Front bumper peripheral structure for vehicle

Abstract

To reduce damages to pedestrians colliding with a front bumper and to structures fixed to a vehicle body structure behind the front bumper, by a simple and space-saving structure.SOLUTION: A front bumper 102 of a front bumper peripheral structure 100 for a vehicle has a projection 111 which projects rearward from the periphery of an opening 106, and in which a fragile portion 111B thinner than its periphery is formed. A lower cover 110 has a locking structure which locks the lower cover 110 to the front bumper 102 by engaging the projection 111 of the front bumper 102, and causes the fragile portion 111B of the projection 111 to deform or break when receiving an impact load from a front side via the projection 111.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a front bumper mounting structure in which the upper and lower ends of the front bumper are respectively connected to the vehicle body and a gap is provided between the front bumper and a rear stay. According to Patent Document 1, this structure effectively absorbs impacts by deformation within the elastic range of the front bumper, minimizing damage to components inside the engine compartment such as the radiator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-108815 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of technology such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, the structure absorbs impact by deforming the shape of the vehicle body, which requires space for the deformation, making the structure large-scale in order to adequately absorb impact.

[0005] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure that has a simple, space-saving structure and is capable of reducing damage to pedestrians who collide with the front bumper and to structures fixed to the vehicle body structure behind the front bumper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure including a front bumper having an opening for a grill formed on the front side, and a lower cover engaged with the periphery of the opening so as to overlap the opening from the rear side of the front bumper, wherein the front bumper has a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the periphery of the opening and has a weak portion that is thinner than the periphery, and the lower cover has a locking structure that locks the lower cover to the front bumper by locking the protrusion of the front bumper, and has a locking structure that deforms or breaks the weak portion of the protrusion when an impact load is received from the front via the protrusion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front bumper surrounding structure that has a simple, space-saving structure and is capable of reducing damage to pedestrians who collide with the front bumper and to structures fixed to the vehicle body structure behind the front bumper. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle front bumper to which an embodiment of a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure according to the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 4] 4 is a partially enlarged view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the front bumper lower cover of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an end view illustrating the behavior of the front bumper lower cover shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 when it is subjected to an impact load from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the grill shutter unit of FIG. 4 as viewed from the front. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention is a front bumper peripheral structure for a vehicle that includes a front bumper having an opening for a grill formed on the front side, and a lower cover that is engaged with the periphery of the opening so as to overlap the opening from the rear side of the front bumper, wherein the front bumper has a protrusion that protrudes rearward from the periphery of the opening and has a weak portion that is thinner than the periphery, and the lower cover has a locking structure that locks the lower cover to the front bumper by locking the protrusion of the front bumper, and has a locking structure that deforms or breaks the weak portion of the protrusion when an impact load is received from the front via the protrusion.

[0010] According to the present invention, when a front impact load is input to the front bumper due to a pedestrian or the like colliding with the front of the vehicle, the weak portion of the protrusion of the front bumper deforms or breaks, and the lower cover separates from the front bumper, thereby absorbing the impact energy. This reduces damage to the pedestrian or the like that is hit, and also reduces damage to structures fixed to the vehicle body structure behind the front bumper.

[0011] The above-mentioned front bumper protrusion includes an inclined portion extending rearward while sloping in an up-down direction from the periphery of the opening and having a weak portion formed at its base, a claw portion extending rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion, and a thick portion formed so as to increase the thickness of the inclined portion continuous with the weak portion, and the locking structure of the lower cover preferably includes an locking hole that locks the claw portion and an abutment portion that abuts against and resists the thick portion.

[0012] According to the above configuration, the locking hole of the lower cover locks the claw portion of the protrusion of the front bumper to lock the lower cover to the front bumper under normal conditions. Meanwhile, the abutment portion of the lower cover locks against the thickness portion of the protrusion of the front bumper when a front impact load is received through the thickness portion of the protrusion of the front bumper. The resistance of the abutment portion can deform or break the weak portion formed at the base of the inclined portion of the protrusion of the front bumper.

[0013] The above-mentioned lower cover locking structure may further include a flange portion extending rearward from the abutment portion, and the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure may further include a grill shutter unit located rearward of the lower cover and fixed to the vehicle body, and a cushion member provided on the front surface of the grill shutter unit in a position that overlaps with the flange portion of the lower cover locking structure in a front view.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the front bumper receives an impact load from the front, the abutment portion of the locking structure of the lower cover is pressed by the thick portion of the protrusion of the front bumper. As a result, the flange portion extending rearward from the abutment portion retreats while crushing the cushion member provided on the front surface of the grill shutter unit. By interposing the cushion member between the lower cover and the grill shutter unit in this manner, the impact energy applied to the grill shutter unit can be absorbed. Therefore, the impact energy applied to the grill shutter unit when the flange portion reaches the grill shutter unit is low, and damage to the grill shutter unit can be prevented.

[0015] When the flange portion reaches the grill shutter unit, the abutment portion resists the thickness portion, and the resistance of this abutment portion can deform or break the weak portion formed at the base of the inclined portion of the protrusion of the front bumper.

[0016] Furthermore, by providing the cushion member, the gap between the lower cover and the grill shutter unit is eliminated. This forms a highly airtight flow path to the heat exchanger (radiator) in the power unit room via the lower cover and the grill shutter unit, improving the cooling efficiency. At the same time, it becomes possible to insulate the power unit room from heat from the outside, preventing a decrease in cooling efficiency. EXAMPLES

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a front view of a vehicle front bumper to which an embodiment of a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure according to the present invention is applied. In Fig. 1 and all other drawings, the vehicle front-rear direction is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 includes a front bumper 102. An opening 106 for a grill 104 is formed in the lower front surface of the front bumper 102.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 of Fig. 1. The vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 includes a lower cover 110, which is engaged around the opening 106 so as to overlap the opening 106 from the rear side of the front bumper 102 as shown in Fig. 2. The lower cover 110 is engaged by a plurality of engagement structures such as engagement structure 110B provided on the edge of the lower cover 110, such as a plurality of protrusions such as protrusion 102B provided on the edge of the opening 106 of the front bumper 102. As in this embodiment, it is preferable that there are a plurality of engagement pairs such as the protrusion 102B and the engagement structure 110B on each of the upper and lower edges of the opening 106.

[0021] 2 and 3 described later, behind the lower cover is a power unit room 112 in which a power source (not shown) such as an engine or a motor is disposed. The lower cover 110 is originally a member for insulating heat from the power unit room 112 from the space in front of it.

[0022] (Lower cover) Fig. 3 is an AA end view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 in Fig. 1. As can be seen from Fig. 2, Fig. 3 is an end view of the front bumper 102 cut at a locking location by the projection 102B of the front bumper 102 and the locking structure 110B of the lower cover 110.

[0023] 2 and 3, the lower cover 110 has a main body 110A that overlaps the opening 106 of the front bumper 102, and an opening 110C provided in the main body 110A, and the opening 110C overlaps the opening 106 for the grill 104 of the front bumper 102. In Fig. 3 and other end views, the lower cover 110 is shown by a shaded portion in order to distinguish it from the front bumper 102.

[0024] (Front bumper / lower cover fastening) FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of the front bumper 102 and lower cover 110 of FIG.

[0025] 5, the front bumper 102 has a protrusion 111 that protrudes rearward from the periphery of the opening 106. The protrusion 111 includes an inclined portion 111A that extends rearward while inclining in the up-down direction from the periphery of the opening 106. A weak portion 111B that is thinner than the surrounding area is formed at the base of the inclined portion 111A.

[0026] The projection 111 further includes a claw portion 111C extending rearward from the rear end of the inclined portion 111A, and a thick portion 111D formed so as to be continuous with the fragile portion 111B and increase the thickness of the inclined portion 111A. A vertical surface 111E is formed at the rear end of the thick portion 111D.

[0027] The lower cover 110 has a locking structure that locks the lower cover 110 to the front bumper 102 by locking the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102. The locking structure of the lower cover 110 includes a locking hole 113 that locks the claw portion 111C, and an abutment portion 115 adjacent to the locking hole 113 and abutting against a vertical surface 111E at the rear end of the thick portion 111D.

[0028] Fig. 6 is an end view illustrating the behavior of the front bumper 102 and lower cover 110 shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 when they receive an impact load from the front. Fig. 6 shows the state before and after the front bumper 102 receives an impact from the front, and indicates the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 before and after the impact with a two-dot chain line and a solid line, respectively. Reference symbols are given to the elements shown by the solid lines after the impact is received.

[0029] According to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 5, of the locking structure of the lower cover 110, the locking hole 113 locks the claw portion 111C of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102, thereby locking the lower cover 110 to the front bumper 102 under normal conditions.

[0030] On the other hand, when a front impact load is input to the front bumper 102 due to a collision of a pedestrian or the like with the front side of the vehicle, the abutting portion 115 of the engagement structure of the lower cover 110 receives the front impact load via the thick portion 111D of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102 and resists the thick portion 111D. The resistance of the abutting portion 115 can deform or break the weak portion 111B formed at the base of the inclined portion 111A of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 6. In this way, the lower cover 110 separates from the front bumper 102, thereby absorbing the impact energy.

[0031] As a result, according to this embodiment, damage to pedestrians and the like who are hit can be reduced, and damage to structures fixed to the vehicle body structure behind the front bumper 102 can also be reduced.

[0032] (Grill shutter unit) 4, the locking structure of lower cover 110 further includes flange portion 117 extending rearward from abutment portion 115. In this manner, locking hole 113, abutment portion 115, and flange portion 117 of lower cover 110 are adjacent to each other in this order. In other words, one end of abutment portion 115 having a forward convex shape forms locking hole 113, and the other end extends rearward and is continuous with flange portion 117.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 4, the vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 100 further includes a grill shutter unit 140 located behind the lower cover 110. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the grill shutter unit 140 of Fig. 4, seen from the front. As shown in Fig. 7, the grill shutter unit 140 has a frame member 142 surrounding the unit on all four sides, and shutters 144, 146 extending across the frame member 142 in the vehicle width direction with a gap 143 between them above and below.

[0034] The grill shutter unit 140 is a device that warms and cools the engine by opening and closing shutters 144, 146 according to the traveling speed and the engine water temperature. The grill shutter unit 140 is fixed to a bumper member (front end panel) 148 that constitutes the vehicle body via fixing points 145A, 145B, 145C provided on a frame member 142. A radiator (not shown) is also fixed to this bumper member 148.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7, a cushion member 150 is provided on the front surface of the frame member 142 of the grill shutter unit 140 at a position that overlaps with the flange portion 117 of the locking structure of the lower cover 110 in a front view. The cushion member 150 is made of a soft material. On the other hand, the flange portion 117 of the locking structure of the lower cover 110 is a highly rigid member on which a first bridge (rib 110K) is formed. In this embodiment, as shown by a solid line in Fig. 4 and by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 6, the flange portion 117 of the locking structure of the lower cover 110 is already submerged in the cushion member 150 under normal circumstances before the front bumper 102 receives an impact from the front.

[0036] According to this configuration, when the front bumper 102 receives an impact load from the front, the abutment portion 115 of the locking structure of the lower cover 110 is pressed by the thickness portion 111D of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102. As a result, the flange portion 117 extending rearward from the abutment portion 115 retreats while crushing the cushion member 150 provided on the front surface of the frame member 142 of the grill shutter unit. By interposing the cushion member 150 between the lower cover 110 and the grill shutter unit 140 in this manner, the impact energy applied to the grill shutter unit 140 can be absorbed. Therefore, the impact energy applied to the grill shutter unit 140 when the flange portion 117 reaches the grill shutter unit 140 is low, and damage to the grill shutter unit 140 can be prevented.

[0037] When the flange portion 117 reaches the grill shutter unit 140, the abutment portion 115 resists the thickness portion 111D, and the resistance of this abutment portion 115 can deform or break the weak portion 111B formed at the base of the inclined portion 111A of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102.

[0038] Even if the grill shutter unit 140, which is a sort of backing for the flange portion 117 of the lower cover 110, were not present, it would be possible to deform or break the weak portion 111B of the protrusion 111 of the front bumper 102. However, it goes without saying that the presence of the grill shutter unit 140 would ensure that deformation or breakage would occur.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by providing the cushion member 150, there is no gap between the lower cover 110 and the grill shutter unit 140. As a result, a highly airtight flow path is formed to the heat exchanger (radiator, not shown) in the power unit room 112 via the lower cover 110 and the grill shutter unit 140, and the cooling efficiency can be improved. At the same time, it becomes possible to insulate the power unit room 112 from heat from the outside, and a decrease in the cooling efficiency can be prevented.

[0040] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can think of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

[0041] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented by freely combining the inventions described in the claims and examples, regardless of the dependent relationships of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0042] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front bumper peripheral structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100... Vehicle front bumper peripheral structure 102 ... Front bumper 104 ...Grill 106…Aperture 110 ...Lower cover 111...protrusion 111A...Slope part 111B...Weak part 111C … Claw part 111D … Thickness 112 ... Power unit room 113 ... Locking hole 115...Abutting part 117 ... Flange section 140 ... Grill shutter unit 142 ... Frame member 150 ... Cushioning material

Claims

1. A front bumper with an opening for a grill formed in the front; a lower cover engaged around the opening so as to overlap the opening from a rear side of the front bumper, The front bumper has a protrusion protruding rearward from a periphery of the opening, the protrusion having a weak portion formed therein that is thinner than the periphery, The lower cover has an engagement structure that engages a protrusion of the front bumper to thereby engage the lower cover to the front bumper, and the engagement structure deforms or breaks a weak portion of the protrusion when an impact load is received from the front through the protrusion.

2. The protrusion of the front bumper is an inclined portion extending rearward from a periphery of the opening while inclining in the up-down direction, the inclined portion being formed at a base thereof; a claw portion extending rearward from a rear end of the inclined portion; a thick portion formed so as to increase the thickness of the inclined portion continuous with the weak portion, The locking structure of the lower cover includes: A locking hole for locking the claw portion; 2. The vehicle front bumper peripheral structure according to claim 1, further comprising a contact portion that contacts and resists the thick portion.

3. The lower cover locking structure further includes a flange portion extending rearward from the abutment portion, The vehicle front bumper peripheral structure further includes: a grill shutter unit located behind the lower cover and fixed to a vehicle body; 3. The vehicle front bumper peripheral structure according to claim 2, further comprising a cushion member provided on a front surface of the grill shutter unit at a position overlapping a flange portion of the engagement structure of the lower cover in a front view.

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