Suspension mounting structure
View Patent ↗A vehicle suspension mounting structure capable of sufficiently improving the strength and rigidity of a strut fixing part, while minimizing adverse effects such as increased vehicle weight. Side members of a sectional shape having an upper opening are curved inward in the vehicle width direction so as not to interfere with strut mounting faces. Notched portions are formed to extend from the strut mounting faces to outer side faces of the side members, and brackets made of a thick plate to which upper portions of struts are fixed are disposed in the notched portion and spot welded thereto.
1. A suspension mounting structure, comprising:
a side member including a curved portion formed into a U-shape in section and having an upper opening, the curved portion being curved inward in a vehicle width direction, a horizontal face portion extending outwardly from an upper end of the curved portion in the vehicle width direction, and a notched portion formed to extend from a part of the horizontal face portion to an outer side face, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, of the curved portion; and
a bracket including an upper face portion and a side face portion that is disposed to fill the notched portion at the horizontal face portion and the outer side face of the curved portion, respectively.
2. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 1 , wherein said bracket is configured to cover said notched portion from below said horizontal face portion.
3. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 2 , wherein said curved portion has a bottom face thereof formed with a notch-like relief portion that extends from said notched portion in continuity therewith.
4. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 3 , wherein said bracket is formed with a lower flange portion that covers said relief portion from below the bottom face of said curved portion.
5. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 2 , wherein said bracket has a triangular end face that connects an outer part, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, of said upper face portion to a lower part of said side face portion.
6. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 5 , wherein a rib is formed to extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction in continuity with the side face portion of said bracket.
7. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 6 , wherein said rib is formed in continuity with the lower flange portion of said bracket.
8. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 7 , wherein a flange portion is provided at an outer end, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, of the horizontal face portion of said side member so as to project upward, and an upper flange portion, corresponding to the flange portion of said side member, is provided at an outer end, as viewed in the vehicle width direction, of the upper face portion of said bracket.
9. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 8 , wherein said rib is formed in continuity with said upper flange portion.
10. The suspension mounting structure according to claim 2 , wherein said bracket is formed to have a thickness greater than that of said horizontal face portion.