Prioritized radiator grille displacement over bumper grille displacement in vehicle collision

Abstract

The invention relates to a collision system for a vehicle front, comprising a radiator grille (1), a bumper and a cover (3) for the bumper, wherein the bumper has a first base support (5) and a second base support (7), wherein the first base support (5) is coupled to the cover (3) for the bumper and the radiator grille (1) is coupled to the second base support (7), but the radiator grille (1) together with the second base support (7) is displaceable relative to the first base support (5) and equally relative to the cover (3) of the bumper against the direction of travel by a force applied by a collision at the vehicle front with an external object (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a collision system for a vehicle front, a vehicle with a collision system, and a method for assembling a collision system for a vehicle.

[0002] Vehicles must be designed to ensure a certain degree of self-protection in the event of a collision, to protect their own occupants, but also to protect other road users who might collide with their own vehicle. Designing a vehicle for a collision with a pedestrian is particularly challenging.

[0003] In order to meet the pedestrian protection requirements, the radiator grille must be movable relative to the bumper. This requirement results from the geometric constraints dictated by the design. Furthermore, the design specifies the mounting direction of the radiator grille: from the front into the bumper.

[0004] In this context, FR 3029474 A1 relates to a front part of a motor vehicle, comprising: a shield; a converging element arranged behind the shield, which converging element comprises at least one first connecting element; a structural component constituting a technical front surface comprising at least one second connecting element, each first connecting element being arranged with respect to each second connecting element according to a predefined gap, the converging element being capable, in the event of a frontal impact, of moving towards the structural component according to this gap by being pushed by the shield, until it is anchored between each first connecting element and each second connecting element.

[0005] If a radiator grille is mounted on a bumper fascia flange, a compressive load applied to the radiator grille from the front (e.g., in pedestrian protection testing) will cause the radiator grille to slide onto the flange and become blocked. This has a detrimental effect on pedestrian protection.

[0006] The object of the invention is to improve this mechanical behavior and to increase pedestrian protection in the event of a collision with a vehicle.

[0007] The invention is based on the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to a collision system for a vehicle front, comprising a radiator grille, a bumper and a grille for the bumper, characterized in that the bumper has a first base support and a second base support, wherein the first base support is coupled to the grille for the bumper and the radiator grille is coupled to the second base support, but the radiator grille together with the second base support can be displaced relative to the first base support and equally relative to the grille of the bumper against the direction of travel when installed in a vehicle by means of a force input, so that in the event of a collision at the front of the vehicle with an external object, the radiator grille is the first to move back yieldingly, even before the grille for the bumper is moved.

[0009] The collision system enables the radiator grille to be moved relative to the bumper grille, thereby achieving the low effective rigidity of the overall front system necessary to meet pedestrian protection requirements. When installed in a vehicle, the radiator grille, together with the second base support, can be moved relative to the first base support and the bumper grille against the direction of travel by applying a force. This means that in the event of a collision at the front of the vehicle with an external object, the radiator grille is the first to move back yieldingly, even before the bumper grille is moved. In a typical pedestrian impact, only the radiator grille is initially moved as a separate element by moving the second base support, even before the bumper grille is mechanically involved in the impact.

[0010] For this purpose, the bumper is divided into a first base support and a second base support. The second base support serves as an additional base support in the bumper, which is mounted from the rear (this corresponds to the main direction of travel of the vehicle when installed in the vehicle). In addition, a mechanical fastening with an override point is provided to prevent it from coming loose, for example a clip-in connection. The second base support releases from this fastening when subjected to pressure, and a displacement path is created between the base supports. The displacement of the radiator grille and the resulting softness of the system reduce the forces acting on the test specimen for the pedestrian protection test.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the second base support together with the radiator cover can only be moved relative to the first base support and the cover of the bumper by overcoming a predetermined force resistance.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first base support and the second base support are connected to one another by a clipping, which allows a displacement of the second base support against the direction of travel relative to the first base support after overcoming the predetermined force resistance.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the clipping does not allow any relative movement of the second base support in the direction of travel relative to the first base support, at least as long as no collision has occurred.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the clipping is designed to tear and / or break in the event of a collision.

[0015] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the clipping holds the second base support to the first base support and to the trim for the bumper.

[0016] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the second base support is mounted relative to the first base support on a rail guide which has a degree of freedom acting against the direction of travel in the event of a collision.

[0017] A further aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a collision system as described above and below.

[0018] Advantages and preferred developments of the proposed vehicle result from an analogous and analogous transfer of the statements made above in connection with the proposed collision system.

[0019] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a collision system for a vehicle, wherein a bumper is provided with a first base support and a second base support, and the second base support is pushed onto the first base support in the vehicle longitudinal direction until it stops, and wherein a radiator cover is arranged on the second base support, and a cover for the bumper is coupled to the first base support.

[0020] Advantages and preferred developments of the proposed method result from an analogous and analogous transfer of the statements made above in connection with the proposed collision system.

[0021] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, which – where appropriate with reference to the drawings – describes at least one embodiment in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1: A vehicle with a collision system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2: Schematic of a collision system according to an embodiment of the invention. Fig. 3: Part of a collision system of the Fig. 2. Fig. 4: Detailed collision system of the Fig. 2 in two states.

[0023] The representations in the figures are schematic and not to scale.

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle with a collision system at the front, which is installed in the Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. The collision system is designed specifically to protect pedestrians in the event of a pedestrian impact with the front of the vehicle. It is important that the front of the vehicle reacts particularly compliantly in certain zones.

[0025] Fig. 2 shows a collision system for the front of the vehicle of the Fig. 1. Here, the collision system is shown only schematically in cross-section, but in the same viewing direction as the Fig. 1. At the lower front end of the collision system, a radiator grille 1 is provided. At the front end above this, a grille 3 for a bumper, which has a first base support 5 and a second base support 7. The first base support 5 is mechanically coupled horizontally to the grille 3 for the bumper, so that a compressive stress on the grille 3 for the bumper has a corresponding effect on the first base support 5. The radiator grille 1, on the other hand, is only coupled horizontally to the second base support 7, so that a compressive stress on the radiator grille 1 for the bumper has a corresponding effect on the second base support 7. The second base support 7 is arranged on a fastening rail, which has a counter-bearing on the first base support 5.Since the radiator trim 1 is longitudinally coupled to the second base support 7, in the event of an impact at the front of the vehicle, when the collision system is installed in the vehicle, a force impulse occurring on the radiator trim 1, which acts on the second base support 7, causes the radiator trim 1 together with the second base support 7 to displace horizontally beneath the trim 3 for the bumper and beneath the first base support 5. In this pedestrian impact, advantageously, only the radiator trim 1 is initially enabled by the associated displacement of the second base support 7, while initially no displacement of the trim 3 for the bumper occurs.

[0026] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary guide system of a fastening rail, which enables a movement opposite to the main direction of travel between the first base support 5 and the second base support 7. In the Fig. 3, the clip is shown open for better visibility, whereas in the actual application in the vehicle, this clip is closed by the elements shown being pushed into one another. Here, a clip is provided which requires an overcoming force to leave a closed initial position of the first base support 5 towards the second base support 7. This force is sufficiently high that a pedestrian impact with a certain momentum transfer and the associated force impact on the front of the radiator grille 1 is necessary to exceed this overcoming force, so that the radiator grille 1 moves horizontally rearward with the second base support 7 and thus yields away from the pedestrian from the perspective of the pedestrian.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows a state of the collision system shortly before a collision in part (A), and a state in part (B) during and after the collision with an external object 9. The vehicle will travel from right to left in the image plane, or the object 9 will hit the vehicle from left to right. The designated sections correspond to those of the Fig. 2, in Fig. However, Figure 4 shows in detail how the radiator cover 1 slides beneath the bumper cover 3, with this displacement being caused by the force acting on the radiator cover 1 and the associated force transfer to the second base support 7. Only after a certain distance of displacement of the radiator cover 1 is the bumper cover 3 touched, and a force is transferred from the external object 9 for a pedestrian to the pedestrian.

[0028] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations may be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments are truly only examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope, possible applications, or configuration of the invention in any way.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] FR 3029474 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Collision system for a vehicle front, comprising a radiator grille (1), a bumper and a grille (3) for the bumper, characterized by in that the bumper has a first base support (5) and a second base support (7), wherein the first base support (5) is coupled to the trim (3) for the bumper and the radiator trim (1) is coupled to the second base support (7), but the radiator trim (1) together with the second base support (7) can be displaced rearward relative to the first base support (5) and equally relative to the trim (3) of the bumper, against the direction of travel when installed in a vehicle, by means of a force input, so that in the event of a collision with an external object (9) at the front of the vehicle, the radiator trim (1) is the first to move back yieldingly, even before the trim (3) for the bumper is moved. [2] Collision system according to claim 1, wherein the second base support (7) together with the radiator cover (1) is displaceable only by overcoming a predetermined force resistance relative to the first base support (5) and the cover (3) of the bumper. [3] Collision system according to claim 2, wherein the first base support (5) and the second base support (7) are connected to one another by a clipping which allows a displacement of the second base support (7) against the direction of travel relative to the first base support (5) after overcoming the predetermined force resistance. [4] Collision system according to claim 3, wherein the clipping does not allow any relative movement of the second base support (7) in the direction of travel relative to the first base support (5), at least as long as no collision has occurred. [5] Collision system according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the clipping is designed to tear and / or break in the event of a collision. [6] Collision system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clipping holds the second base support (7) to the first base support (5) and to the trim (3) for the bumper. [7] Collision system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second base support (7) is mounted relative to the first base support (5) on a rail guide which has a degree of freedom acting against the direction of travel in the event of a collision. [8] Vehicle with a collision system according to one of the preceding claims. [9] Method for assembling a collision system for a vehicle, wherein a bumper is provided with a first base support (5) and a second base support (7), and the second base support (7) is pushed in the vehicle longitudinal direction from the rear of the vehicle in the direction of the front of the vehicle until it stops on the first base support (5), and wherein a radiator cover (1) is arranged on the second base support (7), and a cover (3) for the bumper is coupled to the first base support (5).

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