Front body parts and front body structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle body front component and a vehicle body front structure, which can prevent the front bumper appearance part from sagging. The grille support (40) as the vehicle body front component includes: a longitudinal wall portion (45a) as an appearance part support portion supporting the front bumper appearance part and a front portion of an upper flange portion (45c); a rear wall portion (45d) arranged behind the appearance part support portion and facing the vehicle body; and an upper wall portion (43) arranged behind and above the rear wall portion (45d) and fixed to the vehicle body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle body front component and a vehicle body front structure. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a structure for opening and closing the opening in front of the vehicle's power compartment. A grille is provided on the upper side of the front bumper cover. The lower end of the grille is attached to the front bumper cover, while the upper end is attached to the rear vehicle body via a bumper cover retainer. The rear end of the bumper cover retainer is fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle body in an overlapping manner.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6090206 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the structure described in Patent Document 1, the weight of the grille and the front bumper cover acts on the bumper cover retainer, which may cause the grille and the front bumper cover to sag downward. If the grille and the front bumper cover sag downward, the gap between the grille and the vehicle body (e.g., the hood) increases, thereby deteriorating the appearance of the vehicle.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body front member and a vehicle body front structure capable of preventing the front bumper face from sagging.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the front vehicle body component of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: an appearance part support portion, which supports the front bumper appearance part; a rear surface portion, which is arranged behind the appearance part support portion and opposite to the vehicle body; and an upper surface portion, which is arranged behind and above the rear surface portion and is fixed to the vehicle body.

[0011] Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the front bumper exterior from sagging. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a front view schematically showing a vehicle body front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the vehicle body front structure according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear, and is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the center upper cross member is omitted.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of a grille support according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of a grille support according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear.

[0018] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the vehicle body front structure according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state where the front bumper face is omitted.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the second mounting portion of the grille support according to the embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear.

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII.

[0021] Description of Reference Numerals

[0022] 1 Front body structure

[0023] 10 Front bumper exterior parts (front grille)

[0024] 11 Grille (frame)

[0025] 11a Horizontal side

[0026] 11b, 11c beveled edge

[0027] 11d longitudinal edge

[0028] 12 Sloping wall

[0029] 13 Upper wall

[0030] 20 Front upper cross member (body)

[0031] 21 Anterior wall

[0032] 22 Upper wall

[0033] 30 Grille baffle

[0034] 31 Frame

[0035] 32 fins

[0036] 33 Joints

[0037] 34 motor

[0038] 35 Sealing pipes

[0039] 40 Grille support (front body component)

[0040] 41 Main wall (frame)

[0041] 41a Opening (bracket)

[0042] 41b, 41c openings

[0043] 41c1 Bridge

[0044] 41d ribs

[0045] 42 auxiliary wall

[0046] 43 Upper wall (upper part)

[0047] 44 Installation Department

[0048] 44a Mount

[0049] 44b longitudinal wall

[0050] 45 Energy absorption unit

[0051] 45a Vertical wall portion (laterally deformable portion)

[0052] 45b lower flange

[0053] 45c upper flange

[0054] 45d rear wall

[0055] 45e bend

[0056] 46 Installation Department

[0057] 50 radar devices DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] In the accompanying drawings, "front and rear" refers to the front and rear directions in the vehicle's travel direction, and "left and right" refers to the left and right directions (vehicle width directions) viewed from the driver's seat.

[0059] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the vehicle body front structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a front bumper face 10 and a center upper cross member 20 as a vehicle body provided behind the front bumper face 10. Furthermore, the vehicle body front structure 1 includes a grille fascia 30, a grille support 40, and a radar device 50.

[0060] Front bumper exterior (front grille)

[0061] like Figure 1As shown, the front bumper exterior 10 is a resin or metal component that forms the exterior surface of the front portion of the vehicle. The front bumper exterior 10 integrally includes a grille portion 11, a face portion 12 provided at the middle portion of the grille portion 11 in the vehicle width direction, an inclined wall portion 13 extending obliquely upward and rearward from the upper end portion of the grille portion 11, and an upper wall portion 14 extending rearward from the rear end portion of the inclined wall portion 13 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

[0062] The grille 11 is a lattice-shaped opening that allows external air from the vehicle to enter the vehicle's power compartment, which is formed behind the grille 11. The grille 11 is constructed to form a triangular lattice shape, comprising a plurality of horizontal sides 11a extending in the vehicle width direction, a plurality of oblique sides 11b extending in an oblique direction, and a plurality of oblique sides 11c extending in an oblique direction opposite to the oblique sides 11b. Furthermore, the grille 11 includes a plurality of vertical sides 11d extending between the upper edge of the opening of the grille 11 and the uppermost horizontal side 11a. The face 12 is a portion on which the vehicle logo, etc., is displayed (molded, engraved, etc.).

[0063] <Central upper cross member (body)>

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, the central upper cross member 20 is a resin or metal frame member (body) extending in the vehicle width direction, located behind the inclined wall portion 13 of the front bumper exterior 10 and below the upper wall portion 14. The central upper cross member 20 is secured to the front bulkhead, located rearward of the central upper cross member, by other components. The central upper cross member 20 integrally comprises a front wall portion 21 and an upper wall portion 22 extending rearward from the upper end of the front wall portion 21.

[0065] <Grill guard>

[0066] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the grille guard 30 is provided behind the grille portion 11 and the face portion 12 of the front bumper face 10 and is configured to switch between an open state in which outside air from the lattice-shaped openings of the grille portion 11 can flow into the engine compartment and a closed state in which outside air cannot flow.

[0067] like Figure 2As shown, the grille guard 30 includes a pair of left and right frames 31, 31, fins 32, 32, a joint 33 connecting the left and right frames 31, 31, a motor 34 that operates the fins 32, 32, and a sealed duct 35 that integrally holds these components. The grille guard 30 is constructed so that the left and right guard sections, consisting of the frames 31 and fins 32, are connected at the joint 33 in the middle of the vehicle width. The grille guard 30 is attached to the vehicle body in a shape that, when viewed from above, faces rearward as it moves from the joint 33 in the middle of the vehicle width toward its two end portions. In other words, when viewed from above, the grille guard 30 has a V-shaped shape, with the middle portion in the vehicle width bulging forward.

[0068] Frame and fins

[0069] The frame 31 is a resin member having a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. The fins 32 are provided inside the frame 31 and are resin members that can be rotated by the output of the motor 34 to open and close the opening inside the frame 31 .

[0070] 《Joint (V-shaped apex)》

[0071] The joint 33 is a universal joint that connects the pair of left and right frames 31 , 31 , and is configured to enable relative movement of the frames 31 , 31 around a vertical axis, a horizontal axis, and a front-rear axis.

[0072] Sealing Pipes

[0073] The sealing duct 35 is a resin component that has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. Its shape is roughly the same as the outer shape of the pair of left and right frames 31, 31 and the joint portion 33. The sealing duct 35 is attached to the front side of the frames 31, 31, extending forward from the frames 31, 31 and covering the joint portion 33 from the front. In other words, the sealing duct 35 forms a ventilation path between the grille portion 11 of the front bumper face 10 and the frames 31.

[0074] Grille support (front body part)

[0075] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the grille support 40 is a resin component used to secure the grille dam 30 to the center upper cross member 20 of the vehicle body. The grille support 40 includes a main wall portion 41, a secondary wall portion 42, and an upper wall portion 43. Furthermore, the grille support 40 includes a mounting portion 46, a mounting portion 44 connecting the main wall portion 41 and the secondary wall portion 42, and an energy absorbing portion 45 connecting the secondary wall portion 42 and the upper wall portion 43.

[0076] Main Wall

[0077] The main wall portion 41 extends in the vertical and width directions of the vehicle. Openings 41a, 41b, 41b, 41c, and 41c are formed in the main wall portion 41. Opening 41a is formed in the middle portion of the main wall portion 41 in the vehicle width direction. Openings 41b and 41b are formed to the sides of opening 41a in the vehicle width direction. Openings 41c and 41c are formed below openings 41b and 41b, respectively. A plurality of bridges 41c1 are provided between the upper and lower edges of openings 41c and 41c.

[0078] The peripheral edge of the openings 41a, 41b, 41b is provided with ribs 41d, 41d in the shape of a rectangular frame extending upright from the peripheral edge to the rear. The frame portion of the peripheral edge of the opening 41a constitutes a portion for the radar device 50 (see FIG. Figure 3 ) installed bracket.

[0079] Vice Wall Department

[0080] The auxiliary wall portion 42 is provided obliquely above and rearward of the main wall portion 41 and extends in the vertical direction and the vehicle width direction of the vehicle.

[0081] Upper Wall

[0082] The upper wall portion 43 is provided obliquely above and rearward of the auxiliary wall portion 42 and extends in the vehicle longitudinal and width directions. The upper wall portion 43 is fixed to the upper wall portion 14 of the front bumper face 10 and the upper wall portion 22 of the lower center upper cross member 20 by pins P.

[0083] Installation Department

[0084] The mounting portion 44 is mounted on the grille guard 30. The mounting portion 44 includes a mounting seat (lower wall portion) 44a extending rearward from the upper edge of the rib portion 41d, and a pair of vertical walls 44b, 44b extending upward from both ends of the mounting seat 44a in the vehicle width direction. The mounting seat 44a is secured to the upper edge of the sealing duct 34 in the grille guard 30 by pins P.

[0085] The vertical wall portion 44b is arranged to overlap the lattice of the grille portion 11 when viewed from the front. When viewed from the side, it forms a triangular shape that narrows downward as it approaches the rear. The front end of the vertical wall portion 44b spans between the rear end of the rib portion 41d and the auxiliary wall portion 42. The vertical wall portion 44b of the mounting portion 44 in the middle portion in the vehicle width direction overlaps the vertical side portion 11d when viewed from the front. The vertical wall portion 44b of the mounting portion 44 at the end portions in the vehicle width direction overlaps the peripheral edge of the grille portion 11 or any of the oblique sides 11b or 11c when viewed from the front.

[0086] During a frontal collision of the vehicle, the mounting portion 44, i.e., the mounting seat 44a, can be deformed in the vehicle width direction by the frontal collision load. Furthermore, during a frontal collision of the vehicle, the mounting seat 44a can be twisted and deformed by the frontal collision load so as to fall in one direction in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) relative to the rib portion 41d, i.e., so that the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction moves one of upward and downward, while the outer end portion in the vehicle width direction moves the other of upward and downward.

[0087] Energy Absorption Department

[0088] The energy absorbing portion 45 is mounted on the center upper cross member 20 of the vehicle body, cooperating with the upper wall portion 43. The energy absorbing portion 45 is positioned rearward of the mounting portion 44 and forward of the upper wall portion 43. During a frontal collision, the energy absorbing portion 45 deforms preferentially over other portions of the grille support 40 to absorb the energy of the frontal collision load. The energy absorbing portion 45 is positioned, as seen from above, in the vehicle width direction alongside the joint portion 33, which serves as the apex of the V-shape of the grille guard 30. In this embodiment, the energy absorbing portion 45 is positioned at the same position as the joint portion 33, which serves as the apex of the V-shape of the grille guard 30, in the front-to-back direction and is positioned above the joint portion 33. It should be noted that the energy absorbing portion 45 can be positioned at the same height as the joint portion 33, which serves as the apex of the V-shape of the grille guard 30, or below the joint portion 33. The energy absorbing portion 45 integrally includes a longitudinal wall portion 45a extending rearward from the upper end portion of the auxiliary wall portion 42, a lower flange portion 45b extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portion of the longitudinal wall portion 45a, an upper flange portion 45c extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the longitudinal wall portion 45a, and a rear wall portion 45d extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end portion of the longitudinal wall portion 45a.

[0089] The front portion of the vertical wall portion 45a has a triangular shape that widens upward as it approaches the rear when viewed from the side. The rear portion of the vertical wall portion 45a has a rectangular shape as viewed from the side. The vertical wall portion 45a is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rear when viewed from above.

[0090] The front portions of the vertical wall portion 45 a and the upper flange portion 45 c constitute a face support portion that supports the front bumper face 10 by placing the inclined wall portion 13 of the front bumper face 10 thereon.

[0091] The rear wall portion 45d extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the vertical wall portion 45a and extends upward from the rear end of the lower flange portion 45b. The rear wall portion 45d faces the front wall portion 21 of the center upper cross member 20. The rear wall portion 45d can either abut the front wall portion 21 or be spaced slightly apart from it.

[0092] In the energy absorbing portion 45, the boundary between the front and rear portions of the vertical wall portion 45a is a curved portion 45e that bulges inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above. In other words, the vertical wall portion 45a constitutes a laterally deformable portion that can deform in the vehicle width direction due to the frontal collision load during a frontal collision.

[0093] Installation Department

[0094] The mounting portion 46 is a portion mounted on the grille guard 30. The mounting portion 46 is a mounting seat extending rearward from the lower edge of the rib 41d and is secured to the lower edge of the sealing duct 34 in the grille guard 30 by a pin P. During a frontal collision of the vehicle, the mounting portion 46 can be twisted and deformed by the frontal collision load, collapsing relative to the rib 41d in one direction in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction). Specifically, the mounting portion 46 can be twisted and deformed so that its inner end in the vehicle width direction moves one direction upward or downward, while its outer end in the vehicle width direction moves the other direction upward or downward.

[0095] Radar equipment

[0096] like Figure 3 As shown, the radar device 50 is mounted on a bracket formed around the opening 30a of the grille support 30. The radar device 50 is located between the front face portion 12 and the rear joint portion 33.

[0097] <Front bumper exterior support method>

[0098] The load (downward drooping load) on the front bumper face 10 acting on the face support portion in front of the energy absorber 45 is converted into a rearward load (moment) centered on the upper wall portion (upper surface portion) 43 fixed to the upper wall portion 22 of the center upper cross member 20 serving as the vehicle body. Due to this rearward load, the rear wall portion (rear surface portion) 45d of the energy absorber 45 abuts against the front wall portion 21 of the center upper cross member 20 serving as the vehicle body, which faces the rear wall portion 43. This contact between the energy absorber 45 and the front wall portion 21 effectively prevents the front bumper face 10 from sagging.

[0099] How the front vehicle structure deforms during a frontal collision

[0100] During a frontal collision, the wall portion 45d of the energy absorbing member 45 abuts the front wall portion 21 of the center upper cross member 20 due to the frontal collision load. In this state, the vertical wall portion 45a of the energy absorbing member 45 bends and deforms, bulging inward in the vehicle width direction at the curved portion 45e. This bending deformation absorbs the energy of the frontal collision load. In this state, the grille guard 30 deforms at the joint 33, expanding in the vehicle width direction and gradually flattening the V-shape. Furthermore, in this state, the mounting seat 44a undergoes torsional deformation, with the inner end in the vehicle width direction moving downward and the outer end moving upward. Similarly, the mounting portion 46 undergoes torsional deformation, with the inner end in the vehicle width direction moving upward and the outer end moving downward. Furthermore, if, for example, the grille guard 30 deforms into a V-shape with the hinge 33 bulging downward, the mounting seat 44a and mounting portion 46 undergo torsional deformation, with the inner end in the vehicle width direction moving upward and the outer end moving upward, respectively.

[0101] The front vehicle body component (grill support 40) of the present embodiment includes a front bumper face support portion (the front portion of the vertical wall portion 45a and the upper flange portion 45c) that supports the front bumper face 10, a rear portion (rear wall portion 45d) positioned rearward of the front bumper face support portion and facing the vehicle body (front upper cross member 20), and an upper portion (upper wall portion 43) positioned rearward and above the rear portion and fixed to the vehicle body. This configuration converts the load (downward droop load) acting on the front bumper face 10 on the front face support portion of the energy absorber 45 into a rearward load (moment) centered around the upper wall portion (upper wall portion) 43, which is fixed to the upper wall portion 22 of the center upper cross member 20 of the vehicle body. This rearward load causes the rear wall portion (rear wall portion) 45d of the rear portion of the energy absorber 45 to abut against the front wall portion 21 of the center upper cross member 20 of the vehicle body, which faces the rear wall portion 43. Therefore, the vehicle body front member abuts against the front wall portion 21 , thereby appropriately preventing the front bumper face 10 from sagging.

[0102] The front body component also includes a transversely deformable portion disposed between the exterior face support portion and the rear face portion, which is deformable in the vehicle width direction in response to a frontal collision load. Therefore, during a minor frontal collision, the front body component absorbs collision energy by deforming the transversely deformable portion in the front-to-back direction. Furthermore, by making the transversely deformable portion less susceptible to vertical deformation, sagging of the front bumper face 10 is effectively prevented.

[0103] Furthermore, in the front vehicle body component, the laterally deformable portion is a longitudinal wall portion 45a extending in the front-to-rear direction. This longitudinal wall portion 45a has at least one curved portion 45e when viewed from above, and at least one of the upper and lower ends of the longitudinal wall portion 45a has a flange portion (a lower flange portion 45b and an upper flange portion 45c) extending in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the laterally deformable portion can be easily formed in the front vehicle body component using the curved portion 45e. Furthermore, the flange portion can achieve a thinner and lighter longitudinal wall portion 45a, and more effectively prevent sagging of the front bumper face 10.

[0104] Furthermore, in the front vehicle body component, the longitudinal wall portion 45b is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it approaches the rearward direction when viewed from above, and the curved portion 45e is curved convexly inward in the vehicle width direction when viewed from above. Therefore, the front vehicle body component can widely distribute the frontal collision load through the longitudinal wall portion 45b in the vehicle width direction to the vehicle body, and can appropriately absorb the collision energy at the longitudinal wall portion 45b.

[0105] The vehicle body front structure 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a V-shaped grille fascia 30 whose middle portion in the vehicle width direction bulges forward when viewed from above, and a vehicle body front component for attaching the grille fascia 30 to the vehicle body. The vehicle body front component includes a mounting portion 4, which is mounted to the grille fascia 30 and is deformable in the vehicle width direction in response to a frontal collision load; and a transversely deformable portion 45, which serves as an energy absorber 45 capable of absorbing energy from a frontal collision load. The transversely deformable portion is located at the same position as the V-apex of the grille fascia 30 in the front-to-back direction and is positioned above the V-apex. Therefore, when the energy absorber 45 preferentially deforms to absorb energy in response to a frontal collision load (minor collision), the vehicle body front structure 1 allows the mounting portion 44 to deform in the vehicle width direction, causing the grille fascia 30 to deform from the V-shape to a straight shape. In other words, the vehicle body front structure 1 can prevent the grille fascia 30 from being dislodged or damaged by a frontal collision load (minor collision).

[0106] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure 1, the vehicle front component includes a frame portion (main wall portion 41) provided in front of the grille fascia 30. The mounting portion 44 is connected to the upper portion of the frame portion. The frame portion includes a bracket (opening portion 41a) for mounting the radar device 50. Therefore, during a minor frontal collision, the vehicle front structure 1 can prevent damage to the radar device 50 by deforming the vertical wall portion 45b to allow the frame portion to retreat.

[0107] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the laterally deformable portion is not limited to a curved portion that easily deforms in a direction of the vehicle width (lateral direction) when viewed from above; it can also be formed by a rib, a notch, or the like. Furthermore, the joint portion 33, which serves as the apex of the V-shape of the grille shroud 30, can be modified as appropriate, as long as it can be opened under a frontal collision load, allowing the grille shroud 30 to deform into a nearly linear shape when viewed from above.

Claims

1. A front vehicle body component, characterized in that: include: An appearance part supporting portion, which supports the front bumper appearance part; a rear portion, which is arranged behind the appearance member support portion and faces the vehicle body; as well as an upper portion, which is arranged behind and above the rear portion and is fixed to the vehicle body, The vehicle body front member includes a transversely deformable portion disposed between the exterior member support portion and the rear portion and capable of deforming in the vehicle width direction due to a frontal collision load. The transverse easily deformable portion is a longitudinal wall portion extending in the front-to-back direction. The vertical wall portion has at least one curved portion when viewed from above. The vehicle body front component comprises an upper flange portion (45c) extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end portion of the longitudinal wall portion (45a) and a lower flange portion (45b) extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the lower end portion of the longitudinal wall portion (45a).

2. The vehicle body front component according to claim 1, characterized in that: A flange portion extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at at least one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the vertical wall portion.

3. The vehicle body front component according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vertical wall portion is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes toward the rear in a plan view. The curved portion is curved inward in the vehicle width direction in a convex shape in a plan view.

4. A vehicle front structure, characterized in that: include: The grille baffle is V-shaped with the middle portion in the vehicle width direction bulging forward when viewed from above; as well as The vehicle body front component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grille guard is mounted on the vehicle body. The vehicle body front component includes: a mounting portion mounted on the grille guard and capable of deforming in the vehicle width direction due to a front collision load; as well as The lateral deformable portion serves as an energy absorbing portion capable of absorbing the energy of a front collision load. The laterally deformable portion is provided at the same position as a V-shaped apex of the grille guard in the front-rear direction and is provided above the V-shaped apex.

5. The vehicle body front structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The vehicle body front member includes a frame portion provided on the front side of the grille guard. The mounting portion is connected to the upper portion of the frame portion, The frame portion has a bracket for mounting the radar device.

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