Reinforcing element

Abstract

Reinforcement element (1) for a lower bumper area (2) of a motor vehicle front bumper (F) for protecting pedestrians in the event of an impact of a lower leg section against the lower bumper area (2) of the front bumper (F), wherein the reinforcement element (1) extends horizontally over the width of the front bumper (F) and is designed as a separate component that can be integrated into the lower bumper area (2), characterized in that the reinforcement element (1) is designed as a retrofittable cover, wherein the reinforcement element (1) can be mounted on the lower bumper area (2) by means of a snap-fit ​​connection (12) or a clip connection (13), wherein the reinforcement element (1) has a U-shaped raised side wall (5) at its front end (4) with a free upper leg (6) and a free lower leg (7), such that the reinforcement element (1) can be inserted with its free ends (6, 7) into receiving openings (10,11) is insertable in the lower bumper area (2) and its contour is form-complementary to the lower bumper area (2), wherein the reinforcing element (1) is made of a material that is at least as stiff or slightly stiffer than the lower bumper area (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a reinforcement element for a lower bumper area of ​​a motor vehicle's front bumper for protecting pedestrians in the event of an impact of a lower leg section against the lower bumper area of ​​the front bumper, wherein the reinforcement element extends horizontally across the width of the front bumper and is designed as a separate component that can be integrated into the lower bumper area. The invention further relates to a front bumper with such a reinforcement element.

[0002] In the case of front ends for passenger cars, the front bumper represents a front component that is design-oriented towards the vehicle in question, and high demands are placed on its front visible surface.

[0003] Typical front-end modules for a vehicle usually feature a front-end mounting bracket, which, when installed, is located in the front of the vehicle. To minimize the risk of injury to pedestrians in the event of a collision, a pedestrian protection crossmember extending laterally across the front of the vehicle is incorporated.

[0004] For example, DE 10 2007 019 481 A1, DE 10 2007 054 490 A1, DE 10 2005 056 961 A1, DE 10 2004 007 571 A1, DE 10 2005 059 447 A1, DE 10 2005 021 895 A1 and WO 2006 / 008 137 A1 have a front-end module for a vehicle with a front-end mounting carrier to which a pedestrian protection cross member is assigned, and a front spoiler or trim assembly that is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in front of the pedestrian protection cross member, wherein the pedestrian protection cross member can be connected to both the front spoiler or trim assembly and the mounting carrier. All known reinforcement elements require a high level of effort during assembly and are difficult and costly to replace in the event of repairs after an accident.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a simpler solution for implementing a pedestrian protection function in a reinforcement element of a motor vehicle bumper with the aforementioned features.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a reinforcing element designed as a retrofittable cover, wherein the reinforcing element can be mounted on the lower bumper area by means of a snap-fit ​​connection or a clip connection, wherein the reinforcing element has a U-shaped raised side wall at its front end with a free upper leg and a free lower leg, such that the reinforcing element can be inserted with its free ends into receiving openings in the lower bumper area and its contour is complementary to the shape of the lower bumper area, wherein the reinforcing element is made of a material that is at least slightly stiffer or stronger than the lower bumper area. For example, the reinforcing element can be made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic or fiber-reinforced plastic, or of a light metal.While safety elements in the vehicle interior only need to absorb single, strong impacts immediately and without rebound, and can therefore be designed to be brittle, the requirements for bumper design are different. Here, the material should repeatedly absorb smaller impacts elastically to prevent minor damage. It must therefore be designed to be more elastic, but even here it must not cause excessive rebound. The reinforcement element according to the invention and the front bumper designed with a reinforcement element take these requirements into account.

[0007] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a front bumper for a motor vehicle, consisting of an upper bumper area and a lower bumper area, wherein such a reinforcement element is provided in the lower bumper area.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments result from the features of the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention consists in the reinforcement element being designed as a separate panel that can be integrated into the lower bumper area. The front bumper has a lower bumper area (front spoiler element) that can be made of a single material and formed integrally with an upper bumper area (bumper cover element). Alternatively, the lower bumper area can also be a separate component from the upper bumper area. By using a panel element according to the invention, the need for a pedestrian protection crossmember can be eliminated, since the panel takes over the basic function of the pedestrian protection crossmember. The reinforcement element is designed as a separate component and can be integrated into the front bumper during its manufacture or subsequently installed. A separate design has the advantage that the reinforcement element can be easily replaced or exchanged in the event of damage.

[0010] The reinforcement element can, for example, be mounted on the lower bumper by means of a snap-fit ​​connection, in which case corresponding attachment points, preferably recesses, can be provided in the lower bumper area into which snap-fit ​​lugs can be inserted.

[0011] Another embodiment provides that the reinforcing element can be mounted on the lower bumper area by means of a clip connection, in which case corresponding attachment points, preferably clip receiving openings or clip attachment points, can be provided to which or with which the clips can be connected.

[0012] For example, the reinforcement element can be integrated into the lower bumper area in such a way that it protrudes at least slightly forward beyond the lower bumper area. Essentially, however, the reinforcement element forms a design element adapted to the design or contour of the front bumper.

[0013] It may be provided that the free upper leg is at least slightly shorter than the free lower leg.

[0014] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which an embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description can each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination.

[0015] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic side view in sectional representation of a front bumper designed with a reinforcing element; Fig. 2 a schematic side view in sectional view of a front bumper designed with a reinforcing element in partial exploded view; Fig. 3 the perspective view of the front bumper according to. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with reinforcement element shown in exploded view; Fig. 4 the perspective view of the front bumper with the fastening clip shown in exploded view; Fig. 5 the partial area of ​​a lower bumper area with mounted reinforcement element in rear view.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional side view of a front-end module for a motor vehicle. The front-end module is a motor vehicle front bumper F, equipped with a reinforcement element 1 and formed by a lower bumper section 2 and an upper bumper section 3, which is manufactured integrally with the lower bumper section and made of the same material. The reinforcement element 1 is designed as a separate panel that can be integrated into the lower bumper section 2. By providing the reinforcement element 1, the need for a conventional, more robust pedestrian protection crossmember is eliminated. The reinforcement element 1 is integrated into the lower bumper section 2 as a panel element and, in this case, is mounted to the lower bumper section 2 by means of clip connections (not shown).The reinforcement element 1 is located in the lower bumper area 2, specifically in the area where the lower leg impact of a pedestrian occurs. Therefore, both the reinforcement element 1 and the lower bumper area 2 housing the reinforcement element are components of the front end or vehicle front bumper F. Due to its design and material selection, the reinforcement element 1 is a component that possesses the necessary rigidity for pedestrian protection.

[0017] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view in sectional representation of the front bumper F, which is shown slightly enlarged and designed with the reinforcement element 1 shown in exploded view.

[0018] The reinforcing element 1 has a U-shaped, raised side wall 5 at its front end 4, which has an upper free leg 6 and a lower free leg 7. The reinforcing element 1 has several contact protrusions 8, 9 that ensure a reliable fit in the lower bumper area 2. The reinforcing element 1 can (as in Fig. 1 shown) with its free ends 6 and 7 into the receiving openings 10 and 11 in the lower bumper area 2.

[0019] Fig. Figure 3 shows the perspective view of the front bumper F with the reinforcement element 1 shown in exploded view. The reinforcement element 1 is essentially complementary in its contour to the lower bumper area 2 and has several locking pins 12 at its free end 7, which can engage in corresponding recesses in the lower bumper area 2. Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the front bumper F with the fastening clip 13 shown in an exploded view. The reinforcement element 1 is integrated into the lower bumper area 2 in its final assembly position. The reinforcement element 1 can be attached or secured in the lower bumper area 2 by means of the fastening clips 13 (of which only one fastening clip 13 is shown in an exploded view as an example).

[0020] Fig. Figure 5 shows the section of the lower bumper area 2 with the reinforcement element 1 mounted, viewed from the rear. The locking pins 12, which engage in the corresponding recesses 14 in the lower bumper area 2, are clearly visible.

Claims

[1] Reinforcement element (1) for a lower bumper area (2) of a motor vehicle front bumper (F) for the protection of pedestrians in the event of an impact of a lower leg section against the lower bumper area (2) of the front bumper (F), wherein the reinforcement element (1) extends horizontally over the width of the front bumper (F) and is designed as a separate component that can be integrated into the lower bumper area (2), characterized by, that the reinforcement element (1) is designed as a retrofittable cover, wherein the reinforcement element (1) can be mounted on the lower bumper area (2) by means of a snap-fit ​​connection (12) or a clip connection (13), wherein the reinforcement element (1) has a U-shaped raised side wall (5) at its front end (4) with a free upper leg (6) and a free lower leg (7), such that the reinforcement element (1) can be inserted with its free ends (6, 7) into receiving openings (10, 11) in the lower bumper area (2) and is form-complementary to the lower bumper area (2) in its contour, wherein the reinforcement element (1) is made of a material that is at least as stiff or slightly stiffer than the lower bumper area (2). [2] Reinforcing element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that corresponding attachment points, preferably recesses (14), are formed in the lower bumper area (2). [3] Reinforcing element (1) according to claim 1, wherein corresponding attachment points, preferably clip receiving openings or clip attachment points, are formed in the lower bumper area (2). [4] Reinforcing element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing element (1) projects at least slightly forward beyond the lower bumper area (2). [5] Reinforcing element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the free upper leg (6) is at least slightly shortened compared to the free lower leg (7). [6] Front bumper (F) for a motor vehicle, consisting of an upper bumper area (3) and a lower bumper area (2), characterized by, that a reinforcement element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 is provided in the lower bumper area (2).

Images