JP7332061B2 - vehicle frame structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a frame structure at a connection with a cross member of a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art A vehicle such as a pickup truck is provided with a pair of side frames as a reinforcing member, for example, spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. Further, the pair of side frames are connected by a cross member extending substantially in the vehicle width direction. A plurality of cross members are often provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
Frames that are required to be strong and lightweight, such as vehicle side frames, often have a box-like shape. Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 1, for example, a bulkhead is provided in the side frame at the connecting portion of the cross member, thereby improving the strength of the frame at the connecting portion.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-89411

Suspension devices, such as leaf springs, are suspended from a pair of side frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, a relatively large load acts from the suspension device on the suspension location of the side frame.
In addition, a vehicle such as a pickup truck having a cargo box is provided with a plurality of mounting brackets for fixing the cargo box to the side frame. Therefore, a large load may be applied from the mounting bracket to the side frame as well.

As described above, in a vehicle having a supporting portion on which a relatively large load acts on the side frame, it is necessary to ensure the strength of the side frame in consideration of these loads.
In particular, when there is a supporting portion of the suspension device in the vicinity of the connection portion between the cross member and the side frame, by providing a bulkhead at the connection portion between the cross member and the side frame as in Patent Document 1, the Although the strength of the frame is improved, there is a possibility that the steering stability will decrease due to the twisting of the side frame due to the load from the suspension system. There was a demand for improved performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to solve such problems. In a side frame to which a cross member is connected in the vicinity of a support portion of a suspension device, the twist of the side frame is suppressed to improve steering stability. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle frame structure that improves durability.

In order to achieve the above object, the frame structure of the present invention is constructed by connecting a pair of frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by a hollow cross member extending in the vehicle width direction, and the connecting portion to the cross member is connected to the above-mentioned frame structure. A vehicle frame structure comprising a support portion for the suspension device of the vehicle at a position spaced apart in the extension direction of the frame, wherein a bulkhead that reinforces the inside of the frame at a connection portion with the cross member is provided with the frame. and a first bulkhead farther from the support part among the plurality of bulkheads is closer to the support part than the connection position of the cross member member with the frame. It is characterized in that it is arranged

As a result, the bulkheads that reinforce the interior of the frame at the connecting portion with the cross member are spaced apart from each other in the extension direction of the frame, thereby improving the strength and rigidity of the frame at the connecting portion with the cross member. can be done. Among the plurality of bulkheads, the first bulkhead farther from the support portion is arranged closer to the support portion of the suspension device, thereby suppressing the twisting of the frame due to the load received from the support portion of the suspension device. can be done.

Preferably, a mount bracket is provided for fixing a luggage box provided in the vehicle to the frame, and the mount bracket is a member of the second bulkhead and the cross member, among the plurality of bulkheads, which is closer to the support section. and the same position in the extending direction of the frame.
As a result, the second bulkhead improves the strength and rigidity of the frame at the mounting position of the mounting bracket, and distributes the load received from the packing box via the mounting bracket to the cross member via the second bulkhead. be able to.

Preferably, the frame is formed by fixing two frame members divided in the vehicle width direction, and the bulkhead is a plate divided in the vehicle width direction according to the divided frame members. a first bulkhead member fixed to the frame member on the side connected to the cross member; and a second bulkhead member fixed to the frame member on the side opposite to the side connected to the cross member. and a bulkhead member formed by overlapping and connecting a portion of the first bulkhead member and a portion of the second bulkhead member.

This allows the bulkhead to be easily installed in the frame.
Preferably, the bulkhead has a flange portion formed by bending upper and lower ends of a plate member toward the support portion side of the suspension device, and the flange portion and the inner wall of the frame are overlapped and fixed by welding. It's good to be
Thereby, the bulkhead and the frame can be firmly fixed. In addition, by bending the flange portion toward the support portion side of the suspension device, the welded connection portion (welded portion) of the bulkhead can be brought closer to the support portion side, and the durability of the welded portion of the bulkhead can be improved. can.

Preferably, the flange portion is formed on the first bulkhead member and fixed to the frame member, while the upper and lower ends of the second bulkhead member abut against the inner wall of the frame without bending. It should be welded and fixed.
As a result, of the first bulkhead member and the second bulkhead member, the durability of the welded portion of the first bulkhead member, which has a high stress due to the load from the support portion of the suspension device, can be improved. can be done.

According to the vehicle frame structure of the present invention, by bringing the installation position of the first bulkhead farther from the supporting portion of the suspension device closer to the supporting portion, twisting of the frame due to the load received from the supporting portion of the suspension device is suppressed. be able to.
As a result, the steering stability of the vehicle can be improved, and the durability of the frame at the first bulkhead and its connecting portion due to repeated loads during vehicle travel can be improved.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a right rear portion of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a vehicle frame according to an embodiment; FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a side frame in the vicinity of a support portion of the suspension device according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a top view showing a structure near a connecting portion between the side frame and the cross member according to the first embodiment; FIG. 11 is a top view showing a structure near a connecting portion between a side frame and a cross member according to the second embodiment; It is a longitudinal section showing the shape of a bulkhead according to a second embodiment. It is the figure seen from the vehicle rear which shows the shape of the bulkhead which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of a right rear portion of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the frame 2 of the vehicle 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the support portion of the suspension device 8 according to the present embodiment, viewed from the front of the side frame 6 on the outside in the vehicle width direction.

A vehicle 1 that employs the frame structure of the present invention is a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, which has a luggage box 4 at the rear portion of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 includes a pair of side frames 5 and 6 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction with a gap in the vehicle width direction. Further, the axle of the rear wheel 7 of the vehicle 1 is suspended by a suspension device 8 with leaf springs 11 .

The packing box 4 is placed on the frame 2 and fixed to the mounting brackets 3 fixed to the side frames 5 and 6 by bolts and nuts (not shown).

A plurality of mount brackets 3 are provided outside the side frames 5 and 6 in the vehicle width direction at intervals in the vehicle front-rear direction. Among the plurality of mount brackets 3, the mount bracket 3 arranged at the rearmost portion of the vehicle is provided in the vicinity of the vehicle front-rear position of the rearmost cross member 10 that extends in the vehicle width direction and connects the pair of side frames 5 and 6. ing.

The cross member 10 is arranged closer to the front of the vehicle than the shackle 12 that supports the rear end of the leaf spring 11 that suspends the axle of the rear wheel 7 . The shackle 12 is inserted into an insertion hole 13 provided in a side wall of the side frames 5, 6 and supported by the side frames 5, 6 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction. Further, the shackle 12 supports the rear end portion of the leaf spring 11 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the side frames 5 and 6 are formed by butting and welding the ends of two frame members 19 and 20 formed by bending a sheet metal member into a U-shape. there is The side frames 5 and 6 are hollow with box-shaped top and bottom cross sections, and have an upper wall 21 , a lower wall 22 , an inner wall 23 and an outer wall 24 . The upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 have welding lines 25 where the frame members 19 and 20 meet.

The cross member 10 has a hollow shape with a box-shaped top and bottom cross section, and has an upper wall 26 , a lower wall 27 , a front wall 28 and a rear wall 29 . The ends of the cross member 10 in the vehicle width direction are abutted against the inner side walls 23 of the side frames 5 and 6 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction and fixed by welding.

Among the plurality of mount brackets 3 , the mount bracket 3 arranged at the rearmost part of the vehicle has a U-shaped vertical cross section and has an upper wall 30 and two supporting side walls 31 and 32 . The mount bracket 3 is arranged such that the upper wall 30 and supporting side walls 31, 32 extend perpendicularly to the vehicle width direction from the outer side walls 24 of the side frames 5, 6. As shown in FIG. The upper wall 30 of the mount bracket 3 is arranged to extend in the horizontal direction of the vehicle 1 at substantially the same vertical height as the upper walls 21 of the side frames 5 and 6 . The two support side walls 31 and 32 of the mount bracket 3 are arranged side by side with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Therefore, the mounting bracket 3 is arranged so that the opening of the U-shaped cross section faces downward.

The end portions of the support side walls 31 and 32 of the mount bracket 3 on the side of the side frames 5 and 6 are vertically bent outward in the vehicle front-rear direction to form outer flange portions 35, respectively. The outer flange portion 35 and the outer wall 24 of the side frame are in contact with each other at their opposing surfaces, and the outer peripheral portion of the outer flange portion 35 is fixed to the outer wall 24 by welding.

A bolt hole 37 is provided in the upper wall 30 of the mount bracket 3 . Then, a bolt is inserted into the bolt hole 37 together with a bolt hole provided in a strength member at the bottom of the packing box 4 or a bolt hole provided in a mounting bracket fixed at the bottom of the packing box 4 and tightened together. By doing so, the packing box 4 and the side frames 5 and 6 are detachably fixed via the mount bracket 3 .

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the structure around the connecting portion between the side frame 6 and the cross member 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 at the rearmost part of the vehicle and the support side wall 31 of the mounting bracket 3 at the rearmost part of the vehicle on the vehicle rear side substantially coincide with each other in the front-rear position of the vehicle. A shackle 12 that is a support portion of the suspension device 8 is arranged in the vicinity of the vehicle rear of the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 and the support side wall 31 of the mount bracket 3 .

The frame member 19 on the inner side of the side frame 6 in the vehicle width direction is separated from the front frame member 19a and the rear frame member 19b at the vehicle front-rear position (divided portion 38) between the front wall 28 and the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10. It is divided into front and rear. The frame member 19 is configured by welding a front frame member 19a and a rear frame member 19b together at a dividing portion 38. As shown in FIG.

A plurality of (two in this embodiment) bulkheads 50 and 51 for reinforcing the side frame 6 are provided in the side frame 6 near the joint between the side frame 6 and the cross member 10 . The bulkheads 50 and 51 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which is the direction in which the side frames 6 extend.

The bulkheads 50 and 51 are rectangular thick plate members, and are fixed by welding to the inner wall of the side frame 6 along the entire periphery. That is, the bulkheads 50 and 51 have the effect of supporting the inner walls of the side frames 6 and improving the strength and rigidity of the side frames 6 .

The vehicle rear side bulkhead 50 (second bulkhead) is arranged at substantially the same vehicle front and rear position as the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 and the vehicle rear side support side wall 31 of the mount bracket 3 .

On the other hand, the bulkhead 51 (first bulkhead) on the front side of the vehicle is located behind the front wall 28 of the cross member 10, that is, closer to the shackle 12 than the connection position between the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 and the side frame 6. are placed.

In the above embodiment, the structure of the right side frame 6 of the vehicle has been described.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the two bulkheads 50 and 51 are provided in the side frame 6 in the vicinity of the connecting portion of the cross member 10 with a space therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. It is possible to improve the strength and rigidity of the side frame 6 near the connecting portion. Therefore, even if stress is generated in the connection portion of the side frame 6, deformation of the cross section of the side frame 6 can be suppressed. As a result, the torsional rigidity of the side frames 6 can be improved, and the steering stability of the vehicle can be improved.

Of the two bulkheads 50 and 51 provided near the connecting portion between the side frame 6 and the cross member 10, the bulkhead 50 on the rear side of the vehicle is substantially aligned with the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Since it is arranged at the position, the strength and rigidity of the side frame 6 near the connecting portion between the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 and the side frame 6 can be improved.

Since the bulkhead 50 on the rear side of the vehicle is arranged at substantially the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as the support side wall 31 on the rear side of the vehicle of the mount bracket 3 , the bulkhead 50 extends from the luggage box 4 through the mount bracket 3 to the outer wall of the side frame 6 . Deformation of the side frame 6 due to the load acting on 24 can be suppressed. Further, the bulkhead 50 on the vehicle rear side, the support side wall 31 on the vehicle rear side of the mount bracket 3, and the rear wall 29 of the cross member 10 are arranged so as to be connected in a straight line by the bulkhead 50. The load acting on the side frames from the box 4 via the mounting brackets 3 is distributed to the cross member 10, and deformation of the side frames 6 can be further suppressed. Furthermore, the load input from the leaf spring 11 of the suspension device 8 via the shackle 12 can also be distributed to the side frame 6 and the cross member 10 by providing the bulkhead 50 on the rear side of the vehicle.

On the other hand, the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is arranged behind the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 . Here, if the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is arranged at the same position as the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the deformation of the side frame 6 near the connection portion between the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 and the side frame 6 is reduced. It can be suppressed effectively. However, since the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 is positioned farther from the shackle 12 that supports the suspension device 8 than the rear wall 29 is, the side frame 6 is twisted by the load repeatedly input from the shackle 12 while the vehicle is running. As a result, the durability of the bulkhead 51, its welded portion, and the side frame 6 near the bulkhead 51 may be reduced.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, of the two bulkheads 50 and 51 provided near the connecting portion of the cross member 10 , the front bulkhead 51 farther from the shackle 12 is mounted on the front wall 28 of the cross member 10 . By arranging the side frame 6 so as to be positioned further rearward and closer to the shackle 12, the deformation of the bulkhead 51 and the side frame 6 in the vicinity thereof due to the load input from the shackle 12 is suppressed, and the durability of the side frame 6 including the bulkhead 51 is improved. can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the frame member 19 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the side frame 6 near the connection position of the cross member 10 has the split portion 38, but the front bulkhead 51 is positioned rearward and split. Deformation of the side frame 6 near the dividing portion 38 due to the load input from the shackle 12 can be suppressed by bringing the side frame 6 closer to the portion 38 , and the durability of the dividing portion 38 and the side frame 6 near the divided portion 38 can be improved.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the structure around the connecting portion between the side frame 6 and the cross member 10 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the shape of the bulkhead 51 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view seen from the rear of the vehicle showing the shape of the bulkhead 51 according to the second embodiment. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the BB section shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the side frame 6 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, bulkheads 50 and 51 have different shapes from those of the first embodiment.

The bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is a plate-like member formed by being divided in the vehicle width direction according to the divided frame members 19 and 20 . That is, the bulkhead 51 includes an inner bulkhead member 51a (first bulkhead member) fixed to the frame member 19 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and an outer bulkhead member 51a (first bulkhead member) fixed to the frame member 20 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. 51b (second bulkhead member) and a two-part structure. The inner bulkhead member 51a is arranged inside the frame member 19 arranged on the connection side of the cross member 10 among the two frame members 19 and 20, and is welded to the inner wall surface of the frame member 19 by contacting the inner wall surface of the frame member 19 on three sides. Fixed. The outer bulkhead member 51b is arranged inside the frame member 20 which is arranged on the opposite side of the two frame members 19 and 20 from the connecting side of the cross member 10, and contacts the inner wall surface of the frame member 20 on three sides. They are in contact and fixed by welding. The inner bulkhead member 51a and the outer bulkhead member 51b partially overlap to form an overlapping portion 53, and are connected to each other at the overlapping portion 53 by welding.

Similarly to the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle, the bulkhead 50 on the rear side of the vehicle is also a plate-shaped member formed by being divided in the vehicle width direction according to the divided frame members 19 and 20 . That is, the bulkhead 50 is configured by connecting an inner bulkhead member 50a and an outer bulkhead member 50b.

Further, the inner bulkhead member 51a of the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is provided with flange portions 54, 54 formed by bending the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the plate-like member toward the rear side of the vehicle toward the shackle 12, respectively. It is The flange portions 54, 54 and the upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 of the side frame 6 are fixed to each other by overlapping and welding.

The outer bulkhead member 51b of the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is not provided with the flange portion 54 because the upper end portion and the lower end portion thereof are not bent. It is fixed to the inner wall surface of the lower wall 22 by butt welding.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the bulkheads 50 and 51 are split in the vehicle width direction, similar to the side frame 6 split in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, before the frame members 19, 20 are butt-welded to form the side frame 6, the inner bulkhead members 50a, 51a and the outer bulkhead members 50b, 51b are pre-fixed by welding to the frame members 19, 20, respectively. can be done. When the frame members 19 and 20 are butt-welded, for example, the overlapping portions 53 of the inner bulkhead members 50a and 51a and the outer bulkhead members 50b and 51b are welded through holes provided in the frame members 19 and 20. , the bulkheads 50, 51 can be easily installed.

Of the frame members 19 and 20 of the side frames 6, the frame member 19 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction to which the cross member 10 is connected suppresses the torsion of the side frame 6 by the cross member 10. A higher stress is generated than in the frame member 20 of , and durability is strongly required. Further, as described above, the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle is also strongly required to have durability against the load from the shackle 12 . Therefore, by providing the flange portion 54 on the inner bulkhead member 51a of the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle, the upper wall 21 and the lower wall 22 of the side frame 6 can be firmly supported and fixed. The durability of 51 and side frame 6 can be effectively improved.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.
For example, in the second embodiment, the flange portion 54 is provided only on the inner bulkhead member 51a of the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle, but the flange portions 54 are provided on the other bulkhead members 51b, 50a, and 50b. good too. Further, the bulkheads 50 and 51 of the first embodiment may be provided with flange portions 54 .

Further, for example, either one of the bulkhead 51 on the front side of the vehicle and the bulkhead 50 on the rear side of the vehicle may have a split structure as in the second embodiment.

Further, the detailed structures of the side frames 5, 6, cross member 10, bulkheads 50, 51, mount bracket 3, etc. may be changed as appropriate.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-193313 filed on November 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

1 vehicle 3 mounting bracket 4 packing box 5, 6 side frame (frame)
8 suspension device 10 cross member 12 shackle (supporting part)
19, 20 frame member 50 bulkhead (second bulkhead)
51 bulkhead (first bulkhead)
51a inner bulkhead member (first bulkhead member)
51b outer bulkhead member (second bulkhead member)
54 flange

Claims (5)

A pair of hollow frames extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle are connected by cross members extending in the vehicle width direction,
A vehicle frame structure including a support portion for a suspension device of the vehicle at a position spaced apart from a connection portion with the cross member in the extension direction of the frame,
a plurality of bulkheads that reinforce the inside of the frame at the connecting portion with the cross member, and are spaced apart from each other in the extension direction of the frame;
A first bulkhead among the plurality of bulkheads far from the support is arranged closer to the support than a connection position of the cross member member with the frame ,
A mounting bracket for fixing a packing box provided on the vehicle to the frame,
The mounting bracket is arranged at the same position in the extension direction of the frame as the second bulkhead and the cross member members near the support portion among the plurality of bulkheads. frame structure. The frame is formed by fixing two frame members divided in the vehicle width direction,
The bulkhead is a plate-like member formed by being divided in the vehicle width direction according to the divided frame member, and is fixed to the frame member on the side connected to the cross member. and a second bulkhead member fixed to the frame member on the side opposite to the connection side with the cross member, a portion of the first bulkhead member and the second bulkhead member. 2. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the members are overlapped and connected to each other. In the bulkhead, upper and lower ends of a plate-shaped member are bent toward the support portion of the suspension device to form a flange portion, and the flange portion and the inner wall of the frame are overlapped and fixed by welding. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 1 . In the bulkhead, upper and lower ends of a plate-shaped member are bent toward the support portion of the suspension device to form a flange portion, and the flange portion and the inner wall of the frame are overlapped and fixed by welding. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 2 . The flange portion is formed on the first bulkhead member and fixed to the frame member, while the upper and lower ends of the second bulkhead member are welded against the inner wall of the frame without bending. 5. The vehicle frame structure according to claim 4, wherein the frame structure is fixed.

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