An arrangement of a front-side bumper on a body component for a motor vehicle and a motor vehicle
The use of a shear pin with a predetermined breaking point addresses the challenge of securing the front-side bumper on a motor vehicle, ensuring pedestrian safety and wind resistance by allowing controlled movement during impacts, thus meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining aerodynamic stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- GB2024002022
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-14
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-20
AI Technical Summary
There is a conflict between ensuring the secure attachment of a front-side bumper on a motor vehicle to withstand wind pressure and providing adequate pedestrian protection, particularly in battery electric vehicles, where the bumper must remain stable under wind force while allowing for controlled movement during a pedestrian collision.
A fastening element, designed as a shear pin with a predetermined breaking point, is used to attach the front-side bumper to the body component, allowing it to move rearwards during an impact to minimize pedestrian injury while withstanding static wind pressure.
The shear pin concept ensures compliance with pedestrian safety regulations by allowing controlled bumper movement during collisions, while maintaining stability under wind forces, thus enhancing both safety and aerodynamic integrity.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to an arrangement of a front-side bumper on a body component for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding motor vehicle. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0002] At a front of a car, stability and rigidness may be needed as a basic requirement as well as flexibility and intrusion due to pedestrian safety reasons, for example to fulfil leg impact requirements. A motor vehicle designed as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) may need less cooling than a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine. Therefore, air intake grids may be replaced by closed panels, which may lead to better aerodynamics. In consequence, it may be possible that at higher speed of the motor vehicle a wind pressure is pushing with high force at the front of a motor vehicle, in particular at the front-side bumper. The wind pressure may be understood as a static pressure of an airstream flowing against the motor vehicle. So, there may be a conflict of objectives between pedestrian protection (collision with the pedestrian may be viewed as a dynamic load on the bumper attachment) on the one hand and secure attachment of the bumper on the other. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an arrangement of a frontside bumper on a body component for a motor vehicle, as well as a corresponding motor vehicle, by which the front-side bumper can be attached securely and pedestrian protection of the motor vehicle can be particularly increased.
[0004] This objective is solved by an arrangement of a front-side bumper on a body component for a motor vehicle, as well as a corresponding motor vehicle according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.
[0005] One aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement of a front-side bumper on a body component for a motor vehicle. Preferably, the motor vehicle is designed as a passenger car. Preferably, the motor vehicle is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid vehicle, in particular a plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
[0006] The front-side bumper may be understood as a bumper, which is mounted on a vehicle front of the motor vehicle. The said body component may be referred to as a bodywork component. The body component may be understood as a structural component of a car body of the motor vehicle, wherein the car body is preferably designed as a self-supporting body. The car body may be referred to as body in white (BIW).
[0007] A panel member of the front-side bumper is attached at least indirectly, in particular directly, to the body component via at least one fastening element. This means that the front-side bumper comprises at least one panel member, which is attached at least indirectly to the body component via the said fastening element. In other words, the said panel member is mounted at least indirectly to the body component via the said fastening element, in particular by the said fastening element. The said panel member may also be referred to as panel or paneling part or cladding section. The said panel member may be understood as a covering part of the front-side bumper. Preferably, the said panel member comprises at least one outward facing outer side, which is preferably facing forwards in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. For example, the said panel member is capable of being blown by air while the motor vehicle is moving. The said air may be understood as an airstream, which may be referred to as headwind. The fastening element may be referred to as retaining element.
[0008] The said fastening element is arranged on the panel member in an upper region of the front-side bumper. This means that the fastening element is positioned in the upper region of the front-side bumper. In other words, the said panel member is attached at least indirectly to the body component via the upper region of the front-side bumper by the fastening element. The said upper region may be understood as an upper region of the front-side bumper related to a vertical direction of the motor vehicle.
[0009] In particular, to attach the front-side bumper securely and to increase pedestrian protection of the motor vehicle, the fastening element is designed as a pin, which comprises at least one predetermined breaking point at which the pin is capable of being broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the panel member, in particular as a result of the accidental impact, rearwards in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle relative to the body component. In other words, in particular to overcome the trade-off between pedestrian protection and securely attaching the front-side bumper the panel member or the front-side bumper respectively is attached with at least one shear pin to the body component. This means that the fastening element is designed as a shear pin. The front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, is preferably designed as a fascia with closed panel. The accidental impact may be understood as an accident-related impact, which may be a force, in particular an accident-related force.
[0010] Preferably, the pin is capable of withstanding high forces at static load, in particular due to wind pressure, but the pin is preferably capable of breaking at low force, in order to allow the front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, moving backwards. This may lead to a defined intrusion of a leg impactor within required limits. A force level, in particular a desired force level, at which the pin is capable of being broken at a predetermined breaking point, may easily be adjusted via a geometry of the pin, in particular of the predetermined breaking point. The said geometry may be a diameter of the pin. Therefore, by the adjustable force level, legal requirements can easily be met in a simulation model, for example by simply adjusting a value in the model, as well as in hardware testing, for example by exchanging different shear pins. Overall, it is recognizable that a shear pin concept may be realized by the invention. Further advantages of the invention are explained in detail below. These advantages are related to pedestrian protection requirements, wind force and weight of the front-side bumper.
[0011] Pedestrian protection and crash requirements are growing stricter and are applied to all markets over time. For example, Euro NCAP regulations and ratings have existed since 1997 for European markets. There have been several iterations of the requirements since then. Japan launched similar regulations in 2021. It may therefore make sense to design a car with special pedestrian safety requirements for Japan. USA will follow in 2027. Probably, other countries will follow. This means that soon all major car markets will probably have pedestrian safety regulations, which may differ from market to market. Because the front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, is movable backwards in the event of an accident, a potential damage to a pedestrian may be minimized, whereby main requirements will be fulfilled.
[0012] Further advantages are related to a wind force pushing the front-side bumper back at higher speed of the motor vehicle. As designed as an electric vehicle, most motor vehicles will not have an open radiator grill since there may be no need for engine cooling. With that instead of a grill, the motor vehicle may have a closed panel, which is preferably formed by the front-side bumper, in particular by the panel member. Due to that, the wind force pushing the front-side bumper back at high speed may increase due to a bigger area of the closed panel, respectively the front-side bumper. With electric cars, a gap between holding the front-side bumper in place and releasing the front-side bumper in case of the accident may be wider. Therefore, it may be necessary that the front-side bumper must stay in place even due to the wind force and should not move backwards in that condition. Therefore, a security towards an undesired movement of the front-side bumper may be increased, for example a security towards an exposure of edges and corners, which may be sharp. The pin is stable enough to hold the front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, in place even while being impacted by wind forces. Even if the radii of the edges that would be exposed in case of a panel shift due to wind load would be sufficient, the stylistic appearance would be distorted with the panel sunk in, which can be prevented with the proposed pin.
[0013] Further advantages may be related to a trend adding heavier equipment in the front-side bumper, for example a lidar system. With the dawn of self-driving vehicles, more sensors and other components may be required in the front-side bumper. Some of these sensors may be so heavy, for example current lidar, that a mass inertia of the frontside bumper may increase. This means that some parts in the front-side bumper may be so heavy that the inertia of the front-side bumper is challenging. But due to the possibility of a free moving of the panel member in the event of the accident, pedestrian safety requirements may be fulfilled, despite the high mass of some components of the frontside bumper. This means that an improved attachment system to fulfill different requirements may be realized by the invention. The proposed pin also ensures that the lidar system is not providing false records due to a shifted position, as the pin is holding the panel properly in place.
[0014] Further benefits of the shear pin concept are: - faster assembly (pushing a pin compared to driving a screw in), - concept can be used even in space-restricted situations, - simpler design, - cost reduction, - easy scalability depending on force requirements, - low repair cost in case of an accident.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the predetermined breaking point is designed as a recess, in particular as a notch, and / or as a groove. In other words, a cross section of the pin in an area of the predetermined breaking point, in particular at the predetermined breaking point, is smaller than a cross section in an area of the pin joining the predetermined breaking point. Therefore, a deliberate failure of the pin at a predetermined breaking point is possible.
[0016] In another embodiment, the pin is arranged, at least partially, in a receiving element formed separately from the panel member and mounted on the panel member. This means that the pin is at least partially located in the receiving element, which is formed separately from the panel member, wherein the receiving element is mounted, in particular at least indirectly or directly, on the panel member. In other words, the pin is passed at least partially through the receiving element, in particular through an opening of the receiving element, wherein the receiving element is attached to the panel member. This means that the pin is attached to the panel member via the receiving element. Therefore, the pin may be attached securely to the panel member, whereby the front-side bumper may be attached securely to the body component. Furthermore, the pin may be mounted with low effort, for example because a centering for the pin may be realized by the receiving element. In addition, the pin may be preassembled on the front-side bumper, in particular on the panel member. Preferably, the receiving element is designed as a grommet. This means that there may be a two piece concept with the grommet and the pin.
[0017] In another embodiment, the predetermined breaking point is arranged outside the receiving element. This means that the predetermined breaking point is not located inside the receiving element, in particular not located inside the opening of the receiving element. Therefore, a targeted failure of the pin may be possible.
[0018] In another embodiment, the predetermined breaking point is rotationally symmetrical. This means that the predetermined breaking point is formed rotationally symmetrical. In other words, the predetermined breaking point is designed to be rotationally symmetrical. This means that no special orientation of the pin may be intended. Therefore, the pin, in particular the front-side bumper, may be assembled in a very effortless manner.
[0019] In another embodiment, the predetermined breaking point is rotationally asymmetrical. This means that the predetermined breaking point is formed rotationally asymmetrical. In other words, the predetermined breaking point is designed to be rotationally asymmetrical. Therefore, there may be an ability to provide different strengths and / or different breakage characteristics at the predetermined breaking points based on different geometry characteristics, in particular based on different geometry at a base of the pin. This means that a breakage characteristic of the pin at the predetermined breaking point may be a function of a direction of an impact force, in particular of a location of a point of a tag of the impact force. This means that the force level for breakage can easily be adjusted via the geometry of the predetermined breaking point.
[0020] According to an embodiment, the pin comprises at least one orientation device for detecting an angular position of the pin relative to the panel member and / or relative to the body component in relation to an axial direction of the pin, in particular in order to mount the pin in a desired position of the predetermined breaking point. The orientation device may be understood as an orientation guide or an orientation aid of the pin. Preferably, a pin head of the pin comprises the orientation device. Therefore, an assembly of the pin may be realized by the orientation device in a very effortless manner. This means that a correct mounting position of the pin, in particular the correct angular position of the pin, may be ensured.
[0021] In another embodiment, in an installation position provided in the motor vehicle the panel member is attached to a component, which is the body component or a further component attached to the body component, via the pin, which is in a holding position. In other words, the panel member is attached to the said component via the pin in the holding position of the pin, wherein the panel member is in its installation position. In order to mount the panel member in the installation position the panel member, to which the pin is attached, in particular via the receiving element, in a transport position different from the holding position, in particular pre-assembled, is capable of being arranged on the component. This means that the panel member is capable of being arranged on the component while the pin, which is attached, in particular via the receiving element, to the panel member, is in the transport position in order to mount the panel member in its installation position. In the transport position the panel member is not attached to the said component via the pin. This means that in the transport position the attachment of the front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, does not take place by the pin. The pin is capable of being moved from the transport position relative to the panel member arranged on the component in an axial direction of the pin into the installation position. This means that the pin is capable of being moved from the transport position relative to the panel member, which is located on the component, along the axial direction of the pin into the installation position. This movement of the pin from the transport position into the installation position is intended to mount, in particular to fix, the panel member in the installation position on the said component. Therefore, the pin may be preassembled on the panel member, in order to assemble the front-side bumper, in particular the panel member, in a very effortless manner.
[0022] According to an embodiment, the front-side bumper comprises an inner part which is covered by the panel member at least partially, in particular forward in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle. The panel member is attached to the inner part via the pin, which is rigidly attached to the body component. In other words, the panel member is mounted on the body component via the inner part by the pin. Therefore, the front-side bumper may be mounted in a secure and / or effortless manner. This means that the further component may be the said inner part. For example, the cover element is designed as an outer part of the front-side bumper.
[0023] Another aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle, preferably comprising an arrangement of the first aspect of the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the motor vehicle and vice versa.
[0024] The motor vehicle comprises a front-side bumper attached to a body component, which comprises at least one panel member, which is attached at least indirectly to the body component via at least one fastening element, which is arranged on the panel member in an upper region of the front-side bumper.
[0025] In particular, to attach the front-side bumper securely to increase pedestrian protection of the motor vehicle, the fastening element is designed as a pin which comprises at least one predetermined breaking point at which the pin is capable of being broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the front bumper, in particular as a result of the accidental impact, rearwards in a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle relative to the body component.
[0026] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0028] The drawings show in:
[0029] Fig. 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle;
[0030] Fig. 2 a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of an arrangement of a front-side bumper on a body component of a motor vehicle;
[0031] Fig. 3 a schematic and perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0032] Fig. 4 a schematic detailed view of Fig. 3;
[0033] Fig. 5 another schematic perspective and sectional view of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0034] Fig. 6 a schematic detailed view of Fig. 5;
[0035] Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of a pin of the said arrangement;
[0036] Fig. 8 a schematic front view of a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0037] Fig. 9 a schematic front view of a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0038] Fig. 10 a schematic sectional view of the pin of Fig. 9;
[0039] Fig. 11 a schematic front view and a detailed view of a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0040] Fig. 12 another schematic front view and another detailed view of a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0041] Fig. 13 a schematic top view of a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0042] Fig. 14 a schematic and perspective view of a panel member and a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement in a holding position;
[0043] Fig. 15 a schematic and perspective view of a panel member and a pin of an embodiment of the said arrangement in a transport position;
[0044] Fig. 16 a schematic top view of an embodiment of the said arrangement;
[0045] Fig. 17 a schematic and perspective view of an embodiment of the said arrangement; and
[0046] Fig. 18 another schematic and perspective view of an embodiment of the said arrangement.
[0047] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
[0049] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0050] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.
[0051] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
[0052] Fig. 1 shows a schematic and perspective view according an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 is preferably at least in part electrically operated or fully electrically operated. Therefore, the motor vehicle 10 may comprise an electric motor. Furthermore, the motor vehicle 10 may comprise a battery which is preferably designed as a high voltage component. For example, the electric motor is supplied with energy by the battery. This means that the motor vehicle 10 is preferably designed as a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Alternatively, it is of course possible that the motor vehicle 10 is designed as a conventional motor vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine (ICE). This means that the motor vehicle 10 may be designed as a BEV vehicle or as an ICE vehicle.
[0053] The motor vehicle 10 comprises a front-side bumper 12. The front-side bumper 12 may be designed as a front bumper grille or may comprise the front bumper grille respectively. If the front side vehicle 10 is designed as the battery electric vehicle, the front-side bumper 12 preferably is designed as a closed panel. This means that there may be no air inlet in the front-side bumper 12. In other words, in an electrical vehicle construction here may be no air passage through the grille.
[0054] The front-side bumper 12 is attached, in particular directly, to a body component 14 of the motor vehicle 10. This is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6. Therefore, Fig. 2 to 6 each show an arrangement 16 of the front-side bumper on the body component 14. A panel member 18 of the front-side bumper 12 is attached at least indirectly to the body component 14 via at least one fastening element 20, which is arranged on the panel member 18 in an upper region 22 of the panel member 18. This means that the panel member 18 may act as a bumper attachment for the front-side bumper 12. Of course, it is possible that the panel member 18 is attached at least indirectly to the body component via several of said fastening elements 20, for example four fastening elements 20, which are arranged on the panel member 18 in the upper region 22 of the front-side bumper 12. Mounting locations 24 of the fastening elements 20 are e.g. illustrated in Fig. 1. This means that the fastening element 20 may act as a typical construction technique for attachment of the front bumper grille to the front end carrier for ICE or BEV vehicles.
[0055] In particular, in order to increase the security of the motor vehicle 10 as well as to attach the front-side bumper 12 securely to the body component 14, the fastening element 20 is designed as a pin 26 which comprises at least one predetermined breaking point 28 at which the pin 26 is capable of being, in particular in a targeted manner, broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the panel member 18 rearwards in a longitudinal direction 30 of the motor vehicle 10 relative to the body component 14. This means, when the pin 26 is struck by an accident-related force 31, the pin 26 will break at the predetermined breaking point 28, in particular, if the force 31 is bigger than a threshold value. As a result of the breakage of pin 26 at predetermined breaking point 28, the panel member 18 is capable of being detached or is detached from the body component 14, at least by the broken pin 26. As illustrated in Fig. 2, a direction of the force 31 is preferably parallel to the vehicle longitudinal direction 30.
[0056] Preferably, the pin 26 is designed to break at the predetermined breaking point 28 under dynamic force, in particular a dynamic shear force. Therefore, the predetermined breaking point 28 may also be referred to as shear point or as shear location. This means that the pin 26 may easily break at dynamic load, in particular a dynamic load caused by a leg impact of a pedestrian. By using the pin 26, conventional fastening can be omitted, which may include screws through the front-side bumper 12 which may be arranged in clip nuts into front end carrier. The pin 26 may be referred to as bolt or bolt element.
[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic sectional view according to an embodiment of the motor vehicle 10 or the said arrangement 16, respectively. In this embodiment, the panel member 18 is attached directly to the body component 14 via the pin 26. This means that the panel member 18 is located directly at the body component 14. In this embodiment, the panel member 18 comprises a first opening 32 and the body component 14 comprises a second opening 34, wherein the pin 26 is passed through the openings 32, 34 in order to attach the panel member 18 to the body component 14. Preferably, the pin 26 comprises a pin shaft 36 and pin head 38. For example, the pin head 38 is arranged at the panel member 18.
[0058] Figs. 3 to 6 show the motor vehicle 10 or said arrangement 16, respectively, according to another embodiment, in which the front member 18 is attached indirectly to the body component 14. Here, the panel member 18 is attached to a further component 40 via said pin 26, wherein the further component 40 is attached, in particular directly, to the body component 14. Preferably, said further component 40 is an inner part 42 of the front-side bumper 12 which is covered by the panel member 18 at least partially, in particular forwards in the longitudinal direction 30 of the motor vehicle 10. Preferably, the panel member 18 is attached to said inner part 42 via the pin 26, which is rigidly attached to the body component 14. This means that the further component 40 is solidly fixed to the body component 14. In other words, the further component 40 is arranged, in particular in vertical direction 44 of the motor vehicle 10, at least partially between the panel member 18 and the body component 14.
[0059] Fig. 3 shows a schematic and perspective view of the motor vehicle 10 or of said arrangement 16, respectively. Fig. 4 shows a schematic detailed view A, which is illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows another schematic sectional view of the motor vehicle 10 or said arrangement 16, respectively. Fig. 6 shows another schematic detailed view B, which is illustrated in Fig. 5.
[0060] This means that in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 the further component 40 comprises the second opening 34, wherein the pin 26 is passed through the openings 32, 34 in order to attach the panel member 18, in particular directly, to the further component 40. Preferably, the further component 40 comprises at least one mounting section 45, via which the further component 40 is attached to the body component 14. Preferably, the mounting section 45 is spaced apart from the pin 26, in particular from the openings 32, 34. For example, the mounting section 45 is designed as an opening.
[0061] In the embodiment according to Figs. 3 to 6, the pin 26 is capable of being broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the panel member 18 rearwards in the longitudinal direction 30 of the motor vehicle 10 relative to the further component 40. This means that once the pin 26 is broken, the panel member 18 can easily travel backwards, in particular without any resistance.
[0062] Figs. 7 to 13 show schematic views of the pin 26 according to different embodiments of the motor vehicle 10 or the said arrangement 16, respectively. As illustrated in Figs. 7 to 13 and for example also illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4, according to an embodiment, the predetermined breaking point 28 is designed as a recess 46. In other words, the predetermined breaking point 28 is designed as a cross-sectional taper.
[0063] According to an embodiment, which is illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, 7 to 10, the predetermined breaking point 28 is rotationally symmetrical. This means that there is a shear pin concept, in which the pin 26 does not provide an orientation. In particular in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8, the pin 26 is designed as a single part, in particular with no orientation.
[0064] Figs. 2, 9, and 10 illustrate a two-part concept in which the said arrangement 16 comprises a receiving element 48, which is preferably formed separately from the panel member 18 and / or the pin 26. The pin 26 is arranged at least partially in the said receiving element 48 which is mounted, in particular directly, on the panel member 18. This means that the receiving element 48 surrounds the pin 26, in particular the pin shaft 36, at least partially. This means that a two-piece concept with the pin 26, in particular non- directional, and the receiving element 48 designed as a grommet may be possible. This may lead to advantages in mounting the front-side bumper 12, in particular the panel member 18, which will be explained later. Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of a section C-C, which is illustrated in Fig. 9 by cutting reference points C.
[0065] Preferably, the predetermined breaking point 28 is arranged outside the receiving element 48. For example, the pin head 38 of the pin 26 is located at one side of the receiving element 48 and the predetermined breaking point 28 is located on another side, in particular an opposite side of the said side, of the receiving element 48.
[0066] Figs. 11 to 13 show the pin 26 according to another embodiment, in which the predetermined breaking point 28 is rotationally asymmetrical. This may be referred to as “cross-geometry with orientation.” As a result, there may an ability to provide different strengths and / or breakage characteristics at the predetermined breaking point 28, in particular based on a different geometry of the predetermined breaking point 28. Fig. 11 shows a side view of the pin 26 and a detailed view D. Fig. 12 shows another side view and another detailed view E. Looking at Figs. 11 and 12 together, it can be seen that the predetermined breaking point 28 is designed rotationally asymmetrical.
[0067] Fig. 13 shows the pin 26 in a schematic top view according to another embodiment, in which the pin 26 comprises at least one orientation device 50 for detecting an angular position of the pin 26 relative to the panel member 18 and / or the body component 14 and / or the further component 40 in relation to an axial direction 52 of the pin 26, in particular in order to mount pin 26 in a desired position of the predetermined breaking point 28. Preferably, the orientation device 50 is designed as an optical marking, for example an arrow. Therefore, the orientation device 50 may act as a directional indicator on the head 38 of the pin to show an orientation of the pin 26 during assembly and / or after assembly. Preferably, the pin head 38 comprises the orientation device 50. Preferably, the axial direction 52 of pin 26 runs parallel to the vertical direction 44 of the motor vehicle 10.
[0068] For example, the pin 26 comprises at least one mounting member 54 for a formfit connection of the pin 26 with the body component 14 and / or the further component 40. Preferably, the pin head 38 is located at one end of the pin 26 and the mounting member 54 is located at the other end of the pin 26. For example, the mounting member 54 is hook-shaped, and preferably designed as barbs or barbed hooks, respectively. In the example illustrated in Fig. 7 the pin 26 comprises two of the said mounting members 54, therein a material recess is located, in particular in radial direction of the pin 26, between the mounting members 54. This means, that there is a distance between the mounting members 54.
[0069] Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 illustrate another embodiment of the motor vehicle 10 or the said arrangement 16, respectively, wherein in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 the panel member 18 and the pin 26 are shown in a schematic perspective view. In Fig. 14 the pin 26 is in a holding position 56, in which the pin 26 is located while the panel member 18 is located in an installation position 58 provided in the motor vehicle 10, wherein in this installation position 58 and in this holding position 56 the panel member 18 is attached to a component via the pin 26. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 the said component is the body component 14. In the embodiment according to Figs. 3 to 6 the component is the further component 40, which is preferably the inner part 42 of the front-side bumper 12. In order to mount the panel member 18 in the installation position 58, the panel member 18, to which the pin 26 is attached, in particular via the receiving element 48, in a transport position 60, is capable of being arranged on the said component, wherein in the transport position 60 the panel member 18 is not attached to the said component via the pin 26. The transport position 60 is different from the holding position 56. The pin 26 is capable of being moved from the transport position 60 relative to the panel member 18 arranged on the said component in the axial direction 52 of the pin 26 into the holding position 56. This means, that the receiving element 48 may be installed at the panel member 18, in particular in the first opening 32, first. After that, the pin 26 may be inserted into the receiving element 48, in particular to a top of the receiving element 48, in particular to assure the predetermined breaking point 28 is in a correct position. In other words the pin 26, and in particular the receiving element 48, may be preassembled at a panel member 18. In this preassembly the pin 26 is in the transport position 60, which is illustrated in Fig. 15. After arranging the panel member 18 on the said component, the pin 26 may be moved from its transport position to its holding position 56, in order to attach the panel member 18 to the said component. The holding position may also be referred to as assemble condition. The transport position 60 may also be referred to as shipping condition.
[0070] Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 show the motor vehicle 10 or the said arrangement 16 according to another embodiment, in which the front-side bumper 12, in particular the panel member 18, is, in addition to the pin 26, attached to the body component 14 via at least one screw, which is preferably designed as a tapping screw. The tapping screw may be understood as a self-tapping screw. Hereby, at least one component of the said arrangement 16, preferably the panel member 18, comprises at least one mounting hole 64, which is preferably designed as a key hole. The key hole may also be referred to as key hole slot. Preferably, the screw 62 is passed through the mounting hole 64, which is capable to allow movement of the front-side bumper 12, in particular the panel member 18, relative to the body component 14 during the impact of the force 31 in case of the breakage of the pin 26.
[0071] Therefore, the front-side bumper 12 is allowed to slide during a frontal impact of the motor vehicle 10. This movement is illustrated in Fig. 18, which shows the said arrangement 16 or the motor vehicle 10, respectively, in a schematic partial view from above. Fig. 17 illustrates is this movement by arrows 66. Signs motor vehicle front-side bumper body component arrangement panel member fastening element upper region mounting location pin breaking point longitudinal direction force first opening second opening pin shaft pin head further component inner part vertical direction mounting section recess receiving element orientational device axial direction mounting member holding position installation position transport position screw mounting hole arrow detailed view detailed view cutting reference points c-c section D detailed view E detailed view
Claims
1. An arrangement (16) of a front-side bumper (12) on a body component (14) for a motor vehicle (10), in which a panel member (18) of the front-side bumper (12) is attached at least indirectly to the body component (14) via at least one fastening element (20), which is arranged on the panel member (18) in an upper region (22) of the front-side bumper (12), characterized in thatthe fastening element (20) is designed as a pin (26) which comprises at least one predetermined breaking point (28) at which the pin (26) is capable of being broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the panel member (18) rearwards in a longitudinal direction (40) of the motor vehicle (10) relative to the body component (14).
2. The arrangement (16) according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe predetermined breaking point (28) is designed as a recess (46).
3. The arrangement (16) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe pin (26) is arranged, at least partially, in a receiving element (48) formed separately from the panel member (18) and mounted on the panel member (18).
4. The arrangement (16) according to claim 3, characterized in thatthe predetermined breaking point (28) is arranged outside the receiving element (48).
5. The arrangement (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe predetermined breaking point (28) is rotationally symmetrical.
6. The arrangement (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe predetermined breaking point (28) is rotationally asymmetrical.
7. The arrangement (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe pin (26) comprises at least one orientation device (50) for detecting an angular position of the pin (26) relative to the panel member (18) and / or the body component (14) in relation to an axial direction (52) of the pin (26).
8. The arrangement (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatin an installation position (58) provided in the motor vehicle (10) the panel member (18) is attached to a component, which is the body component (14) or a further component (42) attached to the body component (14), via the pin (26), which is in a holding position (56), wherein, in order to mount the panel member (18) in the installation position (58)• the panel member (18), to which the pin (26) is attached in a transport position (60) different from the holding position (56), is capable of being arranged on the said component, wherein in the transport position (60) the panel member (18) is not attached to the said component via the pin (26), and• the pin (26) is capable of being moved from the transport position (60) relative to the panel member (18) arranged on the said component in an axial direction (52) of the pin (26) into the holding position (56).
9. The arrangement (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in thatthe front-side bumper (12) comprises an inner part (42) which is covered by the panel member (18) at least partially, wherein the panel member (18) is attached to the inner part (42) via the pin (26), which is rigidly attached to the body component (14).
10. A motor vehicle (10), comprising a front-side bumper (12) attached to a body component (14), which comprises a panel member (18) which is attached at least indirectly to the body component (14) via at least one fastening element (20), which is arranged on the panel member (18) in an upper region (22) of the front-side bumper (12), characterized in thatthe fastening element (20) is designed as a pin (26) which comprises at least one predetermined breaking point (28) at which the pin (26) is capable of being broken in the event of an accidental impact in order to move the panel member (18) rearwards in a longitudinal direction (30) of the motor vehicle (10) relative to the body component (14).
Citation Information
Patent Citations
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