Front vehicle body structure

Abstract

A front body structure is disclosed. A front body structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed invention may include: i) a bumper assembly coupled to the front of the vehicle body; and ii) an under protector coupled to the bumper assembly and coupled to the vehicle body in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a front body structure, and more specifically, to a front body structure of a large truck. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, a front end module (FEM) with a radiator is mounted on the front of the vehicle body, and a bumper is installed to improve aerodynamic performance while driving as well as to provide cushioning during a frontal collision.

[0003] In the case of large dump trucks and off-road vehicles (and furthermore, hydrogen electric large trucks), the ground clearance of the bumper must be raised, so the lower part of the radiator is inevitably exposed to the front.

[0004] Accordingly, large trucks are equipped with a radiator under protector installed through the bumper at the front of the vehicle body to prevent damage to the bottom of the radiator in the event of a collision with an external obstacle.

[0005] In the prior art, an under protector mounting assembly is attached to the frame at the front of the vehicle body, a bumper is attached to the frame, and an under protector panel is attached to the under protector mounting assembly in an upward direction from the bottom of the vehicle.

[0006] However, in conventional technology, since a worker enters the underside of the vehicle and fastens the under protector panel to the under protector mounting assembly in an upward direction, the workability is unfavorable, such as foreign matter entering the worker's eyes or causing musculoskeletal disorders, and can result in a loss of man-hours (M / H) in the mass production process.

[0007] Furthermore, in conventional technology, the bonding strength of the under protector mounting assembly component connecting the under protector panel to the vehicle body is weak, which is disadvantageous for supporting impact forces resulting from a frontal collision and may lead to durability problems such as cracks under repeated loading.

[0008] The matters described in this background technology section are written to enhance understanding of the background of the invention and may include matters that are not prior art already known to those skilled in the art to which this technology belongs. The problem to be solved

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a front body structure that offers good assembly workability for the front body structure and can reduce man-hours in the mass production process. means of solving the problem

[0010] A front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention may include i) a bumper assembly coupled to the front of the vehicle body, and ii) an under protector coupled to the bumper assembly and coupled to the vehicle body in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0011] In addition, in a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bumper assembly may include a bumper inner member coupled to the body and coupled to the under protector, and a bumper cover coupled to the outer side of the bumper inner member.

[0012] In addition, in a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector may include an under protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member and an under protector panel coupled to the under protector mounting assembly.

[0013] And, the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is a front body structure in which mounting brackets are coupled to both front sides of a chassis frame and a radiator is mounted on the mounting brackets, and may include: i) a bumper inner member coupled to the mounting brackets; ii) an under protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member through a bumper fixing bracket and coupled to the mounting brackets in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body through a protector fixing bracket; and iii) an under protector panel coupled to the under protector mounting assembly having a fastening hole open to the front.

[0014] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector mounting assembly can be horizontally coupled to the protector fixing bracket by means of a fastening member that penetrates the fastening hole from the front to the rear.

[0015] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the protector fixing bracket may be fastened to a step mounting member coupled to the lower of the mounting bracket.

[0016] In addition, in a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector mounting assembly may include a panel fixing bracket coupled to the bumper fixing bracket, a pipe fixing bracket coupled to the panel fixing bracket, and a pipe member fixed to the pipe fixing bracket along the width direction through both ends.

[0017] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector mounting assembly may further include a plurality of pipe support brackets that are arranged along the front-rear direction at regular intervals along the vehicle width direction on the under protector panel and coupled to the under protector panel.

[0018] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the panel fixing bracket may be composed of a first part along the vehicle width direction and a second part bent in the front-rear direction from the first part.

[0019] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first part may be bolted to the bumper fixing bracket, and the second part may be bolted to the under protector panel.

[0020] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, a triangular reinforcing plate may be coupled to the first and second portions of the panel fixing bracket.

[0021] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe fixing bracket may include a coupling flange that is coupled to the panel fixing bracket.

[0022] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe fixing bracket may include a forming projection protruding toward the front at intervals set along the vertical direction.

[0023] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, both ends of the pipe member may be welded to the forming protrusions between the forming protrusions.

[0024] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe fixing bracket may be bolted to the protector fixing bracket by a fastening member that penetrates the fastening hole from the front to the rear.

[0025] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, horizontal bolting holes may be formed in the pipe fixing bracket and the protector fixing bracket.

[0026] In addition, in the front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, a support groove for supporting the pipe member may be formed in the pipe support bracket. Effects of the invention

[0027] The embodiments of the present invention eliminate the need to assemble the bumper assembly and the under protector separately during the vehicle body assembly process, thereby enabling mass production and reducing production assembly man-hours.

[0028] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, since the under protector can be assembled to the vehicle body in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body, assembly productivity can be improved and safety issues such as foreign substances entering the worker's eyes or causing musculoskeletal disorders can be resolved.

[0029] Furthermore, other effects that can be obtained or predicted by the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed directly or implicitly in the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention. That is, various effects predicted according to the embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed within the detailed description to be set forth below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] These drawings are for reference to explain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, the technical concept of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the attached drawings. FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings illustrating a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are combined perspective views illustrating the combined structure of a bumper assembly and an under protector applied to a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an under protector applied to a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings illustrating the combined structure of an under protector mounting assembly and an under protector panel of an under protector applied to a front vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the combined structure of a pipe fixing bracket and a pipe member of an under protector mounting assembly applied to a front vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the combined structure of a pipe fixing bracket and a protector fixing bracket of an under protector mounting assembly applied to a front vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0032] To clearly explain the present invention, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0033] The size and thickness of each component shown in the drawings are depicted arbitrarily for the convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to what is shown in the drawings; furthermore, the thickness has been enlarged to clearly represent various parts and regions.

[0034] Furthermore, in the detailed description below, the designation of components as "1st," "2nd," etc., is intended to distinguish them due to their identical nature, and is not strictly limited to that order in the description below.

[0035] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as including a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0036] FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2 are drawings illustrating a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front body structure (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a front structure of a vehicle in which a front end module (FEM) (4) including a radiator (3) is mounted at the front of the vehicle body (1).

[0038] Furthermore, it can be applied to the front structure of a hydrogen electric heavy truck that employs a fuel cell system and a drive motor of known technology, as a rough-road driving vehicle such as a large dump truck.

[0039] Here, the hydrogen electric heavy truck described above includes a chassis frame (5) positioned on both sides along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body as a vehicle body (1). The front end module (4) is mounted on the front of the chassis frame (5) via a mounting bracket (7).

[0040] In the above, the mounting bracket (7) is connected to both front sides of the chassis frame (5) and can be named as a cab hinge lower bracket in a hydrogen electric heavy truck. And a front end module (4) is mounted on the mounting bracket (7).

[0041] In the industry, the vehicle width direction is referred to as the L direction, the vehicle body length direction as the T direction, and the vehicle body height direction as the H direction. However, in the embodiments of the present invention, instead of setting the reference direction as the LTH direction as described above, the components described below will be explained by setting the reference direction as the vehicle width direction, the vehicle body front-rear direction, and the vertical direction.

[0042] Furthermore, the term (one side / one end or the other side / one end) below may be defined as an end of one side, or may be defined as a certain part (one side / one end or the other side / one end) that includes that end.

[0043] The front body structure (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention is structured to have good assembly workability of the front structure (e.g., bumper structure and under protection structure) and to reduce man-hours in the mass production process.

[0044] The front body structure (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention for this purpose basically includes a bumper assembly (10) and an under protector (20).

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the bumper assembly (10) is coupled to the front of the chassis frame (5) of the vehicle body (1). The bumper assembly (10) includes a bumper inner member (11) and a bumper cover (13).

[0046] The bumper inner member (11) is a member made of steel and is combined with an under protector (20), which will be further described later. This bumper inner member (11) is combined with the mounting bracket (7) mentioned above.

[0047] And, the bumper cover (13) is made of plastic material and is attached to the outer side of the bumper inner member (11).

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector (20) is intended to prevent damage to the lower part of the radiator (3) of the front end module (4) when colliding with an external obstacle while the vehicle is in operation, and is coupled to the bumper assembly (10) and coupled to the front of the chassis frame (5) of the vehicle body (1) in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body.

[0049] This under protector (20) includes an under protector mounting assembly (30) coupled to a bumper inner member (11) and an under protector panel (70) coupled to the under protector mounting assembly (30).

[0050] Hereinafter, the configuration of the under protector mounting assembly (30) and the under protector panel (70) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 are combined perspective views illustrating the combined structure of a bumper assembly and an under protector applied to a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an under protector applied to a front body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, in an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector mounting assembly (30) is for mounting an under protector panel (70), which will be further described later, on the lower front side of the chassis frame (5) of the vehicle body (1).

[0053] The above under protector mounting assembly (30) is connected to the bumper inner member (11) through the bumper fixing bracket (31) and is connected horizontally along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body to the lower side of the mounting bracket (7) mentioned above.

[0054] Here, the bumper fixing bracket (31) is a bracket that is coupled to the bumper inner member (11) and is coupled to both sides along the vehicle width direction of the under protector mounting assembly (30). This bumper fixing bracket (31) is provided with a C-shaped cross-section that can be coupled to the bumper inner member (11).

[0055] Furthermore, the under protector mounting assembly (30) is mounted to the mounting bracket (7) via a protector fixing bracket (33). The protector fixing bracket (33) is connected to a step mounting member (35) coupled to the lower side of the mounting bracket (7). That is, the protector fixing bracket (33) is bolted to the mounting bracket (7) together with the step mounting member (35).

[0056] In an embodiment of the present invention, the under protector panel (70) is a panel that protects the lower part of the front of the vehicle body (1) and is arranged along the width direction at the front of the vehicle body (1).

[0057] The above under protector panel (70) has a fastening hole (71) that is open to the front and is coupled to the under protector mounting assembly (30).

[0058] Here, the under protector mounting assembly (30) as described above can be connected to the protector fixing bracket (33) mentioned above in a horizontal direction (front-rear direction) by a fastening member (73) which is a bolt penetrating the fastening hole (71) of the under protector panel (70) from front to rear.

[0059] FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings illustrating the combined structure of an under protector mounting assembly and an under protector panel of an under protector applied to a front vehicle body structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, the configuration of the under protector mounting assembly (30) according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above is specifically explained. The under protector mounting assembly (30) includes a panel fixing bracket (37), a pipe fixing bracket (39), a pipe member (41), and a pipe support bracket (43).

[0061] The above panel fixing bracket (37) is attached to each side along the vehicle width direction of the under protector panel (70) and is attached to the bumper fixing bracket (31) mentioned above.

[0062] These panel fixing brackets (37) consist of a first part (45) having a bracket surface along the vehicle width direction and a second part (47) having a bracket surface bent in the front-rear direction (e.g., rear) from the first part (45).

[0063] Here, the first part (45) is bolted to the bumper fixing bracket (31), and the second part (47) is bolted to the under protector panel (70).

[0064] Furthermore, a reinforcing plate (49) for reinforcing rigidity is attached to the panel fixing bracket (37), and the reinforcing plate (49) has a triangular shape and is welded to the first and second parts (45, 47).

[0065] The pipe fixing bracket (39) is coupled to the panel fixing bracket (37). The pipe fixing bracket (39) forms a coupling flange (51) that is coupled to the panel fixing bracket (37). The coupling flange (51) is welded to the second part (47) of the panel fixing bracket (37).

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the pipe fixing bracket (39) further includes a pair of forming protrusions (53) that are arranged along the vehicle width direction at spaced intervals along the vertical direction and protrude toward the front.

[0067] The above pipe member (41) is a member for reinforcing the rigidity of the under protector panel (70) and is fixed to the pipe fixing bracket (39) along the vehicle width direction through both ends.

[0068] Here, both ends of the pipe member (41) are positioned between the forming protrusions (53) in the pipe fixing bracket (39) and are welded to the forming protrusions (53).

[0069] Accordingly, both ends of the pipe member (41) are stably seated (supported) between the forming protrusions (53) and can be easily welded to the forming protrusions (53) along the horizontal direction.

[0070] In addition, the forming protrusions (53) of the pipe fixing bracket (39) described above also serve as stoppers to prevent the pipe member (41) from detaching from the pipe fixing bracket (39) when a load is applied to the pipe member (41) in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction or in a diagonal direction in the lower direction.

[0071] Meanwhile, the pipe fixing bracket (39) above can be bolted horizontally to the protector fixing bracket (33) mentioned above by means of a fastening member (73) that is a bolt penetrating the fastening hole (71) of the under protector panel (70) from front to rear, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0072] To this end, horizontal bolting holes (55) are formed in the lower part of the pipe fixing bracket (39) and the lower part of the protector fixing bracket (33) so that a fastening member (73) can be fastened in a horizontal direction.

[0073] On the other hand, referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the pipe support bracket (43) above is intended to support the pipe member (41).

[0074] The above pipe support bracket (43) is provided in multiple numbers and is arranged along the front-rear direction at regular intervals along the vehicle width direction on the under protector panel (70), and is bolted to the under protector panel (70).

[0075] A support groove (57) is formed in the pipe support bracket (43) to support the pipe member (41).

[0076] Hereinafter, the assembly process of a front body structure (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings disclosed above.

[0077] First, in an embodiment of the present invention, a bumper assembly (10) is assembled and an under protector (20) is assembled in a vehicle body parts assembly process, and the bumper assembly (10) and the under protector (20) are assembled as a single unit.

[0078] In this process, the bumper inner member (11) of the bumper assembly (10) and the bumper cover (13) are combined, and the under protector mounting assembly (30) of the under protector (20) and the under protector panel (70) are combined.

[0079] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, an under protector (20) combining an under protector mounting assembly (30) and an under protector panel (70) can be assembled by a process in which a panel fixing bracket (37) is bolted to both sides of an under protector panel (70), a pipe fixing bracket (39) is welded to the panel fixing bracket (37), and both ends of a pipe member (41) are welded to the pipe fixing bracket (39).

[0080] Here, both ends of the pipe member (41) are stably supported between the forming protrusions (53) of the pipe fixing bracket (39) and welded to the forming protrusions (53) along the horizontal direction. The pipe member (41) is supported by pipe support brackets (43) coupled to the under protector panel (70).

[0081] In this state, in an embodiment of the present invention, a bumper fixing bracket (31) is bolted to a panel fixing bracket (37), and the bumper inner member (11) of the bumper assembly (10) and the under protector mounting assembly (30) of the under protector (20) are connected through the bumper fixing bracket (31).

[0082] Then, in an embodiment of the present invention, the assembly of the bumper assembly (10) and the under protector (20) assembled as described above is mounted on the front of the chassis frame (5) of the vehicle body (1) during the bumper mounting process.

[0083] In this process, the bumper inner member (11) of the bumper assembly (10) is bolted to the mounting bracket (7) at the front of the chassis frame (5).

[0084] In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the pipe fixing bracket (39) is fastened to the protector fixing bracket (33) coupled to the mounting bracket (7) through the fastening member (73), and the under protector mounting assembly (30) is mounted to the mounting bracket (7) through the protector fixing bracket (33).

[0085] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fastening member (73) is inserted from the front to the rear into the fastening hole (71) of the under protector panel (70), and the fastening member (73) is fastened horizontally into the horizontal bolting holes (55) of the pipe fixing bracket (39) and the protector fixing bracket (33), and the under protector (20) can be coupled to the mounting bracket (7) of the chassis frame (5).

[0086] According to the front body structure (100) according to the embodiment of the present invention as described so far, the bumper assembly (10) and the under protector (20) are assembled as a single unit, and the assembly can be mounted on the vehicle body (1) during the vehicle body assembly process.

[0087] Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, since there is no need to assemble the bumper assembly (10) and the under protector (20) separately during the vehicle body assembly process, mass production and reduction of production assembly man-hours (M / H) can be achieved.

[0088] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the under protector (70) can be assembled to the vehicle body (1) in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body (1), thereby improving assembly productivity and resolving safety issues such as foreign substances entering the worker's eyes or causing musculoskeletal disorders in the worker.

[0089] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the ends of a pipe member (41) reinforcing an under protector panel (70) are supported between the forming protrusions (53) of a pipe fixing bracket (39) and have a structure welded to the forming protrusions (53) along the horizontal direction.

[0090] Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, when a load is applied to the pipe member (41) in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction or in a diagonal direction in the lower direction, the pipe member (41) can be prevented from detaching by the forming protrusions (53) that act as stoppers. Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling rigidity and durability of the pipe member (41) against repeated loads and frontal collisions can be further improved.

[0091] Meanwhile, in an embodiment of the present invention, the welding workability of the pipe member (41) to the pipe fixing bracket (39) can be improved by welding the ends of the pipe member (41) and the forming protrusions (53) along the horizontal direction.

[0092] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0093] 1: Body 3: Radiator 4: Front-end module 5: Chassis frame 7: Mounting bracket 10: Bumper assembly 11: Bumper inner member 13: Bumper cover 20: Under protector 30: Under protector mounting assembly 31: Bumper mounting bracket 33: Protector mounting bracket 35: Step mounting member 37: Panel fixing bracket 39: Pipe fixing bracket 41: Pipe member 43: Pipe support bracket 45: Part 1 47: Part 2 49: Reinforcement Plate 51: Connecting flange 53: Forming projection 55: Horizontal bolting hole 57: Support groove 70: Under protector panel 71: Fastening hole 73: Fastening member 100: Front body structure

Claims

Claim 1 delete Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A front body structure comprising: a bumper inner member coupled to the mounting brackets on both front sides of a chassis frame, and a radiator mounted on the mounting brackets; an under protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member via a bumper fixing bracket and coupled to the mounting brackets in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body via a protector fixing bracket; and an under protector panel coupled to the under protector mounting assembly having a fastening hole open to the front, wherein the under protector mounting assembly is coupled to the protector fixing brackets in a horizontal direction by a fastening member penetrating the fastening hole from the front to the rear. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A front body structure comprising: a bumper inner member coupled to the mounting brackets on both front sides of a chassis frame, and a radiator mounted on the mounting brackets; an under protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member via a bumper fixing bracket and coupled to the mounting brackets in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body via a protector fixing bracket; and an under protector panel coupled to the under protector mounting assembly having a fastening hole open to the front, wherein the protector fixing bracket is coupled to a step mounting member coupled to the lower of the mounting bracket. Claim 7 A front body structure comprising: a bumper inner member coupled to the mounting brackets on both front sides of a chassis frame, and a radiator mounted on the mounting brackets; an under protector mounting assembly coupled to the bumper inner member via a bumper fixing bracket and coupled to the mounting brackets in a horizontal direction along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body via a protector fixing bracket; and an under protector panel coupled to the under protector mounting assembly having a fastening hole open to the front; wherein the under protector mounting assembly comprises a panel fixing bracket coupled to the bumper fixing bracket, a pipe fixing bracket coupled to the panel fixing bracket, and a pipe member fixed to the pipe fixing bracket along the vehicle width direction through both ends, each coupled to both sides of the under protector panel along the vehicle width direction. Claim 8 In claim 7, the under protector mounting assembly further comprises a plurality of pipe support brackets that are arranged along the front-rear direction at regular intervals along the vehicle width direction on the under protector panel and are coupled to the under protector panel, forming a front body structure. Claim 9 In claim 7, the panel fixing bracket is a front body structure comprising a first part along the vehicle width direction and a second part bent in the front-rear direction from the first part. Claim 10 In claim 9, the first part is bolted to the bumper fixing bracket, and the second part is bolted to the under protector panel, forming a front body structure. Claim 11 In claim 9, a front body structure in which a triangular reinforcing plate is coupled to the first and second parts of the panel fixing bracket. Claim 12 In claim 7, the pipe fixing bracket comprises a front body structure including a connecting flange that is coupled to the panel fixing bracket. Claim 13 In claim 7, the pipe fixing bracket comprises a front body structure including a forming projection protruding forward at intervals set along the vertical direction. Claim 14 In claim 13, the front body structure in which both ends of the pipe member are welded to the forming projection between the forming projections. Claim 15 In claim 7, the pipe fixing bracket is a front body structure that is bolted to the protector fixing bracket by a fastening member penetrating the fastening hole from front to rear. Claim 16 In claim 15, a front body structure in which horizontal bolting holes are formed in the pipe fixing bracket and the protector fixing bracket. Claim 17 In claim 8, the front body structure having a support groove formed in the pipe support bracket to support the pipe member.

Images