Off-road vehicle type leg lower supporting structure, front bumper beam assembly and vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a leg lower supporting structure of an off-road vehicle type, a front bumper beam assembly and a vehicle. The leg lower supporting structure comprises a first supporting plate and a second supporting plate, the second supporting plate is fixedly connected with the first surface of the first supporting plate and divides the first supporting plate into a first supporting part and a second supporting part which are located on the two opposite sides of the first supporting plate, the first supporting part is used for being connected with the bottom of the front bumper beam, and the second supporting plate is used for being connected with the side portion of the front bumper beam; the first reinforcing ribs are fixedly connected with the first supporting part, and each first reinforcing rib extends in the direction of the connecting line of the first supporting part and the second supporting part. After the leg lower supporting structure is installed on the front bumper beam, in the collision process of the aPLI leg type and a vehicle, the leg lower supporting structure is bent downwards, the knee and the shank are supported and buffered, investigation indexes such as knee ligament elongation and shank bending moment of the aPLI leg type are reduced, and the reliability of the aPLI leg type is improved. The defects that a large off-road vehicle is tall, large in approach angle and free of a supporting shank structure are overcome.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of vehicles, and in particular to an under-leg support structure of an off-road vehicle, a front bumper crossbeam assembly and the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] As the global car population continues to grow, road traffic problems are also increasing. Pedestrians, as a vulnerable group among road users, are prone to serious injuries in traffic accidents. According to statistics, pedestrian accidents account for nearly a quarter of global traffic fatalities, with leg injuries being a common type of injury suffered by pedestrians. These injuries can result in fractures, ligament damage, and even disability, resulting in significant economic losses and burdens for both individuals and society.

[0003] To improve vehicle pedestrian protection, governments and agencies worldwide have established relevant regulations and testing procedures, and major automakers are actively optimizing vehicle designs to meet global market competition. The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with its star ratings, provides a direct reflection of a vehicle's safety performance and has become a key consideration for consumers when purchasing a vehicle. NCAP incorporates pedestrian protection into its rating system and uses the advanced Pedestrian Program leg impactor (aPLI) test to assess a vehicle's leg protection. This primarily examines knee ligament elongation, femoral and tibial bending moments, and other metrics. For automakers, improving aPLI leg impactor scores, and thus overall vehicle safety scores, is not only essential for meeting regulatory and market requirements but also a crucial tool for enhancing brand image, strengthening market competitiveness, and securing export market access.

[0004] With their rugged appearance and all-terrain capabilities, large SUVs are becoming the preferred vehicle type for more families. Due to their height and large approach angle (typically 25° to 45°), the front bumper fascia only contacts the knee and thigh of the aPLI leg type, with no structural support for the calf. During a collision, the aPLI leg type falls backward, with the calf flung backward. This creates a C-shaped bend with the knee as the fulcrum, resulting in excessive knee ligament elongation and calf injury, affecting the leg type score.

[0005] Currently, efforts to improve the aPLI leg shape score in NCAP testing primarily focus on optimizing the vehicle's front structure, particularly the bumper and leg support structure. Key optimization techniques include the application of energy-absorbing materials, exterior optimization, and leg support structure design. However, given the unique styling of large off-road vehicles, simply modifying the design or adding energy-absorbing materials to mitigate leg injuries is not feasible. Therefore, developing a simple, low-cost, and high-performance leg support structure is crucial for enhancing pedestrian protection in large off-road vehicles. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a leg lower support structure, a front bumper beam assembly and a vehicle of an off-road vehicle to solve the above technical problems.

[0007] The leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle provided by the present invention comprises:

[0008] a first support plate;

[0009] a second support plate, the second support plate being fixedly connected to the first surface of the first support plate, dividing the first support plate into a first support portion and a second support portion located on opposite sides of the second support plate, the first support portion being used to connect to the bottom of the front cross member, and the second support plate being used to connect to the side of the front cross member;

[0010] A plurality of first reinforcing ribs are fixedly connected to the first supporting portion, and each of the first reinforcing ribs extends along a line connecting the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

[0011] Optionally, a second reinforcing rib is provided between adjacent first reinforcing ribs, the extension direction of the second reinforcing rib is the same as that of the first reinforcing rib, and the extension length of the second reinforcing rib is smaller than that of the first reinforcing rib.

[0012] Optionally, an avoidance groove is formed at an end of the second support portion away from the second support plate.

[0013] Optionally, a flange is provided at one end of the second support portion away from the second support plate.

[0014] Optionally, the angle between the flange and the second supporting portion is set to be an obtuse angle.

[0015] Optionally, the second support plate is configured as an arc along the extension direction of the first support plate.

[0016] Optionally, an end surface of the first support portion away from the second support plate is configured to be arc-shaped.

[0017] Optionally, a first mounting hole is formed through the first support portion; and a second mounting hole is formed through the second support plate.

[0018] The present invention also provides a front bumper beam assembly, including a front bumper beam and a leg lower support structure of an off-road vehicle as described above, wherein the first support portion and the second support plate of the leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle are respectively connected to the front bumper beam.

[0019] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising the above-mentioned front bumper crossbeam assembly.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the above technical solution provided by the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0021] The present invention adopts the leg lower support structure, front bumper cross beam assembly and vehicle of the off-road vehicle. After the leg lower support structure is installed on the front bumper cross beam, during the collision between the aPLI leg type and the vehicle, the leg lower support structure bends downward, playing a supporting and cushioning role for the knee and calf, thereby reducing the evaluation indicators such as the knee ligament elongation and calf bending moment of the aPLI leg type, and making up for the shortcomings of large off-road vehicles such as being tall, having a large approach angle and having no supporting calf structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A three-dimensional perspective view of a lower leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another perspective view of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle shown;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle shown at another angle;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the installation of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle to the front bumper cross member;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the off-road vehicle's lower leg support structure after being installed on the front bumper beam and the aPLI leg shape in the test state.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 1: First support plate; 101: First support part; 102: Second support part; 2: Second support plate; 3: First reinforcement rib; 4: Second reinforcement rib; 5: Avoidance groove; 6: Flanged edge; 7: First mounting hole; 8: Second mounting hole; 9: Front guard beam; 10: aPLI leg shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only simplified descriptions for the convenience of describing the present invention, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. Among them, the terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions.

[0030] Figure 1 A three-dimensional perspective view of a lower leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another perspective view of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle shown; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A perspective view of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle shown at another angle;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the installation of the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle to the front bumper cross member; Figure 5 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the off-road vehicle's lower leg support structure after being installed on the front bumper beam and the aPLI leg shape in the test state.

[0032] like Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, the lower leg support structure of an off-road vehicle includes a first support plate 1, a second support plate 2, and a plurality of first reinforcing ribs 3. The second support plate 2 is fixedly connected to the first surface of the first support plate 1, dividing the first support plate 1 into a first support portion 101 and a second support portion 102 located on opposite sides of the second support plate 2. The first support portion 101 is used to connect to the bottom of the front cross member 9, and the second support plate 2 is used to connect to the side of the front cross member 9. A plurality of first reinforcing ribs 3 are fixedly connected to the first support portion 101, and each first reinforcing rib 3 extends along the line connecting the first support portion 101 and the second support portion 102.

[0033] During use, the first support portion 101 of the first support plate 1 is positioned toward the front crossbeam 9, and the front crossbeam 9 is clamped in the space between the first support portion 101 and the second support plate 2. At least a portion of the surface of the first support portion 101 is connected to the bottom surface of the front crossbeam 9, and the second support plate 2 is connected to the side end surface of the front crossbeam 9, thereby securing the lower leg support structure to the front crossbeam 9. Meanwhile, the second support portion 102 and the first reinforcing rib 3 thereon face the front of the vehicle. During a collision test using the aPLI leg form 10, after the lower leg support structure is impacted and squeezed, the second support portion 102 and the first reinforcing rib 3 bend downward, absorbing the collision energy while providing some support for the knee and calf, thereby alleviating the swing of the calf, reducing knee ligament elongation and calf bending moment, and ultimately providing support and protection for the pedestrian's calf.

[0034] By adopting the lower leg support structure of the off-road vehicle of the present invention and installing the lower leg support structure to the front bumper beam 9, during the collision between the aPLI leg shape 10 and the vehicle, the first support portion 101 and the first reinforcement rib 3 bend downward, thereby supporting and cushioning the knee and calf, thereby reducing the knee ligament elongation and calf bending moment of the aPLI leg shape 10 and other evaluation indicators, thereby making up for the shortcomings of large off-road vehicles that are tall, have a large approach angle and have no supporting calf structure.

[0035] like Figure 1-Figure 5 As shown, the lower leg support structure of the present invention is a cantilever support structure as a whole, which is made of composite materials and is a crushable structure. The second support plate 2 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 1 on the approximate width center line of the first support plate 1, and the second support plate 2 is vertically arranged and is almost perpendicular to the first support plate 1. Figure 1 The second, vertically positioned support plate 2 divides the nearly horizontal first support plate 1 into a first support portion 101 on the right and a second support portion 102 on the left. Multiple first reinforcing ribs 3 are arranged parallel to the upper surface of the second support portion 102, with adjacent first reinforcing ribs 3 spaced a certain distance apart. Each first reinforcing rib 3 extends along the line connecting the first and second support portions 101, 102, and thus along the length of the vehicle body. The first support plate 1 is approximately 220 mm long and 50 mm wide. The second support plate 2 is the same length as the first support plate 1, with a thickness of 2.2 mm. The first reinforcing ribs 3 are approximately the same length as the width of the second support portion 102 and are 3 mm thick. The specific dimensions of the first and second support plates 1, 2, their connection locations, and the number of first reinforcing ribs 3 can be adjusted based on actual application. The first and second support portions 101, 2, and front cross member 9 can be connected in any manner, preferably detachably to facilitate repair and replacement.

[0036] like Figure 4As shown, after the leg lower support structure is installed to the front protection beam 9, the upper surface of the first support portion 101 needs to be connected to the lower surface of the front protection beam 9, and at the same time, the end of the first support portion 101 away from the second support plate 2 is also connected to the Figure 4 The left end of the middle front cross beam 9 is abutted against the lower end. In order to achieve smooth abutment between the two, the first support portion 101 can be set to tilt upward at a certain angle instead of being set completely horizontally to ensure that the height positions of the two match. Figure 5 As shown, after the lower leg support structure is installed on the front bumper cross member 9, the second support portion 102 faces the front of the vehicle, corresponding to the inward protruding structure of the front bumper, and is arranged opposite to the aPLI leg shape 10 of the collision test. When a collision occurs during the test, the aPLI leg shape 10 collides with the front bumper, and the inward protruding structure of the front bumper squeezes the second support portion 102, causing the lower leg support structure to deform, thereby providing support and cushioning for the knees and calves. In order to ensure better contact and compression between the second support portion 102 and the inward protruding structure of the front bumper during a collision, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the second support portion 102 can be set upward, that is, tilted at a certain angle toward the second support plate 2, so that Figure 5 When the aPLI leg type 10 collides with the front bumper, the front bumper can smoothly contact and squeeze the second support portion 102, and the force is transmitted to the second support portion 102.

[0037] Optionally, second reinforcing ribs 4 are provided between adjacent first reinforcing ribs 3. The second reinforcing ribs 4 extend in the same direction as the first reinforcing ribs 3 and are shorter than the first reinforcing ribs 3. This arrangement effectively absorbs collision energy with the help of the second reinforcing ribs 4, while also providing lower rigidity due to their shorter length than the first reinforcing ribs 3, thereby inducing deformation of the lower leg support structure.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, one or two second reinforcing ribs 4 are provided between two adjacent first reinforcing ribs 3. The second reinforcing ribs 4 are arranged parallel to the first reinforcing ribs 3 and extend along the length of the vehicle body. The specific lengths of the second reinforcing ribs 4 and the first reinforcing ribs 3, as well as the length difference between them, can be adjusted based on actual application. The number of second reinforcing ribs 4 provided between adjacent first reinforcing ribs 3 can also be adjusted. As long as the first reinforcing ribs 3 and the second reinforcing ribs 4 cooperate well, the lower leg support structure can achieve sufficient deformation during a collision while providing adequate support and cushioning for the knee and calf.

[0039] Optionally, an avoidance groove 5 is formed at one end of the second support portion 102 away from the second support plate 2. A wiring harness mounting bracket needs to be installed at the front bumper support position to fix the wiring harness. The avoidance groove 5 is formed on the second support portion 102 corresponding to the position of the wiring harness mounting bracket to avoid affecting the normal layout of the wiring harness.

[0040] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, a relief groove 5 is provided at one end of the second support portion 102 away from the second support plate 2, and the relief groove 5 is close to the center of the second support portion 102. The specific location and size of the relief groove 5 on the second support portion 102 can be adjusted according to actual application.

[0041] Optionally, the second support portion 102 is provided with a flange 6 at one end away from the second support plate 2. The flange 6 can not only appropriately enhance the strength of the support structure under the leg, but also guide the structure to bend downward during a collision, thereby supporting the calf.

[0042] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, a flange 6 extends downwardly from the end surface of the second support portion 102 away from the second support plate 2. When a relief groove 5 is provided on the second support portion 102, a flange 6 also extends downwardly from the inner wall of the relief groove 5. The extension length and specific width of the flange 6 can be adjusted according to actual application.

[0043] Optionally, the angle between the flange 6 and the second support portion 102 is set to an obtuse angle. This configuration allows the flange 6 to be tilted downward away from the second support portion 102 and the second support plate 2, forming a certain angle with the vertical plane. During a collision, the flange 6 further guides the lower leg support structure to bend downward, thereby providing support for the calf.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the angle between the flange 6 and the second support portion 102 is approximately 120°. The angle between the flange 6 and the second support portion 102 can be appropriately adjusted according to the actual needs of different vehicle models.

[0045] Optionally, the second support plate 2 is configured as a whole to be arc-shaped along the extension direction of the first support plate 1. The second support plate 2 needs to be connected to the side of the front cross beam 9. The front cross beam 9 is configured to be arc-shaped along the extension direction. Configuring the second support plate 2 to be arc-shaped in the same direction can make the second support plate 2 and the front cross beam 9 fit as closely as possible, thereby improving the connection strength after the two are connected.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, in this embodiment, the second support plate 2 is configured to be an arc bent toward the first support portion 101, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the second support plate 2 has the same curvature as the front bumper beam 9, and the two can fit completely together after being connected. The curvature of the second support plate 2 is adjusted according to the different curvatures of the front bumper beam 9 of different models.

[0047] Optionally, an end surface of the first support portion 101 away from the second support plate 2 is configured to be arc-shaped.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the first support portion 101 is disposed toward the front cross member 9, and its upper surface needs to be in contact with the lower surface of the front cross member 9. At the same time, the end of the first support portion 101 away from the second support plate 2 also abuts against the lower left end of the front cross member 9. The front cross member 9 is configured as an arc in its entirety in the extension direction. Therefore, in order to ensure that the end of the first support portion 101 away from the second support plate 2 can completely abut against the lower left end of the front cross member 9, the corresponding end surface of the first support portion 101 is configured to be an arc that matches the curved surface of the front cross member 9, thereby enhancing the connection strength between the two. Depending on the curvature of the front cross member 9 of different vehicle models, the end surface of the first support portion 101 away from the second support plate 2 is configured to have an arc shape with varying degrees of curvature in the extension direction.

[0049] Optionally, a first mounting hole 7 is formed through the first support portion 101, and a second mounting hole 8 is formed through the second support plate 2. This arrangement pre-drills holes in the first support portion 101 and the second support plate 2, allowing bolts to be used to connect the first support portion 101 and the second support plate 2 to the front cross member 9. This simplifies the connection process and facilitates disassembly, facilitating repair and replacement.

[0050] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in this embodiment, two first mounting holes 7 are formed through the first support portion 101, three second mounting holes 8 are formed through the second support plate 2, and threaded holes are formed on the front cross beam 9 at positions corresponding to the first mounting holes 7 and the second mounting holes 8. After the first support portion 101 and the second support plate 2 are attached to the front cross beam 9, and the first mounting holes 7 and the second mounting holes 8 are aligned with the threaded holes, the bolts are tightened respectively to realize the connection between the lower leg support structure and the front cross beam 9.

[0051] The present invention also provides a front bumper beam assembly, including a front bumper beam 9, and also including the leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle described in any of the above embodiments, the first support part 101 and the second support plate 2 of the leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle are respectively connected to the front bumper beam 9.

[0052] By adopting the front bumper beam assembly of the present invention and installing the lower leg support structure to the front bumper beam 9, during the collision between the aPLI leg type 10 and the vehicle, the first support portion 101 and the first reinforcement rib 3 of the lower leg support structure bend downward, thereby supporting and cushioning the knees and calves, thereby reducing the knee ligament elongation and calf bending moment of the aPLI leg type 10 and other assessment indicators, thereby compensating for the shortcomings of large off-road vehicles that are tall, have a large approach angle and have no supporting calf structure.

[0053] The present invention also provides a vehicle, comprising the above-mentioned front bumper crossbeam assembly.

[0054] In the vehicle of the present invention, after the lower leg support structure is installed on the front bumper beam 9, during the collision between the aPLI leg type 10 and the vehicle, the first support portion 101 and the first reinforcing rib 3 of the lower leg support structure bend downward, thereby supporting and cushioning the knee and calf, thereby reducing the knee ligament elongation and calf bending moment of the aPLI leg type 10 and other evaluation indicators, thereby compensating for the deficiency of large off-road vehicles with tall models, large approach angles and no supporting calf structure.

[0055] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A leg support structure for an off-road vehicle, characterized in that: include: a first support plate; a second support plate, the second support plate being fixedly connected to the first surface of the first support plate, dividing the first support plate into a first support portion and a second support portion located on opposite sides of the second support plate, the first support portion being used to connect to the bottom of the front cross member, and the second support plate being used to connect to the side of the front cross member; A plurality of first reinforcing ribs are fixedly connected to the first supporting portion, and each of the first reinforcing ribs extends along a line connecting the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion.

2. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: Second reinforcing ribs are provided between adjacent first reinforcing ribs. The extension direction of the second reinforcing ribs is the same as that of the first reinforcing ribs, and the extension length of the second reinforcing ribs is smaller than that of the first reinforcing ribs.

3. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An escape groove is formed at an end of the second supporting portion away from the second supporting plate.

4. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A flange is provided at one end of the second support portion away from the second support plate.

5. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The included angle between the flange and the second supporting portion is set to be an obtuse angle.

6. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second support plate is configured as an arc shape as a whole along the extension direction of the first support plate.

7. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: An end surface of the first supporting portion away from the second supporting plate is configured to be arc-shaped.

8. The leg support structure for an off-road vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A first mounting hole is formed through the first supporting portion; A second mounting hole is formed through the second supporting plate.

9. A front fender crossbeam assembly, comprising a front fender crossbeam, characterized in that: It also includes the leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first support portion and the second support plate of the leg lower support structure of the off-road vehicle are respectively connected to the front bumper beam.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Including the front bumper crossbeam assembly as described in claim 9.

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