VEHICLE BODY BOTTOM STRUCTURE

Abstract

A high-rigidity, light-weight bottom structure for a vehicle body is disclosed. The structure comprises a rectangular framework and an X-shaped frame member positioned inside the rectangular framework. The framework in the vicinity of an area where front wheels or rear wheels are provided is formed by a triangular frame part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body bottom structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the vehicle body bottom structure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing on an enlarged scale the vehicle body bottom structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing an impact force being absorbed and dispersed when a right front part of the vehicle body bottom structure is subjected to the impact force while FIG. 4B is a schematic view similar to FIG. 4A but showing an impact force being absorbed and dispersed when a right rear part of the bottom structure for a vehicle body is subjected to the impact force;

FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing an impact force being absorbed and dispersed when a left side surface of the bottom structure for a vehicle body is subjected to the impact force while FIG. 5B is a schematic view similar to FIG. 5A but showing a force acting upon the bottom structure for a vehicle body from the front wheel and rear wheel when the vehicle turns while traveling;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a vehicle body bottom structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the vehicle body bottom structure of FIG. 6.

Claims

1. A bottom structure for a vehicle body, comprising: a rectangular framework having a substantially rectangular shape, the framework being comprised of left and right side frames extending longitudinally of the vehicle body, a front cross member extending between front end parts of the left and right side frames, and a rear cross member extending between rear end parts of the left and right side frames;an X-shaped frame member comprised of a first frame extending from the front end part of the left side frame to the rear end part of the right side frame toward the rear of the vehicle body, and a second frame extending from the front end part of the right side frame to the rear end part of the left side frame toward the rear of the vehicle body in such a manner as to intersect in a substantially X-shaped configuration in the rectangular framework;left and right front wheel support units provided to left and right front end parts of the X-shaped frame member for supporting left and right front wheels; andleft and right rear wheel support units provided to left and right rear end parts of the X-shaped frame member for supporting left and right rear wheels.

2. The bottom structure for a vehicle body of claim 1, wherein the left and right front end parts of the X-shaped frame member comprise a front impact absorption unit for absorbing an impact received from a front side of the vehicle body, and the left and right rear end parts of the X-shaped frame member comprise a rear impact absorption unit for absorbing an impact received from a rear side of the vehicle body.

3. The bottom structure of claim 1, wherein the bottom structure includes a triangular frame part located closely to the front wheels and/or the rear wheels.

4. The bottom structure of claim 3, wherein the triangular frame part comprises three alternate triangles.