Support structure for vehicle component

A support structure is provided for a vehicle component disposed inside a power-unit chamber where a powertrain unit of the vehicle is disposed. The support structure includes the power-unit chamber including a side frame extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and a suspension tower housing formed overlapping with a part of the side frame in a plan view seen from above the vehicle. The vehicle component is disposed at a location where the vehicle component overlaps with the side frame in the plan view and forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. The vehicle component is supported by one of the side frame, and a support member coupled to an inward side surface of a closed-cross-section member connected to the side frame at a location forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a support structure for disposing a vehicle component, such as a water-cooled condenser and an electric water pump, in a power-unit chamber of a vehicle where a powertrain unit is disposed.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

JP2019-031188A discloses a vehicle component disposed in a power-unit chamber. According to the structure, the vehicle component is fixed to a side frame extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction in the power-unit chamber. The fixed position of the vehicle component is forward of a suspension tower housing of the side frame, and on an outward side surface of the side frame in a vehicle width direction. A suspension bracket is used for fixing the vehicle component.

The fixed position of the vehicle component is desirable to be near a skeleton member which constitutes a frame of the vehicle body in consideration of a shake of the vehicle component caused by vibration of the vehicle.

However, some vehicles have the suspension tower housing at a position where it overlaps with a part of the side frame which is the skeleton member in a plan view seen from above the vehicle.

In such a structure, if the vehicle component is fixed above the side frame and forward of the suspension tower housing, it may impede a given deformation of the side frame in an offset collision. That is, although the vehicle component moves rearward according to the side frame which is shortened in the length by the collision, the vehicle component then hits the suspension tower housing, thereby impeding the planned deformation of the side frame. In such a case, a desired impact absorption capability cannot be obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Therefore, one purpose of the present disclosure is to reduce vibration of a vehicle component while securing an impact absorption capability by a skeleton member in an offset collision.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a support structure is provided for a vehicle component disposed inside a power-unit chamber where a powertrain unit of the vehicle is disposed. The support structure includes the power-unit chamber including a side frame extending in a vehicle front-and-rear direction, and a suspension tower housing formed overlapping with a part of the side frame in a plan view seen from above the vehicle. The vehicle component is disposed at a location where the vehicle component overlaps with the side frame in the plan view and forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction. The vehicle component is supported by one of the side frame, and a support member coupled to an inward side surface of a closed-cross-section member connected to the side frame at a location forward of the suspension tower housing in the vehicle front-and-rear direction.

According to this structure, the side frame or the support member coupled to the closed-cross-section member supports the vehicle component near the side frame as a skeleton member or the closed-cross-section member. Moreover, while the support member moves rearward according to the deformation of the deformed side frame during to an offset collision, it urges the vehicle component supported in a cantilever state to deform inward when the vehicle component hits the suspension tower housing. Thus, the course of the vehicle component is changed inwardly, or passes by the suspension tower housing without colliding with the suspension tower housing from the front.

The vehicle component may be attached to the support structure so that a longitudinal direction of the vehicle component is oriented toward a vehicle up-and-down direction and is inclined in the vehicle front-and-rear direction with respect to the vehicle up-and-down direction.

According to this structure, a contact area of the vehicle component of which the longitudinal direction is oriented toward the vehicle up-and-down direction and is inclined in the vehicle front-and-rear direction, is made to be small as if it point-contacts the suspension tower housing, and the force for deforming the support member can act smoothly.

The closed-cross-section member may be a side member extending from the side frame so as to be inclined upward and forward, and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle component may be parallel to an extending direction of the side member.

According to this structure, since the vehicle component is supported such that the longitudinal direction of the vehicle component is oriented in and parallel to the extending direction of the side member, the vehicle component is supported at a location closer to the side member and with the small influence by the vehicle vibration. Moreover, since the vehicle component is inclined so that the lower end in the longitudinal direction is located rearward of the upper end, the space can be secured between the vehicle component and the suspension tower housing. Therefore, the distance for the vehicle component passing by the suspension tower housing can be fully acquired, and the deformation of the side frame and the displacement of the vehicle component can be ensured.

The vehicle component may be supported by the support member. The support member may have a stepped part configured to protrude a free-end-side part, to which the vehicle component is fixed, inward of a base-end-side part to be fixed to one of the side frame and the closed-cross-section member.

According to this structure, when the load is inputted to the free-end-side part via the vehicle component, the load is concentrated on the stepped part. That is, the stepped part becomes a deformation part so that the deformation of the support member which deflects the vehicle component inwardly can be performed smoothly.

The support member may be comprised of a plate member of which plate surfaces face in a vehicle width direction.

According to this structure, since the support member is comprised of the plate member, and the plate surfaces which are surfaces of the plate member with large areas are oriented in the vehicle width direction to which the deformation is intended, the load can be concentrated effectively compared to a case where the support member is comprised of bar members, and the rearward-moving course of the vehicle component can more smoothly be turned inward.

A guide part may be formed in a surface of the vehicle component on the suspension tower housing side, and the guide part may be inclined inward in the vehicle width direction in the plan view, from the front side to the rear side.

According to this structure, when the vehicle component collides the suspension tower housing, the rearward-moving course of the vehicle component is turned inward by the guide part.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Hereinafter, one embodiment for implementing the present disclosure is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a support structure for a vehicle component disposed inside a power-unit chamber where a powertrain unit of a vehicle is disposed, the present disclosure is to reduce vibration of the vehicle component while securing an impact absorption capability by a skeleton member in an offset collision. In this example, a water-cooled condenser which constitutes an air conditioning system is described as the vehicle component.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle-body frame11which constitutes the power-unit chamber, and a water-cooled condenser12supported by the vehicle-body frame11.FIG. 1illustrates only the right side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction and as illustrated by a white arrow, the lower left in this drawing is front or forward of the vehicle and the up in this drawing is up or upward of the vehicle. “F” of the white arrow means front and “U” means up. Note that the term “outward(ly)” or “outer” or “outside” as used herein refers to outward(ly) in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the term “inward(ly)” or “inner” or “inside” as used herein refers to inward(ly) in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center line.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the power-unit chamber includes a side frame13, an apron reinforcement14, and a side member15, as skeleton members of a closed cross-section.

The side frame13extends in the vehicle front-and-rear direction, and a tip end of the side frame13is connected to a crash box17through a set plate16. The crash box17is to be crashed by a collision load, and as illustrated by a side view inFIG. 2and as illustrated by a plan view inFIG. 3, a bumper beam18is fixed to a tip end thereof.

The apron reinforcement14extends in the vehicle front-and-rear direction at a location outward in the vehicle width direction of and above the side frame13. A suspension tower housing19is provided between rear parts of the apron reinforcement14and the side frame13. In the plan view seen from above the vehicle, the suspension tower housing19overlaps with a part of the side frame13, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3.

The side member15is one example of the closed-cross-section member connected to an upper surface of the side frame13, at the location forward of the suspension tower housing19, and it is provided to connect the side frame13with the apron reinforcement14. In detail, the side member15extends obliquely upward and forward from the side frame13and spreads outward in the vehicle width direction.

A recess15bhaving an oval shape in the side view is formed in an inward side surface15aof the side member15in the vehicle width direction. The oval recess15binclines upward and forward in the extending direction of the side member15. The side surface15ais located above the side frame13.

In the power-unit chamber having such a structure, the water-cooled condenser12which is the vehicle component is disposed at the location which overlaps with the side frame13in the plan view, and forward of the suspension tower housing19. This position is an inward side surface of the side frame13, or an inward side surface of the closed-cross-section member connected to the side frame13at the location forward of the suspension tower housing19. In the example ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the water-cooled condenser12is disposed at the side member15which is the closed-cross-section member. Moreover, the water-cooled condenser12is supported through a support member31.

Here, the outline of the water-cooled condenser12is described, and the support member31is then described.

The water-cooled condenser12is to cool refrigerant by using water, and has channels through which the refrigerant and water pass. Since outside air is not needed to cool the refrigerant, it is not necessary to install the water-cooled condenser12rearward of an opening for introducing the outside air, formed in a front surface of the vehicle, unlike a radiator (heat exchanger).

FIG. 4schematically illustrates the shape of the water-cooled condenser12. The water-cooled condenser12has a box-shaped part21having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a cylindrical-shaped part22having a circular cylindrical shape. The cylindrical-shaped part22is attached to a side surface21awhich forms a rectangular shape of the box-shaped part21so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the box-shaped part21. The box-shaped part21has substantially the same longitudinal length as the cylindrical-shaped part22.

Comparing the width of the side surface21ato which the cylindrical-shaped part22is attached with a diameter of the cylindrical-shaped part22, the cylindrical-shaped part22is narrower than the box-shaped part21, and therefore, the cylindrical-shaped part22is fitted within the width of the side surface21aof the box-shaped part21.

When installing the water-cooled condenser12having such a shape inside the power-unit chamber, the installed position is in the inward side surface15aof the side member15as described above, but the water-cooled condenser12is oriented so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the vertical direction or the vehicle up-and-down direction. The term “up-and-down direction” as used herein does not only refer to the exact vertical direction. Therefore, it includes a direction inclined to some extent in the vehicle front-and-rear direction and the vehicle width direction relative to the vertical direction but is still generally considered to be the up-and-down direction.

Moreover, the water-cooled condenser12is installed so that the narrow cylindrical-shaped part22thereof is oriented rearward.

Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 4, support member fixing parts23for fixing the support member31are formed in an inward side surface21bamong side surfaces adjacent to the side surface21aholding the cylindrical-shaped part22, of the box-shaped part21of which the longitudinal direction is oriented in the vertical direction.

Although the fixing structure of the support member fixing parts23may be any suitable structures, each support member fixing part23is comprised of a pillar-shaped projection23aand a tapped hole23bin this example. A plurality of support member fixing parts23are formed with a spacing therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the side surface21b, and in this example, two support member fixing parts23are formed.

One side surface21aholding the cylindrical-shaped part22(i.e., the surface on the suspension tower housing19side of the water-cooled condenser12inside the power-unit chamber) is a flat surface opposing to the suspension tower housing19when the water-cooled condenser12is only comprised of the box-shaped part21and the cylindrical-shaped part22. Since an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical-shaped part22is circular, even if the cylindrical-shaped part22moves toward and contacts the suspension tower housing19, it can change the direction of a load, without receiving the load directly. However, in the case of the flat surface like the side surface21aof the box-shaped part21, when it moves toward and contacts the suspension tower housing19, it may collide the suspension tower housing19, without changing the direction of the load.

Therefore, a guide part24which inclines inwardly from a forward side to a rearward side in a plan view is formed in the surface of the water-cooled condenser12on the suspension tower housing19side inside the power-unit chamber, close to a side surface21cat the opposite side of the side surface having the support member fixing parts23(outward in the vehicle width direction). In other words, the guide part24extends obliquely from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical-shaped part22to the side surface21cof the box-shaped part21, and fills a gap (stepped part) between the side surface21aof the box-shaped part21and the cylindrical-shaped part22.

The guide part24of this example is formed by attaching a guide plate25. The guide plate25is formed by a metal plate, and as illustrated inFIG. 3which is the plan view, it has a base part25afixed in parallel to the side surface21cwhich is opposite from the side surface21bto which the support member31is fixed, and an inclined part25bwhich inclines to the base part25aand becomes the guide part24. The inclined angle of the inclined part25bto the base part25ais such an angle that the stepped part formed between the box-shaped part21and the cylindrical-shaped part22decreases, and the load applied straightly to the guide part24can be changed.

Both end edges25cof the guide plate25in the up-and-down-direction are bent inwardly through an arc part from end to end to increase the rigidity.

Such a guide plate25is fixed to the outward side surfaces of the box-shaped part21and the cylindrical-shaped part22. The structure for fixing the guide plate25may be any suitable structures including a threaded engagement, such as the support member fixing parts23described above. InFIG. 4, metal fittings26are for fixing the guide plate25. They are fixed to the side surface of the cylindrical-shaped part22and support the guide part24of the guide plate25at a given angle.

The support member31is comprised of a metal plate member as illustrated in the perspective view ofFIG. 5, and it is attached so that plate surfaces (an inner surface31a, and an outer surface31b) which are surfaces of the plate member with large areas are oriented in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the plate surfaces face sideways).

This support member31includes a base-end-side part32to be fixed to the inward side surface15aof the side member15, a free-end-side part33to which the water-cooled condenser12is fixed, and a stepped part34which is located between the base-end-side part32and the free-end-side part33, and makes the free-end-side part33protrude inwardly of the base-end-side part32.

The base-end-side part32has a substantially rectangular plate shape. In detail, the base-end-side part32has the size which can be fitted into the recess15bformed in the inward side surface15aof the side member15, and a plurality of through-holes32afor fixing the base-end-side part32are formed at different vertical locations. The base-end-side part32also has a locking pawl35for positioning, which is formed at an upper end corner by being bent. The locking pawl35protrudes toward the inner surface31aside.

The free-end-side part33has a rectangular plate shape larger than the base-end-side part32, and is a part to be fixed to the side surface21bof the box-shaped part21of the water-cooled condenser12having the support member fixing parts23. The water-cooled condenser12is fixed to the inner surface31aof the free-end-side part33. In order to fix the water-cooled condenser12, through-holes33aare formed in a tip-end-side edge of the free-end-side part33, at locations corresponding to the support member fixing parts23. The position and the size of the free-end-side part33relative to the base-end-side part32are set so that the water-cooled condenser12is supported at a location closer to the side member15as much as possible.

The direction connecting between the two through-holes32aof the base-end-side part32is parallel to the direction connecting between the two through-holes33aof the free-end-side part33. The term “parallel” as used herein does not only refer to “exactly parallel,” but may be include an allowance in which it is normally recognized to be parallel.

The stepped part34is formed linearly over the entire vertical dimension, and is located between the base-end-side part32and the free-end-side part33. The stepped part34is comprised of a slope which connects obliquely the base-end-side part32with the free-end-side part33. A plurality of convex ribs36for reinforcement are press-formed in the outer surface31b, at a bent part between the stepped part34and the base-end-side part32. Moreover, a plurality of convex ribs37for reinforcement are formed in the inner surface31a, at a bent part between the stepped part34and the free-end-side part33.

Ribs38for the reinforcement which stand from the outer surface31bare formed by bending, in an upper-end edge of the support member31from the base-end-side part32to the free-end-side part33, and in a lower-end edge from the stepped part34to the free-end-side part33, respectively.

A notch39at a lower end position between the base-end-side part32and the stepped part34is to permit the support member31to be fixed to the recess15bof the side member15.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, in a lower part of the recess15bof the side member15, a stop hole15cwhere the locking pawl35hooks, and tapped holes15dformed at locations in the inclining direction of the side member15so as to correspond to the through-holes32aof the base-end-side part32.

The support member31having such a structure is fixed to the inward side surface15aof the side member15after the water-cooled condenser12is fixed to the inner surface31aof the free-end-side part33, as illustrated by an arrow inFIG. 1. The fixed position of the support member31to the side surface15ais closer to a lower end of the side surface15a, which is near the side frame13.

The water-cooled condenser12is fixed through the support member31, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser12is oriented to the vehicle up-and-down direction so that it is inclined in the vehicle front-and-rear direction with respect to the vertical direction (in detail, its lower end is located rearward of its upper end). InFIG. 2, a one-dot chain line L1indicates the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser12.

As illustrated by a one-dot chain line L2inFIG. 2, the side member15extends from the side frame13so that it inclines upward and forward, and the base-end-side part32of the support member31is fixed so that it inclines upward and forward in the same way. In addition, since the longitudinal direction of the base-end-side part32(the disposed direction of the through-holes32a) is parallel to the disposed direction of the two through-holes33aof the free-end-side part33, the longitudinal direction L1of the water-cooled condenser12is parallel to the inclining direction (extending direction) L2of the side member15. The term “parallel” as used herein does not only refer to exactly parallel. Therefore, it includes one being inclined toward the other to some extent but still being generally considered to be parallel.

Moreover, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a space S having a dimension (distance) where the water-cooled condenser12can move rearward during a collision is formed between the water-cooled condenser12and the suspension tower housing19which are aligned in the vehicle front-and-rear direction in a state where the water-cooled condenser12is fixed to the side member15. The rearward-moving distance is a distance which allows the water-cooled condenser12to substantially move rearward, when the side frame13and the side member15receive a load from the collision and are compression-deformed, and the water-cooled condenser12begins to be displaced, without the water-cooled condenser12contacting the suspension tower housing19immediately after that.

According to the above structure, since the water-cooled condenser12as the vehicle component is supported closer to the side member15through the support member31fixed to the side member15as the skeleton member, the vibration of the water-cooled condenser12can be reduced.

In addition, the support member31is fixed to the inward side surface15aof the side member15and supports the water-cooled condenser12in a cantilever state. Thus, in an offset collision, since the water-cooled condenser12is not caught between the support member31and the suspension tower housings19but it escapes inward of the suspension tower housing19, the support member31can secure the impact absorption capability by the skeleton member.

The behavior during the collision is as illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8. When the vehicle travels in a direction of a white arrow A and collides a collision object X in an offset collision fashion as illustrated inFIG. 6, the vehicle deforms as illustrated by imaginary lines. At this time, a load as illustrated by a black arrow B is inputted into the vehicle from a slightly obliquely upward direction. In this early phase, the water-cooled condenser12is still in an initial state where it is located above the side frame13and is oriented straightly rearward.

Then, as the absorption of the inputted load progresses, the bumper beam18and the crash box17are compression-deformed, as illustrated by solid lines inFIG. 7. Then, when the deformation begins to take place also in the side member15and the side frame13, the water-cooled condenser12supported as the cantilever is displaced inwardly by the load from an oblique direction, as illustrated by a thick solid-line arrow C.

Then, by a further compression deformation of the side frame13, the water-cooled condenser12moves rearward and contacts the suspension tower housing19. The contacted water-cooled condenser12receives a reaction force from the suspension tower housing19, as illustrated by a thick imaginary-line arrow D. This reaction force is also transmitted to the support member31, as illustrated by a thick imaginary-line arrow E.

When the support member31receives the reaction force, it is displaced so that the free-end-side part33is opened toward the outer surface31b, as illustrated by an imaginary-line inFIG. 5. That is, the support member31bends at the stepped part34.

Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the water-cooled condenser12is further displaced inwardly, without colliding the suspension tower housing19from the front and being pinched by the suspension tower housing19. Therefore, the water-cooled condenser12is changed in the course inwardly, or passes by the suspension tower housing19. As a result, as described above, the impact absorption capability of the side frame13can be secured.

Therefore, the impact absorption capability by the skeleton member in an offset collision can be secured, while reducing the vibration of the water-cooled condenser12.

Particularly, in such a behavior during the collision, since the water-cooled condenser12is oriented so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the vehicle up-and-down direction, and is attached so that it is inclined in the vehicle front-and-rear direction with respect to the vertical direction, a contact area of the water-cooled condenser12to the suspension tower housing19is small as if it point-contacts the suspension tower housing19. Therefore, the force for deforming the support member31can act smoothly.

Moreover, since the water-cooled condenser12is fixed to the side member15which extends so as to incline upward and forward, and the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser12is parallel to the extending direction of the side member15, the water-cooled condenser12is inclined so that the lower end in the longitudinal direction is located rearward of the upper end. Therefore, the space S can be secured between the water-cooled condenser12and the suspension tower housings19so that the distance for the water-cooled condenser12passing by the suspension tower housing19can be fully acquired, and the deformation of the side frame13and the displacement of the water-cooled condenser12can be ensured.

In addition, since the support member31has the stepped part34which protrudes the free-end-side part33, to which the water-cooled condenser12is fixed, inward of the base-end-side part32, the load by the inputted reaction force can be concentrated on the stepped part34. That is, the stepped part34becomes a deformation part so that the deformation of the support member31which deflects the water-cooled condenser12inwardly can be performed smoothly. Since the stepped part34is formed linearly over the full length in the up-and-down direction, its effect is assured.

In addition, since the support member31is comprised of the plate member, and it is attached so that the plate surface is oriented to the vehicle width direction, the load can be concentrated effectively. Therefore, the expected deformation is ensured, and the rearward-moving course of the water-cooled condenser12can more smoothly be turned inward.

Moreover, since the guide part24which is inclined inwardly from forward to rearward in the plan view is formed in the surface of the water-cooled condenser12on the suspension tower housing19side, the water-cooled condenser12having the above-described shape also acquire the desired rearward-moving course after contacting the suspension tower housing19.

Below, other examples are described. In this description, the same reference characters are assigned to the same parts as the above structure to omit the detailed description.

FIG. 9is a side view illustrating another example of the support member31, and illustrates a state where it is seen from inward in the vehicle width direction. This support member31is comprised of bar members, instead of the plate member described above. For example, the support member31has two arm parts42which are parts to be fixed, and a coupling part43which connects these arm parts42. Through-holes for fastening with bolts are formed in both ends of each arm part42. The cross-sectional shape of the bar member may be suitably selected. Two or more coupling parts43may be provided.

Here, the side of the arm part42fixed to the side member15is the base-end-side part32, and the side fixed to the water-cooled condenser12is the free-end-side part33.

FIG. 10illustrates one example in which the support member31is fixed to a skeleton member other than the side member15(in detail, the side frame13). That is, if the support member31cannot be fixed to the side member15(e.g., there is no side member15provided to the vehicle), the support member31is fixed to an inward side surface13aof the side frame13.

Although the concrete shape of the support member31is different, it has fundamentally the same structure as the support member31described above. That is, the support member31has the base-end-side part32, the free-end-side part33, and the stepped part34. The shape of the support member31is selected so that, regardless of the existence of the side member15, the longitudinal direction of the water-cooled condenser12is inclined in the vehicle front-and-rear direction so that the lower end is located rearward of the upper end, as illustrated by the one-dot chain line L1inFIG. 2. In detail, the entire shape of the support member31is a substantially rectangular shape elongated in the up-and-down direction, and the stepped part34is formed at an intermediate part in the up-and-down direction so that it inclines upward as it goes forward.

Through-holes for fixing the support member31to the inward side surface13aof the side frame13are formed along a lower-end edge of the base-end-side part32. The disposed direction of these through-holes is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the side frame13.

Through-holes for fixing the water-cooled condenser12are formed along a rearward end part of free-end-side part33. The disposed direction of the through-holes is parallel to the inclining direction of the water-cooled condenser12described above.

The above structures are modes for implementing the present disclosure and the present disclosure is not limited only to the above structures and can adopt other structures.

For example, the vehicle component is not limited only to the water-cooled condenser12, and may be an electric water pump.

Moreover, when the vehicle component originally has a slope equivalent to the guide part24, the guide part24may be omitted.

The stepped part34of the support member31may be comprised of a slope which inclines to the base-end-side part32and the free-end-side part33as described above, or may be formed in a crank shape which is perpendicular to the base-end-side part32and the free-end-side part33.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

19Suspension Tower Housing