JP4582308B2 - Body front structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle body front structure.

  Various devices have been proposed in order to increase the shock absorbing ability against a vehicle collision. Patent Document 1 proposes that a reinforcing member extending outward from the front end portion of the front side frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body at the lower part of the engine room extends straight forward obliquely on a horizontal plane substantially common to the front side frame. is doing. According to the present invention, when the vehicle collides obliquely with the vehicle body, the collision load can be received and absorbed by the reinforcing member.

  Patent Document 2 proposes that the front end portion of the apron reinforcement is suspended substantially vertically in front of the front wheels in order to absorb this impact reliably when an offset collision occurs outside the front side frame. is doing. Further, this Patent Document 2 discloses a lower cross member that connects the front ends (lower ends) of the left and right apron reinforcements. The lower cross member is a bumper rain that connects the front ends of the left and right front side frames. It is located behind the force. Patent Document 2 further discloses a connecting member that connects an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the front side frame and an intermediate portion of the apron reinforcement.

JP-A-7-187003 JP 2003-40142 A

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 both propose inventions related to offset collisions. In particular, Patent Document 2 describes that the impact of an offset collision is received and absorbed by a portion that hangs downward from an apron reinforcement. Under this purpose, in order to reinforce the apron reinforcement, the front ends of the left and right apron reinforcements, that is, the lower ends of the parts hanging downwards, are connected by lower cross members, and the lower cross members are connected. It is proposed to be located behind the bumper reinforcement.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body front structure that can expand not only an offset collision but also a region for receiving a collision load at the time of a frontal collision.

  In order to achieve the above technical problem, the present invention basically includes a pair of left and right front side frames that extend forward from the bulkhead, and the front side outer panel disposed outside the front side frame in the vehicle width direction. Assuming a vehicle body front structure having a pair of left and right apron reinforcements attached to the vehicle body, the apron reinforcement extends forward beyond the upper part of the front wheel and then hangs downward to The front side frame has a shape that extends to substantially the same longitudinal position as the front end of the front side frame.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to absorb the impact by receiving this impact with an apron reinforcement against an offset collision outside the front side frame.

In the vehicle body front part structure of the present invention, the front end portions of the left and right apron reinforcements are connected by a first cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the first cross member disposed at a relatively high position receives the impact together with the front side frame when the frontal collision occurs at a relatively high position, and cooperates with the apron reinforcement together with the front side frame. It can work to absorb the shock. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first cross member is constituted by a shroud middle cross member. The above effects can be ensured. In the vehicle body front portion structure of the present invention, the first cross member and the front end portion of the front side frame are connected by a connecting means. According to this, since the impact input to the first cross member is not only transmitted to the apron reinforcement, but also transmitted to the front side frame via the connecting means, the apron reinforcement and the front side are also transmitted. The frame can cooperate to absorb the impact. The connecting means may be a panel or a connecting member having a closed cross-sectional structure, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it has a subframe positioned lower than the front side frame and adjacent to the apron reinforcement, and a front end portion of the apron reinforcement and a front end portion of the subframe are provided. Are connected by connecting means. According to this, since the sub-frame is disposed in addition to the front side frame and the apron reinforcement on the side portion of the front vehicle body, the impact of the offset collision can be absorbed by these three parties. Also, even if a collision occurs at a lower level than the front side frame, this impact is not only received by the subframe, but also by the apron reinforcement via the connecting means that connects the subframe and the apron reinforcement. Can absorb shocks. Specifically, the subframe may be a perimeter frame, for example, branched from the longitudinal middle portion of the front side frame outward in the vehicle width direction and then branched obliquely downward toward the front. It may be a branch side frame. When a branch side frame is provided outside the front side frame in the vehicle width direction, even if it is an offset collision outside the front side frame, the branch side frame and the apron reinforcement absorb the impact. can do. Moreover, as a connection means, you may comprise by a panel and may be a connection member of a closed cross section, for example.

  The apron reinforcement preferably has its front end center positioned higher than the front end center of the front side frame. According to this, even if the frontal collision is higher than the front side frame, the impact can be absorbed by the apron reinforcement. In addition, by positioning the front end of the apron reinforcement at a higher position than the front ends of the left and right front side frames in this way, the left and right front side frames can be connected by the bumper reinforcement extending in the vehicle width direction. it can. According to this, a frontal collision can be received by the first cross member that connects the left and right apron reinforcements and the bumper reinforcement located below the first cross member, and the impact is detected by the left and right front side frames and the left and right side frames. Since it can be absorbed by the apron reinforcement, the area where the frontal collision can be received can be expanded vertically.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal intermediate portions of the left and right apron reinforcements are connected by a second cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, and the second cross member and the first cross member are connected. Are connected by a plurality of stays arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. According to this, the first and second cross members and a plurality of stays connecting them can form a frame structure in the form of a cross-beam on the front surface of the vehicle. Even if a collision occurs, it can be received and the impact can be absorbed by the apron reinforcement via the first and second cross members.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the basic structure of the front portion of the vehicle body as viewed obliquely from the front. Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 denotes an engine room, which is isolated from a vehicle compartment 2 behind the engine room 1 by a bulkhead 3. As in the prior art, a pair of left and right front side frames 5 extending forward from the lower part of the bulkhead 3 are provided at the side and lower part of the engine room 1, and the A pillar 6 constituting the side edge of the bulkhead 3 is provided. An apron reinforcement 7 extending forward is provided, and a front side outer panel (not shown) is attached to the outside of the apron reinforcement 7. Both the front side frame 5 and the apron reinforcement 7 have a closed cross-sectional structure. The front side frames 5 located on both sides of the lower part of the engine room 1 extend substantially straight forward from the bulkhead 3, and the front end 5a of the front side frame 5 is disposed toward the front of the vehicle body. .

  In the vehicle body front structure of the embodiment, the front side frame 5 preferably includes a branch side frame 10 having a closed cross-sectional structure as a subframe, which is branched outward in the vehicle width direction from the middle in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction). Have. The branch side frame 10 includes a skew base end portion 10a extending obliquely forward on a common horizontal plane with the front side frame 5, and an inclined portion 10b extending downward and preferably obliquely forward from the front end of the skew base end portion 10a. It has a front end portion 10c bent from the front end of the inclined portion 10b and preferably extending forward on a horizontal plane. The branch side frame 10 having such a shape extending obliquely downward toward the front in the vehicle width direction and forward is positioned such that the front end 10d is outward and in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front end 5a of the front side frame 5. is doing.

  Therefore, the vehicle body front part structure including the front side frame 5 and the branch side frame 10 has a front side as shown in FIG. 2 when an offset collision related to a forward collision of the vehicle, that is, only one side of the vehicle collides. The branch side frame 10 together with the frame 5 can also receive the impact load and absorb the impact. Reference symbol “O” in FIG. 2 indicates an obstacle. In particular, in order to ensure this effect, it is preferable that the front end 10d of the branch side frame 10 is positioned at substantially the same longitudinal position as the front side frame 5a when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. Further, since the front end 10d of the branch side frame 10 is located outward in the vehicle width direction from the front side frame 10, when there is an offset collision in an area outside the front side frame 10, the branch side frame 10 The impact load can be absorbed by receiving the collision load.

  Further, in a frontal collision having a general meaning as well as an offset collision, when there is a collision in a lower level area than the front side frame 5 (for example, a frontal collision with an automobile with a relatively low bumper height position). The impact load can be received by the branch side frame 10 to absorb the impact. This effect can be ensured by connecting the front ends 10d of the left and right branch side frames 10 with a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction.

  In the vehicle body front part structure of the embodiment, the front part of the apron reinforcement 7 has a shape that hangs downward. Specifically, the apron reinforcement 7 includes an apron base end portion 7a extending forward from the A pillar 6 and straddling the front wheel 12, and a lower side, preferably obliquely downward and forward, from the front end of the apron base end portion 7a. An apron hanging portion 7b that extends and is located in front of the front wheel 12 and an apron front end portion 7c that is bent from the lower end of the apron hanging portion 7b and preferably extends forward in a horizontal plane. As a modification, the drooping portion 7b may be inclined obliquely downward and forward, and the front end 7d of the apron reinforcement 7 may be formed by the drooping portion 7b. The front end 7d of the apron reinforcement 7 is substantially the same as or slightly higher than the front end 5a of the front side frame 5, and is higher than the front end 5a of the front side frame 5 when viewed from the side of the vehicle body. Although it may be positioned slightly rearward, it is preferable that the front side frame 5 be positioned substantially at the front and rear positions of the vehicle body. Further, in relation to the branch side frame 10, the front end 7 d of the apron reinforcement 7 is located at a higher level than the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10, and slightly more than the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10. Although it may be located rearward, it is preferably located substantially at the same longitudinal position as the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10.

  The apron reinforcement 7 having a shape that hangs down from the middle toward the front in this way has its front end positioned outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front end 5a of the front side frame 5 and substantially the same height or slightly higher. Is located. Specifically, the center of the front end 7 d of the apron reinforcement 7 is preferably positioned higher than the center of the front end 5 a of the front side frame 5. Further, in comparison with the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10, the front end 7 d of the apron reinforcement 7 is positioned adjacent to the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10 adjacent to the outer side in the vehicle width direction and above. Is located adjacent to

  Therefore, in the vehicle body front part structure that employs the apron reinforcement 7 having a shape that hangs downward on the way to the front, the front end of the front side frame 5 is located on each side of the vehicle when viewed from the front. 5a, the front end 10d of the branch side frame 10 outside and below the front side frame 5, and the apron reinforcement 7 outside the front side frame 5 and substantially the same as or slightly above the front side frame 5. The front end 7d is located, and these 5a, 10d, and 7d constitute the vertices of a virtual triangle 13 on a substantially common vertical plane extending in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction (see FIG. 1).

  Thus, in the vehicle body front structure including the front side frame 5, the branch side frame 10 located outward and downward, and the apron reinforcement 7 hanging downward, the vehicle spreads vertically and horizontally in the event of an offset collision. The impact load can be received in the area having the same. Further, when there is an offset collision in a region outside the front side frame 10 in the vehicle width direction, the impact can be absorbed by receiving the collision load by the branch side frame 10 and the apron reinforcement 7.

  Further, in a frontal collision having a general meaning as well as an offset collision, when there is a collision in a region at a higher level than the front side frame 5 (for example, a frontal collision with a car having a relatively high bumper height position). The apron reinforcement 7 can absorb the impact by receiving the collision load. This effect can be ensured by providing a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction for connecting the front ends 7d of the left and right apron reinforcements 7 to be described later.

  In order to make the collision characteristics of the vehicle body front structure described above more effective, a front end portion of the front side frame 5 and the front end portion 10c of the branch side frame 10 and a front end portion of the front side frame 5 and an apron rain are provided. Between the front end portion 7c of the reinforcement 7, between the front end portion 10c of the branch side frame 10 and the front end portion 7c of the apron reinforcement 7, and these three members 5, 7, 10 are connected to each other by a connecting member or panel. It is preferable to do this.

  In the vehicle body front structure of the embodiment, the front side frame 5 and the branch side frame 10 are provided on the side of the front of the vehicle, or instead of or in addition to the branch side frame 10, An apron reinforcement 7 is provided, but these elements may be connected to each other by a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. For example, typically, a bumper reinforcement 16 extending in the vehicle width direction is attached to the front end 5a of each front side frame 5 via a crash can 15 as shown in FIG. The left and right front side frames 5 are connected by the ment 16. FIG. 3 is a side view seen from the engine room side. Similarly, the tip portions 10c, 10c of the left and right branch side frames 10, 10 and / or the tip portions 7a, 7a of the left and right apron reinforcements 7, 7 may be connected by a cross member extending in the vehicle width direction. In this case, a crush can may be interposed between the cross member and the front end 10 d of the branch side frame 10 and / or the front end 7 d of the apron reinforcement 7.

  FIG. 4 shows that the left and right branch side frames 10, 10 are connected by a first cross member 20 extending in the vehicle width direction, and the front ends 5 a of the left and right front side frames 5, the branch side frames 10, and the apron reinforcement 7. 10d and 7d show a vehicle body front structure in which a shroud drawer panel 21 is connected, and the shroud drawer panel 21 extends between the left and right apron reinforcements 7 and 7; FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 4 and 5, the left and right front side frames 5 and 5 are equipped with engines (not shown), and the left and right apron reinforcements 7 and 7 have intermediate portions in the front-rear direction. It is connected by a second cross member 22 extending in the vehicle width direction. Such cross members 20 and 22 may have a closed cross-sectional structure, or may be constituted by members having relatively rigidity opened rearward.

  4 and 5 will be described in detail. The first cross member 20 is a shroud lower cross member, and the second cross member 22 is a shroud upper cross member. The shroud upper cross member 22 is connected to the upper surface of the boundary portion between the apron base end portion 7a and the apron hanging portion 7b. The shroud drawer panel 21 has a lower end coupled to the shroud lower cross member 20, and an upper end connected to the shroud door cross member 22 via a shroud center stay 23 and a shroud side stay 24 arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction. It is connected to. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 25 indicates a radiator opening, and reference numeral 26 indicates a headlamp opening. Reference numeral 27 denotes a front side inner panel constituting a side wall of the engine room, and an upper end edge of the apron panel 27 is joined to the apron reinforcement 7. Reference numeral 28 denotes a suspension tower.

  In the vehicle body front structure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. 6, which is a side view seen from the engine room side, the front end portion of the front side frame 5 and the front end portion 10 c of the branch side frame 10 May be connected by a connecting member 30 extending in the vertical direction. The connecting member 30 preferably has a closed cross-sectional structure. However, the connecting member 30 is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a member having relatively rigidity that is open toward the rear. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, you may make it provide the shroud middle cross member 32 which connects the front-end parts 7c and 7c of the left and right apron reinforcements 7 and 7. FIG. The shroud middle cross member 32 is preferably relatively wide. For example, the shroud middle cross member 32 is preferably wider than the height of the front end 5a of the front side frame 5. As a modification, instead of or in addition to the shroud middle cross member 32, the front end portion 7c of the apron reinforcement 7 and the front end portion of the front side frame 5 adjacent thereto are connected by a connecting member extending in the vertical direction. You may do it. Further, the front end portion 10 c of the branch side frame 10 and the front end portion 7 c of the apron reinforcement 7 may be connected by the second connecting member 33. The second connecting member 33 also preferably has a closed cross-sectional structure. However, the second connecting member 33 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a member having relatively rigidity that is open toward the rear. Further, the front end portion of the front side frame 5 and the shroud middle cross member 32 may be connected by a connecting member 34 (FIG. 7) extending in the vertical direction.

  In addition, the shroud panel 21 of the above embodiment continuously extends in the vehicle width direction between the left and right apron reinforcements 7 and 7, but instead of this, the shroud side panel (see FIG. The front side frame 5, the branch side frame 10, and the apron reinforcement 7 located on the left side are connected to each other, and similarly, the front side frame 5, the branch side frame 10, and the apron reinforcement 7 located on the right side are connected. May be connected.

  Thus, generally, the shroud lower cross member 20 is provided below the side frame 5 on which the bumper reinforcement 16 is provided, so that the collision load of the frontal collision is lower than that of the bumper reinforcement 16. Can be received in cooperation with the shroud lower cross member 20 located in the position. Further, by providing the shroud middle cross member 32 above the side frame 5, the collision load of the frontal collision can be received by the shroud middle cross member 32 positioned slightly higher than the bumper reinforcement 16. .

  Here, it is preferable that the shroud middle cross member 32 and the shroud lower cross member 20 are arranged at overlapping vehicle body front and rear positions when seen in a plan view, and the shroud upper cross member 22 is the cross members 32, 20. It is better to arrange a little behind. Various obstacles O having different heights can be received by the upper, middle, and lower cross members 22, 32, and 20 arranged above and below. In particular, when the shroud middle cross member 32 and the shroud lower cross member 20 are disposed at overlapping vehicle body front-rear positions when viewed in plan, this obstacle in a collision with an obstacle O having a relatively low height. O can be received simultaneously by the shroud middle cross member 32 and the shroud lower cross member 20, and the impact can be absorbed by both the branch side frame 10 and the apron reinforcement 7.

  Further, by connecting the front side frame 5, the branch side frame 10, the front end portion of the apron reinforcement 7, the shroud lower cross member 20, and the shroud middle cross member 32 by the connecting member 30 or the like, the collision load is reduced to the front side frame. 5. There is an advantage that the rigidity of the vehicle body can be improved in addition to the advantage that it can be distributed to the branch side frame 10, the apron reinforcement 7, and the like.

  FIG. 8 shows a vehicle body front structure according to another embodiment. In FIG. 8, a perimeter frame 35 as a sub-frame is disposed below the left and right front side frames 5. The perimeter frame 35 is mounted below the left and right front side frames 5 and 5 via mounting portions 36 as known in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2000-159147 and 2004-189136. An engine and a front wheel suspension member are attached to 35.

  The perimeter frame 35 includes a pair of left and right perimeter side members 33a extending along the front side frame 5, and a perimeter front side cross member 35a connecting the front ends of the left and right perimeter side members 35a. 8, the front end of the perimeter side member 35a and the front end 7d of the apron reinforcement 7 adjacent thereto are connected by a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 is not particularly limited, but has a U-shaped cross section that is open toward the rear, and has a substantially L-shaped outline as a whole, and the perimeter side member 35a. And a front end 7d of the apron reinforcement 7 using a bolt (not shown). In the vehicle body front structure shown in FIG. 8, the aforementioned branch side frame 10 is not provided. However, in the vehicle body front structure shown in FIG. 8, the branch side frame 10 may be provided on the front side frame 5. Good.

  In the various embodiments described above, first, in addition to the front side frame 5, the apron reinforcement 7 has a shape that hangs downward, and its front end 7d is substantially the same as the front end 5a of the front side frame 5 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Since the position is set, the offset collision can be received by the front side frame 5 and the apron reinforcement 7 in cooperation to absorb the impact.

  Further, since the front end 7d of the apron reinforcement 7 is connected by the shroud middle cross member 32, even if an impact at the time of a frontal collision is input by the shroud middle cross member 32 at a relatively high position, Can be received by the shroud middle cross member 32. Further, by forming the shroud middle cross member 32, for example, to be approximately the same as or wider than the front side frame 5, even if there is an input in a frontal collision at a relatively high position, the shroud middle cross member 32 The left and right apron reinforcements 7 can absorb the impact received by the shroud middle cross member 32. The same applies to an offset collision outside the front side frame 5 in the vehicle width direction.

  Further, the branch side frame 10 or the perimeter frame 35 positioned lower than the front side frame 5 is connected to the apron reinforcement 7 and the shroud drawer panel 21, the connecting member 33, or the connecting member 38. In cooperation with the reinforcement 7, it can be received by the branch side frame 10 and the perimeter frame 35, and the impact can be absorbed.

  Further, the left and right apron reinforcements 7 are connected at their longitudinal intermediate portions by shroud upper cross members 22, which are connected by shroud middle cross members 32 and stays 23, 24. Thus, these elements form a cross-like frame structure on the front surface of the vehicle. Therefore, even if an offset collision and a frontal collision occur at various heights, this is received by the cross-girder-like frame structure, and the apron reinforcement 7 is connected via the shroud upper cross member 22 and the shroud middle cross member 32. The apron reinforcement 7 can absorb the impact.

  Further, since the shroud middle cross member 32 and the front side frame 5 are connected by the connecting member 34 (FIG. 7) or the shroud drawer panel 21, the impact input to the shroud middle cross member 32 is transmitted to the apron reinforcement 7. In addition to this, it is also transmitted to the front side frame 5 through the connecting member 34 and the like, and the apron reinforcement 7 and the front side frame 5 can cooperate to absorb the impact.

It is a figure for demonstrating the basic composition of the front vehicle body structure of an Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect by the basic structure of an Example. It is the side view which looked at the basic composition of Drawing 1 from the engine room side. It is the perspective view seen from the vehicle body diagonal front which shows one form of a preferable Example. It is the top view which looked at the vehicle body front part structure of FIG. 4 from the top. It is the side view which looked at the vehicle body front part structure of FIG. 4 from the engine room side. It is the perspective view which looked at the vehicle body front part structure of the modification from the vehicle body diagonally forward. It is the perspective view seen from the vehicle body diagonal front which shows another preferable Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Engine room 2 Car compartment 3 Bulkhead 5 Front side frame 7 Apron reinforcement 7b Apron hanging part 7d Apron front end 10 Branch side frame 10a Skew base end part 10b Inclined part 10d Front end 15 Crash can 16 Bumper reinforcement 20 Shroud lower Cross member 21 shroud drawer panel 22 shroud upper cross member (corresponding to second cross member in claims)
23 shroud center stay 24 shroud side stay 30 connecting member between front side frame and branch side frame 32 shroud middle cross member (corresponding to first cross member in claims)
33 Connecting member between branch side frame and apron reinforcement

Claims (5)

A pair of left and right front side frames extending forward from the bulkhead;
A vehicle body front structure having a pair of left and right apron reinforcements disposed on the outer side of the front side frame in the vehicle width direction and attached to the front side outer panel;
The apron reinforcement has a shape that extends forward over the front wheels and then hangs downward to extend to substantially the same longitudinal position as the front end of the front side frame. The front end portion is connected by a first cross member extending in the vehicle width direction ,
A vehicle body front structure, wherein the first cross member and the front end portion of the front side frame are connected by a connecting means .   It has a subframe located lower than the front side frame and adjacent to the apron reinforcement, and the front end portion of the apron reinforcement and the front end portion of the subframe are connected by connecting means, The vehicle body front part structure according to claim 1.   The vehicle body front part structure according to claim 2, wherein the sub-frame is a branch side frame that branches obliquely downward toward the front after branching outward in the vehicle width direction from a longitudinal intermediate portion of the left and right front side frames. .   The center of the front end of the apron reinforcement is positioned higher than the center of the front end of the front side frame, and the left and right front side frames are connected by a bumper reinforcement extending in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body front part structure as described in any one of 1-3.   Middle portions in the longitudinal direction of the left and right apron reinforcements are connected by a second cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, and the second cross member and the first cross member are spaced from each other in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body front part structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is connected by a plurality of arranged stays.

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