Front structure of the vehicle

Abstract

A bumper side mounting portion (5) is provided at an outer end edge (3a) in the vehicle width direction of the bumper (3), and a fender side mounting portion is provided at a front end portion of the fender panel (2). A locking pin (7) protruding rearward is provided at an outer end portion (6) in the vehicle width direction of the grille (4). A locking hole (16) is formed on the bumper retainer (9) of the fender panel (2). When the bumper (3) and the grille (4) are assembled to the fender panel (2), before the bumper side mounting portion (5) of the bumper (3) reaches the fender side mounting portion of the fender panel (2), the locking pin (7) of the grille (4) is inserted into the locking hole (16) of the bumper retainer (9). When the locking pin (7) of the grille (4) is inserted into the locking hole (16) of the bumper holder (9), the grille (4) is restricted from moving outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bumper holder (9), and the bumper (3) and the grille (4) are allowed to move rearward relative to the fender panel (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a front structure of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 describes the vehicle front structure. The bumper side bracket is fixed to the front lower edge of the fender panel. The upper edges of the left and right ends of the bumper surface are provided with locking fins formed inward. The locking fins are inserted between the bumper side bracket and the fender panel. The portion at the front upper edge of the bumper surface is fixed to the reinforcement. The outer end of the reinforcement is provided with a pin, which is engaged with the locking portion provided at the front end of the bumper side bracket. The locking portion of the bumper side bracket has: a pin hole that passes through in the direction of travel; and an insertion port that is cut out from the pin hole to the outside. When the bumper surface is merged with the fender panel, the pin on the bumper surface side is installed from the outside into the pin hole on the fender panel side.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-297708 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0007] Furthermore, depending on the vehicle, a grille provided on the air intake at the front end of the vehicle may be pre-attached to the bumper before the bumper is mounted on the fender panel (body panel). The integrated bumper (including the grille) is then mounted on the body panel. In this case, as in the vehicle described in Patent Document 1, when one end of the bumper is temporarily deformed to expand outward in the vehicle width direction in order to mount one end of the bumper from the vehicle width direction outer side to the body panel, the end of the grille fixed to the bumper also deforms outward in the vehicle width direction along with the bumper. This can cause other parts (such as headlights) located around the grille to collide with the grille, posing a risk of damage to the other parts.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle front structure capable of suppressing deformation of the grille when the bumper and the grille are assembled to the vehicle body panel in a state where the bumper and the grille are previously integrated.

[0009] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0010] To address the above-mentioned issues, a first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a front structure for a vehicle comprising a bumper, a grille, and a body panel. The bumper includes a bumper side mounting portion at at least one outer end portion in the vehicle width direction, extending in the vehicle width direction at the front end portion of the vehicle. The grille includes a grille side locking portion, located inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bumper side mounting portion, and secured to the bumper. The body panel includes a body side mounting portion to which the bumper side mounting portion is mounted, and a body side locking portion, located inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the body side mounting portion and locking the grille side locking portion. The body side locking portion is located at the outer end portion of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction, located behind the bumper. When assembling the bumper and grille to the body panel, the bumper side mounting portion is attached to the body side mounting portion while the grille side locking portion is locked with the body side locking portion. When the body side locking portion is locked with the grille side locking portion, the bumper side mounting portion is attached to the body side mounting portion. With the grille side locking portion locked, the body side locking portion allows rearward movement of the bumper and grille relative to the body panel and restricts outward movement of the grille relative to the body panel.

[0011] In the above configuration, when the bumper and grille are assembled from the front onto the vehicle body panel, the bumper-side mounting portion is attached to the vehicle body-side mounting portion while the grille-side latching portion is engaged with the vehicle body-side latching portion. Specifically, if the grille is previously secured to the bumper and the bumper and grille are assembled from the front onto the vehicle body panel, the grille-side latching portion of the grille latches with the vehicle body-side latching portion of the vehicle body panel before the bumper-side mounting portion of the bumper reaches the vehicle body-side mounting portion of the vehicle body panel. The vehicle body-side latching portion, while engaged with the grille-side latching portion, then restricts the grille from moving outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle body panel. Therefore, even if the outer end of the bumper is elastically deformed so as to temporarily expand outward in the vehicle width direction when the bumper-side mounting portion of the bumper is assembled to the vehicle body-side mounting portion of the vehicle panel, the outer end of the grille is prevented from deforming (expanding) outward in the vehicle width direction along with the bumper.

[0012] In addition, the body side locking portion allows the bumper and the grille to move rearward relative to the body panel when the grille side locking portion is locked. Therefore, the bumper and the grille can be moved rearward and assembled to the body panel while the grille side locking portion is locked to the body side locking portion and the grille is restricted from moving outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the body panel.

[0013] A second aspect of the present disclosure is a vehicle front structure according to the first aspect, wherein one of the body-side locking portion and the grille-side locking portion is a locking hole extending in the front-rear direction, and the other of the body-side locking portion and the grille-side locking portion is a locking pin extending in the front-rear direction and insertable into the locking hole.

[0014] In the above configuration, one of the vehicle body-side locking portion and the grille-side locking portion is a locking hole extending in the front-to-back direction, and the other is a locking pin extending in the front-to-back direction and insertable into the locking hole. Therefore, when the locking pin is inserted into the locking hole and locked, the vehicle body-side locking portion restricts movement of the grille in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction relative to the vehicle body panel. Therefore, the locking between the vehicle body-side locking portion and the grille-side locking portion allows the grille to be positioned relative to the vehicle body panel in a direction intersecting the front-to-back direction.

[0015] The third embodiment of the present disclosure is a front structure of a vehicle of the second embodiment, wherein the grille has a second grille side stopper disposed on the inner side of the bumper side mounting portion in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle body panel has a second vehicle body side stopper disposed on the inner side of the vehicle width direction than the vehicle body side mounting portion and stoppering the second grille side stopper. When the bumper and the grille are assembled to the vehicle body panel from the front, the grille side stopper is stopped by the second vehicle body side stopper in a state where the second grille side stopper is stopped by the second vehicle body side stopper. The second vehicle body side stopper, in a state where the second grille side stopper is stopped by the second grille side stopper, allows the bumper and the grille to move rearward relative to the vehicle body panel and restricts the grille from moving outward relative to the vehicle width direction.

[0016] In the above configuration, when the bumper and grille are assembled from the front to the vehicle body panel, the grille side latch is latched with the vehicle body side latch while the second grille side latch is latched with the second vehicle body side latch. Specifically, if the grille is previously fixed to the bumper and the bumper and grille are assembled from the front to the vehicle body panel, the second grille side latch is latched with the second vehicle body side latch before the grille side latch is latched with the vehicle body side latch. Thus, the second vehicle body side latch, while latched with the second grille side latch, restricts the grille from moving outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the vehicle body panel. Therefore, when the bumper-side mounting portion of the bumper is mounted to the vehicle-side mounting portion of the vehicle panel, even if the outer end of the bumper elastically deforms outward in the vehicle width direction before the grille side latch is latched with the vehicle body side latch, the outer end of the grille is prevented from deforming (expanding) outward in the vehicle width direction along with the bumper.

[0017] Furthermore, when the second body-side locking portion is engaged with the second grille-side locking portion, the second body-side locking portion restricts outward movement of the grille relative to the body panel in the vehicle width direction. This restricts outward movement of the grille-side locking portion relative to the body-side locking portion in the vehicle width direction. Consequently, the locking pin is prevented from shifting relative to the locking hole in the vehicle width direction, and the locking pin can be reliably guided to the locking hole.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present disclosure, deformation of the grille can be suppressed when the bumper and the grille are assembled to the vehicle body panel in a state where the bumper and the grille are previously integrated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the front portion of the vehicle according to the present embodiment, showing a state before the bumper and the grille are attached to the vehicle body.

[0021] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the bumper and grille in an exploded state.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the bumper, grille, and fender panel assembly portion, viewed from the inside in the vehicle width direction, showing the state before assembly.

[0023] Figure 4 is with Figure 3 The corresponding perspective view shows the assembled state after the bumper and grille are assembled to the fender panel side.

[0024] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Magnified view of the V portion.

[0025] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram showing the bumper and grille being assembled to the fender panel, viewed from above, showing the state before assembly.

[0026] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram showing the assembly of the bumper and grille to the fender panel as viewed from above, showing the first locked state.

[0027] Figure 6C This is a schematic diagram showing the assembly of the bumper and grille to the fender panel as viewed from above, showing the second locked state.

[0028] Figure 6D This is a schematic diagram showing the bumper and grille being assembled to the fender panel, viewed from above, showing the assembled state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] An embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, FR represents the front of the vehicle, UP represents the upper side, and IN represents the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In the following description, the front-to-back direction represents the front-to-back direction of the vehicle, and the left-to-right direction represents the left-to-right direction when facing the front of the vehicle.

[0030] like Figure 1As shown, the vehicle 1 of this embodiment includes a fender panel (body panel) 2 located at the outer end in the vehicle width direction and arranged around the front wheel (not shown); a bumper 3 extending in the vehicle width direction at the front end of the vehicle 1; and a grille 4 arranged to intake air to a radiator (not shown) and the like at the front end of the vehicle 1. The bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2 side in a pre-integrated state after being fixed to each other.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the bumper 3 is a panel made of resin, which extends in the vehicle width direction at the lower front end of the vehicle 1. The two end sides of the bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction are gently curved and extend rearward. Bumper side mounting portions 5 mounted to the fender panel 2 are provided on the outer edge portions 3a on both sides of the bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction. Each outer edge portion 3a of the bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction is also referred to as an "outer end portion", and the bumper side mounting portion 5 is provided at least at one outer end portion. In the present embodiment, the bumper side mounting portion 5 extends from the upper front to the lower rear along the outer edge portion 3a of the bumper 3 while being bent from the outer edge portion 3a of the bumper 3 toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and a plurality of claws (not shown) are provided on the bumper side mounting portion 5.

[0032] The grille 4 includes a grille main portion 4a that protrudes upward from the center portion of the bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction, and left and right extension portions 4b that extend from the grille main portion 4a to either side in the vehicle width direction. The grille 4 is attached to the bumper 3 from the rear. The left and right extension portions 4b of the grille 4 extend outward in the vehicle width direction along the upper end portion of the bumper 3. The vehicle width outer ends 6 of the left and right extension portions 4b of the grille 4 are positioned near the vehicle width inner side of the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3. Hereinafter, the vehicle width outer ends 6 of the left and right extension portions 4b of the grille 4 will be simply referred to as "the vehicle width outer ends 6 of the grille 4." A locking pin (grille side locking portion) 7 is provided on the rear surface 11 of the vehicle width outer ends 6 of the grille 4, projecting rearward from this rear surface 11. The locking pin 7 is formed to taper from the vehicle width outer ends 6 of the left and right extension portions 4b toward the rear end. The locking pin 7 is positioned forward (on one side in the front-to-back direction) of the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3. A pair of left and right locking walls (second grille-side locking portions) 8 are provided on the lower surface 12 of the vehicle-width-direction outer end 6 of the grille 4, projecting downward from this lower surface 12. The left and right locking walls 8 are formed into plates that extend in the front-to-back direction intersecting the vehicle width direction and are positioned in a spaced-apart relationship in front of the locking pin 7.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, the fender panel 2 has: a fender panel body 17 made of resin as an exterior panel around the front wheel (not shown); and a bumper retainer 9 fixed to the front end of the fender panel body 17. A fender side mounting portion (vehicle body side mounting portion) 10 is provided at the front end of the fender panel 2, and the fender side mounting portion 10 is mounted to the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3. In the present embodiment, the fender side mounting portion 10 is formed in the shape of a groove extending from the front upper to the rear lower in a state of opening to the outside in the vehicle width direction between the rear end edge of the bumper retainer 9 and the fender panel body 17 (see FIG. 1 ). Figures 6A to 6D ). A plurality of latching portions (omitted from the figure) capable of latching a plurality of claws (omitted from the figure) of the bumper side mounting portion 5 are provided in the groove of the fender side mounting portion 10. That is, by inserting the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 into the fender side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2 from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and latching the plurality of claws of the bumper side mounting portion 5 to the plurality of latching portions of the fender side mounting portion 10, the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 can be mounted to the fender side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2 (refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6D ).

[0034] like Figures 3 to 6D As shown, the bumper retainer 9 includes a fixing portion 14 fixed to the front end of the fender panel body 17; a grille support portion (second vehicle body-side locking portion) 13 extending forward from the fixing portion 14; and an upper wall portion 15 formed into a plate-like shape intersecting the front-to-rear direction and rising upward from the upper surface of the grille support portion 13. The grille support portion 13 and the upper wall portion 15 are positioned forward of the fender-side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2.

[0035] In the state where the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "assembled state"), the grille support portion 13 is arranged at a vehicle width position between the left and right retaining walls 8 of the vehicle width outer end portion 6 of the grille 4, and is arranged at a height position that supports the lower surface 12 of the vehicle width outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 from below. That is, the grille support portion 13 is arranged on the vehicle width inner side of the fender side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2, and the vehicle width length L1 of the grille support portion 13 is shorter than the distance L2 between the left and right retaining walls 8 of the vehicle width outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 6A In the present embodiment, the left and right locking wall portions 8 of the vehicle width direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 are locked to the front end portion of the grille support portion 13 .

[0036] The upper wall portion 15 is arranged at a position separated from the front end 13a of the grille support portion 13 toward the rear. A locking hole (vehicle body side locking portion) 16 is formed in the upper wall portion 15 and passes through in the front-to-back direction. The locking hole 16 is formed to a size that allows the locking pin 7 of the vehicle width outer end 6 of the grille 4 to be inserted, and is arranged further inward in the vehicle width direction than the fender side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2. The locking hole 16 is formed to have a horizontally long shape with play in the vehicle width direction when the locking pin 7 of the vehicle width outer end 6 of the grille 4 is inserted. In the assembled state, the locking hole 16 is arranged at a front-to-back position, a top-to-bottom position, and a vehicle width position into which the locking pin 7 of the vehicle width outer end 6 of the grille 4 can be inserted. The front-to-back distance L3 from the front end 13a of the grille support 13 to the upper wall 15 (separation distance in the front-to-back direction) is longer than the front-to-back distance L4 from the top end (rear end) of the locking pin 7 at the vehicle width direction outer end 6 of the grille 4 to the rear ends of the left and right locking walls 8 (see FIG. Figure 6A ). That is, the front-to-back distance L4 between the top end (rear end) of the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 and the rear ends of the left and right locking wall portions 8 is set as follows: when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled from the front to the fender panel 2 side, before the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the upper wall portion 15 of the fender panel 2, the left and right locking wall portions 8 of the grille 4 are locked to the grille support portion 13. In addition, the front-to-back distance L5 from the fender side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2 to the locking hole 16 of the upper wall portion 15 is longer than the front-to-back distance L6 from the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 to the top end (rear end) of the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 (refer to Figure 6A That is, the front-to-rear distance L6 from the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 to the top end (rear end) of the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is set as follows: when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled from the front toward the fender panel 2, the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the upper wall portion 15 of the fender panel 2 before the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2.

[0037] Next, the states before and after the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2 will be described. Figure 6A This shows the state before the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2. Figure 6B Indicates the first locking state described later. Figure 6C Indicates the second locking state described later. Figure 6D Indicates the assembly status.

[0038] When the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2, first, the grille 4 is fixed to the bumper 3, and the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are integrated in advance (see FIG. Figure 2), so that the integrated bumper 3 and grille 4 move from the front to the rear side of the fender panel 2 (refer to Figure 6A When the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are moved rearward relative to the fender panel 2, before the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the outer edge portion 3a of the bumper 3 reaches the fender side mounting portion 10 at the front end portion of the fender panel 2, the grille support portion 13 of the bumper holder 9 is inserted between the left and right locking wall portions 8 of the vehicle width direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4, and the left and right locking wall portions 8 of the grille 4 are locked to the grille support portion 13 of the bumper holder 9, thereby forming a first locking state (see Figure 6B ). In the first latching state, the latching pin 7 of the outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 in the vehicle width direction is located in front of the latching hole 16 of the bumper holder 9 of the fender panel 2 and has not yet been inserted into the latching hole 16. That is, before the latching pin 7 is inserted into the latching hole 16 of the bumper holder 9, the left and right latching wall portions 8 of the grille 4 are latched to the grille support portion 13 of the bumper holder 9. In the first latching state, the grille support portion 13 of the bumper holder 9 is in contact with the lower surface 12 of the outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 in the vehicle width direction (refer to Figure 5 ) is supported from below so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. In the first locked state, the grille support portion 13 of the bumper retainer 9 restricts downward and vehicle widthwise movement of the vehicle widthwise outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 relative to the bumper retainer 9, while allowing rearward movement of the bumper 3 and grille 4 relative to the fender panel 2. When the bumper 3 and grille 4 are further moved rearward relative to the fender panel 2 from the first locked state, the bumper 3 and grille 4 are moved rearward while the outer end edge 3a of the bumper 3 is temporarily elastically deformed by expanding outward in the vehicle width direction. When the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are further moved rearward relative to the fender panel 2 from the first locked state, before the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the outer edge portion 3a of the bumper 3 reaches the fender side mounting portion 10 at the front end portion of the fender panel 2, the locking pin 7 of the vehicle width direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 to enter the second locked state (see FIG. Figure 6CIn the second locked state, the left and right locking walls 8 and locking pins 7 of the vehicle widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 are respectively locked to the grille support 13 and locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2. With the locking pins 7 of the vehicle widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 inserted into the locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2, the locking holes 16 restrict movement of the vehicle widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 relative to the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 in directions intersecting the front-rear direction (the vehicle widthwise direction and the vertical direction), while allowing rearward movement of the bumper 3 and grille 4 relative to the fender panel 2. When the bumper 3 and grille 4 are further moved rearward relative to the fender panel 2 from the second locked state, the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 at the front end of the fender panel 2 and is inserted from the vehicle widthwise outer side, locking with the fender-side mounting portion 10. Thus, the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 is mounted to the fender-side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2, and the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2. In the assembled state, the left and right locking walls 8 and locking pins 7 of the grille 4 are respectively locked to the grille support portion 13 and locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2.

[0039] In the vehicle 1 configured as described above, when the bumper 3 and grille 4 are mounted on the fender panel 2, the left and right locking walls 8 of the grille 4 are locked to the grille support 13 of the bumper retainer 9 before the bumper-side mounting portion 5 at the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 at the front end of the fender panel 2. In this first locked state, the grille support 13 of the bumper retainer 9 restricts downward and vehicle-widthwise movement of the vehicle-widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 relative to the bumper retainer 9. Specifically, in this first locked state, movement of the vehicle-widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 relative to the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 is restricted. Therefore, even if the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 is temporarily elastically deformed to expand outward in the vehicle-width direction, the vehicle-widthwise outer end 6 of the grille 4 is prevented from deforming (expanding) outward along with the bumper 3.

[0040] Furthermore, when the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2, the left and right locking walls 8 of the grille 4 are locked to the grille support 13 of the bumper retainer 9 before the locking pins 7 of the grille 4 are inserted into the locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9. In other words, the left and right locking walls 8 of the grille 4 can be locked to the grille support 13 of the bumper retainer 9 before the locking pins 7 of the grille 4 are inserted into the locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9. Therefore, even if the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 elastically deforms outward in the vehicle width direction before the locking pins 7 of the grille 4 are inserted into the locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9, the vehicle width direction outer end 6 of the grille 4 can be prevented from deforming (expanding) outward in the vehicle width direction along with the bumper 3.

[0041] Furthermore, when the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2, before the grille 4's retaining pins 7 are inserted into the retaining holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9, the left and right retaining walls 8 of the grille 4 are retained by the grille support portions 13 of the bumper retainer 9, thereby restricting the vehicle widthwise outer end portions 6 of the grille 4 from moving in the vehicle widthwise direction and downward relative to the bumper retainer 9. Consequently, displacement of the grille 4's retaining pins 7 relative to the retaining holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9 in the vehicle widthwise direction is suppressed, and the retaining pins 7 can be reliably guided to the retaining holes 16.

[0042] Furthermore, when the bumper 3 and grille 4 are mounted on the fender panel 2, before the bumper-side mounting portion 5 at the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 at the front end of the fender panel 2, the locking pin 7 at the vehicle-width-direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2. With the locking pin 7 at the vehicle-width-direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 inserted into the locking hole 16 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2, the movement of the vehicle-width-direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 relative to the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction (the vehicle-width direction and the vertical direction) is restricted. That is, in the second locked state, the outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 in the vehicle width direction is restricted from moving outward in the vehicle width direction relative to the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2. Therefore, even if the outer end edge 3a side of the bumper 3 is temporarily elastically deformed in a manner that expands outward in the vehicle width direction, the outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 in the vehicle width direction can be prevented from deforming (expanding) outward in the vehicle width direction together with the bumper 3.

[0043] In addition, in the first locking state and the second locking state, the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 can be expanded toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and temporarily elastically deformed. Therefore, when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2 side, interference between the bumper side mounting portion 5 of the outer edge 3a of the bumper 3 and the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 can be avoided.

[0044] In addition, in the first latching state and the second latching state, the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are allowed to move rearward relative to the fender panel 2. Therefore, the bumper 3 and the grille 4 can be moved rearward relative to the fender panel 2 for assembly while restricting the vehicle width direction outer end portion 6 of the grille 4 from moving outward relative to the fender panel 2 of the bumper retainer 9 of the fender panel 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] In the assembled state, the locking pins 7 of the grille 4 are inserted into the locking holes 16 of the bumper retainer 9 , so that the bumper 3 and the grille 4 can be positioned relative to the fender panel 2 in a direction intersecting the front-rear direction.

[0046] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, deformation of the grille 4 can be suppressed when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2 in a state where the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are previously integrated.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, left and right locking walls (second grille-side locking portions) 8 are provided at the vehicle-width-direction outer end portions 6 of the grille 4, and a grille support portion (second vehicle-side locking portion) 13 is provided on the bumper retainer 9, which is insertable between the left and right locking walls 8. However, the shapes of the second grille-side locking portions and the second vehicle-side locking portions are not limited to these. The second grille-side locking portions and the second vehicle-side locking portions may have other shapes, as long as they are configured to lock together before the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the bumper retainer 9, thereby restricting the grille 4 from moving outward in the vehicle-width direction relative to the fender panel 2 and allowing the bumper 3 and grille 4 to move rearward relative to the fender panel 2.

[0048] In addition, in this embodiment, the left and right locking wall portions (second grille side locking portions) 8 and the grille support portion (second body side locking portion) 13 that are locked to each other before the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the locking hole 16 of the bumper holder 9 are respectively provided on the grille 4 and the bumper holder 9, but this is not limited to this, and the second grille side locking portion and the second body side locking portion may not be provided.

[0049] In this embodiment, the grille 4 is provided with a locking pin (grille-side locking portion) 7, and the bumper retainer 9 is provided with a locking hole (body-side locking portion) 16. However, the shapes of the grille-side locking portion and the body-side locking portion are not limited to these. The grille-side locking portion and the body-side locking portion may have other shapes as long as they interlock with each other before the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2 when the bumper 3 and grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2, thereby restricting outward movement of the grille 4 relative to the fender panel 2 in the vehicle width direction, while allowing rearward movement of the bumper 3 and grille 4 relative to the fender panel 2. For example, the grille 4 may be provided with a locking hole (grille-side locking portion), and the bumper retainer 9 may be provided with a locking pin (body-side locking portion) that can be inserted into and locked in the locking hole.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is arranged forward of the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3, but this is not limited to this. For example, the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 may be arranged at the same front-to-back position as the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3, or the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 may be arranged rearward of the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3. In this case, the front-to-back position of the top end of the locking pin (grille-side locking portion) 7 of the grille 4 is also set so that when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled toward the fender panel 2, the locking pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the front-to-back position of the locking hole 16 of the fender panel 2 before the bumper-side mounting portion 5 of the bumper 3 reaches the fender-side mounting portion 10 of the fender panel 2.

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, the left and right retaining wall portions 8 of the grille 4 are arranged in front of the retaining pin 7, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the left and right retaining wall portions 8 of the grille 4 may be arranged in the same front-to-back position as the retaining pin 7, or the left and right retaining wall portions 8 of the grille 4 may be arranged in the rear of the retaining pin 7. In this case, the front-to-back position of the rear end of the left and right retaining wall portions (second grille side retaining portion) 8 of the grille 4 is also set so that when the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel 2 side, before the retaining pin 7 of the grille 4 is inserted into the retaining hole 16 of the fender panel 2, the left and right retaining wall portions 8 of the grille 4 are retained in the front-to-back position of the grille support portion 13 of the fender panel 2.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled to the fender panel (body panel) 2 arranged around the front wheel (not shown) of the vehicle 1. However, the body panel to which the bumper 3 and the grille 4 are assembled is not limited to the fender panel, but can be any panel (body panel) on the side of the vehicle body behind the outer end of the bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction.

[0053] The present invention has been described above based on the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment and can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, other embodiments, examples, and application techniques created by those skilled in the art based on the present embodiment are naturally all included in the scope of the present invention.

[0054] This application is based on Japanese patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-055133) filed on March 25, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] Industrial Applicability

[0056] The vehicle front structure disclosed herein can be widely applied to vehicles in which a bumper and a grille are assembled to a vehicle body panel in a state of being pre-integrated.

[0057] Description of Reference Numerals

[0058] 1: Vehicle

[0059] 2: Fender panel (body panel)

[0060] 3: Bumper

[0061] 3a: Outer edge of the bumper (outer end)

[0062] 4: Grille

[0063] 5: Bumper side mounting part

[0064] 7: Locking pin (grille side locking part)

[0065] 8: Left and right locking walls (second grille side locking parts)

[0066] 10: Fender side mounting portion (body side mounting portion)

[0067] 13: Grille support (second vehicle body side locking portion)

[0068] 16: Locking hole (locking part on the vehicle body side)

Claims

1. A front structure of a vehicle, characterized in that: include: a bumper having a bumper side mounting portion at at least one outer end portion in the vehicle width direction and extending in the vehicle width direction at a front end portion of the vehicle; a grille having a first grille-side locking portion disposed on the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the bumper-side mounting portion and fixed to the bumper; and a vehicle body panel having a vehicle body side mounting portion to which the bumper side mounting portion is mounted, and a first vehicle body side locking portion that is arranged on the vehicle width direction inner side of the vehicle body side mounting portion and locks the first grille side locking portion, and is arranged at the vehicle width direction outer end portion of the vehicle located behind the bumper, When assembling the bumper and the grille to the vehicle body panel from the front, the bumper and the grille are integrated in advance, and the bumper side mounting portion is mounted to the vehicle body side mounting portion in a state where the first grille side locking portion is locked to the first vehicle body side locking portion. The first vehicle body side locking portion, when locked with the first grille side locking portion, allows the bumper and the grille to move rearward relative to the vehicle body panel and restricts outward movement of the grille relative to the vehicle body panel in the vehicle width direction.

2. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: One of the first vehicle body side locking portion and the first grille side locking portion is a locking hole extending in the front-rear direction. The other of the first vehicle body side locking portion and the first grille side locking portion is a locking pin extending in the front-rear direction and insertable into the locking hole.

3. The front structure of the vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The grille has a second grille side locking portion disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction relative to the bumper side mounting portion. The vehicle body panel includes a second vehicle body side locking portion that is arranged on the vehicle width direction inner side of the vehicle body side mounting portion and that locks the second grille side locking portion. When the bumper and the grille are assembled to the vehicle body panel from the front, the first grille side locking portion is locked to the first vehicle body side locking portion in a state where the second grille side locking portion is locked to the second vehicle body side locking portion. The second vehicle body side locking portion, when locked with the second grille side locking portion, allows the bumper and the grille to move rearward relative to the vehicle body panel and restricts outward movement of the grille relative to the vehicle body panel in the vehicle width direction.

4. The front structure of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein: The first vehicle body side locking portion is arranged on the vehicle front side with respect to the vehicle body side mounting portion.

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