Fuel piping protection structure

Abstract

This protective structure is for fuel pipes (8, 9) connecting an engine (16) and a fuel tank (17) in a vehicle (1) comprising a backbone (3), an exhaust gas purification catalyst (15), a side member (6), and a suspension cross (7). The fuel pipe (8, 9) has a front portion (8A, 9A), an intermediate portion (8B, 9B), and a rear portion (8C, 9C). The front portion (8A, 9A) extends in a vehicle front-rear direction and reaches the engine (16). The rear portion (8C, 9C) extends in the vehicle front-rear direction outside of the backbone (3) and reaches the fuel tank (17). The intermediate portion (8B, 9B) is separated from each of the suspension cross (7) and the exhaust gas purification catalyst (15), extends in the vehicle width direction forward of the exhaust gas purification catalyst (15) and rearward of the suspension cross (7), and connects a rear end of the front portion (8A, 9A) and a front end of the rear portion (8C, 9C).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This matter relates to a protective structure for a fuel pipe connecting an engine inside an engine compartment to a fuel tank outside the engine compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a vehicle in which an engine is disposed in an engine room, a fuel tank is disposed outside the engine room, and the two are connected by a fuel pipe. In this type of vehicle, the engine is disposed at the front of the vehicle, and the fuel tank is disposed at the rear of the vehicle. The fuel pipe is routed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle below the floor panel (see JP 2009-68349 A). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-68349 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Various devices (engine, motor, accessories, etc.) arranged in the engine compartment may be moved toward the rear of the vehicle due to an external force, for example, during a frontal collision. On the other hand, if the various devices that have moved toward the rear of the vehicle interfere with the fuel pipes, there is a risk of fuel leakage due to damage or deformation of the fuel pipes. Therefore, it is preferable to route the fuel pipes in a layout that is less likely to cause interference, even if the various devices move toward the rear of the vehicle. In conventional vehicles, such points have not been fully taken into consideration, and there is room for improvement.

[0005] One of the objects of the present invention has been devised in light of the above-mentioned problems, and is to provide a fuel pipe protection structure that can improve the protection performance of the fuel pipe. However, in addition to this object, another object of the present invention is to achieve an effect derived from each configuration shown in the "Description of Embodiments" described later, which cannot be obtained by the conventional technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The disclosed fuel pipe protection structure can be realized as the aspects or application examples disclosed below, and solves at least some of the above problems. The disclosed fuel piping protective structure is a protective structure for fuel piping that connects an engine in an engine compartment to a fuel tank outside the engine compartment in a vehicle that includes a backbone that protrudes upward at the center of the floor panel in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, an exhaust purification catalyst that is arranged inside the backbone, a pair of side members that extend in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction on either side of the backbone in the vehicle width direction, and a suspension cross that is bridged between the pair of side members in the vehicle width direction and supports a suspension device. The fuel piping has a front portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and reaching the engine, a rear portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle outside the backbone and outside the front portion in the vehicle width direction and reaching the fuel tank, and an intermediate portion spaced apart from each of the suspension cross and the exhaust purification catalyst, extending in the vehicle width direction forward of the exhaust purification catalyst and rearward of the suspension cross, connecting the rear end of the front portion and the front end of the rear portion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed fuel pipe protection structure, by disposing the middle part of the fuel pipe forward of the exhaust purification catalyst and rearward of the suspension cross, it is possible to prevent the fuel pipe from being deformed or damaged due to interference with the receding suspension cross, while preventing heat damage from the exhaust purification catalyst to the fuel pipe. Therefore, it is possible to improve the protection performance of the fuel pipe. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a main part of a protective structure for a fuel pipe. [Diagram 2] 1 is a bottom view for explaining a structure of a vehicle to which a fuel pipe protective structure is applied. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view (side view) for explaining a protective structure for a fuel pipe. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view (front view) for explaining a protective structure for a fuel pipe. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view (rear view) for explaining a protective structure for a fuel pipe. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The disclosed fuel pipe protection structure can be implemented according to the following embodiments. EXAMPLES

[0010] [1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a main structure of a protective structure for fuel pipes 8, 9 as an embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a bottom view (looking up from the bottom) for explaining the structure of a vehicle 1 to which the protective structure is applied. The vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 2 is a hybrid vehicle (or plug-in hybrid vehicle) equipped with an engine 16 (internal combustion engine) and a motor 18 (electric motor) as drive sources, and a battery 19 for running. A plug-in hybrid vehicle means a hybrid vehicle in which the battery 19 can be charged externally. A plug-in hybrid vehicle is provided with a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable through which power is supplied from an external charging facility.

[0011] The engine 16 and the motor 18 are accommodated inside an engine room 10 disposed at the front of the vehicle 1. In addition to the engine 16 and the motor 18, various auxiliary devices, a low-voltage battery, a transaxle, etc. may be accommodated inside the engine room 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine room 10 is disposed forward of a dash panel 4 forming the front of the foot space in the passenger compartment. The dash panel 4 is formed in a curved shape that rises upward from the front end of a floor panel 2 forming the front of the passenger compartment. In addition, a dash cross 5 (dash cross member) extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the front surface of the dash panel 4. Both left and right ends of the dash cross 5 are connected to side members 6. This reinforces the dash panel 4 and improves its shape stability.

[0012] A backbone 3 (backbone frame) extending in the vehicle width direction is provided in the center of the floor panel 2 in the vehicle width direction. The backbone 3 is a portion formed by bending a plate surface so that the cross-sectional shape is upwardly convex (a portion with a shape protruding upward in the center of the vehicle width direction), and is formed in a shape extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The backbone 3 shown in FIG. 1 is an example disposed adjacent to an engine room 10, and is disposed so as to extend rearward from the engine room 10. An exhaust passage 14 (exhaust pipe) of an engine 16 and an exhaust purification catalyst 15 mounted therein are disposed inside the backbone 3. Note that, when the vehicle 1 is an FR vehicle or a 4WD vehicle, a propeller shaft (not shown) may be disposed inside the backbone 3, lined up with the exhaust passage 14.

[0013] A heat shield 13 is interposed between the exhaust passage 14 and the exhaust purification catalyst 15 and the backbone 3. The shape of the heat shield 13 is formed into a groove shape with a hat-shaped cross section so as to correspond to the shape of the backbone 3. Although Fig. 1 illustrates the heat shield 13 large enough to cover the lower part of the backbone 3, it may be of a larger size. For example, the shielding area by the heat shield 13 may be extended to the rear of the vehicle so as to correspond to the layout shape of the exhaust passage 14.

[0014] A side member 6 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is attached to a lower surface of the front surface of the floor panel 2. A pair of side members 6 are provided on the left and right sides of the backbone 3 in the vehicle width direction. The front end of the side member 6 extends into the engine compartment 10 forward of the dash panel 4 (the front end of the vehicle 1), and the rear end of the side member 6 extends rearward of the backbone 3 (the rear end of the vehicle 1). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the side member 6 is bent in a crank shape forward of the dash panel 4 so as to avoid the axle of the front wheels.

[0015] A suspension cross member 7 (front suspension cross member), which is a cross member that supports a suspension device for the front wheels, is bridged between the pair of left and right side members 6. This suspension cross member 7 is disposed forward of the dash panel 4. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the suspension cross member 7 is provided behind the crank-shaped bent portion of the side members 6 so as to connect the left and right side members 6 in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] A fuel tank 17 that stores fuel to be supplied to the engine 16 is disposed outside the engine compartment 10. Similarly, a battery 19 that stores drive power for the motor 18 is also disposed outside the engine compartment 10. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a battery placement recess 20 is formed by recessing the floor panel 2 rearward of the backbone 3 downward, and the battery 19 is disposed inside the recess. As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel tank 17 is attached to the lower side member 6 rearward of the battery 19 (battery placement recess 20). A canister (not shown) for collecting fuel vapor is disposed near the fuel tank 17. In this case, the canister is included in the fuel tank 17 (tank assembly).

[0017] Fuel pipes 8, 9 for supplying fuel to the engine 16 are provided between the engine 16 and the fuel tank 17. The fuel pipes 8, 9 include a main pipe 8 for supplying liquid fuel to a fuel injection device of the engine 16, and a vapor pipe 9 for supplying fuel vapor recovered in a canister to an intake system of the engine 16. In the example shown in Fig. 2, these fuel pipes 8, 9 are arranged approximately parallel to each other along approximately the same route.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the main pipe 8 has a front portion 8A, a middle portion 8B, and a rear portion 8C, and the vapor pipe 9 also has a front portion 9A, a middle portion 9B, and a rear portion 9C. The front portions 8A, 9A are portions corresponding to the front portions of the fuel pipes 8, 9 as a whole, extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and leading to the engine 16. The front portions 8A, 9A are arranged, for example, inside the backbone 3 (or outside the backbone 3, adjacent to the lower side of the backbone 3) and above the heat shield plate 13. The portions protruding from the inside of the backbone 3 may also be considered to be included in the front portions 8A, 9A. The rear portions 8C, 9C are portions corresponding to the rear portions of the fuel pipes 8, 9 as a whole, extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction outside the backbone 3 and leading to the fuel tank 17.

[0019] The intermediate portions 8B, 9B are portions of the entire fuel pipes 8, 9 that are sandwiched between the front portions 8A, 9A and the rear portions 8C, 9C, extend in the vehicle width direction, and connect the rear ends of the front portions 8A, 9A and the front ends of the rear portions 8C, 9C. As shown in FIG. 1, the positions of the intermediate portions 8B, 9B are set apart from the suspension cross 7 and the exhaust purification catalyst 15, and are set forward of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 and rearward of the suspension cross 7. The intermediate portions 8B, 9B are connected to the front portions 8A, 9A inside the backbone 3, passing above the heat shield plate 13.

[0020] The suspension cross 7 shown by the dashed line in FIG. 1 is drawn to make it easier to understand the relative position of the suspension cross 7 with respect to the fuel pipes 8, 9. When the engine 16 or the motor 18 receives an external force, for example, due to a frontal collision of the vehicle 1, the suspension cross 7 may be pushed by them and move toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, if the intermediate parts 8B, 9B are set forward from the state shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate parts 8B, 9B will be closer to the suspension cross 7, and will be more likely to be pinched between the suspension cross 7 and the floor panel 2, which will cause damage or deformation and lead to fuel leakage. In contrast, by separating the intermediate parts 8B, 9B from the suspension cross 7, interference with the suspension cross 7 is less likely to occur, and deformation or damage to the fuel pipes 8, 9 is prevented. This improves the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9.

[0021] 1, the intermediate portions 8B, 9B are closer to the exhaust purification catalyst 15, and are therefore more susceptible to the effects of exhaust heat. By separating the intermediate portions 8B, 9B from the exhaust purification catalyst 15, the fuel pipes 8, 9 are less susceptible to the effects of exhaust heat, and the occurrence of heat damage (deformation or damage of the fuel pipes 8, 9 due to heat) is prevented. In addition, the exhaust purification catalyst 15 is disposed below the heat shield 13, whereas the intermediate portions 8B, 9B are connected to the front portions 8A, 9A above the heat shield 13. Therefore, the effects of exhaust heat on the intermediate portions 8B, 9B are more reliably prevented.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, the middle parts 8B, 9B are disposed at a position equivalent to the front end (cone part) of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In other words, the layout (wiring path) is such that the bent part between the front parts 8A, 9A and the middle parts 8B, 9B is positioned just at the front end of the exhaust purification catalyst 15. With this layout, the separation distance between the suspension cross 7 and the middle parts 8B, 9B is maximized within the range where heat damage is prevented. Therefore, the effect of preventing interference with the suspension cross 7 is improved, and the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 is further improved.

[0023] A hollow electric conduit 11 into which a high-voltage line (PN line) for transmitting electric power is inserted is provided between the motor 18 and the battery 19. The electric conduit 11 is, for example, a bellows pipe (flexible pipe for wiring), and the high-voltage line passes inside the electric conduit 11. The electric conduit 11 is arranged so as to pass along the fuel pipes 8, 9 and inside the backbone 3 (above the heat shield 13). The front end of the electric conduit 11 is connected to the motor 18 (for example, an inverter). Moreover, the rear end of the electric conduit 11 is connected to the battery 19 through an opening drilled in the floor panel 2.

[0024] Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views showing the relationship between the front portions 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11. Figure 3 shows a state in which the vehicle 1 is cut along a vertical plane along the center plane in the vehicle width direction, and viewed from the left side to the right side of the vehicle 1 (side view). Figure 4 shows a state in which the vehicle 1 is cut along a vertical plane that passes forward of the dash panel 4 among the vertical planes perpendicular to the cut surface of Figure 3, and viewed from the front to the rear of the vehicle 1 (front view).

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 of the fuel pipes 8, 9 have portions that are routed in a substantially L-shape along the upper surface of the backbone 3 and the dash panel 4. The front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 are fixed to the dash cross 5 via a bracket 12, for example, and are also fixed to the upper surface of the backbone 3 (floor panel 2) via a second bracket 22. The bracket 12 is disposed at an upper end of the L-shaped portion, and the second bracket 22 is disposed at a lower end of the L-shaped portion. The front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 are formed in a bent shape so as to extend forward above the bracket 12.

[0026] Preferably, the front portions 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 are disposed so as to pass through a position (toward the rear of the vehicle) closer to the dash panel 4 than the electric conduit 11 in a side view as shown in Fig. 3. In other words, it is preferable to set an arrangement layout in which the fuel pipes 8, 9 are disposed closer to the body than the electric conduit 11. With such a layout, even if various devices in the engine compartment 10 are moved toward the rear of the vehicle, the electric conduit 11 acts to guard the front of the front portions 8A, 9A, improving the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9.

[0027] More preferably, the front portions 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 are disposed so as to pass through a position (upper side of the vehicle) closer to the floor panel 2 than the electric conduit 11. In other words, it is preferable to set the vertical separation distance from the upper surface of the backbone 3 to the fuel pipes 8, 9 short, and set the vertical separation distance from the upper surface of the backbone 3 to the electric conduit 11 long. With this layout, even if the heat shield 13 is pressed and deformed by various devices and moves toward the upper side of the vehicle, the electric conduit 11 acts to protect the fuel pipes 8, 9, and the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 is further improved.

[0028] Of the front parts 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11, the parts that are routed in the vertical direction along the dash panel 4 are preferably routed apart in the vehicle width direction so that the front parts 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 do not overlap in a front view. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable to set each route so that the front parts 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 pass through positions that are offset in the vehicle width direction in a front view. With this layout, even if various devices in the engine room 10 are moved toward the rear of the vehicle, the electric conduit 11 and the front parts 8A, 9A are unlikely to come into contact with each other, and the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 is further improved.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the engine 16 is preferably disposed below the dash cross 5. The same is true for the motor 18, which is also preferably disposed below the dash cross 5. With this layout, even if the engine 16 and motor 18 are subjected to an external force and move toward the rear of the vehicle, contact between the engine 16 and motor 18 and the bracket 12 is easily avoided. This further improves the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11.

[0030] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the arrangement positions of rear portions 8C, 9C of the fuel pipes 8, 9. Here, the vehicle 1 is cut along a vertical plane passing through the battery 19 among vertical planes perpendicular to the cut surface of Fig. 3, and the vehicle 1 is viewed from the rear to the front (rear view). The rear portions 8C, 9C of the fuel pipes 8, 9 are arranged near the floor panel 2 inside the pipe groove 21 sandwiched between the side member 6 and the battery arrangement recess 20.

[0031] The lower end position (the vertical position of the part closest to the road surface) of the battery placement recess 20 is set at approximately the same height as the lower end position of the side member 6. The piping groove 21 is groove-shaped and recessed upward from the lower end position. By locating the rear portions 8C, 9C inside such piping groove 21, the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 against chipping when traveling on rough roads, for example, is improved. Moreover, by locating the rear portions 8C, 9C near the floor panel 2, which is the upper end portion of the piping groove 21, the protection performance is further improved.

[0032] [2. Actions and Effects] (1) The fuel pipes 8, 9 in this embodiment have front portions 8A, 9A, intermediate portions 8B, 9B, and rear portions 8C, 9C. The front portions 8A, 9A extend in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and reach the engine 16. The rear portions 8C, 9C extend in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction outside the backbone 3 and reach the fuel tank 17. The intermediate portions 8B, 9B are spaced apart from the suspension cross 7 and the exhaust purification catalyst 15, extend in the vehicle width direction forward of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 and rearward of the suspension cross 7, and connect the rear ends of the front portions 8A, 9A to the front ends of the rear portions 8C, 9C.

[0033] In this way, by arranging the middle parts 8B, 9B of the fuel pipes 8, 9 forward of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 and rearward of the suscross 7, a separation distance from each of the suscross 7 and the exhaust purification catalyst 15 can be secured, and deformation or damage to the fuel pipes 8, 9 due to interference with the receding suscross 7 can be prevented, while heat damage from the exhaust purification catalyst 15 to the fuel pipes 8, 9 (deformation or damage to the fuel pipes 8, 9 due to heat) can be prevented. Therefore, the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be improved.

[0034] (2) In the above embodiment, for example as shown in Fig. 2, the middle parts 8B, 9B of the fuel pipes 8, 9 are disposed at a position equivalent to the front end of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This allows the separation distance between the suspension cross 7 and the middle parts 8B, 9B to be maximized within a range in which heat damage caused by the exhaust purification catalyst 15 is prevented. Therefore, the effect of preventing interference with the suspension cross 7 can be enhanced, and the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be further improved.

[0035] (3) In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 1, the middle parts 8B, 9B of the fuel pipes 8, 9 are connected to the front parts 8A, 9A inside the backbone 3 and pass above the heat shield plate 13. This can reliably prevent the fuel pipes 8, 9 from being thermally damaged by the exhaust purification catalyst 15, and can improve the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9. In addition, by passing the electric conduit 11 above the heat shield plate 13, it can reliably prevent the electric conduit 11 from being thermally damaged, and can improve the protection performance of the electric conduit 11.

[0036] (4) In the above embodiment, the front portions 8A, 9A are disposed inside the backbone 3. This makes it difficult for the front portions 8A, 9A to be pinched between the dash panel 4 and the suspension cross 7. This further improves the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9.

[0037] (5) In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, the front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be routed along the upper surface of the backbone 3 and the dash panel 4. In addition, the front portions 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be disposed in a position closer to the dash panel 4 than the electric conduit 11. With this layout, the front of the front portions 8A, 9A (left side in Fig. 3) can be protected by the electric conduit 11. Therefore, even if various devices in the engine room 10 are moved toward the rear of the vehicle, the various devices can be prevented from interfering with the fuel pipes 8, 9, and the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be improved.

[0038] (6) In the above embodiment, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 can be arranged apart in the vehicle width direction so as not to overlap when viewed from the front. In this way, by arranging the front portions 8A, 9A and the electric conduit 11 to be offset in the vehicle width direction, even if the electric conduit 11 is pressed by various devices and moves toward the rear of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent direct contact between the electric conduit 11 and the front portions 8A, 9A. Therefore, the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 can be improved.

[0039] (7) In the above embodiment, for example as shown in Fig. 3, the front portions 8A, 9A of the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11 can be fixed to the dash cross 5 via the bracket 12. In this manner, by attaching the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11 to the dash cross 5, the fixed state of these can be stabilized. Furthermore, by locating the engine 16 and the motor 18 below the dash cross 5, even if these devices move rearward in a frontal collision, they can be prevented from directly hitting the bracket 12. Therefore, the protection performance of the fuel pipes 8, 9 and the electric conduit 11 can be improved.

[0040] [3.Other] The above embodiment is merely illustrative, and is not intended to exclude various modifications or application of techniques not explicitly stated in the embodiment. Each configuration of the embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiment. Furthermore, each configuration of the embodiment can be selected as necessary, or can be combined appropriately.

[0041] In the above embodiment, the fuel pipes 8, 9 in which the main pipe 8 and the vapor pipe 9 are provided separately are exemplified, but they may be integrated. For example, a similar pipe structure may be formed using a double pipe in which a liquid fuel flow path and a fuel vapor flow path are provided independently within one pipe. By setting the positions of the intermediate parts 8B, 9B of the fuel pipes 8, 9 forward of the exhaust purification catalyst 15 and rearward of the SUSCross 7 so that at least the intermediate parts 8B, 9B are separated from the SUSCross 7 and the exhaust purification catalyst 15, respectively, the same effect as the above embodiment can be achieved. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The present invention is applicable to the manufacturing industry of vehicles having fuel pipes (combustion vehicles and hybrid vehicles). [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 vehicle 2 Floor Panel 3 Backbone (Backbone Frame) 4 Dash Panel 5 Dash cross (dash cross member) 6 Side members 7 Suspension Cross (Front Suspension Cross Member) 8 Main piping (fuel piping) 9 Vapor piping (fuel piping) 8A,9A front part 8B,9B middle part 8C,9C Rear part 10 Engine Room 11 Conduit 12 Bracket 13 Heat shield 14 Exhaust passage 15 Exhaust gas purification catalyst 16 Engine 17 Fuel Tank 18 Motor 19 Battery 20 Battery placement recess 21 Pipe Groove 22 Second bracket

Claims

1. A protective structure for a fuel pipe connecting an engine in an engine room and a fuel tank outside the engine room in a vehicle including a backbone formed in a shape that protrudes upward from a center portion of a floor panel in a vehicle width direction and extends in a vehicle front-rear direction, an exhaust purification catalyst arranged inside the backbone, a pair of side members that sandwich the backbone in the vehicle width direction and extend in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a suspension cross that is bridged between the pair of side members in the vehicle width direction and supports a suspension device, The fuel pipe, A front portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction and leading to the engine; a rear portion extending in a vehicle front-rear direction outside the backbone and outside the front portion in the vehicle width direction, and leading to the fuel tank; an intermediate portion that is spaced apart from each of the suspension cross and the exhaust purification catalyst, extends in a vehicle width direction forward of the exhaust purification catalyst and rearward of the suspension cross, and connects a rear end of the front portion and a front end of the rear portion; A fuel piping protection structure comprising:

2. The intermediate portion is disposed at a position equivalent to a front end of the exhaust purification catalyst in the vehicle front-rear direction.

2. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 1, wherein the fuel pipe protective structure is a fuel pipe.

3. a heat shield plate that covers an upper portion of the exhaust purification catalyst inside the backbone, The intermediate section is connected to the forward section through the inside of the backbone and above the heat shield.

3. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The forward portion is disposed inside the backbone.

4. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 1, wherein the fuel pipe protective structure is a fuel pipe.

5. a hollow conduit into which a high-voltage wire is inserted, the high-voltage wire passing through the inside of the backbone and connecting a motor in the engine room and a battery disposed behind the backbone; a dash panel extending upward from a front end of the floor panel on which the backbone is formed, The front portion of the fuel pipe and the electric conduit are routed along an upper surface of the backbone and the dash panel, and the front portion is disposed closer to the dash panel than the electric conduit in a side view.

5. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 1, wherein the fuel pipe protective structure is a fuel pipe.

6. The front portion of the fuel pipe and the electric conduit are arranged along the dash panel, and are arranged apart from each other in the vehicle width direction so that the front portion and the electric conduit do not overlap each other in a front view.

6. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 5.

7. A dash cross is provided on a front side surface of the dash panel so as to extend in a vehicle width direction, The front portion of the fuel pipe and the electric conduit are fixed to the dash cross via a bracket, The engine and the motor are disposed below the dash cross.

7. The fuel pipe protective structure according to claim 5 or 6.

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