Vehicle structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle structure that can avoid contact between a rocker and a power storage device during a side collision of a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle structure includes: a rocker extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a front cross member extending in a vehicle width direction from an end connected to the rocker; a rear cross member extending in the vehicle width direction from the end connected to the rocker; a power storage device disposed between the front cross member and the rear cross member; a front bracket fixed to a front of the power storage device; a rear bracket fixed to a rear of the power storage device; and a coupling mechanism for coupling the front cross member to the front bracket and coupling the rear cross member to the rear bracket. The coupling mechanism has a guide structure that moves the power storage device from an initial position to a center side of the vehicle width direction by deforming the end of the front cross member and the end of the rear cross member so that they approach each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle structure in which a capacitor is mounted on a floor panel. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, an automobile vehicle structure includes a floor panel, rockers extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and multiple cross members extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rockers are provided on both the left and right sides of the floor panel. The multiple cross members are arranged between the left and right rockers at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each cross member has an end joined to one of the rockers. The cross members are provided on the upper surface of the floor panel.

[0003] Hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles are equipped with a battery that supplies power to a driving motor. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose mounting a battery on a floor panel between front and rear cross members. The vehicle structure of Patent Document 1 includes a reinforcing member on each of the front and rear cross members. The reinforcing members are provided in the inner regions of the cross members where they are close to each other. The vehicle structure of Patent Document 2 includes a bracket for mounting the battery. The front portion of the bracket is joined to the front cross member. Support pieces are provided on the front and rear of the battery. The front support piece is fastened to the rear portion of the bracket, thereby fixing the front portion of the battery to the front cross member via the bracket. The rear support piece is fastened to the rear cross member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-11032 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-199897 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Deformation of the rocker caused by a side collision of the vehicle can cause damage to the battery, and it is desirable to reduce this damage to the battery.

[0006] In a side-impact collision with a pole, the impact load is concentrated in a small area, resulting in significant deformation of the rocker. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle structure in which each cross member equipped with a reinforcing member absorbs the impact load, thereby suppressing rocker deformation. However, providing a reinforcing member to the cross member can increase weight, increase costs, and reduce assembly productivity.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure that can prevent contact between a rocker and a capacitor in the event of a side collision of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A vehicle structure according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a rocker extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a front cross member extending in the vehicle width direction from an end connected to the rocker; a rear cross member extending in the vehicle width direction from an end connected to the rocker; a capacitor disposed between the front cross member and the rear cross member; a front bracket fixed to a front portion of the capacitor; a rear bracket fixed to a rear portion of the capacitor; a coupling mechanism for coupling the front cross member to the front bracket and the rear cross member to the rear bracket, The connecting mechanism has a guide structure that moves the capacitor from its initial position toward the center of the vehicle width direction by deforming the end of the front cross member and the end of the rear cross member so that they approach each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The vehicle structure (1) above can prevent contact between the rocker and the storage battery during a side collision of the vehicle. When a pole collides with the rocker at a position corresponding to the area between the front cross member and the rear cross member, the rocker deforms so as to be recessed toward the inside of the vehicle, and the ends of each cross member deform so as to move closer to each other. As both cross members deform, the guide structure causes the storage battery to move from its initial position toward the inside of the vehicle, preventing the deformed rocker from coming into contact with the storage battery. According to the vehicle structure, even if the rocker deforms in a side collision with a pole, damage to the storage battery can be suppressed. Furthermore, the vehicle structure described above does not require the provision of a reinforcing member in the cross member as in Patent Document 1, and is therefore advantageous in terms of cost, weight, and assembly productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an example of a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a bracket provided in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a schematic top view showing a guide structure in a front bracket provided in a vehicle structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a schematic top view showing the guide structure in the rear bracket included in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the vehicle structure according to the embodiment when a side collision with a pole occurs, showing the state before the side collision with the pole. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view illustrating a state of the vehicle structure according to the embodiment when a side collision with a pole occurs, showing the state after the side collision with the pole. [Figure 8A]FIG. 8A is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the first guide structure in the early stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the third guide structure in the early stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the first guide structure in the middle stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the third guide structure in the middle stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10A is a schematic top view illustrating a state of the first guide structure in a later stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10B is a schematic top view illustrating the state of the third guide structure in the later stage of a side collision with a pole in the vehicle structure according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] First, more specific configurations of the embodiment of the present invention described in (1) above will be listed and described.

[0012] (2) In the vehicle structure described in (1) above, The guide structure includes: a first pin fixed to one of the front cross member and the front bracket; a first hole provided in the other of the front cross member and the front bracket; a second pin fixed to one of the rear cross member and the rear bracket; a second hole provided in the other of the rear cross member and the rear bracket, the first hole has a first elongated hole that guides the first pin from a first front end toward a first rear end; the first front end is penetrated by the first pin at the initial position; the first rear end is located rearward of the vehicle and outward of the first front end in the vehicle width direction, the second hole has a second elongated hole that guides the second pin from the second rear end toward the second front end, the second rear end is penetrated by the second pin at the initial position; The second front end may be located further forward of the vehicle and further outboard in the vehicle width direction than the second rear end.

[0013] According to the vehicle structure of (2) above, the guide structure is formed by a combination of the first hole and the first pin, and a combination of the second hole and the second pin, and the guide structure can be realized with a simple configuration. Furthermore, this configuration allows the guide structure to partially share the configuration with the coupling mechanism.

[0014] (3) In the vehicle structure described in (2) above, The front bracket is an outer front bracket having the first pin or the first hole; an inner front bracket disposed closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the outer front bracket, The rear bracket is an outer rear bracket having the second pin or the second hole; an inner rear bracket disposed closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the outer rear bracket, The guide structure includes: a third pin fixed to one of the front cross member and the inner front bracket; a third hole provided in the other of the front cross member and the inner front bracket; a fourth pin fixed to one of the rear cross member and the inner rear bracket; a fourth hole provided in the other of the rear cross member and the inner rear bracket, the third hole has a third elongated hole that guides the third pin from the third inner end toward the third outer end, the third inner end is penetrated by the third pin at the initial position; the third outer end is located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the third inner end, the fourth hole has a fourth elongated hole that guides the fourth pin from the fourth inner end toward the fourth outer end, the fourth inner end is penetrated by the fourth pin at the initial position; The fourth outer end may be located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the fourth inner end.

[0015] According to the vehicle structure of (3) above, in addition to the same operational effects as the vehicle structure of (2) above, the electric storage device can be smoothly moved toward the inside of the vehicle between the front cross member and the rear cross member during a side collision. During a side collision, the outer front bracket and outer rear bracket located near the respective ends of both cross members are displaced toward each other. On the other hand, the inner front bracket and inner rear bracket located away from the respective ends of both cross members are not displaced toward each other as much as the outer front bracket and outer rear bracket. Despite the difference in behavior during a side collision between these outer-located brackets and inner-located brackets, the electric storage device is smoothly moved toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0016] (4) In the vehicle structure described in (3) above, the first hole, the second hole, the third hole, and the fourth hole are all K-shaped holes, Each of the K-shaped holes is A base portion; an outer inclined hole extending from the base point portion at an incline toward the outside in the vehicle width direction; an inner inclined hole extending obliquely from the base point portion toward the center in the vehicle width direction; an outer linear hole extending from the base point portion to the outside in the vehicle width direction; an inner linear hole extending from the base point portion toward the center in the vehicle width direction, the first slot is formed by the outer oblique slot; The second slot is formed by the outer oblique slot, the third slot is formed by the outer straight slot; The fourth slot may be formed by the outer straight slot.

[0017] According to the vehicle structure of (4) above, the outer front bracket, the inner front bracket, the outer rear bracket, and the inner rear bracket can be configured with a common bracket, which allows for cost reduction.

[0018] Specific examples of vehicle structures according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. In the drawings, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, "RR" indicates the rear of the vehicle, "LH" indicates the left side of the vehicle, "RH" indicates the right side of the vehicle, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, and "LWR" indicates the bottom of the vehicle. Hereinafter, these will be simply referred to as "front," "rear," etc. The left-right direction corresponds to the vehicle width direction. In the vehicle width direction, the center side of the vehicle is considered to be the inside.

[0019] [Embodiment] A vehicle structure according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The vehicle structure shown in Figure 1 includes a rocker 1, a front cross member 21, a rear cross member 22, a storage battery 3 disposed between the front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22, and a front bracket 41 and a rear bracket 42 fixed to the front and rear of the storage battery 3, respectively. As shown in Figure 3, this vehicle structure includes a coupling mechanism 5 that couples the front cross member 21 to the front bracket 41 and couples the rear cross member 22 to the rear bracket 42. One of the features of this vehicle structure is that, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the coupling mechanism 5 includes a specific guide structure 6 that allows movement of the storage battery 3 in accordance with deformation of both cross members. The configuration of the vehicle structure and the configuration of the guide structure 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 will be described in detail below.

[0020] The vehicle to which the vehicle structure of the embodiment is applied is a vehicle equipped with a power storage device, particularly a vehicle equipped with a power storage device that supplies power to a drive motor of an electric vehicle, such as a hybrid vehicle or an electric vehicle.

[0021] (Rocca) As shown in Figure 1, the rocker 1 is a structural member that extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The rocker 1 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the floor panel 10. The left and right side edges of the floor panel 10 are joined to the left and right rockers 1.

[0022] (cross member) The front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 are structural members that extend in the vehicle width direction. The front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 are arranged between the left and right rockers 1. The front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 are adjacent to each other with a gap in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 are lined up from the front. The front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 are joined to the upper surface of the floor panel 10, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows only the right half of the vehicle structure. In the following description, the front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 may be collectively referred to simply as "cross member 2."

[0023] The front cross member 21 has an end 21e that connects to one of the left and right rockers 1. The rear cross member 22 has an end 22e that connects to one of the left and right rockers 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the end 21e and the end 22e are joined to the right rocker 1. In the following description, the right rocker 1 may be simply referred to as "rocker 1."

[0024] (Capacitor) The capacitor 3 is disposed between the front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22. The capacitor 3 is mounted on the floor panel 10. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capacitor 3 is mounted in the right-hand region of the floor panel 10. The capacitor 3 is attached to each of the front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22 by a plurality of brackets 4.

[0025] The electric storage device 3 is a device that stores electric power to be supplied to the drive motor of the electric vehicle. The electric storage device 3 is, for example, a secondary battery or an electric double layer capacitor. The secondary battery is, for example, a lithium ion battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. In this embodiment, the electric storage device 3 is configured as an assembly including a main body of the electric storage device and accessories such as a cooling fan, and the main body of the electric storage device and the accessories are integrated. The electric storage device 3 may also be configured only as the main body of the electric storage device.

[0026] (bracket) The brackets 4 include a front bracket 41 fixed to the front part of the electric storage device 3 and a rear bracket 42 fixed to the rear part of the electric storage device 3. In this embodiment, two front brackets 41 and two rear brackets 42 are provided, for a total of four brackets 4. The number of front brackets 41 and the number of rear brackets 42 can be changed as appropriate depending on the size of the electric storage device 3, etc. The number of front brackets 41 and the number of rear brackets 42 may be one, or may be three or more. The number of front brackets 41 and the number of rear brackets 42 may be the same or different.

[0027] In this embodiment, the front bracket 41 includes an outer front bracket 41e and an inner front bracket 41i that is positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the outer front bracket 41e. The rear bracket 42 includes an outer rear bracket 42e and an inner rear bracket 42i that is positioned closer to the center in the vehicle width direction than the outer rear bracket 42e. The center in the vehicle width direction is the side closer to the line that bisects the space between the left and right rockers 1. In FIG. 1, the dashed dotted line C indicates the line. These brackets 4 have a common configuration. This common configuration will be described.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the bracket 4 has a connection portion 4a fixed to the electric storage device 3 and an attachment portion 4b coupled to the cross member 2. The attachment portion 4b is provided so as to protrude toward the cross member 2. In the case of the front bracket 41, the connection portion 4a is fixed to the front portion of the electric storage device 3, and the attachment portion 4b protrudes in front of the electric storage device 3. The attachment portion 4b of the front bracket 41 is coupled to the front cross member 21. In the case of the rear bracket 42, the connection portion 4a is fixed to the rear portion of the electric storage device 3, and the attachment portion 4b protrudes rearward of the electric storage device 3. The attachment portion 4b of the rear bracket 42 is coupled to the rear cross member 22. In this embodiment, the attachment portion 4b is arranged on the upper surface of the cross member 2.

[0029] In this embodiment, each bracket 4 is made of a metal plate bent into an L shape, as shown in Fig. 4. The front bracket 41 and the rear bracket 42 shown in Fig. 3 are attached to the front and rear parts of the electricity storage device 3, respectively, so as to be symmetrical in the front-to-rear direction with respect to the electricity storage device 3. The outer front bracket 41e, the inner front bracket 41i, the outer rear bracket 42e, and the inner rear bracket 42i are made up of a common bracket 4.

[0030] (coupling mechanism) The cross member 2 and the bracket 4 are connected by a connecting mechanism 5. The connecting mechanism 5 is a mechanism that can hold the electric storage device 3 in an initial position relative to the cross member 2. The initial position is the position where the electric storage device 3 is initially installed in the vehicle. When the electric storage device 3 is in the initial position, it is before a vehicle collision and the vehicle structure is not deformed. The connecting mechanism 5 can be configured, for example, with a pin 7 and a nut 7n shown in FIG. 3 and a base point portion 80 shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. The nut 7n is fastened to the pin 7. The base point portion 80 is penetrated by the pin 7 at the initial position. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 4b of the bracket 4 is fastened to the upper surface of the cross member 2 by the pin 7. The pin 7 is, for example, a shoulder bolt. A through hole is provided on the upper surface of the cross member 2 at a position where the mounting portion 4b overlaps, and into which the pin 7 is fixed. A nut 7n is fixed to the lower surface of the cross member 2 opposite the upper surface at a position corresponding to the through hole. The mounting portion 4b of the bracket 4 has a hole through which the pin 7 passes, at a position that overlaps with the through hole of the cross member 2. This hole is the base point portion 80. The pin 7 that passes through the hole in the mounting portion 4b passes through a through hole in the cross member 2 and is fastened to a nut 7n, and is fixed to the upper surface of the cross member 2. The cross member 2 and the bracket 4 are joined by fastening the pin 7 and the nut 7n, and the electric storage device 3 is held in an initial position relative to the cross member 2. A washer 7w is sandwiched between the head of the shoulder bolt that constitutes the pin 7 and the mounting portion 4b. Unlike this embodiment, the pin 7 may be a stud bolt fixed to the upper surface of the cross member 2. In this case, it is preferable to tighten the stud bolt that passes through the hole in the mounting portion 4b with a nut.

[0031] The coupling mechanism 5 is provided in each bracket 4. In this embodiment, the hole provided in the mounting portion 4b of each bracket 4 is a K-shaped hole 8 as shown in FIG. 4. The K-shaped hole 8 has a K-shape when viewed from above the vehicle. The K-shaped hole 8 includes a base point portion 80, an outer inclined hole 81, an inner inclined hole 82, an outer straight hole 83, and an inner straight hole 84. The pin 7 shown in FIG. 3 is inserted through the base point portion 80 when the storage battery 3 is in the initial position as shown in FIG. 2. Of the K-shaped hole 8, the base point portion 80 constitutes a part of the coupling mechanism 5. The outer inclined hole 81 extends from the base point portion 80 at an incline outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner inclined hole 82 extends from the base point portion 80 at an incline toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The outer straight hole 83 extends from the base point portion 80 outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner straight hole 84 extends from the base point portion 80 toward the center in the vehicle width direction. The outer inclined hole 81 and the inner inclined hole 82 may extend at an angle relative to the vehicle width direction, and may be either a straight inclined hole, a curved inclined hole, or a composite hole that combines a straight hole and a curved hole.

[0032] In the coupling mechanism 5 for the front bracket 41, as shown in FIG. 5A, the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8 is located in the front of the vehicle. The outer oblique hole 81 extends from the base point 80 toward the rear of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner oblique hole 82 extends from the base point 80 toward the rear of the vehicle and toward the center in the vehicle width direction. In the coupling mechanism 5 for the rear bracket 42, as shown in FIG. 5B, the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8 is located in the rear of the vehicle. The outer oblique hole 81 extends from the base point 80 toward the front of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction. The inner oblique hole 82 extends from the base point 80 toward the front of the vehicle and toward the center in the vehicle width direction. Since the front bracket 41 and the rear bracket 42 face in opposite directions, the front-to-rear and left-to-right orientations are reversed. The outer oblique hole 81 and the outer straight hole 83 of the front bracket 41 shown in Fig. 5A correspond to the inner oblique hole 82 and the inner straight hole 84 of the rear bracket 42 shown in Fig. 5B. The inner oblique hole 82 and the inner straight hole 84 of the front bracket 41 shown in Fig. 5A correspond to the outer oblique hole 81 and the outer straight hole 83 of the rear bracket 42 shown in Fig. 5B.

[0033] (Guide structure) As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the coupling mechanism 5 in each bracket 4 includes a guide structure 6. As will be described later with reference to Figures 6 and 7, the guide structure 6 is configured to move the capacitor 3 from its initial position toward the center in the vehicle width direction, i.e., toward the inside of the vehicle, by deforming the end 21e of the front cross member 21 and the end 22e of the rear cross member 22 so that they approach each other. The specific configuration of the guide structure 6 will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B.

[0034] 5A, the guide structures 6 of the coupling mechanisms 5 in the outer front bracket 41e and the inner front bracket 41i will be described. In the following description, the guide structure 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 in the outer front bracket 41e will be referred to as the "first guide structure 61," and the guide structure 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 in the inner front bracket 41i will be referred to as the "third guide structure 63." In this embodiment, of the K-shaped holes 8 described above, the outer inclined holes 81 form the first guide structure 61. The outer straight holes 83 form the third guide structure 63.

[0035] The first guide structure 61 includes a first pin 71 and a first hole 91. The first pin 71 is fixed to one of the front cross member 21 and the outer front bracket 41e shown in FIG. 2. The first hole 91 is provided on the other of the front cross member 21 and the outer front bracket 41e. In this embodiment, the first pin 71 is the pin 7 shown in FIG. 3 and is fixed to the upper surface of the front cross member 21. The first hole 91 is the K-shaped hole 8 and is provided in the mounting portion 4b of the outer front bracket 41e. The first hole 91 has a first elongated hole 91c that guides the first pin 71 from the first front end 91a toward the first rear end 91b. In FIG. 5A, the first elongated hole 91c is hatched with a two-dot chain line slanting upward to the right. The first front end 91a is penetrated by the first pin 71 in the initial position. Thus, the first guide structure 61 partially shares configuration with the coupling mechanism 5. The first front end 91a corresponds to the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8. The first rear end 91b is located rearward of the vehicle and outward in the vehicle width direction from the first front end 91a. In this example, the outward in the vehicle width direction is the right side. The first elongated hole 91c is configured as the outer oblique hole 81 of the K-shaped hole 8. The first elongated hole 91c may be formed so as to extend from the first front end 91a to the first rear end 91b, and may be any of a linear oblique hole, a curved oblique hole, and a composite hole that combines a linear hole and a curved hole. The first hole 91 is required to have at least the first elongated hole 91c, and may be configured only with the first elongated hole 91c.

[0036] The third guide structure 63 includes a third pin 73 and a third hole 93. The third pin 73 is fixed to one of the front cross member 21 and the inner front bracket 41i shown in FIG. 2. The third hole 93 is provided on the other of the front cross member 21 and the inner front bracket 41i. In this embodiment, the third pin 73 is the pin 7 shown in FIG. 3 and is fixed to the upper surface of the front cross member 21. The third hole 93 is the K-shaped hole 8 and is provided in the mounting portion 4b of the inner front bracket 41i. The third hole 93 has a third elongated hole 93c that guides the third pin 73 from the third inner end 93a toward the third outer end 93b. In FIG. 5A, the third elongated hole 93c is hatched with a two-dot chain line slanting downward to the right. The third inner end 93a is penetrated by the third pin 73 in the initial position. Thus, the third guide structure 63 partially shares configuration with the coupling mechanism 5. The third inner end 93a corresponds to the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8. The third outer end 93b is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the third inner end 93a. In this example, the outward side in the vehicle width direction is the right side. The third elongated hole 93c is configured as the outer straight hole 83 of the K-shaped hole 8. The third hole 93 needs to have at least the third elongated hole 93c, and may be configured only with the third elongated hole 93c.

[0037] 5B, the guide structures 6 of the coupling mechanisms 5 on the outer rear bracket 42e and the inner rear bracket 42i will be described. In the following description, the guide structure 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 on the outer rear bracket 42e will be referred to as the "second guide structure 62," and the guide structure 6 of the coupling mechanism 5 on the inner rear bracket 42i will be referred to as the "fourth guide structure 64." In this embodiment, of the K-shaped holes 8 described above, the outer inclined holes 81 form the second guide structure 62. The outer straight holes 83 form the fourth guide structure 64.

[0038] The second guide structure 62 includes a second pin 72 and a second hole 92. The second pin 72 is fixed to one of the rear cross member 22 and the outer rear bracket 42e shown in FIG. 2. The second hole 92 is provided in the other of the rear cross member 22 and the outer rear bracket 42e. In this embodiment, the second pin 72 is the pin 7 shown in FIG. 3 and is fixed to the upper surface of the rear cross member 22. The second hole 92 is the K-shaped hole 8 and is provided in the mounting portion 4b of the outer rear bracket 42e. The second hole 92 has a second elongated hole 92c that guides the second pin 72 from the second rear end 92a toward the second front end 92b. In FIG. 5B, the second elongated hole 92c is hatched with a two-dot chain line slanting upward to the right. The second rear end 92a is penetrated by the second pin 72 in the initial position. Thus, the second guide structure 62 partially shares configuration with the coupling mechanism 5. The second rear end 92a corresponds to the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8. The second front end 92b is located further forward of the vehicle and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the second rear end 92a. In this example, the outer side in the vehicle width direction is the right side. The second elongated hole 92c is configured as the outer oblique hole 81 of the K-shaped hole 8. The second elongated hole 92c may be formed so as to extend from the second rear end 92a to the second front end 92b, and may be any of a linear oblique hole, a curved oblique hole, or a composite hole that combines a linear hole and a curved hole. The second hole 92 is required to have at least the second elongated hole 92c, and may be configured only with the second elongated hole 92c.

[0039] The fourth guide structure 64 includes a fourth pin 74 and a fourth hole 94. The fourth pin 74 is fixed to one of the rear cross member 22 and the inner rear bracket 42i shown in FIG. 2 . The fourth hole 94 is provided in the other of the rear cross member 22 and the inner rear bracket 42i. In this embodiment, the fourth pin 74 is the pin 7 shown in FIG. 3 and is fixed to the upper surface of the rear cross member 22. The fourth hole 94 is the K-shaped hole 8 and is provided in the mounting portion 4b of the inner rear bracket 42i. The fourth hole 94 has a fourth elongated hole 94c that guides the fourth pin 74 from the fourth inner end 94a toward the fourth outer end 94b. In FIG. 5B , the fourth elongated hole 94c is hatched with a dashed double-dashed line slanting downward to the right. The fourth inner end 94a is penetrated by the fourth pin 74 in the initial position. Thus, the fourth guide structure 64 partially shares configuration with the coupling mechanism 5. The fourth inner end 94a corresponds to the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8. The fourth outer end 94b is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the fourth inner end 94a. In this example, the outward side in the vehicle width direction is the right side. The fourth elongated hole 94c is formed by the outer linear hole 83 of the K-shaped hole 8. The fourth hole 94 is only required to have at least the fourth elongated hole 94c, and may be formed only by the fourth elongated hole 94c.

[0040] <Function of the guide structure> The function of the guide structure 6 will now be described. First, with reference to Figures 6 and 7, how the vehicle structure deforms during a side collision with a pole will be described. Figures 6 and 7 show the state of the vehicle structure when a pole PB collides with a position on the rocker 1 that corresponds to between the front cross member 21 and the rear cross member 22. Figure 6 shows the state before the collision, and Figure 7 shows the state after the collision. The pole PB is, for example, a utility pole, a traffic light pole, a road sign pole, a roadside tree, etc.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, when the pole PB collides with the rocker 1, the pole PB penetrates into the interior of the vehicle, causing the rocker 1 to deform and bend toward the interior of the vehicle. As the deformation of the rocker 1 progresses, the rocker 1 comes into contact with the capacitor 3, resulting in damage. Furthermore, as the rocker 1 deforms, the cross member 2 deforms such that the end 21e of the front cross member 21 and the end 22e of the rear cross member 22 move closer to each other. The deformed cross member 2 bends midway in the vehicle width direction, causing the outer regions of the cross member 2 in the vehicle width direction to tilt with respect to the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the outer front bracket 41e and the outer rear bracket 42e, which are located near the ends of the cross member 2, move closer to each other. Meanwhile, the center region of the cross member 2 in the vehicle width direction generally maintains its position aligned with the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the inner front bracket 41i and the inner rear bracket 42i, which are located away from the ends of the cross member 2, do not move closer to each other as much as the outer front bracket 41e and the outer rear bracket 42e.

[0042] The function of the guide structure 6 in the event of a side collision with a pole will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0043] The operation of the first guide structure 61 shown in FIG. 5A will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A, 9A, and 10A. During a side collision with a pole, the first pin 71 passing through the first front end 91a is guided along the first elongated hole 91c. In other words, the first pin 71 moves from the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8 along the outer oblique hole 81. As shown in FIG. 8A, when the front cross member 21 is deformed due to a side collision with a pole, the first pin 71 shifts from the first front end 91a toward the first rear end 91b. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 10A, as the deformation of the front cross member 21 progresses due to the side collision with the pole, the first pin 71 moves toward the first rear end 91b. As the front cross member 21 deforms due to the side collision with the pole, the first pin 71 is guided along the first elongated hole 91c, i.e., the outer oblique hole 81, generating a force that displaces the electric storage battery 3 toward the inside of the vehicle. This phenomenon allows the electric storage battery 3 to move from its initial position toward the inside of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0044] Although not shown, the action of the second guide structure 62 shown in FIG. 5B is similar to that of the first guide structure 61 described above. In the second guide structure 62, in the event of a side collision with a pole, the second pin 72 passing through the second rear end 92a is guided along the second elongated hole 92c. As the rear cross member 22 deforms due to the side collision with the pole, the second pin 72 is guided along the second elongated hole 92c, i.e., the outer inclined hole 81, and a force is generated that displaces the electric storage battery 3 toward the inside of the vehicle. This phenomenon allows the electric storage battery 3 to move from its initial position toward the inside of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] The operation of the third guide structure 63 shown in FIG. 5A will be described with reference to FIGS. 8B, 9B, and 10B. During a side collision with a pole, the third pin 73 passing through the third inner end 93a is guided along the third elongated hole 93c. In other words, the third pin 73 moves from the base point 80 of the K-shaped hole 8 along the outer straight hole 83. As described above, when the electric storage device 3 (FIG. 7) moves toward the inside of the vehicle due to the first guide structure 61, the third pin 73 shifts from the third inner end 93a toward the third outer end 93b as shown in FIG. 8B. When the electric storage device 3 moves further toward the inside of the vehicle, the third pin 73 moves toward the third outer end 93b as shown in FIGS. 9B and 10B. By guiding the third pin 73 along the third elongated hole 93c, i.e., the outer straight hole 83, the electric storage device 3 can be smoothly moved from its initial position toward the inside of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] Although not shown, the action of fourth guide structure 64 shown in Fig. 5B is similar to that of the above-described third guide structure 63. In fourth guide structure 64, during a side collision of the pole, fourth pin 74 passing through fourth inner end 94a is guided along fourth elongated hole 94c. As described above, when second guide structure 62 moves the electric storage device 3 (Fig. 7) toward the inside of the vehicle, fourth pin 74 is guided along fourth elongated hole 94c, i.e., outer linear hole 83, and therefore, it is possible to smoothly move electric storage device 3 from the initial position toward the inside of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 7.

[0047] In the vehicle structure of this embodiment, the connecting mechanism 5 between the cross member 2 and the bracket 4 is provided with a guide structure 6, so that the capacitor 3 can be moved from its initial position toward the inside of the vehicle as the cross member 2 is deformed by a side collision with a pole. Therefore, according to the vehicle structure of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the rocker 1, which has been deformed by a side collision with a pole, from coming into contact with the capacitor 3, thereby suppressing damage to the capacitor 3.

[0048] In this embodiment, the guide structure 6 is configured by a pin 7 fixed to the cross member 2 and a hole provided in the bracket 4, and can be realized with a simple configuration. Also, in this embodiment, the first hole 91, the second hole 92, the third hole 93, and the fourth hole 94 are all configured as K-shaped holes 8, and all of the brackets 4 can be made common.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. For example, the guide structure 6 may be composed of a pin fixed to the bracket 4 and a hole provided in the cross member 2.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the hole constituting the guide structure 6 is a K-shaped hole 8, but the hole constituting the guide structure 6 may be a V-shaped hole having only the outer oblique hole 81 and the outer straight hole 83. This V-shaped hole is composed of only the first elongated hole 91c and the third elongated hole 93c in the front bracket 41, and is composed of only the second elongated hole 92c and the fourth elongated hole 94c in the rear bracket 42. Even if the hole is a V-shaped hole, it does not impede the operation of the guide structure 6. If the hole is a K-shaped hole 8 as in the present embodiment, the outer front bracket 41e, the inner front bracket 41i, the outer rear bracket 42e, and the inner rear bracket 42i can be composed of a common bracket 4.

[0051] The capacitor 3 may be mounted across almost the entire width of the floor panel 10. In this case, it is preferable to dispose an outer front bracket 41e and an outer rear bracket 42e on both the left and right sides of the cross member 2, respectively. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Rocca 10 Floor Panel 2 cross members 21 Front cross member, 22 Rear cross member 21e end, 22e end 3. Capacitor 4 Bracket 4a Connection part, 4b Mounting part 41 Front bracket, 42 Rear bracket 41e outer front bracket, 41i inner front bracket 42e outer rear bracket, 42i inner rear bracket 5 Coupling mechanism 6 Guide structure 61 first guide structure, 62 second guide structure 63 third guide structure, 64 fourth guide structure 7 pin, 7n nut, 7w washer 71 First pin, 72 Second pin, 73 Third pin, 74 Fourth pin 8 K type hole 80 Base point 81 outer inclined hole, 82 inner inclined hole 83 outer straight hole, 84 inner straight hole 91 first hole, 92 second hole, 93 third hole, 94 fourth hole 91a first front end, 91b first rear end, 91c first elongated hole 92a second rear end, 92b second front end, 92c second elongated hole 93a third inner end, 93b third outer end, 93c third elongated hole 94a Fourth inner end, 94b Fourth outer end, 94c Fourth slot PB Pole

Claims

[Claim 1] a rocker extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a front cross member extending in the vehicle width direction from an end connected to the rocker; a rear cross member extending in the vehicle width direction from an end connected to the rocker; a capacitor disposed between the front cross member and the rear cross member; a front bracket fixed to a front portion of the capacitor; a rear bracket fixed to a rear portion of the capacitor; a coupling mechanism for coupling the front cross member to the front bracket and the rear cross member to the rear bracket, the coupling mechanism includes a guide structure that moves the capacitor from an initial position toward the center in the vehicle width direction by deforming the end of the front cross member and the end of the rear cross member so that they approach each other, The guide structure includes: a first pin fixed to one of the front cross member and the front bracket; a first hole provided in the other of the front cross member and the front bracket; a second pin fixed to one of the rear cross member and the rear bracket; a second hole provided in the other of the rear cross member and the rear bracket, the first hole has a first elongated hole that guides the first pin from a first front end toward a first rear end; the first front end is penetrated by the first pin at the initial position; the first rear end is located rearward of the vehicle and outward of the first front end in the vehicle width direction, the second hole has a second elongated hole that guides the second pin from the second rear end toward the second front end, the second rear end is penetrated by the second pin at the initial position; The second front end is located further forward of the vehicle and further outward in the vehicle width direction than the second rear end. Vehicle structure.

Images