U.S. patent application number 14/837703 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-03 for vehicle front 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 Yuki Taguchi.
Application Number | 20170217495 14/837703 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55657644 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170217495 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Taguchi; Yuki |
August 3, 2017 |
VEHICLE FRONT STRUCTURE
Abstract
A vehicle front structure includes a cross member installed
across right and left front side frames. The left front side frame
has a frame bending section provided above a left suspension arm.
The frame bending section is formed so as to be bendable when
subjected to a frontal impact load. A left reinforcing member is
disposed below the frame bending section and is mounted across the
cross member and the dash cross member. The left reinforcing member
is fastened to a rear fastening portion. The left reinforcing
member has a bending section that is bendable downward when
subjected to an impact load.
Inventors: |
Taguchi; Yuki; (Woko-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170057547 A1 |
March 2, 2017 |
|
|
Family ID: |
55657644 |
Appl. No.: |
14/837703 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 21/152 20130101;
B62D 21/11 20130101; B62D 21/155 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62D 21/15 20060101
B62D021/15; B62D 21/11 20060101 B62D021/11 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2014 |
JP |
2014-174197 |
Claims
1. A vehicle front structure comprising: front side frames
extending in a vehicle front-to-rear direction and provided on
right and left sides of a vehicle body in a vehicle width
direction, respectively, the front side frames having respective
frame bendable sections that are bendable when the front side
frames receive a frontal collision impact; a suspension arm having
front and rear side support portions, above which one of the front
bendable sections is located; a cross member bridging between the
front side frames, to which the front side support portion of the
suspension arm is fastened; a dash panel provided at a rear side of
the cross member, the dash panel having a mount to which the rear
side support portion of the suspension arm is fastened; and a
reinforcing member that is located below one of the frame bendable
sections of the front side frames and that is extending in the
vehicle front-to-rear direction and bridging between the cross
member and the dash panel, the reinforcing member being fastened to
the mount of the dash panel in a manner that supports the rear side
support portion of the suspension arm, wherein the reinforcing
member has a bendable portion shaped so as to bend downward when
receiving the frontal collision impact.
2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the
suspension arm has an elastic member and a collar provided together
at the rear fastening portion, the collar extending vertically,
being coaxially provided in the elastic member and configured to
receive a fastening component inserted through the collar from its
bottom so as to fasten the elastic member and the collar to the
mount of the dash panel.
3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the
reinforcing member has a front end, a rear end, and a rigid section
that extends between the front and rear ends in the vehicle
front-to-rear direction, the rigid section being bendable downward
at the bendable portion of the reinforcing member, and wherein the
reinforcing member supports the rear side support portion of the
suspension arm at a location between the bendable portion and the
rear end of the reinforcing member.
4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, wherein the
reinforcing member has a substantially flat plate section formed in
a belt shape and a bead section that extends downward from the
plate section so as to form the rigid section; and wherein the
plate section is fastened to the rear side support portion of the
suspension arm.
5. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the
cross member has a leg that extends upward to one of the front side
frames and an opening opened in the vehicle width direction so as
to house therein and support the front side support portion of the
suspension arm, and wherein the reinforcing member is fastened to
the cross member on a vehicle inner side which is inner than the
opening in the vehicle width direction.
6. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further
comprising a dash cross member bridging the front side frames,
wherein the mount of the dash panel is provided to one of the front
side frames, and the dash cross member is provided on a rear side
of the mount in the vehicle front-to-rear direction; and wherein a
rear end of the reinforcing member is fastened to the dash cross
member.
7. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further
comprising a steering unit mounted above the cross member, wherein
the reinforcing member is fastened to the cross member at a
location below the steering unit.
8. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, further
comprising right and left braces extending substantially in a
V-shape that diverges toward a rear side in the vehicle
front-to-rear direction, wherein each of the braces bridges and
connects the cross member and one of the front side frames or
bridges and connects the cross member and the dash cross member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-174197, filed
Aug. 28, 2014, entitled "VEHICLE FRONT STRUCTURE". The contents of
this application are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle front structure
that has front side frames provided on right and left sides thereof
and suspension arms supported below the front side frames.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Some vehicle front structures have subframes provided below
right and left front side frames and have engines or other power
sources supported by the subframes. A subframe is a highly rigid
member that supports an engine or other power source. When
subjected to a frontal impact load, such a highly rigid subframe
bends, thereby absorbing the impact load (see, for example,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
2005-271810).
[0006] Some vehicle front structures, however, have no subframes.
In other words, they have a .GAMMA. (gamma in uppercase) shaped or
A shaped lower arm for independent suspension directly supported by
the vehicle body with no subframe therebetween. Such vehicle front
structures are not capable of absorbing a frontal impact load
through subframes. In addition, such a highly rigid .GAMMA. (gamma
in uppercase) shaped or A shaped lower arm, when subjected to an
impact load, does not collapse in a preferred manner. This
arrangement may impede the absorption of a frontal impact load
through the deformation of front side frames.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present application describes a vehicle front structure
capable of absorbing a frontal impact load in a preferred
manner.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the embodiment, a vehicle
front structure includes front side frames provided on right and
left sides of a vehicle body, a cross member mounted across the
front side frames, a dash panel provided behind the cross member, a
mount provided on the side of the dash panel, and front and rear
side support portions of a suspension arm fastened to the cross
member and the mount, respectively, in which the front side frames
has a frame bending section (shaped as a portion capable of bending
by an external force given in its longitudinal direction) that is
provided above the suspension arm and is bendable when subjected to
a frontal impact load, i.e., a collision impact force applied
thereto generally in a longitudinal direction; a reinforcing member
is provided that is disposed below the frame bending section across
the cross member and the mount so as to extend longitudinally and
be fastened to the rear side support portion; and the reinforcing
member has a bending section (shaped as a portion capable of
bending by an external force given in its longitudinal direction)
that is bendable downward when subjected to the impact load. When a
frontal impact load causes the frame bending section of the front
side frame to be bent, the bending section of the reinforcing
member is bent downward. With this arrangement, the reinforcing
member is unlikely to suppress rearward bending of the front side
frame. Accordingly, the front side frame can be bent rearward in a
preferred manner, thereby allowing the impact load coming from a
vehicle front to be absorbed appropriately. The reinforcing member
is fastened to the rear fastening portion of the suspension arm
(for example, a .GAMMA. (gamma in uppercase) shaped or A shaped
lower arm). When the bending section of the reinforcing member is
bent downward, the reinforcing member exerts a downward and
rearward load on the rear side support portion. This enables the
mount attached to the rear side support portion to be fractured or
enables the rear side support portion to be detached from the
mount. Accordingly, the suspension arm is unlikely to suppress
rearward bending of the front side frame, thereby allowing the
impact load coming from a vehicle front to be absorbed in a more
preferred manner. Furthermore, fastening the reinforcing member to
the rear side support portion of the suspension arm enables the
rear side support portion to be supported by the reinforcing
member. This arrangement ensures that the rear side support portion
is tightly mounted on the mount, thereby allowing the rear side
support portion (namely, the suspension arm) to be supported in a
more preferred manner.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the embodiment, the rear
side support portion may have an elastic portion (elastic member)
provided in a main arm of the suspension arm and a collar extending
vertically in the elastic portion, in which a fastening component
inserted through the collar from below may be fastened to the
mount. In other words, the collar is supported so as to be
tilt-adjustable through elastic deformation of the elastic portion
and is supported at one side by the mount. When a frontal impact
load causes the frame bending section of the front side frame to be
bent, the front side support portion is moved rearward together
with the cross member. In conjunction with the movement of the
front side support portion, the main arm is moved rearward,
pressing the collar rearward via the elastic portion. When the
elastic portion is subjected to the elastic deformation, the collar
is slanted to form a downward gradient toward the rear of the
vehicle. This facilitates the fracture or deformation of the mount
fastened to the rear side support portion, thereby allowing the
rear side support portion to be detached from the mount in a
preferred manner. This process accelerates rearward bending of the
front side frame, thereby allowing the impact load coming from a
vehicle front to be absorbed in a more preferred manner.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the embodiment, the
reinforcing member may have a rigid section that extends
longitudinally between front and rear ends of the reinforcing
member and that is bendable downward at the bending section, in
which the rear side support portion may be disposed between the
bending section and the rear end of the reinforcing member. With
this arrangement, the bending section is located frontward as
compared to the rear side support portion. Accordingly, a frontal
impact load causes the bending section to be bent downward in a
preferred manner. This enables the downward and rearward impact
load to be exerted on the rear side support portion through the
reinforcing member in a preferred manner, thereby allowing the rear
reinforcing member to appropriately detach from the mount.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiment, the
reinforcing member may have a substantially flat plate section
formed in a belt-like outer shape and a bead section that widens
downward from the plate section so as to form the rigid section, in
which the plate section is fastened to the rear side support
portion. The plate section is disposed higher than the bead
section. Accordingly, fastening the plate section to the rear side
support portion ensures that a minimum ground clearance is
maintained. In addition, the plate section is substantially flat,
which maintains a clearance between the plate section and the rear
side support portion at a preferred level. With this arrangement,
when the elastic portion is subjected to elastic deformation, the
plate section is unlikely to suppress the movement of the rear side
support portion, ensuring the operation of the suspension arm
during vehicle operation.
[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiment, the cross
member may have a leg that extends upward to the front side frame
and may be opened toward the outside of the vehicle in a vehicle
width direction so as to house the front side support portion, in
which the front side support portion housed in the leg may be
fastened to the leg and the reinforcing member may be fastened to
the cross member on an inboard side of the leg. With this
arrangement, the cross member and the front side frame ensure the
rigidity of the leg. Fastening the front side support portion to
the leg enables the front side support portion to be tightly
supported by the leg. In addition, the reinforcing member is
allowed to be disposed on the inboard side of the leg (namely, the
front side support portion). As described above, the leg is opened
toward the outside of the vehicle in the width direction and the
reinforcing member is disposed on the inboard side of the front
side support portion, which enables the suspension arm to be moved
vertically. This arrangement ensures that the suspension arm is
moved vertically during vehicle operation.
[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiment, the mount may
be provided on the front side frame, and a dash cross member
mounted across the front side frames may be provided behind the
mount, in which the rear end of the reinforcing member may be
provided in the dash cross member. With this arrangement, the front
side frame ensures the rigidity of the mount, thereby allowing the
design of the mount rigid enough to support the rear side support
portion (namely, the suspension arm). In addition, the highly rigid
dash cross member can support the rear end of the reinforcing
member. This enables the rear end of the reinforcing member to be
tightly supported, facilitating the downward bending of the
reinforcing member in a preferred manner.
[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiment, the cross
member may have a steering unit mounted on a top of the cross
member, in which the reinforcing member may be fastened to the
cross member so as to be located below the steering unit. With this
arrangement, the reinforcing member can reinforce a portion where
the steering unit is mounted, thereby tightly supporting the
steering unit on top of the cross member.
[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiment, the cross
member and the front side frames, or the cross member and the dash
cross member may be connected to each other with right and left
braces, in which the right and left braces may diverge toward a
rear of the vehicle substantially in a V-shape. With this
arrangement, the cross member and the front side frames can be
reinforced by the right and left braces, or the cross member and
the dash cross member can be reinforced by the right and left
braces. The steering unit and the front side support portion of the
suspension arm are supported by the cross member. In addition, the
rear side support portion of the suspension arm is supported by the
front side frames. Furthermore, the dash cross member is mounted
across the right and left front side frames. This arrangement can
improve the rigidity (so called "support rigidity") of the members
that support the power steering unit and other steering system
components and the suspension arm, thereby allowing various members
to be tightly supported by the vehicle body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a vehicle front structure
according to the present application.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle front structure
illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the obliquely forward
bottom.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in
FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle front
structure illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a left reinforcing member
illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the bottom.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cross member and a power
steering unit illustrated in FIG. 2 as viewed from the top.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in
FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of right and left braces in FIG.
1.
[0025] FIGS. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams explaining
absorption of an impact load by a vehicle front structure according
to the present application.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] A preferred embodiment according to the present disclosure
is described below with reference to the attached drawings.
References to a "front (Fr)" side, a "rear (Rr)" side, a "left (L)"
side, and a "right (R)" side of the vehicle are defined relative to
a driver's position, where the vehicle has a longitudinal,
front-to-rear (which includes Fr to Rr or Rr to Fr) direction
generally perpendicular to a vehicle width direction (which
includes R to L or L to R).
EMBODIMENT
[0027] A vehicle front structure 10 according to an embodiment is
described below. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle front
structure 10 has right and left front side frames 12 and 13
provided respectively on the right and left sides of a vehicle body
11, a cross member 15 installed across the right and left front
side frames 12 and 13, and a power steering unit 16 provided along
the cross member 15.
[0028] In addition, the vehicle front structure 10 has a dash panel
17 behind the cross member 15, a left mount 18 provided on the left
front side frame 12 on the side of the dash panel 17, and a right
mount 19 provided on the right front side frame 13 on the side of
the dash panel 17.
[0029] Furthermore, the vehicle front structure 10 has a left
suspension arm 21 supported by the cross member 15 and the left
mount 18, a right suspension arm (not illustrated) supported by the
cross member 15 and the right mount 19, a dash cross member 24
installed across the left front side frame 12 and the right front
side frame 13, and right and left reinforcing members 25 and 26
installed across the cross member 15 and the dash cross member 24.
The right and left suspension arms 21 are a .GAMMA. (gamma in
uppercase) shaped or A shaped lower arm for use in an independent
suspension device.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the left front side frame 12 is
disposed longitudinally on the left side of the vehicle body 11.
The left front side frame 12 has a front section 31 extending
substantially horizontally from a front end 12a (see FIG. 1) to a
nearly middle section 12b and a rear slanted section 32 extending
downward from the nearly middle section 12b to a rear end 12c. A
frame bending section 33 is formed in the rear slanted section 32
of the left front side frame 12 so as to be located above the left
suspension arm 21. The frame bending section 33 is configured to be
transversely bendable when subjected to a frontal impact load.
[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, like the left front side frame 12,
the right front side frame 13 also has a front section 31 and a
rear slanted section 32 and has a frame bending section 33 (not
illustrated) formed in the rear slanted section 32. The left front
side frame 12 and the right front side frame 13 are symmetrical
with respect to each other, and since the same reference numerals
and symbols refer to the same components, detailed descriptions of
the right front side frame 13 are omitted.
[0032] The cross member 15 is mounted across the nearly middle
section 12b of the left front side frame 12 and the nearly middle
section 12b of the right front side frame 13. The cross member 15
extends transversely and a steering tube 35 of the power steering
unit 16 is provided along the cross member 15. The cross member 15
has a left mounting portion 15a formed at a left end in a base 37
thereof and has a right mounting portion 15b at a right end.
[0033] The dash cross member 24 is mounted across the rear end 12c
of the left front side frame 12 and the rear end 12c of the right
front side frame 13. The dash cross member 24 extends transversely
and has a lower portion 17a of the dash panel 17 formed thereon.
The dash panel 17 is a plate-like member that is provided in the
rear of an engine compartment 38 so as to provide a partition
between the engine compartment 38 and the passenger
compartment.
[0034] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left front side frame
12 has the left mount 18 disposed under a section 12d thereof on
the side of the dash panel 17. The left mount 18 has a bracket 41
extending downward from the section 12d of the left front side
frame 12 on the side of the dash panel 17, a gusset 39 provided
inside the bracket 41, and a rear fastening nut 42 provided at a
bottom 41a of the bracket 41.
[0035] A rear side support portion 47 of the left suspension arm 21
is fastened to the left mount 18, while a front side support
portion 44 of the left suspension arm 21 is fastened to a left leg
76 of the cross member 15. Accordingly, the left suspension arm 21
is supported by the left leg 76 of the cross member 15 and the left
mount 18. The left mount 18 is provided in the section 12d of the
left front side frame 12 on the side of the dash panel 17. With
this arrangement, the left front side frame 12 ensures the rigidity
of the left mount 18, thereby enabling the rear side support
portion 47 (namely, the left suspension arm 21) to be supported by
the left mount 18 in a preferred manner.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the left suspension arm 21 has a
main arm 43 having a connecting portion 43a connected to a lower
portion of a knuckle 51, the front side support portion 44 provided
at a front end 43b of the main arm 43, and the rear side support
portion 47 at a rear end 43c of the main arm 43. A front wheel 52
is installed onto the knuckle 51 (see FIG. 1).
[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the front side support
portion 44 has an elastic portion 45 provided at the front end 43b
of the main arm 43 and a collar 46 provided at the elastic portion
45. The collar 46 extends longitudinally and has its front and rear
ends in contact with the left leg 76 of the cross member 15. The
collar 46 is mounted on the front end 43b of the main arm 43 with
the elastic portion 45 therebetween.
[0038] A front fastening bolt (fastening component) 54 is passed
through the collar 46 and fastened with the front fastening nut 55,
thereby causing the front side support portion 44 to be fastened to
the left leg 76 of the cross member 15. With this arrangement, the
front side support portion 44 is housed in a space 79 in the left
leg 76. Accordingly, the front side support portion 44 is moved
rearward together with the left leg 76 of the cross member 15.
[0039] The rear side support portion 47 has an elastic portion 48
provided at the rear end 43c of the main arm 43 and a collar 49
provided at the elastic portion 48. The collar 49 is disposed so as
to extend vertically and is mounted on the rear end 43c of the main
arm 43 with the elastic portion 48 therebetween. A rear fastening
bolt (fastening component) 57 is passed from below through the
collar 49 and fastened with the rear fastening nut 42, thereby
causing the rear side support portion 47 to be fastened to the left
mount 18. In other words, the collar 49 is supported so as to be
tilt-adjustable through elastic deformation of the elastic portion
48 and is supported at one side by the left mount 18.
[0040] The left mount 18 and the right mount 19 (see FIG. 1) are
symmetrical with respect to each other, and detailed descriptions
of the right mount 19 are omitted. In addition, the left suspension
arm 21 and the right suspension arm are symmetrical with respect to
each other, and detailed descriptions of the right suspension arm
are omitted.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the dash cross member 24 is
provided behind the left mount 18 and the right mount 19 (see FIG.
1). The dash cross member 24 has a left mounting portion (a
mounting portion behind the mount) 24b formed at a left end in a
base 24a thereof and has a right mounting portion (a mounting
portion behind the mount) 24c at a right end.
[0042] In other words, the left mounting portion 24b is formed at
the left end of the dash cross member 24, while the right mounting
portion 24c is formed at the right end of the dash cross member 24.
As a result, the dash cross member 24 ensures that the left
mounting portion 24b and the right mounting portion 24c are rigid.
The left reinforcing member 25 is installed across the left
mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member 24 and the left
mounting portion 15a of the cross member 15. With this arrangement,
the left reinforcing member 25 is disposed lower than the frame
bending section 33 (see FIG. 3) of the left front side frame
12.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the right reinforcing member 26 is
installed across the right mounting portion 24c of the dash cross
member 24 and the right mounting portion 15b of the cross member
15. With this arrangement, the right reinforcing member 26 is
disposed lower than the frame bending section (not illustrated) of
the right front side frame 13. The left reinforcing member 25 and
the right reinforcing member 26 are symmetrical with respect to
each other, and detailed descriptions of the right reinforcing
member 26 are omitted.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left reinforcing member
25 is installed across the left mounting portion 24b of the dash
cross member 24 and the left mounting portion 15a of the cross
member 15 so as to extend longitudinally. The left reinforcing
member 25 has a bending section 61 formed at a substantially middle
section thereof in a longitudinal direction. When the vehicle body
11 is subjected to a frontal impact load, the bending section 61
bends in response to the impact load.
[0045] The left reinforcing member 25 is formed by press-forming
of, for example, a steel sheet and has a substantially flat plate
section 62 formed in a belt-like outer shape and a rigid section 64
widening downward from the plate section 62. The plate section 62
is fastened at its front end to the left mounting portion 15a of
the cross member 15 from below with a plurality of bolts 67 and
nuts 68. Accordingly, a front end 25a of the left reinforcing
member 25 is fastened to the left mounting portion 15a of the cross
member 15.
[0046] In addition, the plate section 62 is fastened at its rear
end to the left mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member 24
from below with a plurality of bolts 71 and nuts 72 (see FIG. 3).
Accordingly, a rear end 25b of the left reinforcing member 25 is
fastened to the left mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member
24. The dash cross member 24 is a highly rigid member that forms
the framework of the vehicle body. Accordingly, the rear end 25b of
the left reinforcing member 25 is tightly supported by the left
mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member 24. When the vehicle
body 11 is subjected to a frontal impact load, this arrangement
facilitates bending of the bending section 61 in response to the
impact load.
[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the front end 25a of the left
reinforcing member 25 is fastened to the left mounting portion 15a
of the cross member 15, and the rear end 25b of the left
reinforcing member 25 is fastened to the left mounting portion 24b
of the dash cross member 24, thereby causing the left reinforcing
member 25 to be installed across the left mounting portion 15a and
the left mounting portion 24b. Accordingly, the cross member 15
(particularly, the left leg 76 of the cross member 15) and the dash
cross member 24 are reinforced by the left reinforcing member 25.
The left leg 76 of the cross member 15 supports the front side
support portion 44 of the left suspension arm 21. With this
arrangement, the front side support portion 44 of the left
suspension arm 21 can be supported by the left leg 76 of the cross
member 15.
[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plate section 62 has a
rear support 63 close to the rear end. The rear support 63
protrudes toward the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width
direction from the vicinity of the rear end of the plate section
62. The rear support 63 is in contact with the rear side support
portion 47 of the left suspension arm 21 so as to underlie the rear
side support portion 47. The rear side support portion 47 of the
left suspension arm 21 is in contact with the left mount 18 so as
to underlie the left mount 18. With this arrangement, the rear
fastening bolt 57 is inserted into the rear side support portion 47
through the rear support 63 and fastened with the rear fastening
nut 42 in the left mount 18. Accordingly, the rear side support
portion 47 and the rear support 63 are fastened to the left mount
18 from below.
[0049] In other words, the rear support 63 is fastened to the rear
side support portion 47 from below with the rear fastening bolt 57
and the rear fastening nut 42. With this arrangement, the rear side
support portion 47 is disposed between the bending section 61 and
the left mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member 24. The rear
side support portion 47 and the rear support 63 fastened to the
left mount 18 from below enables the rear side support portion 47
to be supported by the rear support 63 (namely, the left
reinforcing member 25). This arrangement can keep the rear side
support portion 47 tightly mounted on the left mount 18, enabling
the rear side support portion 47 (namely, the left suspension arm
21) to be supported in a preferred manner.
[0050] The rigid section 64 widens downward from the plate section
62. The rigid section 64 extends longitudinally between the front
end 25a and the rear end 25b of the left reinforcing member 25. The
rigid section 64 has a first bead section 65 formed so as to extend
toward the outside of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction
and has a second bead section 66 formed on the inboard side of the
first bead section 65 so as to extend in the vehicle width
direction. The first bead section 65 extends longitudinally from
the front end 25a to the rear support 63 of the reinforcing member
25 and widens downward. The second bead section 66 extends
longitudinally from the front end 25a to the rear end 25b of the
reinforcing member 25 and widens downward.
[0051] The left reinforcing member 25 has a front end of the plate
section 62 fastened to the left mounting portion 15a of the cross
member 15 with a plurality of bolts 67 and nuts 68. Also, the left
reinforcing member 25 has a rear end of the plate section 62
fastened to the left mounting portion 24b of the dash cross member
24 with a plurality of bolts 71 and nuts 72 (see FIG. 3). In
addition, the rear support 63 of the plate section 62 is fastened
to the rear side support portion 47. The plate section 62 is
disposed higher than the first bead section 65 and the second bead
section 66. Accordingly, fastening the plate section 62 to the left
mounting portion 15a of the cross member 15, the left mounting
portion 24b of the dash cross member 24, and the rear side support
portion 47 enables the heads of the bolts 67, the bolts 71, and the
rear fastening bolt 57 to be located higher, ensuring that a
minimum ground clearance is maintained.
[0052] In addition, the plate section 62 is substantially flat,
which enables a clearance S to be maintained between the plate
section 62 and the rear side support portion 47 at preferred
levels. With this arrangement, when the elastic portion 48 of the
rear side support portion 47 is subjected to elastic deformation,
the plate section 62 is unlikely to suppress the movement of the
rear side support portion 47. In other words, this arrangement
ensures the movement of the left suspension arm 21 during vehicle
operation and the operation of the left suspension arm 21.
[0053] The left reinforcing member 25 has the first bead section 65
and the second bead section 66 widening downward and has bead
bending portions 65a and 66a of the first bead section 65 and the
second bead section 66 widening so as to be bent downward.
Accordingly, the rigid section 64 is bendable downward at the
bending section 61. In other words, when the vehicle body 11 is
subjected to a frontal impact load, the left reinforcing member 25
is configured to be bent downward at the bending section 61 due to
the impact load.
[0054] The rear side support portion 47 is disposed between the
bending section 61 and the left mounting portion 24b of the dash
cross member 24. In other words, the bending section 61 is located
frontward as compared to the rear side support portion 47.
Accordingly, subjecting the vehicle body 11 to an impact load
causes the bending section 61 of the left reinforcing member 25 to
be bent downward, thereby enabling such a downward and rearward
impact load to act on the rear side support portion 47 through the
rear support 63 of the left reinforcing member 25 in a preferred
manner. The downward and rearward impact load acting on the rear
reinforcing member 47 enables the rear reinforcing member 47 to
appropriately detach from the left mount 18.
[0055] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the cross member 15 has a
main member 75 extending in the vehicle width direction, the left
leg 76 provided at a left end 75a of the main member 75, and a
right leg 77 (see FIG. 1) provided at a right end of the main
member 75. Also, the cross member 15 has the left mounting portion
15a on which the front end 25a of the left mounting portion 25 is
mounted and the right mounting portion 15b (see FIG. 1) on which
the front end 26a of the right mounting portion 26 is mounted. The
left mounting portion 15a of the cross member 15 is a portion on
the bottom 37 of the cross member 15 that is located at a left end
of the bottom 37. The left leg 76 and the right leg 77 are members
that are provided in a symmetrical arrangement, and detailed
descriptions of the right leg 77 are omitted.
[0056] The left leg 76 extends upward from the left end 75a of the
main member 75 to the front section 31 of the left front side frame
12 and has its upper end 76a connected to the front section 31.
Accordingly, the left end 75a of the main member 75 and the front
section 31 of the left front side frame 12 ensure that the left leg
76 is rigid. Fastening the front side support portion 44 to the
rigid left leg 76 enables the front side support portion 44 to be
rigidly supported by the left leg 76. The left leg 76 has a space
79 that opens toward the outside of the vehicle in the width
direction so as to be directed downward. The space 79 is formed to
be able to house the front side support portion 44 through its
opening.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 5, with the front side support
portion 44 housed in the space 79, the front side support portion
44 is fastened to a front wall 76b and a rear wall 76c of the left
leg 76 with a front fastening bolt 54 and a front fastening nut 55.
The front side support portion 44 is supported so as to be
vertically rotatable around the front fastening bolt 54.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the front end 25a of the
left reinforcing member 25 is fastened from below to the left
mounting portion 15a of the cross member 15 with the plurality of
bolts 67 and nuts 68 (see FIG. 5 for the nuts). The left mounting
portion 15a of the cross member 15 is disposed on the inboard side
of the left leg 76. Accordingly, the front end 25a of the left
reinforcing member 25 is disposed on the inboard side of the front
side support portion 44.
[0059] As described above, the left leg 76 is opened toward the
outside of the vehicle in the width direction so as to be directed
downward and the front end 25a of the left reinforcing member 25 is
disposed on the inboard side of the front side support portion 44.
Accordingly, the left suspension arm 21 is allowed to be moved
vertically (in a direction indicated by an arrow) around the front
fastening bolt 54. This ensures that the left suspension arm 21 is
moved vertically during vehicle operation.
[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, the steering tube 35 of the
power steering unit 16 is provided on the front side of the cross
member 15 so as to run along the cross member 15. The steering tube
35 has right and left mounting brackets 36 (right bracket not
illustrated) at right and left ends thereof.
[0061] With the steering tube 35 disposed on the front side of the
cross member 15, the left mounting bracket 36 is fastened to a left
end 78a on the top 78 of the main member 75 with a bolt 81 and a
nut 82 (see FIG. 8). As is the case for the left bracket 36, the
right mounting bracket is fastened to the top 78 of the main member
75 with the bolt and nut. This process completes fastening of the
steering tube 35 to the cross member 15.
[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the left mounting bracket 36 is
fastened to the left end 78a (on which the power steering unit 16
is mounted) on the top 78 of the main member 75 with the bolt 81
and nut 82. The left mounting portion 15a of the cross member 15 is
located below the left end 78a on the top 78. The front end 25a of
the left reinforcing member 25 is fastened to the left mounting
portion 15a of the cross member 15 with the plurality of bolts 67
and nuts 68. Accordingly, the left end 78a (on which the power
steering unit 16 is mounted) on the top 78 is reinforced by the
front end 25a of the left reinforcing member 25. With this
arrangement, the power steering unit 16 is tightly supported by the
top 78 of the cross member 15.
[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the cross member 15 and the left
front side frame 12 are connected with each other with a left brace
85. Also, the cross member 15 and the right front side frame 13 are
connected with each other with a left brace 86.
[0064] The left brace 85 is, for example, a steel plate extending
linearly having a reinforcing folded piece formed at both edges
thereof. Like the left brace 85, the right brace 86 is a steel
plate extending linearly having a reinforcing folded piece formed
at both edges thereof. The left brace 85 and the right brace 86
provided on the bottom of the vehicle body 11 reinforce the bottom
of the vehicle body 11.
[0065] Specifically, a front end 86a of the right brace 86 is laid
from below on a front end 85a of the left brace 85 at the
breadthways center 15c on the bottom 37 of the cross member 15. The
front end 85a of the left brace 85 and the front end 86a of the
left brace 86 are fastened to each other with a bolt 88.
[0066] The left brace 85 extends obliquely rearward so as to be
inclined toward the left outer side. The right brace 86 extends
obliquely rearward so as to be inclined toward the right outer
side. Accordingly, the left brace 85 and the right brace 86 diverge
from the cross member 15 toward the rear of the vehicle
substantially in a V-shape.
[0067] The left brace 85 is fastened at its center 85b to the
bottom of the rear end 12c of the left front side frame 12 with a
bolt 89 and is fastened at its rear end (not illustrated) to a left
side sill 28. The right brace 86 is fastened at its center 86b to
the bottom of the rear end 12c of the right front side frame 13
with a bolt 91 and is fastened at its rear end (not illustrated) to
a right side sill 29. With this arrangement, the cross member 15,
the left front side frame 12, and the right front side frame 13 are
reinforced by the left brace 85 and the right brace 86.
[0068] The power steering unit 16 and the side support portions 44
of the right and left suspension arms 21 are supported by the cross
member 15. In addition, the rear side support portions 47 of the
right and left suspension arms 21 are supported by the right and
left front side frames 12 and 13. Furthermore, the dash cross
member 24 is mounted across the right and left front side frames 12
and 13.
[0069] Accordingly, the left brace 85 and the right brace 86 can
improve the rigidity (so called "support rigidity") of the members
that support the power steering unit 16 and other steering system
components and the right and left suspension arms 21. With this
arrangement, the power steering unit 16 and other steering system
components and the right and left suspension arms 21 can be tightly
supported by the vehicle body 11.
[0070] Next, the absorption of a frontal impact load by the vehicle
front structure 10 according to the present application is
described below with reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B. As illustrated
in FIG. 10A, the frame bending section 33 is provided in the left
front side frame 12, and the left reinforcing member 25 is disposed
below the frame bending section 33. The left reinforcing member 25
is mounted across the cross member 15 and the dash cross member 24,
and the bending section 61 is provided in the left reinforcing
member 25.
[0071] When the vehicle body 11 (specifically, the front end 12a of
the left front side frame 12) receives an impact load F1 coming
from a vehicle front, the incoming impact load F1 causes the frame
bending section 33 of the left front side frame 12 to be bent in
the vehicle width direction. When the frame bending section 33 is
bent, the front section 31 of the left front side frame 12 is moved
rearward in the direction indicated by an arrow B.
[0072] At this time, the cross member 15, together with the front
section 31 of the left front side frame 12, is moved rearward in
the direction indicated by an arrow C. The front end 25a of the
left reinforcing member 25 is fastened to the cross member 15.
Accordingly, when the cross member 15 is moved rearward, a load F2
is applied to the front end 25a of the left reinforcing member 25.
The incoming load F2 causes the left reinforcing member 25 to be
bent at the bending section 61 around the bolt 71 (that fastens the
rear end 25b of the left reinforcing member 25 to the left mounting
portion 24b of the dash cross member 24) downward in the direction
indicated by an arrow D, as illustrated by imaginary lines.
[0073] Since the left reinforcing member 25 is bent at the bending
section 61, the left reinforcing member 25 is unlikely to suppress
rearward bending of the left front side frame 12. Accordingly, the
left front side frame 12 can be bent rearward in a preferred
manner, thereby allowing the impact load F1 exerted on the front
end 12a of the left front side frame 12 to be appropriately
absorbed.
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the rear support 63 of the left
reinforcing member 25 is fastened to the rear side support portion
47 of the left suspension arm 21. Accordingly, since the bending
section 61 in the left reinforcing member 25 is bent downward in
the direction indicated by an arrow D, the left reinforcing member
25 exerts a downward and rearward load F3 on the rear side support
portion 47.
[0075] The load F3 exerted on the rear side support portion 47
enables the left mount 18 attached to the rear side support portion
47 to be fractured or enables the rear side support portion 47 to
be detached from the left mount 18. Accordingly, the left
suspension arm 21 is unlikely to suppress rearward bending of the
left front side frame 12, thereby allowing the impact load F1
exerted on the front end 12a (see FIG. 10A) of the left front side
frame 12 to be absorbed in a more preferred manner.
[0076] The rear side support portion 47 of the left suspension arm
21 is supported at one side thereof by the left mount 18 so as to
be tilt-adjustable through elastic deformation of the elastic
portion 48 in the collar 49. In contrast, the front side support
portion 44 of the left suspension arm 21 is housed in the space 79
of the left leg 76 in the cross member 15, thereby allowing the
front side support portion 44 to be moved rearward together with
the left leg 76.
[0077] As illustrated in FIG. 10A, when the impact load F1 exerted
on the front end 12a of the left front side frame 12 causes the
frame bending section 33 to be bent, the front side support portion
44 of the left suspension arm 21, together with the cross member
15, is moved rearward in the direction indicated by an arrow C. In
conjunction with the movement of the front side support portion 44,
the rigid main arm 43 is moved rearward in the direction indicated
by an arrow E.
[0078] As illustrated in FIG. 10B, in conjunction with the movement
of the main arm 43 in the direction indicated by an arrow E, the
main arm 43 presses against the elastic portion 48 in the rear side
support portion 47, causing the elastic portion 48 to push the
collar 49 rearward in the direction indicated by an arrow E. The
rear fastening bolt 57 in the rear side support portion 47 is
supported at its thread (namely, upper end) by the left mount 18
with the rear fastening nut 42 therebetween.
[0079] Due to the elastic deformation of the elastic portion 48,
the collar 49 becomes slanted to form a downward gradient toward
the rear of the vehicle as indicated by a line 92. This facilitates
the fracture or deformation of the left mount 18 fastened to the
rear side support portion 47, thereby allowing the rear side
support portion 47, together with the rear fastening nut 42, to be
detached from the left mount 18 in a preferred manner. This process
accelerates rearward bending of the left front side frame 12,
thereby allowing the impact load F1 exerted on the front end 12a
(see FIG. 10A) of the left front side frame 12 to be absorbed in a
more preferred manner.
[0080] The bending section 61 is disposed frontward as compared to
the rear side support portion 47. Accordingly, in conjunction with
downward bending of the bending section 61 resulting from the
impact load F1, the downward and rearward load F3 can be exerted on
the rear side support portion 47 through the left reinforcing
member 25 (specifically, the rear support 63) in a preferred
manner. This enables the rear side support portion 47 to be
detached from the left mount 18 in a preferred manner.
[0081] The vehicle front structure according to the present
application is not limited to the embodiment described above, and
modifications are conceivable within the scope of the present
application. In the embodiment described above, the cross member 15
and the left front side frame 12, for example, are connected to
each other with the left brace 85, and the cross member 15 and the
right front side frame 13 are connected to each other with the
right brace 86, but not limited to this.
[0082] The cross member 15 and the left end of the dash cross
member 24, for example, may be connected to each other with the
left brace 85, and the cross member 15 and the right end of the
dash cross member 24 may be connected to each other with the right
brace 86. As is the case with the above embodiment, this
arrangement can improve the rigidity (so called "support rigidity")
of the members that support the power steering unit 16 and other
steering system components and the right and left suspension arms
21, thereby allowing various members to be tightly supported by the
vehicle body 11.
[0083] In addition, a vehicle front structure, a vehicle body,
right and left front side frames, a cross member, a power steering
unit, a dash panel, right and left mounts, right and left
suspension arms, a dash cross member, right and left reinforcing
members, a frame bending section, a main arm, a front side support
portion, a rear side support portion, an elastic portion, a collar,
a bending section, a plate section, a rigid section, first and
second bead sections, right and left legs, and right and left
braces are not limited to those described in the above embodiment
with regard to shape and configuration, and various modifications
are conceivable.
[0084] The vehicle front structure according to the present
application may be applied to a motor vehicle that has front side
frames on right and left sides thereof and has suspension arms
supported below the front side frames.
* * * * *