Vehicle front structure

Abstract

According to the present invention, a vehicle front structure with which it is possible to avoid damage to a heat exchanger can be obtained.　The vehicle front structure comprises: a heat exchanger; front side members which each extend in a vehicle front-rear direction on both the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction, at the front of a vehicle; supporting portions which are each provided on a middle portion, in the vehicle front-rear direction, of the left and right pair of front side members, in a power unit room at the front of the vehicle, and which support a middle portion, in the vehicle vertical direction, of the heat exchanger so as to be able to rotate about an axis in the vehicle width direction; and a fixing portion which fixes a part of the heat exchanger on the vehicle front side to a vehicle body.

Description

Vehicle front structure

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 07-061247 discloses a vehicle in which a radiator is disposed at an angle so that the upper side in the vertical direction of the vehicle is located at the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

[0003] In recent years, mounting radiators at an angle has been considered in order to ensure that the entire radiator is properly ventilated. In the event of a frontal collision, the front side member is compressed axially to absorb the impact, but if the radiator is mounted at an angle, the bottom end of the radiator protrudes forward, which could cause the radiator to come into contact with a colliding object and be damaged while it is absorbing the impact. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the radiator mounting structure.

[0004] One embodiment of the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle front structure that can avoid damage to a heat exchanger.

[0005] The vehicle front structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a heat exchanger, front side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides of the vehicle width at the front of the vehicle, support portions provided at the intermediate portions of the pair of left and right front side members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle within a power unit room at the front of the vehicle, which support the intermediate portion of the heat exchanger in the vertical direction of the vehicle so as to be rotatable with the vehicle width direction as the axial direction, and a fixing portion which fixes the front portion of the heat exchanger to the vehicle body.

[0006] In the vehicle front structure according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, a support portion is provided in a vehicle longitudinal intermediate portion of the front side member, supporting a vehicle vertical intermediate portion of the heat exchanger so as to be rotatable about the vehicle width direction as an axial direction, and a fixing portion is provided to fix a vehicle front portion of the heat exchanger to the vehicle body. Therefore, when a colliding object contacts the heat exchanger while absorbing impact by axial compression of the front side member during a frontal collision, the fixing portion of the heat exchanger to the vehicle front side by the fixing portion is released, causing the heat exchanger to rotate. This allows the load applied to the heat exchanger to be released, thereby preventing damage to the heat exchanger.

[0007] A vehicle front structure according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the same as that of the first aspect, except that the heat exchanger has a rotating shaft supported by the support portion, and the support portion has a detachment structure that causes the rotating shaft to detach after the heat exchanger has rotated.

[0008] In the vehicle front structure according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the support part has a drop-out structure that allows the rotation shaft of the heat exchanger supported by the support part to drop out after the heat exchanger has rotated, so that the heat exchanger can be dropped even if an additional load is applied to the heat exchanger, thereby further increasing the reliability of avoiding damage to the heat exchanger.

[0009] A vehicle front structure according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is configured as the second aspect, wherein the support portion includes a cylindrical bearing portion that supports the rotating shaft, and the detachment structure is configured by an opening portion provided in an upper portion of the bearing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0010] In a vehicle front structure according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the support includes a bearing that supports the rotating shaft of the heat exchanger, and an opening provided at an upper portion of the bearing in the vehicle's up-down direction constitutes a detachment structure. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the rotating shaft supported by the bearing rotates, causing the heat exchanger to rotate, and if further load is applied to the heat exchanger, the rotating shaft comes out of the opening, causing the heat exchanger to fall off.

[0011] A vehicle front structure according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of any one of the first to third aspects, includes a cross member that is arranged on the front side of the heat exchanger and extends in the vehicle width direction, and the fixing portion fixes the front portion of the heat exchanger to the cross member.

[0012] In the vehicle front structure according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the fastening parts fasten the front portion of the heat exchanger to the cross member, so that the front portion of the heat exchanger to which a load is applied more quickly in the event of a frontal collision can be released more quickly from the fastening parts.

[0013] A vehicle front structure according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure is the configuration of the second aspect, wherein the support portion supports the rotation shaft of the heat exchanger from the vehicle width direction side or the rear side in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction.

[0014] In the vehicle front structure according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the support portion supports the rotating shaft of the heat exchanger from the vehicle width direction side or the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which makes it possible to more effectively prevent damage to the support portion due to a collision with a colliding object compared to when the rotating shaft is supported from the front side of the vehicle, thereby making it possible to more reliably avoid damage to the heat exchanger.

[0015] A vehicle front structure according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle having the configuration of any one of the first to fifth aspects, and including a battery and a motor as a drive source.

[0016] A vehicle front structure according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle equipped with a battery and a motor as a drive source. In such vehicles, the position of the front grille is lowered, and therefore, radiators are often mounted at an angle to ensure that the entire radiator is properly ventilated. Typically, impact is absorbed during a frontal collision by axially compressing the front side members. However, if the radiator is mounted at an angle, the lower end of the radiator protrudes forward, which may result in a colliding object contacting the radiator during impact absorption and damaging it. In the vehicle front structure according to the sixth aspect, when a colliding object contacts the heat exchanger during impact absorption by axial compression of the front side members during a frontal collision, the heat exchanger is released from its fixed position and rotates. This prevents damage to the heat exchanger, thereby achieving greater effectiveness in vehicles equipped with a battery and a motor as a drive source.

[0017] A vehicle front structure according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure is configured in any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged at an angle so that the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction is located at the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0018] In the vehicle front structure according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger is disposed at an angle so that its upper side in the vehicle vertical direction is located rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and therefore an empty space is created below the heat exchanger in the vehicle vertical direction behind the heat exchanger in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which can be used as a space for the heat exchanger to rotate.

[0019] The vehicle front structure according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure is configured in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the heat exchanger is arranged so as to stand upright along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0020] In the vehicle front structure relating to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the heat exchanger is arranged so as to stand upright along the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that damage to the heat exchanger can be avoided even in vehicles other than those equipped with a battery and a motor as a drive source.

[0021] The vehicle front structure according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the configuration of the sixth aspect described above, is provided with a bracket arranged to protrude forward in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and the fixing portion fixes the heat exchanger to the vehicle body via the bracket.

[0022] In the vehicle front structure according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the fixing portion fixes the heat exchanger to the vehicle body via the bracket disposed so as to protrude forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, so that in the event of a frontal collision, a collision load can be applied to the bracket before the heat exchanger, thereby enabling the fixing of the heat exchanger by the fixing portion to be released more quickly.

[0023] A vehicle front structure according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure is any of the configurations including the second aspect, wherein the rotating shaft is made of resin.

[0024] In the vehicle front structure according to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the rotating shaft is formed from resin, which allows the vehicle to be made lighter.

[0025] The vehicle front structure according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure is configured in any one of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the front side members are formed integrally with a front skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the body at the front of the vehicle.

[0026] In the vehicle front structure according to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the front side members are formed integrally with the front skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the body at the front of the vehicle, and therefore the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the front side members are formed separately from the front skeletal member.

[0027] A vehicle front structure according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure is configured in any one of the first to eleventh aspects, wherein the front skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the body at the front of the vehicle is integrally formed by die-casting.

[0028] In the vehicle front structure according to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the front skeletal members that constitute the skeleton of the body at the front of the vehicle are integrally formed by die-casting, thereby achieving effects such as reducing the number of parts, simplifying the manufacturing process, and reducing the weight and improving the rigidity of the body.

[0029] As described above, the vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can avoid damage to the heat exchanger.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a left side view schematically showing an example of a vehicle front structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the example of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a left side view schematically showing the vicinity of a fixing portion. FIG. 4 is a left side view schematically showing a modified method of fixing a rotating shaft. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged top view of a cross member. FIG. 6 is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 3 and schematically showing modified example 2. FIG. 7 is a partial front view schematically showing modified example 3 of the vehicle front structure. FIG. 8 is a left side view schematically showing an example of a vehicle front structure according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a left side view schematically showing an example of a vehicle front structure according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] A vehicle front structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Furthermore, the arrow FR, as appropriately indicated in each drawing, indicates the front side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction. The arrow IN indicates the inside in the vehicle width direction. Hereinafter, when the terms "front-rear," "up-down," and "left-right" are used in the description, they refer to the front and rear in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the up and down in the vehicle vertical direction, and the left and right in the vehicle horizontal direction (vehicle width direction), unless otherwise specified.

[0032] (Configuration of vehicle front structure) First, a configuration of a vehicle front structure 10 will be described as an example of a vehicle front structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 1 is a side view schematically showing the example of the vehicle front structure 10, and Fig. 2 is a front view schematically showing the example of the vehicle front structure 10 of Fig. 1.

[0033] 1 and 2 schematically show a vehicle front structure 10 of a vehicle 12. In this embodiment, the vehicle 12 is, for example, a battery-powered electric vehicle or the like that includes a battery and a motor as a drive source.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1 , a power unit room 14 is disposed behind a front bumper (not shown) of a vehicle 12. A power unit 16 is housed inside the power unit room 14. In this embodiment, since the vehicle 12 is an electric vehicle, the power unit 16 is a drive unit and incorporates an electric motor that generates driving force for rotating the vehicle's drive wheels (not shown). A battery stack 18 serving as a battery is disposed directly above the power unit 16. The battery stack 18 is formed by stacking a large number of battery cells (not shown) in a predetermined direction. Each battery cell stores electric power for rotating the electric motor of the power unit 16.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle front structure 10 includes a front skeleton member of a vehicle body 11 of a vehicle 12. The front skeleton member is integrally formed by die-casting, for example, using a metal such as an aluminum alloy or a magnesium alloy. The vehicle front structure 10 also includes a pair of left and right front side members 20 arranged on both sides of the front of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. The pair of left and right front side members 20 are integrally formed with the front skeleton member. The front side members 20 are vehicle body skeleton members that extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle and have, for example, a closed cross-sectional structure. The vehicle front ends of the front side members 20 are connected to a front bumper reinforcement 22 (hereinafter referred to as "bumper reinforcement 22") arranged along the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, as an example, the front side members 20 include crash boxes 24 as energy absorbing members at their front ends connected to the bumper reinforcement 22. The front side members 20 are coaxially fixed to the crash boxes 24 to reduce a collision load from the front of the vehicle body 11. In this embodiment, the crash boxes 24 are described as separate components from the bumper reinforcement 22, but the two may be integrated into one structure.

[0036] A radiator 30 serving as a heat exchanger is disposed inside the power unit compartment 14, further forward of the power unit 16. As shown in Fig. 1, the radiator 30 of this embodiment is disposed at an angle so that the upper portion of the radiator 30 is positioned toward the rear of the vehicle. Although not shown, a cylindrical fan shroud and an electric fan are disposed behind the radiator 30 to guide the air introduced from the radiator 30 toward the rear of the vehicle.

[0037] The radiator 30 is, for example, formed in a generally rectangular frame shape when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and is a flat structure in the vehicle longitudinal direction. For example, the radiator 30 is provided with a refrigerant pipe (not shown) that snakes back and forth multiple times in the vehicle width direction. The refrigerant pipe is equipped with numerous fins (not shown). While the vehicle 12 is traveling, air introduced into the power unit compartment 14 through the front grille (not shown) passes between the fins and cools the refrigerant inside the refrigerant pipe. For example, the refrigerant pipe also flows through the flow paths inside the power unit 16 and the battery stack 18 and the refrigerant flow path of the air conditioning system. Refrigerant pumped by a pump (not shown) circulates through the refrigerant pipe inside the power unit 16 and the battery stack 18, exchanging heat. This cools the power unit 16 and the battery stack 18. The refrigerant pipe may also flow only through the flow paths inside the power unit 16 and the battery stack 18.

[0038] Although not shown, tanks that store refrigerant are attached to both ends of the radiator 30 in the vehicle width direction, for example. Pipes that connect to flow paths inside the power unit 16 and the battery stack 18 are inserted inside the pair of left and right tanks.

[0039] 2, the radiator 30 is supported on the vehicle body 11 by radiator supports 32 fixed to both ends in the vehicle width direction. The radiator support 32 is a hollow member formed to have a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section, and is configured by side members extending longitudinally in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Note that the radiator support 32 may further include an upper support member (not shown) and a lower support member (not shown) that each extend in the vehicle width direction above and below the radiator 30.

[0040] In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle width direction outer end of each radiator support 32, which is a side member, is supported by the front side member 20, which serves as a skeletal frame of the vehicle body 11 of the vehicle 12. Specifically, each radiator support 32 has a cylindrical rotating shaft 34 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction on an outer surface 32A on the outer side of the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the rotating shaft 34 is provided in a middle portion of the radiator support 32 in the vehicle vertical direction, and in this embodiment, as an example, the rotating shaft 34 is provided above the center of the vehicle in the vehicle vertical direction. Here, the middle portion in the vehicle vertical direction refers to a range excluding the upper and lower ends in the vehicle vertical direction. Note that in this embodiment, as an example, the rotating shaft 34 is formed from resin.

[0041] The rotating shaft 34 may be inserted into a shaft hole (not shown) provided in the outer surface 32A of the radiator support 32 and fixed with a screw or the like, or a flange may be provided on one end of the rotating shaft 34 and attached to the outer surface 32A with a screw or the like. Any known technique may be used as the fixing method.

[0042] 1, the rotating shaft 34 is supported for rotation with its axial direction extending in the vehicle width direction by support portions 40 provided at intermediate portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the pair of left and right front side members 20 within the power unit compartment 14. Here, the intermediate portions in the vehicle longitudinal direction refer to a range excluding the front and rear ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

[0043] 1 and 2, the support portion 40 includes a support base 42 and a bearing portion 44. The support base 42 and the bearing portion 44 may be formed integrally or separately. The support base 42 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the top and bottom, and is fastened to the upper surface of the front side member 20 by, for example, bolts at two locations with a gap in the vehicle longitudinal direction, for example.

[0044] The bearing portion 44 is generally cylindrical and is disposed on the upper surface 42A of the support base 42 so that its axial direction is in the vehicle width direction. The bearing portion 44 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 34 with the vehicle width direction as its axis. That is, the support portion 40 supports the rotating shaft 34 from the vehicle width direction side. Also, as shown in FIG. 1 , the bearing portion 44 has an opening 46 formed by cutting out the cylinder at an upper portion in the vehicle up-down direction. This opening 46 functions as a drop-out structure that allows the rotating shaft 34 to drop out of the bearing portion 44 after the rotating shaft 34, i.e., the radiator 30, has rotated.

[0045] 1 and 2 , the vehicle front structure 10 includes a cross member 26 that is disposed forward of the radiator 30 and extends in the vehicle width direction. In this embodiment, the cross member 26 is, for example, a lower absorber. The lower absorber has the function of absorbing and reducing impact energy in the event of a frontal collision with a pedestrian, and is made of a foamed resin material, a plastic resin material, or the like. As an example, the front portion of the cross member 26 in the vehicle fore-and-aft direction is fixed to the bottom of a front bumper cover (not shown) by a fixing means such as bolts.

[0046] In this embodiment, as an example, a lower end portion of the radiator 30, which is a portion on the vehicle front side, is fixed to the cross member 26, which is the vehicle body 11, by a fixing portion 50. FIG. 3 is a left side view schematically showing the vicinity of the fixing portion 50. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, as an example, the fixing portion 50 includes a bracket 56. The bracket 56 is formed of a plate member having a bent portion that is convex toward the vehicle front side, approximately in the center of the vehicle in the up-down direction. This bracket 56 is used to fasten the boundary between the cross member 26 and the radiator support 32 from the vehicle rear side with a screw or the like, thereby fixing the vehicle front side portion of the radiator 30 to the cross member 26 via the radiator support 32. Note that, as shown in FIG. 3, because the vehicle front side of the cross member 26 is located further forward than the radiator support 32, a load is applied to the cross member 26 before the radiator support 32 during a frontal collision. When a load is applied to the cross member 26 from the front side of the vehicle, the bracket 56 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle together with the cross member 26. In this embodiment, the bracket 56 and the radiator support 32 are fixed to such an extent that they come apart when the bracket 56 is pressed toward the rear side of the vehicle.

[0047] (Operations and Effects of First Embodiment) Next, operations and effects of the first embodiment will be described.

[0048] In the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, a support portion 40 is provided in a vehicle longitudinal intermediate portion of the front side member 20, which supports a vehicle vertical intermediate portion of the radiator 30 so as to be rotatable about the vehicle width direction as an axial direction. A fixing portion 50 is also provided to fix a portion of the radiator 30 on the vehicle front side to the vehicle body 11. Therefore, if a colliding object comes into contact with the radiator 30 while the front side member 20 is absorbing impact through axial compression during a front collision, the fixing by the fixing portion 50 provided on the vehicle front side is released, and the radiator 30 rotates counterclockwise (left) in FIG. 1 . This allows the load applied to the radiator 30 to be released, thereby preventing damage to the radiator 30.

[0049] The vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment is applied to a vehicle 12 that includes a battery stack 18 as a battery and a power unit 16 incorporating an electric motor as a drive source. Because the vehicle 12 is a battery-powered electric vehicle, the front grille is positioned low. Therefore, the radiator 30 is mounted at an angle to ensure that the entire radiator 30 is properly exposed to airflow. Typically, impact is absorbed during a frontal collision by axially compressing the front side members 20. However, if the radiator 30 is mounted at an angle, the lower end of the radiator 30 protrudes forward, which could result in a colliding object coming into contact with the radiator 30 and damaging it during impact absorption. In the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, if a colliding object comes into contact with the radiator 30 during impact absorption due to axial compression of the front side members 20 during a frontal collision, the radiator 30 is released from its fixed position by the fixing portion 50 provided on the front side of the vehicle, causing it to rotate counterclockwise (leftward) in FIG. 1 . This allows the load applied to the radiator 30 to be released, which is more effective in a vehicle equipped with a battery and a motor as a drive source.

[0050] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the radiator 30 is disposed at an angle such that its upper side in the vehicle vertical direction is located rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , an empty space A, indicated by a dotted rectangle, is formed in the lower part of the vehicle vertical direction behind the radiator 30 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, this empty space A can be used as a space for the radiator 30 to rotate. Furthermore, by disposing the radiator 30 at an angle, the height of the radiator 30 in the vertical direction can be reduced compared to when the radiator 30 is disposed vertically. This makes it possible to easily ensure an empty space for pedestrian protection between the vehicle body 11 and the radiator 30, as indicated by arrow D in FIG. 1 .

[0051] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the support portion 40 has a detachment structure that causes the rotation shaft 34 provided on the radiator 30 supported by the support portion 40 to detach after the radiator 30 has rotated, so that the radiator 30 can be detached even if an additional load is applied to the radiator 30. This further increases the reliability of avoiding damage to the radiator 30.

[0052] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the support portion 40 includes a bearing portion 44 that supports the rotating shaft 34 of the radiator 30, and an opening 46 provided in an upper portion of the bearing portion 44 in the vehicle vertical direction constitutes a detachment structure. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the rotating shaft 34 supported by the bearing portion 44 rotates, causing the radiator 30 to rotate, and if further load is applied to the radiator 30, the rotating shaft 34 will come off the opening 46, causing the radiator 30 to fall off.

[0053] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the bracket 56 of the fixing portion 50 fixes the front portion of the radiator 30 to the cross member 26. This means that the front portion of the radiator 30, which receives a load earlier during a frontal collision, is fixed to the cross member 26. This allows the radiator 30 to be released from the bracket 56 more quickly. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the front side of the cross member 26 is located further forward than the radiator support 32. This means that the load is applied to the cross member 26 before the radiator support 32 during a frontal collision. When a load is applied to the cross member 26 from the front of the vehicle, the bracket 56 is pressed toward the rear of the vehicle together with the cross member 26. The fixation between the bracket 56 and the radiator support 32 is such that the bracket 56 will come off when the bracket 56 is pressed toward the rear of the vehicle. This means that the bracket 56 will come off when a load is applied to the cross member 26 from the front of the vehicle.

[0054] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the support portion 40 supports the rotation shaft 34 of the radiator 30 from the vehicle width direction side, which makes it possible to more effectively prevent damage to the support portion 40 due to a collision with a colliding object compared to when the support is from the front side of the vehicle. This makes it possible to more reliably avoid damage to the radiator 30.

[0055] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the rotation shaft 34 is formed from resin, so the weight of the vehicle 12 can be reduced.

[0056] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment, the front side members 20 are formed integrally with the front skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the body 11 at the front of the vehicle 12, and therefore the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the front side members 20 are formed separately from the front skeletal member.

[0057] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the vehicle front structure 10, the front skeletal members that constitute the skeleton of the body 11 at the front of the vehicle 12 are integrally formed by die-casting, thereby achieving effects such as reducing the number of parts, simplifying the manufacturing process, and reducing the weight and improving the rigidity of the body 11.

[0058] (Variation 1) In the first embodiment, the support portion 40 supports the rotating shaft 34 of the radiator 30 from the vehicle width direction side, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. FIG. 4 is a left side view schematically illustrating a variation of the method for fixing the rotating shaft 34. In Variation 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the rotating shaft 34 is fixed to the rear surface 32B of the radiator support 32 on the vehicle rear side, rather than to the outer surface 32A of the radiator support 32. Specifically, as an example, the rotating shaft 34 is disposed so that one end of the rear surface 32B protrudes horizontally from the radiator support 32 in the vehicle width direction, and is fixed to the rear surface 32B of the radiator support 32 by a bracket 36. As an example, the bracket 36 is fixed to the radiator support 32 by screws or the like. The rotating shaft 34 protruding from the radiator support 32 is supported by the support portion 40 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0059] In the first modification, the support portion 40 supports the rotation shaft 34 of the radiator 30 from the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction, which makes it possible to more effectively prevent damage to the support portion 40 due to a collision with a colliding object compared to when the support portion 40 is supported from the front side of the vehicle. This further increases the reliability of avoiding damage to the radiator 30.

[0060] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the radiator 30 is fixed to the cross member 26 via a bracket 56 serving as the fixing portion 50. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged top view of the cross member 26, and FIG. 6 is a left side view corresponding to FIG. 3 , schematically illustrating Variation 2. In Variation 2, as shown in FIG. 5 , a notch portion 52 is provided. The notch portion 52 includes a substantially circular hole 52A and a notch portion 52B connected to the hole 52A and extending to the rear end of the cross member 26. The hole 52A is formed slightly larger than the pin portion 54 (described later). The notch portion 52B extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction and has a width in the vehicle width direction slightly smaller than that of the pin portion 54 (described later). As shown in FIG. 6 , the radiator support 32 includes a pin portion 54 formed as a cylinder extending substantially perpendicularly downward from the lower end surface in the vehicle vertical direction. In Variation 2, the notch portion 52 and the pin portion 54 form the fixing portion 50.

[0061] In the second modification, when a colliding object contacts the radiator support 32 during a frontal collision, the pin 54 moves within the notch 52B while pressing in the vehicle width direction, and falls off the notch 52, i.e., the cross member 26. This releases the radiator 30 from the fixing portion 50, causing it to rotate counterclockwise (left). This allows the load acting on the radiator 30 to be released, preventing damage to the radiator 30.

[0062] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the radiator 30 is fixed to the cross member 26, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. FIG. 7 is a partial front view schematically illustrating Variation 3 of the vehicle front structure 10. In Variation 3, as shown in FIG. 7, an extension portion 27 is disposed on the inner surface 20A of the front side member 20 in the vehicle width direction, as part of the vehicle body 11. The extension portion 27 may be formed integrally with the front side member 20 or may be formed separately. The extension portion 27 includes an inclined portion 27A extending obliquely downward from the inner surface 20A of the front side member 20 toward the vehicle interior, and a flat portion 27B extending approximately horizontally from the inclined portion 27A toward the vehicle interior. In Variation 3, as an example, the lower end portion of the radiator 30, which is located on the vehicle front side, is fixed to the flat portion 27B by a fixing portion 50. Note that, as in the above embodiment, a bracket 56 may be used as the fixing portion 50, as an example. Although FIG. 7 shows only the right side of the vehicle 12, the left side of the vehicle 12 has the same configuration as the right side.

[0063] Next, a vehicle front structure 10A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 8 is a left side view schematically showing an example of the vehicle front structure 10A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that in the vehicle front structure 10A according to the second embodiment, components similar to those in the vehicle front structure 10 according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described here again, with only the differences being described in detail.

[0064] 8, the vehicle front structure 10A of the second embodiment differs from the support portion 40 of the first embodiment in the configuration of the support portion 40A. While the bearing portion 44 of the support portion 40 of the first embodiment is provided with an open portion 46 that functions as a drop-out structure, the support portion 40A of the second embodiment is not provided with the open portion 46.

[0065] (Operations and Effects of Second Embodiment) Next, operations and effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0066] In the vehicle front structure 10A of the second embodiment, the detachment structure is not provided, so when the radiator 30 rotates during a frontal collision, the rotating shaft 34 continues to rotate without falling off the bearing portion 44. Even in this configuration, the load applied to the radiator 30 can be released, thereby preventing damage to the radiator 30. In the vehicle front structure 10A of the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained, except for the effects related to the detachment structure.

[0067] Next, a vehicle front structure 10B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig. 9 is a left side view schematically showing an example of the vehicle front structure 10B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that in the vehicle front structure 10B of the third embodiment, components similar to those of the vehicle front structure 10 of the first embodiment described above are indicated by the same reference numerals and will not be described here again, with only the differences being described in detail.

[0068] 9, the vehicle front structure 10B of the third embodiment differs from the radiator of the first embodiment in the manner in which the radiator 30A is disposed. While the radiator 30 of the first embodiment is disposed at an angle, the radiator 30A of the third embodiment is disposed so as to stand along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0069] The radiator 30A also includes a bracket 33 disposed at its lower end in the vehicle vertical direction so as to protrude toward the front of the vehicle. The bracket 33 is formed in a generally inverse L-shape in side view, with one end fixed to a radiator support 32 of the radiator 30 and the other end fixed to the vehicle body 11. The bracket 33 and the radiator support 32 are fastened together, for example, by screws or the like.

[0070] A generally cylindrical pin 33A that protrudes downward is provided on the underside of the other half of the bracket 33. A notch 58 is also provided on the vehicle body 11. The notch 58 has the same configuration as the notch 52 shown in FIG. 5. The pin 33A is fitted into the notch 58, thereby fixing the radiator support 32 to the vehicle body 11 via the bracket 33. In this embodiment, the notch 58 and the pin 33A form a fixing portion 50A.

[0071] (Operations and Effects of Third Embodiment) Next, operations and effects of the third embodiment will be described.

[0072] In the vehicle front structure 10B of the third embodiment, the radiator 30A is arranged so as to stand upright along the vertical direction of the vehicle, so that damage to the radiator 30A can be avoided even in vehicles other than electric vehicles.

[0073] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 10B of the third embodiment, the fixing portion 50A fixes the radiator 30A to the vehicle body 11 via the bracket 33 disposed so as to protrude forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, so that in the event of a frontal collision, a collision load can be applied to the bracket 33 before the radiator 30A. This allows the fixing of the radiator 30A by the fixing portion 50A to be released more quickly. The vehicle front structure 10B of the third embodiment also provides the same effects as the first embodiment described above, except for the effect related to the radiator 30 being disposed at an angle.

[0074] [Additional Explanation] In the above-described embodiment, the radiator 30 is of a horizontal flow type in which the refrigerant flows horizontally, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the radiator 30 may have an upper tank and a lower tank instead of a pair of left and right tanks, and may be of a vertical flow type in which the refrigerant flows from top to bottom. Known equipment can be used for the radiator 30.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the cross member 26 is a lower absorber, but the present disclosure is not limited to this and may be any member that is pushed when a frontal collision load is applied. Furthermore, the fixing portion 50 may fix the radiator 30 to the vehicle body 11 other than the cross member 26 using, for example, a bracket, instead of fixing the radiator 30 to the cross member 26. In this case, the vehicle body 11 used for fixing is a member that is pushed when a frontal collision load is applied.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, a radiator has been described as an example of a heat exchanger, but the heat exchanger of the present disclosure is not limited to a radiator. The heat exchanger may be, for example, a condenser, a heat exchanger for vehicle air conditioning, or the like.

[0077] In the first embodiment described above, the bracket 56 is fixed to the boundary between the cross member 26 and the radiator support 32 from the rear of the vehicle using screws or the like, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the bracket 56 may be fixed from the front of the vehicle. In this case, the bracket 56 is formed with a strength sufficient to break when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle.

[0078] Furthermore, the configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration can be modified as appropriate as long as the problem can be solved.

[0079] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-092515, filed on June 6, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. All documents, patent applications, and technical standards described herein are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure comprising: a heat exchanger; front side members extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle on both the left and right sides in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle; support parts provided at the intermediate parts in the longitudinal direction of the pair of left and right front side members in a power unit room at the front of the vehicle, the support parts supporting the intermediate parts of the heat exchanger in the vertical direction of the vehicle rotatably with the vehicle width direction as the axial direction; and a fixing part fixing a portion of the heat exchanger on the front side of the vehicle to the vehicle body.

2. A vehicle front structure as described in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger has a rotating shaft supported by the support portion, and the support portion has a detachment structure that allows the rotating shaft to drop off after the heat exchanger has rotated.

3. A vehicle front structure as described in claim 2, wherein the support portion is provided with a cylindrical bearing portion that supports the rotating shaft, and the detachment structure is constituted by an opening provided in an upper portion of the bearing portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

4. A vehicle front structure as described in claim 1, further comprising a cross member disposed on the front side of the heat exchanger and extending in the vehicle width direction, wherein the fixing portion fixes the front portion of the heat exchanger to the cross member.

5. A vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the support portion supports the rotation shaft of the heat exchanger from the vehicle width direction side or the rear side in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

6. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, which is applied to a vehicle equipped with a battery and a motor as a drive source.

7. A vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed at an angle so that the upper side in the vehicle vertical direction is positioned rearward in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

8. A vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed so as to stand along the vertical direction of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle front structure as described in claim 8, wherein the heat exchanger is provided with a bracket arranged to protrude forward in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and the fixing part fixes the heat exchanger to the vehicle body via the bracket.

10. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the rotary shaft is made of resin.

11. A vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the front side members are formed integrally with a front frame member that constitutes the frame of the body at the front of the vehicle.

12. A vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the front frame member constituting the frame of the body at the front of the vehicle is integrally formed by die casting.

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