Body and electric vehicles

Abstract

To provide a technique for appropriately arranging components in a space on a lower side than a low wall part of an upper member.SOLUTION: A vehicle body includes an upper member. The upper member forms an internal space extending in a lengthwise direction of the upper member between a first plate and a second plate. The first plate includes an upper wall part, an inner wall part and a first flange formed along a lower end of the inner wall part. The second plate includes a lower wall part, an outer wall part and a second flange formed along an inner edge of the lower wall part and joined to the first flange. At a first section in the lengthwise direction of the upper member, the first flange and the second flange protrude toward a first direction, and at a second section in the lengthwise direction of the upper member, the first flange and the second flange protrude toward a second direction different from the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vehicle body having an upper member that passes above the front wheels from the front pillar and extends forward of the front wheels, and an electric vehicle equipped with the vehicle body. The electric vehicle includes a rechargeable vehicle charged by an external power source, a hybrid vehicle having an engine, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] The upper member described in Patent Document 1 has a rectangular cross-section with a hollow axis, and is composed of an upper member outer (plate) located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and an upper member inner (plate) located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Parts may be arranged in the space below the lower wall portion of the upper member. The layout of the parts is affected by the internal configuration of the automobile, etc. In particular, the space required to arrange parts on the side closer to the front pillar may be different from the space required to arrange parts on the side farther from the front pillar.

[0005] This specification provides a technology for appropriately arranging parts in the space below the lower wall portion of the upper member.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A vehicle body disclosed herein comprises a front pillar located behind the front wheels of the vehicle and extending vertically, and an upper member extending from the front pillar, passing above the front wheels and in front of the front wheels, wherein the upper member has a first plate and a second plate joined to the first plate, and an internal space extending longitudinally of the upper member is formed between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate has an upper wall portion facing the internal space from above, an inner wall portion facing the internal space from the inside, and a first flange formed along the lower end of the inner wall portion The upper member has a lower wall portion facing the internal space from below, an outer wall portion facing the internal space from the outside, and a second flange formed along the inner end of the lower wall portion and joined to the first flange, wherein in the first section of the upper member in the longitudinal direction, the first flange and the second flange protrude in a first direction from the connection point between the inner wall portion and the lower wall portion, and in the second section of the upper member in the longitudinal direction, the first flange and the second flange may protrude in a second direction different from the first direction from the connection point.

[0007] According to the above configuration, both the first flange and the second flange protrude in a first direction in the first section, while in a second direction different from the first direction in the second section. That is, in the space below the lower wall portion of the upper member, the space extending over the first section extends in a different direction from the space extending over the second section. When the space required to place a component in the first section differs from the space required to place a component in the second section, the component can be appropriately placed below the lower wall portion of the upper member by switching the direction in which both the first and second flanges protrude.

[0008] The first section is located behind the second section, and the first direction may be a direction of displacement outward as it moves away from the connection point.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is possible to secure space extending to the outside of the vehicle in the first section.

[0010] The system may further include a suspension tower connected to the first section of the upper member.

[0011] The suspension oscillates not only inward but also outward. With the above configuration, the space in which the suspension oscillates can be extended outward from the vehicle.

[0012] The second direction may be a direction of displacement inward as it moves away from the connection point.

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to secure space extending inward into the vehicle in the second section.

[0014] This specification further discloses an electric vehicle. The electric vehicle comprises a body, a charging port fixed to the body and to which an external charging device is detachably connected, a battery fixed to the body and charged by power supplied by the charging device, and an electrical cable electrically connecting the charging port and the battery, wherein the electrical cable is arranged along the lower wall portion of the upper member from the first section to the second section and may be routed toward the inside of the vehicle in the second section.

[0015] With the above configuration, electrical cables can be properly routed in the space below the lower wall portion of the upper member.

[0016] Details of the technology disclosed herein and further improvements are described in the following "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention". [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of an electric vehicle is shown. [Figure 2]Shows a side view around the upper member. [Figure 3] Shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2. [Figure 5] Shows a perspective view of the upper member as seen from below.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] (Configuration of Electric Vehicle 2; FIG. 1) The electric vehicle 2 includes a body 4, front wheels 8, rear wheels (reference numerals omitted), a charging port 20, a battery 22, and a power conversion device 24. In FIG. 1, the arrow “Front” indicates the front direction of the vehicle. The arrow “Up” indicates the upward direction of the vehicle. In the following figures, the meaning of the arrows is the same.

[0019] The battery 22 supplies power to a traveling motor (not shown) mounted on the electric vehicle 2. The battery 22 is, for example, a lithium-ion battery and is a rechargeable power source.

[0020] An external charging device (not shown) is detachably connected to the charging port 20. When the charging device is connected to the charging port 20, power is supplied from the charging device to the battery 22. Thereby, the battery 22 is charged.

[0021] The power conversion device 24 converts the power of the charging device into power suitable for charging the battery 22. The input terminal of the power conversion device 24 is connected to the charging port 20 via an input-side electric cable 70 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 3 and 4). Also, the output terminal of the power conversion device 24 is connected to the battery 22 via an output-side electric cable (not shown). The charging port 20 is electrically connected to the battery 22 via the input-side electric cable 70, the power conversion device 24, and the output-side electric cable.

[0022] The body 4 is made of metal, although not particularly limited. Inside the body 4, a cabin 6 (i.e., a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment) is formed. The body 4 includes a front pillar 12, an upper member 14, a front side member 16, and a suspension tower 18. Each of the members 12 to 18 forms the framework of the body 4 and is arranged on both the left and right sides of the vehicle.

[0023] The front pillar 12 defines the front of the cabin 6. The front pillar 12 is located behind the front wheel 8 and extends along the vertical direction. The upper member 14 defines the upper part of the front compartment 7 of the vehicle. The upper member 14 passes above the front wheel 8 from the front pillar 12 and extends forward of the front wheel 8. The front side member 16 defines the lower part of the front compartment 7. The suspension tower 18 supports the suspension (not shown) of the front wheel 8. The upper end of the suspension tower 18 is fixed to the upper member 14, and the lower end of the suspension tower 18 is fixed to the front side member 16.

[0024] The charging port 20 is fixed to the upper member 14. The battery 22 is fixed to the body 4 at the bottom of the cabin 6. The power conversion device 24 is arranged in the front compartment 7 and is fixed to the front side member 16.

[0025] (Configuration of the upper member 14; FIGS. 2 to 5) The upper member 14 is composed of a first member 14a, a second member 14b, and a third member 14c. The rear end of the first member 14a is joined to the front pillar 12. The front end of the first member 14a is joined to the rear end of the second member 14b. The second member 14b extends downward from the first member 14a at an angle. The front end of the second member 14b is joined to the rear end of the third member 14c. The third member 14c hangs down from the second member 14b. The front end of the third member 14c is joined to the bumper reinforcement (not shown). In a modified example, the upper member 14 does not have to be divided into multiple members 14a to 14c, and may be a single member.

[0026] (Configuration of the first member 14a; Figure 3) As shown in Figure 3, the first member 14a is composed of a first plate 102 and a second plate 104. The second plate 104 is joined to the first plate 102. An internal space 100a extending in the longitudinal direction of the first member 14a is formed between the first plate 102 and the second plate 104.

[0027] The first plate 102 has an upper wall portion 102a that faces the internal space 100a from above, and an inner wall portion 102b that faces the internal space 100a from the inside of the vehicle. Furthermore, the first plate 102 has an upper end flange 102c formed along the upper end of the upper wall portion 102a, and a lower end flange 102d formed along the lower end of the inner wall portion 102b. Note that the arrow "Inside" in Figure 3 indicates the direction towards the inside of the vehicle. The arrow "Outside" indicates the direction towards the outside of the vehicle. The meaning of the arrows is the same in subsequent figures.

[0028] The second plate 104 has a lower wall portion 104a that faces the internal space 100a from below, and an outer wall portion 104b that faces the internal space 100a from the outside. Furthermore, the second plate 104 has an upper end flange 104c formed along the upper end of the outer wall portion 104b, and a lower end flange 104d formed along the inner end of the lower wall portion 104a.

[0029] The upper flange 102c of the first plate 102 is joined to the upper flange 104c of the second plate 104. For example, the upper flange 102c is welded to the upper flange 104c. Also, the lower flange 102d of the first plate 102 is joined to the lower flange 104d of the second plate 104. For example, the lower flange 102d is welded to the lower flange 104d.

[0030] The upper flanges 102c and 104c protrude outward. On the other hand, the lower flanges 102d and 104d protrude downward outward. In other words, the lower flanges 102d and 104d protrude from the connection point 110 between the inner wall portion 102b and the lower wall portion 104a, and the direction of protrusion is such that it is displaced outward as it moves away from the connection point 110. That is, the direction of protrusion is outward with respect to the inner wall portion 102b.

[0031] A suspension tower 18 is connected to the inner wall portion 102b of the first plate 102. A suspension (not shown) swings within the internal space 60 of the suspension tower 18. In Figure 3, the dashed line 60a indicates the outer end of the swing range of the suspension, and the dashed line 60b indicates the inner end of the swing range. As shown in Figure 3, by making the lower end flanges 102d and 104d protrude downward and outward, the swing range can be extended not only to the internal space 60 of the suspension tower 18 but also to the space below the upper member 14.

[0032] Furthermore, the electrical cable 70 extending from the charging port 20 is arranged along the lower wall portion 104a of the first member 14a. The electrical cable 70 is routed towards the front. As shown in Figure 3, the electrical cable 70 consists of three cables: two power cables and one signal cable. Note that the number of cables constituting the electrical cable 70 is not limited to three.

[0033] (Configuration of the second member 14b; Figure 4) As shown in Figure 4, the second member 14b is also composed of the first plate 106 and the second plate 108. An internal space 100b extending in the longitudinal direction of the second member 14b is formed between the first plate 106 and the second plate 108, and the internal space 100b of the second member 14b is in communication with the internal space 100a of the first member 14a.

[0034] The first plate 106, like the first plate 102, has an upper wall portion 106a and an inner wall portion 106b. The second plate 108, like the second plate 104, has a lower wall portion 108a and an outer wall portion 108b.

[0035] The upper flange 106c of the first plate 106 is joined to the upper flange 108c of the second plate 104. The lower flange 106d of the first plate 106 is joined to the lower flange 108d of the second plate 108.

[0036] The upper flanges 106c and 108c protrude outward. On the other hand, the lower flanges 106d and 106d protrude downward inward. In other words, the lower flanges 106d and 106d protrude from the connection point 112 between the inner wall portion 106b and the lower wall portion 108a, and the direction of protrusion is such that it is displaced inward as it moves away from the connection point 112. That is, the direction of protrusion is inward with respect to the inner wall portion 106b.

[0037] The protruding direction of the lower end flanges 106d and 108d of the second member 14b is different from the protruding direction of the lower end flanges 102d and 104d of the first member 14a.

[0038] The electrical cable 70 is routed along the lower wall portions 104a and 108a of the upper member 14, extending from the first section 50 (see Figure 2) where the first member 14a is located to the second section 52 (see Figure 2) where the second member 14b is located. The electrical cable 70 is routed inward within the second section 52 and connected to the power converter 24 in the front compartment 7.

[0039] (Connection point between the first member 14a and the second member 14b; Figure 5) The rear end of the second member 14b is inserted into the front end of the first member 14a. Notches 106e and 108e are formed at the front ends of the lower end flanges 106d and 108d of the second member 14b. As described above, the lower end flanges 102d and 104d of the first member 14a protrude in a different direction from the lower end flanges 106d and 108d of the second member 14b. The notches 106e and 108e allow the rear end of the second member 14b to be inserted into the front end of the first member 14a while avoiding the bending radius of the lower end flanges 102d and 104d of the first member 14a that protrude in a different direction.

[0040] Furthermore, the upper member 14 buckles during a flat frontal collision or an offset frontal collision. The buckling of the upper member 14 absorbs the load transmitted to the cabin 6. However, if the point where the upper member 14 buckles is unstable, the load-absorbing function of the upper member 14 may not be properly performed.

[0041] The notches 106e and 108e in the lower flanges 106d and 108d become vulnerable points in the upper member 14. During a collision, the notches 106e and 108e become the starting points for buckling of the upper member 14. The buckling points of the upper member 14 are stabilized, allowing the upper member 14 to properly perform its load-absorbing function.

[0042] The notches 106e and 108e not only serve to avoid the bending radius of the lower end flanges 102d and 104d of the first member 14a, but also serve to stabilize the area where the upper member 14 is prone to buckling.

[0043] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the lower end flanges of the upper member 14 (i.e., 102d, 104d, 106d, and 108d) protrude downward outward in the first section 50, while protruding downward inward in the second section 52. That is, below the lower wall portion of the upper member 14 (i.e., 104a and 108a), the space extending over the first section 50 expands in a different direction than the space extending over the second section 52. As described above, the electrical cable 70 is routed forward in the first section 50, while it is routed inward in the second section 52. In such a case, by switching the direction in which the lower end flanges protrude, the electrical cable 70 can be appropriately positioned in the space below the lower wall portion of the upper member 14.

[0044] Furthermore, in the second section 52, the space between the second member 14b and the front wheel 8 is narrow due to the downward inclination of the second member 14b. In the second section 52, not only the electrical cable 70 but also other components (for example, the cable for the headlamp (not shown)) are arranged. By having the lower end flange protrude downward and inward, the space extending across the second section 52 is widened inward, securing space for arranging various components, including the electrical cable 70.

[0045] (Correspondence) Electric vehicle 2, body 4, front pillar 12, upper member 14, suspension tower 18, charging port 20, battery 22, and electrical cable 70 are examples of "electric vehicle," "body," "front pillar," "upper member," "suspension tower," "charging port," "battery," and "electrical cable," respectively. First plates 102 and 106 are examples of "first plates." Second plates 104 and 108 are examples of "second plates." Internal spaces 100a and 100b are examples of "internal spaces." Upper wall sections 102a and 106a, and inner wall sections 102b and 106b are examples of "upper wall sections" and "inner wall sections," respectively. Lower wall sections 104a and 108a, and outer wall sections 104b and 108b are examples of "lower wall sections" and "outer wall sections," respectively. Lower flanges 102d and 106d, and lower flanges 104d and 108d are examples of the "first flange" and "second flange," respectively. Connection points 110 and 112 are examples of "connection points." First section 50 and second section 52 are examples of the "first section" and "second section," respectively. The downward outward direction and downward inward direction are examples of the "first direction" and "second direction," respectively.

[0046] The following points should be noted regarding the technology shown in the embodiment. The charging port 20 may be fixed to a member other than the upper member 14 (for example, the front pillar 12). Generally speaking, the "charging port" only needs to be fixed to the "body".

[0047] The lower end flanges 102d and 104d in the first section 50 may protrude in a direction different from the downward outward direction (for example, downward inward direction). Similarly, the lower end flanges 106d and 108d in the second section 52 may protrude in a direction different from the downward inward direction (for example, downward outward direction). Generally speaking, the "second direction" can be any direction different from the "first direction".

[0048] The components located in the space below the lower wall portions 104a and 108a of the upper member 14 may be other components different from the suspension or the electrical cable 70. In this modified example, the "electrical cable" can be omitted.

[0049] Furthermore, the outer end 60a of the suspension's swing range does not need to extend to the space below the lower wall portion 104a of the upper member 14. For example, in order to arrange many components in the space below the lower wall portion 104a, the lower end flanges 102d and 104d may protrude downward or downward inward, parallel to the inner wall portion 102b.

[0050] Furthermore, the technologies disclosed herein are not limited to electric vehicles 2, but may also be used in, for example, engine-powered vehicles.

[0051] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technologies described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness individually or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving even one of these objectives itself constitutes technical usefulness. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 2: Electric vehicles 4: Body 6: Cabin 7: Front compartment 8: Front wheel 12: Front pillar 14: Upper Member 14a: First Member 14b: Second Member 14c: Third Member 16: Front side member 18: Suspension Tower 20: Charging port 22: Battery 24: Power converter 50: Section 1 52: Section 2 60: Interior space 60a: Inner end 60a: Outer end 70: Electrical Cables 100a: Interior space 100b: Internal space 102: Plate 1 102a: Upper wall part 102b:Inner wall part 102c: Upper flange 102d: Lower flange 104: Second Plate 104a: Lower wall part 104b: External wall part 104c: Upper flange 104d: Lower flange 106: Plate 1 106a: Upper wall part 106b:Inner wall part 106c: Upper flange 106d: Lower flange 106e: Notch 108: Second Plate 108a: Lower wall part 108b: External wall part 108c: Upper flange 108d: Lower flange 108e: Notch 110: Connection point 112: Connection point

Claims

1. It is a vehicle body, The front pillar is located behind the front wheels of the aforementioned vehicle and extends vertically, An upper member extending from the front pillar, passing over the front wheel and toward the front of the front wheel, Equipped with, The upper member comprises a first plate and a second plate joined to the first plate, and an internal space extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper member is formed between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate has an upper wall portion facing the internal space from above, an inner wall portion facing the internal space from the inside, and a first flange formed along the lower end of the inner wall portion. The second plate has a lower wall portion that faces the internal space from below, an outer wall portion that faces the internal space from the outside, and a second flange that is formed along the inner end of the lower wall portion and joined to the first flange. In the first section of the upper member in the longitudinal direction, the first flange and the second flange protrude in the first direction from the connection point between the inner wall portion and the lower wall portion. In the second section of the upper member in the longitudinal direction, the first flange and the second flange protrude from the connection point in a second direction different from the first direction. The first section is located behind the second section. The first direction is the direction of displacement outward as it moves away from the connection point. Body.

2. The body according to claim 1, further comprising a suspension tower connected to the first section of the upper member.

3. The body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second direction is the direction of inward displacement as it moves away from the connection point.

4. The body described in claim 3, A charging port is fixed to the aforementioned body and to which an external charging device can be detachably connected, A battery fixed to the body and charged by power supplied by the charging device, An electrical cable that electrically connects the charging port and the battery, Equipped with, The electrical cable is arranged along the lower wall portion of the upper member from the first section to the second section, and is routed toward the inside of the vehicle in the second section. Electric vehicle.

Images