Vehicle front structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicle front part structure that facilitates work for fixing a harness extending from a camera mounted on a radiator grille of a vehicle to a vehicle body side, and further can prevent act of misconduct to the vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle front part structure 100 comprises a front bumper 102 and a radiator grille 104 mounted on the front bumper from a front side, which further comprises: a hook part 110 extending backward from the vicinity of a lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 and further extending downward; a through-hole 112, formed in the front bumper 102, into which the hook part 110 is inserted; and an engagement part 114, protruded backward from the front bumper 102 and separated in a longitudinal direction and in a vertical direction from the hook part 110, which engages with the hook part 110 whenever the radiator grille 104 rotates forward with a straight line 119 or 125 extending along the lower end 118 or an upper end 120 of the grille as a rotation axis in a vehicle width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Cameras are sometimes installed in various locations on a vehicle, and one such camera is often mounted on the radiator grille (also called the front grille) at the front of the vehicle. A radiator grille is typically a mesh-like part that covers an opening in the vehicle's front bumper, etc. The radiator grille protects the radiator mounted at the front of the vehicle, and the air that passes through the radiator grille cools the radiator and power unit compartment.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a radiator grille 1 to which an on-board camera 3 is attached. Such a radiator grille is usually attached to the vehicle body from the front. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-83720 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the case of a radiator grille equipped with a camera as described in Patent Document 1, the worker must hold the radiator grille and insert the coupler of the harness extending from the camera into the coupler on the vehicle body before assembling the radiator grille to the vehicle body. This makes the work of fixing the harness to the vehicle body inefficient. Furthermore, since it is necessary to fix the harness to the vehicle body while positioning the radiator grille relative to the vehicle body, the harness must be long.

[0006] The top of the radiator grille of a completed vehicle is firmly attached to the vehicle body, for example, by bolting it under the front hood. Meanwhile, the rest of the radiator grille is attached to, for example, the front bumper with easily removable plastic clips. Therefore, the clips could easily come off by pulling the bottom of the radiator grille toward the front of the vehicle. If a malicious individual were to reach into a gap at the bottom of the radiator grille and cut the horn harness, the horn would not sound while the vehicle was in motion. Furthermore, if a third party were to pick a lock and try to open the door, the horn would not sound an alarm to those around.

[0007] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle front structure that makes it easier to secure a harness extending from a camera attached to the vehicle's radiator grille to the vehicle body, and that can also prevent acts of harm to the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front bumper of a vehicle and a radiator grille attached to the front bumper from the front, the vehicle front structure further comprising a hook portion extending rearward from near the lower end of the radiator grille and further descending, a through hole provided in the front bumper into which the hook portion is inserted, and an engaging portion that protrudes rearward from the front bumper and is spaced apart from the hook portion in the longitudinal and vertical directions, and that engages with the hook portion in either case when the radiator grille rotates forward around a straight line along its lower end or upper end as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle front structure that facilitates the task of securing a harness extending from a camera attached to the radiator grille of a vehicle to the vehicle body, and also prevents acts of harm to the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the radiator grille of FIG. 1 as seen obliquely from the rear left side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the radiator grille of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a further enlarged portion of the radiator grille of FIG. 3, in the state shown in FIG. 1, that is, in the completed vehicle state where the radiator grille is attached to the front bumper. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure in a completed vehicle state shown in FIG. 4 along the line A-A. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 5 as viewed from the left side of the vehicle. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 6, showing a state in which the radiator grille is rotated around a straight line along its lower edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure corresponding to FIG. 7, showing a state in which the radiator grille is rotated around a straight line along its upper edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure in the state of FIG. 9 taken at a different position. [Figure 11] 5 is a rear view of only the front bumper of FIG. 4 as seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 12] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 4 in a reduced scale. [Figure 13] 12 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the radiator grille of FIG. 2 and the front bumper of FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle front structure of FIG. 13 and a comparative example thereof, viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle front structure comprising a front bumper of a vehicle and a radiator grille attached to the front bumper from the front, the vehicle front structure further comprising a hook portion extending rearward from near the lower end of the radiator grille and further downward, a through hole provided in the front bumper into which the hook portion is inserted, and an engaging portion that protrudes rearward from the front bumper and is spaced apart from the hook portion in the fore-and-aft and up-and-down directions, and that engages with the hook portion in either case when the radiator grille rotates forward around a straight line along its lower end or upper end as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] According to the present invention, when attaching a radiator grille to a front bumper, an operator simply inserts the hook portions extending rearward from the radiator grille into the through-holes provided in the front bumper to position the radiator grille, and then rotates the radiator grille forward around a straight line along its lower edge as an axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction. This causes the separated hook portions and engaging portions to engage, making it possible to temporarily fix the radiator grille to the front bumper in an inclined state without dropping it.

[0013] Therefore, the worker can insert both hands into the working space created between the upper end of the radiator grille and the vehicle body without holding the radiator grille, and can connect the harness extending from the camera attached to the radiator grille to the vehicle body using both hands.

[0014] In the past, it was not possible to temporarily fix the radiator grille in this way, so the worker had to hold the radiator grille with both hands and then connect the camera harness to the vehicle body, but with the present invention, connecting the harness is much easier. Also, while the conventional method of working while holding the radiator grille with both hands required the harness to be long, the present invention allows the harness to be shortened because it can be connected to the vehicle body after the radiator grille is temporarily fixed.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when temporarily fixing the radiator grille, the worker can easily position the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction relative to the front bumper by inserting the hook portion into the through hole.

[0016] After the harness is connected to the vehicle body with the radiator grille temporarily fixed, the radiator grille is rotated rearward around a straight line along the lower edge of the radiator grille as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, thereby closing the work space and completing the fixing of the radiator grille to the vehicle body. According to the present invention, even after the vehicle is completed, the work space can be created again by temporarily fixing the radiator grille to the front bumper, making maintenance work easier.

[0017] On the other hand, it is conceivable that a malicious person might attempt to remove the radiator grille by pulling on the lower end of the radiator grille of a completed vehicle. However, according to the present invention, since the hook portion is provided near the lower end of the radiator grille, the radiator grille rotates through a larger rotation angle before the hook portion and the engaging portion engage when the radiator grille is rotated about a straight line along the lower end as the axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction than when the radiator grille is rotated about a straight line along the upper end as the axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, while the working space created between the upper end of the radiator grille and the vehicle body when the radiator grille is temporarily fixed is wider, the gap that a malicious person can create at the lower end of the radiator grille is narrower than the working space, preventing the malicious person from reaching through the gap, thereby preventing damage to the vehicle.

[0018] According to the present invention, both securing a working space and preventing damage to the vehicle are achieved by the engagement of the same elements, the hook portion and the engagement portion. The engagement for securing a working space and the engagement for preventing damage to the vehicle may be achieved by the engagement of separate elements, but the present invention, which achieves both by the engagement of the same element, has a simpler structure.

[0019] The hook portion has an inclined portion that descends toward the rear, and a claw that bends forward from the rear end of the inclined portion and is positioned lower than the engagement portion, and the vehicle front structure further includes a guide portion that extends from the front bumper at a position lower than the engagement portion so as to descend toward the rear, and the guide portion engages the engagement portion with the hook portion by guiding the claw below the engagement portion when the radiator grille rotates forward with a straight line along its lower end as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0020] When an attack by a malicious person causes the radiator grille to rotate forward with a straight line along its upper edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, the claw moves in an arc toward the front and upper side.However, with the above configuration, the engaging portion is positioned higher than the claw, so that the claw can be more reliably caught on the engaging portion.

[0021] On the other hand, when the radiator grille is temporarily fixed, it rotates forward around a straight line along its lower edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, and the claw moves in an arc downward and forward. However, even in this case, the guide part guides the claw below the engagement part and allows it to be hooked onto the engagement part.

[0022] The vehicle front structure may further include a camera attached to the radiator grille and a harness extending from the camera, with a groove formed in the vertical direction at the rear end of the hook portion, and the harness may be guided from below to above, passing through the through hole from the camera and further through the groove in the hook portion.

[0023] When temporarily fixing the radiator grille, when you reach into the working space between the top end of the grille and the vehicle body to connect the harness extending from the camera to the vehicle body, the harness may be pointing downward due to its own weight, making it difficult to find from above. However, with the above configuration, the harness is held in the groove formed in the hook portion and guided from below to above, making it easier to find the harness from above and making the harness connection work easier.

[0024] The through hole has an upper portion that is wider in the vehicle width direction than the hook portion, an intermediate portion that narrows in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward from the upper portion and becomes equal to the dimension of the hook portion in the vehicle width direction, and a lower portion that is located below the intermediate portion and narrower in the vehicle width direction than the hook portion, through which the harness extending from the camera passes, and the harness passes through the groove in the hook portion and then further passes through the upper portion of the through hole and is guided to the front side of the front bumper.

[0025] According to the above configuration, when positioning the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction, the hook portion is first inserted into the upper portion of the through-hole, which is wider in the vehicle width direction than the hook portion, making the work easier. Then, by lowering the hook portion to the middle portion of the through-hole, which has the same dimension in the vehicle width direction as the hook portion, the hook portion fits into the middle portion, completing the positioning of the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction. This shape of the through-hole significantly simplifies the work of positioning the radiator grille. Furthermore, since the through-hole has a positioning function, there is no need to provide a positioning pin, for example. Furthermore, since the through-hole can be used to route the harness to the front side (outside) of the front bumper, there is no need to provide a separate hole in the front bumper.

[0026] The vehicle front structure further includes two hook portions provided at both ends of the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction, each extending rearward from a position higher than the hook portion and then descending further, and the front bumper has a flange formed along its upper edge that protrudes rearward, and the flange of the front bumper engages with the two hook portions when the radiator grille rotates forward with a straight line along its upper edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] As already mentioned, even if a malicious person tries to pull the bottom edge of the radiator grille of a completed vehicle and remove it, only a small gap will be created at the bottom edge of the radiator grille due to the engagement of the hook portion and engagement portion in the center of the radiator grille. However, if one of the ends of the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction is pulled unevenly, the engagement at the center alone may result in a larger gap. However, with the above-mentioned configuration, in addition to the hook portion in the center of the radiator grille, hook portions that hook onto the flanges of the front bumper are provided on both the left and right ends. This prevents the gap from becoming larger at the bottom edge of the radiator grille even if one of the ends of the radiator grille in the vehicle width direction is pulled unevenly.

[0028] In addition, the hook part is not at the same height as the hook part, but is positioned higher than the hook part. By changing the height in this way, the stress on the hook part's claws can be more efficiently distributed to the two hook parts, increasing the stability of the device in preventing acts of harm. [Example]

[0029] 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.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle front structure according to the present invention. In Fig. 1 and all other drawings, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows F (Forward) and B (Backward), the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows L (Leftward) and R (Rightward), and the vertical direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows U (Upward) and D (Downward). The vehicle front structure 100 includes a front bumper 102 and a radiator grille 104 attached to the front bumper 102 from the front. Note that details of the front bumper 102 are omitted in Fig. 1, and only its outline is shown.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the radiator grille 104 of Fig. 1 as seen diagonally from the rear left, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the radiator grille 104 of Fig. 2. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a camera 106 (front camera) that captures images in front of the vehicle is attached to the radiator grille 104, and a harness 108 extends from the camera 106. As shown in Fig. 2, the camera 106 is disposed in the center of the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, the camera 106 is disposed in a forward-leaning position in an overhanging area that protrudes downward from an emblem 135 provided on the outer design surface of the radiator grille 104.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a perspective view further enlarging a portion of the radiator grille 104 in Fig. 3, showing the state in Fig. 1, i.e., the completed vehicle state where it is attached to the front bumper 102. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the vehicle front structure 100 in the completed vehicle state in Fig. 4, showing the cross-section as seen from the left side of the vehicle. In Fig. 5 and other cross-sectional views in this application, the cross-section of the front bumper 102 is hatched with diagonal lines to enable identification of the radiator grille 104. Note that Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view, and for example, the harness 108 in Fig. 4 is not shown.

[0033] 5, the vehicle front structure 100 further includes a hook portion 110 that extends rearward from the radiator grille 104 and further downward, and a through-hole 112 that is provided in the front bumper 102 and into which the hook portion 110 is inserted. The vehicle front structure 100 also includes an engagement portion 114 that protrudes rearward from the front bumper 102 and that engages with the hook portion 110. As indicated by a two-way arrow 116, the engagement portion 114 is spaced apart from the hook portion 110 in the front-to-rear and up-down directions when the radiator grille 104 is attached to the front bumper 102.

[0034] 11, the engaging portion 114 in this embodiment is formed as two protrusions protruding from both the left and right sides of the through-hole 112. However, this is merely an example, and a single protrusion may be used as long as it engages with the hook portion 110.

[0035] To attach the radiator grille 104 to the front bumper 102 as shown in Figure 5, the worker simply inserts the hook portion 110 extending rearward from the radiator grille 104 into the through hole 112 provided in the front bumper 102 and positions it.

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle front structure 100 of Figure 5 as seen from the left side of the vehicle. Figure 6 shows a state in which the radiator grille 104 attached to the front bumper 102 has been rotated forward around a straight line 119 along its lower end 118 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction. That is, Figure 6 shows two radiator grilles 104, with the one at the rear of the vehicle showing the completed vehicle state before rotation and the one at the front of the vehicle showing the rotation after rotation. Note that, because Figure 6 is a view from the left side of the vehicle, the straight line 119 is shown as a dot (the same applies to Figure 7). The straight line 119, which is the rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, is located at the contact surface between the upper end of the front bumper 102, i.e., the upper surface of the flange 154 shown in Figure 13, and the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104.

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure 100 of Figure 6, showing a state in which the radiator grille 104 has been rotated and temporarily fixed to the front bumper 102, in a cross section taken at the same position as the AA cross-sectional view of Figure 5. In the completed vehicle state of Figure 5, the engagement portion 114 is spaced apart from the hook portion 110 in the front-to-rear and up-down directions, but as shown in Figure 7, when the radiator grille 104 rotates forward about a straight line 119 along its lower end 118 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, the engagement portion 114 engages with the hook portion 110. This makes it possible to temporarily fix the radiator grille 104 to the front bumper 102 in an inclined state without dropping it.

[0038] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the details of the vehicle front structure of Figure 7, and shows a cross section at the same position as the AA cross-sectional view of Figure 5. Because the temporary fixation described above is possible, the worker can insert both hands into working space 124 created between upper end 120 of radiator grill 104 and vehicle body 122 to perform work without holding radiator grill 104. In other words, the worker can use both hands to connect coupler 126 of harness 108 extending from camera 106 attached to radiator grill 104 to coupler 128 on the vehicle body 122 side.

[0039] In the past, it was not possible to temporarily fix the radiator grille 104 in this way, so the worker had to hold the radiator grille 104 with both hands and then connect the harness 108 of the camera 106 to the vehicle body 122. However, according to this embodiment, the work of connecting the harness 108 is significantly easier. Also, while the conventional work of holding the radiator grille 104 with both hands required the harness 108 to be long, the harness 108 can now be connected to the vehicle body 122 after the radiator grille 104 is temporarily fixed, so the harness 108 can also be shortened.

[0040] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when temporarily fixing the radiator grille 104, the worker can easily position the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction relative to the front bumper 102 by inserting the hook portion 110 into the through hole 112, as shown in Figure 4.

[0041] As shown in Figure 8, after connecting the harness 108 to the vehicle body 122 side with the radiator grille 104 temporarily fixed, the worker rotates the radiator grille 104 rearward around a straight line 119 (Figure 6) along the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction. This closes the work space 124, completing the fixing of the radiator grille 104 to the vehicle body 122. In other words, the vehicle front structure 100 returns to the state of the completed vehicle shown in Figure 5.

[0042] According to this embodiment, even after the vehicle is completed, the radiator grille 104 can be temporarily fixed to the front bumper 102 as shown in FIG. 8 to create the working space 124 again, which makes maintenance work easy.

[0043] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure corresponding to Figure 7, showing a cross section at approximately the same position as Figure 7. While the radiator grille 104 shown in Figure 7 is in a temporarily fixed state, rotated forward around a straight line 119 along its lower end 118 as an axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction, the radiator grille 104 shown in Figure 9 is in a state of being rotated forward around a straight line 125 along its upper end 120 as an axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction. Note that Figure 9 is a view from the left side of the vehicle, so the straight line 125 is shown as a dot. The straight line 125, which is the axis of rotation in the vehicle width direction, is located at the location where the upper end 120 of the radiator grille 104 is fixed to the vehicle body (the front bumper upper bracket, the bracket located at the position indicated by the upper end 120).

[0044] In the completed vehicle state, the radiator grille 104 shown in Fig. 2 is bolted to the vehicle body 122 under the front hood via fixing holes 125 provided in the upper end 120 of the radiator grille 104. In other words, it is firmly attached to the vehicle body 122. Meanwhile, the portion of the radiator grille 104 other than the upper end 120 is attached to the front bumper 102 with resin clips 127 that are easily detachable. Therefore, there is a risk that the resin clips 127 may easily come off by pulling the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0045] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, it is assumed that a malicious person will attempt to peel off the radiator grille 104 by pulling on the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 of a completed vehicle. At this time, as described above, the radiator grille 104 will rotate forward around a straight line 125 along its upper end 120 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, and at this time too, the engaging portion 114 that was separated from the hook portion 110 will engage with the hook portion 110, as shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the radiator grille 104 rotates through a rotation angle β before the engagement occurs.

[0046] The feature of this embodiment is that the rotation angle α when the radiator grille 104 rotates around a straight line 119 along the lower end 118 as the rotation axis in the vehicle width direction as shown in Figure 6 is larger than the rotation angle β when the radiator grille 104 rotates around a straight line 125 along the upper end 120 as the rotation axis in the vehicle width direction as shown in Figure 9 (α > β).

[0047] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle front structure 100 in the state of Figure 9, cut at a different position. As with Figure 1, details of the front bumper 102 are omitted in Figure 10, and only the outline of the front bumper is shown. As can be seen from Figure 10(a), which shows a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle front structure 100, Figure 10(b) shows a cross-section of the vehicle front structure 100 cut at a different position from the cross-sectional view of Figure 9, for convenience of illustration.

[0048] As shown in Figure 9, if the radiator grille 104 is rotated through a rotation angle β due to an attack by a malicious person until the hook portion 110 engages with the engagement portion 114, a gap 130 will be created between the radiator grille 104 and the front bumper 102, as shown in Figure 10(b).

[0049] Here, the working space 124 shown in Figure 8 will be compared with the gap 130 shown in Figure 10(b). As already mentioned, there is a difference between the rotation angles α and β required for the hook portion 110 and the engaging portion 114 to engage with each other, and therefore, according to this embodiment, the working space 124 (corresponding to the rotation angle α) that is created between the upper end 120 of the radiator grille 104 and the vehicle body 122 when the radiator grille 104 is temporarily fixed, as shown in Figure 8, is wide. On the other hand, the gap 130 (corresponding to the rotation angle β) that a malicious person can create at the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104, as shown in Figure 10(b), is narrower than the working space 124, and the malicious person cannot reach in through the gap 130, which has the effect of preventing acts of harm to the vehicle.

[0050] In this way, the working space 124 (FIG. 8) created at the upper end 120 when the radiator grille 104 is rotated around a straight line 119 along its lower end 118 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction is wide, but the gap 130 (FIG. 10(b)) created at the lower end 118 when the radiator grille 104 is rotated around a straight line 125 along the upper end 120 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction is narrow, which is the effect of this embodiment.

[0051] As the rotation angle α before temporary fixation shown in FIG. 6 increases, the dimension S of the working space 124 shown in FIG. 8 increases, making it easier to connect the coupler 126 of the harness 108 to the coupler 128 on the vehicle body 122. On the other hand, as the rotation angle α, i.e., the tilt of the radiator grille 104 when temporarily fixed, increases, the engagement between the hook portions 110 and the engaging portions 114 alone becomes insufficient to support the weight of the radiator grille 104. As a result, there is a risk that either the engaged hook portions 110 or the engaging portions 114 will break, causing the radiator grille 104 to fall. In this embodiment, the rotation angle α is set so that the dimension S of the working space 124 shown in FIG. 8 is 140 mm.

[0052] In order to achieve the difference between the rotation angles α and β, i.e., to achieve the desired width between the working space 124 and the gap 130, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the hook portion 110 that engages with the engaging portion 114 is provided near the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104. It is ideal to provide the hook portion 110 in such a position, and it should not be located close to the upper end 120 of the radiator grille 104. This is because the closer the hook portion 110 is to the upper end 120 of the radiator grille 104, the larger the rotation angle β becomes and conversely, the smaller the rotation angle α becomes, resulting in a narrower working space 124 and a wider gap 130. In other words, this makes it more difficult to connect the harness 108 to the vehicle body 122 and increases the risk of tampering with the vehicle.

[0053] According to this embodiment, both the securing of working space 124 (FIG. 8) and the prevention of damage to the vehicle by narrowing gap 130 (FIG. 10(b)) are achieved by the engagement of the same elements, namely hook portion 110 and engagement portion 114. The engagement for securing working space 124 and the engagement for preventing damage to the vehicle may be achieved by the engagement of separate elements, but this embodiment, which achieves both by the engagement of the same element, has a simpler structure.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the hook portion 110 has an inclined portion 132 that slopes downward toward the rear, and a claw 134 that bends forward from the rear end of the inclined portion 132 and is located lower than the engaging portion 114. As is clear from Figure 5, the claw 134 in this embodiment is hidden by an emblem 135 when viewed from the front of the vehicle, and is therefore not visible from the outside. This does not adversely affect the design, i.e., the appearance, of the vehicle.

[0055] When a malicious person attacks and the radiator grille 104 rotates forward about a straight line 125 along its upper end 120 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, the claws 134 move in an arc upward and forward direction. At that time, because the engaging portions 114 are positioned higher than the claws 134 as described above, the claws 134 are more reliably caught by the engaging portions 114.

[0056] The vehicle front structure 100 further includes a guide portion 136 that extends downward from the front bumper 102 toward the rear at a position lower than the engagement portion 114. When the radiator grille 104 is temporarily fixed to the front bumper 102, it rotates forward about a straight line 119 along its lower end 118 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, and the claws 134 move in an arc downward and forward. However, even at this time, the guide portion 136 guides the claws 134 below the engagement portion 114 and hooks them onto the engagement portion 114.

[0057] Thus, according to this embodiment, even when the radiator grille 104 rotates forward around either the straight line 125 or the straight line 119 along its upper end 120 or lower end 118 as the rotation axis in the vehicle width direction, the claws 134 are securely hooked onto the engagement portion 114, thereby realizing engagement between the hook portion 110 and the engagement portion 114.

[0058] 5, in this embodiment, the claw 134 is positioned in a range extending above and below the guide portion 136. Because the claw 134 and the guide portion 136 are in this positional relationship, whether the claw 134 moves in an arc to the lower front or the upper front, the guide portion 136 guides the claw 134 to below the engaging portion 114 and allows it to be hooked onto the engaging portion 114.

[0059] 4, in this embodiment, reinforcing walls 138a, 138b extending upward are provided on the left and right ends in the vehicle width direction of the inclined portion 132 of the hook portion 110. This improves the rigidity of the hook portion 110.

[0060] (groove in hook) As shown in FIG. 4, a groove 140 is formed in the vertical direction at the rear end of the hook portion 110, and the harness 108 is guided from the camera 106 through the through-hole 112 and further through the groove 140 of the hook portion 110 from below to above.

[0061] 8, when connecting the harness 108 extending from the camera 106 to the vehicle body by inserting a hand into the working space 124 created at the upper end 120 of the radiator grill 104, the harness 108 may be pointing downward due to its own weight, making it difficult to find from above. However, according to this embodiment, the harness 108 is held in the groove 140 formed in the hook portion 110 and guided from below to above, making it easier to find the harness 108 from above and making the work of connecting the harness 108 easier.

[0062] Fig. 11 is a rear view of only the front bumper 102 of Fig. 4, as seen from the rear of the vehicle. That is, the radiator grill 104, the camera 106 attached to the radiator grill 104, and the harness 108 extending from the camera 106 are not shown in Fig. 11.

[0063] 11, the shape of through-hole 112 provided in front bumper 102 will be described below by dividing it into three portions by imaginary dashed lines 142, 144. Through-hole 112 has an upper portion 112a having a dimension a that is wider in the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) than hook portion 110, and an intermediate portion 112b that narrows in the vehicle width direction as it extends downward from upper portion 112a to become equal to the dimension b in the vehicle width direction of hook portion 110. Through-hole 112 further has a lower portion 112c that is located below intermediate portion 112b and has a dimension c that is narrower in the vehicle width direction than hook portion 110.

[0064] FIG. 12 is a reduced perspective view of the vehicle front structure 100 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 12, the harness 108 extending from the camera 106 passes through the lower portion 112c of the through-hole 112 from the front side to the rear side of the front bumper 102. The harness 108 then passes through the groove 140 of the hook portion 110 and then passes through the upper portion 112a of the through-hole 112 to be guided again to the front side of the front bumper 102. The portion of the harness 108 in FIG. 12 that is hidden by the front bumper 102 above the upper portion 112a of the through-hole 112 is the portion that has been guided to the front side of the front bumper 102. After being guided to the front side of the front bumper 102, the harness 108 is further connected to a vehicle body-side coupler 128 located on the upper surface of the front bumper 102 via a coupler 126 on the harness 108 side, as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 12.

[0065] When positioning the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction, the worker first inserts the hook portion 110 into the upper portion 112a of the through-hole 112, which is wider in the vehicle width direction than the hook portion 110, making the work easy. Then, by lowering the hook portion 110 to the middle portion 112b of the through-hole 112, which has the same dimension in the vehicle width direction as the hook portion 110, the hook portion 110 fits into the middle portion 112b, completing the positioning of the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction. Figures 4 and 12 show the vehicle front structure 100 after this positioning has been completed.

[0066] As described above, according to this embodiment, the positioning work of the radiator grille 104 is made much easier by the shape of the through-hole 112. Also, since the through-hole 112 has a positioning function, it is not necessary to provide a positioning pin or the like in the front bumper 102. Furthermore, since the harness 108 can be led out to the front side (outside) of the front bumper 102 by using the through-hole 112, there is no need to provide a separate hole in the front bumper 102.

[0067] Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the radiator grille 104 of Figure 2 and the front bumper 102 of Figure 11. As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle front structure 100 has two hook portions 150, 152 provided on both ends of the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction. As already mentioned, the hook portion 110 is provided near the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104, but the left and right hook portions 150, 152 are provided at a higher position than the hook portion 110.

[0068] Since the hook portions 150 and 152 have symmetrical shapes, hereinafter, Fig. 13 shows an enlarged view of the left hook portion 150 as a representative example. As shown in Fig. 13, the hook portion 150 extends rearward and then downward, and has a shape similar to that of the hook portion 110. Note that Fig. 6 shows the hook portion 150, not the hook portion 110.

[0069] As shown in Fig. 13, a flange 154 that protrudes rearward is formed along the upper edge of the front bumper 102. When the radiator grille 104 rotates forward around a straight line 125 along its upper end 120 as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction (when rotated toward the front of the vehicle in Fig. 9), the flange 154 of the front bumper 102 engages with the hook portions 150, 152, as shown in Fig. 13.

[0070] Figure 14(a) is a schematic diagram of the vehicle front structure 100 of Figure 13 viewed from above, and Figure 14(b) is a schematic diagram of a comparative example viewed from above. As already mentioned, even if a malicious person tries to remove the radiator grille 104 by pulling on the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 of a completed vehicle, only a small gap 130 (Figure 14(b)) will be created in the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 due to the engagement between the hook portion 110 and the engagement portion 114 located in the center of the radiator grille 104.

[0071] However, as shown in the comparative example in Figure 14(b), if one of the ends of the radiator grille 104 in the vehicle width direction (the right end in Figure 14(b)) is pulled unevenly, a large gap 155 will occur even if only the central hook portion 110 is engaged.

[0072] 14(a), in the vehicle front structure 100 according to this embodiment, in addition to the hook portion 110 in the center of the radiator grille 104, hook portions 150, 152 that hook onto flanges 154 of the front bumper 102 are provided on both left and right ends. This makes it possible to prevent the gap 130 that occurs at the lower end 118 of the radiator grille 104 from becoming larger even if one of the ends in the vehicle width direction of the radiator grille 104 is pulled unevenly.

[0073] 13, a rib 156 that extends continuously in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle is formed on the upper part of the hooking portion 150. A similar rib is also formed on the hooking portion 152. This improves the rigidity of the hooking portions 150, 152, making them less likely to break, and more reliably assisting in temporary fixation by the engagement between the hook portion 110 and the engaging portion 114.

[0074] Furthermore, the hook portions 150, 152 are not at the same height as the hook portion 110, but are positioned higher than the hook portion 110. By changing the height in this way, the stress acting on the claw 134 of the hook portion 110 can be more efficiently distributed to the two hook portions 150, 152, increasing the stability of preventing acts of harm. Although two hook portions 150, 152 are provided in this embodiment, the number of hook portions is arbitrary.

[0075] 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]

[0076] The present invention can be used in a vehicle front structure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100...vehicle front structure, 102...front bumper, 104...radiator grille, 106...camera, 108...harness, 110...hook portion, 112...through hole, 112a...upper portion of through hole, 112b...middle portion of through hole, 112c...lower portion of through hole, 114...engagement portion, 122...vehicle body, 124...work space, 130...gap, 132...inclined portion, 134...claw, 136...guide portion, 140...groove, 150, 152...hook portion, 154...flange

Claims

1. A vehicle front structure including a front bumper of a vehicle and a radiator grill attached to the front bumper from the front, the vehicle front structure further comprising: a hook portion extending rearward from a vicinity of a lower end of the radiator grille and then descending further; a through hole provided in the front bumper and into which the hook portion is inserted; an engaging portion that protrudes rearward from the front bumper, is spaced apart from the hook portion in the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction, and engages with the hook portion when the radiator grille rotates forward around a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction that is a straight line along the lower end or the upper end of the radiator grille, The hook portion is A slope that descends as it goes further back, a claw that is bent forward from the rear end of the inclined portion and is located lower than the engaging portion, The vehicle front structure further comprises: a guide portion extending downward from the front bumper toward the rear at a position lower than the engaging portion, The guide portion guides the claw under the engaging portion, thereby engaging the engaging portion with the hook portion, when the radiator grille rotates forward around a straight line along its lower edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction.

2. A vehicle front structure including a front bumper of a vehicle and a radiator grill attached to the front bumper from the front, the vehicle front structure further comprising: a hook portion extending rearward from a vicinity of a lower end of the radiator grille and then descending further; a through hole provided in the front bumper and into which the hook portion is inserted; an engaging portion that protrudes rearward from the front bumper, is spaced apart from the hook portion in the longitudinal and vertical directions, and engages with the hook portion when the radiator grille rotates forward around a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction that is a straight line along the lower end or the upper end of the radiator grille; a camera attached to the radiator grille; a harness extending from the camera; A groove is formed in the vertical direction at the rear end of the hook portion, The vehicle front structure is characterized in that the harness is guided from the camera through the through hole and further through the groove of the hook portion from below to above.

3. The through hole is an upper portion that is wider in the vehicle width direction than the hook portion; an intermediate portion that narrows in the vehicle width direction as it goes downward from the upper portion and becomes equal to the dimension of the hook portion in the vehicle width direction; a lower portion that is located below the intermediate portion and is narrower than the hook portion in the vehicle width direction, and through which a harness extending from the camera is passed, 3. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the harness passes through the groove of the hook portion, and then passes through an upper portion of the through hole and is guided to the front side of the front bumper.

4. The vehicle front structure further includes two hook portions that are provided at both ends of the radiator grille in a vehicle width direction, the hook portions extending rearward and downward from positions higher than the hook portions, The front bumper has a flange formed along its upper edge that protrudes rearward, 4. The vehicle front structure according to claim 2, wherein the flange of the front bumper engages with the two hook portions when the radiator grille rotates forward around a straight line along its upper edge as a rotation axis in the vehicle width direction.

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