Vehicle bumper structure

Abstract

To provide a vehicular bumper structure which can suppress a notification part mounted on a bumper from being broken, even if an impact load is inputted to the bumper.SOLUTION: A vehicular bumper structure 100 according to the present invention comprises a bumper 104 installed at a rear end 108 of a vehicle body and a notification part 106, mounted on the bumper, which notifies presence of a vehicle. The notification part has a vehicle exterior surface member 118 that can be visually recognized from the vehicle exterior side and a vehicle interior-side member 120 arranged closer to the vehicle body than the bumper and fixed to the vehicle exterior surface member together with the bumper. The bumper has a bent part 112 formed at an end part 114 outside in a vehicle width direction and bent in a convex shape in a direction in which the part gets away from the vehicle body. The vehicle interior-side member has a predetermined main body part 124 extending in the vehicle width direction, and a swollen part 126 extended from the main body part to the outside in the vehicle width direction and further swollen toward the direction in which the part gets away from the vehicle body and formed into a shape along the bent part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An elongated bumper extending in the vehicle width direction is provided at the front end or rear end of a vehicle body such as an automobile. Further, a notification member such as a light or a reflector that informs others of the presence of the vehicle is attached to the bumper. Such a notification member needs to be protected so that it does not get damaged during a minor collision.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a rear bumper structure. This rear bumper structure includes a rear end wall that forms the rear end of the vehicle, and a recessed portion. The recessed portion is recessed toward the vehicle front relative to the rear end wall, and accommodates a reflector. A lightening portion is formed on the rear end wall. The lightening portion is located below the recessed portion in the rear end wall, and is formed on a part of the back surface that is the surface on the vehicle front side. The lightening portion is formed at a position corresponding to the apex of the curved rear end wall, and has a groove shape extending along the vehicle width direction.

[0004] In the rear bumper structure of Patent Document 1, at the time of a rear-end collision, the rear end wall collapses and deforms starting from the lightening portion which is a relatively weak portion, and absorbs the impact of the rear-end collision. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the impact input to the recessed portion, and prevent the reflector from falling off due to damage to the recessed portion.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0005]

Patent Literature 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the rear bumper structure of Patent Document 1, a groove-shaped cutout extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the rear end wall. Therefore, in this rear bumper structure, if a collision load is applied from the diagonal rear of the vehicle, even in a minor collision, the rear end wall may collapse and deform starting from the cutout, potentially leading to damage to the warning unit.

[0007] In view of these problems, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle bumper structure that can suppress damage to the notification unit attached to the bumper even when an impact load is applied to the bumper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a typical configuration of the present invention is a vehicle bumper structure comprising a bumper installed at the front or rear end of a vehicle body and a notification unit attached to the bumper for indicating the presence of a vehicle, wherein the notification unit has an exterior surface member visible from the outside of the vehicle and an interior surface member positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper and fixed to the exterior surface member together with the bumper, the bumper has a bent portion formed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction and bent to become convex in the direction away from the vehicle body, and the interior surface member has a predetermined main body portion extending in the vehicle width direction and a bulging portion extending outward from the main body portion in the vehicle width direction and further bulging in the direction away from the vehicle body and having a shape along the bent portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle bumper structure that can suppress damage to the notification unit attached to the bumper, even when an impact load is applied to the bumper. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows a vehicle to which a vehicle bumper structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the main components of the vehicle bumper structure shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]This figure shows a magnified view of a part of the vehicle bumper structure shown in Figure 2(a). [Figure 4] This is a view of the vehicle bumper structure shown by arrow B in Figure 2(a). [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows the vehicle bumper structure viewed from each arrow. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A typical configuration of one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle bumper structure comprising a bumper installed at the front or rear end of a vehicle body and a notification unit attached to the bumper for indicating the presence of a vehicle, wherein the notification unit has an exterior surface member visible from the outside of the vehicle and an interior surface member positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper and fixed to the exterior surface member together with the bumper, the bumper has a bent portion formed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction and bent to become convex in the direction away from the vehicle body, and the interior surface member has a predetermined main body portion extending in the vehicle width direction and a bulging portion extending outward from the main body portion in the vehicle width direction and further bulging in the direction away from the vehicle body and having a shape along the bent portion.

[0012] In the above configuration, a bend is formed at the outer end of the bumper in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when an object collides with the bumper from the vehicle width direction (diagonally) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the impact load is applied to the bend of the bumper. In addition, the interior members of the notification unit (e.g., lamps and reflectors) are positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper and have a bulge that follows the shape of the bend. Therefore, the impact load applied to the bend of the bumper is transmitted to the bulge of the interior member of the notification unit. Furthermore, because the bulge of the interior member of the notification unit has a shape that follows the bend of the bumper, the contact area between the bulge and the bend is increased, and the impact load is reliably transmitted from the bend of the bumper to the bulge of the interior member.

[0013] Therefore, with the above configuration, impact loads are less likely to be transmitted to the exterior components of the notification unit (for example, the surface portion of the lamp or reflector), thus preventing damage to the exterior components. Furthermore, if the notification unit is a lamp or reflector, not only is safety maintained because these surface portions are not damaged, but the aesthetic appearance is also not compromised.

[0014] The above-mentioned interior component may further include an extension that is continuous with the outer corner of the main body in the vehicle width direction and extends further in the vehicle vertical direction than the bulging portion, and the extension may be continuous with the bulging portion and form a curved shape along the corner of the main body together with the bulging portion.

[0015] As a result, when an impact load is applied to the bumper from the vehicle width direction in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the curved shape formed by the bulge and extension along the corner of the main body allows the impact load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be distributed along the main body in the vehicle width direction. If the bulge and extension were to form a shape that is not curved along the corner of the main body but, for example, has a bend, stress concentration would occur at the base of the connection between the main body and the bulge and extension, making the bulge prone to damage. In contrast, with the above configuration, the bulge and extension continuously form a curved shape along the corner of the main body, thus distributing the impact load, preventing damage to the bulge of the interior component, and protecting the exterior component.

[0016] The bulge described above should ideally bulge away from the vehicle body compared to the exterior member. This means that, for example, if the notification unit is a lamp, the bulge of the interior member will bulge forward or backward of the vehicle compared to the exterior member that forms the lamp cover. Therefore, when an object collides with the bend in the bumper, the bend is more likely to come into contact with the bulge. For example, if the bulge is located forward or backward of the vehicle compared to the cross-section of the exterior member (e.g., the cross-section of the lamp cover), even if the angle of impact is closer to the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle, the bend will first come into contact with the bulge of the interior member, rather than the exterior member. Thus, with the above configuration, damage to the exterior member of the notification unit can be suppressed.

[0017] Preferably, the extension portion described above has a support surface that extends from the bulging portion in a direction approaching the vehicle body and supports the bulging portion, and extends further from the support surface than the bulging portion in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0018] Accordingly, the extension portion is disposed closer to the vehicle body than the bulging portion, so that the positions of the extension portion and the bulging portion are shifted in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Therefore, when an impact load is input to the bulging portion, the load in the front-rear direction is easily dispersed from the bulging portion to the extension portion, and furthermore, the bulging portion can be supported by the support surface of the extension portion, whereby the rigidity of the vehicle interior member of the notification unit can be improved.

[0019] Preferably, the vehicle interior member described above further has a rib formed on the vehicle body side of the bulging portion, extending in the vehicle width direction, and connecting the bulging portion and the main body portion.

[0020] As described above, in the vehicle interior member of the notification unit, since the main body portion and the bulging portion are connected by the rib, the rigidity of the bulging portion can be improved. In addition, since the impact load input to the bulging portion can be transmitted to the main body portion via the rib, damage to the vehicle exterior member of the notification unit can be suppressed. [Examples]

[0021] Preferred examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in these examples are merely illustrative for facilitating understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and the accompanying drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals to omit redundant description, and illustration of elements not directly related to the present invention is omitted.

[0022] Figure 1 shows a vehicle 102 to which a vehicle bumper structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the following figures, the front-rear direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Front and Back, the left and right directions in the vehicle width direction are indicated by arrows Left and Right, and the up-down direction of the vehicle is indicated by arrows Up and Down. In the following description, the vehicle bumper structure 100 on the left side of the vehicle, which is the rear side of the vehicle in Figure 1, is shown as an example, but this embodiment may also be applied to the right side of the vehicle.

[0023] The vehicle bumper structure 100 comprises a bumper 104 and a notification unit 106. The bumper 104 is a resin component installed at the rear end 108 of the vehicle body and extends in the width direction of the vehicle. The notification unit 106 is, for example, a lamp or reflector, and is attached to the bumper 104 to have the function of informing the presence of a vehicle. A harness 110 (see Figure 2(a)) is also attached to the notification unit 106 to enable it to perform its function.

[0024] Such a notification unit 106 needs to be protected from damage during minor collisions, and it is also necessary to prevent the harness 110 that powers the notification unit 106 from breaking. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 100 employs a configuration that suppresses damage to the notification unit 106 and prevents the harness 110 from breaking, even when an impact load is applied to the bumper 104.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the main parts of the vehicle bumper structure 100 shown in Figure 1. Figure 2(a) shows the bumper 104 and notification unit 106 as seen from the vehicle body side, i.e., the front side of the vehicle. Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view AA of the vehicle bumper structure 100 shown in Figure 2(a). Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the vehicle bumper structure 100 shown in Figure 2(a). Note that the harness 110 shown in Figure 2(a) is omitted in Figure 3.

[0026] The bumper 104 has a bent portion 112 as shown in Figures 1 and 2(b). The bent portion 112 is formed continuously with the outer end 114 in the vehicle width direction of the bumper 104 as shown in Figure 2(b), and is bent in a convex shape in the direction away from the vehicle body (in this case, towards the rear of the vehicle). In addition, a flange 116 extending inward in the vehicle width direction is formed on the outer end 114 in the vehicle width direction of the bumper 104.

[0027] The notification unit 106 has an exterior member 118 and an interior member 120. The exterior member 118 is a member visible from the outside of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 1 and 2(b), and forms, for example, the outer surface of a lamp. The outer end 122 of the exterior member 118 in the vehicle width direction overlaps the flange 116 of the bumper 104 from the rear of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0028] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the interior member 120 is positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper 104, and forms, for example, a rear combination lamp cover. The interior member 120 also has a predetermined main body portion 124 extending in the vehicle width direction and a bulging portion 126. As shown in Figure 2(b), the main body portion 124 overlaps the flange 116 of the bumper 104 from the front of the vehicle and is fixed together with the flange 116 to the outer end 122 in the vehicle width direction of the exterior member 118 by bolts 128.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2(b), the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120 extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body 124 and is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the exterior member 118, and is convex in the direction away from the vehicle body. The bulging portion 126 also follows the shape of the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104.

[0030] The bulging portion 126 bulges outward from the vehicle body more than the outer edge 130 in the vehicle width direction of the exterior surface member 118. The bulging portion 126, together with the outer end 122 in the vehicle width direction of the exterior surface member 118, clamps the outer end 114 in the vehicle width direction of the bumper 104.

[0031] The interior member 120 further has a plurality of ribs 132, a first extension 134, and a second extension 136. The ribs 132 are formed on the vehicle body side of the bulging portion 126, which has a convex shape in the direction away from the vehicle body, and extend in the vehicle width direction, connecting the bulging portion 126 and the main body portion 124.

[0032] As shown in Figure 3, the first extension 134 is continuous with the outer corner 138 in the vehicle width direction of the main body 124 and extends upward from the bulging portion 126. The first extension 134 also has a first mounting portion 140 to which the harness 110 is attached. The first mounting portion 140 has an elongated hole 142. The elongated hole 142 has a longitudinal direction along the arrangement direction of the harness 110 as shown in Figure 2(a), and a clip 144 is attached thereto. The first mounting portion 140 is the elongated hole 142 and the surrounding area, and the harness 110 is attached thereto using the clip 144.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the second extension 136 is continuous with the main body 124 and is located below the first extension 134 and inward in the vehicle width direction. The second extension 136 also has a second mounting portion 146 to which the harness 110 is attached. The second mounting portion 146 has an elongated hole 148. The elongated hole 148 has a longitudinal direction along the arrangement direction of the harness 110 as shown in Figure 2(a), and a clip 150 is attached thereto. The second mounting portion 146 is the elongated hole 148 and the surrounding area, and the harness 110 is attached thereto using the clip 150.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the bulging portion 126 of the interior component 120 is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146. Also, as shown in Figure 2(a), the bulging portion 126 overlaps with the harness 110 when attached to the clips 144 and 150, as viewed from the vehicle body side.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2(a), when the harness 110 is attached to the clips 144 and 150, it forms a curved shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction between the first mounting portion 140 to which the clip 144 is attached and the second mounting portion 146 to which the clip 150 is attached.

[0036] Figure 4 is a view of the vehicle bumper structure 100 in Figure 2(a) as seen by arrow B. Figure 5 is a view of the vehicle bumper structure 100 in Figure 4 as seen by arrows C and D, respectively. Note that the bumper 104 is omitted in Figures 4 and 5.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5(a), the first extension 134 is continuous with the bulge 126 and, together with the bulge 126, forms a curved shape along the corner 138 of the main body 124. Furthermore, in the first mounting portion 140 formed on the first extension 134, the claw portion 152 of the clip 144 is fixed to the elongated hole 142, and as shown in Figure 4, the harness 110 is passed through the annular portion 154 of the clip 144 and attached. The claw portion 152 of the clip 144 has an elliptical shape corresponding to the elongated hole 142.

[0038] The second extension 136 has a support surface 156 as shown in Figure 4. The support surface 156 extends from the bulge 126 toward the vehicle body (in this case toward the front of the vehicle) and supports the bulge 126. The second extension 136 also extends from the support surface 156 toward the vehicle toward the bulge 126.

[0039] Therefore, the second extension 136 is located closer to the vehicle body than the first extension 134. Also, the second mounting portion 146 formed on the second extension 136 is located closer to the vehicle body than the first mounting portion 140.

[0040] In the second mounting section 146, as shown in Figure 5(b), the claw portion 158 of the clip 150 is fixed to the elongated hole 148, and as shown in Figure 4, the harness 110 is passed through the annular portion 160 of the clip 150 and attached. The claw portion 158 of the clip 150 has an elliptical shape corresponding to the elongated hole 148.

[0041] Here, we will explain the behavior of the vehicle bumper structure 100 when an object collides with the bumper 104 from the rear of the vehicle, towards the vehicle width direction (diagonally), as shown by arrow E in Figure 2(a).

[0042] In the vehicle bumper structure 100, a bent portion 112 is formed at the outer end 114 in the vehicle width direction of the bumper 104. Therefore, when an object collides with the bumper 104 from the direction indicated by arrow E, an impact load is applied to the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104. In addition, the in-vehicle member 120 of the notification unit 106 is positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper 104 and has a bulge portion 126 that follows the shape of the bent portion 112. Therefore, the impact load applied to the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104 is transmitted to the bulge portion 126 of the in-vehicle member 120 of the notification unit 106.

[0043] Furthermore, because the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120 has a shape that conforms to the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104, the contact area between the bulging portion 126 and the bent portion 112 is increased, and the impact load is reliably transmitted from the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104 to the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120.

[0044] Therefore, with the vehicle bumper structure 100, impact loads are less likely to be transmitted to the exterior surface member 118 of the notification unit 106, thus preventing damage to the exterior surface member 118. Furthermore, if the notification unit 106 is a lamp or reflector, not only is safety maintained because these surface parts are not damaged, but the aesthetic appearance is also not compromised.

[0045] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the first extension 134 is continuous with the outer corner 138 of the main body 124 in the vehicle width direction, extends upward from the bulging portion 126, and together with the bulging portion 126 forms a curved shape along the corner 138 of the main body 124. Therefore, when an object collides with the bumper 104 from the direction indicated by arrow E, the curved shape formed by the first extension 134 together with the bulging portion 126 allows the impact load to be distributed along the main body 124 in the vehicle width direction.

[0046] Furthermore, if the first extension 134 were to form a shape that is not curved along the corner 138 of the main body 124, but rather has a bend, for example, then stress concentration would occur at the base of the main body 124, the bulge 126, and the first extension 134, making the bulge 126 more susceptible to damage.

[0047] In contrast, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the bulging portion 126 and the first extension portion 134 are continuous and form a curved shape along the corner portion 138 of the main body portion 124. This distributes the impact load, prevents damage to the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120, and protects the exterior member 118.

[0048] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the bulging portion 126 bulges outward from the vehicle body more than the outer edge portion 130 in the vehicle width direction of the exterior surface member 118. As a result, the bulging portion 126 of the interior surface member 120 bulges outward towards the rear of the vehicle more than the exterior surface member 118 of the notification unit 106.

[0049] Therefore, when an object collides with the bent portion 112 of the bumper 104, the bent portion 112 is more likely to come into contact with the bulging portion 126. For example, because the bulging portion 126 is located further rearward than the cross-section of the exterior member 118 (for example, the cross-section of the lamp cover), even if the angle at which the object collides is closer to the front-rear direction of the vehicle than the direction indicated by arrow E, the bent portion 112 will first come into contact with the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120, rather than the exterior member 118. Thus, the vehicle bumper structure 100 can suppress damage to the exterior member 118 of the notification unit 106.

[0050] In addition, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the second extension 136 extends from the bulging portion 126 toward the vehicle body and has a support surface 156 that supports the bulging portion 126, and extends from the support surface 156 further in the vertical direction of the vehicle than the bulging portion 126.

[0051] Therefore, the second extension 136 is positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bulge 126, and the second extension 136 and the bulge 126 are misaligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Consequently, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, when an impact load is applied to the bulge 126, the load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is more easily distributed from the bulge 126 to the second extension 136, and furthermore, the bulge 126 can be supported by the support surface 156 of the second extension 136, thereby increasing the rigidity of the in-vehicle member 120 of the notification unit 106.

[0052] In the vehicle bumper structure 100, the harness 110 for activating the notification unit 106 is attached to the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146 of the interior member 120, and overlaps with the bulging portion 126 when viewed from the vehicle body side. The bulging portion 126 bulges outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion 124 and is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146.

[0053] Therefore, even if the harness 110 protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body 124 of the interior member 120 when an object collides with the bumper 104 or when the harness 110 is routed, the harness 110 will overlap with the bulging portion 126 when viewed from the vehicle body side. Thus, the vehicle bumper structure 100 can protect the harness 110 and prevent situations in which the notification unit 106 does not function due to a break in the harness 110.

[0054] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the harness 110 forms a curved shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146. Therefore, when an object collides with the bumper 104 from the direction indicated by arrow E, the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120 receives the impact load via the bumper 104 and is pushed toward the vehicle body, causing it to contact the harness 110 which overlaps with the bulging portion 126 when viewed from the vehicle body side. If the harness 110 is taut between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146, the bulging portion 126 may bend or otherwise come into contact with the harness 110, potentially causing the harness 110 to break.

[0055] In contrast, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the harness 110 forms a curved shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146, so the harness 110 is not taut but loose between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146. Therefore, when the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120 comes into contact with the harness 110, the harness 110 becomes more easily deformed, thus preventing disconnection.

[0056] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the longitudinal direction of the elongated holes 142 and 148 of the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146 is aligned with the direction in which the harness 110 is arranged. If the holes were round instead of elongated, the clips 144 and 150 for attaching the harness 110 would rotate, making it difficult to form the curved shape of the harness 110.

[0057] In contrast, the vehicle bumper structure 100 uses clips 144 and 150, each having elliptical claw portions 152 and 158 corresponding to the elongated holes 142 and 148, to fix the claw portions 152 and 158 to the elongated holes 142 and 148 and attach the harness 110. Therefore, the shape of the harness 110 can be a curved shape that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146.

[0058] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the second mounting portion 146 is located lower on the vehicle than the first mounting portion 140, and is also located further inward in the vehicle width direction and closer to the vehicle body than the first mounting portion 140. As a result, the harness 110 forms a curved shape between the first mounting portion 140 and the second mounting portion 146, which curves inward in the vehicle width direction and closer to the vehicle body as it goes downward on the vehicle. Thus, the harness 110 can form a curved shape closer to the inward side in the vehicle width direction of the bulging portion 126 of the interior member 120, and can secure room for deformation inward in the vehicle width direction and closer to the vehicle body.

[0059] As a result, when the bulge 126, which receives an impact load via the bumper 104, is pushed toward the vehicle body and deformed, the first mounting portion 140 of the interior member 120 moves inward in the vehicle width direction and toward the vehicle body, with the second mounting portion 146 as the axis, and the harness 110 deforms due to the deformation inward in the vehicle width direction and in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 100 can suppress the disconnection of the harness.

[0060] Furthermore, in the vehicle bumper structure 100, the bulging portion 126 bulges out in a convex shape in the direction away from the vehicle body, and the bulging portion 126 and the main body portion 124 are connected by the rib 132, which increases the rigidity of the bulging portion 126. In addition, since the impact load applied to the bulging portion 126 can be transmitted to the main body portion 124 via the rib 132, damage to the vehicle exterior member 118 of the notification unit 106 can be suppressed.

[0061] Even if the bulging portion 126, subjected to an impact load, bends toward the vehicle body, the harness 110 shown in Figure 2(b) will still come into contact with the rib 132 because the bulging portion 126 and the main body portion 124 are connected by the rib 132. Therefore, the vehicle bumper structure 100 prevents the harness 110 from entering the convex space on the vehicle body side of the bulging portion 126, thus preventing damage to the harness 110.

[0062] In the above-described vehicle bumper structure 100, the bumper 104 is a rear bumper installed at the rear end 108 of the vehicle body, but it is not limited to this. For example, the vehicle bumper structure 100 may be applied to a front bumper installed at the front end of the vehicle body and a notification unit attached to the front bumper, thereby suppressing damage to the notification unit and preventing the harness from breaking when an object collides with the vehicle from the front in the direction of the vehicle width (diagonally forward).

[0063] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0064] This invention can be used in vehicle bumper structures. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 100...Vehicle bumper structure, 102...Vehicle, 104...Bumper, 106...Notification unit, 108...Rear end of vehicle body, 110...Harness, 112...Bend, 114...Outer end of bumper in the vehicle width direction, 116...Bumper flange, 118...Exterior vehicle member, 120...Interior vehicle member, 122...Outer end of exterior vehicle member in the vehicle width direction, 124...Main body, 126... 128...Bolt, 130...Edge of exterior body member, 132...Rib, 134...First extension, 136...Second extension, 138...Corner of main body, 140...First mounting part, 142, 148...Slotted hole, 144, 150...Clip, 146...Second mounting part, 152, 158...Claw part of clip, 154, 160...Annular part of clip, 156...Support surface

Claims

1. A vehicle bumper structure comprising a bumper installed at the front or rear end of the vehicle body and a notification unit attached to the bumper for indicating the presence of a vehicle, The aforementioned notification department, Exterior components visible from outside the vehicle, It has an interior member that is positioned closer to the vehicle body than the bumper and is fixed to the exterior member of the vehicle together with the bumper, The bumper has a bent portion formed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction, which is bent in a convex shape in the direction away from the vehicle body. The aforementioned interior vehicle member is A predetermined main body portion extending in the vehicle width direction, A vehicle bumper structure characterized by having a bulging portion that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion and further bulges outward in a direction away from the vehicle body, and has a convex shape along the bent portion.

2. The interior member further includes an extension that is continuous with the outer corner of the main body in the vehicle width direction and extends further in the vehicle vertical direction than the bulging portion. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the extension portion is continuous with the bulging portion and together with the bulging portion forms a curved shape along the corner of the main body portion.

3. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the bulging portion bulges out in a direction away from the vehicle body than the exterior surface member of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the extension extends from the bulging portion toward the vehicle body and has a support surface that supports the bulging portion, and extends from the support surface further in the vertical direction of the vehicle than the bulging portion.

5. The vehicle bumper structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized in that the interior member of the vehicle is formed on the vehicle body side of the bulging portion and extends in the vehicle width direction, and has a rib connecting the bulging portion and the main body portion.

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