Side structure of vehicle

Abstract

This side structure of a vehicle comprises: a cover that is disposed between a cab of the vehicle and a cargo bed, the cover protruding outward in the vehicle-width direction of the vehicle; a protector that is provided to the lower side of the cover and is fixed to a frame of the vehicle; and longitudinal support beams that are fixed to the frame via connection members, the longitudinal support beams extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

Description

Vehicle side structure

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle side structure. The vehicle described in Patent Document 1 includes a pair of vertical joists extending in the front-to-rear direction on the chassis frame of the vehicle, and a battery box storage section provided between the pair of vertical joists and between the chassis frame and the bodywork. The battery box houses a battery.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-095146

[0004] In recent years, with the development of various vehicles such as electric vehicles, vehicles are being equipped with various electrical devices. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that protects the devices, such as the battery, installed in the vehicle from impacts such as side collisions. However, the space available for providing a protective member to protect the devices varies depending on the vehicle structure, the size of the bodywork, etc. Therefore, providing the protective member may result in a problem in that the space available for the bodywork is taken up. There is a need for a structure that can protect the devices installed in the vehicle from impacts during a side collision, regardless of the vehicle structure, the size of the bodywork, etc.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a versatile vehicle side structure that can protect equipment mounted on the vehicle from impact during a side collision.

[0006] A vehicle side structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cover disposed between the vehicle's cab and cargo bed and extending outward in the vehicle width direction, a protector provided on the underside of the cover and fixed to the vehicle frame, and a vertical joist fixed to the frame via a connecting member and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0007] In this vehicle side structure, when viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the equipment mounted behind the vehicle cab can be covered with a cover, protector, and vertical joists. This allows the equipment to be protected even if an impact force is applied to the vehicle in a side collision. The cover, protector, and vertical joists can be installed regardless of the vehicle structure or layout. As a result, a highly versatile side structure that is not dependent on the vehicle structure can protect the equipment mounted on the vehicle from impact during a side collision.

[0008] The frame has a front frame portion, an intermediate frame portion, and a rear frame portion extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and is bent at the boundary between the front frame portion and the intermediate frame portion so that the front frame portion is located higher than the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the protector may be fixed to the intermediate frame portion. In this configuration, the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion are located lower than the front frame portion, so the floor surface of the cargo bed is lower.

[0009] The cover has a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion arranged in order from the front of the vehicle, the front portion being formed with a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the rear portion being formed with a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the front portion and the rear portion may be fixed to the middle portion. In this configuration, the width dimension of the outermost portion in the left-right direction of the cover (the dimension in the front-rear direction of the vehicle) is ensured, thereby reducing the impact received in a side collision. Therefore, the equipment mounted on the vehicle can be further protected from the impact in a side collision.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a highly versatile vehicle side structure that can protect equipment mounted on a vehicle from impact during a side collision.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a cover; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a cover; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a configuration of a vertical joist and a mounting bracket; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of a vertical joist and a mounting bracket.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In the following description, up, down, left, and right directions refer to the up, down, left, and right directions of a vehicle (unless otherwise specified). "Front and rear" corresponds to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, "left and right" corresponds to the width direction of the vehicle, and "up and down" corresponds to the height direction of the vehicle. In each drawing, "UP" indicates the top of the vehicle, "FR" indicates the front of the vehicle, and "R" indicates the right side of the vehicle.

[0013] The vehicle 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is configured as an electric vehicle equipped with a motor (not shown) as a drive source. The vehicle 1 is, for example, a commercial vehicle such as a truck. The vehicle 1 may be, for example, any of a large vehicle, a medium-sized vehicle, a standard passenger car, a small vehicle, and a light vehicle. The vehicle 1 may also be a hybrid vehicle further equipped with an engine as a drive source.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 , the vehicle 1 includes a frame 2. The frame 2 extends along the longitudinal direction as a whole. The frame 2 has a front frame portion 10, an intermediate frame portion 20, and a rear frame portion 30. The front frame portion 10, the intermediate frame portion 20, and the rear frame portion 30 are arranged in order from the front side in the longitudinal direction.

[0015] The front frame section 10 has a pair of first side rails 11 and a cross member 12. The middle frame section 20 has a pair of second side rails 21 and cross members 22 and 23. The rear frame section 30 has a pair of third side rails 31 and a cross member 32.

[0016] The pair of first side rails 11 extend in the front-to-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. Each first side rail 11 has a main body portion 11a extending straight in the front-to-rear direction and an extension portion 11b extending rearward from the main body portion 11a. The rear end of the extension portion 11b is connected to a cross member 22 of the intermediate frame portion 20. The extension portion 11b extends straight, sloping downward as it approaches the rear. The cross member 12 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the front end of each first side rail 11.

[0017] The pair of second side rails 21 extend straight in the front-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the pair of second side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction is wider than the distance between the pair of first side rails 11 in the vehicle width direction. This allows for a large space to be secured for arranging the battery 15, which will be described later. The cross member 22 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the front ends of each second side rail 21. The cross member 23 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear ends of each second side rail 21. The cross members 22, 23 face each other in the front-rear direction.

[0018] The pair of third side rails 31 extend straight in the front-rear direction and face each other in the vehicle width direction. The distance between the pair of third side rails 31 in the vehicle width direction is approximately equal to the distance between the pair of first side rails 11 in the vehicle width direction and is narrower than the distance between the pair of second side rails 21 in the vehicle width direction. Each third side rail 31 is connected to a cross member 23 of the intermediate frame portion 20. The cross member 32 extends straight in the vehicle width direction and is connected to the rear end of each third side rail 31.

[0019] The front frame portion 10 is located above the intermediate frame portion 20 in the vehicle up-down direction. More specifically, the upper edges of the main body portions 11a of the pair of first side rails 11 are located above the upper edges of the pair of second side rails 21. That is, the frame 2 is bent at a boundary portion P between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20 so that the front frame portion 10 is located above the intermediate frame portion 20. As a result, the frame 2 has a stepped frame structure in which a step portion S is formed between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20. In this example, the extension portion 11b extends at an angle, but the extension portion 11b may also extend straight in the up-down direction. That is, the frame 2 may be bent at a 90-degree angle at the boundary portion P. Alternatively, the extension portion 11b may extend in a curved manner.

[0020] The intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30 are formed flat. That is, the upper edges of the pair of second side rails 21 are located on the same plane as the upper edges of the pair of third side rails 31. Therefore, the front frame portion 10 is located higher than the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30.

[0021] The frame 2 supports a vehicle body (not shown) that constitutes the vehicle cabin. The vehicle body is arranged, for example, with its bottom wall (floor) positioned on the frame 2. A cab 100 having a driver's seat is provided at the front of the vehicle 1. Spaces for loading luggage, for example, are provided at the center and rear of the vehicle 1. That is, a loading platform 200 is provided at the center of the vehicle 1. An entrance and exit for loading and unloading luggage is provided at the rear of the vehicle 1. The front, center, and rear of the vehicle 1 are portions that overlap with the front frame portion 10, the intermediate frame portion 20, and the rear frame portion 30, respectively, when viewed from the top and bottom. Therefore, the cab 100 is located at a position corresponding to the front frame portion 10. The loading platform 200 is located at a position corresponding to the intermediate frame portion 20.

[0022] The frame 2 also supports axles 3a connected to the front wheels 3 and axles 4a connected to the rear wheels 4. In this example, the vehicle 1 is front-wheel drive, and the front wheels 3 are drive wheels. The axles 3a are supported by the front frame portion 10, and the axles 4a are supported by the rear frame portion 30. The axles 3a are located below the first side rail 11, and the axles 4a are located above the third side rail 31. Since the axles 4a are located above the third side rail 31, it is easy to adopt a layout in which the frame 2 extends straight across the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30.

[0023] Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a portion of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle side structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the vehicle 1 further includes a box 13, a pair of harnesses 14, and a battery 15. The box 13, the pair of harnesses 14, and the battery 15 are components for applying a high voltage of, for example, 200 V or more.

[0024] The box 13 is disposed vertically on the upper part of the cross member 22 (on the upper front part of the intermediate frame portion 20). The box 13 houses a relay and a fuse.

[0025] The pair of harnesses 14 electrically connect the high-voltage components inside the box 13 to a battery 15 (described later). One end of each harness 14 is housed inside the box 13, and the other end of each harness 14 is connected to the battery 15. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the entirety of each harness 14 is located between the pair of second side rails 21. When viewed from the width direction, each harness 14 is located above the second side rails 21.

[0026] The battery 15 supplies power to a motor (not shown) that serves as a drive source. The battery 15 is mounted on the intermediate frame portion 20 of the frame 2. More specifically, the battery 15 is fixed to each second side rail 21 and the cross members 22, 23. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the entire battery 15 is located between the pair of second side rails 21. The position of the upper end surface of the battery 15 is higher than the position of the upper end surfaces of the second side rails 21.

[0027] The vehicle 1 further includes a pair of covers 5, a pair of protectors 6, and a pair of vertical joists 7. The pair of covers 5, the pair of protectors 6, and the pair of vertical joists 7 are protective members that protect the box 13, the pair of harnesses 14, and the battery 15, respectively.

[0028] The pair of covers 5 are protective members that protect the box 13 and the harness 14 connected to the box 13. The pair of covers 5 are respectively provided on the outside of the box 13 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction). When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the pair of covers 5 are located on the cross member 22. The pair of covers 5 protrude in the left-right direction.

[0029] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of each cover 5. Fig. 5 shows the cover 5 provided on the right side in the left-right direction. Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 6(b) are cross-sectional views showing an example of the configuration of each cover 5. Fig. 6(a) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VI(a)-VI(a) in Fig. 5, and Fig. 6(b) corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VI(b)-VI(b) in Fig. 5.

[0030] Each cover 5 has an attachment portion 51, a front portion 52, an intermediate portion 53, and a rear portion 54. The attachment portion 51, the front portion 52, the intermediate portion 53, and the rear portion 54 are arranged in order from the front in the front-to-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 6A, the front portion 52, the intermediate portion 53, and the rear portion 54 are connected to one another to form a space Q. A portion of the harness 14 is housed in the space Q. The cover 5 is formed of a plate material such as aluminum or iron, for example.

[0031] The mounting portion 51 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from above in the vertical direction. The mounting portion 51 has a fixed portion 51a that is fixed to the front portion 52 by welding or the like, and a mounting portion 51b that is bent forward in the front-to-rear direction from one end of the fixed portion 51a. The mounting portion 51 is fixed to a rear cab mount (not shown) that supports the rear side of the cab 100 by fasteners such as bolts.

[0032] The front portion 52 has a generally inverted L-shaped cross section when viewed from above in the vertical direction. That is, the front portion 52 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from below (one side) in the vertical direction. The front portion 52 has a fixed portion 52a fixed to the intermediate portion 53 by welding or the like, and a side wall portion 52b bent inward in the left-right direction (to the left in FIG. 6 ) from one end of the fixed portion 52a. The side wall portion 52b is fixed to the fixed portion 51a.

[0033] The intermediate portion 53 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from the front in the front-to-rear direction. The intermediate portion 53 has a peak 53a, an upper inclined portion 53b, a lower inclined portion 53c, and a lower portion 53d. Specifically, the outermost end of the peak 53a in the left-right direction (the right side in FIG. 6 ) is provided with an upper inclined portion 53b that slopes outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward. The lower end of the upper inclined portion 53b is provided with a lower inclined portion 53c that slopes outward in the left-right direction as it extends downward. The lower end of the lower inclined portion 53c is provided with a lower portion 53d that extends downward in the up-down direction. One end of the intermediate portion 53 when viewed from the up-down direction is fixed to the fixing portion 52a by welding or the like. The other end of the intermediate portion 53 when viewed from the up-down direction is fixed to the rear portion 54 by welding or the like.

[0034] The rear portion 54 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from above (one side) in the vertical direction. The rear portion 54 has a fixed portion 54a fixed to the intermediate portion 53 and a side wall portion 54b bent inward in the left-right direction (to the left in FIG. 6 ) from one end of the fixed portion 54a. The side wall portion 54b faces the side wall portion 52b in the front-rear direction.

[0035] The middle portion 53 of the cover 5 has a peak portion 53a, an upper inclined portion 53b, a lower inclined portion 53c, and a lower portion 53d, so that the dimension of the cover 5 in the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) increases toward the bottom of the cover 5. Therefore, the harness 14 can be effectively accommodated within the space Q in the lower region of the cover 5, and a desired space can be secured around the upper region of the cover 5 in the vehicle 1.

[0036] The pair of protectors 6 are protective members that protect the lower part of the box 13 and the pair of harnesses 14. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pair of protectors 6 are provided below each cover 5. The pair of protectors 6 are provided outward in the left-right direction from the lower part of the box 13 and the pair of harnesses 14. Figures 3 and 4 show the protector 6 provided on the left side in the left-right direction.

[0037] Each protector 6 is located outward in the left-right direction from each cover 5 when viewed from the top-bottom direction. Each protector 6 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the front-rear direction. The lower end of each protector 6 is fixed to the front end of the corresponding second side rail 21 with a bolt or the like. The upper end of each protector 6 is bent inward in the left-right direction toward the lower portion 53d of the middle portion 53 of the cover 5. The height position of the upper end of each protector 6 is the same as the height position of the lower portion 53d. The upper end of each protector 6 may or may not contact the lower portion 53d. Each protector 6 is formed from a plate material such as aluminum or iron.

[0038] The pair of vertical joists 7 are protective members that protect the pair of harnesses 14 and the battery 15. When viewed from the top-bottom direction, the pair of vertical joists 7 are located on the respective second side rails 21. The pair of vertical joists 7 are located outward of the pair of harnesses 14 and the battery 15 in the left-right direction. The pair of vertical joists 7 face each other in the width direction. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of each vertical joist 7 and each mounting bracket 8 (described below). FIG. 7 shows a vertical joist 7 located on the left side in the left-right direction. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of each vertical joist 7 and each mounting bracket 8. Note that FIG. 8 corresponds to the cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. Each vertical joist 7 is formed, for example, from a plate material such as aluminum or iron.

[0039] Each vertical joist 7 has a generally U-shaped cross section when viewed from the front-to-rear direction. Each vertical joist 7 extends in the front-to-rear direction. Each vertical joist 7 is fixed to each second side rail 21 via a respective mount bracket 8. Each mount bracket 8 functions as a bracket (connecting member) that fixes each vertical joist 7 to each second side rail 21. Each mount bracket 8 has an attachment portion 8a, a seat plate 8b, and a fixing portion 8c. Each mount bracket 8 is formed from a plate material such as aluminum or iron, for example.

[0040] The mounting portion 8a is formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the top and bottom. The mounting portion 8a is fixed to the vertical joist 7 with fasteners such as bolts. The seat plate 8b is provided below the mounting portion 8a. The seat plate 8b is fixed to the fixing portion 8c with fasteners such as bolts. The fixing portion 8c is formed in a substantially inverted L-shape in cross section. The fixing portion 8c is fixed to the second side rail 21 with fasteners such as bolts.

[0041] In the above, when the vehicle 1 is hit from the side, the protector 6 first deforms, causing the upper end of the protector 6 to hit the front portion 52, the middle portion 53, and the rear portion 54 of the cover 5, deforming the cover 5. At the same time, the protector 6 hits the vertical joist 7, deforming the vertical joist 7. This protects the box 13, the harness 14, and the battery 15.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the side structure of the vehicle 1 includes a cover 5 disposed between the cab 100 and the bed 200 of the vehicle 1 and extending outward in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle 1; a protector 6 disposed below the cover 5 and fixed to the second side rail 21 (frame 2) of the vehicle 1; and a vertical joist 7 fixed to the second side rail 21 via a mount bracket 8 (connecting member) and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle 1. When viewed from the outside in the vehicle width direction, the cover 5, protector 6, and vertical joist 7 can cover electrical equipment such as high-voltage components mounted behind the cab 100 of the vehicle 1. This allows the electrical equipment to be protected even if an impact force is applied to the vehicle 1 in a side collision. The cover 5, protector 6, and vertical joist 7 can be provided regardless of the structure or layout of the vehicle 1. As a result, a versatile side structure that is not dependent on the structure of the vehicle 1 can protect equipment mounted on the vehicle 1 from impact during a side collision. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a specific impact absorbing material (EA material), which reduces costs and space while still providing protection from impacts during a side collision.

[0043] In this embodiment, the frame 2 includes a front frame portion 10, an intermediate frame portion 20, and a rear frame portion 30 that extend in the front-to-rear direction, and is bent at a boundary portion P between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20 so that the front frame portion 10 is positioned higher than the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30, and the protector 6 is fixed to the intermediate frame portion 20. In this configuration, the intermediate frame portion 20 and the rear frame portion 30 are positioned lower than the front frame portion 10, so the floor surface of the loading platform 200 is lower. This makes it easier for workers to get on and off the loading platform 200. Furthermore, the space for arranging the battery 15 in the loading platform 200 can be increased.

[0044] In this embodiment, the cover 5 includes a front portion 52, an intermediate portion 53, and a rear portion 54, arranged in order from the front of the vehicle 1. The front portion 52 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, and the rear portion 54 has a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. The front portion 52 and the rear portion 54 are fixed to the intermediate portion 53. The rear portion 55 shown by phantom lines in FIG. 6A is the conventional structure of the rear portion 54. As such, compared to the conventional rear portion 55, the rear portion 54 has a structure that protrudes outward in the lateral direction. Therefore, the cover 5 is less likely to deform when subjected to an impact, such as a side collision, than the conventional structure. Since the width dimension (front-rear dimension) of the outermost portion in the lateral direction of the cover 5 is secured, the impact received during a side collision is reduced. Therefore, the equipment mounted on the vehicle 1 can be further protected from the impact during a side collision.

[0045] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the left-right dimension of the cover 5 increases toward the bottom of the cover 5, but the structure of the cover 5 is not particularly limited to this form and can be modified in various ways.

[0046] In addition, in the above embodiment, the protector 6 is formed to have a substantially L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the front-to-rear direction, but the structure of the protector 6 is not particularly limited to this shape and can be modified in various ways.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the frame 2 has a stepped frame structure in which a step portion S is formed between the front frame portion 10 and the intermediate frame portion 20, but this is not particularly limited to this form, and the frame 2 may extend straight in the fore-and-aft direction from the front end to the rear end without inclining.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each vertical joist 7 is formed to have a cross section that is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, but this shape is not particularly limited to this.For example, each vertical joist 7 may be formed to have a cross section that is approximately U-shaped when viewed from the front-to-back direction, or may be formed to have a cross section that is approximately L-shaped, as long as the required strength is ensured.

[0049] 1...vehicle, 2...frame, 5...cover, 6...protector, 7...vertical joist, 8...mount bracket (connecting member), 10...front frame portion, 20...intermediate frame portion, 30...rear frame portion, 52...front portion, 53...intermediate portion, 54...rear portion, 100...cab, 200...loading bed, P...boundary portion.

Claims

1. A vehicle side structure comprising: a cover disposed between the cab and cargo bed of a vehicle and extending outward in the width direction of the vehicle; a protector provided under the cover and fixed to the frame of the vehicle; and a vertical joist fixed to the frame via a connecting member and extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

2. A vehicle side structure as described in claim 1, wherein the frame has a front frame portion, an intermediate frame portion and a rear frame portion extending along the fore-and-aft direction, and is bent at the boundary between the front frame portion and the intermediate frame portion so that the front frame portion is positioned higher than the intermediate frame portion and the rear frame portion, and the protector is fixed to the intermediate frame portion.

3. A vehicle side structure as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover has a front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion arranged in line in that order from the front of the vehicle, the front portion is formed in a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from one side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the rear portion is formed in a generally L-shaped cross section when viewed from the other side in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the front portion and the rear portion are fixed to the middle portion.

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