Headlight removal mounting system

Abstract

Headlight detachment mounting system (30) for a vehicle (10) that is subject to an external force (F) and has a body structure (12), a headlight (16) and a hood (14), wherein the headlight detachment mounting system (30) comprises: a mounting attachment (32, 34) which is attached to the headlight (16) and can be attached to the body structure (12); a mounting approach detachment feature; characterized by the fact that the mounting attachment release feature is included in the bonnet (14) and is configured to release the mounting attachment (32) in response to the external force (F) when the mounting attachment (32) is attached to the body structure (12); wherein the mounting attachment release feature comprises a hammer (44) with a free end (50).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] This disclosure relates to a headlight detachable mounting system according to the preamble of claim 1 or claim 2 for a vehicle of a type substantially known from JP 2005 - 280 415 A.

[0002] Regarding the further state of the art, reference should be made at this point to the publications DE 103 34 033 A1, EP 2 686 210 B1, EP 2 042 390 B1, US 2009 / 0 268 482 A1 and US 8 337 064 B2, which also describe headlight removal mounting systems in various designs. BACKGROUND

[0003] A vehicle typically comprises a hood and headlights, which are attached to a body structure. The headlights may be attached to the body structure via mounting points. The vehicle's hood and headlights may be subject to an external force. It may be advantageous for the headlights to detach from their mounting points when the hood and / or headlights are subjected to this external force. SUMMARY

[0004] A headlight detachable mounting system with the features of claim 1 or claim 2 is proposed for a vehicle.

[0005] A vehicle with such a headlight detachable mounting system is also proposed.

[0006] The headlight detachment mounting system and the vehicle design allow the headlights to detach from their mounting points when the hood and / or headlight are subjected to external force.

[0007] The above features and advantages, and further features and advantages of the present teachings, are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best ways of implementing the present teachings in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the explanations being carried out according to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are no longer part of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a fragmentary schematic perspective representation of a vehicle with a headlight detachable mounting system; Fig. Figure 2 is a fragmentary schematic top view of the vehicle. Fig. 1 with the hood in view showing the headlight detachable mounting system; Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of an embodiment of the headlight detachable mounting system of Fig. 2 on line 3-3 from Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of another embodiment of the headlight detachable mounting system of Fig. 2 on line 3-3 from Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of another embodiment of the headlight detachable mounting system of Fig. 2 on line 3-3 from Fig. 2; and Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of another embodiment of the headlight detachable mounting system of Fig. 2 on line 3-3 from Fig. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] In the drawings, where the same reference symbols refer to the same components in all views, it shows Fig. 1. A vehicle 10 that is subject to an event of an external force F. The vehicle 10 comprises a body structure 12 (in Fig. 2 best seen), a hood 14 effectively connected to the body structure 12, a headlight 16, and a headlight detachable mounting system 30. The hood 14 may be effectively connected to the body structure 12 via joints (not shown) and a locking mechanism (not shown) or via any other suitable connection. The vehicle 10 may also include a fender 18. The external force F may be applied to one or both of the hood 14, as shown, and the headlight 16 (best seen in 2). Fig. 2 to be seen). The event of the external force F does not occur during normal vehicle operation. Rather, the event of the external force F only occurs under special circumstances.

[0009] In Fig. 2 The headlight detachable mounting system 30 comprises a mounting attachment 32, which is attached to the headlight 16 and to the body structure 12 by means of a fastening device 42 or by means of any other suitable fastening. The headlight detachable mounting system 30 may include a second mounting attachment 34, which is attached to the headlight 16 and to the body structure 12. The headlight detachable mounting system 30 may include additional mounting attachments (not shown) that are attached to the headlight 16 and to the body structure 12. The mounting attachments 32, 34 may be made of a filled or unfilled non-metallic material. The mounting attachments 32, 34 may be molded or may be formed by any other suitable process.

[0010] In Fig. 3. The headlight 16 can comprise a housing 40. The mounting attachment 32 can be part of the housing 40 or can be a separate part attached to the housing 40. The headlight detachable mounting system 30 comprises a mounting attachment detachable feature that can be configured as a hood-mounted hammer 44, which is contained within the hood 14. The hood 14 can comprise an outer hood plate 36 and an inner hood plate 38, which is attached to the outer hood plate 36. The hood-mounted hammer 44 can be attached to the inner hood plate 38. The hood-mounted hammer 44 comprises an end 50. The end 50 can be configured as a rectangular shape, as shown, or can be pointed, rounded, or any other suitable configuration.

[0011] The hood-mounted hammer 44 is configured to separate the connection of the mounting boss 32 with the body structure 12 in response to the external force F. When the external force F is applied to the hood 14, the hood 14 deforms, and the end 50 of the hood-mounted hammer comes into contact with the mounting boss 32 at a contact point 54. The hood-mounted hammer 44 applies a hammer force H to the mounting boss 32, causing the mounting boss 32 to be stressed and fracture in a fracture zone 56. The fracture zone 56 is configured to provide suitable structural performance under normal operating conditions and can be configured to fracture with little or no plastic deformation in response to the external force F. The fracture zone 56 can be configured to fracture at a predetermined force level. The second mounting boss 34 (in Fig. 2 shown) and the other mounting approaches (not shown) can be configured similarly.

[0012] In Fig. Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the headlight detachable mounting system 30, featuring a mounting-approach detachable feature configured as a body-structure mounted hammer 46, which is contained within the body structure 12. The body-structure mounted hammer 46 comprises an end 52. The end 52 can be configured as a rectangular shape, as shown, or can be pointed, rounded, or any other suitable configuration.

[0013] The hammer 46, mounted on the body structure, is configured to separate the connection between the mounting boss 32 and the body structure 12 in response to the external force F. When the external force F is applied to the hood 14, the hood 14 deforms in contact with the headlight housing 40, causing the mounting boss 32 to deform or bend. As the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the hammer 46, mounted on the body structure, applies a hammer force H to the mounting boss 32 at the contact point 54, causing the mounting boss 32 to be stressed and fracture in the fracture zone 56.

[0014] When the external force F is applied to the headlight 16, the headlight mounting boss 32 also deforms or bends. When the headlight mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the hammer 46 mounted on the body structure applies a hammer force H to the mounting boss 32 at the contact point 54, causing the headlight mounting boss 32 to be stressed and break in the fracture area 56.

[0015] Fracture region 56 is configured to provide suitable structural performance under normal operating conditions and can be configured to fracture in response to the external force F with little or no plastic deformation. Fracture region 56 can be configured to fracture at a predetermined force level. The second headlight mounting approach (in Fig. 2 shown) and other headlight mounting approaches (not shown) may be configured similarly.

[0016] In Fig. In Figure 5, another embodiment of the headlight detachment mounting system 30 has a mounting attachment detachment feature configured as a mounting attachment break-trigger feature 48. The mounting attachment break-trigger feature 48 can be a rib or a hub 58 formed on the headlight mounting attachment 32. The rib or hub 58 has an end 60. The end 60 can be configured as a rectangular shape, as shown, or can be pointed, rounded, or any other suitable configuration. The mounting attachment break-trigger feature 48 is configured to detach the connection of the mounting attachment 32 to the body structure 12 in response to the external force F. When the external force F is applied to the hood 14, the hood 14 deforms in contact with the headlight housing 40, causing the mounting attachment 32 to deform or bend.If the mounting attachment 32 deforms or bends, the mounting attachment fracture trigger feature 48 comes into contact with the body structure 12 at a body structure contact point 62 and applies a rib force R to the mounting attachment 32, causing the mounting attachment 32 to be stressed and to fracture in the fracture area 56.

[0017] When the external force F is applied to the headlight 16, the mounting boss 32 also deforms or bends. When the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the mounting boss fracture initiator feature 48 comes into contact with the body structure 12 at the body structure contact point 62 and applies a rib force R to the mounting boss 32, causing the mounting boss 32 to be stressed and to fracture in the fracture area 56.

[0018] Failure zone 56 is configured to provide suitable structural performance under normal operating conditions and can be configured to fracture in response to the external force F with little or no plastic deformation. Failure zone 56 can be configured to fracture at a predetermined force level. The second assembly approach 34 (in Fig. 2 shown) and other headlight mounting approaches (not shown) may be configured similarly.

[0019] In Fig. 6. The mounting boss fracture initiation feature 48 can be a notch or cutout 64 formed in the mounting boss 32. The notch or cutout 64 can be formed on both sides of the mounting boss 32, as shown, or on only one side of the mounting boss 32 (not shown). The notch or cutout 64 can be V-shaped, as shown, or any other suitable shape. When the external force F is applied to the hood 14, the hood 14 deforms in contact with the headlight housing 40, causing the mounting boss 32 to deform or bend. As the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the notch or cutout 64 is stressed and induces a fracture in the mounting boss, causing the mounting boss 32 to fracture in the fracture region 56.

[0020] When the external force F is applied to the headlight 16, the headlight mounting boss 32 also deforms or bends. When the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the notch or cutout 64 is stressed and triggers a fracture in the headlight mounting boss 32, causing the mounting boss 32 to break in the fracture area 56.

[0021] Failure zone 56 is configured to provide suitable structural performance under normal operating conditions and can be configured to fracture in response to the external force F with little or no plastic deformation. Failure zone 56 can be configured to fracture at a predetermined force level. The second assembly approach 34 (in Fig. 2 shown) and other headlight mounting approaches (not shown) may be configured similarly.

[0022] Furthermore in Fig. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the headlight detachment mounting system 30, comprising a mounting attachment detachment feature configured as a break-trigger insert 66, which is contained within the mounting attachment 32. The break-trigger insert 66 includes a break region 56 configured to provide suitable structural performance under normal operating conditions and may be configured to break in response to the external force F with little or no plastic deformation. The break-trigger insert 66 may be configured to break at a predetermined location and at a predetermined force level. The break-trigger insert 66 may be made of a metal or a non-metal. The break-trigger insert 66 may be formed by casting, molding, or any other suitable process. The break-trigger insert 66 forms a crack initiator in the form of a notch 64.The notch 64 can be formed on both sides of the break release insert 66, as shown, or on only one side of the break release insert 66 (not shown). The notch 64 can be V-shaped, as shown, or any other suitable shape.

[0023] The break-release insert 66 can be co-formed in the headlight mounting attachment 32. This co-forming can involve the sequential forming of a first material for the mounting attachment 32 and a second material for the break-release insert 66. Alternatively, the co-forming can involve over-forming the first material for the mounting attachment 32 over a previously formed break-release insert 66 made of the second material. The break-release insert 66 can also be attached to the headlight mounting attachment 32 by means of a fastening device, an adhesive bond, or any other suitable fastening.

[0024] When the external force F is applied to the hood 14, the hood 14 deforms in contact with the headlight housing 40, causing the mounting boss 32 to deform or bend. When the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the break-trigger insert 66 in the mounting boss 32 is stressed and breaks at the fracture zone 56.

[0025] When the external force F is applied to the headlight 16, the mounting boss 32 also deforms or bends. When the mounting boss 32 deforms or bends, the break release insert 66 is stressed and breaks in the fracture zone 56. The second mounting boss 34 (in Fig. 2 shown) and other headlight mounting approaches (not shown) may be configured similarly.

[0026] The various embodiments of the headlight release mounting system 30 and the various release features 44, 46, 48, 58, 64, 66 of the mounting attachment 32, which are described in Fig. Items 3-6 shown can be used in combination with each other in a variety of ways. The body structure hammer 46 from Fig. 4 can, for example, be used in combination with the notch or cutout 64 of Fig. 6 can be used. Or the rib or hub 58 of Fig. 5 can be used in combination with the break release insert 66 from Fig. 6 can be used. Other combinations are possible.

Claims

[1] A headlight detachment mounting system (30) for a vehicle (10) subject to an external force (F) and having a body structure (12), a headlight (16) and a hood (14), the headlight detachment mounting system (30) comprising: a mounting lug (32, 34) attached to the headlight (16) and attachable to the body structure (12); a mounting lug release feature; characterized by , that the mounting lug release feature is included in the hood (14) and is configured to release the mounting lug (32) in response to the external force (F) when the mounting lug (32) is attached to the body structure (12); wherein the mounting lug release feature comprises a hammer (44) having a free end (50). [2] A headlight detachment mounting system (30) for a vehicle (10) subject to an external force (F) and having a body structure (12), a headlight (16) and a hood (14), the headlight detachment mounting system (30) comprising: a mounting lug (32) attached to the headlight (16) and attachable to the body structure (12); a mounting lug release feature included in the mounting lug (32) and configured to release the mounting lug (32) in response to the external force (F) when the mounting lug (32) is attached to the body structure (12); characterized by , that the mounting boss release feature comprises a fracture trigger insert (66) contained within the mounting boss (32) and including at least one notch (64); wherein the mounting lug (32) is a preform and the fracture trigger insert (66) is co-molded with the mounting lug (32). [3] Vehicle (10) which is subject to an external force, comprising: a body structure (12); a hood (14) operatively connected to the body structure (12); a headlight (16) having a mounting lug (32) connecting the headlight (16) to the body structure (12); and a headlight detachment mounting system (30) according to claim 2.

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