Vehicle bumper structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle bumper structure that can prevent cracks from forming in the bumper even if a passenger accidentally kicks it during snowfall. [Solution] The vehicle bumper structure 1 comprises a front bumper 3 having a main body portion 10 having a rear end portion 10b, a flange portion 11 extending inward from the rear end portion 10b in the vehicle width direction and having an inner edge portion 11i on the inward side in the vehicle width direction, a wheel house outer 5, and a fixing member 7 for fixing the wheel house outer 5 to the flange portion 11. The flange portion 11 has a flat portion 11a connected to the main body portion 10, a first recess 13 connected to the flat portion 11a and recessed forward where the fixing member 7 is arranged, a second recess 17 provided between the first recess 13 and a concealed portion 15 which is part of the main body portion 10 and conceals the fixing member 7 in a side view, and recessed forward, and at least one bead portion 21 extending along the inner edge portion 11i around the fixing member 7.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bumper structure for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a fender lining that aims to suppress damage to the fender lining when a load is applied while suitably ensuring the rigidity of the vehicle's strake. The fender lining includes an arch-shaped base portion, a front extension portion that extends forward along the lower edge of the front bumper on the vehicle front side of the base portion, and a lower extension portion that extends downward between the base portion and the front extension portion. The materials of the front bumper and the fender lining are resin. The fender lining is also called a wheelhouse outer.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when there is snow accumulation, a passenger may kick the side of the tire to drop the snow loaded on the vehicle from the vehicle. At that time, if the passenger accidentally kicks the bumper of the vehicle, an external force acts on the bumper from the side of the vehicle. This external force may cause stress concentration around the fixing member that fixes the wheelhouse outer to the bumper, and may cause cracks in the bumper. In addition, resin has the property of becoming brittle while its strength and elastic modulus increase as the temperature decreases. Snow accumulation promotes the occurrence of cracks in the resin bumper. Therefore, it is desirable that a vehicle bumper structure including a bumper, a wheelhouse outer, and a fixing member can prevent the occurrence of cracks in the bumper even when a passenger accidentally kicks the bumper during snow accumulation.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle bumper structure that can prevent cracks from occurring in the bumper even if a passenger accidentally kicks the bumper during snowfall. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the aforementioned problems, a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a front bumper having a main body portion having a rear end portion located at the rear, and a flange portion having an inner edge portion located on the inside in the vehicle width direction extending inward from the rear end portion; a wheel house outer fixed to the flange portion; and a fixing member for fixing the wheel house outer to the flange portion. The flange portion has a flat outer surface and includes a flat portion connected to the main body portion, a first recess connected to the flat portion and recessed forward of the flat portion, on which the fixing member is arranged, a second recess provided between the first recess and a concealed portion which is part of the main body portion and conceals the fixing member in a side view, and recessed forward of the first recess, and at least one bead portion provided around the fixing member and extending along the inner edge portion.

[0007] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a rear bumper having a main body portion having a front end portion located on the front side, a flange portion extending inward from the front end portion in the vehicle width direction and having an inner edge portion located inward in the vehicle width direction, a wheel house outer fixed to the flange portion, and a fixing member for fixing the wheel house outer to the flange portion. The flange portion has a flat outer surface and a flat portion connected to the main body portion, a first recess connected to the flat portion and recessed rearward from the flat portion, on which the fixing member is arranged, a second recess provided between the first recess and a concealed portion which is a part of the main body portion and conceals the fixing member in a side view of the rear bumper, and recessed rearward from the first recess, and at least one bead portion provided around the fixing member and extending along the inner edge portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a vehicle bumper structure is provided that can prevent cracks from occurring in the bumper even if a passenger accidentally kicks the bumper of the vehicle when it is covered in snow. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the area around a first recess in a front bumper of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A rear view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] (A) A figure showing an example of a stress analysis model for a front bumper of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and (B) A figure showing an example of a stress analysis model for a comparative example of a front bumper of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] (A) A figure showing the analysis results of the stress distribution in the stress analysis model of Figure 6(A), and (B) A figure showing the analysis results of the stress distribution in the stress analysis model of Figure 6(B). [Figure 8] Another example perspective view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle bumper structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In multiple drawings, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In multiple drawings, the forward direction of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle bumper structure is illustrated by a solid arrow F (Forward), the rear direction of the vehicle by a solid arrow B (Backward), the left direction of the vehicle by a solid arrow L (Leftward), the right direction of the vehicle by a solid arrow R (Rightward), the upward direction of the vehicle by a solid arrow U (Upward), and the downward direction of the vehicle by a solid arrow D (Downward).

[0011] The vehicle bumper structure according to this embodiment is provided on a vehicle as at least one of a front vehicle structure located at the front of the vehicle and a rear vehicle structure located at the rear of the vehicle. The front vehicle structure and the rear vehicle structure have common components. Therefore, the following description will focus on the vehicle bumper structure as the front vehicle structure.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, a vehicle 100 equipped with the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a front hood 101 located on the front side of the vehicle 100, a front bumper 3 located below the front hood 101, a front fender 103 located below the front hood 101 and behind the front bumper 3, a front wheel house 105 that houses the front wheels (not shown) of the vehicle 100, and a wheel house outer 5 attached to the inner surface of the front wheel house 105. The front hood 101 forms the top surface of the front of the vehicle, the front bumper 3 forms the front surface of the front of the vehicle, and the front fender 103 forms the side surface of the front of the vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 1, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to the present embodiment includes a front bumper 3, a wheel house outer 5, and a fixing member 7 that fixes the wheel house outer 5 to the front bumper 3.

[0016] The front bumper 3 is provided on the front surface of the vehicle 100 and absorbs an impact when the vehicle 100 collides with an obstacle, for example, to protect the vehicle body and the passengers from the impact. The material of the front bumper 3 is, for example, resin. The front bumper 3 has a main body portion 10 having a rear end portion 10b located on the rear side, and a flange portion 11 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end portion 10b and having an inner edge portion 11i located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Further, the front bumper 3 preferably has a lower portion 12 provided at the lower portion of the front bumper 3 and bulging toward the front side of the front bumper 3.

[0017] The main body portion 10 bears the front side (design surface) of the front bumper 3 and is a member that occupies most of the front bumper 3. The main body portion 10 has a substantially U-shaped opening facing rearward in a plan view of the front bumper 3.

[0018] The flange portion 11 is a portion for improving the rigidity of the front bumper 3 and for fixing the wheel house outer 5 to the front bumper 3.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the first recess of the front bumper included in the vehicle bumper structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 2, the flange portion 11 has a flat outer surface and a flat portion 11a continuous with the main body portion 10, and a first recess 13 continuous with the flat portion 11a and recessed forward from the flat portion 11a. Further, the flange portion 11 is provided between the first recess 13 and a hidden portion 15 that is a part of the main body portion 10, and has a second recess 17 recessed forward from the first recess 13.

[0021] Figure 4 is a rear view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view obtained, for example, by cutting the vehicle bumper structure 1 with a plane perpendicular to the vehicle's vertical direction, using the line A1-A1 in Figure 4 as a reference.

[0024] The first recess 13 has a substantially U-shape that opens toward the rear of the front bumper 3 when viewed from the side of the front bumper 3. In addition to Figures 2 and 3, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, a fixing member 7 is positioned in the first recess 13 with a portion of the wheel house outer 5 overlapping the first recess 13. In other words, the wheel house outer 5 is fixed to the front bumper 3 by the fixing member 7 fixing a portion of the wheel house outer 5 to the first recess 13. The first recess 13 has a through hole 13a for inserting a portion of the fixing member 7. Furthermore, in order to ensure sufficient rigidity even with the through hole 13a, the first recess 13 has a projection 13b that protrudes toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the flange portion 11.

[0025] The second recess 17 is a groove provided along the boundary between the first recess 13 and the concealed portion 15. As shown in Figure 5, the second recess 17 reduces the thickness of the portion of the first recess 13 that is connected to the main body portion 10. This prevents the occurrence of sink marks, which are dents in the surface of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13, that is, the surface of the main body portion 10, during the molding of the front bumper 3, due to the presence of the first recess 13.

[0026] The depth of the second recess 17, which is a groove, can be set appropriately within a range that prevents sink marks from occurring and does not impair the rigidity of the first recess 13.

[0027] The concealed portion 15, which is part of the main body 10, is a wall portion located on the outside of the first recess 13 in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the concealed portion 15 conceals the fixing member 7 in a side view of the front bumper 3. The concealed portion 15, together with the tires (front wheels) in the vehicle 100, makes the fixing member 7 less visible from the outside, thereby improving the design of the vehicle bumper structure 1. Furthermore, the concealed portion 15 prevents foreign objects from coming into contact with the fixing member 7 and causing the fixing member 7 to detach.

[0028] The lower section 12 has a three-dimensional shape and high rigidity due to that shape. The lower section 12 rectifies the airflow under the vehicle 100 while the vehicle 100 is in motion, thereby reducing air resistance. In addition, because the lower section 12 protrudes outward from the vehicle body, it protects the vehicle body by receiving the impact of contact before the vehicle body when the vehicle 100 comes into contact with a step or curb. The lower section 12 has an upper end portion 12u located on the upper side and a lower end portion 12d located on the lower side. The lower section 12 includes a part of the main body portion 10 and a part of the flange portion 11.

[0029] The wheelhouse outer 5 covers the space around the tire and protects the vehicle body from foreign matter such as water, mud, and gravel. The material of the wheelhouse outer 5 is, for example, resin. The wheelhouse outer 5 has a flat seating surface 27 on which the fixing member 7 is placed. The seating surface 27 is a part of the wheelhouse outer 5 that overlaps the first recess 13. The seating surface 27 has a through hole 27a into which a part of the fixing member 7 is inserted.

[0030] The fixing member 7 is, for example, a push rivet. The material of the fixing member 7 is, for example, resin. As shown in Figure 5, the fixing member 7 is inserted into the through hole 13a of the first recess 13 and the through hole 27a of the seating surface 27 of the wheel house outer 5, with the seating surface 27 of the flange portion 11 overlapping the fixing member 7, thereby fixing the wheel house outer 5 to the front bumper 3.

[0031] Incidentally, when it snows, passengers sometimes kick the side of the tires to dislodge snow from the vehicle. In doing so, if a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper, stress concentration occurs around the fixing members that secure the wheelhouse outer to the front bumper. This stress concentration can cause cracks in the area of ​​the front bumper where the fixing members are located. Furthermore, snow accumulation exacerbates the occurrence of cracks in resin front bumpers, which have the characteristic of becoming brittle as the temperature drops. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent cracks from occurring in the front bumper even if a passenger accidentally kicks it when it is snowy.

[0032] Therefore, the flange portion 11 of the front bumper 3 has at least one bead portion 21 provided around the fixing member 7 and extending along the inner edge portion 11i of the flange portion 11.

[0033] Specifically, at least one bead portion 21 is formed with a thicker shape at its inner edge portion 11i. In other words, the thickness of the inner edge portion 11i where at least one bead portion 21 is provided is increased by the amount of the bead portion 21. Due to its thicker shape, at least one bead portion 21 prevents the force (load) from being concentrated on the area of ​​the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7, that is, around the first recess 13, when a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper 3 near the tire, i.e., the main body portion 10 of the front bumper 3. Therefore, at least one bead portion 21 prevents the occurrence of cracks in the front bumper 3 caused by stress concentration around the first recess 13 when the front bumper 3 is kicked by a passenger during snowfall. In the following, when a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper 3 near the tire during snowfall, the load from the kick causes stress concentration in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7, resulting in a crack in the front bumper 3. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as a low-temperature impact crack.

[0034] Furthermore, it is preferable that the thickness of the inner edge portion 11i be 1.2 times or more by providing at least one bead portion 21. In other words, it is preferable that at least one bead portion 21 has a thickness that is 1.2 times or more the thickness of the inner edge portion 11i. With at least one bead portion 21 having such a thickness, it is possible to effectively suppress stress concentration that occurs around the first recess 13 when the front bumper 3 is kicked by a passenger when snow is present.

[0035] Next, at least one bead portion 21 will be described further.

[0036] Preferably, at least one bead portion 21 includes a first bead portion 23 located below the fixing member 7. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first bead portion 23 is provided so as to be continuous with the first recess 13 and the flat portion 11a.

[0037] Specifically, in a rear view of the front bumper 3, the part of the front bumper 3 located at approximately the same height as the lower part of the fixing member 7, that is, the part of the main body 10, is a common point of impact that is likely to be accidentally kicked by a passenger when snow is present. The first bead portion 23 effectively distributes the stress that would otherwise be concentrated in the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 is located when a passenger accidentally kicks this common point of impact on the front bumper 3 when snow is present. In the process of discovering the first bead portion 23, the inventors performed the analysis described below regarding the first bead portion 23.

[0038] Figure 6(A) shows an example of a stress analysis model for a front bumper of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6(B) shows an example of a stress analysis model for a comparative example of a front bumper of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Note that in Figures 6(A) and 6(B), solid arrows L and R are omitted from the illustration because they overlap with solid arrows F and B.

[0040] Figure 7(A) shows the results of the stress distribution analysis in the stress analysis model shown in Figure 6(A). Figure 7(B) shows the results of the stress distribution analysis in the stress analysis model shown in Figure 6(B).

[0041] Note that in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), the stress analysis model is a three-dimensional model. Furthermore, the lighter the color of the surface of the stress analysis model (the whiter it is), the higher the absolute value of the stress being generated.

[0042] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6(A), a stress analysis model was set up for a front bumper 3 having a first bead portion 23. For comparison, as shown in Figure 6(B), a stress analysis model was set up for a front bumper 3C, which is a comparative example of a front bumper 3 that does not have at least one bead portion 21 including the first bead portion 23. The stress analysis model for front bumper 3 differs from the stress analysis model for front bumper 3C only in that it has a first bead portion 23. Furthermore, the thickness of the part of front bumper 3 where the first bead portion 23 is provided was set to 1.5 times that of the case where the first bead portion 23 is not provided. Then, in both the stress analysis model for front bumper 3 and the stress analysis model for front bumper 3C, the stress generated at evaluation area P in Figure 6(A) and evaluation area P' in Figure 6(B) was calculated when a predetermined load F was applied from a predetermined position.

[0043] Furthermore, evaluation area P' corresponds to evaluation area P, and when the two stress analysis models are superimposed, the positions of evaluation area P and evaluation area P' are substantially the same. In addition, the predetermined location where a predetermined load F is applied in the analysis is the lower part of the front bumper 3, which is one of the locations that is expected to be frequently kicked if a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper 3 when it is covered in snow. The predetermined load F is set to the value of the load that is expected to be applied to the front bumper 3 if a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper 3.

[0044] The analysis revealed that, as shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B), the stress at evaluation site P in the stress analysis model of the front bumper 3 having the first bead portion 23 was 15% lower than the stress at evaluation site P' in the stress analysis model of the front bumper 3C without the first bead portion 23. The inventors found that under the above-described predetermined analysis conditions, the first bead portion 23 can suppress the concentration of stress around the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 will be placed, thereby preventing the occurrence of cracks in the front bumper 3.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, it is preferable that at least one bead portion 21 includes a second bead portion 25 located above the fixing member 7. It is preferable that the second bead portion 25 is provided so as to be continuous with the flat portion 11a of the flange portion 11 and the first recess 13. The second bead portion 25 reduces stress concentration in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 located above the fixing member 7, while the first bead portion 23 reduces stress concentration in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 located above the fixing member 7, which is around the fixing member 7. Therefore, the second bead portion 25 works in cooperation with the first bead portion 23 to reliably prevent low-temperature impact cracks that may occur in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7.

[0046] Furthermore, to enhance the effect of preventing low-temperature impact cracking, it is more preferable to position the second bead portion 25 and the first bead portion 23 close to the fixing member 7, that is, above and below the fixing member 7 so as to sandwich the fixing member 7.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferable that the fixing member 7 is positioned between the upper end 12u and the lower end 12d of the lower section 12. This ensures that the fixing member 7 is positioned on the lower section 12, which has high rigidity. The lower section 12 absorbs the load generated when a rider accidentally kicks it. Therefore, the lower section 12 more reliably suppresses excessive stress concentration around the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 is positioned.

[0048] Furthermore, it is preferable that the second bead portion 25 is provided so as to straddle the upper end portion 12u of the lower portion 12 in the vehicle vertical direction of the flange portion 11. By doing so, if an occupant accidentally kicks the front bumper 3, the load transmitted from the upper end portion 12u of the lower portion 12 in the vehicle width direction is received by the second bead portion 25, further reliably suppressing stress concentration around the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 is located.

[0049] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, it is preferable that the wheelhouse outer 5 has a first notch 29 provided below the seating surface 27 so as to sandwich a part of the first bead portion 23, and a second notch 31 provided above the seating surface 27 so as to sandwich a part of the second bead portion 25.

[0050] Specifically, the first notch 29 and the second notch 31 are portions of the wheelhouse outer 5 that are cut out from the outer edge located on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the wheelhouse outer 5 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the wheelhouse outer 5. If a passenger accidentally kicks the lower portion 12 near the tire, the lower portion 12, pushed by the external force (load) generated by the kick, will bend inward in the vehicle width direction (deform). At this time, the first bead portion 23 will come into contact with the end edge 29e of the first notch 29, and the second bead portion 25 will come into contact with the end edge 31e of the second notch 31. In other words, when the lower portion 12 is subjected to a load, the first bead portion 23 will effectively receive a portion of the load while being received by the first notch 29, and the second bead portion 25 will effectively receive a portion of the remaining load while being received by the second notch 31. Therefore, the first bead portion 23 and the second bead portion 25 are not damaged by the load, and stress concentration in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7 is further reliably suppressed.

[0051] Furthermore, when no load is applied to the lower portion 12, the first bead portion 23 does not need to be in contact with the first notch portion 29, and the second bead portion 25 does not need to be in contact with the second notch portion 31. In other words, there may be gaps between the first bead portion 23 and the first notch portion 29, and between the second bead portion 25 and the second notch portion 31. Also, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, the portion of the outer edge of the wheelhouse outer 5 located below the first notch portion 29 and the portion located above the second notch portion 31 are located in front of the flange portion 11 of the front bumper 3, and are hidden by the flange portion 11 when viewed from the rear of the front bumper 3.

[0052] As described above, the vehicle bumper structure 1 of this embodiment includes a front bumper 3 having at least one bead portion 21 provided around the fixing member 7 and extending along the inner edge portion 11i of the flange portion 11. Due to its thickness and shape, the at least one bead portion 21 prevents the load generated when a passenger accidentally kicks the front bumper 3 near the tire, that is, the main body portion 10 of the front bumper 3, from concentrating on the part of the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7, that is, around the first recess 13. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can prevent stress concentration around the first recess 13 when the front bumper 3 is kicked by a passenger during snowfall, thereby preventing the occurrence of cracks in the front bumper 3, that is, low-temperature impact cracks.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 includes a front bumper 3 which is part of the main body 10 of the front bumper 3 and has a concealed portion 15 that hides the fixing member 7 in a side view of the front bumper 3. The concealed portion 15, together with the front wheel tire on the vehicle 100, makes the fixing member 7 less visible from the outside, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle bumper structure 1. As a result, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can have excellent aesthetic appearance while preventing low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3.

[0054] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 includes a front bumper 3 that, when viewed from the rear of the front bumper 3, has a second recess 17 provided between the first recess 13 and the concealed portion 15, and recesses forward of the first recess 13. The second recess 17 prevents the occurrence of so-called sink marks, which occur when the front bumper 3 is molded, due to the presence of the first recess 13, on the front side of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13, that is, on the front side of the main body portion 10. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can prevent sink marks from occurring on the front side of the front bumper 3 while preventing low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3.

[0055] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a front bumper 3 having at least one bead portion 21, including a first bead portion 23 located below the fixing member 7. The first bead portion 23 effectively distributes the stress concentrated around the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 is located when a passenger accidentally kicks the lower part of the front bumper 3 during snowfall. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can effectively prevent low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13.

[0056] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a front bumper 3 having at least one bead portion 21, including a second bead portion 25 located above the fixing member 7. The second bead portion 25 reduces stress concentration in the area of ​​the front bumper 3 located above the fixing member 7. Therefore, by including the second bead portion 25 in addition to the first bead portion 23, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can reliably prevent low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13.

[0057] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a fixing member 7 positioned between the upper end 12u and the lower end 12d of the lower portion 12 of the front bumper 3. The three-dimensional shape of the lower portion 12, which has high rigidity, suppresses the occurrence of excessive stress concentration around the first recess 13 where the fixing member 7 is positioned. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can more reliably prevent low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13.

[0058] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a front bumper 3 having at least one bead portion 21, including a second bead portion 25 provided so as to straddle the upper end portion 12u of the lower portion 12 in the vertical direction of the flange portion 11. The second bead portion 25 receives the load transmitted from the upper end portion 12u of the lower portion 12 in the vehicle width direction when an occupant accidentally kicks the front bumper 3, and suppresses the occurrence of stress concentration in the part of the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7. As a result, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can more reliably prevent low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13.

[0059] Furthermore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment includes a wheel house outer 5 having a first notch 29 provided below the seating surface 27 of the wheel house outer 5 so as to sandwich a part of the first bead portion 23, and a second notch 31 provided above the seating surface 27 so as to sandwich a part of the second bead portion 25. When snow accumulates and a passenger accidentally kicks the lower portion 12 of the front bumper 3 near the tire, the lower portion 12 is deformed by the external force (load) and moves inward in the vehicle width direction. At this time, the first notch 29 contacts a part of the first bead portion 23, assisting the first bead portion 23 in effectively receiving a part of the load. Similarly, the second notch 31 contacts a part of the second bead portion 25, assisting the second bead portion 25 in effectively receiving a part of the remaining load. Therefore, even if a passenger kicks the lower section 12 when snow is present, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can more reliably suppress stress concentration in the front bumper 3 around the fixing member 7 without damaging the first bead section 23 and the second bead section 25. In other words, even if a passenger kicks the lower section 12, the vehicle bumper structure 1 can more reliably prevent low-temperature impact cracking of the front bumper 3 around the first recess 13 without damaging the first bead section 23 and the second bead section 25.

[0060] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another example showing the area around a fixing member of a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Note that the vehicle bumper structure 1 shown in Figure 8 differs from the vehicle bumper structure 1 shown in Figure 2 in that it has a rear bumper 3' instead of a front bumper 3.

[0062] In the above description, it has been assumed that the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment is a front vehicle structure located on the front side of the vehicle 100. However, as shown in Figure 8, it is also possible to assume that the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment is a rear vehicle structure located on the rear side of the vehicle 100, comprising a rear bumper 3', a wheelhouse outer 5, and a fixing member 7 that fixes the rear bumper 3' and the wheelhouse outer 5.

[0063] In other words, the vehicle bumper structure 1 as a rear vehicle structure comprises a rear bumper 3' having a main body portion 10' having a front end portion 10b' located on the front side, and a flange portion 11' having an inner edge portion 11i' that extends inward from the front end portion 10b' in the vehicle width direction and is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction, a wheel house outer 5 fixed to the flange portion 11', and a fixing member 7 that fixes the wheel house outer 5 to the flange portion 11'. The flange portion 11' has a flat outer surface and includes a flat portion 11a' connected to the main body portion 10', a first recess 13' connected to the flat portion 11a' and recessed rearward from the flat portion 11a' where the fixing member 7 is positioned, a second recess 17' provided between the first recess 13' and a concealed portion 15' which is part of the main body portion 10' and conceals the fixing member 7 in a side view of the rear bumper 3', and recessed rearward from the first recess 13', and at least one bead portion 21' provided around the fixing member 7 and extending along the inner edge portion 11i'. The rear bumper 3' has configurations corresponding to each of the components of the front bumper 3. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 as a rear vehicle structure has the same effect as the vehicle bumper structure 1 as a front vehicle structure.

[0064] Furthermore, it is preferable that the rear bumper 3' of the vehicle bumper structure 1, which serves as the rear structure of the vehicle, has at least one of the components that correspond to the lower portion 12, the first bead portion 23, and the second bead portion 25 that the front bumper 3 of the vehicle bumper structure 1, which serves as the front structure of the vehicle, may have. That is, as shown in Figure 8, it is preferable that the rear bumper 3' of the vehicle bumper structure 1, which serves as the rear structure of the vehicle, has at least one of the lower portion 12' having an upper end portion 12u' and a lower end portion 12d', the first bead portion 23', and the second bead portion 25'.

[0065] Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 1 according to this embodiment can prevent cracks from occurring in the bumper even if a passenger accidentally kicks the bumper when it is covered in snow.

[0066] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0067] 1…Vehicle bumper structure, 3, 3C…Front bumper, 3′…Rear bumper, 5…Wheel house outer, 7…Fixing member, 10, 10′…Main body, 10b…Rear end, 10b′…Front end, 11, 11′…Flange portion, 11a, 11a′…Flat portion, 11i, 11i′…Inner edge portion, 12, 12′…Lower portion, 12d, 12d′…Lower end, 12u, 12u′…Upper end, 13, 13′…First recess, 13a ...through hole, 13b...protruding part, 15, 15'...concealed part, 17, 17'...second recess, 21, 21'...bead part, 23, 23'...first bead part, 25, 25'...second bead part, 27...seat surface part, 27a...through hole, 29...first notch, 29e...end edge, 31...second notch, 31e...end edge, 100...vehicle, 101...front hood, 103...front fender, 105...front wheelhouse.

Claims

1. A front bumper having a main body portion having a rear end portion located at the rear, and a flange portion having an inner edge portion that extends inward from the rear end portion in the vehicle width direction and is located inward in the vehicle width direction, The wheelhouse outer is fixed to the flange portion, The flange portion is equipped with a fixing member for fixing the wheelhouse outer, The flange portion is The outer surface is flat, and the flat portion is connected to the main body, A first recess is provided, which is connected to the flat portion and recessed forward of the flat portion, and where the fixing member is positioned. A second recess is provided between the first recess and a concealed portion which is a part of the main body and conceals the fixing member in a side view of the front bumper, and which is recessed forward of the first recess, A vehicle bumper structure having at least one bead portion provided around the fixing member and extending along the inner edge.

2. The at least one bead portion includes a first bead portion located below the fixing member, The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 1, wherein the first bead portion is provided so as to be continuous with the first recess and the flat portion.

3. The at least one bead portion includes a second bead portion located above the fixing member, The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 2, wherein the second bead portion is provided so as to be continuous with the flat portion and the first recess.

4. The front bumper has a lower portion provided at the bottom of the front bumper that bulges outwards toward the front side of the front bumper. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 3, wherein the fixing member is arranged between the upper end and the lower end of the lower portion.

5. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 4, wherein the second bead portion is provided so as to straddle the upper end of the lower portion in the vertical direction of the front bumper of the vehicle.

6. The aforementioned wheelhouse outer is, A seating surface portion on which the fixing member is placed, which is superimposed on the first recess, A first notch is provided below the seating surface so as to sandwich a part of the first bead portion, The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 5, further comprising a second notch provided above the seating surface so as to sandwich a part of the second bead portion.

7. A rear bumper having a main body portion having a front end portion located at the front, and a flange portion having an inner edge portion that extends inward from the front end portion in the vehicle width direction and is located inward in the vehicle width direction, The wheelhouse outer is fixed to the flange portion, The flange portion is equipped with a fixing member for fixing the wheelhouse outer, The flange portion is The outer surface is flat, and the flat portion is connected to the main body, A first recess is located adjacent to the flat portion and recessed further back than the flat portion, where the fixing member is positioned. A second recess is provided between the first recess and a concealed portion which is a part of the main body and conceals the fixing member in a side view of the rear bumper, and which is recessed further rearward than the first recess, A vehicle bumper structure having at least one bead portion provided around the fixing member and extending along the inner edge.

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