Vehicle body structure

Abstract

This vehicle body structure comprises: a main frame that supports the body of a vehicle; and a sub-frame which is fixed to the main frame and from which a motive power source of the vehicle is suspended. The main frame has a pair of side members. The sub-frame has: a first cross member which has at least a portion thereof fixed to the upper surfaces of the side members and which connects the pair of side members to each other; a second cross member that is arranged apart from the first cross member in front of the first cross member, that has at least a portion thereof fixed to the upper surfaces of the side members, and that connects the pair of cross members to each other; and a connection member that connects the first cross member and the second cross member. A support member that supports a suspension of the vehicle is disposed between the first cross member and the second cross member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle body structure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle body structure having a sub-frame for mounting a motor is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1 includes a sub-frame and a bracket for fixing the sub-frame to a side member. The sub-frame is lifted from the lower side of the vehicle and fixed to the bracket. The power source is supported by the sub-frame by a pendulum method of suspending the power source from the sub-frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1 is used for the vehicle body structure of an electric vehicle having a monocoque frame in which a body and a chassis are integrally formed and the vehicle body rigidity is maintained by the body and the chassis. However, in the vehicle body structure of a frame vehicle in which a body is mounted on a frame having a lattice shape, it is necessary to maintain the vehicle body rigidity only by the frame, and thus the vehicle body structure of Patent Document 1 is not optimal.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle body structure suitable for a frame vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The vehicle body structure according to this disclosure comprises a main frame that supports the body of a vehicle, and a subframe fixed to the main frame and suspending the power source of the vehicle, wherein the main frame has a pair of side members, and the subframe has a first cross member that is fixed to the upper surface of the side members in at least a portion thereof and connects the pair of side members, a second cross member that is positioned in front of the first cross member and spaced apart from the first cross member, and is fixed to the upper surface of the side members in at least a portion thereof and connects the pair of cross members, and a connecting member that connects the first cross member and the second cross member, and a support member that supports the suspension of the vehicle is positioned between the first cross member and the second cross member.

[0007] This configuration allows the subframe to be fixed to the side members, and the power source to be suspended below it. This makes it possible to support the power source while improving the rigidity of the main frame in a frame-type vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, a body structure suitable for frame vehicles can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A side view of a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A top view of a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view AA in Figure 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following specification and drawings, the right side of the frame vehicle C in the direction of travel will be denoted as R, the left side as L, the front side as F, the rear side as B, the top side as U, and the bottom side as D. Figure 2 is a top view of the vehicle body structure 1 with the control device 9 removed.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the vehicle body structure 1 comprises a main frame 2, a subframe 4, a battery 6, a power source 8, and a control device 9 that controls the power source 8. The vehicle body structure 1 in this embodiment is the front F structure of a frame vehicle (an example of a vehicle) C, on which the body 5 is mounted to the main frame 2. In this embodiment, the power source 8 is a motor. The control device 9 is an inverter that controls the motor.

[0012] The main frame 2 includes at least a pair of side members 10, a body mount 11, a turret (an example of a support member) 12, a rear suspension carrier 13, a front suspension carrier 14, a towing hook 15, and a front end cross member 16.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the pair of side members 10 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). The body mount 11 is a member that supports the body 5. The body mount 11 protrudes from the right side member 10 to the right side R, and from the left side member 10 to the left side L. In other words, the body mount 11 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from each of the left and right side members 10.

[0014] The turret 12 is a substantially cylindrical member that supports the suspension (not shown). The turret 12 is located on the right side R of the right side member 10 and on the left side L of the left side member 10. The rear suspension carrier 13 supports the rear side B of the suspension arm (not shown). The front suspension carrier 14 supports the front side F of the suspension arm (not shown). The rear suspension carrier 13 and the front suspension carrier 14 are welded to a pair of side members 10, respectively.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the main frame 2 includes a rear suspension cross member (an example of a lower cross member) 13a, a bump stopper bracket 13b, and a front suspension cross member (an example of a lower cross member) 14a. The rear suspension cross member 13a extends to the lower part of a pair of side members 10. The rear suspension cross member 13a connects the pair of side members 10 near the rear suspension carrier 13, increasing the rigidity around the rear suspension cross member 13a. The bump stopper bracket 13b holds a bump stopper that restricts the swinging of the suspension arm to the upper U. The front suspension cross member 14a extends to the lower part of a pair of side members 10. The front suspension cross member 14a connects the pair of side members 10 near the front suspension carrier 14, increasing the rigidity around the front suspension cross member 14a. In addition, the main frame 2 may have other member members that connect the pair of side members 10. The main frame 2 is thus constructed in a grid-like manner by a pair of side members 10 and member members connecting the pair of side members 10.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the subframe 4 includes a first cross member 20, a second cross member 21, a third cross member 22, a connecting member 23, and an absorbent member 24. As shown in Figure 3, the subframe 4 is a structural member for suspending the power source 8 from the lower side D of the subframe 4 via a mounting bracket 8a.

[0017] The first cross member 20 is fixed to the upper surface 10a of the side member 10, at least in part, and connects the pair of side members 10 together. In this embodiment, the first cross member 20 has parts of both ends 20a that overlap the upper surface 10a of the side member 10. This allows the load of the power source 8 to be supported by the upper surface 10a of the side member 10.

[0018] The second cross member 21 is disposed in front of the first cross member 20 at the front side F and spaced apart from the first cross member 20. Similar to the first cross member 20, at least a part of the second cross member 21 is fixed to the upper surface 10a of the side member 10 and connects the pair of side members 10 to each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the first cross member 20, a part of both end portions 21a of the second cross member 21 covers the upper surface 10a of the side member 10.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the control device 9 is disposed above the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21 arranged in two rows in the front-rear direction and is supported by the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the third cross member 22 is disposed in front of the second cross member 21 at the front side F and spaced apart from the second cross member 21. Similar to the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21, at least a part of the third cross member 22 is fixed to the upper surface 10a of the side member 10 and connects the pair of side members 10 to each other. In the present embodiment, similar to the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21, a part of both end portions 22a of the third cross member 22 covers the upper surface 10a of the side member 10.

[0021] Each of the first cross member 20, the second cross member 21, and the third cross member 22 in the present embodiment is a structure obtained by processing a plate-shaped metal member into a hollow member having a rectangular cross section. However, the first cross member 20, the second cross member 21, and the third cross member 22 in the present embodiment may be formed by aluminum die casting or the like.

[0022] In the present embodiment, the first cross member 20, the second cross member 21, and the third cross member 22 are all fixed to the upper surface 10a of the side member 10 by bolts at their ends 20a, 21a, and 22a. In the present embodiment, for example, when an internal combustion engine is mounted as the power source 8 on the main frame 2, a frame different from the sub-frame 4 is used. On the other hand, when a motor is mounted as the power source 8, the sub-frame 4 is used. Thereby, the versatility of the main frame 2 is enhanced.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first cross member 20 is disposed at a position overlapping the rear suspension cross member 13a in the vertical direction. The second cross member 21 is disposed at a position overlapping the front suspension cross member 14a in the vertical direction. A turret 12 is disposed between the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting member 23 extends in the front-rear direction and connects the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21. In the present embodiment, two connecting members 23 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. At least a part of the power source 8 is disposed in a space located below the first cross member 20 and the second cross member 21.

[0025] The absorbing member 24 extends in the front-rear direction and connects the second cross member 21 and the third cross member 22. In the present embodiment, two absorbing members 24 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The absorbing member 24 is a member capable of absorbing the impact received by the third cross member 22. In the present embodiment, the absorbing member 24 is a crush tube.

[0026] With the vehicle body structure 1 configured as described above, the vehicle body rigidity is improved without changing the structure of the main frame 2 by fixing the first cross member 20, the second cross member 21, and the third cross member 22 to the main frame 2.

[0027] Furthermore, in the vehicle body structure 1 of this disclosure, when the frame vehicle C is hit from the front, the third cross member 22 receives the impact and the crash pipe absorbs the impact, thereby increasing the energy absorption capacity of the vehicle body structure 1. In particular, when the power source 8 is a motor, the weight of the battery 6 that supplies power to the motor increases. As a result, the load on the side member 10 when the frame vehicle C is hit also increases. In the vehicle body structure 1 of this disclosure, the load-bearing capacity of the vehicle body structure 1 is improved without changing the structure of the main frame 2 because the subframe 4 absorbs the impact.

[0028] Furthermore, in the vehicle body structure 1 of this disclosure, the space in which the power source 8 is mounted is surrounded by the first cross member 20, the second cross member 21, the turret 12, the rear suspension cross member 13a, and the front suspension cross member 14a. This increases the rigidity of the vehicle body around the space in which the power source 8 is mounted. As a result, this space is less likely to collapse when the frame vehicle C collides. In the vehicle body structure 1 of this disclosure, the power source 8 is suspended and positioned so that at least a part of the power source 8 is located in such a space. This makes it possible to suppress damage to the power source 8 when the frame vehicle C collides.

[0029] As explained above, this disclosure provides a vehicle body structure 1 suitable for frame vehicle C.

[0030] <Other Embodiments> Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various modifications described herein can be combined as needed.

[0031] (a) In the above embodiment, the power source 8 was described using a motor as an example, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The power source 8 may be, for example, a combination of a motor and an internal combustion engine, or a fuel cell stack, etc.

[0032] (b) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which two connecting members 23 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. There may be one or three or more connecting members 23.

[0033] (c) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which two absorbent members 24 are arranged with a gap between them in the left-right direction, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. There may be one or three or more absorbent members 24.

[0034] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments may be combined in any way without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0035] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-51240 filed on March 28, 2023, and its contents are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1: Vehicle body structure 2: Mainframe 4: Subframe 5: Body 8: Power source (motor) 9: In-vehicle equipment (control devices) 10: Side Member 10a:Top surface 11: Body Mount 12: Turret 13: Rear suspension carrier 13a: Rear suspension cross member (lower cross member) 14: Front suspension carrier 14a: Front suspension cross member (lower cross member) 20: First Crossmember 21: Second Crossmember 22: Third Crossmember 23: Connecting member 24: Absorbent material C: Frame car

Claims

1. The main frame that supports the vehicle body, A subframe fixed to the main frame and suspending the vehicle's power source, Equipped with, The main frame has a pair of side members, The aforementioned subframe is At least a portion of the cross member is fixed to the upper surface of the side member and connects the pair of side members together. A second cross member is positioned in front of the first cross member and spaced apart from it, and at least a portion of it is fixed to the upper surface of the side member, connecting a pair of the side members together. A connecting member that connects the first cross member and the second cross member, It has, A support member for supporting the vehicle's suspension is positioned between the first cross member and the second cross member. The subframe is positioned in front of the second cross member and spaced apart from it, with at least a portion of it fixed to the upper surface of the side member, and includes a third cross member that connects a pair of the side members together. An absorbing member connects the second cross member and the third cross member and absorbs the impact applied to the third cross member, Having, Vehicle body structure.

2. (delete)

3. At least a portion of the power source is arranged in the space located below the first cross member and the second cross member. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

4. The system further comprises a plurality of lower cross members connecting the lower parts of the pair of side members, The first cross member and the second cross member are positioned so as to overlap with the lower cross member when viewed in the vertical direction. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned power source is a motor, The motor is positioned between the first cross member and the second cross member. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1, 3, or 4.

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