Multi-cylinder engine side structure

Abstract

To provide a side part structure of a multi-cylinder engine capable of suppressing breakage of a fuel pump attached to a multi-cylinder engine even upon vehicle front collision.SOLUTION: In an engine room of a vehicle 1, a multi-cylinder engine 10 is vertically mounted. On a left side surface of the multi-cylinder engine 10, an intake manifold 11, an EGR cooler 12, and a high-pressure fuel pump 20 are attached. The EGR cooler 12 cools an exhaust gas to be returned to the intake manifold 11. The EGR cooler 12 is arranged on the front side while keeping an interval in a fore-and-aft direction with respect to the intake manifold 11. The high-pressure fuel pump 20 is arranged under a rear part of the intake manifold 11. The EGR cooler 12 is arranged so as to project out toward the left side from an attaching portion with the multi-cylinder engine 10. The EGR cooler 12, in front view, is arranged so as to overlap with the intake manifold 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a side structure of a multi-cylinder engine, and more particularly to a side structure of a multi-cylinder engine mounted in an engine room in a longitudinal position. [Background technology]

[0002] A multi-cylinder engine mounted in the engine compartment of a vehicle is equipped with various accessories. For example, an EGR device, a fuel pump, and the like are attached to the sides of a multi-cylinder engine that is mounted longitudinally with the cylinders aligned along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0003] An EGR device is a device that recirculates a portion of exhaust gas from the exhaust port of the cylinder head to the intake manifold. Patent Document 1 discloses an EGR device in which the EGR valve is located above the top surface of the cylinder head. In the EGR device of Patent Document 1, the EGR valve is located at a position lower than the air cleaner of the intake unit.

[0004] Patent Document 1 states that in the event of a vehicle frontal collision, for example, even if the bonnet hood is dented downward, the air cleaner acts as a buffer, thereby preventing damage to the EGR valve, which is located below the air cleaner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-157802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the event of a frontal collision, it is possible that structures such as utility poles or guardrails may be embedded in the engine compartment, or that fixed parts of accessories in the engine compartment may break and move rearward due to the impact force of the collision. In such cases, it is important to prevent damage to the fuel pump attached to the side of the multi-cylinder engine from the perspective of ensuring vehicle safety.

[0007] However, the prior art, including the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, does not provide sufficient measures to prevent damage to the fuel pump in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a side structure for a multi-cylinder engine that can suppress damage to a fuel pump attached to the engine even in the event of a frontal vehicle collision. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A side structure of a multi-cylinder engine according to one embodiment of the present invention is a side structure of a multi-cylinder engine mounted in an engine room of the vehicle in a longitudinal position so that the cylinder array direction is along the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and includes: an intake manifold attached to one side of the multi-cylinder engine, which is one of the left and right sides of the vehicle; an EGR cooler provided in a passage that returns exhaust gas discharged from the multi-cylinder engine to the intake manifold, cooling the exhaust gas flowing through the passage, and arranged in front of the intake manifold so as to face the intake manifold in the fore-and-aft direction while being spaced apart from the intake manifold; and a fuel pump attached to a portion of the one side of the multi-cylinder engine rearward of the EGR cooler, wherein the EGR cooler has an attachment portion attached to a front portion of the multi-cylinder engine, and is arranged so as to protrude from the attachment portion toward the one side, and is arranged so as to have a portion that overlaps with the intake manifold when the EGR cooler and the intake manifold are viewed from the front of the vehicle.

[0010] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the EGR cooler disposed in front of the intake manifold has a portion that overlaps with the intake manifold in a front view. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, when a collision load acts on the EGR cooler, the protruding end of the EGR cooler on one side (the protruding end) rotates rearward, and a load is applied to the other side of the multi-cylinder engine (the side opposite the side to which the intake manifold is connected) via the intake manifold. Therefore, in the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the collision load during a frontal collision breaks the mount of the multi-cylinder engine, causing the multi-cylinder engine to move toward the other side. As a result, the fuel pump attached to the multi-cylinder engine also moves toward the other side along with the multi-cylinder engine. Therefore, interference with the fuel pump can be suppressed even when a structure that enters the engine compartment from the front or an accessory that becomes loose in the engine compartment moves relatively toward the rear of the engine compartment.

[0011] Therefore, in the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, damage to the fuel pump attached to the multi-cylinder engine can be suppressed even in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.

[0012] In the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the EGR cooler may be connected to the intake manifold via a bracket near the end of the protrusion to one side, and the bracket may be formed by bending a plate material.

[0013] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the bracket is used to connect the portion of the EGR cooler near the protruding end to the intake manifold, so that during steady-state operation, the EGR cooler is attached to the multi-cylinder engine and the intake manifold, thereby ensuring a secure positioning of the EGR cooler.

[0014] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the bracket is formed by bending a plate material, so that when a rearward collision load is applied to the protruding end of the EGR cooler during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the bracket easily deforms and the load is transmitted from the EGR cooler to the intake manifold. Thus, in the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the load from the EGR cooler can move the multi-cylinder engine to the other side during a frontal collision of the vehicle.

[0015] In the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the bracket may have a crank shape with multiple bends when viewed from the one side, and the connecting portion between the EGR cooler and the bracket may be offset in the vertical direction of the vehicle relative to the connecting portion between the intake manifold and the bracket.

[0016] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the joint between the EGR cooler and the bracket and the joint between the intake manifold and the bracket are misaligned in the vertical direction, so that the bracket is easily deformed when a rearward collision load is applied to the protruding end of the EGR cooler or its vicinity during a frontal collision of the vehicle. Therefore, in the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the bracket does not hinder the rotation of the EGR cooler to move the multi-cylinder engine to the other side during a frontal collision of the vehicle, which is advantageous in preventing damage to the fuel pump.

[0017] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the intake manifold may have a high-rigidity portion having higher rigidity than the EGR cooler in a portion that overlaps with the EGR cooler in a front view from the front of the vehicle.

[0018] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the overlapping portion of the intake manifold has a high-rigidity portion, so even if the EGR cooler receives a collision load in a vehicle frontal collision and rotates as described above, causing the protruding end or a portion nearby to collide with the intake manifold, it is possible to prevent the colliding portion of the EGR cooler from sinking into the intake manifold. Therefore, in the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the rotation of the EGR cooler can reliably move the multi-cylinder engine to the other side in the event of a vehicle frontal collision, which is advantageous in preventing damage to the fuel pump.

[0019] In the side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the high-rigidity portion of the intake manifold may have a plurality of ribs.

[0020] In the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine according to the above aspect, the high-rigidity portion is formed by multiple ribs, so that it is possible to realize a high-rigidity portion having higher rigidity than the EGR cooler while suppressing a significant increase in cost and weight. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] The side structure for a multi-cylinder engine according to each of the above aspects can suppress damage to the fuel pump attached to the multi-cylinder engine even in the event of a frontal vehicle collision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the left side portion of the multi-cylinder engine according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multi-cylinder engine as seen from the left side. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a part of the multi-cylinder engine, an intake manifold, and an EGR cooler, as viewed from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view of a part of the intake manifold and an EGR cooler as viewed from the front side. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the intake manifold, the EGR cooler, and the bracket as viewed obliquely from below. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view showing a change in the attitude of the EGR cooler when a load is applied to the EGR cooler from the front. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing the state of the bracket before deformation, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic diagram showing the state of the bracket after deformation. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a side view showing deformation of the EGR pipe due to a change in the attitude of the EGR cooler. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between a change in the attitude of the EGR cooler and a movement of the high-pressure fuel pump to the right. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment except for its essential configuration.

[0024] 1. Overview of the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10 The side structure of a multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

[0025] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a multi-cylinder engine 10 is mounted in the engine room of a vehicle 1. The multi-cylinder engine 10 is mounted in the engine room in a longitudinal position with its cylinder axis direction aligned with the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle 1. The multi-cylinder engine 10 has a mount bracket 19 at its bottom. The multi-cylinder engine 10 is mounted in the engine room by being fixed between the mount bracket 19 and the body of the vehicle 1 via an engine mount (arrow A).

[0026] Arranged to the left of the multi-cylinder engine 10 (one side in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1) are an intake manifold 11, an EGR cooler 12, a B-ISG (Belt-Driven Integrated Starter-Generator) 13, an A / C compressor 14, a starter motor 18, and a high-pressure fuel pump 20. The intake manifold 11 is attached to a cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10, and mixes fresh air taken in via an air cleaner with recirculated exhaust gas, and introduces the mixed air into the intake port.

[0027] The EGR cooler 12 is attached to the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10 and is disposed in a forward portion of the vehicle 1 relative to the intake manifold 11. As will be described later, the EGR cooler 12 and the intake manifold 11 are disposed facing each other with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The EGR cooler 12 is provided in a passage (EGR passage) that recirculates a portion of the exhaust gas emitted from the multi-cylinder engine 10 to the intake manifold 11, and cools the exhaust gas. An EGR pipe (part of the EGR passage) 16 is connected to the EGR cooler 12. The EGR pipe 16 is made of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy, and is connected to an EGR valve 15 attached to the intake manifold 11.

[0028] The EGR valve 15 is a valve that adjusts the flow rate of exhaust gas recirculated to the intake manifold 11. The exhaust gas is introduced from the EGR valve 15 into the intake manifold 11 through a passage formed in the intake manifold 11.

[0029] A throttle valve 17 is joined to the intake manifold 11, and fresh air taken in via the air cleaner is introduced through the throttle valve 17.

[0030] The B-ISG 13 is disposed below the intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12, extending rearward along the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10. The B-ISG 13 is a belt-driven ISG and is also an alternator (i.e., a power generating device) that functions as a motor.

[0031] The A / C compressor 14 is disposed below the B-ISG 13, extending rearward along the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10. The A / C compressor 14 is disposed in the refrigerant circulation path of the air conditioner that cools the interior of the vehicle, and compresses and liquefies the refrigerant vaporized by the evaporator.

[0032] 2, high-pressure fuel pump 20 is disposed below intake manifold 11 and rearward of B-ISG 13 in the longitudinal direction of vehicle 1. High-pressure fuel pump 20 pressurizes fuel supplied from a fuel tank and supplies the pressurized fuel to injectors attached to each cylinder of multi-cylinder engine 10.

[0033] As shown enlarged in part B of Fig. 2, the high-pressure fuel pump 20 is covered by a cover 21 between it and the intake manifold 11 and on the front side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1. The cover 21 is disposed above and in front of the high-pressure fuel pump 20 with a gap therebetween. By attaching the cover 21, the high-pressure fuel pump 20 is protected from direct interference with the intake manifold 11 and from objects moving from the front to the rear.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the high-pressure fuel pump 20 is spaced apart from the B-ISG 13 in the front-rear direction and is disposed at a position overlapping the B-ISG 13 in the up-down direction.

[0035] 2. Arrangement of intake manifold 11 and EGR cooler 12 The arrangement of the intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 disposed on the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

[0036] 3, the intake manifold 11 has a plurality of runners and is attached to the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10 so that the runners are connected to intake ports formed in the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10. In this specification, the attachment portion of the intake manifold 11 to the cylinder head 10a will be referred to as the "engine-side attachment portion 11a."

[0037] 3 and 4, the intake manifold 11 is disposed so as to extend from the engine-side mounting portion 11a toward the left and downward of the vehicle 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the EGR valve 15 is attached to the upper surface of a portion of the intake manifold 11 near the end that protrudes toward the left.

[0038] The EGR cooler 12 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped appearance and is disposed forward with a gap G1 from the front end of the intake manifold 11. One end of the EGR cooler 12 in the longitudinal direction is attached to the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10. In this specification, the attachment portion of the EGR cooler 12 to the cylinder head 10a is referred to as the "engine-side attachment portion 12a."

[0039] The other longitudinal end (protruding end) of the EGR cooler 12 is formed with a flange portion 12c for connecting an EGR pipe 16. The EGR pipe 16, connected to the EGR cooler 12 at the flange portion 12c, curves and extends rearward, and is connected to the EGR valve 15. The shape of the EGR pipe 16 will be described later.

[0040] The intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 are connected to each other by a bracket 22. The bracket 22 is formed by bending a plate material made of metal or the like into a crank shape. The bracket 22 is connected to the EGR cooler 12 at a portion (bracket joint portion 12b) that is slightly closer to the engine-side mounting portion 12a than the flange portion 12c of the EGR cooler 12. The bracket 22 is also joined to the intake manifold 11 at a portion (bracket joint portion 11b) of the manifold 11 that is located rearward of the bracket joint portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12.

[0041] The EGR cooler 12 is fixed at two points, an engine-side mounting portion 12a and a bracket connection portion 12b. The intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 are disposed at a distance G1 from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 because the mounting positions (engine-side mounting portions 11a and 12a) of the intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 to the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10 are misaligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 1 and the bracket connection portions 11b and 12b are connected to each other via a bracket 22.

[0042] 3, the intake manifold 11 is provided with a plurality of ribs 11c in a region between the engine-side mounting portion 11a and the bracket joint portion 11b in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) of the vehicle 1. The plurality of ribs 11c are provided so as to protrude upward and forward (toward the side facing the EGR cooler 12). The region of the intake manifold 11 between the engine-side mounting portion 11a and the bracket joint portion 11b is made into a high-rigidity portion that is higher in rigidity than the EGR cooler 12 by the formation of the plurality of ribs 11c.

[0043] 4, when the intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 are viewed from the front of the vehicle 1, the EGR cooler 12, including the bracket joint 12b, is disposed so that the entire EGR cooler 12 overlaps with the intake manifold 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the EGR cooler 12 is also disposed so that the entire EGR cooler 12 overlaps with the intake manifold 11 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1.

[0044] 3. Shape of bracket 22 The shape of the bracket 22 used to connect the intake manifold 11 and the EGR cooler 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] As shown in the portion indicated by arrow C in Figure 5, the bracket 22 has an EGR cooler connecting piece 22a that is connected to the bracket connecting portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12, a manifold connecting piece 22b that is connected to the bracket connecting portion 11b of the intake manifold 11, and an intermediate piece 22c that is disposed between the EGR cooler connecting piece 22a and the manifold connecting piece 22b. The EGR cooler connecting piece 22a and the intermediate piece 22c are connected by a bent portion 22d, and the intermediate piece 22c and the manifold connecting piece 22b are connected by a bent portion 22e that is also bent. The bracket 22 has an overall crank shape with two bent portions 22d, 22e.

[0046] The dimension from the front main surface of the EGR cooler connecting piece 22a of the bracket 22 to the rear main surface of the manifold connecting piece 22b is set based on the distance G1 to be provided between the bracket connecting portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12 and the bracket connecting portion 11b of the intake manifold 11.

[0047] Furthermore, in the bracket 22, the EGR cooler connecting piece 22a and the manifold connecting piece 22b are misaligned in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 by a dimension G2.

[0048] 4. Change in the posture of the EGR cooler 12 during a frontal vehicle collision In the event of a frontal vehicle collision, if an external structure intrudes into the engine compartment or if fixed portions of members and various accessories in the engine compartment are damaged, these structures and devices may move rearward relative to the left of the multi-cylinder engine 10. The change in the attitude of the EGR cooler 12 in the event of such a frontal vehicle collision will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 6, in the event of a frontal vehicle collision, if a structure or the like moves relatively from the front to the rear within the engine compartment, a collision load as indicated by arrow F1 is applied to the EGR cooler 12 disposed to the left of the multi-cylinder engine 10 and in front of the intake manifold 11. When such a collision load is applied, a load as indicated by arrow F4 acts from the bracket joint 12b of the EGR cooler 12 to the EGR cooler joint piece 22a of the bracket 22, as shown in Fig. 7(a). Then, when the load acting on the EGR cooler joint piece 22a reaches a predetermined load, the bent portions 22d, 22e and the intermediate piece 22c of the bracket 22 are deformed, and the bracket joint piece 12b of the EGR cooler 12 moves backward as indicated by arrow E, as shown in Fig. 7(b). When the bracket joint portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12 moves backward due to the deformation of the bracket 22, the EGR cooler 12 rotates around the engine side mounting portion 12a as a fulcrum (arrow D) as shown in FIG.

[0050] Note that the rotation of the EGR cooler 12 as shown in Fig. 6 also causes deformation of the EGR pipe 16, as shown in Fig. 8. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 8, the EGR pipe 16 connecting the EGR cooler 12 and the EGR valve 15 has an intermediate portion 16c and two curved portions 16d and 16e between an EGR cooler connection portion 16a and an EGR valve connection portion 16b. When the EGR cooler 12 receives a collision load as shown by arrow F6 and rotates as shown by arrow H1, the intermediate portion 16c and the curved portions 16d and 16e of the EGR pipe 16 deform, and the EGR cooler 12 moves, causing deformation as shown by arrow H2 (arrow H3). As a result, the rotation of the EGR cooler 12 is not hindered by the EGR pipe 16 in the event of a frontal vehicle collision.

[0051] 7(b), when the EGR cooler 12 rotates, the rear surface 12d of the EGR cooler 12 is pressed against the front end of the intake manifold 11, with the EGR cooler connecting piece 22a of the bracket 22 sandwiched therebetween (arrow E). Note that in this specification, the portion of the intake manifold 11 that the EGR cooler connecting piece 22a abuts against when the bracket 22 is deformed is referred to as the "pressure-receiving portion 11d."

[0052] 6, 7(b), and 8, loads as shown by arrows F2, F5, and F7 are applied to the pressure-receiving portion 11d against which the bracket connecting portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12 is pressed, sandwiching the EGR cooler connecting piece portion 22a, due to the deformation of the bracket 22. The loads F2, F5, and F7 applied from the EGR cooler 12 to the intake manifold 11 due to the rotation of the EGR cooler 12 include components directed toward the right side of the vehicle 1, as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, a load directed toward the right from the intake manifold 11 is applied to the multi-cylinder engine 10 (arrow F3).

[0053] 5. Mechanism for preventing damage to the high-pressure fuel pump 20 in the event of a vehicle frontal collision As described above, in the side structure for the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, the EGR cooler 12 is rotated to apply a load to the right of the multi-cylinder engine 10 during a vehicle frontal collision, thereby suppressing damage to the high-pressure fuel pump 20 during a vehicle frontal collision. The mechanism behind this will be described with reference to FIG.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 9, it is assumed that a vehicle 1 has undergone a frontal collision and a structure 500 has entered the engine compartment of the vehicle 1. The structure 500 then moves rearward relative to the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10 (arrow I1), and collides with the EGR cooler 12. As described above, the EGR cooler 12 rotates under the impact of the collision load from the structure 500, and is pressed against the intake manifold 11 with the deformed bracket 22 (not shown in Fig. 9) sandwiched between them.

[0055] The intake manifold 11 attempts to move rightward due to the rightward component (arrow F6) of the pressing force from the EGR cooler 12. When the impact load reaches a predetermined magnitude, the engine mount, mount bracket 19, etc., that secures the multi-cylinder engine 10 to the vehicle body breaks, allowing the multi-cylinder engine 10 to move rightward. As a result, the multi-cylinder engine 10 receives the pressing force component F6 from the intake manifold 11 and moves rightward (arrow I3).

[0056] As described above, as the multi-cylinder engine 10 moves to the right, the high-pressure fuel pump 20 also moves to the right as indicated by arrow I4. As a result, even if a structure 500 moves relatively toward the rear of the engine compartment as indicated by arrow I5, the structure 500 is prevented from interfering with the high-pressure fuel pump 20. Therefore, with the side structure for the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, damage to the high-pressure fuel pump 20 can be prevented even in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.

[0057] 6.Effects In the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, the EGR cooler 12 disposed in front of the intake manifold 11 is disposed so as to overlap with the intake manifold 11 in a front view from the front of the vehicle 1. Therefore, in the event of a vehicle frontal collision, when a collision load acts on the EGR cooler 12, the protruding end (flange portion 12c) of the EGR cooler 12 rotates and moves rearward, and a load is applied to the multi-cylinder engine 10 to the right via the intake manifold 11. Therefore, in the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10, the collision load during a vehicle frontal collision breaks the engine mounts, mount brackets 19, etc. of the multi-cylinder engine 10, causing the multi-cylinder engine 10 to move to the right. As a result, the high-pressure fuel pump 20 attached to the multi-cylinder engine 10 also moves to the right together with the multi-cylinder engine 10, and therefore, even when a structure 500 that has entered the engine room from the front or an accessory (for example, the B-ISG 13 or the A / C compressor 14) that has come loose from being fixed in the engine room moves relatively toward the rear of the engine room, interference with the high-pressure fuel pump 20 can be suppressed.

[0058] Furthermore, in the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, the bracket joint portion 12b of the EGR cooler 12 and the bracket joint portion 11b of the intake manifold 11 are joined together using the bracket 22. Therefore, in a steady state (a state in which the vehicle 1 is not in a collision), the EGR cooler 12 is attached to both the multi-cylinder engine 10 and the intake manifold 11, so that the EGR cooler can be reliably fixed in position.

[0059] Furthermore, in the side structure for the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, the bracket 22 is formed by bending a plate material, so that when a rearward collision load is applied to the flange portion 12c of the EGR cooler 12 during a frontal vehicle collision, the bracket 22 is easily deformed, and the load is transmitted from the EGR cooler 12 to the intake manifold 11. Therefore, in the side structure for the multi-cylinder engine 10, the load from the EGR cooler 12 can move the multi-cylinder engine 10 to the right during a frontal vehicle collision.

[0060] Furthermore, in the side structure for multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, the joint portion between EGR cooler 12 and bracket 22 (EGR cooler joint piece 22a of bracket 22) and the joint portion between intake manifold 11 and bracket 22 (manifold joint piece 22b of bracket 22) are misaligned vertically by a distance G2, so that bracket 22 is easily deformed when a rearward collision load is applied to flange portion 12c of EGR cooler 12 or its vicinity in the event of a frontal vehicle collision. Therefore, in the side structure for multi-cylinder engine 10, bracket 22 does not hinder the rotation of EGR cooler 12 to move multi-cylinder engine 10 to the right in the event of a frontal vehicle collision, which is advantageous in preventing damage to high-pressure fuel pump 20.

[0061] Furthermore, in the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, a high-rigidity portion having multiple ribs 11c is provided in a portion of the intake manifold 11 behind the EGR cooler 12 (a portion overlapping with the EGR cooler 12 in a front view), making the rigidity of that portion higher than that of the EGR cooler 12. Therefore, even if the EGR cooler 12 rotates under a collision load during a vehicle frontal collision and the bracket joint portion 12b collides with the intake manifold 11 with the bracket 22 sandwiched therebetween, it is possible to prevent the colliding portion of the EGR cooler 12 from sinking into (being immersed in) the intake manifold 11. Therefore, in the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10, the rotation of the EGR cooler 12 during a vehicle frontal collision can move the multi-cylinder engine 10 to the right, which is advantageous in preventing damage to the high-pressure fuel pump 22.

[0062] Furthermore, in the side structure of the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment, a high-rigidity portion is formed in the intake manifold 11 by forming multiple ribs 11c, thereby improving rigidity while preventing a significant increase in costs.

[0063] As described above, the side structure for the multi-cylinder engine 10 according to this embodiment can prevent damage to the high-pressure fuel pump 22 attached to the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10 even in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.

[0064] [Variations] In the above embodiment, the intake manifold 11, the EGR cooler 12, and the high-pressure fuel pump 20 are arranged on the left side of the multi-cylinder engine 10, but in the present invention, it is also possible to arrange the intake manifold, the EGR cooler, and the fuel pump on the right side of the multi-cylinder engine.

[0065] Although the number of cylinders in the multi-cylinder engine 10 has not been specifically mentioned above, the same effects as those described above can be obtained by adopting the same configuration as in the above embodiment for an engine with two or more cylinders.

[0066] In the above embodiment, a direct injection engine is assumed as the multi-cylinder engine 10, and a high-pressure fuel pump 20 is provided as a fuel pump. However, the present invention can also employ a multi-cylinder engine that is not a direct injection engine, and a fuel pump that is not a high-pressure fuel pump.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the EGR cooler 12 is positioned so that it completely overlaps the intake manifold 11 when viewed from the front of the vehicle 1, but in the present invention, the same effect as above can be obtained by making at least a portion of the EGR cooler overlap the intake manifold when viewed from the front.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the bracket 22 connecting the EGR cooler 12 and the intake manifold 11 is an example of a bracket having an overall crank shape with two bent portions 22d, 22e. However, in the present invention, it is also possible to use a bracket having multiple bent portions other than a crank shape.

[0069] Similarly, in the above embodiment, a pipe having two curved portions 16d, 16e was used as an example of the shape of the EGR pipe 16 connecting the EGR cooler 12 and the EGR valve 15, but in the present invention, the EGR pipe does not necessarily have to have curved or bent portions, as long as it is configured to deform so as not to hinder the rotation of the EGR cooler.

[0070] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the EGR cooler 12 and the intake manifold 11 are attached to the cylinder head 10a of the multi-cylinder engine 10 is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use a configuration in which they are fixed to the cylinder block.

[0071] In the above explanation using Figure 9, a situation in which a structure 500 that has entered the engine room from the outside moves toward the rear of the engine room is used as an example, but in the present invention, the same effect as above can be obtained even in a situation in which a vehicle body frame member that has been damaged in a vehicle frontal collision moves toward the rear of the engine room.

[0072] In the above embodiment, a layout in which the B-ISG 13 is disposed below the EGR cooler 12 and the A / C compressor 14 is disposed below the B-ISG 13 is used as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this layout for the B-ISG and the A / C compressor. Also, in the above embodiment, the vehicle 1 is provided with a so-called mild hybrid system as an example, and therefore the vehicle is configured to include the B-ISG 13, but in the present invention, it is also possible to use a simple alternator without providing a mild hybrid system.

[0073] Furthermore, in the present invention, when a hybrid system is provided, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that does not include a power generation device such as an alternator or B-ISG.

[0074] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the cover 21 is attached to cover the front and top of the high-pressure fuel pump 20 is used as an example, but in the present invention, a cover that covers the fuel pump is not an essential configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 vehicle 10 Multi-cylinder engine 11 Intake manifold 11d Pressure receiving part 12 EGR cooler 12a Engine side mounting part 12b Bracket joint 16 EGR pipe 19 Mounting bracket 20 High-pressure fuel pump 22 Bracket 22d,22e Bend section

Claims

1. A side structure of a multi-cylinder engine mounted in an engine room of a vehicle in a longitudinal orientation with the cylinder rows aligned along the front-rear direction of the vehicle, an intake manifold attached to one side surface of the multi-cylinder engine, the side surface being one of the left and right sides of the vehicle; an EGR cooler provided in a passage that recirculates exhaust gas discharged from the multi-cylinder engine to the intake manifold, cooling the exhaust gas flowing through the passage, and disposed in front of the intake manifold so as to face the intake manifold in the front-rear direction with a gap therebetween; a fuel pump attached to a portion of the one side surface of the multi-cylinder engine rearward of the EGR cooler; Equipped with the EGR cooler has a mounting portion attached to a front portion of the multi-cylinder engine, is disposed so as to protrude from the mounting portion toward the one side, and has a portion that overlaps with the intake manifold when the EGR cooler and the intake manifold are viewed from the front of the vehicle. Side structure of a multi-cylinder engine.

2. 2. The side structure of a multi-cylinder engine according to claim 1, the EGR cooler is coupled to the intake manifold via a bracket at a portion near an end of the protrusion on one side, The bracket is formed by bending a plate material. Side structure of a multi-cylinder engine.

3. 3. The side structure of a multi-cylinder engine according to claim 2, the bracket has a crank shape with a plurality of bent portions when viewed from the one side, a connecting portion between the EGR cooler and the bracket is offset in the vertical direction of the vehicle from a connecting portion between the intake manifold and the bracket; Side structure of a multi-cylinder engine.

4. The side structure of a multi-cylinder engine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the intake manifold has a high-rigidity portion having a higher rigidity than the EGR cooler in a portion overlapping with the EGR cooler in a front view from the front of the vehicle. Side structure of a multi-cylinder engine.

5. 5. The side structure of a multi-cylinder engine according to claim 4, The high-rigidity portion of the intake manifold has a plurality of ribs. Side structure of a multi-cylinder engine.

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