Support element for a front end of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a support element (40) for a front end (42) of a motor vehicle, which support element has respective attachment points (44, 46) for a member (22) of an upper longitudinal member plane and a member (34) of a main longitudinal member plane of a front part (10) of the body of the motor vehicle, the support element (40) having a support region (54) which is arranged below the attachment point (46) for the member (50) of the main longitudinal member plane and has a lower attachment point (48) for a member (50) of a subframe, in particular an integral subframe (52), which is arranged below the main longitudinal member plane. According to the invention, relative to the attachment point (46) for the member (34) of the main longitudinal member plane, the support elements (40) have a projection (76) which extends outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Support element for a front end of a motor vehicle

[0002] The invention relates to a support element for a front end of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Such a support element for a front end of a motor vehicle, which is arranged on the respective vehicle side of the front end and has respective fastening points for a support of an upper longitudinal member level and a support of a main longitudinal member level of a front end of the body of the motor vehicle, is already known from DE 10 2014 016 759 A1.

[0004] It should also be considered that the connection between the front end (assembly) and the front end represents a key structural node in the functional requirements regarding torsion and bending of the entire vehicle. For example, the integration of a trunk (so-called "frunk" = front trunk) in the front area eliminates a transverse structure common in today's vehicles, thus further increasing the requirements for the node described above.

[0005] The generic DE 102006 009290 A1 discloses a support element for a front end of a motor vehicle.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a support element of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the accident behavior of the front end can be improved in the event of a frontal collision.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a support element having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with favorable further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The support element according to the invention, arranged on the respective vehicle side of the front end, for a front end of a motor vehicle, comprises respective fastening points for a support of an upper longitudinal member level and a support of a main longitudinal member level of a front end of the motor vehicle body. The support element has a support region arranged below the fastening point for the support of the main longitudinal member level, which support region has a lower fastening point for a support of a subframe arranged below the main longitudinal member level, in particular an integral support.

[0008] To create a support element that can improve the crashworthiness of the front end in a frontal collision, the support element also has an outwardly projecting portion in the vehicle's transverse direction relative to the attachment point for the main longitudinal member level. This allows for early impact in the vehicle's transverse direction in frontal collisions with a barrier or a vehicle with a narrow overlap (offset crash).

[0009] By integrating the lower attachment point for the support of the subframe, particularly the integral support, located below the main longitudinal member level, a separate component in or on the main longitudinal member can be eliminated, thus reducing the block dimension in the main longitudinal member. In other words, the previously required length of the main longitudinal member, to which the subframe / integral support was previously attached, can be eliminated, since the support element takes over the support of the subframe / integral support. This allows the aforementioned length of the main longitudinal member to be used for energy-absorbing deformation in the event of a frontal collision, or the deformation length in the main longitudinal member can be increased.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the support element has a respective support shoe at the fastening points, which at least partially encompasses the support of the upper longitudinal member level and / or the support of the main longitudinal member level on the outer circumference. This results in particularly large-format support of the front end on the respective supports of the upper longitudinal member level and / or the main longitudinal member level. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the support element has a respective support shoe at the fastening points, which at least partially encompasses the support of the upper longitudinal member level and / or the support of the main longitudinal member level on the outer circumference. This results in particularly space-saving support of the front end on the respective supports of the upper longitudinal member level and / or the main longitudinal member level.

[0011] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the support element has a location for an energy absorption element at the level of the main longitudinal member plane. This provides particularly stable and large-format support for the energy absorption element.

[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, this also applies to an energy absorption element provided at an arrangement point of the support element at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the energy absorption element at the level of the main longitudinal member plane and / or the energy absorption element at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane is formed as a single-piece component area of ​​the support element. This allows for a particularly simple design and integration of the respective energy absorption elements.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the attachment point for the subframe is relocated outward in the vehicle's transverse direction relative to the attachment point for the main longitudinal member plane support. This allows the subframe / integral member to be attached to the outside of the associated main longitudinal member, so that the corresponding support of the subframe / integral member is positioned closer to a laterally corresponding front wheel.

[0015] Finally, it has proven advantageous for the support element to be designed as a cast metal component, a forged component, or a sheet metal shell construction. In particular, the design as a cast metal component, for example, as an aluminum die-cast component, allows for easy integration of the various functions of the support element.

[0016] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0017] Showing:

[0018] Fig. 1 is a partial perspective view obliquely from the front of a front section of a body of an electrically powered motor vehicle, wherein respective support elements are arranged at the front end of the front section, by means of which a front end of the motor vehicle is fastened to the body;

[0019] Fig. 2 is a side view of the front end of the body of the motor vehicle according to Fig. 1 with the support elements arranged at the front of the front end, by means of which the schematically indicated front end of the motor vehicle is fastened to the body;

[0020] Fig. 3 a, b show, respectively, partial perspective views of one of the two support elements according to a first and second embodiment, which is arranged at the front of the corresponding, laterally associated supports of the upper longitudinal member level, the main longitudinal member level and a subframe / integral member and by means of which the front end of the motor vehicle is fastened to the body;

[0021] Fig. 4 a, b show respective partial perspective views of one of the two support elements according to a third embodiment, which is arranged at the front of the corresponding, laterally associated supports of the upper longitudinal member level, the main longitudinal member level and a subframe / integral member and by means of which the front end of the motor vehicle is fastened to the body; and

[0022] Fig. 5 is a perspective view obliquely from below of one of the two support elements, in which the fastening point for the subframe is moved outwards in the vehicle transverse direction relative to the fastening point for the support of the main longitudinal member plane and in which the support element has an outward projection in the vehicle transverse direction relative to the fastening point for the support of the main longitudinal member plane.

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a partial perspective view obliquely from the front of a front end 10 of a body of an electrically powered motor vehicle. The front end extends rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction as usual to a front bulkhead 12 of a passenger compartment 14, of which a section of a vehicle floor 16 can be seen, which is delimited on its outer sides by respective side sills 18. The bulkhead 12 is delimited laterally by respective A-pillars 20, which adjoin the top of the side sills 18.

[0024] In conjunction with Fig. 2, which shows the front end 10 in a side view, it is clear that a respective longitudinal member 22 of an upper longitudinal member level is arranged on each side of the vehicle, which extends forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle from a corner region 24, in which a cross member 26 under the cowl and an upper part of the A-pillar 20 are adjacent, at the level of a laterally associated fender band. In the front region, a laterally associated spring strut bracket 28 adjoins the respective longitudinal member 22. In the area of ​​the spring strut brackets 28, a cross member 30 extends between the front ends 32 of the longitudinal members 22 of the upper longitudinal member level.

[0025] Below the longitudinal members 22 of the upper longitudinal member level, a respective main longitudinal member 34 of a main longitudinal member level runs on each vehicle side, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, for example, to a lower bulkhead cross member 36. The spring strut brackets 28 are attached to the top of the laterally assigned main longitudinal members 34.

[0026] A respective support element 40 is attached to each vehicle side at the respective front end 32 of the corresponding longitudinal member 22 of the upper longitudinal member level and at the respective front end 38 of the corresponding main longitudinal member 34 of the main longitudinal member level. A front end 42 of the motor vehicle is attached to the front end 10 of the motor vehicle body via said support element 40. For this purpose, the respective support element 40, which extends essentially in the vertical direction of the vehicle, comprises a respective attachment point 44, 46 for the corresponding member 22 of the upper longitudinal member level and the corresponding member 34 of the main longitudinal member level.

[0027] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 2, the support element 40 also has a support region 54 arranged below the fastening point 44 for the support 34 of the main longitudinal member plane, which support region has a lower fastening point 48 for a support 50 of a subframe arranged below the main longitudinal member plane, in particular an integral support 52. Thus, the integral support 52, which is fastened in a central and rear region, for example, on the underside of the respective main longitudinal member 34 of the main longitudinal member plane, is not fastened directly to the underside of the main longitudinal member 34 in the front end region, but rather via the laterally assigned support element 40.

[0028] By integrating the lower fastening point 48 for the support 50 of the subframe, in particular the integral support, arranged below the main longitudinal support plane, into the support element 40, a separate component in or on the main longitudinal support 34 can be eliminated, thus reducing the block dimension in the main longitudinal support 34. Thus, the previously required length of the main longitudinal support 34, to which the subframe / integral support 52 was previously attached, can be eliminated, since the support element 40 takes over the support of the subframe / integral support 52. As a result, said length of the main longitudinal support 34 can also be used for deformation / energy absorption in a frontal collision, or the deformation length in the main longitudinal support 34 can be increased.

[0029] As can also be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, a support element 40 is arranged on each side of the vehicle in front of the corresponding supports 22, 34, 50 of the upper longitudinal member level, the main longitudinal member level, and the integral member 52, which support element extends essentially vertically, i.e., in the vertical direction of the vehicle. A front end 54 is fastened to the front end 10 via the support elements 40. The front end 54 essentially comprises a bumper cross member 56 at the level of the main longitudinal member level and, if appropriate, one or more cross members above or below it. In the present case, in Fig. 1, for example, a cross member 58 is arranged at the level of the integral member, and in Fig. 2, a cross member 60 is arranged at a level above the main longitudinal member level, or approximately at the level of the upper longitudinal member level.

[0030] Here, the respective support element 40 according to Fig. 2 has a front-side arrangement point 62 for an energy absorption element 64 at the level of the main longitudinal member plane and an arrangement point 66 for an energy absorption element 68 at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane, by means of which the bumper cross member 56 or the cross member 60 is fastened to the support elements 40 in a supported manner at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane.

[0031] In particular, the energy absorption element 64 at the level of the main longitudinal member plane and / or the energy absorption element 68 at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane is designed as a one-piece component region of the support element 40.

[0032] As is particularly clear from Fig. 3a and 3b, which respectively show partial perspective views of one of the two support elements 40 according to a first and second embodiment, the energy absorption element 64 can - as shown by the arrows P - be designed to be aligned or effective at the level of the main longitudinal member plane according to Fig. 3a both in the vehicle longitudinal direction and according to Fig. 3b both in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0033] In addition, variants of the support element 40 are shown in Figs. 3a and 3b, in which a respective support shoe 70, 72 is provided at the fastening point 44, 46, which at least partially encompasses the support 22 of the upper longitudinal support plane and / or the support 34 of the main longitudinal support plane on the outer circumference side.

[0034] Alternatively, Figs. 4a and 4b show respective partial perspective views of one of the two support elements 40 according to a third embodiment, which has a respective support shoe 74 at the fastening points 44, 46, which is inserted or inserted into the support 22 of the upper longitudinal support plane and / or the support 34 of the main longitudinal support plane.

[0035] Finally, Fig. 5 shows a perspective view obliquely from below of one of the two support elements 40, in which the fastening point 48 for the subframe / integral support 52 is moved outwards by a dimension a in the transverse direction of the vehicle with respect to the fastening point 46 for the support 34 of the main longitudinal support plane, and in which the support element 40 has a projection 76 moved outwards by a dimension b in the transverse direction of the vehicle with respect to the fastening point 46 for the support 34 of the main longitudinal support plane.

[0036] The relocation of the fastening point 48 for the subframe / integral support 52 relative to the fastening point 46 for the support 34 of the main longitudinal support plane in the vehicle transverse direction by the dimension a enables the subframe / integral support 52 to be fastened on the outside of the associated main longitudinal support 34, so that the corresponding support 50 of the subframe / integral support 52 is arranged closer to a laterally corresponding front wheel.

[0037] Due to the outward projection 76 by the dimension b, an early impact in the transverse direction of the vehicle can occur in the event of a frontal collision between the vehicle and a barrier or a vehicle involved in the accident with a small width overlap (offset crash).

[0038] The support element is preferably designed as a one-piece cast metal component, for example, a die-cast aluminum component. Alternatively, it can be designed as a forged component or as a sheet metal shell construction. Other designs are also conceivable in principle.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Support element (40) for a front end (42) of a motor vehicle, which has respective fastening points (44, 46) for a support (22) of an upper longitudinal member plane and a support (34) of a main longitudinal member plane of a front end (10) of the body of the motor vehicle, wherein the support element (40) has a support region (54) arranged below the fastening point (46) for the support (50) of the main longitudinal member plane, which support region has a lower fastening point (48) for a support (50) of a subframe arranged below the main longitudinal member plane, in particular an integral support (52), characterized in that the support elements (40) have a projection (76) which is moved outwards in the transverse direction of the vehicle with respect to the fastening point (46) for the support (34) of the main longitudinal member plane.

2. Support element (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (40) has a respective support shoe (70, 72) at the fastening points (44, 46), which at least partially encompasses the support (22) of the upper longitudinal support plane and / or the support (34) of the main longitudinal support plane on the outer circumference.

3. Support element (40) according to claim 1, characterized in that the support element (40) has a respective support shoe (74) at the fastening points (44, 46), which is inserted into the support (22) of the upper longitudinal support plane and / or the support (34) of the main longitudinal support plane.

4. Support element (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (40) has an arrangement point (62) for a Energy absorption element (64) at the level of the main longitudinal member plane.

5. Support element (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (40) has an arrangement point (66) for a Energy absorption element (68) at the level of the upper longitudinal member level.

6. Support element (40) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the energy absorption element (64) at the level of the main longitudinal member plane and / or the energy absorption element (68) at the level of the upper longitudinal member plane is designed as a one-piece component region of the support element (40).

7. Support element (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening point (48) for the subframe is moved outwards in the vehicle transverse direction with respect to the fastening point (46) for the support (34) of the main longitudinal support plane.

8. Support element (40) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective support element (40) is designed as a cast metal component, as a forged component or in sheet metal shell construction.

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