JP4048461B2 - Front body structure of the vehicle - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a front body structure of a vehicle, for example, a front body structure of an automobile which is a typical vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Many protection mechanisms that have been provided in vehicles such as automobiles and that mitigate the impact on obstacles when the vehicle collides have been proposed.
[0003]
As such a protection mechanism, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-101653 proposes a protection mechanism including a movable member that protrudes forward of the vehicle in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.
[0004]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-144154 proposes a protection mechanism including an airbag that projects forward from a bumper when a pedestrian collides.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the protection mechanism proposed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-101653 assumes a vehicle such as a truck without a bonnet, it is added to the obstacle by bringing the obstacle onto the hood at the time of a collision. Can not alleviate the impact.
[0006]
In addition, the protection mechanism proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-144154 is based on the impact of the vehicle in the event of a collision, and the obstacle bounces due to the deploying force of the airbag or the reaction force generated at the moment of contact with the deployed airbag. It is expected to be skipped.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a front body structure of a vehicle that can effectively reduce an impact applied to an obstacle by reliably falling the obstacle on a bonnet at the time of a collision with the obstacle. .
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle front body structure according to the present invention is characterized by the following configuration.
[0009]
That is, a front body structure of a vehicle including the bonnet and the bumper in the vehicle compartment front, from a first position behind the vehicle longitudinal direction front end position of the bumper, front and the distal end position than the first position When detecting or predicting a collision with an obstacle, a movable member that is further downward and can project to a second position that is behind a tangent line connecting the edge of the bonnet tip and the tip position of the bumper , characterized in that it comprises a drive mechanism to project the movable member to the second position from the first position.
Also, a vehicle front body structure including a bonnet and a bumper in front of the passenger compartment, from a first position behind the front end position of the bumper in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, forward and below the front end position, A movable member that can project to a second position that is behind a tangent line connecting the edge of the bonnet tip and the tip of the bumper; and when detecting or predicting a collision with an obstacle, the movable member is And a drive mechanism that protrudes from the first position to the second position.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a front body structure of a vehicle according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as an embodiment of an automobile which is a typical vehicle.
[0012]
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the protection mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and shows the front part of the automobile as viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the protection mechanism in the first embodiment of the present invention (expression of a drive mechanism described later is omitted).
[0013]
1 and 2, the impact detection sensor 2 embedded in the bumper 6 is a general pressure-sensitive sensor that can detect a collision with an obstacle. The collision prediction sensor 4 is, for example, a camera such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or an ultrasonic sensor that is embedded in the front edge of the bonnet 8 or the like and obtains information that is a basis for predicting a collision with an obstacle (note that The collision prediction sensor 4 is used in the second embodiment).
[0014]
The arm 5 is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 21 in the vicinity of the tip position of the frame 7 of the automobile, and from the normal storage position (first position) behind the bumper 6 tip position in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the tip of the arm 5 is supported. It is possible to project while rotating to an operating position (second position) forward and lower than the position. In the present embodiment, the second position is obliquely above the first position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 and is based on a tangent line connecting the edge of the tip of the bonnet 8 and the tip position of the bumper 6. This is the rear position.
[0015]
Here, the reason why the tip position of the arm 5 is set to the second position will be described. In general, the obstacle (especially the obstacle whose height is longer than the lateral direction) is prevented from jumping off due to the impact at the time of collision, and the impact applied to the obstacle is more effectively mitigated on the bonnet more reliably. In order to fall down, it is desirable that the position where the obstacle and the vehicle first contact each other at the moment of collision is close to the ground surface below the obstacle. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position shown in FIG. 1 described above is set as the operating position (second position). Further, by setting the normal storage position (first position) as in this embodiment, a so-called approach angle that is essential for an automobile is secured.
[0016]
Further, the arm 5 includes a rod-like member extending in the vehicle lateral direction as shown in FIG. 2, and the rod-like member is made of a low-rigidity member capable of absorbing an impact (for example, a pipe made of a soft metal). Etc.).
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rotary shaft 21 is provided with a lock mechanism 20 that prevents the arm 5 from rotating again in the first position direction when the arm 5 rotates to the second position. The lock mechanism 20 will be described.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the arm locking mechanism of the front body structure of the vehicle in the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0019]
As shown in the figure, the lock mechanism 20 includes a plurality of claws 22 provided along the rotation shaft 21 of the arm 5 and a stopper 24 that can move around the rotation shaft 23. With this mechanism, the arm 5 can rotate in the rotation direction (clockwise) when the arm protrudes, but when a force in the rotation direction (counterclockwise) at the time of collision is applied, the claw 22 and the stopper 24 is engaged. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the arm 5 from rotating in the first position direction due to the reaction force caused by the collision with the obstacle.
[0020]
Next, a drive mechanism that rotates the arm 5 from the first position to the second position will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an arm drive mechanism of a front body structure of a vehicle as a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
In this embodiment, the drive mechanism of the arm 5 includes a piston mechanism 9 operable in the vehicle downward direction, a rack 10 provided at the tip of the piston, and a rotation shaft 21 of the arm 5 as shown in FIG. And a rack and pinion mechanism configured by the provided pinion 11. With this drive mechanism, the arm 5 is moved from the normal state shown in FIG. 4A in response to the operation of the piston mechanism 9 by the reaction of an inflator (not shown). The rack and pinion mechanism is rotated as shown in FIG.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, the piston mechanism 9 is disposed in the vehicle lower direction, but may be structured in parallel with the frame 7.
[0024]
Next, a control mechanism that controls the operation of the drive mechanism described above will be described.
[0025]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism for the front vehicle body structure of the vehicle as the first embodiment of the present invention. The microcomputer 1 receives an output signal from the collision detection sensor 2, and Based on the above, the movable member 3 corresponding to the drive mechanism described above is operated. Here, the microcomputer 1 may be provided exclusively for the driving mechanism of the arm 5, for example, in the vicinity of the dashboard or the like, or may be shared with other control units. In particular, the cost can be reduced by substituting the microcomputer 1 with an air bag control unit.
[0026]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process for the front body structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and a CPU (not shown) in the computer executes a program stored in advance in the microcomputer 1. Indicates processing.
[0027]
In the figure, step S1: the output value of the collision detection sensor 2 is read.
[0028]
Steps S2 and S3: By comparing the read output value of the collision detection sensor 2 with a predetermined threshold value, it is determined whether or not a collision has occurred. When NO (when no collision occurs), Return and if YES (collision), move the movable member 3 and return.
[0029]
As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the obstacle and the arm 5 first contact with each other at the position closer to the ground surface than the bumper 6 at the time of collision with the obstacle. Compared with the case where it does, by making the said obstacle fall on the bonnet 8 more reliably (escape), the impact added to the obstacle can be relieved efficiently.
[0030]
[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, different control methods for the drive mechanism of the arm 5 will be described on the basis of the front body structure of the vehicle in the first embodiment.
[0031]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism for a front body structure of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment predicts a collision with the microcomputer 1. The difference is that the output signal of the sensor 4 and the own vehicle speed V detected by a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) are further input. In the present embodiment, in addition to the control process of the drive mechanism of the arm 5 based on the output signal of the collision detection sensor 2, the collision with the obstacle is predicted based on the output signal of the collision prediction sensor 4, and it is determined that the collision occurs. When this happens, the arm 5 starts rotating prior to the collision.
[0032]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control process for the front body structure of the vehicle according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and a CPU (not shown) in the computer executes a program stored in advance in the microcomputer 1. Indicates processing.
[0033]
In the figure, step S11: The output value of the collision detection sensor 2 and the current host vehicle speed V are read.
[0034]
Step S12: It is determined whether or not a collision has occurred by comparing the read output value of the collision detection sensor 2 with a predetermined threshold value. If NO (when no collision occurs), the process proceeds to step S13. If YES, the process proceeds to step S18.
[0035]
Steps S13 and S14: The output signal of the collision prediction sensor 4 is read (step S13), and a coefficient K indicating the possibility of collision is calculated by a general method based on the read signal (step S14).
[0036]
Step S15: It is determined whether or not the calculated coefficient K is larger than a predetermined value Ka. If YES (K> Ka), the process proceeds to Step S16. If NO (K ≦ Ka), there is no possibility of a collision, and the process returns. To do.
[0037]
Step S16: Based on the own vehicle speed V and the collision possibility coefficient K, an estimated collision time T at which a collision will actually occur is calculated (step S16).
[0038]
Steps S17 and S18: It is determined whether or not the current time is a timing that is a predetermined time TP before the calculated predicted collision time T (step S17). If NO (the time until the predicted collision time T is a predetermined time) When the time is longer than TP, the determination of this step is repeated. When the time is YES (when the time until the collision expected time T is shorter than the predetermined time TP), the movable member 3 is operated and the process returns.
[0039]
According to this embodiment that performs such control, the arm 5 can be operated more reliably as compared with the first embodiment.
[0040]
[Third Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a different driving method is adopted for the drive mechanism of the arm 5 based on the front body structure of the vehicle in the first embodiment.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an arm drive mechanism of a front vehicle body structure of a vehicle as a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0042]
In this embodiment, the arm 5 in the normal storage position (second position) is fixed by a breakable bolt 12 having an inflator (not shown) inside, as shown in FIG. When the bolt breaks as shown in FIG. 5B due to the reaction of the inflator, the arm 2 starts to rotate counterclockwise by the reaction force of a torsion bar spring (not shown) provided on the rotary shaft 21. .
[0043]
Even when such a drive mechanism according to the present embodiment is employed, the obstacle and the arm 5 are located at a position closer to the ground surface than the bumper 6 at the time of collision with the obstacle, as in the first embodiment. Since the contact is made first, the impact applied to the obstacle can be efficiently mitigated by tilting the obstacle more reliably on the hood 8 than when the bumper 6 is first contacted.
[0044]
[Fourth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a different driving method is adopted for the arm driving mechanism based on the front body structure of the vehicle in the first embodiment.
[0045]
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of the protection mechanism in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an arm drive mechanism of a front body structure of a vehicle as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0046]
6 and 7, the difference from the case of the first embodiment is that the arm 5A (see FIG. 7A) indicated by a solid line in FIG. 6 is normally used by a piston mechanism 17 arranged in parallel with the frame 7. ), However, differs in that it projects linearly forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to the position of the arm 5A (see FIG. 7B) indicated by a broken line in FIG.
[0047]
Even if such a drive mechanism according to the present embodiment is employed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0048]
<Modification of Fourth Embodiment>
In this modification, a case will be described in which different arm shapes are employed based on the vehicle front body structure in the fourth embodiment.
[0049]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining a protection mechanism in a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0050]
The arm 5B in this embodiment constitutes the lower end portion of the bumper 6 in the normal storage position (first position) as shown by the solid line in FIG. The piston mechanism 17 projects to the second position indicated by a broken line in FIG.
[0051]
Even if such an arm 5B according to the present embodiment is employed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained and the appearance can be improved.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of a collision with an obstacle, the front body of the vehicle can efficiently relieve the impact applied to the obstacle by reliably falling the obstacle on the hood. Provision of structure is realized.
[0053]
That is, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the movable member protruding to the second position causes the obstacle and the movable member to be first positioned closer to the ground surface than the bumper at the time of collision with the obstacle. Since they come into contact with each other, it is possible to efficiently relieve the impact applied to the obstacle by reliably falling the obstacle on the bonnet. Further, it is possible to achieve both the original function of the movable member during operation (second position) and the approach angle of the vehicle during storage (first position).
[0054]
According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to achieve both the original function of the movable member during operation (second position) and the securing of the approach angle of the vehicle during storage (first position).
[0055]
Moreover, according to the invention of Claim 7 and Claim 8, the impact to an obstruction can be absorbed efficiently.
[0056]
In addition, according to the invention of claim 9, the appearance can be improved.
[0057]
Further, according to the inventions of claims 10 to 12, the movable member can be reliably operated with a relatively simple configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of a protection mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of a protection mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an arm locking mechanism of a front body structure of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an arm drive mechanism of a front vehicle body structure of a vehicle as a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an arm drive mechanism of a front vehicle body structure of a vehicle as a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the operation of a protection mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an arm drive mechanism of a front body structure of a vehicle as a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism for the front body structure of the vehicle as the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control process for the front body structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism for a front body structure of a vehicle as a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control process for a front body structure of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view for explaining a protection mechanism in a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Microcomputer,
2: Impact detection sensor,
3: movable member,
4: Collision prediction sensor,
5, 5A, 5B: Arm,
6: Bumper,
7: Frame,
8: Bonnet,
9, 17: piston mechanism,
10: rack,
11: Pinion,
12: Breakable bolt,
20: Lock mechanism,
21, 23: rotating shaft,
22: Nail,
24: Stopper,

Claims (13)

The cabin forward a front body structure of a vehicle including the bonnet and the bumper,
From a first position behind the vehicle longitudinal direction front end position of the bumper, a lower than the front and the distal end position than the first position, the tangent line connecting said bonnet tip edge, and a tip position of the bumper A movable member capable of projecting to a second position that is more rearward ;
When detecting or predicting a collision of the obstacle, and a drive mechanism to project the movable member to the second position from said first position,
A vehicle body structure for a front portion of a vehicle. The cabin forward a front body structure of a vehicle including the bonnet and the bumper,
A second position that is forward and lower than the front end position of the bumper in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the front end position of the bumper and that is behind a tangent line connecting the edge of the bonnet front end and the front end position of the bumper . A movable member that can project to the position of
When detecting or predicting a collision of the obstacle, and a drive mechanism to project the movable member to the second position from said first position,
A vehicle body structure for a front portion of a vehicle. The vehicle front body structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second position is obliquely above the first position in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The vehicle front body structure according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the movable member is pivotally supported by a frame of the vehicle. The vehicle front body structure according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the drive mechanism detects a collision with an obstacle based on an output signal of a pressure-sensitive sensor embedded in the bumper. The vehicle front body structure according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the drive mechanism predicts a collision with an obstacle based on an output signal of a collision prediction sensor provided in the vehicle. It said movable member, a front body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a rod-like member extending in the vehicle widthwise direction.   The front body structure of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the rod-shaped member is formed of a low-rigidity member capable of absorbing an impact.   8. The front body structure of a vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the rod-shaped member constitutes a lower end portion of the bumper at the first position. The drive mechanism is
An inflator that is activated when a collision with an obstacle is detected or predicted;
A piston mechanism for projecting the movable member from the first position to the second position when the inflator reacts;
The vehicle front body structure according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized by comprising:   The front body structure of a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the piston mechanism is operable forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the movable member projects in the same direction as the operation direction. The drive mechanism further includes a rack and pinion mechanism that rotates the movable member from the first position to the second position;
11. The vehicle front body structure according to claim 10, wherein the movable member protrudes while being rotated by the rack and pinion mechanism when the piston mechanism is operated. The drive mechanism moves the movable member from the first position to the second position a predetermined time before the predicted collision time calculated based on output signals of a collision prediction sensor and a vehicle speed sensor provided in the vehicle. The front vehicle body structure of a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front vehicle body structure is protruded to the front.

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