Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure capable of attaching and detaching lower components such as an engine mount under a brake actuator, without detaching brake piping by arranging the brake actuator so as not to obstruct work when attaching and detaching the lower components.SOLUTION: In an engine room, a brake actuator 1 is mounted on a vehicle body through a bracket 10, an engine mount 5 is tightened onto the vehicle body under a brake actuator 1, and a part of a tightened part 8 of the engine mount 5 is overlapped with the brake actuator 1 in a vehicle top view. A recessed part 30 is formed at a part of the bracket 10, The tightened part 8 is established within a range surrounded by the brake actuator 1 and the recessed part 30 in the vehicle top view. A tool is inserted between the brake actuator 1 and the recessed part 30 of the bracket 10, and the tool is moved toward above the tightened part 8 while shifting the brake actuator 1 using the tool.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure in which a brake actuator is disposed in an engine compartment and other components are disposed around the brake actuator. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle stability control (VSC) and antilock braking system (ABS) have been introduced as driving assistance systems for suppressing unstable vehicle behavior and improving driving stability. These systems are equipped with a brake actuator for automatically controlling brake pressure. The brake actuator is disposed in the engine compartment, and as described in Patent Document 1, for example, the brake actuator is disposed in an area defined by a brake booster attached to the dash panel, an apron panel, and a suspension tower. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-318601 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The placement of the brake actuator is restricted due to the limited space surrounding it, which is often occupied by other components. If the brake actuator is placed above the engine mount, it becomes difficult to remove the engine mount using tools. This requires removing the brake actuator and the brake piping connected to the brake actuator, which reduces workability.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle structure that allows lower parts such as an engine mount located below the brake actuator to be easily attached and detached without removing the brake piping by positioning the brake actuator so that it does not interfere with the work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In the vehicle structure of the present invention, a brake actuator is attached to a vehicle body via a bracket in an engine compartment, a lower component is fastened to the vehicle body below the brake actuator, a fastening portion of the lower component partially overlaps the brake actuator as viewed from above the vehicle, and a recess is formed in part of the bracket, and the fastening portion is set within a range surrounded by the brake actuator and the recess as viewed from above the vehicle.

[0007] When fastening the lower parts below the brake actuator, a tool is inserted between the brake actuator and the recess in the bracket, and the tool is moved above the fastening part while shifting the brake actuator with the tool. Therefore, the fastening work can be done with the brake actuator installed without removing the brake piping.

[0008] The brake actuator is located on the front side of the suspension tower, the fuel system components are located behind the brake actuator, and the mounting portion for the fuel system components is provided on the bracket rearward of the recess. This eliminates the need to mount the fuel system components on the suspension tower, making it easier to ensure mounting space for the fuel system components. When an impact such as a collision occurs and the brake actuator moves toward the rear of the vehicle, the recess deforms to absorb the impact, preventing the fuel system components from moving toward the rear of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, by providing a recess in the bracket, it is possible to improve accessibility to the fastening portion with a tool, and it is possible to easily perform the work of attaching and detaching the lower part using a tool. Also, by providing a recess in front of the mounting portion of the fuel system part, it is possible to absorb impacts from the front, and it is possible to prevent damage to the fuel system part. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a perspective view of a vehicle structure in an engine room according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Top view of the braking actuator and its surroundings [Figure 3] Side view of the brake actuator and its surroundings [Figure 4] Perspective view of the bracket [Figure 5] Diagram showing the appearance when a tool is inserted into the fastening part [Figure 6] A diagram showing the movement of a tool inserted between the brake actuator and the recess DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] 1 to 3 show a vehicle structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the vehicle of this embodiment, a brake actuator 1 for automatically controlling brake pressure in a VSC or ABS is disposed in front of a suspension tower 2 in the engine compartment. Lower components are disposed below the brake actuator 1, and fuel system components are disposed rearward of the brake actuator 1 and forward of a dash panel 3. A wire harness and multiple brake pipes 4 are connected to the brake actuator 1, and each brake pipe 4 is connected to a master cylinder and a wheel cylinder.

[0012] The lower part is an engine mount 5, which is provided on a side member 6 and attached to the side member 6 by fastening. A fastening portion 8 using a bolt 7 is provided on the engine mount 5, and the fastening portion 8 is located at the rear of the engine mount 5 and below the brake actuator 1, so that when viewed from above the vehicle, a portion of the fastening portion 8 overlaps with the brake actuator 1 and the head of the bolt 7 is partially hidden by the brake actuator 1. A canister 9, which is a fuel system part, is located diagonally in front of the suspension tower 2 and diagonally behind and below the brake actuator 1, and is attached to the side member 6 on the vehicle rear side of the engine mount 5.

[0013] The brake actuator 1 is attached to a suspension tower 2 and an engine mount 5 of the vehicle body via a bracket 10, and the canister 9 is also attached to this bracket 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the bracket 10 has a support plate 11 that supports the brake actuator 1, a rear fixing part 12 that is attached to the suspension tower 2, a front fixing part 13 that is attached to the engine mount 5, and an attachment part 14 to which the canister 9 is attached.

[0014] The support plate 11 is provided with a lower support portion 15 that supports the underside of the brake actuator 1, a lateral support portion 16 that supports the side surface of the brake actuator 1, and a front support portion 17 that supports the front surface of the brake actuator 1, and the brake actuator 1 is attached to each support portion 15 to 17 with bolts 19 via cushions 18.

[0015] The rear fixing portion 12 is formed at the tip end of an extension plate 12a that is bent upward so as to extend diagonally rearward from the support plate 11. The rear fixing portion 12, in which a bolt hole 12b is formed, is fixed to the top of the suspension tower 2 with a bolt 20. The front fixing portion 13 is formed at the tip end of an extension plate 13a that extends diagonally forward from the support plate 11. The front fixing portion 13, in which a bolt hole 13b is formed, is fixed to the top of the engine mount 5 with a bolt 20.

[0016] The mounting portion 14 is formed at the tip end of an extension plate 14a that extends diagonally downward and toward the rear of the vehicle from a lateral support portion 16 that is formed by rising from the support plate 11. The upper part of the canister 9 is engaged with the mounting portion 14, which has an engagement hole 14b, by a resin pin 21, and an engagement pin is integrally formed with the lower part of the canister 9, and the engagement pin is inserted into a hole in the upper surface of the side member 6, so that the canister 9 can be easily attached to the vehicle body.

[0017] A recess 30 is formed in a part of the bracket 10. The recess 30 is formed in a portion of the extension plate 14a of the mounting portion 14 that faces the side surface of the brake actuator 1 and slopes diagonally downward, and the recess 30 has a shape that bulges outward from the brake actuator 1, i.e., in a direction away from the brake actuator 1. The mounting portion 14 is set on the bracket 10 on the vehicle rear side of the recess 30. The recess 30 is located above the fastening portion 8 on the engine mount 5, between the brake actuator 1 and the canister 9, and this recess 30 increases the gap between the extension plate 14a of the mounting portion 14 and the brake actuator 1, preventing the recess 30 from being positioned directly above the fastening portion 8. As a result, the fastening portion 8 is set within the range surrounded by the brake actuator 1 and the recess 30 when viewed from above the vehicle.

[0018] By attaching the canister 9 to the mounting portion 14 of the bracket 10, the canister 9 is attached to the vehicle body integrally with the brake actuator 1. This eliminates the need to attach the canister 9 to the suspension tower 2, reducing the installation space around the suspension tower 2 and improving space efficiency.

[0019] When the brake actuator 1 is pushed from the front of the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the brake actuator 1 moves toward the rear of the vehicle. Note that, at the very initial stage of the impact of the collision, the canister 9 is unlikely to be displaced rearward because the bracket 10 is attached to the suspension tower 2. The brake actuator 1 moves toward the suspension tower 2, but when the brake actuator 1 moves toward the rear of the vehicle at the initial stage of the collision, the canister 9 is attached to the side member 6, so the recess 30, which is part of the bracket 10, buckles, absorbing the impact and preventing the canister 9 from being pushed toward the dash panel 3. When the recess 30 buckles, the extension plate 14a is interposed between the brake actuator 1 and the canister 9, and the brake actuator 1 does not come into contact with the canister 9.

[0020] From the middle to the latter stage of the collision, the brake actuator 1 comes into contact with the suspension tower 2 and moves toward the rear of the vehicle while crushing the front part of the suspension tower 2. As this movement occurs, the canister 9, which is integrated with the brake actuator 1 via the bracket 10, becomes detached from the side member 6, and the canister 9 also moves toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0021] Because the brake actuator 1 and the canister 9 move simultaneously, it is possible to avoid interference between the brake actuator 1 and the canister 9, preventing damage to the canister 9 and eliminating damage such as fuel leakage. In this way, at the initial stage of a collision, part of the bracket 10 deforms, thereby restricting the movement of the canister 9, thereby reducing the amount of displacement of the canister 9 during a collision and preventing it from colliding with the dash panel 3.

[0022] As described above, space can be used efficiently by stacking the brake actuator 1 above the engine mount 5. When removing the engine mount 5, a tool is used to remove the bolt 7 of the fastening portion 8. The tool 31 used is a bit with a large tip diameter.

[0023] Because a portion of the fastening portion 8 overlaps with the brake actuator 1, the brake actuator 1 can be positioned so as not to interfere with work. That is, when inserting the tool 31 from above the brake actuator 1 toward the fastening portion 8, as shown in Figure 5, the tool 31 is inserted from diagonally above the brake actuator 1 and toward the rear of the vehicle. When the tool 31 is inserted so that it is aligned with the lower end side of the recess 30 in the bracket 10, the tool 31 passes through the gap between the brake actuator 1 and the recess 30 and is guided toward the fastening portion 8, and the tip of the tool 31 is inserted into the head of the bolt 7 of the fastening portion 8. By moving the brake actuator 1 and the extension plate 14a of the bracket 10 closer to each other so that the tip of the tool 31 can pass through this gap, the available space in the engine compartment can be expanded.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, when the tool 31 inserted at an angle is moved upright, the side surface of the brake actuator 1 and the recess 30 of the bracket 10 act as guides, causing the tool 31 to become upright. At this time, the fastening part 8 serves as the fulcrum, the brake actuator 1 serves as the point of application, and the top of the tool 31 serves as the point of force, so that the brake actuator 1 is pushed by the tool 31 and moves sideways while being slightly lifted, allowing the tool 31 to be moved upright so that it can be easily used.

[0025] In this way, by slightly shifting the brake actuator 1 that overlaps the fastening portion 8 with the tool 31, the brake actuator 1 does not get in the way of the work, and the bolt 7 of the fastening portion 8 can be easily attached or removed. Moreover, there is no need to remove the brake pipe 4 of the brake actuator 1; it is sufficient to simply insert the tool 31, which reduces the time required to attach or remove the engine mount 5 and improves workability. Note that when performing this work, if the bracket 10 is removed from the vehicle body or the brake actuator 1 is removed from the bracket 10, the brake actuator 1 can be moved more easily, making the work even easier.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many modifications and variations can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The lower component may be an electrical component attached to the side member 6, such as an acceleration sensor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1 Braking Actuator 2 Suspension tower 4 Brake pipes 5. Engine mount 6 Side members 7 volts 8 Fastening part 9 canisters 10 Bracket 14 Mounting part 30 recess 31 Tools

Claims

1. A vehicle structure in which a brake actuator is attached to a vehicle body via a bracket within an engine compartment, a lower part is fastened to the vehicle body below the brake actuator, and a part of the fastening portion of the lower part overlaps with the brake actuator when viewed from above the vehicle, wherein a recess is formed in part of the bracket, and the fastening portion is set within an area surrounded by the brake actuator and the recess when viewed from above the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle structure according to claim 1, wherein the brake actuator is disposed on the front side of the suspension tower, the fuel system components are disposed on the rear side of the brake actuator, and a mounting portion for the fuel system components is provided on the bracket on the rear side of the recess.

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