Vehicle body structure

Abstract

To improve a degree of freedom in layout in a cabin while enhancing vehicle body rigidity.SOLUTION: A vehicle body structure A includes: a floor panel 41; a center frame 80 which is arranged to be separated upward from the floor panel 41; and an air conditioner 120. The air conditioner 120 has an air distribution section 123 which is positioned above a front section of the center frame 80 and distributes generated air-conditioned air to each section in an occupant space and foot ducts 124A, 124B which guides the air-conditioned air downward. The foot ducts 124A, 124B extend downward from the above of the center frame 80 through the outside in a vehicle width direction of the center frame 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure provided in a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1, a control device is arranged inside an instrument panel at a position below the upper surface of the instrument panel and above an accelerator pedal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a vehicle, how to ensure vehicle body rigidity is an important issue. In response to this, for example, it is conceivable to provide a reinforcing member or the like in the vehicle interior. However, other parts and devices are also arranged in the vehicle interior, and it has been difficult to improve the vehicle body rigidity while improving the layout freedom of these.

[0005] The present disclosure is made in view of such a point, and an object thereof is to improve the layout freedom in the vehicle interior while increasing the vehicle body rigidity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, in a first aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle body structure of an automobile can be assumed. The vehicle body structure includes a floor panel that constitutes a floor of an occupant space provided with a seat on which an occupant sits, a center frame disposed above the floor panel at the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant space and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and an air conditioner for blowing conditioned air into the occupant space. The air conditioner has an air distribution unit that is located above the front part of the center frame and distributes the generated conditioned air to each part of the occupant space, and a foot duct that guides the conditioned air blown from the air distribution unit downward. The foot duct extends downward from above the center frame through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the center frame.

[0007] According to this configuration, by providing the center frame, which is separated upward from the floor panel, in the occupant space, a reinforcing effect of the vehicle body can be obtained, and as a result, the vehicle body rigidity can be increased. Further, since the air distribution unit of the air conditioner is located above the center frame, it is not necessary to arrange the air distribution unit in the space below the center frame. Furthermore, since the foot duct connected to the air distribution unit extends downward through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the center frame, it is not necessary to arrange the foot duct in the space below the center frame. Therefore, various components and devices can be arranged in the space below the center frame, and the degree of freedom in layout is improved.

[0008] In a second aspect of the present disclosure, the front part of the center frame is composed of a left frame component member and a right frame component member provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction. The foot duct includes a left foot duct that extends downward from above the left frame component member through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the left frame component member, and a right foot duct that extends downward from above the right frame component member through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the right frame component member.

[0009] According to this configuration, since the air-conditioning air can be blown to the left and right sides of the passenger compartment by the left footwell duct and the right footwell duct respectively, the comfort of the passengers can be improved. In this case, since it is not necessary to arrange the left footwell duct and the right footwell duct in the space below the center frame, the degree of freedom in the layout of the space below the center frame does not deteriorate.

[0010] The center frame according to the third aspect of the present disclosure is hollow. A duct for communicating the air distribution part of the air conditioner with the inside of the center frame and introducing the air-conditioning air blown out from the air distribution part into the inside of the center frame is disposed between the left frame component and the right frame component. A blowing part for blowing the air-conditioning air in the center frame is provided at a part of the center frame that is away from the connection part with the duct toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0011] According to this configuration, the air-conditioning air generated by the air conditioner is introduced into the inside of the center frame through the duct and then blown out from the blowing part. Since the center frame extends in the front-rear direction, the air-conditioning air can be guided to a desired position in the front-rear direction in the passenger compartment. In this case, since the duct is disposed between the left frame component and the right frame component, it is not necessary to arrange the duct in the space below the center frame, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the space below the center frame does not deteriorate.

[0012] Below the center frame according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a control device for controlling a controlled part mounted on the vehicle is disposed.

[0013] According to this configuration, the space below the center frame can be effectively utilized as a layout space for the control device. In addition, although the control device may be vulnerable to heat, in this configuration, since the center frame is located above the control device, direct sunlight from the outside is blocked by the center frame, and the temperature rise of the control device is suppressed.

[0014] In a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the cross-section orthogonal to the air flow direction of the underfoot duct is set such that the dimension in the vehicle front-rear direction is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, since the cross-section of the underfoot duct has a flat shape that is long in the vehicle front-rear direction, it is possible to increase the cross-sectional area and secure a large air volume while suppressing the overhang of the underfoot duct in the vehicle width direction.

Effects of the Invention

[0016] As described above, the center frame is disposed above the floor panel, the air distribution part of the air conditioner is provided above the center frame, and the duct for guiding the conditioned air downward is provided to extend downward from above the center frame through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the center frame. Therefore, while enhancing the vehicle body rigidity by the center frame, the degree of freedom in the layout inside the vehicle can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 4

Figure 5

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Figure 10

Figure 11

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Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a side view of an automobile 1 equipped with a vehicle body structure A according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the left. In the description of this embodiment, the vehicle front-rear direction will be simply referred to as the “front-rear direction”, the front side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the “front side”, and the “rear side” of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the rear. Also, the vehicle width direction is the left-right direction of the vehicle, the left side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the “left side”, and the right side of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the “right side”.

[0020] (Overall Structure of the Automobile) The automobile 1 is a passenger car, and a passenger space R1 for passengers to ride is provided in the middle part in the front-rear direction of the automobile 1. In the passenger space R1, a front seat (front seat sheet) FS constituting the front seat and a rear seat (rear seat sheet) RS constituting the rear seat are provided. The front seat FS includes a driver's seat arranged on the right side (or left side) of the passenger space R1 and a passenger seat arranged on the left side (or right side) of the passenger space R1. The rear seat RS is also arranged on the right side and the left side of the passenger space R1, respectively. Although not shown, a third-row seat may be arranged behind the rear seat RS. Also, the rear seat RS is not essential and may be omitted.

[0021] On the left and right sides of the passenger space R1, a front door FD and a rear door RD are respectively arranged. In the case of the vehicle 1 without a rear seat RS, the rear door RD can be omitted.

[0022] A front space R2 is provided in front of the passenger space R1 of the vehicle 1. A power train PT can be mounted in this front space R2 as required. When the power train PT is mounted in the front space R2, the front space R2 can also be called, for example, a power train storage room, a motor room, an engine room, etc. A bonnet hood BF is provided above the front space R2.

[0023] A luggage compartment space R3 capable of accommodating luggage and the like is provided behind the passenger space R1 of the vehicle 1. The luggage compartment space R3 can be opened and closed by a trunk lid TR. A rear space R4 is provided behind the passenger space R1 of the vehicle 1 and below the luggage compartment space R3. A power train PT that generates the power of the vehicle 1 can be mounted in this rear space R4 as required. When the power train PT is mounted in the rear space R4, the rear space R4 can also be called, for example, a power train storage room, a motor room, an engine room, etc.

[0024] The power train PT may be mounted in both the front space R2 and the rear space R4, or may be mounted in only one of them. When the power train PT is mounted only in the front space R2, it becomes a front-wheel drive vehicle that drives only the front wheels FT with the power train PT. When the power train PT is mounted only in the rear space R4, it becomes a rear-wheel drive vehicle that drives only the rear wheels RT with the power train PT. Furthermore, when the power train PT is mounted in both the front space R2 and the rear space R4 to drive the front wheels FT and the rear wheels RT, it becomes a four-wheel drive vehicle.

[0025] The power train PT includes at least a traveling motor M (shown in FIG. 2) for driving drive wheels, and may also include a speed reducer, a transmission, etc. as required. Therefore, the vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle. The traveling motor M is arranged such that its rotation center extends in the left-right direction. The power train PT may include, in addition to the traveling motor M, for example, a control unit. The power train PT may include an internal combustion engine. A battery unit Y (also shown in FIG. 1) for supplying power to the traveling motor M is mounted below the vehicle 1. For example, the battery unit Y may be charged using the power generated by the internal combustion engine, or at least one of the front wheels FT and the rear wheels RT may be driven by the power generated by the internal combustion engine.

[0026] The type of the vehicle 1 does not have to be a four-door vehicle as shown as an example in FIG. 1, and may be, for example, a vehicle without a rear door RD. Also, although not shown, the present invention can be applied to a vehicle in which a rear space R4 can be opened and closed by a tailgate like a hatchback vehicle.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle 1 includes a lower structure 2 and an upper structure 3, and the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 constitute a vehicle body structure A. In FIG. 2, a state is shown in which the door FD, RD, bonnet hood BF, fender, windshield, roof, center pillar, rear pillar, bumper, front and rear lighting devices, instrument panel, front and rear seats, etc. originally provided in the upper structure 3 are removed. Also, in FIG. 2, a state is shown in which the front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, suspension devices, etc. originally provided in the lower structure 2 are removed.

[0028] The lower structure 2 includes the battery unit Y. The battery unit Y has a front battery FB and a rear battery RB, and a frame-shaped frame 10 surrounding the front battery FB and the rear battery RB. Also, the lower structure 2 includes a front support frame 20 extending forward from the front part of the frame-shaped frame 10 and a rear support frame 30 extending rearward from the rear part of the frame-shaped frame 10.

[0029] Although not shown, in the case of a general electric vehicle, the battery unit is often made detachable under the floor as a separate body from the vehicle body. However, in this embodiment, not only the batteries FB and RB, but also the front support frame 20 and the rear support frame 30 are integrated with the frame-shaped frame 10 surrounding the batteries FB and RB, and the front support frame 20 and the rear support frame 30 are also detachable from the upper structure 3 together with the batteries FB and RB.

[0030] Specifically, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment is configured to be vertically divisible into a lower structure 2 having batteries FB and RB and an upper structure 3 forming a passenger space R1 and a luggage compartment space R3. Being vertically divisible means integrating the lower structure 2 with the upper structure 3 using fastening members such as bolts, nuts, and screws without using welding, adhesion, etc. Thereby, when performing maintenance or repair after the vehicle 1 is delivered to the user, the lower structure 2 can be separated from the upper structure 3 as necessary, so that the maintainability is improved.

[0031] Here, as a vehicle body structure of an automobile, a ladder frame type vehicle body structure is known. In the case of a ladder frame type vehicle body structure, it is vertically divisible into a ladder frame and a cabin. However, since the ladder frame extends continuously in the front-rear direction, it mainly receives a collision load during a frontal collision and a rear collision. During a side collision, the ladder frame only receives the collision load supplementally, and the cabin mainly receives the collision load. Thus, in a ladder frame type vehicle body structure, it is normal that the members receiving the collision load are separated between during a frontal collision and a rear collision and during a side collision.

[0032] In contrast, in the case of the automobile 1 of the present embodiment, the lower structure 2 having the front support frame 20 and the rear support frame 30 and the upper structure 3 are separable. However, in both the case of a frontal collision and a rear collision and the case of a side collision, by receiving the collision load with the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3, the collision load can be dispersed and absorbed by the two structures 2 and 3, and its technical concept is greatly different from that of the conventional ladder frame type vehicle body structure. Hereinafter, the structures of the lower structure 2 and the upper structure 3 will be described in order.

[0033] (Lower structure) First, the lower structure 2 will be described. The lower structure 2 includes, in addition to the batteries FB, RB, the frame-shaped frame 10, the front support frame 20, and the rear support frame 30, a power train PT, front wheels FT, rear wheels RT, and the like.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the frame-shaped frame 10 is a member for surrounding and protecting the front battery FB, the rear battery RB, and the like. This frame-shaped frame 10 is formed in a large size so as to extend from the vicinity of the left end portion to the vicinity of the right end portion of the passenger space side floor panel 41 and from the vicinity of the front end portion to the vicinity of the rear end portion of the passenger space side floor panel 41 below the passenger space side floor panel 41 described later. The batteries FB, RB may be, for example, lithium-ion batteries, all-solid-state batteries, or other secondary batteries. Further, the batteries FB, RB may be so-called battery cells or battery packs containing a plurality of battery cells.

[0035] The frame - type frame 10 includes a left - side member 11, a right - side member 12, a front member 13, and a rear member 14. The left - side member 11, the right - side member 12, the front member 13, and the rear member 14 are made of, for example, extruded materials made of aluminum alloy, etc. However, they may also be made of aluminum alloy plate materials or press - formed materials of steel plates. In the following description, when referring to an "extruded material", it means an extruded material made of aluminum alloy, and when referring to a "press - formed material", it means an aluminum alloy plate material or a press - formed material of a steel plate. Also, each member may be made of, for example, castings, die - castings, etc.

[0036] When connecting the lower - structure body 2 to the upper - structure body 3, the front member 13 is fastened and fixed to the lower part of the dash panel 50 with a fastening member, and the left - side member 11 and the right - side member 12 are respectively fastened and fixed to the left and right side sills 60 with fastening members. Also, the rear member 14 is fastened and fixed to a connection panel 43 described later with a fastening member. A cover member 15 is attached to the lower part of the frame - type frame 10. Incidentally, the power of the batteries FB, RB housed in the frame - type frame 10 is supplied to the traveling motor M via a traveling control circuit (not shown). Further, the batteries FB, RB can be charged via a charging socket (not shown).

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left - and - right front support frames 20 are provided and are connected to the front member 13 of the frame - type frame 10. The front power train PT is attached to the front support frame 20 via a mounting member (not shown).

[0038] The rear support frame 30 is provided in a pair of left - and - right similar to the front support frame 20 and is connected to the rear member 14 of the frame - type frame 10. The rear power train PT is attached to the rear support frame 30 via a mounting member (not shown).

[0039] (Upper - structure body) Next, the upper structure 3 will be described. The upper structure 3 includes a floor constituent member 40, a dash panel 50, and a pair of left and right side sills 60. The floor constituent member 40 is a member disposed above the frame-type frame 10 and the rear support frame 30 of the lower structure 2. This floor constituent member 40 includes an occupant space side floor panel 41 that constitutes the floor of the occupant space R1 where the front seat FS and the rear seat RS (shown in FIG. 1) on which the occupant sits are provided, a cargo space side floor panel 42 that constitutes the floor of the cargo space R3, and a connection panel 43 that connects the rear part of the occupant space side floor panel 41 and the front part of the cargo space side floor panel 42.

[0040] The floor constituent member 40 can be constituted by, for example, a member formed by press-forming a steel plate or the like. The occupant space side floor panel 41, the cargo space side floor panel 42, and the connection panel 43 may be integrally formed, or may be formed separately and then connected. Further, in the present embodiment, although the occupant space side floor panel 41, the cargo space side floor panel 42, and the connection panel 43 are described separately in three parts, the floor constituent member 40 including these panels 41 to 43 may be called a floor panel. Further, only the occupant space side floor panel 41 may be called a floor panel.

[0041] The floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side extends from the front part to the rear part of the passenger compartment R1 and from the left side part to the right side part of the passenger compartment R1. The floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side according to the present embodiment has a floor tunnel-less structure without a tunnel portion. That is, generally, a conventional automobile floor panel is provided with a tunnel portion that bulges greatly upward and extends in the front-rear direction. This tunnel portion is a part for passing, for example, an exhaust pipe extending rearward from an engine mounted in an engine room at the front of the vehicle, or a propeller shaft for transmitting the output of the engine to the rear wheels. The diameters of the exhaust pipe and the propeller shaft are often, for example, 10 cm or more. Moreover, in order to prevent interference between the exhaust pipe or the propeller shaft and the floor panel, it is necessary to provide a gap of at least several cm or more between the exhaust pipe or the propeller shaft and the floor panel. Further, an insulator or the like may be disposed on the inner surface of the tunnel portion. Due to these factors, the height of the tunnel portion from the floor panel may be, for example, 15 cm or more or 20 cm or more. In terms of the positional relationship with the seat, the upper end of the tunnel portion is higher than the lower end of the seat cushion on the seat rail or the vertical center portion of the seat cushion. A structure without a tunnel portion that bulges greatly upward like this is a tunnel-less structure.

[0042] As described above, the floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side does not have a tunnel portion with a height of 15 cm or more or 20 cm or more from the upper surface of the floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side. However, for example, if it is a low bulge portion with a height of 5 cm or less or 10 cm or less from the upper surface of the floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side, it may be provided. In the case of such a low bulge portion, since an exhaust pipe or a propeller shaft cannot pass through it, it does not function as a tunnel portion. Therefore, even if the floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side has a low bulge portion with a height of 5 cm or less or 10 cm or less from the upper surface, it is a floor panel with a tunnel-less structure.

[0043] In this embodiment, since the power train PT includes the driving motor M, there is no need to mount the internal combustion engine in the front space R2. Therefore, it is not necessary to lead the exhaust pipe to the rear of the vehicle. Also, if the power train PT is mounted in the rear space R4, the rear wheels RT can be driven by the power train PT, and the propeller shaft can be omitted. Therefore, the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side can have a tunnel-less structure.

[0044] As shown also in FIG. 3, in the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side, there is formed a recessed portion 41a formed to bulge downward. The recessed portion 41a has a bottom surface portion 41b on which the feet of the rear seat passengers seated on the rear seat RS can be placed. The bottom surface portion 41b is formed substantially horizontally. The front side portion of the recessed portion 41a is formed to gradually become deeper toward the rear side. The recessed portion 41a can be formed continuously from the left side portion to the right side portion of the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side. The bottom surface portion 41b is set to be substantially the same height as the lower portion of the side sill 60 described later, whereby the height of the bottom surface portion 41b can be made sufficiently low. The positional relationship in the front-rear direction between the recessed portion 41a and the seat cushion of the rear seat RS is set such that when the rear seat passengers seated on the rear seat RS lower their feet straight down, the feet are naturally placed on the bottom surface portion 41b. The position of the front portion of the recessed portion 41a is set such that when the rear seat passengers seated on the rear seat RS move their feet diagonally forward, the feet are placed on the bottom surface portion 41b. That is, the position and the dimensions in the front-rear direction of the recessed portion 41a are set so that the feet of the rear seat passengers can be placed on the bottom surface portion 41b even if they move their feet slightly back and forth. Thereby, the foot space for the rear seat passengers can be expanded, and the habitability is improved. In the center portion in the left-right direction of the recessed portion 41a, there is provided a floor frame 41c extending in the front-rear direction. By providing the floor frame 41c, the portion where the recessed portion 41a is formed can be reinforced.

[0045] The cargo space side floor panel 42 is positioned above the passenger space side floor panel 41. Below the cargo space side floor panel 42, a rear space R4 is located. Since the cargo space side floor panel 42 is arranged above the passenger space side floor panel 41, the connection panel 43 will extend in the vertical direction.

[0046] As also shown in FIG. 4, the dash panel 50 is a member that serves as a partition between the front space R2 and the passenger space R1. It extends upward from the front part of the passenger space side floor panel 41 and also extends in the left - right direction, partitioning the front part of the passenger space R1. FIG. 4 is a cross - sectional view showing the case when cut along a plane extending in the front - rear direction through the center part in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the left and right side sills 60 are respectively arranged to extend in the front - rear direction at both left and right ends of the passenger space side floor panel 41. The left end of the passenger space side floor panel 41 is connected to the middle part in the vertical direction of the left side sill 60. Since a battery unit Y including batteries FB and RB is arranged below the passenger space side floor panel 41, in a side view of the vehicle, the lower part of the side sill 60 and the batteries FB and RB are arranged so as to overlap. Also, the right side sill 60 is similarly connected to the right end of the passenger space side floor panel 41.

[0048] The upper structure 3 includes a pair of left and right hinge pillars 70. Left and right front doors FD (shown in FIG. 1) are rotatably attached to the left and right hinge pillars 70 respectively. The left edge part of the dash panel 50 is connected to the right side surface of the left hinge pillar 70. Also, the right edge part of the dash panel 50 is connected to the left side surface of the right hinge pillar 70. Although not shown, a center pillar, a rear pillar, etc. are also provided on the upper structure 3.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the occupant space side floor panel 41 has a front cross member 44A, an intermediate cross member 44B, a depression front side cross member 44C, and a depression rear side cross member 44D. The front cross member 44A, the intermediate cross member 44B, the depression front side cross member 44C, and the depression rear side cross member 44D extend in the left - right direction and are fixed to the upper surface of the occupant space side floor panel 41.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the front cross member 44A is disposed at the front part of the occupant space side floor panel 41. The front part of the front cross member 44A is also joined to the lower part of the dash panel 50. The intermediate cross member 44B is disposed behind the front cross member 44A and in front of the depression 41a, and a closed cross - section is formed by the intermediate cross member 44 and the occupant space side floor panel 41.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the depression front side cross member 44C is disposed so as to extend in the left - right direction along the front part of the depression 41a behind the intermediate cross member 44B. The depression rear side cross member 44D is disposed so as to extend in the left - right direction along the rear part of the depression 41a behind the depression front side cross member 44C. The front part of the floor frame 41c provided inside the depression 41a is connected to the left - right central part of the depression front side cross member 44C, and the rear part of the floor frame 41c is connected to the left - right central part of the depression rear side cross member 44D.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper structure 3 includes a center frame 80 that extends continuously in the front - rear direction from the dash panel 50 to the connection panel 43. This center frame 80 is located at the left - right center part and is disposed away from the occupant space side floor panel 41 upward. On the left side of the center frame 80, the left front seat FS and rear seat RS are disposed, while on the right side of the center frame 80, the right front seat FS and rear seat RS are disposed.

[0053] By disposing the center frame 80 above and separated from the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side, components or the like can be arranged, for example, between the lower surface of the center frame 80 and the upper surface of the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side. Further, the space between the lower surface of the center frame 80 and the upper surface of the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side can also be utilized as an article storage portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the center frame 80 according to this embodiment has a bent portion 80A that bends in the vertical direction at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction. By providing the bent portion 80A in the center frame 80, for example, the rear side portion can be made lower than the front side portion, so that the habitability of the rear seat passengers can be improved. Also, since the front side portion of the center frame 80 can be made higher than the rear side portion, it becomes possible to arrange articles or the like, for example, below the front side portion of the center frame 80. The bent portion 80A is formed at a position closer to the front than the center portion in the front-rear direction of the center frame 80.

[0054] That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the center frame 80 has a front frame member 81 extending in the front-rear direction, a rear frame member 82 disposed behind the front frame member 81 and extending rearward, and a connecting member 83 connecting the rear portion of the front frame member 81 and the front portion of the rear frame member 82. The front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 are hollow, that is, formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction, and can be configured, for example, by extrusion materials. By making the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 hollow, they become lightweight and high-rigidity members. When the center frame 80 is used as a means for blowing air for air conditioning described later, the rear portion of the rear frame member 82 may be closed. The rear portion of the rear frame member 82 is connected to the connection panel 43.

[0055] The vertical cross-sections of the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 along the vehicle width direction are rectangular. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 have an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion extending in the left-right direction, and left and right side wall portions extending in the up-down direction. Note that the cross-sectional shapes of the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 are not limited to rectangular shapes, and may be polygons with five or more sides, or may be circular or elliptical shapes.

[0056] The dimension of the rear frame member 82 in the longitudinal direction is set to be longer than the dimension of the front frame member 81 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the connection portion between the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 is located forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the passenger space R1. Note that the center frame 80 is not limited to a two-part structure of the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82, and may be composed of a single member from the front part to the rear part, or may have a three-part structure.

[0057] As also shown in FIG. 4, the front frame member 81 is inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane and extends linearly. On the other hand, the rear frame member 82 is inclined at a second inclination angle smaller than the first inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane and extends linearly. That is, since the rear frame member 82 is inclined at an inclination angle different from that of the front frame member 81, a bent portion 80A that bends downward is formed at the connection portion between the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82. In this embodiment, the rear frame member 82 is arranged to be inclined downward toward the rear. Note that the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 may have the same inclination angle. In this case, the bent portion 80A will not be formed.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, inside the rear frame member 82, a first partition wall portion 82a for partitioning the internal space into an upper passage and a lower passage is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction. Further, inside the rear frame member 82, a second partition wall portion 82b for partitioning the left passage on the left side in the vehicle width direction and the right passage on the right side in the vehicle width direction is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. The first partition wall portion 82a and the second partition wall portion 82b are integrally formed. By the first partition wall portion 82a and the second partition wall portion 82b, four passages, namely, an upper left passage T11, an upper right passage T12, a lower left passage T13, and a lower right passage T14, are formed inside the rear frame member 82. The first partition wall portion 82a and the second partition wall portion 82b function as ribs provided inside the center frame 80. Incidentally, the first partition wall portion 82a and the second partition wall portion 82b may be provided as needed, and one or both of them may be omitted. Also, three or more partition wall portions may be provided.

[0059] Also, inside the front frame member 81, similarly to the inside of the rear frame member 82, a first partition wall portion 81a is provided so as to extend in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction. By this first partition wall portion 81a, the internal space of the front frame member 81 is partitioned into an upper passage and a lower passage. Also, a second partition wall portion 81b for partitioning the left passage on the left side in the vehicle width direction and the right passage on the right side in the vehicle width direction is provided inside the front frame member 81. By the first partition wall portion 81a and the second partition wall portion 81b, inside the front frame member 81, similarly to the rear frame member 82, an upper left passage T11, an upper right passage T12, a lower left passage T13, and a lower right passage T14 are formed.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the connecting member 83 is cylindrical and connects the rear part of the front frame member 81 and the front part of the rear frame member 82 so that they can communicate with each other. The rear part of the front frame member 81 and the front part of the rear frame member 82 are connected in a state of being inserted into the connecting member 83. Specifically, the connecting member 83 has an upper wall portion 83a and a lower wall portion 83b extending in the left-right direction, and a left wall portion 8c and a right wall portion 83d extending in the up-down direction. The upper wall portion 83a extends from the upper part of the left wall portion 8c to the upper part of the right wall portion 83d, and the lower wall portion 83b extends from the lower part of the left wall portion 8c to the lower part of the right wall portion 83d. The dimension of the lower wall portion 83b of the connecting member 83 in the front-rear direction is set to be longer than the dimension of the upper wall portion 83a in the front-rear direction. Corresponding to the difference in the front-rear dimensions between the upper wall portion 83a and the lower wall portion 83b, the front-rear dimensions of the left wall portion 8c and the right wall portion 83d become longer toward the lower side.

[0061] Inside the connecting member 83, a first connecting wall portion 83e extending in the left-right direction from the vertical middle portion of the left wall portion 8c to the vertical middle portion of the right wall portion 83d and a second connecting wall portion 83f extending in the left-right direction from the horizontal middle portion of the upper wall portion 83a to the horizontal middle portion of the lower wall portion 83b are provided. The first connecting wall portion 83e and the second connecting wall portion 83f are integrally formed with the upper wall portion 83a, the lower wall portion 83b, the left wall portion 8c, and the right wall portion 83d.

[0062] On the front side of the second connecting wall portion 83f, a front notch portion 83g into which the rear part of the front frame member 81 is inserted is formed. Also, on the rear side of the second connecting wall portion 83f, a rear notch portion 83h into which the front part of the rear frame member 82 is inserted is formed. When the front frame member 81 and the rear frame member 82 are connected by the connecting member 83, the upper left passage T11, the upper right passage T12, the lower left passage T13, and the lower right passage T14 of the front frame member 81 communicate with the upper left passage T11, the upper right passage T12, the lower left passage T13, and the lower right passage T14 of the rear frame member 82, respectively.

[0063] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the center frame 80 has a left frame component member 84A and a right frame component member 84B that constitute the front portion of the center frame 80, and thus has a shape branched in the left-right direction. The left frame component member 84A and the right frame component member 84B are provided at intervals from each other in the left-right direction. The rear portion of the left frame component member 84A is fixed to the left side surface of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the front frame member 81. The left frame component member 84A is inclined in plan view so as to be positioned more to the left as it goes forward from the fixing portion to the front frame member 81. The front portion of the left frame component member 84A is connected to a portion above the passenger space side floor panel 41 in the dash panel 50 and away from it.

[0064] Also, the rear portion of the right frame component member 84B is fixed to the right side surface of the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the front frame member 81. The right frame component member 84B is inclined in plan view so as to be positioned more to the right as it goes forward from the fixing portion to the front frame member 81. The front portion of the right frame component member 84B is connected to a portion above the passenger space side floor panel 41 in the dash panel 50 and away from it.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper structure 3 includes first to third connecting members 101 to 103. The first to third connecting members 101 to 103 extend upward from the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side, and the upper part is fixed to the center frame 80. They are members for connecting the center frame 80 to the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side. The first connecting member 101 is disposed at the foremost position in the passenger space R1, and this first connecting member 101 is separated rearward from the dash panel 50. The lower part of the first connecting member 101 is fixed to a portion of the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side that is separated rearward from the dash panel 50, and the upper part of the first connecting member 101 is fixed to a portion of the center frame 80 that is separated rearward from the dash panel 50. Also, the second connecting member 102 is disposed rearwardly spaced from the first connecting member 101. The lower part of the second connecting member 102 is connected to the intermediate cross member 44B. Further, the third connecting member 103 is disposed rearwardly spaced from the second connecting member 102. The lower part of the third connecting member 103 is connected to the cross member 44C on the front side of the recessed portion.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 5, the first connecting member 101 has a left member (left connecting member) 101A and a right member (right connecting member) 101B. The lower parts of the left member 101A and the right member 101B are fixed to the front cross member 44A. The left member 101A extends obliquely upward in a front view so as to be positioned more to the left as it goes upward from the front cross member 44A. The upper part of the left member 101A is fixed to the front part of the left frame constituent member 84A of the center frame 80. Also, the right member 101B extends obliquely upward in a front view so as to be positioned more to the right as it goes upward from the front cross member 44A. The upper part of the right member 101B is fixed to the front part of the right frame constituent member 84B of the center frame 80. Since the front parts of the left frame constituent member 84A and the right frame constituent member 84B are separated in the left-right direction, most of the left member 101A and the right member 101B except for the lower parts are separated in the left-right direction, and the left-right interval between the left member 101A and the right member 101B becomes wider as it goes upward.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper structure 3 includes an air conditioner 120 that generates conditioned air to be blown into the passenger space R1. This air conditioner 120 is disposed forward of the front portion of the front side frame member 81 and is located in front of the center frame 80.

[0068] The air conditioner 120 has a cooler (heat exchanger) 121 through which conditioned air passes, an air-conditioning casing 122 that houses the cooler 121, and an air distribution section 123. The cooler 121 is a cooling heat exchanger such as an evaporator for cooling the conditioned air, but is not limited thereto, and may be a heating heat exchanger such as a heater core or a condenser for heating the conditioned air. The cooler 121 of this embodiment is disposed forward of the dash panel 50.

[0069] Inside the air-conditioning casing 122 of the air conditioner 120, in addition to the cooler 121 described above, a heater (not shown) and an air mix damper 122a for changing the mixing ratio of the cold air that has passed through the cooler 121 and the warm air that has passed through the heater to generate conditioned air at a desired temperature are housed. The portion of the air-conditioning casing 122 that houses the cooler 121 and the air mix damper 122a is disposed forward of the dash panel 50.

[0070] As also shown in FIG. 11, the air distribution section 123 is a portion that distributes the conditioned air generated in the air-conditioning casing 122 to each part of the passenger space R1, and is provided above and behind the air-conditioning casing 122. Specifically, the air distribution section 123 is located behind the dash panel 50, that is, at the center in the vehicle width direction within the passenger space R1 and above the front portion of the center frame 80.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of air-blowing direction switching dampers 123b are provided inside the air distribution unit 123. By operating the air-blowing direction switching damper 123b, the conditioned air can be supplied to the inner surface of the front windshield FG (shown in FIG. 1), to the upper body of the occupant, or to the vicinity of the feet of the occupant. The operation of the air-blowing direction switching damper 123b has been well-known conventionally. An air-blowing direction switching damper 123b for the rear seats is also provided inside the air distribution unit 123.

[0072] The air distribution unit 123 has a blowing portion 123c having a duct shape through which the conditioned air generated inside the air-conditioning casing 122 blows out. The air-conditioning apparatus 120 also has an air guiding duct 120d that communicates the inside of the air distribution unit 123 with the inside of the center frame 80 and guides the conditioned air blown out from the blowing portion 123c of the air distribution unit 123 into the inside of the center frame 80. The air guiding duct 120d is disposed between the left frame component 84A and the right frame component 84B above a control device 130 to be described later and extends in the front-rear direction. While the front portion of the air guiding duct 120d is connected to the blowing portion 123c, the rear portion of the air guiding duct 120d is connected to the front portion of the front frame member 81 of the center frame 80. Thereby, the conditioned air generated by the air-conditioning apparatus 120 is introduced into the inside of the center frame 80 through the air guiding duct 120d. The air guiding duct 120d may be a member that constitutes a part of the center frame 80.

[0073] Since the center frame 80 extends in the front-rear direction, the conditioned air can be guided to a desired location in the front-rear direction in the occupant space R1. In this case, since the air guiding duct 120d is disposed above the control device 130 and has a predetermined width in the left-right direction, direct sunlight is blocked by the air guiding duct 120d, making it even more difficult for the sunlight to reach the control device 130. Further, by using the center frame 80 as an air-conditioning duct, it is not necessary to separately provide an air-conditioning duct, and the occupant space R1 can be made wider compared to the case where an air-conditioning duct is separately provided.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, an upper blowing portion 80b for blowing the air-conditioning air in the upper left passage T11 and the upper right passage T12 upward is provided at a portion of the upper wall portion of the center frame 80 that is away from the air guide duct 120d rearward. The upper blowing portion 80b is located rearward of the backrest portion of the front seat FS on the upper wall portion of the center frame 80, and is provided on both the left and right sides. The upper blowing portion (left blowing portion) 80b on the left side forms a cylindrical shape communicating with the upper left passage T11, and the upper blowing portion (right blowing portion) 80b on the right side forms a cylindrical shape communicating with the upper right passage T12. The downstream end of the upper blowing portion 80b is open upward so as to face the occupant sitting on the rear seat RS.

[0075] A lower blowing portion 80c for blowing the air-conditioning air in the lower left passage T13 and the lower right passage T14 downward is provided at a portion of the lower wall portion of the center frame 80 that is away from the air guide duct 120d rearward. The lower blowing portion 80c is located rearward of the seat cushion portion of the front seat FS, and is provided on both the left and right sides of the lower wall portion of the center frame 80. The lower blowing portion 80c on the left side forms a cylindrical shape communicating with the lower left passage T13, and the lower blowing portion 80c on the right side forms a cylindrical shape communicating with the lower right passage T14. The lower blowing portion 80c is composed of a rear heat duct extending downward toward the recessed portion 41a, and after extending downward from the center frame 80, it bends outward in the vehicle width direction. One of the upper blowing portion 80b and the lower blowing portion 80c may be omitted.

[0076] In addition, since the center frame 80 has a large cross-section to such an extent that it can improve the torsional rigidity of the vehicle body, even if the amount of air-conditioning air flowing inside is increased, the blowing sound can be kept low. In particular, since the center frame 80 extends in a shape close to a straight line, the internal passage also has a shape close to a straight line, and this can also keep the blowing sound low. Further, when no heat insulating material or the like is provided on the center frame 80, the heat of the air-conditioning air flowing inside the center frame 80 is transmitted to the wall portion of the center frame 80 and radiated from the outer surface of the wall portion to the passenger space R1. Thereby, comfortable air-conditioning using radiant heat becomes possible. Note that a heat insulating material may be provided on the center frame 80.

[0077] The air-conditioning device 120 has footwell ducts 124A and 124B that guide the air-conditioning air blown from the air distribution section 123 downward. The footwell ducts 124A and 124B mainly include a left front footwell duct 124A and a right front footwell duct 124B for supplying warm air to the vicinity of the feet of the passengers sitting on the front seats FS. The upstream end (upper end) of the left front footwell duct 124A is disposed above the left frame constituent member 84A and is attached to the left side wall of the air distribution section 123 and communicates with the inside of the air distribution section 123. The left front footwell duct 124A extends leftward above the left frame constituent member 84A of the center frame 80 from its upstream end and then extends downward along the left side surface of the left frame constituent member 84A. The downstream end of the left front footwell duct 124A opens downward. That is, the left front footwell duct 124A extends downward from above the left frame constituent member 84A through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the left frame constituent member 84A.

[0078] Also, the upstream end (upper end) of the right front footwell duct 124B is disposed above the right frame component 84B, is attached to the right side wall of the air distribution section 123, and communicates with the interior of the air distribution section 123. The right front footwell duct 124B extends rightward from its upstream end above the right frame component 84B of the center frame 80, and then extends downward along the right side surface of the right frame component 84B. The downstream end of the right front footwell duct 124B opens downward. That is, the right front footwell duct 124B extends downward from above the right frame component 84B through the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the right frame component 84B.

[0079] Since the air distribution section 123 is disposed above the left frame component 84A and the right frame component 84B, and the left front footwell duct 124A and the right front footwell duct 124B are arranged to extend laterally from above the left frame component 84A and the right frame component 84B, a space can be created below the center frame 80. By arranging articles or the like in the space below the center frame 80, the space can be effectively utilized. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 11, a control device 130 is disposed below the front side of the center frame 80.

[0080] Also, the left front footwell duct 124A and the right front footwell duct 124B will be arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. A wind guide duct 120d extending in the front-rear direction will be arranged between the left front footwell duct 124A and the right front footwell duct 124B, and also by this, the space between the left front footwell duct 124A and the right front footwell duct 124B can be effectively utilized.

[0081] The cross-section orthogonal to the air flow direction of the left front footwell duct 124A and the right front footwell duct 124B is set such that the dimension in the front-rear direction is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the cross-sections of the footwell ducts 124A and 124B have a flat shape that is long in the front-rear direction, so that the overhang in the vehicle width direction of the footwell ducts 124A and 124B can be suppressed while expanding the cross-sectional area to ensure a large air volume. Incidentally, the footwell ducts 124A and 124B may extend to the vicinity of the floor panel 41 on the passenger compartment side. Also, one of the footwell ducts 124A and 124B may be omitted.

[0082] (Layout of the control device) The vehicle body structure A includes a control device 130 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 11) that controls a controlled unit mounted on the vehicle 1. The controlled unit can include, for example, a power train PT, a braking device, an electronically controlled suspension device, a lighting device, a navigation device, a head-up display device, an audio device, an in-vehicle monitor, a television, and the like. Since the control device 130 that controls these controlled units includes a high-performance CPU, memory, etc., it becomes larger in size, is vulnerable to high heat, and is also vulnerable to shock. The control device 130 is also provided with a water jacket through which cooling water flows as a heat dissipation measure. Also, there may be a case where in-vehicle entertainment functions (video playback function, music playback function) etc. are installed, and in this case as well, the control device 130 becomes larger in size.

[0083] The control device 130 of the present embodiment is disposed below the front part of the center frame 80 in the passenger compartment R1. As shown by the virtual line in FIG. 4, an instrument panel IP to which instruments are attached is disposed above the front part of the center frame 80. The instrument panel IP extends in the left-right direction from the left side to the right side of the passenger compartment R1. Also, the front part of the instrument panel IP reaches the lower part of the front windshield FG (shown in FIG. 1).

[0084] Since the control device 130 is arranged below the center frame 80 within the passenger space R1, for example, direct sunlight from the outside is blocked by the center frame 80 and it becomes difficult to reach the control device 130. Thus, the control device 130 can be arranged in a thermally advantageous location. Also, since the instrument panel IP will be arranged above the control device 130, direct sunlight is also blocked by the instrument panel IP and it becomes even more difficult to reach the control device 130. Further, since the control device 130 is covered by the instrument panel IP, it becomes less visible from the outside, which is also preferable in terms of security.

[0085] Also, an air guide duct 120d is disposed above the control device 130. The heat of the conditioned air is transmitted to the wall portion of the air guide duct 120d and radiated as radiant heat from the outer surface of the wall portion toward the control device 130. At this time, since the conditioned air whose temperature is adjusted for the comfort of the passenger space R1 flows inside the air guide duct 120d, the radiant heat from the air guide duct 120d acts to suppress the temperature rise of the control device 130. Also, the air guide duct 120d can block direct sunlight.

[0086] (Cooling path) Next, the cooling path will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of the cooling path provided in the vehicle 1. The cooler 121 is composed of a heat exchanger for cooling the air conditioner 120. A passage for cooling water as a heat exchange medium is formed in the cooler 121, and the cooling water flowing through this passage is cooled by exchanging heat with the low-temperature refrigerant inside the cooler 121. The vehicle body structure A includes a supply pipe 131 for supplying the cooling water cooled by the cooler 121 to a water jacket (not shown) of the control device 130, and a discharge pipe 132 for discharging the cooling water supplied to the control device 130. A pump P for sending the cooling water to the control device 130 is provided in the supply pipe 131. The cooling water discharged from the discharge pipe 132 is sucked into the pump P after passing through the cooler 121 and being cooled. By circulating the cooling water in this way, the control device 130 is cooled. Note that a refrigerant may be used instead of the cooling water.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 4, the cooler 121 is disposed rearward of the front power train PT and is close to the dash panel 50. Thereby, the cooler 121 can be brought closer to the control device 130 than the front power train PT. Therefore, the length of the supply pipe 131 can be shortened and the piping route can be simplified, so that the pressure loss when supplying the cooling water to the control device 130 is reduced, and the loss of cold heat between the cooler 121 and the control device 130 is reduced. Thus, the control device 130 can be efficiently cooled.

[0088] (Operation and Effect of Embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the center frame 80 that is separated upward from the floor panel 41 on the passenger space side in the passenger space R1, a reinforcing effect of the vehicle body can be obtained, and as a result, the vehicle body rigidity can be increased. Further, since the air distribution part 123 of the air conditioner 120 is located above the center frame 80, it is not necessary to arrange the air distribution part 123 in the space below the center frame 80. Furthermore, since the underfoot ducts 124A and 124B connected to the air distribution part 123 extend downward through the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the center frame 80, it is not necessary to arrange the underfoot ducts 124A and 124B in the space below the center frame 80. Therefore, various components and devices can be arranged in the space below the center frame 80, and the degree of freedom in layout is improved.

[0089] In addition, since the left underfoot duct 124A and the right underfoot duct 124B are provided on the left and right sides of the air distribution part 123, respectively, the air conditioning air can be blown to the left and right sides of the passenger space R1 by the left underfoot duct 124A and the right underfoot duct 124B, respectively, improving the comfort of the passengers.

[0090] Furthermore, the conditioned air generated by the air conditioner 120 is introduced into the interior of the center frame 80 via the air duct 120d and then blown out from the air blowing units 80b and 80c. Since the center frame 80 extends in the front-rear direction, the conditioned air can be guided to a desired location in the front-rear direction in the passenger space R1. In this case, since the air duct 120d is disposed between the left frame component 84A and the right frame component 84B, it is not necessary to arrange the air duct 120d in the space below the center frame 80, and the degree of freedom in the layout of the space below the center frame 80 does not deteriorate.

[0091] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0092] As described above, the vehicle body structure according to the present invention can be used in, for example, electric vehicles and other automobiles.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1 Automobile 41 Passenger space side floor panel 80 Center frame 80b Upper air blowing unit 80c Lower air blowing unit 84A Left frame component 84B Right frame component 120 Air conditioner 120d Air duct 123 Air distribution unit 124A Left front foot duct (left foot duct) 124B Right front foot duct (right foot duct) 130 Control device A Vehicle body structure

Claims

1. In an automobile body structure, a floor panel that constitutes a floor of an occupant space provided with a seat on which an occupant sits; a center frame disposed above and separated from the floor panel at the center in the vehicle width direction of the occupant space and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and an air conditioner for blowing conditioned air into the occupant space, wherein the air conditioner has an air distribution part located above the front part of the center frame and distributing the generated conditioned air to each part of the occupant space, and a foot duct for guiding the conditioned air blown from the air distribution part downward, and the foot duct extends downward from above the center frame through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the center frame.

2. In the body structure according to Claim 1, the front part of the center frame is composed of a left frame component and a right frame component provided at intervals in the vehicle width direction, and the foot duct includes a left foot duct extending downward from above the left frame component through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the left frame component, and a right foot duct extending downward from above the right frame component through the outside in the vehicle width direction of the right frame component.

3. In the body structure according to Claim 2, the center frame is hollow, a duct for connecting the air distribution part of the air conditioner and the inside of the center frame and introducing the conditioned air blown from the air distribution part into the inside of the center frame is disposed between the left frame component and the right frame component, and a blowing part for blowing the conditioned air in the center frame is provided at a part of the center frame separated from the connection part with the duct toward the rear of the vehicle.

4. In the vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A vehicle body structure in which a control device for controlling a controlled part mounted on the vehicle is disposed below the center frame.

5. In the vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A vehicle body structure in which a cross section orthogonal to the air flow direction of the foot duct is set such that the dimension in the vehicle front-rear direction is longer than the dimension in the vehicle width direction.

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