Underride guard

Abstract

The invention relates to an underride guard (10), in particular as a front panel (11), with a plate-shaped base body (12) which is formed from adjacent panel elements (13) arranged to each other, wherein each adjacent panel elements (13) are pivotally connected to each other, wherein at least some adjacent pairs of panel elements (13) are pre-tensioned to each other by means of at least one spring element (16).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an underride guard, in particular for a motor vehicle.

[0002] Underride protection is a common feature on motor vehicles, positioned at the front of the vehicle. This underride protection is designed to prevent damage to the underbody of the vehicle when striking an obstacle, such as a rock. The underride protection is typically a rigid plate that provides effective protection against penetration by an obstacle.

[0003] For pedestrian safety reasons, it is necessary that the front of a motor vehicle be sufficiently flexible so that, in the event of a pedestrian impact at defined speeds, only forces within certain limits are exerted on the pedestrian, thus reducing the risk of injury. This pedestrian protection requires that the front of the vehicle not be too rigid, which is why, for example, so-called front protection bars are no longer permitted on the front of the vehicle.

[0004] If an underride guard is to be fitted to the front of a vehicle, it must also comply with pedestrian protection requirements, which is why rigid plates are less suitable. If the plate is only slightly rigid to meet pedestrian protection requirements, it will offer minimal protection to the vehicle's underbody upon impact with an obstacle on the ground. This can lead to damage to sensitive components such as the radiator, condenser, battery, etc. Such damage could render the vehicle unusable, which is undesirable. Therefore, it becomes clear that the requirements for underride protection reduce the effectiveness of a rigid plate, and conversely, a rigid plate with good underride protection properties must be sufficiently flexible to provide adequate protection.

[0005] Documents DE 10 2017 205 082 A1, DE 10 2005 048 924 A1 and DE 10 2006 011 774 A1 disclose an underride guard with a plate-shaped base body, which is formed from adjacently arranged cover elements, wherein adjacently arranged cover elements are articulated together.

[0006] The task is to create improved underride protection that adequately considers pedestrian protection on the one hand and provides sufficient protection for the underbody of the motor vehicle on the other.

[0007] The problem is solved using the features of claim 1.

[0008] One embodiment of the invention relates to an underride guard, in particular as a front guard, with a plate-shaped base body formed from adjacent guard elements, wherein adjacent guard elements are pivotally connected to one another, and wherein at least some adjacent pairs of guard elements are pre-tensioned relative to one another by means of at least one spring element. This ensures that the underride guard can yield and deflect in a defined manner in the event of a frontal impact to protect pedestrians, thus reducing the forces acting upon it, while simultaneously remaining sufficiently rigid to provide effective underride protection in the event of impacts from below.

[0009] In one embodiment, it is advantageous for the underride guard, particularly the front panel, to have a plurality of panel elements, wherein the first panel element (especially the upper one) and the last panel element (especially the lower one) have fastening means for attachment to the vehicle, so that the front panel is firmly connected to the first and last panel elements, and the panel elements arranged between them are movably mounted to the adjacent panel element. This allows the underride guard to be firmly attached at its edges in a defined manner, while the panel elements in between can move and deflect if pedestrian protection requires it in the event of a collision.

[0010] It is also advantageous if the first, especially the upper, trim element and / or the last, especially the lower, trim element have multiple fastening means for attachment to the vehicle. This ensures a stable attachment that securely, stably, and safely fastens the underride guard to the vehicle.

[0011] It is also advisable to use screw fasteners, positive-locking fasteners, rivet fasteners, or bonded fasteners. This ensures a durable and secure fastening that remains stable even in the event of an impact.

[0012] It is particularly advantageous if several adjacent pairs of aperture elements are pre-tensioned relative to each other by means of at least one spring element. This creates a wider surface that can deflect in a defined manner and improve pedestrian protection.

[0013] It is also advantageous if the pre-tensioned pairs of adjacent baffle elements are pre-tensioned in such a way that they deflect downwards. This allows the angle between the baffle elements to be changed so that, for pedestrian protection, the baffle elements move away from the bow, thus creating space for an impact when viewed from the bow.

[0014] It is advantageous if the spring elements are leaf spring elements. This allows for a particularly thin design that requires very little installation space under the vehicle.

[0015] Similarly, in another embodiment, it is advantageous if the cover elements have a strip-shaped structure with a transverse and a longitudinal extent, wherein the transverse extent is significantly greater than the longitudinal extent and the cover elements are arranged essentially transversely to the direction of travel of the vehicle. This allows the underride guard to deflect appropriately while still maintaining sufficient rigidity in the event of impacts from below.

[0016] It is also advantageous if at least some of the grille elements are flat or angled and / or essentially rectangular or rectangular with a window. The rectangular shape allows for a thin design with good stability across the width of the vehicle, and any windows provide, for example, a view of the license plate, openings for improved ventilation, etc.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the louvre elements are made of metal, plastic and / or a fiber composite material. This allows sufficient stability to be achieved with good pedestrian protection at a low weight.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in detail using an exemplary embodiment and with reference to the drawing. The drawings show: Fig. 1. A schematic sectional view of the bow of a motor vehicle to illustrate an impact process. Fig. 2. Another schematic sectional view of the bow of a motor vehicle to illustrate an impact process. Fig. 3 a schematic perspective partial view of the bow of a motor vehicle with an embodiment of an underride guard according to the invention, Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of the embodiment of the underride guard according to the invention, Fig. 5 a schematic sectional view of a spring element of the embodiment of the underride guard according to the invention, Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of the embodiment of the underride guard according to the invention, Fig. 7 a schematic sectional view of the front of a motor vehicle with an underride guard according to the invention to illustrate an impact process, and Fig. 8 Another schematic sectional view of the front of a motor vehicle with an underride guard according to the invention to illustrate an impact process.

[0019] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional view of the front 1 of a motor vehicle 2 to illustrate an impact process of a pedestrian against the front 1 of the motor vehicle 2. The pedestrian is simulated and represented by an impact dummy 3 in order to understand the behavior of the front 1 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the situation just before impact. The impact dummy 3 is essentially still resting against the front of the vehicle 1 without any force being applied, or is just about to impact. The impact dummy 3 is not yet deformed, and the front of the vehicle 2 is also not yet deformed.

[0021] In Fig. Figure 2 shows the situation shortly after the impact. The impact dummy 3 is in contact with the front of the vehicle 1 under force and is deformed. Specifically, the lower section 4 of the impact dummy 3 is deformed towards the rear of the vehicle, and the lower section 5 of the front of the vehicle 2 is similarly deformed to provide more space for the impact dummy 3. This causes the outer skin 7 of the front of the vehicle 1 to deform downwards, forming a bulge 6 to create more space at the front.

[0022] If a stable monolithic underride guard were now fitted to the front of the bow, the bow could no longer, as in Fig. 2 shown, elastic or plastic deflection and the force effect upon impact on the impact dummy 3 would increase considerably, which must be avoided in the interest of pedestrian protection.

[0023] The Fig. Figures 3 to 6 show an embodiment of an underride guard 10 of a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention, for example as a front panel, in various views or a detail thereof. Accordingly, in Fig. 3 to identify a motor vehicle 2 with an underride guard 10.

[0024] As from the Fig. As can be seen from 3 to 6, the underride guard 10 is depicted as a front panel 11, so that the underride guard 10 is attached to the front of the front 1 pointing forwards and upwards and extends downwards and rearwards under the motor vehicle 2, in particular along the underbody of the motor vehicle 2 or quasi-following it.

[0025] The underride guard 10, which can also be referred to as underride guard plate or underride guard component, has a plate-shaped base body 12, which is formed from adjacently arranged cover elements 13, see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture elements 13 have a strip-shaped structure with a transverse extent Q and a longitudinal extent L, wherein the transverse extent Q is typically significantly larger than the longitudinal extent L. Significantly larger means at least twice as large or three times as large or more, so that the aperture elements 13 are significantly wider than they are long.

[0027] Is the underride guard 10 attached to the motor vehicle 2 as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the aperture elements 13 are arranged essentially transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle 2.

[0028] According to Fig. 6. At least some of the aperture elements 13 are flat or angled and / or essentially rectangular or rectangular with a window 14. This allows for a good articulated connection between the aperture elements 13 while maintaining a particularly thin design and also provides space for visibility or cooling air, etc. The window 14 is, for example, designed as a recess for a license plate.

[0029] Preferably, the aperture elements 13 are made of metal, plastic, and / or a fiber-reinforced composite material. They can be made of steel, aluminum, or another stable metal material. They can also be made of stable plastic with or without reinforcing materials such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, etc. Furthermore, they can consist of a layered structure of plastic and / or metal or be made of a fiber-reinforced composite material.

[0030] The underride guard 10 according to the invention provides that adjacent panel elements 13 are articulated together. For this purpose, joints 15 are provided which allow a defined degree of articulation and a defined angle of rotation of the panel elements 13 relative to each other. The joints 15 are, for example, designed as hinges.

[0031] It is also provided that at least some adjacent pairs of aperture elements 13 are pre-tensioned relative to each other by means of at least one spring element 16. In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 6 the two upper pairs of aperture elements 13 are pre-tensioned by means of the spring elements 16.

[0032] The underride guard 10 is thus designed, for example, as a series of articulatedly connected cover elements 13, wherein the underride guard 10 has a plurality of cover elements 13. This creates a type of elastic plate as the underride guard 10. The series can be understood as the first cover element 13 to the last cover element 13 with cover elements 13 in between.

[0033] The first, in particular upper, panel element 13 and the last, in particular lower, panel element 13 have fastening means 17 for fastening the respective panel element 13 and thus the underride guard 10 to the motor vehicle 2, so that the underride guard 10, in particular as a front panel 11, is firmly connected to the motor vehicle 2 at the first panel element 13 and at the last panel element 13 and the panel elements 13 arranged in between are mounted in a displaceable manner on the respective adjacent panel element 13.

[0034] It is also possible, as in Fig. Figure 6 shows that the, in particular upper, first aperture element 13 and / or the, in particular lower, last aperture element 13 have several fastening means 17 for attachment to the motor vehicle 2.

[0035] Preferred fastening means 17 are screw fasteners, positive-locking fasteners, rivet fasteners, or material-locking fasteners. Thus, the respective panel element 13 can, for example, be screwed, riveted, connected using snap-fit ​​devices, and / or glued and / or welded to the motor vehicle 2. This ensures a stable fastening of the respective panel elements 13.

[0036] Also in Fig. 6. It can be seen that several adjacent pairs of aperture elements 13 are pre-tensioned relative to each other by means of at least one spring element 16. This allows the underride guard 10 to be flexible over a greater width in order to meet pedestrian protection requirements.

[0037] Thus, the pre-tensioned pairs of aperture elements 13 arranged adjacent to each other can be pre-tensioned in such a way that they deflect downwards, as is the case in Fig. 8 is recognizable.

[0038] This can be achieved in a space-saving manner by designing the spring elements 16 as leaf spring elements and pre-tensioning them. Alternatively, the spring elements 16 can also be designed differently, for example as coil springs, etc. In the unpre-tensioned state, the spring elements 16 are curved, as is the case, for example, Fig. Figure 5 shows that the spring elements 16 are approximately flat when installed and pre-tensioned.

[0039] The Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic sectional view of the front 1 of a motor vehicle 2 with an underride guard 10 according to the invention to illustrate an impact process of a pedestrian against the front 1 with underride guard 10. The pedestrian is represented by an impact dummy 3 in order to understand the behavior of the front 1 of the motor vehicle 2.

[0040] In Fig. Figure 7 shows the situation shortly before impact. The impact dummy 3 is either not yet in contact with the front of the vehicle 1, or is still without any force being applied, or is about to make contact. The impact dummy 3 is not yet deformed, and the front of the vehicle 2 is also not yet deformed.

[0041] In Fig.Figure 8 shows the situation shortly after the impact. The impact dummy 3 is subjected to force against the front 1 and the underride guard 10 and is deformed. The impact dummy 3 is deformed in its lower section 4 towards the rear of the vehicle, and the front 1 of the vehicle 2 as well as the underride guard 10 are similarly deformed in their lower section 5 to provide more space for the impact dummy 3 in its lower section 4. This causes the outer skin 7 of the front 1 to deform downwards, and the underride guard 10 also deforms downwards as the articulated cover elements 13 twist, forming a bulge 6 to create more space at the front. The impact force on the impact dummy 3 is significantly reduced compared to a monolithic underride guard.

[0042] The spring elements 16 are advantageously connected to the respective aperture elements 13, for example by means of fastening clips in a form-fitting manner and / or screwed together by means of screws, etc. Reference symbol list 1 bug 2 motor vehicles 3 impact dummies 4 lower area 5 lower area 6 bulge 7 Outer skin 10 Underride protection 11 Front panel 12 basic shapes 13 Aperture element 14 windows 15 joint 16 spring element 17 Fasteners

Claims

[1] Underrun protection (10), in particular as a front panel (11), with a plate-shaped base body (12) which is formed from panel elements (13) arranged adjacent to one another, wherein panel elements (13) arranged adjacent to one another are connected to one another in an articulated manner, wherein at least individual pairs of panel elements (13) arranged adjacent to one another are prestressed towards one another by means of at least one spring element (16). [2] Underrun protection (10) according to claim 1, characterized byin that the underrun protection (10), in particular the front panel (11), has a plurality of panel elements (13), wherein the, in particular upper, first panel element (13) and the, in particular lower, last panel element (13) have fastening means (17) for fastening to the motor vehicle (2), so that the front panel (11) is firmly connected to the first panel element (13) and to the last panel element (13) and the panel elements (13) arranged therebetween are fastened in a displaceably mounted manner to the respectively adjacent panel element (13). [3] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the, in particular upper, first panel element (13) and / or the, in particular lower, last panel element (13) have a plurality of fastening means (17) for fastening to the motor vehicle (2). [4] Underrun protection (10) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized bythat the fastening means (17) are screw fastening means, positive-locking fastening means, rivet fastening means or material-fit fastening means. [5] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that several pairs of diaphragm elements (13) arranged adjacent to one another are prestressed towards one another by means of at least one spring element (16). [6] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the prestressed pairs of diaphragm elements (13) arranged adjacent to one another are prestressed in such a way that they deflect downwards. [7] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring elements (16) are leaf spring elements. [8] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the diaphragm elements (13) have a strip-shaped structure with a transverse extension and a longitudinal extension, wherein the transverse extension is significantly greater than the longitudinal extension and the diaphragm elements (13) are arranged substantially transversely to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle (2). [9] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least individual panel elements (13) are flat or angled and / or substantially rectangular or rectangular with a window (14). [10] Underrun protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the panel elements (13) are made of metal, plastic and / or a fiber composite material.

Images