Bumper assembly

Abstract

To make it possible to suppressing the decrease in transportability even if the divided number increases in a bumper assembly.SOLUTION: A bumper assembly 10 comprises a skeleton component 100 and a plurality of decorative components 60, 70, 80A, 80B, 90A, 90B. The skeleton component 100 is stretched from the center in a vehicle width direction to both sides. The plurality of decorative components 60, 70, 80A, 80B, 90A, 90B are assembled to the skeleton component 100. In addition, the plurality of decorative components 60, 70, 80A, 80B, 90A, 90B have exposed surfaces 62, 72, 82A, 82B, 92A, 92B becoming a part of a vehicle appearance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Disclosed herein is a multi-component bumper assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a front bumper. This front bumper is divided into multiple parts. That is, the front bumper is divided into a center bumper part and a pair of side bumper parts. The front bumper disclosed in Patent Document 2 is divided into an upper and lower part. Patent Document 3 discloses a spoiler provided at the bottom of the front bumper. This spoiler is divided into three or more parts. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-104298 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-265567 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-88827 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the more divisions a bumper has, the more difficult it is to transport the assembly. For example, when lifting a bumper assembly, the assembly bends. At this time, a bending load is applied to the joints that connect the multiple parts, such as clips. To prevent damage to the clips, the assembly is lifted while supporting the joints from below. The more divisions a bumper has, the more points that need to be supported from below. In this way, the more divisions a bumper has, the more difficult it is to transport the assembly.

[0005] Therefore, this specification discloses a bumper assembly that can suppress a decrease in portability even if the number of divisions increases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Disclosed herein is a bumper assembly. The assembly includes a frame component and a plurality of decorative components. The frame component extends from a center in a vehicle width direction to both sides. The decorative components are assembled to the frame component. The decorative components have exposed surfaces that become part of the vehicle exterior.

[0007] According to the above-described configuration, the decorative component is attached to the frame component. When transporting the bumper assembly, the worker only needs to hold the frame component, which prevents a decrease in portability.

[0008] In the above-described configuration, an insertion hole may be formed in the frame part, and a holding part for holding the wire harness is inserted into the insertion hole.

[0009] According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form a structure for holding the wire harness in the decorative component, which increases the degree of freedom in designing the decorative component.

[0010] In the above configuration, the frame component may be disposed in front of the radiator support. The radiator support has a rectangular frame shape. A ventilation hole is formed in the frame component facing the rectangular opening of the radiator support. Furthermore, a straightening vane extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the surface of the frame component facing the radiator support and outward of the ventilation hole in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to form the flow rectifying plate on the decorative component, which increases the degree of freedom in designing the decorative component.

[0012] In the above configuration, the bumper assembly may include a base and an absorber. The base is attached to the radiator support. The absorber extends forward from the base. A guide bar extending rearward is formed on the opposing surface of the frame component. Furthermore, the base is formed with a guide frame into which the rear end of the guide bar is inserted.

[0013] According to the above-described configuration, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the guide bar moves linearly rearward along the guide frame, and as this movement occurs, the absorber is crushed and deformed in the front-to-rear direction to absorb the impact.

[0014] In the above-described configuration, an opening may be formed in the frame component at a location facing the front end of the absorber, the opening having a larger diameter than the front end of the absorber.

[0015] According to the above configuration, the absorber can receive the collision load from the decorative component without being interfered with by the frame component. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the bumper assembly disclosed in this specification, even if the number of divisions increases, a decrease in portability can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle front structure including a bumper assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating components of the bumper assembly according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the back structure of a framework part and a decorative part. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the bumper assembly according to the present embodiment when assembled, and is a perspective view of the bumper assembly as seen from the cross section AA in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a bumper assembly according to the present embodiment installed in the front of a vehicle, as viewed from the cross section BB in FIG. 1 . FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The bumper assembly 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The shapes, materials, quantities, and values ​​described below are examples for the purpose of explanation, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the bumper assembly 10. Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate equivalent elements in all of the drawings below.

[0019] In addition, in Figures 1 to 5, a Cartesian coordinate system is used to represent the position and direction of each component. This Cartesian coordinate system has an FR axis, a RW axis, and an UP axis. The FR axis is an axis in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, with the front of the vehicle being the positive direction. The RW axis is an axis in the vehicle's transverse direction, with the right side of the vehicle being the positive direction. The UP axis is an axis in the vehicle's vertical direction, with the upward direction being the positive direction.

[0020] <Vehicle front structure> 1 illustrates an example of a front structure of a vehicle, which includes a bumper assembly 10, a front grille 22, and headlamp assemblies 24A and 24B.

[0021] The bumper assembly 10 is an impact absorbing component that receives and deforms a collision load during a frontal collision of a vehicle. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the bumper assembly 10 includes a panel assembly 50, which serves as a bumper panel, and an absorber assembly 110 that receives the collision load. The detailed structures of these components will be described later.

[0022] 1, the front grille 22 and the head lamp assemblies 24A, 24B are assembled above the panel assembly 50. More specifically, the front grille 22 and the head lamp assemblies 24A, 24B are assembled to a frame component 100 (see FIG. 2) of the panel assembly 50. For example, the front grille 22 and the head lamp assemblies 24A, 24B are assembled to the frame component 100 by screws / bolts.

[0023] <Vehicle frame> 2 illustrates components of the bumper assembly 10 according to this embodiment and vehicle front frame parts. The vehicle includes a bumper reinforcement 30 and a radiator support 40 as frame parts for the vehicle front.

[0024] The bumper reinforcement member 30 extends in the vehicle width direction at the front of the vehicle. For example, the bumper reinforcement member 30 extends across the entire width of the vehicle. A rear end of the bumper reinforcement member 30 is connected to a front end of a frame 32, for example.

[0025] A radiator support 40 is disposed above the bumper reinforcement 30. The radiator support 40 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. A radiator (not shown) is fixed to a rectangular opening 46 of the radiator support 40.

[0026] 1 are attached to the bumper reinforcement member 30 and the radiator support 40. For example, a panel assembly 50, which is a part of the bumper assembly 10, is attached to the bumper reinforcement member 30.

[0027] 5, among the components of the panel assembly 50, the frame part 100 is assembled to the bumper reinforcement 30. This assembly is performed, for example, via a bracket 120. For example, the bottom plate 105 of the frame part 100 is fastened to the bumper reinforcement 30 via the bracket 120.

[0028] A flange 103 is formed at the upper end of the frame component 100. Fastening holes 1031 are drilled in the flange 103. Fastening holes (not shown) are also drilled at the lower end of the front grille 22 (see FIG. 1). These fastening holes are aligned with each other and fastened with bolts. The upper end of the front grille 22 is fastened to the upper frame 42 of the radiator support 40 (see FIG. 2).

[0029] An absorber assembly 110, which is also part of the bumper assembly 10, is fastened to the radiator support 40. More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 5, a base 112 of the absorber assembly 110 is fastened to the lower frame 44 of the radiator support 40.

[0030] <Panel assembly> Referring to FIG. 2, the panel assembly 50 includes a frame component 100 and a plurality of decorative components. The decorative components of the panel assembly 50 are divided into a plurality of parts. For example, the panel assembly 50 includes a central upper panel 60, a central lower panel 70, a left upper panel 80A, a left lower panel 90A, a right upper panel 80B, and a right lower panel 90B as decorative components. These decorative components are assembled to the frame component 100. Each component of the panel assembly 50 is molded from a resin material. For example, each component of the panel assembly 50 is molded from ABS resin or polypropylene.

[0031] <Skeleton parts> The skeleton component 100 is a component that forms the framework of the panel assembly 50. The skeleton component 100 is a plate-shaped component that extends from the center in the vehicle width direction to both sides. For example, the vehicle width dimension of the skeleton component 100 is determined so that it is between 80% and 100% of the overall width of the vehicle. The skeleton component 100 has an arc shape in a plan view. In other words, the center portion of the skeleton component 100 in the vehicle width direction protrudes forward more than both end portions in the vehicle width direction. In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the arc shape of the skeleton component 100 is deformed so as to be crushed. This deformation absorbs the collision load.

[0032] For example, the skeleton component 100 has an L-shape in side view. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the skeleton component 100 includes a front plate 102 facing forward and a bottom plate 105 facing downward.

[0033] For example, in the event of a frontal collision of a vehicle, the panel assembly 50 (see FIG. 2) and the absorber assembly 110 deform while absorbing the collision load. The impact absorption performance required of the panel assembly 50 is mainly borne by the skeleton component 100. As an example, the skeleton component 100 has higher strength than the decorative components (the central upper panel 60, the central lower panel 70, the left upper panel 80A, the left lower panel 90A, the right upper panel 80B, and the right lower panel 90B). For example, the skeleton component 100 is formed to be thicker than the above-mentioned decorative components.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the skeleton part 100 is disposed in front of the radiator support 40. Here, a plurality of holes are drilled in the skeleton part 100. For example, a ventilation hole 1021 is formed in the center of the skeleton part 100 in the vehicle width direction. The ventilation hole 1021 is disposed in front of the rectangular opening 46 of the radiator support 40. In other words, the ventilation hole 1021 is formed in the skeleton part 100 facing the rectangular opening 46 of the radiator support 40. The ventilation hole 1021 is also disposed behind the grill 64 of the central upper panel 60. By adopting such an arrangement, outside air is supplied to the radiator (not shown) from the grill 64 via the ventilation hole 1021.

[0035] 4, a rectifying vane 109 is formed on the opposing surface 107 of the frame component 100 that faces the radiator support 40. The rectifying vane 109 is provided, for example, as a pair, on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the ventilation opening 1021. The rectifying vane 109 is a vertical wall that extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The rectifying vane 109 is a guide plate that sends the outside air taken in through the ventilation opening 1021 to the radiator.

[0036] For example, the rectifying plate 109 is formed on the frame component 100, but is not formed on decorative components such as the central upper panel 60. Since there is no need to provide the rectifying plate 109, the degree of freedom in designing the decorative component is improved.

[0037] Furthermore, the frame part 100 has a pair of lamp openings 1022, 1022 formed on both outer sides of the ventilation opening 1021 in the vehicle width direction. The lamp openings 1022, 1022 are arranged behind the lamp opening 84A in the left upper panel 80A and the lamp opening 84B in the right upper panel 80B. Fog lamps (not shown), for example, are arranged at the positions of the lamp openings 1022, 1022. Note that in order to prevent damage to the lamp openings 1022, 1022, reinforcing bars or lattices may be arranged at the lamp openings 1022, 1022.

[0038] Further, the frame part 100 is formed with clamp insertion holes 1028. A plurality of clamp insertion holes 1028 are formed, for example, around the lamp opening 1022. A wire harness clamp, which is a holding part that holds a wire harness (not shown), is inserted into the clamp insertion hole 1028. For example, the wire harness is wiring for a fog lamp (not shown).

[0039] 4, the claws of the wire harness clamp are inserted into the clamp insertion holes 1028 from the opposing surface 107 of the frame part 100 that faces the radiator support 40. To prevent the tips of the claws from protruding from the frame part 100, the peripheral portion of the clamp insertion holes 1028 is recessed rearward. In other words, the clamp insertion holes 1028 are formed at the bottom of the recess.

[0040] For example, the clamp insertion holes 1028 are formed in the frame component 100, but are not formed in decorative components such as the central upper panel 60. Since there is no need to provide the clamp insertion holes 1028, the degree of freedom in designing the decorative components is improved.

[0041] An absorber opening 1026 is formed above the ventilation opening 1021 and the lamp openings 1022, 1022 of the frame part 100. A plurality of the absorber openings 1026 are formed at intervals along the vehicle width direction, for example.

[0042] 5, the front end portion of the absorber 116 is inserted into the absorber opening 1026. By adopting such an arrangement, the collision load is transmitted directly from the decorative part such as the central upper panel 60 to the absorber 116 without being interfered with by the frame part 100. Details of this configuration will be described later.

[0043] As will be described later, the decorative part is formed with a plurality of claws for assembly, and the skeleton part 100 is formed with a plurality of claw insertion holes 1024 to receive these claws.

[0044] <Decorative parts> As illustrated in FIG. 2, the decorative component of the panel assembly 50 is divided into two parts, for example, an upper part and an lower part, and further divided into three parts in the vehicle width direction. That is, the decorative component of the panel assembly 50 is divided into six panel components. More specifically, the panel assembly 50 includes decorative components: a central upper panel 60, a central lower panel 70, a left upper panel 80A, a left lower panel 90A, a right upper panel 80B, and a right lower panel 90B. These decorative components also have exposed surfaces 62, 72, 82A, 82B, 92A, and 92B that become part of the vehicle exterior. When these decorative components are assembled to the frame component 100, the frame component 100 is covered, for example, over the entire surface with the decorative components.

[0045] The central upper panel 60, the central lower panel 70, the left upper panel 80A, the left lower panel 90A, the right upper panel 80B, and the right lower panel 90B may each have, for example, multiple color variations. Furthermore, these decorative components may have various patterns, such as camouflage patterns, applied to the exposed surfaces 62, 72, 82A, 82B, 92A, and 92B. Furthermore, these decorative components may have alternative parts with different shapes. This wide variety of decorative components allows the user to customize the design of the front of the vehicle to suit their preferences.

[0046] Each decorative component has a flange on the periphery of the exposed surface 62, 72, 82A, 82B, 92A, 92B. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, flanges 61, 71 are formed on the central upper panel 60 and the central lower panel 70. These flanges 61, 71 are used to align the decorative members with each other.

[0047] Furthermore, each decorative component has a surface facing the exposed surface that is provided with claws for assembly. For example, claw plates 75, 77 are formed on the opposing surface of the central lower panel 70. As will be described later, the claw plate 77 is inserted into the claw tube 67, and is therefore longer than the claw plate 75.

[0048] A claw plate 65 and a claw tube 67 are formed on the opposing surfaces of the central upper panel 60. The claw tube 67 is a square tube that penetrates to the exposed surface 62.

[0049] <Panel assembly structure> FIG. 4 shows an example of a frame component 100 to which the central upper panel 60, the central lower panel 70, the left upper panel 80A, and the left lower panel 90A are assembled. Due to the symmetry of the vehicle exterior, the left upper panel 80A and the left lower panel 90A are symmetrical to the right upper panel 80B and the right lower panel 90B. Therefore, for the sake of convenience, the structures of the right upper panel 80B and the right lower panel 90B are not shown in the following illustrations. However, if the suffix "A" added to the reference numerals were changed to "B," the description would describe the structures of the right upper panel 80B and the right lower panel 90B.

[0050] 4, different nails are inserted into the plurality of nail insertion holes 1024. For ease of explanation, each nail insertion hole 1024 is assigned a serial number for identification.

[0051] First, the central upper panel 60 is assembled to the frame part 100. That is, the claw plates 65 of the central upper panel 60 are inserted into the claw insertion holes 1024 (1024-1, 1024-2) of the frame part 100. Also, the claw tubes 67 are inserted into the claw insertion holes 1024 (1024-4, 1024-5, 1024-8, 1024-9, 1024-10).

[0052] Next, the central lower panel 70 is assembled to the frame component 100. That is, the claw plate 75 of the central lower panel 70 is inserted into the claw insertion hole 1024 (1024-12) of the frame component 100. Furthermore, the claw plate 77 of the central lower panel 70 is inserted into the claw tube 67 (see 1024-9, 1024-10) of the central upper panel 60. By inserting the claw plate 77 into the claw tube 67, the central lower panel 70 is aligned with the central upper panel 60 and assembled to the frame component 100.

[0053] Similarly, the claw plate 95A of the left lower panel 90A is inserted into the claw insertion hole 1024 (1024-11) of the skeletal component 100. Also, the claw plate 98A of the left lower panel 90A is inserted into the claw tube 67 (see 1024-5, 1024-8) of the central upper panel 60. Furthermore, the claw tube 97A of the left lower panel 90A is inserted into the claw insertion hole 1024 (1024-6, 1024-7).

[0054] Furthermore, the claw plate 85A of the upper-left panel 80A is inserted into the claw insertion hole 1024 (1024-3) of the frame part 100. Furthermore, the claw plate 87A of the upper-left panel 80A is inserted into the claw tube 97A (see 1024-6, 1024-7) of the lower-left panel 90A and the claw tube 67 (see 1024-04) of the upper-central panel 60. In this way, the upper-left panel 80A is aligned with the lower-left panel 90A and the upper-central panel 60, and then assembled to the frame part 100.

[0055] Note that insertion holes may be formed instead of the claw tubes and claw plates. For example, insertion holes are drilled in the central upper panel 60 and the central lower panel 70 instead of the claw tubes 67 and the claw plates 77. In this case, the insertion holes in these two panels are aligned with the claw insertion holes 1024 (1024-12) in the frame part 100. Furthermore, clips and clip receivers are inserted into these holes.

[0056] As another example, a plate piece with an insertion hole drilled therein may be provided instead of the claw plate. For example, the claw plate 87A of the upper left panel 80A is changed to a plate piece. An insertion hole is drilled in this plate piece in the thickness direction. The plate piece is inserted into the claw tube 97A (see 1024-6, 1024-7) of the lower left panel 90A and the claw tube 67 (see 1024-4) of the upper central panel 60. Furthermore, a clip is inserted into the insertion hole of the plate piece. In this way, by inserting the clip into the insertion hole of the plate piece, the clip functions as a latch. In other words, the clip prevents the plate piece and the claw tube from coming out of the claw insertion hole 1024 (1024-4, 1024-6, 1024-7) of the skeletal part 100.

[0057] <Absorber assembly> 2 and 5, the bumper assembly 10 includes an absorber assembly 110. The absorber assembly 110 includes a base 112 and an absorber .

[0058] The base 112 is a foundation of the absorber assembly 110, and is attached to the lower frame 44 of the radiator support 40. The base 112 extends along the lower frame 44 in the vehicle width direction.

[0059] The absorber 116 extends forward from the base 112. The absorber 116 has a honeycomb structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, so that it can break in stages while receiving a collision load. That is, the absorber 116 has hexagonal rings arranged in front with their central axes in the up-down direction. For example, multiple absorbers 116 are arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] A guide mechanism is provided in the bumper assembly 10 so that the absorber 116 can easily be crushed and deformed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle. For example, a guide bar 108 is formed on the opposing surface 107 of the frame component 100. The guide bar 108 extends rearward from the opposing surface 107. Furthermore, a plurality of guide bars 108 are arranged on the opposing surface 107 along the vehicle width direction. For example, the guide bar 108 is formed so that it is wider at the base side, i.e., the opposing surface 107 side.

[0061] A guide frame 114 is formed on the base 112. The rear end of the guide bar 108 is inserted into this guide frame 114. Also, for example, a claw 1082 is formed at the rearmost end of the guide bar 108. The claw 1082 is hooked onto the guide frame 114. Also, a stopper 1141 extending upward is formed on the guide frame 114. The claw 1082 and the stopper 1141 restrict movement of the guide bar 108 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0062] In the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, stopper 1141 is broken by guide bar 108. Then, guide bar 108 moves rearward while being guided by guide frame 114. As guide bar 108 moves in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, absorber 116 is crushed and deformed in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle.

[0063] Here, an absorber opening 1026 is formed in the skeleton part 100 at a location opposite the front end of the absorber 116. The absorber opening 1026 has a larger diameter than the absorber 116. For example, the front end of the absorber 116 is inserted into the absorber opening 1026 of the skeleton part 100. In other words, the absorber 116 is not interfered with by the skeleton part 100. For example, the front end of the absorber 116 abuts against the opposing surface (rear surface) of the decorative part.

[0064] With this structure, in the event of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the collision load received by the decorative part is transmitted directly to the absorber 116 without passing through the skeleton part 100. In other words, the collision load received by the decorative part is distributed to the skeleton part 100 and the absorber 116. As a result, bending deformation of the skeleton part 100 and crushing deformation of the absorber 116 proceed simultaneously. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Bumper assembly, 22 Front grille, 24A, 24B Headlamp assembly, 30 Bumper reinforcement, 40 Radiator support, 42 Radiator support upper frame, 44 Radiator support lower frame, 46 Radiator support rectangular opening, 50 Panel assembly, 60 Center upper panel, 62 Exposed surface of center upper panel, 70 Center lower panel, 71 Flange, 72 Exposed surface of center lower panel, 80A Left upper panel, 80B Right upper panel, 82A Exposed surface of left upper panel, 82B Exposed surface of right upper panel, 90A Left lower panel, 90B Right lower panel, 92A Exposed surface of left lower panel, 92B Exposed surface of right lower panel, 100 Frame part, 102 Front plate, 105 Bottom plate, 107 Opposing surface of frame part, 108 Guide bar, 109 Straightening plate, 110 absorber assembly, 112 base, 114 guide frame, 116 absorber, 1021 ventilation hole, 1026 absorber opening, 1028 clamp insertion hole.

Claims

1. a frame part extending from the center in the vehicle width direction to both sides; a plurality of decorative components attached to the frame component and having exposed surfaces that become part of the vehicle exterior; Equipped with The framework component is disposed in front of a rectangular frame-shaped radiator support, A ventilation hole is formed in the frame component facing the rectangular opening of the radiator support, a straightening plate extending in the front-rear direction is formed on a surface of the frame component facing the radiator support and on the outer side of the ventilation opening in the vehicle width direction; Bumper assembly.

2. 2. The bumper assembly of claim 1, The bumper assembly further comprises an insertion hole formed in the frame component, into which a holding component for holding a wire harness is inserted.

3. 2. The bumper assembly of claim 1, a base assembled to the radiator support; an absorber extending forward from the base; Equipped with a guide bar extending rearward is formed on the opposing surface of the frame component; Furthermore, the base is formed with a guide frame into which the rear end of the guide bar is inserted. Bumper assembly.

4. 4. The bumper assembly of claim 3, an opening having a larger diameter than the front end of the absorber is formed in a portion of the frame component facing the front end of the absorber; Bumper assembly.

Images