Vehicle front structure

Abstract

The object is to provide a vehicle front structure that can ensure the rigidity of a front bumper. [Solution] A vehicle front structure (100) includes a bumper net opening (130) and a fog lamp opening (110) in a front bumper (102), and a fog lamp bracket (114) attached to the interior side of the fog lamp opening (110) to secure a fog lamp (106). The fog lamp bracket (114) has a cylindrical bracket base (116) into which the fog lamp (106) is inserted, a bracket fixing portion (126) formed around the bracket base (116) and secured to the front bumper (102), and bracket legs (118a, 118b) extending from the bracket base (116) toward the interior side of the bumper net (104) and connected to the bumper net (104).

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Generally, the front bumper of many vehicles is fitted with a component called a bumper net or grille, which has a grid or mesh-like structure with multiple openings arranged in a row, and serves to draw in outside air to cool the power plant, which consists of the engine and motor at the rear.

[0003] 1 of Patent Document 1 shows a grill component 15. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the grill component 15 is fitted into an opening 14 of a front bumper 1 and fixed with tapping screws 54. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-88782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the front bumper 1 and the grill component 15 are separate parts, so that it is possible to change the design and rigidity as appropriate, for example, by using different materials for the front bumper 1 and the grill component 15.

[0006] However, as shown in Fig. 2, there is also a circular opening for a fog lamp next to the opening 14 in the front bumper 1. When two openings are adjacent to each other like this, the rigidity of the front bumper 1 is likely to be insufficient, which may restrict the design and the layout of each element.

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present invention has an object to provide a vehicle front structure that can ensure the rigidity of a front bumper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front bumper of a vehicle, a bumper net attached to a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper, and fog lamps attached to the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net, wherein the vehicle front structure further comprises a bumper net opening opened in the front bumper to which the bumper net is attached, a fog lamp opening opened in the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net opening to which the fog lamps are attached, and a fog lamp bracket attached to the interior side of the fog lamp opening and fixing the fog lamp, wherein the fog lamp bracket has a cylindrical bracket base into which the fog lamp is inserted, a bracket fixing portion formed around the bracket base and fixed to the front bumper, and a plurality of bracket legs extending from the bracket base toward the interior side of the bumper net and connected to the bumper net. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front structure that can ensure the rigidity of the front bumper. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a vehicle front structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fog lamp bracket and its surroundings shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fog lamp bracket of FIG. 2(b) viewed from outside the vehicle. [Figure 4] 2(b) is a diagram showing a process of attaching a bumper net and a fog lamp bracket to the front bumper of FIG. 2(b). [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing structure taken along line AA in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front bumper of a vehicle, a bumper net attached to a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper, and fog lamps attached to the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net, the vehicle front structure further comprising a bumper net opening opened in the front bumper to which the bumper net is attached, a fog lamp opening opened in the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net opening to which a fog lamp is attached, and a fog lamp bracket attached to the interior side of the fog lamp opening and securing the fog lamp, the fog lamp bracket having a cylindrical bracket base into which the fog lamp is inserted, a bracket fixing portion formed around the bracket base and secured to the front bumper, and a plurality of bracket legs extending from the bracket base toward the interior side of the bumper net and connected to the bumper net.

[0012] According to the above configuration, by connecting the fog lamp bracket to the bumper net, it is possible to improve the installation rigidity of the fog lamp bracket and the bumper net. Also, even if the bumper net opening and the fog lamp opening are adjacent to each other on the front bumper, the rigidity can be compensated for by connecting the fog lamp bracket to the bumper net, and the overall rigidity of the front bumper can be ensured.

[0013] The above-mentioned front bumper has one or more fixing holes formed around the fog lamp opening and to which bracket fixing portions are fixed, and the vehicle front structure further includes a ring-shaped bezel attached to the exterior side of the fog lamp opening and covering the one or more fixing holes, and the bezel may have one or more bezel-side claw portions inserted into the fog lamp opening and connected to the fog lamp bracket.

[0014] According to the above configuration, when the bracket fixing portion is fixed to the fixing hole of the front bumper with a fastener such as a bolt, the fastener can be covered by the bezel, improving the aesthetic appearance of the front bumper. Also, by connecting the bezel and the fog lamp bracket with the bezel-side claw portion, the installation rigidity of the bezel and the fog lamp bracket can be improved, and therefore the installation rigidity of the bumper net connected to the fog lamp bracket can also be improved.

[0015] The above-mentioned front bumper has one or more bumper side claw portions protruding from the edge of the bumper net opening and connected to the bumper net, and at least one of the bumper side claw portions may be provided in the range between the multiple bracket leg portions.

[0016] According to the above configuration, the area of ​​the bumper net where the bracket legs are connected has increased rigidity. Therefore, by further connecting the front bumper and bumper net with the bumper-side claws in this area, it is possible to further strengthen the connection between the front bumper, bumper net, and fog lamp bracket.

[0017] The bumper net may have a convex portion that bulges outward from an area adjacent to the fog lamp, and the convex portion may protrude further outward than the bezel.

[0018] According to the above configuration, the convex portion improves the second moment of area of ​​the bumper net near the fog lamp, thereby increasing the rigidity around the fog lamp. In addition, because the convex portion protrudes further outward than the bezel, the convex portion will come into contact with a structure before the bezel in the event of a minor collision, thereby protecting the bezel and the fog lamp. [Example]

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values ​​shown in these embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and, unless otherwise specified, do not limit the present invention. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0020] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an outline of a vehicle front structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A is a diagram showing a front bumper 102 to which the vehicle front structure 100 is applied, as viewed from the front.

[0021] Hereinafter, in FIG. 1 and all other drawings of the present application, the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right directions of the vehicle width are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward).

[0022] The front bumper 102 is a component made mainly of resin, and forms the design of the front part of the vehicle. The bumper net 104 is a component that is attached over a wide area on the central side of the front bumper 102. The bumper net 104 has multiple openings in various locations, which allow outside air to be drawn from the front bumper 102 into the power unit mounting compartment at the rear.

[0023] The fog lamps 106, 108 are auxiliary lamps that are installed on the front bumper 102 adjacent to the bumper net 104. The fog lamps 106, 108 are provided as a pair on the left and right sides of the front bumper 102.

[0024] 1(b) is an enlarged view of the periphery of a fog lamp opening 110 in which the fog lamp 106 (see FIG. 1(a)) of FIG. 1(a) is installed. The fog lamp 106 is installed by inserting it into the fog lamp opening 110 opened in the front bumper 102. An annular bezel 112 is attached to the periphery of the fog lamp opening 110 on the outer side of the vehicle.

[0025] Fig. 1(c) is a view showing the interior side of the fog lamp opening 110 in Fig. 1(b). A fog lamp bracket 114 is attached to the interior side of the fog lamp opening 110. The fog lamp bracket 114 is a component that secures the fog lamp 106 (see Fig. 1(a)), and is fixed to the front bumper 102 and also connected to the bumper net 104.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the periphery of the fog lamp bracket 114 in Fig. 1(c). Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of the periphery of the fog lamp bracket 114 in Fig. 1(c) viewed from the lower right in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] The fog lamp bracket 114 has a cylindrical bracket base 116 into which the fog lamp 106 (see FIG. 1(a)) is inserted, and a plurality of bracket legs 118a to 118c. The bracket legs 118a and 118b are connected to the bumper net 104.

[0028] FIG. 2(b) is an exploded view of the fog lamp bracket 114 and its surroundings in FIG. 2(a).

[0029] The front bumper 102 is provided with a bumper net opening 130 to which the bumper net 104 is attached, a fog lamp opening 110 to which the fog lamp 106 (see FIG. 1(a)) is attached, and a plurality of fixing holes 120a to 120c to which the fog lamp bracket 114 is fixed.

[0030] The fog lamp opening 110 is provided at a position adjacent to the bumper net opening 130. The fog lamp opening 110 has a circular shape with notches 122a to 122d provided at the four corners of the center. Bezel claws 124a to 124d of the bezel 112 are inserted into the notch 122a.

[0031] The fixing holes 120a to 120c are formed around the fog lamp opening 110, and a bracket fixing portion 126 of the fog lamp bracket 114 is fixed thereto using a fastener or the like.

[0032] The bracket base 116 of the fog lamp bracket 114 is cylindrical and is placed over the fog lamp opening 110, and the fog lamp 106 (see FIG. 1(a)) is inserted into it.

[0033] The bracket fixing portion 126 is formed in a flange shape around the bracket base portion 116. The bracket fixing portion 126 comes into contact with the periphery of the fog lamp opening 110, and is fixed to the fixing holes 120a to 120c of the front bumper 102 using bolts, pins, or the like.

[0034] Bracket legs 118a to 118c are provided so as to protrude laterally from bracket base 116. Bracket legs 118a, 118b extend toward the vehicle interior side of bumper net 104 and are joined to bearing surface portions 128a, 128b of bumper net 104 using fasteners such as bolts.

[0035] The bumper net 104 is attached to a bumper net opening 130 opened in the front bumper 102. A plurality of bumper-side claws 132a, 132b are provided on the edge of the bumper net opening 130 in the front bumper 102. The bumper net 104 is joined to the front bumper 102 by inserting the bumper-side claws 132a, 132b into the receiving portions 134a, 134b.

[0036] The bumper net 104 also has fixing bearing surfaces 134c at various locations. The fixing bearing surfaces 134c are connected to the front bumper 102 by bolts, pins, or the like, and fix the bumper net 104 to the front bumper 102.

[0037] The bezel 112 has a plurality of bezel claws 124a to 124d. The bezel claws 124a to 124d are inserted into the notches 122a to 122d of the fog lamp opening 110 and are coupled to the fog lamp bracket 114.

[0038] By joining the bezel 112 to the fog lamp bracket 114 with the front bumper 102 sandwiched therebetween, it is possible to improve the installation rigidity of the bezel 112 and the fog lamp bracket 114 on the front bumper 102. Accordingly, it is also possible to improve the installation rigidity of the bumper net 104 joined to the fog lamp bracket 114.

[0039] Bezel 112 covers and conceals fixing holes 120a to 120c on the vehicle exterior side of fog lamp opening 110. When bracket fixing portion 126 is fixed to fixing holes 120a to 120c of front bumper 102 with fasteners such as bolts, the aesthetic appearance of front bumper 102 can be improved by covering and concealing the fasteners with bezel 112.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fog lamp bracket 114 of Fig. 2(b) as seen from outside the vehicle. Fig. 3 shows the fog lamp bracket 114 as seen from outside the vehicle and from the upper right in the vehicle width direction.

[0041] A plurality of claws are provided on the fog lamp bracket 114. The claws 136a, 136b are inserted into the upper and lower sides of the fog lamp opening 110 (see FIG. 2(b)) to grip the edge of the fog lamp opening 110.

[0042] The claw portions 138a to 138d are provided to be positioned at the four corners of the fog lamp opening 110 (see FIG. 2(b)) in correspondence with the bezel side claw portions 124a to 124d of the bezel 112 (see FIG. 2(b)), and are coupled to the bezel side claw portions 124a to 124d.

[0043] The bracket fixing portion 126 has fixing holes 140 formed therein that correspond to the fixing holes 120a of the front bumper 102 (see FIG. 2(b)). The fixing holes 140 are fixed to the fixing holes 120a of the front bumper 102 using fasteners such as bolts. Fixing the fog lamp bracket 114 to the front bumper 102 also improves the installation rigidity of the bumper net 104, which is connected to the bracket legs 118a, 118b, relative to the front bumper 102.

[0044] Pins 142a and 142b are provided on the bracket fixing portion 126. The pins 142a and 142b are inserted into fixing holes 120b and 120c of the front bumper 102 (see FIG. 2(b)), enabling the fog lamp bracket 114 to be temporarily fixed to the front bumper 102.

[0045] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the process of attaching the bumper net 104 and the fog lamp bracket 114 to the front bumper 102 of Figure 2(b). Figure 4(a) is a perspective view showing the periphery of the fog lamp opening 110 of the front bumper 102 of Figure 2(b). Figure 4(a) shows the periphery of the fog lamp opening 110 of Figure 2(b) from the upper left in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] As described above, the bumper-side claws 132a, 132b protrude from the edge of the bumper net opening 130 of the front bumper 102. The bumper-side claws 132a, 132b are inserted into the bumper net 104 and grip the bumper net 104 with the barbs at their tips.

[0047] FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing the front bumper 102 of FIG. 4(a) to which the bumper net 104 and the bezel 112 are attached.

[0048] As described above, the bumper-side claws 132a, 132b of the front bumper 102 are inserted into the receiving portions 134a, 134b (see FIG. 2(b)) of the bumper net 104. Alternatively, the bezel-side claws 124a to 124d of the bezel 112 are inserted into the cutouts 122a to 122d of the fog lamp opening 110.

[0049] FIG. 4(c) is a diagram showing the fog lamp bracket 114 attached to the front bumper 102 of FIG. 4(b).

[0050] The fog lamp bracket 114 is connected to the fog lamp opening 110 and the bezel 112 by the claws 136a, 136b, and 138a to 138d shown in Fig. 3. Then, the fog lamp bracket 114 is fixed to the fixing holes 120a to 120c (see Fig. 2(b)) of the front bumper 102 by using the fixing hole 140 and pins 142a and 142b shown in Fig. 3.

[0051] The bracket legs 118a, 118b of the fog lamp bracket 114 are connected to the bumper net 104 using bolts or the like.

[0052] According to the above configuration, by connecting the bracket legs 118a, 118b of the fog lamp bracket 114 to the bumper net 104, it is possible to improve the installation rigidity of the fog lamp bracket 114 and the bumper net 104 on the front bumper 102.

[0053] Furthermore, even if the bumper net opening 130 (see FIG. 4(a)) and the fog lamp opening 110 are adjacent to each other on the front bumper 102, rigidity can be compensated for by the connection between the fog lamp bracket 114 and the bumper net 104, making it possible to ensure the overall rigidity of the front bumper 102. By ensuring this rigidity, the degree of freedom in the arrangement and design of each element on the front bumper 102 is also improved.

[0054] The bumper-side claw portion 132b is connected to the bumper net 104 in the range between the bracket legs 118a, 118b. The rigidity of the bumper net 104 in the range between the bracket legs 118a, 118b of the fog lamp bracket 114 is increased by the connection with the bracket legs 118a, 118b. By connecting the front bumper 102 and the bumper net 104 with the bumper-side claw portion 132b in this range, the overall connection between the front bumper 102, bumper net 104, and fog lamp bracket 114 can be made stronger.

[0055] 1(a) again, the bumper net 104 has convex portions 144, 146 in areas adjacent to the fog lamps 106, 108. The convex portions 144, 146 are bead-like portions that bulge outward from the vehicle.

[0056] Providing the convex portions 144, 146 improves the second moment of area of ​​the bumper net 104, and increases the rigidity of the bumper net 104 around the fog lamps 106, 108. Therefore, the bumper net 104 can be more firmly fixed to the front bumper 102 and the fog lamps 106, 108 can be more firmly fixed to the front bumper 102 near the convex portions 144, 146.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vehicle front structure 100 in Fig. 1(b). The convex portion 144 is formed in a bulging state so as to protrude toward the vehicle exterior by a distance D1 beyond the bezel 112. This configuration is also the same for the convex portion 146 in Fig. 1(a).

[0058] Because the convex portions 144, 146 protrude further outward from the vehicle than the bezel 112, in the event of a minor collision or the like, the convex portions 144, 146 will come into contact with a structure before the bezel 112. This action makes it possible to protect the bezel 112 and the fog lamps 106, 108. The convex portions 144, 146 also protect the joint between the bezel 112 and the fog lamp bracket 114, making it possible to prevent these components from falling off.

[0059] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these modifications and alterations also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100...vehicle front structure, 102...front bumper, 104...bumper net, 106, 108...fog lamp, 110...fog lamp opening, 112...bezel, 114...fog lamp bracket, 116...bracket base, 118a to 118c...bracket legs, 120a to 120c...fixing holes, 122a to 122d...notches, 124a to 124d... d... bezel side claw portion, 126... bracket fixing portion, 128a, 128b... seat portion, 130... opening for bumper net, 132a, 132b... bumper side claw portion, 134a, 134b... receiving portion, 134c... fixed seat surface, 136a, 136b... claw portion, 138a to 138d... claw portion, 140... fixing hole, 142a, 142b... pin, 144, 146... convex portion

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure including a front bumper of a vehicle, a bumper net attached to a predetermined area of ​​the front bumper, and a fog lamp attached to the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net, The vehicle front structure further comprises: a bumper net opening formed in the front bumper and to which the bumper net is attached; a fog lamp opening formed in the front bumper adjacent to the bumper net opening and in which the fog lamp is attached; a fog lamp bracket attached to the vehicle interior side of the fog lamp opening and fixing the fog lamp, The fog lamp bracket is a cylindrical bracket base into which the fog lamp is inserted; a bracket fixing portion formed around the bracket base and fixed to the front bumper; a plurality of bracket legs extending from the bracket base toward the vehicle interior side of the bumper net and connected to the bumper net;

2. the front bumper has one or more fixing holes formed around the fog lamp opening and to which the bracket fixing portion is fixed, the vehicle front structure further includes an annular bezel attached to an exterior side of the fog lamp opening to cover the one or more fixing holes, 2. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein the bezel has one or more bezel-side claws that are inserted into the fog lamp opening and coupled to the fog lamp bracket.

3. the front bumper has one or more bumper-side claws that protrude from the edge of the bumper net opening and are connected to the bumper net, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the bumper-side claws is provided in a range between the plurality of bracket legs.

4. the bumper net has a convex portion that bulges outward from an area adjacent to the fog lamp, The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the convex portion protrudes further toward the vehicle exterior than the bezel.

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