Front structural component of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Front structural component of a motor vehicle, wherein the front structural component (1) extends substantially in the direction of a transverse body axis (2) and a vertical body axis (3) of the motor vehicle, and wherein the front structural component (1) comprises a first transverse edge (4) that can be positioned facing a windshield of the motor vehicle and a second transverse edge (5) that can be positioned facing away from the windshield, and wherein the front structural component (1) has a first air inlet opening (6) for cooling an engine installed in the motor vehicle, wherein the first air inlet opening (6) is formed in a first region (7) of the front structural component (1) adjacent to the first transverse edge (4), characterized in that the front structural component (1) has a second air inlet opening (9) which is arranged in a second region (10) of the front structural component (1) adjacent to the second transverse edge (5),and wherein a temperature measuring element (15) is arranged on the front structural component (1) in the area of ​​the second air inlet opening (9), wherein the second air inlet opening (9) is an inlet opening (11; 12) of an air guide duct (18) for the cooling air guidance of a brake device of the motor vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a front structural component of a motor vehicle of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] It is known to design motor vehicles in such a way that components which heat up or become hot during operation can be cooled by means of airflow. For this purpose, air inlet openings are formed in the body of the motor vehicle, in particular in a front structural component, through which airflow can be directed more or less directly onto the component to be cooled.

[0003] The patent application WO 2005 / 056 344 A2 discloses a structural component for a motor vehicle, which has an inlet opening for cooling air to enter the engine compartment. The structural component is designed as a front structural component, specifically as a bumper in the front area of ​​the vehicle. The structural component is designed as a multifunctional component and is configured to accommodate further components, including a temperature measuring element.

[0004] German patent application DE 10 2012 206 367 A1 discloses a front structural component of a motor vehicle with a first inlet opening for the entry of cooling air towards an engine compartment. It has a second inlet opening located below the first. A temperature sensor is located in the area of ​​this second inlet opening, downstream of the second inlet opening.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved front structural component for a motor vehicle.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a front structural component of a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient and non-trivial further developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0007] The front structural component of a motor vehicle according to the invention, which extends essentially in the direction of a transverse axis and a vertical axis of the motor vehicle body, comprises a first transverse edge that can be positioned facing the windshield of the motor vehicle and a second transverse edge that can be positioned facing away from the windshield. The front structural component has a first air inlet opening for cooling an engine installed in the motor vehicle, wherein the first air inlet opening is formed in a first region of the front structural component adjacent to the first transverse edge.The front structural component has a second air inlet opening, which is arranged in a second area of ​​the front structural component adjacent to the second transverse edge, and wherein a temperature measuring element is arranged on the front structural component in the area of ​​the second air inlet opening, wherein the second air inlet opening is an inlet opening of an air guide channel for the cooling air guidance of a brake device of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The advantage is that, due to its positioning near the second air intake, the temperature sensor can measure an ambient temperature with reduced interference. If, for example, the temperature sensor is located near the first air intake, it will be affected by heat radiation from the engine during vehicle operation. In other words, the measured temperature will be subject to interference and therefore will not correspond to the actual ambient temperature. Turbulence in this area, for instance, can also be a source of interference.

[0009] The first air intake opening is located in the first section of the front structural component and serves to cool the engine. Therefore, the first air intake opening should be positioned close to the engine, as this reduces efficiency losses in engine cooling. However, the air in the area between the first air intake opening and the engine is heated by the engine's thermal radiation. Consequently, its temperature no longer corresponds to the ambient air temperature. This means that a temperature sensor positioned near the first air intake opening will not measure the actual ambient air temperature.

[0010] The second air intake opening is located in a different area, the second section of the front structural component, which borders the second transverse edge, thus in an area farther from the engine. In this second section, the engine's heat radiation is significantly reduced, so that the air present in this second section has a temperature corresponding to, or nearly corresponding to, the ambient air temperature. Therefore, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor located in the area of ​​the second air intake opening is corresponding to, or nearly corresponding to, the ambient air temperature.

[0011] Since the temperature measured by the temperature measuring element is fed into a control and regulation system of the motor vehicle, improved operation of the motor vehicle, especially engine operation, can be achieved.

[0012] Since the second air inlet opening is designed as an inlet opening of an air duct for supplying cooling air to the vehicle's brake system, the front structural component also achieves an airflow channel to the brake system. Due to the flow of cooling air to the brake system, which is guided through the air duct, the brake system is cooled, thereby increasing its braking performance during operation. A further advantage is that, because the second air inlet opening is positioned in the second section of the front structural component, the air duct can be located in an area close to the brake system.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, the front structural component comprises a first structural element and a second structural element, wherein the first air inlet opening is located in the first structural element and the second air inlet opening is located in the second structural element. The advantage is that both structural elements can be manufactured independently of each other. This leads, on the one hand, to improved handling during the manufacturing process of the respective structural element and, on the other hand, to simple replacement of the damaged component if only one of the two components is damaged. Thus, the front structural component according to the invention is cost-effective to manufacture and customer-oriented due to reduced repair costs.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor of the temperature measuring element is positioned projecting into the air duct formed in the front structural component. This leads to a further improved accuracy of the measured temperature, since the temperature sensor can detect the cooling air guided through the air duct.

[0015] Advantageously, a third structural element is formed in the second area, wherein the third structural element is arranged on an inner surface of the front structural element that faces away from an outer surface of the front structural element. With the aid of the third structural element, it is possible to visually adapt the outer surface of the front structural element to a corresponding vehicle design, while simultaneously achieving high functionality and stability by attaching the third structural element to the inner surface of the front structural element.

[0016] Since the third structural component can be manufactured independently of the second structural component or the front structural component, the manufacturing process is also simplified here due to improved handling.

[0017] At this point, let us explain what is meant by handling. Regardless of whether the component is manufactured as a metal or plastic part, and regardless of whether automated or manual process steps are integrated into the further production process, manufacturing the front structure component from several structural elements is more efficient because - The shapes of the structural components or structural elements are to be manufactured significantly smaller, - Machines which have shapes that are smaller and therefore save space, - depending on further processing, for example in robot operation, less space is required, - especially in manual process steps, this contributes to a significant weight saving, thus making work easier.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, the third structural component has a channel tray for the air duct. This has the advantage that, for targeted airflow to the brake system, a channel tray can be manufactured that is independent of the front structural component or the second structural component and is subsequently attached to the corresponding component in such a way that the targeted airflow to the brake system is achieved. This leads to a simplified and therefore cost-effective manufacturing process for the body components.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the temperature measuring element is fixed to the channel tray with its temperature sensor projecting into the air duct. The advantage is that, depending on the design of the channel tray, the temperature measuring element can be protected from, for example, stone chips within the airflow channel. Furthermore, it can be installed completely invisibly within the air duct without altering the vehicle's external appearance.

[0020] The high functionality of the front structural component is demonstrated, among other things, by the fact that, with the help of the third structural element, it can be designed in such a way that further body components can be attached to it. In particular, the third structural element can be designed so that the fastening can be achieved using simple clip or snap connections or expansion rivets.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as those mentioned below in the figure description and / or shown in the figures alone, can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Identical or functionally equivalent elements are assigned identical reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, it is possible that the elements are not provided with their reference numerals in all figures, without, however, losing their assignment. The figures show: Fig. 1 in a front view a front structural component of a motor vehicle according to the invention, Fig. 2 in a section the front view of the front structural component acc. Fig. 1, Fig. 3 in a rear view the front structural component acc. Fig. 2, Fig. 4 in a detailed view the front view of the front structural component acc. Fig. 2, Fig. 5 in a rear view the front structural component acc. Fig. 4, Fig. 6 in a further detailed view the front view of the front structural component acc. Fig. 2, Fig. 7 in a rear view the front structural component acc. Fig. 6, Fig. 8 in a further rear view a section of the front structural component acc. Fig. 1, Fig. 9 in a rear view a section of a second structural component and a third structural component of the front structural component according to. Fig. 1, Fig. 10 in a cross-section the second structural element and the third structural element according to. Fig. 9, Fig. 11 in a partial exploded view the second structural element and the third structural element with a temperature measuring element according to. Fig. 9, Fig. 12 in a section a further rear view of the second structural sub-element and the third structural sub-element, and Fig. 13 in a perspective view, the third structural element.

[0022] A front structural component 1 according to the invention of a motor vehicle not shown in detail is in a first embodiment according to Fig. 1. The front structural component 1 is designed to extend essentially in the direction of a transverse body axis 2 and a vertical body axis 3 of the vehicle. It is designed as a molded part and has a first transverse edge 4 and a second transverse edge. The first transverse edge 4 and the second transverse edge 5 extend predominantly in the direction of the transverse body axis 2.

[0023] The first transverse edge 4 defines the front structural component 1 in the direction of a windshield of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail). The second transverse edge 5 defines the front structural component 1 opposite the first transverse edge 4, or, in the installed state, opposite the windshield.

[0024] The front structural component 1 has a first air inlet opening 6 in the form of a flow-through opening. The first air inlet opening 6 is formed in a first area 7 of the front structural component 1 adjacent to the first transverse edge 4 and serves to cool an engine (not shown) of the motor vehicle. The first air inlet opening 6 has a flow-through grille in the form of a radiator grille.

[0025] Furthermore, the front structural component 1 has a second air inlet opening 9 through which air can flow. The second air inlet opening 9 is arranged in a second area 10 of the front structural component 1 adjacent to the second transverse edge 5. The second air inlet opening 9 serves to direct cooling air to a brake device of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail).

[0026] In this embodiment, the second air inlet opening 9 is designed in two parts, with a flow-through first inlet opening 11 of the second air inlet opening 9 and a flow-through second inlet opening 12 of the second air inlet opening 9 being formed in the front structural component 1. The advantage is that, to avoid flow losses, the inlet openings 11, 12 can be positioned near the respective brake device associated with a wheel of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail).

[0027] A temperature measuring element 15 is arranged in the area of ​​the second air inlet opening 9 on the front structural component 1, which is located in Fig. 2 is recognizable. In this embodiment, the temperature measuring element 15 is arranged in the region of the first inlet opening 11, with a temperature sensor 23 of the temperature measuring element 15 projecting into the inlet opening 11. The temperature measuring element 15 could also be arranged in the region of the second inlet opening 12. Alternatively, a temperature measuring element 15 could be positioned in each of the two inlet openings 11 and 12.

[0028] The front structural component 1 comprises a first structural element 13 and a second structural element 14, wherein the front structural component 1 is divided into the first structural element 13 and the second structural element 14 essentially along the transverse body axis 2. The first air inlet opening 6 is located in the first structural element 13 and the second air inlet opening 9 is located in the second structural element 14. The second structural element 14 is connected to the first structural element 13 by means of a clip or snap connection 29.

[0029] In Fig. 3 is the front structure component 1 according to. Fig. Figure 2 shows a rear view. In the second area 10, a third structural element 16 of the front structural component 1 is formed. The third structural element 16 has a channel trough 17 such that an air guide channel 18, aligned with the brake device, is formed to improve airflow to the brake device. The third structural element 16 is arranged on an inner surface 20 of the front structural component 1, which faces away from an outer surface 19 of the front structural component 1.

[0030] Furthermore, a cable routing 21 of a cable 22 of the temperature measuring element 15 is shown, wherein the cable 22 is fixed at different points on the inner surface 20 of the front structural component 1. The cable 22 establishes an electrical connection between the temperature measuring element 15 and a control unit of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail).

[0031] Fig. Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the front view of the front structural component according to [reference]. Fig. 2, in Fig. 5 is shown in a rear view of the front structural component according to. Fig. 4 shown. Fig. Figure 6 shows a further detailed view of the front view of the front structural component 1.

[0032] As seen particularly in the further rear views of the Fig. As can be seen from 7 to 9, the third structural element 16 is connected to the second structural element 14 by means of a clip or snap connection 29.

[0033] The temperature measuring element 15 is mounted on the front structural component 1 such that a temperature sensor 23 of the temperature measuring element 15 projects into the air duct 18. Specifically, the temperature measuring element 15 is fixed to the duct tray 17 with its temperature sensor 23 projecting into the air duct 18, with the clip or snap connection 29 also serving to fix the temperature measuring element 15 to the third structural component 16.

[0034] The third structural element 16 is designed for fastening further body components of the motor vehicle, the fastening preferably being in the form of a clip or snap connection 29, see in particular Fig. 10.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 10 shows a cross-section of the second structural element 14 and the third structural element 16. The third structural element 16 at least encompasses the second structural element 14, with the second structural element 14 being received like a lid in the channel trough 17 formed in the third structural element 16. Thus, the air duct 18 is at least partially closed, which allows for a directed flow of the cooling air.

[0036] The channel tray 17 formed in the third structural element 16 has a through-opening 24 that accommodates the temperature measuring element 15. The temperature measuring element 15, with its temperature sensor 23 projecting into the air duct 18, is fixed to the channel tray 17.

[0037] In the Fig. 11 and Fig. The second structural element 14 and the third structural element 16 are shown in further illustrations.

[0038] Fig. Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the third structural element 16. The third structural element 16 has a first receiving element 25 on its first component edge 26, which faces away from the second structural element 14, specifically for attaching a wheel arch shell (not shown in detail). In assembly, the first component edge 26 is positioned abutting the second transverse edge 5.

[0039] A second component edge 27, which faces away from the first component edge 26, is positioned facing the second structural element 14 in the assembly, with the third structural element 16 resting at least partially on the second structural element 14 and touching it. The third structural element 16 could also be connected to the second structural element 14 by means of a material-fit connection, e.g., an adhesive bond. A combination of a positive-locking clip or snap connection and a material-fit connection is also possible.

[0040] Furthermore, the third structural element 16 has a second receiving element 28 for attaching a wheel arch trim. A fastening element is preferably designed here in the form of an expansion rivet. However, another fastening element could also be accommodated in the second receiving element 28.

[0041] The front structural component 1, or the first structural element 13, the second structural element 14, and the third structural element 16 can be made of a rigid plastic material. Injection molding is particularly suitable for this purpose. Thermoforming or compression molding would also be conceivable. Polypropylene is a particularly suitable plastic material, as it is not only very good mechanically but also cost-effective.

Claims

[1] Front structural component of a motor vehicle, wherein the front structural component (1) extends substantially in the direction of a transverse body axis (2) and a vertical body axis (3) of the motor vehicle, and wherein the front structural component (1) comprises a first transverse edge (4) that can be positioned facing a windshield of the motor vehicle and a second transverse edge (5) that can be positioned facing away from the windshield, and wherein the front structural component (1) has a first air inlet opening (6) for cooling an engine housed in the motor vehicle, wherein the first air inlet opening (6) is formed in a first area (7) of the front structural component (1) adjacent to the first transverse edge (4), characterized by, that the front structural component (1) has a second air inlet opening (9) which is arranged in a second area (10) of the front structural component (1) adjacent to the second transverse edge (5), and wherein a temperature measuring element (15) is arranged on the front structural component (1) in the area of ​​the second air inlet opening (9), wherein the second air inlet opening (9) is an inlet opening (11; 12) of an air guide channel (18) for the cooling air guidance of a brake device of the motor vehicle. [2] Front structural component according to claim 1, characterized by , that the front structural component (1) has a first structural element (13) and a second structural element (14), wherein the first air inlet opening (6) is located in the first structural element (13) and the second air inlet opening (9) is located in the second structural element (14). [3] Front structural component according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that a temperature sensor (23) of the temperature measuring element (15) is positioned projecting into an air guide channel (18) formed in the front structure component (1). [4] Front structural component according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a third structural element (16) is formed in the second area (10), wherein the third structural element (16) is arranged on an inner surface (20) of the front structural element (1) which is formed facing away from an outer surface (19) of the front structural element (1). [5] Front structural component according to claim 4, characterized by , that the third structural element (16) has a channel trough (17) of an air duct (18). [6] Front structural component according to claim 5, characterized by , that the temperature measuring element (15) is fixed to the channel tray (17) with its temperature sensor (23) projecting into the air duct (18). [7] Front structural component according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by , that the third structural element (16) is designed for fastening further body components of the motor vehicle. [8] Front structural component according to claim 7, characterized by that the fastening is designed in the form of a snap connection.

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