Radiator side member and front structure of vehicle body on which radiator side member is provided

Abstract

This invention relates to a radiator side member and a front structure of a vehicle body in which the radiator side member is provided. The radiator side member is applicable to both modular and non-modular front structures of a vehicle body. Specifically, the radiator side member includes: a radiator front panel portion, a radiator side panel portion, and a radiator upper panel portion, wherein the radiator front panel portion is disposed at the front of the vehicle body; the radiator side panel portion is bent at the radiator front panel portion to form a side surface; and the radiator upper panel portion is bent at the radiator front panel portion to form an upper surface.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0153905, filed on November 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to radiator side members and front structures of vehicle bodies including the radiator side members. More specifically, this invention relates to radiator side members applicable to various vehicle types and front structures of vehicle bodies including the radiator side members. Background Technology

[0004] The statements in this section are merely background information in relation to the invention and may not constitute prior art.

[0005] The front of a vehicle has various structures depending on the type of vehicle. Even for the same type of vehicle, the front structure can vary depending on the region where the vehicle is produced or sold.

[0006] For example, the front structure of a vehicle body can be divided into a non-modular front structure and a modular front structure that uses a frontend module (FEM).

[0007] For the same type of vehicle, the required design specifications will differ depending on the production or sales region. When designing and producing according to each required design specification, the research and development costs and component costs will increase.

[0008] The information disclosed in the background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the background technology of the present invention, and therefore the information it may contain does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention provides a radiator side member and a front structure of a vehicle body including the radiator side member, wherein the radiator side member can reduce development and component costs by being applicable to various vehicle types.

[0010] The radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to both modular front structures and non-modular front structures of a vehicle body.

[0011] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a radiator side member may include: a radiator front panel portion, a radiator side panel portion, and a radiator upper panel portion, wherein the radiator front panel portion is disposed at the front of the vehicle, the radiator side panel portion is bent at the front panel portion to form a side surface, and the radiator upper panel portion is bent at the front panel portion to form an upper surface.

[0012] The radiator side component may include a lower body and an upper body, the lower body being joined to the front longitudinal beam, and the upper body being narrower than the lower body.

[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator-side component may further include a flat plate portion that is coupled to the lower body.

[0014] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member may further include an upper reinforcing bracket, which is formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side plate portion and the radiator upper plate portion.

[0015] A non-modular front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a radiator side member, a front longitudinal beam, and a flat plate portion. The radiator side member includes a radiator front panel portion, a radiator side panel portion, and a radiator upper panel portion. The radiator front panel portion is disposed at the front of the vehicle. The radiator side panel portion is bent at the front panel portion to form a side surface, and the radiator upper panel portion is bent at the front panel portion to form an upper surface. The front longitudinal beam engages with the radiator side member. The flat plate portion is disposed between the radiator side member and the front longitudinal beam.

[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the non-modular front structure of the vehicle body may further include an upper reinforcing bracket formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side plate portion and the radiator upper plate portion.

[0017] The non-modular front structure of the vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a supporting upper member that engages with an upper reinforcing bracket.

[0018] The non-modular front structure of the vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower reinforcing member connected to the flat plate portion.

[0019] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the non-modular front structure of the vehicle body may further include a bumper beam mounted in front of the radiator side member, and the bumper beam, the radiator side member, and the flat plate portion may be integrally combined.

[0020] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a modular front structure of a vehicle body may include: a radiator side member, a front module carrier, and a front longitudinal beam. The radiator side member includes a radiator front panel, a radiator side panel, and a radiator upper panel. The radiator front panel is disposed at the front of the vehicle. The radiator side panel is bent at the front panel to form a side surface, and the radiator upper panel is bent at the front panel to form an upper surface. The front module carrier engages with the radiator side member. The front longitudinal beam engages with the radiator side member.

[0021] The radiator side components and the front module carrier can be assembled by insertion injection molding.

[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the modular front structure of the vehicle body may further include a flat plate portion disposed between the radiator side member and the front longitudinal beam.

[0023] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member and the front structure of the vehicle body including the radiator side member can reduce research and development and production costs by applying a common radiator side member to the front structure of various types of vehicle bodies required according to the production region and sales region.

[0024] A radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is applied to the front structure of a non-modular vehicle body and the front structure of a modular vehicle body employing a front end module (FEM).

[0025] Furthermore, the effects that can be obtained or predicted through embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed in the detailed description that follows.

[0026] Further applications will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that this specification and specific embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To better understand the invention, various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line VV in the diagram;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a partial perspective view of a heat sink side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a partial perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that applies a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] The accompanying drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0039] 10, 12, 14, 16: Body 30: Front longitudinal beam

[0040] 50: Radiator side component; 52: Lower body

[0041] 54: Upper body 56: Front panel of radiator

[0042] 58: Radiator side panel 60: Radiator top panel

[0043] 62: Upper reinforcing bracket; 70: Flat plate section

[0044] 80: Upper supporting component; 90, 92, 94: Lower reinforcing component

[0045] 100, 102: Supporting components; 110: Front-end module carrier.

[0046] 120: Bumper beam; 130: Subframe

[0047] 132: Front components. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention, application, or use. It should be understood that in all the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0049] In the following detailed description, only some exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown and described by way of illustration.

[0050] Those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0051] Throughout this specification, parts referred to by the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0052] In the accompanying drawings, the thickness of layers, films, plates, areas, etc., has been exaggerated for clarity.

[0053] When a component (such as a layer, membrane, region, or plate) is referred to as being "on" another component, this includes not only cases where it is directly above another component, but also cases where there is another component between the two.

[0054] Conversely, when an element is described as "directly on another element", there is no intermediate element.

[0055] Throughout the specification, when a part “includes” a component, it means that other components may be included without excluding them, unless otherwise specifically stated otherwise.

[0056] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] refer to Figure 1 In the front structure of the vehicle body 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member 50 is mounted on the front longitudinal beam 30, and the bumper beam 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side member 50.

[0059] The lower reinforcing member 90 can be mounted on the lower portion of the radiator-side member 50, and the supporting lower member 100 can be mounted on the lower reinforcing member 90. The subframe 130 can be connected to the lower reinforcing member 90 and the supporting lower member 100 via the front element 132.

[0060] Figure 1 The front structure of the vehicle body 10 shown in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is non-modular and incorporates a front element 132 and a lower reinforcing member 90 corresponding to the front element 132. Such a front structure of the vehicle body 10 can be used in vehicles produced and / or sold in regions with relatively strict requirements for vehicle crash performance.

[0061] The specific configuration of the radiator-side component 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will then be described.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] In description Figure 2 When describing the front structure of the vehicle body, for ease of understanding, the same / similar reference numerals will be used to describe it. Figure 1 The front structure of the vehicle shown has the same / similar configuration.

[0064] refer to Figure 2 In the front structure of the vehicle body 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member 50 of the present invention is mounted on the front longitudinal beam 30, and the bumper beam 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side member 50.

[0065] The lower reinforcing member 92 can be installed on the lower part of the radiator side member 50, and the supporting lower member 102 can be installed on the lower reinforcing member 92.

[0066] Figure 2 The front structure of the vehicle body 12 shown in an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention is non-modular and uses a lower reinforcing member 92 that is not connected to the front components. Therefore, the front structure of the vehicle body 12 can be used in vehicles produced and / or sold in regions with relatively low requirements for vehicle crash performance. That is, although using with Figure 1 The same radiator side member 50 shown is used, except that the lower reinforcing member 92 required for the vehicle is applied, which can reduce the cost of component development and component price.

[0067] Figure 3A and Figure 3B This is a perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that utilizes a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is a partially exploded perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 5 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line VV in the diagram. Figure 6 This is a partial perspective view of a heat sink side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] In description Figures 3A-3B to Figure 6When describing the front structure of the vehicle body, for ease of understanding, the same / similar reference numerals will be used to describe it. Figure 1 or Figure 2 The front structure of the vehicle shown has the same / similar configuration.

[0070] refer to Figures 3A-3B to Figure 6 In the front structure of the vehicle body 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the front longitudinal beam 30, and the lower reinforcing member 94 may be mounted below the radiator side member 50.

[0071] Depending on the shape of the vehicle's front structure or the required conditions, various types of lower reinforcing members 94 are installed on the lower portion of the radiator side member 50. These various types of lower reinforcing members 94 are interchangeable, thus allowing them to be applied to various vehicle types or multiple variations of the same vehicle type.

[0072] In one embodiment, the bumper beam 120 may be mounted in front of the radiator side member 50 to receive external impact in the event of a collision, and the flat plate portion 70 may be mounted behind the radiator side member 50 to transfer the impact load to the front longitudinal beam 30 in the event of a collision.

[0073] The radiator-side component 50 may include a lower body 52 and an upper body 54, the lower body 52 being joined to the front longitudinal beam 30, and the upper body 54 being narrower than the lower body 52. ​​That is, the lower body 52 is relatively wider than the upper body 54, so that impact loads transmitted from the bumper beam 120 can be distributed to the front longitudinal beam 30.

[0074] The radiator side member 50 may include a radiator front panel portion 56 and a radiator side panel portion 58, the radiator front panel portion 56 being disposed at the front of the vehicle (i.e., the front of the vehicle body), and the radiator side panel portion 58 being bent at the radiator front panel portion 56 to form a side surface. The strength of the radiator side member 50 may be increased by the bending shape of the radiator side member 50.

[0075] In other words, such as Figure 5 As shown, the cross-section of the radiator side member 50 can be bent into a "U" shape to increase the strength of the radiator side member 50.

[0076] The radiator side member 50 may further include a radiator upper plate portion 60, which is bent at the radiator front plate portion 56 to form an upper surface. The bent radiator upper plate portion 60 can increase the strength of the radiator side member 50.

[0077] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the radiator side member 50 may further include an upper reinforcing bracket 62, which is formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side plate portion 58 and the radiator upper plate portion 60. The upper strength of the radiator side member 50 can be improved by using the upper reinforcing bracket 62 to connect the radiator side plate portion 58 and the radiator upper plate portion 60. The upper reinforcing bracket 62 may be welded to the radiator side plate portion 58 and the radiator upper plate portion 60.

[0078] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The bumper beam 120, radiator side member 50 and flat plate 70 are integrally combined so that when the vehicle is involved in a collision, the impact load from the bumper beam 120 can be distributed to the vehicle body through the radiator side member 50 and flat plate 70.

[0079] The lower reinforcing member 94 can be connected to the flat plate portion 70. That is, in the case of a vehicle type that requires the installation of the lower reinforcing member 94, the lower reinforcing member 94 can be installed to the radiator side member 50 via the flat plate portion 70. In this case, it is not necessary to distinguish the shape of the radiator side member 50 according to the vehicle type, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the radiator side member 50.

[0080] Figure 7 This is a partial perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] like Figure 7 As shown, by combining the upper support member 80 with the radiator side member 50 (the strength of which is increased by the upper reinforcing bracket 62), the combined radiator side member 50 and upper support member 80 can be made more stable. The radiator side member 50 and upper support member 80 can be assembled by bolts B, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

[0082] Figure 8 This is a partial perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that utilizes a radiator-side member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is an exploded perspective view of the front structure of a vehicle body that incorporates a radiator-side component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] In description Figures 8 to 9 When describing the front structure of the vehicle body, for ease of understanding, the same / similar reference numerals will be used to describe it. Figures 1 to 7 The front structure of the vehicle shown has the same / similar configuration.

[0084] The front structure of the vehicle body 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is modular and includes a radiator side member 50 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and a front module carrier 110 coupled to the radiator side member 50.

[0085] The aforementioned front longitudinal beam 30 can be mounted on the radiator side member 50, and the bumper beam 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side member 50. Furthermore, the flat plate portion 70 can be mounted between the radiator side member 50 and the front longitudinal beam 30 to transfer impact loads to the front longitudinal beam 30 in the event of a collision.

[0086] The radiator side member 50 and the front module carrier 110 can be assembled by insertion injection molding.

[0087] In other words, the radiator side member 50 can be applied to the front structure of a modular vehicle body. Therefore, the strength of the front structure of the vehicle body 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be increased by utilizing the "U"-shaped cross section of the radiator side member 50 to firmly combine with the front module carrier 110.

[0088] As described above, the front structures of vehicle bodies 10, 12, 14, and 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilize radiator side members 50 (which can be universal) to provide various modular or non-modular types. Therefore, the front structures of vehicle bodies 10, 12, 14, and 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various vehicle types, both modular and non-modular, or to various exemplary variations of the same vehicle type, thereby reducing development and component costs.

[0089] While the invention has been described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments now considered practical, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A radiator side member adapted for a modular front structure of a vehicle body and a non-modular front structure of a vehicle body, the radiator side member comprising: a radiator front panel portion arranged in front of the vehicle body; a radiator side panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form a side surface; and a radiator upper panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form an upper surface, wherein a cross section of the radiator side member is curved in a "U" shape, the radiator side member further comprising an upper reinforcement bracket formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side panel portion and the radiator upper panel portion.

2. The radiator side member according to claim 1, further comprising: a lower body narrower in width than the upper body.

3. The radiator side member according to claim 2, further comprising a flat panel portion joined to the lower body.

4. A non-modular front structure of a vehicle body, comprising: a radiator side member including a radiator front panel portion arranged in front of the vehicle body, a radiator side panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form a side surface, and a radiator upper panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form an upper surface; a front side member joined to the radiator side member; and a flat panel portion provided between the radiator side member and the front side member, wherein a cross section of the radiator side member is curved in a "U" shape, the non-modular front structure further comprising an upper reinforcement bracket formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side panel portion and the radiator upper panel portion.

5. The non-modular front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 4, further comprising a support upper member joined to the upper reinforcement bracket.

6. The non-modular front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 4, further comprising a lower reinforcement member connected to the flat panel portion.

7. The non-modular front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 4, further comprising a bumper beam installed in front of the radiator side member, the bumper beam, the radiator side member, and the flat panel portion being integrally combined.

8. A modular front structure of a vehicle body, comprising: a radiator side member including a radiator front panel portion arranged in front of the vehicle body, a radiator side panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form a side surface, and a radiator upper panel portion bent at the radiator front panel portion to form an upper surface; a front end module carrier joined to the radiator side member; and wherein, a front side member joined to the radiator side member, wherein a cross section of the radiator side member is curved in a "U" shape, the radiator side member further comprising an upper reinforcement bracket formed in a "U" shape to connect the radiator side panel portion and the radiator upper panel portion. the radiator side member and the front end module carrier being combined by insert injection molding. ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. The modular front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 8, wherein ​ 10. The modular front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 8, further comprising a flat plate portion provided between the radiator side member and the front side member.

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