Vehicle front structure

Abstract

This front structure for a vehicle comprises: a pair of left and right side frames; an upper support positioned above the side frames and protecting a radiator; a pair of upper sides respectively fastened to left and right end parts of the upper support; and a pair of upper frames respectively fastened to rear end parts of the upper sides. A hood for opening and closing a storage space located on the front side of the vehicle cabin is provided, and a flank is provided arranged in the storage space and attached to the pair of side frames. The flank has formed on a bottom surface part thereof, a bottom surface-side bead for bending the bottom surface part in a downward convex state when an impact from the front is received.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a front structure of a vehicle in which a flank is accommodated in an accommodation space located at the front of the passenger compartment. [Background technology]

[0002] Some vehicles, such as automobiles, have an engine or drive motor housed in a storage space located at the front of the passenger compartment, and a frunk that can store items in the storage space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The frunk housed in the storage space is covered from above by a hood (bonnet).

[0003] In a vehicle in which the frunk is housed in a storage space as described above, the frunk is housed at the front of the passenger compartment, so if a frontal impact is applied to the frunk in the unlikely event of a vehicle collision (head-on collision), the safety of passengers in the passenger compartment may be compromised if the frunk is moved rearward. Also, if the frunk applies an impact to the drive motor and auxiliary equipment, which are high-voltage components, there is a risk of secondary damage such as electric shock, which could compromise the safety of passengers and rescuers.

[0004] Therefore, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, when a vehicle collision occurs, the flank is deformed by the impact and absorbs the impact, thereby suppressing the rearward movement of the flank. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-146741 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the frunk housed in the storage space may contain various items, and if a large, heavy item such as a spare tire is stored therein, the stored item may hinder the deformation of the frunk during a collision. In this case, the impact may not be sufficiently absorbed, causing the frunk to move rearward, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and others. In addition, the frunk may prevent the deformation of the vehicle body frames at the front of the passenger compartment, preventing the impact from being sufficiently absorbed, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and others.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve safety by sufficiently absorbing impact in the unlikely event of a vehicle collision, regardless of the items stored in the frunk. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle front structure according to the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a pair of left and right side frames, an upper support positioned above the side frames to protect a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames fastened to rear ends of the upper sides, respectively, and further comprising a hood that opens and closes an accommodation space positioned at the front of the passenger compartment, and a flank that is disposed in the accommodation space and attached to the pair of side frames, and a bottom bead is formed on the bottom of the flank to bend the bottom into a downwardly convex state when an impact is applied from the front. Side beads are formed on the side portions on both the left and right sides of the flank to bend the side portions outward in the left-right direction in a convex state when a frontal impact is applied, and the positions of the bottom bead and the side bead in the front-rear direction are aligned with the positions of the fastening points of the upper side and the upper frame. It is something.

[0009] As a result, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank due to a vehicle collision, the bottom bead causes the bottom portion to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the stored items are located in the flank, so that the flank is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the stored items, and the flank is less likely to hinder the deformation of each frame of the body at the front of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank due to a vehicle collision, the bottom bead causes the bottom portion to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the items stored in the flank are located, so that the flank is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the items stored, and the flank is less likely to hinder the deformation of the frames of the body at the front of the vehicle.In the unlikely event of a vehicle collision, the impact can be absorbed sufficiently regardless of the items stored in the flank, thereby improving safety. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 2 to 9 show an embodiment of a vehicle front structure of the present invention, and this figure shows a schematic configuration of a vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a flank. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a side view conceptually showing a state in which a flank is deformed when an impact is applied from the front. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a plan view conceptually showing a state in which a flank is deformed when an impact is applied from the front. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which items stored in the flank are guided to the rear portion and moved upward when an impact is applied from the front. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] <Vehicle Overview> First, the general configuration of the vehicle will be described (see FIG. 1).

[0014] Vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle that runs solely on electrical power, and includes a drive motor 110, an accelerator position sensor 120, a speed sensor 130, and a control unit 140. However, vehicle 100 may also be a hybrid vehicle that runs on at least one of fuel (gasoline) power and electrical power, or a vehicle that runs solely on fuel power.

[0015] The drive motor 110 is housed in a space in the front of the vehicle compartment and is used as a power source for the vehicle 100. If the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle, two drive modes are set: a hybrid drive mode using both the engine and the drive motor 110 as power sources, and a motor drive mode using only the drive motor 110 as power sources, and the two drive modes are switched depending on the driving conditions, etc. If the vehicle 100 is a vehicle that runs only on fuel power, the engine is used as a power source for the vehicle 100.

[0016] The accelerator position sensor 120 detects the accelerator position corresponding to the driving force of the vehicle 100 required by the driver, i.e., the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The accelerator position detected by the accelerator position sensor 120 is output to the control unit 140 as a detection signal.

[0017] The speed sensor 130 detects the speed of the vehicle 100. The speed of the vehicle 100 detected by the speed sensor 130 is output to the control unit 140 as a detection signal.

[0018] The control unit 140 has the function of comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit in the vehicle 100 and performing various arithmetic processing. The control unit 140 has a microprocessor 141 that performs calculations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 142 that stores programs and the like for causing the microprocessor 141 to execute each process, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 143 that stores various data such as calculation results, an interface for inputting or outputting data, and the like.

[0019] The control unit 140 includes a motor control unit 144 that controls the drive motor 110. The motor control unit 144 has a function of controlling, for example, the drive operation of the drive motor 110 to drive the wheels of the vehicle 100, the regenerative operation of the drive motor 110, and the like.

[0020] In addition, if the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle or a vehicle that runs only on fuel power, the control unit 140 is provided with an engine control unit that controls the engine, and if the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle, in addition to the engine control unit, it is also provided with a mode switching unit that switches between a driving mode using the drive motor 110 and a driving mode using the engine.

[0021] Vehicle 100 accommodates battery 150 in a trunk or the like. Battery 150 has a battery module that stores power used in vehicle 100, for example, power used in drive motor 110, as well as power used in control unit 140, various parts of vehicle 100 that are operated by power, and various lights provided in vehicle 100. The battery module uses, for example, secondary batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries and lithium-ion batteries. Battery 150 stores, in addition to power obtained by charging from an external source of vehicle 100 (charging power), regenerated power supplied from drive motor 110, for example.

[0022] <Vehicle front structure, etc.> Next, the front structure of the vehicle will be described (see FIGS. 2 to 9).

[0023] The front structure 1 of the vehicle includes a side frame 2, a bumper beam 3, a strut tower 4, etc. (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0024] A pair of side frames 2 are provided, spaced apart on the left and right, and are formed to extend front to back. A bumper beam 3 is fastened to the front end of the side frame 2 and is formed to extend left and right. A strut tower 4 is fastened to the outer side portion at the rear end of the side frame 2 and is formed to protrude upward from the side frame 2. The strut tower 4 is a high-strength part and, together with the side frame 2, functions to protect the passenger compartment in the event of a collision.

[0025] A plurality of support members 5 extending vertically are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides behind the bumper beam 3. A lower beam 6 extending horizontally is fastened to the lower ends of the plurality of support members 5, and an upper support 7 extending horizontally is fastened to the upper ends of the plurality of support members 5. The left and right ends of the lower beam 6 may be fastened to the front portions of the side frames 2, respectively, or may be fastened to the front portions of the side frames 2 via other members.

[0026] Upper sides 8 are fastened to the left and right ends of the upper support 7, respectively, and the upper sides 8 are inclined so that they displace rearward as they move outward in the left-right direction. An upper frame 9 extending in the front-to-rear direction is fastened to the rear end of the upper sides 8. A connecting frame 10 extending in the front-to-rear direction is fastened to the rear end of the upper frame 9, and the upper end of the strut tower 4 is fastened to the inner side of the connecting frame 10.

[0027] The vehicle front structure 1 has an accommodation space 11 surrounded by the above-mentioned side frames 2 and other components. The accommodation space 11 is the space below the hood (bonnet) 12, and a drive motor 110 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11 at a position below the side frames 2. The drive motor 110 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11 at a position closer to the rear.

[0028] A radiator (not shown) that functions as a heat exchanger is disposed at the front end of the accommodation space 11. The radiator is disposed between the lower beam 6 and the upper support 7, and is held in place by a plurality of support members 5. The radiator is protected by the support members 5, the lower beam 6, and the upper support 7.

[0029] A hood lock 13 is attached to the upper support 7. The hood lock 13 has the function of locking the hood 12 in a closed state by engaging with a locking engagement portion (not shown) provided on the hood 12.

[0030] Hood lock 13 has a double locking mechanism and is connected to a release lever (not shown) provided in the vehicle interior by hood wire 13a. Therefore, when the release lever is operated, hood lock 13 is operated via hood wire 13a, and the first lock state of hood 12 by hood lock 13 is released. Furthermore, when the first lock state is released, by inserting a finger into a gap present under hood 12 and operating hood lock 13, the second lock state of hood 12 by hood lock 13 is released, and hood 12 can be lifted and opened.

[0031] A flank 14 is housed in the storage space 11. The flank 14 is housed above the drive motor 110 and at a position near the front end of the storage space 11, and is composed of, for example, only a storage case 15 that opens upward (see FIGS. 5 and 6). However, the flank 14 may also be configured to have, in addition to the storage case 15, a lid (not shown) that opens and closes the opening of the storage case 15.

[0032] The flank 14 has a rectangular bottom surface portion 16 facing up and down, a pair of side surfaces 17 connected to both the left and right ends of the bottom surface portion 16, a front surface portion 18 connected to the front end of the bottom surface portion 16, and a rear surface portion 19 connected to the rear end of the bottom surface portion 16, with the rear surface portion 19 inclined downward toward the front. Therefore, the rear surface portion 19 is provided as an inclined portion that displaces upward as it goes rearward.

[0033] A bottom bead 16a is formed in the middle in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom portion 16. The bottom bead 16a is formed in the shape of a V-groove that protrudes downward and opens upward, extends in the left-right direction, and is positioned between both left and right ends of the bottom portion 16.

[0034] In the unlikely event that the vehicle 100 collides (head-on), the collision will impart a frontal impact to the flank 14, but the bottom surface portion 16 will be bent and deformed in a downwardly convex state by the bottom surface bead 16a.

[0035] A side bead 17a is formed in the middle of the side portion 17 in the front-to-rear direction. The side bead 17a is formed in the shape of a V-groove that protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction and opens inward in the left-to-right direction, extends in the up-and-down direction, and is positioned between the upper and lower ends of the side portion 17. The front-to-rear position of the side bead 17a on the side portion 17 coincides with the front-to-rear position of the bottom bead 16a on the bottom portion 16. Therefore, the lower ends of the pair of side beads 17a are continuous with the left and right ends of the bottom bead 16a, respectively.

[0036] In the unlikely event that the vehicle 100 collides (head-on), the collision will impart a frontal impact to the flank 14, but the side bead 17a will cause the side portion 17 to bend and deform in an outwardly convex state in the left-right direction.

[0037] The bottom surface 16 of the flank 14 is attached to the pair of side frames 2 by bolts or the like. When the flank 14 is attached to the side frames 2, the position P in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom surface bead 16a and the side surface bead 17a is aligned in the front-to-rear direction with the position T of the fastening point between the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9 (see Figures 3 and 4). Therefore, the position T of the fastening point is located directly to the side of the position P.

[0038] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 1, the position P of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a in the front-rear direction coincides with the attachment point S of the flank 14 to the side frame 2.

[0039] In the event of a collision (head-on collision) in the vehicle 100 configured as described above, an impact is applied from the front to the flank 14, and the flank 14 is deformed by the applied impact (see Figures 7 and 8). In Figures 7 and 8, the flank 14 before deformation is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the flank 14 after deformation is shown by a solid line.

[0040] At this time, the bottom bead 16a facilitates deformation of the bottom portion 16 into a downwardly convex shape, and the side bead 17a facilitates deformation of the side portion 17 into a convex shape outward in the left-right direction. Therefore, even when an item 50 is stored inside the flank 14, the item 50 does not hinder the deformation of the bottom portion 16 and the side portion 17, and as the front portion 18 is crushed and deformed by the impact, the bottom bead 16a causes the bottom portion 16 to bend and deform in a downwardly convex shape, and the side bead 17a causes the side portion 17 to bend and deform in a convex shape outward in the left-right direction.

[0041] In this way, when a collision of the vehicle 100 occurs, the flank 14 is reliably deformed regardless of the presence or absence of a stored object 50 relative to the flank 14 or the size and weight of the stored object 50, so a sufficient deformation stroke of the flank 14 is ensured, and the rear surface 19 of the flank 14 is unlikely to move rearward. Therefore, the flank 14 is unlikely to move in a direction approaching the passenger compartment. Furthermore, because the flank 14 is deformed with a sufficient stroke, a sufficient deformation stroke is ensured in each frame located on the front side of the passenger compartment, such as the side frame 2 and upper support 7, and each frame can deform without being hindered by the flank 14.

[0042] As mentioned above, the flank 14 is accommodated above the drive motor 110 in a position near the front end of the accommodation space 11, and even if the flank 14 is moved rearward, the accommodation position of the flank 14 is located forward away from the passenger compartment, so the impact of the flank 14 on the passenger compartment is minimized.

[0043] In addition, when a collision occurs with the vehicle 100, the bumper beam 3, the lower beam 6, as well as the upper support 7, etc. are crushed in the vehicle body, and the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9 are bent based on the position T of the fastening point between the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9.

[0044] At this time, in the vehicle front structure 1, the position P of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a in the front-rear direction coincides with the position T of the fastening point of the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9.

[0045] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the portion of the vehicle body that is bent coincides with the portion of the flank 14 that is bent, so that the flank 14 is deformed in synchronization with the deformation of the vehicle body when the vehicle 100 collides, and the behavior during impact absorption is stable, allowing the impact to be absorbed sufficiently.

[0046] Furthermore, when a collision occurs with the vehicle 100, the side frames 2 may be crushed by the vehicle body, and a force may be applied to the side frames 2 in a direction that causes them to bend.

[0047] At this time, in the vehicle front structure 1, the position P of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a in the front-rear direction coincides with the attachment point S of the flank 14 to the side frame 2.

[0048] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the side frame 2 and the flank 14 are deformed synchronously at the same position, resulting in stable behavior during impact absorption and enabling the impact to be absorbed more fully.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, the rear surface portion 19 of the flank 14 is inclined downward toward the front, and the rear surface portion 19 is provided as an inclined portion that displaces upward toward the rear.

[0050] Therefore, when a collision of the vehicle 100 causes a frontal impact to the flank 14, the front portion 18 of the flank 14 pushes the stored item 50 rearward, and the stored item 50 is guided by the inclined rear portion 19 and moves upward (see Figure 9).

[0051] Therefore, the flank 14 is less likely to be moved rearward, and the safety of the passengers can be further improved.

[0052] <Summary> As described above, the front structure 1 of the vehicle 100 is provided with a flank 14 disposed in the storage space 11 and attached to a pair of side frames 2, and a bottom bead 16a is formed on the bottom portion 16 of the flank 14 to bend the bottom portion 16 downward into a convex state when an impact is applied from the front.

[0053] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the bottom side bead 16a causes the bottom portion 16 to bend in the opposite direction to the side on which the stored item 50 stored in the flank 14 is located, so that the flank 14 is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the stored item 50, and the flank 14 is less likely to hinder the deformation of the frames of the body at the front of the vehicle.In the unlikely event of a collision of the vehicle 100, sufficient impact can be absorbed regardless of the stored item 50 stored in the flank 14, thereby improving safety.

[0054] In addition, side beads 17a are formed on both the left and right side portions 17 of the flank 14 to bend the side portions 17 outward in the left-right direction in a convex state when an impact is applied from the front.

[0055] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the side beads 17a cause the side portions 17 on both the left and right sides of the flank 14 to bend outward in the left-right direction in a convex manner, so that the impact is absorbed by the flank 14 regardless of the shape, size or weight of the stored item 50 stored in the flank 14, making it difficult for the flank 14 and the stored item 50 to move rearward, thereby further improving safety for passengers.

[0056] Furthermore, since the flank 14 is housed above the drive motor 110, in the unlikely event of a collision of the vehicle 100, the drive motor 110 will not be subjected to impact from the flank 14, thereby reducing secondary damage such as electric shock, and further improving the safety of the vehicle 100.

[0057] Furthermore, the flank 14 is accommodated above the drive motor 110 and at a position closer to the front end of the accommodation space 11 .

[0058] Therefore, when the hood 12 is open, the flank 14 is located close to the worker, which improves the workability and speeds up the process of putting the stored items 50 in and out of the flank 14. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Front structure of the vehicle 11 Containment Space 12. Food 14 Frank 16 Bottom part 16a Bottom bead 17 Side part 17a Side bead

Claims

1. A front structure of a vehicle including a pair of left and right side frames, an upper support positioned above the side frames to protect a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames fastened to rear ends of the upper sides, a hood that opens and closes a storage space located at the front of the vehicle interior; flanks disposed in the storage space and attached to the pair of side frames; A bottom bead is formed on the bottom portion of the flank to bend the bottom portion downward in a convex state when a frontal impact is applied, Side beads are formed on both left and right side surface portions of the flank to bend the side surface portions outward in the left-right direction when a frontal impact is applied, The positions of the bottom bead and the side bead in the front-rear direction are aligned with the positions of the fastening points of the upper side and the upper frame. Front structure of the vehicle.

2. A front structure of a vehicle comprising a pair of left and right side frames, an upper support positioned above the side frames to protect a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames fastened to rear ends of the upper sides, a hood that opens and closes a storage space located at the front of the vehicle interior; flanks disposed in the storage space and attached to the pair of side frames; A bottom bead is formed on the bottom portion of the flank to bend the bottom portion downward in a convex state when a frontal impact is applied, Side beads are formed on both left and right side surface portions of the flank to bend the side surface portions outward in the left-right direction when a frontal impact is applied, The positions of the bottom bead and the side bead in the front-rear direction are aligned with the attachment points of the flanks to the side frames. Front structure of the vehicle.

3. The rear surface of the flank is inclined downward toward the front. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2.

Images