JP5841441B2 - Front cowling member for automobile - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a front cowl member for an automobile, and relates to a front cowl member that is excellent in rigidity and deformation strength and has a high lightening effect.

  In a vehicle body such as an automobile, a part called a front cowl member is disposed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction on the front side of the windshield and below the rear portion of the hood panel.

  As is well known, the front cowl member is disposed so as to extend in a substantially horizontal direction with respect to the vehicle body and in parallel with the vehicle width direction, with the end portion being a suspension tower and the rear side of the vehicle body being a vehicle body such as a dash panel. It is connected and plays the role of a rain gutter that does not allow moisture such as rain water flowing down from above the vehicle to enter the engine room. For this reason, many front cowl members have a substantially U-shaped or L-shaped cross-section with the vehicle upward direction as the opening, and various reinforcing materials and functional parts such as wiper pivots are joined as necessary. Is done.

  The front cowl member also plays a role of improving the rigidity of the vehicle body during traveling by connecting between the suspension towers that receive input loads from the left and right tires of the vehicle. For this reason, this component is also required to have high torsional and bending rigidity mainly against the vehicle vertical load, and high compression rigidity and strength due to the compressive force in the vehicle width direction. From the viewpoint of reducing the weight of an automobile, it is also required that the weight can be further reduced while ensuring the functions satisfying these rigidity and strength, as well as pedestrian protection performance.

  Since aluminum materials are lighter than conventional steel plates, application to such frame parts is also expected. However, since the material cost is high and the workability is low or the joining cost is high as compared with the steel plate, there are few application examples to the cowl member.

  As a conventional example 1 relating to such an application example, as shown in FIG. 6, in a cowl box 20 including a cowl top panel 22 of a plate material and a cowl box member 21 provided at the rear upper part of this member, a windshield is provided. An example in which a light alloy extruded material is used for a cowl box member 21 that supports 26 is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). However, there is no conventional example in which a light alloy extrusion mold material such as an aluminum alloy is applied to the front cowl member body that plays the role of rain gutter and is connected to the wiper pivot. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle body cowl box portion according to Conventional Example 1 as viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.

  In addition, as a conventional example 2, there is an example in which an aluminum extruded shape member having a hollow cross section is applied to a strut tower bar that is not a front cowl member but is provided to improve suspension rigidity by connecting suspension towers (patent) Reference 2). However, when using a hollow cross section as a frame component as in this structure, the structure of the bolt joint becomes an issue, and it is necessary to devise a joint structure such as using a collar or driving a nut into the hollow section. Therefore, there are many cases where deterioration of workability and high cost of joining become problems.

JP-A-9-202265 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-227633

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an aluminum alloy front cowl member that can be manufactured at a low cost and at a low cost, while ensuring deformation strength and rigidity by suppressing an increase in weight.

In order to achieve the above object, the means employed by the front cowl member for an automobile according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a hollow cross-sectional portion extending substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction and substantially parallel to the vehicle body. A front cowl member for an automobile using an extruded aluminum member formed by a flange portion connected to a rear side of a vehicle body of a hollow cross-section portion, wherein a vehicle width direction end portion of the hollow cross-section portion is a vertical direction of the vehicle body processing unit that is crushed is provided, with increasing coated portion of this bolt coupling configured to enable the body of suspension towers, the flange portion of the vehicle body rear side is perpendicular to the flange portion and the vehicle width direction cross section When viewed in cross section, it is formed in a bowl-like cross-sectional shape having an opening in the upward direction, and is configured to be connectable to a dash panel of a vehicle body at a vehicle body rear side portion of the flange portion. .

  The vehicle front cowl member according to claim 2 of the present invention employs the vehicle front cowl member according to claim 1, wherein the hollow cross-section has a cross-sectional shape in which a pair of vertically opposed sides is a vehicle. A substantially horizontal opposing surface is formed in the width direction, and is formed into a quadrilateral or more polygon having even sides.

  The vehicle front cowl member according to claim 3 of the present invention employs the vehicle front cowl member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the hollow cross-sectional portion is greater than the thickness of the flange portion. It is characterized by being formed thick.

  The vehicle front cowl member according to claim 4 of the present invention employs a vehicle front cowl member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper and lower opposing surfaces constituting the hollow cross-sectional portion are as follows. Is formed thicker than the wall thickness of the side surface constituting the hollow cross section and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

  The vehicle front cowl member according to claim 5 of the present invention employs the vehicle front cowl member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aluminum extruded profile is 6000 series or It is made of a 7000 series aluminum alloy.

  According to the automotive front cowl member of the first aspect of the present invention, the hollow cross-sectional portion that is substantially horizontal to the vehicle body and extends substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction is connected to the vehicle body rear side of the hollow cross-sectional portion. This is a front cowl member for an automobile in which an aluminum extruded profile composed of a flange portion is used. The hollow cross section serves as a strut tower bar by being directly connected to the suspension tower, and ensures bending and torsional rigidity, compression rigidity and strength of the parts.

  Further, the flange portion on the rear side of the vehicle body is formed in a bowl-like cross-sectional shape having an opening in the upward direction when the flange portion is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle width direction. Since it is configured to be connectable with the dash panel of the car body at the part, it plays the role of rain gutter to prevent moisture intrusion into the engine room, both of which are aluminum extruded profiles with a hollow cross section and a flange part By integrating the material as a press-molded product, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce the cost by eliminating the need for welding, and it is possible to increase the rigidity and strength as compared with the conventional spot-joint parts of the plate-shaped product.

By processing unit in the vehicle width direction end portion of the hollow cross section of the shaped aluminum extrusion is crushed in the vertical direction of the vehicle body is provided, easily and bolt can be coupled to the suspension tower, and a hollow cross section The local strength of the bolt fastening portion can be ensured by joining the upper and lower two opposing surfaces together. Further, by configuring the processing unit by a press working, advantages are obtained that the shape accuracy of the joint seat.

  Moreover, according to the front cowl member for an automobile according to claim 2 of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow cross-sectional portion forms a pair of vertically opposing sides that form a substantially horizontal facing surface in the vehicle width direction, and Since it is formed into a polygon with a quadrangle or more with even sides, the folding deformation position is defined at the opposite vertex during crushing such as pressing, and the crushing deformation position does not change, improving crushing accuracy To do.

  Furthermore, according to the front cowl member for an automobile according to claim 3 of the present invention, since the thickness of the hollow cross-sectional portion is thicker than the thickness of the flange portion, the suspension tower is formed at the hollow cross-sectional portion. The flange portion can greatly contribute to the rigidity and strength of the vehicle body, while the flange portion can reduce the weight of the bowl-shaped cross section that prevents moisture from entering the engine room.

  Still further, according to the front cowl member for an automobile according to claim 4 of the present invention, the thickness of the upper and lower opposing surfaces constituting the hollow cross-sectional portion constitutes the hollow cross-sectional portion and is disposed in the vehicle body longitudinal direction. Therefore, the crushed portion can withstand the local stress concentration that occurs when the bolt is fastened to the suspension tower.

  According to the automotive front cowl member of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the aluminum extruded profile is made of a 6000 series or 7000 series aluminum alloy, the strength and rigidity required for the automotive front cowl member as a material can be obtained. It can be secured.

It is a typical perspective view of the front cowl member for motor vehicles concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vertical cross section perpendicular to the axis of the front cowl member for an automobile shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the vehicle width direction. FIG. ) Is a view in the Y direction in the vertical section B of FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the front cowl member for an automobile shown in FIG. 1 and the vehicle body and related members. FIG. 1 (a) corresponds to the X direction in the vertical cross-section A of FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. FIG. 2 (b) shows the contact relationship corresponding to the Y direction in the vertical section B of FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. 2 (b). FIG. 5 is a schematic arrow view corresponding to FIG. 2 (b) in the first embodiment of the present invention, regarding the front cowl member for automobiles according to the second to fourth embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic arrow view corresponding to FIG. 2 (b) in the first embodiment of the present invention regarding the front cowl member for an automobile according to the fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention. It is sectional drawing when the vehicle body cowl box part which concerns on the prior art example 1 is seen in cross section in the cross section orthogonal to a vehicle width direction.

  First, an automotive front cowl member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a front cowl member for an automobile according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a vertical cross section perpendicular to the axis of the front cowl member for an automobile shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a view taken in the direction of the arrow X in the vertical section A of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is a view taken in the direction of the arrow Y in the vertical section B of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the front cowl member for an automobile shown in FIG. 1 and the vehicle body and related members. FIG. 3 (a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. FIG. 2B shows the relationship corresponding to the Y direction in the vertical section B of FIG. 1 corresponding to FIG. 2B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an automotive front cowl member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a hollow cross-sectional portion 1 extending substantially parallel to a vehicle width direction and substantially parallel to the vehicle body, and the hollow cross-sectional portion 1. An aluminum alloy extruded shape member (hereinafter also referred to as an aluminum extruded shape member) composed of a flange portion 2 connected to the rear side of the vehicle body is configured as a main member. Then, the both end portions in the vehicle width direction of the hollow cross-section portion 1 are crushed by pressing or the like in the vertical direction of the vehicle body to form the crushed portions 3 and 3. Bolt holes 3a and 3a are respectively formed in the crushing portions 3 and 3, and a suspension tower 10 attached to the vehicle body for supporting the upper portion of the front suspension device is provided with a bolt 4 as shown in FIG. It is comprised so that coupling | bonding is possible.

  As in the present invention, according to the aluminum extruded shape member, except for the crushing portions 3 and 3, the hollow portion such as the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 and the solid portion such as the flange portion 2 are integrated. Thus, the front cowl member for an automobile having a complicated cross-sectional shape can be manufactured all at once. That is, a member in which a hollow portion that requires relatively high strength and rigidity, such as the hollow cross-section portion 1, and a solid portion that does not require such high strength and rigidity, such as the flange portion 2, are joined to each other and have different thicknesses. First, it is a great advantage that the differential thickness member having a portion can be manufactured at once by hot extrusion.

  As a result, the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 of the front cowl member for automobiles is directly connected to the suspension tower 10, so that it can serve as a strut tower bar and contribute to securing bending and torsional rigidity, compression rigidity, and strength of parts. Here, the above-mentioned “substantially horizontal to the vehicle body and substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction” means that the hood of the engine room formed in a convex shape along the curvature change in the vehicle width direction as described later, The hollow cross-sectional portion 1 is also formed in a convex shape along the curvature change in the vehicle width direction, whereas the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 maintains a horizontal state with respect to the hood on the average, and the vehicle width It means that it is formed in a state parallel to the direction on average. For the purpose of joining with other parts or avoiding interference, local unevenness may be formed.

  On the other hand, the flange portion 2 on the rear side of the vehicle body has a bowl-like cross-sectional shape (substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape) having an opening in the upward direction when the flange portion 2 is viewed in cross section in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), a bolt hole 2a formed and provided in a rear portion of the flange portion 2 in the vehicle body is connected to a dash panel 11 of the vehicle body through a bolt 5.

  As a result, the flange portion 2 serves as a rain gutter that prevents moisture from entering the engine room. The front cowl member for an automobile according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 and the flange portion 2. It is possible to reduce costs by reducing the number of parts and eliminating the need for welding, as well as rigidity and strength compared to conventional spot-molded parts of plate products. Can be increased.

  And the crushing process parts 3 and 3 are formed in the vehicle cross direction direction both ends of the hollow cross-section part 1 in an aluminum extrusion shape material, and it can be easily bolted to the suspension tower 10, and the upper and lower sides which comprise the hollow cross-section part 1 are comprised. The local strength of the bolt fastening portion can be ensured by joining the two opposing surfaces (sides) 1a and 1a together. Moreover, the advantage that the shape precision of a joining seating surface improves by comprising the crushing process part 3 by press work etc. is also acquired.

  The outer surface of the hood 12 for automobiles generally has a convex shape in the vehicle width direction central portion and is positioned downward toward the vehicle width direction end side, so that the space is narrowed on the suspension tower 10. By crushing the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body to form the crushed portion 3, there is an advantage that the problem of shape restriction hardly occurs. Furthermore, since it is press-formed in the vertical direction of the vehicle, it is possible to press-form the flange-like cross section of the flange portion 2 simultaneously with the crushing process of the hollow cross-sectional portion 1, and the bolt fastening seat surface and the shape freeze bead, In addition, a curvature change in the vehicle width direction can be formed simultaneously.

  1 to 3 show only the basic configuration of the automotive front cowl member according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a joining bracket for connecting functional parts such as a wiper pivot, and various reinforcements. The material may be further joined.

  Moreover, when forming the crushing process parts 3 and 3, you may heat-process (restoration process) in advance. By applying heat treatment to the crushed portions 3 and 3 in advance, the residual stress applied by the crushed processing is reduced. This restoration process is performed by rapid heating at a heating rate of 0.5 ° C./second or more, and the actual temperature of the front cowl member (or aluminum alloy extruded shape member) before crushing exceeds 200 ° C. to 500 ° C. or less. Heat and hold in this temperature range for a very short time of less than 20 seconds. Immediately after this holding, it is forcibly quenched to room temperature at a cooling rate of 0.5 ° C./second or more. As a result, after the residual stress applied during the crushing process is reduced, the aluminum alloy is artificially age hardened by heating in the paint baking process of the automobile body to which the front cowl member is attached, and the member strength (0.2) is obtained. % Yield strength) is also improved.

  The automotive front cowl member according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention forms the crushing portions 3 and 3 by crushing both ends in the vehicle width direction of the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 in the vertical direction by pressing or the like. In view of this, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 may be a quadrilateral or more polygonal, circular, or elliptical shape on which the top and bottom facing surfaces can be easily formed, but a pair of vertically facing sides are opposed substantially horizontally in the vehicle width direction. What is formed in the polygon more than the quadrangle | tetragon which forms a surface and has an even side is preferable. This is because the folding deformation position is defined as the opposite vertex at the time of crushing such as press work and does not change, so that the crushing accuracy is improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of upper and lower opposing sides 1a and 1a are equilateral, and the opposing sides are formed in a hexagon that forms the upper and lower opposing surfaces 1a and 1a that are substantially horizontal in the vehicle width direction. More preferably, all the other four sides 1b, 1b, 1c, and 1c of the hexagon forming the side surface of the hollow cross-section 1 are equilateral.
Here, the “upper and lower facing surfaces substantially horizontal in the vehicle width direction” means that the hood 12 in the engine room is formed to be slightly curved in a convex shape with a change in curvature in the vehicle width direction, It means that a pair of opposing sides of the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 form an upper and lower opposing surface 1a, 1a that is horizontal to the hood 12 on average.

  By configuring the hollow cross section 1 in this way, the hexagonal apexes 6 and 6 are located at the center of the height of each of the side surfaces 1b and 1c that constitute the hollow cross section 1 and are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. The folding deformation position is defined at the time of crushing such as pressing, and the folding deformation position does not change, so that the crushing processing accuracy is improved.

  Further, in order to prevent breakage at each vertex of the hollow cross-section portion 1 when forming the crushing portions 3 and 3, it is preferable to provide R of 5 mm or more at the inner surface side corner of each vertex of the hollow cross-section portion 1.

  On the other hand, the thickness t1 of the vertically opposed surfaces 1a and 1a constituting the hollow section 1 and the thickness t3 of the side faces 1b and 1c constituting the hollow section 1 and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body are both flange portions. It is preferable that the thickness is greater than the thickness t2 of 2 (t1> t2 and t3> t2). As a result, the automotive front cowl member according to the embodiment of the present invention connects the suspension tower 10 at the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 and greatly contributes to the rigidity and strength of the vehicle body, while the flange portion 2 absorbs moisture into the engine room. It is possible to reduce the weight as a gutter that prevents intrusion.

  Further, the wall thickness t1 of the upper and lower opposing surfaces 1a and 1a constituting the hollow section 1 is thicker than the wall thickness t3 of the side surfaces 1b and 1c constituting the hollow section 1 and arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction (t1>). It is preferably formed at t3). As a result, the crushing part 3 that forms the front cowl member for an automobile according to the embodiment of the present invention can withstand the local stress concentration that occurs when the bolt is fastened to the suspension tower 10 and at the time of crushing. Breakage of the side surfaces 1b and 1c of the hollow cross section 1 can be suppressed.

  Examples of the thicknesses t1, t2, and t3 that can achieve the above effects are as follows: t1 is 2.0 to 4.0 mm, t2 is 1.5 mm or less, and t3 is more than 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm or less. It is preferable to be in the range.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the aluminum extruded profile is made of either a 6000 series or 7000 series aluminum alloy from the viewpoint that the strength and rigidity required for a front cowl member for automobiles can be secured as a material. These aluminum alloy extruded shapes are subjected to solution treatment and quenching after hot extrusion (quality symbol T4), subsequent aging treatment (quality symbol T6), overaging treatment (quality symbol T7), etc. It is used as a front cowl member material (material) for automobiles. Incidentally, the surface treatment itself to the aluminum shape is not required, but for example, when it is joined to other steel or iron automobile members such as the suspension tower 10 or a connecting bracket, electrolytic corrosion due to a potential difference between different materials. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to insulate aluminum from steel and iron by interposing a resin (a resin that also serves as a joint) in the joint, or to add a surface treatment such as dacro treatment to the steel. .

  In addition, the connection position of the hollow cross-section part 1 and the flange part 2 arrange | positioned at the vehicle back side should just be located in the back side of the hollow cross-section part 1, and is conveniently selected from a viewpoint of a process or shape restrictions. In addition, for the purpose of joining this structure and securing a sealing surface, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. A flange or the like may be arranged.

  Moreover, the shape of the crushing processing part 3 may be a process of flattening both ends in the vehicle width direction of the hollow cross-section part 1 as shown in FIG. 4 (c) and FIG. 5 (d), which will be described later. A crushing process in which only the vicinity of the bolt fastening portion is flattened may be used. It is more preferable to have a structure that does not have a protruding portion on the connection side with the suspension tower 10 because there is no need to provide an interference avoidance portion on the suspension tower 10.

  Furthermore, when joining other parts and a connecting bracket or the like to a part of the front cowl member according to the present invention, MIG welding, laser welding, spot welding, self-piercing rivet, bolt joining, or the like is selected as necessary. It ’s fine.

  Next, the relationship between the front cowl member for an automobile according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body, and related members will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).

  A resin cowl louver 14 extending in the vehicle width direction is disposed between a hood 12 that covers the upper part of the engine room on the front side of the vehicle body so as to be openable and closable and a windshield 13 on the rear side of the vehicle body. The windshield 13 is fixedly supported by a cowl outer 15 fixed to the dash panel 11 constituting the vehicle body.

  In the front cowl member according to the present invention, the crushed portions 3 formed at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the hollow cross-section portion 1 are fixed to the suspension towers 10 disposed at both ends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body by bolts 4. In addition, the vehicle body rear side of the flange portion 2 is fixed to the dash panel 11 constituting the vehicle body by bolts 5.

  The hollow cross-section 1 formed on the front side of the front cowl member in the vehicle body has a curvature in the vehicle width direction along the shape of the hood 12 of the engine room that is formed in a convex shape as the curvature changes in the vehicle width direction. It is formed in a convex shape with the change. A rubber rear seal 16 extending along the vehicle width direction is attached to the upper facing surface 1a of the upper and lower facing surfaces 1a, 1a of the hollow cross-section 1. A hollow portion is formed in the cross section of the rear seal 16, and when the hood 12 is closed, it abuts against the inner panel 12a so that the hollow portion is horizontally crushed and elastically deformed.

  Therefore, the rear seal 16 seals between the hood 12 and the cowl louver 14 by contacting the inner panel 12a with almost no gap when the hood 12 is closed. Prevents leakage.

  On the other hand, the flange portion 2 formed on the rear side of the vehicle body of the front cowl member is also formed in a convex shape with a change in curvature in the vehicle width direction and has an opening in the upward direction, like the hollow cross-section portion 1. It has a cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the water droplets flowing down from the surface of the windshield 13 during rain or car washing are received by the flange portion 2 having a bowl-shaped cross-sectional shape from the opening and then flow toward both ends in the vehicle width direction, It is configured to be drained.

  It should be noted that a weakened portion is provided in a part of the member constituting the front cowl member, for example, a part of the flange portion 2 so that the vehicle on which the front cowl member is mounted contacts a pedestrian or the like and is placed on the hood 12. It is preferable that the front cowl member breaks at the weakened portion when it gets on, and sinks together with the hood 12 so that the impact on the human body can be mitigated. The weakened portion is formed by providing a locally thinned or notched wall.

  As described above, according to the automotive front cowl member of the first embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the hollow cross-section portion 1 constituting the cowl member is such that a pair of opposing sides are equilateral, Since the equilateral sides are formed in a hexagonal shape that forms the opposed surfaces 1a, 1a that are substantially horizontal in the vehicle width direction, the side surfaces 1b, 1c that constitute the hollow cross-sectional portion 3 are arranged on the side surfaces 1b, 1c. Square apexes 6 and 6 are present, the folding deformation position is defined when the crushing portion 3 is formed, and the crushing deformation position does not change, so that the crushing accuracy is improved.

  Further, since the thickness t1 and t3 of the hollow cross-section portion 1 is formed to be thicker than the thickness t2 of the flange portion 2, the suspension tower 10 is connected at the hollow cross-section portion 1 and greatly contributes to vehicle body rigidity and strength. On the other hand, the flange-shaped portion 2 can reduce the weight of the bowl-shaped cross-sectional portion that prevents moisture from entering the engine room.

  Further, the wall thickness t1 of the upper and lower opposing surfaces 1a, 1a constituting the hollow section 1 is formed thicker than the wall thickness t3 of the side faces 1b, 1c constituting the hollow section 1 and arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Thus, the crushing portion 3 can withstand the local stress concentration that occurs when the bolt is fastened to the suspension tower 10.

  Next, an automotive front cowl member according to Embodiments 2 to 6 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 relates to a front cowl member for an automobile according to Embodiments 2 to 4 of the present invention, and is a schematic arrow view corresponding to FIG. 2 (b) in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic arrow view corresponding to FIG. 2 (b) in the first embodiment of the present invention regarding the front cowl member for automobiles according to embodiments 5 and 6;

  Note that the second to sixth embodiments of the present invention differ from the first embodiment in the configuration of the crushing portion and the relationship between the crushing portion and other members, and the others are completely the same. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the crushing portion and the relationship between the crushing portion and the other members shall be stopped.

  That is, in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a hollow cross-sectional portion 1 that is substantially horizontal to the vehicle body and extends substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction, and a flange portion that is connected to the vehicle body rear side of the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 And a front cowl member for an automobile using an extruded aluminum member 2 and crushing the end in the vehicle width direction of the hollow section 1 in the vertical direction of the vehicle body to form a crushing portion 3. It was.

  On the other hand, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4A, the front flange 17 for use in joining with other parts or a sealing surface with the hood 12 is provided in the vehicle body of the hollow section 1. It is also provided on the front side. The front flange 17 may be formed by welding or the like after the crushing portion 3 is formed, but is preferably formed by extrusion from the beginning as an aluminum extruded shape.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 3 of this invention, as shown in FIG.4 (b), the connection flange 2b is provided between the hollow cross-section part 1 and the flange part 2 formed in the bowl-shaped cross-sectional shape. Therefore, when the crushed portion 3 is bolted to the suspension tower 10, it is easy to avoid the saddle-like sectional shape of the hollow section 1 from interfering with the top of the suspension tower 10.

  Furthermore, in Embodiment 4 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), a connection flange 2b is provided between the hollow cross-sectional portion 1 and the flange portion 2 formed in a bowl-shaped cross-sectional shape. The connecting flange 2b uses an aluminum extruded profile connected to the lower facing surface 1a constituting the hollow cross-section 1 and crushes the other side-corresponding surface of the hexagonal hollow cross-section 1 to form a protrusion. The crushing process part 3 which has 3b is formed. Since the lower surface of the crushing portion 3 is finished flat, it can be connected in close contact with the top of the suspension tower 10.

  Furthermore, in Embodiment 5 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), the connection flange 2b uses an aluminum extruded profile connected to the upper facing surface 1a constituting the hollow cross-sectional portion 1, Except that the other side equivalent surface of the hexagonal hollow cross-sectional portion 1 is crushed from below to form a crushed portion 3 having a downward protruding portion 3b, the fourth embodiment (FIG. c) is exactly the same as the reference). In this case, since the protrusion 3b protrudes downward, it is necessary to form a recess for avoiding interference on the suspension tower 10 side, which is not a preferable structure.

  On the other hand, in Embodiment 6 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5 (e), only the hollow cross section 1 is configured in the vertical direction in Embodiment 2 (see FIG. 4 (a)). 1 has a structure in which a crushing portion 3 is formed by crushing 1 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. In this case, the bolt fastening of the crushing part 3 is connected to the suspension tower 10 from the rear side of the vehicle body, which causes a problem in workability. In addition, it is difficult to simultaneously perform the crushing of the hollow cross-section portion 1 and the pressing of the flange portion 2, and a cost increase due to the addition of a processing step is also a problem, so this is not a preferable structure.

  As described above, according to the automotive front cowl member of the present invention, the hollow cross-sectional portion that is substantially horizontal to the vehicle body and extends substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction is connected to the vehicle body rear side of the hollow cross-sectional portion. It consists of an aluminum extrusion shape material composed of a flange portion. By directly connecting the hollow cross section with the suspension tower, it is possible to ensure bending and torsional rigidity, compression rigidity and strength of the part. In addition, the flange portion is formed in a bowl-like cross-sectional shape having an opening in the upward direction, and is configured to be connectable to the dash panel at the rear side portion of the vehicle body, thus preventing water droplets from entering the engine room It becomes.

  And by integrating both as a press-molded product of an aluminum extruded profile material having a hollow cross-section and a flange, it is possible to reduce the number of parts and reduce costs by eliminating the need for welding. Rigidity and strength can be increased as compared with the spot joint component.

A, B: vertical section,
t1: Wall thickness of the upper and lower opposing surfaces,
t2: Flange thickness,
t3: side wall thickness,
1: hollow cross section, 1a: (up and down) facing surface (side), 1b, 1c: side surface,
2: flange part, 2a: bolt hole, 2b: connection flange,
3: Crushing part, 3a: Bolt hole, 3b: Projection part,
4, 5: bolt,
6: vertex,
10: Suspension tower (suspension tower),
11: Dash panel,
12: Food, 12a: Inner panel,
13: windshield, 14: cowl louver,
15: Cowl outer, 16: Rear seal,
17: Front flange

Claims (5)

An automobile in which an aluminum extruded profile is used, which is composed of a hollow cross section extending substantially parallel to the vehicle body and extending substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction, and a flange connected to the rear side of the hollow cross section. Front cowl member for
The vehicle width direction end portion of the hollow cross section processing section which is crushed in the vertical direction of the vehicle body is provided with pressurized coated portion of this bolt coupling configured to enable the body of the suspension towers,
The flange portion on the rear side of the vehicle body is formed in a bowl-shaped cross-sectional shape having an opening in the upward direction when the flange portion is viewed in a cross section perpendicular to the vehicle width direction.
A front cowl member for an automobile, which is configured to be connectable to a dash panel of a vehicle body at a vehicle body rear side portion of the flange portion.   The cross-sectional shape of the hollow cross-sectional portion is formed as a quadrilateral or more polygonal shape in which a pair of vertically opposing sides forms a substantially horizontal facing surface in the vehicle width direction and has even sides. The front cowl member for automobiles according to claim 1.   3. The front cowl member for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the hollow cross-sectional portion is greater than a thickness of the flange portion.   The thickness of the upper and lower opposing surfaces constituting the hollow cross-sectional portion is formed to be thicker than the thickness of the side surface constituting the hollow cross-sectional portion and disposed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body. 4. A front cowl member for an automobile according to any one of items 3 to 4.   The automotive front cowl member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aluminum extruded profile is made of a 6000 series or 7000 series aluminum alloy.

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