JP4923406B2 - Body front structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle body.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a structure for absorbing an impact at the time of a collision with another vehicle has been adopted in a front part structure of a vehicle body in various vehicles such as a passenger car. As a front structure of this type of vehicle body, a suspension tower that supports the suspension on the vehicle body side protrudes from the hood ridge panel that forms the side portion of the vehicle body, and extends in the vehicle width direction behind the suspension tower. There is known a structure in which a cowl portion is joined to a hood ridge panel, and a reinforcement panel extending in a substantially horizontal direction along the hood ridge panel is provided between the suspension tower and the cowl portion (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-25352

  In recent years, there has been a demand for further enhancement of shock absorbing performance in the suspension tower. In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, although a reinforcing panel is provided, there is a problem that the suspension tower falls down inward in the vehicle width direction at the time of a collision and the collision load cannot be efficiently transmitted to the cowl portion. .

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and can efficiently disperse the collision load acting on the suspension tower and reduce the inward deformation of the suspension tower in the vehicle width direction. The object is to provide a front structure.

The front structure of the vehicle body according to the present invention is a front structure of a vehicle body in a vehicle, and includes a suspension tower that supports a shock absorber used for a suspension on the vehicle body side, a vehicle width behind the suspension tower and in front of the vehicle cabin. extend in a direction, and the cowl portion coupled to the vehicle body framework is disposed inside in the vehicle width direction than the axis extending in the vehicle height direction of the suspension tower, the front wall of the cowl portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle The suspension tower support member that connects the suspension tower and the front surface of the rear wall of the cowl portion, and the load transmitted from the suspension tower support member is transmitted to the front pillar on the rear side of the cowl portion. make way, and the cowl rear wall portion support member for connecting the surface and the front pillar after the rear wall of the cowl section, It is characterized in that it comprises.

According to such a front structure of the vehicle body, the suspension tower support member that extends rearward from the suspension tower is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the axis of the suspension tower that extends in the vehicle height direction, and the vehicle body via the cowl portion. Since it is connected to the skeleton, the load generated in the suspension tower at the time of a vehicle collision is transmitted to the suspension tower support member and is efficiently distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body via the cowl, and from the axis of the suspension tower The suspension tower support member disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction reduces deformation of the suspension tower toward the inner side. In addition, the collision load on the suspension tower is transmitted to the front pillar by the cowl rear wall support member, and can be more effectively dispersed in the skeleton of the vehicle body, and the suspension tower can be deformed inward in the vehicle width direction. It is further prevented.

  Here, when the suspension tower support member is connected to the upper part of the suspension tower, the collision load with respect to the suspension tower is efficiently transmitted to the suspension tower support member, and the suspension tower is supported inward in the vehicle width direction. Deformation is further prevented.

The skeleton of the vehicle body is disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle width direction with a pair of front side members extending in the vehicle front-rear direction and a pair of front side members. A suspension tower support member that includes a dash cross member coupled to the member, and includes a suspension tower support member rear reinforcing member that couples the dash cross member to a portion of the cowl portion that supports the suspension tower support member. The load transmitted by the suspension tower support member is transmitted to the dash cross member, the dash panel, and the front side member via the rear reinforcing member , and can be more effectively distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body. Inward deformation in the vehicle width direction is further prevented.

Further, a pair of front pillars are disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a skeleton of the vehicle body includes an instrument panel reinforcement that is disposed between the pair of front pillars and extends in the vehicle width direction, and a cowl rear wall support member Is a structure that also serves as a bracket to fix the instrument panel reinforcement to the front pillar, the collision load against the suspension tower is transmitted to the instrument panel reinforcement by the cowl rear wall support member, and more effectively While being able to disperse | distribute to the frame | skeleton of a vehicle body, the deformation | transformation to the inner side in the vehicle width direction of a suspension tower is prevented further. Furthermore, there is no need to separately install a member for supporting the instrument panel reinforcement on the front pillar side.

In addition, if the peripheral surface of the suspension tower support member is formed with a notch for absorbing a load greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the suspension tower support member is less than the predetermined value when the load applied to the suspension tower support member is smaller than the predetermined value. When the load is transmitted by the support member and distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body, while the load applied to the suspension tower support member exceeds a predetermined value, stress concentration occurs due to the notch, and the suspension tower support member is broken. The load is absorbed. As a result, the deformation of the passenger cabin is reduced.
The front structure of the vehicle body enters the inside of the cowl portion through the front wall of the cowl portion, and a suspension tower support member that connects the vehicle width direction inner end portion of the suspension tower and the front surface of the rear wall of the cowl portion; A cowl rear wall support member that couples the rear surface of the rear wall of the cowl part and the front pillar so that the load transmitted from the suspension tower support member is transmitted to the front pillar on the rear side of the cowl part. It is characterized by.

  According to the front structure of the vehicle body of the present invention, the collision load against the suspension tower is transmitted to the suspension tower support member disposed on the inner side of the axis of the suspension tower, and is efficiently distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body via the cowl portion. In addition, the deformation of the suspension tower in the vehicle width direction can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a front structure of a vehicle body of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing the front structure of the vehicle body according to the first embodiment of the present invention from the front side, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front structure of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 1 from the rear side, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the suspension tower support member, the first cowl support member, and the second cowl support member in FIGS. 1 to 3, and FIG. 5 is a collision view. It is a top view which shows the transmission direction of a load. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Further, in this specification, the forward direction when the vehicle is moving forward is defined as “front”, and terms such as “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” are used.

  The vehicle body front structure 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a vehicle body front structure in a vehicle 2 such as a passenger car. The vehicle 2 includes an engine room 2a at the front, and a cabin is formed behind the engine room 2a via a dash panel 3 as a partition wall.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the front structure 1 of the vehicle body is arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction with an apron upper member 4 constituting the upper part of the frame of the engine room 2a of the vehicle 2 and an engine (not shown) interposed therebetween. A pair of front side members (only one is shown) 5 that is disposed and extends in the front-rear direction, a dash cross member 6 that connects the rear portions of the pair of front side members 5, and a dash cross member 6 are disposed above the dash cross member 6. And a cowl portion 7 extending in the vehicle width direction.

  The apron upper member 4 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the vehicle 2 and extends in the front-rear direction. A suspension tower 8 for supporting the upper part of a shock absorber (not shown) used for the suspension on the vehicle body side is provided inside the apron upper member 4 in the vehicle width direction. The suspension tower 8 protrudes from the apron upper member 4 in the vehicle width direction to the engine room 2a side, has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle height direction, and is configured to cover the shock absorber from the engine room 2a side. The shock absorber is suspended. Further, the rear end side of the apron upper member 4 is connected to a front body pillar upper reinforcement (front pillar, hereinafter referred to as A-pillar) 9 which is a part of the skeleton member of the vehicle body and forms the front part of the cabin.

  The front side member 5 that is a part of the skeleton member of the vehicle body extends from the front toward the dash panel 3, is connected to the front surface of the dash panel 3, and is bent downward from the front side of the dash panel 3. The floor panel (see FIG. 2) 10 of the guest room extends to the lower surface side. The front side member 5 is a member for improving the strength and rigidity of the vehicle body and is a member for absorbing an impact that could not be absorbed by the front portion of the vehicle 2 such as a bumper (not shown) at the time of a collision. Have a load. The predetermined deformation load is set by a collision experiment, simulation, or the like, and corresponds to a load (generated axial force) generated when the front side member 5 is deformed when a collision occurs. The front side member 5 is deformed when a load greater than a predetermined deformation load is applied at the time of collision, and the load at the time of collision is absorbed by the deformation.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dash cross member 6 extends in the vehicle width direction on the rear surface (guest room) side of the dash panel 3, and connects the pair of front side members 5 via the dash panel 3. It is a member. Further, both end portions of the dash cross member 6 are connected to the A pillar 9. The dash cross member 6 serves to protect the cabin by distributing the load at the time of collision. Here, the dash cross member 6 is arranged on the rear side of the dash panel 3 and the front side member 5 is connected via the dash panel 3, but the dash cross member 6 is arranged on the front side of the dash panel 3. The front side member 5 and the dash cross member 6 may be directly connected to each other.

  The cowl portion 7 extends in the vehicle width direction at the upper end of the dash panel 3, and both end portions of the cowl portion 7 are connected to a pair of A pillars 9. The cowl unit 7 supports a windshield (not shown) from below and is used as an air supply path to an air conditioner (not shown).

  Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the suspension tower support member 11 that connects the suspension tower 8 and the cowl portion 7, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cowl portion. 1 and a dash cross member 6, a second cowl support member 12, which is disposed at the end of the cowl portion 7 and connects the cowl portion 7 and the A pillar 9, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The cowl support member 13 is provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the suspension tower support member 11 is a reinforcing member that extends substantially horizontally in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 2 and supports the upper portion of the suspension tower 8 from the rear. Specifically, the suspension tower support member 11 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction from the axis L extending in the vehicle height direction of the suspension tower 8. Further, the suspension tower support member 11 is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the suspension tower 8 in the vehicle height direction. The suspension tower support member 11 has a shape that gradually increases in the vehicle height direction toward the rear, and has a configuration in which a cross-sectional area increases toward the rear. The front end portion 11a of the suspension tower support member 11 is connected to the upper portion of the suspension tower 8 and the inside in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the rear end portion 11 b of the suspension tower support member 11 enters the cowl portion 7 and is connected to the front surface of the rear wall 7 a of the cowl portion 7. The suspension tower support member 11 may be connected to the suspension tower 8 and the cowl portion 7 by welding or using bolts or the like.

  The first cowl support member 12 is a reinforcing member that extends in the vehicle height direction along the rear surface of the dash panel 3 and supports the cowl portion 7 from below, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4. . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper end portion 12 a of the first cowl support member 12 has a rear end portion 11 b (a portion that supports the suspension tower support member) with the cowl portion 7 interposed therebetween. On the other hand, the lower end portion 12b of the first cowl support member 12 is connected to the rear portion 5a of the front side member 5 with the dash cross member 6 and the dash panel 3 interposed therebetween, so that the first cowl support member 12 The portion excluding the upper end 12a and the lower end 12b is connected to the dash panel 3. The first cowl support member 12 may be connected to the cowl portion 7, the dash panel 3, and the dash cross member 6 by welding or using bolts or the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second cowl support member 13 is a reinforcing member that is disposed on the rear surface (cabinet) side of the cowl portion 7 and supports the end portion 7 a of the cowl portion 7 from the A pillar 9 side. is there. Specifically, the inner end portion 13 a of the second cowl support member 13 in the vehicle width direction is the rear end of the suspension tower support member 11 via the upper end portion 12 a of the first cowl support member 12 and the cowl portion 7. The outer end 13b of the second cowl support member 13 in the vehicle width direction is connected to the inner surface (guest room) side of the A pillar 9 in the vehicle width direction of the second cowl support member 13. A portion between the inner end portion 13 a and the outer end portion 13 b is connected to the rear surface of the cowl portion 7. Note that the second cowl support member 13 may be connected to the first cowl support member 12, the cowl portion 7, and the A pillar 9 by welding or using bolts or the like.

  Next, the operation of the vehicle body front structure 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. When the vehicle 2 collides with an obstacle such as another vehicle on the front side of the suspension tower 8, a load F is applied to the suspension tower 8 from the front. At this time, the load F applied to the suspension tower 8 is transmitted to the apron upper member 4 and the suspension tower support member 11. The load transmitted to the suspension tower support member 11 is transmitted to the cowl portion 7 and the A pillar 9 and is distributed to the skeleton member of the vehicle body. Further, the load transmitted to the cowl portion 7 is transmitted to the dash panel 3, the dash cross member 6, and the front side member 5 by the first cowl support member 12 and is distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body. Further, the load transmitted to the cowl portion 7 is transmitted to the A pillar 9 by the second cowl support member 13 and is distributed to the skeleton of the vehicle body.

  According to such a front body structure 1 of the vehicle body, the suspension tower 8 is supported on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the suspension tower 8 by the first cowl support member 11, and the load generated on the suspension tower 8 at the time of the vehicle collision. Is efficiently dispersed in the skeleton of the vehicle body, and the suspension tower support member 11 disposed inward in the vehicle width direction from the axis L of the suspension tower 8 reduces deformation of the suspension tower 8 inward in the vehicle width direction. Is done.

  Further, since the first cowl support member 12 that connects the dash cross member 6 and the portion of the cowl portion 7 that supports the suspension tower support member 11 is provided, the load transmitted by the suspension tower support member 11 is the first. 1 is transmitted to the dash cross member 6, the dash panel 3 and the front side member 5 via the cowl support member 12, and can be more effectively dispersed in the skeleton of the vehicle body, and the suspension tower 8 in the vehicle width direction can be dispersed. Inward deformation is further prevented.

  Further, since the second cowl support member 13 that connects the A pillar 9 and the portion of the cowl portion 7 that supports the suspension tower support member 11 is provided, the collision load on the suspension tower 8 is reduced by the second cowl support member. 13 is transmitted to the A pillar 9 and can be more effectively dispersed in the skeleton of the vehicle body, and the suspension tower 8 is further prevented from being deformed inward in the vehicle width direction.

  Further, the first cowl support member 12 is disposed on the rear portion 5a side of the front side member 5, and supports the front side member 5 together with the dash cross member 6 that connects the pair of front side members 5 to each other. The backward deformation of the front side member 5 can be suppressed. Furthermore, a sufficient reaction force can be generated on the front side member 5 by the cowl portion 7 and the A pillar 9 connected via the dash panel 3, the dash cross member 6, and the first cowl support member 12. Thus, a moment canceling effect can be obtained, and the rising of the front side member 5 can be suppressed.

  Next, a vehicle body front structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The difference between the front structure 21 of the vehicle body of the second embodiment and the front structure 1 of the vehicle body of the first embodiment is that, instead of the dash cross member 6 arranged on the rear surface (guest room) side of the dash panel 3, Instead of the dash cross member 26 disposed on the front surface (engine room) side of the dash panel 3, the first cowl support member 12 disposed on the rear surface side of the dash panel 3 is replaced with a rear surface side of the dash panel 3. The first cowl support member upper 27 and the first cowl support member lower 28 disposed on the front side of the dash panel 3 are used.

  The dash cross member 26 extends in the vehicle width direction, connects the rear portions 5 a of the pair of front side members 5, and is connected to the front surface of the dash panel 3. The upper end portion of the first cowl support member upper 27 is disposed on the rear surface side of the cowl portion 7 corresponding to the rear end of the suspension tower support member 11, and the lower end portion of the first cowl support member upper 27 is the dash panel 3. The first cowl support member upper 27 is connected to the rear surface of the cowl portion 7 and the rear surface of the dash panel 3 from the upper end portion to the lower end portion. The upper end portion of the first cowl support member lower 28 is disposed on the front side of the dash panel 3 at a position corresponding to the lower end portion of the first cowl support member upper 27, and the lower end portion of the first cowl support member lower 28. Are arranged on the upper surface of the rear side 5a side of the front side member 5 and the upper surface of the dash cross member 26, and the first cowl support member lower 28 extends from the upper end to the lower end of the dash panel 3 and the dash cross member 26. And the upper surface of the front side member 5. That is, the cowl portion 7 is connected to the front side member 5 and the dash cross member 26 with the dash panel 3 interposed therebetween by the first cowl support member upper 27 and the first cowl support member lower 28.

  Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the front part structure 1 of the vehicle body of 1st Embodiment can be acquired, and in addition, the lower end part of the 1st cowl support member lower 28 is the rear part 5a of the front side member 5. Since it is connected to the upper surface on the side, it is possible to further prevent the rear side of the front side member 5 from rising when the vehicle collides.

  Next, a vehicle body front structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle body front structure 31 according to the third embodiment is different from the vehicle body front structure 1 according to the first embodiment in that a second cowl support member 32 having substantially the same configuration as the second cowl support member 13 is provided. The instrument panel reinforcement (hereinafter referred to as instrument panel R / F) 33 which is a skeleton member of the vehicle body also serves as a bracket for fixing to the A pillar 9.

  The instrument panel R / F 33 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the vehicle width direction behind the cowl portion 7. And both ends of the instrument panel R / F 33 are connected to the second cowl support member 32 by welding or the like, and are connected to the pair of A pillars 9 via the second cowl support member 32.

  Even if comprised in this way, the effect similar to the front part structure 1 of the vehicle body of 1st Embodiment can be acquired. In addition, the collision load on the suspension tower 8 is transmitted to the instrument panel R / F 33 by the second cowl support member 12 and can be more effectively dispersed in the frame of the vehicle body, and the suspension tower 8 in the vehicle width direction can be dispersed. Inward deformation is further prevented. Further, the instrument panel R / F 33 can suppress the outward deformation of the A pillar 9 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, there is no need to separately install a member for supporting the instrument panel R / F 33 on the A pillar 9 side, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle body can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was concretely demonstrated based on the embodiment, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, instead of the suspension tower support member 11, as shown in FIG. 9, a suspension tower support member 41 with improved impact absorption performance may be used. A bead 41 a that is a notch extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the outer surface of the suspension tower support member 41. With this bead 41a, when the load applied to the suspension tower support member 41 is smaller than a predetermined value, the load is transmitted by the suspension tower support member 41 and dispersed to the skeleton of the vehicle body. When the load applied to the member 41 is a predetermined value or more, stress concentration occurs by the beads 41a, the suspension tower support member 41 is broken, and the load is absorbed. As a result, the deformation of the passenger cabin is reduced.

It is a perspective view which shows the front part structure of the vehicle body which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention from the front side. It is a perspective view which shows the front part structure of the vehicle body shown in FIG. 1 from the back side. It is the III-III arrow line view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the suspension tower support member, the first cowl support member, and the second cowl support member in FIGS. 1 to 3. It is a top view which shows the transmission direction of a collision load. It is a perspective view which shows the front part structure of the vehicle body which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention from the front side. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the suspension tower support member, the first cowl support member upper, the first cowl support member lower, and the second cowl support member in FIG. 6. It is a perspective view which shows the front part structure of the vehicle body which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention from the back side. It is a perspective view which shows the suspension tower support member which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 21, 31 ... Front structure of a vehicle body, 2 ... Vehicle, 3 ... Dash panel, 5 ... Front side member, 6, 26 ... Dash cross member, 7 ... Cowl part, 8 ... Suspension tower, 9 ... A pillar ( Front pillar), 11, 41 ... suspension tower support member, 12 ... first cowl support member, 13, 32 ... second cowl support member, 27 ... first cowl support member upper (first cowl support member) 28 ... first cowl support member lower (first cowl support member), 33 ... instrument panel R / F (instrument panel reinforcement), 41a ... bead (notch), L ... axis.

Claims (6)

A front structure of a vehicle body in a vehicle,
A suspension tower for supporting a shock absorber used for the suspension on the vehicle body side;
A cowl portion extending in the vehicle width direction behind the suspension tower and in front of the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and connected to the skeleton of the vehicle body;
The suspension tower is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the axis extending in the vehicle height direction, extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle , enters the cowl portion through the front wall of the cowl portion, and A suspension tower support member connecting the front surface of the rear wall of the cowl part;
A cowl rear wall support member that connects the rear surface of the rear wall of the cowl part and the front pillar so as to transmit the load transmitted from the suspension tower support member to the front pillar on the rear side of the cowl part ; The front part structure of the vehicle body characterized by comprising.   2. The front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the suspension tower support member is connected to an upper portion of the suspension tower. The skeleton of the vehicle body is disposed on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of front side members extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle;
A dash cross member disposed below the cowl portion and extending in the vehicle width direction and coupled to the pair of front side members,
The vehicle body front structure according to claim 1, further comprising a suspension tower support member rear reinforcing member that connects a portion of the cowl portion that supports the suspension tower support member and the dash cross member. A pair of the front pillars are arranged on both sides in the vehicle width direction,
The skeleton of the vehicle body includes an instrument panel reinforcement arranged between the pair of front pillars and extending in the vehicle width direction,
The front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the cowl rear wall support member also serves as a bracket for fixing the instrument panel reinforcement to the front pillar.   The front surface of the vehicle body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a notch portion for absorbing a load of a predetermined value or more is formed on a peripheral surface of the suspension tower support member. Part structure. Through the front wall of the cowl portion enters the inside of the cowl portion, and the suspension tower support member for connecting the front surface of the rear wall of the cowl portion and the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the suspension tower,
A cowl rear wall support member that connects the rear surface of the rear wall of the cowl part and the front pillar so as to transmit the load transmitted from the suspension tower support member to the front pillar on the rear side of the cowl part ; The front part structure of the vehicle body characterized by comprising.

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