Structure for absorbing the frontal impact energy of a vehicle

Abstract

A structure (100) for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, which has: a front longitudinal member (101) designed to support one side of a bumper support arranged at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel (103) which is arranged outside the front longitudinal member (101), a fender wheel arch element (105) which is arranged at a distance from the shock absorber housing panel (103) and projects from the front longitudinal member (101) in a vehicle width direction, an enlarged element (110) which is mounted such that it connects an outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) and a rear surface of the fender wheel arch element (105), wherein the enlarged element (110) extends longitudinally forward and laterally outwards from the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) at an oblique angle, and an enlarged frame (120) which engages between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element (105) and a front mounting section (131) of a subframe (130).

Description

Background of the invention; Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle and in particular to a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle which is able to efficiently distribute and absorb impact energy which is generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact or a side impact at its front. Description of the related technology

[0002] In general, a bumper device for a vehicle refers to an impact absorption device that is mounted on the front and rear of a vehicle body to absorb an impact in order to ensure the safety of occupants and to minimize deformation of the vehicle body when the vehicle collides with other vehicles or with a stationary object.

[0003] In the bumper assembly, bumper supports, which are arranged on a front and a rear side of a vehicle in a width direction of the vehicle, are mounted on longitudinal members of the vehicle body by means of two crash boxes, an impact absorption material for absorbing impact force is mounted on a front side of the bumper support, and the bumper supports and the impact absorption material are covered by a bumper cover.

[0004] The impact absorber, which is also referred to as an energy absorber, is attached and mounted accordingly on a front surface of the bumper support, so that it is covered by the bumper cover.

[0005] In the case of the bumper device of the technology described above, the passenger compartment is deformed because the impact energy between the longitudinal member, the crash box and the bumper support is not properly distributed when the vehicle is subjected to a (lateral) impact with low overlap, and this creates a problem in that the risk of injury to the occupants is increased.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this background section is intended only to improve the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be regarded as an admission or any indication that this information belongs to the prior art as already known to the person skilled in the art.

[0007] Furthermore, a vehicle front body structure is known from EP 1 849 685 A1, comprising a left and right diagonal connecting element which extend diagonally between the lower end sections of a left and right leg and the front end sections of a left and right upper element and connect them, wherein a left and a right horizontal connecting element, the left and right legs and the left and right diagonal connecting element together form a left and a right frame section of an essentially triangular, hollow, prismatic structure with an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body.

[0008] Other vehicle body structures and structures for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle are known from WO 2012 / 114 824 A1, US 2012 / 0 248 820 A1 and JP 2010 - 95 031 A. Explanation of the invention

[0009] Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, which distributes and absorbs impact energy in two directions, which is generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal or side impact at its front, so that by efficiently distributing and absorbing the impact energy the impact energy transferred to a vehicle body is minimized, thereby improving the safety of vehicle occupants.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention with a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to claim 1, a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to claim 7 and a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to claim 11.

[0011] Numerous aspects of the present invention have an effect such that impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal or side impact is distributed and absorbed in two directions, thus minimizing the impact energy transferred to the vehicle body by efficiently distributing and absorbing the impact energy, thereby improving the safety of vehicle occupants.

[0012] Since the enlarged element and frame, which distribute impact energy forward and laterally from the front and absorb impact energy, are used, deformation of the front vehicle body longitudinal member can also be minimized, thereby improving service life.

[0013] The devices of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will become clear from the accompanying drawings included herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention, or which are explained in more detail therein. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective front view of an exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 4 is a structural view showing an impact energy distribution in the exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective front view of an exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to the present invention. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the exemplary structure for absorbing frontal impact energy from Fig. 5. Detailed description

[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention is described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it is clear that the present description is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended not only to cover the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, variations, and other embodiments that may be included within the scope and meaning of the invention as defined by the attached claims.

[0015] The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily depicted for clarity and ease of description; however, the present invention is not limited to this. Thicknesses are enlarged to clearly show numerous sections and areas.

[0016] Furthermore, a part which is not relevant to the description is omitted in order to clearly describe the numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Referring to Fig. According to numerous embodiments of the present invention, a structure 100 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, as described in Figures 1 to 3, comprises a structure in which impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal or side impact at the front of the vehicle can be efficiently distributed and absorbed by both front longitudinal members 101, which are configured to support a bumper support located at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel 103 located outside the front longitudinal member 101, and a fender wheel arch element 105 located outside the shock absorber housing panel 103.

[0019] For this purpose, the structure 100 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention has an enlarged element 110 and an enlarged frame 120.

[0020] The enlarged element 110 is mounted so that it is inclined between an outer surface of the front longitudinal member 101 and a rear surface of the fender wheel arch element 105, in order to be positioned in front of and at a distance from the outer surface of the front longitudinal member 101.

[0021] This means that the front end of the enlarged element 110 is connected to the rear surface of the fender wheel arch element 105 and that a rear end of the enlarged element 110 is connected to the outer surface of the front longitudinal member 101.

[0022] The enlarged element 110 has weld-on flanges 111, which are formed on edge sections of the enlarged element 110, so that it can be connected to the rear surface of the fender wheel arch element 105 and the outer surface of the front longitudinal member 101 by means of a welding process, and is designed as a tube which has a space section 113 in it.

[0023] The enlarged frame 120 is engaged between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element 105 and a front mounting section 131 of a subframe 130.

[0024] A front end of the enlarged frame 120 is engaged here by a bolt B with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element 105, which corresponds to the enlarged element 110, a rear end of the enlarged frame 120 is connected to the front mounting section 131 of the subframe 130, and the enlarged frame 120 is designed as a preformed tube.

[0025] A process of distributing and absorbing impact energy is carried out using structure 100 to absorb frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, which is configured as described above, with reference to Fig. 4 described.

[0026] Fig. Figure 4 is a structural view showing an impact energy distribution in the structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] If the vehicle is subjected to a side impact (with low overlap) at the front of the vehicle, then, according to structure 100, the absorption of frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention with reference to Fig. 4 the fender-wheel arch element 105 comes into contact with an obstacle and impact energy caused by the collision between the fender-wheel arch element 105 and the obstacle is transferred to the enlarged element 110, the front end of which is connected to the rear surface of the fender-wheel arch element 105.

[0028] The impact energy, which is transferred to the enlarged element 110, is further transferred to the front longitudinal member 101, which is connected to the rear end of the enlarged element 110.

[0029] If the vehicle is subjected to a side impact (with low overlap) at the front of the vehicle, impact energy is also simultaneously transferred to the enlarged frame 120, the front end of which engages with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element 105 by means of bolt B.

[0030] The impact energy, which is transferred from the front end of the enlarged frame 120, is further transferred to the subframe 130, which is connected to the rear end of the enlarged frame 120.

[0031] This means that when the vehicle is subjected to a side impact (with low overlap), the structure 100 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention distributes and absorbs impact energy in two directions using the enlarged element 110 and the enlarged frame 120, thereby minimizing the amount of impact energy transferred to an occupant cabin and improving the stiffness of the vehicle body.

[0032] The structure 100 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention distributes and absorbs impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact and a side impact in two directions using the enlarged element 110 and the enlarged frame 120, so that the impact energy transferred to the vehicle body is minimized by efficiently distributing and absorbing the impact energy, thereby improving the safety of vehicle occupants.

[0033] Since the enlarged element 110 and the enlarged frame 120, which distribute impact energy from the front of the vehicle to the front and sides and absorb impact energy, are used, the deformation of the front vehicle body longitudinal member 101 can also be minimized, thereby improving the service life.

[0034] Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective front view of a structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, and Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of the structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Referring to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 comprises a structure 200 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, a structure in which impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal or side impact at the front of the vehicle can be efficiently distributed and absorbed by both front longitudinal members 201, which are configured to support a bumper support arranged at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel 203, which is arranged outside the front longitudinal member 201, and a fender wheel arch element 205, which is arranged outside the shock absorber housing panel 203.

[0036] For this purpose, the structure 200 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention has an enlarged frame 220.

[0037] The enlarged frame 220 is arranged between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element 205 and a front mounting section 231 of a subframe 230, a front end of the enlarged frame 220 is engaged with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element 205 by a bolt B, a rear end of the enlarged frame 220 is connected to the front mounting section 231 of the subframe 230, and the enlarged frame 220 is designed as a preformed tube.

[0038] Below, a process of the structure for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, which has the aforementioned configuration, is described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described.

[0039] When the vehicle is subjected to a side impact (with low overlap) at the front of the vehicle, then, with reference to a process of distributing and absorbing impact energy using the structure 200 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention, the fender-wheel arch element 205 comes into contact with an obstacle and impact energy caused by the collision between the fender-wheel arch element 205 and the obstacle is transferred to the enlarged frame 220, the front end of which is engaged with the lower side of the fender-wheel arch element 205 by a bolt B.

[0040] The impact energy transmitted from the front end of the enlarged frame 220 is further transferred to the subframe 230, which is connected to the rear end of the enlarged frame 220.

[0041] This means that when the vehicle is subjected to a side impact (with low overlap), the structure 200 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention distributes and absorbs impact energy using the enlarged frame 220, thereby minimizing the amount of impact energy transferred to an occupant cabin and improving the stiffness of the vehicle body.

[0042] In contrast to structure 100 for absorbing the frontal impact energy of a vehicle from Fig. 1 is located here in structure 200 for absorbing the frontal impact energy of a vehicle from Fig. 5 the enlarged element 110 omitted, however, the processes and effects regarding the impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal or side impact are the same.

[0043] The structure 200 for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle according to numerous embodiments of the present invention distributes and absorbs impact energy generated when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact and a side impact, using the enlarged frame 120, so that the impact energy transferred to the vehicle body is minimized by efficiently distributing and absorbing the impact energy, thereby improving the safety of vehicle occupants.

[0044] Since the enlarged frame 220, which distributes impact energy from the front of the vehicle to the front and sides and absorbs impact energy, is used, the deformation of the front vehicle body longitudinal member 201 can also be minimized, thereby improving the service life.

[0045] To facilitate explanation and precise definition in the attached claims, the terms lower, front or rear, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to their positions as shown in the drawings.

Claims

[1] A structure (100) for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, which has: a front longitudinal member (101) designed to support one side of a bumper support arranged at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel (103) which is arranged outside the front longitudinal member (101), a fender wheel arch element (105) which is arranged at a distance from the shock absorber housing panel (103) and projects from the front longitudinal member (101) in a vehicle width direction, an enlarged element (110) which is mounted such that it connects an outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) and a rear surface of the fender wheel arch element (105), wherein the enlarged element (110) extends longitudinally forward and laterally outwards from the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) at an oblique angle, and an enlarged frame (120) which engages between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element (105) and a front mounting section (131) of a subframe (130). [2] The structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the enlarged frame (120) engages with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element (105) by means of a bolt (B), which corresponds to the enlarged element (110). [3] The structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein a front end of the enlarged element (110) is connected to the rear surface of the fender wheel arch element (105) and a rear end of the enlarged element (110) is connected to the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101). [4] The structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged element (110) is tubular. [5] The structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged element (110) has weld-on flanges (111) which are formed on edge sections of the enlarged element (110) so that it can be connected to the rear surface of the fender wheel arch element (105) and the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) by means of a welding process. [6] The structure (100) according to claim 1, wherein the enlarged frame (120) is designed as a preformed tube. [7] A structure (100) for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, which has: a front longitudinal member (101) designed to support an end of a bumper support arranged at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel (103) which is arranged outside the front longitudinal member (101), a fender wheel arch element (105) which is arranged outside the shock absorber housing panel (103) and projects from the front longitudinal member (101) in a vehicle width direction, an enlarged element (110) which is mounted such that it connects an outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) and a rear surface of the fender-wheel arch element (105) and that it extends longitudinally forward and laterally outwards from the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) at an oblique angle, so that a front end of the enlarged element (110) is connected to the rear surface of the fender-wheel arch element (105) and a rear end of the enlarged element (110) is connected to the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101), and an enlarged frame (120) which is arranged between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element (105) and a front mounting section (131) of a subframe (130), such that a front end of the enlarged frame (120) engages with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element (105) corresponding to the enlarged element (110) by means of a bolt (B) and a rear end of the enlarged frame (120) is connected to the front mounting section (131) of the subframe (130). [8] The structure (100) according to claim 7, wherein the enlarged element (110) is tubular. [9] The structure (100) according to claim 7, wherein the enlarged element (110) has weld-on flanges (111) which are formed on edge sections of the enlarged element (110) so that it can be connected to the rear surface of the fender wheel arch element (105) and the outer surface of the front longitudinal member (101) by means of a welding process. [10] The structure (100) according to claim 8, wherein the enlarged frame (120) is designed as a preformed tube. [11] A structure (200) for absorbing frontal impact energy of a vehicle, which has: a front longitudinal member (201) designed to support an end of a bumper support arranged at the front of a vehicle body, a shock absorber housing panel (203) which is arranged outside the front longitudinal member (201), a fender wheel arch element (205) which is arranged outside the shock absorber housing panel (203) and projects from the front longitudinal member (101) in a vehicle width direction, an enlarged frame (220) which is arranged between a lower side of the fender wheel arch element (205) and a front mounting section (231) of a subframe (230) so that the enlarged frame (220) extends longitudinally forward and laterally outwards from the front mounting section (231) of the subframe (230) at an oblique angle, such that a front end of the enlarged frame (220) engages with the lower side of the fender wheel arch element (205) by means of a bolt (B) and a rear end of the enlarged frame (220) is connected to the front mounting section (231) of the subframe (230). [12] The structure (200) according to claim 11, wherein the enlarged frame (220) is designed as a preformed tube.

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