JPH06211162A - Front body structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance visibility for the tip end position of a bonnet while aerodynamic characteristics are being secured by forming the tip end of the bonnet while only a head lamp is positioned high. CONSTITUTION:The side panel member 3b of a shroud upper 3 is raised upward higher than a center panel member 3a in such a way that a head lamp 6 can be positioned high so as to be fixedly combined with a connecting section 22 which is inclined afterward in such a way as to be positioned downward as the side panel member 3b goes afterward from the rear face of its horizontal section with respect to the respective upper peripheral flanges 11a and 12a of a wheel apron 11 and a fender panel 12 from the side of the upper peripheral flange 12a of a fender panel 12. Moreover, a reinforcing member 23 which is fixedly joined across the connecting section 22, the horizontal section of the side panel member 3b and a vertical wall surface 12b at the outer end section of the upper peripheral flange 12a of the fender panel 12, is fixedly joined with an engine room 2 faced to the horizontal outer end section of the side panel member 3b while being ranged from its front end to the rear section.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a front body structure of an automobile in which headlamps are located at a high position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a front vehicle body structure of an automobile, a shroud upper extending in the vehicle width direction above the front wall of the vehicle body is provided with a center portion as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 26978/1990. Left and right side portions are provided, and the center portion and both side portions are arranged so as to extend substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction. In this case, headlamps are attached to both side parts.

Further, the front side portion of the vehicle body is integrally formed by joining flanges at the edges of the wheel apron and the fender panel.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
There is a demand for positioning the headlamp at a high position in order to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position. In that case,
When the headlamp is positioned at a high position, the tip of the bonnet is naturally positioned at a high position, and the aerodynamic characteristics are significantly reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to position only the headlamp at a high position to form the bonnet tip.
It is intended to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position while ensuring aerodynamic characteristics.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a solution means provided by the invention as set forth in claim 1 is to provide a shroud upper extending in the vehicle width direction on a front wall upper portion of a vehicle body, and to a center portion and left and right side portions. And a front side portion of the vehicle body,
It is premised on a front body structure of an automobile which is integrally formed by joining flanges at edges of a wheel apron and a fender panel. Then, the both side portions are raised above the center portion, and the upper edge portions are joined to and fixed to the upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel on the both side portions. The structure is such that a connecting portion for connecting with the flange is provided.

Further, the solution means taken by the invention according to claim 2 is to specify the connecting portion of the invention according to claim 1 above, to provide the connecting portions on the rear side of the vehicle body on both side portions, and to position them downward as they go rearward. The configuration is such that it is tilted as described above.

Further, the solution means taken by the invention of claim 3 is based on the front body structure of the automobile of the invention of claim 1, and both side parts are raised above the center part. The upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel are arranged such that one upper edge flange is located on the upper side, and are vertically separated at the corresponding positions of the both side portions. Then, the upper surfaces of the both side portions are bonded and fixed to one upper edge flange, and the lower surfaces are bonded and fixed to the other upper edge flange via a gusset.

Further, the solution means taken by the invention of claim 4 is premised on the front body structure of the automobile of the invention of claim 1, wherein both side parts are provided on the wheel apron and the fender panel. Securely bond to the edge flange. A shroud upper side gusset for mounting the headlamp is provided above the both side portions, and the shroud upper side gusset is attached to the center portion and each upper edge flange with respect to the center portion and each upper edge flange. It is configured so as to be bonded and fixed so as to straddle between and.

[0010]

With the above structure, in the invention according to the first to fourth aspects, both side portions of the shroud upper that rises above the center portion are located, for example, at lower positions on the rear side of the vehicle body on both side portions toward the rear. So that it can be bonded and fixed to the upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel via a connecting portion that tilts backward,
At the corresponding positions of both side parts, upper and lower upper edge flanges may be joined and fixed via gussets, or straddle between the center part and each upper edge flange above both side parts. The shroud upper is fixed to each upper edge flange by using a shroud upper side gusset for mounting the headlamp, and the shroud upper is fixed to each upper edge flange. Only the headlamps attached to the upper side gussets are located in the high position. As a result, the shroud upper is firmly fixed to each upper edge flange despite the headlamp being positioned at a high position,
The tip of the bonnet is formed in a shape that positions only the side end positions at the high position in accordance with the headlamp at the high position.

Further, as described above, the headlamp is positioned at a high position by raising only the side portion of the shroud upper and raising it above the center portion by using the shroud upper side gusset. The center part is positioned at a low position without being positioned at a high position due to the headlamp, and the bonnet tip is formed in a forward tilted shape so as to position the central position at a low position in accordance with the shape of the center part. Will be.

[0012]

As described above, according to the vehicle body structure of the front part of the invention in the first aspect of the invention, both side portions of the shroud upper which is raised above the center portion are firmly attached to the respective upper edge flanges. Since it is fixedly attached, the bonnet tip is tilted forward to position only the side end position to the high position according to the headlamp located at the high position and to position the center position to the low position according to the shape of the center part. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position while ensuring the aerodynamic characteristics.

Further, according to the vehicle body structure of the front part of the vehicle in the second aspect of the invention, both side portions of the shroud upper which rises above the center portion are connected to the vehicle body rear side via connecting portions which are inclined rearward. Since it is firmly connected and fixed to each upper edge flange, the bonnet tip shape that tilts the center position forward according to the center position at the low position ensures aerodynamic characteristics, while conforming to the headlamp positioned at the high position. It is possible to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position where only the left and right positions of the bonnet tip are positioned at high positions.

According to the vehicle body structure of the front part of the automobile in the third aspect of the invention, the upper edge flanges which are vertically separated from each other at the corresponding side portions of the shroud upper which rises above the center portion. Since it is firmly connected and fixed via a gusset, the aerodynamic characteristics are secured by the bonnet tip shape that tilts forward according to the center part, while the headlamp positioned at a high position improves the visibility of the bonnet tip position. Can be achieved.

Further, according to the vehicle body structure of the front part of the vehicle in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the shroud upper side gusset which raises both side parts upward from the center part is provided above the both side parts with the center part. The shroud upper was more firmly connected and fixed across the upper edge flange, and only the headlamp was set to the high position at the left and right positions of the bonnet tip, so while maintaining the aerodynamic characteristics by the bonnet tip shape that leans forward at the center position, It is possible to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position by the bonnet tip side end position which is high in accordance with the lamp.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 3 show a front portion of an automobile using a front vehicle body structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which an engine room 2 (vehicle body) is provided in the front portion of the automobile 1.
A shroud upper panel 3 (shroud upper) having a substantially U-shaped cross section that extends in the vehicle width direction is provided on the upper portion of the front wall of the engine room 2. The shroud upper panel 3 includes a center panel material 3a as a center portion and side panel materials 3b as left and right side portions (only the right side of the vehicle body is shown in the figure). The center panel material 3a includes
The condenser 4 and the radiator 5 are mounted in parallel in the front and rear. In addition, the above side panel material 3
A shroud side panel 7 having an opening 7a for mounting the headlamp 6 is bonded and fixed to the lower surface (bottom surface) of b. The headlamp 6 has a reflecting mirror 6a fixed to a shroud side panel 7 via fixing means (not shown), a lens 6b integrally fixed to a peripheral edge of the reflecting mirror 6a, and an opening of the shroud side panel 7. 7
and a light bulb 6c that is detachably inserted from a.
In addition, 8 is a bonnet.

The side wall of the engine room 2 is
The suspension tower 10 is integrally formed by joining and fixing the wheel apron 11 integrally formed with the front fender panel 12, and the flanges 11a and 12a (only the upper edge flange is shown in the figure) at the upper and lower edges of each other. ing. The front upper part of the wheel apron 11 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle body, and is joined and fixed to the outer edge portion and the lower edge of the shroud side panel 7. The outer edge of the shroud side panel 7 is bonded and fixed to the inner surface of the front end portion of the front fender panel 12.

The shroud upper panel 3
Is formed such that the side panel material 3b rises above the center panel material 3a. That is, in the center panel material 3a, the outer portion is horizontally formed and the inner portion is inclined downward, while in the side panel material 3b, the inner portion is horizontally formed and the outer portion is upward. The center panel material 3a is formed to be inclined, and the inner portion (inclined portion) of the center panel material 3a and the outer portion (inclined portion) of the side panel material 3b are joined and fixed to each other to be integrally formed. The shroud side panel 7 is positioned above the side panel member 3b so that the headlamp 6 is positioned at a high position.

The lower edge of the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 overlaps with the upper surface of the upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11 extending substantially horizontally along the upper edge of the side wall of the engine room 2 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As described above, the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 serves as one upper edge flange and the upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11 serves as the other upper edge flange. They are arranged on the lower side. Each of the above-mentioned upper edge flanges 11a, 1
2a is inclined at the upper edge of the side wall of the engine room 2 so as to be located downward as it goes forward of the vehicle body,
The upper edge flanges 11a and 12a form a sloped step 21 at the upper edge of the side wall of the engine room 2.

Then, the side panel material 3b is joined to and fixed to the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 (joint fixing portion with the upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11). A connecting portion 22 is provided to connect between 12a and 12a. The connecting portion 2
2 is inclined from the rear surface of the horizontal portion of the side panel material 3b so as to be located downward as it goes rearward of the vehicle body, and its rear end is located above the fender panel 12 on the vehicle body rear side of the side panel material 3b. It is fixedly connected to the edge flange 12a. Further, the side panel material 3b,
Between the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 and the upper edge of the side wall of the engine room 2, a reinforcement 23 having a substantially L-shaped cross section extending in the vehicle front-rear direction so as to connect the both 3b and 12a. Is provided. The reinforcement 23 inclines along the connecting portion 22 and the horizontal outer ends of the connecting portion 22 and the side panel member 3b, and the upper edge flange 12 of the fender panel 12.
a In a state where it is joined and fixed across the vertical wall surface 12b that is connected to the outer end portion, it is joined and fixed from the front end to the rear portion of the engine room 2 corresponding to the horizontal portion outer end portion of the side panel material 3b. ing.

In the figure, 24 is a bonnet stopper attached to a substantially central position of the horizontal portion of the side panel material 3b, and 25 is a bonnet reinforcement which is fixedly joined to the peripheral edge of the lower surface of the bonnet 8 and abuts against the bonnet stopper 24. Is.

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the side panel material 3b of the shroud upper panel 3 which rises above the center panel material 3a has the upper edge flanges 11a, 12a of the wheel apron 11 and the fender panel 12.
On the other hand, the horizontal portion of the side panel member 3b is joined and fixed from the upper edge flange 12a side of the fender panel 12 by the connecting portion 22 that is inclined rearward so as to be located rearward from the rear surface of the horizontal portion. The outer end of the horizontal portion of the side panel material 3b and the fender panel 12
From the front end to the rear part of the engine room 2 corresponding to the outer end of the horizontal portion of the side panel member 3b by the reinforcement 23 that is joined and fixed to the vertical wall surface 12b of the outer end of the upper edge flange 12a. The headlamp 6 attached to the side panel material 3b that is joined and fixed and is erected upward via the shroud side panel 7 is positioned at a high position. As a result, the shroud upper panel 3 is firmly fixed to the upper edge flanges 11a and 12a even though the headlamp 6 is positioned at the high position, and the bonnet tip is at the high position of the headlamp. According to 6, the shape is formed such that only the side end position is positioned at the high position.

Further, as described above, the headlamp 6 is positioned at a high position by raising only the side panel material 3b of the shroud upper panel 3 so that the center panel material 3a is positioned at a high position along with the headlamp 6. It is positioned at a low position (normal position) without being positioned at, and the front end of the bonnet is formed in a shape that inclines forward so that the center position is positioned at a low position in accordance with the shape of the center panel material 3a.

As a result, the tip of the bonnet is positioned at the high position only at the side end positions according to the headlamp 6 positioned at the high position, and the center position is positioned at the low position according to the shape of the center panel material 3a. It can be formed in a forwardly inclined shape, so that the visibility of the bonnet tip position can be improved while ensuring aerodynamic characteristics.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11 and the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 form the inclined step-like step portion 21 on the upper edge of the side wall portion of the engine room 2. Therefore, due to the step portion 21 located downward as it goes to the front of the vehicle body, the hand inserted into the engine room 2 can be used by the step portion 2 when performing work such as maintenance from the side front side of the engine room 2.
It is possible to improve the maintainability without hitting 1 and getting in the way.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the second embodiment, the joining and fixing of the side panel material of the shroud side upper panel and the upper edge flanges of the first embodiment is changed (the same portion as the above embodiment). Are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted).

That is, in this example, the fender panel 12
Has a notch in an upper edge flange 12a and a vertical wall surface 12b corresponding to a front portion of an upper edge of a side wall of the engine room 2, and a notch 31 has a peripheral edge formed in a stepped shape in the vehicle front-rear direction. A reinforcement 32, which extends in the front-rear direction and has a substantially L-shaped cross section in a front view of the vehicle body, is joined and fixed. On the rear side of the reinforcement 32, there are provided a rear upper edge flange 32a and a rear vertical wall surface 32b which extend the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 forward while keeping the lower position. A front upper edge flange 32c and a front vertical wall surface 32d are provided on the front side so as to position the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12 at a high position in a stepped manner and extend forward. That is, the front upper edge flange 32 of the reinforcement 32
c is provided to the upper edge flange 12a of the fender panel 12, and extends from the position immediately behind the side panel material 3b corresponding to the side panel material 3b of the shroud upper panel 3 to the upper side of the wheel apron 11 from below. The edge flange 11a and the front upper edge flange 32c of the reinforcement 32 (the upper edge flange 12 of the fender panel 12)
It is arranged to be separated vertically from a).

The upper surface of the side panel material 3b is joined and fixed to the lower surface of the front upper edge flange 32c of the reinforcement 32. On the other hand, the lower surface of the side panel material 3b is fixedly coupled to the upper surface of the upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11 via a wheel apron gusset 33 (gusset) having a substantially U-shaped cross section that opens to the outside of the vehicle body. Wheel apron gusset 3 above
3 is a vertical height that absorbs a height difference between the rear upper edge flange 32a and the front upper edge flange 32c of the reinforcement 32, and is formed to have a front-rear length that substantially matches the front upper edge flange 32c. ing.

In this case, the side panel material 3b of the shroud upper panel 3 which rises above the center panel material 3a is separated above and below the wheel apron 11 from the position immediately after the side panel material 3b. The edge flange 11a and the front upper edge flange 32c of the reinforcement 32 are firmly joined and fixed to each other via the wheel apron gusset 33, and the bonnet tip shape is inclined forward according to the center panel material 3a. Thus, while ensuring the aerodynamic characteristics, the visibility of the bonnet tip position can be improved by the headlamp 6 positioned at a high position.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the third embodiment, instead of raising the side panel material of the shroud side upper panel of each of the above embodiments, a separate member is used to position the headlamp at a high position.

That is, in this example, the shroud upper panel 3 is arranged so as to extend substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction,
Only the outer end portion of the side panel material 3b is positioned at a slightly higher position, and the upper edge flange 12 of the fender panel 12 is positioned.
a and an upper edge flange 11a of the wheel apron 11 are interposed and fixedly coupled.

A shroud upper side gusset 41 having a substantially hat-shaped cross section for covering and mounting the headlamp 6 from the outside is provided above the side panel material 3b.
And the shroud upper side gusset 41,
The center panel material 3a, the side panel material 3b, and the upper edge flanges 11a and 12a are provided with respect to the side end portion of the center panel material 3a, the outer end of the side panel material 3b, and the upper edge flanges 11a and 12a. It is fastened and fixed so as to straddle it. The headlamp 6 has a dedicated fastener (not shown) for the upper surface of the side panel material 3b.
It is designed to be fastened and fixed by. Further, the bonnet stopper 24 is attached to the shroud upper side gusset 41 at a substantially central position of the upper end surface thereof. The shroud side panel 7 does not have a structure in which the headlamp 6 is attached, and therefore has no opening.

In this case, the shroud upper side gusset 41 for positioning the headlamp 6 above the center panel material 3a includes the center panel material 3a, the side panel material 3b and the upper edge flanges 11a above the side panel material 3b. , 12a are joined and fixed, and the shroud upper side gusset 41 firmly secures the joining and fixing to the upper edge flanges 11a, 12a of the shroud upper upper panel 3, and the bonnet tip shape that tilts forward at the center position causes aerodynamics. While ensuring the characteristics, it is possible to improve the visibility of the bonnet tip position by the bonnet tip side end position which is a high position in accordance with the headlamp 6.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front portion of a vehicle body in a state where a hood according to a first embodiment is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a front end portion of a vehicle body showing a joint relationship between a side panel material and each upper edge flange according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view around a side panel material according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of a front end portion of a vehicle body showing a joint relationship between a side panel material and each upper edge flange according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of a front end portion of a vehicle body cut near a headlamp according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Car 2 Engine Room (Car Body) 3 Shroud Upper Panel 3a Center Panel Material (Center Part) 3b Side Panel Material (Side Part) 6 Headlamp 11 Wheel Apron 11a Upper Edge Flange 12 Fender Panel 12a Upper Edge Flange 22 Coupling 33 Wheel Apron gusset (gusset) 41 Shroud upper side gusset

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A shroud upper that extends in the vehicle width direction above a front wall of a vehicle body is provided with a center portion and left and right side portions,
In the front body structure of the vehicle, the front side portion of the vehicle body is integrally formed by joining the flanges at the edge portions of the wheel apron and the fender panel,
The both side portions rise above the center portion, and the upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel are joined and fixed to the upper side flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel. A front body structure of an automobile, characterized in that a connecting portion is provided for connecting between and. 2. The front vehicle body of an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is provided on the vehicle body rear side of both side portions, and is inclined so as to be located downward as it goes rearward. Construction. 3. A shroud upper that extends in the vehicle width direction above a front wall of a vehicle body, and includes a center portion and left and right side portions,
In the front body structure of the vehicle, the front side portion of the vehicle body is integrally formed by joining the flanges at the edge portions of the wheel apron and the fender panel,
The both side portions are raised above the center portion, and the upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel are vertically separated from each other at corresponding positions of the both side portions. Is a front body structure of an automobile, wherein an upper surface thereof is coupled and fixed to one upper edge flange and a lower surface thereof is coupled and fixed to the other upper edge flange via a gusset. 4. A shroud upper that extends in the vehicle width direction at the upper portion of the front wall of the vehicle body, and includes a center portion and left and right side portions.
In the front body structure of the vehicle, the front side portion of the vehicle body is integrally formed by joining the flanges at the edge portions of the wheel apron and the fender panel,
The both side portions are coupled and fixed to the upper edge flanges of the wheel apron and the fender panel, and above the both side portions, a shroud upper side gusset for mounting a headlamp is provided. The shroud upper side gusset is joined and fixed to the center portion and the upper edge flanges so as to straddle between the center portion and the upper edge flanges, respectively. Part body structure.