Vehicle rear structure

Abstract

This vehicle rear structure comprises: a pair of right and left side members 5a and 5b of a vehicle; a first cross member 20 extending in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the rear parts of the pair of side members 5a and 5b; a rear wheel drive unit 2 disposed to the front of the first cross member 20; and a spare tire 3 supported by the first cross member 20 to the rear of the rear wheel drive unit 2, wherein the rear wheel drive unit 2 is positioned on the left side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center of the spare tire 3, the first cross member is provided with bolt holes 45a and 45b for attaching a spare tire carrier 25 which are separated in the vehicle width direction, and the left bolt hole 45b on the left side of the vehicle is a long hole that is inclined to the other side in the vehicle width direction towards the front of the vehicle.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear structure of a vehicle equipped with a spare tire in the lower rear portion. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles such as pickup trucks are known that are equipped with a spare tire under the rear floor of the vehicle. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle in which a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction between left and right side members is provided with a traction device such as a chain, and a spare tire is supported so as to be suspended from the lower part of the cross member.

[0003] Furthermore, the vehicle described in Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which the spare tire is fixed in a raised rear position.This allows the spare tire to move downwards against vehicle structures such as the differential located in front of the spare tire when the spare tire is pushed from behind during a rear-end collision, thereby protecting the structures. In addition, in the vehicle described in Patent Document 2, the tire carrier is supported so as to be movable forward relative to the cross member in order to prevent breakage of the chain of the tire carrier supporting the spare tire in the event of a rear-end collision. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-79889 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, in a vehicle in which the rear wheels are driven by an electric drive unit including an electric motor, a relatively large drive unit is disposed near the rear wheel axle. On the other hand, in some vehicles, such as pickup trucks, the spare tire is positioned higher in the vertical direction than the rear wheels to ensure a large departure angle. In this manner, when the vehicle-mounted equipment disposed in front of the spare tire at the rear of the vehicle is positioned lower than the spare tire, it may be difficult to move the spare tire below a structure in the event of a rear-end collision, as in Patent Document 1.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to provide a rear structure for a vehicle that suppresses damage to on-board equipment caused by movement of a spare tire during a rear-end collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the rear structure of a vehicle of the present invention comprises a pair of side members arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the rear portions of the pair of side members, vehicle-mounted equipment arranged in front of the cross member, and a spare tire supported by the cross member behind the vehicle-mounted equipment, wherein the vehicle-mounted equipment is located to one side of the vehicle width direction relative to the center of the spare tire, and the cross member is provided with a mounting hole for attaching the spare tire, and the mounting hole is a long hole extending at an angle to the other side of the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle.

[0008] As a result, when the spare tire is pushed forward in a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the spare tire moves forward and to the other side in the vehicle width direction relative to the cross member along the elongated mounting hole. Therefore, the spare tire moves forward so as to avoid the vehicle-mounted equipment located on one side of the center of the spare tire in the vehicle width direction. Preferably, the mounting hole extends at an incline toward the other side in the vehicle width direction so that the inclination with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction increases toward the front of the vehicle.

[0009] This prevents the mounting hole from being damaged due to the spare tire being unable to follow the inclination of the mounting hole when it moves forward during a rear-end collision. Therefore, the spare tire moves to avoid the vehicle-mounted equipment during a rear-end collision, improving collision avoidance for the vehicle-mounted equipment. Preferably, the mounting holes are provided in a pair spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, The mounting hole located on the one side in the vehicle width direction may extend at an angle toward the other side in the vehicle width direction and may extend further forward of the vehicle than the mounting hole located on the other side in the vehicle width direction.

[0010] As a result, when the spare tire is pushed forward in the event of a rear-end collision, the spare tire rotates toward the other side of the vehicle width direction, approximately centering on the mounting hole on the other side of the vehicle width direction, thereby improving the ability of the spare tire to avoid collisions with on-board equipment. Preferably, the cross member has a reinforcement therein extending in the vehicle width direction, and the reinforcement is inclined forward and toward the other side in the vehicle width direction at a location forward of the mounting hole.

[0011] This makes it possible to easily move the support portion of the spare tire along the reinforcement to the other side in the vehicle width direction when the spare tire is pushed forward of the vehicle during a rear-end collision. Preferably, a protector is provided between the vehicle-mounted equipment and the spare tire, and a rear surface of the protector is inclined forward and toward the other side in the vehicle width direction. As a result, if the spare tire is pushed forward in the event of a rear-end collision, the protector will restrict further forward movement of the spare tire, thereby avoiding a collision with on-board equipment. Furthermore, if the spare tire abuts against the protector and is pushed further forward, the spare tire can be moved along the inclined rear surface of the protector to the other side in the vehicle width direction. This further improves the ability to avoid a collision with on-board equipment located on one side in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle is an electric vehicle, and the on-vehicle equipment is a rear wheel drive unit including a traction motor. This makes it possible to prevent the spare tire from colliding with the rear wheel drive unit when it is pushed forward during a rear collision of the electric vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the vehicle rear structure of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the spare tire from colliding with on-board equipment in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, thereby protecting the on-board equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a top view showing a rear structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a rear structure of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a top view showing a fixing portion structure of a spare tire carrier according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a top view showing an example of the shape of a bolt hole for fixing the spare tire carrier according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the fixing portion structure of the spare tire carrier according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a top view showing the rear structure of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 shows various frames of the vehicle, a rear wheel drive unit 2 (vehicle-mounted equipment), and a spare tire 3. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the rear structure of a vehicle 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 employing the rear structure of the present invention is, for example, a pickup truck, and its rear wheels are suspended by a De Dion suspension system 4.

[0016] The vehicle 1 is provided with a pair of left and right side members 5a, 5b extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction. The De Dion suspension system 4 has a structure in which left and right support members 7a, 7b, which rotatably support a rear-wheel drive shaft 6, are connected by a De Dion tube 8. The left and right support members 7a, 7b are suspended from left and right side members 5a, 5b by leaf springs 9a, 9b, respectively. In addition, both ends of the De Dion tube 8 in the vehicle width direction are connected to the left and right side members 5a, 5b by dampers 10a, 10b, respectively.

[0017] The vehicle 1 is an electric vehicle in which the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor. A rear-wheel drive motor 2a (travel motor), a transmission 2b, a differential 2c, and high-voltage components 2d such as a transformer are collectively configured as a rear-wheel drive unit 2. The differential 2c is located approximately in the center of the vehicle width between the left and right rear wheels. The transmission 2b is located adjacent to the front of the vehicle from the differential 2c, the motor 2a is located on the left side of the transmission 2b in the vehicle width direction, and the high-voltage component 2d is located above the motor 2a. Therefore, the rear-wheel drive unit 2 is located offset to the left in the vehicle width direction from the center position in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] The de Dion tube 8 is disposed behind the rear wheel drive unit 2. In addition, the spare tire 3 is disposed behind the de Dion tube 8. A bumper reinforcement member 15 is fixed to the rear end portions of the pair of left and right side members 5a, 5b. The bumper reinforcement member 15 extends in the vehicle width direction and supports a rear bumper (not shown) of the vehicle 1.

[0019] The vehicle 1 also includes a plurality of cross members that extend in the vehicle width direction and connect the left and right side members 5a, 5b. The cross members at the rear of the vehicle include a first cross member 20, a second cross member 21, and a third cross member 22, arranged in this order from the rear to the front of the vehicle. The first cross member 20 is provided with a spare tire carrier 25 for supporting the spare tire 3 at approximately the center in the vehicle width direction. The spare tire 3 is disposed so that one side of the spare tire 3 is in contact with the underside of the first cross member 20, and the axis of the spare tire 3 extends in the vertical direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the center line CLta of the spare tire 3 in the width direction extends approximately in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0020] The second cross member 21 supports the center of the rear of the rear wheel drive unit 2 in the vehicle width direction via the arm Prm. The second cross member 21 is provided with a stopper 30 (protector) that extends downward from the second cross member 21. The stopper 30 is located forward of the spare tire 3 and rear of the rear wheel drive unit 2, has a width of, for example, several tens of centimeters in the vehicle width direction, and is positioned so as to overlap the center of the spare tire 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0021] The third cross member 22 supports the upper front portion of the rear wheel drive unit 2 via a mount. 2, the positional relationship between the rear wheel drive unit 2, spare tire 3, bumper reinforcement 15, and stopper 30 will be described. The bumper reinforcement 15 is located behind the spare tire 3, and is disposed at least below the center line CLta that passes through the center position of the vertical width of the rear end face 3a of the spare tire 3, and overlaps with the rear end face 3a of the spare tire 3 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0022] As described above, the stopper 30 extends downward from the second cross member 21 to the vicinity of the center line CLta passing through the center position of the vertical width of the front end face 3b of the spare tire 3, and overlaps with the front end face 3b of the spare tire 3 in the front-rear direction. The rear surface 30a of the stopper 30 is substantially parallel to the front end surface 3b of the spare tire 3 in the up-down direction.

[0023] Moreover, the rear wheel drive unit 2 is located below the center line CLta of the spare tire 3. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle width center line CLtb of the spare tire 3 is located to the right of the vehicle width (the other vehicle width side) of the vehicle width center of the rear wheel drive unit 2 (in this embodiment, the arm Prm, which is the rear mounting position).

[0024] The rear surface 30a of the stopper 30 is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from the right side to the left side in the vehicle width direction. The left end of the rear surface 30a of the stopper 30 is located to the left in the vehicle width direction (on one side in the vehicle width direction) of the center line CLtb of the spare tire 3 in the vehicle width direction, and the right end of the rear surface 30a of the stopper 30 is located to the right in the vehicle width direction of the center line CLtb of the spare tire 3 and to the right in the vehicle width direction of the rear wheel drive unit 2. FIG. 3 is a top view showing the fixing portion structure of the spare tire carrier 25 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view showing examples of shapes of bolt holes 45 for fixing the spare tire carrier 25 according to the first embodiment, showing three patterns (a), (b), and (c).

[0025] 3, the spare tire carrier 25 is fixed to the first cross member 20 by two fixing bolts 46 spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The spare tire carrier 25 is, for example, in the shape of a rectangular box, and is arranged so that its upper surface abuts against the lower surface of the upper wall 20b of the first cross member 20 and is suspended from the first cross member 20 by the fixing bolts 46.

[0026] The upper wall 20b of the first cross member 20 is provided with two bolt holes 45a, 45b (mounting holes) spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, through which a fixing bolt 46 is passed. Of the two bolt holes 45a, 45b, the right bolt hole 45a located on the right side in the vehicle width direction is an elongated hole extending from the normal mounting position of the spare tire carrier 25 toward the front of the vehicle. 4(a), of the two bolt holes 45a, 45b, the left bolt hole 45b located on the left side in the vehicle width direction is an elongated hole that extends obliquely to the right in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle from the normal attachment position of the spare tire carrier 25. The left bolt hole 45b extends further forward of the vehicle than the right bolt hole 45a.

[0027] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the left bolt hole 45b may be extended, for example, by several centimeters toward the front of the vehicle from the normal mounting position of the spare tire carrier 25, and may be formed so as to extend from its front end toward the front of the vehicle at an angle to the right in the vehicle width direction. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the left bolt hole 45b may be formed in an arc shape that bends rightward in the vehicle width direction from the normal mounting position of the spare tire carrier 25 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0028] The right bolt hole 45a may be configured to be an elongated hole extending toward the front of the vehicle as described above, or may be configured to be inclined to the right in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 4(a). Furthermore, if the left bolt hole 45b is formed in an arc shape, the right bolt hole 45a may be formed in an arc shape that bends to the right in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle, as in FIG. 4(c). Furthermore, right bolt hole 45a does not have to be an elongated hole. That is, of the two bolt holes 45a, 45b, at least left bolt hole 45b opposite rear wheel drive unit 2 may be an elongated hole extending forward of the vehicle at an angle in the vehicle width direction opposite rear wheel drive unit 2, and spare tire carrier 25 may be fixed to the rear end of left bolt hole 45b.

[0029] In the vehicle 1 having the rear structure described above, the spare tire 3 is pushed forward by the other vehicle or the bumper force 15 in the event of a rear-end collision. The spare tire carrier 25 that supports the spare tire 3 is fixed to the first cross member 20 by two fixing bolts 46. Of the bolt holes 45a, 45b provided on the first cross member 20 through which the fixing bolts 46 are passed, the left bolt hole 45b on the left side in the vehicle width direction is an elongated hole that extends at an angle to the right in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, when the spare tire 3 moves toward the front of the vehicle, this angled left bolt hole 45b acts as a guide and also moves to the right in the vehicle width direction.

[0030] Furthermore, since the left bolt hole 45b extends further forward of the vehicle than the right bolt hole 45a, the left fixing bolt 46 can move forward more easily than the right fixing bolt 46, facilitating movement of the spare tire 3 to the right in the vehicle width direction. As a result, even if the spare tire 3 moves forward during a rear-end collision, it moves to the right side of the rear-wheel drive unit 2 in the vehicle width direction, thereby avoiding a collision with the rear-wheel drive unit 2. Since the rear-wheel drive unit 2 is positioned offset to the left of the center of the spare tire 3 in the vehicle width direction, even if the spare tire 3 moves significantly forward, the spare tire 3 moves into the space on the right side of the rear-wheel drive unit 2 in the vehicle width direction, thereby avoiding a collision with the rear-wheel drive unit 2.

[0031] Furthermore, the spare tire 3 that has moved forward is restricted from further forward movement by coming into contact with the rear surface 30a of the stopper 30. If the spare tire 3 attempts to move further forward, it will move to the right in the vehicle width direction along the inclined rear surface 30a of the stopper 30. This makes it possible to avoid the spare tire 3 from colliding with the rear wheel drive unit 2.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top view showing the fixing portion structure of a spare tire carrier 25 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, in the vehicle 1 of the second embodiment, the first cross member 20 supporting the spare tire carrier 25 is provided with a plate-shaped reinforcement 50 that extends in the vehicle width direction and joins the upper wall 20b and lower wall 20a of the first cross member 20 so as to reinforce the first cross member 20.

[0033] The reinforcement 50 has a reinforcement rear portion 50a, a reinforcement inclined portion 50b, and a reinforcement front portion 50c. The reinforcement rear portion 50a is configured to extend in the vehicle width direction at a position rearward of the left bolt hole 45b and on the left side in the vehicle width direction. The reinforcement inclined portion 50b is configured to incline toward the right in the vehicle width direction from the right end portion of the reinforcement rear portion 50a toward the front of the vehicle, and extend forward of the left bolt hole 45b and to the right side in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The reinforcement front portion 50c is configured to extend rightward in the vehicle width direction from the front end portion of the reinforcement inclined portion 50b. Moreover, the bolt holes 45a, 45b for fixing the spare tire carrier 25 are elongated holes, similar to the first embodiment. In this case, it is preferable that the left bolt hole 45b is formed so as to extend at an angle along the reinforcement inclined portion 50b.

[0035] As a result, in the second embodiment, when the spare tire 3 moves toward the front of the vehicle in the event of a rear collision of the vehicle 1, the fixing bolt 46 or a part of the spare tire carrier 25 connected to the fixing bolt 46 comes into contact with the reinforcement inclined portion 50b, and the spare tire 3 moves toward the front of the vehicle and to the right in the vehicle width direction together with the fixing bolt 46 and the spare tire carrier 25 along the inclination of the reinforcement inclined portion 50b and the left bolt hole 45b. Note that the second embodiment may also be provided with a stopper 30 similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0036] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the shapes of various components such as the stopper 30 may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 vehicle 2 Rear wheel drive unit (vehicle mounted equipment) 3 spare tires 5a, 5b Side members 20 First cross member (cross member) 30 Stopper (protector) 45a, 45b Bolt holes (mounting holes) 46 Fixing bolt 50 Reinforcement

Claims

1. a pair of side members arranged at an interval in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle and extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction so as to connect rear portions of the pair of side members; a vehicle-mounted device disposed in front of the cross member; a spare tire supported by the cross member behind the vehicle-mounted equipment; Equipped with the vehicle-mounted device is located on one side of the center of the spare tire in a vehicle width direction, The cross member is provided with a mounting hole for mounting the spare tire, The mounting hole is an elongated hole that extends obliquely toward the other side in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle. A rear structure of a vehicle.

2. The mounting hole extends obliquely toward the other side in the vehicle width direction so that the inclination with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction becomes greater toward the front of the vehicle.

2. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. The mounting holes are provided in pairs spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, The mounting hole located on one side in the vehicle width direction extends at an angle toward the other side in the vehicle width direction and extends farther forward of the vehicle than the mounting hole located on the other side in the vehicle width direction.

3. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The cross member is provided with a reinforcement extending in the vehicle width direction so as to pass in front of the mounting hole inside, The reinforcement is inclined forward and toward the other side in the vehicle width direction at a portion located forward of the mounting hole.

3. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a protector is provided between the vehicle-mounted equipment and the spare tire; The rear surface of the protector is inclined forward and toward the other side in the vehicle width direction.

3. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the vehicle is an electric vehicle, the vehicle-mounted equipment is a rear-wheel drive unit including a traction motor; 3. The rear structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

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