Front-end structure for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle with a corresponding front-end structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a front-end structure (100) for a motor vehicle, with - a right deformation element and a left deformation element (120); and - a cross member (110) connecting the right and left deformation elements (120) and arranged in front of them in the direction of travel (F); wherein the right and left deformation elements (120) each have a deformation section (121) and a connecting section (122) arranged behind it for connection with a right longitudinal member and left longitudinal member (220) of the motor vehicle, respectively. According to the invention, at least one of the deformation elements (120) has a plate element (130) fixedly attached to it, which serves on the one hand as a mounting stop for connection with the longitudinal member (220) and on the other hand as a support part for attaching at least one further component (140, 150) to the front-end structure (100). The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a corresponding front-end structure (100).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a front-end structure for a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle with a corresponding front-end structure.

[0002] From DE 10 2022 126 993 B3, a front-end structure for a motor vehicle is already known, comprising a right and a left deformation element and a cross member connecting the right and left deformation elements, as well as a radiator arranged between the right and left deformation elements. The front-end structure can include further components, including right and left air ducts and an air flap control arranged between them, as well as support and strut elements. The cross member is connected to a right longitudinal member and a left longitudinal member of the motor vehicle via the deformation elements, with the connection being effected by lateral bolting.

[0003] From the nearest patent application DE 10 2008 029 271 A1, a front-end structure for a passenger vehicle is known which, in the words of claim 1, comprises the following components: - a right deformation element and a left deformation element; - a cross member that connects the right and left deformation elements and is arranged in the direction of travel in front of the right and left deformation elements; wherein the right deformation element has a deformation section and a connecting section arranged behind it in the direction of travel for connection with a right longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, and the left deformation element has a deformation section and a connecting section arranged behind it in the direction of travel for connection with a left longitudinal member of the motor vehicle, wherein at least one of the deformation elements has a plate element permanently attached to it, which is intended on the one hand as a mounting stop for the connection with the longitudinal beam and on the other hand as a support part for the attachment of another component, namely a mounting bracket e.g. for a radiator, to the front structure.

[0004] For the state of the art, reference is also made to DE 10 2008 039 315 A1 and DE 10 2010 026 707 A1.

[0005] According to the invention, a front-end structure and a motor vehicle comprising the front-end structure, in particular a passenger car, are proposed with the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments of the invention are described analogously for both subject matter of the invention in the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (including optional and exemplary features), and the figures.

[0006] The front-end structure according to the invention, which can also be referred to as the front-end module, comprises: - a right-hand deformation element, i.e., located on the right side of the vehicle, and a left-hand deformation element, i.e., located on the left side of the vehicle; and - a cross member that directly or indirectly connects the right and left deformation elements (in the transverse direction or width direction of the vehicle) and is arranged in the direction of travel in front of the right and left deformation elements.

[0007] The deformation elements, also known as crash boxes, are designed to dissipate crash energy through deformation in the event of a frontal collision. The deformation elements are preferably made of metal, particularly aluminum or steel. They are primarily manufactured as die-cast aluminum parts. The right and left deformation elements, especially in one-piece designs, each feature a deformation section for dissipating crash energy and a connecting section located behind it in the direction of travel for connection to a right or left longitudinal member of the vehicle, respectively. That is, the connecting section of the right deformation element is for connection to a right longitudinal member, and the connecting section of the left deformation element is for connection to a left longitudinal member of the vehicle, respectively.whose body structure is provided.

[0008] Typically, in vehicle manufacturing, the front end structure is pre-assembled. The pre-assembled front end structure is then connected as a whole to the body structure, specifically the longitudinal members, via the connecting sections of the deformation elements. Integrating further components, and in particular as many components as possible, into the pre-assembly of the front end structure offers many advantages, especially reducing the need for more complex subsequent assembly steps.

[0009] According to the invention, at least one of the deformation elements has a plate element fixedly attached to it, which on the one hand serves as a mounting stop for the connection with the relevant longitudinal beam, i.e. with the right or left longitudinal beam, and on the other hand as a support part for attaching at least one further component to the front structure, or is provided for this purpose.

[0010] Preferably, a plate element of this type is fixedly attached to both the right and left deformation elements. The following explanations then apply analogously to both deformation elements and their respective associated plate elements.

[0011] The plate element provided according to the invention enables, firstly, the simple attachment of even larger components to the front-end structure during pre-assembly and, secondly, simplifies the connection of the pre-assembled front-end structure to the body structure or the longitudinal members. Furthermore, the multiple functions of the plate element provided according to the invention reduce costs and effort.

[0012] Preferably, the plate element is, at least predominantly, essentially flat. The plate element is preferably made of sheet metal, in particular aluminum or steel sheet metal, and can have a sheet thickness of at least 4.0 mm and preferably at most 6.0 mm.

[0013] Preferably, the plate element is oriented essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the deformation element. In other words, the deformation element extends essentially perpendicular to the plate element attached to it.

[0014] According to the invention, the plate element is arranged between the deformation section and the connecting section of the deformation element. Thus, the plate element has no significant influence on the deformation behavior of the deformation section. It is also preferred that the deformation section is free of interfering contours and, in particular, that no other connections (e.g., in the form of brackets, screws, weld nuts, etc.) are present in the deformation section in order to avoid any associated influence on the deformation behavior. This achieves effective crash performance without an additional length that would lead to an overhang.

[0015] Preferably, the plate element is designed with an opening or cutout (with a closed cut line) and is placed over the deformation element, such that the deformation element extends through the plate element or its opening. Preferably, the opening in the plate element corresponds to the outer circumference of the deformation element, so that there is a substantially complete positive fit between the plate element or its opening and the deformation element. The deformation element has, in particular, a substantially rectangular cross-section or corresponding outer circumference, and the opening in the plate element is then, in particular, designed with a corresponding rectangular contour (see figures).

[0016] Preferably, the plate element is welded and / or bolted to the deformation element. As already mentioned, the deformation element is preferably made of aluminum or steel, and the plate element is preferably made of aluminum or steel sheet, so that welding is generally possible, provided the material conditions are met.

[0017] The other component attached to the front-end structure by means of the plate element is the vehicle's cooling system (vehicle radiator). Preferably, the cooling system is attached to the plate element by means of several, preferably two, mounting elements (brackets), in particular by means of an upper and a lower mounting element. This ensures a very stable attachment of the cooling system to the front-end structure. Furthermore, vibration isolation and acoustic decoupling are improved. The mounting elements can be made of plastic, including fiber-reinforced plastic, or metal, in particular aluminum or steel. The attachment can be effected, in particular, using screws.

[0018] Another component attached to the front-end structure by means of the plate element can also be a mounting bracket for a hood lock (for the front of the vehicle). The mounting bracket can be made of plastic, including fiber-reinforced plastic, or metal, in particular aluminum or steel. The fastening can be achieved, in particular, using screws.

[0019] According to the invention, the connecting sections of both deformation elements are designed for lateral bolting to the respective longitudinal member. This means that the connection of the deformation elements or their connecting sections to the longitudinal members of the vehicle is achieved by a bolting operation extending in the transverse or width direction (y-direction) of the vehicle (y-bolting). Preferably, the connecting sections are equipped with screw sleeves for lateral bolting. The lateral bolting allows for the addition of further components to a pre-assembled front-end structure (e.g., radiator assembly including air duct components and hood lock mounting bracket, as described above, as well as, optionally, bumper trim, radiator grille, headlights, front apron, design elements, etc.).), which can also be positioned in previously unobstructed areas, particularly accessibility zones, for conventional front-end bolting. In other words, usable degrees of freedom are created for construction and design. Furthermore, especially in conjunction with the at least one plate element acting as an assembly stop, the automated connection of the pre-assembled front-end structure to the body structure is simplified.

[0020] Within the scope of the invention, both the features described above and those explained below are applicable not only in the specified combination of features, but also in other combinations or individually. This also applies to the features shown in the figures.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below in a non-restrictive manner with reference to the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows the left-hand area of ​​a front-end structure according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows the same area of ​​the front structure in a rear view. Fig. Figure 3 shows the connection of the pre-assembled front end structure from Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the body structure of a motor vehicle.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows the left-hand section of a front-end structure 100. The right-hand section of the front-end structure 100 can be essentially mirror-symmetrical to the left-hand section shown with respect to the vehicle's longitudinal axis (x-axis). The left deformation element 120, with a substantially rectangular cross-section, is shown. It comprises a deformation section 121 and a connecting section 122 arranged behind it in the direction of travel F. Also visible is the cross member 110, arranged in front of it in the direction of travel F, which connects the left deformation element 120 to the right deformation element on the other side of the vehicle. The cross member 110 extends in the transverse or width direction of the vehicle (y-direction) and is connected to the deformation elements in a suitable manner, e.g., by welding.

[0023] A plate element 130 is fixedly attached to the left deformation element 120 shown. Preferably, such a plate element is also provided on the right deformation element (not shown) (the following explanations apply analogously).

[0024] The plate element 130, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the deformation element 120 and, in particular, in a y / z plane (of the vehicle coordinate system), is formed with an opening 131 through which the deformation element 120 penetrates, the plate element 130 being arranged between the deformation section 121 and the connecting section 122. The plate element 130 has two rearwardly shaped, flange-like projections 133 extending away from the deformation section 121 at the opening 131, which bear against the upper surface (top flange) and the lower surface (bottom flange) of the connecting section 122. The plate element 130 can be welded and / or bolted to the deformation element 120, more precisely to its connecting section 122, via these projections, with the side surfaces of the connecting section 122 being designed with regard to the connection to a longitudinal beam (see Figure 1). Fig. 3) remain free and also the deformation section 121 remains free of interference contours.

[0025] The plate element 130 serves on the one hand as a mounting stop for connection to a longitudinal beam of the motor vehicle (see Fig. 3) and, on the other hand, as a support element for attaching further components to the front-end structure 100. In the illustrated embodiment, further components include a mounting bracket 140 for a front hood lock 145 and a cooling unit 150 including a fan and air duct 151. The cooling unit 150 is attached to the plate element 130 by means of an upper retaining element 160 and a lower retaining element 170, the attachment of the upper retaining element 160 being carried out together with the mounting bracket 140. Elastic bearing elements (cooler bearings) 181, 182, which are designed as rubber bearings, are also provided for connecting the cooling unit 150 to the retaining elements 160, 170.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows, omitting the air duct 151 belonging to the radiator assembly 150 and other details, the connection of the left deformation element 120 to the left longitudinal member 220 of a body structure 200. The connecting section 122 of the deformation element 120 is inserted into the longitudinal member 220, which is designed as a hollow member, with the plate element 130 acting as a stop, and is screwed laterally (i.e., in the y-direction) to the longitudinal member 220 (y-bolt connection). The screw connection can be made, for example, through the wheel arch or wheel well. Three screws 191 are provided as an example, for which the connecting section 122 of the deformation element 120 is equipped with a corresponding number of screw sleeves 192 (see Fig. 2) Preferably, the connection of the right deformation element with the right longitudinal beam is essentially identical or mirror-symmetrical.

[0027] Further features and embodiments of the invention are described above.

Claims

[1] Front-end structure (100) for a motor vehicle, with - a right deformation element and a left deformation element (120); and - a cross member (110) that connects the right and left deformation elements (120) and is arranged in the direction of travel (F) in front of the right and left deformation elements (120); wherein the right deformation element has a deformation section and a connecting section arranged behind it in the direction of travel (F) for connection with a right longitudinal member of the motor vehicle and the left deformation element (120) has a deformation section (121) and a connecting section (122) arranged behind it in the direction of travel (F) for connection with a left longitudinal member (220) of the motor vehicle, wherein the connecting sections (122) of the deformation elements (120) are designed for lateral screwing to the respective longitudinal beam (220), wherein at least one of the deformation elements (120) has a plate element (130) fixedly attached to it, which on the one hand serves as a mounting stop for the connection with the longitudinal member (220) and on the other hand as a support part for the attachment of at least one further component, namely a cooling device (150), to the front body structure (100), wherein the plate element (130) is arranged between the deformation section (121) and the connecting section (122) of the deformation element (120) designed for lateral screwing. [2] Front body structure (100) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the plate element (130) is oriented essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the deformation element (120). [3] Front-end structure (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the plate element (130) is formed with an opening (131) and is placed over the deformation element (120) so that the deformation element (120) extends through the opening (131) in the plate element (130). [4] Front-end structure (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the plate element (130) is welded and / or screwed to the deformation element (120). [5] Front-end structure (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the cooling device (150) is attached to the plate element (130) by means of an upper retaining element (160) and a lower retaining element (170). [6] Front-end structure (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that as a further component attached to the front structure (100) by means of the plate element (130) a mounting bracket (140) for a front flap lock (145) is also present. [7] motor vehicle, characterized bythat the motor vehicle comprises the front structure (100) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Motor vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by that the motor vehicle is a passenger car.

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