motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a front hood (1) and a front part (3), wherein the front part (3) is arranged directly below the front hood (1), wherein the front part (3) comprises a support structure (4) and a cover element (14), wherein the cover element (14) is attached to the support structure (4) in an upper end region of the support structure (4), wherein the support structure (4) has reinforcing elements (6; 7) that increase the mechanical stiffness of the support structure (4) in the upper end region, and wherein the support structure (4) comprises at least one weakening feature (8; 9; 10; 11) that reduces the mechanical stiffness of the support structure (4) in the upper end region when a force is applied from above.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle with a front flap and a front part according to claim 1.

[0002] A motor vehicle with a hood and a front section located underneath is known from the prior art. A gap exists between the hood and the front section. The hood can, for example, conceal a luggage compartment or an engine compartment. Opening the hood provides access to the luggage compartment or engine compartment.

[0003] DE 10 2019 128 923 B3 discloses a support grid for a painted part below the hood at the front of a motor vehicle, with reinforcing ribs that serve to reinforce a front wall base body. Defined openings are provided within the support grid to provide a defined degree of softness below the rigid upper area. A predetermined breaking point is provided along a contour, which is arranged such that it tears upon sudden head contact, thus releasing additional travel.

[0004] US 2012 / 0 019 025 A1 discloses an integrated assembly comprising a bumper energy absorber portion having crumple zones for impact with a bumper beam, an upper air shutter portion having pre-assembled closure elements movable between closed and open positions, a first actuator mechanism for moving the closure elements between the positions, an upper front fascia support portion having an upper leg crumple zone therein above the upper air shutter portion, a lower air shutter portion having pre-assembled lower closure elements movable between closed and open positions, a second actuator mechanism for moving the lower closure elements between the positions, and a lower leg energy absorber portion mounted below the lower air shutter portion and configured to abut against or replace a surface of a secondary pedestrian impact bar.The closure elements can be molded onto a closure frame using injection molding technology instead of being assembled separately and manually.

[0005] US 2002 / 0017807 A1 discloses a front-end support for various components at the front of a vehicle, comprising a plastic body overmolded with a reinforcement that increases the mechanical strength of the support. The reinforcement is a fiber fabric, e.g., glass or carbon fibers, or a cable, advantageously made of steel wires.

[0006] DE 10 2021 202 608 A1 discloses a support structure for an outer panel of the front area of ​​a motor vehicle, comprising a transverse body made of plastic, which can be fixed to a front support of the motor vehicle and which, in the final assembled state, extends in front of the front edge of a front hood of the motor vehicle across its width and carries a part of the outer panel located in front of the front edge of the front hood.

[0007] DE 10 2009 050 464 A1 discloses a holding device for an exterior trim part of a front module of a passenger car, comprising a strip element by means of which an edge of the exterior trim part facing a hood is to be held. The holding device has at least one energy-absorbing part that can be deformed while dissipating energy.

[0008] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of reducing the risk of head injuries in the event of contact of the head in an area of ​​a front end of the front flap.

[0009] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle according to claim 1. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0010] The motor vehicle comprises a hood and a front section. In this description, a hood is understood to be a pivoting component that, when closed, encloses an engine compartment or luggage compartment. When opened, the hood exposes the engine compartment or luggage compartment, allowing a person to access it.

[0011] The front part is located directly below the front flap. For the purposes of this description, this also includes a gap between the front flap and the front part. This may be necessary or advantageous for production reasons.

[0012] The front part comprises a support structure and a cover element. In this description, a cover element is understood to mean, in particular, a component that is visible from outside the motor vehicle when the front lid is closed. The cover element can be designed and arranged, for example, as protection against dirt and water. It is also possible that the cover element plays a role in the visual design of the motor vehicle.

[0013] The cover element is fastened to the support structure in an upper end region of the support structure. The support structure has reinforcing elements which increase the mechanical rigidity of the support structure in the upper end region. The direction "top" is used in this description as it is oriented during intended use of the motor vehicle, namely when the wheels of the motor vehicle are in contact with a roadway at the bottom. In the context of this description, the increase in mechanical rigidity through the reinforcing elements is understood in particular to mean that the support structure would have lower mechanical rigidity in the upper end region if the reinforcing elements were not present and / or were replaced by a flat design of the support structure as a substitute for the reinforcing elements.

[0014] The support structure also includes a weakening feature that reduces the mechanical rigidity of the support structure in the upper end region when a force is applied from above. In the context of this description, the reduction in mechanical rigidity is understood in particular to mean that the support structure would have greater mechanical rigidity in the upper end region when a force is applied from above if the weakening element were not present and / or were replaced by a flat design of the support structure as a replacement for the weakening elements. It is also possible for the weakening element to be provided on one or more of the reinforcing elements.

[0015] The reinforcement elements are particularly beneficial for the mechanical rigidity of the support structure, especially during temperature fluctuations. Any gap between the front panel and the front flap should preferably be as narrow as possible, so that, for example, a temperature-induced change in the position of the upper edge of the front panel can lead to the front flap no longer being able to be opened or closed as desired. Even without affecting the function of the front flap, a change in the position of the upper edge of the front panel is often undesirable, since a consistent gap pattern is often desired and considered visually appealing.

[0016] The desired shape of the motor vehicle by using the shape of the cover element can also result in a particularly high rigidity of the cover element at its upper end near the front flap.

[0017] However, the high rigidity of the support structure and possibly also of the cover element is detrimental in the event of a head impact on the upper end of the cover element and / or the lower end of the front flap, and can result in serious head injuries. Therefore, the use of the weakening element is advantageous. It is particularly preferred that the weakening element reduces the mechanical rigidity of the support structure when subjected to a force from above by several times compared to the mechanical rigidity when subjected to a temperature change.

[0018] In this way, the generally high mechanical rigidity of the support structure can be combined with a reduction in the risk of injury when a head impacts from above onto the upper end area of ​​the cover element.

[0019] The weakening feature includes an orientation of the ribs, openings, a conical design of the embossments, and / or a predetermined breaking line. The predetermined breaking line can extend along a portion of the upper end region. For example, the predetermined breaking line can have its greatest extent along the upper end region. The predetermined breaking line can, in particular, comprise a thinning of the material or be designed as a thinning of the material. The conically designed embossments have a greater extent in a horizontal direction in the upper end region than at an end of the embossments pointing away from the upper end region. It is particularly possible for the predetermined breaking line to be arranged on or in the embossments.

[0020] The cover element is attached to the support structure at more than 70% of the upper end area, preferably at more than 90% of the upper end area. The upper end area can, for example, encompass or be the entire upper end of the support structure.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing elements may comprise ribs and / or embossments.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cover element can have a first fastening means that is positively secured in a second fastening means of the support structure. The first and second fastening means can each extend over more than 70% of the upper end region, preferably over more than 90% of the upper end region. For example, the second fastening element can be a channel into which the first fastening element is clipped.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ribs can bear against the second fastening means and extend outwards in a transverse direction starting from the second fastening means. In the context of this description, the transverse direction is understood to mean the direction that runs horizontally perpendicular to the direction of movement of the motor vehicle without steering angle during normal use of the motor vehicle. In the context of this description, the outward extension of the ribs is understood in particular to mean that the direction in which the ribs have their greatest extent runs outwards in the transverse direction starting from the second fastening means. This direction does not have to run exclusively in the transverse direction.It is also possible and even preferred that the direction in which the ribs have their greatest extent runs outwards in the transverse direction as well as forwards in the longitudinal direction and / or downwards in the height direction.

[0024] The orientation of the ribs described in the previous paragraph can be a weakening feature. Without force, the ribs increase the stiffness of the upper end area, especially the second fastener. When a force is applied from above, the ribs are pushed away due to their orientation, resulting in a reduction in mechanical stiffness.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ribs can be arranged on the embossments.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the openings can be arranged in the embossed portions and / or adjacent to the embossed portions. This also only slightly reduces the mechanical rigidity without the application of force, whereas the rigidity is significantly reduced when a force is applied to the support structure from above.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, a first of the openings arranged in one of the embossments can have a ratio between its width and its length that is closer to 1 than a ratio between a width and a length of a second of the openings arranged adjacent to the embossments. For example, the first opening can be hole-like, whereas the second opening is designed as a slot. These shapes have proven particularly advantageous for reducing the mechanical rigidity when subjected to a force, without excessively reducing the mechanical rigidity without the application of a force.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing elements can increase a mechanical rigidity of the support structure, in particular of the upper end region of the support structure, in the event of temperature fluctuations.

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components, features, or elements and for components, features, or elements with identical or similar functions. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a front portion of a motor vehicle with a test body impacting thereon; Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a section of a support structure of a motor vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with an impacting test body; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of the support structure of Fig. 2 from a different viewing angle; Fig. 4 a schematic front view of a section of a support structure according to an embodiment of the invention with a predetermined breaking line; Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a support structure according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 a schematic sectional view of the support structure from Fig. 5 along the section line BB with a predetermined breaking line; Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of a support structure according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 a schematic sectional view of the support structure from Fig. 7 along a section line AA with a predetermined breaking line; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a support structure according to an embodiment of the invention with a predetermined breaking line upon impact of a test body; Fig. 10 a schematic perspective view of the support structure of Fig. 9 at a later time after the impact of the test body; and Fig. 11 a schematic perspective view of the support structure of Fig. 9 at a later time after the impact of the test body.

[0030] The Fig. 1 comprises a front flap 1 and a front part 3. The front part 3 is arranged directly below the front flap 1 and forms a front end of the motor vehicle. From outside the motor vehicle and when the front flap is not opened, a cover element 14 of the front part 3 is visible. Between the front flap 1 in the closed state and the cover element 14 there is a joint 2. To ensure a constant joint pattern, for example in the event of temperature fluctuations, it is advantageous to position the cover element 14 as firmly as possible. The cover element 14 is attached to a support structure 4 (see the following figures). The aim is thus to achieve a design of the support structure 4 that is as mechanically rigid as possible in order to keep the joint pattern of the joint 2 constant during temperature fluctuations.

[0031] However, the mechanically rigid design of the support structure 4 is disadvantageous when a head impacts the upper end region of the cover element 14 or the adjacent region of the front flap 1. Such an impact is illustrated in the figures with the test body 12 as a substitute for a head.

[0032] In order to increase the mechanical rigidity, for example in the event of temperature fluctuations, the support structure 4 has embossments 6 and ribs 7. The cover element 14 has a first fastening means which is held in a form-fitting manner in a second fastening means 5. The first fastening means and the second fastening means 5 extend over more than 90% of the upper end region of the support structure 4. The ribs 7 lie directly against the first fastening means and thus support it. In addition, the ribs 7 are arranged on the embossments 6. This results in a particularly rigid design of the support structure 4 in the region where the cover element 14 is attached to the support structure 4.

[0033] To reduce the mechanical stiffness when a force is applied from above through the test specimen 12, openings 8 are provided in the embossed portions 6. These openings are essentially trapezoidal in shape with rounded corners. A slot-shaped opening 9 is arranged adjacent to one of the embossed portions 6. The slot-shaped opening 9 also contributes to reducing the mechanical stiffness when a force is applied from above to the support structure 4.

[0034] The ribs 7 extend outward from the upper end of the support structure 4 with their greatest extension. This results in the ribs yielding when a force is applied to the support structure from above, thus facilitating deformation of the support structure 4. Through the openings 8 and 9, the embossed portion 6 also yields when a force is applied from above, so that the openings 8 and 9 also facilitate deformation of the support structure 4 due to the force acting from above.

[0035] As a further weakening feature, the embossments 6 are conical, wherein the embossments 6 are wider in the upper end region of the support structure 4 than at the end of the embossments 6 pointing away from the upper end region. When force is applied from above by the test body 12, this enables a lateral movement of the walls of the embossments, so that the test body 12 can deform the support structure 4 more easily.

[0036] At the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a predetermined breaking line 10 is arranged in the upper end region of the support structure 4, which can be formed, for example, as a thinned material. Due to the predetermined breaking line 10, a crack occurs between the second fastening means 5 and the embossed portion 6 when a force is applied from above, thereby reducing the mechanical rigidity of the support structure 4.

[0037] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and Fig. In the embodiments shown in Figure 8, a predetermined breaking line 11 is also provided between the embossed portion 6 and the upper end region of the support structure 4. Due to the predetermined breaking line 11, a crack occurs between the second fastening means 5 and the embossed portion 6 when a force is applied from above, thereby reducing the mechanical rigidity of the support structure 4.

[0038] In Fig. 9, the support structure 4 is shown in its undeformed state. Due to the force exerted by the test body 12 from above onto the support structure 4, the ribs 7 are bent laterally, as can be seen from the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Furthermore, the embossed portion 6 is deformed. This deformation is primarily facilitated by the openings 8 and 9.

[0039] Due to the predetermined breaking line 11, a crack 13 is created between the embossment 6 and the upper end region of the support structure 4 with the second fastening means 5. This crack simplifies the penetration of the test body 12 into the support structure.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle, comprising a front flap (1) and a front part (3), wherein the front part (3) is arranged directly below the front flap (1), wherein the front part (3) comprises a support structure (4) and a cover element (14), wherein the cover element (14) is fastened to the support structure (4) in an upper end region of the support structure (4), wherein the support structure (4) has reinforcing elements (6; 7) which increase a mechanical rigidity of the support structure (4) in the upper end region, and wherein the support structure (4) comprises at least one weakening feature (8; 9; 10; 11) which reduces the mechanical rigidity of the support structure (4) in the upper end region when a force is applied from above, characterized byin that the weakening feature (8; 9; 10; 11) comprises an orientation of the ribs (7), openings (8; 9), a conical design of the embossments (6) and / or a predetermined breaking line (10; 11) along a part of the upper end region, wherein the conically designed embossments (6) have a greater extent in a horizontal direction in the upper end region than at an end of the embossments (6) pointing away from the upper end region, wherein the cover element (14) is fastened to the support structure (4) in more than 70% of the upper end region, preferably in more than 90% of the upper end region. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the reinforcing elements (6; 7) comprise ribs (7) and / or embossments (6). [3] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the cover element (14) has a first fastening means which is positively fastened in a second fastening means (5) of the support structure (4), wherein the first and the second fastening means (5) each extend over more than 70% of the upper end region, preferably over more than 90% of the upper end region. [4] Motor vehicle according to the previous claim, characterized by that the ribs (7) rest on the second fastening means (5) and extend outwards in a transverse direction starting from the second fastening means (5). [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the ribs (7) are arranged on the embossments (6). [6] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the openings (8; 9) are arranged in the embossments (6) and / or adjacent to the embossments (6). [7] Motor vehicle according to the previous claim, characterized bythat a first of the openings (8; 9) arranged in one of the embossments (6) has a ratio between its width and its length which is closer to 1 than a ratio between a width and a length of a second of the openings (8; 9) arranged adjacent to the embossments (6). [8] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the reinforcing elements (6; 7) increase a mechanical rigidity of the support structure (4), in particular of the upper end region of the support structure (4), in the event of temperature fluctuations.

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