JPH058755A - Front structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a front structure of a vehicle which can countermeasure a oblique bump or an offset bump by effectively using a suspension cross member without chancing the structure of a front side frame. CONSTITUTION:A suspension cross member attached to the lower surface of left and right front side frames 2A of an automobile 1 is provided thereto with a pair of extensions 16 which curvilinearly extend to the front side of a front end 9 from the left and right end parts of the front end part of the member 11. The extensions 16 incorporate shock absorb parts for promoting deformation of the extensions 16 upon a bump.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle, and more particularly to a front structure of a vehicle which is effective as a countermeasure against an oblique collision or an offset collision from an oblique front.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a front body structure of an automobile is provided with a pair of left and right front side frames which are arranged in a front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and a bumper is fixedly provided on these front side frames. , These front side frames ensure the rigidity of the vehicle body, and at the time of a head-on collision, the front side frame receives the collision load by these front side flakes to generate initial proof stress and absorb the collision energy by crushing deformation. There is. By the way, in the case of a frontal collision (frontal collision) of an automobile, the front side frame exerts its intended function and effectively functions, but at the time of a collision, a normal driver steers to the frontal collision avoidance side, so that the center lines of the vehicle body are mutually different. There will be a lot of offset collisions that will offset and collide with
In addition, there are not a few diagonal collisions that occur from diagonally forward directions at intersections, but during an offset collision or a collision, the collision load is mainly shared by only one front side frame, or both front side frames collide with each other. Since it does not often work, there is a demand for effective measures against offset collisions and oblique collisions.

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-101274, the front side frame is branched from the front side frame near the lower edge front part of the wheel house to the outside of the vehicle along the lower edge front part of the wheel house. The first frame is curved and extends further forward, and the second frame extends forward from the lower edge front portion of the wheel house toward the front of the vehicle body, and one of the first frame and the second frame is located on the front side of the vehicle body. The front body structure of an automobile is described. According to this front vehicle body structure, the collision load is received by the first frame or the second frame located on the front side of the vehicle during a head-on collision, and then the first frame or the second frame located on the rear side of the vehicle next. Thus, the collision load can be received, and further the collision load can be received by the front wheels via the first frame. Further, at the time of an oblique collision or an offset collision, the collision load can be received by the first frame, and the collision load can then be received by the front wheels located near the rear of the frame, so that the safety at the time of collision can be further improved. Become.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In the vehicle body structure of the front part of the automobile described in the above-mentioned publication, the front part of the front side frame is branched into the first frame and the second frame, so that the structure of the front side frame and the wheel apron becomes complicated, and the design and manufacture are performed. Since the cost is increased and the straight portion extending forward is formed at the front portion of the first frame, the distance from the front wheel to the front ends of the first frame and the second frame, that is, the distance from the front wheel to the bumper becomes large, which is a so-called short circuit. There are problems that it is difficult to apply to a nose type automobile, and that the straight portion of the first frame does not function very effectively in receiving the load from the front, so that there is much structural waste.

An object of the present invention is to provide a front structure of an automobile which can effectively utilize the suspension cross member without changing the structure of the front side frame and can be used as a countermeasure against a tilting collision or an offset collision. is there.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front portion structure for an automobile, comprising a pair of left and right front side frames arranged in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body. A suspension cross member mounted on the front side frame of the vehicle, and the suspension cross member is provided with a pair of left and right extension parts extending in a curved shape from both left and right end portions of the front end portion to the front side of the front wheel. It is a feature.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the front portion structure for an automobile according to the first aspect, wherein the extension portion is provided with a shock absorbing portion for promoting deformation of the extension portion at the time of collision of the automobile. It is characterized by. A front structure for a vehicle according to a third aspect is the front structure for an automobile according to the first aspect, further comprising a pair of left and right vertical frame portions to which the suspension cross members are fixed to lower surfaces of left and right front side frames, respectively. The extension portion is configured to have a lower rigidity with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body than the vertical frame portion.

A vehicle front structure according to a fourth aspect is the vehicle front structure according to the third aspect, wherein a bead is provided on the upper wall portion or the lower wall portion of the extension portion for absorbing a shock at the time of collision of the vehicle. Is formed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front portion structure for an automobile according to the third aspect, wherein a reinforcing member for reinforcing the vertical frame portion of the suspension cross member is provided. It is what

A vehicle front structure according to claim 6 is the vehicle front structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a fuel tank is disposed near the rear side of at least one of the left and right front wheels. It is characterized by.

[0011]

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 1,
In the front structure of an automobile including a pair of left and right front side frames arranged in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, suspension cross members mounted on the left and right front side frames are provided, and the suspension cross members include
Since a pair of left and right extension parts that extend in a curved shape from the left and right end parts of the front end part to the front side of the front wheel are provided, the collision load is mainly received by the left and right front side frames at the time of a head-on collision, and the left and right extension parts are extended. In particular, at the time of oblique collision or offset collision, either the left or right extension can receive the collision load and transmit it to the front suspension frame via the suspension cross member to disperse it, and through its crushing deformation. Can absorb collision energy. Further, even in the case of an offset collision with a small wrap width, the collision load can be reliably dispersed to the front side frame by the extension portion, and the impact can be mitigated. In particular, the extension part is a structure that is curvedly extended from the front end of the suspension cross member to the front side of the front wheel.
Since the dimension from the front wheel to the front end of the extension does not become large, it can be applied to a so-called short nose type automobile. In addition, the suspension cross member is not so restricted in terms of structure and shape as the front side frame, has a high degree of freedom in its structure and shape, and does not complicate the vehicle body structure by forming the extension part.・ Production cost can be kept low.

In the vehicle front structure according to claim 2, basically the same action as in claim 1 can be obtained, but shock absorption for promoting deformation of the extension portion at the time of collision of the vehicle with the extension portion. Since the portion is provided, the impact absorbing portion can promote the deformation of the extension portion and enhance the impact absorbing performance.

In the front structure of the automobile according to claim 3, basically the same action as in claim 1 can be obtained, but the left and right 1 in which the suspension cross members are fixed to the lower surfaces of the left and right front side frames, respectively. It has a pair of vertical frame parts, and the extension part is configured to have a lower rigidity in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body than the vertical frame part, so at the time of a collision, the extension part is deformed before the vertical frame part to absorb energy. Can be planned.

In the front structure of the vehicle according to the fourth aspect, basically the same effect as that of the third aspect can be obtained, but the impact at the time of the collision of the vehicle is applied to the upper wall portion or the lower wall portion of the extension portion. Since the bead for absorbing is formed, it is possible to promote the deformation of the extension portion through the bead at the time of collision and absorb the impact.

In the vehicle front structure according to the fifth aspect, basically the same operation as that of the third aspect can be obtained, but a reinforcing member for reinforcing the vertical frame portion of the suspension cross member is provided. Since it is provided, the support rigidity for supporting the extension portion on the front side frame can be enhanced.

In the vehicle front structure according to the sixth aspect, basically the same operation as that of the fourth or fifth aspect can be obtained. If the extension is not provided, a collision load acts on one of the front wheels during a leaning collision or an offset collision, and the front wheel moves rearward.Therefore, a fuel tank could not be arranged near the rear of the front wheel. In the case where the extension portion is provided, the influence on the front wheels at the time of a collision can be significantly reduced, so that it is possible to dispose the fuel tank near the rear side of at least one of the left and right front wheels.

[0017]

As described in the above section, the following effects can be obtained. According to the front structure of an automobile according to claim 1, the suspension cross member is provided with a pair of left and right extension parts that respectively extend in a curved shape from the left and right end parts of the front end part to the front side of the front wheel. While improving impact resistance and collision energy absorption at the time of collision, in particular, at the time of oblique collision or offset collision, the left or right extension can receive the collision load and disperse it to the front side frame via the suspension cross member. The collision energy can be absorbed through the crushing deformation, and the collision load can be surely dispersed to the front side frame even in the case of an offset collision with a small lap width, and the impact can be mitigated. In particular, the extension portion has a structure in which it is curvedly extended from the end portion of the front end of the suspension cross member to the front side of the front wheel, and the dimension from the front wheel to the front end of the extension portion does not become large. It is also applicable to. In addition, the suspension cross member is not so restricted in structure and shape as the front side frame, the degree of freedom in structure and shape is great, and the formation of the extension does not complicate the vehicle body structure.・ Production cost can be kept low.

According to the front structure of the automobile of the second aspect, basically the same effect as that of the first aspect can be obtained, and at the same time, the extension absorbs a shock for promoting the deformation of the extension when the automobile collides. Since the portion is provided, it is possible to enhance the impact absorbing performance by promoting the deformation of the extension portion by the impact absorbing portion.

According to the vehicle front structure of claim 3, basically the same effect as that of claim 1 is obtained, and the extension is more rigid in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body than the vertical frame of the suspension cross member. Due to the low rigidity, the extension can be deformed prior to the vertical frame at the time of collision to absorb the shock.

According to the vehicle front structure of claim 4, basically the same effect as that of claim 3 can be obtained, and the upper wall portion or the lower wall portion of the extension portion absorbs a shock at the time of collision. By forming the beads, the deformation of the extension portion can be promoted through the beads at the time of collision to absorb the shock.

According to the vehicle front structure of claim 5, basically the same effect as that of claim 3 can be obtained, and the extension portion is provided by providing the reinforcing member on the vertical frame portion of the suspension cross member. It is possible to increase the support rigidity that supports the front side frame.

According to the vehicle front structure of claim 6, basically the same effect as that of claim 4 or claim 5 is obtained, and by providing the extension part, the influence on the front wheels at the time of a collision is prevented. Since it can be significantly eased, it has become possible to arrange a fuel tank near the rear side of at least one of the left and right front wheels.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the front structure of a one-box type automobile, and in the following description, the front, rear, left and right of the automobile will be described as front, rear, left and right. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, with respect to the lower vehicle body structure of the one-one-box type automobile 1, a pair of left and right side frames 2 are provided on the lower surface side of the floor member and extend vertically over the entire length,
These side frames 2 include a plurality of cross members 3,
4, the front bumper 6 is provided at the front end of the side frame 2.
A rear bumper 7 is provided at a rear end portion, a pair of left and right rear wheels 8 is provided at a rear portion of the automobile 1, and a pair of left and right front wheels 9 is provided at a front portion of the automobile 1. A fuel tank 10 is provided near the rear of the front wheel 9.

The front portions of the pair of left and right side frames 2 correspond to the pair of left and right front side frames 2A, respectively.
A suspension cross member 11 is mounted on the lower surface of A, a power unit 12 including an engine and a transmission is attached to the suspension cross member 11, and a base end portion of an A-shaped suspension arm 20 supporting a left front wheel 9 is provided. The base end of the A-shaped suspension arm 20 that is connected to the lower surface side of the left vertical frame portion 13 of the suspension cross member 11 and supports the right front wheel 9 has the lower surface side of the right vertical frame portion 13 of the suspension cross member 11. The link member of the front suspension device is also connected to the suspension cross member 11.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the suspension cross member 11 has a pair of left and right vertical frame portions 13 having a closed cross section structure and a horizontal cross section having a closed cross section for connecting the front end portions of these vertical frame portions 13. It is composed of a frame portion 14 and a horizontal frame portion 15 having a closed cross section that connects between the rear end portions of these vertical frame portions 13. The front end portion of each vertical frame portion 13 is curved toward the front side of the corresponding front wheel 9. An extension portion 16 having a closed cross section and extending in a circular shape is integrally formed. The extension portion 16 mainly transmits the collision load to the front side frame 2A via the suspension cross member 11 while receiving the collision load at the time of an oblique collision or an offset collision, and deforms crushed when the collision load is large. It is for absorbing collision energy. Each of the vertical frame portions 13 of the suspension cross member 11 is fixed to the front side frame 2A by, for example, three bolts 21 arranged along the lower surface of the corresponding front side frame 2A and inserted into the bolt holes 17. In that state, the tip of the left extension 16 is located near the front of the left front wheel 9 and extends to the vicinity of the outer end surface of the front wheel 9, and the tip of the right extension 16 is located on the right side. It is located near the front of the front wheel 9 and extends to the vicinity of the outer end surface of the front wheel 9.
It is arranged so as to be located a short distance D behind the front end of the. This is because at the time of a head-on collision, first, a collision load is applied to the front side frame 2A to generate initial proof stress, and further the collision energy is absorbed by the deformation of the front side frame 2A. This is because a collision load is applied. However, the small distance D can be set to zero.

Here, when the strength of the vertical frame portion 13 of the suspension cross member 11 is not sufficient, the collision load input from the extension portion 16 at the time of a collision or a toffset collision is applied to the left and right front sides via the suspension cross member 11. Since it cannot be effectively dispersed in the frame 2A, as shown in FIG. 7, a reinforcing member 18 having a U-shaped cross section for reinforcing the vertical frame portion 13 is provided in each vertical frame portion 13. ing. Further, as a shock absorber for absorbing the collision energy through the deformation of the extension 16 when a collision load is applied to the extension 16, a convex bead is formed on the upper wall of the curved portion of each extension 16. 19 is formed. The bead 19 has the function of increasing the rigidity of the extension 16 in the width center line direction of the extension 16, but the extension 16 is effective against a collision load from a substantially front direction.
This bead 19 has the effect of reducing the rigidity of
As a result, a shock absorbing action is obtained. However, the bead 19 may be omitted when the rigidity of the extension portion 16 is not so high with respect to the front-rear direction rigidity, but in any case, the extension portion 16 with respect to the front-rear direction rigidity is increased in order to enhance the impact absorbing ability. It is desirable that 16 has a rigidity lower than that of the vertical frame portion 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the extension 1
6 is a vertical frame portion 1 of the suspension cross member 11.
Since it is formed in an offset shape downward by a small distance with respect to 3, the bending stress acting on the extension portion 16 at the time of collision increases, so that the impact absorbing ability of the extension portion 16 is enhanced. Although the extension portion 16 is formed integrally with the vertical frame portion 13, it may be formed separately from the vertical frame portion 13 and connected to the vertical frame portion 13 by welding or bolts. is there. Further, the bead 19 may be formed as a concave bead.

Next, the operation of the above-described front structure of the automobile will be described. At the time of a head-on collision of the automobile 1, a collision load first acts on the left and right front side frames 2A,
Although the initial proof stress is generated by these front side frames 2A, when the collision load is large, the impact energy is absorbed through the crushing deformation of the front side frame 2A, and then the collision loads also act on the left and right extension portions 16. ,
From these extensions 16 to the suspension cross member 11
The collision load is distributed to the left and right front side frames 2A via the, and when the collision load is large, the impact energy is absorbed through the deformation of the extension portion 16, and then the extension portion 1
Since 6 collides with the front wheel 9, the front wheel 9 also absorbs the collision energy. Therefore, compared with the case where the extension portion 16 is not provided, the impact acting on the passenger in the vehicle compartment at the time of a head-on collision is remarkably reduced, and the safety for the passenger in the vehicle compartment is significantly improved.

By the way, the extension portion 16 is mainly for enhancing a shock absorbing action at the time of an oblique collision or an offset collision,
Left-side or right-side extension 16 in the case of an oblique collision or offset collision
The collision load is received by the front side frame 2A via the suspension cross member 11.
In addition, the impact energy is absorbed by the deformation of the extension portion 16 and the collision load acting from the extension portion 16 can be received by the front wheel 9 as well. The absorption performance is significantly improved, the degree of influence on the engine room and vehicle interior is significantly reduced, and the safety at the time of a collision can be significantly improved. In particular, the suspension cross member 11 does not have a large restriction on the structure and shape unlike the front side frame 2A, and the structure and the shape can be set relatively freely. Therefore, even if the extension portion 16 is formed on the suspension cross member 11. Since the suspension device and the vehicle body structure are hardly affected, the design and manufacturing cost for providing the extension portion 16 can be suppressed to a low level and can be easily implemented. Next, a part of the suspension cross member 11 may be partially modified to have the following structure. However, only the changed portion will be described. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the reinforcing member 18 of the vertical frame portion 13A of the suspension cross member 11A is omitted, and a plurality of transverse beads 22 are provided at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each vertical frame portion 13A. The beads 22 are formed at appropriate intervals, and the beads 22 reduce the rigidity in the front-rear direction of the vertical frame portion 13A to enhance the shock absorbing performance. As described above, by forming the plurality of beads 22 on the vertical frame portion 13A, in addition to the shock absorption by the extension portion 16 when the collision load is applied to the extension portion 16, the shock absorbing action due to the deformation of the vertical frame portion 13A. Is obtained. The front structure of the automobile according to the present invention can be similarly applied to various ordinary types of passenger automobiles other than the one-box automobile, trucks and the like.

[0029]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a lower body structure of a one-box type automobile.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a lower body structure of the automobile.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the main part of the front structure of the automobile.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a main part of a front structure of an automobile.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a suspension cross member and an extension portion.

6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG.

7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 according to a modified example.

9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

2A front side frame 10 Fuel tank 11 Suspension cross member 13 Vertical frame 16 Extension 18 Reinforcement member 19 bead

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A left and right 1 arranged in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body.
In a front structure of an automobile including a pair of front side frames, a suspension cross member mounted on the left and right front side frames is provided, and the suspension cross member is provided on the front side of the front wheel from both left and right ends of the front end portion. Left and right extending in a curved shape up to 1
A front structure of an automobile, characterized in that a pair of extension parts is provided. 2. The front structure of the automobile according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is provided with a shock absorbing portion for promoting deformation of the extension portion in the event of a collision of the automobile. 3. The suspension cross member has a pair of left and right vertical frame portions that are fixed to the lower surfaces of the left and right front side frames, respectively, and the extension portion has a lower rigidity with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the vertical frame portions. The front structure of the automobile according to claim 1, wherein the front structure is configured as follows. 4. The front structure for a vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a bead is formed on an upper wall portion or a lower wall portion of the extension portion to absorb a shock in a collision of the vehicle. 5. The front structure of the automobile according to claim 3, wherein the vertical frame portion of the suspension cross member is provided with a reinforcing member for reinforcing the vertical frame portion. 6. The front structure for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a fuel tank is disposed near the rear side of at least one of the left and right front wheels.