CN116198608A

CN116198608A - Rear structure for vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN116198608A
Application number: CN202211502574.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金成勋; 金成祐; 朴柱雄
Original assignee: Hyundai Motor Co; Kia Corp
Current assignee: Hyundai Motor Co; Kia Corp
Priority date: 2021-11-30
Filing date: 2022-11-28
Publication date: 2023-06-02
Also published as: KR20230081182A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rear structure for a vehicle, the rear structure comprising: a rear floor and a pair of diagonal members engaged with a bottom surface of the rear floor, extending obliquely from both sides of the rear floor to a rear side of the rear floor, and being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line of the rear floor. The rear structure further includes a pair of side extensions engaged with the bottom surface of the rear floor at both sides of the rear floor, respectively, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the rear floor. The rear structure includes a cross member disposed between a pair of side extensions at a bottom surface of the rear floor, the cross member having two ends respectively spaced apart from the respective side extensions.

Description

Rear structure for vehicle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rear structure of a vehicle, and more particularly, to a rear structure of a vehicle including a structure that effectively distributes a rear load path and enhances protection against a rear collision.

Background

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) use both an engine and an electric machine for driving. The electric machine receives electric energy stored in the battery and generates power to drive the vehicle. When the electric power in the battery is lower than a predetermined level, the vehicle is driven by the engine. Hybrid electric vehicles are considered to be environmentally friendly vehicles in that they consume less fuel and emit less contaminants because they constantly charge the battery during travel through self-generation and regenerative braking.

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle that has a battery capacity greater than that of a conventional hybrid electric vehicle. Therefore, in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a battery is charged from an external power source, and a motor is driven by the charged electric energy. When the charged power is consumed, the engine is operated.

Therefore, the fuel tank and the battery must be installed in a limited space of the hybrid electric vehicle, and external impact caused by collision or the like must be prevented by an appropriate protection structure and layout design. In view of these two aspects, the battery and the fuel tank are mainly mounted to the rear floor of the vehicle body together with the required protection structure.

For example, as shown in fig. 1A and 1B,

batteries

650A and 650B are mounted to an upper surface of the rear floor 630, and a fuel tank 610 is mounted to a bottom surface of the rear floor 630. In order to protect the fuel tank 610 in the event of a collision of the vehicle, the fuel tank 610 is disposed at a predetermined distance away from the rear of the vehicle, and the

batteries

650A and 650B are disposed as two independent batteries to secure the capacity thereof.

To evaluate the rear impact performance of a vehicle, an offset impact test was employed that was offset laterally with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. In this example, the rear beam may deform and break when a rear impact occurs. Although the additional deformation is suppressed by the rear cross member, when an offset collision occurs, for example, at the left side with respect to the longitudinal center line of the vehicle, the front end of the side rail is bent due to the breakage of the rear beam, and the impact force is not dispersed sufficiently, so that the impact force absorbed by the right side member is small, and the left side member rotates inward.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention. Thus, it may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems associated with the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rear structure of a vehicle capable of effectively protecting a fuel tank and a battery against a rear-end collision.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above objects, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains (hereinafter, "those skilled in the art") based on the following description.

To achieve the above object of the present invention and to perform the characteristic functions of the present invention, the characteristics of the present invention are described below.

In one aspect of the present invention, a rear structure of a vehicle includes: a rear floor and a pair of diagonal members engaged with a bottom surface of the rear floor, extending obliquely from both sides of the rear floor to a rear side of the rear floor, and being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line of the rear floor. The rear structure further includes a pair of side extensions engaged with the bottom surface of the rear floor at both sides of the rear floor, respectively, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the rear floor. The rear structure further includes a cross member disposed between the pair of side extensions at the bottom surface of the rear floor, the cross member having two ends respectively spaced apart from the respective side extensions.

Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

It should be understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein include motor vehicles in general. Such motor vehicles may include passenger automobiles including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), utility vehicles, trucks, various commercial vehicles, water vehicles including various boats and ships, aircraft, and the like. Such passenger vehicles may include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from non-petroleum energy sources). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a vehicle that is both gasoline powered and electric powered.

The above features and other features of the present invention are discussed below.

Drawings

The above and other features of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are non-limiting of the invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a top view of a rear floor of an exemplary hybrid vehicle of the prior art;

FIG. 1B illustrates a bottom view of a rear floor of an exemplary hybrid vehicle of the prior art;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a rear floor including a rear structure according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing a portion indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2, with the rear floor removed therefrom;

FIG. 3B shows the rear structure from the rear side of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagonal member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a rear floor of a rear structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom view of a rear floor of a rear structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A shows a bottom view of a rear floor of a rear structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 7B shows a bottom perspective view of a rear floor of a rear structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A illustrates a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 8B shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of fig. 8A.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the invention disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific target application and environment of use.

In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or equivalent elements throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

The description of specific structures or functions presented in the embodiments of the present invention is merely exemplary for the purpose of explaining the embodiments in accordance with the concepts of the present invention. Embodiments according to the inventive concept may be implemented in various forms. Furthermore, these descriptions should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, but rather should be construed to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, terms such as "first" and/or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first component may be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component may be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other terms describing relationships between components should be construed in a similar manner (e.g., "between" and "directly between", "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", etc.).

When a component, device, element, etc. of the present invention is described as having an object or performing an operation, function, etc., the component, device, or element should be considered herein as being "configured to" satisfy the object or perform the operation or function.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In this specification, the singular forms include the plural unless otherwise indicated. The terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" when used in this specification mean that the recited components, steps, operations and/or elements do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements.

The present invention provides a rear structure of a vehicle having excellent body performance against rear collision in a hybrid electric vehicle, particularly in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

In one embodiment of the invention, the rear structure of the vehicle comprises one single high voltage battery. The capacity of a single high-voltage battery increases, and thus the size increases. According to the present invention, since the rear structure has excellent collision resistance, the fuel tank can be disposed behind the battery on the rear floor of the vehicle, and therefore the battery of increased size can be effectively disposed.

In a typical internal combustion engine vehicle, the deformation of the fuel tank is allowed to reach about 40%, whereas in the case of a PHEV, the conditions are strict, and the deformation of the fuel tank is allowed to reach only about 15%. Accordingly, in the vehicle shown in fig. 1A to 1B, the fuel tank 610 is arranged at the opposite front side with respect to the rear of the vehicle to mount the two

batteries

650A and 650B, respectively. Due to the nature of the separate battery, the battery is cooled by air cooling, and in the case of an air-cooled battery, its performance is deteriorated as compared with a water-cooled battery.

The present invention adopts a structure capable of effectively dispersing collision energy applied to a rear floor to dispose a fuel tank near the rear of a vehicle. In addition, the invention adopts a single high-voltage battery to cool the battery through water cooling, thereby improving the performance of the battery.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a rear floor including a rear structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 3A is a schematic view showing a portion indicated by a broken line in fig. 2, from which the rear floor is removed to further show the rear structure of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. 3B shows a rear structure of the vehicle according to the present invention as seen from the rear side of fig. 3A, and fig. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of fig. 3A. Here, "X" represents the lateral direction of the vehicle, and "Y" represents the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

As shown in fig. 2 to 4, the rear structure 1 of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the invention may be provided to the rear floor 10. The rear structure 1 may include a cross member 20, a side extension 30, an engagement element 40, and a diagonal member 50. In particular, the cross member 20, the side extensions 30, the engagement elements 40, and the diagonal member 50 are engaged to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10.

The cross member 20 is joined to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10 and extends in the lateral direction X of the vehicle. The cross member 20 may have two ends that are spaced apart from the respective side extensions 30.

The cross member 20 is coupled to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10 to define a first space S1, which is an empty space (empty space) between the cross member 20 and the rear floor 10. As a non-limiting example, the cross-section of the first space S1 is substantially rectangular.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the cross member 20 comprises end flange portions 22 bent from both sides of the cross member 20, respectively. The end flange portions 22 are bent from both longitudinal sides of the cross member 20, and each end flange portion 22 has a profile corresponding to the rear floor 10 to be attached to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10.

As shown in fig. 3A, the side extensions 30 are engaged with both ends of the cross member 20, respectively, and also with the bottom surfaces of both sides of the rear floor 10. The side extensions 30 extend along both sides of the rear floor 10 by a predetermined distance in the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle, respectively.

The side extension 30 is coupled to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10 to define a second space S2, which is a blank space between the side extension 30 and the rear floor 10.

Meanwhile, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the side extension 30 includes a side flange portion 32. The side flange portions 32 are respectively bent from both sides of the side extensions 30 and attached to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 3B, the cross member 20 may have both ends spaced apart from the respective side extensions 30, respectively. The end flange portions 22 may have both ends respectively engaged with the side flange portions 32. Both ends of the first space S1 may be spaced apart from the second space S2, respectively. In the event of a crash, this configuration will cause stable buckling of the side extensions 30, thereby increasing the rate of impact energy absorption.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rear structure may further include engagement elements 40 disposed at both sides of the first space S1, respectively. The engagement element 40 may define a closed cross-section inside the first space S1. The engagement elements 40 may be disposed at both sides of the first space S1, respectively. The cross-sectional shape of the engagement element 40 may be substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape of the cross-member 20. The engagement member 40 may have a closed section inside the first space S1 to prevent inflow of foreign substances.

A pair of diagonal members 50 are formed at both sides of the rear floor 10, respectively. Diagonal members 50 extend between cross members 20 and the respective side extensions 30. The diagonal member 50 is joined to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10, and is disposed obliquely or substantially obliquely to the longitudinal direction Y or the lateral direction X of the vehicle at the bottom surface of the rear floor 10. The pair of diagonal members 50 are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle. Each diagonal member 50 has a first end engaged with the cross member 20 and a second end extending to a side surface of the rear floor 10, more specifically, the second end is engaged with the corresponding side extension 30.

Referring to fig. 5, diagonal member 50 comprises a first member 150 and a second member 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first member 150 is engaged with the second member 250 to define a third space S3 therebetween, the third space S3 having one side opening. The open third space S3 is joined to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10 to define a closed space.

The first member 150 has an overall "L" shape in cross section. The first member 150 includes a first portion 152 and a second portion 154. The first portion 152 is substantially parallel or horizontal to the rear floor 10 and the second portion 154 is substantially perpendicularly curved from the first portion 152.

The first portion 152 has a proximal end 152a, which proximal end 152a engages the lower surface of the cross member 20. The proximal end 152a of the first portion 152 changes its direction from an oblique direction and extends parallel with respect to the longitudinal direction Y of the vehicle for engagement with the cross member 20. The proximal end 152a of the first portion 152 has a larger area than the remainder of the first portion 152 to increase the coupling force with the cross member 20. Herein, the term "proximal" refers to the side closer to the cross member 20, and the term "distal" refers to the side farther from the cross member 20.

The first portion 152 has a distal end 152b, which distal end 152b curves downwardly from the first portion 152 or toward the ground. Distal end 152b includes a profile substantially identical to the outer side surface of side extension 30 to facilitate engagement with side extension 30.

The second portion 154 extends substantially vertically from the first portion 152 and includes an engagement flange 1154 that engages the rear floor 10. The engagement flange 1154 is curved from the second portion 154 and is attached to the bottom surface of the rear floor 10.

The second member 250 is engaged with the first member 150. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second member 250 includes a coupling portion 252, a vertical portion 254, and a connection flange 256.

The coupling portion 252 is directly coupled with the first portion 152 of the first member 150. The coupling portion 252 may have a bottom surface coupled with the upper surface of the first portion 152 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling portion 252 may have an upper surface coupled with the bottom surface of the first portion 152.

The vertical portion 254 is bent from the coupling portion 252 and extends in a substantially vertical direction. Thus, when the first member 150 is engaged with the second member 250, the vertical portion 254 and the second portion 154 face each other.

The connecting flange 256 is curved from the perimeter of the vertical portion 254. Connecting flange 256 may include a pair of

side connecting flanges

1256a and 1256b and an upper connecting flange 2256. The vertical portion 254 has

side connection flanges

1256a and 1256b on both sides, respectively.

Side connection flanges

1256a and 1256b are obliquely bent from vertical portion 254 and extend substantially parallel to the outer side surfaces of cross member 20 and side extension 30, respectively. The vertical portion 254 has an upper side with an upper connecting flange 2256. The upper connecting flange 2256 is bent from the vertical portion 254 and attached to the rear floor 10. As a non-limiting example, upper connecting flange 2256 may have the same structure as engaging flange 1154.

Although the first member 150 and the second member 250 have been described as separate and distinct structures, the first member 150 and the second member 250 may be integrated with each other.

Fig. 6A shows a top view of a rear floor of a rear structure of a vehicle according to the present invention, and fig. 6B shows a bottom view of the rear floor of the rear structure of the vehicle according to the present invention.

The vehicle body ensures rear collision performance of the vehicle by connecting the load paths. Although the impact preventing members are provided on both the left and right sides of the vehicle, the members may not function when the load is concentrated on one side. When the load is transmitted in only one direction during the load passing, the load is concentrated in one portion, and collision energy may not be properly absorbed, thereby increasing local deformation.

According to the present invention, the structure for distributing the bumper back beam force may be, in particular, a diagonal member 50 supporting the cross member 20. Since the collision force is effectively distributed to both sides of the vehicle, breakage of the rear beam is prevented, and the cross member 20 is not pushed. Further, according to the present invention, the action of each member can be kept uniform even after the collision.

In fig. 6B, "B" represents a protection section of the battery 200, and "F" represents a protection section of the fuel tank 100. According to the present invention, when the vehicle lateral direction (X direction) is offset to the left (L1, 70% offset) and the moving deformable obstacle (MDB) collides therewith, the fuel tank protecting section F is aligned with the end line L2 of the diagonal member 50. This corresponds to the maximum position where the fuel tank can be protected. Further, a maximum buckling guide section L3 is provided on both sides of the vehicle to stably absorb the impact.

In other words, the present invention is excellent in distributing the impact force in a rear impact, particularly in an offset impact.

As shown in fig. 7A and 7B, the rear floor 10 may be provided with a reinforcing member 60 at a bottom surface according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reinforcing member 60 may have a proximal end 60a engaged with the cross member 20 or the diagonal member 50, and the reinforcing member 60 may have a distal end 60b engaged with the bottom surface of the rear floor 10.

As shown in fig. 8A and 8B, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing member 60 defines a fourth space S4 therein, the fourth space S4 being a blank space.

As described above, in the case of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), since the allowable deformation amount of the fuel tank is very small, additional protection of the fuel tank 100 is required. Accordingly, the present invention proposes a structure in which at least one reinforcing member 60 supports the fuel tank 100, and in particular, the reinforcing member 60 has the fourth space S4 therein, thereby more effectively preventing the fuel tank 100 from being deformed at the time of collision.

As can be seen from the above description, the present invention provides the following effects.

According to the present invention, there is provided a rear structure of a vehicle capable of effectively dispersing collision energy in a rear collision.

According to the present invention, there is provided a rear structure of a vehicle that provides excellent protection performance for a battery and a fuel tank in the event of a rear collision.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rear structure for a vehicle, the rear structure comprising:

a rear floor;

a pair of diagonal members engaged with a bottom surface of the rear floor, extending obliquely from both sides of the rear floor to a rear side of the rear floor, and being symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line of the rear floor;

a pair of side extensions engaged with the bottom surface of the rear floor at both sides of the rear floor, respectively, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the rear floor; and

a cross member disposed between a pair of side extensions at a bottom surface of the rear floor;

wherein the cross member has two ends respectively spaced apart from the respective side extensions.

2. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the diagonal members extend obliquely from both sides of the rear floor toward the rear side of the rear floor in directions approaching each other, respectively.

3. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the diagonal member is closed by a bottom surface of the rear floor to define a third space.

4. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one reinforcing member having one end engaged with the diagonal member at a rear side of the rear floor and the other end engaged with a bottom surface of the rear floor at a front side of the fuel tank.

5. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement member defines a fourth space therein, the fourth space being a blank space.

6. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the diagonal member includes a first member and a second member engaged with the first member.

7. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each side extension is engaged with one side of the corresponding diagonal member, and the cross member is engaged with the other side of the corresponding diagonal member.

8. The rear structure for a vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein the cross member and the diagonal member flange are joined to a rear floor to define a first space.

9. The rear structure for a vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising engagement elements provided on both sides of the first space, respectively, wherein the engagement elements define a closed cross section inside the first space.