JP2003137132A - Spring support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the rigidity and the strength of a shock absorber mounting part without largely increasing weight. SOLUTION: A spring support plate 40 is disposed on the vehicle outside of a spring support panel 28 along the spring support panel 28. The shock absorber mounting part 44 for supporting the shock absorber of a suspension is formed on the upper surface of the spring support plate 40. The spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are continuously welded (weld parts P1 and P2) in the vicinity of root parts 56A and 58A in reinforcing ribs 56 and 58 formed integrally on the shock absorber mounting part 44 of the spring support plate 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spring support structure, and more particularly to a spring support structure for a vehicle such as an automobile to which a shock absorber is attached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an example of a spring support structure of a vehicle such as an automobile to which a shock absorber is attached is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2557897.

As shown in FIG. 3, in this structure, in order to reinforce the suspension tower 100, a reinforcing member 104 extending in the vehicle up-down direction on both sides of the suspension tower 100 on the vehicle body outer side surface of the main body panel 102A of the wheel apron 102, 106 is provided. The reinforcing members 104 and 106 have a hat-shaped cross-section and form a closed cross-section structure extending in the vertical direction in cooperation with the main body panel 102A, and the upper end portion thereof is a wheel apron reinforcement. The lower end portion extends to the lower end portion of the front frame 110 and is connected to the front frame (also referred to as a front side member) 110 from the outside of the vehicle body.

[0004]

However, in such a structure, since the reinforcing members 104 and 106 are provided, there is a problem that the weight of the vehicle body is significantly increased. Further, in such a structure, as shown in FIG. 4, the spring support panel 112 and the spring support plate 114 that form the suspension tower 100 are welded by spot welding (welded portion P). As a result, due to the insertion space of the welding gun,
The position of the welded portion P is away from the root portion 114B of the reinforcing rib 114A formed on the spring support plate 114. Therefore, the base portion 114B of the rib 114A
The coupling strength between the spring support panel 112 and the spring support plate 114 in the vicinity is weak. Further, there is no connecting element between each of the spot welding spots and there is a gap. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the mounting portion 118 of the shock absorber 116 are not sufficient, and the arrow F in FIG.
Due to the input load from the shock absorber 116 indicated by, the cross section of the mounting portion 118 of the shock absorber 116 is likely to collapse. If the plate thickness of the spring support plate 114 is increased to compensate for this, the weight of the vehicle body increases significantly.

In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a spring support structure capable of improving the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion without significantly increasing the weight.

[0006]

A spring support structure of the present invention according to claim 1 is integrally provided with a shock absorber mounting portion of a spring support portion of a vehicle, and a reinforcing rib protruding in a substantially vertical direction, A continuous line welded part in which a spring support panel and a spring support plate are continuously welded in the vicinity of the base of the reinforcing rib,
It is characterized by having.

Therefore, the shock absorber mounting portion of the spring support portion can be reinforced by providing the reinforcing rib protruding integrally in the shock absorber mounting portion of the spring support portion of the vehicle in a substantially vertical direction. Also, since the spring support panel and the spring support plate are continuously welded in the vicinity of the reinforcing rib to form the continuous line welded portion, the distance between the continuous line welded portion and the root portion of the reinforcing rib is reduced. Can be made smaller. As a result, the coupling strength between the spring support panel and the spring support plate near the root of the reinforcing rib is improved. Further, the welding of the spring support panel and the spring support plate is continuous line welding, and there is no portion having no connecting element such as between spot welding spots. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion can be improved without increasing the plate thickness of the spring support panel or the spring support plate, that is, without significantly increasing the weight.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the spring support structure according to the first aspect, the reinforcing ribs extend in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, in addition to the contents described in claim 1,
Since the shock absorber attachment portion can be continuously reinforced along the vehicle width direction by the reinforcing rib extending in the vehicle width direction, the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber attachment portion are further improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the spring support structure according to any one of the first and second aspects, the continuous line welded portion is a welded portion formed by laser welding.

Therefore, in addition to the contents of claims 1 and 2, laser welding enables continuous line welding from one side of the welded portion between the spring support panel and the spring support plate, thus improving productivity. Is improved.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of a spring support structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the figure, an arrow FR indicates a vehicle front direction, an arrow UP indicates a vehicle upward direction, and an arrow IN indicates a vehicle width inner direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, apron upper members 12 are arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction at both vehicle width direction ends of the front portion 10 in the vehicle according to the present embodiment. A front side member 13 is disposed below and inside the vehicle along the vehicle front-rear direction. The apron upper member 12 is composed of an apron upper member upper 14 and an apron upper member lower 16, and the apron upper member upper 14
Has a substantially U-shaped cross section as viewed from the front-rear direction of the vehicle and has an opening on a surface facing the lower side of the vehicle. An apron upper member lower 16 is arranged corresponding to this opening. A flange 16A bent downward in the vehicle is formed at the vehicle outer end of the apron upper member lower 16, and the flange 16A is coupled to the vehicle outer end 14A of the apron upper member upper 14.

The apron upper member lower 16 is divided into three in the front and rear of the vehicle, and the first apron upper member lower 16B on the front side of the vehicle is bent at the vehicle inner end toward the lower side of the vehicle to form an apron front panel 20. It is one. Upper edge 20A of apron front panel 20
A lower end edge portion 14C of an inner side wall portion 14B of the apron upper member upper 14 in the vehicle width direction is coupled to the apron upper member upper 14, and a closed cross section is formed by the apron upper member upper 14 and the first apron upper member lower 16A. . Also,
The apron front panel 20 has a vehicle rear side end bulged inward of the vehicle to form a wheel house inner front 22. The apron front panel 20 has a vehicle width direction inner edge portion 20B formed on the front side member 13.
Is bound to.

On the other hand, the second apron upper member lower 16C on the rear side of the vehicle is bent at the vehicle inner end toward the lower side of the vehicle and is integrated with the apron rear panel 24. The upper edge 24A of the apron rear panel 24 has The lower end edge portion 14C of the inner wall portion 14B in the vehicle width direction of the apron upper member upper 14 is joined to the apron upper member upper 1
4 and the second apron upper member lower 16C form a closed cross section. Also, the apron rear panel 24
Has a wheel house inner rear 26 formed by bulging the vehicle front end toward the inside of the vehicle, and the vehicle width direction inner edge 24B of the apron rear panel 24 is joined to the front side member 13. .

A spring support panel 28 serving as a spring support portion of the vehicle is disposed between the wheel house inner front 22 and the wheel house inner rear 26, and the vehicle outer edge 28A of the spring support panel 28 is disposed. The apron upper member 14 has a flange 14D formed from the vehicle width direction inner side wall portion 14C toward the vehicle width direction inner side. Further, a flange 13B formed from the upper wall portion 13A of the front side member 13 toward the vehicle upper side is coupled to the vehicle lower side edge portion 28B of the spring support panel 28.

A spring support plate 40, which serves as a spring support portion of the vehicle, is disposed along the spring support panel 28 on the outside of the spring support panel 28 in the vehicle. The vehicle outer edge 40A of the spring support plate 40 faces the vehicle outer edge 28A of the spring support panel 28, and the vehicle lower edge 40B of the spring support plate 40 is
The spring support panel 28 faces the vehicle lower edge portion 28B.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the upper surface of the spring support plate 40, a shock absorber mounting portion 44 for supporting the shock absorber 42 of the suspension is formed. The shock absorber mounting portion 44 is provided with a circular hole 46, and the upper end portion 42A of the shock absorber 42 projects upward from the circular hole 46. Further, a flange 48 is provided upright around the circular hole 46, and the flange 48 is a circular hole 50 formed on the upper surface 28C of the spring support panel 28.
Has been inserted into.

As shown in FIG. 1, small circular holes 52 are formed around the circular hole 50 in the upper surface 28C of the spring support panel 28 and around the circular hole 46 in the shock absorber mounting portion 44 of the spring support plate 40. It is provided and is shown in FIG.
The shock absorber 42 shown in is attached. For this reason, a substantially vertical load indicated by an arrow G in FIG. 2 is input to the spring support plate 40 and the spring support panel 28 via the shock absorber 42 when the vehicle is traveling.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shock absorber mounting portion 44 of the spring support plate 40 has a substantially U-shaped cross section as viewed from the vehicle width direction, and the shock absorber mounting portion 44 is opened downward. The reinforcing ribs 5 are provided at the front edge and the rear edge of the reinforcing rib 5 in a substantially vertical direction.
6, 58 are integrally formed. In addition, the front end of the reinforcement rib 56 has a flange 60 at the lower end.
Is formed, and a flange 62 is formed rearward at the lower end of the reinforcing rib 58 on the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 1, reinforcing ribs 56, 5 are provided.
The reference numeral 8 extends substantially along the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the front reinforcing rib 5 is provided.
The root portion 56A in 6 is a ridge line extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, and the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are provided near the root portion 56A.
And the continuous line welding portion (welding portion P1) from the spring support panel 28 side (upper side) by laser welding. In addition, the root portion 58A of the rear reinforcing rib 58
Is a ridge line extending substantially in the vehicle width direction, and this root portion 5
In the vicinity of 8A, the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are continuous line welded (welded portion P2) by laser welding from the spring support panel 28 side (upper side).

As shown in FIG. 1, these welds P
1 and P2 are continuous to the vehicle lower edge 40B of the spring support plate 40.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the shock absorber mounting portion 44 of the spring support plate 40 is provided integrally with the shock absorber mounting portion 44 of the spring support plate 40 by providing the reinforcing ribs 56 and 58 protruding substantially vertically. Can be reinforced. Further, since the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are continuous-wire welded in the vicinity of the root portions 56A, 58A of the reinforcing ribs 56, 58 to form continuous-line welded portions P1, P2, a continuous line is formed. Welded portions P1 and P2 and ribs 56,
The distance between the root portions 56A and 58A of 58 can be reduced.

As a result, the coupling strength between the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 near the root portions 56A, 58A of the reinforcing ribs 56, 58 is improved. Further, the welded portions P1 and P2 between the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are continuous line welds, and there is no portion having no connecting element such as between spot welding points. Therefore, the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion can be improved without increasing the plate thickness of the spring support panel 28 or the spring support plate 40, that is, without significantly increasing the weight. Therefore, the cross-section collapse unlike the conventional structure shown in FIG. 4 is unlikely to occur, and the effect of suppressing the out-of-plane deformation of the shock absorber mounting portion is high.

Further, in this embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 56,
Since 58 is extended in the vehicle width direction, the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion 44 are further improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, continuous welding is performed by laser welding from only one side of the welded portion of the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40, in the present embodiment only from the spring support panel 28 side (upper side). Because it is possible, productivity is improved.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various other embodiments within the scope of the present invention. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that For example, in the above-described embodiment, the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are continuous line welded by laser welding. However, instead of laser welding, other welding such as arc welding from the vehicle lower side may be used. 28 and the spring support plate 40 may be continuous line welded.

Further, in the above embodiment, the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 are welded to each other by continuous laser welding (welding portions P1 and P2) from the spring support panel 28 side (upper side). Alternatively, the spring support panel 28 and the spring support plate 40 may be continuous line welded by laser welding from the spring support plate 40 side (downward).

Further, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 2, continuous line welded portions P3 and P4 are added near the continuous line welded portions P1 and P2 to make two rows of continuous line welded, and the shock absorber mounting portion The rigidity and strength may be further improved.

In the above embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 56 and 58 are formed on the spring support plate 40 side, but the reinforcing ribs may be formed on the spring support panel 28 side.

[0034]

The spring support structure of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 is integrally provided on the shock absorber mounting portion of the spring support portion of the vehicle, and has a reinforcing rib protruding substantially vertically and a root of the reinforcing rib. Since it has a continuous line welded portion in which a spring support panel and a spring support plate are continuously welded in the vicinity of the portion, it is possible to improve the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion without significantly increasing the weight. Have an effect.

According to the present invention of claim 2, in the spring support structure according to claim 1, since the reinforcing rib is extended in the vehicle width direction, in addition to the effect of claim 1, It has an excellent effect that the rigidity and strength of the shock absorber mounting portion are further improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the spring support structure according to any one of the first and second aspects, the continuous line welded portion is a welded portion by laser welding. In addition to the effect described in the crab, it has an excellent effect of improving productivity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spring support structure according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from a vehicle obliquely inner side.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a spring support structure according to a conventional technique, as seen from an obliquely inner side in front of the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2, showing a spring support structure according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

28 Spring support panel 40 spring support plate 44 Shock absorber mounting part 56 Reinforcing ribs 56A Reinforcement rib root 58 Reinforcing ribs 58A Reinforcement rib root

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reinforcing rib that is integrally provided on a shock absorber mounting portion of a spring support portion of a vehicle and projects in a substantially vertical direction, and a spring support panel and a spring support plate near a root portion of the reinforcing rib. A continuous line welded portion that is continuously welded, and a spring support structure. 2. The spring support structure according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing rib extends in the vehicle width direction. 3. The spring support structure according to claim 1, wherein the continuous line welded portion is a welded portion formed by laser welding.