Radiator side element, non-modular type front structure of a vehicle body and modular type front structure of a vehicle body

Abstract

Radiator side element (50) which can be used on a module-type front structure of a vehicle body (14, 16) and on a non-modular-type front structure of a vehicle body (10, 12), wherein the radiator side element (50) comprises: a radiator front plate section (56) which is arranged in a frontal direction of the vehicle body (10, 12, 14, 16), a cooler side plate section (58) which is bent at the cooler front plate section (56) to form a side surface, a cooler top plate section (60) which is bent at the cooler front plate section (56) to form a top surface, and an upper reinforcement holding device (62) which is formed in a “U” shape to connect the cooler side plate section (58) and the cooler top plate section (60).

Description

AREA

[0001] The present invention / disclosure relates to a radiator side element (e.g., a (heat) radiating device side element) and a front structure (e.g., frontal / frontal structure) of a vehicle body (e.g.,

[0002] Motor vehicle body), which has the same. In particular, the present invention / disclosure relates to a radiator side element which is applicable (e.g. suitable) for various (e.g. different) vehicle types (e.g. motor vehicle types) and a front structure of a vehicle body which has the same. BACKGROUND

[0003] The statements in this section provide only background information regarding the present invention / disclosure and do not constitute prior art.

[0004] The front of a vehicle (e.g., vehicle front or motor vehicle front) has diverse structures depending on the vehicle type (e.g., motor vehicle type), and even in the case of the same vehicle type, diverse vehicle front structures are provided depending on the region in which the vehicle is manufactured or sold.

[0005] For example, the vehicle body front structure (e.g., motor vehicle body front structure) can be divided into: a module-type front structure (e.g., modular front structure) of a vehicle body which uses a front-end module (FEM) (e.g., front-end module or front module), and a non-modular-type vehicle body front structure (e.g., non-modular vehicle body front structure).

[0006] For the same type of vehicle, the required design specifications vary depending on the manufacturing or sales region, and when designing (or developing) and producing according to each required design specification, the development costs and the costs for the parts (e.g., unit costs) increase.

[0007] The above information disclosed in this “background” section is intended only to improve the understanding of the background of the present invention / disclosure and may therefore contain information that does not constitute the prior art already known to the person skilled in the art.

[0008] DE 10 2013 209 789 A1 discloses a front-end module for a vehicle.

[0009] DE 10 2021 111 586 A1 discloses a fender skirt, a vehicle body with such a skirt and a method for manufacturing it.

[0010] JP 2001-018837A reveals a body front structure for an automobile.

[0011] US 2016 / 0 236 562 A1 reveals a radiator support structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION / DISCOVERY

[0012] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a radiator side element (e.g. a (heat) radiating device side element) which is able to reduce development costs and costs for parts (e.g. unit costs) by being applicable to a wide variety of vehicle types (e.g. different types of motor vehicles), and a front structure of a vehicle body (e.g. motor vehicle body) which has the same.

[0013] To solve the problem, the invention provides a radiator side element according to claim 1, a non-modular type front structure according to claim 4 and a modular type front structure of a vehicle body according to claim 8.

[0014] A radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure can be used (or applied) for (or attached to): a module-type front structure (e.g. modular front structure) of a vehicle body, and a non-modular-type front structure (e.g. non-modular front structure) of a vehicle body.

[0015] In other words, the radiator side element according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a radiator front plate section (e.g., a (heat) radiating device front plate section) which is arranged in the frontal direction (e.g., frontal direction / orientation) of the vehicle, a radiator side plate section (e.g., a (heat) radiating device side plate section) which is bent at the front plate to form a side surface (e.g., side surface), a radiator upper plate section which is bent at the front plate section to form an upper surface, and an upper reinforcement retaining device (e.g., an upper reinforcement bracket) which is formed in a “U” shape (e.g., “U” shape) to connect (e.g., to connect to each other) the radiator side plate section and the radiator upper plate section.

[0016] The cooler side element can have: a lower body which is connected to a front element, and an upper body whose width is narrower (or less) than the width of the lower body.

[0017] The cooler side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure can further comprise a plate section which is connected (e.g. coupled) to the lower body.

[0018] Furthermore, in other words, a non-modular type front structure (e.g., non-modular front structure) of a vehicle body according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a radiator side element comprising a radiator front plate section arranged in the frontal direction of a vehicle (e.g., motor vehicle), a radiator side plate section curved at the front plate to form a side surface (e.g., lateral surface), a radiator upper plate section curved at the front plate section to form an upper surface, a front element connected (e.g., coupled) to the radiator side element, a plate section provided between the radiator side element and the front element, and an upper reinforcement retaining device (e.g., an upper reinforcement bracket) formed in a "U" shape (e.g.,(shaped in a "U" form) to connect the cooler side plate section and the cooler top plate section (e.g., to connect them together).

[0019] The non-modular type front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure may further comprise an upper retaining element which is connected to the upper reinforcement bracket.

[0020] The non-modular type front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure may further comprise a lower reinforcing element which is connected to the plate section.

[0021] The non-modular type front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure can further comprise a bumper which is mounted in front of the radiator side element (e.g., positioned in front of the radiator side element), and the bumper, the radiator side element and the plate section can be / be joined in one piece.

[0022] Furthermore, in other words, a modular-type front structure (e.g., modular front structure) of a vehicle body (e.g., motor vehicle body) according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a radiator side element comprising: a radiator front plate section arranged in the frontal direction (e.g., frontal direction / orientation) of a vehicle (e.g., motor vehicle), a radiator side plate section bent at the front plate to form a side surface (e.g., side surface), and a radiator upper plate section bent at the front plate section to form an upper surface (e.g., surface), and a front-end module carrier (e.g., front-end module carrier device) connected (e.g., coupled) to the radiator side element, and a front element connected (e.g.,coupled) and an upper reinforcement holding device which is formed in a “U” shape to connect the cooler side plate section and the cooler top plate section.

[0023] The cooler side element and the front-end module carrier can be combined (e.g., connected) using insert injection molding (e.g., in-mold injection molding process or overmolding).

[0024] The modular-type front structure of a vehicle body according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure may further comprise a plate section which is provided between the radiator side element and the front element.

[0025] According to the radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure and the front structure of a vehicle body (e.g. motor vehicle body) which has the same, it is possible to reduce development and production costs by using a uniform (e.g. one that is the same for all vehicle types) radiator side element for (or on) various front structure types of a vehicle body, which are required depending on the production area (e.g. production region) or sales area (e.g. sales region).

[0026] According to the radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, it (the radiator side element) is used both for (or on) the front structure of a vehicle body of the module type, which uses a front-end module (FEM) (e.g. front end module or front module) as well as for (or on) the front structure of a vehicle body of the non-modular type.

[0027] Furthermore, effects that can be achieved or predicted by means of the embodiments of the present invention / disclosure are disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention / disclosure. That is to say, various effects that are predicted according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure are disclosed in a subsequent detailed description.

[0028] Further areas of application will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention / disclosure. DRAWINGS

[0029] To ensure a clear understanding of the invention / disclosure, various embodiments thereof are now described, which are given as examples, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a front structure of a vehicle body (e.g. motor vehicle body) on which a radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is used (e.g. attached), Fig. 2 a perspective view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is used (e.g. attached), Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B are perspective views of a front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is used (e.g. attached), Fig. 4 is a perspective partial exploded view of the front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is used (e.g. attached), Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view along line VV from Fig. 2 is, Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of a cooler side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is, Fig. 7 is a perspective partial view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, Fig. 8 is a perspective partial view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, and Fig. 9 is a perspective exploded view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0030] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention / disclosure in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following description is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present invention / disclosure, use, or application. It should be understood that corresponding reference numerals across all drawings (e.g., the same reference numerals) denote identical or corresponding (e.g., essentially identical) parts and features.

[0032] In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention / disclosure are shown and described, simply for illustrative purposes.

[0033] The person skilled in the art recognizes (or would recognize) that the described embodiments can be modified in many different ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention / disclosure.

[0034] Parts that are identified by the same reference symbols across the specification / description refer to the same components.

[0035] In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers, films, plates, areas, etc. are exaggerated for clarity (e.g., not to scale).

[0036] When it is stated that a part, such as a layer, a film, an area or a plate, is located "on" or "at" another part (e.g., arranged), this includes not only the case in which it is located directly on top of the other part (e.g., arranged), but also the case in which another part (e.g., a third part) is located in between (e.g., arranged between).

[0037] In contrast, when it is stated that an element is placed "directly on" or "directly adjacent" to another part, there are no intermediate elements.

[0038] Across the description, if a part "has" a certain component, it means that other components may also be present (contained), rather than excluding other components, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0039] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0040] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a front structure of a vehicle body (e.g. motor vehicle body) on which a radiator side element (e.g. a (heat) radiation device side element) is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0041] Referring to Fig. In the front structure of a vehicle body 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, a radiator side element 50 is mounted on a front element 30, and a bumper 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side element 50 (e.g., can be positioned in front of the radiator side element 50).

[0042] A lower reinforcement element 90 can be mounted on the lower part (e.g., a lower area) of the cooler side element 50, and a lower retaining element 100 can be mounted on the lower reinforcement element 90. A sub-frame (or partial frame or subframe) 130 can be connected to the lower reinforcement element 90 and the lower retaining element 100 by a front element 132.

[0043] The front structure of a vehicle body 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, which is described in Fig. Figure 1 is of a non-modular type (e.g., non-modular type), and the frontal element 132 and the lower reinforcement element 90, which corresponds to the frontal element 132, are used (e.g., attached) and can be used for vehicles that are produced and / or sold in areas (e.g., regions) where the requirements for vehicle collision performance are relatively critical (e.g., high).

[0044] A specific configuration (e.g. shape) of the cooler side element 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure will be described later (below).

[0045] Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0046] When describing the front structure of a vehicle body, which is in Fig. As shown in 2, for the sake of simplicity, the same / similar configurations are used as in the one in Fig. 1. The front structure of a vehicle body described (e.g., shown) is described using the same / similar reference symbols.

[0047] Referring to Fig. 2 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, a radiator side element 50 is mounted on the front element 30 in a front structure of a vehicle body 12, and a bumper 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side element 50 (e.g., can be positioned in front of the radiator side element 50).

[0048] A lower reinforcement element 92 can be mounted on the lower part (e.g. a lower area) of the cooler side element 50, and a lower retaining element 102 can be mounted on the lower reinforcement element 92.

[0049] The front structure of a vehicle body 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, which is described in Fig. Figure 2 shows a non-modular type, and the lower reinforcement element 92, which is not connected to the front element, is used so that it can be used for vehicles that are produced and / or sold in areas (e.g., regions) where the requirements for vehicle collision performance are relatively undemanding (e.g., low). That is, while the radiator side element 50 and the same in Fig. 1. The cooler side element 50 shown can be used (e.g., during operation). Fig. 1 and Fig. In the two embodiments shown, the same radiator side element 50 is used; only the lower reinforcement element 92, which is required for the vehicle, is used differently (e.g., in the embodiments shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. In the two embodiments shown, only different lower reinforcement elements 90 and 92 are used, thereby reducing component development costs and component price.

[0050] Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows perspective views of a front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is used (e.g. attached), and Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective partial exploded view of the front structure of a vehicle body on which a radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view along line VV from Fig. 2, and Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective partial view of a cooler side element according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0052] When describing the front structure of a vehicle body, which is in the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B to Fig. The configurations shown in 6 are the same / similar ones as those in [reference to previous text], for ease of understanding. Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. The front structure of a vehicle body is described (or shown) using the same / similar reference symbols.

[0053] Referring to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B to Fig. 6 In the front structure of a vehicle body 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, the radiator side element 50 is mounted on the front element 30 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, and a lower reinforcement element 94 can be mounted under (e.g. below) the radiator side element 50.

[0054] Various types of the lower reinforcement element 94 are / are mounted on the lower part (e.g. lower area) of the radiator side element 50, which can be used generally (e.g. which can be used for any of the configurations shown), depending on the shape of the front structure of the vehicle or the required conditions, so that it can be used (e.g. attached) on different types of vehicles or numerous variations of the same vehicle type.

[0055] In one embodiment, the bumper 120 can be mounted on the front (e.g., the front) of the radiator side element 50 in order to absorb an external influence (e.g., force or impact) in the event of a collision, and a plate section 70 can be mounted on the rear of the radiator side element 50 in order to transfer (e.g., forward or divert) the impact load (e.g., force or impact) to the front element 30 in the event of a collision.

[0056] The radiator side element 50 can have: a lower body 52, which is connected (e.g., coupled) to the front element 30, and an upper body 54, which has a narrower (e.g., smaller) width than the lower body 52. ​​That is, the lower body 52 has a relatively wider (e.g., larger) width than the upper body 54, so that the load transmitted from the bumper 120 can be transferred to or distributed to the front element 30.

[0057] The radiator side element 50 can comprise: a radiator front plate section 56, which is arranged in a frontal direction (e.g., frontal direction / orientation) of the vehicle (e.g., in a frontal direction of the vehicle body), and a radiator side plate section 58, which is bent at the radiator front plate section 56 to form a side surface (e.g., side surface). The stiffness (e.g., load-bearing capacity) of the radiator side element 50 can be increased by means of the bending shape (e.g., curved shape / shape) of the radiator side element 50.

[0058] This means that, as in Fig. Figure 5 shows that the cross-section (e.g. the cross-sectional area) of the cooler side element 50 can be bent into a “U” shape to increase the stiffness of the cooler side element 50.

[0059] The cooler side element 50 can further comprise a cooler top plate section 60, which is bent at the cooler front plate section 56 to form a top surface (e.g., a surface). The bent cooler top plate section 60 can increase the rigidity of the cooler side element 50.

[0060] The cooler side element 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure can further comprise an upper reinforcement retaining device (an upper reinforcement bracket) 62, which is formed in a "U" shape to connect the cooler side plate section 58 and the cooler upper plate section 60. The upper stiffness of the cooler side element 50 (e.g., the load-bearing capacity of the upper region of the cooler side element 50) can be increased by connecting the cooler side plate section 58 and the cooler upper plate section 60 using the upper reinforcement retaining device 62. The upper reinforcement retaining device 62 can be welded to the cooler side plate section 58 and the cooler upper plate section 60.can be welded to the radiator side plate section 58 and the radiator top plate section 60).

[0061] Referring to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 The bumper 120, the radiator side element 50 and the plate section 70 are formed in one piece (e.g. connected or connected by integral construction), so that if a vehicle has an accident (e.g. impacts somewhere or is involved in a collision), the force load (e.g. impact load) can be transferred or distributed from the bumper 120 to the vehicle body by means of the radiator side element 50 and the plate section 70 (or by means of the radiator side element 50 and the plate section 70).

[0062] The lower reinforcement element 94 can be connected to the plate section 70. This means that, in the case of a vehicle type that requires the installation of the lower reinforcement element 94, the lower reinforcement element 94 can be mounted to the radiator side element 50 by means of the plate section 70 (e.g., by means of the plate section 70). In this case, it is not necessary to differentiate the shape or design of the radiator side element 50 depending on the vehicle type (e.g., to select a suitable radiator side shape depending on the vehicle type), thus reducing the manufacturing costs of the radiator side element 50.

[0063] Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective partial view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0064] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the combination of the upper retaining element 80 and the upper retaining element 80 can be made more robust by combining (e.g., connecting) the upper retaining element 80 with the cooler side element 50, whose rigidity is increased by means of the upper reinforcement retaining device 62. The cooler side element 50 and the upper retaining element 80 can be combined (e.g., connected) with a bolt B, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0065] Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective partial view of a front structure of a vehicle body, on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure, and Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective exploded view of a front structure of a vehicle body on which the radiator side element is used (e.g. attached) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure.

[0066] When describing the front structure of a vehicle body, which is in Fig. 8 to Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the same / similar configurations are used to facilitate understanding as in a front structure of the vehicle body, which is shown in Figure 9. Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 is described (e.g. shown) using the same / similar reference symbols.

[0067] The front structure of a vehicle body 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure is of a module type (e.g. modular type) and comprises: the radiator side element 50 according to a previously described exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure and a front-end module carrier 110, which is connected (e.g. coupled) to the radiator side element 50.

[0068] The front element 30 described above can be mounted on the radiator side element 50, and the bumper 120 can be mounted in front of the radiator side element 50 (e.g., positioned in front of the radiator side element 50). Furthermore, the plate section 70 can be mounted between the radiator side element 50 and the front element 30 in order to transfer or direct a force load (e.g., an impact load) to the front element 30 in the event of a collision.

[0069] The cooler side element 50 and the front end module carrier 110 can be combined (e.g. connected) by means of overmolding (or inset injection molding process or “in-mold” process).

[0070] This means that the radiator side element 50 described above can be used (e.g. attached) to the front structure of a modular vehicle body, making it possible to increase the stiffness of the front structure of a vehicle body 14 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure by firmly combining (e.g. connecting) it with the front-end module carrier 110 through the "U"-shaped cross-section (e.g. cross-sectional area) of the radiator side element 50.

[0071] As described above, the front structure of a vehicle body 10, 12, 14 and 16 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention / disclosure uses the radiator side element 50, which can be used generally (e.g., for all / multiple vehicle types) to provide or enable several / many modular and non-modular types. Therefore, it can be used (e.g., attached) to a variety of vehicle types of the modular or non-modular type (e.g., a variety of modular or non-modular vehicle types) or vehicle types of numerous exemplary variations of the same vehicle type, thereby reducing development costs and costs for parts (e.g., unit costs). <Description of reference symbol> 10, 12, 14, 16 Vehicle body 30 Front element 50 radiator side element 52 lower body 54 upper body 56 Cooler front panel section 58 Cooler side plate section 60 Cooler Top Plate Section 62 upper reinforcement holding device 70 plate section 80 upper retaining element 90, 92, 94 lower reinforcement element 100, 102 lower retaining element 120 bumper 110 Front-End Module Carrier 132 front element 130 sub-frames

Claims

[1] Radiator side element (50) which can be used on a module-type front structure of a vehicle body (14, 16) and on a non-modular-type front structure of a vehicle body (10, 12), wherein the radiator side element (50) comprises: a radiator front plate section (56) which is arranged in a frontal direction of the vehicle body (10, 12, 14, 16), a cooler side plate section (58) which is bent at the cooler front plate section (56) to form a side surface, a cooler top plate section (60) which is bent at the cooler front plate section (56) to form a top surface, and an upper reinforcement holding device (62) which is formed in a “U” shape to connect the cooler side plate section (58) and the cooler top plate section (60). [2] Cooler side element (50) according to claim 1, further comprising: a lower body (52) which is connected to a front element (30), and an upper body (54) whose width is narrower than a width of the lower body (52). [3] Cooler side element (50) according to claim 2, which further comprises a plate section (70) which is connected to the lower body (52). [4] Non-modular type front structure of a vehicle body (10, 12) comprising: a radiator side element (50) comprising a radiator front plate section (56) arranged in a frontal direction of the vehicle body (10, 12), a radiator side plate section (58) bent at the radiator front plate section (56) to form a side surface, and a radiator top plate section (60) bent at the radiator front plate section (56) to form a top surface, a front element (30) which is connected to the cooler side element (50), a plate section (70) which is provided between the cooler side element (50) and the front element (30), and an upper reinforcement holding device (62) which is formed in a “U” shape to connect the cooler side plate section (58) and the cooler top plate section (60). [5] Non-modular type front structure according to claim 4, which further comprises an upper retaining element (80) which is connected to the upper reinforcement retaining device (62). [6] Non-modular type front structure according to one of claims 4 to 5, which further comprises a lower reinforcing element (90, 92) which is connected to the plate section (70). [7] Non-modular type front structure according to any one of claims 4 to 6, which further comprises a bumper (120) mounted in front of the radiator side element (50), wherein the bumper (120), the radiator side element (50) and the plate section (70) are integrally combined. [8] Module-type front structure of a vehicle body (14, 16) comprising: a radiator side element (50) comprising a radiator front plate section (56) arranged in a frontal direction of the vehicle body (14, 16), a radiator side plate section (58) which is bent at the radiator front plate section (56) to form a side surface, and a radiator upper plate section (60) which is bent at the radiator front plate section (56) to form an upper surface, a front-end module carrier (110) which is connected to the cooler side element (50), a front element (30) which is connected to the cooler side element (50), and an upper reinforcement holding device (62) which is formed in a “U” shape to connect the cooler side plate section (58) and the cooler top plate section (60). [9] Module-type front structure according to claim 8, wherein the cooler side element (50) and the front end module carrier (110) are joined by overmolding. [10] Module-type front structure according to claim 8 or 9, which further comprises a plate section (70) which is provided between the cooler side element (50) and the front element (30).

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