Vehicle front structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a front vehicle structure that maintains the performance of the exterior components as bumpers while improving the workability and positional accuracy when assembling the exterior components to the vehicle body. [Solution] The vehicle front structure has an exterior member 1 provided on the front of the vehicle. The exterior member 1 includes a grille 2 positioned in the center of the vehicle width direction on the front of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle vertical direction, a side bumper 3 provided separately from the grille 2 and connected to the side of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction, extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the connecting portion C1 toward the front end portion of the side of the vehicle, and a lower bumper 4 provided separately from the grille 2 and the side bumper 3, and connected to the respective lower ends 2B and 3B of the grille 2 and the side bumper 3, respectively, and extending continuously in the vehicle width direction across the respective connecting portions. The outer end of the side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a first holder H1 provided on the front end portion of the side of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Generally, exterior members such as a front bumper and a grill are provided at the front of a vehicle such as an automobile. As a conventional vehicle front structure having such exterior members, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a structure in which a grill portion integrally formed with a bumper body of a front bumper is disposed so as to form a substantially continuous surface with a fender panel. In this structure, the rear end surface of the grill portion is provided to face a shelf portion bent inward at the front end portion of the fender panel with a predetermined interval therebetween. A spacer that abuts against the inner surface of the grill portion is attached to the shelf portion, and the spacer restricts the movement of the grill portion toward the inside of the vehicle body.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, with the conventional vehicle front structure described above, when fixing the exterior member (the grille portion of the front bumper) to the holder (the shelf portion of the fender panel) located at the front end of the side of the vehicle, it is necessary to spread the side portion of the exterior member in the vehicle width direction outward while assembling the rear end portion of that side portion to the holder on the vehicle body side. At this time, if the bumper body and grille portion of the front bumper are integrally formed as in Patent Document 1, and the entire exterior member has a single structure, it becomes difficult for the worker to spread the side portion of the exterior member in the vehicle width direction outward, which is a problem as it reduces the workability of assembly. In addition, if the exterior member has a single structure, it may be difficult to accurately assemble the exterior member to the vehicle body if there is variation in the dimensions between the holders located on the left and right fender panels, or if there is variation in the vehicle width direction size of the exterior member. For this reason, there is also the problem that it becomes necessary to manage the positional accuracy in the vehicle width direction to a certain level during the assembly work of the exterior member to the vehicle body.

[0005] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned points, and aims to provide a front vehicle structure that can improve the workability and positional accuracy when assembling exterior components to the vehicle body while maintaining the performance of the exterior components as bumpers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle front structure having an exterior member provided on the front of a vehicle. In this vehicle front structure, the exterior member includes a grille positioned in the central part of the vehicle width direction of the front of the vehicle and extending in the vehicle vertical direction; a side bumper provided separately from the grille and connected to the side of the grille in the vehicle width direction, extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the connecting portion toward the front end portion of the side of the vehicle; and a lower bumper provided separately from the grille and the side bumper, and connected to the respective lower ends of the grille and the side bumper, respectively, and extending continuously in the vehicle width direction across the respective connecting portions. The outer end of the side bumper in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a first holder provided on the front end portion of the side of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the vehicle front structure of the present invention, it is possible to improve the workability and positional accuracy when assembling exterior members to the vehicle body while maintaining the performance of the exterior members as bumpers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the front structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of the above embodiment, viewed from the rear right side of the vehicle. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged front view of the right side of the exterior member in the above embodiment, as seen from the front of the vehicle. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of the right side of the exterior member in the above embodiment, seen from the rear left of the vehicle. [Figure 5] This is a magnified perspective view of the connection between the grille and the side bumper, and the connection between the side bumper and the lower bumper, as seen from diagonally below the front of the vehicle in the above embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the area around the first fastening portion, cut along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the CC line, showing the area around the grille retaining portion. [Figure 8] Figure 3 is a magnified perspective view of the area around the connecting portion of the side bumper and lower bumper, seen from diagonally below and in front of the vehicle. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional perspective view of the area around the second fastening point, cut along line BB in Figure 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of the vehicle front structure according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front of the vehicle. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, as seen from the rear right of the vehicle. In the figures described below, the direction of arrow F indicates the front in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the direction of arrow U indicates the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the directions of arrows R and L indicate the right and left when looking at the front of the vehicle from inside the passenger compartment.

[0010] In Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle front structure of this embodiment includes an exterior member 1 provided on the front of a vehicle such as an automobile. The exterior member 1 extends generally in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle height direction, forming the exterior design surface of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the exterior member 1 includes, for example, a grille 2, a pair of left and right side bumpers 3, and a lower bumper 4.

[0011] The grille 2 is located in the center of the vehicle's front end in the width direction and extends vertically. The grille 2 is a resin component with multiple ventilation holes 21 formed therein. The grille 2 is made of a material that is more rigid than each side bumper 3 and lower bumper 4. The upper part of the grille 2 is located between the left and right pair of headlights (not shown) mounted on the vehicle. A plate support portion 22 for supporting the vehicle's license plate (not shown) is integrally formed near the lower center of the grille 2 in the width direction. A sensor support member (not shown) for supporting sensors such as millimeter-wave radar that monitor the driving environment in front of the vehicle is provided on the rear side of the grille 2. The sensor support member is fixed to a hood lock member (not shown), which is one of the vehicle body frame members, and the grille 2 is attached to the sensor support member. In other words, the grille 2 is supported by the vehicle body frame member (hood lock member) via the sensor support member.

[0012] The left and right side bumpers 3 are separate components from the grille 2. The right side bumper 3 is connected to the right side of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction (right side) 2A, and extends outward (to the right) from the connection point C1. The outer part 3A of the right side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction curves towards the rear of the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction, towards the front end of the fender panel (not shown) that forms the right side of the vehicle. The left side bumper 3 is connected to the left side of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction (left side) 2A, and extends outward (to the left) from the connection point C1. The outer part 3A of the left side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction curves towards the rear of the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction, towards the front end of the fender panel (not shown) that forms the left side of the vehicle. First holders H1 for fixing the left and right side bumpers 3 are provided at the front ends of the left and right fender panels (Figure 2). At the rear end of each outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side bumpers 3 (the fixed end with each first holder H1), a plurality of flange portions 3A1 are formed that protrude inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0013] An opening 31 is formed in the front portion 3C of each side bumper 3 to expose a fog lamp (not shown) mounted on the vehicle to the outside (Figure 2). The opening 31 penetrates in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a fog lamp bezel 5 is disposed around it on the front portion 3C from the front side of the vehicle (Figure 1). The fog lamp bezel 5 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and a through hole 51 is formed at a position corresponding to the opening 31 of the side bumper 3. The fog lamp bezel 5 also has a bead portion 52 that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and extends along the upper edge, the inner edge in the vehicle width direction, and the lower edge of the fog lamp bezel 5. In this embodiment, the fog lamp bezel 5 corresponds to the "lamp bezel" of the present invention.

[0014] The lower bumper 4 is provided separately from the grill 2 and the left and right side bumpers 3. The upper end portion 4A of the lower bumper 4 is connected to the lower end portion 2B of the grill 2 and the lower end portions 3B of the left and right side bumpers 3, respectively. The lower bumper 4 extends continuously in the vehicle width direction across the connection portion C2 with the grill 2 and the connection portions C3 with the left and right side bumpers 3. That is, the lower bumper 4 extends in the vehicle width direction and has a vehicle width direction length corresponding to the full width of the vehicle. The vehicle width direction side portion 4B of the lower bumper 4 extends while curving rearward of the vehicle as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction corresponding to the curved shape of the vehicle width direction outer side portion 3A of the side bumper 3. Also, the lower portion 4C of the lower bumper 4 extends while curving rearward of the vehicle as it goes downward of the vehicle. At the lower end portion of the vehicle width direction middle portion of the lower bumper 4, a plurality of vehicle body fixing portions 41 for fixing to a bumper beam (not shown), which is one of the vehicle body frame members, are formed (FIG. 2).

[0015] In addition to the grill 2, the left and right side bumpers 3, the lower bumper 4, and the fog lamp bezel 5, the exterior member 1 in the present embodiment includes lower bezels 6 and upper bezels 7 provided corresponding to the left and right side bumpers 3, respectively.

[0016] The lower bezel 6 is disposed so as to cover the connection portion C1 between the grill 2 and the side bumper 3 and the connection portion C3 between the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 from the front side of the vehicle (FIG. 1). The lower bezel 6 has a portion extending in the vehicle up and down direction along the connection portion C1 and a portion extending in the vehicle width direction along the connection portion C3, and is formed in a substantially L shape in a front view. At the upper end portion 6A of the lower bezel 6, the lower end portion 7A of the upper bezel 7 is provided so as to overlap from the front side of the vehicle.

[0017] The upper bezel 7 extends outward in the vehicle width direction as it goes upward from the overlapping portion with the upper end portion 6A of the lower bezel 6 (FIG. 1). The outer end portion 7B in the vehicle width direction of the upper bezel 7 is fixed to the upper end portion 3A2 of the outer side portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The middle portion in the vehicle width direction of the upper bezel 7 is fixed to the second holder H2 disposed above the vehicle of the side bumper 3 (FIG. 2). The second holder H2 is attached to the edge of a headlight (not shown) or the like and is supported by the vehicle body frame member via the headlight.

[0018] Here, the connection structure of each part of the exterior member 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail while also referring to FIGS. 3 to 5. Note that since the connection structures regarding the right side bumper 3 and the left side bumper 3 are in a symmetric relationship, hereinafter, the connection structure regarding the right side bumper 3 will be described, and the description of the connection structure regarding the left side bumper 3 will be omitted.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a front view of the right side portion of the exterior member 1 enlarged and viewed from the front of the vehicle. However, FIG. 3 shows a state where the lower bezel 6, the upper bezel 7, and the second holder H2 are removed. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the right side portion of the exterior member 1 enlarged and viewed obliquely from the left rear of the vehicle. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the connection portion C1 between the grill 2 and the side bumper 3 and the connection portion C3 between the grill 2 and the lower bumper 4 enlarged and viewed obliquely from the lower front of the vehicle. However, FIG. 5 shows a state where the lower bezel 6 and the upper bezel 7 are removed.

[0020] As described above, the inner end portion 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3, which is separate from the grill 2, is connected to the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grill 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connection structure between the grill 2 and the side bumper 3 is such that the inner end portion 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 is overlapped with the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grill 2 from the front side of the vehicle. Two first fastening portions F1 for fixing the grill 2 and the side bumper 3 are provided at intervals in the vehicle vertical direction in this overlapping portion.

[0021] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along line AA in Figure 3, around the upper first fastening portion F1. However, Figure 6 shows the lower bezel 6 installed. As shown in Figure 6, the upper first fastening portion F1 secures the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 to each other using screws or bolts, and is concealed from the front of the vehicle by the lower bezel 6. Holes are formed in the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 at the locations corresponding to the first fastening portion F1, respectively, penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Each hole is provided with play (gap) to absorb dimensional variations when assembling the exterior member 1 to the vehicle body, as will be described later. The lower first fastening portion F1 has a similar structure to the upper first fastening portion F1. Furthermore, a second fastening portion F2 is provided above the upper first fastening portion F1 for securing the side bumper 3 and the lower bezel 6 (Figures 3 to 5). Details of the second fastening portion F2 will be described later.

[0022] The side portion 2A of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction has a retaining portion 23 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the first fastening portion F1 at the portion where it overlaps with the inner end portion 3D of the side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction (Figures 2, 4 to 6). In this embodiment, two retaining portions 23 that extend outward in the vehicle width direction from the first fastening portion F1 are provided at an intermediate position in the vehicle vertical direction on the side portion 2A of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction, spaced apart in the vertical direction. Each retaining portion 23 is formed by extending a convex shape that protrudes toward the rear of the vehicle from the end portion of the side portion 2A of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0023] The inner end 3D of the side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction is provided with two recesses 32 that are recessed toward the rear of the vehicle, corresponding to each of the retaining portions 23 of the grille 2 (Figures 5 and 6). The recesses 32 of the side bumper 3 are positioned inside the retaining portions 23 of the grille 2 when the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 are superimposed. In this embodiment, the bottom portion of each recess 32 has a structure that penetrates in the vehicle's front-to-rear direction (Figure 6).

[0024] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view obtained by cutting the area around the retaining portion 23 of the grille 2 along the CC line in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 7, the retaining portion 23 of the grille 2 is provided with an engagement hole 23A that penetrates in the vehicle's longitudinal direction and extends in the vehicle's width direction. The recess 32 of the side bumper 3 is provided with an engagement claw 32A, which extends the lower part of its peripheral wall toward the rear of the vehicle and has a projection formed on the upper surface of the extended portion. When the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 are superimposed, the engagement claw 32A on the side bumper 3 side is inserted into the engagement hole 23A on the grille 2 side. As a result, the retaining portion 23 on the grille 2 side and the recess 32 on the side bumper 3 side are engaged at a position outside the vehicle width direction of the first fastening portion F1 in the superimposed portion of the grille 2 and the side bumper 3. In this engaged state, there is at least a gap (play) between the retaining portion 23 and the recess 32 in the vehicle width direction, similar to the case of the first fastening portion F1 described above.

[0025] The lower ends 2B and 3B of the grille 2 and side bumper 3 are connected to the upper ends 4A of the lower bumper 4, which is separate from the grille 2 and side bumper 3. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the connection structure between the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 is such that the upper end 4A of the lower bumper 4 is superimposed on the lower end 3B of the side bumper 3 from the front of the vehicle. A third fastening part F3 for fixing the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 is provided at this superimposed portion. The third fastening part F3 fixes the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 to each other using screws, bolts, etc., and is covered from the front of the vehicle by the lower bezel 6.

[0026] Figure 8 is a magnified perspective view of the area around the connecting portion C3 of the side bumper 3 and lower bumper 4 in Figure 3, viewed from diagonally below and in front of the vehicle. As shown in Figure 8, multiple engagement grooves 33 are provided around the lower end portion 3B of the side bumper 3 for attaching the fog lamp bezel 5 to the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3. Multiple engagement claws 53 formed on the periphery of the fog lamp bezel 5 engage with each engagement groove 33 (Figures 3 and 8). Furthermore, numerous engagement grooves 33 for the fog lamp bezel 5 are provided on the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3 at required intervals along the four substantially rectangular sides of the fog lamp bezel 5 (Figures 4 and 5).

[0027] Furthermore, similar to the multiple engaging claws 53 of the fog lamp bezel 5, multiple engaging claws 61 are also provided on the periphery of the roughly L-shaped lower bezel 6 (Figure 6). Corresponding to each engaging claw 61 of the lower bezel 6, multiple engaging holes 24, 42, 54 are provided in the grille 2, lower bumper 4, and fog lamp bezel 5 (Figures 3, 6, and 8).

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, four engagement holes 24 are provided on the side portion 2A of the grille 2 in the vehicle width direction, along the inner edge and lower edge of the lower bezel 6 in the vehicle width direction (Figure 3). In addition, three engagement holes 42 are provided on the upper end portion 4A of the lower bumper 4 along the lower edge of the lower bezel 6 (Figures 3 and 8). Furthermore, six engagement holes 54 are provided on the inner end portion and lower end portion of the fog lamp bezel 5 in the vehicle width direction, along the outer edge and upper edge of the lower bezel 6 in the vehicle width direction (Figures 3 and 8). The three engagement holes 54 provided on the lower end portion of the fog lamp bezel 5 are arranged alternately with three engagement claws 53 that extend rearward from the lower edge of the fog lamp bezel 5. This alternating arrangement of engagement claws 53 and engagement holes 54 stabilizes the mounting state of the lower bezel 6.

[0029] When each engaging claw 61 of the lower bezel 6 is inserted into and engaged with the engaging holes 24, 42, and 54 of the grille 2, lower bumper 4, and fog lamp bezel 5, the upper outer portion 6B in the vehicle width direction of the lower bezel 6 engages with the upper inner portion 5A in the vehicle width direction of the fog lamp bezel 5 (Figure 1). In addition, the upper end portion 6A of the lower bezel 6 is superimposed on the upper portion of the inner end portion 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 from the front of the vehicle. The aforementioned second fastening portion F2 for fixing the side bumper 3 and the lower bezel 6 is provided at this superimposed portion (Figures 3 to 5).

[0030] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional perspective view taken along the BB line in Figure 3, around the second fastening portion F2. However, Figure 9 shows the lower bezel 6 and upper bezel 7 installed. As shown in Figure 9, the second fastening portion F2 secures the upper part of the inner end 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 and the upper end 6A of the lower bezel 6 to each other using screws, bolts, etc. An opening 25 is formed in the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grille 2, which is located behind the inner end 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3, to access the second fastening portion F2 from the rear of the vehicle. The second fastening portion F2 is covered from the front of the vehicle by the lower end 7A of the upper bezel 7.

[0031] The outer end 7B in the vehicle width direction of the upper bezel 7 is fixed to the upper end portion 3A2 of the outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 (Figures 3 and 4). Multiple engaging claws (not shown) similar to the engaging claws 61 of the lower bezel 6 described above are provided on the peripheral portion of the upper bezel 7 that overlaps with the grille 2 and the side bumper 3. Multiple engaging holes 26, 34 are provided in the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 corresponding to each engaging claw of the upper bezel 7 (Figure 3).

[0032] Next, the assembly process of the exterior member 1 to the vehicle body in this embodiment will be described. When assembling the exterior member 1 having the structure described above to the vehicle body, for example, the inner end 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 is superimposed on the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grille 2 from the front of the vehicle. Then, the engaging claws 32A of each recess 32 of the side bumper 3 are inserted into the engaging holes 23A of each retaining portion 23 of the grille 2, so that the left and right side bumpers 3 are engaged with both the left and right sides of the grille 2. At this time, the grille 2 and side bumpers 3 are not yet fixed by the first fastening portion F1.

[0033] The grille 2, to which the left and right side bumpers 3 are engaged, is fixed to the hood lock member on the vehicle body side via a sensor support member. Subsequently, the outer portions 3A in the vehicle width direction of the left and right side bumpers 3 are spread outward, and the flange portions 3A1 of each side bumper 3 are inserted into the rear side of the first holders H1 provided on the left and right fender panels. At this time, because the left and right side bumpers 3 are provided separately from the grille 2 and are engaged before being fixed by the first fastening portion F1, the worker can insert the flange portions 3A1 of each side bumper 3 into the rear side of the first holders H1 relatively easily. Furthermore, even if there is variation in the dimensions between the left and right first holders H1, or variation in the size of the grille 2 and / or side bumpers 3, the above variation can be absorbed by adjusting the play (gap) at the connecting portion C1 of the grille 2 and side bumpers 3.

[0034] Once the adjustment of the connecting portions C1 to the left and right first holders H1 on the vehicle body side is complete, the grille 2 and side bumpers 3 are fixed by the first fastening portions F1, and the flange portions 3A1 of the side bumpers 3 are fixed to the first holders H1. Then, the upper ends 4A of the lower bumper 4 are connected to the lower ends 2B of the grille 2 and the lower ends 3B of the left and right side bumpers 3, respectively, and fixed by the third fastening portions F3, etc. After that, the vehicle body fixing portions 41 provided on the lower bumper 4 are fixed to the bumper beam, respectively. As a result, the entire exterior member 1, which connects the grille 2, the left and right side bumpers 3, and the lower bumper 4, is fixed to the vehicle body side (hood lock member, left and right fender panels, and bumper beam).

[0035] In this embodiment, the exterior member 1 is divided into left and right side bumpers 3, which are separate from the grille 2, on both sides in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the exterior member 1 may bend along the dividing line formed along the connecting portion C1 between the grille 2 and the side bumpers 3. However, the lower bumper 4, which extends continuously in the vehicle width direction across the entire grille 2 and the left and right side bumpers 3, is provided, thereby suppressing the bending of the exterior member 1 along the dividing line. In addition, a retaining portion 23 is provided on the vehicle width direction side portion 2A of the grille 2, which extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the first fastening portion F1. This effectively suppresses the bending of the exterior member 1 that displaces the side bumper 3 toward the rear of the vehicle relative to the grille 2.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the exterior member 1 is divided into the grille 2, the left and right side bumpers 3, and the lower bumper 4, the rigidity of the joints (connecting parts C1 to C3) of each element is reduced compared to the exterior member formed as a single unit in the conventional structure described above. To address this reduction in rigidity caused by the division of the exterior member 1, the rigidity of the material used for the grille 2, which is located in the center of the exterior member 1, is made higher than the rigidity of the material used for the surrounding side bumpers 3 and lower bumper 4, thereby ensuring that the entire exterior member 1 has a stable structure.

[0037] Once the exterior member 1 is fixed to the vehicle body as described above, the fog lamp bezels 5 are attached to the front portions 3C of each of the left and right side bumpers 3. The rigidity of the side bumper 3, in which an opening 31 corresponding to the fog lamp is formed in the front portion 3C, is lower than the rigidity when the opening 31 is not formed. However, by arranging the fog lamp bezels 5 around the opening 31 of the side bumper 3, the reduction in rigidity of the side bumper 3 is suppressed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rigidity of the fog lamp bezel 5 itself is increased by the bead portion 52. This effectively suppresses the reduction in rigidity of the side bumper 3 and also makes it possible to protect the fog lamp in the event of a minor collision.

[0038] When the fog lamp bezel 5 is attached to the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3, the engaging claws 61 of the lower bezel 6 engage with the engaging holes 24, 42, and 54 of the grille 2, lower bumper 4, and fog lamp bezel 5, respectively, so as to cover the connecting portion C1 of the grille 2 and the side bumper 3, and the connecting portion C3 of the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 from the front of the vehicle, and the upper end portion 6A of the lower bezel 6 and the side bumper 3 are fixed to each other by the second fastening portion F2. The upper bezel 7 is then fixed to the upper end portion 3A2 of the outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 and the second holder H2, and to the engaging holes 26 and 34 of the grille 2 and side bumper 3, respectively. The lower end portion 7A of the upper bezel 7 covers the second fastening portion F2 from the front of the vehicle.

[0039] As described above, in the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the exterior member 1 includes a separate grille 2, side bumper 3, and lower bumper 4. The side bumper 3 is connected to the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grille 2 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction, and the lower bumper 4 is connected to the lower ends 2B and 3B of the grille 2 and side bumper 3, respectively, and extends continuously in the vehicle width direction. The outer end portion in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 (flange portion 3A1 of the outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction) is fixed to a first holder H1 disposed at the front end portion of the side portion (fender panel) of the vehicle. With a vehicle front structure having such an exterior member 1, when assembling the exterior member 1 to the vehicle body, the outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 can be easily spread outward, improving work efficiency. Furthermore, even if there are variations in dimensions between the left and right first holders H1, the exterior member 1 can be assembled to the vehicle body with good positional accuracy by adjusting the play (gap) at the connecting portion C1 between the grille 2 and the side bumper 3. In addition, the lower bumper 4, which extends continuously in the vehicle width direction, can suppress bending of the exterior member 1 along the trim line formed along the connecting portion C1 between the side bumper 3 and the grille 2. Therefore, it is possible to improve work efficiency and positional accuracy when assembling the exterior member 1 to the vehicle body while maintaining the performance of the exterior member 1 as a bumper.

[0040] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the exterior member 1 includes a lower bezel 6 that covers the connecting portion C1 of the grille 2 and the side bumper 3, and the connecting portion C3 of the side bumper 3 and the lower bumper 4 from the front of the vehicle. With such a structure, even if the appearance (visibility) of the trim of the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 deteriorates due to the adjustment of the above-mentioned play (gap), the lower bezel 6 can cover the trim while allowing for a three-dimensional shape, thereby improving the design of the exterior member 1.

[0041] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the inner end 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 is superimposed on the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grille 2 from the vehicle front side and fixed by a first fastening portion F1, and the first fastening portion F1 is covered from the vehicle front side by a lower bezel 6. In addition, the side portion 2A in the vehicle width direction of the grille 2 has a retaining portion 23 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the first fastening portion F1, and this retaining portion 23 engages with the side bumper 3. By providing the first fastening portion F1 covered by the lower bezel 6 in this way, it is possible to further suppress the bending of the exterior member 1 on the dividing line between the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 while maintaining the design of the exterior member 1. In addition, by providing the retaining portion 23, it is possible to effectively suppress the bending of the exterior member 1 that displaces the side bumper 3 toward the rear of the vehicle relative to the grille 2. In addition, by deliberately using engagement rather than fastening to connect the retaining portion 23 and the side bumper 3, it becomes easier to allow the outer portion 3A of the side bumper 3 in the vehicle width direction to spread outward during assembly. This prevents cracking of the side bumper 3 and further improves the ease of assembly.

[0042] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the exterior member 1 includes a fog lamp bezel 5 disposed around an opening 31 formed in the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3, and the fog lamp bezel 5 has a plurality of engagement holes 54 formed along the edges facing the grille 2 and lower bumper 4 connected to the side bumper 3, respectively. The lower bezel 6 has a plurality of engagement claws 61 that are inserted into each of the engagement holes 54 of the fog lamp bezel 5, and the upper outer portion 6B in the vehicle width direction of the lower bezel 6 engages with the upper inner portion 5A in the vehicle width direction of the fog lamp bezel 5. With this structure, the reduction in rigidity of the side bumper 3 due to the formation of the opening 31 for the fog lamp can be suppressed by the fog lamp bezel 5, and the fixing of the lower bezel 6 to the fog lamp bezel 5 can be made stronger.

[0043] Furthermore, in the vehicle front structure of this embodiment, the exterior member 1 includes an upper bezel 7 that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end 6A of the lower bezel 6 toward the upper part of the vehicle. The upper end 6A of the lower bezel 6 is superimposed from the front of the vehicle onto the upper part of the inner end 3D in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 and fixed by a second fastening part F2, and the second fastening part F2 is covered from the front of the vehicle by the lower end 7A of the upper bezel 7. In addition, the outer end 7B in the vehicle width direction of the upper bezel 7 is fixed to the upper end 3A2 of the outer part 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3, and the middle part in the vehicle width direction of the upper bezel 7 is fixed to a second holder H2 disposed above the side bumper 3. By providing a second fastening portion F2 that is covered by the lower end portion 7A of the upper bezel 7, the upper end portion 6A of the lower bezel 6 can be firmly fixed to the side bumper 3 while maintaining the aesthetic design of the exterior member 1, and the upper bezel 7 can also be firmly fixed to the vehicle body side via the upper end portion 3A2 of the outer portion 3A in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper 3 and the second holder H2.

[0044] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical idea of ​​the present invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the connection between the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 is performed by the engagement of the first fastening portion F1 and the retaining portion 23 of the grille 2 and the recess 32 of the side bumper 3, but the connection structure between the grille 2 and the side bumper 3 is not limited to the above example. Also, an example was shown in which an engagement hole 23A is provided in the retaining portion 23 of the grille 2 and an engagement claw 32A is provided in the recess 32 of the side bumper 3, but the relationship between the hole and the claw may be reversed, that is, an engagement claw may be provided in the retaining portion 23 of the grille 2 and an engagement hole may be provided in the recess 32 of the side bumper 3.

[0045] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained an example in which an opening 31 for fog lamps is provided in the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3, the structure of the present invention is also effective when an opening for exposing other on-board lamps to the outside of the vehicle is provided in the front portion 3C of the side bumper 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1…Exterior components 2…Grill 2A... Side in the direction of vehicle width 2B…Lower end 21…Ventilation holes 22...Plate support section 23…Relief Department 23A,24,26…Engagement hole 25...Opening part 3... Side bumper 3A... Outer part in the width direction of the vehicle 3A1...Flange section 3A2…Top end part 3B…Lower end 3C...Front part 3D...Inner edge in the vehicle width direction 31…Opening 32…recess 32A…Engagement claw 33…Engagement groove 34…Engagement hole 4... Lower bumper 4A…Top end 4B... Side in the width direction of the vehicle 4C…Lower 41... Vehicle body fixing part 42…Engagement hole 5… Fog lamp bezel (lamp bezel) 5A... Upper inner part in the width direction of the vehicle 51…Through hole 52...Bead section 53…Engaging claw 54…Engagement hole 6…Lower bezel 6A...Top end 6B... Upper outer part in the width direction of the vehicle 61…Engaging claw 7… Upper bezel 7A…Lower end 7B... Outer end in the vehicle width direction C1~C3…Connection part F1~F3…1st to 3rd fastening sections H1, H2... First and second holders

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure having an exterior member provided on the front of the vehicle, The exterior member is, The aforementioned vehicle has a grille positioned in the center of the front of the vehicle in the width direction and extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, A side bumper is provided separately from the aforementioned grille and is connected to the side of the grille in the vehicle width direction, extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the connecting portion toward the front end portion of the side of the vehicle, A lower bumper is provided separately from the grille and the side bumper, and is connected to the respective lower ends of the grille and the side bumper, and extends continuously in the vehicle width direction across the respective connecting portions. The front vehicle structure is characterized in that the outer end of the side bumper in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a first holder disposed at the front end of the side surface of the vehicle.

2. The front vehicle structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the exterior member includes a lower bezel that covers the connecting portion of the grille and the side bumper, and the connecting portion of the side bumper and the lower bumper from the front of the vehicle.

3. The inner end of the side bumper in the vehicle width direction is overlapped with the side of the grille in the vehicle width direction from the front of the vehicle, and the grille and the side bumper are fixed to each other by a first fastening part provided in the overlapping portion. The first fastening portion is covered and hidden from the front of the vehicle by the lower bezel. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the side portion of the grille in the vehicle width direction has a retaining portion that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the first fastening portion, and the retaining portion engages with the side bumper.

4. The side bumper has an opening formed on the front portion corresponding to the lamp mounted on the vehicle, The exterior member includes a lamp bezel disposed around the opening. The lamp bezel has a plurality of engagement holes formed along the edges facing the grille and the lower bumper, respectively, which are connected to the side bumper. The vehicle front structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the lower bezel has a plurality of engaging claws that are inserted into each of the engaging holes of the lamp bezel, and the upper outer portion in the vehicle width direction of the lower bezel engages with the upper inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the lamp bezel.

5. The exterior member includes an upper bezel that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the lower bezel toward the upper part of the vehicle, The upper end of the lower bezel is superimposed on the upper portion of the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the side bumper from the front of the vehicle, and the side bumper and the lower bezel are fixed to each other by a second fastening portion provided in the superimposed portion. The second fastening portion is covered and hidden from the front of the vehicle by the lower end of the upper bezel. The front vehicle structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the outer end of the upper bezel in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the upper end portion of the outer part of the side bumper in the vehicle width direction, and the middle portion of the upper bezel in the vehicle width direction is fixed to a second holder disposed above the side bumper.

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