JPH11180350A - Automobile fender structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an energy absorption effect on a load downwardly acting on a fender panel. SOLUTION: A vertical wall part 32C formed from the lower wall part at its outside end in the vehicular width direction of a fender inner panel 32 disposed on a fender panel 14 to the upper part of a vehicle is spaced apart by the given distance L from the outside in the vehicular width direction of the outside wall part 26A in the vehicular width direction of an apron member upper 26 constituting an apron member. Downwardly acting load deforms the lower wall part at its outside part 32B only in the vehicular width direction of the fender inner panel 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle fender structure, and more particularly to a vehicle fender structure having a fender attached to an upper member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an example of a fender structure of an automobile in which a fender is attached to an upper member is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-291147.

As shown in FIG. 22, in the fender structure of this automobile, a front apron side panel 100 is provided.
An apron member 102 is fixed to the upper inner surface of the fender to form a fender apron 106 having an upper portion 104 having a closed cross section, and an upper portion 1 of the fender apron 106
The upper surface constituted by the apron member 102 in 04 is the rising portion (vertical wall portion) 1 of the fender panel 108.
08A is formed as a first fender mounting surface 110 for joining and fixing the mounting flange 108B, and the upper end edge of the apron member 102 is connected to the first fender mounting surface 11
0, and bends to the outside of the vehicle.
Fender mounting surface 112. As a result, in the vehicle fender structure, parts can be shared even between vehicles having a difference in overall width and a relatively large difference in height of the hood panel 114 as shown by a solid line and a two-dot chain line in FIG. It has become.

[0004]

However, in this vehicle fender structure, the fender panel 1
For example, when the fender panel 108 and the hood panel 114 are mounted in a solid line state with respect to the load (arrow F in FIG. 22) acting on the 08 from above, the load is applied to the mounting flange 108B of the fender panel 108. And the bending rigidity of the second fender mounting surface 112. For this reason, the support rigidity of the fender panel 108 is increased, and the energy absorbing effect on the load acting on the fender panel 108 from above is reduced.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle fender structure capable of improving an energy absorbing effect against a load acting on a fender panel from above.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, in a vehicle fender structure in which a fender is mounted on an upper member, a vertical wall portion of the fender located above the upper member is separated from an upper surface of the upper member. It is characterized by:

Therefore, since the vertical wall portion of the fender located above the upper member is separated from the upper surface of the upper member, the load acting on the fender panel from above is reduced.
The vertical wall portion of the fender is easily deformed downward, and the vertical wall portion of the fender is unlikely to interfere with the upper surface of the upper member, and the deformation stroke is lengthened, so that the energy absorbing effect can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle fender structure according to the first aspect, the vertical wall portion is separated outward from the upper surface of the upper member in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, since the vertical wall portion of the fender located above the upper member is separated from the upper surface of the upper member outward in the vehicle width direction of the upper member, the load acting on the fender panel from above causes the vertical wall portion of the fender to move downward. It is easy to deform, and when the vertical wall of the fender is deformed downward, the vertical wall of the fender does not easily interfere with the upper surface of the upper member, and the deformation stroke of the fender becomes longer, so that the energy absorbing effect is improved. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle fender structure according to the first aspect, the vertical wall portion is separated from an upper surface of the upper member toward an upper side of the vehicle.

Therefore, since the vertical wall of the fender located above the upper member is separated from the upper surface of the upper member to the upper side of the vehicle, the vertical wall of the fender is easily deformed downward by a load acting on the fender panel from above. When the vertical wall portion of the fender is deformed downward, the vertical wall portion of the fender hardly interferes with the upper surface of the upper member, and the deformation stroke of the fender becomes longer, so that the energy absorbing effect can be improved.

[0012]

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

In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a vehicle forward direction, an arrow UP indicates a vehicle upward direction, and an arrow IN indicates a vehicle width inside direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the boundaries 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 of the vehicle body 10 extend in the vehicle longitudinal direction at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the front hood 18. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hood insulator 2 is provided on the lower surface side of the outer side of the hood panel 12 in the vehicle width direction.
0 is provided along the vehicle front-rear direction. The cross-sectional shape of the hood insulator 20 as viewed from the vehicle front-rear direction is a hat shape with the opening directed upward, and the inner flange 20A protruding inward in the vehicle width direction of the opening is provided on the lower surface 12A of the hood panel 12. Is welded to. Further, a hood panel 12 is formed on an outer flange 20B formed so as to protrude outward from the opening of the hood insulator 20 in the vehicle width direction.
The outer edge 12B in the vehicle width direction is fixed by hemming.

Hood panel 12 and fender panel 14
An apron member 24 is disposed below the boundary 16 along the vehicle front-rear direction.
Is composed of an apron member upper 26 constituting the upper part of the apron member 24 and an apron member lower 28 constituting the lower part of the apron member 24.

The apron member upper 26 has a U-shaped cross section with the opening directed downward, and the outer wall 2 in the vehicle width direction.
6A, a flange 26 extends outward in the vehicle width direction.
B is formed. On the other hand, the apron member lower 28 has an L-shaped cross section, and the upper end of the vertical wall 28A has
A flange 28B is formed outward in the vehicle width direction. Also, the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26
And the flange 28B of the apron member lower 28 are welded.

The lower wall 28C of the apron member lower 28 has a flange 28 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.
D is formed, and the flange 28D is welded to the lower edge 26D of the inner wall portion 26C in the vehicle width direction of the apron member upper 26.

Therefore, the apron member 24 forms a closed section 30 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction by the apron member upper 26 and the apron member lower 28.

The upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26
On the upper side, a vehicle width direction inner portion 32A of the lower wall of the fender inner panel 32 is fixed by fixing means such as a bolt or the like (not shown) or by welding or the like. The outer portion 32B projects outward from the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, the vertical wall portion 32 </ b> C formed upward from the vehicle width direction outer end of the lower wall portion of the fender inner panel 32 as the vertical wall portion of the fender.
Is the outer wall portion 26 of the apron member upper 26 in the vehicle width direction.
A is separated from A by a predetermined distance L outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26 is formed on the outer wall 3 of the lower wall of the fender inner panel 32 in the vehicle width direction.
It is separated by a predetermined distance M downward from 2B.

The vertical wall 32 of the fender inner panel 32
At the upper end of C, a flange 32C is formed toward the vehicle width direction outer edge 12B of the hood panel 12, and the vehicle width direction inner edge 14A of the fender panel 14 is formed on the flange 32C by hemming. Fixed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the normal state, the vehicle width direction inner portion 32A of the lower wall of the fender inner panel 32 is fixed on the upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26,
The fender panel 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, a boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 is positioned from substantially above to substantially below (arrow A in FIG. 1).
When a load is applied in the direction (direction), a portion near the boundary 16 of the hood panel 12 and a portion near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, the vertical wall portion 32C formed from the outer end of the lower wall portion of the fender inner panel 32 in the vehicle width direction to the vehicle upper direction is connected to the apron member upper. 26 is spaced a predetermined distance L outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the vehicle width direction outer wall portion 26A of the fender inner panel 32.
Only in the vehicle width direction outer portion 32B of the lower wall portion. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the vehicle width direction outer portion 32B of the lower wall portion of the fender inner panel 32
Is deformed downward with relatively low load, and this deformation causes
Absorb energy effectively.

In this embodiment, since the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26 is separated from the outer side portion 32B of the lower wall of the fender inner panel 32 by a predetermined distance M downward, the fender inner panel 32 When the vehicle width direction outer portion 32B of the lower wall portion is deformed downward,
Since it does not easily interfere with the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26 and the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 becomes longer, the energy absorption effect can be further improved.

Next, a second embodiment of the vehicle fender structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a vertical wall portion 14B is formed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14 toward the lower side of the vehicle. This vertical wall 14B
A flange 14C is formed at a lower end portion of the flange 14C toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and a vehicle width direction inside portion 14D of the flange 14C is formed on an upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 such as a bolt not shown. Is fixed by fixing means or welding or the like. The outer portion 14E of the flange 14C in the vehicle width direction is connected to the upper wall 2 of the apron member upper 26.
6E protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction.

The upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26
A stepped portion 36 that is recessed downward is formed at the outer corner in the vehicle width direction of the fender panel 14. The vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 has a vehicle width that is smaller than the vertical wall portion 36A that forms the stepped portion 36. A predetermined distance L is spaced outward in the direction. In addition, the lower wall portion 36B constituting the step portion 36 has a predetermined distance M downward from the vehicle width direction outer portion 14E of the flange 14C of the fender panel 14.
Separated.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, in a normal state, the fender panel 14
The inner side portion 14D of the flange 14C in the vehicle width direction is fixed on the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26, so that the fender panel 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 is located from substantially above to substantially below (arrow A in FIG. 3).
When a load is applied in the direction (direction), a portion near the boundary 16 of the hood panel 12 and a portion near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, a stepped portion 36 which is recessed downward is formed at an outer corner in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26, and this stepped portion is formed. Since the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is spaced apart from the vertical wall portion 36A of the fender panel 14 by a predetermined distance L outward in the vehicle width direction, a load from above is applied to the flange 14C of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction. It will be received only at the outer portion 14E. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the fender panel 14 is deformed downward with a relatively low load, and the deformation effectively absorbs energy.

In this embodiment, the lower wall portion 36B constituting the step portion 36 of the apron member upper 26 is formed by the outer portion 14 of the flange 14C of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle width direction.
E, a predetermined distance M downward, so that when the vehicle width direction outer portion 14E of the flange 14 of the fender panel 14 is deformed downward, the stepped portion 3 of the apron member upper 26 is formed.
6, and the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 becomes longer, so that the energy absorbing effect can be further improved.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the apron member 40 includes an apron member inner 42 that forms an inner portion of the apron member 40 in the vehicle width direction and an apron that forms an outer portion of the apron member 40 in the vehicle width direction. And a member outer 44.

The apron member outer 44 has an L-shaped cross section, and a flange 44B is formed at the upper end of the outer wall portion 44A in the vehicle width direction toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.
On the other hand, the apron member inner 42 has an L-shaped cross section, and the flange 44B of the apron member outer 44 is welded to the vehicle width direction outer portion 42B of the upper wall portion 42A.
Further, a flange 44D is formed at the vehicle width direction inner end of the lower wall portion 44C of the apron member outer 44 toward the vehicle lower side, and this flange 44D is formed on the inner wall portion of the apron member inner 42 in the vehicle width direction. 42C lower edge 42
D is welded. Therefore, the apron member 40
The apron member inner 42 and the apron member 40 form a closed section 30 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the front and rear ends 14F of the flange 14C of the fender panel 14 are fixed on the upper wall 42A of the apron member inner 42 by fixing means 46 such as bolts. As shown in FIG. 4, the front-rear direction intermediate portion 14 </ b> G of the flange 14 </ b> C of the fender panel 14 is separated from the upper wall portion 42 </ b> A of the apron member 42 by a predetermined distance M upward.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, in a normal state, the fender panel 14
The front and rear ends 14F of the flange 14C are fixed on the upper wall 42A of the apron member inner 42, so that the fender panel 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 is positioned from substantially above to substantially below (arrow A in FIG. 4).
When a load is applied in the direction (direction), the portion near the boundary 16 of the hood panel 12 and the portion near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, the middle portion 14G in the front-rear direction of the flange 14C of the fender panel 14 is separated from the upper wall portion 42A of the apron member 42 by a predetermined distance M upward. , The load from above, the flange 14C of the fender panel 14
In the front-back direction intermediate portion 14G only. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, the fender panel 14 is deformed downward with a relatively low load, and energy can be effectively absorbed by this deformation. Further, when the front-rear direction intermediate portion 14G of the flange 14C is deformed downward, it does not easily interfere with the upper wall portion 42A of the apron member inner 42, and the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 becomes longer, so that the energy absorbing effect is further improved. be able to.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the vehicle fender structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a chamfered portion 48 is formed at an outer corner in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26.
The lower end of 8 is separated from the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 by a predetermined distance M downward.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fender panel 1
Mounting brackets 50 are provided at both ends in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the fourth vertical wall portion 14B.

As shown in FIG.
Has an L-shaped cross section, and the upper end of the vertical wall 50A is welded to the lower end of the vertical wall 14B of the fender panel 14. A vehicle width direction inner side portion 50C of the lower wall portion 50B of the mounting bracket 50 is fixed on the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 by fixing means 52 such as bolts and nuts. Also, the lower wall portion 50B of the mounting bracket 50
Of the vehicle width direction outside portion 50D is apron member upper 26
Protrudes outward from the upper wall 26E in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, the lower wall 50 of the mounting bracket 50
B, outer portion 50D in the vehicle width direction, and apron member upper 2
A gap 54 is formed between the chamfered portion 48 of FIG.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, in a normal state, the fender panel 14
Since the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is fixed on the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 via the mounting brackets 50 mounted on both ends in the front-rear direction of the vertical wall portion 14B, the fender panel 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when a load acts on the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 from substantially upward to substantially downward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6), The portion near the boundary 16 of the twelve and the portion near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 and the chamfered portion 48 of the apron member upper 26 are vertically separated by a predetermined distance M. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the fender panel 14 is deformed downward with a relatively low load, and energy can be effectively absorbed by this deformation. Further, when the vertical wall portion 14B of the flange 14C is deformed downward, it does not easily interfere with the apron member inner 42, and the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 becomes longer, so that the energy absorbing effect can be further improved.

Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting bracket 50 is also provided at the fixing portions with the apron member upper 26 provided at both ends of the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Since a gap 54 is formed between the outer portion 50D of the lower wall 50B in the vehicle width direction and the chamfered portion 48 of the apron member upper 26,
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7, when the vehicle width direction outer portion 50D of the lower wall portion 50B of the mounting bracket 50 is deformed downward, the vehicle width direction outer portion 50D of the lower wall portion 50B and the apron member upper 26 are formed. Is difficult to interfere with the chamfered portion 48 of the first embodiment. As a result, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, the energy can be absorbed even in the fixing portion of the fender panel 14 to the apron member upper 26.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the vehicle fender structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, a mounting flange 56 made of a resin material such as ABS is fixed to the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 by a rivet 58. The mounting flange 56 has a vertical wall portion 56A fixed to the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14,
The lower wall 56B is the upper wall 26 of the apron member upper 26.
A fixing means 62 such as a bolt or a nut is fixed on a mounting seat portion 60 protruding from E.

As shown in FIG.
The connecting portion between the vertical wall portion 56A and the lower wall portion 56B has a step 6
4 is formed, the step portion 64 includes a horizontal wall portion 64A extending substantially horizontally from the lower end portion of the vertical wall portion 56A in the vehicle width inward direction,
And a vertical wall portion 64B extending substantially vertically upward from the vehicle width outside end of the lower wall portion 56B.

In the attachment portion of the attachment flange 56 with the rivet 58 and the fixing means 62, a thick portion 66 filled with resin is formed below the step portion 64, and the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26 is It is separated from the thick part 66 by a predetermined distance M downward.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 9, in a normal state, the fender panel 14
The vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is fixed on the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 via a mounting flange 56 mounted on the vertical wall portion 14B of
Since the thick portion 66 of the resin is formed below the step portion 64 in the mounting portion of the mounting flange 56, the fender panel 1
4 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when a load acts on the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 from substantially upward to substantially downward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10), the hood panel Twelve portions near the boundary 16 and portions near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of this embodiment, the mounting flange 56 is made of a resin material, and the connecting portion between the vertical wall portion 56A and the lower wall portion 56B of the mounting flange 56 has a step portion 64. Are formed. For this reason, the lateral wall portion 64A of the step portion 64 on which the load is concentrated is relatively easily broken, and energy can be effectively absorbed in the process of the breaking.

Since the thick portion 66 of the mounting flange 56 and the flange 26B of the apron member upper 26 are vertically separated by a predetermined distance M, the thick portion 66 of the mounting flange 56 and the flange of the apron member upper 26 are separated. 26B
And the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 becomes longer, so that the energy absorption effect can be further improved.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12, the deformation stroke S in the fender structure of the vehicle according to the present embodiment.
And the load F, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
Stroke S at which transverse wall 64A of step 64 starts to break
From 1, the load F sharply decreases, and after the stroke S <b> 2 at which the fracture is completed, the deformation load F <b> 0 of only the general portion of the fender 14 becomes substantially constant. As a result, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 12, when the deformation stroke exceeds S1, the deformation load can be reduced as compared with the distribution of the conventional structure in which the deformation load is not sufficiently reduced.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the vehicle fender structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

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

As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment,
At the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14, a flange 14H is formed inward in the vehicle width direction, and the mounting flange 14H protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26. It is fixed to the formed mounting seat 68 by fixing means 70 such as bolts and nuts.

As shown in FIG. 13, the length H of the vertical wall portion 14B and the width W of the flange 14H are small at portions other than the mounting portion of the fender panel 14. Further, a stepped portion 72 that is recessed downward is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the upper wall portion 26 </ b> E of the apron member upper 26. 14
Are separated by a predetermined distance L outward in the vehicle width direction. Further, the lower wall portion 72B constituting the step portion 72 is separated from the flange 14H of the fender panel 14 by a predetermined distance M downward.

The lower wall 20C of the hood insulator 20
A step 74 is formed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The step 74 is recessed upward, and the lateral wall 74A constituting the step 74 and the upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26 are separated by a predetermined distance N. I have. The weather strip 76 fixed to the upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26 is in contact with the lateral wall 74A of the step 72.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
In the normal state, the fender panel 1
4 at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14B, the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is connected to the apron member upper 26 via a flange 14H formed inward in the vehicle width direction.
Since it is fixed on the mounting seat portion 68 formed on the upper wall portion 26E, the fender panel 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, when a load acts on the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 from substantially upward to substantially downward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 15), Twelve portions near the boundary 16 and portions near the boundary 16 of the fender panel 14 are deformed downward.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 16, the relationship between the deformation stroke S and the load F in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment is shown by a chain line in FIG. Since the length H of the vertical wall portion 14B and the width W of the flange 14H are shorter at a portion other than the mounting portion of the fender panel 14 as compared with the conventional structure shown in FIG. The load can be reduced from F1 to F2.

The step 7 of the apron member upper 26
The flange 14H of the fender panel 14 is spaced apart from the second vertical wall 72A by a predetermined distance L outward in the vehicle width direction, and the lower wall 72B of the step portion 72 is located below the flange 14H of the fender panel 14. A predetermined distance M from the apron member upper 26 and the fender panel 1
4, the apron member upper 2 in the stroke S2 of the conventional structure shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG.
The load F3 caused by the interference between the fender panel 6 and the fender panel 14 can be eliminated. Further, the hood insulator 20
74A of the stepped portion 72 and the apron member upper 26
The upper wall portion 26E is separated from the upper wall portion 26E by a predetermined distance N, and the apron member upper 26 and the hood insulator 20 hardly interfere with each other. Load F4 due to interference between the hood insulator 20 and the hood insulator 20 can be eliminated.

Accordingly, the distribution of the deformation load in the fender structure of the vehicle according to the present embodiment (the portion indicated by the solid line in FIG. 16).
Can be reduced as compared with the distribution of the conventional structure (the portion indicated by the broken line in FIG. 16).

Next, a seventh embodiment of the vehicle fender structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 20, in this embodiment,
A front mounting portion 14J which protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction at the front of the fender panel 14 is fixed to the upper surface near the vehicle width direction outer end 82A of the radiator support member 82 by fastening means 80 such as bolts and nuts. I have. In addition,
In FIG. 20, reference numeral 82 indicates a suspension tower.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the present embodiment, the rear mounting portion 14K, which is formed to protrude inward in the vehicle width direction at the rear of the fender panel 14, is connected to the hood panel 14 by fastening means 84 such as bolts and nuts. Hinge bracket 8
6 is fixed to a mounting portion 86A formed at the rear portion.

As shown in FIG. 18, the mounting portion 86A of the hood panel hinge bracket 86 is formed at the upper end of the vertical wall portion 86B of the hood panel hinge 86 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. A flange 86C is formed at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 86B of the hood panel hinge 86 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The flange 86C is attached to the upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26 by bolts and nuts. And the like.

With the above-described fastening structure, in the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the suspension tower 82,
As shown in FIG. 17, a flange 14C formed inward in the vehicle width direction at the lower end of the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is provided with an upper wall portion 26E of the apron member upper 26.
A predetermined distance N from.

Further, by adopting the above-described fastening structure, in the present embodiment, in the front of the suspension tower 82, as shown in FIG. 19, the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is attached to the vehicle width of the apron member upper 26. A predetermined distance W is spaced inward in the vehicle width direction from the direction inner wall portion 26C.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. FIG.
In the normal state, the fender panel 1
4 is a radiator support member 82
And the rear mounting portion 14K of the fender panel 14 is fixed to the mounting portion 86A formed at the rear of the hood panel hinge bracket 86, so that the fender panel is fixed. 14 can be reliably supported.

On the other hand, when a load acts on the boundary 16 between the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 from substantially upward to substantially downward (in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 17), the portion near the boundary 16 of the hood panel 12 And fender panel 14
Is deformed downward in the vicinity of the boundary 16.

At this time, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the suspension tower 82,
As shown in FIG. 17, the flange 14C of the fender panel 14 is connected to the upper wall 26E of the apron member upper 26.
19, and at the front of the suspension tower 82, the vertical wall portion 14B of the fender panel 14 is positioned at a distance N from the vehicle width direction inner wall portion 26C of the apron member upper 26 as shown in FIG. A predetermined distance W is spaced inward in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the fender panel 14 is deformed downward with a relatively low load,
Vertical wall portion 14B and flange 14 of fender panel 14
C and the apron member upper 26 are unlikely to interfere with each other, and the deformation stroke of the fender panel 14 is increased, so that the energy absorbing effect can be improved.

Therefore, in the vehicle fender structure of the present embodiment, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the distribution of the deformation load can be reduced as compared with the conventional structure.

In the present embodiment, the front mounting portion 14J of the fender panel 14 is fixed to the upper surface near the vehicle width direction outer end portion 82A of the radiator support member 82, and the rear mounting portion 14K of the fender panel 14 is provided. Is fixed to the mounting portion 86A formed at the rear portion of the hood panel hinge bracket 86, so that the apron member 24 can be arranged at an arbitrary position with respect to the design of the fender panel 14 and the parting of the hood panel 12. In a vehicle type having many vehicle types, the apron member 24 can be easily shared. Also, in a vehicle in which the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 are arranged at a high position,
It becomes possible to keep the apron member 24 at the position of the apron member in a vehicle in which the hood panel 12 and the fender panel 14 are arranged at lower positions.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various other embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that

[0085]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a vehicle fender structure in which a fender is mounted on an upper member, the vertical wall portion of the fender located above the upper member is separated from the upper surface of the upper member, so that the fender panel acts from above. It has an excellent effect that the energy absorption effect can be improved with respect to the load to be applied.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle fender structure of the first aspect, since the vertical wall portion is separated outward from the upper surface of the upper member in the vehicle width direction, a load acting on the fender panel from above is prevented. Therefore, it has an excellent effect that the energy absorption effect can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle fender structure according to the first aspect, the vertical wall portion is separated from the upper surface of the upper member to the upper side of the vehicle. It has an excellent effect that the absorption effect can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle to which the fender structure of the automobile according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a fender structure of an automobile according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a fender structure of an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a fender structure of an automobile according to a third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from an obliquely inside front side of the vehicle.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 8;

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

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a fender structure of an automobile according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed obliquely inward from the front of the vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 11;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a part of a fender structure of an automobile according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention viewed from obliquely inward and forward of the vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing a relationship between a deformation load and a stroke in a vehicle fender structure according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a fender structure of an automobile according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a mounting portion of a fender structure of an automobile according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front of the vehicle.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a part of a fender structure of an automobile according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention viewed from obliquely inward and forward of the vehicle.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing a relationship between a deformation load and a stroke in a vehicle fender structure according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along lines 17-17 in FIG. 21;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line 18-18 in FIG. 21;

19 is a sectional view taken along line 19-19 in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a fender structure of an automobile according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing a fender structure of an automobile according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing a fender structure of an automobile according to a conventional embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Hood panel 14 Fender panel 14B Vertical wall of fender panel 16 Boundary between food panel and fender panel 20 Food insulator 24 Apron member 26 Apron member upper 28 Apron member lower 32 Fender inner panel 32C Vertical wall 36 Step section 40 Apron member 42 apron member inner 44 apron member outer 48 chamfer 50 mounting bracket 54 gap 56 mounting flange 64 step 66 thick wall 68 mounting seat 72 step 74 step 82 radiator support member 86 hood panel hinge bracket

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Katsumata 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuko Iwasa 1 Toyota Town Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Motor Corporation ( 72) Inventor Yuzo Konishi 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Toyota Motor Corporation (72) Inventor Yujiro Kaji 1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Toyota Motor Corporation

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A fender structure for a vehicle in which a fender is mounted on an upper member, wherein a vertical wall portion of the fender located above the upper member is separated from an upper surface of the upper member. 2. The vehicle fender structure according to claim 1, wherein said vertical wall portion is spaced apart from the upper surface of said upper member outward in the vehicle width direction. 3. The fender structure for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein said vertical wall portion is separated from an upper surface of said upper member toward a vehicle upper side.