Vehicle body structure
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2025003965_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Vehicle body structure
[0001] This case relates to a vehicle body structure to which a mounting portion and a bracket are attached.
[0002] As a vehicle body structure forming the framework of a vehicle, a frame structure including side frames (hereinafter simply referred to as "frames") extending in the front-rear direction and cross members extending in the vehicle width direction is known. As such a frame structure, a ladder-shaped structure (so-called "ladder frame") in which a pair of left and right frames are extended at intervals in the vehicle width direction and the frames are connected by a plurality of cross members is used.
[0003] In addition, various members are attached to the frame of the vehicle body structure. Examples of members attached to the frame include a mounting portion that supports a body such as a cabin or a cargo box with respect to the frame, and a bracket that is detachably provided with bolts to fix fitting parts. Fitting parts include a towing hook, a winch for tightening, a hitch member, and the like. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure in which a towing hook is attached via a bracket to a side wall portion of a rear side member provided at the rear of a vehicle body.
[0004] Japanese Patent No. 5223253
[0005] By the way, there is a risk of causing deformation of the frame due to the load from the mounting portion and the bracket attached to the frame. However, there is a limit to reinforcing the frame itself, and it is difficult to suppress deformation of the frame. Therefore, there is room for improvement in suppressing deformation of the frame.
[0006] The vehicle body structure of this case was devised in view of such problems, and one of its purposes is to suppress deformation of the frame. In addition, not limited to this purpose, it is also another purpose of this case to exhibit an operational effect derived from each configuration shown in the "mode for carrying out the invention" described later and not achievable by the conventional technology.
[0007] The disclosed vehicle body structure can be realized in the following embodiments (application examples), and solves at least some of the above-mentioned problems. Each of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward is an additional embodiment that can be appropriately selected, and each is an embodiment that can be omitted. None of the embodiments from Embodiment 2 onward disclose any embodiments or configurations that are indispensable to this case.
[0008] Embodiment 1. The disclosed vehicle body structure comprises a hollow frame, a mounting portion, a bracket for attaching fittings, and a bulkhead. The frame extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The mounting portion is attached to one side of the frame, which is one side in the vehicle width direction, to support the body. The bracket is attached to the other side of the frame, which is the other side in the vehicle width direction, opposite to the mounting portion. The bulkhead reinforces the frame from the inside. The bulkhead also includes a connecting bulkhead that is positioned within the range between the mounting portion and the bracket and connects the one side and the other side of the frame.
[0009] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 1 described above, the mounting portion is preferably attached to the rear end of the frame. Furthermore, the frame is preferably having a rear joint portion on one side to which the rear end edge of the mounting portion is joined, and the connecting bulkhead is preferably positioned near the rear joint portion.
[0010] Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 2 described above, it is preferable that the frame has a side fixing portion to which the bracket is bolted at a position facing the mounting portion on the other side. Furthermore, it is preferable that the connecting bulkhead is positioned rearward with respect to the location where the bolts of the side fixing portion are fixed and forward with respect to the rear joint portion.
[0011] Embodiment 4. In Embodiment 3 described above, it is preferable that the bulkhead is positioned in front of the connecting bulkhead at a location opposite to the side fixing portion and includes a plurality of sub-bulkheads arranged in a front-to-back direction.
[0012] Embodiment 5. In Embodiment 4 described above, the vehicle body structure is preferably provided with a reinforcement. The reinforcement extends in the front-rear direction along the other side of the frame within the frame and is joined to the frame, and has an upright portion that reinforces the side fixing portion from the inside of the frame. In this case, the subbulkhead is preferably provided at a position that overlaps with the inner front-rear range in which the reinforcement extends in the front-rear direction.
[0013] Embodiment 6. In Embodiment 5 described above, it is preferable that the frame has a bottom fixing portion on its lower surface to which the bracket is fixed. Furthermore, it is preferable that the reinforcement is formed in a vertical L-shape with a lower surface portion that extends from the lower edge of the vertical portion to one side and reinforces the bottom fixing portion from the inside.
[0014] Embodiment 7. In any one of embodiments 4 to 6 described above, the frame preferably comprises an outer frame on the outside in the vehicle width direction and an inner frame on the inside in the vehicle width direction. The outer frame has a mounting portion, a vertical cross-section along the vehicle width direction and vertical direction that is U-shaped and open to the inside in the vehicle width direction, and a front joint portion on one side to which the front end edge of the mounting portion is joined. The inner frame has the bracket fixed to it, and its vertical cross-section is U-shaped and open to the outside in the vehicle width direction. In this case, the upper surface of the outer frame is preferably formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the front-rear range between the front joint portion and the rear joint portion, and the upper end of the sub-bulkhead is joined to the upper surface. Furthermore, the lower surface of the inner frame is preferably formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the front-rear range where the side fixing portion is located, and a bottom fixing portion to which the bracket is fixed is preferably provided.
[0015] Embodiment 8. In any one of embodiments 1 to 7 described above, the frame preferably has a front joint portion to which the front end edge of the mounting portion is joined on one side surface. Furthermore, the bulkhead preferably includes a front bulkhead that is positioned in front of the connecting bulkhead and reinforces the vicinity of the front joint portion.
[0016] According to the disclosed vehicle body structure, frame deformation can be suppressed.
[0017] This is a perspective view showing the main parts of a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment. This is an exploded perspective view showing the entire vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1. This is an exploded perspective view showing only a part of the vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1. This is a side view showing the main parts of the vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1 with the outer frame removed. This is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1.
[0018] An embodiment of the vehicle body structure will be described with reference to the drawings. The vehicle body structure of this embodiment is applicable to vehicles having a frame structure. The type of vehicle to which the frame structure is applied is not particularly limited, and can be applied to, for example, automobiles equipped with engines, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), etc. A plug-in hybrid vehicle refers to a hybrid vehicle that can be externally charged to or receive power from the battery. A plug-in hybrid vehicle is provided with a charging port (inlet) for inserting a charging cable into which power is supplied from an external charging facility, and an outlet for external power supply.
[0019] In this embodiment, the direction of direction is defined as follows: the forward direction of the vehicle is the front of the vehicle (simply referred to as "front," or "FR" in the figure), the reverse direction is the rear of the vehicle (simply referred to as "rear"), and the left-right direction (vehicle width direction) is determined based on the front. In the figure, "RH" indicates right. The up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface, with the direction of gravity being downward (vehicle downward) and the opposite being upward (vehicle upward, or "UP" in the figure). Regarding the vehicle width direction, in a top view of the vehicle, the left side is the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the right side is the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction does not have to perfectly coincide with the vertical direction and may be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. In addition, a cross section that runs along both the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction is called a longitudinal cross section.
[0020] [I. One Embodiment] [1. Configuration] [1-1. Basic Configuration] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the main parts of a vehicle body structure according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the entire vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of the left rear part of the vehicle body structure, viewed from the right and rear diagonally above. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a part of the vehicle body structure within the range shown in Figure 1, exploded, and viewed from the left and rear diagonally above. Figures 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the main parts of the vehicle body structure shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side view of the vehicle body structure with the outer frame removed, viewed from the left side (outside in the vehicle width direction). Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the horizontal cross section of the vehicle body structure, viewed from above.
[0021] Figures 1 to 5 show only the left side of the vehicle body, specifically the rear end and its surrounding area. In the explanation using Figures 1 to 5, "right side" refers to the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and "left side" refers to the outer side in the vehicle width direction. Although the structure of the vehicle body is often formed to be nearly symmetrical (mirror symmetry with respect to the plane containing the yaw axis and roll axis passing through the vehicle's center of gravity), it is not necessary for it to be perfectly symmetrical. In the explanation using Figures 1 to 5, which show the left side of the vehicle body, the right side of the vehicle body is also assumed to be similar (symmetrical) unless otherwise specified.
[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle body structure of this embodiment includes a frame 1 extending in the front-rear direction. The frame 1 is a hollow skeletal member. This frame 1 is also called a side frame, and for example, a pair is provided on the left and right sides spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. Each frame 1 extends over substantially the entire length of the vehicle, from the front end to the rear end.
[0023] Note that Figure 1 shows only the left frame 1, and the right frame 1 is not shown. The pair of frames 1 are connected by multiple cross members (not shown) that extend in the vehicle width direction and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. These frames 1 and cross members are part of the vehicle body structure that forms the skeleton of the vehicle, and in plan view they form a ladder frame.
[0024] Frame 1 has a closed longitudinal cross-section and a hollow space extending in the front-rear direction. As shown in Figure 2, the frame 1 illustrated in this embodiment is formed by combining two types of frames 2 and 3, which will be described below, to form a rectangular closed cross-section. Of the two types of frames 2 and 3, one is an outer frame 2 located on the outside of frame 1 in the vehicle width direction (one side in the vehicle width direction), and the other is an inner frame 3 located on the inside of frame 1 in the vehicle width direction (the other side in the vehicle width direction). The outer frame 2 has a U-shaped longitudinal cross-section that is open to the inside in the vehicle width direction. The inner frame 3 has a U-shaped longitudinal cross-section that is open to the outside in the vehicle width direction.
[0025] The outer frame 2 has a vertical surface portion 2E (one side) extending in the vertical and longitudinal directions, an upper surface portion 2U extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the vertical surface portion 2E, and a lower surface portion 2L extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the vertical surface portion 2E. The upper surface portion 2U and the lower surface portion 2L face each other and extend in the longitudinal and vehicle width directions. The inner frame 3 has a vertical surface portion 3E (the other side) extending in the vertical and longitudinal directions, an upper surface portion 3U extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper edge of the vertical surface portion 3E, and a lower surface portion 3L extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower edge of the vertical surface portion 3E. The upper surface portion 3U and the lower surface portion 3L face each other and extend in the longitudinal and vehicle width directions.
[0026] Frame 1 is formed by joining the upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 and the upper surface portion 3U of the inner frame 3 to each other, and by joining the lower surface portion 2L of the outer frame 2 and the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 to each other. That is, the upper surfaces 2U and 3U of the two types of frames 2 and 3 form the upper surface portion 23U of frame 1, and the lower surfaces 2L and 3L of the two types of frames 2 and 3 form the lower surface portion 23L (lower surface) of frame 1. In addition, the vertical surface portion 2E of the outer frame 2 forms the vertical surface portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (one side in the vehicle width direction) of frame 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "outer vertical surface portion 2E"), and the vertical surface portion 3E of the inner frame 3 forms the vertical surface portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the other side in the vehicle width direction) of frame 1 (hereinafter also referred to as "inner vertical surface portion 3E").
[0027] In the frame 1 illustrated in this embodiment, the upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 is joined to the lower surface portion 3U of the inner frame 3, and the lower surface portion 2L of the outer frame 2 is joined to the upper surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3. In other words, the upper surface portion 2U and the lower surface portion 2L of the outer frame 2 are positioned and fixed on the inside (towards the hollow space of the frame 1) relative to the upper surface portion 3U and the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3.
[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, components such as mounting parts 4 and brackets 5 are attached to the frame 1. The mounting part 4 is a component that supports the body (not shown), such as the cabin that forms the passenger compartment and the cargo box on which luggage can be loaded. Here, a mounting part 4 that supports the cabin (a so-called cabin mount) is shown as an example. In addition to the mounting part 4 shown in Figures 1 and 2, other mounting parts are attached to the frame 1 that are located in front of this mounting part 4.
[0029] The mounting portion 4 is a member that supports the cabin via vibration-damping components (not shown) containing elastic members such as rubber or springs or viscous fluids, and is fixed to the frame 1 by welding. This mounting portion 4 is attached to the rear end of the frame 1 at the rear of the vehicle body and is joined by welding to the outside of the frame 1 in the vehicle width direction. The joint portion 6, which is the part of the frame 1 to which the mounting portion 4 is joined, is located on the outside of the frame 1 in the vehicle width direction, and may therefore be called the outer joint portion.
[0030] The mounting portion 4 illustrated in Figure 2 has a U-shaped end that is open downwards on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and is joined to the frame 1. The joint portion 6 of the frame 1 to which the end of the mounting portion 4, which has this shape, is joined (indicated by a dashed line in Figure 2), includes a rear joint portion 6R that extends vertically at the rear end, an upper joint portion 6U that extends in the front-rear direction at the upper end, and a front joint portion 6F that extends vertically at the front end. The rear end 4r of the mounting portion 4 is joined to the rear joint portion 6R, the upper end 4u of the mounting portion 4 is joined to the upper joint portion 6U, and the front end 4f of the mounting portion 4 is joined to the front joint portion 6F. The rear joint portion 6R and the front joint portion 6F are located on the outer vertical surface portion 2E of the frame 1. The upper joint portion 6U is located on the upper surface portion 23U of the frame 1.
[0031] In addition, flange portions 4F are formed at the ends near the edges 4f, 4r, and 4u of the mounting portion 4, tapering inward towards the vehicle width direction. Since the mounting portion 4 in this embodiment is joined at three locations: the rear edge 4r, the upper edge 4u, and the front edge 4f, the flange portions 4F are also formed in a U-shape to extend across these three locations. Specifically, the flange portions 4F are curved such that they are located further back near the rear joint portion 6R, higher near the upper joint portion 6U, and further forward near the front joint portion 6F, as they move inward towards the vehicle width direction. The mounting portion 4, with such edges 4f, 4r, and 4u, is provided on the outer frame 2.
[0032] Bracket 5 is a component for attaching outfitting (not shown) and is detachably mounted to frame 1. Outfitting includes optional equipment selected by the vehicle user, specifically including towing hooks, tightening winches, hitch members, etc. Since the bracket 5 for attaching outfitting (hereinafter simply referred to as "bracket") may be of a shape and size depending on the type and model of the outfitting, it is not fixed to frame 1 in a way that makes it impossible to remove by welding or riveting, but is detachably mounted to frame 1. In this embodiment, bracket 5 is fixed to frame 1 with bolts B1, B2 and nuts N1, N2, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
[0033] The frame 1 is provided with a fixing portion 7, which is the part to which the bracket 5 is fixed at the rear of the vehicle body with bolts (hereinafter referred to as "side bolts") B1. The fixing portion 7 has a side fixing portion 7S to which the bracket 5 is fixed on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the frame 1. This side fixing portion 7S is positioned on the inner vertical surface portion 3E of the frame 1 opposite the mounting portion 4 and is positioned forward relative to the rear joint portion 6R.
[0034] The bracket 5 illustrated here includes a side bracket 5S fixed to the inside of the frame 1 in the vehicle width direction, and a bottom bracket 5B fixed to the underside of the frame 1. The side bracket 5S is fixed to the inner vertical surface portion 3E of the frame 1, and the bottom bracket 5B is fixed to the lower surface portion 23L of the frame 1. In other words, the side fixing portion 7S is the portion to which the side bracket 5S is fixed. In addition to the side fixing portion 7S, the fixing portion 7 of this embodiment includes a bottom fixing portion 7B to which the bottom bracket 5B is fixed to the underside of the frame 1.
[0035] The side fixing portion 7S is the part on the inner vertical surface portion 3E to which the side bracket 5S is fixed. The bottom fixing portion 7B is the part on the lower surface portion 23L to which the bottom bracket 5B is fixed. The side bracket 5S and the side fixing portion 7S are provided with side holes H1 into which side bolts B1 that fix the side bracket 5S to the side fixing portion 7S are inserted. The side bolts B1 inserted into the side holes H1 are fastened with nuts (hereinafter referred to as "side nuts") N1, thereby fixing the side bracket 5S and the inner vertical surface portion 3E together. Figure 2 illustrates a side fixing portion 7S fastened with two side bolts B1 and side nuts N1, one at the front and one at the back.
[0036] Furthermore, the bottom bracket 5B and the bottom fixing portion 7B are provided with bottom holes H2 into which bolts (hereinafter referred to as "bottom bolts") B2 that fix the bottom bracket 5B to the bottom fixing portion 7B are inserted. The bottom bolts B2 inserted into the bottom holes H2 are fastened with nuts (hereinafter referred to as "bottom nuts") N2, thereby fixing the bottom bracket 5B and the bottom portion 23L together. Figure 2 illustrates the bottom fixing portion 7B fastened with three bottom bolts B2 and bottom nuts N2 at the front and rear.
[0037] Furthermore, the number and placement of the side bolts B1 and side nuts N1, and the bottom bolts B2 and bottom nuts N2 are not limited to the number and placement shown as exemplified in Figure 2, but can be arbitrarily set. In addition, in the frame 1 of this embodiment, the rear joint 6R is positioned behind the locations where the bolts B1 and B2 of the side fixing part 7S and the bottom fixing part 7B are fixed (i.e., the fastening parts) (the bottom fixing part 7B is positioned in front of the rear joint 6R), the upper joint 6U is positioned in the overlapping area in the front-rear direction, and the front joint 6F is positioned in front.
[0038] Incidentally, the mount 4 is subjected to a load from the cabin, and the bracket 5 is subjected to a load from the outfitting. An example of a load applied to the bracket 5 is the tensile load transmitted from the towing hook provided as outfitting. These loads applied to the mount 4 and bracket 5 are input to the frame 1 from the joint 6 and fixing 7. Therefore, if the strength and rigidity of the frame 1 are insufficient, or if the frame 1 is not reinforced, it may lead to deformation of the frame 1.
[0039] For example, a load applied to the frame 1 from the mount portion 4 via the joint portion 6 may cause the joint portion 6 to be pulled outward in the vehicle width direction, displacing the upper surface portion 23U of the frame 1 outward in the vehicle width direction, potentially leading to deformation that distorts the hollow space of the frame 1. Also, a load applied to the frame 1 from the bracket 5 via the fixing portions 7S and 7B may cause the side fixing portion 7S to be pulled inward in the vehicle width direction, potentially leading to deformation of the inner vertical surface portion 3E of the frame 1, and the bottom fixing portion 7B to be pulled downward, potentially leading to deformation of the lower surface portion 23L of the frame 1. Consequently, deformation of the inner vertical surface portion 3E and the lower surface portion 23L may lead to deformation that distorts the hollow space of the frame 1.
[0040] [1-2. Main Components] In this embodiment, the vehicle body structure is provided with members to reinforce the frame 1 in order to suppress deformation that distorts the hollow space of the frame 1. In the vehicle body structure illustrated in this embodiment, two types of members, a reinforcement 8 and a bulkhead 9, are provided to reinforce the frame 1, and the reinforcement 8 and bulkhead 9 are welded (joined) to the frame 1. These reinforcement 8 and bulkhead 9 are placed in the hollow space of the frame 1, and so to speak, the hollow space is used as a placement space to suppress deformation from the inside of the frame 1.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the reinforcement 8 is a member that reinforces the fixing portion 7 and extends in the front-rear direction in the hollow space of the frame 1. Here, the illustrated reinforcement 8 has a standing surface portion 8E that extends along the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and a lower surface portion 8L that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end edge of the standing surface portion 8E, and is welded to the inner frame 3. By these standing surface portion 8E and lower surface portion 8L, the reinforcement 8 has an L-shaped cross section. That is, the reinforcement 8 is formed in an L-shaped cross section composed of the standing surface portion 8E and the lower surface portion 8L.
[0042] The standing surface portion 8E is overlapped with the surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the side fixing portion 7S and welded to the standing surface portion 3E of the inner frame 3 to reinforce the side fixing portion 7S from the inside of the frame 1. In this standing surface portion 8E, at a location where the side bolt B1 is inserted, a side hole H1' (shown by being drawn out from the same location as the side hole H1 for illustration convenience in FIG. 3) is formed in a region that overlaps with the side hole H1 of the side fixing portion 7S when viewed in the vehicle width direction.
[0043] The lower surface portion 8L is overlapped with the upper surface of the bottom fixing portion 7B and welded to the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 to reinforce the bottom fixing portion 7B. In this lower surface portion 8L, at a location where the bottom bolt B2 is inserted, a bottom hole H2' (shown by being drawn out from the same location as the side hole H1 for illustration convenience in FIG. 3) is formed in a region that overlaps with the bottom hole H2 of the bottom fixing portion 7B when viewed in plan view.
[0044] In addition, the reinforcement 8 illustrated in FIG. 2 has not only the holes H1' and H2' but also other holes formed, but the number and arrangement of the other holes are arbitrary and the other holes may be omitted, and various shapes may be adopted not limited to the shape illustrated in FIG. 2. Further, in the vehicle body structure of the present embodiment, if the range in which the reinforcement 8 extends in the front-rear direction is defined as the "inner front-rear range R1" and the range in which the upper joint portion 6U extends in the front-rear direction is defined as the "upper front-rear range R2", the inner front-rear range R1 is included in the upper front-rear range R2 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. That is, when viewed in the vehicle width direction, within the upper front-rear range R2, the reinforcement 8 extends in the front-rear direction.
[0045] The bulkhead 9 is a member that reinforces the frame 1 from the inside. This bulkhead 9 is a partition wall that divides the hollow space of the frame 1 into front and rear sections. In other words, the bulkhead 9 has a wall-like portion that runs along the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, and this portion is a reinforcing member that divides the hollow space of the frame 1 into front and rear sections. In this embodiment, a plurality of bulkheads 9 arranged in a row from front to rear are illustrated. In the bulkheads 9 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the first bulkhead 91 (front bulkhead), the second bulkhead 92 (sub-bulkhead), the third bulkhead 93 (sub-bulkhead), and the fourth bulkhead 94 (connecting bulkhead, joining bulkhead) are arranged in this order from front to rear.
[0046] If the fourth bulkhead 94 is fixed to the frame 1 and the other bulkheads 91-93 are not provided, it is difficult to fix the other bulkheads 91-93 in the hollow space in front of the fourth bulkhead 94. Therefore, the bulkheads 91-93 in front of the fourth bulkhead 94 are pre-fixed to the outer frame 2 by welding before being joined to the inner frame 3. The bulkheads 91-93 fixed in this way are welded only to the outer frame 2. In this example, the outer edges, upper edges (upper end), and lower edges of the bulkheads 91-93 in the vehicle width direction are welded to the outer frame 2.
[0047] As described above, frame 1 is formed by joining the inner frame 3 to the outer frame 2, which has the bulkheads 91 to 93 fixed to it in advance. The fourth bulkhead 94 may be welded to the outer frame 2 in advance before the inner frame 3 is joined, or it may be welded to the outer frame 2 after the inner frame 3 is joined. After the inner frame 3 is joined to the outer frame 2, the fourth bulkhead 94 is welded to the inner frame 3, so that the fourth bulkhead 94 is joined to both sides of frames 2 and 3. The fourth bulkhead 94, which is welded to both the outer frame 2 and the inner frame 3, can also be described as a lid-like member that closes the hollow space in front of the fourth bulkhead 94 from the rear.
[0048] The fourth bulkhead 94 fixed as described above is, for example, fixed by welding to the outer frame 2 at the edges on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the upper edge, and the lower edge, and is fixed by welding to the inner frame 3 at the edge on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the fourth bulkhead 94 is disposed within the range between the mount portion 4 and the bracket 5 and connects the outer standing surface portion 2E and the inner standing surface portion 3E of the frame 1. Among the fourth bulkheads 94 illustrated in FIG. 2, the edge on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and the vicinity thereof are curved so as to be positioned rearward as they go toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The fourth bulkhead 94 is welded and fixed to the inner frame 3 at the edge on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and the rear edge.
[0049] The first bulkhead 91 is disposed in the vicinity of the front joint portion 6F. That is, the first bulkhead 91 is a member that reinforces the front joint portion 6F or a member that reinforces the vicinity of the front joint portion 6F. The above-mentioned "vicinity of the front joint portion 6F" means a range in which, if the first bulkhead 91 is not provided, the frame 1 is likely to be deformed by the load input from the front joint portion 6F to the frame 1. Therefore, it can also be said that the "vicinity of the front joint portion 6F" is a range in which the deformation of the frame 1 due to the load input from the front joint portion 6F to the frame 1 can be effectively suppressed if the first bulkhead 91 is provided.
[0050] For example, the first bulkhead 91 is provided slightly forward of the front joint portion 6F. However, the first bulkhead 91 may be disposed at the same front-rear direction position as the front joint portion 6F or may be provided slightly rearward of the front joint portion 6F. The first bulkhead 91 illustrated here is disposed forward of the reinforcement 8 (that is, outside the inner front-rear range R1).
[0051] The three bulkheads 92-94, located rearward from the first bulkhead 91, are positioned in the longitudinal direction, overlapping with the upper longitudinal range R2 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. These three bulkheads 92-94 can also be said to be reinforcing members for the upper joint 6U. Of these three bulkheads 92-94, the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 are positioned in the longitudinal direction, overlapping with the inner longitudinal range R1 when viewed in the vehicle width direction. That is, two (or more) bulkheads 92 and 93 are arranged side by side in the inner longitudinal range R1. These second bulkhead 92 and third bulkhead 93 can also be said to be reinforcing members for the fixing portion 7.
[0052] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a reinforcement 8 is positioned on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the bulkheads 92 and 93, and bolts B1 and B2 and nuts N1 and N2 that fix the reinforcement 8 are located there. In other words, these bulkheads 92 and 93 are positioned opposite the side fixing portion 7S and are located in the inner front-rear range R1. The bulkheads 92 and 93, positioned in this manner, have a shape in which the edges facing the reinforcement 8 are cut out in order to prevent interference with the reinforcement 8 and bolts B1 and B2 and nuts N1 and N2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 have a shape in which, when viewed in the front-rear direction, the inner and lower edges in the vehicle width direction are cut out from the rectangular closed cross section that forms the longitudinal cross section of the hollow space of the frame 1.
[0053] The fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned within the range between the mount 4 and the bracket 5 in order to suppress deformation of the frame 1 due to loads input from the mount 4 and the bracket 5. This fourth bulkhead 94 is a member that reinforces the rear joint 6R, the side fixing part 7S, and the bottom fixing part 7B, and is positioned in the vicinity of the rear joint 6R, the side fixing part 7S, and the bottom fixing part 7B. Here, "the vicinity of the rear joint 6R, the side fixing part 7S, and the bottom fixing part 7B" means the range in which the frame 1 is likely to deform due to loads input to the frame 1 if the fourth bulkhead 94 is not provided. Therefore, "the vicinity of the rear joint 6R, the side fixing part 7S, and the bottom fixing part 7B" can also be said to be a range in which deformation of the frame 1 can be effectively suppressed if the fourth bulkhead 94 is provided.
[0054] The fourth bulkhead 94, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, is positioned rearward relative to the side fixing portion 7S and the bottom fixing portion 7B, and forward relative to the rear joint portion 6R (see Figure 5). For example, the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned rearward relative to the location where the side bolt B1 of the side fixing portion 7S is fixed. More specifically, of the fourth bulkhead 94, the outer edge in the vehicle width direction is positioned near the front of the rear joint portion 6R, the inner edge in the vehicle width direction is positioned near the rear of the side fixing portion 7S, and the lower edge is positioned near the bottom fixing portion 7B.
[0055] The frame 1, reinforced by the four bulkheads 91-94 described above, has its size determined by its position in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Figure 2. First, the size of the frame 1 will be specifically explained based on the joints 6 and side fixing parts 7S. The upper surface 2U of the outer frame 2 is formed with a larger width dimension (so to speak, widened) in the longitudinal range between the front joint 6F and the rear joint 6R than in other areas (i.e., outside the longitudinal range between the front joint 6F and the rear joint 6R). The upper edges (upper ends) of the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 are joined to the area in the upper surface 2U where the width dimension is larger. Also, the lower surface 3L of the inner frame 3 is formed with a larger width dimension in the longitudinal range where the side fixing parts 7S are located than in other areas (i.e., outside the longitudinal range where the side fixing parts 7S are located). The bottom fixing part 7B is provided in the area in the lower surface 3L where the width dimension is larger.
[0056] Next, the dimensions of the frame 1 will be specifically described based on the four bulkheads 91-94 mentioned above. Here, the range in the front-rear direction where the four bulkheads 91-94 are located will be called the "reinforced range R3," and the range in front of the reinforced range R3 will be called the "unreinforced range R4." The upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 is formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than the unreinforced range R4 within the reinforced range R3. Similarly, the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 is formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than the unreinforced range R4 within the reinforced range R3.
[0057] In addition, the lower surface portion 2L of the outer frame 2 is provided with a protruding portion 2P that protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction within the reinforcement range R3. The protruding portion 2P is provided at the location where the lower edge of the fourth bulkhead 94 is fixed by welding. The fact that the protruding portion 2P protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction ensures the welding length at the lower edge of the fourth bulkhead 94.
[0058] [2. Function and Effects] As the vehicle body structure of this embodiment is configured as described above, the following functions and effects can be obtained. (1) As the vehicle body structure of this embodiment is provided with bulkheads 91 to 94 that reinforce the frame 1, deformation of the frame 1 can be suppressed. Of the bulkheads 91 to 94, the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned within the range between the mounting portion 4 and the bracket 5 and connects the outer vertical surface portion 2E and the inner vertical surface portion 3E of the frame 1. Therefore, deformation of the frame 1 due to loads input from the mounting portion 4 and the bracket 5 can be suppressed.
[0059] (2) If the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned forward of the side fixing portion 7S which is forward of the rear joint portion 6R, the fourth bulkhead 94 will be spaced apart from the rear joint portion 6R, and there is a possibility that the rear joint portion 6R will not be adequately reinforced. In contrast, since the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned near the rear joint portion 6R, it can reinforce the area near the rear joint portion 6R. Therefore, deformation of the frame 1 due to load from the rear joint portion 6R can be suppressed.
[0060] (3) Furthermore, if the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned rearward relative to the rear joint 6R, the fourth bulkhead 94 will be spaced apart from the side fixing portion 7S and the bottom fixing portion 7B, which may prevent sufficient reinforcement of the side fixing portion 7S and the bottom fixing portion 7B. In contrast, the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned rearward relative to the location where the side bolt B1 of the side fixing portion 7S is fixed and forward relative to the rear joint 6R, and is positioned in the vicinity of both the side fixing portion 7S and the rear joint 6R. As a result, the portion of the frame 1 that is rearward relative to the side fixing portion 7S and forward relative to the rear joint 6R can be reinforced, and the vicinity of this portion can also be reinforced, thus reinforcing the rear joint 6R and the side fixing portion 7S of the frame 1. Therefore, deformation of the frame 1 due to load from the rear joint 6R can be suppressed, and deformation of the frame 1 due to load from the side fixing portion 7S can also be suppressed.
[0061] (4) The second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 are arranged in a front-to-back configuration, with two bulkheads positioned side-by-side. They are located in a position opposite the side fixing portion 7S and further forward than the fourth bulkhead 94. Therefore, compared to a structure in which, for example, only one bulkhead is positioned opposite the side fixing portion 7S and further forward than the fourth bulkhead 94, deformation of the frame 1 due to the load from the side fixing portion 7S can be further suppressed.
[0062] (5) Furthermore, the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 are positioned in the longitudinal direction that overlap with the inner longitudinal range R1 in which the reinforcement 8 extends in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the side fixing portion 7S is not only reinforced by the vertical portion 8E of the reinforcement 8, but the side fixing portion 7S can also be reinforced by the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93. Thus, deformation of the frame 1 can be further suppressed.
[0063] (6) The bottom fixing portion 7B to which the bottom bracket 5B is fixed to the lower portion 23L of the frame 1 is reinforced by the lower portion 8L of the reinforcement 8, which has an L-shaped vertical cross-section consisting of a vertical portion 8E and a lower portion 8L. In addition to the reinforcement of the side fixing portion 7S by the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 described above, the bottom fixing portion 7B is also reinforced by the lower portion 8L of the reinforcement 8, thereby reliably reinforcing the side fixing portion 7S and the bottom fixing portion 7B and enhancing the deformation suppression effect of the frame 1.
[0064] (7) The upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 is formed to have a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the longitudinal range between the front joint portion 6F and the rear joint portion 6R. Furthermore, the upper edges of the second bulkhead 92 and the third bulkhead 93 are joined to the area in the upper surface portion 2U where the vehicle width direction dimension is larger. As a result, the rigidity of the upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 is improved in the longitudinal range between the front joint portion 6F and the rear joint portion 6R compared to the area outside the longitudinal range between the front joint portion 6F and the rear joint portion 6R. Consequently, deformation of the upper surface portion 2U due to loads from the front joint portion 6F and the rear joint portion 6R can be suppressed in this longitudinal range.
[0065] Furthermore, the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 is formed to have a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the front-rear range where the side fixing portion 7S is located. In addition, a bottom fixing portion 7B is provided in the area of the lower surface portion 3L where the vehicle width direction is larger. As a result, the rigidity of the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 is improved in the front-rear range where the side fixing portion 7S is located compared to the area outside the front-rear range where the side fixing portion 7S is located. Therefore, deformation of the lower surface portion 3L due to load from the side fixing portion 7S can be suppressed. (8) The first bulkhead 91 that reinforces the front joint portion 6F or the vicinity of the front joint portion 6F can suppress deformation of the frame 1 due to load from the front joint portion 6F.
[0066] (9) In addition, the upper surface portion 2U of the outer frame 2 has a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction in the reinforced area R3 than in the unreinforced area R4. With the upper surface portion 2U widened in the reinforced area R3 in this way, the rigidity of the reinforced area R3 is improved compared to the unreinforced area R4, which helps to suppress deformation caused by load from the upper joint portion 6U in the reinforced area R3. Also, the lower surface portion 3L of the inner frame 3 has a larger dimension in the vehicle width direction in the reinforced area R3 than in the unreinforced area R4. With the lower surface portion 3L widened in the reinforced area R3 in this way, the rigidity of the reinforced area R3 is improved compared to the unreinforced area R4, which helps to suppress deformation caused by load from the bottom fixing portion 7B in the reinforced area R3.
[0067] (10) In a view in the vehicle width direction, the second bulkhead 92, third bulkhead 93, and fourth bulkhead 94 are positioned in a location that overlaps with the upper front-rear range R2 that extends in the front-rear direction of the upper joint 6U. These three bulkheads 92 to 94 reinforce the upper joint 6U, and deformation of the frame 1 due to loads from the upper joint 6U can be suppressed. (11) The bulkheads 91 to 94 are provided as partition walls that divide the hollow space of the frame 1 into front and rear sections, and are welded to the frame 1 in this hollow space. Therefore, the bulkheads 91 to 94 can resist loads that cause deformation of the frame 1 that distort the hollow space, thereby suppressing deformation of the frame 1.
[0068] (12) The fourth bulkhead 94 illustrated in this embodiment is positioned rearward relative to the bottom fixing portion 7B. That is, the fourth bulkhead 94 is positioned rearward relative to the side fixing portion 7S and the bottom fixing portion 7B and forward relative to the rear joint portion 6R, and is positioned in close proximity to all of the side fixing portion 7S, the bottom fixing portion 7B, and the rear joint portion 6R. With the fourth bulkhead 94 positioned in this manner, the bottom fixing portion 7B can be reinforced in addition to the rear joint portion 6R and the side fixing portion 7S of the frame 1. Therefore, not only can deformation of the frame 1 due to loads from the rear joint portion 6R and the side fixing portion 7S be suppressed, but deformation of the frame 1 due to loads from the bottom fixing portion 7B can also be suppressed. Thus, all of the side fixing portion 7S, the bottom fixing portion 7B, and the rear joint portion 6R can be effectively reinforced, and deformation of the frame 1 can be further suppressed.
[0069] [II. Modifications] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and there is no intention to exclude various modifications and applications of techniques not explicitly stated in these embodiments. Each component of these embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from their spirit. Furthermore, components can be selected and combined as needed.
[0070] The vehicle body structure of this embodiment is such that the mounting portion 4 and the bracket 5 are arranged on either side of a hollow frame 1, and that it has a bulkhead corresponding to at least the fourth bulkhead 94 described above, and that this bulkhead is positioned within the range between the mounting portion 4 and the bracket 5 and connects the outer vertical surface portion 2E and the inner vertical surface portion 3E of the frame 1. The form in which the mounting portion 4 is attached to the frame 1 is not limited to a form in which it is joined by welding, but may be a known form such as a form in which it is fixed by bolts or rivets. Similarly, the form in which the bracket 5 is attached to the frame 1 is not limited to a form in which it is joined by bolts B1 and B2, but may be a known form such as a form in which it is joined by welding or fixed by rivets.
[0071] The frame is not limited to having different shapes in the unreinforced and reinforced areas as described above in one embodiment; any shape can be adopted in the unreinforced and reinforced areas. The relative arrangement of the fixing parts and joints is not limited to the arrangement described above in one embodiment; any arrangement can be adopted. Specifically, it is not limited to a configuration in which the rear joint is positioned behind the side fixing parts and bottom fixing parts; the front rear joint may be positioned in front of the side fixing parts and bottom fixing parts. Alternatively, the side fixing parts, bottom fixing parts and the rear joint may be positioned at equal front-rear positions.
[0072] The reinforcement is not limited to having both an upright and a bottom surface, but may also have either an upright or a bottom surface. When only side fixing parts are provided as fixing parts, it is preferable to use a reinforcement with only an upright surface.
[0073] The joints may include not only the outer joints located on the outside of the frame in the vehicle width direction, but also other joints provided at positions different from the outer joints. The bulkheads are not limited to the configuration in which multiple bulkheads are arranged in a row front to back in the inner front-rear range R1 and the upper front-rear range R2, as described above in one embodiment, but may also be provided as a single bulkhead. That is, in addition to the fourth bulkhead 94 described above, at least one bulkhead corresponding to the first bulkhead 91, second bulkhead 92 and third bulkhead 93 described above may be provided. Conversely, three or more bulkheads may be arranged in a row in the front-rear direction at positions overlapping with the inner front-rear range R1, and four or more bulkheads may be arranged in a row in the front-rear direction at positions overlapping with the upper front-rear range R2.
[0074] This technology is applicable to the manufacturing industry of vehicle body structures, and also to the manufacturing industry of vehicles to which this vehicle body structure is applied.
[0075] 1 Frame (body) 2 Outer frame 2E Vertical surface, outer vertical surface (one side) 2U Top surface 23L Bottom surface (bottom) 3 Inner frame 3E Vertical surface, inner vertical surface (other side) 3L Bottom surface 4 Mounting part 4f Front edge 4r Rear edge 5 Bracket 6 Joint 6R Rear joint 6U Upper joint 6F Front joint 7 Fixing part 7S Side fixing part 7B Bottom fixing part 8 Reinforcement 8E Vertical surface 8L Bottom surface 9 Bulkhead 91 First bulkhead (front bulkhead) 92 Second bulkhead (sub-bulkhead) 93 Third bulkhead (sub-bulkhead) 94 Fourth bulkhead (connecting bulkhead) B1 Side bolt (bolt) B2 Bottom bolt (bolt) R1 Inner front / rear range R2 Upper front / rear range R3 Reinforced range R4 Unreinforced range
Claims
1. A vehicle body structure comprising: a hollow frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a mounting portion attached to one side of the frame, which is one side in the vehicle width direction, to support the body; a bracket for mounting fittings attached to the other side of the frame, which is the other side in the vehicle width direction, opposite to the mounting portion; and a bulkhead that reinforces the frame from the inside, wherein the bulkhead includes a connecting bulkhead that is positioned within the range between the mounting portion and the bracket and connects the one side and the other side of the frame.
2. The vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the mounting portion is attached to the rear end of the frame, the frame has a rear joint portion on one side surface to which the rear end edge of the mounting portion is joined, and the connecting bulkhead is positioned near the rear joint portion.
3. The vehicle body structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the frame has a side fixing portion at a position opposite to the mounting portion on the other side to which the bracket is fixed with bolts, and the connecting bulkhead is positioned rearward with respect to the location where the bolts of the side fixing portion are fixed and forward with respect to the rear joint portion.
4. The vehicle body structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the bulkhead is positioned in front of the connecting bulkhead at a position opposite to the side fixing portion and includes a plurality of sub-bulkheads arranged in a front-to-rear direction.
5. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, comprising a reinforcement having an upright portion that extends in the front-rear direction along the other side of the frame and is joined to the frame, and the subbulkhead is provided at a position that overlaps with the inner front-rear range in which the reinforcement extends in the front-rear direction.
6. The vehicle body structure according to claim 5, characterized in that the frame has a bottom fixing portion on the lower surface of the frame to which the bracket is fixed, and the reinforcement is formed in a vertical L-shape with a lower surface portion that extends from the lower end edge of the vertical portion to one side and reinforces the bottom fixing portion from the inside.
7. The vehicle body structure according to claim 4, wherein the frame comprises an outer frame on the outside in the vehicle width direction, on which the mounting portion is provided, and whose longitudinal cross-section along the vehicle width direction and vertical direction is U-shaped with an opening in the vehicle width direction, and to which the front end edge of the mounting portion is joined on one side surface; and an inner frame on the inside in the vehicle width direction, on which the bracket is fixed, and whose longitudinal cross-section is U-shaped with an opening in the vehicle width direction, wherein the upper surface of the outer frame is formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the longitudinal range between the front joint portion and the rear joint portion, and the upper end of the subbulkhead is joined to the upper surface portion; and the lower surface of the inner frame is formed to be larger in the vehicle width direction than other parts in the longitudinal range where the side fixing portion is arranged, and a bottom fixing portion is provided on the lower surface portion to which the bracket is fixed.
8. The vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the frame has a front joint portion to which the front end edge of the mounting portion is joined on one side surface, and the bulkhead is positioned in front of the connecting bulkhead and includes a front bulkhead that reinforces the vicinity of the front joint portion.