JP2023158568A - Hook installation structure and vehicle with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique which can suppress influence on sizes of a vehicle or other components and improve strength of a hook installation structure.SOLUTION: A hook installation structure with a tow hook to pull a vehicle comprises: a first panel which is fixed to a tip part of a vehicle body member extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a second panel which is joined with the first panel in an opposite side to the vehicle body member; and a hook connection part supported by the first panel and the second panel in which a base end part of the tow hook is detachable. The hook connection member is fixed to the first panel and the second panel in a state that the hook connection member is inserted into respective openings formed in the first panel and the second panel. At least one of the first panel and the second panel includes a swollen part swelling in a direction separated from the other of the first panel and the second panel in a part of a range including the openings.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The technology disclosed herein relates to a hook attachment structure and a vehicle equipped with the same.

Patent Document 1 discloses a hook attachment structure to which a tow hook for towing a vehicle is attached. This hook attachment structure includes a panel (cover member) fixed to the front end portion of the crash box, and a hook connection member supported by the panel and to which the base end of the towing hook can be attached and detached. A reinforcing member is joined to the panel, and the hook connecting member is fixed to the panel via the reinforcing member.

JP2012-218637A

Normally, a force along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is applied to the hook connecting member via the towing hook. However, for example, when a towed vehicle (or a towed vehicle) turns, a force acts on the hook connecting member along a direction that forms an angle with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In this case, there is a possibility that large stress may be locally generated in the hook attachment structure (particularly at the fixing location of the hook connection member) due to the moment of force acting on the hook connection member. In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to use two panels to which the hook connection member is fixed and to provide an interval between the two panels. According to such a configuration, the hook connecting member is fixed at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction, thereby improving the strength of the hook attachment structure against a moment of force. However, arranging two spaced panels requires correspondingly increasing the size of the vehicle or reducing the size of other components such as the crash box. As a result, there is a possibility that desired vehicle design conditions cannot be satisfied.

In view of the above, this specification provides a technique that can improve the strength of the hook attachment structure while suppressing the influence on the size of the vehicle and other components.

The hook attachment structure disclosed in this specification is attached with a towing hook for towing a vehicle. The hook attachment structure includes a first panel fixed to the tip of a vehicle body member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a second panel joined to the first panel from the opposite side of the vehicle body member, and the first panel. The hook connecting member is supported by the second panel and is capable of attaching and detaching the proximal end of the towing hook. The hook connecting member is fixed to the first panel and the second panel while being inserted into each opening formed in the first panel and the second panel. At least one of the first panel and the second panel is provided with a bulge portion that bulges in a direction away from the other of the first panel and the second panel in a part of the range including the opening.

In the above configuration, a gap is formed between the two panels by providing the bulge on at least one of the two panels. The hook connecting member is fixed to the two panels in a range where the two panels are separated from each other. Since the hook connecting member is fixed at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction, the strength of the hook attachment structure is effectively improved, especially against the moment of force acting on the hook connecting member. Here, the bulging portion is provided only in a part of the panel, and the two panels can be placed close to each other in the other range. Therefore, it is possible to provide a necessary distance between the two panels while suppressing the influence on the size of the vehicle and other components.

Further, the vehicle disclosed in this specification includes a vehicle body member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a hook attachment structure fixed to the vehicle body member and to which a towing hook for towing the vehicle is attached. The hook attachment structure includes a first panel fixed to the tip of a vehicle body member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a second panel joined to the first panel from the opposite side of the vehicle body member, and the first panel. The hook connecting member is supported by the second panel and is capable of attaching and detaching the proximal end of the towing hook. The hook connecting member is fixed to the first panel and the second panel while being inserted into each opening formed in the first panel and the second panel. At least one of the first panel and the second panel is provided with a bulge portion that bulges in a direction away from the other of the first panel and the second panel in a part of the range including the opening.

With the above configuration, the same effects as the above hook attachment structure can be achieved.

1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the vicinity of the hook mounting structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment. A sectional view of a vehicle body member and a hook attachment structure according to the first embodiment is shown. A perspective view of the second panel of the first embodiment is shown. A sectional view of a vehicle body member and a hook attachment structure according to a second embodiment is shown.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the bulge may be provided on at least the second panel.

In the above configuration, since the second panel is disposed on the opposite side of the vehicle body member with respect to the first panel, the shape of the second panel can be freely designed. Thereby, the bulge can be easily provided on the second panel.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the second panel may include a periphery located outside the bulge. The first panel may include a periphery to which a periphery of the second panel is joined. A peripheral portion of the first panel may be joined to a leading end portion of the vehicle body member.

In the above configuration, the peripheral portion of the first panel is joined to both the vehicle body member and the second panel. It is possible to prevent the fixing structure for fixing the vehicle body member and the second panel to the first panel from becoming complicated.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the bulge may be provided on at least the first panel. The bulge of the first panel may be located at least partially within the vehicle body member.

With the above configuration, the influence on the size of the vehicle and other components can be further suppressed.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the bulge may have a frustum shape. The opening may be located at the top of the frustum shape.

The above configuration can more effectively improve the strength of the hook attachment structure against the moment of force acting on the hook connection member, compared to a configuration in which the opening is not located at the top of the frustum shape. can.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the shape of the first panel may be equal to the shape of the second panel.

With the above configuration, the types of parts can be reduced.

In one embodiment of the present technology, the vehicle body member may include a crash box fixed to a tip portion of a side member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

With the above configuration, when the vehicle collides, the crash box collapses, thereby making it possible to sufficiently absorb the collision energy acting on the vehicle.

(First example)
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 of the first embodiment is a vehicle such as an engine vehicle, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle. The vehicle 10 includes a vehicle body member 12, a hook attachment structure 14, and a bumper reinforcement 16. In FIG. 1, the vehicle body member 12, the hook attachment structure 14, and the bumper reinforcement 16 are illustrated by broken lines.

The vehicle body member 12 includes two side members 20 and two crash boxes 22. The side member 20 forms the frame of the vehicle 10. The side member 20 is located at the front of the vehicle 10 and extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. Each of the two side members 20 is arranged apart from each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle 10. Below, the configuration regarding one side member 20 will be described as an example.

The crash box 22 is fixed to the front end portion 20a of the side member 20. When an external force acts on the crash box 22, for example, when the vehicle 10 collides and an external force accompanying the collision acts on the crash box 22, the crash box 22 is configured to collapse.

The hook attachment structure 14 is fixed to the front end portion 22a of the crash box 22. The tow hook 2 can be attached to the hook attachment structure 14. In FIG. 1, the towing hook 2 is illustrated by broken lines and solid lines. When the towing hook 2 is attached to the hook attachment structure 14, a portion (front portion) of the towing hook 2 is located outside the vehicle 10. The tow hook 2 is used, for example, to tow the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 10 breaks down and cannot be driven.

The bumper reinforcement 16 is fixed to the hook attachment structure 14. The bumper reinforcement 16 is arranged on the front side of the hook attachment structure 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hook attachment structure 14 includes a first panel 30, a second panel 32, and a hook connection member 34. In FIG. 2, illustration of the bumper reinforcement 16 is omitted to make it easier to understand the shape of the hook attachment structure 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first panel 30 is joined to the front end portion 22a of the crash box 22. The first panel 30 and the front end portion 22a of the crash box 22 may be joined by welding or by fastening using screws. The first panel 30 includes a first plate portion 38 and a first flange portion 40. The first plate portion 38 has a plate shape. The first flange portion 40 extends from the peripheral edge of the first plate portion 38 toward the front side.

The first plate portion 38 includes a first center portion 44 and a first peripheral portion 46 . The first central portion 44 is surrounded by the front end portion 22a of the crush box 22 when the first panel 30 is joined to the front end portion 22a of the crush box 22. The first central portion 44 is located in the central region of the first plate portion 38 . The first center portion 44 has a first opening 44a that penetrates the first center portion 44 in the thickness direction (front-back direction). The first opening 44a has a substantially circular shape.

The first peripheral portion 46 is located outside the first central portion 44 . The first peripheral portion 46 is joined to the front end portion 22a of the crash box 22. The periphery of the first peripheral portion 46 corresponds to the periphery of the first plate portion 38 .

The second panel 32 is joined to the first panel 30. The second panel 32 and the first panel 30 may be joined by welding or by fastening using screws. The second panel 32 is arranged on the opposite side of the crash box 22 with respect to the first panel 30. In this embodiment, the second panel 32 is placed in front of the first panel 30. The second panel 32 includes a second plate portion 50 and a second flange portion 52. The second plate portion 50 has a plate shape. The second flange portion 52 extends from the periphery of the second plate portion 50 toward the front side. The second flange portion 52 is in contact with the first flange portion 40 .

As shown in FIG. 4, the second plate portion 50 includes a bulge portion 54 and a second peripheral portion 56. As shown in FIG. The bulging portion 54 is arranged in a range facing the first central portion 44 in the front-rear direction when the second panel 32 is joined to the first panel 30. The bulging portion 54 has a substantially truncated conical shape. In a modification, the bulging portion 54 may have a substantially truncated pyramid shape. The bulging portion 54 bulges in a direction away from the first center portion 44 (in the front direction). The bulging portion 54 includes a side portion 58 that defines a substantially truncated conical side surface, and a top portion 60 that defines a substantially truncated conical top surface. The top portion 60 is disposed at a position farthest from the first center portion 44 .

The top portion 60 has a second opening 60a that penetrates the top portion 60 in the thickness direction (front-back direction). The position of the center of the second opening 60a is approximately equal to the position of the center of the top portion 60. The second opening 60a overlaps the first opening 44a (see FIG. 3) in the front-back direction when the second panel 32 is joined to the first panel 30 (see FIG. 3). The second opening 60a has a substantially circular shape. The diameter of the second opening 60a is approximately equal to the diameter of the first opening 44a.

The second peripheral portion 56 is located outside the bulge 54 . Second peripheral portion 56 is connected to side portion 58 . The second peripheral portion 56 is arranged in a range that faces the first peripheral portion 46 in the front-rear direction when the second panel 32 is joined to the first panel 30. The second peripheral portion 56 is joined to the first peripheral portion 46 . The second periphery 56 is disposed adjacent to the first periphery 46 , and in this example, the second periphery 56 is in surface contact with the first periphery 46 . The periphery of the second peripheral portion 56 corresponds to the periphery of the second plate portion 50.

The bumper reinforcement 16 is arranged on the front side of the second peripheral portion 56. The bumper reinforcement 16 is fastened to the first peripheral part 46 and the second peripheral part 56 using screws 64.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hook connecting member 34 is inserted into each of the first opening 44a of the first plate part 38 and the second opening 60a of the second plate part 50. The hook connecting member 34 is joined to each of the first center portion 44 and the bulging portion 54 by welding. The hook connecting member 34 is fixed to the first plate part 38 and the second plate part 50 at a location where the first plate part 38 and the second plate part 50 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. A portion of the hook connecting member 34 (a region near the rear end) is located inside the crush box 22. The hook connecting member 34 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the front-rear direction. The diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the hook connecting member 34 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first opening 44a and the diameter of the second opening 60a. The hook connecting member 34 has a mounting opening 34a extending in the front-rear direction. The base end 2a of the towing hook 2 can be inserted into the attachment opening 34a from the front side. When the base end 2a of the towing hook 2 is inserted into the attachment opening 34a, the towing hook 2 is attached to the hook connecting member 34. That is, the hook connecting member 34 is capable of attaching and detaching the tow hook 2.

Next, a method for fixing the hook attachment structure 14 and the bumper reinforcement 16 to the crash box 22 will be explained. First, the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 are joined. Next, after inserting the hook connecting member 34 into each of the first opening 44a of the first panel 30 and the second opening 60a of the second panel 32, the hook connecting member 34 is inserted between the first panel 30 and the second panel 32. Join. Next, the first panel 30 of the integral structure of the first panel 30, the second panel 32, and the hook connecting member 34 is joined to the front end portion 22a of the crash box 22. Finally, the bumper reinforcement 16 is fastened to the second panel 32 from the front side of the integral structure using the screws 64.

Next, the external force that acts on the hook attachment structure 14 when towing the vehicle 10 using the towing hook 2 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, when the vehicle 10 is towed with the tow hook 2 attached to the hook attachment structure 14, the hook connection member 34 is pulled, and the hook connection member 34 is pulled along the front and rear direction of the vehicle 10. An external force acts on the member 34. When the towed vehicle 10 turns, an external force acts on the hook connecting member 34 along a direction forming an angle with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. Here, the hook connecting members 34 are fixed to the first center portion 44 of the first panel 30 and the bulging portion 54 of the second panel 32 that are separated from each other, and the hook connecting members 34 are fixed to the panels that are in contact with each other. The strength of the hook attachment structure 14 is improved compared to the case where the hook attachment structure 14 is attached. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the hook connecting member 34, the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 are unlikely to be damaged. Further, the bulging portion 54 has a substantially truncated conical shape, and the strength of the second panel 32 is ensured against external force in a direction forming an angle in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. Therefore, even if an external force acts on the hook connecting member 34 along a direction forming an angle with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, the bulging portion 54 is unlikely to be damaged.

Next, the situation when the vehicle 10 collides with the collision target part will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the first peripheral portion 46 of the first panel 30 is in surface contact with the second peripheral portion 56 of the second panel 32, and the first peripheral portion 46 is fixed to the crush box 22. . Therefore, in the vehicle 10 of this embodiment, there is no need to reduce the size of the crash box 22 in the longitudinal direction. A crushing margin for the crash box 22 is secured when the vehicle 10 collides with an object from the front side while traveling. Thereby, the collision energy of the vehicle 10 can be absorbed by the crash box 22.

(effect)
In this embodiment, the towing hook 2 for towing the vehicle 10 is attached to the hook attachment structure 14 . The hook attachment structure 14 includes a first panel 30 fixed to a front end portion 22a (an example of a tip portion) of a vehicle body member 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10, and a first panel 30 fixed to a front end portion 22a (an example of a tip portion) of a vehicle body member 12 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10. A hook connecting member 34 is provided, which is supported by the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 and to which the base end 2a of the tow hook 2 can be attached and detached. The hook connecting member 34 is inserted into the first opening 44a (an example of an opening) formed in the first panel 30 and the second opening 60a (an example of an opening) formed in the second panel 32, and It is fixed to the panel 30 and the second panel 32. At least one of the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 has a bulging portion 54 that bulges in a direction away from the other of the first panel 30 and the second panel 32, the first opening 44a and the second opening 60a. It is provided in some areas including.

In the above configuration, a gap is formed between the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 by providing the bulge 54 on at least one of the first panel 30 and the second panel 32. The hook connecting member 34 is fixed to the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 in the range where the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 are separated from each other. Since the hook connecting member 34 is fixed at two locations spaced apart in the front-rear direction, the strength of the hook attachment structure 14 is effectively improved, especially against the moment of force acting on the hook connecting member 34. do. Here, the bulging portion 54 is provided only in a part of the second panel 32, and the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 can be disposed close to each other in the other range. Therefore, it is possible to provide a necessary distance between the first panel 30 and the second panel 32 while suppressing the influence on the size of the vehicle 10 and other components.

Further, the bulging portion 54 is provided at least on the second panel 32.

In the above configuration, since the second panel 32 is disposed on the opposite side of the vehicle body member 12 with respect to the first panel 30, the shape of the second panel 32 can be freely designed. Thereby, the bulging portion 54 can be easily provided on the second panel 32.

Further, the second panel 32 includes a second peripheral portion 56 (an example of a peripheral portion) located outside the bulge portion 54 . The first panel 30 includes a first peripheral portion 46 (an example of a peripheral portion) to which the second peripheral portion 56 of the second panel 32 is joined. The first peripheral portion 46 of the first panel 30 is joined to the front end portion 22a of the vehicle body member 12.

In the above configuration, the first peripheral portion 46 of the first panel 30 is joined to both the vehicle body member 12 and the second panel 32. It is possible to prevent the fixing structure for fixing the vehicle body member 12 and the second panel 32 to the first panel 30 from becoming complicated.

Further, the bulging portion 54 has a truncated cone shape. The second opening 60a is located at the frustum-shaped top portion 60.

In the above configuration, the strength of the hook attachment structure 14 is more effectively reduced with respect to the moment of force acting on the hook connection member 34, compared to a configuration in which the second opening 60a is not located at the frustum-shaped top portion 60. can be improved.

Further, the vehicle body member 12 includes a crash box 22 fixed to a front end portion 20a (an example of a tip portion) of a side member 20 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10.

In the above configuration, when the vehicle 10 collides, the crash box 22 collapses, so that the collision energy acting on the vehicle 10 can be sufficiently absorbed.

(Second example)
A second example will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, only the points different from the first embodiment will be explained, and the same points as the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and the explanation will be omitted. In the second embodiment, the first panel 30 has a similar shape to the second panel 32. In the second embodiment, the first panel 30 includes a bulge 136 in place of the first central portion 44 of the first embodiment.

The bulge 136 of the first panel 30 has a similar shape to the bulge 54 of the second panel 32. The bulging portion 136 has a substantially truncated conical shape. In a modified example, the bulging portion 136 may have a substantially truncated pyramid shape. The bulging portion 136 bulges in a direction away from the second panel 32 (rearward direction). Therefore, the second panel 32 is arranged with respect to the first panel 30 so that the back surface of the first panel 30 and the back surface of the second panel 32 face each other. The bulge 136 is located inside the crush box 22. The bulging portion 136 is arranged in a range facing the bulging portion 54 of the second panel 32 in the front-rear direction when the first panel 30 is joined to the second panel 32.

The bulging portion 136 includes a side portion 138 that defines a substantially truncated conical side surface, and a top portion 140 that defines a substantially truncated conical top surface. The top portion 140 is located at the farthest position from the second panel 32. A first opening 140a is formed in the top portion 140. The position of the center of the first opening 140a is approximately equal to the position of the center of the top portion 140. The first opening 140a overlaps the second opening 60a of the second panel 32 in the front-back direction when the first panel 30 is joined to the second panel 32. The first opening 140a has a substantially circular shape. The diameter of the first opening 140a is approximately equal to the diameter of the second opening 60a.

(effect)
The bulge 136 is provided at least on the first panel 30. The bulge 136 of the first panel 30 is located at least partially inside the vehicle body member 12 .

With the above configuration, the influence on the size of the vehicle 10 and other components can be further suppressed.

Further, the shape of the first panel 30 is the same as the shape of the second panel 32.

With the above configuration, the types of parts can be reduced.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the claims. The techniques described in the claims include various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above.

In a modified example, the first panel 30 may have the bulge 136 formed therein, and the second panel 32 may not have the bulge 54 formed therein.

In a modification, the bulge 54 of the second panel 32 may be disposed astride the side 58 and the top 60. Further, the bulging portion 136 of the first panel 30 may be disposed across the side portion 138 and the top portion 140.

In a modification, the vehicle body member 12 does not necessarily need to include the crash box 22. In this case, the hook attachment structure 14 may be directly fixed to the front end portion 20a of the side member 20.

In a modification, the hook attachment structure 14 may be provided at the rear of the vehicle 10. In this case, the hook attachment structure 14 may be fixed to a vehicle body member located at the rear of the vehicle 10. Although this is just one example, the hook attachment structure 14 can be fixed to the rear end portion of the rear side member, for example. In this case, the hook attachment structure 14 may be fixed to the rear end portion of the side member via the crash box. Alternatively, the hook attachment structure 14 may be directly fixed to the rear end portion of the side member without using the crash box.

In a modified example, the shape of the bulging portions 54, 136 may be other than the frustum shape, for example, may be cylindrical.

The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims as filed. Furthermore, the techniques illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of the objectives has technical utility in itself.

2: Towing hook 2a: Base end portion 10: Vehicle 12: Vehicle body member 14: Hook mounting structure 16: Bumper reinforcement 20: Side member 20a: Front end portion 22: Crash box 22a: Front end portion 30: First panel 32: Second Panel 34: Hook connection member 34a: Mounting opening 38: First plate portion 40: First flange portion 44: First center portion 44a: First opening 46: First peripheral portion 50: Second plate portion 52: Second flange Part 54 : Swelling part 56 : Second peripheral part 58 : Side part 60 : Top part 60a : Second opening 64 : Screw 136 : Swelling part 138 : Side part 140 : Top part 140a : First opening

Claims (8)

A hook mounting structure to which a tow hook for towing a vehicle is attached,
a first panel fixed to a distal end portion of a vehicle body member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
a second panel joined to the first panel from a side opposite to the vehicle body member;
a hook connecting member supported by the first panel and the second panel and capable of attaching and detaching the proximal end of the tow hook;
The hook connecting member is fixed to the first panel and the second panel while being inserted into each opening formed in the first panel and the second panel,
At least one of the first panel and the second panel is provided with a bulge that bulges in a direction away from the other of the first panel and the second panel in a part of the range including the opening. being given,
Hook mounting structure. The hook attachment structure according to claim 1, wherein the bulge is provided at least on the second panel. The second panel includes a peripheral portion located outside the bulge,
The first panel includes a peripheral portion to which the peripheral portion of the second panel is joined,
The hook attachment structure according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral portion of the first panel is joined to the tip portion of the vehicle body member. The bulge is provided at least on the first panel,
The hook attachment structure according to claim 1, wherein the bulge of the first panel is located at least partially inside the vehicle body member. The bulge has a frustum shape,
The hook attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the opening is located at the top of the frustum shape. The hook attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first panel has the same shape as the second panel. The hook attachment structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the vehicle body member includes a crash box fixed to a distal end portion of a side member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A vehicle,
a vehicle body member extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
a hook attachment structure fixed to the vehicle body member and to which a tow hook for towing the vehicle is attached;
The hook mounting structure is
a first panel fixed to a distal end portion of a vehicle body member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle;
a second panel joined to the first panel from a side opposite to the vehicle body member;
a hook connecting member supported by the first panel and the second panel and capable of attaching and detaching the proximal end of the tow hook;
The hook connecting member is fixed to the first panel and the second panel while being inserted into each opening formed in the first panel and the second panel,
At least one of the first panel and the second panel is provided with a bulge that bulges in a direction away from the other of the first panel and the second panel in a part of the range including the opening. being given,
vehicle.

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