JP5633316B2 - Fender bracket and body front structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fender bracket and a vehicle body front structure.

  From the viewpoint of pedestrian protection, automobile bodies and the like are designed such that a fender panel and a bracket that supports the fender panel (hereinafter referred to as a fender bracket) are deformed with respect to a load from above the fender panel. By securing the deformation amount (movement amount) of the fender panel and the fender bracket, it is possible to achieve high load absorption.

  At present, in order to ensure the above-described deformation amount, for example, a structure shown in FIG. Specifically, a substantially horizontal flange is formed at the upper end of a cowl side panel (fender apron) that forms the side of the engine room, and a mounting surface for a fender bracket (apron bracket) having a substantially hat shape (substantially convex shape). Weld. The amount of deformation in the downward direction is secured by fixing the fender panel to the upper surface of the fender bracket. In addition, in this specification, the member which comprises the side part of an engine room is named generically, a cowl side panel, and a fender apron shall also be included in this.

JP 2003-341550 A

  In recent automobiles and the like, weight reduction and fuel efficiency are strongly promoted. Therefore, the engine room is made compact and the windshield tends to be installed obliquely in order to improve aerodynamic characteristics. As a result, the distance from the headlamp to the root of the windshield (A pillar) is narrowing.

  However, in the conventional structure represented by FIG. 12 of Patent Document 1, since the substantially hat-shaped fender bracket includes two mounting surfaces in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, it tends to be long in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. As the distance from the headlamp to the windshield (A pillar) root becomes narrower, there is a possibility that a space for attaching the fender bracket cannot be secured.

  Further, since the rigidity of the fender bracket is set so as to be deformed by receiving a load from above the fender panel, there is a possibility that parts around the fender may be deformed (flexed) even with a load that is not so large. As a result, gaps and steps between parts around the fender change, which may impair the appearance and merchantability.

  In addition, since the fender bracket is deformed relatively easily, there is a possibility that the assembly accuracy of the headlamp and the fender panel cannot be maintained. In particular, this problem becomes more conspicuous as the vertical dimension is increased in order to secure the downward deformation amount of the fender bracket. A decrease in the assembling accuracy causes a deviation of the optical axis of the headlamp, for example.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and can achieve high load absorption while ensuring necessary rigidity, and has a space from a headlamp to a windshield (A pillar) root. An object of the present invention is to provide a fender bracket and a front body structure that can be applied even in a narrow space.

In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a headlamp mounted in the vicinity of the upper end of a cowl side panel that constitutes a side portion of an engine room, and an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the headlamp and the cowl side panel that are provided in front of the vehicle body. In the fender bracket for connecting the fender panels provided in the front hood, a first coupling surface which is a portion substantially parallel to the cowl side panel and whose lower part is connected to overlap with the upper end of the side surface of the cowl side panel, and a front hood that covers the engine room A second coupling surface that is a portion substantially parallel to the first coupling surface and a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first coupling surface, a lower portion that extends obliquely upward and outward in the vehicle width direction continuously from the upper end of the first coupling surface, and a lower portion continuously to the upper end of the bent portion including an upper position to be connected to the vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the second coupling surface, it has a first coupling surface is below the upper end In optionally be joined to a cowl side panel, above the side top end of the cowl side panel, characterized in that it have a region where the cowl side panel are not joined.

  In the present invention, since the first coupling surface of the fender bracket that is substantially parallel to the side surface portion upper end of the cowl side panel is overlapped and connected, the length in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body can be suppressed. Therefore, even if the space from the headlamp to the windshield (A pillar) root is small, it can be dealt with sufficiently. From another viewpoint, since the first coupling surfaces that are substantially parallel are simply overlapped and welded, there is a degree of freedom in the mounting position, and the mounting position can be easily changed according to the vehicle type and specifications.

  In addition, the bending portion bent outward in the vehicle width direction is deformed so as to be crushed with respect to the load from above the fender panel, and the fender bracket and the cowl side panel are deformed to be bent toward the vehicle inner side. Since deformation occurs at a plurality of locations, the amount of deformation can be secured larger than that of the conventional structure, and high load absorbability can be realized.

  In addition, even if it is designed so that the rigidity of the fender bracket is increased where necessary, in order to ensure the mounting accuracy and holding function of the headlamp and fender panel, the impact on pedestrian protection performance can be suppressed. it can. This is because there are a plurality of portions that are deformed in response to the load from above the fender panel, and thus the ease of deformation of other portions does not change even if the rigidity of the necessary portions is improved. That is, even if the rigidity is increased to some extent, it is sufficiently deformed by receiving a load from above the fender panel, so that both rigidity and load absorbability can be achieved.

  It is preferable that the extension line obtained by extending the first coupling surface intersects the approximate center of the second coupling surface. As a result, the load from the second coupling surface is generally transmitted to the first coupling surface without being biased. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the accuracy of assembling the parts around the fender and improve the holding function.

  It is preferable that a long hole in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is formed in the bent portion, and the rigidity of the bent portion is adjusted by the size of the long hole. By changing the size of the long hole in accordance with the vehicle type and specifications, the rigidity and load absorbability of the fender bracket can be easily adjusted.

  It is preferable that continuous flanges are provided at the ends of the first coupling surface, the bent portion, and the second coupling surface in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. Thereby, the rigidity (mainly of the second coupling surface) in the vertical direction of the vehicle body can be suitably ensured. With respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, since it is the extending direction of the first coupling surface, the bent portion, and the second coupling surface, higher rigidity is ensured. Therefore, it is possible to secure the assembly accuracy of the headlamp and the fender panel and improve the holding function.

In order to solve the above-described problems, another typical configuration of the present invention includes a cowl side panel that forms a side portion of the engine room, a headlamp that is provided in front of the vehicle body, and an outer side in the vehicle width direction of the cowl side panel. Vehicle body front structure comprising a fender panel and a fender bracket attached to the vicinity of the upper end of the cowl side panel and connected to the headlamp and the fender panel. Is connected to the upper end of the side surface portion of the cowl side panel, and a second coupling surface which is a plane substantially parallel to the front hood covering the engine room and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first coupling surface. And a lower part extending obliquely upward in the vehicle width direction continuously to the upper end of the first coupling surface, and the upper end of the lower part Has a bent portion including an upper position to be connected to the vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the second coupling surface continuously, the headlamp and fender panels, be fixed at the second coupling surface, the first coupling surface is a lower than the upper end have been joined to the cowl side panel, above the side top end of the cowl side panel, and wherein Rukoto to have a region where the cowl side panel are not joined.

  The components corresponding to the technical idea of the above-described fender bracket and the description thereof are also applied to the vehicle body front structure.

It is a figure which shows the motor vehicle which applies the vehicle body front part structure concerning this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the engine compartment inside of the motor vehicle shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2. It is an external view of the fender bracket of FIG. It is each sectional drawing of FIG.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an automobile 100 to which a vehicle body front structure 102 according to the present embodiment is applied. In the following drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front side of the vehicle body, and the arrow RH indicates the right side of the vehicle body. As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile 100 is a small car in which an engine room 112 (see FIG. 2) covered with a front hood 110 is made compact in order to reduce weight and fuel consumption. In order to improve the aerodynamic characteristics, the windshield 130 is installed obliquely. That is, the root of the A pillar 132 is in front. The rear end of the headlamp 120 provided at the front of the vehicle body extends toward the windshield 130 (TL backward direction). As a result, the distance (mounting space L1) from the headlamp 120 to the root of the windshield 130 (A pillar 132) is narrowed.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the engine room 112 of the automobile 100 shown in FIG. 1, and particularly shows the right side of the engine room 112. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the vehicle body front structure 102 according to the present embodiment, the fender bracket 140 that can be accommodated even if the mounting space L1 is small is attached to the side portion of the engine room 112 as the mounting space L1 is narrowed. It is attached in the vicinity of the upper end of the cowl side panel 114 constituting the. Specifically, it is directly connected to the upper end of the side portion of the cowl side panel 114 without forming a substantially horizontal flange at the upper end of the cowl side panel 114 as in the prior art.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fender bracket 140 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view after the collision object 170 of FIG. 5A collides, and FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view after the collision object 170 of FIG. 5B collides. In order to facilitate understanding, the fender panel 116 and the like are not shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fender bracket 140 is substantially connected to the first coupling surface 142 and the second coupling surface 144, and the first coupling surface 142 and the second coupling surface 144. It consists of a U-shaped bent portion 146.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first coupling surface 142 is a portion that is substantially parallel to the side surface portion of the cowl side panel 114, and the lower portion thereof is the four welding spots P <b> 1 to P <b> 4 and the cowl side panel 114. It is welded so as to overlap with the upper end of the side surface portion. Since the welding surface (the cowl side panel 114 and the first coupling surface 142) is not a substantially horizontal surface but a substantially vertical surface, the length in the vehicle longitudinal direction (TL direction) can be suppressed.

  In another aspect, the first coupling surfaces 142 that are substantially parallel are simply overlapped and welded, so that the attachment position can have a degree of freedom. That is, it is possible to easily change the mounting position according to the vehicle type and specifications. In addition, the 1st coupling surface 142 is not restricted to what is welded to the cowl side panel 114 as mentioned above, For example, the structure fastened to the cowl side panel 114 with a volt | bolt nut may be sufficient.

  The second coupling surface 144 is a portion that is substantially parallel to the front hood 110 (see FIG. 1) that covers the engine room 112, and is a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the first coupling surface 142. The second coupling surface 144 includes two fastening holes 148a and 150a and two positioning holes 152a and 154a. Nuts are welded to the back sides of the fastening holes 148a and 150a, respectively.

  The fender panel 116 provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the cowl side panel 114 has a mounting surface 116 a that is mounted on the second coupling surface 144. One fastening hole 148b and two positioning holes 152b and 154b are formed in the mounting surface 116a.

  In the assembling process, the positioning jig 156a having a pin portion projecting a predetermined amount from one side surface is placed in the rear positioning holes 152b and 152a in a state where the mounting surface 116a is mounted on the second coupling surface 144. Inserted. Thereby, the fender panel 116 is positioned with respect to the fender bracket 140. And the mounting surface 116a is fixed to the 2nd coupling surface 144 by inserting the volt | bolt 158a in the fastening holes 148b and 148a adjacent to the positioning holes 152b and 152a, and fastening to the nut of a back side. In addition, the shape of the positioning jig 156a is an example, and is not limited to this.

  On the other hand, one fastening hole 150b and one positioning hole 154c are formed in the mounting portion 120a behind the headlamp 120. In the assembly process, the clip 156b (rivet) is inserted into the positioning holes 154c, 154b, and 154a on the headlamp 120 side in a state where the mounting portion 120a is aligned on the second coupling surface 144. Thereby, the headlamp 120 is positioned (assembled) with respect to the fender panel 116 and the fender bracket 140. And the attaching part 120a is fixed to the 2nd coupling surface 144 by inserting the volt | bolt 158b in the fastening holes 150b and 150a adjacent to the positioning hole 154c, 154b, 154a, and fastening to the nut of a back side.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (a), 5 (b), the bent portion 146 includes a lower portion 146b extending obliquely upward and outward in the vehicle width direction continuously from the upper end of the first coupling surface 142, and a lower portion 146b. It consists of the upper part 146c connected to the vehicle width direction outer side edge part of the 2nd coupling surface 144 following the upper end. In the present embodiment, the bent portion 146 is set so that the extension line L2 obtained by extending the first coupling surface 142 intersects the second coupling surface 144 to form a substantially T shape. That is, since the extension line L2 extending from the first coupling surface 142 intersects with the approximate center of the second coupling surface 144, the load from the second coupling surface 144 is substantially unbiased (straightly). 142.

  Flange 162a, 162b is provided at the end of the fender bracket 140 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The flanges 162a and 162b are formed continuously from the first coupling surface 142, the bent portion 146, and the second coupling surface 144, and have rigidity (mainly the second coupling surface 144) in the vehicle body vertical direction (WL direction). Take a role to secure.

  In addition, regarding the vehicle body longitudinal direction, since it is the longitudinal direction (extending direction) of the first coupling surface 142, the bent portion 146, and the second coupling surface 144, higher rigidity is originally secured. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the fastening holes 148a and 150a and the positioning holes 152a and 154a of the second coupling surface 144 are formed so as to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  With the above-described configuration, rigidity is ensured at a necessary portion of the fender bracket 140, and the fender bracket 140 can be prevented from being deformed during an assembling process or a normal use mode. In addition, it is possible to ensure the assembly accuracy of the components around the fender (the headlamp 120 and the fender panel 116) and improve the holding function. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as deviation of the optical axis of the headlamp 120.

  The vehicle body front structure 102 of the present embodiment is extremely excellent from the viewpoint of pedestrian protection. As shown in FIGS. 5C and 5D, in the vehicle body front part structure 102, when a load is applied from above the fender panel 116 due to the collision of the collision object 170, the bent part 146 is deformed so as to be crushed. The fender bracket 140 and the cowl side panel 114 are deformed so as to be bent toward the vehicle interior side. Since deformation occurs at a plurality of locations, a large amount of deformation as a whole can be secured, and high load absorption can be realized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the rigidity of necessary portions is ensured by erecting the flanges 162a and 162b. However, by adopting a structure in which deformation occurs at such a plurality of locations and a large amount of deformation can be secured, the structure can be sufficiently deformed (load can be absorbed) by receiving a load from above the fender panel 116. Since deformation starts to occur from a weak portion among a plurality of portions, even if rigidity is provided at a necessary portion, pedestrian protection performance is not affected. Therefore, both rigidity and load absorbability can be achieved.

  The bent portion 146 has a long hole 146a that is long in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and the rigidity of the bent portion 146 is adjusted by the size of the long hole 146a. By changing the size of the long hole 146a in accordance with the vehicle type and specifications, the rigidity and load absorbability of the fender bracket 140 can be easily adjusted.

  In addition, since the fender bracket 140 mentioned above is a front-back object shape, it can be used in common with right and left. That is, although the case where the fender bracket 140 is provided on the right side of the engine room 112 has been described above, the fender bracket 140 may be applied to the left side of the engine room 112.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this example. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  The present invention can be used as a fender bracket and a vehicle body front structure.

L1 ... Installation space, L2 ... Extension line, P1 to P4 ... Welding spot, 100 ... Automobile, 102 ... Car body front structure, 110 ... Front hood, 112 ... Engine room, 114 ... Cowl side panel, 116 ... Fender panel, 116a ... Mounting surface, 120 ... Headlamp, 120a ... Mounting portion, 130 ... Wind shield, 132 ... A pillar, 140 ... Fender bracket, 142 ... First coupling surface, 144 ... Second coupling surface, 146 ... Bending portion, 146a ... long hole, 146b ... lower part, 146c ... upper part, 148a, 148b ... fastening hole, 150a, 150b ... fastening hole, 152a, 152b, 152c ... positioning hole, 154a, 154b ... positioning hole, 156a ... positioning jig, 156b ... clips, 158a, 158b ... bolts, 162a, 162b ... hula Di-, 170 ... the colliding body

Claims (5)

In a fender bracket that is attached in the vicinity of the upper end of a cowl side panel that constitutes a side portion of the engine room, and that connects a headlamp provided at the front of the vehicle body and a fender panel provided outside the cowl side panel in the vehicle width direction,
A first coupling surface that is a portion substantially parallel to the cowl side panel, and a lower portion of which is connected to overlap with an upper end of a side surface of the cowl side panel;
A second coupling surface that is a portion substantially parallel to the front hood that covers the engine room and is a plane in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first coupling surface;
A lower portion extending obliquely upward and outward in the vehicle width direction continuously to the upper end of the first coupling surface, and an upper portion connected to the outer end portion of the second coupling surface in the vehicle width direction and continuous to the upper end of the lower portion. Including a bent portion;
I have a,
It said first coupling surface is at lower than the upper end have been joined to the cowl side panel, above the side top end of the cowl side panel, to have a region where the cowl side panel are not bonded Features a fender bracket.   2. The fender bracket according to claim 1, wherein an extension line extending from the first coupling surface intersects substantially the center of the second coupling surface.   The fender bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a long hole in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body is formed in the bent part, and the rigidity of the bent part is adjusted by the dimension of the long hole. .   The continuous flange is provided in the edge part of the vehicle body front-back direction of the said 1st coupling surface, the said bending part, and the said 2nd coupling surface, The any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Fender bracket. A cowl side panel constituting a side portion of the engine room, a headlamp provided at the front of the vehicle body, a fender panel provided at the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the cowl side panel, and the head mounted near the upper end of the cowl side panel A vehicle body front structure comprising a lamp and a fender bracket coupled to the fender panel;
The fender bracket is
A first coupling surface that is a portion substantially parallel to the cowl side panel, and a lower portion of which is connected to overlap with an upper end of a side surface of the cowl side panel;
A second coupling surface that is a portion substantially parallel to the front hood that covers the engine room and is a plane in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first coupling surface;
A lower portion extending obliquely upward and outward in the vehicle width direction continuously to the upper end of the first coupling surface, and an upper portion connected to the outer end portion of the second coupling surface in the vehicle width direction and continuous to the upper end of the lower portion. Bends,
Have
The headlamp and the fender panel are fixed at the second coupling surface ,
The Rukoto first coupling surface is at lower than the upper end have been joined to the cowl side panel, above the side top end of the cowl side panel, which have a region where the cowl side panel are not bonded Body front structure characterized by

Images