JP2004276701A - Front end structure of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a sufficient collision space, while suppressing reduction of a space within a cabin. <P>SOLUTION: A heat exchanger 20 is constituted by arranging a first core part 21 arranged at a position deviated to an upper direction side in relation to a bumper reinforce 30 from the viewpoint of a vehicle front side and arranging a second core part 22 arranged at a position deviated to a lower direction side. A closing member 23 is arranged between the first core part 21 and the second core part 22 to close a gap between both the core parts 21 and 22. As a result, an interference of the bumper reinforce 30 and the heat exchanger 20 can be prevented when the bumper reinforce 30 is bent and deformed at the time of a collision. Since thickness of the heat exchanger 20 can be utilized as the collision space, the necessity of arranging the heat exchanger 20 and an engine, etc. on a rear side of the vehicle is eliminated, and the sufficient collision space can be secured, while suppressing reduction of the space within the cabin. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a front end structure of a vehicle.
[0002]
[Problems to be solved by the prior art invention]
In a general vehicle front end structure, a beam-shaped bumper reinforcement that extends in the vehicle width direction is disposed at a vehicle front end, and a heat exchanger such as a radiator or a condenser is disposed behind the bumper reinforcement.
[0003]
Here, the bumper reinforce absorbs the impact at the time of collision by bending and deforming itself. It is necessary to secure a sufficient gap (collision space).
[0004]
On the other hand, if a sufficient collision space is secured while suppressing the increase in the size of the vehicle, the heat exchanger, the engine, and the like must be arranged at the rear side of the vehicle. Will occur.
[0005]
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to increase the bending strength of the bumper reinforcement so as to suppress the expansion of the collision space. However, with this means, the mass of the bumper reinforcement is likely to increase.
[0006]
In view of the above, the present invention provides, firstly, a novel front end structure of a vehicle different from the conventional one, and secondly, a sufficient collision while suppressing the reduction of the space in the vehicle interior. The purpose is to secure space.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a beam-shaped bumper reinforcement (30) disposed on a front end side of a vehicle and extending in a vehicle width direction, and a bumper reinforcement (30). A heat exchanger (20) disposed further rearward, and the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at a position vertically displaced from the bumper reinforcement (30) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. It is characterized by having.
[0008]
Thereby, when the bumper reinforce (30) is bent and deformed at the time of collision, it is possible to prevent the bumper reinforce (30) from interfering with the heat exchanger (20).
[0009]
Therefore, the thickness of the heat exchanger (20), that is, the dimension of the portion of the heat exchanger (20) that is parallel to the collision direction can be used as the collision space. There is no need to dispose it on the rear side, and it is possible to secure a sufficient collision space while suppressing the reduction of the space in the vehicle interior.
[0010]
In the invention according to claim 2, the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at a position shifted upward from the bumper reinforce (30) as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. And a second core portion (22) arranged at a position shifted downward from the bumper reinforce (30) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. is there.
[0011]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, a closing member (23) for closing a gap between the two core portions (21, 22) is provided between the first core portion (21) and the second core portion (22). It is characterized by being provided.
[0012]
Thus, it is possible to prevent the air for heat exchange from flowing around the core portions (21, 22). Therefore, a sufficient collision space can be secured without reducing the space in the vehicle interior without reducing the heat exchange capacity of the heat exchanger (20).
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the closing member (23) is a beam-shaped member having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape with an opening on the bumper reinforcement (30) side.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the closing members (23) are fixed to side members (31) located at both ends in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.
[0015]
Thereby, a portal frame is constituted by the closing member (23) and the side members (31). Therefore, when a frontal collision force acts on the bumper reinforcement (30), it is possible to suppress the side members (31) from being deformed such that the dimension between the side members (31) is increased.
[0016]
Therefore, the rigidity (strength) of the bumper reinforce (30) alone can be increased without increasing the body rigidity at the front end composed of the bumper reinforce (30) and the side members (31).
[0017]
In the invention according to claim 6, the heat exchanger (20) is assembled to the vehicle body via the front end panel (10), and the closing member (23) is attached to the front end panel (10). It is characterized by being integrated.
[0018]
The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the closing member (23) and the front end panel (10) are integrally formed and integrated.
[0019]
Incidentally, reference numerals in parentheses of the above-mentioned units are examples showing the correspondence with specific units described in the embodiments described later.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a front end structure of a vehicle according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a front end structure of the vehicle according to the present embodiment.
[0021]
The front end panel 10 includes a beam-shaped upper member 11 extending in the vehicle width direction, a beam-shaped lower member 12 extending in the vehicle width direction below the upper member 11, a longitudinal end of the upper member 11, and a longitudinal end of the lower member 12. It has a rectangular frame portion 14 composed of a vertical member 13 extending in the vertical direction so as to connect the portions.
[0022]
A heat exchanger 20 such as a radiator or a condenser is assembled to the rectangular frame portion 14 of the front end panel 10, and a beam-like beam extending in the vehicle width direction is provided forward of the heat exchanger 20. A bumper reinforce 30 is provided.
[0023]
In addition, the bumper reinforcement 30 is fixed to the tip side of a side member 31 that is located at both ends in the vehicle width direction and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction by fastening means such as bolts. It is made of metal such as iron.
[0024]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchanger 20 includes a first core portion 21 disposed at a position shifted upward from the bumper reinforce 30 when viewed from the vehicle front side, and from the vehicle front side. The second core portion 22 is disposed at a position shifted downward from the bumper reinforce 30 when viewed, and between the first core portion 21 and the second core portion 22. A closing member 23 for closing a gap between the core portions 21 and 22 is disposed. The two core portions 21 and 22 are connected via a pipe.
[0025]
The closing member 23 is a beam-shaped member having a substantially U-shaped cross section with the bumper reinforce 30 side opened. In the present embodiment, the closing member 23 is made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy). Both ends in the longitudinal direction are fixed to the side members 31 by fastening means such as bolts.
[0026]
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, since the heat exchanger 20 is disposed at a position vertically displaced from the bumper reinforce 30 when viewed from the front side of the vehicle, when the bumper reinforce 30 is bent and deformed during a collision, As shown in FIG. 3, interference between the bumper reinforce 30 and the heat exchanger 20 can be prevented.
[0028]
Therefore, the thickness of the heat exchanger 20, that is, the dimension of a portion of the heat exchanger 20 parallel to the collision direction can be used as a collision space, and the heat exchanger 20, the engine, and the like need to be arranged on the rear side of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to secure a sufficient collision space while suppressing the space in the vehicle compartment from being reduced.
[0029]
Further, since the gap between the two core portions 21 and 22 is closed by the closing member 23, it is possible to prevent the cooling air from flowing around the both core portions 21 and 22. Therefore, a sufficient collision space can be ensured without reducing the space inside the vehicle compartment without reducing the cooling capacity of the heat exchanger 20.
[0030]
In addition, since the closing member 23 is fixed to the side member 31, the closing member 23 and the side member 31 form a portal frame. Therefore, when a frontal collision force acts on the bumper reinforce 30, it is possible to suppress the side members 31 from being deformed so that the dimension between the side members 31 is increased (see the broken line in FIG. 4).
[0031]
Therefore, the body rigidity of the front end side including the bumper reinforcement 30 and the side members 31 can be increased without increasing the rigidity (strength) of the bumper reinforcement 30 alone.
[0032]
(2nd Embodiment)
Since the bending rigidity in the vehicle front-rear direction is required for the bumper reinforcement 30, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. The projection 30a is provided.
[0033]
At this time, since the closing member 23 has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape in which the bumper reinforce 30 side is opened, even if the bumper reinforce 30 is deformed by a collision, the convex portion 30a remains in the closing member 23. There is no interference between the two, 30 and 23.
[0034]
For this reason, even if the convex portion 30a is provided, the substantial collision space is not reduced. Therefore, the vertical size of the bumper reinforce 30 is reduced while providing the convex portion 30a to increase the bending rigidity in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Thus, the vertical dimension of the closing member 23 can be reduced.
[0035]
Therefore, without increasing the vertical dimension of the heat exchanger 20, the vertical dimension of the heat exchanger 20 can be increased in both core portions 21 and 22 compared to the first embodiment. A sufficient collision space can be secured without impairing the cooling capacity.
[0036]
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, when viewed from the front side of the vehicle, the heat exchangers (core portions) are arranged on both the upper and lower sides with the bumper reinforcement 30 interposed therebetween. However, the heat exchangers are arranged on only one of them. Is also good.
[0037]
In the above-described embodiment, the closing member 23 is fixed to the side member 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the closing member 23 is fastened to the front end panel 10 by a fastening means such as a bolt. And the front end panel 10 and the closing member 23 may be integrated with each other, or the front end panel 10 and the closing member 23 may be integrally formed of resin or metal to integrate the two with each other.
[0038]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first core portion 21 and the second core portion 22 are the same type of heat exchanger. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The two core portions 21 and 22 may be constituted by different types of heat exchangers, for example, by using 21 as a capacitor and the second core portion 22 as a radiator.
[0039]
Further, the heat exchanger 20 may be one in which the first core portion 21, the second core portion 22, and the closing member 23 are integrated.
[0040]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first core portion 21 and the second core portion 22 are connected by a pipe. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May be integrated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a front end structure of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a front end structure of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a deformed state at the time of a collision.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a deformed state at the time of a collision.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a front end structure of a vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
20: heat exchanger (radiator), 21: first core part, 22: second core part,
23 ... closing members 23, 30 ... bumper reinforcement, 31 ... side members.

Claims (7)

A beam-shaped bumper reinforcement (30) arranged on the vehicle front end side and extending in the vehicle width direction;
A heat exchanger (20) disposed rearward of the bumper reinforce (30);
The front end structure of a vehicle, wherein the heat exchanger (20) is disposed at a position vertically displaced with respect to the bumper reinforce (30) as viewed from a front side of the vehicle. The heat exchanger (20) includes a first core portion (21) arranged at a position shifted upward from the bumper reinforce (30) when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and when viewed from the front of the vehicle. 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a second core portion disposed at a position shifted downward with respect to the bumper reinforce. Front end structure. A closing member (23) for closing a gap between the core portions (21, 22) is provided between the first core portion (21) and the second core portion (22). The front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein The vehicle front end structure according to claim 3, wherein the closing member (23) is a beam-shaped member having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape that is open on the bumper reinforce (30) side. The front end structure of a vehicle according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the closing member (23) is fixed to a side member (31) located at both ends in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The heat exchanger (20) is assembled to a vehicle body via a front end panel (10),
The vehicle front end structure according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the closing member (23) is integrated with the front end panel (10). The vehicle front end structure according to claim 6, wherein the closing member (23) and the front end panel (10) are integrally formed and integrated.

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