Vehicle hood

Abstract

This vehicular hood (1A) comprises: an upwardly curved metal outer panel (2); a metal inner panel (3) disposed below the outer panel (2); and at least one resin wall member (4) which connects a lower surface of the outer panel (2) and an upper surface of the inner panel (3). The front-rear-direction width of a crossing section (3C) of the inner panel (3) is less than the front-rear-direction length of the outer panel (2). The crossing section (3C) extends straight in the width direction and is positioned below a front-side portion of the outer panel (2), and both ends of the crossing section are respectively joined to both side edges of the outer panel (2).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hood for a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] The engine / motor compartment at the front of a vehicle is covered by a hood (bonnet). The hood is attached to the vehicle body by hinges. From the viewpoint of rigidity and strength, the hood generally has a double-plate structure with a metal outer panel and inner panel. Steel is generally used as the metal, but aluminum alloys are sometimes used to reduce vehicle weight in order to improve vehicle maneuverability and fuel economy. Hoods made of FRP are also available, but are not common. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle hood with a double-plate structure.

[0003] The inner panel has many holes to reduce the weight of the hood, but they are the same size as the outer panel. The outer and inner panels are fixed together by hemming the periphery of the outer panel together with the periphery of the inner panel. In consideration of the appearance of the outer panel surface, the inner panel is not welded to the outer panel, but rather a gap is formed between them and filled with a sealant, allowing them to be joined together surface-wise. This three-dimensional structure ensures surface rigidity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-82796 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), the compartment houses not only the internal combustion engine (ICE) and motor generator (MG), but also electronic control modules such as inverters and a transmission unit (transfer unit). Even in battery electric vehicles (EVs) that do not have an ICE, the compartment houses not only the motor generator but also the electronic control modules and transfer units mentioned above. With the trend toward an increase in other auxiliary equipment, there is a demand for expanding the volume of the compartment. However, a hood with a three-dimensional structure that requires height in the vertical direction becomes an obstacle to expanding the volume. In other words, there is a demand for a reduction in height to improve design flexibility.

[0006] On the other hand, there is a strong demand for lighter hoods in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (i.e., improve fuel efficiency) in recent years. 。 Furthermore, the hood must satisfy the vehicle body performance requirements regarding a frontal collision. Specifically, the hood must bend at its longitudinal center during a frontal collision (to absorb collision energy and prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment). Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle hood with a novel structure that increases design freedom, is lightweight, and satisfies the performance requirements regarding a frontal collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A vehicle hood according to a feature of the present invention includes an upwardly curved metal outer panel, a metal inner panel disposed below the outer panel, and at least one resin wall member connecting the lower surface of the outer panel to the upper surface of the inner panel. The transverse portion of the inner panel has a width in the front-to-rear direction that is smaller than the length of the outer panel in the front-to-rear direction. The transverse portion extends straight in the width direction of the vehicle and is located below the front portion of the outer panel, with both ends joined to the respective side edges of the outer panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the above features, the novel structure can improve design freedom, reduce weight, and satisfy required performance in frontal collisions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the underside of a hood according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the hood with the inner panel removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the underside of the hood according to the second embodiment with the inner panel removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a vehicle hood according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a hood 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Note that Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the hood 1 as seen from below, with the underside of the hood 1 facing upward.

[0011] The hood 1 according to the first embodiment comprises a metal outer panel 2 and a metal inner panel 3. The outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 are directly joined at both ends in the lateral direction of the vehicle, but a gap is formed between them. When the periphery of the outer panel 2 is hemmed, the side edge of the inner panel 3 is sandwiched between them, and the two are joined together (an adhesive or a sealant may also be used). )。

[0012] A resin wall member 4 is provided in the gap, and the wall member 4 connects the lower surface of the outer panel 2 and the upper surface of the inner panel 3. A resin tape member 5 is also attached to the lower surface of the outer panel 2 in order to improve the surface rigidity of the outer panel 2 (i.e., the hood 1). The tape member 5 is oriented in the width direction, the longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to the width direction, and the Front and rearThe wall member 4 is provided on the tape member 5. The wall member 4 extends in diagonal directions intersecting both the length direction and the width direction.

[0013] Each component will be described in more detail below.

[0014] The outer panel 2 of this embodiment is made of steel or aluminum alloy. The outer panel 2 is formed from a metal plate by press molding or incremental forming. The outer panel 2 is convex upward. The outer panel 2 also has undulations formed therein, with ridge lines and valley lines (so-called character lines 20) extending in the fore-and-aft direction. The character lines 20 not only add aesthetic appeal to the appearance of the hood 1 but also improve the rigidity of the hood 1. A portion of the tape member 5 extending in the fore-and-aft direction described above is attached to the underside of the outer panel 2 along these undulations (character lines 20).

[0015] The inner panel 3 is also made of steel or aluminum alloy and is usually made of the same material as the outer panel 2. The inner panel 3 is also formed from a metal plate by press molding or incremental forming. The inner panel 3 has a U-shape consisting of a cross-bridge portion 3C and a pair of side-extension portions 3S. The cross-bridge portion 3C extends almost straight in the width direction. The front-to-rear width of the cross-bridge portion 3C is smaller than the front-to-rear length of the outer panel 2. The cross-bridge portion 3C is located below the front portion of the outer panel 2. A locking portion 30 that engages with a lock striker on the vehicle body is formed in the center of the cross-bridge portion 3C.

[0016] On the other hand, the lateral extension portion 3S extends in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the lateral extension portion 3S extends rearward from the side end of the crossing portion 3C along the side edge of the outer panel 2. A hinge 31 for attaching the hood 1 to the vehicle body is attached to the rear end of the lateral extension portion 3S with a bolt and a nut. A reinforcement 32 is welded to the upper surface of the rear end to ensure the attachment strength of the hinge 31. That is, the reinforcement 32, the inner panel 3, and the hinge 31 are fastened together with a bolt and a nut welded to the upper surface of the reinforcement 32. A bracket 33 for determining the vertical position of the closed hood 1 relative to the vehicle body is also welded to the center of the lateral extension portion 3S in the front-rear direction (a rubber bushing attached to the bracket 33 is not shown).

[0017] Because the outer panel 2 curves upward and the crossing portion 3C of the inner panel 3 extends straight, a gap is formed between them. A wall member 4 is attached to this gap, connecting the lower surface of the outer panel 2 and the upper surface of the inner panel 3. In this embodiment, three wall members 4 are provided on the left, center, and right sides in the width direction. The center wall member 4 is located at the position of the locking portion 30 described above. Each wall member 4 has a plate wall shape extending long in the front-rear direction. The wall members 4 in this embodiment are made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The matrix resin of CFRP may be a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin (CFRTP). In addition, the carbon fibers in CFRP (including CFRTP) in this embodiment are continuous fibers, but may also be discontinuous fibers. Furthermore, the continuous carbon fibers are oriented in the front-rear direction. The wall members 4 may also be made of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) containing reinforcing fibers other than carbon fibers. Examples of reinforcing fibers include glass fibers, aramid fibers, etc. Furthermore, the wall member 4 does not necessarily need to contain reinforcing fibers as long as it is made of resin.

[0018] In this embodiment, each tape member 5 is also made of CFRP. The carbon fibers are continuous and oriented along the extending direction of the tape member 5. Here, too, the matrix resin of the CFRP may be a thermosetting resin or a thermoplastic resin, and the carbon fibers may be continuous or discontinuous. In this embodiment, the matrix resin is a thermoplastic resin, and continuous carbon fibers are used. Furthermore, the tape member 5 may be made of FRP containing reinforcing fibers other than carbon fibers, or may not contain reinforcing fibers as long as it is made of resin.

[0019] The tape member 5 of this embodiment is formed by laminating a thin CFRTP tape material (width 30 mm, thickness 0.2 mm) multiple times. The height (thickness) of the tape member 5 is adjusted depending on the number of laminations. Increasing the height of the tape member 5 makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the outer panel 2. The height of the tape member 5 is adjusted depending on the rigidity required at the position where it is to be installed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height of the tape member 5 is increased between the outer panel 2 and the above-mentioned reinforcing member 32, and the tape member 5 connects the lower surface of the outer panel 2 and the upper surface of the reinforcing member 32, improving the strength of the mounting portion of the hinge 31.

[0020] In this embodiment, the tape member 5 is formed by laminating the above-described tape material using an NC-controlled automatic laminating device. The automatic laminating device impregnates continuous carbon fiber with molten thermoplastic resin and unloads it in tape form from a nozzle located at the tip of a robot arm. The unloaded tape material is layered on the underside of the outer panel 2, which is facing upward, and hardens as its temperature drops, becoming fixed to the outer panel 2 as the tape member 5. At this time, the underside of the outer panel 2 is previously subjected to a surface treatment to improve the fixing strength of the tape member 5. The surface treatment is performed by laser processing or chemical treatment. These surface treatments form fine irregularities, and the resin penetrates into the fine recesses, providing an anchoring effect. Silane coupling can also be used as a surface treatment.

[0021] However, the method for forming the tape member 5 is not limited to the above-described method. The tape member 5, which has been adjusted to a desired height in advance, may be attached to the underside of the outer panel 2 automatically or manually. Alternatively, the tape member 5 may be formed by laminating tape material using a thermosetting resin instead of a thermoplastic resin using the above-described automatic laminating device. The tape member 5 may also be fixed to the underside of the outer panel 2 with an adhesive or sealant. Alternatively, the tape member 5 may be formed in advance using a molding machine that can injection mold into a tape while changing the molding height, and then the tape member 5 may be fixed to the underside of the outer panel 2.

[0022] As described above, in this embodiment, after the tape member 5 is laminated on the lower surface of the outer panel 2, the wall member 4 is formed by further laminating the tape material as it is. In this embodiment, the wall member 4 is formed by laminating an additional 100 to 200 layers of tape material on the tape member 5 using the above-mentioned automatic laminating device. However, the method for forming the wall member 4 is not limited to this method. A pre-made wall member 4 may be attached to the tape member 5. Also, the tape material may be laminated using a thermosetting resin instead of a thermoplastic resin using the above-mentioned automatic laminating device. Also, the wall member 4 may be fixed on the tape member 5 with an adhesive or a sealant. Alternatively, ,wall The member 4 may be pre-formed and then secured onto the tape member 5 .

[0023] In this embodiment, the wall member 4 is provided together with the tape member 5. However, the wall member 4 may be fixed directly to the lower surface of the outer panel 2 without providing the tape member 5. In this case, the method of fixing the wall member 4 to the lower surface of the outer panel 2 may be the same as the method of fixing the tape member 5 to the lower surface of the outer panel 2 described above. Of course, the wall member 4 may be formed directly on the lower surface of the outer panel 2 by laminating tape material using the automatic laminating device described above. Alternatively, the wall member 4 may be formed by laminating continuous carbon fibers impregnated with filament-like resin using a 3D printer (CFRP-FMD: Fused Deposition Modeling).

[0024] 1 is constructed before painting the hood 1, and then painting is performed. This process is preferable in consideration of the bonding strength between the wall member 4 and tape member 5 and the outer panel 2 and inner panel 3. However, the wall member 4 and tape member 5 may be fixed onto the surfaces of the outer panel 2 and inner panel 3 after painting the outer panel 2 and inner panel 3.

[0025] In this embodiment, the wall member 4 and the tape member 5 are made of a thermoplastic resin (CFRTP). In this case, after the wall member 4 and the tape member 5 are formed on the lower surface of the outer panel 2 as described above, the inner panel 3 is fixed onto the wall member 4 with an adhesive or a sealant. At the same time, the reinforcing member 32 is also fixed to the end of the tape member 5 with an adhesive or a sealant. Thereafter, the peripheral edge of the outer panel 2 is hemmed, and both ends of the transverse portion 3C of the inner panel 3 (and the side edges of the lateral extension portions 3S) are joined to the peripheral edge of the outer panel 2.

[0026] On the other hand, when the wall member 4 and tape member 5 are formed from CFRP, a thermosetting resin, the wall member 4 and tape member 5 are formed on the underside of the outer panel 2 using prepreg before hardening, and then the inner panel 3, to which the reinforcing material 32 has been welded, is placed on the wall member 4. The prepreg is then hardened in an oven or the like. The thermosetting resin (matrix resin), which softens before hardening, penetrates into minute recesses created by the surface treatment of the outer panel 2 and inner panel 3, and exhibits an anchor effect after hardening. The peripheral edge of the outer panel 2 may be hemmed before or after hardening the prepreg.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the width of the crossing portion 3C of the inner panel 3 in the front-to-rear direction is smaller than the length of the outer panel 2 in the front-to-rear direction, and the crossing portion 3C is located below the front portion of the outer panel 2. Both ends of the crossing portion 3C are joined to both side edges of the outer panel 2, respectively. Furthermore, the lower surface of the outer panel 2 and the upper surface of the inner panel 3 are connected by a resin wall member 4. The outer panel 2, the inner panel 3, and the wall member 4 form a three-dimensional closed cross-sectional structure, ensuring the surface rigidity, torsional rigidity, and bending rigidity of the hood 1. Furthermore, the size of the metal inner panel 3 can be reduced, allowing the weight of the hood 1 to be reduced. Although the inner panel 3 is small in size, the wall member 4 ensures the above-mentioned rigidity.

[0028] Furthermore, the cross section 3C of the inner panel 3 is positioned below the front portion of the outer panel 2. This allows the volume of the rear space within the engine / motor compartment to be expanded, improving the degree of freedom in designing the various units within the compartment. It also improves the degree of freedom in the design of the hood 1 itself. Furthermore, by leaving space above and behind within the compartment, it is possible to improve pedestrian protection performance. Furthermore, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the collision load is input to the front end of the outer panel 2, but the load can also be received by the inner panel 3 while stress is alleviated through the wall member 4. At this time, ,beside The hood 1 can be bent at the low strength portion behind the cut-off portion 3C, that is, at the center in the front-to-rear direction of the hood 1. As a result, the required performance against a frontal collision can also be satisfied.

[0029] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the inner panel 3 also has a pair of lateral extensions 3S extending from both ends of the crossing portion 3C along both side edges of the outer panel 2. That is, the inner panel 3 has a U-shape that is smaller than the outer panel 2 as a whole. This allows the hood 1 to be lighter while further improving its rigidity, as described above. Even though the inner panel 3 has such a U-shape, the lateral extensions 3S do not hinder the expansion of the volume of the rear space of the compartment. Therefore, the aforementioned improvement in design freedom and shaping freedom is not hindered. Furthermore, it is possible to provide the mounting portion of the hinge 31, which requires strength, at the rear end of the lateral extensions 3S.

[0030] According to this embodiment, multiple resin tape members 5 extend over the underside of the outer panel 2. This further improves the rigidity of the hood 1. Welding a metal member to the underside of the outer panel 2 for reinforcement would result in weld marks on the upper surface of the outer panel 2, and the outer panel 2 would be distorted by heat. By fixing the resin tape members 5 to the underside of the outer panel 2 in this manner, the appearance of the outer panel 2 is not impaired. Furthermore, the resin tape members 5 are lightweight and do not hinder weight reduction. In fact, providing the tape members 5 allows the inner panel 3 to be smaller, further reducing its weight. Furthermore, the tape members 5 are able to flex and deform under heavy loads, and therefore do not impair pedestrian protection performance. Rather, this facilitates balancing the rigidity of the hood 1 with pedestrian protection performance. Furthermore, the hood 1 can also improve collision energy absorption during a frontal collision.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the tape member 5 is made of carbon fiber reinforced resin (CFRP). The carbon fibers in the carbon fiber reinforced resin are continuous fibers, and the continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the tape member 5. CFRP is lightweight but highly rigid, making it easy to achieve further weight reduction. In addition, the height of the tape member 5 can be reduced compared to when the tape member 5 is formed using resin alone, which allows the volume of the compartment to be further expanded. As a result, the degree of freedom in design and the degree of freedom in molding can be further improved. Furthermore, by orienting the continuous carbon fibers in the extending direction, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be more easily ensured.

[0032] Having the tape members 5 extend in the front-to-rear direction is particularly suitable for meeting the required performance in a frontal collision described above. Furthermore, if the tape members 5 also extend in the width direction and are arranged in a grid pattern, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be effectively ensured. Furthermore, because the rigidity of the hood 1 can be improved overall, the thickness of the outer panel 2 can be reduced, enabling further weight reduction.

[0033] In addition to the grid arrangement, if the tape members 5 also extend in the diagonal direction, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be ensured more effectively. In particular, it can effectively resist local bending and twisting. In particular, in this embodiment, the two tape members 5 extending in the diagonal direction are located above (below in the figure) the locking portion 30. Therefore, when the hood 1 is closed, the load input to the locking portion 30 of the inner panel 3 can be supported by the tape members 5 and the outer panel 2 via the central wall member 4.

[0034] In addition to the grid arrangement, if the tape member 5 also extends along the periphery of the outer panel 2, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be ensured even more effectively. In particular, the periphery of the outer panel 2 is prone to stress and deformation when a load is applied. For this reason, extending the tape member 5 along the periphery can protect the outer panel 2. In this embodiment, unlike conventional hoods, the outer panel 2 has peripheries that are not joined to the inner panel 3 (for example, the leading edge and trailing edge), so extending the tape member 5 along the periphery is effective.

[0035] In addition to the grid arrangement described above, if the tape members 5 are extended along the undulations (ridge lines or valley lines: character lines 20) of the outer panel 2, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be ensured even more effectively. Also, due to constraints on the rigidity and strength required of the hood 1, the position and shape of the undulations may be limited. However, because the tape members 5 can ensure rigidity and strength, the degree of freedom in forming the undulations on the outer panel 2 is increased. As a result, the degree of freedom in design and shaping can be further improved.

[0036] According to this embodiment, the wall member 4 has a plate wall shape that extends long in the front-to-rear direction, which is suitable for meeting the required performance in a frontal collision described above. The collision load input to the front end of the outer panel 2 during a frontal collision can be transmitted to the inner panel 3 through the wall member 4 while mitigating stress. In addition, the wall member 4 extending in the front-to-rear direction is less likely to collapse in the front-to-rear direction, making it easier to bend the hood 1 at the center of the hood 1 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, when the hood 1 is closed, the load input to the inner panel 3 can also be borne by the outer panel 2 via the wall member 4.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the wall member 4 is formed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The carbon fibers in the carbon fiber reinforced plastic are continuous fibers, and the continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member 4. CFRP is lightweight yet highly rigid, making it easy to achieve further weight reduction. Furthermore, since the height of the wall member 4 can be reduced compared to when the wall member 4 is formed from resin alone, the volume below the crossing portion 3C, i.e., the front side of the compartment, can also be expanded. As a result, the degree of freedom in design and the degree of freedom in molding can be further improved. Furthermore, by orienting the continuous carbon fibers in the extending direction, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be more easily ensured.

[0038] In particular, according to this embodiment, the wall member 4 made of CFRP, which also extends in the front-rear direction, is formed on the tape member 5 made of CFRP, which also extends in the front-rear direction. carbon The fibers are oriented in the extension direction. Therefore, it is possible to synergistically achieve the above-mentioned advantages of the tape member 5 made of CFRP with continuous carbon fiber and the above-mentioned advantages of the wall member 4 made of CFRP with continuous carbon fiber. Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, since the wall member 4 and the tape member 5 are formed by laminating tape materials, these members can be formed continuously, and the manufacturing equipment and manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0039] Next, a hood 1 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the central wall member 4X is No. 1 Unlike the plate wall shape extending long in the front-rear direction in the embodiment, the hood has a cross-wall shape formed by two plate walls extending long in a diagonal direction intersecting both the width direction and the front-rear direction. The other configuration is the same as that of the hood 1 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same or equivalent configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] The wall member 4X is disposed below the locking portion 30 of the inner panel 3 and is formed on the intersection of the tape members 5 extending in the diagonal direction. Both the wall member 4X and the tape member 5 are made of CFRTP, and the continuous carbon fibers are oriented in the extension direction. The method of forming the wall member 4X and the method of fixing it to the outer panel 2 and the inner panel 3 are the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the left and right wall members 4 also extend in the front-rear direction, so the above-mentioned advantages of the first embodiment are also achieved in this embodiment.

[0041] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the wall member 4X is also formed in the cross-wall shape described above. This wall member 4X also allows the collision load input to the front end of the outer panel 2 during a frontal collision to be transmitted to the inner panel 3 through the wall member 4X (and the wall member 4) while mitigating the stress. Furthermore, because the wall member 4X has a cross-wall shape, it is also less likely to collapse in the front-to-rear direction, making it easier to bend the hood 1 at the center of the hood 1 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, when the hood 1 is closed, the load input to the inner panel 3 can also be received by the outer panel 2 via the wall member 4X (and the wall member 4).

[0042] Furthermore, because the wall member 4X has a cross-wall shape, it can more effectively resist torsional deformation of the hood 1. Furthermore, because the wall member 4X has two plate walls extending diagonally, it contributes to improving rigidity in the diagonal direction. Furthermore, because the two plate walls form a cross-wall shape, it contributes to improving rigidity not only in the diagonal direction, but also in the front-to-rear and width directions. In particular, according to this embodiment, the wall member 4X is located above (below in the figure) the locking portion 30, and the load input to the locking portion 30 of the inner panel 3 when the hood 1 is closed can be borne by the tape member 5 and the outer panel 2 via the wall member 4X.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the wall member 4X is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin (CFRP). The carbon fibers in the carbon fiber reinforced resin are continuous fibers, and the continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member 4X. CFRP is lightweight yet highly rigid, making it easy to achieve further weight reduction. Furthermore, since the height of the wall member 4X can be reduced compared to when the wall member 4X is formed using resin alone, the volume below the crossing portion 3C, i.e., the front side of the compartment, can also be expanded. As a result, the degree of freedom in design and the degree of freedom in molding can be further improved. Furthermore, by oriented the continuous carbon fibers in the extending direction, the rigidity of the hood 1 can be more easily ensured.

[0044] Furthermore, particularly according to this embodiment, the wall member 4X extending in the diagonal direction is formed on the tape member 5 made of CFRP extending in the diagonal direction. carbon The fibers are oriented in the extension direction. Therefore, the above-mentioned advantages of the tape member 5 made of CFRP with continuous carbon fibers and the above-mentioned advantages of the wall member 4X made of CFRP with continuous carbon fibers can be synergistically realized. Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the wall member 4 and the tape member 5 are formed by laminating tape materials, so these members can be formed continuously, and both the manufacturing equipment and the manufacturing process can be simplified.

[0045] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the wall member 4 in the above-described embodiments has a shape that is long in the front-rear direction, but it may have a columnar shape that is short in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the wall member 4 may have a cylindrical or polygonal tubular wall shape (a tower-like shape). The wall member 4 may have a solid columnar shape instead of a hollow tubular shape. Furthermore, the inner panel 3 in the above-described embodiments has a U-shape having the crossing portion 3C and the lateral extension portion 3S. The lateral extension portion 3S may extend further forward than the crossing portion 3C, in which case the inner panel 3 has an H-shape. In other words, this H-shape is one variation of the U-shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1. Food 2 outer panels 20 Character line (undulation of outer panel 2) 3 Inner Panel 3C cross section 3S side extension 4,4X wall parts 5 Tape material

Claims

1. A vehicle hood, comprising: An upwardly curved metal outer panel; a metal inner panel disposed below the outer panel; and at least one resin wall member connecting the lower surface of the outer panel and the upper surface of the inner panel, the inner panel has a transverse portion whose width in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is smaller than the length of the outer panel in the front-rear direction, The crossing portion extends straight in the width direction of the vehicle, is located below the front portion of the outer panel, and has both ends joined to both side edges of the outer panel.

2. The vehicle hood according to claim 1, The inner panel also has a pair of side extension portions extending from both ends of the transverse portion along the side edges of the outer panel, and has an overall U-shape that is smaller than the size of the outer panel.

3. The vehicle hood according to claim 1 or 2, The vehicle hood further includes a plurality of resin tape members extending over the lower surface of the outer panel.

4. The vehicle hood according to claim 3, the tape member is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, the carbon fiber reinforced resin is a continuous fiber, The continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the tape member.

5. 5. The vehicle hood according to claim 4, The tape member extends in the front-rear direction.

6. 6. The vehicle hood according to claim 5, The tape members extend in the width direction as well, and are arranged in a grid pattern.

7. 7. The vehicle hood according to claim 6, The tape member also extends in a diagonal direction intersecting both the front-rear direction and the width direction.

8. The vehicle hood according to claim 6 or 7, The tape member also extends along the periphery of the outer panel.

9. The vehicle hood according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The tape member also extends along the undulations of the outer panel.

10. The vehicle hood according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The wall member has a plate wall shape that extends elongated in the front-rear direction.

11. The vehicle hood according to claim 10, The wall member is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, the carbon fiber reinforced resin is a continuous fiber, The continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member.

12. 6. The vehicle hood according to claim 5, the wall member has a plate wall shape extending long in the front-rear direction and is formed on the tape member, The wall member is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, the carbon fiber reinforced resin is a continuous fiber, The continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member.

13. The vehicle hood according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The wall member has a cross-wall shape formed by two plate walls extending long in a diagonal direction intersecting both the width direction and the front-rear direction.

14. 14. The vehicle hood according to claim 13, The wall member is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, the carbon fiber reinforced resin is a continuous fiber, The continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member.

15. 8. The vehicle hood according to claim 7, the wall member has a cross-wall shape formed by two plate walls extending long in the diagonal direction, and is formed on the tape member; The wall member is formed of carbon fiber reinforced resin, the carbon fiber reinforced resin is a continuous fiber, The continuous fibers are oriented in the extending direction of the wall member.

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