Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To suppress buckling deformation of a cowl top side member during transmission of a collision load while avoiding interference between an oil supply module or a power supply module and the cowl top side member when the oil supply module or the power supply module is attached to a front fender panel.SOLUTION: A cowl top side member 30 includes a cylindrical portion 40 and an overhanging portion 45. A ridge line of the cylindrical portion 40 extends linearly along a vehicle longitudinal direction. The overhanging portion 45 has a side-plate shape directed in a vehicle width direction and is formed so as to overhang downward from an inner side of the cylindrical portion 40 in the vehicle width direction; and an overhanging width in a downward direction is increased toward a vehicle rear, and a rear end of the overhanging portion is connected to a front pillar 10. Further, the cylindrical portion 40 is disposed above an opening 55 of a front fender panel 50. A power supply module 60 or an oil supply module is accommodated in a space 70 that is below the cylindrical portion 40 and outside the overhanging portion 45 in the vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a front side structure for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] A front fender panel is provided at the front of the vehicle so as to surround the front tires from above, and is fastened to and supported by a frame member of the vehicle.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses cowl top side members and apron side members as framework members that support a front fender panel. Referring to Fig. 12, apron side member 120 extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle along a fender apron (not shown). The front end of apron side member 120 is fixed to a radiator support (not shown).

[0004] The rear ends of the apron side members 120 are connected to the cowl top side members 130. The cowl top side members 130 are provided at both ends (both sides) of the cowl top 108 in the vehicle width direction. The cowl top 108 is provided at the lower end of a windshield glass (front glass) (not shown) and extends in the vehicle width direction.

[0005] The rear ends of the cowl top side members 130 are connected to the front pillars 100. The front pillars 100 are provided with pillar lowers 104, which are vertical pillars extending in the vehicle height direction. The rear ends of the cowl top side members 130 are fixed to the pillar lowers 104.

[0006] The apron side members 120 and the cowl top side members 130 transmit a collision load to the rear of the vehicle during a frontal collision of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a frontal collision where appropriate). The collision load input from the front of the vehicle is transmitted to the apron side members 120 and the cowl top side members 130, and then to the front pillars 100. The collision load is then transmitted from the front pillars 100 to the rockers 106 and other rear frame members.

[0007] In the process of transmitting a collision load from the cowl top side member 130 to the pillar lower 104 (i.e., a vertical pillar) extending in the vehicle height direction, the pillar lower 104 may be stretched, causing the cowl top side member 130 to be crushed or buckle in the vertical direction. Therefore, in the conventional structure, the cowl top side member 130 is formed so that its vehicle height dimension increases toward the rear of the vehicle, forming a fan shape in side view. This shape allows the load path, which is the transmission route of the collision load, to be smoothly changed from the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle to the up-and-down direction of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-70006 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] 13, in the front side structure of a vehicle, a fuel supply module or a power supply module may be provided in front fender panel 150. For example, it is conceivable to provide the fuel supply module or the power supply module in a rear portion of front fender panel 150 where a sufficient installation area can be secured.

[0010] Here, as shown in Figure 13, front fender panel 150 and cowl top side member 130 that supports the panel are close to each other, which may cause interference between fan-shaped side plate 134 of cowl top side member 130 and the fuel supply module or power supply module that is provided inward in the vehicle width direction from lid 156.

[0011] Therefore, this specification discloses a front side structure of a vehicle that, when attaching a fuel supply module or a power supply module to a front fender panel, can avoid interference between the module and the cowl top side member, while suppressing buckling deformation of the cowl top side member when a collision load is transmitted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This specification discloses a front side structure for a vehicle including a cowl top side member and a front fender panel. The cowl top side member has a front end connected to an apron side member and a rear end connected to a front pillar, and extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The front fender panel is supported by the apron side member and the cowl top side member. An opening into which a power supply module or a fuel supply module is inserted and fixed is drilled in the front fender panel at a position overlapping with the cowl top side member in the fore-and-aft direction. The cowl top side member includes a tubular portion and a protruding portion. The tubular portion has a tubular shape extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle from the apron side member to the front pillar, and a ridgeline extends linearly along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. The protruding portion has a side plate shape oriented in the vehicle width direction and is formed to protrude downward from the inside of the tubular portion in the vehicle width direction, with the width of the downward protrusion increasing as it approaches the rear of the vehicle, and its rear end is connected to the front pillar. The cylindrical portion is disposed above the opening in the front fender panel. A power supply module or a fuel supply module is housed in the space below the cylindrical portion and outside the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the cowl top side member includes a cylindrical portion disposed above the opening in the front fender panel and a protruding portion protruding downward from the inside of the cylindrical portion. This structure ensures a space for accommodating a power supply module or a fuel supply module below the cylindrical portion and outside the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, when a collision load is transmitted, the inclined load path (ridgeline) of the protruding portion helps to suppress buckling deformation of the cowl top side member.

[0014] In the above configuration, a reinforcing plate may be fixed to the front pillar, and the reinforcing plate is provided with welding points to the cylindrical portion and the protruding portion.

[0015] When a collision load is transmitted from the cowl top side member to the front pillar, there is a risk of buckling deformation. This deformation may cause relative movement between the cowl top side member and the front pillar, which may result in fracture of the welded joint between them. According to the above configuration, by welding the cowl top side member and the front pillar via the reinforcing plate, buckling deformation of the front pillar is suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The vehicle front side structure disclosed in this specification makes it possible to avoid interference between a fuel supply module or a power supply module and the cowl top side member when the module is attached to the front fender panel, while suppressing buckling deformation of the cowl top side member when a collision load is transmitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front side structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a frame member in the front part of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cowl top side panel (particularly, a cylindrical portion and a protruding portion). [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view (1 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of a cowl top side member. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view (2 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of a cowl top side member. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a perspective view (3 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of a cowl top side member. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view (4 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of a cowl top side member. [Figure 8]FIG. 5 is a perspective view (5 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of the cowl top side member. [Figure 9] FIG. 6 is a perspective view (6 / 6) illustrating the detailed structure of the cowl top side member. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an accommodating space for the power supply module. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example in which a power supply module is accommodated in the accommodation space. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional framework structure for a front side of a vehicle. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front structure of a vehicle according to a conventional structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A vehicle front structure according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The shapes, materials, quantities, and values ​​described below are examples for the purpose of explanation and can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the vehicle front structure. In addition, the same reference numerals will be used to designate equivalent elements in all drawings.

[0019] In addition, in Figures 1 to 13, an orthogonal coordinate system consisting of the FR axis, RW axis, and UP axis is used to represent the position and direction of each component. The FR axis is the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, with the front of the vehicle being the positive direction. The RW axis is the transverse axis of the vehicle, with the right side of the vehicle being the positive direction. The UP axis is the vertical axis of the vehicle, with the upward direction being the positive direction.

[0020] <Overall structure> Referring to FIG. 1, the front side structure of a vehicle according to this embodiment includes a front pillar 10, a cowl top side member 30, a front fender panel 50, and a power supply module 60, for example.

[0021] The front fender panel 50 is disposed so that at least a portion thereof overlaps with the front pillar 10, the cowl top side member 30, and the apron side member 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. An opening 55 is also drilled in the front fender panel 50. A power supply module 60 is inserted into and fixed in the opening 55.

[0022] 1 and 2, in order to ensure a storage space for the power supply module 60, the cowl top side member 30 includes a cylindrical portion 40 extending linearly in the vehicle front-rear direction and a protruding portion 45 protruding downward from the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the cylindrical portion 40. The cylindrical portion 40 is also disposed above the opening 55.

[0023] With this structure, a storage space 70 (see FIG. 10) is created below the cylindrical portion 40 and on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the protruding portion 45. As shown in FIG. 11, the power supply module 60 is stored in this storage space 70. Details of the above structure will be described below.

[0024] <Front fender panel> 1, front fender panel 50 is an outer panel member provided in front and on the side (i.e., the front side) of a vehicle, and is installed so as to cover the top of a front tire (not shown). The lower end of front fender panel 50 is formed in an arc shape based on the shape of the front tire. This lower end is provided with a flange 57 for attaching, for example, a front fender molding (not shown), which is a mudguard member.

[0025] The front fender panel 50 is formed to have a curved shape. For example, the front fender panel 50 has an upper surface 52 facing upward and a side surface 54 that is bent from the upper surface 52 and faces in the vehicle width direction. Note that the "surface facing in ~ direction" is not limited to being perpendicular to the directional axis, but may have a predetermined inclination with respect to the directional axis.

[0026] An opening 55 is drilled in the thickness direction of a side surface 54 of the front fender panel 50. A power supply module 60 is inserted and fixed in the opening 55 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The opening 55 is opened and closed by a lid 62 of the power supply module 60.

[0027] The front fender panel 50 has a generally triangular shape in a side view, with the vehicle height dimension increasing from the front to the rear. Based on this structure, for example, an opening 55 is provided in the rear portion of the front fender panel 50, where there is a relatively large dimensional margin. For example, the opening 55 is provided at a location where the cowl top side member 30 and the position in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction (position on the front rear axle) overlap. Furthermore, for example, the front and lower portion of the opening 55 has a shape that looks like it has been cut out in an arc along the shape of the flange 57.

[0028] The front fender panel 50 is fastened to and supported by frame members of the vehicle. For example, a flange (not shown) is provided at the vehicle width direction inner end of the top surface 52 of the front fender panel 50, extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The front fender panel 50 is fastened to and supported by the cowl top side member 30 and the apron side member 20 via this flange. Furthermore, a flange (not shown) is also provided at the rear end of the front fender panel 50, extending in the vertical direction. The front fender panel 50 is fastened to and supported by the front pillar 10 via this flange.

[0029] <Power supply module> 1 and 11, the power supply module 60 is an assembly that has a charging port function to enable external charging of an on-board battery (not shown), and can be attached to and detached from the front fender panel 50 using, for example, a tool.

[0030] The power supply module 60 includes a box 64, a charging inlet 66, and a lid 62 (see FIG. 1). The box 64 is fitted into an opening 55 drilled in the front fender panel 50. The box 64 is fastened to the frame of the opening 55 by fastening means such as clips or bolt and nut fastening.

[0031] Box 64 is shaped to conform to opening 55 and opens outward in the vehicle width direction. Box 64 includes a bottom plate 64A that is recessed inward in the vehicle width direction relative to side surface 54 of front fender panel 50, and side plates that surround bottom plate 64A. Furthermore, of the side plates, for example, side plate 64B facing forward of the vehicle is provided with a hinge fixing portion 64C. For example, hinge fixing portion 64C has a pin opening drilled in the vertical direction.

[0032] Furthermore, an inlet opening 64D is drilled in the thickness direction of the bottom plate 64A of the box 64. A charging inlet 66 is inserted and fixed into the inlet opening 64D. The charging inlet 66 is connectable to a connector, which is an external charging device. The charging inlet 66 is also connected to a high-voltage cable (not shown). For example, the high-voltage cable is connected to an on-board battery (not shown) via high-voltage devices such as a relay circuit and an inverter.

[0033] Charging inlet 66 is, for example, a cylindrical member that extends inward in the vehicle width direction when inserted and fixed in inlet opening 64D. To avoid contact between charging inlet 66 and protruding portion 45 of cowl top side member 30, for example, the vehicle width dimension of tubular portion 40 of cowl top side member 30 is set to exceed the vehicle width dimension of charging inlet 66.

[0034] 1 and 11, the lid 62 is a cover that covers the box 64 and the opening 55. The lid 62 includes a hinge movable part (not shown) whose axis is aligned with the hinge fixed part 64C.

[0035] 10 and 11, power supply module 60 is housed in a housing space 70 that is provided below tubular portion 40 of cowl top side member 30 and on the outer side of protruding portion 45 in the vehicle width direction. To enable such a housing structure, as shown in FIG. 1, opening 55 of front fender panel 50 is provided in side surface 54 of front fender panel 50 at a location that coincides with housing space 70 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and up-and-down direction.

[0036] <Front vehicle frame structure> 2, the vehicle has, as its front side frame structure, a front pillar 10, an apron side member 20, and a cowl top side member 30. These frame members are made of, for example, hot stamped material or high tensile steel plate.

[0037] Note that the outline of each skeletal member is shown in Figures 1 to 11. For example, these skeletal members may have surface beads, which are irregularities for improving surface rigidity, or openings for weight reduction, but for simplicity, these functional parts are not shown in the figures.

[0038] As will be described later, the cowl top side member 30 is made up of multiple members and has a complex structure, as illustrated in FIG. 9 , but to avoid complication of the illustrations, only the main members of the cowl top side member 30 are shown in, for example, FIGS. 2 , 10 , 11 , etc.

[0039] Referring to Figure 2, the front pillar 10, also known as an A-pillar, comprises a roof side rail 12 as an upper member and a pillar lower 14 as a lower member. The roof side rails 12 are provided at both ends of the windshield glass (front glass) in the vehicle width direction to support the glass. The pillar lower 14 is connected to the lower end of the roof side rail 12 and extends in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the lower end of the pillar lower is bent toward the rear of the vehicle and connected to a rocker 16, which is a frame member.

[0040] For example, the front pillar 10 has a closed cross-sectional structure with a rectangular cross section. As will be described later, the rear end of the cowl top side member 30 is connected and fixed to the front surface of the pillar lower 14, and the two are fixed together via a reinforcing plate 32.

[0041] During a frontal collision of the vehicle, the collision load is transmitted from the apron side members 20 to the pillar lower 14 via the cowl top side member 30. The tubular portion 40 of the cowl top side member 30 extends linearly in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, in other words, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion within the cylinder is maintained constant along the extension direction, and the ridge line extends linearly in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0042] It is known that the load path, which is the transmission path of a collision load, is formed mainly along the ridges. Based on this, if the ridges extending in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction of the tubular portion 40 are structured to intersect (e.g., intersect perpendicularly) with the pillar lower sections 14 extending in the up-and-down direction, there is a risk of buckling deformation (crushing deformation) of the pillar lower sections 14. If the pillar lower sections 14 and the cowl top side members 30 were directly welded, the buckling deformation of the pillar lower sections 14 could cause relative movement between them, leading to fracture of the welded points.

[0043] Therefore, in the vehicle front side structure according to this embodiment, a reinforcing plate 32 is fixed to the front surface of the front pillar 10. The reinforcing plate 32 has welding points with the tubular portion 40 and the protruding portion 45 of the cowl top side member 30. In other words, the front pillar 10, the cowl top side member 30, and the reinforcing plate 32 are welded together in a triple-layer configuration. By providing such a structure, the connection point between the cowl top side member 30 and the front pillar 10 is reinforced, and buckling deformation of the front pillar 10 when a collision load is transmitted is suppressed.

[0044] The apron side members 20 extend, for example, while bending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, along the shape of a fender apron (not shown). The front ends of the apron side members 20 are connected to a radiator support (not shown). The rear ends of the apron side members 20 are connected to a cowl top side member 30. The apron side members 20 have a closed cross-sectional structure in which, for example, an apron side member upper 22 and an apron side member lower 24 are joined together.

[0045] <Cowl top side member> The cowl top side member 30 has a front end connected to the apron side member 20 and a rear end connected to the front pillar 10, and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Referring to FIG. 3 , the cowl top side member 30 includes a tubular portion 40 and a protruding portion 45.

[0046] 10 , the tubular portion 40 is provided above an opening 55 in the front fender panel 50. For example, a lower plate 46, which is the bottom plate of the tubular portion 40, is disposed above the upper edge of the opening 55. The protruding portion 45 faces the opening 55 while being spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. With the above structure, a storage space 70 is formed below the tubular portion 40 and outside the protruding portion 45 in the vehicle width direction. The storage space 70 accommodates the power supply module 60.

[0047] The tubular portion 40 is, for example, a rectangular tube, with its ridgeline extending linearly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow portion inside the tubular portion 40 remains constant along the extension direction. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the ridgeline of the tubular portion 40 acts as a load path, transmitting the collision load to the pillar lower 14.

[0048] The protruding portion 45 has a side plate shape with its surface facing the vehicle width direction. The protruding portion 45 is formed to protrude downward from the inner side of the tubular portion 40 in the vehicle width direction. The downward protruding width of the protruding portion 45 increases toward the rear of the vehicle, and the rear end of the protruding portion 45 is connected to the pillar lower section 14.

[0049] 3 and 4, the ridge line 44C of the overhanging portion 45 is provided between a ridge line (load path) extending in the vehicle front-rear direction of the apron side member 20 and a ridge line (load path) extending in the up-down direction of the pillar lower section 14. By providing the ridge line 44C with a downwardly inclined shape, a sudden change in the transmission direction of the collision load (from horizontal to vertical) in the load path from the apron side member 20 to the pillar lower section 14 is avoided.

[0050] 4 to 9 show examples of the connection structure between the cowl top side member 30, the front pillar 10 and the apron side member 20. The X marks shown in these figures indicate welding points.

[0051] As illustrated in these figures (particularly FIG. 9), the cowl top side member 30 includes, as main members, an upper plate 42, a gusset plate 44, a lower plate 46, and a side plate 48. Furthermore, the cowl top side member 30 includes, as reinforcing members, a bracket 34 (see FIG. 4) and joint plates 36, 38.

[0052] As will be described in detail below, there are provided portions where the cowl top side member 30, the front pillar 10, and the apron side member 20 are directly welded to each other. In addition, there are also provided portions where the above three members are welded to each other via a bracket 34 (see FIG. 4) and joint plates 36, 38. The bracket 34 and joint plates 36, 38 reinforce the welded portions.

[0053] 4 to 9 do not show the assembly order. In other words, the cowl top side member 30, the front pillar 10, and the apron side member 20 are not assembled in the order shown in Figures 4 to 9. In these figures, components are shown or omitted as appropriate to clarify the structure of the above three components.

[0054] 4, the gusset plate 44 includes a side plate 44A facing the vehicle width direction and ribs 44B provided at the front and lower ends of the side plate 44A. For example, the upper end of the rib 44B is provided below a flange 46B of the lower plate 46 (see FIG. 5).

[0055] The rear end of the gusset plate 44 is overlapped with, for example, a pillar flange 15 extending from the inside of the front pillar 10 in the vehicle width direction, and the two are welded together at welding points (marked with X) (see FIG. 4). The lower part of the gusset plate 44 is welded to the reinforcing plate 32 and the pillar lower 14 via an L-shaped bracket 34.

[0056] 5, the lower plate 46 is the bottom plate of the cylindrical portion 40. As for the gusset plate 44, the upper portion thereof is the inner plate of the cylindrical portion 40 in the vehicle width direction, and the lower portion thereof is the protruding portion 45.

[0057] The lower plate 46 includes a bottom plate 46A whose surface faces the vertical direction. The lower plate 46 also includes a flange 46B provided at the inner end of the bottom plate 46A in the vehicle width direction and bent downward relative to the bottom plate 46A, and a flange 46C provided at the rear end of the bottom plate 46A and bent downward relative to the bottom plate 46A. The side flanges 46B are welded to the gusset plates 44. The rear end flange 46C is welded to the reinforcing plate 32 and the pillar lower 14.

[0058] 6, the apron side member lower 24 is connected and fixed to the front ends of the lower plate 46 and the gusset plate 44. The apron side member lower 24 has a crank-shaped cross section and includes a bottom plate 24A facing in the vertical direction, a side plate 24B facing in the vehicle width direction, and a flange 24C bent from the upper end of the side plate 24B.

[0059] The rear ends of the bottom plate 24A and the side plate 24B of the apron side member lower 24 are overlapped with the front ends of the gusset plate 44 and the lower plate 46. Furthermore, the joint plate 36 is overlapped across the lower plate 46 and the apron side member lower 24. Furthermore, welds are provided at the two-layer location where the joint plate 36 and the lower plate 46 overlap, and at the three-layer location where the lower plate 46, apron side member lower 24, and joint plate 36 overlap.

[0060] 7 and 8, the apron side member upper 22 is welded to the upper plate 42 via a joint plate 38. Referring to Fig. 7, the joint plate 38 includes an upper piece 38A facing upward, a side piece 38B facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and a flange 38C bent from the lower end of the side piece 38B.

[0061] The flange 38C straddles the bottom piece 36A of the joint plate 36 and the bottom plate 24A of the apron side member lower 24 and overlaps these members. The upper piece 38A is overlapped on the top plate 22A of the apron side member upper 22.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 8, the upper plate 22A of the apron side member upper 22 and the upper plate 42A of the upper plate 42 are welded together with the upper piece 38A of the joint plate 38 sandwiched therebetween.

[0063] The upper plate 42 has a flange 42C bent downward at its inner end in the vehicle width direction of the upper plate 42A, and a flange 42B bent upward at its outer end. Furthermore, a flange 42D is provided at the rear end of the upper plate 42A. The flange 42C is welded to the gusset plate 44, and the flange 42D is welded to the reinforcing plate 32 and the pillar lower 14.

[0064] 9, the side plate 48 includes a side plate 48A facing outward in the vehicle width direction, a flange 48B provided at the lower end thereof, and a flange 48C provided at the rear end thereof.

[0065] The rear end flange 48C is welded to the flange 32B of the reinforcing plate 32 and to the side wall of the pillar lower 14. The side end flanges 48B abut against the lower plate 46, the joint plates 36, 38, and the apron side member upper 22, and are welded to these members as well as to the apron side member lower 24.

[0066] In this way, the front pillar 10, the cowl top side member 30, and the apron side member 20 are welded together via reinforcing members, namely the reinforcing plate 32, the bracket 34 (see FIG. 4), and the joint plates 36, 38. This reinforces the joint locations, suppressing deformation and breakage when a collision load is transmitted between the members.

[0067] Also, referring to Figure 3, when paying particular attention to the shapes of the gusset plate 44 and the tubular portion 40, the cowl top side member 30 of this embodiment has a semi-fan shape that is only half-open at the bottom, unlike the fan shape that is open both above and below like the cowl top side member 130 of the conventional structure (see Figure 12).

[0068] By providing such a structure (semi-fan shape), the cylindrical portion 40 can be arranged higher than in the conventional structure. For example, the cylindrical portion 40 can be arranged higher than the power supply module 60 (see FIG. 11).

[0069] 10 and 11 , by configuring the overhanging portion 45 to overhang downward from the vehicle width directional inner side of the cylindrical portion 40, an accommodation space 70 equal to the vehicle width directional dimension of the cylindrical portion 40 is created below the cylindrical portion 40. By using this accommodation space 70 as an accommodation space for the power supply module 60, interference between the cowl top side member 30 and the power supply module 60 can be suppressed.

[0070] 2, for example, the rear end of the tubular portion 40 is connected to the upper end portion of the pillar lower section 14, in other words, at a position close to the lower end of the roof side rail 12. The roof side rail 12 is inclined in the horizontal direction compared to the pillar lower section 14. For example, the front pillar 10 is formed so that the inclination angle of the roof side rail 12 with respect to the horizontal plane is equal to or smaller than the inclination angle of the ridge line 44C of the gusset plate 44 (see FIG. 4) with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0071] As described above, in the vehicle front side structure according to this embodiment, the rear end of the tubular portion 40 is connected to the upper end portion of the pillar lower 14, which is close to the lower end of the roof side rail 12, and furthermore, the roof side rail 12 is arranged at an incline as described above. As a result, even if the inclined structure above the cowl top side member 30 is omitted, the collision load is transmitted from the tubular portion 40 to the roof side rail 12.

[0072] <Other embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, the power supply module 60 is illustrated as part of the front side structure of the vehicle, but the front side structure of the vehicle according to this embodiment is not limited to this form. For example, the front side structure of the vehicle may include a fuel supply module instead of the power supply module 60. For example, the fuel supply module includes a fuel inlet instead of the charging inlet 66.

[0073] In this case as well, the cylindrical portion 40 of the cowl top side member 30 is provided above the opening 55 of the front fender panel 50 (see FIG. 1). A fuel supply module is housed in a housing space 70 below the cylindrical portion 40 and on the outer side of the protruding portion 45 in the vehicle width direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 10 front pillar, 12 roof side rail, 14 pillar lower, 20 apron side member, 30 cowl top side member, 32 reinforcing plate, 40 tubular portion, 45 protrusion, 50 front fender panel, 55 opening, 60 power supply module, 62 lid, 64 box, 66 charging inlet, 70 storage space.

Claims

1. a cowl top side member whose front end is connected to the apron side member and whose rear end is connected to the front pillar and which extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle; a front fender panel supported by the apron side members and the cowl top side members; A front side structure of a vehicle, comprising: an opening into which a power supply module or a fuel supply module is inserted and fixed is drilled at a position of the front fender panel that overlaps with the cowl top side member in the vehicle longitudinal direction; The cowl top side member is a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical shape extending from the apron side member to the front pillar in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with a ridgeline extending linearly along the vehicle longitudinal direction; a protruding portion having a side plate shape oriented in a vehicle width direction and formed to protrude downward from an inner side of the cylindrical portion in the vehicle width direction, the width of the protruding portion being wider toward the rear of the vehicle, and the rear end of the protruding portion being connected to the front pillar; Equipped with the cylindrical portion is disposed above the opening of the front fender panel, the power supply module or the fuel supply module is accommodated in a space formed with the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion as an upper end and on the outer side of the protruding portion in the vehicle width direction; Front side structure of the vehicle.

2. 2. The front side structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, a reinforcing plate is fixed to the front pillar, the reinforcing plate having welding points with the cylindrical portion and the protruding portion; Front side structure of the vehicle.

3. A front structure of a vehicle as described in claim 1, The front pillar includes a roof side rail as an upper member and a pillar lower as a lower member, the cylindrical portion extends horizontally while maintaining a constant cross-sectional shape along the vehicle longitudinal direction, and no reinforcing inclined structure is formed above the cylindrical portion; a rear end of the tubular portion is connected to an upper end portion of the pillar lower section and in proximity to a lower end of the roof side rail; The protruding portion has a ridgeline that slopes downward and rearward of the vehicle, The roof side rail is extended so that an inclination angle of the roof side rail with respect to a horizontal plane is equal to or smaller than an inclination angle of the ridge line of the overhanging portion with respect to the horizontal plane. Front side structure of the vehicle.

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