Truck high roof structure

Abstract

To improve support rigidity of a frame.SOLUTION: In a high roof structure of a truck in which a high roof type roof panel is attached to the upper side of a cab body, the roof panel includes: a body forming a ceiling part; and side surface parts each having a corner part which is formed curved from the body in lateral and downward directions and is supported from the inner side in a passenger compartment by a roof frame. The roof frame includes: a main frame 3 including width direction parts 31 formed along the body, and vertical direction parts 35 each having a curved part 33 which is formed curved from the width direction part in the lateral and downward directions and has a curvature smaller than that of the corner part to be separated from the corner part, the main frame 3 attached at lower ends of the vertical direction parts to the cab body; and sub frames 4 each of which is disposed between the main frame 3 and the roof panel and extends curved from a connection part between the body and the side surface part in the lateral and downward directions. The sub frame 4 includes a curved part 41 formed along a shape of the corner part. Further, one end of the sub frame 4 is joined to the main frame 3 near the connection part and the other end is attached to the cab body 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-roof structure of a truck in which a high-roof type roof panel is attached above a cab body.

Background Art

[0002] In large trucks, in order to expand the cab formed inside the cab, a high-roof structure in which the roof panel is provided at a position higher than normal may be adopted. Such a high-roof structure is attached above a cab body with an open ceiling portion (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a cab adopting a high-roof structure, a frame extending in the vehicle width direction is arranged on the vehicle interior side of the roof panel to support the roof panel. Since this frame is generally formed of a thick plate, it is difficult to form, and in particular, it is difficult to form so as to follow the shape of the corner portions of the left and right edge portions in the vehicle width direction of the roof panel.

[0005] For this reason, at the left and right corner portions of the roof panel, the curvature of the frame and the curvature of the roof panel become small (the radius of curvature becomes large), and the frame is separated below the roof panel. As a result, when a load is input from above the roof panel, the frame can receive the load only at the straight portion at the center in the vehicle width direction of the frame, and the support structure becomes fragile.

[0006] This invention was conceived in response to the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a truck high-roof structure that improves the support rigidity of the frame by increasing the portion of the frame that conforms to the shape of the roof panel at the left and right corners of the high-roof type roof panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This project was undertaken to solve at least some of the above-mentioned problems and can be implemented in the following forms or applications. (1) The truck high-roof structure according to this application example is a truck high-roof structure in which a high-roof type roof panel is attached above a cab body with an open ceiling, the roof panel comprising a main body that forms the ceiling and side portions having corner portions that are curved downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from the main body, and is supported from the inside of the vehicle by a roof frame, the roof frame comprising a width direction portion that extends linearly in the vehicle width direction along the main body and a curved portion that is curved downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from the width direction portion with a curvature smaller than that of the corner portions and is separated from the corner portions The vehicle has a main frame comprising an upper and lower section, the lower end of which is attached to the cab body, and a subframe positioned between the upper and lower section of the main frame and the side section of the roof panel, which curves downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from near the connection between the main body and the side section and extends toward the cab side, wherein the subframe has a curved section formed to conform to the shape of the corner section of the roof panel, and one end of the subframe is joined to the main frame near the connection, and the other end is attached to the cab body.

[0008] According to this application example, in addition to the main frame that extends in the vehicle width direction from the main body to the side of the roof panel, a subframe is added which is positioned between the main frame and the roof panel, and which curves downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from near the connection point between the main body and the side of the roof panel and extends toward the cab side. The subframe increases the portion of the roof frame that conforms to the shape of the roof panel, improving the support rigidity of the roof frame and enhancing the durability of the roof panel against input loads from above.

[0009] (2) Preferably, the main frame is formed in a hat shape with a cross-sectional shape consisting of a web portion, a flange portion and an arm portion, and the arm portion in the width direction is superimposed on and joined to the roof panel. By forming the cross-sectional shape of the main frame into a hat shape, rigidity can be ensured, and by overlapping and joining the arm portion of the main frame with the roof panel, a closed cross-sectional shape is formed, further improving the rigidity of the high-roof structure.

[0010] (3) The subframe preferably has a hat-shaped cross section formed in the shape of a web, flange and arm, and the main frame is enclosed within the recess formed by the web and flange of the hat-shaped cross section, and is joined to the main frame at one end. The main frame is enclosed within a recess formed by the web and flange portions of the hat-shaped cross-section of the subframe, and the subframe overlaps and joins with the main frame at one end. This allows the amount the roof frame protrudes into the passenger compartment to be minimized even when a subframe is added to the main frame, and also allows for a larger subframe size, further improving the rigidity of the high-roof structure. Furthermore, the formation of a double closed cross-sectional shape between the main frame and the subframe further improves the rigidity of the high-roof structure.

[0011] (4) The flange portion of the subframe is preferably lower in height as it approaches the one end, and at the one end, it is preferably formed to be flush with the web portion and the arm portion of the subframe, and the subframe is preferably superimposed and joined with the main frame and the roof panel at the portion where the web portion and the arm portion of the subframe are flush. In this configuration, the main frame is enclosed within the recess of the subframe, and the subframe is joined to the main frame and roof panel by overlapping them at the point where the web portion and arm portion are flush at one end of the subframe. This improves the support rigidity of the roof panel.

[0012] (5) Preferably, the subframe supports the roof panel from the inside of the vehicle at a position closer to the left and right sides of the vehicle than the portion that overlaps with the main frame. This improves the roof panel's resistance to loads applied from above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to this invention, the subframe increases the portion of the roof frame that conforms to the shape of the roof panel, improving the support rigidity of the roof frame and enhancing its durability against input loads from above the roof panel. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This figure shows the main part of the roof frame of a high-roof truck vehicle according to one embodiment. (a) and (b) are perspective views of the main part as seen from the front upper left side of the vehicle (corresponding to part E in Figure 2). In (a), all hidden shapes are shown with dashed lines. In (b), the hidden shape of the main frame is omitted from (a). (c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow AA in Figure 1(a). (d) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow BB in Figure 1(a). (e) is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow CC in Figure 1(a). [Figure 2]This is a perspective view of the main frame of the roof frame of a high-roof truck vehicle according to one embodiment, viewed from the front and above on the left side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the roof frame of a high-roof truck vehicle. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the function and effect of the roof frame of the high-roof truck vehicle shown in Figure 1, where (a) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view in the direction of arrow DD in Figure 1(a)) along the extension direction of the main part shown in Figure 1, and (b) shows the case where the subframe is omitted from Figure 4(a). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The embodiments of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative and do not preclude the application of various modifications or technologies not explicitly shown in the following embodiments. Each component of these embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their intended purpose. Furthermore, components can be selected or combined as needed.

[0016] [1. Equipment configuration] In this embodiment, as an example of a truck's high-roof structure, a super high-roof structure for a heavy-duty truck will be described. In the following explanation, the forward direction of the vehicle is referred to as FR, the opposite direction (reverse direction) as RR, and left and right (left LH and right RH) are defined based on the vehicle facing forward FR. The longitudinal direction is also called the vehicle length direction, and the lateral direction is also called the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the direction perpendicular to both the vehicle length direction and the vehicle width direction is called the vertical direction (upward UP and downward DW). The vehicle is assumed to be on a level road surface and in an orientation where the vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction (downward coincides with the direction of gravity). In this orientation, the vertically upward direction is referred to as the height direction.

[0017] The large truck according to this embodiment is formed as a so-called super-high roof vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a super-high roof truck) that has a roof portion higher than a general roof (hereinafter also referred to as a "normal roof"). The super-high roof truck can secure a high vehicle interior space inside the cab, thus enhancing the habitability inside the vehicle. In large trucks and the like, when the driver or the like takes a temporary rest such as a nap in the cab during long-distance travel, the comfort at this time can be improved. However, the super-high roof is also a type of high roof, and the super-high roof truck is included in the high roof truck.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a roof frame 2 that supports a high roof type roof panel 1 equipped on the roof portion of a super-high roof vehicle (high roof vehicle) from the vehicle interior side. In FIG. 2, the roof panel 1, a part of the roof frame 2, and a skeletal member 5 at the upper part of the cab body that supports the roof panel 1 are shown by two-dot chain lines.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the high roof type roof panel 1 is attached above a cab body (not shown) with an open ceiling portion. The roof panel 1 includes a main body portion 11 forming the ceiling portion, a corner portion 12 that is curved downward from the main body portion 11 toward the left and right sides of the vehicle, and a side surface portion 14 having a side surface main body 13 that extends linearly (in a plane) in the vertical direction below the corner portion 12.

[0020] Further, the main body portion 11 and the side surface portion 14 are joined by welding (this joining location is referred to as a "connection portion 15"). Such a roof panel 1 is supported by the roof frame 2 from the vehicle interior side (below in FIG. 2). The main body portion 11 of the roof panel 1 is slightly inclined forward as a whole, and the front portion gradually increases the angle of the forward inclination. Also, the side surface main body 13 below the corner portion 12 of the side surface portion 14 of the roof panel 1 is slightly inclined so as to be located slightly outside in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward.

[0021] The roof frame 2 has a main frame 3 and a subframe (also called an outer frame) 4, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 4(a) for the front left frame section. The front right frame section is constructed similarly.

[0022] The main frame 3 is positioned almost horizontally along the main body portion 11 of the roof panel 1 (however, it is slightly tilted forward overall, with the front portion tilting sharply forward). The main frame 3 has two widthwise portions 31 that extend parallel to each other in the width direction of the vehicle, and three longitudinal portions 32 that intersect these widthwise portions 31 and extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. These are integrated to form a roughly grid-like shape in plan view. The longitudinal portions 32 follow the shape of the roof panel 1 and are slightly tilted forward overall, with the angle of the forward tilt gradually increasing towards the front.

[0023] The left and right ends of the widthwise section 31 are provided with vertical sections 35, each having a curved section 33 formed to curve downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle, and a vertical section body 34 extending linearly (on a plane) in the vertical direction below the curved section 33. The lower end of the vertical section 35 is part of the cab body and is attached to the frame member 5 located at the top of the cab body. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, reinforcing members 16 are fixed from the inside to each vertical section body 34 of the vertical sections 35 which are arranged front to back on the left and right sides of the main frame 3, but these are not essential.

[0024] The curved portion 33 is formed with a smaller curvature (larger radius of curvature) than the corner portion 12 of the roof panel 1. This is because the main frame 3 requires high rigidity and is made of thick plate, making it difficult to form and thus difficult to form to follow the large curvature shape of the corner portion 12.

[0025] Because the curvature of the curved portion 33 is small, as shown in Figure 4(a), the curved portion 33 is shifted inward in the vehicle width direction (towards the center of the vehicle width direction) compared to the corner portion 12, and the vertical portion body 34 below the curved portion 33 of the vertical portion 35 has a greater inclination than the side portion body 13 of the side portion 14. Therefore, the curved portion 33 is separated inward in the vehicle width direction from the corner portion 12, and most of the vertical portion body 34 is also separated inward in the vehicle width direction from the side portion body 13.

[0026] The subframe 4 is provided with a curved portion 41 that is molded to conform to the shape of the corner portion 12 of the roof panel 1, and a vertical portion 42 that extends linearly (on a plane) in the vertical direction below the curved portion 41. One end of the subframe 4 (the inner end of the curved portion 41 in the vehicle width direction) is joined to the main frame 3 by a connecting portion 15, and the other end (the lower end of the vertical portion 42) is attached to the upper skeletal member 5 of the cab body.

[0027] Incidentally, as shown in Figure 1, the main frame 3 is formed in a hat shape with a cross-sectional shape consisting of a web portion 3W, a flange portion 3F, and an arm portion 3A, and the arm portions 3A in the width direction portion 31 and the front-rear direction portion 32 are superimposed and joined to the roof panel 1.

[0028] On the other hand, the subframe 4 has a hat-shaped cross section 43 whose cross-sectional shape is formed in a hat shape consisting of a web section 4W, a flange section 4F, and an arm section 4A. The flange portion 4F of the hat-shaped cross section 43 of this subframe 4 decreases in height as it approaches one end (the inner end of the curved portion 41 in the vehicle width direction), and at one end, the flange portion 4F disappears and the hat-shaped cross section 43 ends, becoming a flat portion 44 formed so as to be flush with the web portion 4W and arm portion 4A of the hat-shaped cross section 43.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1(c) and 1(d), the width of the web portion 4W of the hat-shaped cross section 43 of the subframe 4 is greater than the overall width of the main frame 3, and the subframe 4 is attached to the main frame 3 from the outside in the vehicle width direction such that the main frame 3 is enclosed within the recess 45 formed by the web portion 4W of the hat-shaped cross section 43 and the flange portions 4F on both sides thereof.

[0030] In other words, the main frame 3 has a web portion 3W positioned on the inside of the vehicle, a flange portion 3F protruding from the web portion 3W to the outside of the vehicle, and an arm portion 3A positioned at the protruding end (outside the vehicle) of the flange portion 3F. In contrast, the web portion 4W of the hat-shaped cross section 43 of the subframe 4 is positioned on the outside of the vehicle, the flange portion 4F protrudes from the web portion 4W toward the inside of the vehicle, and the arm portion 4A is positioned at the protruding end (inside the vehicle) of the flange portion 4F, so that the hat shape is oriented in the opposite direction to the main frame 3, and as shown in Figure 1, the main frame 3 is enclosed within a recess 45 that opens toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0031] Furthermore, at one end of the subframe 4 (the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the curved portion 41), the planar portion 44 overlaps and is joined to the mainframe 3, and also overlaps and is joined to the roof panel 1.

[0032] Furthermore, although the subframe 4 is made of the same plate thickness as the mainframe 3, it is formed in a shape that is easy to form. The curved portion 41 of the subframe 4 has a greater curvature than the curved portion 33 of the mainframe 3 and is formed to have a curvature close to that of the corner portion 12. As a result, the curved portion 41 of the subframe 4 approaches the corner portion 12, and the vertical portion 42 also approaches the side body 13. As a result, as shown in Figure 4(a), the web portion 4W of the subframe 4 supports the roof panel 1 from the inside of the vehicle, located further to the left and right sides of the vehicle (outward in the vehicle width direction) than the planar portion 44 that overlaps with the mainframe 3.

[0033] [2. Action and Effects] According to the high-roof structure of the truck according to this embodiment, the following functions and effects can be obtained. (1) In addition to the main frame 3 that extends in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion 11 to the side portion 14 of the roof panel 1, a subframe 4 is also arranged. The subframe 4 increases the portion of the roof frame 2 that conforms to the shape of the roof panel 1, and the subframe 4 improves the support rigidity of the roof frame 2, thereby improving the durability of the roof panel 1 against input loads from above.

[0034] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show the structure according to this embodiment under conditions where a load corresponding to a roof collapse test is applied. Figure 4(a) shows this embodiment, and Figure 4(b) shows a comparative example without the subframe 4.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4(b), if the subframe 4 is not provided, the roof frame 2 consists only of the main frame 3, and the roof frame 2 can only support the load up to part c1 on the roof surface, leaving part a as a weak point. Furthermore, point b1, the frame's landing point, is a highly rigid point on the skeletal member 5 and its position is fixed. As a result, a large displacement of d1 occurs in the vehicle width direction between the load-bearing point c1 of the roof frame 2 and the frame's landing point b1, which is a significant disadvantage in terms of load.

[0036] In contrast, in this embodiment, a subframe 4 is added, and the subframe 4 supports the roof panel 1 from the inside of the vehicle at a point further to the left and right sides of the vehicle than where it overlaps with the main frame 3. As a result, the roof frame 2 can only receive the load on the roof surface up to point c2. As a result, the weak point (point a) as in the comparative example is eliminated. Furthermore, the distance between the load-receiving point c2 of the roof frame 2 and the frame contact point b2 becomes only d2 in the vehicle width direction, which is smaller than the distance d1, and thus it can adequately support the load.

[0037] (2) The main frame 3 is formed in a hat shape with a cross-sectional shape consisting of a web portion 3W, a flange portion 3F, and an arm portion 3A, and the arm portion 3A in the width direction is superimposed on and joined to the roof panel 1, thereby ensuring the support rigidity to support the roof panel 1. Furthermore, by superimposing and joining the arm portion 3A of the main frame 3 to the roof panel 1, a closed cross-sectional shape is formed, further improving the rigidity of the high-roof structure.

[0038] (3) The subframe 4 has a hat-shaped cross section 43 formed in a hat shape with a web section 4W, a flange section 4F, and an arm section 4A. The main frame 3 is enclosed within a recess 45 formed by the web section 4W and the flange section 4F of the hat-shaped cross section 43, and the subframe 4 is joined to the main frame 3 by overlapping at one end (planar section 44). Therefore, even when the subframe 4 is added to the main frame 3, the amount by which the roof frame 2 protrudes into the interior space of the vehicle can be minimized. In addition, the size of the subframe 4 can be increased, further improving the rigidity of the high-roof structure. Furthermore, since a double closed cross-sectional shape is formed by the main frame 3 and the subframe 4, the rigidity of the high-roof structure is further improved.

[0039] (4) The flange portion 4F of the subframe 4 decreases in height as it approaches one end, and at one end, the web portion 4W and the arm portion 4A of the subframe 4 become flush, forming a planar portion 44, where the subframe 4 overlaps and is joined with the main frame 3 and the roof panel 1 (see the shaded area in Figure 1(b)), thereby improving the support rigidity for the roof panel 1.

[0040] (5) As described above, the subframe 4 supports the roof panel 1 from the inside of the vehicle at a position closer to the left and right sides of the vehicle than where it overlaps with the main frame 3, thus improving the durability of the roof panel 1 against input loads from above.

[0041] [3. Others] Although embodiments have been described above, the configuration of the above embodiments is merely an example, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, we explained an example of adding subframes to the front left and right frame sections, but this can also be applied to the rear left and right frame sections. Furthermore, the shape of the subframe can be modified as needed, as long as it ensures the intended function is maintained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Roof Panel 11 Main body of roof panel 1 12 Corner section of roof panel 1 13 Side section of roof panel 1 14 Side section of roof panel 1 15 Connecting part 16 Reinforcement members 2 Roof Frame 3 Mainframe 3A Main frame 3 arm section 3F Main frame 3 flange section Web section of 3W Mainframe 3 31 Width direction section of main frame 3 32 Front-rear section of main frame 3 33 Curved section of mainframe 3 34 Mainframe 3, vertical section 35 Vertical part of mainframe 3 4. Subframe (Outer Frame) 4A Subframe 4 Arm section 4F Subframe 4 flange section Web section of subframe 4W 41 Curved section of subframe 4 42 Vertical part of subframe 4 43 Hat-shaped cross section of subframe 4 44 Planar portion of subframe 4 45 Recess of subframe 4 5. Structural components (cab body)

Claims

1. A truck with a high-roof structure in which a high-roof type roof panel is attached above the cab body, which has an open ceiling. The roof panel comprises a main body that forms the ceiling and side portions having corner portions that are curved downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from the main body, and is supported from the inside of the vehicle by a roof frame. The aforementioned roof frame is The main frame comprises a widthwise portion that extends linearly in the vehicle width direction along the main body, and a vertical portion that is curved downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle with a curvature smaller than that of the corner portion and is separated from the corner portion, with the lower end of the vertical portion being attached to the cab body, The vehicle has a subframe which is positioned between the vertical portion of the main frame and the side portion of the roof panel, and which curves downward to the left and right sides of the vehicle from near the connection between the main body and the side portion and extends toward the cab side, The subframe includes a curved portion formed to conform to the shape of the corner portion of the roof panel, The subframe is joined to the main frame at one end near the connecting portion, and the other end is attached to the cab body. A truck with a high roof structure, characterized by the above features.

2. The main frame is formed in a hat shape with a cross-sectional shape consisting of a web portion, a flange portion, and an arm portion, and the arm portion in the width direction is superimposed and joined to the roof panel. The high-roof structure of the truck according to feature 1.

3. The subframe has a hat-shaped cross-section, the cross-sectional shape of which consists of a web portion, a flange portion, and an arm portion. The main frame is enclosed within the recess formed by the web portion and the flange portion of the hat-shaped cross-section, and is joined to the main frame at one end. The high-roof structure of the truck according to feature 2.

4. The flange portion of the subframe decreases in height as it approaches the one end, and at the one end, it is formed to be flush with the web portion and the arm portion of the subframe. In the portion where the web portion and the arm portion of the subframe are flush, the subframe is superimposed and joined with the main frame and the roof panel. The truck high-roof structure according to feature 3.

5. The curved portion of the subframe is formed with a greater curvature than the curved portion of the mainframe. The subframe supports the roof panel from the interior side of the vehicle, at a point closer to the left and right sides of the vehicle than where it overlaps with the main frame. The high-roof structure of the truck according to feature 1.

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