JP7480514B2

JP7480514B2 - Vehicle front structure

Info

Publication number: JP7480514B2
Application number: JP2020020519A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 征弘池田; 稔泰平井; 匠音茶園; 剛池田
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Motors Corp
Priority date: 2020-02-10
Filing date: 2020-02-10
Publication date: 2024-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-10
Also published as: JP2021123315A

Description

本発明は車両の前部構造に関する。 The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle.

一対のサイドメンバの前端に連結され車幅方向両側で上下方向に延在する一対のヘッドランプサポートと、車幅方向に延在し一対のヘッドランプサポートの上端間を連結するアッパーバーと、一対のヘッドランプサポートの上端でアッパーバーの車幅方向両端に連結される一対のアッパーバーサイドとを備えた車両の前部構造が知られている（特許文献１参照）。
この車両の前部構造では、アッパーバーと一対のアッパーバーサイドは、共にその断面が下方に開放状のハット状を呈している。 A front structure for a vehicle is known that includes a pair of headlamp supports connected to the front ends of a pair of side members and extending vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction, an upper bar extending in the vehicle width direction and connecting the upper ends of the pair of headlamp supports, and a pair of upper bar sides connected to both ends of the upper bar in the vehicle width direction at the upper ends of the pair of headlamp supports (see Patent Document 1).
In this vehicle front structure, the upper bar and the pair of upper bar sides both have a cross section that is hat-shaped and open downward.

特開２０１３－４９３０６号公報JP 2013-49306 A

このような車両の前部構造において、フードを係止するラッチをアッパーバーの車幅方向の中央部に取り付けた場合、フードを閉じた際の荷重がラッチを介してアッパーバーに入力するが、アッパーバーはその断面形状がハット状であることから強度、剛性を確保する点で不利となることから、別途強化部材を設ける必要がある。
そこで、アッパーバーの断面を閉断面構造として強度、剛性を改善することが考えられる。しかしながら、この場合、閉断面構造のアッパーバーの車幅方向両端に対して形状が異なるハット状のアッパーバーサイドの車両前端を連結する構造上、連結箇所の強度を確保する上で限界があり、車体のねじれに対する強度、剛性を確保する上で不利がある。
本発明は、上記字状に鑑みなされたものであり、フード閉時において荷重のかかるラッチの取り付け部周辺のねじれ剛性を向上させて荷重を受けた際のアッパーバーの変形を防止すると共に、結合部剛性を高めて操安剛性を向上させる上で有利な車両の前部構造を提供することを目的とする。 In such a vehicle front structure, if a latch for engaging the hood is attached to the center of the upper bar in the vehicle width direction, the load applied when the hood is closed is input to the upper bar via the latch. However, since the cross-sectional shape of the upper bar is hat-shaped, this is disadvantageous in terms of ensuring strength and rigidity, and therefore a separate reinforcing member must be provided.
Therefore, it is conceivable to improve the strength and rigidity of the upper bar by making the cross section of the upper bar a closed cross section structure. However, in this case, due to the structure in which the front ends of the hat-shaped upper bar sides, which have different shapes, are connected to both ends of the upper bar in the vehicle width direction of the closed cross section structure, there is a limit to the strength of the connection points, and this is disadvantageous in terms of ensuring the strength and rigidity against torsional deformation of the vehicle body.
The present invention has been developed in consideration of the above-mentioned configuration, and aims to provide a front structure for a vehicle that is advantageous in improving the torsional rigidity around the mounting portion of the latch that is loaded when the hood is closed, thereby preventing deformation of the upper bar when subjected to a load, and in increasing the rigidity of the joints to improve handling rigidity.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明は、車両前部で車幅方向に延在され、アッパー部材とロア部材とで車幅方向に亘って閉断面を形成するアッパーバーと、前記アッパーバーの車幅方向両側の端部を含む側端部において、前記ロア部材とそれぞれ連結される一対のアッパーバーサイドと、前記アッパーバーの前記側端部の間に位置する中間部に設けられ、フードを車体側にロックするラッチと、を備えた車両の前部構造であって、前記アッパー部材と前記ロア部材とは、それぞれ下方に開放された断面形状を有し、前記アッパー部材の下方を塞ぐように前記ロア部材を組み合わせることで前記アッパー部材とロア部材との間に前記閉断面が形成され、前記ロア部材の上面の高さは、前記アッパーバーの前記側端部における前記上面よりも、前記アッパーバーの前記中間部における前記上面の方が低く設定されていることを特徴とする。 In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a vehicle front structure including an upper bar extending in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle and forming a closed cross section across the vehicle width direction with an upper member and a lower member, a pair of upper bar sides connected to the lower member at the side ends including both ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper bar, and a latch provided in the middle part located between the side ends of the upper bar and locking the hood to the vehicle body, the upper member and the lower member each having a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, the closed cross section is formed between the upper member and the lower member by combining the lower member so as to close the lower side of the upper member, and the height of the upper surface of the lower member is set lower at the upper surface of the middle part of the upper bar than at the upper surface of the side ends of the upper bar.

本発明によれば、アッパー部材とロア部材との間に閉断面が形成されるため、別途強化部材を設けて重さを重くすることなく、フード閉時において荷重のかかるラッチの取り付け部周辺のアッパーバーのねじれ剛性を向上させて荷重を受けた際のアッパーバーの変形を防止する上で有利となる。
また、互いに結合されるアッパーバーサイドとロア部材の箇所が共に下方に開放状に形成されているため、アッパーバーサイドとアッパーバーとの結合部剛性を高めて操安剛性を向上させる上で有利となると共に、アッパーバーサイドをアッパーバーに容易に取り付けする上で有利となる。 According to the present invention, a closed cross section is formed between the upper member and the lower member, which is advantageous in preventing deformation of the upper bar when subjected to a load by improving the torsional rigidity of the upper bar around the mounting portion of the latch which is subjected to a load when the hood is closed, without increasing the weight by providing a separate reinforcing member.
In addition, since the portions of the upper bar side and the lower member where they are joined together are both formed open downward, this is advantageous in increasing the rigidity of the joint between the upper bar side and the upper bar, thereby improving steering rigidity, and is also advantageous in easily attaching the upper bar side to the upper bar.

実施の形態の車両の前部構造の正面図である。1 is a front view of a front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment. 実施の形態の車両の前部構造の分解斜視図である。1 is an exploded perspective view of a front structure of a vehicle according to an embodiment; 図１のＡ－Ａ線断面図である。2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. 図１のＢ－Ｂ線断面図である。2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 1. 図１のＣ－Ｃ線断面図である。2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 1. アッパーバーに取り付けられたフードダンパーの取り付けブラケットを車両前方から見た図である。FIG. 2 is a view of the mounting bracket for the hood damper attached to the upper bar as viewed from the front of the vehicle. 図６のＤ－Ｄ線断面図である。This is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 6. 図６のＥ－Ｅ線断面図である。7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 6.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について図面を参照して説明する。
以下の図面において符号ＵＰは車両上方を示し、符号ＦＲは車両前方を示し、符号ＯＵＴは車幅方向外側を示す。
図１、図２に示すように、ダッシュパネルの車両前方の車両前部空間Ｓは、エンジンルームまたはモータルームとして利用される。
車両前部空間Ｓ内の車幅方向の両側部には、車両骨格部材として、一対のサイドメンバ１２と、一対のヘッドランプサポート１４と一対のアッパーバーサイド１６とが位置している。
一対のサイドメンバ１２は、車幅方向に間隔をおいて車体１０の前後方向に延在している。
一対のヘッドランプサポート１４は、一対のサイドメンバ１２の前端に連結されそれぞれ車幅方向両側で鉛直方向に延在している。また、一対のヘッドランプサポート１４は後述するロア部材２４の側端部にそれぞれ配置されている。
ヘッドランプサポート１４は、車両前方を向いて上下方向に延在する前面板部１４０２と、前面板部１４０２の車幅方向両側から車両後方に屈曲された一対の側面板部１４０４と、一対の側面板部１４０４の後端から互いに離れる方向に突設された一対のフランジ１４０６とを備えている。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the following drawings, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, the symbol FR indicates the front side of the vehicle, and the symbol OUT indicates the outer side in the vehicle width direction.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front space S of the vehicle in front of the dash panel is used as an engine room or a motor room.
A pair of side members 12, a pair of headlamp supports 14, and a pair of upper bar sides 16 are positioned on both sides in the vehicle width direction within the vehicle front space S, as vehicle frame members.
The pair of side members 12 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body 10 at a distance from each other in the vehicle width direction.
The pair of headlamp supports 14 are connected to the front ends of the pair of side members 12 and extend vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction. The pair of headlamp supports 14 are also disposed at side ends of a lower member 24, which will be described later.
The headlamp support 14 comprises a front plate portion 1402 extending vertically toward the front of the vehicle, a pair of side plate portions 1404 bent toward the rear of the vehicle from both sides of the front plate portion 1402 in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of flanges 1406 protruding in directions away from each other from the rear ends of the pair of side plate portions 1404.

図２、図５に示すように、ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端には、ヘッドランプサポート１４を後述するロア部材２４に連結するための中間ブラケット１８が取り付けられている。
中間ブラケット１８は、上方を向いた上面部１８０２と、上面部１８０２の車両前端から下方に延在する前面部１８０４と、前面部１８０４の下端から車両前方に突設された前フランジ１８０６と、上面部１８０２の車両後端から下方に延在する後面部１８０８と、後面部１８０６の下端から車両後方に延在する後フランジ１８１０とを備えている。言い換えると、中間ブラケット１８は下端に水平方向に張り出したフランジ１８０６、１８１０を備えている。
ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端は中間ブラケット１８の前面部１８０４と後面部１８０８の間に挿入され、ヘッドランプサポート１４の前板部１４０２に中間ブラケット１８の前面部１８０４が重ね合わされ、ヘッドランプサポート１４の一対のフランジ１４０６に中間ブラケット１８の後面部１８０８が重ね合わされた状態でそれら重ね合わされた箇所が溶接により接合されている。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, an intermediate bracket 18 is attached to the upper end of the headlamp support 14 for connecting the headlamp support 14 to a lower member 24, which will be described later.
The intermediate bracket 18 includes an upper surface portion 1802 facing upward, a front surface portion 1804 extending downward from the front end of the upper surface portion 1802, a front flange 1806 protruding toward the front of the vehicle from the lower end of the front surface portion 1804, a rear surface portion 1808 extending downward from the rear end of the upper surface portion 1802, and a rear flange 1810 extending toward the rear of the vehicle from the lower end of the rear surface portion 1806. In other words, the intermediate bracket 18 includes flanges 1806, 1810 that protrude horizontally at the lower end.
The upper end of the headlamp support 14 is inserted between the front portion 1804 and the rear portion 1808 of the intermediate bracket 18, the front portion 1804 of the intermediate bracket 18 is overlapped on the front plate portion 1402 of the headlamp support 14, and the rear portion 1808 of the intermediate bracket 18 is overlapped on a pair of flanges 1406 of the headlamp support 14, and the overlapping points are joined by welding.

図１、図２に示すように、一対のアッパーバーサイド１６は、ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端でアッパーバー２０の車幅方向両端に連結されると共に、車両後方に延在して不図示の一対のアッパーフレームの車両前端に連結されている。
図２，図５に示すように、アッパーバーサイド１６は、その断面が下方に開放状のハット状を呈しており、アッパーバーサイド１６は、最も上位に位置し上方を向いて車両前後方向斜めに延在する上面部サイド１６０２と、上面部サイド１６０２の車幅方向外側の端部から下方に延在する外面部サイド１６０４と、最も下位に位置し外面部サイド１６０４の下端から車幅方向外側に延在する外フランジサイド１６０６と、上面部サイド１６０２の車幅方向内側の端部から下方に延在する内面部サイド１６０８と、最も下位に位置し内面部サイド１６０８の下端から車幅方向内側に延在する内フランジサイド１６１０とを含んで構成されている。したがって、外フランジサイド１６０６と内フランジサイド１６１０は、アッパーバーサイド１６の延在方向と直交する方向に離れている。言い換えると、アッパーバーサイド１６は下端に水平方向に張り出したフランジ１６０６、１６１０を備えている。 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a pair of upper bar sides 16 are connected to both ends of the upper bar 20 in the vehicle width direction at the upper ends of the headlamp supports 14, and extend toward the rear of the vehicle and are connected to the front ends of a pair of upper frames (not shown).
2 and 5, the upper bar side 16 has a cross section in the shape of a hat that is open downward, and includes an upper surface side 1602 located at the top and extending obliquely upward in the vehicle front-rear direction, an outer surface side 1604 extending downward from the outer end of the upper surface side 1602 on the vehicle width direction, an outer flange side 1606 located at the bottom and extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the outer surface side 1604, an inner surface side 1608 extending downward from the inner end of the upper surface side 1602 on the vehicle width direction, and an inner flange side 1610 located at the bottom and extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end of the inner surface side 1608. Therefore, the outer flange side 1606 and the inner flange side 1610 are separated in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the upper bar side 16. In other words, the upper bar side 16 has horizontally extending flanges 1606, 1610 at its lower end.

図１に示すように、車両前部空間Ｓの前端には、すなわち車体１０の前部には、車両骨格部材としてアッパーバー２０が位置している。
アッパーバー２０は、車両前部空間Ｓの前端の上部で車幅方向に延設され、一対のヘッドランプサポート１４の上端間および一対のアッパーバーサイド１６の前端間を連結している。 As shown in FIG. 1, at the front end of the vehicle front space S, i.e., at the front of the vehicle body 10, an upper bar 20 is located as a vehicle frame member.
The upper bar 20 extends in the vehicle width direction at an upper portion of the front end of the vehicle front space S, and connects the upper ends of the pair of headlamp supports 14 and the front ends of the pair of upper bar sides 16 .

図１、図２に示すように、アッパーバー２０は、車両前部で車幅方向に延在され、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とで車幅方向に亘って閉断面を形成している。
後述するように、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とは、それぞれ下方に開放された断面形状を有し、アッパー部材２２の下方を塞ぐようにロア部材２４を組み合わせることでアッパー部材２２とロア部材２４との間に閉断面が形成されている。言い換えると、アッパーバー２０は、アッパー部材２２と、アッパー部材２２の下方からその内側に組み込まれたロア部材２４とを含んで構成されている。
図１に示すように、アッパーバー２０のうち、車幅方向の両端を含む箇所をそれぞれ側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙとし、側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙの間に位置する箇所を中間部２０Ｚとする。
図２、図５に示すように、アッパー部材２２は、下端に長手方向に沿って前後に延びるフランジ２２０６、２２１０を有してハット型断面形状を成している。言い換えると、アッパー部材２２は下端に水平方向に張り出したフランジ２２０６，２２１０を備えている。
詳細に説明すると、アッパー部材２２は、上面部アッパー２２０２と、前面部アッパー２２０４と、前フランジアッパー２２０６と、後面部アッパー２２０８と、後フランジアッパー２２１０とを含んで構成されている。
上面部アッパー２２０２は、上方を向いて車幅方向に延在している。
前面部アッパー２２０４は、上面部アッパー２２０２の車両前端から下方に延在している。
前フランジアッパー２２０６は、前面部アッパー２２０４の下端から車両前方に延在している。
後面部アッパー２２０８は、上面部アッパー２２０２の車両後端から下方に延在している。
後フランジアッパー２２１０は、後面部アッパー２２０８の下端から車両後方に延在している。
前フランジアッパー２２０６および後フランジアッパー２２１０から上面部アッパー２２０２までの寸法は、すなわち、上面部アッパー２２０２の高さ、言い換えるとアッパー部材２２の高さＨ１（図１、図５参照）は車幅方向に沿って均一に形成されている。 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the upper bar 20 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle, and the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 form a closed cross section across the vehicle width direction.
As described below, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and a closed cross section is formed between the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 by combining the lower member 24 so as to close the lower side of the upper member 22. In other words, the upper bar 20 is configured to include the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 that is fitted inside the upper member 22 from below.
As shown in FIG. 1, the upper bar 20 has both ends in the vehicle width direction defined as side ends 20X and 20Y, and a portion between the side ends 20X and 20Y defined as a middle portion 20Z.
2 and 5, the upper member 22 has flanges 2206, 2210 extending longitudinally from the lower end thereof, forming a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape. In other words, the upper member 22 has flanges 2206, 2210 protruding horizontally from the lower end thereof.
In detail, the upper member 22 is configured to include an upper surface portion 2202 , a front surface portion 2204 , a front flange upper 2206 , a rear surface portion 2208 , and a rear flange upper 2210 .
The upper surface portion 2202 faces upward and extends in the vehicle width direction.
The front surface upper 2204 extends downward from the vehicle front end of the top surface upper 2202 .
The front flange upper 2206 extends from the lower end of the front surface upper 2204 toward the front of the vehicle.
The rear upper portion 2208 extends downward from the vehicle rear end of the top upper portion 2202 .
The rear flange upper 2210 extends from the lower end of the rear surface portion upper 2208 toward the rear of the vehicle.
The dimension from the front flange upper 2206 and the rear flange upper 2210 to the upper surface portion 2202, i.e., the height of the upper surface portion 2202, in other words, the height H1 of the upper member 22 (see Figures 1 and 5), is formed uniformly along the vehicle width direction.

図２、図５に示すように、ロア部材２４は、下端に長手方向に沿って前後に延びるフランジ２４０６、２４１０を有してハット型断面形状を成している。言い換えると、ロア部材２４は下端に水平方向に張り出したフランジ２４０６，２４１０を備えている。
詳細に説明すると、ロア部材２４は、上面部ロア２４０２と、前面部ロア２４０４と、前フランジロア２４０６と、後面部ロア２４０８と、後フランジロア２４１０とを含んで構成されている。
上面部ロア２４０２は、最も上位に位置し上方を向いて車幅方向に延在している。
前面部ロア２４０４は、上面部ロア２４０２の車両前端から下方に延在している。
前フランジロア２４０６は、最も下位に位置し前面部ロア２４０４の下端から車両前方に延在している。
後面部ロア２４０８は、上面部ロア２４０２の車両後端から下方に延在している。
後フランジロア２４１０は、最も下位に位置し後面部ロア２４０８の下端から車両後方に延在し、したがって、前フランジロア２４０６と後フランジロア２４１０は、ロア部材２４の延在方向と直交する方向に離れている。
図５に示すように、上面部ロア２４０２は、上面部アッパー２２０２の下方に離れた箇所に配置され、前面部ロア２４０４は、前面部アッパー２２０４の車両後方に離れた箇所に配置され、後面部ロア２４０８は、後面部アッパー２２０８の車両前方に離れた箇所に配置されている。
そして、前フランジロア２４０６の上面に前フランジアッパー２２０６が重ね合わされ溶接により接合され、後フランジロア２４１０の上面に後フランジアッパー２２１０が重ね合わされ溶接により接合され、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４との２つの部材からなるアッパーバー２０が構成されている。
すなわち、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とは、アッパー部材２２のフランジ２２０６，２２１０とロア部材２４のフランジ２４０６、２４１０とが重ねた状態で組み合わされている。 2 and 5, the lower member 24 has flanges 2406, 2410 extending longitudinally forward and rearward at its lower end, forming a hat-shaped cross section. In other words, the lower member 24 has flanges 2406, 2410 protruding horizontally at its lower end.
More specifically, the lower member 24 is configured to include a top lower section 2402 , a front lower section 2404 , a front flange lower section 2406 , a rear lower section 2408 , and a rear flange lower section 2410 .
The upper surface lower section 2402 is located at the uppermost position, faces upward, and extends in the vehicle width direction.
The front surface lower section 2404 extends downward from the vehicle front end of the upper surface lower section 2402 .
The front flange lower 2406 is located at the lowest position and extends from the lower end of the front lower section 2404 toward the front of the vehicle.
The rear lower section 2408 extends downward from the vehicle rear end of the upper lower section 2402 .
The rear flange lower 2410 is located at the lowest position and extends from the lower end of the rear surface lower 2408 toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the front flange lower 2406 and the rear flange lower 2410 are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the lower member 24 .
As shown in FIG. 5 , the upper panel lower 2402 is disposed at a distance below the upper panel 2202, the front panel lower 2404 is disposed at a distance to the rear of the front panel upper 2204, and the rear panel lower 2408 is disposed at a distance to the front of the rear panel upper 2208.
The front flange upper 2206 is overlapped on the upper surface of the front flange lower 2406 and joined by welding, and the rear flange upper 2210 is overlapped on the upper surface of the rear flange lower 2410 and joined by welding, thereby forming an upper bar 20 consisting of two members, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24.
That is, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 are assembled together with the flanges 2206, 2210 of the upper member 22 and the flanges 2406, 2410 of the lower member 24 overlapping each other.

アッパーバー２０において、前フランジロア２４０６および後フランジロア２４１０から上面部ロア２４０２までの寸法は、すなわち、上面部ロア２４０２の高さは、言い換えるとロア部材２４の高さＨ２（図１、図５参照）は車幅方向中央部が低く車幅方向の両側部が高く形成されている。
すなわち、ロア部材２４の上面（上面部ロア）２４０２の高さＨ２は、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおける上面２４０２よりも、アッパーバー２０の中間部２０Ｚにおける上面２４０２の方が低く設定されている。
本実施の形態では、図１、図２に示すように、上面部ロア２４０２は、高さが最も低い均一の高さの車幅方向中央部２４０２Ａと、車幅方向中央部２４０２Ａの車幅方向両端から車幅方向外側に至るにつれて上面部ロア２４０２の高さが次第に大きくなる中間部２４０２Ｂと、中間部２４０２Ｂの車幅方向両端から高さが最も高い均一の高さで車幅方向両端に至る両側の車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃとを含んで構成されている。
言い換えると、ロア部材２４０２の高さＨ２は、後述するラッチ２８が取り付けられるアッパーバー２０の車幅方向の中央位置で最も低い位置とされ、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおいて最も高い位置となるように、中央位置から側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙに向かって次第に高くなるように形成されている。
本実施の形態では、ロア部材２４の上面２４０２は、その上面２４０２の高さが中央位置から両側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙに向かって連続的に高くなるように傾斜した傾斜面を成している。 In the upper bar 20, the dimension from the front flange lower 2406 and the rear flange lower 2410 to the upper surface lower 2402, i.e., the height of the upper surface lower 2402, in other words, the height H2 of the lower member 24 (see Figures 1 and 5) is low in the center in the vehicle width direction and high on both side portions in the vehicle width direction.
That is, the height H2 of the upper surface (lower upper surface) 2402 of the lower member 24 is set lower at the upper surface 2402 in the middle portion 20Z of the upper bar 20 than at the upper surface 2402 in the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20.
In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper surface lower 2402 is composed of a vehicle width direction central portion 2402A which has the lowest height and is of uniform height, an intermediate portion 2402B in which the height of the upper surface lower 2402 gradually increases from both vehicle width direction ends of the vehicle width direction central portion 2402A to the vehicle width direction outer sides, and vehicle width direction side portions 2402C on both sides which have the highest height and are of uniform height from both vehicle width direction ends of the intermediate portion 2402B to both vehicle width direction ends.
In other words, the height H2 of the lower member 2402 is lowest at the central position in the vehicle width direction of the upper bar 20 to which the latch 28 described later is attached, and is gradually increased from the central position toward the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20 so as to be at the highest position at the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20.
In this embodiment, the upper surface 2402 of the lower member 24 forms an inclined surface that is inclined so that the height of the upper surface 2402 continuously increases from the central position toward both side ends 20X, 20Y.

図３に示すように、上面部ロア２４０２の車幅方向中央部２４０２Ａが位置するアッパーバー２０の車幅方向中央部２０Ａは、上下方向において互いに対向する上面部アッパー２２０２と上面部ロア２４０２と、車両前後方向において互いに対向する前面部アッパー２２０４と後面部アッパー２２０８とによって囲まれた断面が矩形状の閉断面構造、言い換えるとボックス形状となっている。
また、図１、図４に示すように、上面部ロア２４０２の中間部２４０２Ｂが位置するアッパーバー２０の中間部２０Ｂは、車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃに至るにつれて前面部ロア２４０４の上下方向の寸法と後面部ロア２４０８との上下方向の寸法とが次第に大きくなると共に、車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃに至るにつれて上面部アッパー２２０２と上面部ロア２４０２との間隔が次第に小さくなるように設けられ、ロア部材２４とアッパー部材２２とで囲まれた空間がハット形状を呈している。
また、図１、図５に示すように、上面部ロア２４０２の車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃが位置するアッパーバー２０の車幅方向側部２０Ｃでは、前面部アッパー２２０４の上下方向の寸法と後面部アッパー２２０８の上下方向の寸法が最も大きく、かつ、前面部ロア２４０４の上下方向の寸法と後面部ロア２４０８との上下方向の寸法が最も大きく、上面部アッパー２２０２と上面部ロア２４０２とが近接している。
また、アッパーバー２０の車幅方向側部２０Ｃでは、上下方向において僅かな隙間を介在させて互いに対向する上面部アッパー２２０２と上面部ロア２４０２と、車両前後方向において僅かな隙間を介在させて互いに対向する前面部アッパー２２０４と前面部ロア２４０４と、かつ、車両前後方向において僅かな隙間を介在させて互いに対向する後面部アッパー２２０８と後面部ロア２４０８とで囲まれた空間がハット形状を呈している。 As shown in Figure 3, the vehicle width central portion 20A of the upper bar 20, where the vehicle width central portion 2402A of the upper surface portion lower 2402 is located, has a rectangular closed cross-sectional structure surrounded by the upper surface portion 2202 and the upper surface portion lower 2402 which face each other in the vertical direction, and the front surface portion upper 2204 and the rear surface portion upper 2208 which face each other in the vehicle fore-aft direction, in other words, has a box-shaped cross-sectional shape.
Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the intermediate portion 20B of the upper bar 20 where the intermediate portion 2402B of the upper surface lower 2402 is located is arranged so that the vertical dimension of the front surface lower 2404 and the vertical dimension of the rear surface lower 2408 gradually increase as it reaches the vehicle width direction side portion 2402C, and the distance between the upper surface portion 2202 and the lower surface portion 2402 gradually decreases as it reaches the vehicle width direction side portion 2402C, and the space surrounded by the lower member 24 and the upper member 22 is hat-shaped.
Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, at the vehicle width direction side portion 20C of the upper bar 20 where the vehicle width direction side portion 2402C of the upper surface portion lower 2402 is located, the vertical dimension of the front surface portion upper 2204 and the vertical dimension of the rear surface portion upper 2208 are the largest, and the vertical dimension of the front surface portion lower 2404 and the vertical dimension of the rear surface portion lower 2408 are the largest, and the upper surface portion 2202 and the lower surface portion 2402 are close to each other.
In addition, at the vehicle width direction side portion 20C of the upper bar 20, the space surrounded by the top surface portion upper 2202 and top surface portion lower 2402 which face each other with a small gap in the vertical direction, the front surface portion upper 2204 and front surface portion lower 2404 which face each other with a small gap in the vehicle fore-aft direction, and the rear surface portion upper 2208 and rear surface portion lower 2408 which face each other with a small gap in the vehicle fore-aft direction, has a hat shape.

アッパーバー２０とヘッドランプサポート１４とアッパーバーサイド１６との連結は以下のようになされている。
図５に示すように、ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端に上述のように中間ブラケット１８が接合されている。
ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端の中間ブラケット１８の上面部１８０２の上に、アッパーバーサイド１６の上面部サイド１６０２が重ねられ、この上面部サイド１６０２の上に、アッパーバー２０の上面部ロア２４０２が重ねられ、それらはボルトＢ１とウェルドナットＮ１を介して中間ブラケット１８の上面部１８０２に取り付けられている。なお、ヘッドランプサポート１４の上端の上方にはアッパー部材２２の上面部アッパー２２０２の欠部２２２０が位置しており、上面部アッパー２２０２は中間ブラケット１８の上面部１８０２に取り付けられていない。
また、中間ブラケット１８の前フランジ１８０６の上にアッパーバーサイド１６の外フランジサイド１６０６が重ねられ、この外フランジサイド１６０６の上にロア部材２４の前フランジロア２４０６と、アッパー部材２２の前フランジアッパー２２０６とが重ねられ、それらはボルトＢ２とウェルドナットＮ２を介して中間ブラケット１８の前フランジ１８０６に取り付けられている。
また、中間ブラケット１８の後フランジ１８１０の上にアッパーバーサイド１６の内フランジサイド１６１０が重ねられ、この内フランジサイド１６１０の上にロア部材２４の後フランジロア２４１０と、アッパー部材２２の後フランジアッパー２２１０とが重ねられ、それらはＢ３とウェルドナットＮ３を介して中間ブラケット１８の後フランジ１８１０に取り付けられている。
すなわち、アッパーバーサイド１６はロア部材２４との連結部においてロア部材２４の側端部とほぼ一様なハット型断面形状を有しており、アッパーバーサイドの１６とロア部材２４とは、アッパーバーサイド１６の上面がロア部材２４の下面に接合されることにより連結されている。
詳細に説明すると、アッパーバーサイド１６の上面部サイド１６０２の上面、外フランジサイド１６０６の上面、内フランジサイド１６１０の上面が、それぞれロア部材２４の上面部ロア２４０２の下面、前フランジロア２４０６の下面、後フランジロア２４１０の下面に接合されることによりアッパーバーサイドの１６とロア部材２４とが連結されている。
また、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおいて、アッパー部材２２、ロア部材２４、アッパーバーサイド１６、中間ブラケット１８がそれぞれのフランジ２２０６，２４０６、１６０６、１８０６、２２１０，２４１０、１６１０、１８１０で固定されるとともに、ロア部材２４、アッパーバーサイド１６、中間ブラケット１８がそれぞれの上面部ロア２４０２、上面部サイド１６０２、上面部１８０２で固定されることになる。
このように、ヘッドランプサポート１４とアッパーバー２０とアッパーバーサイド１６とが連結される箇所の断面形状は、下方に開放されたハット形状となっている。
したがって、一対のヘッドランプサポート１４の上端で、一対のアッパーバーサイド１６の前端はロア部材２４の車幅方向の両側の車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃの内部に組み込まれている。 The upper bar 20, the headlamp support 14 and the upper bar side 16 are connected as follows.
As shown in FIG. 5, the intermediate bracket 18 is joined to the upper end of the headlamp support 14 as described above.
The upper surface side 1602 of the upper bar side 16 is placed on top of the upper surface 1802 of the intermediate bracket 18 at the upper end of the headlamp support 14, and the upper surface lower 2402 of the upper bar 20 is placed on top of this upper surface side 1602, and they are attached to the upper surface 1802 of the intermediate bracket 18 via bolts B1 and weld nuts N1. Note that the notch 2220 of the upper surface upper 2202 of the upper member 22 is located above the upper end of the headlamp support 14, and the upper surface upper 2202 is not attached to the upper surface 1802 of the intermediate bracket 18.
In addition, the outer flange side 1606 of the upper bar side 16 is stacked on top of the front flange 1806 of the intermediate bracket 18, and the front flange lower 2406 of the lower member 24 and the front flange upper 2206 of the upper member 22 are stacked on top of this outer flange side 1606, and they are attached to the front flange 1806 of the intermediate bracket 18 via bolt B2 and weld nut N2.
In addition, the inner flange side 1610 of the upper bar side 16 is stacked on top of the rear flange 1810 of the intermediate bracket 18, and the rear flange lower 2410 of the lower member 24 and the rear flange upper 2210 of the upper member 22 are stacked on top of this inner flange side 1610, and they are attached to the rear flange 1810 of the intermediate bracket 18 via B3 and weld nut N3.
In other words, the upper bar side 16 has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape that is almost uniform with the side end of the lower member 24 at the connection portion with the lower member 24, and the upper bar side 16 and the lower member 24 are connected by joining the top surface of the upper bar side 16 to the bottom surface of the lower member 24.
In detail, the upper surface of the upper surface side 1602 of the upper bar side 16, the upper surface of the outer flange side 1606, and the upper surface of the inner flange side 1610 are joined to the lower surface of the upper surface lower 2402, the lower surface of the front flange lower 2406, and the lower surface of the rear flange lower 2410 of the lower member 24, respectively, thereby connecting the upper bar side 16 and the lower member 24.
In addition, at the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20, the upper member 22, lower member 24, upper bar side 16, and intermediate bracket 18 are fixed by their respective flanges 2206, 2406, 1606, 1806, 2210, 2410, 1610, and 1810, and the lower member 24, upper bar side 16, and intermediate bracket 18 are fixed by their respective upper surface lower 2402, upper surface side 1602, and upper surface 1802.
In this manner, the cross-sectional shape of the portion where the headlamp support 14, the upper bar 20, and the upper bar side 16 are connected is a hat shape that is open downward.
Therefore, at the upper ends of the pair of headlamp supports 14, the front ends of the pair of upper bar sides 16 are incorporated inside the vehicle width direction side portions 2402C on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the lower member 24.

また、アッパーバー２０とヘッドランプサポート１４とアッパーバーサイド１６とをボルトＢ１、Ｂ２、Ｂ３を用いて着脱可能に連結したので、アッパーバー２０を簡単に取り付け取り外すことができ、アッパーバー２０の下部に対するラジエータ（熱交換器）などの部品の着脱作業の効率化が図られている。
また、アッパーバー２０とヘッドランプサポート１４とアッパーバーサイド１６とが連結された状態で、ロア部材２４の前面部ロア２４０４とアッパーバーサイド１６の外面部サイド１６０４との間、ロア部材２４の後面部ロア２４０８とアッパーバーサイド１６の内面部サイド１６０８との間、アッパーバーサイド１６の外面部サイド１６０４と中間ブラケット１８の前面部１８０４との間、アッパーバーサイド１６の内面部サイド１６０８と中間ブラケット１８の後面部１８０８との間に、それぞれ隙間が確保されている。
このような隙間が確保されることにより、防錆処理のために車体１０を防錆液に浸漬した際に防錆液が隙間を介してロア部材２４、アッパーバーサイド１６、中間ブラケット１８の間に確実に浸透し、防錆処理が確実に効率よく行われるように図られている。
なお、中間ブラケット１８は省略してもよいが、中間ブラケット１８を設けると、アッパーバー２０とヘッドランプサポート１４とアッパーバーサイド１６との連結箇所の強度、剛性を高め、耐久性の向上を図る上で有利となる。 In addition, the upper bar 20, the headlamp support 14 and the upper bar side 16 are removably connected using bolts B1, B2 and B3, so that the upper bar 20 can be easily attached and removed, thereby improving the efficiency of the attachment and removal work of parts such as the radiator (heat exchanger) to the lower part of the upper bar 20.
In addition, when the upper bar 20, the headlamp support 14, and the upper bar side 16 are connected, gaps are secured between the front lower 2404 of the lower member 24 and the outer side 1604 of the upper bar side 16, between the rear lower 2408 of the lower member 24 and the inner side 1608 of the upper bar side 16, between the outer side 1604 of the upper bar side 16 and the front portion 1804 of the intermediate bracket 18, and between the inner side 1608 of the upper bar side 16 and the rear portion 1808 of the intermediate bracket 18.
By ensuring such gaps, when the vehicle body 10 is immersed in an anti-rust liquid for anti-rust treatment, the anti-rust liquid can reliably penetrate between the lower member 24, the upper bar side 16, and the intermediate bracket 18 through the gaps, thereby ensuring that the anti-rust treatment is carried out reliably and efficiently.
Incidentally, the intermediate bracket 18 may be omitted; however, providing the intermediate bracket 18 is advantageous in increasing the strength and rigidity of the connection points between the upper bar 20, the headlamp support 14, and the upper bar side 16, thereby improving durability.

また、図１、図２、図３に示すように、アッパーバー２０の車幅方向中央部２０Ａには、本実施の形態では、アッパーバー２０の車幅方向における中央位置には、フードをロック（係止）するラッチ２８を支持する取り付けブラケット２６が取り付けられている。
取り付けブラケット２６は、前板部２６０２と、後板部２６０４とを備えている。
前板部２６０２の下端の取り付け片２６０２Ａが前面部アッパー２２０４に重ね合わされて溶接により接合されると共に、後板部２６０４の取り付け片２６０４Ａが上面部アッパー２２０２に重ね合わされて溶接により接合され、前板部２６０２の上端２６０２Ｂと後板部２６０４の上端２６０４Ｂは重ね合わされて溶接により接合されている。
このように取り付けブラケット２６がアッパーバー２０の車幅方向中央部２０Ａに取り付けられた状態で前板部２６０２は斜め下方を向いており、詳細には、前板部２６０２は上方に至るにつれて次第に前方に変位する傾斜をもって配置され、この前板部２６０２の車両前方を向いた前面２６０２Ｃにラッチ２８が取り付けられている。
そして、図３に示すように、ラッチ２８は、アッパー部材２２の前面部アッパー２２０４より車両前側にせり出した状態で、アッパー部材２２の上側に鉛直方向に対して前側に傾斜して取り付けられている。 Also, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, in this embodiment, a mounting bracket 26 supporting a latch 28 that locks (engages) the hood is attached to the vehicle width central portion 20A of the upper bar 20, that is, at the central position in the vehicle width direction of the upper bar 20.
The mounting bracket 26 has a front plate portion 2602 and a rear plate portion 2604 .
An attachment piece 2602A at the lower end of the front plate portion 2602 is overlapped on the front surface upper portion 2204 and joined by welding, and an attachment piece 2604A of the rear plate portion 2604 is overlapped on the top surface upper portion 2202 and joined by welding, and an upper end 2602B of the front plate portion 2602 and an upper end 2604B of the rear plate portion 2604 are overlapped and joined by welding.
When the mounting bracket 26 is attached to the vehicle widthwise central portion 20A of the upper bar 20 in this manner, the front plate portion 2602 faces diagonally downward; in detail, the front plate portion 2602 is positioned with an inclination that gradually displaces forward as it reaches the upper portion, and the latch 28 is attached to the front surface 2602C of this front plate portion 2602 facing toward the front of the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 3, the latch 28 is attached to the top of the upper member 22 at an incline toward the front with respect to the vertical direction, with the latch 28 protruding from the front upper portion 2204 of the upper member 22 toward the front of the vehicle.

また、図１、図２に示すように、アッパーバー２０の車幅方向両側の車幅方向側部２４０２Ｃにフードダンパブラケット３２が接合されている。
図６，図７に示すように、フードダンパブラケット３２は、フード閉時の荷重を吸収するダンパ本体３０と、ダンパ本体３０が取り付けられる取り付け板部３２０２と、取り付け板部３２０２に取り付けられたダンパ本体３０をアッパー部材２２に対して保持させる複数の脚部とを備えている。
複数の脚部は、取り付け板部３２０２の車両前端から下方に延在する前面側脚部３２０４と、取り付け板部３２０２の車幅方向の両端から下方に延在する一対の側面側脚部３２０６とを含んで構成されている。
前面側脚部３２０４の車幅方向の中央には、車両前方側に凸となるとともに前面側脚部３２０４の長さ方向に延在する前面ブラケットビード部３２０８が形成されている。
前面側脚部３２０４の下端の屈曲部３２０４Ａは、車両前方からアッパー部材２２０４の前面（前面部アッパー）２２０４に溶接により接合されている。
図７に示すように、アッパー部材２２０４の前面２２０４に取り付けられる前面側脚部３２０４の取り付け位置の高さは、ロア部材２４の上面高さと略等しい。
後述する図８に示すように、前面側脚部３２０４の屈曲部３２０４Ａが接合されるアッパー部材２２の前面部アッパー２２０４の箇所と、ロア部材２４の前面部ロア２４０４の箇所とは互いに溶接により接合されている。
一対の側面側脚部３２０６の車両前後方向に沿った幅方向の中央には、互いに離間する方向に突出しつつ側面側脚部３２０６の長さ方向に沿って延在する側面ブラケットビード部３２１０が形成されている。
一対の側面側脚部３２０６の下端の屈曲部３２０６Ａは、アッパーバー２０の上面部アッパー２２０２に溶接により接合されている。
このようにフードダンパブラケット３２がアッパーバー２０に取り付けられた状態で、図７に示すように、取り付け板部３２０２はその前部がその後部よりも低い箇所に位置するように傾斜しており、複数の脚部のうち少なくとも１つの脚部、本実施の形態では、前面側脚部３２０４は鉛直方向に対して車両前側に傾斜した状態でアッパー部材２２の前面（前面部アッパー）２２０４に取り付けられており、これによりダンパ本体３０の軸心は車両前方に傾斜している。 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hood damper bracket 32 is joined to both vehicle width direction side portions 2402C of the upper bar 20 in the vehicle width direction.
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the hood damper bracket 32 comprises a damper main body 30 that absorbs the load when the hood is closed, a mounting plate portion 3202 to which the damper main body 30 is attached, and a plurality of legs that hold the damper main body 30 attached to the mounting plate portion 3202 against the upper member 22.
The multiple legs include a front leg 3204 extending downward from the front end of the mounting plate portion 3202, and a pair of side legs 3206 extending downward from both ends of the mounting plate portion 3202 in the vehicle width direction.
A front bracket bead portion 3208 that protrudes toward the front side of the vehicle and extends in the longitudinal direction of the front leg portion 3204 is formed in the center of the front leg portion 3204 in the vehicle width direction.
A bent portion 3204A at the lower end of the front leg portion 3204 is joined by welding to the front surface (upper front surface) 2204 of the upper member 2204 from the front of the vehicle.
As shown in FIG. 7 , the height of the attachment position of the front leg portion 3204 attached to the front surface 2204 of the upper member 2204 is approximately equal to the height of the top surface of the lower member 24 .
As shown in FIG. 8 described later, a portion of the front upper 2204 of the upper member 22 to which the bent portion 3204A of the front leg portion 3204 is joined and a portion of the front lower 2404 of the lower member 24 are joined to each other by welding.
A side bracket bead portion 3210 is formed in the center of the width of the pair of side leg portions 3206 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, the side bracket bead portion 3210 protruding away from each other and extending along the length of the side leg portions 3206.
The bent portions 3206A at the lower ends of the pair of side leg portions 3206 are joined to the upper surface portion 2202 of the upper bar 20 by welding.
With the hood damper bracket 32 attached to the upper bar 20 in this manner, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting plate portion 3202 is inclined so that its front portion is positioned lower than its rear portion, and at least one of the multiple legs, in this embodiment, the front leg portion 3204, is attached to the front surface (upper front portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 in a state inclined toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction, so that the axis of the damper body 30 is inclined toward the front of the vehicle.

また、図８に示すように、ロア部材２４の前面部（前面部ロア）２４０４には、前面ブラケットビード部３２０８を挟んで車幅方向両側で車両前方に凸となるとともに鉛直方向にそれぞれ延在する一対のロアビード部２４２０が形成されている。
前面ブラケットビード部３２０８の車幅方向両側と一対のロアビード部２４２０とがアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４を挟んで対向するように、前面側脚部３２０４とアッパー部材２２の前面部２２０４とが接合され、アッパー部材２２の前面部２２０４とロア部材２４の前面部２４０４とが接合されている。
言い換えると、一対のロアビード部２４２０の車両前方の箇所は、車両後方から前面部アッパー２２０４に溶接により接合され、前面側脚部３２０４が車両前方から前面部アッパー２２０４に接合される箇所と、一対のロアビード部２４２０の車両前方の箇所が車両後方から前面部アッパー２２０４に接合される箇所とは、車両前方から見ると前面ブラケットビード部３２０８の車幅方向両側においてオーバーラップしている。
したがって、前面ブラケットビード部３２０８と一対のロアビード部２４２０とが車幅方向に並べられることになり、前面側脚部３２０４が取着されるアッパーバー２０の箇所の強度、剛性が確保されている。 As shown in FIG. 8 , the front portion (front lower portion) 2404 of the lower member 24 is formed with a pair of lower bead portions 2420 that protrude toward the front of the vehicle and extend vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction across the front bracket bead portion 3208.
The front side leg portion 3204 and the front portion 2204 of the upper member 22 are joined so that both sides of the front bracket bead portion 3208 in the vehicle width direction and the pair of lower bead portions 2420 face each other across the front portion (upper front portion) 2204 of the upper member 22, and the front portion 2204 of the upper member 22 and the front portion 2404 of the lower member 24 are joined.
In other words, the front portions of the pair of lower bead portions 2420 are joined to the front upper portion 2204 from the rear of the vehicle by welding, and the portion where the front side leg portion 3204 is joined to the front upper portion 2204 from the front of the vehicle and the portion where the front portions of the pair of lower bead portions 2420 are joined to the front upper portion 2204 from the rear of the vehicle overlap on both sides of the vehicle width direction of the front bracket bead portion 3208 when viewed from the front of the vehicle.
Therefore, the front bracket bead portion 3208 and the pair of lower bead portions 2420 are aligned in the vehicle width direction, ensuring strength and rigidity at the portion of the upper bar 20 where the front leg portion 3204 is attached.

次に作用効果について説明する。
本実施の形態によれば、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とで車幅方向に亘って閉断面を形成するアッパーバー２０の車幅方向両側の端部を含む側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおいて、ロア部材２４と一対のアッパーバーサイド１６とをそれぞれ連結し、アッパーバー２０の中間部２０Ｚにラッチ２８を設け、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とは、それぞれ下方に開放された断面形状を有し、アッパー部材２２の下方を塞ぐようにロア部材２４を組み合わせることでアッパー部材２２とロア部材２４との間に閉断面が形成され、ロア部材２４の上面（上面部ロア）２４０２の高さは、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおける上面（上面部ロア）２４０２よりも、アッパーバー２０の中間部２０Ｚにおける上面（上面部ロア）２４０２の方が低く設定されている。
したがって、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４との間に閉断面が形成されるため、別途強化部材を設けて重さを重くすることなく、フード閉時において荷重のかかるラッチ２８の取り付け部周辺のアッパーバー２０のねじれ剛性を向上させて荷重を受けた際のアッパーバー２０の変形を防止する上で有利となる。
また、互いに結合されるアッパーバーサイド１６とロア部材２４の箇所が共に下方に開放状に形成されているため、アッパーバーサイド１６とアッパーバー２０との結合部剛性を高めて操安剛性を向上させる上で有利となると共に、アッパーバーサイド１６をアッパーバー２０に容易に取り付けする上で有利となる。 Next, the effects will be described.
According to this embodiment, at the side ends 20X, 20Y including both ends in the vehicle width direction of the upper bar 20, where the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 form a closed cross section across the vehicle width direction, the lower member 24 and a pair of upper bar sides 16 are each connected, and a latch 28 is provided at the middle portion 20Z of the upper bar 20, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and by combining the lower member 24 to close the lower side of the upper member 22, a closed cross section is formed between the upper member 22 and the lower member 24, and the height of the upper surface (upper surface lower) 2402 of the lower member 24 is set lower than the upper surface (upper surface lower) 2402 at the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20.
Therefore, since a closed cross section is formed between the upper member 22 and the lower member 24, it is advantageous in improving the torsional rigidity of the upper bar 20 around the mounting portion of the latch 28, which is subjected to a load when the hood is closed, and preventing deformation of the upper bar 20 when subjected to a load, without increasing the weight by providing a separate reinforcing member.
In addition, since the portions of the upper bar side 16 and the lower member 24 that are joined to each other are both formed in an open shape downward, this is advantageous in increasing the rigidity of the joint between the upper bar side 16 and the upper bar 20, thereby improving steering rigidity, and is also advantageous in easily attaching the upper bar side 16 to the upper bar 20.

また、本実施の形態では、アッパー部材２２とロア部材２４とは、下端に長手方向に沿って前後に延びるフランジ２２０６、２２１０と、フランジ２４０６，２４１０とを有してハット型断面形状を成し、互いのフランジ２２０６，２２１０と、フランジ２４０６，２４１０とを重ねた状態で組み合わされている。
したがって、アッパーバー２０の閉断面の剛性をより高める上で有利となり、ラッチ２８の取り付け部周辺のアッパーバー２０のねじれ剛性を向上させて荷重を受けた際の変形を防止する上でより有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, the upper member 22 and the lower member 24 have flanges 2206, 2210 and flanges 2406, 2410 at their lower ends that extend forward and backward along the longitudinal direction, forming a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape, and are combined with each other in a state in which the flanges 2206, 2210 and the flanges 2406, 2410 are overlapped.
Therefore, this is advantageous in increasing the rigidity of the closed cross-section of the upper bar 20, and is more advantageous in improving the torsional rigidity of the upper bar 20 around the mounting portion of the latch 28, thereby preventing deformation when subjected to a load.

また、本実施の形態では、ラッチ２８はアッパーバー２０の車幅方向における中央位置に取り付けられ、ロア部材２４の上面（上面部ロア）２４０２の高さＨ２は、アッパーバー２０の中央位置で最も低い位置とされ、側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおいて最も高い位置となるように、中央位置から側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙに向かって次第に高くなるよう形成されている。
したがって、アッパーバー２０の断面形状の急変を避けることにより、フード閉時にラッチ２８からアッパーバー２０への荷重伝達を効率的に行うことができ、荷重を受けた際のアッパーバー２０の変形を防止する上でより有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, the latch 28 is attached to the central position of the upper bar 20 in the vehicle width direction, and the height H2 of the upper surface (upper surface lower) 2402 of the lower member 24 is formed so that it is lowest at the central position of the upper bar 20 and gradually increases from the central position toward the side ends 20X, 20Y, so as to be at the highest position at the side ends 20X, 20Y.
Therefore, by avoiding a sudden change in the cross-sectional shape of the upper bar 20, the load can be efficiently transferred from the latch 28 to the upper bar 20 when the hood is closed, which is more advantageous in preventing deformation of the upper bar 20 when subjected to a load.

また、本実施の形態では、ロア部材２４の上面（上面部ロア）２４０２は、上面（上面部ロア）２４０２の高さＨ２が中央位置から両側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙに向かって連続的に高くなるよう傾斜した傾斜面をなしている。
したがって、フード閉時にラッチ２８からアッパーバー２０への荷重伝達をより効率的に行うことができ、荷重を受けた際のアッパーバー２０の変形を防止する上でより有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, the upper surface (lower upper surface) 2402 of the lower member 24 forms an inclined surface that is inclined such that the height H2 of the upper surface (lower upper surface) 2402 becomes continuously higher from the central position toward both side ends 20X, 20Y.
Therefore, when the hood is closed, the load can be transmitted more efficiently from the latch 28 to the upper bar 20, which is more advantageous in preventing deformation of the upper bar 20 when subjected to a load.

また、本実施の形態では、アッパーバーサイド２０は、ロア部材２４との連結部において該ロア部材２４の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙと略一様なハット型断面形状を有し、アッパーバーサイド１６とロア部材２４とは、アッパーバーサイド１６の上面がロア部材２４の下面に接合することにより連結されている。
したがって、アッパーバーサイド１６とアッパーバー２０との結合部剛性を向上させる上でより有利となり、アッパーバーサイド１６とアッパーバー２０との結合部剛性を高めて操安剛性を向上させる上でより有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, the upper bar side 20 has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape that is approximately uniform with the side ends 20X, 20Y of the lower member 24 at the connection portion with the lower member 24, and the upper bar side 16 and the lower member 24 are connected by joining the upper surface of the upper bar side 16 to the lower surface of the lower member 24.
Therefore, it is more advantageous in improving the rigidity of the joint between the upper bar side 16 and the upper bar 20, and it is more advantageous in improving the rigidity of the joint between the upper bar side 16 and the upper bar 20 and thereby improving the steering stability rigidity.

また、本実施の形態では、ダンパ本体をアッパー部材２２に対して保持させるフードダンパブラケット３４の複数の脚部（前面側脚部３２０４と一対の側面側脚部３２０６）のうちの少なくとも一つの脚部（前面側脚部３２０４）は、鉛直方向に対して車両前側に傾斜した状態でアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４に取り付けられ、アッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４とロア部材２４の前面部（前面部ロア２４０４）とが接合されている。
したがって、フード閉時の荷重をアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４ロア部材２４の上面部（上面部ロア）２４０２に沿って略鉛直方向と垂直方向の２方向に分散させることができる。また、脚部３２０４とアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４とロア部材２４の前面部（前面部ロア）２４０４との重なり部で接合することにより接合部の板厚を向上させて、接合部の溶接強度を向上させる上で有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, at least one leg (front side leg 3204) of the multiple legs (front side leg 3204 and a pair of side side legs 3206) of the hood damper bracket 34 that holds the damper body to the upper member 22 is attached to the front portion (front upper portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 in a state inclined toward the front of the vehicle with respect to the vertical direction, and the front portion (front upper portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 and the front portion (front lower portion 2404) of the lower member 24 are joined.
Therefore, the load when the hood is closed can be dispersed in two directions, the approximately vertical direction and the perpendicular direction, along the front portion (front upper portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 and the top surface portion (upper surface lower portion) 2402 of the lower member 24. Also, by joining the leg portion 3204 to the front portion (front upper portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 and the front portion (front lower portion) 2404 of the lower member 24 at their overlapping portions, the plate thickness of the joint is increased, which is advantageous in improving the welding strength of the joint.

また、本実施の形態では、アッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４に取り付けられる前面側脚部３２０４の取り付け位置の高さは、ロア部材２４の上面高さＨ２と略等しい。
したがって、フード閉時の荷重を前面側脚部３２０４を介してアッパー部材２２の前面部アッパー２２０４とロア部材２４の上面部ロア２４０２により確実に分散させることができ、荷重を受けた際のアッパーバー２０の変形を防止する上でより有利となる。 In this embodiment, the height of the attachment position of the front leg portion 3204 attached to the front portion (upper front portion) 2204 of the upper member 22 is approximately equal to the top surface height H2 of the lower member 24.
Therefore, the load applied when the hood is closed can be reliably distributed to the front upper portion 2204 of the upper member 22 and the upper lower portion 2402 of the lower member 24 via the front leg portion 3204, which is more advantageous in preventing deformation of the upper bar 20 when subjected to a load.

また、本実施の形態では、ブラケットビード部３２０８の車幅方向両側と一対のロアビード部２４２０とがアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４を挟んで対向するように、前面側脚部３２０４とアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４、アッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４とロア部材２４の前面部（前面部ロア）２４０４とが接合されている。
したがって、前面側脚部３２０４とアッパー部材２２の前面部（前面部アッパー）２２０４とロア部材２４の前面部（前面部ロア）２４０４との重なり部の剛性をより効果的に高める上で有利となる。 In addition, in this embodiment, the front side leg portion 3204 and the front portion (front portion upper) 2204 of the upper member 22, and the front portion (front portion upper) 2204 of the upper member 22 and the front portion (front portion lower) 2404 of the lower member 24 are joined so that both sides in the vehicle width direction of the bracket bead portion 3208 and the pair of lower bead portions 2420 face each other across the front portion (front portion upper) 2204 of the upper member 22.
This is advantageous in more effectively increasing the rigidity of the overlapping portions between the front leg portion 3204, the front portion (upper front portion) 2204 of the upper member 22, and the front portion (lower front portion) 2404 of the lower member 24.

また、本実施の形態では、ヘッドランプサポートをロア部材２４に連結するための中間ブラケット１８をさらに備え、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙにおいて、アッパー部材２２、ロア部材２４、アッパーバーサイド１６および中間ブラケット１８がそれぞれのフランジで固定されるとともに、ロア部材２４、アッパーバーサイド１６、中間ブラケット１８がそれぞれの上面部で固定されている。
したがって、アッパーバー２０の側端部２０Ｘ、２０Ｙの剛性を高めることで、アッパーバーサイド１６とアッパーバー２０との結合部剛性を高めて操安剛性を向上させる上で有利となる。
また、アッパーバーサイド１６から中間ブラケット１８を介してフード閉時の荷重をヘッドランプサポート１４にも分散させることができるため、荷重を受けた際のアッパーバー２０の変形を防止する上でより有利となる。 In addition, this embodiment further includes an intermediate bracket 18 for connecting the headlamp support to the lower member 24, and at the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20, the upper member 22, the lower member 24, the upper bar side 16 and the intermediate bracket 18 are fixed by their respective flanges, and the lower member 24, the upper bar side 16 and the intermediate bracket 18 are fixed by their respective top surfaces.
Therefore, increasing the rigidity of the side ends 20X, 20Y of the upper bar 20 is advantageous in increasing the rigidity of the joint between the upper bar side 16 and the upper bar 20, thereby improving steering rigidity.
In addition, the load applied when the hood is closed can also be distributed to the headlamp support 14 from the upper bar side 16 via the intermediate bracket 18, which is more advantageous in preventing deformation of the upper bar 20 when subjected to a load.

１０車体
１４ヘッドランプサポート
１６アッパーバーサイド
１６０２上面部サイド
１６０４外面部サイド
１６０６外フランジサイド
１６０８内面部サイド
１６１０内フランジサイド
１８中間ブラケット
１８０２上面部
１８０４前面部
１８０６前フランジ
１８０８後面部
１８１０後フランジ
２０アッパーバー
２０Ｘ、２０Ｙ側端部
２０Ｚ中間部
２２アッパー部材
２２０２上面部アッパー（上面部）
２２０４前面部アッパー（前面部）
２２０６前フランジアッパー
２２０８後面部アッパー
２２１０後フランジアッパー
２４ロア部材
２４０２上面部ロア（上面部）
２４０４前面部ロア（前面部）
２４０６前フランジロア
２４０８後面部ロア
２４１０後フランジロア
２４２０ロアビード部
２４０２Ａ車幅方向中央部
２４０２Ｂ中間部
２４０２Ｃ車幅方向側部
２８ラッチ
３０ダンパ本体
３２フードダンパブラケット
３２０４前面側脚部（脚部）
３２０６側面側脚部（脚部）
３２０８前面ブラケットビード部 10 Vehicle body 14 Headlamp support 16 Upper bar side 1602 Upper surface side 1604 Outer surface side 1606 Outer flange side 1608 Inner surface side 1610 Inner flange side 18 Intermediate bracket 1802 Upper surface portion 1804 Front surface portion 1806 Front flange 1808 Rear surface portion 1810 Rear flange 20 Upper bar 20X, 20Y Side end portion 20Z Middle portion 22 Upper member 2202 Upper surface portion upper (upper surface portion)
2204 Front upper part (front part)
2206 Front flange upper 2208 Rear surface portion upper 2210 Rear flange upper 24 Lower member 2402 Upper surface portion lower (upper surface portion)
2404 Front lower part (front part)
2406 Front flange lower 2408 Rear surface lower 2410 Rear flange lower 2420 Lower bead portion 2402A Vehicle width direction central portion 2402B Intermediate portion 2402C Vehicle width direction side portion 28 Latch 30 Damper body 32 Hood damper bracket 3204 Front side leg portion (leg portion)
3206 Side leg (leg)
3208 Front bracket bead part

Claims

an upper bar extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion of the vehicle and forming a closed cross section in the vehicle width direction with an upper member and a lower member;
a pair of upper bar sides each connected to the lower member at a side end portion including both ends in a vehicle width direction of the upper bar;
A latch provided in an intermediate portion between the side ends of the upper bar and configured to lock the hood to a vehicle body,
the upper member and the lower member each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and the closed cross-section is formed between the upper member and the lower member by combining the lower member so as to close the lower side of the upper member,
a height of an upper surface of the lower member is set lower at the middle portion of the upper bar than at the side end portions of the upper bar ,
The latch is attached to a central position of the upper bar in a vehicle width direction,
The height of the upper surface of the lower member is lowest at the center position of the upper bar and is gradually increased from the center position toward the side end portions so as to be highest at the side end portions.
A front structure of a vehicle.

The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper member and the lower member have flanges at their lower ends that extend longitudinally in the front-rear direction, forming a hat-shaped cross section, and are assembled with the flanges overlapping each other.

3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the lower member is an inclined surface that is inclined so that the height of the upper surface continuously increases from the central position toward the both side ends.

an upper bar extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion of the vehicle and forming a closed cross section in the vehicle width direction with an upper member and a lower member;
a pair of upper bar sides each connected to the lower member at a side end portion including both ends in a vehicle width direction of the upper bar;
A latch provided in an intermediate portion between the side ends of the upper bar and configured to lock the hood to a vehicle body,
the upper member and the lower member each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and the closed cross-section is formed between the upper member and the lower member by combining the lower member so as to close the lower side of the upper member,
a height of an upper surface of the lower member is set lower at the middle portion of the upper bar than at the side end portions of the upper bar ,
the upper bar side has a hat-shaped cross-sectional shape that is substantially uniform with the side end of the lower member at a connection portion with the lower member,
The upper bar side and the lower member are connected by joining the upper surface of the upper bar side to the lower surface of the lower member.
A front structure of a vehicle.

The vehicle front structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the latch is attached to the upper side of the upper member at an incline toward the front of the vehicle relative to the vertical direction, with the latch protruding toward the front of the vehicle from the front surface of the upper member.

an upper bar extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion of the vehicle and forming a closed cross section in the vehicle width direction with an upper member and a lower member;
a pair of upper bar sides each connected to the lower member at a side end portion including both ends in a vehicle width direction of the upper bar;
A latch provided in an intermediate portion between the side ends of the upper bar and configured to lock the hood to a vehicle body,
the upper member and the lower member each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and the closed cross-section is formed between the upper member and the lower member by combining the lower member so as to close the lower side of the upper member,
a height of an upper surface of the lower member is set lower at the middle portion of the upper bar than at the side end portions of the upper bar ,
a hood damper bracket having a damper body that absorbs a load when the hood is closed and a plurality of legs to which the damper body is attached and which hold the damper body against the upper member,
At least one of the leg portions is attached to a front surface portion of the upper member in a state inclined toward the front side of the vehicle with respect to a vertical direction,
A front portion of the upper member and a front portion of the lower member are joined together.
A front structure of a vehicle.

7. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6 , wherein the height of the attachment position of the leg portion attached to the front surface of the upper member is substantially equal to the height of the top surface of the lower member.

The leg portion attached to the front surface of the upper member is formed with a bracket bead portion that is convex toward the front side of the vehicle and extends in the length direction of the leg portion,
A pair of lower bead portions are formed on a front surface of the lower member, the lower bead portions being convex toward the front of the vehicle and extending vertically on both sides in the vehicle width direction with the bracket bead portion therebetween,
8. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6, wherein the leg portion and the front surface of the upper member, and the front surface of the upper member and the front surface of the lower member are joined so that both sides of the bracket bead portion in the vehicle width direction and a pair of the lower bead portions face each other across the front surface of the upper member.

an upper bar extending in a vehicle width direction at a front portion of the vehicle and forming a closed cross section in the vehicle width direction with an upper member and a lower member;
a pair of upper bar sides each connected to the lower member at a side end portion including both ends in a vehicle width direction of the upper bar;
A latch provided in an intermediate portion between the side ends of the upper bar and configured to lock the hood to a vehicle body,
the upper member and the lower member each have a cross-sectional shape that is open downward, and the closed cross-section is formed between the upper member and the lower member by combining the lower member so as to close the lower side of the upper member,
a height of an upper surface of the lower member is set lower at the middle portion of the upper bar than at the side end portions of the upper bar ,
a pair of headlamp supports disposed at side ends of the lower member and extending in a vertical direction; and an intermediate bracket for connecting the headlamp supports to the lower member,
the upper member, the lower member, the upper bar side and the intermediate bracket each have a flange protruding in a horizontal direction at a lower end thereof,
At the side end of the upper bar, the upper member, the lower member, the upper bar side, and the intermediate bracket are fixed by the respective flanges, and the lower member, the upper bar side, and the intermediate bracket are fixed by their respective top surfaces.
A front structure of a vehicle.