Body assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a body assembly (100) for a motor vehicle (200), comprising: an outer skin element (1) with a projecting cantilever section (1.1), and a pedestrian protection device (2) for bending the cantilever section (1.1) in the event of an accident, wherein the pedestrian protection device (2) comprises: a plate-shaped bending definition element (2.1) which is attached to an inner surface (1.1.1) of the cantilever section (1.1) and has at least one predetermined bending point (2.1.2), a tensile force transmission means (2.2) which is attached to a first end region (2.1.3) of the bending definition element (2.1) which faces a free end (1.1.2) of the cantilever section (1.1), and a pulling device (2.5) which is configured to exert a tensile force on the tensile force transmission means (2.2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a body assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: an outer skin element, specifically an outer skin element with a projecting cantilever section, and a pedestrian protection device.

[0002] From DE 10 2019 115 338 A1 a body assembly for a motor vehicle is known, comprising an outer skin element and a pedestrian protection device for forming the outer skin element.

[0003] From JP 2011 - 57 070 A, a body assembly for a motor vehicle is known, comprising an outer skin element with a projecting cantilever section and a pedestrian protection device for forming the outer skin element.

[0004] From JP 2010 - 208 484 A, a body assembly for a motor vehicle is known, comprising an outer skin element with a projecting cantilever section and a pedestrian protection device for moving the outer skin element, wherein the pedestrian protection device has a tensile force transmission means designed as a cable.

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of achieving relatively good pedestrian protection in a vehicle that comprises an outer skin element with a projecting cantilever section.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by a body assembly for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1.

[0007] The body assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises an outer skin element, i.e., an element forming an outer surface of the vehicle. The outer skin element typically consists of sheet steel or aluminum, but can also be made of plastic. According to the invention, the outer skin element has a projecting cantilever section, i.e., an elongated section supported on one side. The cantilever section is often tapered to a point at its free end.

[0008] The body assembly according to the invention for a motor vehicle further comprises a pedestrian protection device which is designed to bend the cantilever section in the event of an accident and thereby reduce the risk of serious injuries to a pedestrian caused by the protruding cantilever section.

[0009] According to the invention, the pedestrian protection device comprises a plate-shaped, i.e., relatively thin and planar, bending definition element, which is attached to an inner surface of the cantilever section. Preferably, the bending definition element is shaped to follow a contour of the cantilever section. According to the invention, the bending definition element has at least one predetermined bending point defined by a local structural weakening of the bending definition element. Preferably, the bending definition element has several predetermined bending points.

[0010] According to the invention, the pedestrian protection device further comprises a tensile force transmission means, i.e., a means suitable for transmitting a tensile force. The tensile force transmission means is attached to a first end region of the bending definition element, which faces a free end of the cantilever section. The tensile force transmission means is oriented such that a tensile force transmitted by the tensile force transmission means to the first end region of the bending definition element has a force component directed towards a base body of the outer skin element, so that the first end region of the bending definition element, and thus the free end of the cantilever section, is pulled "backwards" by the tensile force in the direction of the base body.In this process, the bending definition element and thus also the cantilever section buckle at the predetermined buckling points of the bending definition element, thereby bending the cantilever section inwards towards the base body of the outer skin element and thus reducing the risk of injury to a pedestrian emanating from the protruding cantilever section.

[0011] According to the invention, the pedestrian protection device further comprises a pulling device configured to exert a pulling force sufficient to bend the cantilever section onto the pulling force transmission means. Preferably, the pulling device is arranged at an end of the pulling force transmission means facing away from the cantilever section.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the bending definition element is made of a plastic. However, the bending definition element can also be made of another material, for example, a metal.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one predetermined bending point of the bending definition element is defined by at least one notch in the bending definition element, which results in a local structural weakening of the bending definition element. Preferably, each predetermined bending point is defined by two coaxial notches formed on opposite sides of the bending definition element. However, the at least one predetermined bending point can also be defined in another way, for example, by a groove or opening in the bending definition element.

[0014] Preferably, the bending definition element comprises several mutually parallel predetermined bending points to enable a relatively edge-free bending of the cantilever section.

[0015] Preferably, the bending definition element is bonded to the cantilever section, with the entire contact surface between the bending definition element and the cantilever section preferably being coated with adhesive to achieve full-surface bonding. However, the bending definition element can also be attached to the cantilever section in any other way; for example, it could also be welded to the cantilever section.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the tensile force transmission means is a rope, particularly preferably a wire rope or a synthetic fiber rope. However, the tensile force transmission means can also be any other means suitable for transmitting a tensile force, for example a rod or a linkage.

[0017] Preferably, a Bowden cable device is arranged at a second end region of the bending definition element, which is turned away from the free end of the cantilever section, in which the tensile force transmission means is guided and which forms a counter bearing to support the tensile force transmitted via the tensile force transmission means.

[0018] Preferably, the towing device is attached to the outer skin element, so that the towing device can be easily pre-assembled on the outer skin element and then mounted on the motor vehicle together with the outer skin element.

[0019] Preferably, the pulling device is pyrotechnically actuated in order to enable a particularly rapid provision of pulling force in the event of an accident and thus a particularly rapid bending of the cantilever section.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the pulling device comprises two pyrotechnic linear actuators aligned parallel to each other and a connecting rod, wherein the connecting rod is rigidly connected to a piston rod of both the first and the second pyrotechnic linear actuator. The pulling force transmission means is attached to the connecting rod, such that, in the event of ignition of both pyrotechnic linear actuators, the connecting rod is moved by the piston rods of the pyrotechnic linear actuators, thereby exerting a pulling force on the pulling force transmission means.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 schematically a motor vehicle with a body assembly according to the invention, Fig. 2 schematically a body assembly according to the invention, Fig. 3 schematically a cantilever section of an outer skin element with a bending definition element of a pedestrian protection device of the body assembly according to the invention attached thereto, and Fig. 4 schematically a pulling device of the pedestrian protection device of the body assembly according to the invention.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a motor vehicle 200 with a body assembly 100 according to the invention.

[0023] The body assembly 100 comprises an outer skin element 1, which in the present embodiment is a fender 201 of the motor vehicle 200, and which together with a hood 202 and a bumper 203 encloses a headlight 204 of the motor vehicle 200.

[0024] The outer skin element 1 includes a tapered, projecting cantilever section 1.1, which encloses the headlight 104 on a top surface.

[0025] The body assembly group 100 also includes - as in Fig. 2 shown - a pedestrian protection device 2 for bending the cantilever section 1.1 of the outer skin element 1 in the event of an accident.

[0026] The pedestrian protection device 2 comprises a plate-shaped bending definition element 2.1, which consists of a plastic and is attached to an inner surface 1.1.1 of the cantilever section 1.1 by means of full-surface bonding.

[0027] The bending definition element 2.1 is - as in Fig. 3 shown in more detail - basically shaped following the contour of the cantilever section 1.1, but has several notches 2.1.1 on its upper surface and on its lower surface, whereby several parallel predetermined buckling points 2.1.2 of the bending definition element 2.1 are defined in these areas by the pairwise opposing notches 2.1.1 and the resulting structural weakening of the bending definition element 2.1.

[0028] For the sake of clarity, in Fig. 3. Only the outermost notches 2.1.1 and predetermined bending points 2.1.2 are marked with a reference sign.

[0029] The pedestrian protection device 2 further comprises a tensile force transmission means 2.2, designed in the present embodiment as a rope, which is attached via a fastening device 2.3 to a first end region 2.1.3 of the bending definition element 2.1, which faces a free end 1.1.2 of the cantilever section 1.1.

[0030] A Bowden cable device 2.4 is arranged at a second end region 2.1.4 of the bending definition element 2.1, which is located away from the free end 1.1.2 of the cantilever section 1.1, in which the tensile force transmission means 2.2 is guided.

[0031] The pedestrian protection device 2 further comprises a pyrotechnically actuated pulling device 2.5, which is attached to the outer skin element 1 and which is designed to exert a pulling force on the pulling force transmission means 2.2.

[0032] The towing device 2.5 comprises - as in Fig.Figure 4 shows two parallel pyrotechnic linear actuators 2.5.1, each comprising a housing 2.5.1.1 and a piston rod 2.5.1.2, wherein the piston rod 2.5.1.2 can be extended from the housing 2.5.1.1 by igniting a pyrotechnic charge.

[0033] The pulling device 2.5 further comprises a connecting rod 2.5.2, which is firmly connected to the piston rods 2.5.1.2 of the two pyrotechnic linear actuators 2.5.1 via connecting devices 2.5.3 arranged at the end of the piston rods 2.5.1.2.

[0034] The traction force transmission means 2.2 is attached to the connecting rod 2.5.2 of the traction device 2.5, so that a traction force can be exerted on the traction force transmission means 2.2 by igniting the two pyrotechnic linear actuators 2.5.1. Reference symbol list 100 Body assembly 1 outer skin element 1.1 Cantilever section 1.1.1 Interior surface 1.1.2 free end 2 Pedestrian protection device 2.1 Bending definition element 2.1.1 Cutouts 2.1.2 Control points 2.1.3 first end area 2.1.4 second end area 2.2 Traction transmission devices 2.3 Fastening device 2.4 Bowden cable system 2.5 Towing device 2.5.1 pyrotechnic linear actuators 2.5.1.1 Housing 2.5.1.2 Piston rod 2.5.2 Connecting rod 2.5.3 Connection facilities 200 motor vehicles 201 fenders 202 Hood 203 Bumper 204 headlights

Claims

[1] Body assembly (100) for a motor vehicle (200), comprising: an outer skin element (1) with a projecting cantilever section (1.1), and a pedestrian protection device (2) for bending the cantilever section (1.1) in the event of an accident, wherein the pedestrian protection device (2) has: a plate-shaped bending definition element (2.1) which is attached to an inner surface (1.1.1) of the cantilever section (1.1) and has at least one predetermined buckling point (2.1.2), a tensile force transmission means (2.2) which is attached to a first end region (2.1.3) of the bending definition element (2.1) which faces a free end (1.1.2) of the cantilever section (1.1), and a pulling device (2.5) which is designed to exert a pulling force on the pulling force transmission means (2.2). [2] Body assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein the bending definition element (2.1) is made of a plastic. [3] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one predetermined bending point (2.1.2) is defined by at least one notch (2.1.1) of the bending definition element (2.1). [4] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending definition element (2.1) has several parallel predetermined bending points (2.1.2). [5] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the bending definition element (2.1) is bonded to the cantilever section (1.1). [6] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the traction force transmission means (2.2) is a rope. [7] Body assembly (100) according to claim 6, wherein a Bowden cable device (2.4) is arranged at a second end region (2.1.4) of the bending definition element (2.1) which is turned away from the free end (1.1.2) of the cantilever section (1.1) in which the tensile force transmission means (2.2) is guided. [8] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pulling device (2.5) is attached to the outer skin element (1). [9] Body assembly (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the towing device (2.5) is pyrotechnically actuated. [10] Body assembly (100) according to claim 9, wherein the pulling device (2.5) comprises two parallel oriented pyrotechnic linear actuators (2.5.1) and a connecting rod (2.5.2), wherein the connecting rod (2.5.2) is connected to a piston rod (2.5.1.2) of each of the two pyrotechnic linear actuators (2.5.1), and wherein the pulling force transmission means (2.2) is attached to the connecting rod (2.5.2).

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