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DE-102025141664-A1 - VEHICLE BODY STRUCTURE

DE102025141664A1DE 102025141664 A1DE102025141664 A1DE 102025141664A1DE-102025141664-A1

Abstract

A vehicle body structure comprises an engine unit (30), a frame element (11), a projecting section (36), and a recessed section. The engine unit (30) is designed to receive power and provide motive force for propulsion. The frame element (11) is die-cast in one piece and forms the frame of a vehicle. It includes a bearing section (28) located on a rear side of the engine unit (30) in a front-to-rear direction and designed to support a section of the engine unit (30). The projecting section (36) is provided on the engine unit (30) and projects toward the frame element (11). The recessed section is provided in the bearing section (28) and opens on the side closer to the engine unit (30), and the projecting section (36) is fitted into the recessed section.

Inventors

  • Ryosuke Fukui

Assignees

  • TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251013
Priority Date
20241113

Claims (9)

  1. Vehicle body structure (S), comprising: a motor unit (30) designed to be supplied with electricity and to provide motive power for driving; a frame element (11) formed in one piece by die casting and forming a vehicle frame, the frame element (11) comprising a bearing section (28) arranged in a longitudinal direction behind the motor unit (30) and designed to support a section of the motor unit (30); a projecting section (36) provided on the motor unit (30; 30A; 30B) and projecting towards the frame element (11); and a recessed section (28A) provided in the bearing section (28) and opening on a side closer to the motor unit (30), into which the projecting section (36) is fitted.
  2. Vehicle body structure (S) according Claim 1 , wherein: the protruding section (36) projects towards an upper surface in the vehicle height direction; and the recessed section (28A) opens on a lower surface in the vehicle height direction.
  3. Vehicle body structure (S) according to Claim 1 , wherein the recessed section (28A) is provided on each side in the vehicle width direction of the frame element (11).
  4. Vehicle body structure (S) according to Claim 3 , wherein: the frame element (11) is formed in one piece such that it comprises a pair of right and left front side panels (12), each provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction, right and left wheel arch panels (14), each provided on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the rear sections of the right and left front side panels (12) in the vehicle length direction, and a transverse element panel (16) suspended between the right and left wheel arch panels (14); and the recessed section (28A) is provided at a point where the front side panel (12) and the transverse element panel (16) intersect.
  5. Vehicle body structure (S) according to Claim 4 , wherein the point of intersection is represented by an extended part (26) which is extended from an inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the front side part (12) to an inner side and from a front end surface in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the cross member part (16) to a front side.
  6. Vehicle body structure (S) according Claim 5 , wherein the extended part (26) has a substantially triangular shape.
  7. Vehicle body structure (S) according Claim 1 , wherein the protruding part (36) is pressed into the recessed part (28A).
  8. Vehicle body structure (S) according Claim 1 , wherein the recessed section (28A) is opposite the preceding section (36) across a gap.
  9. Vehicle body structure (S3), comprising: a motor unit (30B) configured to receive power and to provide propulsion for driving; and a frame element (11) formed in one piece by die casting and forming a vehicle frame, the frame element (11) comprising a bearing section (16B) located on a rearward side of the motor unit (30) in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and configured to support a section of the motor unit (30); wherein the motor unit (30B) has a flat surface (39) opposite the bearing section (16B); and the bearing section (16B) is configured to support the motor unit (30B) by coming into contact with the flat surface (39) in a frontal collision.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The present invention relates to a vehicle body structure. 2. Explanation of the state of the art The Japanese unpublished patent application No. 2019-166916 ( JP 2019-166 916 A ) discloses a junction box structure that can mitigate damage to a wiring harness by providing it with a protruding section that, in the event of a frontal collision of a vehicle, comes into contact with a vehicle component earlier than the wiring harness when an engine unit moves backward. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION If an engine unit is damaged in a frontal collision of the vehicle, as in the JP 2019-166 916 A As described, if the battery moves backward and falls, it is possible that a component located longitudinally in front of the engine unit will not be completely crushed. On the other hand, from a safety perspective, a certain distance between the battery and the engine unit is required in a frontal impact, which imposes limitations on the battery's installation size. The present invention is a vehicle body structure that makes it less likely that a component arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of an engine unit will not be completely crushed, and that can reduce the limitations regarding the installation size of the battery. A first aspect of the present invention relates to a vehicle body structure comprising a motor unit, a frame element, a projecting section, and a recessed section. The motor unit is designed to be supplied with electricity and to provide motive power for driving. The frame element is formed in one piece by die casting and forms a vehicle frame, the frame element comprising a bearing section arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind the motor unit and designed to support a section of the motor unit. The projecting section is provided on the motor unit and projects toward the frame element. The recessed section is provided in the bearing section and opens on the side closer to the motor unit, and the projecting section is fitted into the recessed section. Here, "fitted" encompasses a state in which there is some leeway between the two, as in a game fit. In the vehicle body structure of the first aspect described above, the frame element, which is die-cast in one piece and forms the vehicle frame, includes the bearing section that supports a portion of the engine unit at the rear, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The bearing section features a recessed section that opens on the side closer to the engine unit, and the protruding section, which is provided in the engine unit and projects towards the frame element, fits into this recessed section. Because the protruding section of the engine unit fits into the recessed section of the bearing section behind the engine unit in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the engine unit is effectively protected from being knocked off or falling in a frontal collision. Furthermore, because a portion of the engine unit is supported by the bearing section, it prevents the engine unit from moving backward in a frontal collision. Since the motor unit is thus supported behind the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, it can generate a reaction force that reduces the likelihood of a component located in front of the motor unit not being completely crushed. Because the motor unit does not move backward, the distance between the battery and the motor unit can be reduced, thereby lessening the limitations on the battery's installation size. In the vehicle body structure of the first aspect described above, the protruding section can project upwards in the direction of vehicle height. The recessed section can open downwards in the direction of vehicle height. In the vehicle body structure as described above, the protruding section, which extends upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction, is inserted into the recessed section, which opens downwards in the vehicle's vertical direction. Thus, the recessed section supports the engine unit from above in the vehicle's vertical direction, protecting it from falling out in the event of a frontal collision. In the vehicle body structure of the first aspect explained above, the deepened A section must be provided on each side in the vehicle width direction of the frame element. In the vehicle body structure as explained above, the frame element can support the engine unit in a balanced way, since the recessed sections are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the frame element. In the vehicle body structure as described above, the frame element can be formed in one piece to comprise a pair of right and left front side panels, each provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction; right and left wheel arch sections, each provided on the outer sides in the vehicle width direction of the rear sections of the right and left front side panels in the vehicle length direction; and a transverse ele