Patent ID: 12202327

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Explanation follows regarding a vehicle lower structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, with reference toFIG.1toFIG.6. In these drawings, the arrow FR illustrated as appropriate indicates the front side of the vehicle, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiment

InFIG.1, a vehicle10, to which a vehicle lower structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been applied, is illustrated in perspective view. Here, the vehicle10illustrated inFIG.1is, for example, an electric vehicle that travels by autonomous driving, and is also capable of traveling by remote control. Vehicle drive units18are provided at both sides in the vehicle width direction at the front side and the rear side of the vehicle10, and an in-wheel motor (not illustrated), for example, is incorporated in the vehicle drive unit18.

As illustrated inFIG.1, a door opening14is formed at an intermediate portion in a front-rear direction of the vehicle10at a left side portion12of the vehicle10. The door opening14communicates the exterior of the vehicle cabin with the interior of the vehicle cabin, and is opened and closed by a pair of doors16,17. The pair of doors16,17are slide doors that slide along the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

An electric slope device20is installed at a lower part of the vehicle10. The slope device20is configured so as to be able to extend a slope plate20A from a lower edge side of the door opening14outward from the side of the vehicle. The slope device20includes the slope plate20A, a pair of front and rear rails20B (seeFIG.3) for guiding movement of the slope plate20A, and a drive motor (not illustrated) for moving the slope plate20A, and a jamming protection function is provided. The jamming protection function is a function for stopping movement of the slope plate20A during a time of abnormality, such as in a case in which the slope plate20A contacts a person or the like during deployment of the slope plate20A. Since the basic configuration of the slope device20is well-known, detailed explanation thereof is omitted. Further, the slope plate20A may be configured from a single piece or plural pieces.

InFIG.2, an enlarged, simplified cross-sectional view of a section taken along line2-2ofFIG.1is shown. InFIG.2, the slope device20described above is illustrated as a single element for the sake of convenience. As illustrated inFIG.2, a battery case24functioning as a base member is provided below the floor of the vehicle10. The battery case24is a case body that accommodates a battery22. As an example, the battery case24includes an upper case24A configuring an upper portion thereof, and a lower case24B disposed below the upper case24A and forming an internal space together with the upper case24A, and the upper case24A and the lower case24B are joined together. The battery case24is fixed to vehicle body component members (not shown).

Reinforcements32,34, functioning as a pair of iron (steel) strength members, are provided at a vehicle upper side, and on both sides in the vehicle front-rear direction, of the battery case24. The pair of reinforcements32,34are disposed with the vehicle width direction serving as a longitudinal direction thereof (seeFIG.3). Each of the pair of reinforcements32,34may be configured by a single member, or may be configured as an integrated body by joining plural members connected in a longitudinal direction. The pair of reinforcements32,34configure a portion of a body frame part30. The body frame part30includes an iron (steel) reinforcement36disposed at a vehicle rear side of the pair of reinforcements32,34with the vehicle width direction as a longitudinal direction.

In the following explanation, among the pair of reinforcements32,34, the reinforcement (front strength member) at the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as the front reinforcement32. The reinforcement (rear strength member) at the rear side among the pair of reinforcements32,34in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as the rear reinforcement34. In a case in which explanation is made collectively without distinguishing between the front reinforcement32and the rear reinforcement34, these are referred to as a pair of reinforcements32,34.

The pair of reinforcements32,34are formed in a hat shape with a cross section that is opened at a vehicle upper side as viewed along a longitudinal direction, and respective end parts in the vehicle front-rear direction are configured by flanges32A,32B,34A,34B. In the following explanation, among the flanges32A,32B of the front reinforcement32, the flange at the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as a front flange32A, and the rearward flange of the flanges32A,32B of the front reinforcement32in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as a rear flange32B. Similarly, of the flanges34A,34B of the rear reinforcement34, the flange on the front side in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as a front flange34A, and the rearward flange of the flanges34A,34B of the rear reinforcement34in the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as a rear flange34B.

InFIG.3, an exploded perspective view is shown of a simplified exploded view of a portion of a lower part of the vehicle10ofFIG.1. As illustrated inFIG.2andFIG.3, the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32and the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34are joined to the underside of a panel body38of the iron (steel) body frame part30.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the panel body38includes plural panel materials38A,38B,38C. Adjacent portions of the plural panel members38A,38B,38C are joined together. At the panel body38, a substantially rectangular penetration part38H is formed that penetrates in a vehicle vertical direction, and this penetrating part38H is open at the left side of the vehicle in a plan view of the vehicle. The front flange32A of the front reinforcement32is joined to a forward portion of the peripheral edge of the penetration part38H, and the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34is joined to a rearward portion of the peripheral edge of the penetration part38H. While not illustrated inFIG.3, as illustrated inFIG.2, a reinforcement36disposed further toward the vehicle rear side than the rear reinforcement34is also joined to the panel body38.

The rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32is configured at a position of lower height in the vehicle vertical direction than the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32. The front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34is configured at a position of lower height in the vehicle vertical direction than the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34. The joining of the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32with another member, and the joining of the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34with another member, will be described below.

The slope device20described above is housed at a vehicle upper side of the battery case24and between the pair of reinforcements32,34. The pair of reinforcements32,34support the vehicle body floor40configuring the floor surface of the vehicle cabin10X from below the vehicle. Here,FIG.2schematically illustrates an equivalent distributed load, acting in a case in which a large number of occupants are standing on the vehicle body floor40, with an arrow F. The rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34are spaced apart from the bottom surface of the vehicle body floor40toward a lower side of the vehicle. The vehicle body floor40is disposed at an interval at the vehicle upper side with respect to the slope device20. Here, in the case of a state in which the vehicle body floor40has been removed, the slope device20is detachable.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the vehicle body floor40is configured by plural floor component members40A, as an example. The floor component40A is an extruded material made of an aluminum alloy, is hollow (seeFIG.5andFIG.6), and is formed in an elongated rectangular shape in plan view. The extrusion direction at the time of molding of the floor component40A is the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the floor component40A. In addition, inFIG.2andFIG.3, illustration of a hollow part of the hollow floor component40A is omitted in order to simplify the drawings. As illustrated inFIG.3, the plural floor components40A are each disposed with the vehicle front-rear direction as their longitudinal direction, and are joined to the body frame part30so as to occlude the penetration part38H of the panel body38while being juxtaposed in the vehicle width direction. The plural floor component members40A are detachable from the body frame part30.

InFIG.4, a simplified plan view is shown of a state in which the vehicle body floor40is removed from the lower part of the vehicle10illustrated inFIG.1to an extent corresponding to the illustration ofFIG.3, as viewed from a vehicle upper side. InFIG.4, the outline of the vehicle body floor40in a case in which the vehicle body floor40is in place is illustrated in a simplified manner by a two-dot chain line, and the slope device20is illustrated as a single element for simplicity. Moreover, reference numerals32Y,32Z,34Y,34Z,38Z are assigned to positions at which the vehicle body floor40is fastened at the body frame part30, and reference numerals32X,34X are assigned to positions at which the slope device20is fastened at the body frame part30. To explain further, the circles marked with the reference numerals32X,32Y,32Z,34X,34Y,34Z,38Z inFIG.4can be regarded as positions at which fasteners are disposed when viewed from a vehicle upper side.

Further, inFIG.5, a cross-sectional view is shown of a state in which the lower part of the vehicle10ofFIG.1is cut at a position corresponding to line5-5inFIG.4and enlarged, and inFIG.6, a cross-sectional view is shown of a state in which the lower part of the vehicle10ofFIG.1is cut at a position corresponding to line6-6inFIG.4and enlarged.FIG.5andFIG.6illustrate the slope device20in a simplified state and, for example, a movable body20M is illustrated in a state in which it is integrated with the slope plate20A and a member attached to a front end side thereof in the vehicle front-rear direction for the sake of convenience. Further, a member (not illustrated) such as a pulley is disposed between the moving body20M and the rail20B. Incidentally, side guards20C are provided at upper portions of both end sides of the movable body20M in the vehicle front-rear direction, and these side guards20C are arranged in a vertical wall shape by rotation thereof 90 degrees around a vehicle width direction axis during use of the slope device20.

As illustrated inFIG.4toFIG.6, both the slope device20and the vehicle body floor40are fastened to each of the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34, and the positions32X,34X (seeFIG.4) at which the slope device20is fastened and the positions32Y,34Y (seeFIG.4) at which the vehicle body floor40is fastened are configured at different positions from each other. Hereinafter, explanation follows regarding these configurations and their peripheral configurations.

As illustrated inFIG.4, from a front end side of the slope device20in the vehicle front-rear direction, plural front side projections20F project toward a front side of the vehicle. Plural rear side projections20R project toward a rear side of the vehicle from a rear end side of the slope device20in the vehicle front-rear direction. As an example, the front side projections20F and the rear side projections20R are configured at portions near respective ends in the vehicle width direction at front and rear end sides of the slope device20and at an intermediate portion in the vehicle width direction at front and rear end sides of the slope device20.

As illustrated inFIG.4andFIG.5, the front side projections20F of the slope device20are overlaid from the vehicle upper side and fastened to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32. As illustrated inFIG.5, a bolt insertion hole20F1is formed through the front side projection20F. A bolt insertion hole32B1is formed in a position corresponding to the bolt insertion hole20F1in the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32through the rear flange32B. A weld nut48is fixed in advance to an outer peripheral portion of the bolt insertion hole32B1at a lower surface of the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32. A shaft49A of a bolt49that penetrates the bolt insertion holes20F1,32B1from a vehicle upper side, is screwed into the weld nut48. As a result, the front side projection20F of the slope device20and the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32are sandwiched and fastened between a head section49B of the bolt49and the weld nut48. A space is provided between the head portion49B of the bolt49and the lower surface of the vehicle body floor40.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the rear side projections20R of the slope device20are overlaid from the vehicle upper side and fastened to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34. The fastening configuration between the rear side projection20R of the slope device20and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34is substantially the same as the fastening configuration between the front side projection20F of the slope device20and the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32illustrated inFIG.5, inverted in the front-rear direction. As described above, the first fastening portion50of the slope device20to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32, and to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34, illustrated inFIG.4(refer toFIG.5; a cross-sectional view of a fastening portion between the slope device20and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34is not illustrated) is disposed so as not to contact the vehicle body floor40illustrated inFIG.5.

As illustrated inFIG.4andFIG.6, the front portion of the vehicle body floor40in the vehicle front-rear direction is fastened to the front flange32A and the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32.

As illustrated inFIG.6, a bolt insertion hole32A1is formed through the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32. A weld nut46is fixed in advance to an outer peripheral portion of the bolt insertion hole32A1at a lower surface of the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32. A bolt insertion hole38D1is formed through an overlapping portion38D of the panel body38that overlaps with the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32. Moreover, a bolt insertion hole40L1is formed through a lower wall40L of the vehicle body floor40at a position corresponding to the bolt insertion hole38D1. A work hole40U1with a larger diameter than the bolt insertion hole40L1is formed through an upper wall40U of the vehicle body floor40at a vehicle upper side of the bolt insertion hole40L1. The work hole40U1is dimensioned so as to allow a bolt47to pass therethrough. A shaft47A of the bolt47penetrates the bolt insertion holes40L1,38D1,32A1from the vehicle upper side and is screwed into the weld nut46. As a result, the lower wall40L of the vehicle body floor40, the overlapping portion38D of the panel body38, and the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32are sandwiched and fastened between a head section47B of the bolt47and the weld nut46.

Further, a bolt insertion hole32B2is formed through the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32. A weld nut44is fixed in advance to an outer peripheral portion of the bolt insertion hole32B2at a lower surface of the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32. A metallic cylindrical collar42is interposed coaxially with the weld nut44between the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and the lower wall40L of the vehicle body floor40. As an example, the collar42is fixed in advance to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32.

A bolt insertion hole40L2is formed in the lower wall40L of the vehicle body floor40at a position corresponding to the bolt insertion hole32B2in the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32. A work hole40U2with a larger diameter than the bolt insertion hole40L2is formed through the upper wall40U of the vehicle body floor40at a vehicle upper side of the bolt insertion hole40L2. The working hole40U2is dimensioned so as to allow a bolt45to pass therethrough. A shaft45A of the bolt45penetrates the bolt insertion hole40L2, the collar42, and the bolt insertion hole32B2from the vehicle upper side, and is screwed into the weld nut44. As a result, the lower wall40L of the vehicle body floor40, the collar42, and the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32are sandwiched and fastened between a head45B of the bolt45and the weld nut44. The weld nut44, the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32, and the collar42are spaced apart from the front face20X of the slope device20in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The rear portion in the vehicle front-rear direction of the vehicle body floor40illustrated by the two-dot chain line inFIG.4, is fastened to the front flange34A and the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34. The fastening configuration between the rear portion of the vehicle body floor40in the vehicle front-rear direction and the front flange34A and the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34is substantially the same as the fastening configuration between the front portion of the vehicle body floor in the vehicle front-rear direction and the front flange32A and the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32illustrated inFIG.6, inverted in the front-rear direction. As above, a second fastening portion52of the vehicle body floor40illustrated by the two-dot chain line inFIG.4to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32, and to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34(refer toFIG.6; a cross-sectional view of the fastening portion between the vehicle body floor40and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34is not shown in the drawings) is disposed so as not to be in contact with the slope device20.

The weld nuts44,46,48and the bolts45,47,49illustrated inFIG.5andFIG.6are elements that are broadly understood to be fasteners. While detailed explanation is omitted, as illustrated inFIG.4, as an example, an end portion of the vehicle right side of the vehicle body floor40illustrated by the two-dot chain line is fastened at plural positions (positions indicated by reference numeral38Z) to a vehicle right side portion at a peripheral edge portion of the penetration part38H of the panel body38.

Mechanism and Effect of Exemplary Embodiment

Next, explanation follows regarding the mechanism and effect of the above-described exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the pair of reinforcements32,34support the vehicle body floor40from the vehicle lower side, and the vehicle body floor40is disposed at an interval at the vehicle upper side with respect to the slope device20. As illustrated inFIG.4toFIG.6, both the slope device20and the vehicle body floor40are fastened to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34, respectively, and the positions32X,34X (seeFIG.4) at which the slope device20is fastened and the positions32Y,34Y (seeFIG.4) at which the vehicle body floor40is fastened are configured at different positions from each other. Moreover, the first fastening portions50(seeFIG.5) of the slope device20to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34are disposed so as not to contact the vehicle body floor40, and the second fastening portions52(seeFIG.6) of the vehicle body floor40to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34are disposed so as not to contact the slope device20. This enables a load acting on the vehicle body floor40to be prevented or suppressed from being directly transmitted to the slope device20, which enables operation of the slope device20to be stabilized.

To explain further, in the configuration of the present exemplary embodiment, even in a case in which a large load acts on the vehicle body floor40in the vehicle vertical direction, this load is only transmitted to the slope device20via members such as the collar42and the pair of reinforcements32,34. This prevents a large input from being directly applied to the rail20B (seeFIG.5andFIG.6) of the slope device20, which enables an increase in sliding resistance (occurrence of an abnormality in sliding resistance) during deployment of the slope plate20A to be suppressed. This enables a reduction in erroneous determination regarding an abnormality in sliding resistance during deployment of the slope plate20A, and it is possible to prevent or effectively suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the operation of the slope device20is stopped by the jamming protection function based on an erroneous determination.

Moreover, in the present exemplary embodiment, the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32is set at a position that is lower in height than the front flange32A of the front reinforcement32in the vehicle vertical direction, and as illustrated inFIG.2, the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34is set at a position lower in height than the rear flange34B of the rear reinforcement34in the vehicle vertical direction. As a result, a configuration in which the first fastening portion50(seeFIG.5) of the slope device20to the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and to the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34do not come into contact with the vehicle body floor40can be implemented without providing a non-contact structure on the lower surface side of the vehicle body floor40.

As described above, according to the vehicle lower structure of the present exemplary embodiment, by preventing or suppressing a load acting on the vehicle body floor40from being directly transmitted to the slope device20, operation of the slope device20can be stabilized.

In the present exemplary embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.4toFIG.6, in addition to employing a configuration in which both the slope device20and the vehicle body floor40are fastened to each of the rear flange32B of the front reinforcement32and the front flange34A of the rear reinforcement34, since a configuration that prevents a load acting on the vehicle body floor40from being directly transmitted to the slope device20has been adopted, as illustrated inFIG.4, the fastening pitch relative to the pair of reinforcements32,34at the vehicle body floor40can be reduced. Further, by reducing the fastening pitch, even in a case in which a load acts in the vehicle vertical direction on the vehicle body floor40illustrated inFIG.2, such as in a case in which the vehicle10(seeFIG.1) during travel has passed over a protrusion, deflection of the vehicle body floor40can be reduced. As a result, direct or indirect contact of the vehicle body floor40with the slope device20and the battery case24can be prevented or effectively suppressed.

Supplementary Explanation of Exemplary Embodiments

As a modified example of the above-described exemplary embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which the height positions in the vehicle vertical direction of the pair of flanges of the pair of reinforcements serving as the pair of strength members are aligned, and a non-contact concave structure is provided at a lower surface side of the vehicle body floor so as to prevent a first fastening portion of the slope device to the rear flange of the front reinforcement (front strength member) and to the front flange of the rear reinforcement (rear strength member) from contacting the vehicle body floor.

Although explanation has been given regarding an example of a case in which the base member is the battery case24in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the base member may be a base frame that accommodates a battery (for example, a base frame such as that illustrated in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2019-116112), or a base frame that does not accommodate a battery may be used.

As a modified example of the above-described exemplary embodiments, a bracket made of a steel plate may be provided instead of the collar42illustrated inFIG.6.

As a modified example of the above-described exemplary embodiments, the vehicle body floor may be, for example, a press-molded aluminum alloy. Further, the vehicle body floor may be configured of a single member.

The above-described exemplary embodiments and the plural modified examples described above may be implemented in appropriate combinations.

Although examples of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various other modifications may be implemented within a range not departing from the gist of the present disclosure.