Vehicle body structure

Abstract

DEPCT6818 / 10 / 2567 The vehicle body structure includes 11 side beams that extend in the front-rear direction. The vehicle and tow hook 20, including mounting parts 21, and side beam clamps 11 from both sides. The width direction of the vehicle and the upper end 411,511 are fixed to the side beam 11. The front part of the side beam 11 in the front-rear direction and the hook section 22 are arranged at the section. Install section 21 on the lower side from side beam 11, where section 21 has an outer ridge formed in that section. It is positioned on the outside in the width direction of the vehicle relative to the side beam 11 and extends along it. The top-bottom and inner ridge directions 55 are prepared in the section located on the inside. The width direction of the vehicle relative to the side beam 11 and extends in the up-down direction. And the outer ridge and the inner ridge 55 are positioned offset from each other in the direction Front and rear of the vehicle;

Description

Body structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure, and more particularly to a vehicle body structure provided with a towing hook fixed to a side member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0002] It is known in the art to attach a towing hook to a side member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle in order to connect the vehicle to another vehicle with a rope for towing, or to secure the vehicle when transporting it on a ship, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle body structure in which a lashing hook bracket extending downward from a rear side member is fixed to the rear portion of the rear side member.

[0003] JP 2010-120524 A

[0004] In the event of a collision in which a force is applied to the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, a structure is sometimes adopted that absorbs the energy of the collision by generating deformation as close to the end of the vehicle as possible to prevent deformation from reaching the interior of the vehicle. However, when the towing hook is fixed to a side member that is a vehicle frame, as in the vehicle body structure described in Patent Document 1, the rigidity of the towing hook makes it difficult for the end of the side member to deform, and there is a possibility that the amount of energy absorbed during a collision will be less than desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and its purpose is to ensure that, in a vehicle body structure equipped with a towing hook fixed to a side member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the vicinity of the end of the side member is easily deformed in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle body structure of the present invention comprises a side member extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a towing hook including an attachment portion at at least one of the front and rear portions of the side member that sandwiches the side member from both sides in the vehicle width direction and has an upper end portion fixed to the side member, and a hook portion provided on the attachment portion below the side member, wherein the attachment portion has an outer bead formed in a portion located outboard of the side member in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vertical direction, and an inner bead formed in a portion located inboard of the side member in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vertical direction, and the outer bead and inner bead are formed in positions offset in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0007] With this configuration, in the event of a longitudinal collision, the outer bead and inner bead collapse sequentially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, allowing the towing hook to collapse evenly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thereby preventing the towing hook from interfering with deformation of the end portion of the side member.

[0008] Preferably, the upper ends of the outer bead and the inner bead are open ends that open in the vertical direction.

[0009] This configuration allows the towing hook to be easily crushed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle starting from the bead in the event of a longitudinal collision, thereby preventing the towing hook from interfering with deformation of the end portion of the side member.

[0010] Preferably, the outer beads are formed at both ends of the attachment portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the inner bead is formed at the center of the attachment portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0011] With this configuration, in the event of a longitudinal collision, the outer bead collapses first, then the inner bead, then the outer bead, allowing the towing hook to collapse evenly in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Also, because the inner bead is formed in the center of the attachment part in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, when the towing hook is used to secure the vehicle during towing or transportation, stress is minimized to the extent possible in the inner bead, thereby ensuring the durability of the towing hook.

[0012] The vehicle body structure further includes a cab mount bracket that sandwiches the outer bead from both sides in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is fixed to the outer bead.

[0013] This configuration makes it easier for the outer bead to be crushed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle during a vehicle collision. Also, by connecting the cab mount bracket to the outer bead, which has high rigidity in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), the rigidity of the cab mount bracket can be increased. Furthermore, by ensuring a sufficient fixing area, even if a strong force is applied to the fore-and-aft end of the towing hook when using it to secure the vehicle during towing or transportation, the force can be dispersed and borne, improving the durability of the towing hook.

[0014] The mounting portion preferably has an outer bracket on which an outer bead is formed and an inner bracket on which an inner bead is formed.

[0015] With this configuration, the outer bead can be easily formed on the outer bracket, and the inner bead can be easily formed on the inner bracket.

[0016] Preferably, the outer bracket has flange portions that protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from both ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and that sandwich the inner bracket.

[0017] With this configuration, the flange portion protruding in the vehicle width direction increases the strength of the outer bracket while preventing the outer bracket from deforming in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. In addition, by clamping the inner bracket with the flange portion, the inner bracket can be easily positioned and stably supported.

[0018] Preferably, the inner bracket has a protruding portion above the flange portion that protrudes beyond the flange portion in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is fixed at its upper end to the side member.

[0019] This configuration increases the fixing area between the inner bracket and the side member, thereby increasing the connection rigidity of the inner bracket. Note that, because the inner bracket has an inner bead formed, the inner bracket can be made easily crushable even if a protrusion is provided.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferable that the inner bead is formed in the center of the inner bracket in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, and that the inner bracket has a hole formed in the same position as the inner bead in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, for inserting a jig for positioning the inner bracket.

[0021] With this configuration, the hole is formed in the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, just like the inner bead, so that in the event of a non-collision, stress is minimized around the hole, thereby ensuring the durability of the towing hook.

[0022] Preferably, the side member has a recess formed at the same position as the inner bead in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0023] With this configuration, the side member and the towing hook are likely to be crushed at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which further ensures that the side member can be easily deformed near its end.

[0024] The towing hook is preferably fixed to a front portion of the side member in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0025] This configuration ensures that the side members are easily deformed near their ends when a collision occurs at the front of the vehicle, making it difficult for the deformation to reach the front of the passenger compartment, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers sitting in the front seats in particular.

[0026] In the vehicle body structure of the present invention, when a vehicle longitudinal collision occurs, the outer bead and the inner bead collapse sequentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, allowing the towing hook to collapse evenly in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, it is possible to prevent the towing hook from hindering deformation of the vicinity of the end of the side member. Therefore, according to the present invention, in a vehicle body structure including a towing hook fixed to a side member extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, it is possible to ensure ease of deformation of the vicinity of the end of the side member in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0027] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the towing hook of a side member as viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the towing hook of a side member as viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the towing hook of a side member as viewed from below; FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the vicinity of the towing hook of a side member as viewed from above; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the towing hook as viewed from the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction; and FIG.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] (Vehicle body structure) Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle body structure according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 shows the vicinity of a vehicle front portion of the vehicle body structure 1. Fig. 1 is also a view of the vehicle body structure 1 as viewed obliquely from below and from the outside in the vehicle width direction. In Fig. 1, the left-right direction is the vehicle fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, with the left side being the front side of the vehicle and the right side being the rear side of the vehicle. In Fig. 1, the direction perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is the vehicle width direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and the vehicle width direction is the up-down direction (vertical direction: see Figs. 2, 3, 6, and 7).

[0030] 1 is applied to a vehicle (not shown), such as a pickup truck. As shown in the figure, the vehicle body structure 1 includes a body frame 10 including a side member 11, and a towing hook 20 and a cab mount bracket 30 attached to the side member 11.

[0031] (Vehicle body frame) The vehicle body frame 10 is the skeleton of the vehicle that supports vehicle components such as a suspension and a cabin (driver's compartment, passenger compartment) not shown, and has a pair of side members 11, a front bumper beam 12, and multiple cross members 13.

[0032] The pair of side members 11 are frames extending in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, with one positioned on each side in the vehicle's width direction. The side members 11 are frames with a rectangular tubular cross section that connect an inner frame and an outer frame. The side members 11 include an upper surface 11a that faces upward in the vertical direction, a lower surface 11b that faces downward in the vertical direction, an outer surface 11c that faces outward in the vehicle's width direction, and an inner surface 11d that faces inward in the vehicle's width direction. The side members 11 are provided with a plurality of support brackets 14 for supporting a suspension (not shown) and a plurality of support brackets 15 for supporting a cab mount (not shown) that are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction.

[0033] The front bumper beam 12 is a frame extending in the vehicle width direction and connected to the front ends of the side members 11. The multiple cross members 13 are frames extending in the vehicle width direction and connected to both of the pair of side members 11, and are arranged at intervals from each other in the vehicle front-rear direction. The multiple cross members 13 include, for example, a cross member 13a connected near the support bracket 14 and a cross member 13b connected near the support bracket 15.

[0034] (Towing Hook) The towing hook 20 is used when towing a vehicle by connecting it to another vehicle with a fastener such as a rope, or when securing the vehicle by attaching a fastener when transporting it on a ship or the like. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , the towing hook 20 is provided on each of the pair of side members 11 at the same position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, near the front portions, i.e., front end portions 111. In this embodiment, the towing hook 20 extends below the side members 11 in the up-down direction, and at least a hook portion 22, which will be described later, is exposed to the outside of the vehicle (not shown).

[0035] (Cab Mount Bracket) The cab mount bracket 30 is a member for supporting a cabin (not shown) via a cab mount (not shown), and is provided near the front end portions 111 of each of the pair of side members 11 at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the cab mount bracket 30 is attached to the side member 11 at the same position as the towing hook 20. Elastic bodies (not shown) included in the cab mount are sandwiched between the cab mount bracket 30 from above and below, and the cab mount bracket 30 supports the entire cab mount via the elastic bodies, thereby supporting the cabin.

[0036] (Main Parts of Vehicle Body Structure According to the Embodiment) Next, main parts of the vehicle body structure 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 7. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the towing hook of the side member as seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the towing hook of the side member as seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the towing hook of the side member as seen from below. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the vicinity of the towing hook of the side member as seen from above. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the towing hook as seen from the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing some of the components of the towing hook.

[0037] (Configuration of Towing Hook) The configuration of the towing hook 20 will be described based on the direction of the towing hook 20 when attached to the side member 11. When the towing hook 20 is attached to the side member 11, its longitudinal direction coincides with the up-down direction, its lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction coincides with the fore-aft direction of the vehicle, and its depth direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction coincides with the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 2 to 7 , the towing hook 20 includes a mounting portion 21 and a hook portion 22. The mounting portion 21 further includes an outer bracket 40 and an inner bracket 50.

[0038] (Mounting Portion: Outer Bracket) The outer bracket 40 is one of the mounting pieces for mounting the towing hook 20 to the side member 11, and together with the inner bracket 50, constitutes the mounting portion 21 for mounting the towing hook 20 to the side member 11. As shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, the outer bracket 40 has a base plate portion 41, an outer bead 42 formed on the base plate portion 41, and a flange portion 43 protruding from the base plate portion 41.

[0039] The base plate portion 41 is a portion located outboard of the side member 11 in the vehicle width direction when the towing hook 20 is attached, and is a member extending in a flat plate shape from an upper end 411 to a lower end 412, excluding the portion where the outer bead 42 is formed. The base plate portion 41 includes a surface 41a (see FIGS. 6 and 7 ) that abuts against the outer surface 11c of the side member 11 in the attached state, and a surface 41b (see FIG. 2 ) opposite to surface 41a. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , the base plate portion 41 is fixed to the outer surface 11c of the side member 11 by welding, and is formed to a length that ensures a sufficient weld allowance in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the base plate portion 41 is formed to a length that protrudes downward from approximately the center of the outer surface 11c of the side member 11 below the side member 11 in the attached state, so that the hook portion 22 is located below the side member 11.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end 411 of the substrate portion 41 extends linearly in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, the lower end 412 of the substrate portion 41 extends toward the upper end 411 from a rear side end 413 in the vehicle longitudinal direction to approximately the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and extends approximately parallel to the upper end 411 from approximately the center in the vehicle longitudinal direction to a front side end 414 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the side end 413 of the substrate portion 41 is formed longer than the side end 414, and extends parallel to the up-down direction from the upper end 411 to the lower end 412, and then extends obliquely toward the side end 414. Meanwhile, the side end 414 extends linearly in the up-down direction from the upper end 411 to the lower end 412.

[0041] The outer bead 42 is a bead-machined portion that has a convex shape facing outward in the vehicle width direction. That is, the outer bead 42 is formed so that the surface 41a side of the base plate portion 41 is concave and the surface 41b side is convex. Therefore, the cross section of the outer bead 42 perpendicular to the up-down direction is U-shaped. The outer bead 42 includes an outer bead 42a provided on a side end 413 of the base plate portion 41 and an outer bead 42b provided on a side end 414.

[0042] The outer bead 42a has a predetermined length in the vehicle longitudinal direction and extends in the up-down direction along the shape of the side end 413 from the upper end 411 to the lower end 412. In this embodiment, the upper end 411 of the outer bead 42a has an opening end 421a that opens in the up-down direction, as shown in Fig. 7. Similarly, the lower end 412 of the outer bead 42a also has an opening end 422a that opens in the up-down direction.

[0043] The outer bead 42b has a predetermined length in the vehicle longitudinal direction and extends in the up-down direction along the shape of the side end 414 from the upper end 411 to the lower end 412. The predetermined lengths in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the outer beads 42a and 42b may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the upper end 411 of the outer bead 42b has an opening end 421b that opens in the up-down direction, as shown in FIG. 7 . Similarly, the lower end 412 of the outer bead 42b has an opening end 422b that opens in the up-down direction. By providing both the upper and lower ends of the outer bead 42, which extends from the upper end 411 to the lower end 412 of the flat base plate portion 41, with the opening ends 421a, 422a, 421b, and 422b, the outer bead 42 can be easily formed on the base plate portion 41.

[0044] 3, 4, and 6, the flange portion 43 is a protruding portion that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the side end portions 413, 414 of the base plate portion 41. The flange portion 43 includes a flange portion 43a provided at the side end portion 413 of the base plate portion 41 and a flange portion 43b provided at the side end portion 414. Note that nuts 47 are attached to both flange portions 43, as shown in FIG.

[0045] 6, the flange portion 43a extends in the up-down direction from approximately the center of the base portion 41 in the up-down direction to the lower end 412, following the shape of the side end 413. In this way, by having the flange portion 43a extend in the up-down direction following the shape of the side end 413, the surface area that supports the hook portion 22 from below in the up-down direction is increased, as shown in FIG.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 6, the flange portion 43b extends in the up-down direction from approximately the center of the base plate portion 41 in the up-down direction to the lower end 412, following the shape of the side end 414. A support portion 431b is formed at the upper end of the flange portion 43b, and protrudes while bending toward the front in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as shown in Fig. 7. The support portion 431b is formed to have approximately the same length in the vehicle longitudinal direction as a protruding portion 521 of the inner bracket 50, which will be described later, and supports the protruding portion 521 in the attached state, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0047] 2 and 7 , outer bracket 40 has holes 44, 45, and 46 that penetrate surfaces 41 a and 41 b and are aligned in the vertical direction in the center, in the vehicle longitudinal direction, of base plate portion 41. Hole 44 is a hole for welding to side member 11, and holes 45 and 46 are holes for inserting a jig when positioning outer bracket 40.

[0048] (Mounting Portion: Inner Bracket) The inner bracket 50 is one of the mounting pieces for mounting the towing hook 20 to the side member 11, and together with the outer bracket 40, constitutes the mounting portion 21 for mounting the towing hook 20 to the side member 11. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, the inner bracket 50 has a base plate portion 51 including a first flat plate portion 52, a second flat plate portion 53, and a third flat plate portion 54, and an inner bead 55.

[0049] The base plate portion 51 is a portion that is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the side member 11 when the towing hook 20 is attached. The base plate portion 51 includes a surface 51a (see FIG. 6 ) that abuts against the inner surface 11d of the side member 11 when the towing hook 20 is attached, and a surface 51b (see FIG. 3 ) opposite to the surface 51a. As described above, the base plate portion 51 has the first flat plate portion 52, the second flat plate portion 53, and the third flat plate portion 54.

[0050] As shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6 , the first flat plate portion 52 includes an upper end portion 511 and extends in the up-down direction. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first flat plate portion 52 is fixed to the inner surface 11d of the side member 11 by welding and is formed linearly with a length sufficient to ensure a sufficient weld margin in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The first flat plate portion 52 also has a protruding portion 521 formed thereon that protrudes forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction beyond the flange portion 43b of the outer bracket 40 in the attached state. The protruding portion 521 may also protrude rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the first flat plate portion 52. In this case, the outer bracket 40 may be provided with a support portion that supports the protruding portion 521 on the rear flange portion 43a.

[0051] The second flat plate portion 53 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from an end of the first flat plate portion 52 opposite the upper end 511 toward the lower end 512. The third flat plate portion 54 extends in the up-down direction from an end of the second flat plate portion 53 opposite the first flat plate portion 52 to the lower end 512. An R-shape with a predetermined radius of curvature is formed between the first flat plate portion 52 and the second flat plate portion 53, and between the second flat plate portion 53 and the third flat plate portion 54. As shown in FIG. 3 , the second flat plate portion 53 and the third flat plate portion 54 are formed to have a length in the vehicle fore-aft direction that allows them to fit between the flange portions 43 a, 43 b of the outer bracket 40. Therefore, the lower end portion 512, the side end portion 513 and the side end portion 514 of the base portion 51 are basically shaped to follow the lower end portion 412, the side end portion 413 and the side end portion 414 of the base portion 41 of the outer bracket 40, except for the portion where the protrusion 521 is formed, as shown in Figure 3.

[0052] 6, the length of the base plate portion 51 in the vehicle width direction from the surface 51a of the first flat plate portion 52 to the surface 51a of the third flat plate portion 54 is approximately the same as the width of the side member 11. As a result, in the attached state, the base plate portion 51 can sandwich the side member 11 together with the base plate portion 41 of the outer bracket 40. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the base plate portion 51 is formed to have a length in the up-down direction that is sufficient to sandwich at least the hook portion 22 together with the outer bracket 40 in a state in which the first flat plate portion 52 abuts against the inner surface 11d of the side member 11.

[0053] The inner bead 55 is a bead-machined portion that has a convex shape facing inward in the vehicle width direction. That is, the inner bead 55 is formed so that the surface 51a side of the base plate portion 51 is concave and the surface 51b side is convex. Therefore, the cross section of the inner bead 55 in a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction is U-shaped. As shown in Figures 3 to 5 , the inner bead 55 is formed in the center of the inner bracket 50 in the vehicle front-rear direction. That is, when installed, the inner bead 55 is formed at a position offset from the outer bead 42 of the outer bracket 40.

[0054] In this embodiment, the inner bead 55 has a predetermined length in the vehicle longitudinal direction and extends in the up-down direction from the upper end 511 of the first flat plate portion 52 to a range of the second flat plate portion 53 near the first flat plate portion 52. Note that the inner bead 55 may also extend from the upper end 511 to the lower end 512. In this embodiment, the upper end 511 of the inner bead 55 has an open end 551 that opens in the up-down direction, as shown in FIG. 5 . In this way, by making the upper end 511 the open end 551 for the inner bead 55 that also extends to the upper end 511, the inner bead 55 can be easily formed on the base plate portion 51. Note that the lower end of the inner bead 55 is a closed end, but may also be an open end that opens in the up-down direction.

[0055] 3 and 4 , the inner bracket 50 has holes 56 and 57 formed in the center of the base plate portion 51 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the holes 56 and 57 penetrating the surfaces 51 a and 51 b, aligned in the vertical direction. The holes 56 and 57 are holes for inserting a jig when positioning the inner bracket 50. In this embodiment, the holes 56 and 57 are formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as the inner bead 55. That is, the inner bead 55 and the holes 56 and 57 are aligned in the vertical direction. Note that "formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction" includes forming at least a portion of the inner bead 55 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and at least a portion of the hole portions 56 and 57 in the vehicle longitudinal direction aligned in the vertical direction.

[0056] (Hook Portion) The hook portion 22 is a portion for engaging a fastener such as a rope with the towing hook 20, and is provided on the lower part of the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50. In this embodiment, the hook portion 22 is a U-shaped member, as shown in Figures 2, 3, and 7. The hook portion 22 is formed with a size that allows the straight portion of the U-shape to be engaged with the outer bead 42 of the outer bracket 40. The hook portion 22 is positioned so that the curved portion of the U-shape extends below the outer bracket 40 when engaged with the outer bead 42.

[0057] (Towing Hook Mounting Structure) In the towing hook 20 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 7 , the hook portion 22 is mated with the outer bead 42 of the outer bracket 40, and the outer bead 42 and the hook portion 22 are welded together as indicated by the thick solid lines in the figure. Also, as shown in FIG. 3 , the base plate portion 51 of the inner bracket 50 is sandwiched between the flange portions 43 a, 43 b of the outer bracket 40. Then, as indicated by the thick solid lines in FIG. 3 , the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50 are welded together. More specifically, the flange portions 43 a, 43 b are welded to the side ends 513, 514 of the base plate portion 51, and a portion of the protrusion 521 is welded to a portion of the support portion 431 b. This integrates the hook portion 22, the outer bracket 40, and the inner bracket 50 into a subassembly.

[0058] Next, the towing hook 20 is positioned so that the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50 sandwich the side member 11. At this time, as described above, the towing hook 20 can be easily positioned by inserting positioning jigs into the positioning holes 45, 46 of the outer bracket 40 and the positioning holes 56, 57 of the inner bracket 50. Then, as shown by thick solid lines in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper end portion 411 of the outer bracket 40, the periphery of the hole 45, and the upper end portion 511 of the inner bracket 50 are welded to the side member 11, thereby fixing the towing hook 20 to the side member 11. At this time, the upper end portion 411 of the outer bead 42 and the upper end portion 511 of the inner bead 55 are open and therefore not fixed to the side member 11 by welding.

[0059] The towing hook 20 may be attached by sequentially fixing each member to the side member 11. For example, the outer bracket 40 may be fixed to the side member 11, the hook portion 22 may be fixed to the outer bracket 40, and then the inner bracket 50 may be fixed to the outer bracket 40 and the side member 11. (Configuration of the Cab Mount Bracket)

[0060] Next, the configuration of the cab mount bracket 30 will be described based on the direction in which the cab mount bracket 30 is attached to the side member 11. As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the cab mount bracket 30 has a support portion 31 and two legs 32.

[0061] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the support portion 31 is a flat plate-shaped member fixed to the side member 11 and protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction beyond the side member 11. The support portion 31 is formed with holes 311 for inserting bolts included in a cab mount (not shown). Two legs 32 extend downward in the up-down direction from both ends of the support portion 31. As shown in Figure 2, the two legs 32 are formed with a distance between them so that they sandwich and engage with two outer beads 42 of the outer bracket 40 of the towing hook 20 from both sides in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0062] (Mounting structure of cab mount bracket) As shown by the thick solid line in Fig. 5, the support portion 31 of the cab mount bracket 30 is fixed by welding to the upper surface 11a of the side member 11. Furthermore, as shown by the thick solid line in Fig. 2, the two legs 32 of the cab mount bracket 30 are fixed by welding to the sides of the outer bead 42, i.e., the side ends 413, 414 of the outer bracket 40. As a result, the cab mount bracket 30 is fixed to the side member 11 at the same position as the towing hook 20.

[0063] (Recesses in Side Member) As another essential part of the vehicle body structure 1 according to this embodiment, recesses 11e and 11f are formed in the side member 11. As shown in FIG. 3 , the recess 11e is formed across the upper surface 11a and the inner surface 11d of the side member 11 at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as the inner bead 55 of the towing hook 20. That is, the inner bead 55 and the recess 11e are formed so as to be aligned in the vertical direction. Note that "formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction" includes forming at least a portion of the inner bead 55 in the vehicle longitudinal direction and at least a portion of the recess 11e in the vehicle longitudinal direction aligned in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2 , the recess 11f is formed across the upper surface 11a and the outer surface 11c of the side member 11 at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as the recess 11e.

[0064] Effect of the embodiment As described above, the vehicle body structure 1 according to the embodiment includes the side member 11 extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the towing hook 20 including: an attachment portion 21 that is located in front of the side member 11 in the front-rear direction and that sandwiches the side member 11 from both sides in the vehicle width direction and has upper ends 411, 511 fixed to the side member 11; and a hook portion 22 that is provided on the attachment portion 21 below the side member 11, and the attachment portion 21 has an outer bead 42 that is formed in a portion located outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the side member 11 and extends in the up-down direction, and an inner bead 55 that is formed in a portion located inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the side member 11 and extends in the up-down direction, and the outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55 are formed in positions that are offset in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0065] With this configuration, when a vehicle collision occurs, the outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55 collapse sequentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction, allowing the towing hook 20 to collapse evenly in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to prevent the towing hook 20 from hindering deformation of the vicinity of the end of the side member 11. Therefore, in the vehicle body structure 1 including the towing hook 20 fixed to the side member 11 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, it is possible to ensure that the vicinity of the end of the side member 11 is easily deformable in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0066] The upper end 411 of the outer bead 42 has opening ends 421a and 421b that open downward, and the upper end 511 of the inner bead 55 has an opening end 551 that opens vertically.

[0067] With this configuration, the upper end 411 of the outer bead 42 and the upper end 511 of the inner bead 55 are open and are not fixed to the side member 11, so that in the event of a collision in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, the towing hook 20 can be easily crushed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction starting from the outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55. Note that the outer bead 42 may be provided so that the open ends 421a, 422a, 421b, 422b are located midway in the vertical direction of the base plate portion 41. Furthermore, the inner bead 55 may be provided so that the open end 551 is located midway in the vertical direction of the base plate portion 51 (first flat plate portion 52). This configuration also allows the towing hook 20 to be easily crushed in the vehicle's longitudinal direction compared to when the upper and lower ends of the outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55 are closed.

[0068] The outer beads 42 are formed at both ends of the mounting portion 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the inner bead 55 is formed at the center of the mounting portion 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0069] With this configuration, in the event of a vehicle collision, the outer bead 42, the inner bead 55, and the outer bead 42 will collapse in this order, allowing the towing hook 20 to be crushed evenly in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, as described above. Furthermore, when the towing hook 20 is used to secure a vehicle during towing or transportation, and a force is applied to the towing hook 20 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a strong force is applied mainly to the end portions of the towing hook 20 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. In this vehicle body structure 1, the inner bead 55 is formed in the center of the mounting portion 21 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and therefore, in the event of a non-collision, stress is minimized in the inner bead 55 as much as possible, thereby ensuring the durability of the towing hook 20.

[0070] The vehicle body structure 1 according to the embodiment further includes a cab mount bracket 30 that sandwiches the outer bead 42 from both sides in the vehicle longitudinal direction and is fixed to the outer bead 42 .

[0071] With this configuration, the cab mount bracket 30 and the towing hook 20 are attached to the side member 11 at the same position in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction, thereby reducing the area in which both components are attached to the side member 11. Furthermore, by attaching both components, which may hinder the ease of deformation of the side member 11, to the same position, the area in the vicinity of the end of the side member 11 that is difficult to deform can be made as small as possible.

[0072] Furthermore, because the cab mount bracket 30 is configured to clamp and fix the outer bead 42 from the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, force in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction is more likely to be applied to the outer bead 42 in the event of a vehicle collision, making it easier to crush the outer bead 42. Furthermore, by connecting the cab mount bracket 30 to the outer bead 42, which has high rigidity in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction), the rigidity of the cab mount bracket 30 can be increased. Furthermore, by ensuring a sufficient fixing area, even if a strong force is applied to the end of the towing hook 20 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction when the towing hook 20 is used to secure the towing hook 20 during vehicle towing or transportation, the force can be distributed and borne, thereby improving the durability of the towing hook 20.

[0073] The mounting portion 21 also has an outer bracket 40 on which an outer bead 42 is formed, and an inner bracket 50 on which an inner bead 55 is formed.

[0074] With this configuration, the mounting portion 21 is made up of two different components, the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50, so that the outer bead 42 can be easily formed on the outer bracket 40 and the inner bead 55 can be easily formed on the inner bracket 50.

[0075] The outer bracket 40 also has flange portions 43 that protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from both ends in the vehicle front-rear direction and that sandwich the inner bracket 50 .

[0076] With this configuration, the flange portion 43 protruding in the vehicle width direction can increase the strength of the outer bracket 40 while preventing the outer bracket 40 from deforming in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, by sandwiching the inner bracket 50 between the flange portions 43, it becomes possible to easily position the inner bracket 50. Furthermore, the inner bracket 50 has a protruding portion 521 above the flange portion that protrudes beyond the flange portion 43 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction and is fixed at an upper end portion 511 to the side member 11.

[0077] This configuration increases the fixing area between the inner bracket 50 and the side member 11, thereby increasing the joint rigidity of the inner bracket 50. Note that, because the inner bead 55 is formed on the inner bracket 50, the crushability of the inner bracket 50 can be ensured even if the protruding portion 521 is provided. In other words, according to the configuration of the embodiment, it is possible to achieve both joint rigidity and ease of deformation of the inner bracket 50.

[0078] In addition, the inner bead 55 is formed in the center of the inner bracket 50 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, and the inner bracket 50 has holes 56 and 57 formed at the same position as the inner bead 55 in the vehicle's fore-and-aft direction, for inserting a jig for positioning the inner bracket 50.

[0079] With this configuration, holes 56, 57 are formed in the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, similar to inner bead 55, so that stress is minimized around holes 56, 57 in the event of a non-collision, thereby ensuring the durability of towing hook 20. Furthermore, by aligning the positions in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle where towing hook 20 is likely to deform in the event of a collision, the towing hook 20 can be structured to be easily crushed.

[0080] Further, the side member 11 has a recess 11e formed at the same position as the inner bead 55 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0081] With this configuration, the side member 11 and the towing hook 20 are likely to be crushed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction, so that the ease of deformation near the end of the side member 11 can be further ensured.

[0082] Furthermore, as described above, the towing hook 20 is fixed to the front portion of the side member 11 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, so that the ease of deformation near the front end portion 111 of the side member 11 can be ensured when a collision occurs at the front of the vehicle, making it difficult for the deformation to reach the front portion of the passenger compartment, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers sitting in the front seats in particular.

[0083] In addition, in the vehicle body structure 1 according to this embodiment, the rear side end 413 of the outer bracket 40 is formed longer than the front side end 414, and the vicinity of the lower end 412 extends obliquely toward the front.

[0084] This configuration makes it possible to stably support the hook portion 22 while ensuring the strength of the outer bracket 40. Furthermore, by making the end portion of the inner bracket 50 have the same shape, it is possible to ensure the strength of the inner bracket 50. Furthermore, by forming the front side end portion 414 of the outer bracket 40 and the front side end portion 514 of the inner bracket 50 shorter than the rear side end portions 413, 513, it is possible to ensure that the front portion of the towing hook 20 is easily crushed.

[0085] Although the description of the embodiment has been completed above, aspects of the present invention are not limited to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the vehicle body structure 1 is applied to the front portion of the vehicle body, but the towing hook 20 and the cab mount bracket 30 may be provided at the rear portion of the side member 11 in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0086] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the towing hook 20 and the cab mount bracket 30 are fixed to the side member 11 by welding, but the towing hook 20 and the cab mount bracket 30 may also be fixed to the side member 11 using fasteners including, for example, bolts and nuts.

[0087] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the mounting portion 21 of the towing hook 20 has the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50, and the U-shaped hook portion 22 is fixed to the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50, but the configuration of the towing hook 20 is not limited to this.

[0088] For example, the mounting portion 21 may be configured as a single member that integrates the outer bracket 40 and the inner bracket 50, as long as the mounting portion 21 is capable of sandwiching and fixing the side member 11. Furthermore, the hook portion 22 is not limited to a U-shaped member, and may be, for example, a hole provided near the lower end of the mounting portion 21.

[0089] The outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55 may be formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The outer bead 42 may be formed in the center of the mounting portion 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The inner bead 55 may be formed at both ends of the mounting portion 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55 are not limited to being formed in the center or both ends of the mounting portion 21 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, as long as at least one each is formed at any position in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0090] Furthermore, the cab mount bracket 30 may be attached to the side member 11 at a position different from that of the towing hook 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the flange portion 43 and the holes 45, 46 may be omitted from the outer bracket 40. Furthermore, the protrusion 521 and the holes 56, 57 may be omitted from the inner bracket 50.

[0091] In this embodiment, the recess 11e of the side member 11 is formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as the inner bead 55, but the recess may be formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as at least one of the outer bead 42 and the inner bead 55. For example, the recess 11f may be formed at the same position in the vehicle longitudinal direction as the outer bead 42.

[0092] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle body structure 10 vehicle body frame 11 side member 11e, 11f recess 111 front end 20 towing hook 21 mounting portion 22 hook portion 30 cab mount bracket 40 outer bracket 411, 511 upper end 42, 42a, 42b outer bead 421a, 421b, 422a, 422b, 551 opening end 43, 43a, 43b flange portion 44, 45, 46, 56, 57 hole portion 50 inner bracket 521 protrusion 55 inner bead

Claims

DEPCT6818 / 10 / 25671. Vehicle body structure comprising: side beams extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and tow hooks including mounting parts that clamp the side beams from both sides in the width direction of the vehicle and have upper ends fixed to the side beams at least at the front and rear of the side beams, and the hooks are provided at the mounting part with space left from the upper beam on the lower side of the side beam, where the mounting part has an outer ridge formed in the position outside in the width direction of the vehicle relative to the side beam and extending in the top-bottom direction, and an inner ridge formed in the position inside in the width direction of the vehicle relative to the side beam and extending in the top-bottom direction, and the outer and inner ridges are formed in an offset position from each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.2.

1. Vehicle body structure under claim 1 in which the upper and lower ends of the outer and inner ridges are open ends that are exposed in the up-down direction and hooks are made so that they can be fitted into the outer ridge.

3. Vehicle body structure under claim 1 in which the outer ridge is convex outward in the width direction of the vehicle and is made at each end of both sides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle of the mounting part and the inner ridge is convex inward in the width direction of the vehicle and is made in the center in the front-rear direction of the vehicle of the mounting part.

4. Vehicle body structure under claim 3 which is further incorporated with cab mounting brackets that clamp the outer ridges from both sides in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and are fixed to the outer ridge.

5. Vehicle body structure under claim 1 in which the mounting part has outer mounting brackets in which the outer ridge is made and inner mounting brackets in which the inner ridge is made. 6.

7. The vehicle body structure under claim 5 where the outer mounting bracket has fins extending inward in the width direction of the vehicle from both ends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and interlocking with the inner mounting bracket.

8. The vehicle body structure under claim 6 where the inner mounting bracket has extensions that protrude beyond the fins in the front-rear direction of the vehicle on the upper side of the fins and are fixed to the side beam at the upper end.

9. The vehicle body structure under claim 5 where an inner ridge is made in the center of the inner mounting bracket in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and in the inner mounting bracket, holes for inserting alignment devices for the inner mounting bracket are made at the same position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle as the inner ridge.

10. The vehicle body structure under claim 1 where in the side beam, a recess is made at least at the same position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle as either the outer or inner ridge.Any vehicle body structure under claims 1 through 9 where the tow hook is fixed to the front portion of the side beam in the front-rear direction of the vehicle;

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