U.S. patent application number 13/796390 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-18 for vehicle frame structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Brian E. Dressel, Patrick J. Ellison, Brandon D. Koester, Takashi Nakano, Kishore K. Pydimarry, Patrick M. Shafer.
Application Number | 20140265450 13/796390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51399868 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140265450 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shafer; Patrick M. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2014 |
VEHICLE FRAME STRUCTURE
Abstract
A vehicle body structure includes a floor connected to a main
frame assembly. The main frame assembly includes first and second
side rails and interconnecting cross-members. A front frame
structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure
is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame structure
includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally
extending member. Each of the first and second diagonal members
includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly
and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member. The
rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral
member is connected to the first and second side rails. The front
frame structure transfers an impact load caused by a narrow offset
frontal collision from the first side rail to the second side rail
by transferring the load through the front frame structure.
Inventors: |
Shafer; Patrick M.;
(Hilliard, OH) ; Dressel; Brian E.; (Columbus,
OH) ; Nakano; Takashi; (Columbus, OH) ;
Pydimarry; Kishore K.; (Dublin, OH) ; Koester;
Brandon D.; (Marysville, OH) ; Ellison; Patrick
J.; (Dublin, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51399868 |
Appl. No.: |
13/796390 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/193.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 25/20 20130101;
B62D 25/2036 20130101; B62D 25/2018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/193.07 |
International
Class: |
B62D 21/00 20060101
B62D021/00 |
Claims
1. A vehicle body structure comprising: a floor connected to a main
frame assembly, the main frame assembly includes first and second
side rails which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle
body structure and a plurality of spaced cross-members
interconnecting the first and second side rails; and a front frame
structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure
and connected to the main frame assembly, the front frame structure
includes first and second diagonal members and a laterally
extending member, each of the first and second diagonal members
includes a forward end portion connected to the main frame assembly
and a rearward end portion connected to the lateral member, the
rearward end portions converge toward one another and the lateral
member has end portions connected to the first and second side
rails, wherein the front frame structure is configured to transfer
an impact load to the vehicle body structure caused by a narrow
offset frontal collision from the first side rail to the second
side rail by transferring the load through the diagonal member
extending toward the first side rail, through the lateral member
and toward the second side rail.
2. The vehicle body structure of claim 1, wherein the vehicle body
structure further includes a front subframe connected to the main
frame assembly and located adjacent to the first and seconds
diagonal members of the front frame structure, the front subframe
separated from the front frame structure by one of the
cross-members.
3. The vehicle body structure of claim 2, wherein the front
subframe includes: first and second longitudinal members which
extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure; a
front cross-member extending in a transverse direction of the
vehicle body structure between front ends of the first and second
longitudinal members; a rear cross-member extending in the
transverse direction of the vehicle body structure extend between
rear ends of the first and second longitudinal members; and an
engagement member provided at each front end of the first and
second longitudinal members, wherein each engagement member is
adapted to be engaged by an associated object during the narrow
offset frontal collision and direct the impact load into the front
subframe.
4. The vehicle body structure of claim 1, wherein the floor
includes a well defined by an opening in the floor, the front frame
structure is positioned adjacent to and forward of the well.
5. The vehicle body structure of claim 4, wherein the well is
flanked by one of the cross-members and the lateral member of the
front frame structure, the impact load is transferred away from the
well.
6. The vehicle body structure of claim 1, wherein each of the first
and second diagonal members of the front frame structure includes a
forward member and a separate rearward member connected to the
forward member.
7. The vehicle body structure of claim 6, wherein the forward
member is formed of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength
equal to or greater than 590 MPa and the rearward member is formed
of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength equal to or greater
than 980 MPa.
8. The vehicle body structure of claim 7, wherein the lateral
member of the front frame structure is formed of high-tensile steel
having a tensile strength equal to or greater than 980 MPa.
9. The vehicle body structure of claim 6, further including a
stiffening member secured to each of the first and second side
rails, each stiffening member is laterally aligned with the lateral
member of the front frame structure.
10. The vehicle body structure of claim 6, wherein the rearward
members of the first and second diagonal members are integrally
formed to define a one-piece rearward member.
11. The vehicle body structure of claim 6, wherein each of the
forward members is connected to one of the cross-members and each
of the rearward members is connected to a central portion of the
lateral member.
12. The vehicle body structure of claim 1, wherein the front frame
structure is substantially K-shaped.
13. A vehicle body structure comprising: a floor connected to a
main frame assembly, the main frame assembly includes first and
second side rails which extend in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle body structure and a plurality of spaced cross-members
interconnecting the first and second side rails; a front subframe
connected to the main frame assembly; and a front frame structure
located rearward of the front subframe and connected to the main
frame assembly, the front frame structure includes first and second
diagonal members and a laterally extending member connected to each
of the first and second diagonal members, the first and second
diagonal members extend from a central portion of the lateral
member forward and outward toward the first and second side rails,
forward end portions of the first and second diagonal members are
spaced inwardly of the first and second side rails; wherein the
front frame structure is configured to transfer an impact load to
the vehicle body structure caused by a narrow offset frontal
collision from one of the first side rail and second side rail
toward the other of the first side rail and second side rail via
the diagonal member extending toward the narrow offset frontal
collision and the lateral member.
14. The vehicle body structure of claim 13, wherein the front
subframe is separated from the front frame structure by one of the
cross-members, the front subframe includes an engagement member as
part of the front subframe provided at front ends of the front
subframe, wherein each engagement member is adapted to be engaged
by an associated object during the narrow offset frontal collision
and direct the impact load into the front subframe.
15. The vehicle body structure of claim 13, wherein the floor
includes a well, the front frame structure is positioned adjacent
to and forward of the well, and the well is flanked by one of the
cross-members and the lateral member of the front frame
structure.
16. The vehicle body structure of claim 13, wherein each of the
first and second diagonal members of the front frame structure
includes a forward member and a separate rearward member connected
to the forward member, the forward member is connected to one of
the cross-members and the rearward member is connected to the
lateral member.
17. The vehicle body structure of claim 16, wherein the rearward
members of the first and second diagonal members are integrally
formed to define a one-piece rearward member.
18. The vehicle body structure of claim 13, further including a
stiffening member secured to each of the first and second side
rails, each stiffening member is laterally aligned with the lateral
member of the front frame structure.
19. A vehicle body structure comprising: a floor connected to a
main frame assembly, the main frame assembly includes first and
second side rails which extend in a longitudinal direction of the
vehicle body structure and a plurality of spaced cross-members
interconnecting the first and second side rails; a front subframe
connected to the main frame assembly; and a front frame structure
located rearward of the front subframe and connected to the main
frame assembly, the front frame structure includes first and second
diagonal members and a laterally extending member connected to each
of the first and second diagonal members, the first and second
diagonal members extend from a central portion of the lateral
member toward the first and second side rails, wherein each of the
first and second diagonal members includes a forward member and a
separate rearward member connected to the forward member, the
forward member is connected to one of the cross-members and the
rearward member is connected to the lateral member; wherein the
front frame structure is configured to transfer an impact load to
the vehicle body structure caused by a narrow offset frontal
collision from one of the first side rail and second side rail
toward the other of the first side rail and second side rail via
the diagonal member extending toward the narrow offset frontal
collision and the lateral member.
20. The vehicle body structure of claim 19, wherein the floor
includes a well, the front frame structure is positioned adjacent
to and forward of the well, and the well is flanked by one of the
cross-members and the lateral member of the front frame structure.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Current standard frontal crash tests include full frontal or
moderate overlap frontal (e.g., 40% offset). Frontal impacts with
less than 40% offset and corner impacts have previously received
little attention. The small overlap or narrow offset frontal crash
test (e.g., 25% offset) is a newly emerging crash requirement
associated with frontal impacts with less than 40% offset and
corner impacts. The test is designed to replicate what happens when
the front corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or an
object like a tree or utility pole.
[0002] Most vehicles have safety cages that encapsulate the
occupant compartment and are built to withstand head-on collisions
and moderate overlap frontal crashes with little deformation. At
the same time, crush zones help manage crash energy to reduce
forces on the occupant compartment. The main crush-zone structures
are typically concentrated in the middle 50% percent of the front
end. When a crash involves these structures, the occupant
compartment is protected from intrusion, and front airbags and
safety belts restrain and protect occupants. The small overlap
frontal crashes primarily affect a vehicle's outer edges, which
generally are not well protected by the crush-zone structures. As
such, crash forces can go directly into the front wheel, suspension
system and firewall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] In accordance with one aspect, a vehicle body structure
comprises a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main
frame assembly includes first and second side rails which extend in
a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure and a
plurality of spaced cross-members interconnecting the first and
second side rails. A front frame structure located near a forward
part of the vehicle body structure is connected to the main frame
assembly. The front frame structure includes first and second
diagonal members and a laterally extending member. Each of the
first and second diagonal members includes a forward end portion
connected to the main frame assembly and a rearward end portion
connected to the lateral member. The rearward end portions converge
toward one another and the lateral member has end portions
connected to the first and second side rails. The front frame
structure is configured to transfer an impact load to the vehicle
body structure caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from the
first side rail to the second side rail by transferring the load
through the diagonal member extending toward the first side rail,
through the lateral member and toward the second side rail.
[0004] In accordance with another aspect, a vehicle body structure
comprises a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The main
frame assembly includes first and second side rails which extend in
a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure and a
plurality of spaced cross-members interconnecting the first and
second side rails. A front subframe is connected to the main frame
assembly. A front frame structure located rearward of the front
subframe is connected to the main frame assembly. The front frame
structure includes first and second diagonal members and a
laterally extending member connected to each of the first and
second diagonal members. The first and second diagonal members
extend from a central portion of the lateral member forward and
outward toward the first and second side rails. Forward end
portions of the first and second diagonal members are spaced
inwardly of the first and second side rails. The front frame
structure is configured to transfer an impact load to the vehicle
body structure caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from one
of the first side rail and second side rail toward the other of the
first side rail and second side rail via the diagonal member
extending toward the narrow offset frontal collision and the
lateral member.
[0005] In accordance with yet another aspect, a vehicle body
structure comprises a floor connected to a main frame assembly. The
main frame assembly includes first and second side rails which
extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body structure
and a plurality of spaced cross-members interconnecting the first
and second side rails. A front subframe is connected to the main
frame assembly. A front frame structure located rearward of the
front subframe is connected to the main frame assembly. The front
frame structure includes first and second diagonal members and a
laterally extending member connected to each of the first and
second diagonal members. The first and second diagonal members
extend from a central portion of the lateral member toward the
first and second side rails. Each of the first and second diagonal
members includes a forward member and a separate rearward member
connected to the forward member. The forward member is connected to
one of the cross-members and the rearward member is connected to
the lateral member. The front frame structure is configured to
transfer an impact load to the vehicle body structure caused by a
narrow offset frontal collision from one of the first side rail and
second side rail toward the other of the first side rail and second
side rail via the diagonal member extending toward the narrow
offset frontal collision and the lateral member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a known vehicle body structure
including a floor connected to a main frame assembly.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a vehicle body structure according
to the present disclosure, the vehicle body structure including a
floor connected to a main frame assembly, and an exemplary front
frame structure located near a forward part of the vehicle body
structure.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of a vehicle including the vehicle
body structure of FIG. 2, FIG. 3 showing a load path caused by a
narrow offset frontal collision.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 3 showing the
load path caused by a narrow offset frontal collision.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front frame structure of FIG. 2
according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a portion of the vehicle body
structure illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the front frame structure of FIG. 2
according to another aspect of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] It should be understood that the description and drawings
herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and
changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing
from the present disclosure. In general, the figures of the
exemplary vehicle frame structure are not to scale. As used herein,
lateral directions are transverse across the vehicle, i.e., left
and right directions. Likewise, longitudinal directions refer to
forward and rearward directions of vehicle travel, and the vertical
directions relate to elevation, i.e., upward and downward
directions. It will also be appreciated that the various identified
components of the exemplary vehicle frame structure disclosed
herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer
to another and should not be deemed to limit the present
disclosure.
[0014] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer
to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a
known floor structure 100 for a vehicle. The floor structure 100
includes a floor 102 connected to a main frame assembly 104. As is
known in the art, the main frame assembly 104 includes first and
second longitudinal members or rails 110, 112 with lateral
cross-members 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124 that span between and
interconnect the longitudinal members 110, 112. In the depicted
minivan platform, the area under and behind the front row of seats
includes a well 130. The well is defined by an opening provided in
the floor 102 to allow access to the well and a cover 134 for
covering the opening. The cover 134 is mounted to at least one of
the floor 102 and the cross-members 120, 122. The opening provided
in the vehicle floor 102 can reduce the floor's ability to act as a
complete shear panel during a crash event. In small overlap (25%)
frontal impacts, a large amount of total energy can strike the
A-pillar (not shown) directly without engaging the vehicle's
primary frontal crash structure (not shown). The loading is highly
asymmetric, can cause buckling (i.e., matchboxing) of the floor
structure 100.
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary vehicle floor structure 200
according to the present disclosure. The exemplary vehicle frame
structure 200 will also be described for use with a minivan
platform (see FIGS. 3 and 4), though this is merely illustrative
and it is to be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
vehicle frame structure could easily be adapted to other vehicle
platforms, such as sport utility vehicles, vans, cars, crossovers,
etc. Similar to floor structure 100, vehicle floor structure 200
includes a floor 202 connected to a main frame assembly 204. The
main frame assembly 204 includes first and second longitudinal
members or rails 210, 212 with lateral cross-members 214, 216, 218,
220, 222 that span between and interconnect the longitudinal
members 210, 212. Each of the first and second rails 210, 212 has a
common cross-sectional profile that remains constant along at least
a longitudinal portion thereof, and in the present disclosure, each
of the first and second rails is formed in a channel or a U
sectional shape. The lateral cross-members are shaped similar to
the first and second side rails 210, 212. In the depicted minivan
platform, the area under and behind the front row of seats includes
a well 230. The well is defined by an opening provided in the floor
202 to allow access to the well and a cover 234 for covering the
opening. The cover 234 is mounted to at least one of the floor 202
and one of the cross-members.
[0016] The exemplary vehicle frame structure 200 further includes a
front subframe 240 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and a front frame structure
250, each being connected to the main frame assembly 204. As is
well known, the front subframe 240 is suspended from front portions
of first and second side rails 210, 212 via left front and rear and
right front and rear vibration preventive elastic of respective
front and rear bushing mounts 252, 254. As shown, the front
subframe 240 includes left and right longitudinal members 260, 262
which extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. A
front cross-member 264 extends in a transverse direction of the
vehicle body so as to extend between front ends of these
longitudinal members 260, 262. As shown, the front cross-member 264
is located rearward of respective engagement members 268, 270
provided on the left and right longitudinal members 260, 262. A
rear cross-member 272 extends in the transverse direction of the
vehicle body so as to extend between rear ends of the left and
right longitudinal members 260, 262.
[0017] The engagement members 268, 270 as part of the front
subframe 240 are adapted for a narrow offset crash, and internal
reinforcement(s) can be added to the front subframe to increase
subframe load carrying capacity. The engagement members 268, 270 of
the front subframe 240 are located on the front ends of the left
and right longitudinal members 260, 262, and extend laterally
outwardly from the front ends of the left and right longitudinal
members forward of the front cross-member 264. As shown in FIG. 4,
with the construction of the front subframe 240, during a narrow
offset frontal collision, one of the engagement members 268, 270 of
the front subframe engages a barrier, and this engagement allows
crash forces to be directed into the front subframe 240 and the
front frame structure 250.
[0018] With reference again to FIG. 2, the front frame structure
250 is located near a forward part of the vehicle body structure
200 and rearward of the front subframe 240. The front frame
structure 250 includes first and second diagonal members 280, 282
and a laterally extending member 284. Each of the first and second
diagonal members 280, 282 and laterally extending member 284 has a
common cross-sectional profile that remains constant along at least
a longitudinal portion thereof. In the present disclosure, each
first and second diagonal members and lateral member is formed in a
channel or a U sectional shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the front
subframe 240 is located adjacent the first and second diagonal
members 280, 282 and is separated from the front frame structure
250 by cross-member 222. Each of the first and second diagonal
members 280, 282 includes a respective forward end portion 286, 288
connected to the main frame assembly 204 and a respective rearward
end portion 290, 292 connected to the lateral member 284. The
rearward end portions 290, 292 converge toward one another. The
lateral member 284 has respective end portions 296, 298 connected
to the first and second side rails 210, 212. With the depicted
layout of the first and second diagonal members 280, 282 and
lateral member 284, the front frame structure 250 is substantially
K-shaped. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front frame structure 250
is configured to transfer an impact load to the vehicle body
structure 200 caused by a narrow offset frontal collision from one
of the first and second side rails (the second side rail 212 in
FIG. 4) to the other of the first and second side rails (the first
side rail 210 of FIG. 4) by transferring the load through the
diagonal member extending toward the one side rail (i.e., diagonal
member 282), through the lateral member 284 and toward the other
side rail. Further, the front frame structure 250 is positioned
adjacent to and forward of the well 230. With this layout, the well
230 is flanked by one of the cross-members (i.e., cross-member 220)
and the lateral member 284 of the front frame structure 250, which
transfers the impact load is away from the well 230.
[0019] As indicated above, the first and second diagonal members
280, 282 extend from a central portion of the lateral member 284
toward the first and second side rails 210, 212. The forward end
portions 286, 288 of the first and second diagonal members 280, 282
are spaced inwardly of the first and second side rails 210, 212.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, and as depicted
in FIG. 2, the first and second diagonal members 280, 282 are
unitary members. According to another aspect, and as shown in FIG.
5, each of the first and second diagonal members 280, 282 of the
front frame structure 250 includes a respective forward member 310,
312 and a separate respective rearward member 316, 318 connected to
the forward member. In the depicted embodiment, each forward member
310, 312 has a length smaller than a length of each rearward member
316, 318. The forward members are connected to the cross-member
222, which as indicated above separates the front subframe 240 from
the front frame structure 250. The rearward members 314, 316
converge toward one another and are connected to a central portion
320 of the lateral member 284. As shown in FIG. 6, the front frame
structure 250 further includes a stiffening member secured to each
of the first and second side rails 210, 212 (only stiffening member
322 secured to side rail 210 is depicted). Each stiffening member
is laterally aligned with the lateral member 284 of the front frame
structure 250 and is secured to an underside of each first and
second side rail 210, 212. Each stiffening member can include at
least one strengthening rib 324 which is aligned with the lateral
member 284 (and extends substantially normal to each first and
second side rail).
[0020] The components of the front frame structure 250 are formed
of high-tensile, cold rolled steel. Each forward member 310, 312
can be formed of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength equal
to or greater than 590 MPa, and more specifically a zinc-plated
steel such as JAC590R which has a tensile strength equal to or
greater than 590 MPa. Each rearward member 316, 318 can be formed
of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength equal to or greater
than 980 MPa, and more specifically a zinc-plated steel such as
JAC980YL which has a tensile strength equal to or greater than 980
MPa. The lateral member 284 can also be formed of high-tensile
steel having a tensile strength equal to or greater than 980 MPa,
such as JAC980YL. This is in contrast to the cross-member 122 which
is formed of high-tensile steel such as JAC590R. As indicated above
cross-member 122 is replaced by the lateral member 284. Finally,
each stiffening member 322 can be formed of high-tensile steel
having a tensile strength equal to or greater than 590 MPa, such as
JAC590R. As is well known in the art, JAC590R and JAC980YL are
high-performance high-tensile steels defined according to the Japan
Iron and Steel Federation Standard. In this way, the instant
embodiment can achieve an increased rigidity of the vehicle body
and an increased strength against a narrow offset collision.
[0021] According to yet another aspect, and as depicted in FIG. 7,
each of the first and second diagonal members 280, 282 of the front
frame structure 250 includes a respective forward member 330, 332
and a separate respective rearward member 336, 338 connected to the
forward member. In the depicted embodiment, each forward member
330, 332 is connected to the cross-member 222. The rearward members
334, 336 converge toward one another and are connected to the
central portion 320 of the lateral member 284. The rearward members
336, 338 of the first and second diagonal members 280, 282 are
integrally formed to define a one-piece rearward member, and this
unitary rearward member can have a substantially K-shape. Similar
to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, each forward member 330,
332 can be formed of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength
equal to or greater than 590 MPa, such as JAC590R. The unitary
rearward member 336, 338 and the lateral member 284 can be formed
of high-tensile steel having a tensile strength equal to or greater
than 980 MPa, such as JAC980YL.
[0022] As is evident from the foregoing, as a countermeasure to the
overlap frontal impact, the exemplary front frame structure 250 is
provided at a location forward of the well 230. The front frame
structure 250 includes the diagonal frame members 280, 282 and the
lateral member 284, with the diagonal members interconnecting the
cross-member 222 and the lateral member 284. In each of the
embodiments of the front frame structure 250, each of the diagonal
members 280, 282 directs a portion of the crash load from the front
subframe 240 to the lateral member 284, transferring crash energy
to the unstruck side of the vehicle. Additionally, the diagonal
members 280, 282 stabilize the forward portion of the floor 202,
preventing floor buckling during a small overlap impact. Thus, the
exemplary front frame structure 250 stiffens the forward portion of
the floor 202 and reduces the matchboxing effect. Further, because
the diagonal members 280, 282 of the front frame structure direct a
portion of the crash load to the unstruck side of the vehicle, the
front frame structure 250 serves as a load transfer path and floor
stabilizer.
[0023] It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed
and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be
desirably combined into many other different systems or
applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
* * * * *