Motor vehicle front end portion

Abstract

The motor vehicle front end portion (1) is equipped with a movable component (10) and a structure-fastened component (20), in particular mounting support, connected to the movable component by means of at least one connection assembly (30). The structure-fastened component is designed to introduce forces (F) which act on the movable component (10) into a vehicle structure. The at least one connection assembly (30), preferably a plurality of connection assemblies (30), comprises a first connection part (31) mounted on the movable component (10) and a second connection part (33) mounted on the structure-fastened component (20). Furthermore, a spring element (32) is provided, which is arranged such that, as a result of force (F) acting on the movable component (10) and accompanying movement of the movable component relative to the structure-fastened component (20) from an initial position into a different position, said spring element is elastically deformed and, in the process, builds up a restoring force. The restoring force is sufficient to move the movable component back into the initial position by means of movement of the connection parts (31, 33) relative to one another when action of force on the movable component (10) decreases or is absent. The one connection part (31) is mounted on the movable component (10) for pivoting about a first pivot axis (A1) and on the other connection part (33) for pivoting about a second pivot axis (A2), and the other connection part (33) is mounted on the structure component (10) for pivoting about a third pivot axis (A3).

Description

[0001] MOTOR VEHICLE FRONT END SECTION

[0002] Technical field The invention relates to a motor vehicle front end section according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] State of the art In a generic motor vehicle front end section, structural parts such as mounting supports, decorative grilles or bumper covers or sensors or radome covers for sensors are often attached. These components often also contain position-critical sensors. These sensors generally depend on their position on the vehicle remaining as constant as possible in order to function properly. If these sensors are arranged on the bumper cover or decorative grille, in crash situations with low speeds, such as parking bumps or the like, these position-critical sensors can become displaced due to the crash-related deformation or displacement of the decorative grille and / or bumper cover, limiting the function of connected vehicle systems, such as LIDAR systems, or even causing them to fail.This is particularly critical when the sensors mentioned belong to vehicle systems on which the immediate safety of the vehicle occupants depends.

[0004] Since it is usually possible to continue driving in low-speed crash situations, it must be ensured that position-critical sensors can, if possible, return to the required position after a short-term relocation.

[0005] From DE 102019 122 236 a reversibly movable vehicle front end section is known, which can also be used for attaching sensors.

[0006] Here, a distinction is made between a part that is fixed relative to the vehicle structure and a part that is movable relative to it. The movable part can be inserted into the fixed part via longitudinal guides and is thus supported in a translational manner in one direction. Furthermore, two types of spring elements are provided, one of which serves as a retaining spring that holds the movable part in its desired position against small forces.

[0007] When forces are applied that are large enough to damage a component mounted on the movable part, the retaining spring yields, allowing translational movement of the movable part. The second type of spring element acts as a return spring and counteracts the displacement movement with a force, thus preloading the movable part toward the desired position, where it is then held again by the retaining spring. The described solution requires more space, as the movable part must perform a translational movement. In individual cases, the known solution may also tend to jam or tilt, depending on the point of application and the direction of the force. The invention

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a motor vehicle front end section of the type mentioned at the beginning which eliminates the disadvantages described last.

[0009] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle front end section having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

[0010] For this purpose, the motor vehicle front-end section is equipped with a displaceable component and a structurally fixed component connected to it via at least one connecting arrangement. Such a structurally fixed component can be, for example, a mounting bracket. The structurally fixed component is in any case designed to transmit forces acting on the displaceable component into a vehicle structure. The at least one connecting arrangement (preferably a plurality of connecting arrangements) comprises, according to the invention, a first connecting part mounted on the displaceable component and a second connecting part mounted on the structurally fixed component.Furthermore, a spring element is provided and arranged such that it is elastically deformed by a force acting on the displaceable component and the resulting displacement of the component relative to the structurally fixed component from an initial position to a different position, thereby building up a restoring force. This restoring force is sufficient to return the displaceable component to its initial position by moving the connecting parts relative to one another when the force acting on the displaceable component decreases or is no longer applied.

[0011] Preferably, the spring element is a leg spring, one leg of which is supported on the second connecting part and the other leg of which is supported on the structurally fixed component. Due to torsion of the leg spring, a restoring force is generated when the displaceable component is displaced relative to the structurally fixed component, which returns the displaceable component to its original position when external forces are released. The leg spring can be arranged coaxially to the third pivot axis or one of the other pivot axes.

[0012] A further preferred embodiment provides that the displaceable component has at least one first stop, against which the first connecting part is pressed in the initial position due to the preload of the spring element. This stop defines the initial position, ensuring that the displaceable component, especially with position-critical components attached to it, can always be returned to a defined initial position.

[0013] According to the invention, the connecting arrangement is designed in a special way. For this purpose, one connecting part is pivotally mounted on the displaceable component about a first pivot axis and on the other connecting part about a second pivot axis, and the other connecting part is pivotally mounted on the structurally fixed component about a third pivot axis. The connecting parts are preferably designed as levers. In contrast to the prior art, the motor vehicle front end section according to the invention uses modified kinematics. Instead of implementing a displacement or shift using linear guides, the displaceable component is coupled to the structurally fixed component via articulated connections. This alternative kinematics results in significant advantages. Firstly, the design according to the invention offers a considerably smaller installation space requirement in the displacement direction of the movable part compared to the prior art.The displacement path in the solution according to the invention is only half as large as in known linear guides.

[0014] The movable component can have all possible functions. In particular, position-critical components can be attached to the movable component. Preferably, the movable component is or comprises a decorative grille and / or a bumper cover and / or comprises at least one sensor and / or a cover for a sensor.

[0015] Advantageously, the connecting arrangement also includes a blocking device. This is designed to block the pivoting of one connecting part relative to the other connecting part if a force exerted on the movable component falls below a predetermined threshold, and to enable pivoting if the predetermined threshold is reached or exceeded. In this way, the displaceable component is only actually displaced when a specific force is exerted on it. However, this also means that position-critical components attached to it are not displaced whenever a force is applied, but only when the external force becomes excessive.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the blocking device comprises a compression spring, which is supported on the one hand on the structurally fixed component and on the other hand on a locking section displaceably mounted on the structurally fixed component. The compression spring, with its spring constant, defines the threshold value above which a displacement of the displaceable component is actually to occur.

[0017] The compression spring can, of course, be arranged in different ways. Preferably, it presses the locking section against a contact section arranged on the second connecting part and pivotable with it about the third pivot axis. In this way, the compression spring can directly influence the movement of the second connecting part or prevent the pivoting of the second connecting part as long as the compression spring is not sufficiently compressed.

[0018] The locking section can have a first contact surface and the contact section a second contact surface. The contact surfaces are designed such that they rub against one another when the second connecting part pivots, and the locking section is displaced parallel to the third pivot axis with or against the force of the compression spring. It is advantageous if the contact surfaces are designed as inclined surfaces that rub against one another. The contact surfaces form a frictional connection with one another; if the second connecting part pivots sufficiently relative to the structurally fixed component, this frictional connection is reduced or eliminated, so that both components can pivot freely or almost freely relative to one another. This occurs when sufficient pressure is applied to the compression spring.In the case of the contact surfaces being designed as inclined surfaces, the locking section carries out a lifting movement against the pressure of the compression spring by being lifted by the contact section.

[0019] Way of carrying out the invention The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0020] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a part of a motor vehicle front end section according to the invention in the initial position in a perspective view.

[0021] Figure 2 shows a similar perspective view of the part of the motor vehicle front end section according to the invention in a position different from the initial position.

[0022] Figure 3 shows a sectional view along plane CC of Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a sectional view along plane DD of Figure 2.

[0023] Figure 5 shows an enlarged section of detail A from Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of detail D from Figure 2. Figures 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a motor vehicle front-end section 1 according to the invention. It essentially comprises a structurally fixed component 20 and a component 10 that can be displaced relative to it. Both components are coupled via a connecting arrangement 30, with the example shown illustrating two connecting arrangements 30 that connect the structurally fixed component 20 and the component 10 that can be displaced relative to it at two mutually spaced locations. According to the invention, this connection is an articulated connection that is implemented via a lever construction, which is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.In the example shown, Z denotes the vertical direction, X the direction of travel of a motor vehicle which has a motor vehicle front end section 1 according to the invention and Y the transverse direction perpendicular to the direction of travel X and to the vertical direction Z. As will be explained in more detail below, the spring elements 30 and 34 are important during the movement from the initial position shown in Figure 1 into the different position shown in Figure 2, which occurs when an external force is exerted on the displaceable component 10.

[0025] Accordingly, Figures 3 and 4 show sectional views of sections along the line CC from Figure 1 and DD from Figure 2, respectively. Figure 3 again shows the initial position corresponding to Figure 1, while Figure 4 shows the position of the displaceable component 10, different from the initial position, corresponding to Figure 2, when a force F is exerted on the displaceable component 10. In general, all kinds of parts can be arranged on the displaceable component, preference being given to position-critical components such as sensors or the like, which are indicated here by reference to position 14. Accordingly, to protect such components, a cover 13, e.g. a radome cover, can be provided, which is marked here with reference to position 13. A decorative grille or a bumper cover can also be arranged at this point.

[0026] The connecting arrangement 30, which in this example again connects the structurally fixed component 20 to the displaceable component 10 in pairs, has a first connecting part 31, preferably in the form of a first lever, and a second connecting part 33, again preferably in the form of a lever, which is articulated thereto about a pivot axis A2. The first connecting part is coupled to the displaceable component 10 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis A1. The second connecting part 33 is correspondingly coupled to the structurally fixed component 20 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis A3. Accordingly, the connecting parts 31, 33 ensure that the displacement of the movable component 10 when a force F is applied takes place substantially in or against the direction of travel X.If the force F does not act centrally on the displaceable component 10, the lever mechanism used here can ensure that a displacement is also possible with directional components that are not parallel to the direction of travel X. The displaceable component 10 can therefore also be tilted relative to the structurally fixed component 20 without this affecting the displacement of the component 10.

[0027] Coaxial with the rotation axis A3 is a leg spring 32, one leg of which is supported on the structurally fixed component 20 and the other leg of which is supported on the second connecting element 33. In this way, when an external force F acts on the displaceable component 10, the latter is moved, with the first connecting element 31 being pivoted relative to the displaceable component 10 and running onto the stop 12 on the displaceable component 10. As a result, it is supported on the stop 12, and the second connecting element is subsequently interlaced relative to the first connecting element 31 about the pivot axis A2. The second connecting element 33 therefore also pivots about the axis A3 relative to the structurally fixed component 20. The leg spring 32 is thereby tensioned and the connecting elements 31, 33 and the leg spring 32 then assume the position shown in Figure 4.Conversely, there is another stop 11 on the movable component 10, which, in the initial position, ensures that the first connecting element 31 can be supported against it to define the initial position. The first connecting element 31 is thus limited in its pivoting movement between the stops 11 and 12.

[0028] Instead of a leg spring 32, however, it is also possible to use other spring elements, such as tension springs or compression springs. For example, a compression spring corresponding to spring 32 could be tensioned directly between the structurally fixed component 20 and the movable component 10, or, for example, a corresponding spring could be tensioned between the pivot axes A2 parallel to the transverse direction Y. All of these springs have the effect that, when the movable component 10 is displaced toward the structurally fixed component 20, these springs receive a tension that preloads the movable component toward the initial position (Figure 3).If the force 11 acting on the movable component 10 decreases and the force is only slight, i.e. not so high that parts can be damaged, then the movable component 10 can return to the starting position with the position-critical component 13 and its function is not impaired.

[0029] Preferably, however, not every force applied to a displaceable component 10 should cause it to shift immediately. Therefore, as shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6, it can be provided that a certain force threshold must first be exceeded in order to effect the displacement of the displaceable component 10 toward the structurally fixed component 20. For this purpose, a blocking device 34 is preferably provided to perform this function.

[0030] As can be seen in Figure 5 using the example of detail A from Figure 1, this mechanism is preferably arranged between the structurally fixed component and the second connecting element 33. Essentially, a compression spring 34 is provided, arranged coaxially to the pivot axis A3, which bears with one end against a section attached to the structurally fixed component 20 and with the other end against a locking section 37. The locking section 37 has a contact surface 38, which is in contact with a contact surface 36 of a contact section 35 of the second connecting element 33. In the example shown, both contact surfaces are preferably arranged obliquely to the pivot plane of the second connecting element 33.The locking section 37 is preferably arranged in a rotationally fixed manner, so that pivoting of the second connecting element 33 about the pivot axis A3 results in both contact surfaces 36 and 38 moving past each other and the locking section 37 being raised vertically against the pressure of the compression spring 34. A free pivoting movement of the second connecting section 33 and thus ultimately the displacement of the displaceable component 10 in the direction of the structurally fixed component.

[0031] Movement of component 20 is only possible when the locking section 37 is raised sufficiently that the inclined contact surfaces 36 and 38 no longer touch, thus allowing free pivoting of the second connecting section 33. The spring constant of the compression spring 34 used here therefore determines the trigger threshold at which the displacement of the displaceable component 10 relative to the structurally fixed component 20 becomes possible.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Motor vehicle front end section (1) with a displaceable component (10) and a structurally fixed component (20) connected thereto via at least one connecting arrangement (30), in particular a mounting support, which is designed to introduce forces (F) acting on the displaceable component (10) into a vehicle structure, wherein the at least one connecting arrangement (30), preferably a plurality of connecting arrangements (30), comprises a first connecting part (31) mounted on the displaceable component (10) and a second connecting part (33) mounted on the structurally fixed component (20), wherein a spring element (32) is provided and arranged such that it is elastically deformed by a force (F) acting on the displaceable component (10) and the concomitant displacement of the latter relative to the structurally fixed component (20) from an initial position into a different position, and in the process builds up a restoring force which is sufficientin order to displace the displaceable component (10) back into its initial position by moving the connecting parts (31, 33) relative to one another when the force acting on it decreases or is absent, characterized in that one connecting part (31) is pivotally mounted on the displaceable component (10) about a first pivot axis (A1) and on the other connecting part (33) about a second pivot axis (A2) and, in addition, the other connecting part (33) is pivotally mounted on the structural component (10) about a third pivot axis (A3).

2. Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable component (10) is or comprises a decorative grille and / or a bumper cover and / or 5 or a position-critical component, preferably at least one sensor, and / or an aperture (13) for a sensor (14). 3 . Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to claim 1 10 or 2, characterized in that the connecting parts (31, 33) are designed as levers. 4 . Motor vehicle front end section ( 1) according to one of the 15 previous claims, characterized in that the connecting arrangement (30) comprises a blocking device (34) which is designed to prevent the pivoting of the one connecting part (31) relative to the 20 block the other connecting part (33) if a force exerted on the movable component (10) falls below a predetermined threshold value, and to enable it if the predetermined threshold value is reached or exceeded. 25 5 . Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to claim 4 , characterized in that the blocking device (34) is a compression spring (34 ) which is based on the structural 30 fixed component (20) and on the other hand on a displaceably mounted on the structurally fixed component (20) Locking section (37) supports.

6. Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the compression spring (34) presses the locking section (37) against a contact section (35) arranged on the second connecting part (33) and pivotable therewith about the third pivot axis (A3).

7. Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking section (37) has a first contact surface (38) and the contact section (35) has a second contact surface (36), wherein the contact surfaces (36, 38), preferably as inclined surfaces, are designed such that they rub against each other when the second connecting part (33) is pivoted and in the process The locking section (37) is displaced parallel to the third pivot axis with or against the force of the compression spring (34).

8. Motor vehicle front-end section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (32) is a leg spring, one leg of which is supported on the second connecting part (33) and the other leg of which is supported on the structurally fixed component (20).

9. Motor vehicle front end section (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the displaceable component (10) has at least one first stop (11) against which the first connecting part (31) is pressed in the starting position due to the pretension of the spring element (32).

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