VEHICLE WITH FRONT-SIDED STEP ARRANGEMENT, ESPECIALLY VIEWED ACROSS THE VEHICLE, OFF-CENTER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with a front-mounted step arrangement, in particular arranged off-center on the vehicle and / or in the area of ​​an opening arranged in a bumper cover.

[0002] The invention relates primarily to motor vehicles, specifically taller vehicles with a height exceeding 1.80 m, particularly more than 2.00 m, 2.20 m, or 2.50 m. Reference is also made to taller vehicles with a windshield positioned close to the front of the vehicle, especially within a radius of 1.0 m. This is the case for many light commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles, such as camper vans.

[0003] Notwithstanding the foregoing, reference is made to the realization of the invention on motor vehicles known as "Flat Front Vehicles (FFV)".

[0004] The higher a motor vehicle is built, the greater the likelihood that a person of average height will no longer be able to reach the upper part of the windshield of the vehicle with their arm from the ground.

[0005] For cleaning work or ice removal, the ability to easily reach even the upper part of the windshield of a taller vehicle without additional aids is advantageous and desirable from a customer point of view.

[0006] It is common practice to provide one or more steps on taller vehicles, as described above, to allow a person to stand on them with their body weight in order to reach the upper part of the vehicle's windshield. The step is sufficiently rigid for this purpose.

[0007] From CN 211139245 U, a crossbeam composed of several individual elements is known, designed as a deformation element for the purpose of pedestrian protection. The publication refers exclusively to the crossbeam itself and does not refer to a step arrangement on a motor vehicle.

[0008] US Patent 6,634,702 B1 discloses a vehicle front-end module comprising a cross member and a lower pedestrian protection cross member extending vertically below the cross member. The lower pedestrian protection cross member is connected to the cross member via several connecting profiles extending vertically and longitudinally. No reference is made to a step arrangement.

[0009] A vehicle front-end construction described as a block frame, which is structurally similar to the vehicle front-end module from US 6,634,702 B1, is disclosed in EP 1 884 416 B1. This publication also makes no reference to a step arrangement.

[0010] From DE 10 2015 221 767 A1, a step arrangement in a motor vehicle is known, which is arranged at the front in a central vehicle area between an upper pedestrian protection crossmember and a lower bumper crossmember. The step plate is designed as a deformation element and is essentially composed of step segments arranged one behind the other, spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by a deformation path. This step arrangement requires sufficient installation space between the crossmembers to accommodate the necessary height. For this reason, the arrangement is not suitable for implementation in the outer vehicle areas when viewed in the transverse directions on most motor vehicles.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle with a front-mounted step arrangement that can be implemented, particularly with minimal installation space in the vehicle's vertical direction, also in the transverse direction, in an outer vehicle area and / or within an opening formed in a bumper cover. Furthermore, the step arrangement should be advantageously designed with regard to pedestrian protection requirements, in particular such that it complies with the provisions of UN Regulation No. 127-02.

[0012] The problem is solved according to the invention by the features of the independent claims. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in connection with the dependent claims.

[0013] A vehicle according to the invention with a front-mounted step arrangement comprises a front support structure viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a rear support structure arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind the front support structure, as well as at least one longitudinal extension element extending from the front support structure to the rear support structure. At least one of the elements is designed as a deformation structure such that an impact force acting on the front support structure from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle causes a rotational or pivoting movement of the entire step arrangement.The basic concept of the invention can therefore also be described in other words as follows: the step arrangement is designed in such a way that, in the event of an impact force acting from the front, as occurs particularly in the case of a pedestrian collision, the entire step arrangement can move backwards out of the impact area by pivoting or twisting.

[0014] Optionally, at least one of the elements is designed as a deformation structure such that an impact force acting on the front support structure from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle also causes a relative movement between the front and rear support structures. In this case, a relative movement between the front and rear support structures is enabled, and the support structure can thus move backwards by acting as a deformation element itself. Specific design possibilities for implementing the concept of the invention in a motor vehicle are described below in conjunction with the dependent claims.

[0015] Preferably, the step arrangement of a vehicle according to the invention is designed such that an impact force acting from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by a test body on the front supporting structure at a force level of a maximum of 5kN causes a penetration depth of at least 60 mm.

[0016] In a practical embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, at least two longitudinal struts extend from the front support structure to the rear support structure as longitudinal extension elements. Preferably, more than two longitudinal struts are provided, in particular at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or more longitudinal struts. This results in a ladder-like structure which, compared to a structure in which the front and rear support structures are connected by a single large-area element, exhibits very low shear stiffness. This is particularly true if the at least two longitudinal struts have only a small cross-sectional area and / or are flexibly or articulatedly attached to the front and / or rear support structures.

[0017] Alternatively, the longitudinal extension element can also be designed as a flat surface if, through longitudinally arranged elongated holes as previously described for individual longitudinal struts, only small cross-sectional areas of the longitudinal struts remaining in the element are realized, which are thus flexible for attachment to the front and / or rear supporting structure.

[0018] As an alternative to two or more longitudinal struts, a planar element can also be used as the longitudinal extension element, designed to have low shear stiffness. In this regard, a grid-like or honeycomb-like structure is particularly suitable.

[0019] In a further practical embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, the at least one longitudinal extension element is arranged to be movable relative to the front support structure and / or relative to the rear support structure. This preferably applies to each longitudinal extension element if two or more longitudinal extension elements are provided.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally to the embodiments described above, the front support structure can also be fixed in a manner that allows it to move relative to another body element. Such a design is particularly suitable for creating a predetermined bending point or a pivot-jointed arrangement of the front or rear support structure relative to another body element. In particular, a vertical support extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and / or a bumper cross member extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle can serve as the other body element. Preferably, the front support structure is attached directly to such a vertical support or such a bumper cross member. The relative mobility can be achieved, in particular, by attaching the front support structure only on one side relative to the vertical support and / or the bumper cross member.Relative mobility can be defined in particular by reducing the bending stiffness at a predetermined bending point, especially by reducing the cross-sectional profile and / or by other design measures to reduce the bending stiffness.

[0021] In another practical embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, the front and rear support structures are joined in a connecting area and jointly attached to another body element. In this respect, it is particularly advantageous if the front and rear support structures are joined in an area offset rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the front support structure. In this case, a bulkhead plate, which is arranged further rearward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to a vehicle crossmember, is particularly suitable as a body element for attachment. The distance between the bumper crossmember and the bulkhead plate typically corresponds to the effective length of a deformation element arranged between them.

[0022] In another practical embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, the front support structure is attached directly or indirectly to a bumper crossmember and / or the rear support structure is attached directly or indirectly to a bulkhead plate. In this case, a vehicle according to the invention can be implemented on a motor vehicle with relatively little design effort and little additional weight, since the bumper crossmember and the bulkhead plate are already elements of a crash management system in most vehicles. The positioning of the step arrangement is, in particular when viewed transversely to the vehicle, off-center, preferably on the outside of the deformation element of a crash management system.

[0023] With reference to the foregoing, particular emphasis is placed on vehicles in which the front and rear load-bearing structures, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, are arranged on the outside of a deformation element that extends longitudinally from a bumper crossmember to a bulkhead plate. The bulkhead plate is typically a flat component with a thickness significantly less than its length and width. The bulkhead plate is generally located at the end face of a longitudinal member and projects radially outwards from the longitudinal member, usually in all directions.

[0024] If the front and rear support structures are only fixed on one side, especially on the inside of the vehicle when viewed in the transverse direction, a connection results in which, in the event of an impact force acting on the front support structure from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a rotational or pivoting movement is caused around the respective area in which the front and rear support structures are fixed on one side.

[0025] The invention was made particularly for vehicles in which a step arrangement is to be provided within an opening formed in a bumper cover. This means that the step arrangement should be accessible by using the opening, for example, by arranging the step arrangement in the region of the lower end of the opening such that it can be used by placing a foot into the opening and then resting it downwards on the step arrangement. Reference is made in this respect to vehicles whose bumper cover has a corresponding opening and within which a step arrangement as described above is implemented.The opening preferably extends off-center in the transverse direction of the vehicle, in an outer front area, particularly in the area of ​​a right or left headlight, and in the vertical direction of the vehicle below the respective headlight and / or to the outside of a centrally arranged radiator grille. The step arrangement can also be arranged within the opening below the externally visible lower edge such that a foot can be inserted into the opening and dip slightly downwards to be placed on the step arrangement. Such an arrangement is also considered an arrangement within the opening within the meaning of the invention.

[0026] In another practical embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention, a predetermined breaking point is formed on the front support structure and / or a predetermined bending point or a pivot joint is formed on the rear support structure. Alternatively, the embodiment described above can also be implemented in reverse. In this case, a predetermined bending point or a pivot joint is formed on the front support structure and / or a predetermined breaking point is formed on the rear support structure. In such a design, it is provided that, when an impact force acts from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the predetermined bending point or the pivot joint serves as the central axis of rotation for the entire step assembly. Additionally, a low shear stiffness can be provided to allow the longitudinal extension element to collapse in order to absorb further deformation energy via the step assembly.

[0027] Further practical embodiments of the invention are described below in connection with the drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a section of the front of a motor vehicle in an isometric view with a first embodiment of a step arrangement, which is provided in an outer front area of ​​the vehicle behind the bumper cover in the area of ​​an opening formed in the bumper cover; Fig. 2 shows the front of the vehicle. Fig. 1 with an area cut away on the outside to reveal the step arrangement, Fig. 3 only the construction of the step arrangement from the Figs. 1 and 2 , Fig. 4 the step arrangement from the Figs. 1 to 3 Before the impact of a test object, Fig. 5, the step arrangement from the Figs. 1 to 3after the impact of a test object, Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a step arrangement with a front support structure which is joined to the rear support structure, Fig. 7 shows a further embodiment of a step arrangement with a front support element which is connected to the bumper cross member via a deformation element, Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a step arrangement with a predetermined breaking point in the area of ​​the front support structure and a predetermined bending point in the area of ​​the rear support structure, and Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of a step arrangement with a predetermined breaking point in the area of ​​the rear support structure and a predetermined bending point in the area of ​​the front support structure.

[0028] The Figures 1 and 2Figure 1 shows an isometric representation of a vehicle front end 10 with a front bumper cover 12, which extends essentially over the entire width of the vehicle in the transverse direction (y-direction). A headlight 14 is arranged above the bumper cover 12. As shown in Figure 1 As can be seen, an opening 16 is formed below the headlight 14 in the bumper cover 12, in which an insert element 18 is arranged.

[0029] In Figure 1 The dashed line shows a step arrangement 20, which, viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, adjoins on the outside an arrangement consisting of a bulkhead plate 22, a deformation element 24, and a bumper crossmember 26. These elements are located in the Figures 2 and 3 presented in detail and described in more detail below.

[0030] Out of Figure 1It is still evident that the step arrangement 20 is located within the opening 16 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle behind the bumper cover 12.

[0031] As from the Figures 2 and 3 As can be clearly seen, the step arrangement 20 comprises a front support structure 30, a rear support structure 32 and several longitudinal extension elements 34 in the form of longitudinal struts 36 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from the front support structure 30 to the rear support structure 32.

[0032] In Figure 3 It is clearly visible that the front support structure 30 is attached to a vertical support 38 extending in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction), which in Figure 3 The image is only partially shown. The vertical support 38 is connected to the bumper cross member 26.

[0033] The vertical support 38 extends upwards in the vehicle's vertical direction (z-direction) to an upper cross member (not shown), which extends parallel to the bumper cross member 26. This upper cross member (not shown), located above the bumper cross member 26, is also referred to as the upper pedestrian protection cross member. For the avoidance of doubt, it should be noted that the upper cross member (not shown) is not required for the realization of the invention. This is particularly evident from the wording of claim 1, which does not refer to an upper cross member.

[0034] The rear support structure 32 is connected to the bulkhead plate 22. The bulkhead plate 22, in turn, is connected to the bumper crossmember 26 via the deformation element 24.

[0035] The bumper crossmember 26, the deformation element 24, the bulkhead plate 22, and a longitudinal member (not shown) extending behind the bulkhead plate 22 form a crash management system for the vehicle. The step assembly 20 is thus formed on the outside of the crash management system as an extension of the bulkhead plate 22 and the bumper crossmember 26. The front support structure 30 forms an outer extension of the bumper crossmember 26, being offset relative to the bumper crossmember 26 by the depth of the vertical member 38 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rear support structure 32 forms an outer extension of the bulkhead plate 22.

[0036] The longitudinal struts 36 are articulated relative to the rear support structure 32, as visualized by the axes of rotation marked with arrows and a line DL. Furthermore, the connection areas of the front support structure 30 and the rear support structure 32 are functionally designed as a pivot joint, as visualized by the line DV for the front support structure 30 and the line DH for the rear support structure 32.

[0037] If an impact force acts on the front support structure 30 from the front in the longitudinal direction (x-direction) of the vehicle, as indicated by arrow A, this causes the front support structure 30 to twist about line DV and the rear support structure 32 to twist about line DH. Furthermore, the longitudinal struts 36 are twisted about axes DL, so that the step assembly 20 collapses at least partially. This results in a very low shear stiffness of the step assembly 20, which has a beneficial effect on pedestrian protection and causes the step assembly 20 to collapse even under low forces.

[0038] In the Figures 4 and 5 The functionality is clearly recognizable, whereby Figure 4 the step arrangement 20 before the impact of a test body 40 shows and Figure 5 The step arrangement 20 after the impact of the test object 40 is shown. Figure 5The position of the step arrangement 20 before the impact of the test body 40 is also shown in dashed lines.

[0039] It can be seen that the front support structure 30 has moved closer to the rear support structure 32 by changing the angle of the longitudinal struts 36 by twisting relative to the front support structure 30 and the rear support structure 32.

[0040] In the Figures 6 to 9 Further embodiments of step arrangement 20 are shown, wherein identical or at least functionally equivalent elements are represented by the same reference numerals as in the Figures 1 to 5 be used.

[0041] At the in Figure 6In the arrangement shown, the front support structure 30 and the rear support structure 32 are joined together, resulting in only one axis of rotation about line DH. Furthermore, only one longitudinal extension element 34 is provided between the front support structure 30 and the rear support structure 32, which has several elongated holes 42 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This gives the longitudinal extension element 34 reduced shear stiffness and allows it to collapse, analogous to the collapse in conjunction with the following, when the rear support structure 32 impacts another body element and a sufficiently large force acts on the front support structure 30 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from front to rear. Figures 1 to 5 described embodiment.

[0042] The in Figure 7 The embodiment shown essentially corresponds to the one described in Figure 6the embodiment shown, with the difference that the front support structure 30 is connected to the bumper crossmember 26 via an element designed as a stretching element 50. The stretching element 50 can also be part of a Figure 7 not shown vertical support, as it appears in the Figures 1 to 5 The extension element 50 is shown and described in part. In the illustrated embodiment, it has a plurality of folds and is designed so that the front support structure 30 can be displaced longitudinally in the direction of arrow 44 even under relatively small force, by the unfolded extension element 50 elongating and unfolding. In this way, the front support structure 30 can be displaced inwards towards the rear support structure 32 and thus brought closer to the rear support structure 32 without the connection to the bumper crossmember 26 breaking.

[0043] As an alternative to the illustrated extension element 50, a torsion spring, an angle bracket, or another elastically or plastically prestressed element can also be arranged, which allows a relative displacement of the front support structure 30 in the direction of the rear support structure 32. In this context, particular reference is made to the possibility of using a design as shown in Figure 3 to supplement the arrangement shown by an angle plate which is arranged and designed between the vertical support 38 and the bumper cross member 26 such that it stretches plastically from front to rear when a force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and behaves similarly to the one shown. Figure 7The illustrated section element 50. Such an angle plate, not shown, is significantly less expensive to manufacture due to its simpler design. In particular, the angle plate can have a design with a contact surface oriented in the transverse and vertical directions of the vehicle towards the vertical support 38 and a connecting surface extending forward in the vertical and longitudinal directions of the vehicle, by means of which a distance in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is created between the vertical support 38 and the bumper cross member 26.

[0044] In Figure 8An embodiment is shown in which a predetermined breaking point 46 is provided on the inside of the front support structure 30, i.e., in the area of ​​the end of the front support structure 30 facing the bumper crossmember 26, and a predetermined bending point 48 is provided on the inside of the rear support structure 32, i.e., in the area of ​​the end of the rear support structure 32 facing the bulkhead plate 22. The predetermined breaking point 46 is achieved by material tapering and can additionally be supplemented by material weakening, in particular by perforation in the vertical direction (z-direction). The predetermined bending point 48 can be achieved, in particular, by suitable deformation that causes bending or buckling at the corresponding location under load.

[0045] In Figure 9An embodiment is shown in which a predetermined bending point 48 is provided on the inside of the front support structure and a predetermined breaking point 46 is provided on the inside of the rear support structure 32. The predetermined breaking point 46 and the predetermined bending point 48 can be created as described above. In this embodiment, the predetermined breaking point 46 is made of Figure 9 Additionally, a recess 52 on the upper side is also provided.

[0046] The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, the drawings, and the claims can be essential for realizing the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination. The invention can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the person skilled in the art. Reference symbol list

[0047] 10 Vehicle front end 12 Bumper cover 14 Headlights 16 Opening 18 Insert element 20 Step arrangement 22 Bulkhead plate 24 Deformation element 26 Bumper crossmember 30 Front support structure 32 Rear support structure 34 Longitudinal extension element 36 Longitudinal strut 38 Vertical support 40 Test specimen 42 Slotted hole 44 Arrow 46 Predetermined breaking point 48 Predetermined bending point 50 Stretching element 52 Recess

Claims

1. Vehicle having a front step arrangement (20) which comprises a front support structure (30) viewed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and a rear support structure (32) arranged behind the front support structure (30) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, as well as at least one longitudinal extension element (34) extending from the front support structure (30) to the rear support structure (32), at least one of the elements being designed as a deformation structure such that an impact force acting on the front support structure (30) from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle causes a rotational or pivot movement of the entire step arrangement (20).

2. Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the elements is designed as a deformation structure such that an impact force acting on the front support structure (30) from the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle also causes a relative movement between the front support structure (30) and the rear support structure (32).

3. Vehicle according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two longitudinal struts (36) extend from the front support structure (30) to the rear support structure (32) as longitudinal extension elements (34).

4. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one longitudinal extension element (34) is arranged in a relatively movable manner with respect to the front support structure (30) and / or in a relatively movable manner with respect to the rear support structure (32).

5. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front support structure (30) is fixed in a relatively movable manner with respect to another body element.

6. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front support structure (30) and the rear support structure (32) are joined together in a connection region and are jointly attached to another body element.

7. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front support structure (30) is attached directly or indirectly to a bumper cross member (26) and / or the rear support structure (32) is attached directly or indirectly to a bulkhead plate (22).

8. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front support structure (30) and the rear support structure (32) are arranged, when viewed in the transverse direction of the vehicle, on the outside of a deformation element (24) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a bumper cross member (26) and a bulkhead plate (22) arranged behind the bumper cross member (26) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

9. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front support structure (30) and the rear support structure (32) are only fixed at one end.

10. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step arrangement (20) is provided within an opening (16) formed in a bumper cover (12).

11. Vehicle according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a predetermined breaking point (46) is formed on the front support structure (30) and / or a predetermined bending point (48) or a rotational joint is formed on the rear support structure (32) or vice versa.