Crash management system

Abstract

Crash management system (1), in particular for a rear and / or a front end of a motor vehicle, comprising two energy absorption elements (2) and a cross member (4) with two lateral end regions (5), which extends between the two energy absorption elements (2) in a transverse direction, wherein a connecting element (6) is attached to the respective energy absorption element (2), which is fastened on the one hand to the energy absorption element (2) and to which a lateral end region (5) of the cross member (4) is fastened on the other hand, characterized in that the respective connecting element (6) has a projecting element (7) which has a laterally oriented contact surface (8), wherein the respective end (9) of the cross member (4) bears against the contact surface (8) or is arranged adjacent to the contact surface (8), and the projecting element (7) forms a substantially closed volume,wherein the connecting element (6) has fastening means (11) by means of which the connecting element (6) is fastened to the energy absorption element (2), wherein the fastening means (11) are designed as a retaining clip by means of which a connection to the energy absorption element (2) is provided, in particular by means of welding, wherein two retaining clips are provided which are arranged at a distance from one another and receive the energy absorption element (2) between them.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a crash management system, in particular for a rear and / or a front of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Crash management systems are used to ensure the defined deformation of parts of the motor vehicle body during an impact. Such crash management systems typically comprise a cross member and two energy absorption elements, also known as crash boxes. The cross member is typically connected to the two spaced-apart energy absorption elements in a T-shape, so that it protrudes laterally beyond the energy absorption elements. DE 10 2016 000 948 B4 and EP 3 300 955 B1 each disclose a crash management system in which the cross member protrudes laterally beyond the two provided energy absorption elements and is connected to the respective energy absorption element by means of a fastening element.

[0003] The respective components used are typically made of the same material, making them weldable, for example. DE 10 2016 000 948 B4 also discloses a screw connection with a T-shaped support element. EP 3 300 955 B1 also discloses foam-filled support structures covered with carbon fibers. However, foam-filled carbon fiber components are very expensive to manufacture, so they are rarely used in large-scale production due to cost reasons.

[0004] US 2017 / 0 151 919 A1, US 2017 / 0 129 432 A1, DE 10 2012 015 990 A1 and DE 20 2017 101 524 U1 also show crash management systems.

[0005] It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a crash management system that allows safe functioning and yet can be produced cost-effectively, whereby an optionally desired material mix should also be possible.

[0006] The problem is solved with the features of claim 1.

[0007] One embodiment of the invention relates to a crash management system, in particular for a rear and / or a front of a motor vehicle, comprising two energy absorption elements and a cross member with two lateral end regions, which extends between the two energy absorption elements in a transverse direction, wherein a connecting element is attached to the respective energy absorption element, which is fastened on the one hand to the energy absorption element and to which a lateral end region of the cross member is fastened on the other hand. As a result, the cross member extends only between the connecting elements, and the connecting element forms the lateral end region of the crash management system, wherein the three different components, the respective energy absorption element, the respective connecting element, and the cross member, can be formed from different materials and connected to one another.

[0008] It is also particularly advantageous if the respective lateral end section of the cross member does not extend beyond the respective energy absorption element. This allows the connecting element to form the lateral end section, which optionally also extends beyond the energy absorption element to absorb lateral forces. The design of the connecting element allows for the specific absorption of the forces that occur, and the design of the connecting element can be specifically adapted to the forces that occur.

[0009] According to the invention, the respective connecting element comprises a projecting element having a laterally oriented contact surface, with the respective end of the cross member resting against the contact surface or being arranged adjacent to the contact surface. As a result, the cross member is supported on the connecting element in a lateral direction and can thus absorb or release forces in a lateral direction.

[0010] It is furthermore in accordance with the invention if the protruding element forms a substantially closed volume. This allows the connecting element, with its protruding element, to form a type of crash box that can collapse upon the introduction of force and absorb energy. This allows for effective energy absorption.

[0011] It is also advantageous if the protruding element extends laterally beyond the energy absorption element in a direction away from the cross member. This allows the protruding element to better absorb lateral forces, thus improving the effectiveness of the crash management system.

[0012] It is also particularly advantageous if the protruding element has a front surface that projects laterally beyond the energy absorption element in a direction away from the cross member. This allows the protruding element's front surface to better absorb lateral forces, thus enhancing the effectiveness of the crash management system.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if the front surface extends laterally beyond the protruding element in a direction away from the cross member. This also allows the protruding element's front surface to better absorb lateral forces, thus improving the effectiveness of the crash management system.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, the connecting element comprises fastening means by which the connecting element is attached to the energy absorption element. This allows for a simple and secure fastening, which can also transmit forces in the event of an impact.

[0015] Furthermore, it is according to the invention if the fastening means is / are designed as a retaining clip, by means of which a connection to the energy absorption element is provided, in particular by means of welding.

[0016] It is also in accordance with the invention to provide two retaining clips that are spaced apart from each other and hold the energy absorption element between them. This ensures secure fastening with good force transmission.

[0017] The invention is explained in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic, partial side view of a first crash management system according to the invention, and Fig. 2 a partial perspective view of a second crash management system according to the invention.

[0018] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each partially show a crash management system 1, in particular for a rear and / or front end of a motor vehicle. The crash management system 1 serves to absorb impact energy in the event of an accident or other impact in order to protect the body structure and the occupants, particularly in minor accidents. The two Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 only one side of the otherwise symmetrical crash management system 1. Because the crash management system 1 is symmetrical, the representation of both halves can be omitted.

[0019] The crash management system 1 comprises two energy absorption elements 2, each of which can be connected to a body structure of a motor vehicle, in particular by means of the flange 3. The flange 3 can be screwed to a mounting plate or a corresponding flange of the body structure. This screwing allows for quick attachment of the crash management system 1 to the vehicle body and easy replacement after an impact with deformation, thus reducing repair costs.

[0020] Furthermore, a cross member 4 is provided, which extends in a transverse direction within the motor vehicle or on the body. The cross member 4 has two lateral end regions 5 and extends between the two energy absorption elements 2 in a transverse direction.

[0021] A connecting element 6 is attached to the respective energy absorption element 2, which is fastened on the one hand to the energy absorption element 2 and to which a lateral end region 5 of the cross member 4 is fastened on the other hand.

[0022] In the two Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 it can be seen that the respective lateral end region 5 of the cross member 4 does not project laterally beyond the respective energy absorption element 2.

[0023] The connection between the cross member 4 and the energy absorption element 2 is achieved by a connecting element 6.

[0024] The respective connecting element 6 has a projecting element 7 which has a laterally aligned contact surface 8, wherein the respective end 9 of the cross member 4 rests on the contact surface 8 or is arranged adjacent to the contact surface 8.

[0025] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 also shows that the protruding element 7 forms a substantially closed volume. This allows for deformation upon impact, which can also absorb energy.

[0026] It can also be seen in the figures that the projecting element 7 projects laterally beyond the energy absorption element 2 in a direction away from the cross member 4. Fig. 2 the protruding element which forms the volume, laterally the energy absorption element 2.

[0027] Out of Fig. 1 shows that the protruding element 7 has a front surface 10 that projects laterally beyond the energy absorption element 2 in a direction away from the cross member 4. The front surface 10 also projects laterally beyond the protruding element 7 in a direction away from the cross member 4.

[0028] What both embodiments have in common is that the connecting element 6 has fastening means 11, by means of which the connecting element 6 is fastened to the energy absorption element 2. In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening means 11 can be designed as a retaining clip, by means of which a connection to the energy absorption element 2 is provided, in particular by welding, if the material pairing allows this. Due to the elongated design of the fastening means 11, which extend laterally of the energy absorption element 2, an extended weld seam can be created during welding, which increases the stability of the connection.

[0029] In the Fig. 1 and Fig.2 also shows that two retaining clips are provided as fastening means 11, which are arranged at a distance from one another and accommodate the energy absorption element 2 between them. This achieves an improved connection, for example, by welding the respective retaining clip to the energy absorption element 2. List of reference symbols 1 crash management system 2 Energy absorption element 3 Flange 4 cross members 5 End area 6 Connecting element 7 protruding element 8 contact surface 9 End 10 Front surface 11 Fasteners

Claims

[1] Crash management system (1), in particular for a rear and / or a front of a motor vehicle, with two energy absorption elements (2) and a cross member (4) with two lateral end regions (5), which extends between the two energy absorption elements (2) in a transverse direction, wherein a connecting element (6) is attached to the respective energy absorption element (2), which is fastened on the one hand to the energy absorption element (2) and to which a lateral end region (5) of the cross member (4) is fastened on the other hand, characterized byin that the respective connecting element (6) has a projecting element (7) which has a laterally aligned contact surface (8), wherein the respective end (9) of the cross member (4) rests against the contact surface (8) or is arranged adjacent to the contact surface (8) and the projecting element (7) forms a substantially closed volume, wherein the connecting element (6) has fastening means (11) by means of which the connecting element (6) is fastened to the energy absorption element (2), wherein the fastening means (11) are designed as a holding clip by means of which a connection to the energy absorption element (2) is provided, in particular by means of welding, wherein two holding clips are provided which are arranged at a distance from one another and receive the energy absorption element (2) between them. [2] Crash management system (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the respective lateral end region (5) of the cross member (4) does not project laterally beyond the respective energy absorption element (2). [3] Crash management system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the projecting element (7) projects laterally beyond the energy absorption element (2) in a direction away from the cross member (4). [4] Crash management system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the projecting element (7) has a front surface (10) which projects laterally beyond the energy absorption element (2) in a direction away from the cross member (4). [5] Crash management system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the front surface (10) projects laterally beyond the projecting element (7) in a direction away from the cross member (4).

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