JPH08133126A - Front body structure for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve efficiency of absorbing energy of a front body without remarkably increasing car body weight. CONSTITUTION: In a lower end edge part of a front fender 12 in a front body of an automobile, a swollen part 20 is formed toward the inside in a car width direction. The swollen part 20 is extended along a car body longitudinal direction, to form a sectional shape, as viewed from the car body longitudinal direction, in a U shape with an opening part facing outside the car width direction. The opening part of the swollen part 20 is closed by a panel 22, and in the swollen part 20, a closed sectional part 24 extended in the car body longitudinal direction is formed with the panel 22. A rear end part 20D of the swollen part 20 leads to a position opposed to a front wall part 28A of a front pillar 28, to linearly arrange the closed sectional part 24 along the car body longitudinal direction with the front wall part 28A of the front pillar 28.

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 for an automobile, and more particularly to a front body structure for an automobile provided with a body frame member extending in the front-rear direction of the body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for a collision from the front of a vehicle body, a so-called head-on collision, a reinforcement for reinforcing a vehicle body framework member such as a front side member extending in the vehicle front-rear direction has been enlarged. There is known a front body structure of an automobile which is made large in size to efficiently absorb energy, and an example thereof is disclosed in JP-A-4-5008.
It is disclosed in Japanese Patent No.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the front body structure of this automobile, the front side member 70 is divided into a front portion 70A and a rear portion 70B, and a plurality of bulkheads 72 are provided in the front portion 70A, and a rear portion is provided. 70B front end 7
4 is projected into the front portion 70A. Therefore, when a load is applied to the front side member 70 in its axial direction, that is, the vehicle body front-rear direction, the front end member 74 of the rear part 70B is
The bulkheads 72 contact one after another to absorb energy efficiently.

[0004]

However, in this vehicle front body structure, the strength of the front pillar that bears the load of the front side member 70 is further improved by dividing the front side member 70 into two and adding the bulkhead 72. As a result, there is a problem that the weight of the vehicle body increases significantly. Further, in a vehicle body of a short overhang vehicle, a light vehicle, or the like, a front body structure of an automobile that more efficiently absorbs energy is desired because the length of the front body is short due to the restriction of the entire vehicle body.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle body reinforcing structure for an automobile capable of improving the energy absorption efficiency of the front body without significantly increasing the vehicle body weight.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front body structure for an automobile according to the first aspect of the present invention, comprising a strength improving member integrally formed at a lower end edge portion of the front fender toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, This strength improving member has a closed cross section or a partially open cross section, extends in the vehicle front-rear direction, and at least a part of the rear end reaches a position facing the front wall of the front pillar. I am trying.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front body structure for an automobile according to a second aspect of the present invention. A front fender that is bent inward to form an extended portion, and a reinforcement that is provided above the extended portion along the vehicle front-rear direction and forms a closed cross-section portion that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction. Members,
The cross-sectional area of the closed cross section increases as it goes rearward, and at least a part of the rear end of the closed cross section reaches a position facing the front wall of the front pillar.

[0008]

In the vehicle front body structure according to the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of a head-on collision, a part of the load input from the front portion of the front body is transmitted to the front pillar through the strength improving member. Therefore, a part of the load at the time of a head-on collision is borne by the strength improving member, and the load on other vehicle body frame members, for example, the front side members is reduced. At this time,
It is not necessary to particularly strengthen the load receiving portion of the front pillar as in the conventional case. Therefore, it is not necessary to reinforce other vehicle body frame members, and the energy absorption efficiency of the front body can be improved without significantly increasing the vehicle body weight. Further, in the case of a collision of only the fender portion, since the load can be received by the front pillar via this strength improving member, energy can be absorbed particularly effectively as compared with the case without the conventional strength improving member.

In the front body structure for a motor vehicle according to the second aspect of the present invention, at the time of a head-on collision, the load input from the front portion of the front body to the front portion of the closed cross section is transmitted to the front pillar through the closed cross section. It Therefore, a part of the load at the time of a head-on collision is borne by the closed cross section, and the load on other vehicle body frame members, for example, the front side members is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to reinforce other vehicle body frame members, and the energy absorption efficiency of the front body can be improved without significantly increasing the vehicle body weight. In addition, since the cross-sectional area of the closed cross-section portion increases toward the rear, the closed cross-section portion is crushed sequentially from the front at the time of a head-on collision. Therefore, the energy at the time of a head-on collision can be more efficiently absorbed.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of a vehicle front body structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In these figures, the arrow FR, which is shown appropriately, indicates the front side of the vehicle body, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle body, and the arrow IN indicates the inner side of the vehicle width.

As shown in FIG. 1, front fenders 12 are provided on the upper left and right sides of the front body 10 of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.
The outer shape of the upper part of the side is designed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front fender 1
An upper member 14 along the vehicle body front-rear direction is arranged at the upper part of the inner side of the vehicle width direction 2. The cross-sectional shape of the upper member 14 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is a U-shape with the opening portion facing downward, and a front fender apron 16 is disposed below the upper member 14. The cross-sectional shape of the front fender apron 16 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is L-shaped. The lower edge of the is welded. Further, the upper portion of the vertical wall portion 16A of the front fender apron 16 is bent outward in the vehicle width direction to form a horizontal wall portion 16B.
A flange 14C formed toward the vehicle width direction outer side is welded to a lower end edge portion of the width direction outer side vertical wall portion 14B of the upper member 14 at the vehicle width direction outer side edge portion of the lateral wall portion 16B. Front fender apron 16
And form a closed cross-section portion 18 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The upper portion of the vertical wall portion 12A of the front fender 12 is curved inward in the vehicle width direction, and the inner edge in the vehicle width direction is bent downward to form a vertical wall portion 12B. A flange 12C is formed at the lower end edge of the vertical wall portion 12B toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the flange 12C is welded to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 14D of the upper member 14. A bulged portion 20 as a strength improving member is formed toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction at the lower end edge portion of the vertical wall portion 12A of the front fender 12. The bulging portion 20 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the cross-sectional shape when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is a U-shape with the opening facing outward in the vehicle width direction. An outer edge portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower wall portion 20A of the bulging portion 20 is bent downward to form a flange 20B.

The opening of the bulging portion 20 is closed by a panel 22. The shape of the panel 22 as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is L-shaped, and the lower end edge of the vertical wall portion 22A is welded to the outer surface of the flange 20B of the bulging portion 20 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a horizontal wall portion 22B formed on the upper edge of the vertical wall portion 22A toward the vehicle width direction outer side is welded to the lower surface of the upper wall portion 20C of the bulging portion 20. Therefore, the bulging portion 2
Reference numeral 0 denotes a panel 22, which is a closed cross-section portion 2 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.
4 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a rectangular notch 26 is formed at an inner corner portion in the vehicle width direction at the rear end of the bulging portion 20, and a front pillar 28 abuts on the notch 26. ing. Therefore, the rear end portion 20D of the bulging portion 20 reaches the position facing the front wall portion 28A of the front pillar 28, and the closed cross-section portion 24 has the front wall portion 28A of the front pillar 28.
And are linearly arranged along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

The front pillar 28 is the front pillar 2.
Front pillar outer 3 forming an outer portion in the vehicle width direction of 8
0, and the front pillar inner 32 that constitutes the vehicle width direction inner side portion of the front pillar 28. The front pillar outer 30 is U-shaped with the opening facing inward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, and is formed at the opening edge.
The flange portions 30A and 30B are respectively welded to the front and rear end edges of the flat pillar-shaped front pillar inner member 32. Therefore, in the front pillar 28, the front pillar outer 30 and the front pillar inner 32 form a closed cross-section portion 34 extending substantially in the vehicle body vertical direction.

The rear end edge of the vertical wall portion 12A of the front fender 12 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction to form a vertical wall portion 12D. The vertical wall portion 12D contacts the outer wall portion 28B of the front pillar 28. Touching.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front side member 37 is arranged inside the bulging portion 20 in the vehicle width direction along the vehicle body front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cross-sectional shape of the front side member 37 when viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is a U-shape with the opening facing outward in the vehicle width direction, and is formed at the opening edge. The upper flange 37A and the lower flange 37B are welded to the inner surface of the vertical wall portion 16A of the front fender apron 16 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the front side member 37 and the front fender apron 16 form a closed cross-section portion 39 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the front fender 1
A rear extending portion 38A of the front bumper 38 fixed to the front end portion of the front side member 37 is provided on the lower side of the front portion of FIG.
The lower cover 36 integrated with the mudguard 35 is provided below the rear portion of the front fender 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper edge of the lower cover 36 extends upward, and a fender molding portion 36B that covers the outside of the bulging portion 20 in the vehicle width direction is integrally formed (FIG. 2). 1 not shown). Although not shown, similarly, the upper end edge of the rearward extending portion 38A of the front bumper 38 extends upward, and a fender molding portion that covers the opening of the bulging portion 20 is integrally formed. There is.

Reference numeral 27 in FIG. 1 indicates a rocker, and reference numeral 29 indicates a hood.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. The front body structure of the automobile of the first embodiment is
A part of the load input to the front portion of the front body 10 is transmitted to the front pillar 28 via the bulging portion 20. Therefore, a part of the input load at the time of a head-on collision is borne by the bulging portion 20, and the load on the upper member 14 and the front side member 37 is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to reinforce the upper member 14, the front side member 37, and the front pillar 28, and the energy absorption efficiency of the front body 10 can be improved without significantly increasing the vehicle body weight.

Further, in the first embodiment, the rear end portion 20D of the bulging portion 20 is closer to the front pillar portion of the front pillar 28 than the upper member 14 and is closer to the joint portion of the front pillar 28 with the rocker 27. 28A, the bending moment arm length centering on the lower end of the front pillar 28 can be shortened, and the bending moment about the lower end acting on the front pillar 28 at the time of a head-on collision can be shortened as compared with the case where the upper member 14 is reinforced. As a result, the amount of retreat of the front pillar 28 can be reduced. As a result, the deformation resistance of the front pillar 28 can be reduced, and the weight of the front pillar 28 can be reduced. Furthermore, the amount of retreat of the front fender 12 can be reduced, and the amount of biting into the front side door (not shown) at the rear of the front fender 12 can be reduced, improving the openability of the front side door at the time of a head-on collision. can do.

Further, even in the case of a light collision such as the collision of only the front fender 12, the load inputted to the front portion of the bulging portion 20 is transmitted to the front pillar 28 via the bulging portion 20, It works particularly effectively.

Further, since the bulging portion 20 can be integrally formed by press working when manufacturing the front fender 12, it is possible to provide the bulging portion 20 at a relatively low cost without the need for additional forming steps. it can.

In the first embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the bulging portion 20 as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body is U-shaped with the opening facing outward in the vehicle width direction. The cross-sectional shape viewed from the front-rear direction is not limited to this, and may be another shape such as a U shape with the opening facing outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, in the first embodiment, the panel 22 is provided in the opening of the bulging portion 20, but instead of this, the panel 22 may not be provided. Further, in the first embodiment, the bulging portion 20 is integrally formed with the front fender 12, but the bulging portion 20 is not integrally formed with the front fender 12 but is formed as a separate body and is appropriately welded. You may be one.

Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle front body structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rear portion 40A of the front fender 40 of the second embodiment is extended downward and forms a side portion external design behind the fender arch 42. Also, the rear edge 40 of the front fender 40
B is welded to the outer surface of the outer wall portion 28B of the front pillar 28 in the vehicle width direction.

The lower end portion of the front fender 40 is bent inward in the vehicle width direction to form an extended portion 40C. The extended portion 40C extends from the front portion of the front body 10 to the rear portion of the fender arch 42. Along the lower end of the fender arch 42 to the lower end 42A. This extension 40
Above C, a reinforcing member 44 as a reinforcing member is arranged along the vehicle longitudinal direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the reinforcing member 44 has a U-shaped cross section viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the upper wall portion 44A extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. Has been done. Outer vertical wall portion 4 of the reinforcing member 44 in the vehicle width direction
4B and the vehicle-width-direction inner vertical wall portion 44C are gradually extended downwardly toward the rear, and flanges 44D and 44E are formed at the lower end edge portions thereof toward the outside of the opening. The rear end portions 44G4 of the flanges 44D and 44E
4H extends substantially horizontally toward the rear of the vehicle body.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flanges 44D and 44E of the reinforcing member 44 are welded to the upper surface of the extending portion 40C of the front fender 40 to form a closed cross-section portion 46 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. .

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
6 extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, and the cross-sectional area increases from the substantially central portion in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body toward the rear along the rear portion of the fender arch 42. Further, the rear end portion 44F of the reinforcing member 44 reaches a position facing the front wall portion 28A of the front pillar 28.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In the vehicle front body structure of the second embodiment, at the time of a head-on collision, a part of the load input to the front portion of the front body 10 is transmitted to the front pillar 28 via the closed cross section 46. Therefore, a portion of the input load at the time of a head-on collision will be partially closed.
The burden on the upper member 14 and the front side member 37 is reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to reinforce the upper member 14 and the front side member 37, and the energy absorption efficiency in the front body 10 can be improved without significantly increasing the vehicle body weight.

Also, in the second embodiment, the closed cross section 46
However, since the cross-sectional area increases from the substantially central portion in the vehicle front-rear direction toward the rear, when a load is applied from the front of the vehicle, the closed cross-section portion 46 is sequentially crushed from the front. Therefore, the energy at the time of a head-on collision can be more efficiently absorbed.

[0038]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the front body structure for an automobile according to the present invention is provided with a strength improving member integrally formed at the lower end edge of the front fender toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Has a closed cross section or a partially open cross section and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, with at least a portion of the rear end reaching a position facing the front wall portion of the front pillar. It has an excellent effect that the efficiency of absorbing the energy of the front body can be improved without increasing significantly.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a front body structure for an automobile according to a second aspect of the present invention. A front fender that is bent inward to form an extended portion, and a reinforcing member that is disposed above the extended portion along the vehicle body front-rear direction and that forms a closed cross-section portion that extends in the vehicle body front-rear direction. Since the closed cross-section has a cross-sectional area that increases toward the rear and at least part of the rear end reaches the position facing the front wall of the front pillar, It has an excellent effect that the energy absorption efficiency of the front body can be improved without a large increase.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front body structure of an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention as seen from an obliquely front outside of a vehicle body.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a front body structure of an automobile according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the diagonally front outside of the vehicle body.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a front body structure of an automobile according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the diagonally front outside of the vehicle body.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a front body structure of an automobile according to a second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the diagonally front outside of the vehicle body.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a front body structure of an automobile according to a conventional example, as seen from the diagonally front outside of the vehicle body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Front Body 12 Front Fender 20 Bulging Part (Strength Improving Member) 22 Panel 24 Closed Cross Section 28 Front Pillar 28A Front Wall 40 Front Fender 40C Extension 42 Fender Arch 44 Reinforcement Member (Reinforcement) 46 Closed Cross Section

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A strength improving member integrally formed toward a vehicle width direction inner side at a lower end edge of a front fender, the strength improving member having a closed cross section or a partially open cross section, A front body structure for an automobile, wherein the front body structure extends in the front-rear direction and at least a part of a rear end reaches a position facing a front wall of a front pillar. 2. A front body in which a side surface portion of a vehicle body behind a fender arch is integrally formed, and a lower end edge portion from a front portion of a front body to a lower portion of a rear end of the fender arch is bent toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction to extend. A reinforcing member that is disposed above the extending portion along the vehicle body front-rear direction and that forms a closed cross-section portion that extends in the vehicle body front-rear direction with the extending portion;
The closed cross-section has a cross-sectional area that increases toward the rear, and at least a part of the rear end of the closed cross-section reaches a position facing the front wall of the front pillar. Construction.