U.S. patent application number 14/697993 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for vehicle front section structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Hironori KADOI, Ryoji MATSUMOTO.
Application Number | 20160318469 14/697993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57189340 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160318469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUMOTO; Ryoji ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
VEHICLE FRONT SECTION STRUCTURE
Abstract
An extension portion extending out toward the vehicle width
direction outer side is provided at a rear face of a vehicle width
direction outer side end portion of bumper reinforcement. A
projection portion projecting out toward the vehicle front side is
disposed at a front face of the extension portion, at a position
separated to the vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle
width direction outer side end portion of the bumper reinforcement.
A front end portion of a spacer, having a rear end portion joined
to the side face on the vehicle width direction outer side of a
front side member and extending out to the vehicle width direction
outer side of the front side member, is joined to a rear face of
the extension portion. Moreover, one end portion of an inner wall
of the extension portion is disposed at the vehicle front side of
an inside wall of the spacer, with the extension portion interposed
therebetween, and one end portion of an outer wall of the
projection portion is disposed at the vehicle front side of an
outside wall of the spacer, with the extension portion interposed
therebetween.
Inventors: |
MATSUMOTO; Ryoji;
(Okazaki-shi, JP) ; KADOI; Hironori; (Toyota-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Toyota-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Toyota-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
57189340 |
Appl. No.: |
14/697993 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 2019/247 20130101;
B60R 19/34 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 19/34 20060101
B60R019/34 |
Claims
1. A vehicle front section structure comprising: a pair of left and
right front side members extending along a vehicle front-rear
direction at both vehicle width direction sides of a power unit
installed in a vehicle front section; a bumper reinforcement
connecting together front end portions of the pair of left and
right front side members in a vehicle width direction; an extension
portion that extends further to a vehicle width direction outer
side from a rear face of a vehicle width direction outer side end
portion of the bumper reinforcement; a projection portion that is
disposed at a front face of the extension portion, at a position
separated to the vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle
width direction outer side end portion of the bumper reinforcement,
and that projects out toward a vehicle front side; and a spacer
that is joined at a rear end portion thereof, to a side face on the
vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member, that
extends out to the vehicle width direction outer side of the front
side member, and that has a front end portion of the spacer joined
to a rear face of the extension portion, wherein: the projection
portion includes an inner wall that has one end portion fixed to a
front face of the extension portion, and that extends out toward
the vehicle front side, an outer wall that is disposed at the
vehicle width direction outer side of the inner wall, that has one
end portion fixed to the front face of the extension portion, and
that extends out toward the vehicle front side, and a front wall
that connects another end portion of the inner wall to another end
portion of the outer wall, the spacer includes an inside wall
having at least a front portion disposed at an angle toward the
vehicle width direction outer side, such that the front portion is
positioned further to the vehicle width direction outer side than a
rear portion with respect to the side face on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the front side member, and an outside wall
that is disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the
inside wall, with at least a front portion of the outside wall
disposed at an angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side,
such that the front portion is positioned further to the vehicle
width direction outer side than a rear portion with respect to the
side face on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front
side member, and the one end portion of the inner wall is disposed
at the vehicle front side of the inside wall with the extension
portion interposed therebetween, and the one end portion of the
outer wall is disposed at the vehicle front side of the outside
wall with the extension portion interposed therebetween.
2. The vehicle front section structure of claim 1, wherein the
front wall extends along the vehicle width direction and a vehicle
up-down direction.
3. The vehicle front section structure of claim 1, wherein the
inner wall, the outer wall, and the front wall of the projection
portion are coupled together by a reinforcement member extending in
the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width
direction.
4. The vehicle front section structure of claim 1, wherein the
inner wall and the outer wall of the projection portion are each
provided with a reinforcement portion running in the vehicle
front-rear direction.
5. The vehicle front section structure of claim 1, wherein the
inner wall and the outer wall of the projection portion are each
provided with a weakened portion running in a vehicle up-down
direction.
6. The vehicle front section structure of claim 3, wherein: a
plurality of the reinforcement members are disposed at intervals in
a vehicle up-down direction; the spacer includes a plurality of
partitioning plates that are disposed between the inside wall and
the outside wall, that are joined to the inside wall and the
outside wall, and that are disposed at intervals in the vehicle
up-down direction; and the reinforcement members and the
partitioning plates are disposed at same respective heights as each
other in the vehicle up-down direction.
7. The vehicle front section structure of claim 6, wherein at least
one of the inside wall or the outside wall of the spacer is
configured as a separate component from the partitioning
plates.
8. The vehicle front section structure of claim 2, wherein the
inner wall, the outer wall, and the front wall of the projection
portion are coupled together by a reinforcement member extending in
the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width
direction.
9. The vehicle front section structure of claim 8, wherein: a
plurality of the reinforcement members are disposed at intervals in
the vehicle up-down direction; the spacer includes a plurality of
partitioning plates that are disposed between the inside wall and
the outside wall, that are joined to the inside wall and the
outside wall, and that are disposed at intervals in the vehicle
up-down direction; and the reinforcement members and the
partitioning plates are disposed at same respective heights as each
other in the vehicle up-down direction.
10. The vehicle front section structure of claim 9, wherein the
inside wall, the outside wall, and the partitioning plates of the
spacer are configured by separate components.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle front section
structure adapted for a frontal collision.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] There are various modes of frontal collision, including full
overlap collisions, offset collisions, and oblique collisions.
Recently, there are calls for countermeasures against more
demanding collision modes, such as small overlap collisions
(passing collisions) or similar collisions, in which another
vehicle or the like (referred to below as a "barrier") collides at
the vehicle width direction outer side of a front side member.
[0005] As an example of a small overlap collision countermeasure,
technology has been proposed in which a spacer is provided from a
rear face of a vehicle width direction end portion of front bumper
reinforcement toward a side face of a front side member (see, for
example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No.
2014-113894). According to this technology, in the event of a small
overlap collision, collision load input to the vehicle width
direction end portion of the front bumper reinforcement is
transmitted by the spacer to the side face of the front side
member. The front side member accordingly undergoes bending
deformation toward the vehicle width direction inside, and the bent
location contacts a side face of a power unit that is a section of
the vehicle where mass is concentrated. Lateral force (force due to
inertia) on the power unit is accordingly generated toward the
opposite side to the collision side, enabling the vehicle itself to
be moved toward the opposite side to the collision side, and moving
the vehicle away from a barrier.
[0006] Although the above technology is beneficial, further
improvement is desired with respect to small overlap collisions.
Specifically, in order for collision load to be effectively
transmitted from a barrier to a front side member through a spacer,
bumper reinforcement needs to make contact with the barrier at an
early stage. Moreover, improvement to the shape of a vehicle width
direction outer side end portion to the bumper reinforcement is
required in order for the collision load to be effectively
transmitted to the spacer after the bumper reinforcement has
contacted the barrier.
[0007] In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of
the present invention is to obtain a vehicle front section
structure enabling collision load to be swiftly and effectively
transmitted to a front side member in a small overlap collision,
and of increasing lateral force generated on a power unit.
SUMMARY
[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle front
section structure comprising: a pair of left and right front side
members extending along a vehicle front-rear direction at both
vehicle width direction sides of a power unit installed in a
vehicle front section; a bumper reinforcement connecting together
front end portions of the pair of left and right front side members
in a vehicle width direction; an extension portion that extends
further to a vehicle width direction outer side from a rear face of
a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of the bumper
reinforcement; a projection portion that is disposed at a front
face of the extension portion, at a position separated to the
vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle width direction
outer side end portion of the bumper reinforcement, and that
projects out toward a vehicle front side; and a spacer that is
joined at a rear end portion thereof, to a side face on the vehicle
width direction outer side of the front side member, that extends
out to the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side
member, and that has a front end portion of the spacer joined to a
rear face of the extension portion, wherein: the projection portion
includes an inner wall that has one end portion fixed to a front
face of the extension portion, and that extends out toward the
vehicle front side, an outer wall that is disposed at the vehicle
width direction outer side of the inner wall, that has one end
portion fixed to the front face of the extension portion, and that
extends out toward the vehicle front side, and a front wall that
connects another end portion of the inner wall to another end
portion of the outer wall, the spacer includes an inside wall
having at least a front portion disposed at an angle toward the
vehicle width direction outer side, such that the front portion is
positioned further to the vehicle width direction outer side than a
rear portion with respect to the side face on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the front side member, and an outside wall
that is disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the
inside wall, with at least a front portion of the outside wall
disposed at an angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side,
such that the front portion is positioned further to the vehicle
width direction outer side than a rear portion with respect to the
side face on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front
side member, and the one end portion of the inner wall is disposed
at the vehicle front side of the inside wall with the extension
portion interposed therebetween, and the one end portion of the
outer wall is disposed at the vehicle front side of the outside
wall with the extension portion interposed therebetween.
[0009] According to the vehicle front section structure of an
aspect of the present invention described above, the extension
portion is provided to the vehicle width direction outer side end
portion of the bumper reinforcement, and extends from the rear face
of the end portion further to the vehicle width direction outer
side. The projection portion, projecting out toward the vehicle
front side at a position separated to the vehicle width direction
outer side of the vehicle width direction outer side end portion of
the bumper reinforcement, is disposed at the front face of the
extension portion. The front end portion of the spacer that is
joined at the rear end portion to the side face on the vehicle
width direction outer side of the front side member, and that
extends out to the vehicle width direction outer side of the front
side member, is joined to the rear face of the extension portion.
The barrier accordingly contacts the projection portion promptly in
a small overlap collision. Collision load is accordingly input to
the projection portion from an early stage in the small overlap
collision. The collision load input to the projection portion is
transmitted through the extension portion to the spacer. The
collision load transmitted to the spacer is transmitted to the side
face on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side
member. The front side member accordingly undergoes bending
deformation toward the vehicle width direction inside, and the
location that has undergone bending deformation contacts the power
unit, generating lateral force (force due to inertia) on the power
unit toward the opposite side to the collision side.
[0010] Note that in the present invention, the projection portion
includes the inner wall that has one end portion fixed to the front
face of the extension portion, and that extends out toward the
vehicle front side, the outer wall that is disposed at the vehicle
width direction outer side of the inner wall, that has one end
portion fixed to the front face of the extension portion, and that
extends out toward the vehicle front side, and the front wall that
connects the other end portion of the inner wall to the other end
portion of the outer wall. The spacer includes the inside wall with
at least the front portion disposed at an angle toward the vehicle
width direction outer side, such that the front portion is
positioned further to the vehicle width direction outer side than
the rear portion with respect to the side face on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the front side member, and the outside wall
that is disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the
inside wall, with at least the front portion disposed at an angle
toward the vehicle width direction outer side, such that the front
portion is positioned further to the vehicle width direction outer
side than the rear portion with respect to the side face on the
vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member.
Moreover, the one end portion of the inner wall is disposed at the
vehicle front side of the inside wall with the extension portion
interposed therebetween, and the one end portion of the outer wall
is disposed at the vehicle front side of the outside wall with the
extension portion interposed therebetween.
[0011] Collision load input to the inner wall of the projection
portion is thus efficiently transmitted through the extension
portion to the inside wall of the spacer. Similarly, collision load
input to the outer wall of the projection portion is efficiently
transmitted through the extension portion to the outside wall of
the spacer. Adjusting the projection amount of the projection
portion enables the timing at which the front side member is made
to undergo bending deformation to be controlled. In addition, the
projection portion is disposed at a position separated to the
vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle width direction
outer side end portion of the bumper reinforcement, thereby
enabling a bending moment input to the front side member from the
spacer to be increased, and thus enabling the front side member to
be made to undergo stable bending deformation toward the vehicle
width direction inside. Moreover, since the projection portion is
present at the vehicle front side of the spacer, with the extension
portion interposed therebetween, when the spacer is squeezed
between the barrier and the power unit and generates load, a length
from the other end portion of the projection portion to the rear
end portion of the spacer, and a vehicle width direction length
(overlap amount) from the other end portion of the projection
portion to the rear end portion of the spacer, increase by an
amount corresponding to the projection amount of the projection
portion at the point in time when the front side member that has
undergone bending deformation contacts the power unit. The duration
for which lateral force is generated on the power unit is
accordingly lengthened, enabling a commensurate increase in lateral
force.
[0012] As described above, a vehicle front section structure
according to an aspect of the present invention enables collision
load to be swiftly and effectively transmitted to a front side
member in a small overlap collision, and enables lateral force
generated on a power unit to be increased.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an overall vehicle front section
structure of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
illustrating a state in an initial period during a small overlap
collision.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a front
side member has folded inward from the state illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view to explain an advantageous effect due
to providing a spacer extension portion.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions
of a vehicle front section structure according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from
above and outside.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions
of a vehicle front section structure according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from
above and outside.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions
of a vehicle front section structure according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, as viewed diagonally from
below and outside.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view cross-section illustrating a
fixing structure of a projection portion illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a plan view cross-section corresponding to FIG. 7,
illustrating a modified example of a fixing structure of the
projection portion illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0021] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a first
modified example of the shape and structure of the projection
portion illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
second modified example of the shape and structure of the
projection portion illustrated in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Detailed explanation follows regarding an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the
drawings. In the drawings, the arrow FR indicates a vehicle front
side, the arrow UP indicates the vehicle upper side, and the arrow
IN indicates the vehicle width direction inside, as
appropriate.
[0024] Peripheral Configuration
[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a power unit 12 is installed in a
vehicle front section 10. A pair of left and right front side
members 14 are installed extending along the vehicle front-rear
direction at both vehicle width direction sides of the power unit
12. Each front side member 14 is disposed with its length direction
along the vehicle front-rear direction. Each front side member 14
has a rectangular shaped cross-section profile. As an example, each
front side member 14 is configured with a closed cross-section
structure by joining together a pair of flanges of an inner panel
disposed on the vehicle width direction inside, and a pair of
flanges of an outer panel disposed on the vehicle width direction
outer side, by a joining method such as spot welding. Note that the
configuration of the front side members is not limited thereto, and
various structures may be employed.
[0026] Front end portions 14A of the pair of left and right front
side members 14 are coupled together by bumper reinforcement 18,
through spacers 16 that are joined to the front end portions 14A
and extension portions 30, described later. The bumper
reinforcement 18 is a high strength and high rigidity member
disposed with its length direction substantially along the vehicle
width direction, and is, for example, configured with a rectangular
shaped closed cross-section structure. Note that the configuration
of the bumper reinforcement 18 is not limited thereto, and various
structures may be employed.
[0027] In plan view of the bumper reinforcement 18, a vehicle width
direction intermediate portion of the bumper reinforcement 18 is
formed substantially in a straight line shape along the vehicle
width direction, while vehicle width direction outer side portions
20 of the bumper reinforcement 18 are formed with gently curved
profiles. End faces 20A1 of vehicle width direction outer side end
portions 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18 are disposed further to
the vehicle width direction outer side than vehicle width direction
outer side side faces 14B of the front side members 14. In FIG. 1,
a state in which a front face 20A2 of the vehicle width direction
outer side end portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18 has been
deformed by a corner portion 22A of a barrier 22 is illustrated by
solid lines, while its shape in a state prior to a collision is
illustrated by double-dotted intermittent lines.
[0028] The front side members 14 and the bumper reinforcement 18
described above configure respective framework members of a vehicle
body. Crash boxes that are compressed along the vehicle front-rear
direction so as to undergo plastic deformation and absorb collision
energy when input with collision load of a specific value or
greater through the bumper reinforcement 18, may also be installed
to the front end portions 14A of the front side members 14.
[0029] Configuration of Relevant Portions
[0030] Extension Portion 30
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plate shaped extension portion
30 is attached to a rear face 20A3 of each vehicle width direction
outer side end portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18 described
above. As illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, the extension portion 30
is configured by a substantially rectangular, flat plate shaped
plate body 30A, and a pair of short upper and lower flanges 30B
bent toward the vehicle front side at an upper edge portion and a
lower edge portion of the plate body 30A. The rigidity of the
extension portion 30 is raised due to providing the pair of upper
and lower flanges 30B.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a vehicle width direction inside
portion of the plate body 30A is fastened and fixed to the rear
face 20A3 of the end portion 20A of the vehicle width direction
outer side portion 20 of the bumper reinforcement 18, by a fixing
method such as a fixing bolt 32 and a weld nut, not illustrated in
the drawings. The extension portion 30 is thereby attached to the
rear face 20A3 of the vehicle width direction outer side end
portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18, and a vehicle width
direction outer side portion of the plate body 30A extends further
to the vehicle width direction outer side than an end face 20A1 of
the vehicle width direction outer side end portion 20A of the
bumper reinforcement 18. In other words, the plate shaped extension
portions 30 are provided due to limitations in the vehicle to
extending the vehicle width direction outer side end portions 20A
of the bumper reinforcement 18 out a long way beyond the side faces
14B on the vehicle width direction outer sides of the front side
members 14.
[0033] Projection Portion 34
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7, a block shaped
projection portion 34 is installed at a front face 30A1 of a
vehicle width direction outer side portion of the plate body 30A of
the extension portion 30 described above. The projection portion 34
is configured by a main body 36 that has a hat profile in plan
view, and plural reinforcement members 38 disposed inside the main
body 36.
[0035] The main body 36 is configured by an inner wall 36A and an
outer wall 36B, disposed facing each other along the vehicle width
direction, and a front wall 36C connecting together a front end
portion of the inner wall 36A and a front end portion of the outer
wall 36B along the vehicle width direction. The inner wall 36A and
the outer wall 36B extend substantially in the vehicle front-rear
direction.
[0036] A rear end portion of the inner wall 36A is bent toward the
vehicle width direction inside to configure an inside flange 36A1.
The inside flange 36A1 is joined (fixed) to the front face 30A1 of
the extension portion 30 by an arc weld 40 (see FIG. 7). A rear end
portion of the outer wall 36B is bent toward the vehicle width
direction outer side to configure an outside flange 36B1. The
outside flange 36B1 is joined (fixed) to the front face 30A1 of the
extension portion 30 by an arc weld 42 (see FIG. 7).
[0037] The inside flange 36A1 of the inner wall 36A corresponds to
"one end portion of an inner wall" of the present invention, and a
front end portion of the inner wall 36A (not allocated a reference
numeral) corresponds to "another end portion of the inner wall" of
the present invention. Similarly, the outside flange 36B1 of the
outer wall 36B corresponds to "one end portion of an outer wall" of
the present invention, and a front end portion of the outer wall
36B (not allocated a reference numeral) corresponds to "another end
portion of the outer wall" of the present invention.
[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front wall 36C extends along
the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. A
front face 36C1 of the front wall 36C is configured by a flat
face.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the plural reinforcement
members 38 are disposed inside the projection portion 34, at plural
tiers in the vehicle up-down direction. Each reinforcement member
38 is configured from a plate member with a substantially
trapezoidal shape in plan view, and outer peripheral portions
thereof are respectively joined to inside faces of the inner wall
36A, the outer wall 36B, and the front wall 36C by arc welding or
the like. The inner wall 36A, the outer wall 36B, and the front
wall 36C are accordingly coupled together by the reinforcement
members 38.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a projection height a of the
projection portion 34 mentioned above (the length from the front
face 30A1 of the plate body 30A of the extension portion 30 to the
front face 36C1 of the front wall 36C) is set with a specific
height. Specifically, the projection height a is set at a height at
which the front face 36C1 of the front wall 36C of the projection
portion 34 contacts a main flat face portion 22B of the barrier 22
when the corner portion 22A of the barrier 22 has slightly deformed
the front face 20A2 of the vehicle width direction outer side end
portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18. Note that the
projection height a does not necessarily have to match the contact
height, and may be somewhat higher, or somewhat lower, than the
contact height.
[0041] The projection portion 34 described above is disposed at a
position even further to the vehicle width direction outer side
than the vehicle width direction outer side end portion 20A of the
bumper reinforcement 18, so as to be separated therefrom. A
specific gap 44 is accordingly formed between the end face 20A1 of
the vehicle width direction outer side end portion 20A of the
bumper reinforcement 18 and the inner wall 36A of the projection
portion 34.
[0042] Spacer 50
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, an angular
tube shaped spacer 50 couples together a vehicle width direction
outer side portion of the plate body 30A of the extension portion
30 and a side wall 14C on the vehicle width direction outer side of
the front side member 14, along the vehicle front-rear
direction.
[0044] Structurally, the spacer 50 is configured from an inside
wall 52 and an outside wall 54 disposed facing each other along the
vehicle width direction, plural partitioning plates 56 coupling the
inside wall 52 and the outside wall 54 together along the vehicle
width direction, and a rear end wall 58 that is disposed at vehicle
rear side end portions of the partitioning plates 56 and that
couples together a rear end portion of the inside wall 52 and a
rear end portion of the outside wall 54 along the vehicle width
direction.
[0045] A front portion of the inside wall 52 is disposed at an
angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side such that the
front portion is positioned further to the vehicle width direction
outer side than a rear portion of the inside wall 52 with respect
to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of
the front side member 14. The outside wall 54 is disposed at the
vehicle width direction outer side of the inside wall 52. The
entire outside wall 54 is disposed at an angle toward the vehicle
width direction outer side such that a front portion of the outside
wall 54 is positioned further to the vehicle width direction outer
side than a rear portion with respect to the side face 14B on the
vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member 14.
[0046] More specifically, each of the partitioning plates 56 is
formed with a long, thin five-sided profile extending substantially
along the vehicle front-rear direction in plan view. The inside
wall 52 is disposed so as to follow two sides on the vehicle width
direction inside of each partitioning plate 56, and the outside
wall 54 is disposed so as to follow an oblique side that faces
these two sides along the vehicle width direction.
[0047] The inside wall 52 is configured by a first cover plate 60
disposed at a front portion side, and an upright wall 62A of a
second cover plate 62 that is disposed at a rear portion side and
has an angled shape in plan view. Namely, the inside wall 52 is
split into a front end side and a rear end side. Note that the
inside wall does not necessary have to be split, and may be
configured by a single cover plate. The cover plates are split in
order to reduce the vehicle weight, if only slightly, by
eliminating a plate at a connection location (bent portion) between
front portion and rear portion.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a front end portion of the first
cover plate 60 is bent toward the vehicle width direction inside to
configure an inside flange 52A (of the inside wall 52). The inside
flange 52A is joined (fixed) to a rear face 30A2 of the plate body
30A of the extension portion 30 by arc welding. The first cover
plate 60 is joined (fixed) to side faces at the inside of front
portions of the plural partitioning plates 56 by arc welding.
[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upright wall 62A of the second
cover plate 62 is overlaid with the side face 14B on the vehicle
width direction outer side of the front side member 14, and
fastened and fixed thereto by respective pairs of bolts 64 and weld
nuts 66, at the front and rear in plan view. Note that the spacer
50 may be attached to the side wall 14C on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the front side member 14 by welding instead
of bolt fastening. Note that side faces at the inside of rear
portions of the plural partitioning plates 56 are joined (fixed) to
a vehicle width direction outer side face of the upright wall 62A
of the second cover plate 62 by arc welding.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 7, a front end portion of the outside
wall 54 is bent toward the vehicle width direction outer side to
configure an outside flange 54A, and the outside flange 54A is
joined (fixed) to the rear face 30A2 of the plate body 30A of the
extension portion 30 by arc welding. The outside wall 54 is joined
(fixed) to side faces on the vehicle width direction outer side of
the plural partitioning plates 56 by arc welding.
[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, the rear end
wall 58 is formed in an L-shape in plan view. The rear end wall 58
is configured by part of a lateral wall 62B of the second cover
plate 62 mentioned above. A rear side portion of the inside wall 52
and the rear end wall 58 are accordingly configured by a single
member.
[0052] In the present exemplary embodiment, the inside wall 52, the
outside wall 54, and the partitioning plates 56 are all configured
by separate components; however there is no limitation thereto, and
the inside wall 52 and the outside wall 54 may be configured as a
separate component to the partitioning plates 56. Namely, the
inside wall 52, the rear end wall 58, and the outside wall 54 may
be configured by a single component formed substantially in a
U-shape open at a vehicle front side in plan view.
[0053] Next, explanation follows regarding a relationship between
the walls configuring the projection portion 34 described above,
and the walls configuring the spacer 50.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the inside flange 36A1 (one end
portion) of the inner wall 36A of the projection portion 34 is
disposed at the vehicle front side of the inside wall 52 of the
spacer 50, with the plate body 30A of the extension portion 30
interposed between them. The outside flange 36B1 (one end portion)
of the outer wall 36B of the projection portion 34 is disposed at
the vehicle front side of the outside wall 54, with the plate body
30A of the extension portion 30 disposed between them. Namely, the
inner wall 36A of the projection portion 34 is disposed
substantially along the extension direction of the inside wall 52
of the spacer 50. Similarly, the outer wall 36B of the projection
portion 34 is disposed substantially along the extension direction
of the outside wall 54 of the spacer 50.
[0055] The reinforcement members 38 inside the projection portion
34 and the partitioning plates 56 inside the spacer 50 are disposed
at the same heights as each other in the vehicle up-down direction.
Namely, the reinforcement members 38 and the partitioning plates 56
are disposed in the same respective planes as each other.
[0056] Spacer Extension Portion 70
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 1, and in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, a spacer
extension portion 70 that has a substantially isosceles triangle
shape in plan view is disposed on the vehicle width direction outer
side of the spacer 50 described above. The spacer extension portion
70 is configured by an extension wall 72, plural support walls 74,
and a reinforcement wall 76.
[0058] More specifically, the lateral wall 62B of the second cover
plate 62 mentioned above is disposed orthogonally to the side face
14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side
member 14. A portion of the lateral wall 62B is disposed along rear
edges of the partitioning plates 56 of the spacer 50, and
configures the rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50. The remainder of
the lateral wall 62B of the second cover plate 62 configures the
extension wall 72 of the spacer extension portion 70, and extends
the rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50 toward the vehicle width
direction outer side. In the present exemplary embodiment, the rear
end wall 58 of the spacer 50 and the extension wall 72 of the
spacer extension portion 70 are accordingly configured from the
same member. The rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50 and the
extension wall 72 of the spacer extension portion 70 may, however,
be configured by separate components. A length C of the extension
wall 72 along the vehicle width direction is set longer than a
length B of the front side member 14 along the vehicle width
direction.
[0059] The plural support walls 74 are disposed orthogonally to the
outside wall 54 (angled wall) of the spacer 50, and at the vehicle
width direction outer side thereof. The plural support walls 74 are
disposed parallel to an upper face 14D of the front side member 14.
An oblique edge on the vehicle width direction inside of each of
the support walls 74 is arc welded to a side face on the vehicle
width direction outer side of the outside wall 54 of the spacer 50.
Base edges of the respective support walls 74 are welded to a face
on the vehicle front side of the extension wall 72 of the lateral
wall 62B of the second cover plate 62. The support walls 74
accordingly couple the extension wall 72 to the outside wall 54 of
the spacer 50 in the vehicle front-rear direction. At the same
time, the extension wall 72 is supported by the outside wall 54,
the angled wall, through the support walls 74.
[0060] The present exemplary embodiment is set with the same number
(three) of the reinforcement members 38 of the projection portion
34 described above as the number of the partitioning plates 56 of
the spacer 50 and the number of the support walls 74 of the spacer
extension portion 70. Moreover, the reinforcement members 38, the
partitioning plates 56, and the support walls 74 are disposed at
the same heights as each other in the vehicle up-down direction.
Namely, the reinforcement members 38, the partitioning plates 56,
and the support walls 74 are disposed in the same planes as each
other. Note that the above is merely an example, and configuration
may be made with a single support wall 74, or with two, or four or
more, support walls 74.
[0061] In the present exemplary embodiment, the support walls 74
are formed in isosceles triangle shapes in plan view, such that the
length of the support walls 74 along the vehicle width direction
decreases on progression toward the vehicle front side. However,
there is no limitation thereto, and the support walls 74 may be
formed in right-angled triangle shapes, or may be formed in other
shapes.
[0062] A vehicle rear side face of the lateral wall 62B of the
second cover plate 62 is configured by a flat face. Namely, the
lateral wall 62B is not formed with height differences or
undulations in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the vehicle
rear side face of the lateral wall 62B is configured as a
continuous flat face along the vehicle width direction and the
vehicle up-down direction.
[0063] The reinforcement wall 76 disposed at the oblique edges on
the vehicle width direction outer side of the plural support walls
74, at the extension wall 72 side. The reinforcement wall 76
couples the plural support walls 74 together along the vehicle
up-down direction by being arc welded to the vehicle width
direction outer side oblique edges of the plural support walls
74.
[0064] Next, explanation follows regarding operation and
advantageous effects of the present exemplary embodiment.
[0065] Overall Operation and Advantageous Effects
[0066] Initial Period in Small Overlap Collision
[0067] In the vehicle front section structure according to the
present exemplary embodiment, each vehicle width direction outer
side end portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18 is provided
with the extension portion 30 extending further to the vehicle
width direction outer side than the rear face 20A3 of the end
portion 20A. At the front face of the extension portion 30, the
projection portion 34 is disposed projecting out toward the vehicle
front side at a position separated from the vehicle width direction
outer side end portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement 18 at the
vehicle width direction outer side. The front end portion of the
spacer 50 is joined to the rear face 30A2 of the plate body 30A of
the extension portion 30, the rear end portion of the spacer 50
being joined to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction
outer side of the front side member 14 and the spacer 50 extending
to the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side member
14. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in the event of a small
overlap collision, the barrier 22 quickly contacts the front wall
36C of the projection portion 34 in an initial period of a small
overlap collision. A collision load F is thus input to the
projection portion 34 from the point in time of the initial period
of the small overlap collision.
[0068] Initial Period Onward in Small Overlap Collision
[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the collision load F
is input to the projection portion 34, in a case in which d is the
distance from a center line P passing through the centroid of the
front side member 14 in plan view, to a vehicle front-rear
direction line Q passing through the input position of the
collision load F, then a bending moment M(=F.times.d) acts on the
side face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the
front side member 14, through the projection portion 34 and the
spacer 50. As a result, the front side member 14 undergoes bending
deformation toward the vehicle width direction inside (for
convenience referred to as "inward folding" below). A location 78
that has undergone bending deformation contacts a side face 12A of
the power unit 12, pushing the power unit 12 toward the opposite
side to the collision side. Namely, lateral force (force due to
inertia) N acts on the power unit 12 toward the opposite side to
the collision side, and the lateral force N moves the vehicle away
from the barrier 22.
[0070] Advantageous Effects Obtained From Individual Configuration
Elements
[0071] Operation and Advantageous Effects Due To Projection Portion
34 and Spacer 50
[0072] In the vehicle front section structure according to the
present exemplary embodiment, the projection portion 34 includes
the inner wall 36A that has one end portion (the inside flange
36A1) fixed to the front face 30A1 of the extension portion 30 and
extends out to the vehicle front side, the outer wall 36B that is
disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the inner
wall 36A with one end portion (the outside flange 36B1) fixed to
the front face 30A1 of the extension portion 30 and extending out
toward the vehicle front side, and the front wall 36C that connects
another end portion of the inner wall 36A to another end portion of
the outer wall 36B. The spacer 50 includes the inside wall 52
disposed at an angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side,
such that a front portion (the first cover plate 60) is positioned
further to the vehicle width direction outer side than a rear
portion (the upright wall 62A of the second cover plate 62) with
respect to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer
side of the front side member 14, and the outside wall 54 that is
disposed at the vehicle width direction outer side of the inside
wall 52 and entirely at an angle toward the vehicle width direction
outer side, such that the front portion is positioned further to
the vehicle width direction outer side than the a portion with
respect to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer
side of the front side member 14. The one end portion (the inside
flange 36A1) of the inner wall 36A is disposed at the vehicle front
side of the inside wall 52 with the extension portion 30 interposed
therebetween, and the one end portion (the outside flange 36B1) of
the outer wall 36B is disposed at the vehicle front side of the
outside wall 54, with the extension portion 30 interposed
therebetween.
[0073] The collision load F input to the inner wall 36A of the
projection portion 34 is accordingly efficiently transmitted
through the extension portion 30 to the inside wall 52 of the
spacer 50. Similarly, the collision load F input to the outer wall
36B of the projection portion 34 is efficiently transmitted through
the extension portion 30 to the outside wall 54 of the spacer 50.
Moreover, adjusting the projection amount a of the projection
portion 34 enables the timing at which the front side member 14
undergoes bending deformation to be controlled. In addition, the
projection portion 34 is disposed at a position separated from and
to the vehicle width direction outer side of the vehicle width
direction outer side end portion 20A of the bumper reinforcement
18, thereby enabling the bending moment M input to the front side
member 14 from the spacer 50 to be increased, and thus enabling
stable inward folding of the front side member 14.
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 2, since the projection portion 34 is
present at the vehicle front side of the spacer 50, with the
extension portion 30 interposed therebetween, when the spacer 50 is
squeezed between the barrier 22 and the power unit 12 and generates
load, a length L from another end portion of the projection portion
34 (the front end portion of the outer wall 36B in the present
exemplary embodiment) to a rear end portion (rear end wall 58) of
the spacer 50 (a vehicle width direction inside end portion of the
rear end wall 58), and a length (overlap amount) W along the
vehicle width direction from the other end portion of the
projection portion 34 to the rear end portion of the spacer 50 (the
vehicle width direction inside end portion of the rear end wall
58), are increased by an amount corresponding to the projection
amount a of the projection portion 34 at the point in time when the
front side member 14 that has undergone bending deformation
contacts the power unit 12. Controlling the movement trajectory of
the spacer 50 in this manner enables the duration for which lateral
force N is generated on the power unit 12 to be sustained for
longer, thereby enabling a commensurate increase in the lateral
force N.
[0075] The vehicle front section structure according to the present
exemplary embodiment accordingly enables collision load F to be
swiftly and effectively transmitted to the front side member 14
during a small overlap collision, and moreover enables lateral
force N generated on the power unit 12 to be increased.
[0076] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front wall 36C of the
projection portion 34 extends along the vehicle width direction and
the vehicle up-down direction, and therefore makes contact at a
right angle with the main flat face portion 22B of the barrier 22.
The collision load F accordingly acts in a direction straight
toward the rear of the projection portion 34, enabling the bending
moment M input to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction
outer side of the front side member 14 to be caused to act
efficiently.
[0077] The inner wall 36A, the outer wall 36B, and the front wall
36C of the projection portion 34 are coupled together by the
reinforcement members 38 extending in the vehicle front-rear
direction and the vehicle width direction. This thereby enables the
strength and rigidity of the projection portion 34 to be raised,
while suppressing an increase in weight.
[0078] The reinforcement members 38 provided inside the projection
portion 34, and the partitioning plates 56 provided inside the
spacer 50, are disposed at the same respective heights as each
other in the vehicle up-down direction, such that the reinforcement
members 38 and the partitioning plates 56 are present in the same
respective planes as each other. Continuous strength and rigidity
can accordingly be created across the range in which the projection
portion 34 and the spacer 50 are disposed. The collision load F
input to the projection portion 34 in the initial period of a small
overlap collision can accordingly be effectively utilized for
folding the front side member 14 inward.
[0079] The inside wall 52, the outside wall 54, and the
partitioning plates 56 of the spacer 50 are configured by separate
components, thereby enabling the performance demanded of the inside
wall 52 and the outside wall 54 (disposed substantially along the
respective extension directions of the inner wall 36A and the outer
wall 36B of the projection portion 34 and having the role of
forming a load transmission line from the front wall 36C of the
projection portion 34 to the side face 14B on the vehicle width
direction outer side of the front side member 14), and the
performance demanded of the partitioning plates 56 (having the role
of supporting the inside wall 52 and the outside wall 54 of the
spacer 50 in a direction orthogonal to their respective faces,
preventing lateral collapse of the inside wall 52 and the outside
wall 54, and of efficiently transmitting collision load transmitted
from the reinforcement members 38 of the projection portion 34 to
the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the
front side member 14) to be set using separate members.
[0080] Operation and Advantageous Effects Due To Spacer Extension
Portion 70
[0081] In the event of a small overlap collision, collision load is
input from the barrier 22 to the spacer 50 provided at the side
face 14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front
side member 14. The collision load F input to the spacer 50 is
transmitted to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction
outer side of the front side member 14 via the outside wall 54 and
the rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50. The front side member 14
accordingly undergoes bending deformation toward the vehicle width
direction inside, and the location 78 that has undergone bending
deformation contacts the power unit 12, generating lateral force
(force due to inertia) on the power unit 12 toward the opposite
side to the collision side.
[0082] Note that it is conceivable that variations in vehicle
structures, test conditions, or the like could cause change in the
way the spacer 50 strikes the power unit 12 across the front side
member 14, so that a target load is not obtainable stably.
[0083] However, in the present exemplary embodiment, the spacer
extension portion 70 is provided at the vehicle width direction
outer side of the outside wall 54 of the spacer 50, and the rear
end wall 58 of the spacer 50 is extended toward the vehicle width
direction outer side by the extension wall 72. Accordingly, as
illustrated in FIG. 2, even supposing there was a reduction in the
load with which the spacer 50 causes the front side member 14 to
undergo axial compression deformation in the vehicle front-rear
direction due to variation in vehicle structures, test conditions,
or the like, the extension wall 72 of the spacer extension portion
70 would, in place of the rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50,
continue to cause axial compression load (illustrated by the arrow
X) to act on the front side member 14 toward the vehicle rear side,
causing the front side member 14 to undergo axial compression
plastic deformation. Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 3, even
supposing the load with which the spacer 50 presses the power unit
12 toward the opposite side to the collision side was to be reduced
due to variation in vehicle structures, test conditions, or the
like, the extension wall 72 of the spacer extension portion 70
would still, in place of the rear end wall 58 of the spacer 50,
continue to press the power unit 12 toward the opposite side to the
collision side to cause lateral force (illustrated by the arrow Z)
to act on the power unit 12.
[0084] Accordingly, the vehicle front section structure according
to the present exemplary embodiment enables the front side member
14 to be made to undergo stable axial compression deformation in
the vehicle front-rear direction, and enables lateral force to be
made to act on the power unit 12 stably, in a small overlap
collision, even when there are variations in vehicle structures,
test conditions, or the like.
[0085] Other Exemplary Embodiments
[0086] Regarding the Projection Portion Fixing Structure
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the present exemplary
embodiment, the inside flange 36A1 and the outside flange 36B1 of
the projection portion 34 are joined to the front face 30A1 of the
plate body 30A of the extension portion 30 by arc welding. However,
there is no limitation thereto, and a welding technique such as
spot welding or laser welding may be employed.
[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 8, instead of welding, a mechanical
fixing technique may be employed to fix a projection portion to an
extension portion. In this example, bolt insertion holes 80 are
respectively formed to the inside flange 36A1 of the inner wall 36A
and the outside flange 36B1 of the outer wall 36B of the projection
portion 34. Similarly, bolt insertion holes 82 are also formed to
the inside flange 52A of the inside wall 52 and the outside flange
54A of the outside wall 54 of the spacer 50, coaxially to the bolt
insertion holes 80. Weld nuts 84 are welded to the inside flange
52A and the outside flange 54A respectively. The plate body 30A of
the extension portion 30 is also formed with bolt insertion holes
86, coaxially to the bolt insertion holes 80, 82. Bolts 88 are
screwed onto the weld nuts 84, thereby fastening the projection
portion 34 to the front face 30A1 of the plate body 30A of the
extension portion 30, together with the spacer 50. Rivets or the
like may also be employed in addition to the bolts 88 and the weld
nuts 84.
[0089] According to the above configuration, due to fixing the
projection portion 34 to the extension portion 30 using the bolts
88 and the weld nuts 84 or the like, the projection portion 34 can
be removed from the extension portion 30 as required. Considering
that even in small overlap collisions, in a minor collision, the
projection portion 34 undergoes plastic deformation (is crushed) in
the vehicle front-rear direction and absorbs energy, adopting this
configuration accordingly enables the projection portion 34 alone
to be replaced in repair work following a minor collision. This
thereby enables a reduction in repair costs.
[0090] Regarding Crushability of the Projection Portion
[0091] In the present exemplary embodiment, the plural
reinforcement members 38 are disposed inside the main body 36 of
the projection portion 34 that has a hat profile in plan view, and
the projection portion 34 is configured so as not to buckle in the
vehicle front-rear direction in a small overlap collision. Taking
this line of thinking further, the projection portion 34
illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 may be provided with extra
reinforcement.
[0092] For example, a projection portion 90 illustrated in FIG. 9
is configured by the elements of an inner wall 90A, an outer wall
90B, and a front wall 90C, similarly to the projection portion 34.
However, the inner wall 90A and the outer wall 90B are each formed
with a raised bead 92, serving as a reinforcement portion and
extending substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction. The
raised beads 92 are disposed at vehicle up-down direction
intermediate portions of the inner wall 90A and the outer wall 90B
respectively. Protruding faces 94 are formed projecting out along
the vehicle width direction at a height direction intermediate
portion of the front wall 90C accompanying formation of the raised
beads 92. In other words, the raised beads 92 are connected to
ridge lines 96 on both vehicle width direction sides of the front
wall 90C, and increase the length of the respective ridge lines 96.
Plural reinforcement members 38 are disposed inside the projection
portion 90 and couple together the inner wall 90A, the outer wall
90B, and the front wall 90C. The reinforcement member 38 disposed
at the middle tier has a greater vehicle width direction width than
the upper tier and lower tier reinforcement members 38, in order to
couple together the left and right raised beads 92 in the vehicle
width direction.
[0093] In the projection portion 90, the respective raised beads 92
are formed to the inner wall 90A and the outer wall 90B, and so the
rigidity of the projection portion 90 with respect to collision
load input from the vehicle front side is greater than that of the
projection portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. This
thereby enables faster transmission of collision load to the front
side member 14 through the spacer 50 in the event of a small
overlap collision. The front side member 14 can accordingly be
folded inward more promptly, enabling earlier generation of lateral
force on the power unit 12.
[0094] Note that there is no limitation to forming a single raised
bead 92 on each wall face mentioned above, and plural raised beads
92 may be formed.
[0095] The projection portion 34 illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4,
and the projection portion 90 illustrated in FIG. 9, are of a type
that gives precedence to load transmission performance over energy
absorption performance. However, the projection portion 100
illustrated in FIG. 10 may be employed when higher energy
absorption performance is desired.
[0096] Explained briefly, the projection portion 100 is configured
from the elements of an inner wall 100A, an outer wall 100B, and a
front wall 100C, similarly to the projection portion 34. However,
the inner wall 100A and the outer wall 100B are each formed with an
indented bead 102, serving as a weakened portion and extending
substantially in the vehicle up-down direction. The indented beads
102 are disposed at vehicle front-rear direction intermediate
portions of the inner wall 100A and the outer wall 100B. Moreover,
the indented beads 102 divide respective upper and lower ridge
lines 104 of the inner wall 100A and the outer wall 100B. Note that
reinforcement members 38 are not provided inside the projection
portion 100.
[0097] In the projection portion 100, the inner wall 100A and the
outer wall 100B are respectively formed with the indented beads
102, these being weakened portions. Accordingly, when collision
load is input from the vehicle front side, stress is concentrated
on the indented beads 102. The inner wall 100A and the outer wall
100B accordingly buckle at the positions formed with the indented
beads 102, and the projection portion 100 undergoes plastic
compression deformation in the vehicle front-rear direction. The
projection portion 100 accordingly absorbs some of the energy
during a collision.
[0098] Note that there is no limitation to forming a single
indented bead 102 on each wall face, and plural indented beads 102
may be formed.
[0099] Other
[0100] The present exemplary embodiment is provided with the spacer
extension portion 70; however there is no limitation thereto, and
the spacer extension portion may be omitted.
[0101] In the present exemplary embodiment, due to the installation
relationship to the attachment seat, only the front portion (the
first cover plate 60) of the inside wall 52 of the spacer 50 is
disposed at an angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side
with respect to the side face 14B on the vehicle width direction
outer side of the front side member 14; however there is no
limitation thereto, and both the front portion and the rear portion
may be configured disposed at an angle toward the vehicle width
direction outer side with respect to the side face on the vehicle
width direction outer side of the front side member. In such cases,
the attachment seat of the spacer to the front side member may be
set at the side of a rear end wall that is configured in, for
example, an L-shape in plan view, or an upper wall and a lower wall
provided to the spacer may be respectively coupled to an upper wall
and a lower wall of the front side member with another member
interposed between them.
[0102] In the present exemplary embodiment, configuration is made
in which not only a front portion, but also a rear portion, of the
outside wall 54 of the spacer 50 is disposed at an angle toward the
vehicle width direction outer side with respect to the side face
14B on the vehicle width direction outer side of the front side
member 14; however there is no limitation thereto, and
configuration may be made in which only a front portion is disposed
at an angle toward the vehicle width direction outer side with
respect to a side face on the vehicle width direction outer side of
the front side member. For example, a rear portion of an outside
wall may be disposed running parallel to a vehicle width direction
side face of the front side member.
[0103] Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the inside
wall 52, the outside wall 54, and the partitioning plates 56 are
all configured as separate components; however there is no
limitation thereto, and configuration may be made such that at
least one out of an inside wall or an outside wall is configured as
a separate component to a partitioning plate. For example, all
three of an inside wall, a rear end wall, and an outside wall may
be configured by a single member.
[0104] In the present exemplary embodiment, the front face 36C1 of
the front wall 36C of the projection portion 34 extends along the
vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction; however
there is no limitation thereto, and the front face may be somewhat
angled to the vehicle width direction, or may be somewhat angled to
the vehicle up-down direction.
* * * * *