fender brackets and motor vehicle equipped with them

Abstract

A fender holder (10) connecting a fender (20) to a door pillar (40) of a vehicle, characterized in that the fender holder (10) forms a rotational or articulated axis (15) arranged between the fender (20) and the door pillar (40) extending in the z-direction of the vehicle, which is arranged in the x-direction of the vehicle behind a rear outer edge (21) of the fender (20), and has areas (13) over its height in the z-direction of the vehicle whose strength is less than the strength of adjacent areas of the fender holder (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fender connection in a motor vehicle which makes a crash edge on a vehicle door adjacent to the fender unnecessary.

[0002] According to current technology, in the event of a crash, a crash edge on the door adjacent to the fender guides the impact away from the bodywork to the outside of the vehicle to ensure the door can open. Implementing a crash edge on steel doors is a complex and costly process in vehicle production, as the edge of the door must be painted starting from the wheel arch.

[0003] From FR 2 931 122 A1, a fender is known which has longitudinal edges with a cutout area for reducing the cross-section of the fender and for inducing buckling of the fender during an impact on its front. The cutout area is located on an inner longitudinal edge of the fender in a zone close to a vertical plane passing through the top of the wheel arch, and the cutout area has the form of a recess. The cutout area is formed on a section of the fender intended to be covered by the engine cover of the vehicle's engine compartment.

[0004] EP 2 855 242 A1 relates to a front structure / front-end structure of a vehicle, which essentially comprises a front foot / door pillar, a fender liner, a fender support connected to the fender liner, and a side reinforcement. The fender support extends from the front foot to the front of the vehicle. It consists of a longitudinal element with a damping zone in its rear section. The damping zone is configured such that, in the event of an impact on the vehicle, a component perpendicular to its deformation is generated, although this component is limited by the presence of the side reinforcement. This controlled deformation of the front side elements of the vehicle limits the deformation of the structural elements, thereby facilitating vehicle repair and reducing ingress into the passenger compartment after a frontal impact.

[0005] US Patent 2003 / 0150656A1 discloses a hood latch, via a vehicle mounting component, that provides extended service life and improved aerodynamic properties, as well as access to the area under the hood. A forward-tilting hood latch is attached to the vehicle mounting component. The vehicle mounting component can engage with the vehicle's body or chassis. A vehicle mounting component can be a fender extension or a front section of the cabin. The design protects the latch from contamination.

[0006] DE 10 2011 018 914 A1 relates to a holding arrangement of a first attachment and a second attachment on a motor vehicle body, in which the first attachment is held on the motor vehicle body by at least one holding element. In the event of a longitudinal impact force acting in the direction of the vehicle, the first attachment can be moved outwards relative to the second attachment in the transverse direction by means of the holding element, outwards from an overlap with the second attachment.

[0007] DE 199 59 606 A1 teaches a vehicle side panel with an impact-soft outer edge, comprising an outer cladding section for a vehicle body and an inwardly bent fastening section formed along an outer edge on this, which has a deformation area immediately adjoining the outer edge with two longitudinal ribs running parallel to the outer edge and bent in opposite directions, as well as several fastening flaps angled relative to the deformation area for coupling the side panel to the vehicle body.

[0008] From DE 10 2004 059 476 A1, a motor vehicle is known with a fender which, viewed in the direction of travel, is laterally attached to a load-bearing body of the motor vehicle via a bracket at its rear. If the fender is pushed backwards in a crash, the bracket deforms plastically in such a way that the distance between the fender and the load-bearing body increases in the transverse direction of the vehicle in the area of ​​the bracket, so that the rear edge of the fender, viewed from the outside of the vehicle, slides in front of a side door adjacent to the rear of the fender when viewed in the direction of travel.

[0009] Against this background, the invention aims to provide a device that, even without a crash edge on the vehicle door, ensures that in the event of a frontal collision, the fender is not pushed under the vehicle door, thus preventing high door opening forces caused by fender pinching. The connection of the fender / fender bracket for securing the fender in the x-direction of the vehicle should be so rigid that no contact with the door occurs during the RCAR (Research Council for Automobile Repairs) structural test (RCAR bumper test, available at www.rcar.org).

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by a device having the features of claim 1 and a motor vehicle having the features of claim 8. Embodiments and further developments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims, the description and the illustrations.

[0011] The invention relates to a fender bracket that connects a fender to a door pillar of a vehicle. According to the invention, the fender bracket forms a rotational or flexural axis located between the fender and the door pillar, extending in the z-direction of the vehicle and positioned behind the rear outer edge of the fender in the x-direction of the vehicle. According to the invention, the fender bracket has areas along its height whose strength is lower than that of the adjacent areas ("weakening zones").

[0012] The arrangement / position of the rotation / folding axis and the areas of reduced strength connect the fender bracket to the body with a twisting kinematics, so that in a frontal crash the fender is deflected outwards past the door. This twisting kinematics are achieved by the bracket having a "hinge axis" along its entire height in the z-direction, positioned behind the rear outer edge of the fender in the x-direction of the vehicle, as well as by selectively stiffening or weakening certain zones of the bracket. The fender's connection in the x-direction of the vehicle must be stiff enough to prevent contact with the door in the RCAR bumper test, while the stiffness in the y-direction of the vehicle must allow the fender to deflect outwards.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fender bracket is formed by at least two unconnected individual elements. In another embodiment, the fender bracket is formed by at least three unconnected individual elements. The individual elements are arranged one above the other on the door pillar of a vehicle in the z-direction of the vehicle.

[0014] In another embodiment, the fender bracket has slots, each pair of which defines a tab for attaching a fender. In one embodiment, the fender bracket comprises at least two attachment tabs for the fender. In a further embodiment, the fender bracket comprises at least three attachment tabs for the fender. After the bracket is mounted to a vehicle's door pillar, the attachment tabs are arranged one above the other in the z-direction of the vehicle.

[0015] In one embodiment, the fender bracket is made of metal, e.g., steel. The fender bracket made from a sheet of steel is produced by forming. In another embodiment, the fender bracket is made of plastic.

[0016] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle whose front fenders are attached to corresponding door pillars of the vehicle by means of fender holders according to the invention.

[0017] In one embodiment, the fender holder is formed by at least two unconnected individual elements which are mounted one above the other on a door pillar of the vehicle in the z-direction of the vehicle and to which the fender is attached.

[0018] In another embodiment, the fender holder has slots which define in pairs a tab for attaching a fender, wherein the tabs are arranged one above the other in the z-direction of the vehicle after the holder has been mounted on a door pillar of the vehicle and the fender is attached to the tabs.

[0019] Among the advantages of the fender holder according to the invention is that it eliminates the need for a crash edge on a vehicle door adjacent to the fender. This reduces the effort required in vehicle production; in particular, it eliminates the need to paint the crash edge of a vehicle door from the wheel arch. Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0020] It is understood that the characteristics mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0021] The invention is schematically illustrated with reference to embodiments in the drawings and is further described with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a fender with a holder according to the invention and a section of a top view of a horizontal section at the level of line AA; Fig. 2 schematic representations of three door pillars with three different designs of a fender bracket; Fig. 3 schematic side views of vehicles with the in Fig. 2 brackets shown after a frontal impact.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a fender 20 with a holder 10 according to the invention, which is composed of three individual elements 11. An enlarged section of a top view of a horizontal section through the vehicle at the level of line AA is also shown. The fender 20 is depicted with one individual element 11 of the holder 10. The individual element 11 is attached to the fender 20 by a fastening element 12. A section of a vehicle door 30 is also shown. A rotation or folding axis 15, which is perpendicular to the plane of the image, runs through the individual element 11. The position of the axis 15 is located in the x-direction behind the rear outer edge 21 of the fender 20. In drawing / section AA, this is indicated by the dashed line. The arrow in Fig. 1 symbolizes the direction of movement of the fender 20 in a frontal impact of the vehicle on an obstacle.

[0023] The holder 10 according to the invention guides the fender past the outside of the vehicle door 30 by rotation / folding, so that it is not wedged between the vehicle door and the frame and thus makes it difficult or impossible to open the vehicle door 30.

[0024] Fig. Figure 2 shows three embodiments of a fender holder 10, which is attached to a door pillar 40 of a vehicle. Fig. Figure 2a shows a holder 10 that is not according to the invention, while Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c shows two embodiments of the fender holder 10 according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. Figure 3 shows schematic side views of vehicles with the features shown in Fig. The two pictured brackets after a frontal impact. The results of a computer simulation of a frontal crash are shown.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2a shows a fender holder 10 not according to the invention, attached to a door pillar 40 of a vehicle. Although the illustrated holder 10 has a rotation or articulation axis 15, which runs in the z-direction of the vehicle, it is arranged in the x-direction of the vehicle in front of the rear outer edge of the fender of a fender 20 attached by means of the holder 10.

[0027] As from Fig. As can be seen in 3a, in the case of a vehicle whose fender 20 is connected to the one in Fig. The fender 20, which is attached to the bracket shown in 2a, is pushed under the vehicle door 30 by the impact, i.e., wedged between the vehicle door 30 and the door pillar 40. This makes opening the vehicle door 30 considerably more difficult or even impossible.

[0028] Fig. Figure 2b shows a door pillar 40 of a vehicle with an embodiment of a fender bracket 10 according to the invention, to which the fender is attached. The fender bracket 10 comprises three individual elements 11, which are arranged one above the other in the z-direction of the vehicle. The axis of rotation or articulation 15, which runs through the bracket 10 in the z-direction of the vehicle, is located in the x-direction of the vehicle behind the rear outer edge of the fender of a fender 20 attached by means of the bracket 10. The individual elements 11 can yield in the y-direction of the vehicle in a frontal crash.

[0029] As from Fig. As can be seen in 3b, in the case of a vehicle whose fender 20 is connected to the one in Fig. The fender 20, which is attached to the bracket 10 shown in 2b, is pushed over the vehicle door 30 by the impact, i.e., past the outside of the vehicle door 30. This prevents the vehicle door 30 from becoming wedged.

[0030] Fig. Figure 2c shows a door pillar 40 of a vehicle with another embodiment of a fender bracket 10 according to the invention, to which a fender 20 is attached. The one-piece fender bracket 10 includes slots 13 which define the tabs for attaching the fender 20 and the rigidity of the fender bracket. The axis of rotation or articulation 15, which runs through the bracket 10 in the z-direction of the vehicle, is located in the x-direction of the vehicle behind the rear outer edge 21 of the fender 20 attached by means of the bracket 10. The attachment tabs can yield in the y-direction of the vehicle during a frontal crash.

[0031] As from Fig. As can be seen in 3c, on a vehicle whose fender 20 is fitted with the in Fig. The fender 20, which is attached to the bracket 10 shown in 2c, is pushed over the vehicle door 30 by the impact, i.e., past the outside of the vehicle door 30. This prevents the vehicle door 30 from becoming wedged. Reference symbol list 10 fender brackets 11 Individual element of the holder 12 Fastening element 13 slots 15 Rotation / Bend axis 20 fenders 21 rear outer edge 30 vehicle door 40 Door column

Claims

[1] Fender bracket (10) connecting a fender (20) to a door pillar (40) of a vehicle, characterized by , that the fender bracket (10) forms a rotational or articulated axis (15) located between the fender (20) and the door pillar (40), extending in the z-direction of the vehicle, which is located behind a rear outer edge (21) of the fender (20) in the x-direction of the vehicle, and has areas (13) along its height in the z-direction of the vehicle whose strength is less than the strength of adjacent areas of the fender bracket (10). [2] Mudguard holder (10) according to claim 1, which is formed by at least two unconnected individual elements (11). [3] Mudguard holder (10) according to claim 2, which is formed by at least three unconnected individual elements (11). [4] Mudguard holder (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the individual elements (11) are attached one above the other to a mudguard (20) and a door pillar (40) of a vehicle in the z-direction of the vehicle. [5] Fender holder (10) according to claim 1, which has slots (13) which each define a tab for attaching a fender (20) in pairs. [6] Mudguard holder (10) according to claim 5, which has at least two tabs for attaching a mudguard (20). [7] Mudguard holder (10) according to claim 6, which has at least three tabs for attaching a mudguard (20). [8] Motor vehicle, the front fenders (20) of which are each attached to a corresponding door pillar (40) of the vehicle by means of a fender holder (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the fender holder (10) is formed by at least two unconnected individual elements (11) which are mounted one above the other on the door pillar (40) of the vehicle in the z-direction of the vehicle and to which the fender (20) is attached. [10] Motor vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the fender holder (10) has slots (13) which each define in pairs a tab for attaching a fender (20), wherein the tabs are arranged one above the other on the door pillar (40) of the vehicle in the z-direction of the vehicle and the fender (20) is attached to the tabs.

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