Front structure of vehicle

Abstract

This front structure of a vehicle is provided with a pair of right and left side frames, a pair of right and left strut towers that are continuous on the side parts on the outer side of the side frames in the vehicle width direction, and a hood for opening and closing a storage space where at least a drive motor is disposed. The front structure of the vehicle is provided with a moving mechanism attached to at least the pair of side frames and a frunk attached to the moving mechanism and positioned above the drive motor. The frunk is made movable at least in the front and rear direction by the operation of the moving mechanism and is made movable forward in a state in which the hood is opened.

Description

Vehicle front structure

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a front structure of a vehicle in which a flank can be accommodated in an accommodation space located at the front of the passenger compartment.

[0002] Some vehicles, such as automobiles, are electrically powered vehicles (electric vehicles) that are driven by the power output from a drive motor instead of an engine, housed in a storage space located at the front of the passenger compartment. Since it is desirable for the drive motor to be located close to the wheels (front wheels), it is housed at the bottom, farthest back of the storage space.

[0003] Some of these electric vehicles are provided with a frunk that can store items in the storage space that houses the drive motor (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0004] Patent No. 5992974 JP 2021-146741 A

[0005] However, in a vehicle in which the frunk is stored in a storage space located at the front of the passenger compartment as described above, if the frunk is stored at the front of the vehicle to make it easier to take items in and out, in the event of a vehicle collision (head-on collision), if the frunk were to deliver an impact to the drive motor and auxiliary equipment, which are high-voltage components, there is a risk of secondary damage such as electric shock, which could endanger the safety of passengers and rescuers.

[0006] On the other hand, if the frank is stored above the drive motor for safety reasons, the frank will be positioned at the back of the storage space, which will mean that the frank will be located far away from the user, which may make it less convenient to put items in and take them out of the frank.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of putting items into and taking items out of the frunk while ensuring safety in the vehicle.

[0008] The front structure of a vehicle according to the present invention is a front structure of a vehicle comprising a pair of left and right side frames, a pair of left and right strut towers each connected to the outer side portions of the side frames in the vehicle width direction, and a hood that opens and closes a storage space in which at least a drive motor is located, and is provided with a moving mechanism attached to at least the pair of side frames, and a flank attached to the moving mechanism and positioned above the drive motor, such that the flank can be moved at least in the fore-and-aft direction by the operation of the moving mechanism and can be moved forward when the hood is open.

[0009] This allows the flank located above the drive motor to move forward when the hood is open.

[0010] According to the present invention, the frunk located above the drive motor can be moved forward when the hood is open, so that in the unlikely event of a vehicle collision, the drive motor will not be subjected to impact from the frunk and the frunk can be moved forward to allow items to be placed in or removed from the storage area, thereby ensuring safety in the vehicle while improving convenience in placing items in and removing items from the frunk.

[0011] 2 to 8 show an embodiment of the vehicle front structure of the present invention, and this figure is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle. A perspective view showing a part of the vehicle front structure. A plan view showing a part of the vehicle front structure. A front view conceptually showing a part of the vehicle front structure. A side view showing a part of the vehicle front structure. A side view showing a part of the vehicle front structure with the flank moved to a working position. A side view showing a part of the vehicle front structure in an example in which a different movement mechanism is used. A side view showing a part of the vehicle front structure with the flank moved to a working position in an example in which a different movement mechanism is used.

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] <General Configuration of Vehicle> First, the general configuration of the vehicle will be described (see FIG. 1).

[0014] The vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle that runs solely on electrical power, and includes a drive motor 110 , an accelerator opening sensor 120 , a speed sensor 130 , and a control unit 140 .

[0015] The drive motor 110 is housed in the front space of the vehicle compartment and is used as a power source for the vehicle 100 .

[0016] The accelerator position sensor 120 detects the accelerator position, which corresponds to the driving force required by the driver to drive the vehicle 100, i.e., the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal by the driver. The accelerator position detected by the accelerator position sensor 120 is output to the control unit 140 as a detection signal.

[0017] The speed sensor 130 detects the speed of the vehicle 100. The speed of the vehicle 100 detected by the speed sensor 130 is output to the control unit 140 as a detection signal.

[0018] The control unit 140 has the function of comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit in the vehicle 100 and performing various arithmetic processing. The control unit 140 has a microprocessor 141 that performs calculations, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 142 that stores programs and the like for causing the microprocessor 141 to execute each process, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 143 that stores various data such as calculation results, an interface for inputting or outputting data, and the like.

[0019] The control unit 140 includes a motor control unit 144 that controls the drive motor 110. The motor control unit 144 has a function of controlling, for example, the drive operation of the drive motor 110 to drive the wheels of the vehicle 100, the regenerative operation of the drive motor 110, and the like.

[0020] The vehicle 100 accommodates a battery 150 in a trunk or the like. The battery 150 has a battery module that stores power used in the vehicle 100, such as power used by the drive motor 110, as well as power used by the control unit 140, various parts of the vehicle 100 that operate using power, and various lights provided in the vehicle 100. The battery module uses, for example, secondary batteries such as nickel-metal hydride batteries or lithium-ion batteries. The battery 150 stores, in addition to power obtained by charging from an external source of the vehicle 100 (charging power), regenerated power supplied from the drive motor 110, for example.

[0021] <Front Structure of Vehicle, etc.> Next, the front structure of the vehicle, etc. will be described (see FIGS. 2 to 6).

[0022] The front structure 1 of the vehicle includes a side frame 2, a bumper beam 3, a strut tower 4, etc. (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0023] A pair of side frames 2 are provided, spaced apart on the left and right, and are formed to extend front to back. A bumper beam 3 is fastened to the front end of the side frame 2 and is also formed to extend left to right. A strut tower 4 is fastened to the outer side portion at the rear end of the side frame 2 and is formed to protrude upward from the side frame 2. The strut tower 4 is a high-strength part and, together with the side frame 2, functions to protect the passenger compartment in the event of a collision.

[0024] A plurality of support members 5 extending vertically are provided spaced apart on the left and right sides behind the bumper beam 3. A lower beam 6 extending horizontally is fastened to the lower ends of the plurality of support members 5, and an upper support 7 extending horizontally is fastened to the upper ends of the plurality of support members 5. The lower beam 6 may be fastened at both left and right ends to the front portions of the side frames 2, or may be fastened to the front portions of the side frames 2 via other members.

[0025] Upper sides 8 are fastened to the left and right ends of the upper support 7, respectively, and the upper sides 8 are inclined so as to be displaced rearward as they move outward in the left-right direction. An upper frame 9 extending in the front-to-rear direction is fastened to the rear end of the upper sides 8. A connecting frame 10 extending in the front-to-rear direction is fastened to the rear end of the upper frame 9, and the upper end of the strut tower 4 is fastened to the inner side of the connecting frame 10.

[0026] The vehicle front structure 1 has an accommodation space 11 surrounded by the above-mentioned side frames 2 and other components. The accommodation space 11 is a space below a hood (bonnet) 12, and a drive motor 110 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11 at a position below the side frames 2. The drive motor 110 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11 at a position closer to the rear.

[0027] A radiator (not shown) that functions as a heat exchanger is disposed at the front end of the accommodation space 11. The radiator is disposed between the lower beam 6 and the upper support 7 and is held in place by a plurality of support members 5.

[0028] A hood lock 13 is attached to the upper support 7. The hood lock 13 has the function of locking the hood 12 in a closed state by engaging with a locking engagement portion (not shown) provided on the hood 12.

[0029] The hood lock 13 has a double locking mechanism and is connected by a wire 13a to a release lever (not shown) provided in the vehicle compartment. Therefore, when the release lever is operated, the hood lock 13 is operated via the wire 13a, and the first lock state of the hood 12 by the hood lock 13 is released. Furthermore, when the first lock state is released, by inserting a finger into a gap present under the hood 12 and operating the hood lock 13, the second lock state of the hood 12 by the hood lock 13 is released, and the hood 12 can be lifted and opened.

[0030] The storage space 11 is capable of storing a flank 15 attached to the moving mechanism 14. The flank 15 may be, for example, composed of only a storage case that opens upward, or may be configured to have a lid that opens and closes the opening of the storage case in addition to the storage case.

[0031] The moving mechanism 14 is attached across the pair of side frames 2 and the pair of strut towers 4. Therefore, the flank 15 can be accommodated above the drive motor 110 at the rear side of the accommodation space 11.

[0032] The moving mechanism 14 is provided as, for example, a link mechanism, and has a pair of left and right flank mounting portions 16, a pair of left and right mounted portions 17, and a plurality of arm portions 18 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0033] The flank mounting portion 16 is formed in a shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction and is composed of a receiving surface portion 16a facing up and down and a pressing surface portion 16b that protrudes upward from the outer end portion in the left-to-right direction of the receiving surface portion 16a. In the flank mounting portion 16, both left and right ends of the bottom surface of the flank 15 are attached to the receiving surface portion 16a, and the lower ends of both left and right sides of the flank 15 are attached to the pressing surface portion 16b.

[0034] The mounting portion 17 is formed in a shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction and is composed of a first connecting portion 17a facing up and down and a second connecting portion 17b that protrudes upward from the outer end of the first connecting portion 17a in the left-to-right direction. The first connecting portion 17a of the mounting portion 17 is connected to the upper surface of the side frame 2, and the second connecting portion 17b is connected to the lower end of the strut tower 4.

[0035] Two arm portions 18 are connected to the front and rear of the flank mounting portion 16 and the mounted portion 17. Therefore, the movement mechanism 14 is provided as a parallel link by one flank mounting portion 16, one mounted portion 17, and two arm portions 18, and is configured to have a pair of parallel links positioned on the left and right. The upper end of the arm portion 18 is rotatably connected to the flank mounting portion 16, and the lower end is rotatably connected to the mounted portion 17.

[0036] The flank 15 has a handle 15a at its front end, and is movable in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions in a horizontal state by the operation of the movement mechanism 14. The flank 15 is movable between a rearmost storage position (see FIG. 5) and a frontmost working position (see FIG. 6) by the operation of the movement mechanism 14. The working position is above the storage position, and the flank mounting portion 16 is located above the mounted portion 17 in either position.

[0037] When the flank 15 is moved to the working position, which is the front end of the moving range, the entire flank 15 is positioned forward of the strut tower 4.

[0038] The moving mechanism 14 is provided with a rotation restricting section (not shown), which restricts excessive rotation of the arm section 18 when the arm section 18 is rotated relative to the flank mounting section 16 and the mounted section 17, so that the flank mounting section 16 is always positioned above the mounted section 17 within the rotation range. Therefore, the flank 15 is held in the working position or the storage position by restricting the rotation of the arm section 18 by the rotation restricting section.

[0039] In the vehicle 100, when the hood 12 is open, an operator (passenger) grasps the handle 15a of the flank 15 in the storage position and pulls it forward, which activates the moving mechanism 14 and moves the flank 15 diagonally upward and forward in a horizontal state to the working position. In the working position, the flank 15 is positioned close to the upper body of the operator, so the operator can easily put items in and take items out of the flank 15 without bending over.

[0040] Conversely, when the hood 12 is open, the flank 15 in the working position is pushed rearward, which operates the moving mechanism 14 and moves the flank 15 diagonally downward and rearward in a horizontal state to the storage position. When the flank 15 has been moved to the storage position, the hood 12 is closed, whereby the flank 15 is stored in the storage space 11.

[0041] Although the above example shows the working position being above and in front of the storage position, in the vehicle front structure 1, the working position only needs to be at least in front of the storage position, and for example, the working position and the storage position may be at the same height.

[0042] As described above, a link mechanism is used as the moving mechanism 14, and the moving mechanism 14 is provided with a flank mounting portion 16 attached to the flank 15, an attached portion 17 attached to at least the side frame 2, and a plurality of arm portions 18 that can rotate relative to the flank mounting portion 16 and the attached portion 17.

[0043] Therefore, the arm portion 18 is rotated relative to the flank mounting portion 16 and the mounted portion 17, thereby moving the flank 15 up and down and forward and backward, so that the flank 15 can be moved with a simple structure and the strength of the moving mechanism 14 is high, ensuring a stable storage state of the stored items relative to the flank 15.

[0044] Furthermore, since the mounting portion 17 is attached across a pair of side frames 2 and a pair of strut towers 4, by attaching part of the moving mechanism 14 to a pair of strut towers 4, an effect similar to that of a strut tower bar being attached between the strut towers 4 is achieved, and distortion of the vehicle body is suppressed by the flank 15 and the moving mechanism 14, thereby improving the strength of the vehicle body and improving driving safety.

[0045] Furthermore, since the mounting portion 17 is attached across a pair of side frames 2 and a pair of strut towers 4, the mounting strength of the moving mechanism 14 is increased by attaching the mounting portion 17 to both the side frames 2 and the strut towers 4, and a stable storage state of items stored in the flanks 15 attached to the moving mechanism 14 can be ensured.

[0046] <Another Example of Movement Mechanism> In the vehicle front structure 1, a movement mechanism 14A shown below may be used instead of the movement mechanism 14 described above (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

[0047] The moving mechanism 14A is extendable and retractable, and is made up of a pair of structures provided on the left and right, each structure comprising a mounting shaft 19, an intermediate cylinder 20, and a mounted cylinder 21. The mounting shaft 19, the intermediate cylinder 20, and the mounted cylinder 21 are tilted relative to the horizontal direction so that their front ends are positioned higher than their rear ends.

[0048] The front end of the mounting shaft 19 is attached to, for example, the side or bottom surface of the flank 15 .

[0049] The intermediate cylinder 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is open on one side in the longitudinal direction. The outer diameter of the intermediate cylinder 20 is larger than the outer diameter of the mounting shaft 19, so that the mounting shaft 19 can be inserted into the intermediate cylinder 20. Therefore, the mounting shaft 19 can move axially relative to the intermediate cylinder 20.

[0050] The rear end of the mounting tube 21 is attached to, for example, the side frame 2. However, the mounting tube 21 may be attached across the side frame 2 and the strut tower 4.

[0051] By attaching the mounting tube 21 to a pair of side frames 2 and a pair of strut towers 4 in this way, part of the moving mechanism 14A is attached to a pair of strut towers 4, creating an effect similar to that of a strut tower bar being attached between the strut towers 4, with distortion of the vehicle body being suppressed by the flanks 15 and the moving mechanism 14A, thereby improving the strength of the vehicle body.

[0052] Furthermore, since the mounting tube 21 is attached across a pair of side frames 2 and a pair of strut towers 4, the mounting strength of the moving mechanism 14A is increased by attaching the mounting tube 21 to both the side frames 2 and the strut towers 4, and a stable storage state of the items stored in the flanks 15 attached to the moving mechanism 14A can be ensured.

[0053] In the above example, the mounting shaft 19 is attached to the side or bottom surface of the flank 15 and the mounted cylinder 21 is attached to the side frame 2, but for example, the moving mechanism 14A may also be provided with a flank mounting portion 16 and a mounted portion 17, similar to the moving mechanism 14, and the front end of the mounting shaft 19 may be attached to the flank mounting portion 16 and the rear end of the mounted cylinder 21 may be attached to the mounted portion 17.

[0054] The mounting cylinder 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an opening on one side in the longitudinal direction. The outer diameter of the mounting cylinder 21 is larger than the outer diameter of the intermediate cylinder 20, so that the intermediate cylinder 20 can be inserted into the mounting cylinder 21. Therefore, the intermediate cylinder 20 can move axially relative to the mounting cylinder 21.

[0055] As described above, the moving mechanism 14A allows the mounting shaft 19 to move axially relative to the intermediate tube 20 and the intermediate tube 20 to move axially relative to the mounted tube 21, so that the overall length changes and expands depending on the position of the mounting shaft 19 relative to the intermediate tube 20 and the position of the intermediate tube 20 relative to the mounted tube 21.

[0056] While the above example shows the moving mechanism 14A being composed of three members, the mounting shaft 19, the intermediate tube 20, and the mounted tube 21, the moving mechanism 14A may be made extendable and retractable by two members or by four or more members. For example, the moving mechanism 14A may be composed of two members, with no intermediate tube 20, and with the mounting shaft 19 being movable relative to the mounted tube 21, or may be composed of four or more members, with multiple intermediate tubes 20 provided between the mounting shaft 19 and the mounted tube 21, and with the intermediate tubes 20 being movable relative to the other intermediate tubes 20.

[0057] The flank 15 can be moved between a storage position (see FIG. 7) at the rearmost position and a working position (see FIG. 8) at the frontmost position by the extension and retraction of the moving mechanism 14A. The working position is located above the storage position.

[0058] In the vehicle 100, when the hood 12 is open, an operator (passenger) grasps the handle 15a of the flank 15 in the storage position and pulls it forward, which extends the moving mechanism 14A and moves the flank 15 diagonally upward and forward in a horizontal state to the working position. In the working position, the flank 15 is positioned close to the upper body of the operator, so the operator can easily put items in and take items out of the flank 15 without bending over.

[0059] Conversely, when the hood 12 is open, the flank 15 in the working position is pushed rearward, and the moving mechanism 14A is shortened, so that the flank 15 is moved diagonally downward and rearward in a horizontal state to the storage position. When the flank 15 has been moved to the storage position, the hood 12 is closed, so that the flank 15 is stored in the storage space 11.

[0060] Although the above example shows the moving mechanism 14A being inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, the moving mechanism 14A may be arranged so as to extend horizontally. In this case, the working position and the storage position are at the same height, and the flank 15 is pulled forward from the storage position and moved to the working position.

[0061] <Summary> As described above, the vehicle front structure 1 comprises moving mechanisms 14, 14A attached to at least one pair of side frames 2, and a flank 15 attached to the moving mechanisms 14, 14A and positioned above the drive motor 110, and the flank 15 is movable at least in the fore-and-aft direction by the operation of the moving mechanisms 14, 14A, and is movable forward when the hood 12 is open.

[0062] Therefore, when the hood 12 is open, the flank 15 positioned above the drive motor 110 can be moved forward, so that in the unlikely event of a collision of the vehicle 100, the drive motor 110 will not be subjected to any impact from the flank 15, and the flank 15 can be moved forward to allow stored items to be taken in and out. This ensures safety in the vehicle 100 while improving convenience in taking stored items in and out of the flank 15.

[0063] In addition, when the hood 12 is in an open state, the flank 15 is movable upward.

[0064] Therefore, since the flank 15 can be moved obliquely upwards and forwards when the hood 12 is open, it is possible to easily put items in and take them out of the flank 15 without bending over, thereby improving usability.

[0065] Furthermore, when the flank 15 is moved to the working position, which is the front end of the moving range, the flank 15 is positioned forward of the strut tower 4.

[0066] Therefore, when the flank 15 is moved with the hood 12 open, the entire flank 15 is positioned forward of the strut tower 4, so that the flank 15 is positioned sufficiently close to the worker, and items can be easily put in and taken out of the flank 15 in a natural posture.

[0067] 110 Drive motor 1 Front structure of vehicle 2 Side frame 4 Strut tower 11 Storage space 12 Hood 14 Moving mechanism 15 Flank 16 Flank mounting portion 17 Mounted portion 18 Arm portion 14A Moving mechanism

Claims

1. A front structure of a vehicle, comprising a pair of left and right side frames, a pair of left and right strut towers respectively continuous with the outer side portions of the side frames in the vehicle width direction, and a hood for opening and closing a housing space in which at least a drive motor is disposed, at least a moving mechanism attached to the pair of side frames, and a flange attached to the moving mechanism and positioned above the drive motor, wherein the flange is movable at least in the front - rear direction by the operation of the moving mechanism and is movable forward in a state where the hood is opened, the flange is movable upward in a state where the hood is opened, the upper end portion of the moving mechanism is attached to the lower end portion of the flange front structure of a vehicle.

2. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the flange is movable upward in a state where the hood is opened. front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. A link mechanism is used as the moving mechanism, the moving mechanism is provided with a flange attachment portion to which the flange is attached, at least an attachment portion attached to the side frame, and a plurality of arm portions rotatable with respect to the flange attachment portion and the attachment portion front structure of a vehicle according to claim 2.

4. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the attachment portion is attached across the pair of side frames and the pair of strut towers. front structure of a vehicle according to claim 3.

5. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the flange is positioned in front of the pair of strut towers in a state where it is moved to the front end within the moving range. front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3 or claim 4.