Automotive front body structure

Abstract

In order to suppress a decrease in the absorption amount of collision energy caused by deformation of a side member even if a component is disposed in the surrounding of the side member, the present invention includes: a side member (2) extending in the front-rear direction (Y) on both left and right sides of a vehicle; an on-vehicle component (11) disposed outward of the side member in the vehicle width direction (X); a bracket (13) supporting the on-vehicle component and directly or indirectly attached to the side member; and a strut member (14) of the bracket, the struct member fixed to the rear portion of the vehicle and extending toward the side member. A rear end (14a) of the strut member is disposed inward in the vehicle width direction (X) with respect to a surface (P1) in which the main surface of the bracket (13) is extended.

Description

Automobile front body structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a front body structure of an automobile.

[0002] A known front body structure for this type of automobile is a vehicle front structure that includes side members, crash boxes, and load transmission members, and is configured so that the side members bend so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction when a collision load is transmitted through the load transmission members (Patent Document 1).

[0003] JP 2015-223848 A

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that components arranged around the side member, such as the controller, harness, piping, or hose, can become pinched by the bent side member during a frontal collision, which causes the amount of collision energy absorbed by the deformation of the side member to be reduced below the design value.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a front body structure for an automobile that can suppress a decrease in the amount of collision energy absorption due to deformation of the side member even when parts are arranged around the side member.

[0006] The present invention solves the above problem by providing a strut member at the rear of the vehicle of the bracket that extends toward the side member when the vehicle includes an on-board component placed via a bracket on the outer side of the side member in the vehicle width direction, and by positioning the rear end of the strut member inward in the vehicle width direction from a plane that extends from the main surface of the bracket.

[0007] According to the present invention, even if parts are arranged around the side member, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of collision energy absorption due to deformation of the side member.

[0008] 4 is a perspective view showing an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view (viewed in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2) showing an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a main part of an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a main part of an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view (viewed in the direction of arrow VII in FIG. 3) showing an enlarged assembled state of the bracket, on-vehicle part, and strut member of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is a side view showing an enlarged view of the bracket, on-vehicle part, and strut member of FIG. 4. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the on-vehicle part and strut member of FIG. 4. FIG. 12 is a simulation diagram showing, in plan view, a state in which an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is subjected to a frontal collision.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the front body structure for an automobile according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 to 10, the direction X indicates the width direction of the vehicle, the direction Y indicates the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the direction Z indicates the up-down direction of the vehicle.

[0010] The automotive front body structure of this embodiment has side members 2, 2 (front side members) extending in the longitudinal direction on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, and as long as an on-board component 11 is attached via a bracket 13 directly or indirectly attached to the side members 2, the automotive type is not particularly limited, and the structure can be applied to any automotive vehicle, including gasoline-powered automobiles, diesel-powered automobiles, electric automobiles, and hybrid automobiles. The body type is also not particularly limited, and the structure can be applied to both chassis-frame-type bodies and monocoque-type bodies. In the following embodiment, the present invention will be described using an example in which the on-board component 11 is attached to the left side member 2, but the present invention can also be applied to an automotive vehicle in which the on-board component is attached to the right side member 2 or to both the left and right side members 2, 2.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an automobile front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the automobile front body structure according to the same embodiment as seen from diagonally above, and Fig. 3 is a side view showing the automobile front body structure according to the same embodiment as seen from the arrow III in Fig. 2.

[0012] 1 to 3, an automobile front body structure according to this embodiment (hereinafter also referred to simply as the front body structure) includes a pair of side members 2, 2 extending in the front-to-rear direction on both the left and right sides of an engine compartment 1 of a vehicle. The side members 2 in this example are front side members, and their front ends are connected and fixed to bumper reinforcement members 4 via crash boxes 3, and their rear ends are connected and fixed to a dash panel 5.

[0013] In this embodiment, the pair of side members 2, 2 are the main structural members constituting the front body, and are made of thick steel plates with high strength in bending and buckling directions to support the internal combustion engine and suspension system. However, the side members 2, 2 are configured to bend at predetermined positions so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction X in order to absorb impact energy during a frontal collision (details will be described later). Furthermore, the crash boxes 3 are configured to absorb collision energy by crushing in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle between the front bumper and the side members 2 during a frontal collision.

[0014] A pair of hood ridges 6, 6 extending in the front-to-rear direction are arranged above the side members 2 on both the upper left and right sides of the engine compartment 1, and a front fender panel (not shown) is attached to the hood ridge 6. A wheelhouse inner panel 7 is fixed between the hood ridge 6 and the side members 2, and a hood ridge brace 8 serving as a reinforcing frame is fixed to the outer surfaces (front wheelhouse side) of the wheelhouse inner panel 7 and the side members 2. In this embodiment, the hood ridge brace 8 is shaped to protrude convexly from the wheelhouse inner panel 7 and the side members 2.

[0015] A front suspension member 10 is fixed below the side member 2 via a suspension member fastening bracket 9, and a front wheel (not shown) is supported by this front suspension member 10.

[0016] In the front body structure of this embodiment, for example, a VTC controller (variable valve timing controller) that controls the opening and closing timing of intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine is attached as an on-vehicle component 11 to the front end of the left side member 2 via a bracket 13 as shown in Fig. 3. The VTC controller as on-vehicle component 12 of this embodiment is attached to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 13 made of steel plate as shown in Fig. 3, that is, is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the left side member 2. The on-vehicle component designated by reference numeral 12 in Fig. 3 is a controller other than the VTC controller, and is attached to the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the bracket 13.

[0017] In this embodiment, the on-vehicle component 11 is a VTC controller, but the on-vehicle component of the present invention is not limited to a VTC controller and may be other components. Also, in this embodiment, the on-vehicle component 12 is supported by the bracket 13, but the bracket of the present invention may support only the on-vehicle component 11, or may support components other than the on-vehicle components 11 and 12.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing essential parts of an automotive front body structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof, both showing the periphery of the front portion of the left side member 2. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the bracket 13, on-board components 11 and 12, and strut member 14 assembled as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the bracket 13, on-board components 11 and 12, and strut member 14 assembled as shown in Fig. 3, taken from the direction of arrow VII (a perspective view looking up from below). Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of the bracket 13, on-board component 11, and strut member 14, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the on-board component 11 and strut member 14.

[0019] The bracket 13 made of steel plate in this embodiment is fixed at two locations to a steel plate extension plate 15 (see FIG. 2) that is sandwiched and fixed between the front end of the side member 2 and the rear end of the crash box 3, and is fixed at one location to the suspension member fastening bracket 9. That is, the bracket 13 in this embodiment is indirectly fixed to the side member 2 at these two fixing portions 13a by inserting two weld bolts 15a of the extension plate 15 shown in FIG. 2 into two holes (shown as fixing portions 13a in FIG. 8 because they are hidden by nuts) provided in the front part of the bracket 13 shown in FIG. 8, respectively, and then tightening the nuts.

[0020] 7, one weld bolt 9a of the suspension member fastening bracket 9 is inserted into one hole (shown as fixing portion 13b in FIG. 7 because it is hidden by the weld bolt and nut) provided in the lower part of the bracket 13, and the bracket is tightened with a nut, whereby the bracket is indirectly fixed to the side member 2 at this one fixing portion 13b. Note that, although the bracket 13 in this embodiment is indirectly fixed to the side member 2 at three fixing portions 13a, 13b, some or all of the fixing portions 13a, 13b may be directly fixed to the side member 2.

[0021] The on-vehicle component 11, which is the VTC controller, is fixed to the bracket 13 at two fixing portions 13c, 13c using bolts and nuts, as shown in Fig. 8. In addition, another on-vehicle component 12 is fixed to the bracket 13 at two fixing portions 13d, 13d using bolts and nuts, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

[0022] In particular, in the front body structure of this embodiment, a strut member 14 made of steel plate is fixed by welding or other means to the rear portion of the vehicle of the bracket 13. In this embodiment, the strut member 14 is fixed and extends from the rear of the bracket 13 toward the side member 2. Here, the fact that the strut member 14 extends from the rear of the bracket 13 toward the side member 2 means that, as shown in the plan view of Figure 5, the center line C1 of the strut member 14 in the extension direction, indicated by the dashed dotted line, is parallel to or intersects with the center line C2 of the side member 2 in the extension direction.

[0023] 5, the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 in this embodiment is located inward in the vehicle width direction X from a plane P1 formed by extending the main surface of the bracket 13. This ensures that the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 will abut against the side member 2 in the event of a head-on collision.

[0024] In contrast, the side member 2 of this embodiment includes a convex or concave abutment portion on the outer surface of the side member 2 in the vehicle width direction X, and the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 is provided to extend toward this abutment portion. In this embodiment, the hood ridge brace 8 corresponds to the abutment portion. However, the abutment portion of the present invention is not limited to the hood ridge brace 8, and may be formed by a bracket fixed to the outer surface of the side member 2, or a concave or convex portion of the side member 2 itself formed on the outer surface of the side member 2.

[0025] 6 , the strut member 14 of this embodiment includes a side surface 14b and an upper surface 14c, with the front portion of the side surface 14b fixed to the rear portion of the bracket 13 by welding or the like, and the upper surface 14c extending inward in the vehicle width direction X (toward the center of the vehicle) relative to the side surface 14b. The strut member 14 includes two surfaces that form a substantially right angle, i.e., the side surface 14b and the upper surface 14c, because this ensures the strength of the strut member 14. The upper surface 14c extends inward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side surface 14b because there is greater interference with abutting portions such as the hood ridge brace 8 compared to when the upper surface 14c extends outward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side surface 14b.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 6, the strut member 14 of this embodiment includes a curved portion 14d where the front end of the upper surface 14c curves downward. If the front end of the upper surface 14c were left as a cut surface of the steel plate, sharp edges of the steel plate could come into contact with and damage harnesses, pipes, hoses, etc. placed or routed nearby. Therefore, it is sufficient for the curved portion 14d to have no exposed sharp edges.

[0027] As shown in Figure 6, the strut member 14 of this embodiment has a fixing member 16 attached to the top surface 14C for fixing components such as harnesses, pipes, or hoses that are arranged or routed around the strut member 14. Figure 6 shows only the fixing member 16, omitting the harnesses, pipes, hoses, or other components that are fixed to it. However, these components are fixed to the strut member 14 by inserting the harnesses, pipes, hoses, or other components into the ring-shaped part of the fixing member 16 and engaging them with holes 14e (see Figures 4 and 8) on the top surface 14c of the strut member 14.

[0028] As described above, the on-board component 11, which is the VTC controller in this embodiment, is supported on the inner surface of the bracket 13 in the vehicle width direction X. However, as shown in the plan view of Figure 9, in a plan view of the vehicle, the length L1 in the vehicle width direction X of the upper surface 14c of the strut member 14 is set to be longer than the length L2 in the vehicle width direction X of the on-board component 11. This is to allow the on-board component 11 to move at a constant distance without being pinched between the side members 2 in the event of a head-on collision.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5 , the crash boxes 3 are provided at the front ends of the side members 2 and are wider outward in the vehicle width direction X than the side members 2. Reinforcement members 17, each having a substantially right-angled triangular shape in a plan view, are fixed to the crash boxes 3 and abut against the wider surfaces of the crash boxes 3 and the outer surfaces of the side members 2 in the vehicle width direction X. If the reinforcing members 17 were not provided when the crash boxes 3 were wider outward in the vehicle width direction X than the side members 2, the side members 2 would bend at their connections with the crash boxes 3 in the event of a frontal collision, and the on-vehicle component 11 would be sandwiched between the bent side members 2. By fixing the reinforcing members 17 in abutment against the wider surfaces of the crash boxes 3 and the outer surfaces of the side members 2, the side members 2 will bend at the rear ends of the reinforcing members 17 in the event of a frontal collision, thereby ensuring a sufficient amount of impact energy absorption.

[0030] Furthermore, at least a portion of the bracket 13 in this embodiment is disposed in a position that overlaps the reinforcing member 17 in the front-to-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z of the vehicle. Figures 3 and 4 show that a portion of the bracket 13 overlaps the reinforcing member 17 in the up-down direction Z of the vehicle, and Figures 6 and 9 show that a portion of the bracket 13 overlaps the reinforcing member 17 in the front-to-rear direction Y of the vehicle. By disposing the bracket 13 so that it overlaps, in the event of a frontal collision, the on-vehicle component 11 moves along the slope of a substantially right-angled triangle in a plan view of the reinforcing member 17, and it is possible to prevent the on-vehicle component 11 from being pinched by the bent side member 2.

[0031] Next, the operation will be described. Fig. 10 is a simulation diagram showing, in plan view, a state in which the front body structure of an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention is subjected to a head-on collision.

[0032] As shown in Figure 10, the side member 2 of this embodiment is configured to bend so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction X during a frontal collision. Specifically, reinforcing members 17, each having a substantially right-angled triangular shape in a plan view, are fixed so as to abut against the widened surfaces of the crash boxes 3 and the outer surfaces of the side members 2 in the vehicle width direction X. As a result, during a frontal collision, the side members 2 bend between the rear ends of the reinforcing members 17 and the front end of the hood ridge brace 8 at a distance R (see Figures 5 and 10).

[0033] When the vehicle collides head-on, the impact from the bumper reinforcement force 4 is transmitted to the side members 2 and the reinforcing members 17 via the crash boxes 3, as shown in Figure 10, causing the crash boxes 3 to collapse as shown in the figure, and the side members 2 are bent so as to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction X between the rear ends of the reinforcing members 17 and the front end of the hood ridge brace 8. This absorbs the collision energy during a head-on collision.

[0034] During this time, the strut member 14, which is fixed to the rear portion of the bracket 13, has its rear end 14a abutting against the front end surface of the hood ridge brace 8 as the side member 2 deforms. However, because the strut member 14 has high bending strength and buckling strength, it remains rigid without bending or buckling. The reaction force of the strut member 14 is transmitted mainly to the two fixing portions 13a, 13a of the bracket 13. If the breaking strength of the bolts of the two fixing portions 13a, 13a is set smaller than the reaction force of the strut member 14, the two fixing portions 13a, 13a will break, allowing the on-vehicle components 11, 12 to move outward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side member 2 that is bending. As a result, the on-vehicle components 11, 12 can be prevented from being pinched by the side member 2.

[0035] As described above, the automotive front body structure of this embodiment includes side members 2, 2 extending in the front-to-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, an on-vehicle component 11 arranged on the outside of the side member 2 in the vehicle width direction X, a bracket 13 that supports the on-vehicle component 11 and is attached directly or indirectly to the side member 2, and a strut member 14 that is fixed to the rear portion of the bracket 13 and extends toward the side member 2, and since a rear end 14a of the strut member 14 is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction X from a plane P1 that is an extension of a main surface of the bracket 13, in the event of a frontal collision, the side member 2 deforms and the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 abuts against the side member 2 (specifically, the hood ridge brace 8). Since the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction X from a plane P1 that is an extension of the main surface of the bracket 13, it reliably abuts against a vehicle body component such as the side member 2.

[0036] As a result, the strut member 14 is tensioned, causing the fixing portions 13a, 13a of the bracket 13 to which the strut member 14 is fixed and the side member 2 to break, causing the on-vehicle component 11 to move outward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side member 2. As a result, it is possible to prevent the on-vehicle component 11 from being pinched between the side member 2, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of collision energy absorption due to deformation of the side member 2.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the automotive front body structure of this embodiment, the side members 2 include convex or concave abutment portions (corresponding to the hood ridge brace 8 in the above-described embodiment) on their outer surfaces in the vehicle width direction X, and the rear ends 14a of the strut members 14 extend toward the abutment portions, so that in the event of a head-on collision, the side members 2 deform and the rear ends 14a of the strut members 14 abut against the abutment portions, which then receive the rear ends 14a of the strut members 14. This tensions the strut members 14, which can promote fracture of the fastening portions 13a, 13a between the bracket 13 to which the strut members 14 are fixed and the side members 2.

[0038] Furthermore, in the automotive front body structure of this embodiment, the strut member 14 includes a side surface 14b and an upper surface 14c, the front portion of which is fixed to the rear portion of the bracket 13, and the upper surface 14c extends inward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side surface 14b. As the strut member 14 has two surfaces, the side surface 14b and the upper surface 14c, the tension strength of the strut member 14 can be increased, and fracture of the fixing portions 13a, 13a between the bracket 13 and the side member 2 can be facilitated. Furthermore, as the upper surface 14c extends inward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side surface 14b, a sufficient contact margin is ensured between the rear end 14a of the strut member 14 and the side member 2 or other contact portions.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the automotive front body structure of this embodiment, the on-board component 11 is supported on the inner surface of the bracket 13 in the vehicle width direction X, and in a plan view of the vehicle, the length L1 of the upper surface 14c in the vehicle width direction X is set to be longer than the length L2 of the on-board component 11 in the vehicle width direction X (L1 > L2). Therefore, in a frontal collision, the upper surface 14c of the strut member 14 interferes with the side member 2 before the on-board component 11. This allows the on-board component 11 to slide while maintaining a constant distance from the side member 2, preventing the on-board component 11 from being caught in the side member 2. This also prevents damage to the on-board component 11 due to deformation of the bracket 13 during a frontal collision.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the automotive front body structure of this embodiment, the strut member 14 includes a curved portion 14d where the front end of the upper surface 14c is curved downwards. Therefore, if components such as harnesses, pipes, hoses, etc. are arranged or routed around the strut member 14, even if these components come into contact with the front end of the upper surface 14c of the strut member 14 in the event of a head-on collision, the contact will be surface-to-surface, thereby preventing damage to these components.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the automotive front body structure of this embodiment, the strut members 14 include fixing members 16 for fixing components such as harnesses, pipes, hoses, etc. that are arranged or routed around the strut members 14, so that in the event of a head-on collision, the brackets 13 and strut members 14 can be acted upon to deform to maintain a certain or greater distance between the harnesses, pipes, hoses, etc. and the side members 2, thereby preventing the harnesses, pipes, hoses, etc. from being pinched in the side members 2. If such components are electrical wires, pinching them in the side members 2 can prevent them from shorting out.

[0042] The automotive front body structure of this embodiment further includes crash boxes 3 provided at the front ends of the side members 2 and expanded outward in the vehicle width direction X relative to the side members 2, and reinforcing members 17 that abut the expanded surfaces of the crash boxes 3 and the outer surfaces of the side members 2 in the vehicle width direction X and have a substantially right-angled triangular shape in a plan view, wherein at least a portion of the brackets 13 are positioned to overlap the reinforcing members 17 in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z of the vehicle. The provision of the reinforcing members 17 prevents the side members 2 from bending at their connections with the crash boxes 3, and allows the bending point of the side members 2 to be set at the rear end of the reinforcing members 17. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the brackets 13 are positioned to overlap the reinforcing members 17 in the front-rear direction Y and the up-down direction Z of the vehicle, when the side members 2 bend, the on-vehicle component 11 moves along the hypotenuse of the substantially right-angled triangular shape of the reinforcing members 17. As a result, the distance between the bracket 13 and the on-board component 11 and the side member 2 can be maintained at a certain level or more, and the bracket 13 and the on-board component 11 can be prevented from being pinched by the side member 2.

[0043] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...engine compartment 2...side member (front side member) 3...crash box 4...bumper reinforcement 5...dash panel 6...hood ridge 7...wheelhouse inner panel 8...hood ridge brace (contact portion) 9...suspension member fastening bracket 10...front suspension member 11...vehicle-mounted part (VTC controller) 12...vehicle-mounted part 13...bracket 13a to 13d...fixing portion 14...strut member 14a...rear end 14b...side surface 14c...upper surface 14d...curved portion 14e...hole 15...extension plate 16...fixing member 17...reinforcing member

Claims

side members extending in the front-rear direction on both the left and right sides of the vehicle; an on-vehicle component disposed on the outer side of the side member in a vehicle width direction; a bracket that supports the on-vehicle component and is attached directly or indirectly to the side member; a strut member fixed to a rear portion of the bracket and extending toward the side member, A front body structure for an automobile in which the rear end of the strut member is located inward in the vehicle width direction from a plane formed by extending the main surface of the bracket. 　 the side member includes a convex or concave contact portion on an outer surface of the side member in the vehicle width direction, 2. The front body structure of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of the strut member extends toward the abutment portion. 　 The strut member includes a side surface and a top surface; The side surface has a front portion fixed to a rear portion of the bracket, 3. The front body structure of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface extends inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the side surface. 　 The on-vehicle component is supported on an inner surface of the bracket in the vehicle width direction, 4. The automobile front body structure according to claim 3, wherein, in a plan view of the vehicle, the length of the upper surface in the vehicle width direction is set to be longer than the length of the on-board component in the vehicle width direction.

5. The front body structure of an automobile according to claim 3, wherein the strut member includes a curved portion at the front end of the upper surface that curves downward.

6. The automobile front body structure according to claim 3, wherein the strut member includes a fixing member for fixing a component disposed or routed around the strut member. 　 crash boxes provided at the front ends of the side members and extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the side members; a reinforcing member having a substantially right-angled triangular shape in a plan view, the reinforcing member contacting the widened surface of the crash box and the outer surface of the side member in the vehicle width direction, 5. The automobile front body structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bracket is positioned so as to overlap the reinforcing member in the longitudinal and vertical directions of the vehicle.

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