fender apron, vehicle body with such an apron and method for manufacturing

Abstract

A fender apron (20) for a vehicle, wherein the fender apron (20) has: a front element (30), an upper element (40) that is provided on the front element (30), a cooler side element (50) connected to the front element (30), an upper light carrier element (70) that connects the cooler side element (50) and the upper element (40), and a lateral-top reinforcement element (90) that connects a first connecting section located between the front element (30) and the cooler side element (50) to a second connecting section located between the top element (40) and the top light carrier element (70). wherein the cooler side element (50) has: a radiator front panel section (56) arranged in a front direction of the vehicle, a radiator side panel section (58) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms a side surface, and a radiator upper panel section (60) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms an upper surface.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fender skirt, a vehicle body fitted with it and a method for manufacturing them. background

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information relating to the present disclosure and may not represent prior art.

[0003] A typical fender skirt uses a single impact load path utilizing a rear support (e.g., front bumper support) and a longitudinal support to comply with impact safety regulations.

[0004] In the case of a separate light, where the general headlight and the turn signal are separate, a separate bracket for attaching the mounting structure is required. However, with the radiator-mounted type (non-modular structure), no separate structure is used to attach a removable light, and therefore, compliance with collision safety regulations cannot be adequately ensured.

[0005] The information disclosed in this section “Background of the Invention” is provided solely for a better understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an affirmation or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes the prior art already known to the person skilled in the art.

[0006] For example, from JP 2001-018 837 A a fender apron for a vehicle is known, wherein the fender apron comprises: a front element, an upper element provided on the front element, a radiator side element connected to the front element, an upper light carrier element connecting the radiator side element and the upper element, and a side-upper reinforcement element.

[0007] Furthermore, additional fender skirts are known from, for example, JP 2006-015 810 A, DE 10 2013 209 789 A1 and US 2015 / 0 054 312 A1. Brief explanation of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a fender apron or fender support (e.g., a fender support structure; e.g., the fender support structure can simultaneously carry or be connected to elements of a front apron, a front bumper, lights, etc.) that is capable of providing a light mounting and frontal collision safety, a vehicle body having these features, and a method for manufacturing this apron.

[0009] According to the invention, a fender apron with the features of claim 1, a vehicle body with the features of claim 9, and a method for manufacturing a fender apron with the features of claim 15 are provided. Further embodiments of the apron, the body, and the method are described in the respective dependent claims.

[0010] That is, a fender apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a front element (e.g., a front end of a vehicle longitudinal member), an upper element provided on the front element, a radiator side element connected to the front element (e.g., a structural element which is arranged laterally next to a radiator in the direction of the vehicle width), an upper light carrier or light mounting element (hereinafter referred to as: upper light carrier element) which connects the radiator side element and the upper element (to each other), and a lateral-upper reinforcement element (e.g., a reinforcement element which extends upwards and laterally with respect to the vehicle, e.g.,(extends outwards towards the vehicle), which connects a first connecting section located between the front element and the radiator side element, and a second connecting section (to each other) located between the upper element and the upper light carrier element.

[0011] The fender apron may also, for example, have a headlight mounting section designed for mounting a headlight and formed between the radiator side element, the upper light carrier element and the side-top reinforcement element.

[0012] The fender apron may also, for example, have a turn signal light attached to the upper light carrier element.

[0013] The cooler side element can, for example, have a lower body coupled to the front element and an upper body connected to the upper light carrier element, which has a narrower width than the width of the lower body.

[0014] The radiator side element comprises a radiator front panel section, which is arranged in a front direction of the vehicle (e.g. pointing forward), a radiator side panel section (e.g. pointing to the side in the vehicle width direction), which is bent or curved (e.g. angled; hereinafter referred to as: bent) at the radiator front panel section and forms a side surface, and a radiator upper panel section, which is bent or curved (e.g. angled backward in the vehicle direction; hereinafter referred to as: bent) at the radiator front panel section and forms an upper surface.

[0015] The fender apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include, for example, a light holder which is U-shaped and connects the radiator side element and the radiator upper panel section (to each other).

[0016] The upper light carrier element can, for example, have a main support body that connects the radiator side element and the upper element (to each other), an inner support surface that is bent or curved inwards (e.g. angled; hereinafter referred to as: bent) with respect to the vehicle width, and an outer support surface that is bent or curved outwards from the main support body with respect to the vehicle width (e.g. angled; hereinafter referred to as: bent) and is shaped in such a way that it is longer than the inner support surface.

[0017] The side-top reinforcement element can, for example, have a longitudinal section connected to the cooler side element and a slanted or inclined section connected to the top element.

[0018] The lateral-top reinforcement element can, for example, have a main reinforcement section and a side reinforcement section that is bent or curved (e.g., angled; hereinafter referred to as: bent) extending from the main reinforcement section.

[0019] A vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has an upper radiator support or carrier element (hereinafter referred to as: radiator support element) that connects the upper parts of the fender skirts provided on both sides of the front of the vehicle, and a lower radiator support element that connects the lower parts of the two fender skirts.

[0020] The cooler side element, the upper light carrier element and the side-top reinforcement element can form an inverted triangular shape.

[0021] The vehicle body may also, for example, have a headlight mounting section designed for attaching or mounting a headlight and formed between the radiator side element, the upper light carrier element and the side-top reinforcement element.

[0022] The vehicle body may also, for example, have a turn signal light attached to the upper light carrier element.

[0023] For example, the radiator side element and the front element can form a first collision load path, the radiator side element, the upper light carrier element and the upper element can form a second collision load path, and the radiator side element, the side-top reinforcement element and the upper element can form a third collision load path.

[0024] The vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include, for example, a light holder which is designed in a U-shape, which connects the radiator side panel section and the radiator upper panel section (to each other) and is provided between the radiator side element and the upper light carrier element.

[0025] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the fender apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes connecting the side-top reinforcement element and the upper element to the front element, connecting the radiator side element to the front element and the side-top reinforcement element, and connecting the upper element of the radiator side element and the upper element by means of the upper light carrier element.

[0026] The manufacturing process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include, for example, connecting the upper part of the fender apron to the upper radiator support element.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to respond to the collision safety regulations by distributing the collision load.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a light fixture can be mounted without a separate bracket.

[0029] Further areas of application will become apparent from the present description. It should be understood that the description and specific examples serve only for illustration and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] To better understand the revelation, various embodiments are now described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 is a perspective partial exploded view of a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a fender apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is, Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a radiator side element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender skirt, Fig. 5 is a perspective partial view of a radiator side element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender apron, Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Fig. 4 is, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an upper light carrier element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender apron, Fig. 8 a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7 is, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a side-top reinforcement element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender apron, Fig. 10 a cross-sectional view along line XX of Fig. 9 is, Fig. 11 a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI of Fig. 9 is, and Fig. 12 to Fig. The 15 figures show a method for manufacturing a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] The drawings described here are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Detailed description

[0032] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or use. It should be understood that in the drawings, corresponding reference numerals point to identical or corresponding parts and features.

[0033] In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, foils, plates or panels, areas, etc. are exaggerated for clarity.

[0034] When a part such as a layer, film, area, plate, or panel is said to be arranged "on" another part, this includes not only the case that it is arranged directly on top of the other part, but also the case that another part may be arranged in between.

[0035] If, on the other hand, an element is said to be "directly on top of" another element, then there are no intervening elements.

[0036] When a part “contains” a specific component, this means, in the overall description, that other components may also be included, and not that other components are excluded, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective partial exploded view of a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. A vehicle body 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have a fender apron 20, which is provided (each) on both front sides of the vehicle (e.g. front right and front left of the vehicle; e.g. of a motor vehicle; e.g. a passenger car), an upper radiator support element 130, which connects upper parts of the two fender aprons 20, and a lower radiator support element 135, which connects a lower section of both sides of the fender aprons 20.

[0039] The vehicle body 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be used in particular for a light small vehicle with a radiator support structure (non-modular) of a radiator support, which must be cost-effective.

[0040] Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fender apron 20 may have a front element 30, an upper element 40 provided on the front element 30, a radiator side element 50 connected to the front element 30, an upper light carrier element 70 connecting the radiator side element 50 and the upper element 40, and a side-top reinforcement element 90 connecting a connecting section between the front element 30 and the radiator side element 50 and a connecting section between the upper element 40 and the upper light carrier element 70.

[0042] A headlight mounting section 80 for mounting a headlight 110 can be formed between the radiator side element 50, the upper light carrier element 70 and the side-top reinforcement element 90.

[0043] The cooler side element 50, the upper light carrier element 70 and the side-top reinforcement element 90 can form an inverted triangular shape (e.g. with one point facing downwards).

[0044] This means that the radiator side element 50, the upper light carrier element 70 and the side-top reinforcement element 90 can be combined to form a stable triangular shape, and the headlight 110 can be attached to (e.g. in) the headlight mounting section 80.

[0045] The radiator side element 50 and the front element 30 can form a first impact load path P1, and the radiator side element 50, the upper light carrier element 70, and the upper element 40 can form a second impact load path P2. The radiator side element 50, the side-top reinforcement element 90, and the upper element 40 can form a third impact load path P3.

[0046] The fender skirt 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has three impact load paths to distribute the impact load, and the headlight mounting section 80 buffers the impact in the event of a vehicle collision (e.g. by deformation thereof) and can also be used as a space for mounting a headlight 110.

[0047] A turn signal light 120 can be attached to the upper light carrier element 70.

[0048] The fender skirt 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can cope with the stricter collision safety regulations, and it is possible to attach a separate detachable light comprising the headlight 110 and the indicator light 120 without a separate bracket.

[0049] Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of a radiator side element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender skirt, Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective partial view of a radiator side element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender skirt, and Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along line VI-VI of Fig. 4.

[0050] With reference to Fig. 4 to Fig. 6 The cooler side element 50 can have a lower body 52 coupled to the front element 30 and an upper body 54 coupled to the upper light carrier element 70, which has a narrower width than the width of the lower body 52.

[0051] The radiator side element 50 can have a radiator front panel section 56, which is arranged in a frontal direction of the vehicle, and a radiator side panel section 58, which is bent at the front panel section 56 (extending from it) to form a side surface. The strength of the radiator side element 50 can be increased by the bent shape of the radiator side element 50.

[0052] The radiator side element 50 can further comprise a radiator top panel section 60, which is bent at the front front panel section 56 (extending from it) to form a top surface. The bent radiator top panel section 60 can increase the strength of the radiator side element 50.

[0053] The fender apron 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can further comprise a light bracket 62, which is U-shaped to connect the radiator side panel section 58 and the radiator upper panel section 60. The strength of the upper part of the radiator side element 50 can be increased by connecting the radiator side panel section 58 and the radiator upper panel section 60 using the light bracket 62. Since the light bracket 62 can be connected or coupled by means of screws or rivets, welding work on the radiator side panel section 58 and the radiator upper part 60 is not required, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0054] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of an upper light carrier element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender skirt, and Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

[0055] Referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 The upper light carrier element 70 can have a main support body 72, which connects the radiator side element 50 and the upper element 40, an inner support surface 74 which is bent or arranged inwards with respect to the vehicle width on the main support body 72 (starting from it), and an outer support surface 76 which is bent or arranged outwards with respect to the vehicle width from the main support body 72 and is longer than the inner support surface 74.

[0056] The curved inner support surface 74 and outer support surface 76 can increase the strength of the upper light support element 70. Furthermore, the inner support surface 74 is shorter than the outer support surface 76, thus providing an open cross-section for mounting the upper light support element 70.

[0057] The upper light carrier element 70 can have a carrier hole 77 for connecting the upper radiator carrier element 130, a signal lamp hole 78 for mounting the indicator lamp 120 and a headlight hole 79 for mounting the headlight 110.

[0058] Therefore, according to the fender apron according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the headlight 110 and the indicator light 120 can be attached without a separate (further or additional) bracket.

[0059] Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of a side-top reinforcement element which, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, may be attached to a fender skirt, Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX of Fig. 9, and Fig. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along line XI-XI of Fig. 9.

[0060] With reference to Fig. 3, Fig. 9 to Fig. 11 The side-top reinforcement element 90 can have a longitudinal section 92 connected to the radiator side element 50 and an inclined section 94 connected to the upper part 40. In the event of a vehicle collision, the longitudinal section 92 transfers part of the impact load transferred from the radiator side element 50 to the front element 30, and the inclined section 94 transfers part of the impact load transferred from the radiator side element 50 to the upper element 40.

[0061] The lateral-top reinforcement element 90 can have a main reinforcement section 96 and a curved reinforcement side section 98 extending from the main reinforcement section 96. The curved reinforcement side section 98 can increase the strength of the lateral-top reinforcement element 90.

[0062] Fig. 12 to Fig. Figure 15 is a drawing showing a method for manufacturing a vehicle body having a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] The following refers to Fig. 12 to Fig. 15 a method for manufacturing a vehicle body which has a fender skirt according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Referring to Fig. 12 The side-top reinforcement element 90 and the upper element 40 are connected to the front element 30 by welding.

[0065] According to Fig. 13 The cooler side element 50 is welded to the front element 30 and the side-top reinforcement element 90.

[0066] According to Fig. 14 The upper part of the cooler side element 50 and the upper part 40 are welded together by means of the upper light carrier element 70 to form an inverted triangular, rod-like frame.

[0067] According to Fig. 15 is the upper part of the fender apron 20, which is provided on both front sides of the vehicle, connected to the radiator side element 50, which can be done by a screw connection.

[0068] The fender apron according to one embodiment of the present disclosure and the vehicle body incorporating it can effectively distribute the impact load without an additional impact compensation structure, and a detachable light with separate headlight and turn signal can be fitted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs and weight.

[0069] That is, as in Fig. Figure 15 shows that in the event of a vehicle collision, the load is appropriately distributed in the directions of the arrows, thus promoting the safety of the occupants. Reference symbol list 10 Vehicle body 30 front element 50 cooler side element 54 upper body 58 Radiator side panel section 62 Light holder 72 Main support bodies 76 outer support surface 20 fender apron 40 upper element 52 lower body 56 Radiator front panel section 5 60 Radiator top panel section 70 upper light support element 74 inner support surface 80 Headlight mounting section 90 Side-top reinforcement element 94 sloping section 98 Reinforcement side section 120 indicator light 130 upper radiator support element 135 lower radiator support element 92 Longitudinal section 10 96 Reinforcement Main Section 110 headlights

Claims

[1] A fender skirt (20) for a vehicle, wherein the fender skirt (20) has: a front element (30), an upper element (40) that is provided on the front element (30), a cooler side element (50) connected to the front element (30), an upper light carrier element (70) that connects the cooler side element (50) and the upper element (40), and a lateral-top reinforcement element (90) that connects a first connecting section located between the front element (30) and the cooler side element (50) to a second connecting section located between the top element (40) and the top light carrier element (70). wherein the cooler side element (50) has: a radiator front panel section (56) arranged in a front direction of the vehicle, a radiator side panel section (58) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms a side surface, and a radiator upper panel section (60) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms an upper surface. [2] Fender apron (20) according to claim 1, further comprising a headlight mounting section (80) which is designed to mount a headlight (110) and is formed between the radiator side element (50), the upper light carrier element (70) and the side-top reinforcement element (90). [3] Fender apron (20) according to claim 2, further comprising a turn signal light (120) which is attached to the upper light carrier element (70). [4] Fender apron (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the radiator side element (50) comprises: a lower body (52) connected to the front element (30), and an upper body (54) which is connected to the upper lamp support element (70) and has a narrower width than the width of the lower body (52). [5] Fender skirt (20) according to claim 1, further comprising a light holder (62) which is U-shaped and configured to connect the radiator side element (50) and the radiator upper panel section (60). [6] The fender apron (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper light carrier element (70) comprises: a main support body (72) that connects the cooler side element (50) and the upper element (40), an inner support surface (74) which is curved inwards on the main support body (72) with respect to one vehicle width, and an outer support surface (76) which is curved outwards from the main support body (72) with respect to the vehicle width and is shaped to be longer than the inner support surface (74). [7] Fender apron (20) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side-top reinforcement element (90) comprises: a longitudinal section (92) which is connected to the cooler side element (50), and a sloping section (94) which is connected to the upper element (40). [8] Fender apron (20) according to claim 7, wherein the side-top reinforcement element (90) comprises: a reinforcement main section (96) and a reinforcement side section (98) which is bent away from the reinforcement main section (96). [9] A vehicle body (10) comprising: a first and a second fender skirt (20), each having: a front element (30), an upper element (40) that is provided on the front element (30), a cooler side element (50) connected to the front element (30), an upper light carrier element (70) that connects the cooler side element (50) and the upper element (40), and a lateral-top reinforcement element (90) that connects a first connecting section arranged between the front element (30) and the cooler side element (50) and a second connecting section arranged between the upper element (40) and the upper light carrier element (70), an upper radiator support element (130) that connects the upper parts of the first and second fender aprons (20), and a lower radiator support element (135) that connects the lower parts of the first and second fender aprons (20), wherein the first fender skirt (20) is provided on a first side of a vehicle front and the second fender skirt (20) is provided on a second side of the vehicle front wherein the cooler side element (50) has: a radiator front panel section (56) arranged in a front direction of the vehicle, a radiator side panel section (58) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms a side surface, and a radiator upper panel section (60) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms an upper surface. [10] Vehicle body (10) according to claim 9, wherein the radiator side element (50), the upper light carrier element (70) and the side-top reinforcement element (90) form an inverted triangular shape. [11] Vehicle body (10) according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a headlight mounting section (80) which is designed to mount a headlight (110) and is formed between the radiator side element (50), the upper light carrier element (70) and the side-top reinforcement element (90). [12] Vehicle body (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a turn signal light (120) which is attached to the upper light carrier element (70). [13] Vehicle body (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein: the cooler side element (50) and the front element (30) form a first collision load path, the radiator side element (50), the upper light carrier element (70) and the upper element (40) form a second collision load path, and the cooler side element (50), the side-top reinforcement element (90) and the top element (40) form a third collision load path. [14] Vehicle body (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a U-shaped light holder which is arranged to connect a radiator side panel section (58) and a radiator upper panel section (60), and which is provided between the radiator side element (50) and the upper light carrier element (70). [15] Method for manufacturing a fender skirt (20), wherein the method comprises: Connecting a side-top reinforcement element (90) and an upper element (40) with a front element (30), Connecting a cooler side element (50) to the front element (30) and the side-top reinforcement element (90), and Connecting an upper part of the cooler side element (50) and the upper element (40) by an upper light carrier element (70), wherein the cooler side element (50) has: a radiator front panel section (56) arranged in a front direction of the vehicle, a radiator side panel section (58) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms a side surface, and a radiator upper panel section (60) which is bent at the radiator front panel section (56) and forms an upper surface. [16] The method according to claim 15, further comprising: Connecting an upper part of the fender apron (20) to an upper radiator support element (135).

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