fender for a motor vehicle

Abstract

fender (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fender front section (11); a load introduction element (12); wherein the load introduction element (12) is arranged on the fender front section (11); wherein the load introduction element (12) is configured to come into contact with a counterpart element (31, 32, 51) of a bonnet (30, 50) at least as a result of an impact at a common contact surface and to introduce a load into the fender front section (11), wherein the fender front section (11) is configured to deform in a preferred direction (18) due to the introduced load, so that exposure of the fender front section (11) is prevented during the impact.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fender for a motor vehicle, a system comprising such a fender, and a motor vehicle.

[0002] Fenders are a well-known design. A fender is a part of a motor vehicle that surrounds the wheels and serves to deflect dirt, water, and stones. Fenders can be made of metal and / or plastic. The fenders on the front axle of a motor vehicle are bordered at the front by the hood and the front bumper. The fender tapers to a point at the front. In a collision with a pedestrian, this can potentially lead to unfavorable deformation of the hood, exposing the fender and creating a hazard for the pedestrian.

[0003] CN 205396228 U discloses a vehicle front fender support element with a damper that increases the stiffness of the front fender and absorbs energy in a collision with a pedestrian. CN 206278165 U discloses a fender bracket that deforms in a controlled manner in a collision with a pedestrian to reduce injury.

[0004] In this context, it has now become apparent that there is a need to provide a fender for a motor vehicle. In particular, there is a need to provide an improved fender.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to eliminate, or at least partially eliminate, the disadvantages of motor vehicle fenders described above. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved motor vehicle fender.

[0006] The aforementioned problem is solved by the claims. In particular, the problem is solved by a fender for a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a system having the features of independent claim 11 and by a motor vehicle having the features of independent claim 12. Features described in connection with the fender according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the system and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa, so that the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention always makes, or can make, reciprocal references.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a fender for a motor vehicle is provided, comprising a fender front area and a load introduction element, wherein the load introduction element is arranged on the fender front area, wherein the load introduction element is configured to come into contact with a counterpart element of a hood at least as a result of an impact at a common contact surface and to introduce a load into the fender front area, wherein the fender front area is configured to deform in a preferred direction due to the introduced load, so that exposure of the fender front area is prevented upon impact.

[0008] The term fender refers to a structural component that surrounds the wheels of a motor vehicle and serves to deflect dirt, water, and stones. In this context, the term fender specifically refers to a front fender. The fender can be bordered by the front bumper and the hood. Fenders can be made of metal and / or plastic.

[0009] The term "front fender area" refers to the section that extends from the front end of the fender towards the rear along the length of the vehicle. The front fender area encompasses the tip of the fender. This area can extend, for example, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm, or 20 cm from the front end towards the rear along the length of the vehicle.

[0010] The term load introduction element preferably refers to a structural component that can absorb a load and transfer it to the front of the fender. The load introduction element can be made of plastic and / or metal. It can be a single piece or multiple pieces. The load introduction element can be positively connected, materially connected, or frictionally connected to the front of the fender. The load introduction element is preferably located on an inner side area of ​​the front of the fender that is only accessible when the hood is open. When the hood is closed, the load introduction element can be in contact with a counterpart element of the hood or be spaced apart from it.In the event of an impact on the hood, the hood can deform, bringing the load introduction element into contact with the counterpart element of the hood.

[0011] In this context, the term contact surface refers to an area between the load introduction element and the counterpart element, which can be in contact with each other, at least during an impact.

[0012] The term "counterpart element" refers to an area on the inside of the hood that faces the load introduction element when the hood is closed. The counterpart element can be a flat, sloping, or curved surface on the inside of the hood. Alternatively, the counterpart element can be a structural element projecting from the inner surface of the hood into the engine compartment, such as a cylinder. This projecting structural element can have a flat, curved, or sloping surface.

[0013] In this context, the term "preferred direction" refers specifically to a direction vertically downwards and / or towards the engine compartment. The front of the fender can deform when force is applied from above or from an oblique angle towards the engine compartment.

[0014] The invention is based on the understanding that in collisions with pedestrians, the hood and / or the front bumper can deform in such a way that the front of the fender can be exposed and potentially come into direct contact with the pedestrian. This can pose an additional danger to the pedestrian. The invention proposes attaching a load introduction element to the front of the fender. In a collision, the impact with the pedestrian allows the hood to transmit a force to the front of the fender during deformation through its contact with the load introduction element. The front of the fender preferably deforms in the direction of the load introduction; for example, downwards in the case of flat contact surfaces and towards the engine compartment in the case of angled contact surfaces. This prevents the front of the fender, and in particular the fender tip, from being exposed.The front section of the fender can then deform towards the engine compartment, preventing it from being exposed. This can significantly reduce the potential danger to a pedestrian in certain impact situations.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, in a fender the load introduction element can have an inclined surface on the common contact surface and / or the counterpart element can have an inclined surface on the common contact surface, so that the front part of the fender deforms in the preferred direction due to the load.

[0016] The inclined surface allows the load to be applied in a directed manner, thus resulting in a more favorable deformation direction of the front fender area in the event of a collision. The hood naturally has inclined surfaces on its inner side. By positioning the load application element below such an inclined surface, this preferred direction of deformation can be achieved. This preferred direction can be further enhanced by having an inclined surface on both the load element and the counterpart element. Overall, this can have a beneficial effect on reducing the potential for damage.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the load introduction element of a fender can be arranged to project into an interior area of ​​the hood when the hood is closed.

[0018] In other words, the load introduction element extends vertically beyond the front of the fender. This eliminates the need for any structural modifications to the hood, which can have a positive impact on manufacturing costs.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment of a fender, the load introduction element cannot project beyond the upper surface of the fender's front area in a vertical direction.

[0020] In this case, the counterpart element can preferably protrude below the top of the front fender area when the hood is closed.

[0021] This way, a disruptive contour on the front of the fender can be avoided, which can pose a potential hazard, for example, during maintenance work with the hood open.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, in the case of a fender, the counterpart element can be part of a surface of an inner area of ​​the hood and / or the counterpart element can project from an inner area of ​​the hood towards the load introduction element.

[0023] If the counterpart element is part of the surface of the inner hood area, modification of the hood can be avoided. This can reduce costs. If the counterpart element projects towards the load introduction element, the load introduction element can be designed to be correspondingly short so that it does not present an obstruction when the hood is open.

[0024] Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the load introduction element of a fender can comprise a spring sheet element.

[0025] The spring-loaded sheet metal element allows for the cost-effective implementation of a load introduction element. For example, the spring-loaded sheet metal element can be inexpensively connected to the front of the fender using a welding process.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the load introduction element of a fender can comprise a buffer element. The buffer element can be arranged in the area of ​​the contact surface with the counterpart element. The buffer element can be made of plastic.

[0027] In this way, load introduction can be advantageously improved. Furthermore, force can be absorbed. The buffer element can be arranged on the load introduction element in a material-bonded, force-bonded, or form-fit manner.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the load introduction element of a fender can also be connected to the front of the fender via a weld, a rivet, an adhesive bond and / or a screw connection.

[0029] One of the attachment points allows the force to be advantageously transferred to the front of the fender, enabling it to deform in a preferred direction. The weld seam allows for high force transmission. Riveting and bolting allow for the joining of different materials. Adhesive bonding offers a cost-effective joining option.

[0030] According to a further preferred embodiment, the load introduction element of a fender can have a ratio of extension length to extension width in a range of 2 to 3, in particular 2.5.

[0031] In this way, a compact yet efficient load introduction element can be realized.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the front area of ​​the fender can be unreinforced.

[0033] Fenders have reinforcements in some areas. In this case, the area in front of the fender is explicitly to be designed without reinforcement.

[0034] In this way, it can advantageously be ensured that the front of the fender deforms favorably even in the case of minor impacts and thus does not negatively affect the pedestrian.

[0035] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a system comprising at least one fender described in more detail above and a hood with a counterpart element. Preferably, the system comprises two fenders described in more detail above, each with a counterpart element in the hood.

[0036] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one fender and / or a system as described above.

[0037] All disclosures and embodiments described herein relate to the fender, system, and motor vehicle described above, and vice versa. Advantageously, the advantages offered by one embodiment and example also apply to all other embodiments and examples, and vice versa.

[0038] They each show schematically: Fig. 1 a representation of a fender according to the invention, Fig. 2 a representation of the inside of a bonnet and Fig. 3 a section of the illustration of the inside of the hood.

[0039] Fig. Figure 1 shows a representation of a fender 10 according to the invention. In this case, the fender 10 is the right fender on the front axle. The same fender is preferably also arranged on the left front axle. The fender 10 has a load introduction element 12 in its front fender region 11. In this case, the load introduction element 12 comprises a spring steel element 13. A buffer element 14 is also attached to the tip of the load introduction element 12. The load introduction element 12 is arranged on an inner side of the front fender region 11 via a welded connection. The load introduction element 12 projects vertically beyond the front fender region 11. Also shown in this case are the engine compartment 15, the front apron 16, and a pedestrian 17. The hood is omitted. The load introduction element 12 would project into the hood if it were closed.Furthermore, it is evident that in a collision with pedestrian 17, the hood 30 and front apron 16 would be dented. In the event of such a collision, the hood, in particular the counterpart element within the hood, would exert a force on the load introduction element, thus deforming the load introduction element 12, along with the front fender section 11, in direction 18. Direction 18 points towards the engine compartment 15. In this way, the potential danger in a collision can be reduced in this case, as the pointed front fender section is bent away from the pedestrian.

[0040] Fig. Figure 2 shows the inside of a hood 30. The areas for the counterpart elements 31 and 32 in the hood 30 are also shown. These are located above the respective reinforcement element.

[0041] Fig.Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the engine hood 50. Here it is clearly visible that the counterpart element 51 is an inclined surface 52 in the interior of the engine hood 53, or rather, on an inner side of the engine hood 50. The inclined surface 52 allows for a preferred direction of impact towards the engine compartment in the event of a collision. Reference symbol list 10 fenders 11 Front fender area 12 Load introduction element 13 Spring sheet element 14 Buffer element 15 Engine compartment 16 Front apron 17 pedestrians 18 Preferred direction 30, 50 bonnet 31, 32, 51 counterpart element 52 inclined surface 53 Hood interior QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] CN 205396228 U

[0003] CN 206278165 U

[0003]

Claims

fender (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fender front section (11); a load introduction element (12); wherein the load introduction element (12) is arranged on the fender front section (11); wherein the load introduction element (12) is configured to come into contact with a counterpart element (31, 32, 51) of a bonnet (30, 50) at least as a result of an impact at a common contact surface and to introduce a load into the fender front section (11), wherein the fender front section (11) is configured to deform in a preferred direction (18) due to the introduced load, so that exposure of the fender front section (11) is prevented during the impact. Mudguard (10) according to claim 1, wherein the load introduction element (12) has an inclined surface on the common contact surface and / or the counterpart element (31, 32, 51) has an inclined surface (52) on the common contact surface, such that the front part of the mudguard (11) deforms in the preferred direction (18) due to the load. fender (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the load introduction element (12) is arranged to project into an inner hood area (53) when the hood (30, 50) is closed. fender (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load introduction element (12) does not project in a vertical direction beyond a top surface of the fender front area (11). fender (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counterpart element (31, 32, 51) is part of a surface of an inner bonnet area (53) of the bonnet (30, 50) and / or wherein the counterpart element projects from an inner bonnet area (53) of the bonnet (30, 50) towards the load introduction element (12). mudguard (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load introduction element (12) comprises a spring sheet element (13). Mudguard (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load introduction element (12) comprises a buffer element (14). fender (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load introduction element (12) is connected to the front part of the fender (11) via a weld, rivet, bond and / or screw connection. Mudguard (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the load introduction element (12) has a ratio of extension length to extension width in a range of 2 to 3, in particular 2.

5. fender (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front part of the fender (11) is unreinforced. System comprising at least one fender (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and a hood (30, 50) with a counterpart element (31, 32, 51). Motor vehicle comprising at least one fender (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and / or a system according to claim 11.

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