Vehicle front section design

Abstract

Vehicle front section design, including: a bumper element (7) arranged in a vehicle width direction on a rear side of a bumper body (1); a pair of radiator support elements (4) arranged on opposite sides of a radiator (8) positioned behind the bumper element (7) and supporting the bumper element (7); and an impact absorption element (9) which is arranged in front of the bumper element (7) in the vehicle width direction, a spacer section (G) which is provided between the impact absorption element (9) and the bumper element (7); characterized by the fact that the impact absorption element (9) has: a front surface section (9c) extending towards a rear of the bumper body (1); an upper surface section (9a) which is joined to an upper surface of the bumper element (7), and a lower surface section joined to a lower surface of the bumper element (7), and wherein the front surface section (9c) and the upper surface section (9a) are formed such that they are connected by an inclined surface (9d) which extends obliquely downwards forwards, the front surface section (9c) and the lower surface section are formed in such a way that they are connected by the inclined surface (9d) which extends obliquely upwards forwards; the front surface section (9c) in plan view projects further forward towards a center relative to the vehicle width direction, and the inclined surface (9d) is formed such that it becomes wider in the vertical direction towards the center relative to the vehicle width direction.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle front section design that is capable of more reliably absorbing an impact load in the central area of ​​a vehicle. [General state of the art]

[0002] A conventional bumper support design is known in which an impact absorption element is coupled to the front of a steel-made bumper support body (bumper element) to absorb an impact applied to a car body when an impact load is applied to the car body from the front (see JP 2016-10982A). List of cited publications Patent literature

[0003] In addition to the aforementioned JP 2016-10982 A, reference is made below to further publications. JP 2012-206531 A discloses a bumper with a bumper support that is carried by shock absorber elements from a left and a right side frame. Each shock absorber element has a rear surface that extends in the vehicle width direction along the front of the bumper support, so that it faces the front of the bumper support. An upper horizontal surface and a lower horizontal surface, extending in the vehicle width direction, face each other. An upper inclined surface extends forward and downward, and a lower inclined surface extends obliquely forward.

[0004] DE 10 2006 041 095 A1 describes a front-end vehicle with a lower and an upper longitudinal beam level, each consisting of two longitudinal beams and a lower cross member, which, like the two longitudinal beams, is connected by connecting elements. Further reference is made to JP 2012-116 351 A and DE 3 433 935 A1. Summary of the invention Problems to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, in a vehicle front section design, rigid components such as a radiator and hood latch are located in the center of the front section. Therefore, further improvements to the design are possible to make it more capable of reliably absorbing an impact, particularly in the central area of ​​the vehicle.

[0006] One object of the present invention is to create a vehicle front section construction that is capable of more reliably absorbing an impact load applied from the front of a vehicle, in particular an impact load on the central area of ​​the vehicle. Means to solve the problems

[0007] To solve the problems described above, the present invention is a vehicle front section construction with the features of claim 1. It comprises a bumper element arranged in a vehicle width direction on a rear side of a bumper body; and a pair of radiator support elements arranged on opposite sides of a radiator positioned behind the bumper element and supporting the bumper element, wherein an impact absorption element is arranged in front of the bumper element in the vehicle width direction and a spacer section is provided between the impact absorption element and the bumper element.The impact absorption element has a front surface section extending towards the rear of the bumper body, an upper surface section joined to an upper surface of the bumper element, and a lower surface section joined to a lower surface of the bumper element. The front surface section and the upper surface section of the impact absorption element are formed such that they are connected by an inclined surface extending obliquely downwards and forwards, and the front surface section and the lower surface section are formed such that they are connected by the inclined surface extending obliquely upwards and forwards.In plan view, the front surface section extends further forward from a center point relative to the vehicle width direction, and the inclined surface is shaped such that it widens in the vertical direction relative to the center point relative to the vehicle width direction. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the front surface section of the impact absorption element projects further forward in plan view relative to the center in the direction of the vehicle's width, and the inclined surface is designed such that it widens in the vertical direction relative to the center in the direction of the vehicle's width. A design can therefore be achieved that is capable of more reliably absorbing an impact, particularly in the central area of ​​the vehicle, when an impact is applied from the front of the vehicle. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is an expanded perspective view of a vehicle front section construction according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a front bumper body has been removed. Fig. 2 is a front view of the in Fig. 1 Vehicle front section construction shown, with the front bumper body removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the in Fig. 1. Vehicle front section construction shown, with a radiator removed. Fig. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along line AA. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along line BB. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view to describe the impact absorption effects during a collision. embodiment of the invention

[0009] An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is an expanded perspective view of a vehicle front section construction according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein a front bumper body has been removed. Fig. Figure 2 is a front view of the vehicle's front section with the front bumper body removed. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the in Fig. 1. Vehicle front section construction shown, with a radiator removed. Fig. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section along line AA. Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross-section along line BB. Fig. 1.

[0011] In Fig. 1 to Fig. Reference numeral 5 denotes a front bumper body located on the front surface of a vehicle. A mesh-shaped radiator grille section 1A is provided on the central section of the front bumper body 1, through which cooling air is drawn in to cool a radiator (described below) located on the rear side of the front bumper body 1. The radiator grille section 1A is divided into an upper and a lower side with respect to the central section of the front bumper body 1. An upper grille section 1A1 is provided on the upper side, and a lower grille section 1A2 is provided on the lower side.

[0012] A front body section 2, forming an engine compartment, is provided on the rear side of the front bumper body 1. The front body section 2 comprises right and left side elements 3 and 3, each located longitudinally along the vehicle; radiator support elements 4 and 4, located vertically to the right and left of the front rear section of the vehicle and each supported by the outermost end sections of the side elements 3 and 3 at the intermediate position on the rear surface section of the radiator support elements 4 and 4; an upper element 5, located in a vehicle width direction and connecting the upper end sections of the radiator support elements 4 and 4; a lower element 6, located in the vehicle width direction on the side of the lower surface and connecting the lower end sections of the radiator support elements 4 and 4; and a bumper element 7.which is arranged in the vehicle width direction on the rear of the bumper body 1 and is supported at the opposite end sections of the bumper element 7 by the radiator support elements 4 and 4 at the intermediate position of their front end sections. Behind the bumper element 7 is a radiator 8, which cools the engine in the engine compartment and is supported by the upper element 5 and the lower element 6. The radiator 8 is cooled by a cooling fan (not shown) and cooling air introduced through the grille section 1A.

[0013] The bumper element 7, with a closed cross-sectional shape S1, is formed by joining two elements: a sheet-metal front element 71 and a sheet-metal rear element 72, which are elongated in the vehicle's width direction. The upper flange sections 71a and 72a of the front element 71 and the rear element 72 are formed by bending them towards the rear of the vehicle and joining them by spot welding or the like. The lower flange sections 71b and 72b extend downwards by a downward bend and are joined by spot welding or the like.

[0014] An impact absorption element 9, elongated in the vehicle width direction, is joined to the front surface of the bumper element 7 by spot welding. The impact absorption element 9 has a generally trapezoidal cross-section that is convex towards the front and has an opening on its rear side. An upper flange section 9a on the side of the upper surface of the impact absorption element 9 is joined to the upper flange sections 71a and 72a of the front element 71 and the rear element 72, these three plates being joined together by spot welding. A lower flange section 9b is joined to the lower flange sections 71b and 72b of the front element 71 and the rear element 72, these three plates being joined together by spot welding. The impact absorption element 9 has a closed cross-sectional shape S2 between this impact absorption element 9 and the bumper element 7.

[0015] As in Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the impact absorption element 9 is provided with an upper inclined surface 9d, which extends obliquely downwards forwards between the upper end of a front surface section 9c and the upper flange section 9a, and is also provided with a lower inclined surface 9e, which extends obliquely downwards rearwards between the lower end of the front surface section 9c and the lower flange section 9b. The upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e are formed into a section 9f of the front surface section 9c that is central in the direction of the vehicle's width and has a greater length L1 than both the upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e, such that the section 9f, which is central in the direction of the vehicle's width, projects furthest forwards. The upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e are formed into the section 9f, which is central in the direction of the vehicle's width and has the greater length L1.The front surface section 9c is thus formed in the following ratio: H1 (vertical width near the section central in the vehicle width direction) < H2 (vertical width near the sides opposite in the vehicle width direction), where the vertical width H1 is smallest near the section 9f of the front surface section 9c central in the vehicle width direction, while the vertical width H2 is larger near the side sections 9g of the front surface section 9c opposite in the vehicle width direction. A ridge line formed between the upper inclined surface 9d and the front surface section 9c and a ridge line formed between the lower inclined surface 9e and the front surface section 9c are therefore each formed into an arc shape that curves upwards and downwards from the section 9f of the front surface section 9c central in the vehicle width direction to the side sections 9g opposite in the vehicle width direction.

[0016] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the impact absorption element 9 is designed such that the central section 9f of the front surface section 9c, in the direction of the vehicle's width, projects furthest forward. As shown in Figure 1, the impact absorption element 9 is designed such that the section 9f of the front surface section 9c, which is central in the direction of the vehicle's width, projects furthest forward. Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the upper inclined surface 9d is thus spaced slightly G away from the rear of a forward-projecting section 1a of the front bumper body 1. The upper element 5 is provided with the hood latch 10. The upper grille section 1A1 extends upwards to the forward position relative to the hood latch 10. The upper grille section 1A1 has an extended surface section 1A3 that extends upwards relative to the upper inclined surface 9d of the impact absorber 9. The extended surface section 1A3 is provided with a bulge section 1A4 that is opposite the upper inclined surface 9d.

[0017] Next, the functional effects of the above training will be described.

[0018] When the front bumper body 1 is moved from the front of the vehicle to the rear of the body under the application of an impact load, the rear of the front bumper body 1 comes into contact with the section 9f of the front surface section 9c of the impact absorption element 9, which is central in the vehicle width direction, in front of the bumper element 7. The section 9f of the front surface section 9c of the impact absorption element 9, which is central in the vehicle width direction, deforms first and absorbs the impact. Subsequently, the front surface section 9c of the impact absorption element 9 near the sides 9g opposite in the vehicle width direction deforms and absorbs the impact. Then, the closed cross-sectional shape S2, which is provided between the impact absorption element 9 and the bumper element 7, is compressed, thereby absorbing the impact.The bumper element 7 then receives the impact, transfers the impact to the side elements 3 and 3, and simultaneously transfers the impact to the entire body.

[0019] As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the front surface section 9c of the impact absorption element 9 projects further forward in plan view from the center relative to the vehicle width direction, and the upper inclined surface 9d is shaped such that it widens in the vertical direction relative to the center relative to the vehicle width direction, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that an inclined surface, which is slightly compressed by an impact load applied from the front of the vehicle, is formed in such a way that it widens towards the center relative to the vehicle's width direction, so that the load-bearing properties increase towards the center relative to the vehicle's width direction.

[0020] In this way, a design can be achieved that is capable of more reliably absorbing an impact, particularly in the central area of ​​the vehicle. An impact can be received by the section 9f of the front surface section 9c of the impact-absorbing element 9, which is central in the direction of the vehicle's width. Thus, a design can be achieved that is capable of more reliably absorbing an impact, particularly in the central area of ​​the vehicle. Therefore, when a light impact load is applied to the front of the vehicle, the vehicle's front section structure, which is positioned at and around the center, such as a radiator, is less affected by the impact load.

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the bumper element 7 with the closed cross-sectional shape S1 is formed by joining two elements, the front element 71 and the rear element 72. The upper flange sections 71a and 72a of the front element 71 and the rear element 72 are formed by bending both towards the rear of the vehicle. The upper flange section 9a on the side of the upper surface of the impact absorber element 9 is joined to the upper flange sections 71a and 72a. The joined section of the bumper element 7 and the impact absorber element 9 forms a surface behind the bumper element 7 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This increases the tolerance behind the impact absorber element 9 against a load applied from the front, so that the impact absorber element 9 is more likely to be compressed.The upper flange sections 71a and 72a of the front element 71 and the rear element 72 of the bumper element 7 are designed to be bent backwards. The closed cross-sectional shape S1 of the bumper element 7, formed by joining the two elements, namely the front element 71 and the rear element 72, can therefore be located at a higher point.

[0022] The front bumper body 1, located in front of the bumper element 7, has the grille section 1A. The grille section 1A has the extended surface section 1A3, which extends upwards relative to the upper inclined surface 9d, connecting the upper surface section of the impact absorber element 9, which continues to the upper flange section 9a, to the front surface section 9c. The extended surface section 1A3 has the bulge section 1A4, the rear of which faces the upper inclined surface 9d. In the manner described above, the front bumper body 1 is provided with a shape that corresponds to the upper inclined surface 9d of the impact absorber element 9.At the beginning of the application of an impact load, the load transferred from the front bumper body 1 to the impact absorption element 9 is therefore dissipated along the upper inclined surface 9d, while the impact absorption element 9 is compressed and can thus moderately absorb the load. In this design, the radiator grille section 1A provided in the front bumper body 1 is extended on its upper side. Therefore, load transfer effects are achieved without restricting the shape of any surface of the front bumper body 1.

[0023] Fig. Figure 6 describes a relationship to a pedestrian protection leg shape impactor I with an enlarged view from Fig. 5, where Iy represents the joint position of the impactor I. A distance between an upper end position Ix of the bumper element 7 and the joint position Iy of the impactor I is set to 40 mm or more. At this distance, the upper inclined surface 9d of the impact absorber 9 is angled downwards such that the impact absorber 9 is more likely to compress and absorb an impact. The injury criteria can therefore be reduced. [Commercial Applicability]

[0024] It is noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. As in Fig.As shown in Figure 5, for example, the impact absorption element 9 is provided with the upper inclined surface 9d, which extends obliquely downwards forwards between the upper end of the front surface section 9c and the upper flange section 9a, and is also provided with the lower inclined surface 9e, which extends obliquely downwards rearwards between the lower end of the front surface section 9c and the lower flange section 9b. The angles of inclination of the upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e are determined by the vertical width of the bumper element 7 and the vertical width of the front surface section 9c of the impact absorption element 9. To widen the inclined surfaces of the upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e, the angles of inclination of the upper inclined surface 9d and the lower inclined surface 9e can be reduced.It is noted that the present invention can be carried out with suitable modifications without departing from the technical scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols 1 front bumper body (bumper body) 1A Radiator grille section 1A1 upper grill section 1A2 lower grill section 1A3 extended area section 1A4 Bulge section 2 Front body section 3 side element 4 Radiator support element 5 upper element 6 lower element 7 Bumper element 71 front element 72 rear element 8 coolers 9 Impact absorption element 9a upper flange section 9b lower flange section 9c front surface section 9d upper inclined surface 9e lower inclined surface 9f central section in the direction of vehicle width 9g opposite side sections in the direction of vehicle width

Claims

[1] Vehicle front section design, comprising: a bumper element (7) arranged in a vehicle width direction on a rear side of a bumper body (1); a pair of radiator support elements (4) arranged on opposite sides of a radiator (8) positioned behind the bumper element (7) and supporting the bumper element (7); and an impact absorption element (9) which is arranged in front of the bumper element (7) in the vehicle width direction, a spacer section (G) which is provided between the impact absorption element (9) and the bumper element (7); characterized by , that the impact absorption element (9) has: a front surface section (9c) extending towards a rear of the bumper body (1); an upper surface section (9a) which is joined to an upper surface of the bumper element (7), and a lower surface section joined to a lower surface of the bumper element (7), and wherein the front surface section (9c) and the upper surface section (9a) are formed such that they are connected by an inclined surface (9d) which extends obliquely downwards forwards, the front surface section (9c) and the lower surface section are formed in such a way that they are connected by the inclined surface (9d) which extends obliquely upwards forwards; the front surface section (9c) in plan view projects further forward towards a center relative to the vehicle width direction, and the inclined surface (9d) is formed such that it becomes wider in the vertical direction towards the center relative to the vehicle width direction. [2] Vehicle front section construction according to claim 1, wherein the bumper element (7) is formed by joining two elements, a front element and (71) a rear element (72), with a closed cross-sectional shape, upper flanges of the front element and the rear element are formed by both being bent in the rear direction of a vehicle, and the upper surface of the impact absorption element (9) is joined with the upper flange sections (9a). [3] Vehicle front section construction according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bumper body (1) arranged in front of the bumper element (7) has a radiator grille, wherein the radiator grille has an extended surface section which extends upwards relative to an upper inclined surface (9d) which connects from the upper surface section of the impact absorption element (9) to the front surface section, wherein the extended surface section has a bulge section, wherein a rear side of the bulge section is opposite the upper inclined surface (9d).

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