front end module

Abstract

The present invention discloses a front-end module. The front-end module may include an upper member, a lower member disposed below the upper member, a side member connecting the upper member to the lower member, a reinforcing member located in a recess, and a hood latch engaged with the reinforcing member, wherein the upper member includes a concave recess extending downward within the upper member.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0196835, filed on December 26, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a front-end module for use in vehicles. Background Technology

[0004] The front end module (FEM) is a structure located at the front of the vehicle body. The FEM absorbs the impact of a vehicle collision and may include a radiator, fan, and hood latches that secure the hood.

[0005] If the hood latch is directly engaged with the front or rear of the upper component of the front-end module, a large torque may be generated in the upper component when the hood latch receives an upward force, which could increase the likelihood of damage to the joint. This could lead to deformation of the upper component itself or damage to the entire front-end module.

[0006] Furthermore, existing front-end modules require the use of numerous additional structural components or thicker upper members to enhance the rigidity of the hood latches. This design results in increased weight, which hinders vehicle weight reduction, and also leads to reduced productivity and assembly efficiency due to the increased number of parts. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention can provide a front-end module in which the engagement rigidity of the hood latch can be improved by using a recess in the upper member, and damage to the front-end module and the hood latch can be prevented by effectively dispersing the forces acting on the vehicle.

[0008] The objectives of embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other objectives not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front-end module may include: an upper member, a lower member disposed below the upper member, and a side member connecting the upper member to the lower member. The upper member may have a concave recess formed downward within the upper member, and a reinforcing member may be disposed in the recess such that the hood latch can engage with the reinforcing member.

[0010] The opening can be located at the front or rear of the recess, and at least a portion of the reinforcing member can face the opening.

[0011] The reinforcing member may include: a main body; a first wing disposed on one side of the main body; and a second wing disposed on the other side of the main body.

[0012] The first and second wings can be inserted into the upper component.

[0013] The reinforcing member may include: a first flange that connects the first wing to the main body; and a second flange that connects the second wing to the main body.

[0014] The first flange can be inserted into the first sidewall of the recess, and the second flange can be inserted into the second sidewall of the recess.

[0015] The main body and the first wing can be arranged to have a height difference.

[0016] The main body can be set at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom surface of the recessed portion.

[0017] The nut can be welded to the front or rear surface of the main body, and a first pin hole communicating with the hole of the nut can be provided in the main body.

[0018] On the front inner wall or rear inner wall of the recessed portion that is spaced apart from the main body portion, the second pin hole may be configured to overlap with the first pin hole of the main body portion in the through direction of the first pin hole.

[0019] The lower curved portion can be located below the main body, and the edge area of ​​the lower curved portion can be inserted into the bottom surface of the recess.

[0020] The front-end module may include: a hood latch disposed in a recess and engaged with a reinforcing member; and a cable electrically connected to the hood latch, wherein at least a portion of the cable may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the upper member.

[0021] The front-end module may include a connector for electrically connecting cables to the hood latch.

[0022] Multiple recesses may be provided, including a first recess and a second recess. The second recess is spaced apart from the first recess in the longitudinal direction of the upper member, and a reinforcing member may be provided in each of the first and second recesses. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features and advantages of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 These are perspective views showing the front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention from different angles;

[0026] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of part A;

[0027] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial exploded diagram of A;

[0028] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view obtained by line I-I';

[0029] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of a portion of the upper component of part A;

[0030] Figure 7 It was obtained from different directions. Figure 6 A schematic diagram;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 It is observed from different angles. Figure 8 A schematic diagram;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a reinforcing member integrated into the upper component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 11 This illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a portion of the reinforcing member is inserted into the upper member;

[0035] Figure 12 This is a top view of the portion where the reinforcing member is joined in the upper component according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 13 This illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a portion of the reinforcing member is inserted into the upper member;

[0037] Figure 14 It is along Figure 10 The cross-sectional view obtained from line II-II';

[0038] Figure 15 It shows that it is based on along Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure in which the mold is set in the cross section obtained by line III-III';

[0039] Figure 16 It shows that it is based on along Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the structure in which the mold is set in the cross section obtained by line II-II';

[0040] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0041] Figure 18 yes Figure 17 The exploded diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0042] While embodiments of the invention can be modified in various ways and can take various alternative forms, specific example embodiments are shown in the drawings and described in detail below. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be necessarily limited to the specific forms disclosed; rather, the invention can cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0043] It is understood that although terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not necessarily limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may similarly be referred to as a first element. Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but these components are not necessarily limited by terms such as "first" and "second" in terms of order, size, location, or importance.

[0044] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0045] The terminology used herein to describe embodiments of the invention is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the invention. The articles “a” and “an” are singular because they refer to a single entity; however, the use of the singular form in this document does not necessarily preclude the existence of more than one entity. In other words, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, elements of the invention referred to in the singular form may be one or more.

[0046] It is understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and / or “comprises” as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0047] Unless otherwise defined, the terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, may have the same meaning as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. These terms, as defined in commonly used dictionaries, may be interpreted as having the same meaning as in the context of the relevant art.

[0048] In this specification, "vehicle" can refer to any vehicle that moves a transported object, such as a person, animal, or cargo, from a point of origin to a destination. These vehicles are not necessarily limited to those that travel on roads or tracks. Vehicles can include those that use fossil fuels (such as gasoline and petroleum), those that use secondary batteries (utilizing electricity stored in batteries), and those that use future fuels (such as hydrogen).

[0049] In the following description, the terms “front,” “rear,” “up / down,” “upward,” “downward,” “above,” “upper,” “top,” “lower,” “bottom,” “left / right,” etc., may be based on the vehicle or body.

[0050] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 These are perspective views showing the front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention from different angles. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Top view of part A. Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial exploded diagram of A. Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view obtained by line I-I'.

[0052] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the front-end module 10 may include an upper component 11, a lower component 12, and a side component 13.

[0053] The upper component 11 can be disposed on the upper part of the front-end module 10. The longitudinal direction of the upper component 11 can be approximately parallel to the width direction of the vehicle body. The lower component 12 can be disposed on the lower part of the front-end module 10. The longitudinal direction of the lower component 12 can be approximately parallel to the width direction of the vehicle body. Multiple side components 13 can be disposed. The longitudinal direction of each side component 13 can be approximately parallel to the height direction of the vehicle body. One side component 13 can connect the upper component 11 to the lower component 12 on one side of the upper component 11. Another side component 13 can connect the upper component 11 to the lower component 12 on the other side of the upper component 11.

[0054] Reference Figures 1 to 4 A recess 110 may be provided in the upper member 11. The recess 110 may be formed to be recessed from the upper side to the lower side of the upper member 11. An opening 111 may be provided in the inner front portion of the recess 110. The opening 111 may be formed to extend through a portion of the upper member 11 from the rear to the front of the front end module 10. However, although the opening 111 is described as being provided in the inner front portion of the recess 110 according to the example embodiment shown in the figures, the opening 111 may also be provided in the inner rear portion of the recess 110. Therefore, when the opening 111 is provided in the inner rear portion of the recess 110, the component arranged in the inner rear portion of the recess 110 in the embodiment shown in the figures may be provided in the inner front portion of the recess 110.

[0055] Reinforcing member 200 and hood latch 300 may be disposed in recess 110. A plurality of bolts 500 may be arranged in recess 110 to engage hood latch 300 to reinforcing member 200 by passing through recess 110. Connector 610 may engage with hood latch 300 and may be disposed in recess 110, and cable 620 may be electrically connected to hood latch 300 via connector 610. A portion of cable 620 may be disposed on upper member 11 along the longitudinal direction of upper member 11. A plurality of connectors 610 may be provided. Each of at least one connector may be disposed on a corresponding side of opposite sides of hood latch 300. That is, at least one connector 610 may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of upper member 11 and spaced apart from each other. At least one cable 620 may be provided, and at least one cable 620 may be engaged with at least one connector 610 respectively. In some cases, at least a portion of the hood impact member 700, which is mechanically engaged with the hood latch 300, may be disposed in the recess 110.

[0056] Reference Figure 5 The reinforcing member 200 can be disposed in the recess 110 and engaged with the upper member 11, and the hood latch 300 can be disposed in the recess 110 facing the reinforcing member 200. A bolt 500 can pass through the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 110, the hood latch 300, and the reinforcing member 200, and can be threadedly engaged with a nut 400 welded to the front surface 212 of the body portion 210 of the reinforcing member 200 to secure the hood latch 300 to the upper member 11. However, the nut 400 can also be welded to the rear surface 213 of the body portion 210.

[0057] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 An enlarged view of a portion of the upper component of part A in the diagram. Figure 7 It was obtained from different directions. Figure 6 A schematic diagram. (Refer to...) Figure 6 and Figure 7 The longitudinal direction of the recess 110 can be approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. The opening 111 can be provided at the front of the recess 110. A pin hole can be provided in the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 110. The pin hole, which will be described below, can be provided in the reinforcing member 200. Therefore, for ease of description, the pin hole provided in the reinforcing member 200 can be referred to as the first pin hole 201, and the pin hole provided in the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 110 can be referred to as the second pin hole 113.

[0058] The second pin hole 113 can be configured to pass through the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 110. Multiple second pin holes 113 can be provided. The pin hole 113, which is at least one pin hole, can be configured to be spaced apart from other pin holes in the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11.

[0059] The opening 111 can be provided at the front of the recess 110. The first square hole 114 can be provided on one side and the other side of the opening 111. The opening 111 can be covered by the main body 210 of the reinforcing member 200, which will be described below, but the first square hole 114 arranged on one side and the other side of the opening 111 can be arranged to face the second square hole 211 provided on the reinforcing member 200.

[0060] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a reinforcing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 It shows from different angles Figure 8 . will refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 Describe the structure of the reinforcing member 200.

[0061] The reinforcing member 200 may include a main body 210, a wing 220, a flange 230 connecting the main body 210 to the wing 220, a lower curved portion 241 disposed below the main body 210, and an upper curved portion 242 disposed above the main body 210.

[0062] A first pin hole 201 may be provided in the main body 210. Multiple first pin holes 201 may be provided. At least one first pin hole 201 may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. The bolt 500 may pass through the first pin hole 201.

[0063] The second square hole 211 can be provided in the main body 210. Multiple second square holes 211 can be provided in the main body 210, and these multiple second square holes 211 can be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. As described above, the second square hole 211 provided in the main body 210 can directly face the first square hole 114 provided in the front of the recess 110.

[0064] The flange portion 230 can be provided on one side and the other side of the main body portion 210. The flange portion 230 can be bent from one side and the other side of the main body portion 210. When the flange portion 230 provided on one side of the main body portion 210 is referred to as the first flange portion 231, and the flange portion 230 arranged on the other side of the main body portion 210 is referred to as the second flange portion 232, the first flange portion 231 and the second flange portion 232 can be arranged in a generally parallel direction.

[0065] The wing 220 can be provided on one side and the other side of the main body 210. The wing 220 can be connected to the main body 210 via a flange 230. The wing 220 can be bent from the flange 230. The main body 210 and the wing 220 can be arranged to have a height difference via the flange 230.

[0066] The wing 220 provided on one side of the main body 210 can be referred to as the first wing 221, while the wing 220 provided on the other side of the main body 210 can be referred to as the second wing 222.

[0067] The direction in which the first wing 221 bends from the first flange 231 can be opposite to the direction in which the second wing 222 bends from the second flange 232. That is, when the reinforcing member 200 is viewed from above, if the first wing 221 bends counterclockwise from the first flange 231, then the second wing 222 can bend clockwise from the second flange 232.

[0068] The lower curved portion 241 located below the main body portion 210 and the upper curved portion 242 located above the main body portion 210 can be curved in opposite directions relative to the main body portion 210. The lower curved portion 241 can be curved toward the rear of the recessed portion 110, while the upper curved portion 242 can be curved toward the front of the recessed portion 110.

[0069] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a reinforcing member integrated into the upper component according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 This illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a portion of the reinforcing member is inserted into the upper member. Figure 12 This is a top view of the portion of the upper component where the reinforcing member is joined, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 13 This illustrates an embodiment according to the present invention. Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a portion of the reinforcing member is inserted into the upper member. (Refer to...) Figures 10 to 13 Describe the structure in which the upper component and the reinforcing component can be combined.

[0070] A portion of the main body 210 of the reinforcing member 200 may be disposed within the recess 110. When viewed from above the recess 110, a portion of the main body 210 can be observed.

[0071] The flange portion 230 of the reinforcing member 200 can be inserted into the upper member 11. The first flange portion 231 can be inserted into one side wall of the recess 110, namely the first side wall 115, while the second flange portion 232 can be inserted into the other side wall of the recess 110, namely the second side wall 116. The first flange portion 231 can be inserted approximately parallel to the first side wall 115, while the second flange portion 232 can be inserted approximately parallel to the second side wall 116.

[0072] The wing 220 can be inserted into the upper member 11. The first wing 221 can be inserted from the first sidewall 115 along the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. The second wing 222 can be inserted from the second sidewall 116 along the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. The first wing 221 and the second wing 222 can be inserted into the upper member 11 facing opposite sides. The first wing 221 and the second wing 222 can be inserted approximately parallel to each other.

[0073] The lower curved portion 241 of the reinforcing member 200 can be provided on the bottom of the recess 110. For example... Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the lower bend 241 can be exposed through the recess 110. However, the edge region, which is part of the lower bend 241, can be inserted into the bottom of the recess 110.

[0074] The upper curved portion 242 of the reinforcing member 200 can be inserted into the upper member 11 at the front of the recess 110. When viewed from above the recess 110, a portion of the upper curved portion 242 can be exposed to the outside of the upper member 11. The edge region, which is another part of the upper curved portion 242, can be inserted into the upper member 11.

[0075] Figure 14 It is along Figure 10 The cross-sectional view obtained by line II-II'. The nut 400 described above can be attached to the front surface 212 of the main body 210 by welding. The rear surface 213 of the main body 210 can be configured to face the interior of the recess 110. The main body 210 can be configured at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom of the recess 110. The rear surface of the main body 210 can be configured at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom of the recess 110.

[0076] The nut hole 401 can be configured to face the first pin hole 201 of the main body 210. That is, the through direction of the nut hole 401 and the through direction of the first pin hole 201 can be the same. The second pin hole 113 provided on the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 110 can be configured to face both the nut hole 401 and the first pin hole 201. That is, the through direction of the second pin hole 113 can be the same as the through direction of the nut hole 401 and the first pin hole 201.

[0077] In the front-end module 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a recess 110 may be provided above the upper member 11, a portion of the reinforcing member 200 may be inserted into the interior of the recess 110, and a hood latch 300 provided in the recess 110 may engage with the reinforcing member 200. A hood impact member 700 may be fastened to the hood latch 300, and an upward force may be applied to the hood latch 300 by the hood impact member 700. Since the hood latch 300 may be provided in the recess 110 of the upper member 11, the torque acting on the upper member 11 by the upward force can be reduced compared to the case where the hood latch 300 is engaged to the front or rear of the upper member 11. Therefore, damage to the joint between the upper member and the hood latch by the upward force of the hood impact member can be prevented, and damage to the upper member and the front-end module can also be prevented.

[0078] Figure 15 It shows that it is based on along Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a mold can be set in the cross section obtained by line III-III'. Figure 16 It shows that it is based on along Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a structure in which a mold can be set in the cross section obtained by line II-II'.

[0079] Reference Figure 15 The mold 800 disposed inside the recess 110 may have an upwardly increasing width W1. That is, the side surface 802 of the mold may be inclined relative to the bottom surface 801 of the mold. Since the width W1 of the mold 800 increases upward, the inner surface of the recess 110 and the side surface 802 of the mold 800 can be separated when the mold 800 moves upward from the recess 110 and is removed. Therefore, wear on the inner surface of the recess 110 can be prevented during the removal of the mold 800.

[0080] Reference Figure 16The mold 800 disposed in the recess 110 can be configured to be separate from the main body 210 of the reinforcing member 200. The main body 210 of the reinforcing member 200 and the rear inner wall 112 of the recess 100 can be substantially parallel. Therefore, in order to prevent wear on the main body 210 during the removal of the mold 800, resin can be injected into the mold 800, which is disposed separately from the main body 210, to form the upper member 11. At least a portion of the upper curved portion 242 and the lower curved portion 241 can be configured to contact at least a portion of the surface of the mold 800. Therefore, resin intrusion into the surface of the main body 210 can be prevented.

[0081] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18 yes Figure 17 An exploded view. (Refer to...) Figure 17 and Figure 18 A front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention is described below. In the following text, details related to the above are omitted. Figures 1 to 16 The given description is the same as the given description.

[0082] At least one recess 110 may be provided on the upper member 11 of the front end module 10. At least one recess 110 may be provided to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the upper member 11. One of the recesses 110 may be referred to as the first recess, and the other may be referred to as the second recess.

[0083] The reinforcing member 200 may be disposed in each of the first recess and the second recess. The reinforcing member 200 disposed in the first recess may be referred to as the first reinforcing member, and the reinforcing member 200 disposed in the second recess may be referred to as the second reinforcing member.

[0084] The hood latch 300 may be disposed in a first recess and a second recess. The hood latch 300 disposed in the first recess may be referred to as the first hood latch, and the hood latch 300 disposed in the second recess may be referred to as the second hood latch.

[0085] For the front-end module 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, two reinforcing members 200 and two hood latches 300 may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the upper member 11 in the longitudinal direction. That is, according to an embodiment of the invention, since the hood latches 300 may be provided in the recess 110 of the upper member 11, damage to the joint between the upper member 11 and the hood latches 300 may be prevented, and the two hood impact members 700 may be supported in two positions, thereby fixing the hood more stably through force distribution.

[0086] In the front-end module according to an embodiment of the present invention, damage to the joint between the upper member and the engine hood latch by the upward force of the engine hood impact member can be prevented, and further, damage to the upper member and the front-end module can be prevented.

[0087] The advantages of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other advantages not mentioned will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0088] Several embodiments are disclosed herein. It will be understood that various features of different embodiments can be combined. Although example embodiments have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A front-end module, comprising: Upper member, wherein the upper member has a concave recess extending downward within the upper member; The lower component is disposed below the upper component; A side member that connects the upper member to the lower member; A reinforcing member is located in the recess; as well as Engine hood latch, which engages with the reinforcing member.

2. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein, An opening in the upper member is located at the front or rear of the recess, and at least a portion of the reinforcing member faces the opening.

3. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein, The reinforcing member includes: Main body; A first wing is disposed on a first side of the main body; and The second wing is disposed on the second side of the main body.

4. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The first wing and the second wing are inserted into the upper component.

5. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The reinforcing member further includes: A first flange portion connects the first wing portion to the main body portion; and The second flange connects the second wing to the main body.

6. The front-end module according to claim 5, wherein, The first flange is inserted into the first sidewall of the recess, and the second flange is inserted into the second sidewall of the recess.

7. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The main body and the first wing are arranged with a height difference.

8. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The main body portion is set at an obtuse angle relative to the bottom surface of the recessed portion.

9. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The nut is welded to the front or rear surface of the main body, and a first pin hole communicating with the nut hole of the nut is provided in the main body.

10. The front-end module according to claim 9, wherein, On the front inner wall or rear inner wall of the recessed portion that is spaced apart from the main body portion, the second pin hole is configured to overlap with the first pin hole of the main body portion in the through direction of the first pin hole.

11. The front-end module according to claim 3, wherein, The lower curved portion is located below the main body portion, and the edge region of the lower curved portion is inserted into the bottom surface of the recessed portion.

12. The front-end module of claim 1, further comprising a cable electrically connected to the hood latch, wherein at least a portion of the cable is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the upper member, and at least a portion of the hood latch is located within a recess of the upper member.

13. The front-end module of claim 12, further comprising a connector for electrically connecting the cable to the hood latch.

14. The front-end module according to claim 1, wherein, The recessed portion is provided in multiple ways, such that the recessed portion includes a first recessed portion and a second recessed portion, wherein the second recessed portion is spaced apart from the first recessed portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper component. The reinforcing member is provided in multiple ways, and the multiple reinforcing members are respectively provided in one of the first recess and the second recess.

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