JP2018043701A - Structure for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a cost of manufacture of an I-beam and assure rigidity of the I-beam, and to suppress increase of a weight thereof.SOLUTION: A front axle 10 comprises an I-beam 11 having a substantially I-shaped cross section, and an upper cover 12 and a lower cover 13 which are fixed to the I-beam 11. The I-beam 11 is so formed as to have a substantially I-shaped cross section by upper and lower flanges 14, 15 and a web 16, and extends in a vehicle width direction. The upper cover 12 is formed by an upper plate part 35, a front side extension part 36 which projects downward from a front end edge part of the upper plate part 35, and a rear side extension part 37 which projects downward from a rear end edge part of the upper plate part 35, and is fixed to the upper side flange 14 by an adhesive 6. The upper plate part 35 contacts a top face 27 of the upper side flange 14, the front side extension part 36 continuously extends forward from a front end edge of the upper side flange 14, and the rear side extension part 37 continuously extends rearward from a rear end edge of the upper side flange 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle structure.

  Patent Document 1 describes an eye beam of a front axle device. In order to ensure the strength and rigidity of the eye beam, the eye beam extends downward and has an increased thickness as compared with the conventional eye beam.

JP-A-9-109914

  However, when the rigidity is ensured depending on the shape as in the eye beam described in Patent Document 1, an eye beam having a shape corresponding to the rigidity must be manufactured for each vehicle type having different rigidity required for the eye beam. For this reason, for example, even when there is a stock of eye beams for other vehicles, the eye beams for other vehicles can be used for vehicles of different vehicle types that require different rigidity. This is not possible, and an eye beam having a shape corresponding to the required rigidity must be manufactured, which may increase the manufacturing cost. On the other hand, if the eye beam of a vehicle with a high rigidity required for the eye beam is shared with a vehicle with a different rigidity required for the eye beam in order to reduce the cost, the rigidity required for the eye beam is low. In a vehicle of a vehicle type, an increase in weight may occur.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle structure that can suppress the manufacturing cost of the eye beam, ensure the rigidity of the eye beam, and suppress the increase in weight.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the vehicle structure according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an eye beam having a substantially I-shaped cross section and a cover. The eye beam is disposed between the pair of flanges extending along the extending direction in a state of being opposed to each other, and the eye beam is disposed between the pair of flanges and extends along the extending direction to connect the pair of flanges. And web. The cover is in contact with one end edge on one side of one flange of the pair of flanges and contacts one side extension extending in the extending direction and the other end edge on the other side of the one flange. A connecting portion that connects the one-side extension and the other-side extension in a state of being in contact with a surface opposite to the web of the one flange; And is fixed to the one flange to reinforce the eye beam. One side extension of the cover continuously extends to one side from one edge of the one flange of the eye beam. The other side extension of the cover continuously extends from the other end edge of the one flange of the eye beam to the other side.

  In the above configuration, the eye beam and the cover are fixed, and one side extension of the cover continuously extends from one edge of one flange of the eye beam (hereinafter simply referred to as a flange) to one side, and the other side extension of the cover Extends continuously from the other edge of the eye beam flange to the other side. For this reason, the rigidity of the eye beam against the force in the direction intersecting both the extending direction of the eye beam and the direction in which the flange is separated can be improved by the cross-sectional areas of the one side extension and the other side extension. it can. In addition, since the connecting portion of the cover connects the one-side extension portion and the other-side extension portion in a state of being in contact with the surface on the opposite side of the flange web, the rigidity of the eye beam with respect to the force in the direction in which the flange is separated is reduced. The cross-sectional area of the connecting portion of the cover can be improved. For example, when the eye beam extends in the vehicle width direction with the flanges spaced apart in the vertical direction of the vehicle, the rigidity of the eye beam against the force in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is determined by the one side extension and the other side extension of the cover. It can be improved by the cross-sectional area, and the rigidity of the eye beam against the vertical force of the vehicle can be improved by the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion of the cover.

  In addition, by fixing a cover separate from the eye beam to the eye beam, the eye beam is reinforced to ensure the rigidity of the eye beam. For this reason, the eye beam of the low-rigidity vehicle model required for the eye beam is shared with other vehicle models in various shapes (for example, the shape of the one side extension and the other side extension is different). The rigidity of the eye beam can be adjusted by preparing a cover corresponding to the rigidity required for the vehicle and fixing the cover to the common eye beam. In this way, the eye beam can be shared with vehicles of other vehicle types, so that the manufacturing cost of the eye beam can be suppressed. Further, since the rigidity of the eye beam can be adjusted by the cover, an increase in weight can be suppressed by fixing the lightest cover that can secure the minimum necessary rigidity required for the vehicle.

  The vehicle structure of the second aspect is the vehicle structure of the first aspect, wherein the extending direction of the eye beam is the vehicle width direction, and the pair of flanges are separated in the vertical direction. Facing each other. The eye beam is connected to the wheels of the vehicle and supported on the wheels by a pair of left and right wheel connecting portions, and arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right wheel connecting portions and connected to the vehicle body side to support the vehicle body from below. And a pair of left and right vehicle body connecting portions. The cover is fixed to a region between the left and right vehicle body connecting portions of the eye beam in the one flange.

  In the above configuration, since the cover is fixed to the region between the left and right vehicle body connecting portions of the eye beam in one flange, the rigidity between the left and right vehicle body connecting portions of the eye beam can be secured by the cover. For this reason, for example, when the vehicle suddenly brakes, a force from the wheel side to the rear acts on the left and right wheel connecting portions connected to the wheel side, and the left and right vehicle body connecting portions connected to the vehicle body side Even if the eye beam is deformed so that the force from the side to the front acts and the center side in the vehicle width direction of the eye beam bends forward, the deformation can be prevented by the cover.

  According to the present invention, the eye beam manufacturing cost can be suppressed, the rigidity of the eye beam can be ensured, and the increase in weight can be suppressed.

1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle to which a front axle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of a front axle. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2. It is an enlarged view of the principal part of FIG. It is a perspective view from the lower part of FIG. It is a perspective view of a cover.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, FR indicates the front of the vehicle, UP indicates the upper side, and IN indicates the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, in the following description, the left-right direction means the left-right direction with the vehicle facing forward. Further, the front-rear direction means the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the up-down direction means the up-down direction of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle structure according to the present embodiment is applied to a front axle (vehicle structure) 10 that extends in the vehicle width direction below the front portion of a body frame 5 of a vehicle 1 such as a truck. The The vehicle body frame 5 has a pair of left and right side members 3 extending in the front-rear direction on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The front axle 10 is attached to the left and right side members 3 on the vehicle body side via a pair of left and right leaf springs 4, and left and right front wheels (wheels) 2 are attached to both ends of the front axle 10 in the vehicle width direction. It is done. In FIG. 1, the left side member 3, the left leaf spring 4, and the left front wheel 2 are shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front axle 10 includes an eye beam 11 having a substantially I-shaped cross section, two upper covers (covers) 12 fixed to the eye beam 11, and two lower covers (covers) 13. .

  The eye beam 11 is a metal structure and has a pair of upper and lower flanges 14 and 15 that are substantially plate-shaped and extend in the vehicle width direction (extending direction) in a state of being opposed to each other in the vertical direction, and the upper and lower flanges. 14 and 15 is formed in a substantially I-shaped cross section and extends in the vehicle width direction by a substantially plate-like web 16 which is arranged between the upper and lower flanges 14 and 15 and is disposed between the upper and lower flanges 14 and 15. The eye beam 11 includes a horizontal portion 18 that extends substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction below the vehicle body frame 5, and left and right inclined portions 19 that extend from the both ends in the vehicle width direction of the horizontal portion 18 to incline upward in the vehicle width direction. Have. The left and right inclined portions 19 protrude outward in the vehicle width direction from the left and right side members 3. Both end portions (wheel connecting portions) 17 of the eye beam 11 in the vehicle width direction are disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the left and right side members 3, and are respectively connected to the left and right front wheels 2 (see FIG. 1) via knuckles (not shown). It is connected and supported by the left and right front wheels 2.

  The upper flange 14 of the horizontal portion 18 of the eye beam 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as the upper flange 14) has the upper edge of the web 16 continuous with the center portion of the lower surface 28 in the front-rear direction. The upper surface (surface opposite to the web) 27 of the upper flange 14 is the highest top portion 27a at the center in the front-rear direction, and is inclined from the top portion 27a toward the front lower side and the rear lower side. The upper flange 14 has a pair of left and right spring seat portions (vehicle body connecting portions) 20L and 20R at both ends in the vehicle width direction. The left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R have a plurality of bolt insertion holes 22 penetrating vertically (in the present embodiment, two in each of the front and rear two), and are arranged below the left and right leaf springs 4, The nuts 24 are tightened to the U bolts 23 inserted through the bolt insertion holes 22 so as to be connected to the left and right leaf springs 4 (see FIG. 1). In a state where the left and right spring seat portions 20L and 20R are connected to the left and right leaf springs 4, the eye beam 11 supports the vehicle body frame 5 from below. The length in the front-rear direction of the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R is formed longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the inter-seat region (region) 21 between the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R of the upper flange 14. In the inter-seat region 21, the length in the front-rear direction of both end portions 25 in the vehicle width direction gradually increases from the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The length in the front-rear direction of the intermediate portion 26 sandwiched between the both end portions 25 is formed to be substantially the same over the left and right sides.

  The lower flange 15 of the horizontal portion 18 of the eye beam 11 (hereinafter simply referred to as the lower flange 15) has the lower end edge of the web 16 continuous with the center portion of the upper surface 29 in the front-rear direction. The lower surface 15 (surface opposite to the web) 30 of the lower flange 15 is the lowest top 30a at the center in the front-rear direction, and is inclined from the top 30a toward the front upper side and the rear upper side. Of the lower flange 15, the length in the front-rear direction of the region 31 located below the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R of the upper flange 14 is greater than the length in the front-rear direction of the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R. Is also formed short (see FIG. 1). Of the lower flange 15, the length in the front-rear direction of the region 32 located below the inter-seat region 21 of the upper flange 14 is the front-rear direction of the region 31 located below the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R. It is formed longer than the length of. Of the lower flange 15, the region 32 positioned below the inter-seat region 21 of the upper flange 14 is such that the length in the front-rear direction of both end portions 33 in the vehicle width direction is from the vehicle width direction inner side to the vehicle width direction outer side. The length in the front-rear direction of the intermediate part 34 sandwiched between both ends 33 in the vehicle width direction is longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the intermediate part 26 of the upper flange 14, Over the same length.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the upper cover 12 is a metal structure, and includes an upper plate portion (connecting portion) 35 and a front-side extension portion that protrudes downward from the front edge portion of the upper plate portion 35. (One side extension part) 36 and a rear side extension part (other side extension part) 37 that protrudes downward from the rear end edge part of the upper plate part 35, and the middle of the inter-sheet region 21 of the upper flange 14 It is fixed to the portion 26 by the adhesive 6 (see FIG. 3). The upper cover 12 reinforces the upper flange 14 while being fixed to the upper flange 14 of the eye beam 11. Note that the two upper covers 12 are fixed in a state where they are adjacent to each other at the center in the vehicle width direction of the eye beam 11 and have substantially the same configuration, and therefore, only one upper cover 12 will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, the upper plate portion 35 is formed in a plate shape that intersects the vertical direction and extends in the vehicle width direction. The upper plate part 35 has two rectangular openings 38 arranged side by side and penetrating in the vertical direction, and connects the front extension 36 and the rear extension 37. A concave portion 40 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in the center portion in the front-rear direction of the lower surface 39 of the upper plate portion 35 while being recessed upward in a valley shape. The bottom 40 a of the recess 40 abuts on the top 27 a of the upper surface 27 of the inter-sheet region 21 of the upper flange 14. That is, the lower surface 39 of the upper plate portion 35 contacts the upper surface 27 of the upper flange 14. The length in the front-rear direction of the upper plate part 35 is formed longer than the length in the front-rear direction of the intermediate part 26 of the upper flange 14. The opening edge of the rectangular opening 38 is fixed to the upper surface 27 of the lower upper flange 14 by an adhesive over the entire circumference.

  The front extension 36 extends in the vehicle width direction while projecting downward from the front edge of the upper plate 35. The length (plate thickness) in the front-rear direction of the front extension 36 is longer than the length (plate thickness) in the vertical direction of the upper plate 35. The rear surface 36a of the front extension 36 abuts on the front end edge (one end edge on one side) of the upper flange 14. The lower surface 41 of the front extension 36 is disposed in front of the front surface 42 of the upper flange 14 and is fixed to the front surface 42 of the upper flange 14 by the adhesive 6. That is, the front extension 36 extends forward from the front end edge of the upper flange 14.

  The rear extension 37 extends in the vehicle width direction while protruding downward from the rear edge of the upper plate portion 35. The length (plate thickness) in the front-rear direction of the rear extension 37 is longer than the length (plate thickness) in the vertical direction of the upper plate 35. The front surface 37 a of the rear extension 37 abuts on the rear end edge (the other end on the other side) of the upper flange 14. The lower surface 43 of the rear extension 37 is disposed at the same height position as the lower surface 41 of the front extension 36 behind the rear surface 44 of the upper flange 14, and the adhesive 6 with respect to the rear surface 44 of the upper flange 14. Fixed by. That is, the rear extension 37 extends rearward continuously from the rear edge of the upper flange 14.

  The length of the upper cover 12 in the front-rear direction (the length between the front end of the front extension 36 and the rear end of the rear extension 37) is lower when the upper cover 12 is fixed to the upper flange 14. The length is set to be approximately the same as the length of the side flange 15 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower cover 13 is a metal structure, and includes a lower plate portion (connecting portion) 45 and a front extension portion that protrudes upward from the front end edge portion of the lower plate portion 45. (One side extension part) 46 and a rear side extension part (other side extension part) 47 protruding upward from the rear edge of the lower plate part 45, and below the inter-sheet region 21 of the upper flange 14 It fixes to the intermediate part 34 of the area | region 32 (refer FIG. 2) of the lower side flange 15 located in FIG. The lower cover 13 reinforces the lower flange 15 while being fixed to the lower flange 15 of the eye beam 11. The two lower covers 13 are fixed in a state of being adjacent to the left and right at the center of the eye beam 11 in the vehicle width direction, and have substantially the same configuration. Therefore, the one lower cover 13 will be described below. The lower cover 13 is disposed below the upper cover 12 so as to face the upper cover 12 and has substantially the same configuration as the upper cover 12, and therefore, the description of the same configuration as the upper cover 12 is omitted. .

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a concave portion 49 extending in the vehicle width direction is formed in the center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper surface 48 of the lower plate portion 45 of the lower cover 13 in a state of being recessed downward in a valley shape. . The bottom 49 a of the recess 49 abuts on the top 30 a of the lower surface 30 of the region 32 of the lower flange 15. The length (plate thickness) in the front-rear direction of the front extension 46 and the rear extension 47 is substantially the same as the length (plate thickness) in the vertical direction of the lower plate 45. The length of the lower cover 13 in the front-rear direction (the length between the front end of the front extension 46 and the rear end of the rear extension 47) is formed longer than the length of the upper cover 12 in the front-rear direction. 13 is fixed to the lower flange 15, the front end of the front extension 46 of the lower cover 13 is disposed in front of the front end of the front extension 36 of the upper cover 12, and the rear extension of the lower cover 13. The rear end of 47 is arranged behind the rear end of the rear extension 37 of the upper cover 12.

  In the front axle 10 configured as described above, the front extension 36 of the upper cover 12 continuously extends forward from the front edge of the upper flange 14 of the eye beam 11, and the rear extension 37 is connected to the upper flange. 14 extends rearward continuously from the rear edge. For this reason, in a state where the eye beam 11 and the upper cover 12 are fixed, the rigidity of the eye beam 11 with respect to the force in the front-rear direction (the direction intersecting both the extending direction of the eye beam 11 and the direction in which the flange 14 is separated) is set. This can be improved by the cross-sectional areas of the front extension 36 and the rear extension 37 of the upper cover 12. Further, since the upper plate portion 35 of the upper cover 12 is fixed to the upper flange 14 in contact with the upper surface 27 of the upper flange 14, the eye beam 11 against the force in the vertical direction (the direction in which the flange 14 is separated). The rigidity of the upper cover 12 can be improved by the cross-sectional area of the upper plate portion 35 of the upper cover 12.

  Since the lower cover 13 is fixed to the lower flange 15 in the same manner as the upper cover 12 of the upper flange 14, the rigidity of the eye beam 11 is also improved by the cross-sectional area of the lower cover 13. be able to.

  Further, by fixing the upper cover 12 and the like (including the lower cover 13) separate from the eye beam 11 to the eye beam 11, the eye beam 11 is reinforced to ensure the rigidity of the eye beam 11. For this reason, the eye beam 11 of the low-rigidity vehicle model required for the eye beam 11 is shared with other vehicle models so that various shapes (for example, the sizes of the front extension 36 and the rear extension 37 are different). The rigidity of the eye beam 11 can be adjusted by preparing the upper cover 12 or the like (different shapes) and fixing the upper cover 12 or the like according to the rigidity required for the vehicle to the common eye beam 11. . Thus, since the eye beam 11 can be shared with vehicles of other vehicle types, the manufacturing cost of the eye beam 11 can be suppressed. Further, since the rigidity of the eye beam 11 can be adjusted by the upper cover 12 or the like, an increase in weight is suppressed by fixing the lightest upper cover 12 or the like that can ensure the minimum necessary rigidity required for the vehicle. be able to.

  Further, since the upper cover 12 is fixed to the inter-sheet region 21 of the upper flange 14, the upper cover 12 can ensure the rigidity between the left and right spring seat portions 20L, 20R of the eye beam 11. For this reason, for example, when the vehicle 1 is braked suddenly, the rearward force from the wheel 2 side acts on both ends 17 in the vehicle width direction of the eye beam 11, and the left and right connected to the vehicle body side (vehicle body frame 5 side). Even if a force from the vehicle body side to the front acts on the spring seat portions 20L and 20R, and the eye beam 11 is deformed so that the center side in the vehicle width direction of the eye beam 11 is bent forward, the deformation is prevented by the upper cover 12. be able to. In the present embodiment, in addition to the upper cover 12, the lower cover 13 is fixed to the lower flange 15 of the eye beam 11, and the lower cover 13 reinforces the lower flange 15. Such deformation of the eye beam 11 can be reliably prevented.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the manufacturing cost of the eye beam 11 can be suppressed, the rigidity of the eye beam 11 can be ensured, and the increase in weight can be suppressed.

  Further, since the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 have a simple structure, the manufacturing costs of the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 can be suppressed.

  Moreover, since the opening part 38 is formed in the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13, it can be reduced in weight by that much.

  Further, since the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 are smaller than the structure such as the eye beam 11 and are fixed to the eye beam 11 with an adhesive, the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 are located on the eye beam 11 already attached to the vehicle. The cover 12 and the lower cover 13 can be easily attached. For this reason, for example, it is necessary to increase the rigidity of the eye beam 11 by changing the specification of the vehicle or the like in a vehicle that can secure the rigidity required for the vehicle only by the eye beam 11 without attaching the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13. Even if it occurs, the rigidity of the eye beam 11 can be increased by a simple operation of attaching the upper cover 12 or the lower cover 13 with an adhesive.

  In this embodiment, the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 are fixed to the upper flange 14 and the lower flange 15 of the eye beam 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The cover may be fixed to at least one flange of the lower flange 15. For example, the upper cover (cover) 12 may be fixed only to the upper flange (one flange) 14 of the eye beam 11, or the lower cover (cover) may be fixed only to the lower flange (one flange) 15 of the eye beam 11. ) 13 may be fixed.

  In the present embodiment, the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 are fixed to the eye beam 11 with an adhesive. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be fixed by welding, for example.

  Moreover, the upper cover 12 and the lower cover 13 are not limited to metal, and may be formed of other materials (for example, carbon fiber composite material).

  In this embodiment, the vehicle structure is applied to the front axle 10 of the vehicle 1 such as a truck. However, the present invention is not limited to this and may be applied to other vehicle structures. In this case, the extending direction of the eye beam is not limited to the vehicle width direction, and the pair of flanges of the eye beam may be opposed to each other in a direction other than the vertical direction.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to the content of the said embodiment, Of course, it can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from this invention. That is, it is needless to say that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

1: Vehicle 2: Front wheel (wheel)
10: Front axle (vehicle structure)
11: Eye beam 12: Upper cover (cover)
13: Lower cover (cover)
14, 15: 1 pair of flange 16: web 17: both ends of the eye beam in the vehicle width direction (wheel connecting portion)
20L, 20R: a pair of left and right spring seat parts (body connection part)
21: Inter-sheet area (area)
27: Upper surface of upper flange (surface opposite to web)
30: Lower surface of the lower flange (surface opposite to the web)
35: Upper plate of upper cover (connecting part)
36: Front cover front extension (one side extension)
37: Rear cover rear extension (other side extension)
45: Lower plate part (connecting part) of the lower cover
46: Front extension of lower cover (one side extension)
47: Rear cover rear extension (other side extension)

Claims (2)

A pair of flanges extending along the extending direction in a state of being opposed to each other, and a web disposed between the pair of flanges and extending along the extending direction to connect the pair of flanges An eye beam having a substantially I-shaped cross section,
One side extension that extends in the extending direction in contact with one end edge of one flange of the pair of flanges, and the other end edge on the other side of the one flange A connecting portion that connects the one-side extension portion and the other-side extension portion in contact with the surface of the one flange opposite to the web. And a cover that is fixed to the one flange and reinforces the eye beam,
The one side extension of the cover continuously extends from the one end edge of the one flange of the eye beam to the one side,
The vehicle-side structure, wherein the other side extension of the cover extends continuously from the other end edge of the one flange of the eye beam to the other side. The vehicle structure according to claim 1,
The extending direction of the eye beam is a vehicle width direction, and the pair of flanges are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction,
The eye beam is connected to a wheel of the vehicle and supported on the wheel by a pair of left and right wheel connecting portions, and is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the left and right wheel connecting portions and connected to the vehicle body side. A pair of left and right vehicle body connecting portions that support the vehicle from below,
The said cover is fixed to the area | region between the said left and right vehicle body connection parts of the said eye beam among said one flanges. The vehicle structure characterized by the above-mentioned.

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