Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front part structure that can prevent muffled sound from being generated in a cabin by suppressing vibrations of a windshield glass while suppressing a weight increase.SOLUTION: A vehicle front part structure 100 according to the present invention includes: a dash panel 102 that sections a cabin 105 and a power unit installation room 106; and a cowl top panel 104 that is connected to an upper end of the dash panel in a vehicle width direction to support a windshield glass 108. The cowl top panel includes a vertical wall portion 122 that extends in an up-down direction immediately before reaching the dash panel. The vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel is bent such that a center 136 in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward a vehicle rear side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A vehicle such as an automobile has a vehicle front structure having a cowl top panel. The cowl top panel, together with a dash panel and appropriate reinforcing members, forms a closed cross-sectional structure extending across the width of the vehicle and supports a windshield glass.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a cowl structure 10. The cowl structure 10 includes a cowl brace 13, and a closed cross-sectional portion 21 is formed as a cross-sectional structure that is closed when viewed from the side of the vehicle by a cowl top outer 11, a cowl top inner 12, and the cowl brace 13. This increases the supporting rigidity of the front windshield glass 3 in the cowl structure 10.

[0004] For this reason, Patent Document 1 states that the cowl structure 10 can suppress vibrations occurring in the front windshield glass 3 in the vertical direction of the vehicle, compared to a cowl structure that does not have a closed cross-sectional portion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-47866 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The cowl top panel is joined to, for example, the upper end of the dash panel across the width of the vehicle. The dash panel is a member that separates the passenger compartment from the power unit mounting room and has a surface that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. For this reason, the dash panel may vibrate in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is running.

[0007] When the dash panel vibrates in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the cowl top panel joined to the dash panel vibrates not only in the front-rear direction of the vehicle but also in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Since the windshield glass is supported by the cowl top panel, the vibration of the cowl top panel in the vertical direction of the vehicle is transmitted to the windshield glass. As a result, the windshield glass vibrates in the direction perpendicular to its surface, generating a muffled sound inside the vehicle.

[0008] In the cowl structure 10 of Patent Document 1, a cowl brace 13 is provided that connects a cowl top outer 11 and a cowl top inner 12 to suppress vibration of the front windshield glass 3. Therefore, although the cowl structure 10 can increase the support rigidity of the front windshield glass 3, the cowl brace 13 increases the number of parts, resulting in an increase in weight.

[0009] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front structure that can suppress vibration of the windshield glass while minimizing weight increase, thereby preventing muffled noise from occurring inside the vehicle cabin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, a representative configuration of the present invention comprises a dash panel that separates the passenger compartment from a power unit mounting room, and a cowl top panel that is joined to the upper end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction and supports the windshield glass, wherein the cowl top panel has a vertical wall portion that extends in the up-down direction just before reaching the dash panel, and the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel is curved so that the center in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward the rear of the vehicle. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front structure that can suppress vibration of the windshield glass while suppressing an increase in weight, thereby preventing muffled noise from occurring inside the vehicle cabin. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure shown in FIG. 1 along the line A-A. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a top view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1 as viewed obliquely from below. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a DD cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A typical configuration of one embodiment of the present invention comprises a dash panel that separates the passenger compartment from a room mounting a power unit, and a cowl top panel that is joined to the upper end of the dash panel in the vehicle width direction and supports the windshield glass, the cowl top panel having a vertical wall portion that extends in the up-down direction just before reaching the dash panel, and the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel is curved so that the center in the vehicle width direction protrudes furthest toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0014] Here, since the dash panel has a surface extending in the vehicle vertical direction, it may vibrate in the vehicle front-rear direction during driving, etc. Since the cowl top panel is joined to the upper end of the dash panel, it vibrates not only in the vehicle front-rear direction but also in the vehicle vertical direction in response to the vibration of the dash panel in the vehicle front-rear direction. In addition, the windshield glass is supported by the cowl top panel. Therefore, the vibration of the cowl top panel in the vehicle vertical direction is transmitted to the windshield glass. As a result, the windshield glass may vibrate in a direction perpendicular to its surface, generating a muffled sound inside the vehicle cabin.

[0015] In the present invention, the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel is curved so that the center in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the curved vertical wall portion makes it difficult for the cowl top panel to deform in the vehicle front-rear direction, and vibrations in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction can be suppressed. In the above configuration, the cowl top panel is joined to the upper end of the dash panel, so that vibrations of the cowl top panel can be suppressed by suppressing vibrations of the cowl top panel.

[0016] In this way, the present invention makes it possible to suppress vibrations of the cowl top panel and dash panel while suppressing weight increase without adding any other members by devising a shape in which the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel is curved. Therefore, with the above configuration, it is possible to suppress vibrations of the windshield glass while suppressing weight increase, and to prevent muffled noise from occurring inside the vehicle cabin.

[0017] In addition, since the present invention suppresses deformation of the cowl top panel in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle without adding any other members, for example, when a pedestrian hits the windshield glass from the front of the vehicle, the deformation of the cowl top panel is not hindered by other members. Therefore, in the above configuration, the cowl top panel deforms to absorb the impact when a pedestrian hits the windshield glass, and the pedestrian protection performance is not impaired.

[0018] The cowl top panel further has a first flange extending from the lower end of the vertical wall portion toward the rear of the vehicle, and a second flange is formed at the upper end of the dash panel which is bent toward the rear of the vehicle and overlaps and joined to the first flange of the cowl top panel from below, and the first flange and the second flange are curved arc-shaped so that the center in the vehicle width direction protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle in a plan view.

[0019] According to the above configuration, the first flange of the cowl top panel and the second flange of the dash panel joined thereto are formed in a curved arc shape with the center in the vehicle width direction protruding toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel and the dash panel are less likely to deform in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction compared to when the first flange of the cowl top panel and the second flange of the dash panel are simply formed in a flat shape extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Therefore, vibration of the cowl top panel and the dash panel in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction can be further suppressed.

[0020] The cowl top panel further has a planar portion extending from the upper end of the vertical wall portion toward the front of the vehicle and spanning a predetermined range in the vehicle width direction including the center of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle width direction, and the planar portion forms a U-shaped cross section together with the vertical wall portion and the second flange of the dash panel when viewed from the side.

[0021] In this way, a U-shaped cross section is formed by the flat portion and vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel and the second flange of the dash panel, making it more difficult for the cowl top panel to deform, and the generation of vibration can be suppressed.

[0022] The above-mentioned vehicle front structure further includes a steering support member that is disposed behind the dash panel and the cowl top panel, extends in the vehicle width direction, has both ends fixed to the sides of the vehicle body, and supports various components, and a reinforcing member that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and is disposed between the center of the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel in the vehicle width direction and the steering support member.

[0023] According to the above-mentioned configuration, the reinforcing member connects the center of the curved vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel in the vehicle width direction that protrudes furthest toward the rear of the vehicle to the steering support member, so that the center of the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel in the vehicle width direction is supported by the steering support member with high rigidity, thereby reliably suppressing deformation of the cowl top panel and preventing the occurrence of vibration. EXAMPLES

[0024] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle front structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1. In each of the following drawings, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Front and Back, the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows Left and Right, and the top-bottom direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Up and Down.

[0026] Vehicle front structure 100 includes dash panel 102 and cowl top panel 104 as shown in Fig. 1. Dash panel 102 is a member that separates a vehicle interior 105 from a power unit mounting room 106 as shown in Fig. 2, and has a surface that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Cowl top panel 104 extends in the vehicle width direction above dash panel 102, and supports windshield glass 108 shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2.

[0027] Vehicle front structure 100 further includes dash side panels 109, 110, a highly rigid steering support member 112, and a cowl front panel 114 shown in Fig. 2. The dash side panels 109, 110 are a pair of members that support dash panel 102 between themselves as shown in Fig. 1, and are attached to both ends of dash panel 102 in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] Steering support member 112 is disposed behind dash panel 102 and cowl top panel 104, extends in the vehicle width direction, and has both ends fixed to dash side panels 109, 110 on the sides of the vehicle body to support various components. The various components are, for example, instrument panel support components constituting the instrument panel such as meters and audio equipment attached to the instrument panel, and steering components such as the steering wheel, steering shaft, and steering column.

[0029] Further, a reinforcement 116 and a brace 118 are attached to the steering support member 112 as reinforcing parts located on the driver's seat side of the vehicle body. The reinforcement 116 extends linearly from the steering support member 112 to the cowl top panel 104 as shown in Fig. 1. The brace 118 extends linearly from a floor panel (not shown) and is connected to the steering support member 112. A reinforcement 120 for mounting various pedals is joined to the dash panel 104.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2, the cowl front panel 114 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle below the cowl top panel 104 and is joined to the dash panel 102 and the cowl top panel 104.

[0031] 2, the cowl top panel 104 has a vertical wall portion 122, a first flange 124, and a flat portion 126. The cowl top panel 104 further has an inclined portion 128 that is inclined along the windshield glass 108, and an apex portion 130 that protrudes upward. The cowl top panel 104 is inclined as a whole so as to approach the dash panel 102 as it moves from the apex portion 130 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0032] Vertical wall portion 122 extends in the vertical direction just before reaching dash panel 102 as shown in Fig. 2. Vertical wall portion 122 is the area surrounded by dotted line B in Fig. 1, extends in the vehicle width direction above dash panel 102, and dash side panels 109, 110 are located on both ends of vertical wall portion 122. First flange 124 extends rearward from lower end 132 of vertical wall portion 122 shown in Fig. 2 toward the rear of the vehicle, and further extends in the vehicle width direction as shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] The flat portion 126 of the cowl top panel 104 is the area surrounded by dotted line C in Figure 1, and extends forward of the vehicle from the upper end 134 of the vertical wall portion 122 and further extends over a predetermined range in the vehicle width direction including the center 136 of the vertical wall portion 122 in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] A second flange 138 that is bent toward the rear of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 2 is formed at the upper end of the dash panel 102. The cowl front panel 114 also has a third flange 140 that extends toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0035] 2, second flange 138 of dash panel 102 is joined to third flange 140 of cowl front panel 114 so as to overlap from below at a position closer to the vehicle front than vertical wall portion 122. Second flange 138 is joined to third flange 140 so as to overlap from below at a position closer to the vehicle rear than vertical wall portion 122, and is further joined to first flange 124 of cowl top panel 104 so as to overlap from below via third flange 140.

[0036] Here, dash panel 102 has a surface that extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and therefore may vibrate in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle while traveling, etc. In addition, cowl top panel 104 supports windshield glass 108, extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as a whole, and is joined to a second flange 138 formed at the upper end of dash panel 102.

[0037] For this reason, if the cowl top panel 104 vibrates not only in the front-rear direction of the vehicle but also in the vertical direction of the vehicle in response to the vibration of the dash panel 102 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the vibration in the vertical direction of the vehicle of the cowl top panel 104 is transmitted to the windshield glass 108. In such a case, the windshield glass 108 vibrates in the direction perpendicular to its surface, causing a muffled sound inside the vehicle interior 105.

[0038] Therefore, in the vehicle front structure 100, a configuration is adopted in which the shape of the cowl top panel 104 is devised to suppress vibration of the cowl top panel 104 and the dash panel 102 while minimizing weight increase without adding other components.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a top view of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1 as viewed from diagonally below. In the vehicle front structure 100, as shown in Fig. 3, the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 is curved so that a center 136 in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0040] 3, a front end 142 including the inclined portion 128 and the apex 130 is curved so that a center 144 in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward the front of the vehicle. Furthermore, in the cowl top panel 104, the curvature of the curved vertical wall portion 122 is smaller than the curvature of the curved front end 142, and the vertical wall portion 122 is curved more gently than the front end 142. For this reason, the cowl top panel 104 forms an elliptical shape that is asymmetrical in the front-to-rear direction when viewed from above as shown in FIG.

[0041] In addition, in the cowl top panel 104, a first flange 124 extending rearward from a lower end 132 (see FIG. 2) of the curved vertical wall portion 122 is curved in an arc shape such that a center 146 in the vehicle width direction protrudes rearward as shown in FIG. 3. In the dash panel 102, a second flange 138 formed at its upper end is curved in an arc shape such that a center 148 in the vehicle width direction protrudes rearward as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] 2, in the cowl top panel 104, the flat portion 126 forms a U-shaped cross section together with the vertical wall portion 122 and the second flange 138 of the dash panel 102 in a side view. Note that the vertical wall portion 122 and the flat portion 126 of the cowl top panel 104 form an L-shaped cross section in a side view as shown in FIG.

[0043] In the vehicle front structure 100, the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 is curved so that a center 136 in the vehicle width direction protrudes most toward the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the curved vertical wall portion 122 makes it difficult for the cowl top panel 104 to deform in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and vibrations in the fore-and-aft direction and the up-and-down direction of the vehicle can be suppressed.

[0044] 2, in vehicle front structure 100, first flange 124 of cowl top panel 104 is joined to second flange 138 formed on the upper end of dash panel 102. Therefore, by suppressing vibration of cowl top panel 104, vibration of dash panel 102 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle can also be suppressed.

[0045] In this way, in the vehicle front structure 100, by devising a shape in which the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 is curved, it is possible to suppress vibration of the cowl top panel 104 and the dash panel 102 while suppressing an increase in weight without adding any other members. Therefore, according to the vehicle front structure 100, it is possible to suppress vibration of the windshield glass 108 while suppressing an increase in weight, thereby preventing muffled noise from occurring inside the vehicle cabin.

[0046] Furthermore, the vehicle front structure 100 suppresses deformation of the cowl top panel 104 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle without adding any other members. As a result, when a pedestrian comes into contact with the windshield glass 108 from the front of the vehicle, for example, the deformation of the cowl top panel 104 is not hindered by other members. As a result, in the vehicle front structure 100, the cowl top panel 104 deforms and absorbs impact when a pedestrian collides with it, and pedestrian protection performance is not impaired.

[0047] In addition, in the vehicle front structure 100, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first flange 124 of the cowl top panel 104 and the second flange 138 of the dash panel 102 joined thereto are each formed into a curved arc shape with centers 146, 148 in the vehicle width direction protruding toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0048] Therefore, compared to a case where first flange 124 of cowl top panel 104 and second flange 138 of dash panel 102 are formed in a planar shape simply extending in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, vertical wall portion 122 of cowl top panel 104 and dash panel 102 are less likely to deform in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Therefore, vehicle front structure 100 can further suppress vibration of cowl top panel 104 and dash panel 102 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0049] 2, in the vehicle front structure 100, the flat portion 126 and the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 and the second flange 138 of the dash panel 102 form a U-shaped cross section in a side view. Therefore, the cowl top panel 104 becomes more resistant to deformation, and the occurrence of vibration can be suppressed.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle front structure 100 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a DD cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure 100A of Fig. 5. The modified vehicle front structure 100A differs from the above-described vehicle front structure 100 in that it includes a reinforcing member 150.

[0051] The reinforcing member 150 is a member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 5, with its front end 152 joined to the center 136 in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 (see FIG. 6) and its rear end 154 joined to the steering support member 112.

[0052] In other words, the reinforcing member 150 spans between the vehicle width center 136 of the curved vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104 that protrudes furthest toward the rear of the vehicle and the steering support member 112, connecting the cowl top panel 104 and the steering support member 112.

[0053] Therefore, in the vehicle front structure 100A, the highly rigid steering support member 112 supports the center 136 in the vehicle width direction of the vertical wall portion 122 of the cowl top panel 104, reliably suppressing deformation of the cowl top panel 104 and preventing the occurrence of vibration. Therefore, according to the vehicle front structure 100A, it is possible to suppress vibration of the windshield glass 108 while suppressing weight increase, thereby preventing muffled noise from occurring inside the vehicle cabin.

[0054] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100, 100A...vehicle front structure, 102...dash panel, 104...cowl top panel, 105...vehicle compartment, 106...power unit mounting room, 108...windshield glass, 109, 110...dash side panel, 112...steering support member, 114...cowl front panel, 116, 120...reinforcement, 118...brace, 122...vertical wall portion, 124...first flange, 126...flat Surface portion, 128...inclined portion, 130...top portion, 132...lower end of vertical wall portion, 134...upper end of vertical wall portion, 136...center in vehicle width direction of vertical wall portion, 138...second flange, 140...third flange, 142...front end portion of cowl top panel, 144...center in vehicle width direction of front end portion, 146...center in vehicle width direction of first flange, 148...center in vehicle width direction of second flange, 150...reinforcing member, 152...front end of reinforcing member, 154...rear end of reinforcing member

Claims

1. A dash panel that separates the vehicle interior from a power unit mounting room; a cowl top panel joined to an upper end of the dash panel in a vehicle width direction and supporting a windshield glass, The cowl top panel has a vertical wall portion extending in a vertical direction just before reaching the dash panel, A vehicle front structure characterized in that the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel forms a curved surface that is convex toward the rear of the vehicle with the center of the vehicle width direction as a vertex, and the entire vertical wall portion is structured so as to describe a single circular arc in the vehicle width direction.

2. The cowl top panel further has a first flange extending rearward of the vehicle from a lower end of the vertical wall portion, A second flange is formed at an upper end of the dash panel, the second flange being bent toward the rear of the vehicle and overlapping and joined to the first flange of the cowl top panel from below, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the first flange and the second flange are formed in a curved arc shape such that a center in a vehicle width direction in a plan view protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle.

3. The cowl top panel further has a planar portion extending forward of the vehicle from an upper end of the vertical wall portion and spanning a predetermined range in the vehicle width direction including a center of the vertical wall portion in the vehicle width direction, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the planar portion, together with the vertical wall portion and the second flange of the dash panel, forms a U-shaped cross section in a side view.

4. The vehicle front structure further comprises: a steering support member disposed behind the dash panel and the cowl top panel, extending in a vehicle width direction, with both ends fixed to side surfaces of the vehicle body, and supporting various components; 4. A vehicle front structure as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a reinforcing member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the reinforcing member being disposed between the vehicle width center of the vertical wall portion of the cowl top panel and the steering support member.

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