right hinge pillars extending vertically at both ends of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction, a pair of left and right side sills extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction to which the lower ends of the hinge pillars are fixed, and a floor panel extending from the lower end of the dash panel toward the rear of the vehicle to form the floor surface of the passenger compartment, a tunnel section that bulges upward in the vehicle width direction is formed in the center of the floor panel, a pair of left and right tunnel side frames extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction are disposed at the lower ends of the side walls on both sides of the tunnel section in the vehicle width direction, and the hinge pillars are hinges to which door hinges are attached. A vehicle body structure comprising a hinge pillar outer having mounting portions on both the upper and lower sides, wherein the hinge pillar outer is formed in an inward displacement shape such that the portion of the hinge mounting portion below the lower lower hinge mounting portion is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, the side sill is positioned so as to overlap at least a portion with the lower end of the hinge pillar outer in the vehicle width direction, the rear part of the front frame is formed as a rearward expanding portion that gradually widens towards the rear end, at least the rear part of the front frame is made of a cast object whose rear end is joined to the dash panel, and the rear end of the cast object is configured to overlap with the front end of the side sill and the front end of the tunnel side frame in a front view of the vehicle.

[0008] According to this invention, the side sill is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the hinge mounting portion formed on the hinge pillar outer, and the rear end of the cast object, which has a front frame that widens towards the rear end, overlaps with the front end of the side sill and the front end of the tunnel side frame in a front view. As a result, in the event of a frontal collision, the frontal impact load can be directed as linearly as possible from the front frame to the rear of the vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency of load transmission.

[0009] Furthermore, by eliminating the floor frame that extends front to rear along the floor panel directly beneath the driver and instead installing a tunnel side frame, the floor can be lowered, resulting in a lower driver's hip point.

[0010] In this invention, the rear end of the cast object may be configured to overlap with the front end of the side sill and the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle. In any case, the portion that is wider in the vehicle width direction than the rear end of the front frame, which serves as the rear extension, may overlap with the front end of the side sill when viewed from the front of the vehicle, or the portion that is wider in the vehicle width direction than the rear end of the front frame may overlap with the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0011] Alternatively, the present invention may be configured such that the rear portion of the front frame itself, which is a rear extension provided in the cast object, overlaps with at least one of the front end of the side sill and the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0012] In one aspect of this invention, the side sill has a closed cross-sectional space extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the side sill inner and the side sill outer, and the front end of the side sill is provided with a closing member that closes the front opening of the closed cross-sectional space, and the outer portion of the rear end of the cast body is connected to the side sill inner via the closing member. This invention allows for efficient transmission and distribution of the impact load from the outer portion of the cast object to the side sill inner via the closing member during a frontal impact. Furthermore, since the closing member can be provided at the front end of the side sill, closing the forward opening of the closed cross-sectional space, and thus extending from the side sill inner to the side sill outer when viewed from the front of the vehicle, the forward impact load can be transmitted and distributed to the side sill outer via the closing member.

[0013] In another aspect of this invention, the front frame is provided with an apron frame on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an apron support portion that extends downward from the rear end of the apron frame to the height of the side sill and supports the apron frame, and the apron support portion may be formed as the outer portion of the rear end of the casting. This invention allows the apron support to be used as part of the load transfer from the front frame to the side sill.

[0014] In another aspect of this invention, the rear portion of the front frame and the apron support portion may be connected in the width direction via a connecting portion that forms part of the casting and may be integrally formed across the vehicle width direction. This invention allows the rear end of the cast object to be widened outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the rear of the front frame, even in a configuration where the side sill is offset outward from the rear of the front frame, by the connecting portion and the apron support portion, so that it overlaps with the side sill in a front view of the vehicle. This improves the efficiency of transmitting the forward impact load from the front frame to the side sill.

[0015] In another aspect of this invention, the side sill may be provided below the front frame, and the outer portion of the rear end of the cast body may be provided with a rib that extends continuously from above the height of the side sill to the height of the side sill. This invention makes it possible to improve the efficiency of transmitting frontal impact loads from the front frame to the side sills located below the front frame.

[0016] In another aspect of this invention, the rear portion of the front frame may be configured to expand downward towards the rear end, up to the height of the side sill which is located below the front frame. This invention also improves the efficiency of transmitting vertical forward impact loads from the front frame to the side sills located below the front frame.

[0017] With this invention, the rear portion of the front frame may overlap with the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle, at its inner end in the vehicle width direction. This invention allows the rear portion of the front frame itself to overlap with the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency of transmitting the forward impact load from the front frame to the front end of the tunnel side frame. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to this invention, a vehicle body structure can be provided that can efficiently transmit a frontal collision load from a front frame to the rear of the vehicle to a side sill and a tunnel side frame that are offset, i.e., displaced in position, with respect to the front frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the front and right side of the vehicle body [Figure 2] Side view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the right side [Figure 3] Bottom view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle body structure of this embodiment [Figure 4] Arrow view cross-sectional view of the central part and the right side of the vehicle body along line A-A in FIG. 2 [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of the main part of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle body structure of this embodiment, viewed from the front and right side of the vehicle body [Figure 6] Arrow view cross-sectional view of the right side of the vehicle body along line B-B in FIG. 2 [Figure 7] Arrow view cross-sectional view of the right side of the vehicle body along line C-C in FIG. 2 [Figure 8] Arrow view cross-sectional view of the right side of the vehicle body along line D-D in FIG. 2 [Figure 9] Arrow view cross-sectional view of the main part of the vehicle along line E-E in FIG. 2 [Figure 10] Bottom view showing a conventional vehicle body structure

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] As an embodiment of this invention, an embodiment in which the vehicle body structure of this invention is applied to a sports car with a front engine and rear drive (FR) system will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, arrow F indicates the front of the vehicle, arrow U indicates the upper side of the vehicle, arrow W indicates the vehicle width direction, OUT indicates the outside in the vehicle width direction (also referred to as “outside the vehicle width”), and IN indicates the inside in the vehicle width direction (also referred to as “inside the vehicle width”). Since the vehicle body structure of this embodiment is substantially the same on both the left and right sides, the explanation will focus on the configuration of the right side of the vehicle. In the following explanation, unless otherwise specified, the directions front, rear, right, left, up, and down refer to the directions relative to the vehicle body, and "rain" refers to "reinforcement."

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment mainly comprises a floor panel 1 with a tunnel section 10, a dash panel 2, a front frame (also called a front side frame) 3, a side sill 4, a torque box 5, a front pillar 6, a hinge pillar 7, an apron frame 8, a dash rain 9, a tunnel upper frame 11, and a tunnel side frame 12.

[0022] Of these elements, the front frame 3, side sills 4, torque box 5, front pillars 6, hinge pillars 7, apron frame 8, dash rain 9, and tunnel side frames 12 are all present in pairs on the left and right sides of the vehicle body structure.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle of this embodiment is equipped with subframes (also referred to as "suspension cross members") 110 that support the suspension that suspends the front wheels FW, located below the power unit room PR and on both the left and right sides. Note that the subframes 110 are only shown in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 2, reference numeral 34 indicates an upper arm support frame that supports the inner end of the upper arm 201 of the suspension so as to be able to swing vertically, and reference numeral 111 indicates a lower arm support frame that supports the inner end of the lower arm 202 of the suspension so as to be able to swing vertically. The subframe 110 is constructed in a grid-like manner by combining, for example, a plurality of frame members having a closed cross-section along the extending direction, such as the upper arm support frame 34 and the lower arm support frame 111.

[0024] (Floor panel 1) As shown in Figure 1, the floor panel 1 extends in the width direction and the front-rear direction at the bottom of the vehicle body, forming the passenger compartment floor surface. In the left and right central portions of the floor panel 1, a tunnel section 10 is formed that bulges upward and extends front-rear within the passenger compartment.

[0025] (Tunnel upper frame 11 and tunnel side frame 12) As shown in Figure 9, the tunnel section 10 in the center of the floor panel 1 in the vehicle width direction is formed by a pair of left and right side sections 10a and an upper section 10b that connects the upper ends of these side sections 10a in the vehicle width direction, with the cross section in the front-rear direction being formed to bulge upward in a gate-like shape.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 9, a tunnel upper frame 11, which serves as a backbone frame extending in the longitudinal direction, is joined to the upper part of the tunnel section 10. The tunnel upper frame 11 is formed in a substantially U-shape with corners at both ends in the vehicle width direction and opening downwards in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The lower ends on both the left and right sides are joined to the upper parts of the left and right side portions 10a, respectively, thereby forming a closed cross section 11S that extends along the entire length in the longitudinal direction, including the front end of the tunnel section 10, between the upper cross section 11 and the upper surface portion 10b of the tunnel section 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3 and 9, the lower ends on both the left and right sides of the tunnel section 10 are provided with tunnel side frames 12, which have closed cross sections 12S that extend in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] (Dash Panel 2) As shown in Figure 9, the dash panel 2 is a vertical wall-shaped plate member arranged along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction so as to separate the passenger compartment CR from the power unit room PR, which is the space in front of it, in the front-rear direction. More specifically, as shown in Figure 9, the dash panel 2 has a main body portion 21 that extends along the vehicle height direction, a kick-up portion 22 that extends downward from the lower end of the main body portion 21 towards the rear of the vehicle, and left and right vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23. These main body portion 21, kick-up portion 22, and vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23 are each integrally formed by press molding a single flat plate. Furthermore, the rear end of the kick-up portion 22 of the dash panel 2 is connected to the front end of the floor panel 1 by welding or other means.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a tunnel opening 2A that bulges upward is formed in the central part of the lower part of the dash panel 2 in the vehicle width direction. This tunnel opening 2A is joined to the front end of the tunnel section 10 formed in the central part of the floor panel 1 in the vehicle width direction (see Figure 3). The space below the tunnel section 10 and the power unit room PR are in communication in the front-rear direction via the tunnel opening 2A.

[0029] As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the left and right vehicle width outer edge flange portions 23 of the dash panel 2 extend rearward from the vehicle width outer edge of the dash panel 2, are formed over substantially the entire length in the vertical direction of the vehicle width outer edge, and are joined to the side inner panel 70 and side sill inner 41, which will be described later, as shown in Figure 8.

[0030] The upper end of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2 extends forward (not shown), and a barrel-shaped cowl panel 14, as shown in Figure 1, is installed on its upper surface. The cowl panel 14 has the rigidity to support the lower part of the front windshield glass (not shown), which is inclined downward and forward via a filler, from below over substantially its entire width, and extends in the width direction over substantially the entire length of the dash panel 2.

[0031] (Front frame 3) As shown in Figures 1 to 4, 6 and 9, the front frame 3 is a vehicle body rigidity member that extends in the front-to-rear direction from the front of the dash panel 2 on both the left and right sides of the power unit room PR in front of the dash panel 2. The front frame 3 consists of a rear front frame portion 32 that extends forward from the front of the dash panel 2 to the front of the vehicle, and a front front frame portion 31 that extends further forward from the front position of the rear front frame portion 32.

[0032] The rear portion 32 of the front frame is provided as a rearward expansion portion that gradually widens on both the left and right sides and downward relative to the front portion 31 of the front frame as it approaches the rear end 32r, and the rear end 32r is joined to the front surface of the dash panel 2.

[0033] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lower part of the front end of the rear part 32 of the front frame is located on the central axis of the front frame 3, and a vertical wall-shaped rib 32f is formed which can abut the rear end of the front part 31 of the front frame from the front.

[0034] The front part 31 of the front frame comprises a front extension portion 33 and a front main body portion 34, both of which are arranged parallel to each other on the upper and lower sides and are aligned in the front-rear direction. The front main body portion 34 of the front frame extends linearly along the central axis of the front frame 3 in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 4, the inner frame panel 341 on the inside in the vehicle width direction and the outer frame panel 342 on the outside in the vehicle width direction are joined together to form a closed cross section 34S along the longitudinal direction, which has a so-called monaka (clamshell) shape in the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The front main body portion 34 of the front frame is connected to the rear of the front frame 32 with its rear end abutting against the vertical wall-shaped rib 32f (see Figures 2 and 3) at the lower part of the front end (lower front end) of the rear of the front frame rear portion 32 from the front. As a result, as shown in Figure 2, the front main body portion 34 of the front frame extends forward from the lower front end of the rear of the front frame 32 to the front end of the front frame 3. In other words, the rear of the front frame 32 and the front main body portion 34 of the front frame are arranged in series along the central axis of the front frame 3. Furthermore, the front main body portion 34 of the front frame serves not only as part of the front frame 3, but also as the upper arm support frame (34) provided on the subframe 110, as shown in Figure 2.

[0035] The forward extension portion 33 extends forward from the upper part of the front end (upper front end) of the rear front portion 32 of the front frame to the front end of the front frame 3 and is positioned directly above the front main body portion 34 of the front frame, supporting the front main body portion 34 of the front frame from directly above and supporting the interior side of the suspension housing 65.

[0036] (Rear of front frame 32) As shown in Figure 4, the rear part 32 of the front frame comprises an upper wall portion 32a, a rearward expanding outer portion 32b that widens outward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear, a rearward expanding inner portion 32c that widens inward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear, and a rearward expanding lower portion 32d that widens downward relative to the front part 31 of the front frame towards the rear.

[0037] (Rear end 32r of the rear part 32 of the front frame) The rearward-extended outer portion 32b connects the outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 32a and the rearward-extended lower portion 32d in the vertical direction, while the rearward-extended inner portion 32c connects the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 32a and the rearward-extended lower portion 32d in the vertical direction.

[0038] As a result, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the rear portion 32 of the front frame is surrounded all around in a cross-sectional view in the front-rear direction by the upper wall portion 32a, the rearward-expanding outer portion 32b, the rearward-expanding inner portion 32c, and the rearward-expanding lower portion 32d, and its internal space 32S (see Figure 6) opens toward the rear, and is formed as a trumpet-shaped box-like hollow body in which both sides and the bottom in the vehicle width direction gradually widen toward the rear.

[0039] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rear end portion 32r of the rear front frame 32 is joined to the front of the dash panel 2, while the rear end lower edge portion 32dr, which is the rear end of the rear enlarged lower side portion 32d, is joined to the front of the dash panel 2 via the torque box 5 (described later) and the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12.

[0040] (Torque Box 5) As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the torque box 5 is a pair of left and right body strength members that are joined to the lower front surface of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2 and have a closed cross section 5S extending in the vehicle width direction between them and the lower front surface, and connects the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 and the front end of the side sill 4 in the vehicle width direction on both the left and right sides.

[0041] Furthermore, to elaborate on the lower rear end portion 32dr of the rear front portion 32 of the front frame, the lower rear end portion 32dr extends along the vehicle width direction at the height of the torque box 5 joined to the lower front of the main body portion 21 of the dash panel 2, and the portion excluding the inner end in the vehicle width direction is joined so as to abut the front of the torque box 5 from the front.

[0042] On the other hand, the inner end of the rear end lower edge 32dr of the rear end 32r of the rear front frame 32 overlaps with the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 in a front view. In other words, in this example, the rear end lower edge 32dr of the rear front frame 32 is joined to the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 so as to abut it from the front.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the tunnel side frame 12 described above has a closed cross section 12S that extends along its entire length in the front-rear direction, including the front end portion 122. The closed cross section of the front end portion 122 and the closed cross section of the portion 121 behind the front end portion 122 are continuous with each other in the front-rear direction via the dash panel 2.

[0044] This configuration ensures that, during a frontal collision, the lower rear end portion 32dr of the rear end portion 32 of the front frame is supported by the torque box 5 and the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12, while the frontal impact load from the front frame 3 is transmitted and distributed to the tunnel side frame 12 and the side sill 4.

[0045] The rear portion 32 of the front frame and the forward extension portion 33 of the front portion 31 of the front frame, as described above, are integrally formed as part of the cast object 100. As a result, the front frame 3 is constructed through the cooperation of the front main body portion 34 of the front frame, which is made of steel plate, and the rear portion 32 and forward extension portion 33 of the front frame, which are made of the cast object 100. The cast object 100 described above will be explained later.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, a crash can 37, which serves as an impact absorbing member, is attached to the front end of the front main body portion 34 of the front frame 3 via a set plate 35 and a bracket 36, and a bumper beam 38, which has a closed cross-section extending in the vehicle width direction, is connected between the front ends of the left and right pair of crash cans 37.

[0047] (Side sill 4) As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5, the side sill 4 is provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body along the vehicle width end of the floor panel 1, and is positioned outside and below the front frame 3 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 8, the side sill 4 mainly comprises a side sill inner 41, a side sill outer 42, and a side sill rain 43. The side sill outer 42 is located outside the side sill inner 41 in the vehicle width direction and comprises a side sill upper outer 421 provided at the top of the side sill 4 and a side sill lower outer 422 provided at the bottom. Each of these side sill 4 elements 41, 421, 422, and 43 is formed by press-forming a metal panel material.

[0048] The side sill inner 41 extends along the entire vertical length of the side sill 4, sloping outward in the vehicle width direction as it rises. Both the side sill upper outer 421 and the side sill lower outer 422 are formed in a hat-shaped cross-section that opens inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] The side sill lower outer 422 is joined at the lower part of the side sill 4, with its inner end in the vehicle width direction being attached to the lower part of the side sill inner 41. The side sill lower outer 422 is installed in an inverted position (i.e., a horizontally elongated shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle) that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the side sill inner 41 to the outer surface of the side sill upper outer 421. As a result, a closed section 422S of the side sill lower extends across the entire width direction of the lower part of the side sill 4 between the side sill lower outer 422 and the side sill inner 41.

[0050] The side sill upper outer 421 and side sill rain 43 are erected from the upper surface 422a of the side sill lower outer 422, which serves as a base, at a position closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction at the lower part of the side sill 4. The side sill upper outer 421 is joined together with the side sill rain 43 at the upper surface 422a of the side sill lower outer 422, with the side sill rain 43 interposed between it and the side sill inner 41 in the vehicle width direction, and the upper end is joined to the upper end of the side sill inner 41 (see Figure 8). As a result, a closed side sill upper section 421S is formed between the side sill upper outer 421 and the side sill inner 41 at a position closer to the inner side in the vehicle width direction at the upper part of the side sill 4.

[0051] The side sill upper closed section 421S and the side sill lower closed section 422S, which are the side sill closed sections 421S and 422S, are formed on the upper and lower sides of the side sill 4 over the entire length in the front-rear direction up to approximately the front end of the side sill 4, and both open toward the front of the vehicle at the front ends of the side sill inner 41, side sill outer 42, and side sill rain 43, respectively.

[0052] Furthermore, the inner edge flange portion 41b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the side sill inner 41 and the inner edge flange portion 42b extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the lower surface of the side sill lower outer 422 are superimposed vertically together with the outer end of the vehicle width of the floor panel 1 and are joined together in three layers by welding or the like.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the front portion of the side sill 4 extends forward beyond the front pillar base 6A, which will be described later, and at its front end, both the side sill upper closed section 421S and the side sill lower closed section 422S open forward. Cover members 50 are fitted as closing members to both the upper opening 421A, which opens forward at the front end of the side sill upper closed section 421S, and the lower opening 422A, which opens forward at the front end of the side sill lower closed section 422S. As a result, the upper opening 421A and the lower opening 422A are closed.

[0054] More specifically, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the lid member 50 is integrally formed from a flat lid body portion 51 having plate thickness in the front-rear direction and an inner edge flange portion 52 extending rearward from the inner end of the vehicle width of the lid body portion 51. Both the lid body portion 51 and the inner edge flange portion 52 are formed to have a height that extends from the lower end of the side sill 4 to above the upper end of the side sill 4.

[0055] The lid body portion 51 is arranged in a vertical wall shape at the front end of the side sill 4 so as to be able to close the upper opening 421A and the lower opening 422A. More specifically, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the entire structure is inclined towards the rearward direction towards the inside in the vehicle width direction, corresponding to the shapes of the front ends of the side sill inner 41, side sill outer 42, and side sill rain 43.

[0056] Here, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the lower wall portion 4a of the side sill 4 has a lid support piece 4af integrally formed thereon that extends forward from the front end of the side sill lower closed section 422S. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8, the front end of the side sill upper outer 421 has a front end flange portion 411f integrally formed thereon that extends in a flange shape in the vehicle width direction to the opposite side of the side sill upper closed section 421S.

[0057] Furthermore, the lid member 50 is supported at the lower end of the lid body portion 51 by the lid support piece 4af of the side sill lower outer 422, and the rear surface of the lid body portion 51 is joined to the front end flange portion 411f of the side sill upper outer 421. Also, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, in the upper portion of the lid member 50 corresponding to the height of the lower end of the hinge pillar 7 (described later), the inner edge flange portion 52 is joined to the lower part of the hinge pillar inner 71, i.e., the side inner panel 70, from the inside in the vehicle width direction, while in the lower portion corresponding to the height of the side sill 4, the inner edge flange portion 52 is joined to the side sill inner 41 from the inside in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the lid member 50 is integrally fixed to the front end of the side sill 4 and the lower end of the hinge pillar 7.

[0058] (Front pillar 6) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the front pillar 6 extends along the downward-front direction by joining the front pillar outer 6a and the front pillar inner 6b at the side edges corresponding to the left and right sides of the opening for arranging the front windshield glass (not shown), which is inclined downward-front. The front pillar 6 has a closed front pillar section 6S and is a vehicle body strength member that supports the front windshield glass from both the left and right sides via a filler.

[0059] (Hinge Pillar 7) As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5-7, the hinge pillar 7 extends vertically between the front lower end portion (hereinafter referred to as the "front pillar base") 6A, which forms the base of the front pillar 6, and the side sill 4 on both the left and right sides of the dash panel 2. As shown in Figure 6, the hinge pillar 7 is a vehicle body strength member having a hinge pillar closed section 7S that extends vertically by joining a hinge pillar inner 71 and a hinge pillar outer 72.

[0060] More specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the hinge pillar inner 71 comprises an inner body portion 711, a front flange portion 712 extending forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front surface of the inner body portion 711, and a rear flange portion 713 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the inner body portion 711, and as a whole, the orthogonal cross-section in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially hat shape. The inner body portion 711 forms the front surface, the inner surface in the vehicle width direction, and the rear surface of the hinge pillar inner 71, and has an outward opening 71A that opens toward the hinge pillar outer 72.

[0061] The hinge pillar outer 72 comprises an outer body portion 721, a front flange portion 722 extending forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front surface of the outer body portion 721, and a rear flange portion 723 extending rearward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the outer body portion 721, and the overall orthogonal cross-section in the vertical direction is formed in a substantially hat shape. The outer body portion 721 forms the front, vehicle width outer surface and rear surface of the hinge pillar outer 722 and has an inward opening 72A that opens toward the hinge pillar inner 71.

[0062] As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6, the outer body portion 721 is formed to bulge outwards along approximately its entire length in the vertical direction, such that the front side portion 721f is raised one step further outwards in the vehicle width direction relative to the rear side portion 721r. The front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 is provided with hinge mounting portions 15 (15a, 15b) on both the upper and lower sides to which door hinges 16 (16a, 16b), whose front end pivotally supports the swing door (17) so that it can be opened and closed, are attached (see Figure 2).

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the hinge pillar inner 71 and hinge pillar outer 72 described above are joined together at their respective front flange portions 712 and 722, and at their respective rear flange portions 713 and 723, forming a vertically continuous hinge pillar closed section 7S between them.

[0064] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the hinge pillar outer 72 of the hinge pillar 7 is positioned such that at least the front portion in the front-rear direction (the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 and the front flange portion 712) is displaced forward from the upper end where it joins the front pillar base portion 6A, and is tilted downwards when viewed from the side of the vehicle, with its lower end portion (72a) joined to the front end portion of the side sill 4.

[0065] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the hinge pillar inner 71 includes a side inner panel 70 that extends forward from the outer end in the vehicle width direction of the front of the inner body portion 711. The side inner panel 70 is formed in a vertical wall shape integral with the inner main body 711 so as to constitute the side portion of the front of the vehicle body in front of the inner main body 711, and the outer edge flange portion 23 of the dash panel 2 is joined to it from the inside in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the front flange portion 712 of the hinge pillar inner 71 is provided at the front end of the side inner panel 70. The side inner panel 70 may be formed from a single component as part of the hinge pillar inner 71, or it may be formed from a different component as a separate component from the hinge pillar inner 71 and joined together.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, the outer body portion 721 of the hinge pillar outer 72, which has an inward opening 72A, faces the rear portion of the hinge pillar closed section 7S in the vehicle width direction, not only from the inner body portion 711 of the hinge pillar inner 71 but also from the front flange portion 712 of the side inner panel 70.

[0067] In other words, as described above, the hinge pillar 7 has its hinge pillar outer 72 positioned at least at the front in a downward-sloping angle when viewed from the side of the vehicle, causing the closed section 7S of the hinge pillar to extend forward (i.e., forward) along its entire vertical length beyond the front end of the inner main body 711 (outer opening 71A), and its lower end (72a) to be joined to the front end of the side sill 4 (see Figures 2 and 6).

[0068] The hinge mounting portions 15 (15a, 15b) described above are provided on the upper and lower sides of the outer width of the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 of the hinge pillar outer 72. As described above, in order to accommodate the downward sloping front portion of the hinge pillar outer 72 when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b are positioned such that the lower hinge mounting portion 15b is located further forward than the upper hinge mounting portion 15a, as shown in Figure 2. Furthermore, the door hinges 16 (16a, 16b) attached to the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b are both mounted in a position tilted downward and rearward.

[0069] Then, a swing door 17, which functions as an upward-opening side door (17) where the rear of the door is displaced outward and upward when the door is opened, is pivotally supported on the hinge pillar outer 72, which is positioned at a downward slope towards the front, via upper and lower door hinges 16 (see Figure 2).

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 4 to 6, the front side portion 721f of the outer body portion 721 of the hinge pillar outer 72 has an inward deformation portion 73 formed thereon, where the outer surface of the vehicle width of the hinge pillar outer 72 is displaced such that the portion lower than the lower hinge mounting portion 15b of the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b is inclined inward in the vehicle width direction. The hinge pillar outer 72 has a flange portion 72a formed at its lower end, including the lower end of the inward deformation portion 73, which is joined to the shoulder portion (upper part of the side sill outer 42) of the side sill outer 42.

[0071] As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the side sill 4 is positioned so that at least a portion of it overlaps with the flange portion 72a formed at the lower end of the hinge pillar outer 72, including the lower end of the inwardly deformed portion 73, in the vehicle width direction. More specifically, the side sill 4 is positioned such that the outer end of the side sill upper outer 421 in the vehicle width direction is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the hinge pillar outer 72 where the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15 are formed (see Figure 8). In this example, the side sill 4, including the outer end of the side sill lower outer 422 in the vehicle width direction, is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer surface of the hinge pillar outer 72 where the upper and lower hinge mounting portions 15 are formed (see Figure 8). As shown in Figure 8, the hinge pillar inner 71 has a flange portion 71a at its lower end that is joined to the shoulder portion (upper part of the side sill inner 41) of the side sill inner 41.

[0072] (Cowl Side Rain 60) Incidentally, as shown in Figures 1, 4, 5, and 9, a cowl side rain 60 is provided near the front and inner side of the upper part of the hinge pillar 7, extending forward from the top of the hinge pillar 7. The cowl side rain 60 is constructed in a substantially closed cross-section extending in the front-rear direction, consisting of an inner panel (not shown) that forms the inner and bottom walls of the vehicle width, an outer panel 62 (see Figure 9) that forms the outer wall of the vehicle width, and an upper panel 63 (see Figures 4 and 5) that forms the top wall.

[0073] The outer panel 62 of the cowl side rain 60 is joined from the inside of the vehicle width to the side inner panel 70, which extends forward from the inner body portion 711 of the hinge pillar inner 71. In other words, the cowl side rain 60 is indirectly supported by the hinge pillar 7 near the upper part of the hinge pillar 7. The inner panel of the cowl side rain 60 is joined to the left and right ends of the bucket-shaped cowl panel 14 (see Figure 1) located at the upper end of the dash panel 2, and the cowl panel 14 is supported from both its left and right ends.

[0074] (Apron frame 8) As shown in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 9, the apron frame 8 extends in the longitudinal direction at a position that is outward and upward in the vehicle width direction relative to the pair of left and right front frames 3 described above, which extend in the longitudinal direction, and supports the outer side of the suspension housing 65.

[0075] The rear end of the apron frame 8 is joined to the front end of the cowl side rain 60, which is adjacent to the upper part of the hinge pillar 7 on the inward side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the apron frame 8 extends forward from the cowl side rain 60 near the front pillar base 6A and is joined to the upper part of the hinge pillar 7 from the inward side in the vehicle width direction via the cowl side rain 60.

[0076] More specifically, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the apron frame 8 comprises an apron frame main body portion 81 and an upper plate member 82 located above the apron frame main body portion 81. In other words, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the apron frame 8 is divided into an apron rear region 8R that extends forward from the cowl side rain 60 and an apron front region 8F that extends further forward from the front end of the apron rear region 8R.

[0077] The apron frame main body 81 and the upper plate member 82 are both provided continuously along the entire length of the apron frame 8, including the apron rear region 8R and the apron front region 8F. The rear end of the upper plate member 82 is joined to the front end of the upper panel 63 of the cowl side rain 60, and the rear end of the apron frame main body 81 is joined to the front ends of the inner panel and outer panel 62 of the cowl side rain 60. The apron frame main body 81 is formed as part of the casting 100, as will be described later. On the other hand, the upper plate member 82 forms the upper surface of the apron frame 8 and is formed of a substantially flat metal plate material, such as a steel plate, which has thickness in the vertical direction and is elongated in the front-rear direction.

[0078] (Suspension housing 65) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the suspension housing 65 spans the front frame 3 and the apron frame 8 in the vehicle width direction and is supported collaboratively. The suspension housing 65 is spaced forward of the hinge pillar 7 and the dash panel 2, and the front suspension is housed below it. Furthermore, the top of the suspension housing 65 is provided with a suspension top section 65a, to which a damper (not shown) provided for the front suspension is attached from below.

[0079] (Brace Rain 90) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, the front of the hinge pillar 7 and the lower part of the apron frame 8 are connected by a first bracing rain 91 and a second bracing rain 92, which serve as a bracing rain 90 that connects them in a diagonal bracing manner when viewed from the side of the vehicle.

[0080] The first brace rain 91 and the second brace rain 92 both extend from the lower part of the apron frame 8 to the front of the hinge pillar 7, sloping backward as they go downward. The first diagonal brace rain 91 connects the front upper portion of the pillar outer panel and the lower part of the apron frame 8 in a diagonal brace manner near the cowl side rain 60, and a first diagonal closed section 91S is formed between it and the outer panel 62 of the cowl side rain 60 (see Figures 1 and 9).

[0081] As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the second bracing rain 92 is located further inward and forward in the vehicle width direction than the first bracing rain 91, that is, it connects the lower part of the front apron region 8F of the apron frame 8 to the lower end of the hinge pillar 7 (closed section 7S of the hinge pillar) directly below the apron frame 8.

[0082] More specifically, the second brace rain 92 is integrally formed with an apron support portion 93 that hangs vertically downward from the rear end of the apron frame 8, and a brace body portion 94 that connects the apron support portion 93 and the lower part of the front region 8F of the apron in a brace-like manner.

[0083] The apron support portion 93 hangs down until its lower end is at the height of the side sill 4, and is joined to the front surface of a vertical wall-shaped cover member 50 provided at the front end of the side sill 4, and is joined to the side sill 4 and the hinge pillar 7 via the cover member 50.

[0084] More specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the lower part of the apron support portion 93 is connected to the upper and lower side sill closing sections 421S and 422S of the side sill 4 via the lid body portion 51 of the lid member 50, and is also connected to the hinge pillar closing section 7S via the inner edge flange portion 52 of the lid member 50, as shown in Figure 7. The lower part of the apron support portion 93 is positioned closer to the inside in the vehicle width direction, so that its outer portion in the vehicle width direction, when viewed from the front of the vehicle, mainly overlaps with the side sill inner 41 among the elements 41, 42, and 43 that constitute the side sill 4 (see Figure 4).

[0085] (Rib 95) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 to 7, below the joint located at the rear end of the brace body portion 94 in the vertically extending apron support portion 93, a pair of left and right ribs 95 are provided in parallel, extending vertically all the way to the lower end of the apron support portion 93.

[0086] This rib 95 extends vertically from above the cover member 50 so as to overlap with the cover member 50 when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and increases the strength of the part of the apron support 93 that is lower than the bracing body 94. Specifically, when the forward load from the front frame 3 is transmitted to the side of the side sill 4 and hinge pillar 7, which are located below the front frame 3 and on the outside of the vehicle width, via the second bracing rain 92, the load transmission efficiency is increased by transmitting the forward load along the rib 95.

[0087] The brace body 94 connects the apron support 93 and the apron frame 8 in a diagonal brace configuration. Specifically, the rear end of the brace body 94 is connected to the upper portion of the apron support 93, extending from the upper end to the middle of the vertical direction. On the other hand, the upper end of the brace body 94 is connected to the lower part of the apron rear region 8R along its entire length in the front-rear direction, and the front end of the brace body 94 is connected to the rear end of the apron front region 8F, which is located in front of the suspension housing 65.

[0088] Here, the apron support portion 93 of the second bracing rain 92 extends vertically directly below the rear end of the apron frame 8, as described above (see Figure 5). As shown in Figures 4 to 7, a connecting portion 18 is integrally formed between this apron support portion 93 and the rearward extended outer portion 32b (outer part of the vehicle width) of the rear part of the front frame 32, which is the rearward extended portion described above, connecting them to each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0089] (Cast object 100) Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, the aforementioned cast object 100 comprises the rear part 32 of the front frame, the part of the apron frame 8 other than the upper plate member 82, the second bracing rain 92, the suspension housing 65, and the connecting part 18.

[0090] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the cast object 100 includes left and right connecting portions 28 that connect the upper parts of the rearward enlarged inner portions 32c (inner width portion) of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2, which are connected to the left and right tunnel opening side portions 2Aa of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2, along the upper edge portion 2Ab of the tunnel opening 2A of the dash panel 2. The left and right connecting portions 28 are integrally formed with the inner width portion of the left and right rear front frame 32. The cast object 100, also called a Gigacast, is made of aluminum alloy and is integrally molded as a relatively large single part equipped with the above-mentioned elements (modules) provided at the front of the vehicle body.

[0091] (Dash Rain 9) As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the dash rain 9 is joined to the inner surface of the cabin CR of the dash panel 2, forming a closed cross section 9S between it and the inner surface of the cabin CR (see Figure 8). The closed section 9S is configured to extend continuously downward from the rear end of the front frame 3 towards the hinge pillar 7 and the side sill inner 41 directly below it, overlapping with the rear end of the rear enlarged outer portion 32b (outer edge portion) of the rear part 32 of the box-shaped hollow front frame when viewed from the rear of the vehicle, and overlapping with the side sill inner 41 when viewed from above the vehicle (see Figures 7 and 8).

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, the outer edge flange portion 912a of the dash rain 9 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the hinge pillar inner 71 and the side sill inner 41 directly below it via the outer edge flange portion 23 of the dash panel 2. As a result, the closed section 9S of the dash rain 9 is connected in the vehicle width direction to the side sill closed sections 421S, 422S and the hinge pillar closed section 7S above them.

[0093] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 9, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment comprises a dash panel 2 that separates the passenger compartment CR and the power unit room PR (front space) of the passenger compartment CR in the front-rear direction, a pair of left and right front frames 3 that extend in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the power unit room PR, a pair of left and right hinge pillars 7 that extend in the vertical direction at both ends of the dash panel 2 in the vehicle width direction, a pair of left and right side sills 4 that extend in the front-rear direction to which the lower ends of the hinge pillars 7 are fixed, and the dash panel The floor panel 1 extends from the lower end of the Nel 2 toward the rear of the vehicle and forms the floor surface of the passenger compartment CR. A tunnel section 10 that bulges upward is formed in the center of the floor panel 1 in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of left and right tunnel side frames 12 that extend in the front-rear direction are provided at the lower ends of the left and right side sections 10a of the tunnel section 10. The hinge pillar 7 is equipped with a hinge pillar outer 72 on which hinge mounting sections 15 (15a, 15b) (see Figure 2) for attaching the door hinge 16 are provided on both the upper and lower sides.

[0094] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the hinge pillar outer 72 has an inwardly deformed portion 73 formed in a shape that is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction, below the lower hinge mounting portion 15b of the hinge mounting portions 15a and 15b. As shown in Figure 8, the side sill 4 is positioned so that at least a portion of it overlaps with the lower end (72a) of the hinge pillar outer 72 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rear front frame portion 32 at the rear of the front frame 3 is formed as a rearward expanding portion that gradually widens towards the rear end portion 32r. The rear front frame portion 32 is configured as part of a cast object 100 whose rear end is joined to the dash panel 2, and the rear end of the cast object 100 is configured to overlap with the front end of the side sill 4 and the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 in a front view of the vehicle (see Figure 4).

[0095] As described above, the hinge pillar outer 72 has an inwardly deformed portion 73 formed below the lower hinge mounting portion 15b, and the side sill 4 is positioned so that at least a portion of the lower end portion (72a) of the hinge pillar outer 72 overlaps with it in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the side sill 4 can be positioned together with the lower end portion (72a) of the hinge pillar outer 72 towards the inside in the vehicle width direction (see Figures 4 and 8). This reduces the amount of offset (positional displacement) of the side sill 4 relative to the front frame 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0096] Furthermore, by overlapping the rear end of the cast body 100, which has a rear front frame rear section 32 as a rear extension, with the front end of the side sill 4 and the front end 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 in a front view of the vehicle, the effect of the offset of the front ends of the side sill 4 and the tunnel side frame 12 relative to the rear end of the front frame 3 in a front view of the vehicle can be mitigated.

[0097] Therefore, the frontal impact load transmitted from the front frame 3 to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision can be smoothly transferred to the side sill 4 and tunnel side frame 12. In other words, the frontal impact load during a frontal collision can be transferred from the front frame 3 to the rear in a straight line as much as possible by suppressing the bending angle in the width direction of the vehicle, thereby improving the efficiency of load transfer.

[0098] Furthermore, by eliminating the floor frame that extends front to rear along the floor panel 1 directly beneath the driver and instead installing a tunnel side frame 12, the floor can be lowered. This satisfies the need to lower the driver's hip point, which is particularly required in vehicles that prioritize driving performance, such as sports cars.

[0099] As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment of the invention, the side sill 4 has closed sections 421S and 422S extending in the front-rear direction between the side sill inner 41 and the side sill outer 42 (side sill upper outer 421 and side sill lower outer 422). As shown in Figure 4, the front end of the side sill 4 is provided with a lid member 50 as a closing member that closes the upper opening 421A and the lower opening 422A, which are front openings of the closed sections 421S and 422S. The apron support portion 93, which is the outer part of the rear end of the cast object 100, is connected to the side sill inner 41 via the lid member 50.

[0100] With this configuration, in the event of a frontal collision, the frontal collision load is transmitted from the rear part 32 of the front frame, which forms the cast object 100, to the apron support part 93 as the outer part, and further transmitted outward in the vehicle width direction towards the rear via the cover member 50, thereby efficiently transmitting and distributing the frontal collision load to the side sill 4, which is offset in the vehicle width direction relative to the front frame 3.

[0101] Furthermore, the cover member 50 can be provided at the front end of the side sill 4, extending across the side sill inner 41 and the side sill outer 42 so as to close the front openings 421A and 422A of the closed sections 421S and 422S. This allows the forward thrust load to be transmitted and distributed to the side sill outer 42 via the cover member 50.

[0102] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, in this embodiment of the invention, the front frame 3 is provided with an apron frame 8 on the outer (and upper) side in the vehicle width direction, and an apron support portion 93 that extends downward from the rear end of the apron frame 8 to the height of the side sill 4 and supports the apron frame 8, and the apron support portion 93 is formed as the outer portion of the rear end of the cast object 100. With this configuration, the apron support section 93 can also play a part in the load transmission from the front frame 3 to the side sill 4.

[0103] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, in this embodiment of the invention, the rear front frame 32 and the apron support portion 93 are connected in the width direction via a connecting portion 18 which forms part of the cast object 100, and are integrally formed across the vehicle width direction.

[0104] With this configuration, even in a configuration where the side sill 4 is offset outward in the vehicle width from the rear part 32 of the front frame, the connecting portion 18 and the apron support portion 93 allow the rear end of the cast object 100 to be widened outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear enlarged outer portion 32b, which is the outer part of the vehicle width of the rear part 32 of the front frame, so that it can overlap with the side sill 4 in a front view of the vehicle. This improves the efficiency of transmitting the forward impact load from the front frame 3 to the side sill 4.

[0105] As shown in Figures 1, 4 to 7, in this embodiment of the invention, the side sill 4 is provided below the front frame 3, and the apron support portion 93, which is the outer part of the rear end of the cast object 100, is provided with a rib 95 that extends continuously from above the height of the side sill 4 to the height of the side sill 4. This configuration also improves the efficiency of vertical load transfer from the front frame 3 to the side sill 4, which is located below the front frame 3.

[0106] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 7, in one aspect of this invention, the rear portion 32 of the front frame is provided with a rearward expanding lower portion 32d that expands downward towards the rear end, down to the height of the side sill 4 which is located below the front frame 3. This configuration also improves the efficiency of transmitting vertical forward impact loads from the front frame 3 to the side sills 4, which are located below the front frame 3.

[0107] As shown in the figure, in one aspect of this invention, the rear portion 32 of the front frame is configured such that the inner end of the rear enlarged lower portion 32d in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12 when viewed from the front of the vehicle. This configuration allows the front frame rear portion 32 to improve the efficiency of transmitting the forward load from the front frame front portion 31 to the front end portion 122 of the tunnel side frame 12.

[0108] In the correspondence between the structure of this invention and the embodiments described above, The forward space of this invention corresponds to the power unit room PR, and similarly, The side wall corresponds to the side portion 10a, The closed section space corresponds to the side sill upper closed section 421S and the side sill lower closed section 422S. The front openings of the closed cross-sectional space correspond to the upper opening 421A and the lower opening 422A. The closing member corresponds to the lid member 50, The outer portion of the rear end of the cast object corresponds to the apron support portion 93, This invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiments described above, and many other embodiments can be obtained. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0109] 1…Floor panel 2…Dash panel 3…Front frame 4... Side sill 7…Hinged pillar 8... Apron frame 10...Tunnel section 10a...Side part 12...Tunnel side frame 15…Hinge mounting section 15b...Lower hinge mounting section 16... Door hinge 18...Connection section 32…Rear of the front frame 32r... Rear end of the front frame (rear of the front frame) 41... Side sill inner 42... Side sill outer 50... Lid component 72...Hinge pillar outer 73...Inward deformation section 93... Apron support part 95... Rib 100... Cast objects 122...front end 421A... Upper opening 421S... Side sill upper closed section 422A... Lower opening 422S... Side sill lower closed section CR…Car interior PR...Power Unit Room

Claims

1. A dashboard panel that separates the passenger compartment from the space in front of the passenger compartment in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, A pair of left and right front frames extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle are located on both the left and right sides of the aforementioned front space, A pair of left and right hinge pillars extending vertically at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the aforementioned dashboard panel, The lower end of the aforementioned hinge pillar is fixed to a pair of left and right side sills that extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, The floor panel extends from the lower end of the aforementioned dashboard panel toward the rear of the vehicle and forms the floor surface of the passenger compartment. A tunnel section that bulges upward is formed in the center of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction. At the lower ends of the side walls on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the tunnel section, a pair of left and right tunnel side frames extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction are provided. The aforementioned hinge pillar is a vehicle body structure that includes a hinge pillar outer, which has hinge mounting portions for attaching door hinges on both the upper and lower sides. The hinge pillar outer is formed in an inward displacement shape such that the portion of the hinge mounting portion below the lower hinge mounting portion is displaced inward in the vehicle width direction. The side sill is positioned such that at least a portion of it overlaps with the lower end of the hinge pillar outer in the vehicle width direction. The rear portion of the front frame is formed as a rearward-expanding section that gradually widens towards the rear end. At least the rear portion of the front frame is made of a cast object whose rear end is joined to the dash panel, The rear end of the casting is configured to overlap with the front end of the side sill and the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The body structure of a vehicle.

2. The side sill has a closed cross-sectional space extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the side sill inner and the side sill outer. The front end of the side sill is provided with a closing member that closes the front opening of the closed cross-sectional space. The outer portion of the rear end of the cast object is connected to the side sill inner via the closing member. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

3. The front frame is provided with an apron frame on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and an apron support portion that extends downward from the rear end of the apron frame to the height of the side sill and supports the apron frame. The apron support portion is formed as the outer portion of the rear end of the cast object. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2.

4. The rear portion of the front frame and the apron support portion are connected in the width direction via a connecting portion that forms part of the casting, and are integrally formed across the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3.

5. The side sill is provided below the front frame, The outer portion of the rear end of the cast object is provided with a rib that extends continuously from above the height of the side sill to the height of the side sill. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4.

6. The rear portion of the front frame is configured to expand downwards towards the rear end, reaching the height of the side sill, which is located below the front frame. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

7. The rear portion of the front frame has an inner end in the vehicle width direction that overlaps with the front end of the tunnel side frame when viewed from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

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