Shock absorbing structure for vehicle

A shock absorbing member is supported on a shock absorbing member support bracket fixed onto a floor tunnel sandwiched between left and right front seats. Therefore, it is possible to allow the front seats to interfere with the shock absorbing member so that the member can absorb collision energy at a time of a side collision of a vehicle. Because a lower portion of a front wall connected to an inverted-U-shaped inner face of the shock absorbing member is connected to an upper portion of a front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket, the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket receives a load of the side collision in a shearing direction. Accordingly, it is possible to increase strength of the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket against the side collision, prevent the shock absorbing member from falling down sideways, and enhance the shock absorbing effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, which includes a shock absorbing member supported on a shock absorbing member support bracket fixed onto a floor tunnel sandwiched between left and right front seats and in which the front seats are caused to interfere with the shock absorbing member to absorb collision energy at the time of a side collision of the vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-320348.

In this structure, a base portion (shock absorbing member support bracket) and a shock absorber (shock absorbing member) are arranged in a double-decker shape on an upper face of a floor tunnel of a vehicle. By providing higher strength to the upper shock absorber with which a seat interferes at the time of a side collision than to the lower base portion, shock absorbing effect is enhanced while reducing weight of the whole structure.

In this shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, a parking brake device is provided immediately in front of the shock absorbing member support bracket and the shock absorbing member. Therefore, brake cables extending from a brake lever to rear wheels interfere with the shock absorbing member support bracket. In this case, if an opening for allowing the brake cables to pass through is formed in the shock absorbing member support bracket, the strength of the shock absorbing member support bracket reduces and shock absorbing performance of the shock absorbing member support bracket and the shock absorbing member in total may be insufficient, even though the shock absorbing member has been made to have high strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances and an object of the present invention is to increase the strength of a shock absorbing member support bracket provided onto a floor tunnel and to secure shock absorbing performance of a shock absorbing member supported on the shock absorbing member support bracket.

In order to achieve the object, according to a first feature of the present invention, there is provided a shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, which includes a shock absorbing member supported on a shock absorbing member support bracket fixed onto a floor tunnel sandwiched between left and right front seats and in which the front seats are caused to interfere with the shock absorbing member to absorb collision energy at the time of a side collision of the vehicle, wherein the shock absorbing member has a front wall connected to an inverted-U-shaped inner face at least including an upper walk and left and right side walls, and a lower portion of the front wall is connected to an upper portion of a front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket.

With the above structure, the shock absorbing member is supported on the shock absorbing member support bracket fixed onto the floor tunnel sandwiched between the left and right front seats. Therefore, it is possible to allow the front seats to interfere with the shock absorbing member so that the member can absorb collision energy at a time of a side collision of the vehicle. Because the lower portion of the front wall connected to the inverted-U-shaped inner face of the shock absorbing member is connected to the upper portion of the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket, the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket receives a load of the side collision in a shearing direction. Accordingly, it is possible to increase strength of the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket against a side collision, prevent the shock absorbing member from falling down sideways, and enhance the shock absorbing effect.

According to a second feature of the present invention, in addition to the first feature, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein leg portions hanging from the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member are placed over left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket and fixed.

With the above structure, the leg portions hanging from the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member are placed over the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket and fixed. Therefore, it is possible to firmly integrate the shock absorbing member with the shock absorbing member support bracket to enhance the shock absorbing effect.

According to a third feature of the present invention, in addition to the second feature, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket are inclined to approach each other as they extend upward, grooves are formed between the lower portion of the front wall and the leg portions of the shock absorbing member, and the leg portions are supported on outer faces of the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket with the grooves engaged with the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket.

With the above structure, the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket are inclined to approach each other as they extend upward, the grooves are formed between the lower portion of the front wall and the leg portions of the shock absorbing member, and the leg portions are supported on the outer faces of the left and right side walls of the shock absorbing member support bracket with the grooves engaged with the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately position the shock absorbing member with respect to the shock absorbing member support bracket.

According to a fourth feature of the present invention, in addition to any one of the first to third features, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket and a parking brake support bracket are fastened together to the floor tunnel.

With the above structure, the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket and the parking brake support bracket are fastened together to the floor tunnel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of fastening members as compared with a case in which they are separately fastened to the floor tunnel.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention, in addition to the fourth feature, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein a rear wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket has an inspection window for maintenance of a brake cable of a parking brake device supported by the parking brake support bracket.

With the above structure, the rear wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket has the inspection window for maintenance of the brake cable. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the brake cable without detaching the shock absorbing member support bracket.

According to a sixth feature of the present invention, in addition to the fifth feature, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein notches through which the brake cables pass are formed in portions where the left and right side walls and the rear wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket are connected.

With the above structure, the notches through which the brake cables pass are formed in portions where the left and right side walls and the rear wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket are connected. Therefore, it is possible to arrange the brake cables not to interfere with the shock absorbing member support bracket.

According to a seventh feature of the present invention, in addition to the first feature, there is proposed the shock absorbing structure for a vehicle, wherein the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket has a U-shaped opening and a reinforcing bead portion, bent at an obtuse angle is formed at an end edge of the opening at at least one of left and right side portions of the front wall.

With the above structure, the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket has the U-shaped opening, thus it may reduce strength of the front wall when a collision load of a side collision is input. However, the reinforcing bead portion bent at the obtuse angle is formed at the end edge of the opening at at least one of the left and right side portions of the front wall. Accordingly, it is possible to further increase the strength of the front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket against the side collision, prevent the shock absorbing member from falling down sideways, and enhance the shock absorbing effect.

The above description, other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clear from detailed descriptions which will be provided for the preferred embodiments referring to the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described based onFIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown inFIG. 1, a floor tunnel13protruding upward from a floor panel12and extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle body is arranged between left and right front seats11,11and an upper face of the floor tunnel13is covered with a center console14having an armrest14a.In the center console14and below the armrest14a,a shock absorbing member support bracket15fixed to the upper face of the floor tunnel13and a shock absorbing member16fixed to an upper face of the shock absorbing member support bracket15are arranged. A parking brake support bracket17is fixed to the upper face of the floor tunnel13and in front of the shock absorbing member support bracket15and a lever portion18aof a parking brake device18fixed to an upper face of the parking brake support bracket17protrudes into a vehicle compartment through an opening portion in the center console14. Brake cables19,19connected at their one ends to the lever portion18aof the parking brake device18pass through a front wall of the shock absorbing member support bracket15and an upper wall of the floor tunnel13, pass through an inside of the floor tunnel13, and are connected to parking brakes of rear wheels.

As is clear fromFIGS. 2 to 5, the shock absorbing member support bracket15includes a front bracket21and a rear bracket22. The front bracket21, formed by pressing sheet metal, has a plate-shaped front wall21aextending in a left-right direction of the vehicle body, a U-shaped opening21bis formed at an upper edge of the front wall21ato open upward, and a lower edge of the front wall21ais bent forward to form a mounting portion21c.Two bolt holes21d,21dare formed in left and right opposite upper portions of the front bracket21and two bolt holes21e,21eare formed on left and right opposite sides of the mounting portion21c.

The rear bracket22formed by pressing sheet metal has left and right side walls22a,22aand a rear wall22band is in an angular U shape in a plan view. Front edges of the side walls22a,22aare bent outward in the left-right direction to form mounting portions22c,22cand bolt holes22d,22dare formed in upper portions of the mounting portions22c,22c.Front portions of lower edges of the side walls22a,22aare bent outward in the left-right direction to form mounting portions22e,22eand notches22f,22frecessed upward are formed at rear portions of the lower edges of the side walls22a,22a.Furthermore, a lower edge of the rear wall22bis bent rearward to form two mounting portions22g,22gand a circular inspection window22his formed in a central portion of the rear wall22b.

The shock absorbing member16includes a front member23, left and right side members24,24, and a rear member25. The front member23, formed by pressing sheet metal, includes a plate-shaped front wall23aextending in the left-right direction of the vehicle body, mounting portions23b,23bbent forward at left and right side edges of the front wall23a,and a mounting portion23cbent forward at an upper edge of the front wall23a.The left side member24includes an upper wall24aextending in a horizontal direction, a side wall24bextending in the front-rear direction, a leg portion24cextending inward in the left-right direction from a lower end of the side wall24band then extending downward, and a bracket24dhanging from a front end of an upper portion of the leg portion24c.Bolt holes24eand24fare respectively formed in the leg portion24cand the bracket24d.The right side member24and the above-described left side member24are substantially bilaterally symmetrical to each other.

The rear member25includes a rear wall25aextending in the left-right direction, a lower wall25bextending horizontally forward from a lower edge of the rear wall25a,and a pair of leg portions25c,25cextending downward from left and right side edges of the lower wall25b.An upper edge and left and right opposite side edges of the rear wall25aare bent rearward to form mounting portions25d;25e,25e.Two circular lightening holes25f,25fare formed in the lower wall25b,a front edge of the lower wall25bis bent downward to form a mounting portion25g,and bolt holes25h,25hare respectively formed in left and right leg portions25c,25c.

After welding the front wall21aof the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15and the mounting portions22c,22cof the side walls22a,22aof the rear bracket22to each other (W1), the mounting portion21cof the front wall21aof the front bracket21, the mounting portions22e,22eof the side walls22a,22aof the rear bracket22, and the mounting portions22g,22gof the rear wall22bof the rear bracket22are welded to the upper face of the floor tunnel13(W2). Then, a rear end of the parking brake support bracket17is placed on an upper face of the mounting portion21cof the front wall21aof the front bracket21and two bolts26,26passing through the rear end of the parking brake support bracket17, the bolt holes21e,21ein the mounting portion21cof the front wall21a, and the floor tunnel13are screwed into weld nuts27,27to thereby fasten the front bracket21and the parking brake support bracket17together. By employing the above-described structure for fastening together, the number of fastening members can be reduced and support strength of the front bracket21can be enhanced as compared with a case in which the front bracket21and the parking brake support bracket17are separately fastened to the floor tunnel13.

When the shock absorbing member support bracket15, assembled in this manner, is seen from the front-rear direction, an interval between the side walls22a,22aof the rear bracket22narrows from a lower portion toward an upper portion in a trapezoidal shape.

The shock absorbing member16is assembled by welding the mounting portions23b,23b;23cof the front wall23aof the front member23, front ends of the upper walls24a,24aof the left and right side members24,24, and front ends of the side walls24b,24bof the left and right side members24,24to each other (W3), welding mounting portions25d;25e,25eof the rear wall25aof the rear member25, rear ends of the upper walls24a,24aof the left and right side members24,24, and rear ends of the side walls24b,24bof the left and right side members24,24to each other (W4), welding the upper walls24a,24aof the left and right side members24,24to each other (W5), and welding the mounting portion25gof the lower wall25bof the rear member25to a rear face of an upper portion of the front wall23aof the front member23(W6). In this state, the leg portions25c,25cof the rear member25are placed on insides in the left-right direction of the leg portions24c,24cof the left and right side members24,24and an interval between the right leg portions24c,25cand the left leg portions24c,25cnarrows from a lower portion toward an upper portion in a trapezoidal shape when seen from the front-rear direction.

If the shock absorbing member16assembled in this manner is placed on the shock absorbing member support bracket15, inner faces in the left-right direction of the left and right leg portions24c,25c;24c,25cof the shock absorbing member16come in contact with outer faces in the left-right direction of the side walls22a,22a, which are inclined in the trapezoidal shape, of the rear bracket22of the shock absorbing member support bracket15. In this state, two bolts28,28passing through the bolt holes24e,25h;24e,25hin the left and right leg portions24c,25c;24c,25cof the shock absorbing member16and the side walls22a,22aof the rear bracket22of the shock absorbing member support bracket15are screwed into weld nuts29,29. Two bolts30,30passing through the bolt holes22d,22din the rear bracket22of the shock absorbing member support bracket15, the bolt holes21d,21din the front bracket21, the brackets24d,24dof the left and right side members24,24of the shock absorbing member16, and the front member23of the shock absorbing member16are screwed into weld nuts31,31.

To mount the shock absorbing member16on the upper portion of the shock absorbing member support bracket15, a groove α(seeFIG. 2) is formed between rear faces of the left and right brackets24d,24dand the front wall23a, which are placed on each other, of the shock absorbing member16and front edges of the left and right leg portions24c,24c,and it is possible to easily position the shock absorbing member16with respect to the shock absorbing member support bracket15by engaging the groove a with the upper edge of the front wall21aof the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15from above and placing the inner faces of the left and right leg portions24c,25c;24c,25cof the shock absorbing member16, which are flared in the trapezoidal shape, on the outer faces of the left and right side walls22a,22aof the shock absorbing member support bracket15, which are flared in the trapezoidal shape.

With the shock absorbing member support bracket15and the shock absorbing member16fixed in upper and lower positions in a double-decker shape to the upper face of the floor tunnel13, their left and right opposite side faces and upper face are covered with the center console14(seeFIG. 1). Then, the other ends of outer tubes19a,19aof the brake cables19,19having one end fixed to the upper face of the parking brake support bracket17through a bracket32are introduced into the shock absorbing member support bracket15through the opening21bin the front bracket21, pass through two openings13a,13aformed in the upper face of the floor tunnel13and covered with grommets33,33, and extend toward the rear wheels and inner cables19b,19bhaving one end connected to the lever portion18aof the parking brake device18are slidably fitted in the outer tubes19a,19a.

Next, operation of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above structure will be described.

If the front seat11moves inward with respect to the vehicle body due to a side collision of the vehicle, an inner side face of a seat cushion of the front seat11collides with a side face of the shock absorbing member16through the center console14and a load is applied by a seat frame inside the front seat11to the shock absorbing member16. Because the front wall21aof the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15receives the load in a shearing direction and therefore the shock absorbing member16having high strength absorbs collision energy transmitted from the front seat11and prevents inward movement of the front seat11with respect to the vehicle body to ensure a space for survival of an occupant. Particularly, the shock absorbing member16has a complete box structure having the front wall23a,the rear wall25a,the upper walls24a,24a,the lower wall25b,and the left and right side walls24b,24band therefore has extremely high strength to exert sufficient shock absorbing effect.

Because the parking brake device18and the shock absorbing member support bracket15are arranged on front and rear adjacent positions on the upper face of the floor tunnel13, the brake cables19,19extending rearward from the parking brake device18interfere with the shock absorbing member support bracket15to make it difficult to design layout. According to the embodiment, however, this problem can be solved by arranging the brake cables19,19so that they pass through the opening21bformed in the front wall21aof the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15and the openings13a,13aformed in the upper face of the floor tunnel13.

On the other hand, if the opening21bis formed in the front wall21aof the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15, it greatly reduces strength of the front bracket21caused by the formation of the opening21band the shock absorbing member support bracket15is easily deformed at the time of the side collision of the vehicle. As a result, there is fear that the shock absorbing member16cannot exert sufficient shock absorbing effect, even though it has high strength.

According to the embodiment, however, an opening portion of an upper end of the U-shaped opening21bin the front wall21aof the front bracket21is closed with a lower end of the front member23of the shock absorbing member16and the front member23of the shock absorbing member16is reinforced by being connected to the inverted-U shaped upper walls24a,24aand left and right side walls24b,24b,thereby it is possible to sufficiently compensate for the reduction in the strength of the front bracket21caused by formation of the opening21band to increase strength of the shock absorbing member support bracket15and the shock absorbing member16in total to enhance the shock absorbing effect.

Furthermore, because the left and right leg portions24c,24changing from the left and right side walls24b,24bof the shock absorbing member16are placed over the left and right side walls22a,22aof the shock absorbing member support bracket15and fixed, it is possible to firmly integrate the shock absorbing member16with the shock absorbing member support bracket15to further enhance the shock absorbing effect.

Moreover, the inspection window22his formed in the rear wall22bof the shock absorbing member support bracket15and therefore it is easy to maintain, through the inspection window22h,the brake cables19,19arranged inside the shock absorbing member support bracket15. The brake cables19,19are forked into two branches inside the shock absorbing member support bracket15and introduced into the two openings13a,13ain the floor tunnel13. At this time, because the notches22f,22fare formed in the left and right side walls22a,22aof the shock absorbing member support bracket15and near the openings13a,13a,it is possible to prevent the brake cables19,19forked into two branches from interfering with the shock absorbing member support bracket15.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based onFIG. 6.

The second embodiment is characterized by a shape of a front bracket21of a shock absorbing member support bracket15. By providing a step along a U-shaped opening21bformed in the front wall21a, a bead portion21ffor reinforcement is formed. The bead portion21fis slightly displaced from the U-shaped opening21bat a left side portion of the front bracket21and therefore an angle of a left corner portion of the U-shaped bead portion21fis increased from 90 degrees to be an obtuse angle.

As a result, when a collision load of a side collision from a left side of a vehicle body is input to the front bracket21of the shock absorbing member support bracket15, the reinforcing bead portion21fformed so that its left corner portion has the obtuse angle compensates for reduction in strength of the front wall21adue to formation of the U-shaped opening21bto further increase strength of the front wall21aof the shock absorbing member support bracket15against the side collision, prevent the shock absorbing member support bracket15from falling down sideways, and enhance the shock absorbing effect.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various changes in design can be made to the invention without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, though the shock absorbing member16has the complete box structure having the front wall23a,the rear wall25a,the upper walls24a,24a, the lower wall25b,and the left and right side walls24b,24bin the embodiments, the lower wall25bmay be omitted. In other words, a section of the shock absorbing member16in the left-right direction may be an inverted-U-shaped section having the upper walls24a,24aand the left and right side walls24b,24band open downward.