Front structure for vehicle

Abstract

This front structure for a vehicle comprises: a pair of left and right side frames; an upper support positioned above the side frames and protecting a radiator; a pair of upper sides respectively fastened to left and right end parts of the upper support; and a pair of upper frames respectively fastened to rear end parts of the upper sides. A hood for opening and closing a storage space located on the front side of the vehicle cabin is provided, and a flank is provided arranged in the storage space and attached to the pair of side frames. The flank has formed on a bottom surface part thereof, a bottom surface-side bead for bending the bottom surface part in a downward convex state when an impact from the front is received.

Description

Vehicle front structure

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

[0002] Some vehicles, such as automobiles, have an engine or drive motor housed in a storage space located at the front of the passenger compartment, and a frunk that can store items is housed in the storage space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The frunk housed in the storage space is covered from above by a hood (bonnet).

[0003] In a vehicle in which the frunk is housed in a storage space as described above, the frunk is housed at the front of the passenger compartment, so in the unlikely event of a vehicle collision (head-on collision), if an impact is applied to the frunk from the front and the frunk is moved rearward, the safety of the passengers in the passenger compartment may not be ensured. Also, if an impact is applied from the frunk to the drive motor and auxiliary equipment, which are high-voltage components, there is a risk of secondary damage such as electric shock, which may compromise the safety of the passengers and rescuers.

[0004] Therefore, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, when a vehicle collision occurs, the flank is deformed by the impact and absorbs the impact, thereby suppressing the rearward movement of the flank.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-146741

[0006] However, the frunk housed in the storage space may contain various items, and if a large, heavy item such as a spare tire is stored therein, the stored item may hinder the deformation of the frunk during a collision. In this case, the impact may not be sufficiently absorbed, causing the frunk to move rearward, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and others. In addition, the frunk may prevent the deformation of the vehicle body frames at the front of the passenger compartment, preventing the impact from being sufficiently absorbed, making it impossible to ensure the safety of passengers and others.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve safety by sufficiently absorbing impact in the unlikely event of a vehicle collision, regardless of the items stored in the frunk.

[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, an upper support positioned above the side frames to protect a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames fastened to the rear ends of the upper sides, and is also provided with a hood that opens and closes a storage space positioned at the front of the passenger compartment, and a flank that is disposed in the storage space and attached to the pair of side frames, and a bottom bead is formed on the bottom portion of the flank to bend the bottom portion downward in a convex state when an impact is applied from the front.

[0009] As a result, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank due to a vehicle collision, the bottom bead causes the bottom portion to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the stored items are located in the flank, so that the flank is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the stored items, and the flank is less likely to hinder the deformation of each frame of the body at the front of the vehicle.

[0010] According to the present invention, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank due to a vehicle collision, the bottom bead causes the bottom portion to bend in the opposite direction to the side where the items stored in the flank are located, so that the flank is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the items stored, and the flank is less likely to hinder the deformation of the frames of the body at the front of the vehicle.In the unlikely event of a vehicle collision, the impact can be absorbed sufficiently regardless of the items stored in the flank, thereby improving safety.

[0011] 2 to 9 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 front structure of the vehicle. A plan view showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle. A side view showing a part of the front structure of the vehicle. A perspective view of a flank. A cross-sectional view of a flank. A side view conceptually showing a state in which the flank is deformed when an impact is applied from the front. A plan view conceptually showing a state in which the flank is deformed when an impact is applied from the front. A cross-sectional view showing a state in which items stored in the flank are guided to the rear portion and moved upward when an impact is applied from the front.

[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] Vehicle 100 is, for example, an electric vehicle that runs solely on electrical power, and includes a drive motor 110, an accelerator position sensor 120, a speed sensor 130, and a control unit 140. However, vehicle 100 may also be a hybrid vehicle that runs on at least one of fuel (gasoline) power and electrical power, or a vehicle that runs solely on fuel power.

[0015] The drive motor 110 is housed in a space in the front of the passenger compartment and is used as a power source for the vehicle 100. If the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle, two drive modes are set: a hybrid drive mode using both the engine and the drive motor 110 as power sources, and a motor drive mode using only the drive motor 110 as power sources, and the two drive modes can be switched depending on the driving conditions, etc. If the vehicle 100 is a vehicle that runs only on fuel power, the engine 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] In addition, if the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle or a vehicle that runs solely on fuel power, the control unit 140 is provided with an engine control unit that controls the engine, and if the vehicle 100 is a hybrid vehicle, in addition to the engine control unit, it is also provided with a mode switching unit that switches between a driving mode using the drive motor 110 and a driving mode using the engine.

[0021] 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.

[0022] <Front Structure of Vehicle, etc.> Next, the front structure of the vehicle, etc. will be described (see FIGS. 2 to 9).

[0023] The front structure 1 of the vehicle includes a side frame 2, a bumper beam 3, a strut tower 4, etc. (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] 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. The radiator is protected by the support members 5, the lower beam 6, and the upper support 7.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The hood lock 13 has a double locking mechanism and is connected to a release lever (not shown) provided in the vehicle compartment by a hood wire 13a. Therefore, when the release lever is operated, the hood lock 13 is operated via the hood 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 the gap below 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.

[0031] A flank 14 is accommodated in the accommodation space 11. The flank 14 is accommodated above the drive motor 110 and at a position near the front end of the accommodation space 11, and is composed of, for example, only an upwardly opening accommodation case 15 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). However, the flank 14 may be configured to have, in addition to the accommodation case 15, a lid (not shown) for opening and closing the opening of the accommodation case 15.

[0032] The flank 14 has a rectangular bottom surface portion 16 facing up and down, a pair of side surfaces 17 connected to both the left and right ends of the bottom surface portion 16, a front surface portion 18 connected to the front end of the bottom surface portion 16, and a rear surface portion 19 connected to the rear end of the bottom surface portion 16, with the rear surface portion 19 inclined downward toward the front. Therefore, the rear surface portion 19 is provided as an inclined portion that displaces upward as it goes rearward.

[0033] A bottom bead 16a is formed in the middle in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom portion 16. The bottom bead 16a is formed in the shape of a V-groove that protrudes downward and opens upward, extends in the left-right direction, and is located between both left and right ends of the bottom portion 16.

[0034] In the unlikely event that the vehicle 100 collides (head-on collision), the collision will impart a frontal impact to the flank 14, but the bottom surface bead 16a will cause the bottom surface portion 16 to bend and deform in a downwardly convex state.

[0035] A side bead 17a is formed in the middle of the side portion 17 in the front-to-rear direction. The side bead 17a is formed in the shape of a V-groove that protrudes outward in the left-to-right direction and opens inward in the left-to-right direction, extends vertically, and is located between the upper and lower ends of the side portion 17. The front-to-rear position of the side bead 17a on the side portion 17 coincides with the front-to-rear position of the bottom bead 16a on the bottom portion 16. Therefore, the lower ends of the pair of side beads 17a are continuous with the left and right ends of the bottom bead 16a, respectively.

[0036] In the unlikely event that the vehicle 100 collides (head-on collision), the collision will cause an impact from the front to the flank 14, but the side bead 17a will cause the side portion 17 to bend and deform in a convex shape outward in the left-right direction.

[0037] The bottom surface 16 of the flank 14 is attached to the pair of side frames 2 by bolts or the like. When the flank 14 is attached to the side frames 2, the position P in the front-to-rear direction of the bottom surface bead 16a and the side surface bead 17a is aligned in the front-to-rear direction with the position T of the fastening point between the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9 (see Figures 3 and 4). Therefore, the position T of the fastening point is located directly to the side of the position P.

[0038] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 1, the positions P of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a in the longitudinal direction are aligned with the attachment points S of the flanks 14 to the side frames 2.

[0039] In the event of a collision (head-on collision) in the vehicle 100 configured as described above, an impact is applied from the front to the flank 14, and the flank 14 is deformed by the applied impact (see Figures 7 and 8). In Figures 7 and 8, the flank 14 before deformation is shown by a two-dot chain line, and the flank 14 after deformation is shown by a solid line.

[0040] At this time, the bottom bead 16a facilitates deformation of the bottom portion 16 into a downward convex shape, and the side bead 17a facilitates deformation of the side portion 17 into a convex shape outward in the left-right direction. Therefore, even when an item 50 is stored inside the flank 14, the item 50 does not hinder the deformation of the bottom portion 16 and the side portion 17, and as the front portion 18 is crushed and deformed by the impact, the bottom bead 16a causes the bottom portion 16 to bend and deform in a downward convex shape, and the side bead 17a causes the side portion 17 to bend and deform in a convex shape outward in the left-right direction.

[0041] In this way, when a collision of the vehicle 100 occurs, the flank 14 is reliably deformed regardless of the presence or absence of a stored item 50 relative to the flank 14 or the size and weight of the stored item 50, so a sufficient deformation stroke is ensured in the flank 14, and the rear surface 19 of the flank 14 is unlikely to move rearward. Therefore, the flank 14 is unlikely to move in a direction approaching the passenger compartment. Furthermore, because the flank 14 is deformed with a sufficient stroke, a sufficient deformation stroke is ensured in each frame located on the front side of the passenger compartment, such as the side frame 2 and upper support 7, so that each frame can deform without being hindered by the flank 14.

[0042] As mentioned above, the flank 14 is accommodated above the drive motor 110 in a position near the front end of the accommodation space 11, and even if the flank 14 is moved rearward, the accommodation position of the flank 14 is located forward away from the passenger compartment, so the impact of the flank 14 on the passenger compartment is minimized.

[0043] In addition, when a collision occurs with the vehicle 100, the bumper beam 3, the lower beam 6, as well as the upper support 7, etc. are crushed in the vehicle body, and the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9 are bent based on the position T of the fastening point between the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9.

[0044] At this time, in the vehicle front structure 1, the position P in the longitudinal direction of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a coincides with the position T of the fastening point between the upper side 8 and the upper frame 9.

[0045] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the portion of the vehicle body that is bent coincides with the portion of the flank 14 that is bent, so that the flank 14 is deformed in synchronization with the deformation of the vehicle body when the vehicle 100 collides, and the behavior during impact absorption is stable, allowing the impact to be absorbed sufficiently.

[0046] Furthermore, when a collision occurs with the vehicle 100, the side frame 2 may be crushed by the vehicle body, and a force may be applied to the side frame 2 in a direction that causes it to bend.

[0047] At this time, in the vehicle front structure 1, the position P in the longitudinal direction of the bottom bead 16a and the side bead 17a is aligned with the attachment point S of the flank 14 to the side frame 2.

[0048] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the side frame 2 and the flank 14 are deformed synchronously at the same position, so that the behavior during impact absorption is stable and the impact can be absorbed more sufficiently.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, the rear surface portion 19 of the flank 14 is inclined downward toward the front, and the rear surface portion 19 is provided as an inclined portion that displaces upward as it goes rearward.

[0050] Therefore, when a collision of the vehicle 100 causes a frontal impact to the flank 14, the front portion 18 of the flank 14 pushes the stored item 50 rearward, and the stored item 50 is guided by the inclined rear portion 19 and moves upward (see Figure 9).

[0051] Therefore, the flank 14 is less likely to move rearward, further improving the safety of passengers.

[0052] <Summary> As described above, the front structure 1 of the vehicle 100 is provided with a flank 14 that is disposed in the storage space 11 and attached to a pair of side frames 2, and a bottom bead 16a is formed on the bottom portion 16 of the flank 14 to bend the bottom portion 16 downward into a convex state when an impact is applied from the front.

[0053] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the bottom side bead 16a causes the bottom portion 16 to bend in the opposite direction to the side on which the stored items 50 stored in the flank 14 are located, so that the flank 14 is deformed with a sufficient stroke regardless of the size or weight of the stored items 50, and the flank 14 is less likely to hinder the deformation of the frames of the body at the front of the vehicle.In the unlikely event of a collision of the vehicle 100, sufficient impact can be absorbed regardless of the stored items 50 stored in the flank 14, thereby improving safety.

[0054] In addition, side beads 17a are formed on both the left and right side portions 17 of the flank 14 to bend the side portions 17 outward in the left-right direction in a convex state when an impact is applied from the front.

[0055] Therefore, when a frontal impact is applied to the flank 14 due to a collision of the vehicle 100, the side beads 17a cause the side portions 17 on both the left and right sides of the flank 14 to bend outward in the left-right direction in a convex manner, so that the impact is absorbed by the flank 14 regardless of the shape, size or weight of the stored items 50 stored in the flank 14, making it difficult for the flank 14 and the stored items 50 to move rearward, thereby further improving safety for occupants.

[0056] Furthermore, since the flank 14 is housed above the drive motor 110, in the unlikely event of a collision of the vehicle 100, the drive motor 110 will not be subjected to impact from the flank 14, thereby suppressing secondary damage such as electric shock, and further improving the safety of the vehicle 100.

[0057] Furthermore, the flank 14 is accommodated above the drive motor 110 and at a position closer to the front end of the accommodation space 11 .

[0058] Therefore, when the hood 12 is open, the flank 14 is located close to the worker, which improves workability and speeds up the process of putting stored items 50 in and out of the flank 14.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Front structure of vehicle 11 Storage space 12 Hood 14 Flank 16 Bottom portion 16a Bottom bead 17 Side portion 17a Side bead

Claims

1. A front structure of a vehicle comprising a pair of left and right side frames, an upper support positioned above the side frames for protecting a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames respectively fastened to rear end portions of the upper sides, a hood for opening and closing an accommodation space positioned at a front side of a passenger compartment, and a front bumper disposed in the accommodation space and attached to the pair of side frames, wherein a bottom side bead for bending a bottom surface portion of the front bumper downward in a convex state when an impact from the front is applied is formed on the bottom surface portion of the front bumper, side surface side beads for bending side surface portions on both left and right sides of the front bumper outward in the left - right direction in a convex state when an impact from the front is applied are formed on the side surface portions of the front bumper, and positions of the bottom side bead and the side surface side beads in the front - rear direction are aligned with positions of fastening points of the upper side and the upper frame, a front structure of a vehicle.

2. A front structure of a vehicle comprising a pair of left and right side frames, an upper support positioned above the side frames for protecting a radiator, a pair of upper sides fastened to both left and right ends of the upper support, and a pair of upper frames respectively fastened to rear end portions of the upper sides, a hood for opening and closing an accommodation space positioned at a front side of a passenger compartment, and a front bumper disposed in the accommodation space and attached to the pair of side frames, wherein a bottom side bead for bending a bottom surface portion of the front bumper downward in a convex state when an impact from the front is applied is formed on the bottom surface portion of the front bumper, side surface side beads for bending side surface portions on both left and right sides of the front bumper outward in the left - right direction in a convex state when an impact from the front is applied are formed on the side surface portions of the front bumper, and positions of the bottom side bead and the side surface side beads in the front - rear direction are aligned with attachment points of the front bumper to the side frames, a front structure of a vehicle.

3. The rear surface portion of the front bumper is inclined downward and forward, The front structure of a vehicle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.