Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To utilize effectively foot sweeping mechanisms.SOLUTION: In a vehicle front structure S, a plurality of foot sweeping mechanisms 30 is provided on a rear side of a bumper cover 18 and arranged at an interval in a vehicle width direction. The foot sweeping mechanism 30 is constituted including: an outer cylinder 40 which connects a bumper beam 14 and undercover 20; a movable pillar 50 connected with the outer cylinder 40 movably; and a foot sweeping part 60 provided on the movable pillar 50. Thus, in the foot sweeping mechanism 30, the bumper beam 14 and undercover 20 are connected by the outer cylinder 40, thereby, rigidity of the front end part of the vehicle V can enhanced by utilizing the plurality of foot sweeping mechanisms 30. That is, at the times other than the time of the collision with a pedestrian, the rigidity of the front end part of the vehicles V can be enhanced by utilizing effectively the foot sweeping mechanisms 30. As a result, in addition to a pedestrian protection feature, a vehicles rigidity enhancing function can be given to the foot sweeping mechanisms 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Some vehicles aim to protect pedestrians when they collide with the front end of the vehicle by sweeping away the pedestrian's feet and causing the pedestrian to fall onto the hood of the vehicle. For example, in the vehicle front structure described in Patent Document 1 below, a face lower moving device is provided on the vehicle rear side of a face lower that constitutes the lower end of the front face of the vehicle. The face lower moving device includes a drive unit and a plunger that advances and retreats by the drive unit. When the vehicle collides with a pedestrian, the face lower is pushed out toward the front of the vehicle by the plunger that advances by the drive unit. As a result, the pushed-out face lower sweeps away the pedestrian's feet and causes the pedestrian to fall onto the hood, thereby protecting the pedestrian. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-23281 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, the leg sweep mechanism such as the plunger is activated when there is a collision with a pedestrian, and if the leg sweep mechanism can be utilized in situations other than when there is a collision with a pedestrian, an effective arrangement structure can be realized at the front of the vehicle. Therefore, when installing the leg sweep mechanism at the front end of the vehicle, it is preferable to use a structure that allows the leg sweep mechanism to be utilized effectively.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle front structure capable of effectively utilizing a leg sweep mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention are a vehicle front structure comprising a bumper cover provided at a front end of a vehicle and extending in the vehicle width direction, a bumper beam provided on the vehicle rear side of the bumper cover, an undercover provided on the vehicle underside of the bumper beam and having a front end connected to the lower end of the bumper cover, and a plurality of leg sweep mechanisms provided on the vehicle rear side of the bumper cover and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, wherein the leg sweep mechanisms include a connecting portion extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle and connecting the bumper beam and the undercover, a movable portion connected to the connecting portion so as to be movable in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and which activates when a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover and protrudes below the vehicle undercover, and a leg sweep portion provided on the movable portion that activates when the movable portion comes into contact with the ground and protrudes forward of the vehicle beyond the bumper cover. Effect of the Invention

[0007] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an efficient arrangement at the front of a vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view, seen from the left side of the vehicle, showing a front end portion of a vehicle to which a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, in a partially cutaway state. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view of the front end portion of the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above the vehicle. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which the movable pillar of the leg sweep mechanism shown in FIG. 1 has been lowered to a lowered position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, a vehicle (automobile) V to which a vehicle front structure S according to this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the front side of the vehicle V is indicated by an arrow FR, the upper side of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow UP, and the left side of the vehicle (one side in the vehicle width direction) as viewed from above the vehicle is indicated by an arrow LH. In addition, in the following description, when the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down direction of the vehicle, the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0010] 1 and 2, the vehicle front structure S is applied to the front end of a vehicle V. The vehicle front structure S includes a pair of left and right front side frames 10, a bumper beam 14, an absorber 16 (which is an element understood in a broad sense as an impact absorbing member), a bumper cover 18, an undercover 20, and a plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 (five in this embodiment).

[0011] (Regarding front side frame 10) The front side frames 10 are formed in a hollow, generally rectangular columnar shape extending in the front-rear direction, and are disposed on both left and right sides (both sides in the vehicle width direction) of the front of the vehicle V. Crash boxes 12 are provided on the front sides of the front side frames 10. The crash boxes 12 are formed in a generally rectangular tubular shape with the axial direction being the front-rear direction, and the rear end portions of the crash boxes 12 are joined to the front end portions of the front side frames 10.

[0012] (About Bumper Beam 14) The bumper beam 14 extends in the left-right direction and has a generally rectangular closed cross-sectional shape when viewed in a longitudinal direction. The bumper beam 14 is disposed in front of the crash box 12, and both longitudinal ends of the bumper beam 14 are joined to the front end of the crash box 12. In addition, both longitudinal ends of the bumper beam 14 are disposed outboard of the front side frame 10 and the crash box 12 in the left-right direction.

[0013] (About Absorber 16) The absorber 16 is made of a foamed resin material, i.e., urethane foam or the like. The absorber 16 is formed in a generally elongated shape with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction, and is disposed adjacent to the front side of the bumper beam 14. The absorber 16 is formed in a generally trapezoidal shape in a cross section seen from the longitudinal direction, and the rear surface of the absorber 16 is fixed to the front surface of the bumper beam 14. In the event of a frontal collision between a pedestrian and the vehicle V, the absorber 16 is compressed and deformed by the pedestrian entering the front end of the vehicle V to the rear together with a bumper cover 18 described later, thereby absorbing the collision energy applied to the pedestrian.

[0014] A plurality of support ribs 16A for supporting a pressure plate 34 (described later) are formed on the front surface of the absorber 16. The support ribs 16A extend in the vertical direction and are arranged in the vehicle width direction at predetermined intervals.

[0015] (About Bumper Cover 18) The bumper cover 18 is disposed in front of the absorber 16 and constitutes the front end of the vehicle V. The bumper cover 18 extends in the vehicle width direction, and covers the absorber 16 from the front side.

[0016] (About Undercover 20) The undercover 20 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction extending in the vertical direction, and constitutes the floor of the vehicle V. The undercover 20 is fixed to the vehicle body at a position not shown. In addition, the lower end of the bumper cover 18 is fixed to the front end of the undercover 20.

[0017] (Regarding leg sweep mechanism 30) The leg sweep mechanism 30 is configured as a mechanism that operates in the event of a frontal collision between a pedestrian and the vehicle V (when the pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18) to sweep (push) the pedestrian's legs forward. A plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vehicle width direction behind the bumper cover 18. Each leg sweep mechanism 30 is configured to include a collision detection mechanism section 32, an outer cylinder 40 as a connecting section, a movable pillar 50 as a movable section, and a leg sweep section 60. The plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 are connected by a duct 62 to a gas generator 66 as a single driving section, and the leg sweep section 60 is operated by the pressure of gas supplied from the gas generator 66.

[0018] (Concerning the collision detection mechanism 32) The collision detection mechanism 32 has a pressure plate 34 and a trigger member 36 as a movable locking part. The pressure plate 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the plate thickness direction being in the front-rear direction. The pressure plate 34 is disposed in front of the absorber 16, and both left and right ends of the pressure plate 34 are fixed to the front of the support rib 16A of the absorber 16. The pressure plate 34 is disposed close to the rear side of the bumper cover 18. The pressure plate 34 is configured to be elastically deformable in the front-rear direction. As a result, when a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18, the bumper cover 18 displaces rearward, and the pressure plate 34 is pressed rearward, causing elastic deformation.

[0019] The trigger member 36 is formed in a substantially L-shaped plate shape as viewed from the left side. The upper part of the trigger member 36 is disposed between the support ribs 16A adjacent to each other in the left-right direction on the rear side of the pressing plate 34, and is slightly inclined forward as it goes upward as viewed from the left-right direction. The upper end part of the trigger member 36 is rotatably connected to the support rib 16A with the left-right direction as the axial direction, and the upper end part of the trigger member 36 is disposed adjacent to the rear side of the pressing plate 34. A lock part 36A is formed at the rear end part of the lower part of the trigger member 36, and the lock part 36A is configured to be able to engage with a movable pillar 50 described later. When a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18, the pressing plate 34 elastically deforms rearward to rotate the trigger member 36 clockwise as viewed from the left side, and the engagement between the movable pillar 50 described later and the trigger member 36 is released. The trigger member 36 is biased counterclockwise as viewed from the left side by a retaining spring (not shown).

[0020] (Regarding the outer cylinder 40) The outer tube 40 is generally formed in a substantially rectangular tube shape with the vertical direction as the axial direction. The outer tube 40 is disposed between the bumper beam 14 and the undercover 20, with the upper end of the outer tube 40 fixed to the lower wall of the bumper beam 14 and the lower end of the outer tube 40 fixed to the front end of the undercover 20. A communication hole is formed in the lower wall of the bumper beam 14 to communicate the inside of the outer tube 40 with the inside of the bumper beam 14, and a communication hole is formed in the front end of the undercover 20 to communicate the inside of the outer tube 40 with the space below the undercover 20.

[0021] (About movable column 50) The movable column 50 is generally formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending vertically, and is inserted into the outer cylinder 40 so as to be movable vertically. Specifically, when the leg sweep mechanism 30 is in a non-operating state, the movable column 50 is disposed in an initial position (the position shown in FIG. 1), and when the leg sweep mechanism 30 is operated, the movable column 50 moves from the initial position to a lowered position (the position shown in FIG. 3). When the movable column 50 is in the lowered position, the movable column 50 is set to abut against the ground GR. When the movable column 50 is in the initial position, the locking portion 36A of the trigger member 36 described above engages with the upper end of the movable column 50, so that the movable column 50 is held in the initial position. A notch is formed in the upper end of the front wall of the outer cylinder 40 to allow the locking portion 36A to pass through.

[0022] A case section 50A for accommodating a leg sweep section 60, which will be described later, is provided at the lower end of the movable pillar 50. The case section 50A is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape and is accommodated in the lower end of the outer cylinder 40. A detection switch 52 is provided at the lower side of the case section 50A as a contact detection section, and the detection switch 52 is fixed to the lower surface of the case section 50A. The detection switch 52 is configured as a so-called button-type push switch, and a button section 52A provided at the lower part of the detection switch 52 protrudes slightly downward from the undercover 20 so that it can be operated by pressing it upward. The detection switch 52 is electrically connected to a control section 70 (see FIG. 2) of the vehicle V. When the movable pillar 50 moves from the initial position to the lowered position, the button section 52A of the detection switch 52 is pressed by the ground GR, and an ON signal is output from the detection switch 52 to the control section 70. That is, the detection switch 52 detects the lowered position of the movable pillar 50.

[0023] Further, the outer tube 40 is provided with a lock wire 54 as a button lock section, and the lock wire 54 is formed in a generally long, flexible string shape. One end of the lock wire 54 is fixed to the outer periphery of the outer tube 40, and the other end of the lock wire 54 is connected to the button section 52A of the detection switch 52 to lock the button section 52A. This prevents the button section 52A from being pressed upward by the lock wire 54. A notch is formed in the lower end of the rear wall of the outer tube 40 to allow the lock wire 54 to pass through.

[0024] In the initial position of the movable column 50, the lock wire 54 is connected to the button portion 52A in a slack state. The length of the lock wire 54 is set so that, in an intermediate position between the initial position and the lowered position of the movable column 50, the lock wire 54 is extended and the connection between the lock wire 54 and the button portion 52A is released. As a result, in the initial position of the movable column 50, pressing of the detection switch 52 against the button portion 52A is prevented, and in the lowered position of the movable column 50, pressing of the detection switch 52 against the button portion 52A is permitted.

[0025] In addition, a biasing spring 56 configured as a compression coil spring is fitted around the vertical middle part of the movable column 50 as a biasing member, and the biasing spring 56 is inserted into the outer cylinder 40 together with the movable column 50. The upper end of the biasing spring 56 is engaged with the inner periphery of the outer cylinder 40, and the lower end of the biasing spring 56 is engaged with the case part 50A, so that the biasing spring 56 biases the movable column 50 downward. When the engagement between the trigger member 36 and the movable column 50 is released, the biasing force of the biasing spring 56 and the weight of the movable column 50 cause the movable column 50 to instantly descend from the initial position to the lowered position.

[0026] (Regarding the leg sweep section 60) The leg sweep section 60 is housed in the case section 50A. The leg sweep section 60 is connected to a gas generator 66 (see FIG. 2) by a duct 62, and is activated by the pressure of gas supplied from the gas generator 66 to extend forward from the movable column 50. In this embodiment, the leg sweep section 60 is configured as an airbag, which is formed into a bag shape by sewing one or more base fabrics, and is housed in a folded state in the case section 50A. The gas supplied to the leg sweep section 60 from the gas generator 66 through the duct 62 causes the leg sweep section 60 to inflate and deploy in a substantially flat shape with the thickness direction being the up-down direction. In addition, when the leg sweep section 60 is in an inflated and deployed state, the leg sweep section 60 passes under the bumper cover 18, and the front part of the leg sweep section 60 protrudes forward from the bumper cover 18. This allows the leg sweep section 60 to sweep the legs of a pedestrian. A notch is formed in the front wall of the case part 50A so that the front wall of the case part 50A cleaves starting from the notch when the leg sweep part 60 is inflated and deployed. The leg sweep part 60 is not limited to an airbag, and may be an extension mechanism having an extension member such as a plunger that extends by the pressure of gas supplied from a gas generator 66.

[0027] The duct 62 is formed in a generally long, flexible tube shape, and one end of the duct 62 is connected to the leg sweep section 60. The duct 62 extends upward from the case section 50A, is routed inside the movable pillar 50 and inside the bumper beam 14, and extends from the bumper beam 14. The other end of the duct 62 is connected to a gas generator 66. The gas generator 66 is electrically connected to the control section 70 and is operated under the control of the control section 70. Specifically, when the movable pillar 50 comes into contact with the ground GR and an on signal is output from the detection switch 52, the gas generator 66 is operated by the control section 70.

[0028] A valve 64 is provided at the middle of the longitudinal direction of the duct 62. The valve 64 is configured as a so-called control valve and is electrically connected to the control unit 70. The valve 64 closes the flow path of the duct 62 and blocks the supply of gas from the gas generator 66 to the leg sweep unit 60. On the other hand, when the movable column 50 abuts against the ground GR, the valve 64 is operated under the control of the control unit 70, and the duct 62 is switched from the closed state to the open state. This opens the flow path of the duct 62 and gas is supplied from the gas generator 66 to the leg sweep unit 60. In other words, among the multiple leg sweep mechanisms 30, gas is supplied from the gas generator 66 only to the leg sweep mechanism 30 that has been operated, and the leg sweep unit 60 is inflated and deployed. Note that the valve 64 may be a push button type valve other than the control valve. In this case, the valve 64 may be fixed to the movable column 50 so that it can move integrally with the movable column 50, and when the movable column 50 comes into contact with the ground GR, the push button of the valve 64 is pressed, switching the valve 64 from a closed state to an open state.

[0029] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0030] In the vehicle front structure S configured as described above, a plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction behind the bumper cover 18. When the leg sweep mechanisms 30 are in a non-operating state, the movable pillar 50 is located in the initial position and housed within the outer cylinder 40.

[0031] In the event of a frontal collision between a pedestrian and the vehicle V, the bumper cover 18 collides with the feet of the pedestrian. As a result, the bumper cover 18 is displaced rearward by the feet of the pedestrian and presses rearward one of the pressing plates 34 of the leg sweep mechanisms 30 arranged in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the pressing plate 34 presses the upper end of the trigger member 36 rearward, causing the trigger member 36 to rotate clockwise as viewed from the left side. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the engagement between the locking portion 36A of the trigger member 36 and the movable post 50 is released, and the operation of the movable post 50 is started. That is, the movable post 50 operates in conjunction with the operation of the collision detection mechanism 32 (the pressing plate 34, the trigger member 36).

[0032] When the operation of the movable column 50 starts, the movable column 50 instantaneously descends from the initial position due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 56 and its own weight. When the movable column 50 descends, the lock wire 54 is extended before it reaches the lowered position, and the connection between the lock wire 54 and the button portion 52A of the detection switch 52 is released. This allows the button portion 52A to be pressed upward.

[0033] When the movable column 50 reaches the processing position, the button portion 52A of the detection switch 52 provided on the movable column 50 is pressed by the ground GR, and an ON signal is output from the detection switch 52 to the control unit 70.

[0034] When an ON signal is output from the detection switch 52 to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 activates the gas generator 66 and also activates the valve 64 provided in the duct 62 corresponding to the movable pillar 50 in contact with the ground GR. This switches the valve 64 from a closed state to an open state, and the gas flowing through the duct 62 is supplied to the leg sweep section 60 of the movable pillar 50 in contact with the ground GR, causing the leg sweep section 60 to inflate and deploy due to the pressure of the supplied gas.

[0035] When the leg sweep section 60 is inflated and deployed, it passes under the bumper cover 18 and the front part of the leg sweep section 60 protrudes forward beyond the bumper cover 18. As a result, the pedestrian's feet (around the ankles) are swept forward by the leg sweep section 60, causing the upper half of the pedestrian's body to fall backward. Therefore, the pedestrian falling backward can be received by the hood (not shown) at the front of the vehicle V.

[0036] Here, in the vehicle front structure S, as described above, a plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 are provided on the rear side of the bumper cover 18, and are spaced apart in the vehicle width direction. The leg sweep mechanism 30 is configured to include an outer tube 40 that connects the bumper beam 14 and the undercover 20, a movable pillar 50 movably connected to the outer tube 40, and a leg sweep section 60 provided on the movable pillar 50. When a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18, the movable pillar 50 is actuated to descend from the initial position to the lowered position, and when the movable pillar 50 abuts against the ground, the leg sweep section 60 is actuated to protrude forward from the bumper cover 18. As described above, in the leg sweep mechanism 30, the bumper beam 14 and the undercover 20 are connected by the outer tube 40, so that the rigidity of the front end of the vehicle V can be increased by utilizing the plurality of leg sweep mechanisms 30 that sweep the legs of the pedestrian. In other words, even when there is no collision with a pedestrian, the rigidity of the front end of the vehicle V can be increased by effectively utilizing the leg sweep mechanism 30. As a result, the leg sweep mechanism 30 can be endowed with a function of increasing the rigidity of the vehicle in addition to a function of protecting the pedestrian.

[0037] Furthermore, as described above, in the leg sweep mechanism 30, the leg sweep section 60 is activated when the movable pillar 50 comes into contact with the ground, and protrudes forward beyond the bumper cover 18. This allows the leg sweep section 60 to come into contact with the feet (around the ankles) of a pedestrian, sweeping the pedestrian's legs. In other words, the leg sweep section 60 is prevented from coming into contact with the knees or the area around the knees of a pedestrian. This reduces the risk of injury to the knees of a pedestrian.

[0038] The leg sweep mechanism 30 has a collision detection mechanism 32 that is activated when pressed by the bumper cover 18, and the movable column 50 is activated in conjunction with the collision detection mechanism 32. This allows only the leg sweep mechanism 30 that corresponds to the collision site of the bumper cover 18 with which the pedestrian collides (opposite the collision site in the front-rear direction) to be activated. That is, when the pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18, the pedestrian's feet collide locally with the bumper cover 18. Therefore, by activating only the leg sweep mechanism 30 that corresponds to the locally collided site on the bumper cover 18, the leg sweep mechanism 30 can be efficiently activated to protect the pedestrian. In addition, since the other leg sweep mechanisms 30 are not activated, for example, the labor required for replacing the leg sweep mechanism 30 after a collision can be reduced.

[0039] The movable column 50 is biased downward by the biasing spring 56, and the trigger member 36 of the collision detection mechanism 32 engages with the movable column 50 to hold the movable column 50 in its initial position. When a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover 18, the bumper cover 18 displaces rearward, releasing the engagement between the trigger member 36 and the movable column 50. In detail, the pressing plate 34 is elastically deformed rearward by the bumper cover 18 displaced rearward, and the pressing plate 34 presses and rotates the trigger member 36, releasing the engagement between the trigger member 36 and the movable column 50. This makes it possible to switch between a holding state and a holding release state for the movable column 50 with a simple configuration. After the holding of the movable column 50 is released, the movable column 50 moves downward by the biasing force of the biasing spring 56, and the movable column 50 can be instantly lowered with a simple configuration.

[0040] A detection switch 52 is provided at the lower end of the movable column 50, and when the movable column 50 is in the lowered position, the detection switch 52 is pressed by the ground surface GR to detect the contact of the movable column 50 with the ground surface GR. When the detection switch 52 detects the contact of the movable column 50 with the ground surface GR, the gas generator 66 is operated by the control unit 70, and the leg sweep unit 60 is inflated and deployed forward from the movable column 50. This allows the leg sweep unit 60 to be inflated and deployed at the appropriate timing to contact the feet of a pedestrian. In other words, the leg sweep unit 60 can be inflated and deployed so as to follow the ground surface GR to contact the feet of a pedestrian.

[0041] Furthermore, the leg sweep sections 60 of the multiple leg sweep mechanisms 30 are connected to a single gas generator 66 by a duct 62, and the duct 62 is provided with a valve 64. When the detection switch 52 detects that the movable pillar 50 has come into contact with the ground GR, the control section 70 operates the valve 64 to switch it from a closed state to an open state. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of the vehicle front structure S compared to a configuration in which a gas generator 66 is provided for each leg sweep mechanism 30, and also makes it possible to operate only the leg sweep section 60 provided on the movable pillar 50 that has been lowered to the lowered position.

[0042] Moreover, one end of the lock wire 54 is fixed to the outer tube 40, and the other end of the lock wire 54 is connected to the button portion 52A of the detection switch 52, and the lock wire 54 prevents the button portion 52A from being pressed upward. As a result, even if the button portion 52A of the detection switch 52 is pressed by an external force when the movable column 50 is in the initial position, the operation of the gas generator 66 and the leg sweep unit 60 can be prohibited. As a result, it is possible to suppress erroneous operation of the gas generator 66 and the leg sweep unit 60. Furthermore, when the movable column 50 is in the lowered position, the lock wire 54 is extended, and the connection between the lock wire 54 and the button portion 52A is released. As a result, when the movable column 50 is lowered to the lowered position, the button portion 52A is permitted to be pressed upward, and the detection switch 52 can detect the contact of the movable column 50 with the ground GR.

[0043] In this embodiment, the leg sweep sections 60 of the multiple leg sweep mechanisms 30 are connected to a single gas generator 66 by the duct 62, but multiple gas generators 66 paired with the multiple leg sweep mechanisms 30 may be prepared and the leg sweep mechanisms 30 and the gas generators 66 may be connected by the duct 62. In this case, the valve 64 in the duct 62 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 14 Bumper beam 18 Bumper Cover 20 Undercover 30 Leg sweep mechanism 32 Collision detection mechanism 36 Trigger member (movable lock part) 40 Cylinder (connection part) 50 Movable column (movable part) 52 Detection switch (contact detection part) 52A Button section 54 Lock wire (button lock part) 56 Spring (biasing member) 60 Leg Sweep 62 Duct 64 Valve 66 Gas generator (drive unit) S Vehicle front structure V Vehicle GR ground

Claims

1. A bumper cover provided at a front end of the vehicle and extending in a vehicle width direction; A bumper beam provided on a vehicle rear side of the bumper cover; an undercover provided on a vehicle underside of the bumper beam and having a front end connected to a lower end of the bumper cover; A plurality of leg sweep mechanisms are provided on the rear side of the bumper cover and are arranged at intervals in the vehicle width direction; Equipped with The leg sweep mechanism includes: a connecting portion extending in a vehicle up-down direction and connecting the bumper beam and the undercover; a movable portion that is connected to the connecting portion so as to be movable in the vehicle up-down direction and that is actuated when a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover to protrude toward the vehicle underside of the undercover; a leg sweep portion provided on the movable portion and operative when the movable portion abuts against the ground to protrude forward of the vehicle beyond the bumper cover; A vehicle front structure comprising:

2. The leg sweep mechanism has a collision detection mechanism, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the collision detection mechanism is activated by the bumper cover displacing toward the rear of the vehicle when a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover, and the movable portion is activated in conjunction with the collision detection mechanism.

3. The movable portion is biased toward the lower side of the vehicle by a biasing member, the collision detection mechanism includes a movable lock portion, and the movable lock portion is engaged with the movable portion to prevent the movable portion from moving toward a lower side of the vehicle; 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the movable locking portion is actuated by the bumper cover displacing toward the rear of the vehicle when a pedestrian collides with the bumper cover, thereby releasing the engagement between the movable locking portion and the movable portion.

4. The movable part is provided with a contact detection part that detects contact of the movable part with the ground, A vehicle front structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the contact detection unit detects that the movable part contacts the ground, a drive unit connected to the leg sweep unit is activated, and the leg sweep unit is operated by the drive unit.

5. The drive unit is a single gas generator, and the leg sweep units are connected to the gas generator by ducts; The duct is provided with a valve that opens a flow path inside the duct when actuated, The vehicle front structure according to claim 4 , wherein the valve is actuated when the contact detection unit detects that the movable part is in contact with the ground.

6. the contact detection unit has a button unit that is pressed when the movable unit contacts the ground, A button lock portion that prevents the button portion from being pressed is connected to the button portion, The vehicle front structure according to claim 5 , wherein the button lock portion and the button portion are released from their connected state when the movable portion moves toward the lower side of the vehicle.

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