JP2023077034A - Steering beam supporting structure - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a steering beam supporting structure suppressing damage to an occupant by a steering device at a collision.SOLUTION: A steering beam supporting structure that is provided at a coupling place between a front pillar lower 10 and a steering beam 110 laid between left and right front pillars, includes: a first surface portion 121 that is united with the steering beam and is disposed at an interval from the front pillar lower; a second surface lower 123 that couples the first surface portion and the front pillar lower on the vehicle front side with respect to the steering beam; a third surface portion 124 that couples the first surface and the front pillar lower on the vehicle rear side with respect to the steering beam; and a load input portion that inputs a local load in a lower area in a joint portion of the first surface portion and the second surface portion and a joint portion of the first surface portion and the third surface portion, according to the deformation of the front pillar lower at a collision.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a steering beam support structure provided at a joint between a front pillar lower and a steering beam of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART In a vehicle such as an automobile, a steering beam supports a steering column that holds a steering shaft upper to which a steering wheel is connected.
The steering beam is a beam-like member provided between the left and right front pillar lowers.
The front pillar lower is a columnar member that is provided on the left and right sides of the front part of the passenger compartment and extends vertically.

As a technique related to the vehicle body structure around the steering beam, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a front part of an automobile that suppresses the weight and cost of the vehicle body and transmits the input at the time of vehicle collision from the apron member to the rear part of the vehicle body via the front pillar. As for the vehicle body structure, it is described that the input at the time of vehicle collision is transmitted rearward through the axis of the side member, and is also transmitted from the side member to the apron member and the front pillar via the coupling member. In addition, the load transmitted to the front pillar is absorbed in the buckling area, distributed from the pillar reinforcement in the load transmission area to the beltline reinforcement via the bead 15, and transmitted to the roof rail and rocker panel. Distributed transmission is described.
In Patent Document 2, a reinforcing member is provided at the lower part of the B-pillar to receive the impact load in the event of a side collision as a vehicle body lower structure that suppresses the collapse of the B-pillar in the direction of the vehicle interior and the bending of the cross member in the event of a side collision. It is described that the moment M1 generated in the B-pillar toward the inside of the passenger compartment is reduced. In addition, the flange of the floor cross member and the top of the coupling protrusion are offset in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the collision load acting on the rocker is transferred to the floor cross member through the coupling protrusion and the vertical wall portion of the reinforcing member. stated to be transmitted.
Patent Document 3 discloses a pair of upper and lower bolts formed of circular holes at positions corresponding to upper and lower bolt insertion holes on the rear wall portions of left and right front pillars as a steering column support structure for efficiently supporting a steering column. It is described that an insertion hole is made. A weld nut is welded to the front surface of the rear wall portion A coaxially with the bolt insertion hole. is screwed into the weld nut to fasten the instrument panel reinforcement to the front pillar.

JP 2012-148745 A JP 2010-120525 A International publication WO2011/155031A1

In a small overlap offset collision where the colliding object collides from the front side of the vehicle only in a small area near the side edge in the vehicle width direction, sufficient collision energy is provided for offset collisions with relatively large overlaps and full wrap collisions. There is concern that a relatively large load will be transmitted to the passenger compartment in a state in which it cannot be absorbed, causing deformation of the passenger compartment.
In particular, when the steering beam supporting the steering device approaches the front seats due to deformation of the vehicle body, there is concern that the steering device may affect the occupants.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a steering beam support structure in which the steering device is less likely to harm an occupant in the event of a collision.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a steering beam support structure according to an aspect of the present invention is a side portion in the front portion of a vehicle compartment in which an occupant is accommodated, and is provided behind the front wheels and extends in the vertical direction. A steering beam support structure provided at a connecting portion between a front pillar lower and a steering beam provided between the left and right front pillar lowers to which a steering column of a steering device is attached, wherein the steering beam supports in the vehicle width direction. A first surface portion arranged with a gap between the front pillar lower and the end portion of the first surface portion coupled to the front pillar lower, and the joint portion of the first surface portion with the steering beam provided on the front side of the vehicle and the a second surface portion connecting the first surface portion and the front pillar lower; a region below the steering beam at the junction between the first surface portion and the second surface portion according to deformation of the front pillar lower at the time of collision; A load input portion for inputting a local load is provided in at least one of a region below the steering beam at the joint portion between the first surface portion and the third surface portion.
According to this, according to the deformation of the front pillar lower at the time of collision, the ridge line (corner joint line) between the first surface portion and the second surface portion and the ridge line between the first surface portion and the third surface portion are changed. By collapsing at least one of them, it is possible to deform the region of the first surface portion to which the steering beam is coupled in a direction in which the steering beam is raised.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the steering wheel and the like from injuring the occupant's thighs, lower abdomen, and the like by raising the steering device in the event of a collision.

In the present invention, the region of the first surface portion to which the steering beam is coupled includes a joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion by the load input portion, and a joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion. According to breakage of at least one of the ridges of the joining portion with the face portion 3, the middle portion of the steering beam may generate a moment in the upward direction with respect to the end portions.
According to this, the effect mentioned above can be acquired reliably.

In the present invention, the front pillar lower exhibits torsional deformation in a direction in which the rear portion is relatively displaced outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front portion during a small overlap offset collision. a first member connecting a joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion and the front portion of the front pillar lower; a joint portion between the first surface portion and the third surface portion and the front pillar; It can be configured to have at least one of a second member that connects with the rear portion of the lower.
According to this, the ridgeline between the first surface portion and the second surface portion and the ridgeline between the first surface portion and the third surface portion are changed according to the deformation of the front pillar lower peculiar to the occurrence of the small overlap offset collision. At least one can be destroyed.

In the present invention, the first surface portion is formed in a planar shape extending in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the second surface portion and the third surface portion extend in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction. It can be configured to be formed in a plane.
In the present invention, the first surface portion may be formed in a curved surface shape that is curved in a direction in which the inner side in the vehicle width direction is convex when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.
According to these inventions, the effects described above can be appropriately obtained with a simple configuration.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a steering beam support structure that suppresses damage to the occupant caused by the steering device in the event of a collision.

1 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle body structure of a vehicle having a first embodiment of a steering beam support structure to which the present invention is applied, viewed from above the vehicle; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the vehicle body structure of the vehicle having the steering beam support structure of the first embodiment, viewed from the vehicle width direction; 1 is a schematic external perspective view of a steering beam support structure according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing deformation of the steering beam support structure of the first embodiment at the time of a small overlap offset collision; FIG. 6 is a schematic external perspective view of a second embodiment of a steering beam support structure to which the present invention is applied;

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of a steering beam support structure to which the present invention is applied will be described below.
The steering beam support structure of the first embodiment is provided in an automobile such as a passenger car in which a power unit compartment 3 is provided on the front side of the vehicle interior 2 .
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a vehicle body structure of a vehicle having a steering beam support structure according to the first embodiment, viewed from above the vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the vehicle body structure of FIG. 1 as seen from the vehicle width direction.

The vehicle body structure 1 is characterized by the configuration around the junction between the vehicle interior 2 and the power unit compartment 3 .
The passenger compartment 2 is a space that accommodates a passenger (not shown).
The power unit compartment 3 is, for example, a space that accommodates a power unit such as an engine, transmission, motor generator, and accessories (not shown).
The power unit compartment 3 is formed so as to protrude from the front end of the vehicle compartment 2 toward the front side of the vehicle.

A vehicle body structure 1 includes a front pillar lower 10, a front pillar upper 20, a toeboard 30, a toeboard cross member 40, a floor panel 50, a front side frame 60, an upper frame 70, a strut housing 80, a suspension cross member 90, and the like. It is

The front pillar lower 10 is a columnar member provided at the front end and right and left sides of the vehicle compartment.
The front pillar lower 10 extends vertically.
The front pillar lower 10 has a closed cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The front pillar lower 10 is provided in a region below lower end portions of a front window glass and a front door glass (not shown) (below the so-called greenhouse).

The front pillar upper 20 is a columnar member protruding upward from the upper end portion of the front pillar lower 10 .
The front pillar lower 10 and the front pillar upper 20 jointly constitute a front pillar (A pillar) of the vehicle.
The front pillar upper 20 is tilted rearward such that the upper end is on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the lower end.
In addition, the front pillar upper 20 is disposed so as to be inclined inward such that the upper end portion is located inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the lower end portion.
The front pillar upper 20 has a closed cross-sectional shape when viewed along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The front pillar upper 20 is arranged along the side edges of the front window glass and the front edge of the front door glass.
A rear end portion of the front pillar upper 20 is continuously connected to a roof side frame (not shown) extending along the side of the roof (not shown).
Upper ends of a center pillar (A pillar) and rear pillars (C pillar, D pillar, etc.) (not shown) are connected to the roof side frame.

The toe board 30 is a panel-shaped member provided between the left and right front pillar lowers 10 .
The toeboard 30 is a portion that constitutes the front portion of the lower half of the vehicle interior 2 .
An upper portion 31 of the toe board 30 extends vertically when viewed in the vehicle width direction.
A lower portion 32 of the toe board 30 is formed to protrude downward from the lower end portion of the upper portion 31 .
The lower portion 32 is arranged to be inclined forward such that the lower end portion is located on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the upper end portion (the connection portion with the upper portion 31).

The toeboard cross member 40 is arranged across the upper portions of the left and right front pillar lowers 10 .
The toeboard cross member 40 is formed to protrude toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to the upper portion 31 of the toeboard 30 .
The toeboard cross member 40 extends along the lower edge of the windshield.

The floor panel 50 is a panel-shaped member forming the floor of the passenger compartment 2 .
The floor panel 50 is formed to protrude from the lower end of the lower portion 32 of the toe board 30 toward the vehicle rear side.
Side sills 51 are provided at the side ends of the floor panel 50 .
The side sill 51 is a structural member that has a closed cross section and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.
A front end portion of the side sill 51 is joined to a lower end portion of the front pillar lower 10 .

The front side frame 60 is a structural member of the vehicle body that supports a part of the power unit and front suspension (not shown).
The front side frame 60 extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the front portion of the vehicle interior 2 to the power unit compartment 3 .
The front side frame 60 is configured to have a closed cross-sectional shape when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

A front portion 61 of the front side frame 60 is formed so as to protrude toward the vehicle front side from the vicinity of the joint portion between the upper portion 31 and the lower portion 32 of the toe board 30 .
The intermediate portion 62 of the front side frame 60 is arranged along the front surface (lower surface) of the lower portion 32 of the toe board 30 .
A rear portion 63 of the front side frame 60 extends along the lower surface of the floor panel 50 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
The intermediate portion 62 and the rear portion 63 are fixed to the toe board 30 and the floor panel 50 by welding or the like, respectively.

The front side frame 60 is arranged inside the front pillar lower 10 in the vehicle width direction.
A pair of front side frames 60 are provided spaced apart in the vehicle width direction.
A main engine of the power unit and the like are arranged between the left and right front side frames 60 .
A front wheel FW and a part of a suspension device (not shown) that supports the front wheel FW are arranged outside the front side frame 60 in the vehicle width direction.

The upper frame 70 is a structural member that protrudes from the front portion of the front pillar lower 10 toward the vehicle front side.
The upper frame 70 has a rectangular closed cross-sectional shape when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction.
A front end portion of the upper frame 70 protrudes toward the vehicle front side with respect to the strut housing 80 .
The rear end portion of the upper frame 70 is coupled to the front surface portion of the front pillar lower 10 near the upper end portion of the front pillar lower 10 by, for example, welding.

The strut housing 80 is a part that houses part of the suspension system.
The strut housing 80 can be formed, for example, as a box-like structure with an open bottom side.
For example, if the suspension system is of the MacPherson strut type, the strut housing 80 accommodates the upper portion of the strut (not shown).
The strut has a shock absorber and a coil spring wound around its outer diameter.
The lower end of the shock absorber is fastened to a hub bearing housing (hub knuckle) (not shown) to which the front wheel FW is rotatably attached.
The strut housing 80 is formed with a strut top mount portion (not shown) to which the upper end of the strut is fastened.

The lower portion of the strut housing 80 is joined to the vehicle width direction outer portion of the front portion 61 of the front side frame 60 by welding or the like.
The connecting point between the strut housing 80 and the front side frame 60 is arranged on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the connecting point between the front side frame 60 and the toeboard 30 with a gap between the strut housing 80 and the toeboard 30 .
The upper portion of the strut housing 80 is joined to the side surface of the upper frame 70 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction by welding or the like.

The suspension cross member 90 is a beam-shaped structural member that extends between the front portions 61 of the left and right front side frames 60 .
The suspension cross member 90 is arranged adjacent to the strut housing 80 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
Suspension cross member 90 is provided with an engine mount that supports the main engine via an elastic body, for example, when the power unit of the vehicle has an engine as a driving power source.
Suspension cross member 90 is attached with components of a suspension system such as a transverse link (lower arm).

In the first embodiment, the vehicle further has a steering device 100 .
The steering device 100 steers the vehicle by giving a steering angle to the front wheels FW.
The steering device 100 has a steering wheel 101, a steering column 102, a bracket 103, and the like.

The steering wheel 101 is a member through which a driver (not shown) inputs a steering operation.
The steering wheel 101 is formed, for example, in an annular shape.
The central axis of the steering wheel 101 is arranged along the front-rear direction of the vehicle in plan view from above.
The central axis of the steering wheel 101 is disposed at an angle such that the rear side of the vehicle is higher than the front side in a side view in the vehicle width direction.

The steering column 102 is a portion that accommodates a steering shaft (not shown) so as to be rotatable about the central axis.
The steering shaft is a rotating shaft that transmits rotation of the steering wheel 101 to a steering gear box (not shown).
Bracket 103 is a member that fixes steering column 102 to the lower portion of the intermediate portion of steering beam 110 .

A steering column 102 of the steering device 100 is attached to the vehicle body structure 1 via a steering beam 110 described below.
The steering beam 110 is a beam-like member provided between the left and right front pillar lowers 10 .
A body portion of the steering beam 110 is formed of, for example, a steel round pipe material.
Steering beam 110 is configured by arranging a straight round pipe material such that its central axis extends along the vehicle width direction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic external perspective view of the steering beam support structure of the first embodiment, showing a state before collision.
Both ends of the steering beam 110 in the vehicle width direction are attached to the left and right front pillar lowers 10 via steering beam fixing boxes 120 and fixing plates 130 which will be described below.
The bracket 120 and the fixing plate 130 cooperate with the front pillar lower 10 to function as the steering beam support structure of the present invention.

The steering beam fixing box 120 includes an inner side surface portion 121 , an outer side surface portion 122 , a front surface portion 123 and a rear surface portion 124 .
The inner side surface portion 121, the outer side surface portion 122, the front surface portion 123, and the rear surface portion 124 are made of, for example, a material capable of elastic deformation and regenerative deformation, such as steel or aluminum alloy.

The inner side surface portion 121 is a flat surface portion (first surface portion) that protrudes in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vertical direction from the end portion of the steering beam 110 in the vehicle width direction.
The inner side surface portion 121 has a rectangular planar shape when viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction.
The outer side surface portion 122 is a flat plate-like surface portion arranged outside the inner side surface portion 121 in the vehicle width direction.

The outer side surface portion 122 is formed in a rectangular plane shape similar to that of the inner side surface portion 121 when viewed in the vehicle width direction.
The outer side surface portion 122 is arranged to face the inner side surface portion 121 with a gap in the vehicle width direction.
The outer side surface portion 122 is coupled to the inner surface portion of the fixing plate 130 in the vehicle width direction by, for example, mechanical fastening means such as bolts or welding.

The front surface portion 123 is a surface portion (second surface portion) that connects the front edge portion of the inner side surface portion 121 and the front edge portion of the outer side surface portion 122 .
The front portion 123 is formed in a flat plate shape having a rectangular planar shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The rear surface portion 124 is a surface portion (third surface portion) that connects the rear edge portion of the inner side surface portion 121 and the rear edge portion of the outer side surface portion 122 .
The rear surface portion 124 is formed in a flat plate shape having a rectangular planar shape when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
With the above-described configuration, the steering beam fixing box 120 is formed in the shape of a square pipe having a rectangular cross-sectional shape when cut along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
The front surface portion 123 and the rear surface portion 124 extend along the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction.

The fixing plate 130 is a member that fixes the steering beam fixing box 120 to the inner surface portion of the front pillar lower 10 in the vehicle width direction.
The fixing plate 130 is formed in a flat plate shape having a rectangular planar shape when viewed in the vehicle width direction.
The outer surface portion of the fixing plate 130 in the vehicle width direction is joined to the inner surface portion of the front pillar lower 10 in the vehicle width direction by mechanical fastening means such as welding or bolts while being in contact with the inner surface portion of the front pillar lower 10 .
Fixing plate 130 is coupled to the inner surface portion of fixing plate 130 in the vehicle width direction.

The fixing plate 130 has a projecting portion 131 and an engaging claw portion 132 .
The protruding portion 131 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the fixing plate 130 along the front portion 123 of the steering beam fixing box 120 .
The projecting portion 131 is formed by spot welding or the like in the vicinity of the outer edge in the vehicle width direction of the front surface portion 123 in a region below the connecting portion between the inner side surface portion 121 of the steering beam fixing box 120 and the steering beam 110 . , are locally joined.

The engaging claw portion 132 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the fixing plate 130 along the front portion 123 of the steering beam fixing box 120 .
The tip portion of the engaging claw portion 132 is bent along the surface of the inner side surface portion 121 .
The engaging claw portion 132 locally pulls the rear edge portion of the inner side surface portion 121 outward in the vehicle width direction in a region below the connecting portion between the inner side surface portion 121 of the steering beam fixing box 120 and the steering beam 110 . configured as possible.

A state after a small overlap offset collision in a vehicle having the steering beam support structure of the first embodiment will be described below.
In a small overlap offset collision in which an object such as another vehicle collides mainly with an area outside the front side frame 60 in the vehicle width direction, the front wheel FW collides with the front surface of the front pillar lower 10 and the front pillar lower 10 causes a local deformation in the middle of the
This local deformation functions as a starting point for bending deformation of the front pillar lower 10 .
In addition, the input to the upper frame 70 becomes greater than in other collision modes, the upper frame 70 retreats with respect to the vehicle interior 2, and the strut housing 80 collapses, causing the front end of the upper frame 70 to move in the vehicle width direction. pulled inward.
Due to the behavior of each member, the vicinity of the upper end of the front pillar lower 10 (near the joint with the upper frame 70) is tilted in a direction in which the upper end is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction (falling deformation, as shown in FIG. 1). arrow A1 direction).
Further, the vicinity of the upper end portion of the front pillar lower 10 exhibits torsional deformation (rotational behavior, arrow A2 direction in FIG. 1) in the direction in which the rear portion is swung outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front portion.

Such torsional deformation (rotational behavior) is transmitted to the projecting portion 131 and the engaging claw portion 132 via the fixing plate 130 .
The protruding portion 131 pokes the ridgeline (joint portion provided at the corner portion) between the inner side surface portion 121 and the front surface portion 123 of the steering beam fixing box 120 inward in the vehicle width direction to input the local load F1. .
As a result, the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the front surface portion 123 is locally deformed, and the ridgeline collapses.
The engaging claw portion 132 pulls the ridge line between the inner side surface portion 121 and the rear surface portion 124 of the steering beam fixing box 120 outward in the vehicle width direction to input a local load F2.
As a result, the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the rear surface portion 124 is locally deformed, and the ridgeline collapses.
The projecting portion 131 and the engaging claw portion 132 function as the load transmitting portion of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing deformation of the steering beam support structure of the first embodiment at the time of a small overlap offset collision.
FIG. 4 schematically shows the steering beam support structure viewed from the rear side of the vehicle (inside the vehicle compartment 2).
When a small overlap offset collision occurs, the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the front surface portion 123 of the steering beam fixing box 120 and the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the rear surface portion 124 are below the joint with the steering beam 110. collapse at
Due to the tilt deformation of the front pillar lower 10 , the inner side surface portion 121 of the steering beam fixing box 120 receives a tensile force inward in the vehicle width direction from the steering beam 110 .
Due to such a tensile force, the inner side surface portion 121 undergoes bending deformation in a direction in which the inner side in the vehicle width direction is convex when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction, with the portion where the ridgeline collapsed as the starting point of deformation.
Due to such bending deformation, a moment M is generated at the outer end portion of the steering beam 110 in the vehicle width direction in a direction to swing the intermediate portion of the steering beam 110 upward.

According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) At least one of the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the front surface portion 123 and the ridgeline between the inner side surface portion 121 and the rear surface portion 124 of the steering beam fixing box 120 collapses according to the deformation of the front pillar lower 10 at the time of collision. As a result, the region of the inner side surface portion 121 to which the steering beam 110 is coupled can be deformed in the direction in which the steering beam 110 is raised.
As a result, the steering device 100 can be lifted at the time of a collision to prevent the steering wheel 102 and the like from injuring the occupant's thighs, lower abdomen, and the like.
(2) The region of the inner side surface portion 121 of the steering beam fixing box 120 to which the steering beam 110 is coupled consists of the joint portion between the inner side surface portion 121 and the front surface portion 123 by the projecting portion 131 and the engaging claw portion 132, and the inner side surface portion 121 and the front portion 123. By adopting a configuration in which the intermediate portion of the steering beam 110 generates a moment M in a direction in which the intermediate portion of the steering beam 110 rises with respect to the end portion in accordance with the breakage of at least one of the ridge lines of the joint portion between the portion 121 and the rear surface portion 123, the above-described You can definitely get the effect.
(3) The front pillar lower 10 exhibits torsional deformation when a small overlap offset collision occurs. By having the protruding portion 131 and the engaging claw portion 132 that connect each ridgeline with the rear surface portion 124, each ridgeline is appropriately aligned according to the torsional deformation of the front pillar lower 10 when a small overlap offset collision occurs. can collapse into

<Second embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the steering beam support structure to which the present invention is applied will be described.
In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the parts that are common to the above-described first embodiment, and descriptions thereof are omitted, and differences are mainly described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic external perspective view of the steering beam support structure of the second embodiment, showing a state before collision.
In the second embodiment, a steering beam fixing box 140 and a crushing belt 150, which will be described below, are provided in place of the steering beam fixing box 120, protrusion 131, and engaging claw 132 of the first embodiment.

The steering beam fixing box 140 is formed in a D shape when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
The steering beam fixing box 140 has a peripheral surface portion 141 , a front surface portion 142 and a rear surface portion 143 .
The peripheral surface portion 141 is a convex curved surface portion whose planar shape when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction is formed in an arc shape that is convex inward in the vehicle width direction.
The peripheral surface portion 141 has the same cross-sectional shape continuously from the front end portion to the rear end portion.
An end portion of the steering beam 110 is joined by welding or the like to an intermediate portion of the peripheral surface portion 141 in the front-rear direction and in a region above the intermediate portion in the vertical direction.
The front surface portion 142 and the rear surface portion 143 are plate-like members provided to close the openings of the front end portion and the rear end portion of the peripheral surface portion 141 .
The front surface portion 142 and the rear surface portion 143 are formed along a plane extending in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction.

The crushing belt 150 is a member that locally collapses the ridgeline between the peripheral surface portion 141 and the front surface portion 142 and the ridgeline between the peripheral surface portion 141 and the rear surface portion 143 of the steering beam fixing box 140 below the steering beam 110. is.
The crushing belt 150 has a belt portion 151 and projecting portions 152 and 153 integrally formed of a metal material such as steel.
The belt portion 151 is a strip-shaped member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction along the lower half portion of the peripheral surface portion 141 .
The protrusions 152 and 153 protrude inward in the vehicle width direction from the fixing plate 130 along the front surfaces 142 and 143 of the steering beam fixing box 140 .
The protruding portions 152 and 153 are connected to the front and rear ends of the belt portion 151, respectively.
The belt portion 151 has the function of collapsing the ridgeline between the peripheral surface portion 141 and the front surface portion 142 and the ridgeline between the peripheral surface portion 141 and the rear surface portion 143 of the steering beam fixing box 140 when a small overlap offset collision occurs.
When a tensile force is applied from the steering beam 110 with the ridge line collapsed, the peripheral surface portion 141 generates a moment in the direction to swing up the intermediate portion of the steering beam 110 .
Also in the second embodiment described above, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the effect of the first embodiment described above.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, which are also within the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) The steering beam support structure and the vehicle body structure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate.
The shape, structure, material, manufacturing method, arrangement, quantity, coupling method, and the like of each member constituting these components are not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate.
(2) The configuration of the first to third surface portions (steering beam fixing box) and the configuration of the load input portion in each embodiment are examples, and the arrangement, shape, material, manufacturing method, etc. of each surface portion may be changed as appropriate. can be changed.

1 Body Structure 2 Vehicle Interior 3 Power Unit Compartment 10 Front Pillar Lower 20 Front Pillar Upper 30 Toe Board 31 Upper Part 32 Lower Part 40 Toe Board Cross Member 50 Floor Panel 51 Side Sill 60 Front Side Frame 61 Front Part 62 Intermediate Part 63 Rear Part 70 Upper Frame 71 Upper Part 72 lower surface portion 73 inner side surface portion 74 outer side surface portion 80 strut housing 90 suspension cross member 100 steering device 101 steering wheel 102 steering column 102 bracket 110 steering beam 120 steering beam fixing box 121 inner side surface portion 122 outer side surface portion 123 front portion 124 rear Surface portion 130 Fixing plate 131 Protruding portion 132 Engaging claw portion FW Front wheel 140 Steering beam fixing box 141 Peripheral portion 142 Front portion 143 Rear portion 150 Crushing belt 151 Belt portion 152, 153 Protruding portion

Claims (5)

a front pillar lower, which is a side part in the front part of the passenger compartment in which the occupant is accommodated, and which is provided on the rear side of the front wheel and extends in the vertical direction;
A steering beam support structure provided at a connection point with a steering beam that is provided between the left and right front pillar lowers and to which a steering column of a steering device is attached,
a first surface portion coupled to an end portion of the steering beam in the vehicle width direction and arranged with a gap from the front pillar lower;
a second surface portion provided on the front side of the vehicle with respect to a joint portion of the first surface portion with the steering beam and connecting the first surface portion and the front pillar lower;
a third surface portion provided on the rear side of the vehicle with respect to a joint portion of the first surface portion with the steering beam and connecting the first surface portion and the front pillar lower;
According to the deformation of the front pillar lower at the time of collision, a region below the steering beam at the joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion, the first surface portion and the third surface portion. and a load input section for inputting a local load to at least one of a region below the steering beam at a joint section between the steering beam support structure and the steering beam support structure. A region of the first surface portion to which the steering beam is coupled includes a joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion by the load input portion, and a joint portion between the first surface portion and the third surface portion. 2. The steering beam support structure according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate portion of the steering beam generates a moment in the upward direction with respect to the end portion in response to breakage of at least one ridgeline of the joint portion of the steering beam. The front pillar lower exhibits torsional deformation in a direction in which the rear portion is relatively displaced outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front portion at the time of a small overlap offset collision,
The load input portion includes a first member that connects a joint portion between the first surface portion and the second surface portion and a front portion of the front pillar lower, and the first surface portion and the third surface portion. 3. The steering beam support structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least one of a second member that connects a joint portion of the front pillar lower and a rear portion of the front pillar lower. The first surface portion is formed in a planar shape extending in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle,
Said 2nd surface part and said 3rd surface part are formed in planar shape extended in the vehicle width direction and an up-down direction, The said 1st surface part is characterized by the above-mentioned. Steering beam support structure. The first surface portion is formed in a curved surface shape that is curved in a direction in which an inner side in the vehicle width direction is convex when viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction. 2. The steering beam support structure according to item 1.

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