JP6232989B2 - Load absorption structure at the front of the vehicle - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a load absorbing structure for a front part of a vehicle, and more particularly to a bumper internal load absorbing structure for the purpose of protecting pedestrians.

  A front bumper (bumper fascia) is provided at the front end of the vehicle in order to relieve the load at the time of collision. This front bumper is formed of a resin molded product that covers the front of structural elements (such as a radiator support member and a lower member) at the front end of the vehicle, and a space and a load absorbing material that allow deformation of the front bumper are provided on the back side of the front bumper. .

  In the above structure, it is known that when the front part of the vehicle collides with the leg part of the pedestrian, if the lower leg of the pedestrian enters under the vehicle body, the risk of damaging the knee joint and shin increases. Therefore, an under cover that also serves as a load absorber is provided between the lower end of the front bumper and the vehicle body, and the rigidity of this part is relatively increased so that the pedestrian's legs can be lifted when contacting the vehicle body. The structure which makes is proposed (refer patent document 1, 2).

  However, since the load absorbing material (under cover) as described above is a large-sized component that covers almost the entire vehicle width, insufficient member rigidity and mounting rigidity may cause vibration and noise during traveling. Therefore, a corresponding mounting structure is necessary, and design changes are inevitable when it is introduced into the existing vehicle structure. In addition to increasing the cost, the lower end of the front bumper inevitably has a certain rigidity to walk. There is a problem that load absorption performance for the protection of a person is impaired.

JP 2010-188842 A JP 2011-255778 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and its purpose is to introduce a pedestrian's leg protection function without changing the existing vehicle body structure, and to improve the load absorption performance of the vehicle front part. It is to provide a load absorbing structure.

In order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, the present invention provides:
A front bumper (2) covering the front of the vehicle body front end (13, 14);
Lower bumpers (22, 23) provided integrally or separately at the lower end of the front bumper;
A resin-made absorber (3) disposed between the front end of the vehicle body and the lower bumper;
In the load absorbing structure at the front of the vehicle with
The absorber (3) includes a base (30) fixed to a lower edge rear portion (23b) of the lower bumper, a horizontal portion (31) extending forward from the base, and a vertical portion extending upward from the base. Wall portion (32) , the horizontal portion and the vertical wall portion are not fixed to other members ,
A protrusion (22b) is formed on the back surface of the lower bumper toward the vertical wall portion above the horizontal portion of the absorber, and a first gap is formed between the protrusion and the vertical wall portion. (C1) is defined, a second gap (C2) is defined between the vertical wall portion and the vehicle body front end portion, and between the front edge of the horizontal portion of the absorber and the back surface of the lower bumper. A third gap (C3) is defined.

According to the above configuration, the present invention has the following effects.
When a pedestrian or the like collides with the front bumper, a load acts on the lower bumper located at the forefront. At this time, the lower bumper (cap) is separated from the absorber by the first gap and the third gap, and the absorber is separated from the front end portion of the vehicle body by the second gap. The deformation of the absorber is allowed, the load is absorbed according to the deformation, and then the vertical wall portion is pressed against the front end of the vehicle body by the deformation of the lower bumper, so that the posture of the absorber is constrained, and the absorber is placed below the lower bumper A limited support force due to, begins to act, and this support force prevents the lower bumper from being crushed and the pedestrian's leg from being involved. On the other hand, the upper part of the lower bumper is still allowed to be deformed and further load absorption is performed.

  As described above, the load absorbing structure according to the present invention obtains excellent load absorbing performance according to the applied load, but the absorber is a small and light component, so that the mounting structure is extremely simple. Since it is attached to the lower bumper, the third gap between the front edge of the horizontal portion and the back surface of the lower bumper can be strictly managed, and interference and noise due to vibration during vehicle travel can be prevented. In addition, the design change when introducing into an existing vehicle body structure is unnecessary or minimal, and there is no increase in cost.

In the present invention, a tow hook (15) is provided at a lower portion of the front end portion of the vehicle body,
The lower bumper is formed with a notch (22a) for accessing the tow hook from the front, and a cap (23) covering the notch is attached to an attachment frame (22a, 22b) formed on the edge of the notch. ) Is detachably attached,
The absorber (3) is fixed to the lower edge rear part (23b) of the cap,
The third gap (C3) is defined between a front edge (31a) of the horizontal portion and a back surface of the cap;
It is preferable that the protrusion (22b) that defines the first gap (C1) between the vertical wall portion (32) and a part of the mounting frame.

  In this mode, the absorber can be removed together with the cap, so testing can be performed by replacing parts without preparing various bumpers at the time of development, and characteristics can be changed by similar models (compliance with regulations of each country, etc.) There is also an advantage that can be easily performed. Furthermore, since the mounting frame of the cap is a relatively rigid portion, it is optimal as the protruding portion, and there is an advantage that the load applied to the protruding portion is distributed by the mounting frame. Further, since the absorber is removed together with the cap, the absorber does not become an obstacle to access when the tow hook is used even though the absorber is disposed in this portion.

  In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the vehicle end in the vehicle width direction of the lower bumper is curved toward the rear or lower rear of the vehicle, the absorber is disposed in the curved region, and the front edge of the horizontal portion is The lower bumper is curved while defining the back surface of the lower bumper and the third gap. In this aspect, the dimensional control of the three-dimensional third gap can be easily performed while obtaining the pedestrian leg lifting effect using the curved shape.

  In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the lower bumper (22) is configured separately from the front bumper (2, 21), and the mounting frame (22a) including the protruding portion (22b) includes the lower bumper and the lower bumper. The front bumper is composed of both. In this aspect, the appearance and formability of the lower bumper design surface are not impaired while securing the rigidity of the protrusion on the lower surface of the lower bumper.

  In another preferred aspect of the present invention, the third gap (C3) has a dimension that is greater than or equal to the sum of the dimensions of the first gap (C1) and the second gap (C2). In this mode, the vertical wall is pressed against the front end of the vehicle body by the protrusion on the back of the lower bumper before the lower bumper back and the horizontal front edge of the absorber abut, so the position of the absorber is restrained. The part protection effect can be obtained with certainty.

  In the present invention, the second gap (C2) is at least partially defined below the first gap (C1) and terminates above the horizontal portion (31). The vertical wall portion is pressed against the front end of the vehicle body by the protruding portion, and the horizontal portion and the base portion that are below the restraining region (C2) and can be deformed backward are compressed along with the compressive stress in a state where the posture of the absorber is restrained. Bending and shear stress act, and effective load absorption is performed.

It is a perspective view which shows the vehicle front part provided with the load absorption structure which concerns on this invention. It is a principal part front view which shows the front bumper provided with the load absorption structure which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the vehicle body structure of the vehicle front part provided with the load absorption structure which concerns on this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the front bumper which implemented the load absorption structure concerning the present invention from the back. (A) is a side sectional view showing a vehicle front part provided with a load absorption structure concerning the present invention, and (b) is a side sectional view showing a state where a load was loaded from the front. It is the perspective view which looked at the vehicle body structure of the vehicle front part provided with the load absorption structure which concerns on this invention from the downward direction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2, a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a front engine vehicle having an engine compartment at the front portion of the vehicle body, and includes a front bumper 2 made of a resin molded product below the front end portion of the vehicle. . The front bumper 2 is provided with a separate bumper garnish 20 at the central opening of the main bumper 21, and a lower bumper 22 extending in the vehicle width direction is mounted below the bumper garnish 20.

  FIG. 3 shows a vehicle body structure at the front portion of the vehicle. A pair of left and right apron side members 11 are extended on both sides of the engine compartment 10 in the vehicle front-rear direction. A lamp support brace 12 extending downward and a lower member support brace 13 extending downward are rigidly joined, and the lower ends of the left and right lower member support braces 13 are rigidly attached to the end of the lower member 14 extending in the vehicle width direction. While being joined, the tow hook 15 is fixed.

  The lower member 14 has a hat-shaped cross section that opens downward, and a central portion projects forward from both ends joined to the lower member support brace 13. A radiator support member (not shown) extends in the vehicle width direction between the left and right lamp support braces 12 above the lower member 14, and the radiator support member and the lower member 14 and the left and right lower member support braces 13 are extended. A radiator 5 and a condenser are mounted on the left side of the space surrounded by.

  The front bumper 2 that covers the front portion of the vehicle body configured as described above from the front is coupled to a grill or a fender at the upper edge portion 21a of the main bumper 21, and is provided with receiving portions 20c that are provided at the rear of the left and right sides of the bumper garnish The left and right lower member support braces 13 are engaged with each other. At the lower end portion 21b of the main bumper 21, the left and right mounting portions 21c (FIG. 4) are screwed into the mounting portions 14c (FIG. 6) on the lower surface of the lower member 14. It is fastened and fixed with.

  A metal absorber 4 is attached to the lower part of the front surface of the left and right lower member support braces 13, and a resin absorber 3 is disposed below them. The resin absorber 3 is not attached to the left and right lower member support braces 13, but is fastened and fixed to the lower edge rear portion 23b of the front bumper 2 (lower bumper 22, cap 23) with a screw 3b as shown in FIG. . The resin absorber 3 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main bumper 21, the lower bumper 22, and the cap 23 constituting the lower end portion of the front bumper 2 as seen from the back side. As shown in the drawing, the lower bumper 22 is made of a resin molded product, By inserting and locking a plurality of locking claws 22c projecting on the rear surface side of the edge with appropriate intervals from the front into the corresponding locking holes of the main bumper 21, the front side of the lower end of the main bumper 21 It is attached to. A part of the locking claw 22 c is also engaged with the bumper garnish 20. An opening is provided in the main bumper 21 where the lower bumper 22 is mounted so that the weight of the main bumper 21 is reduced and the rigidity of the portion is adjusted.

  Adjacent to the left end of the lower bumper 22, a notch (22 a) for accessing the traction hook 15 from the front is provided, and this notch is closed with a cap 23. The cap 23 is made of a resin molded product, similar to the lower bumper 22, and has a plurality of locking claws 23c projecting at appropriate intervals on the back surface side of the edge portion, and a mounting frame formed at the edge of the notch portion. It is detachably attached by being inserted and locked in the corresponding locking hole of 22a from the front. The right end of the lower bumper 22 is not provided with a notch or cap, and the right resin absorber 3 is directly fixed to the main bumper 21 located on the back side of the lower bumper 22 with a screw.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the resin absorber 3 includes a base portion 30 fixed to the lower edge rear portion (23 b) of the lower bumper 22 from the rear by a screw 3 b, and a horizontal portion 31 extending forward from the base portion 30. And a vertical wall portion 32 extending upward from the base portion 30 and having an L shape in a side view. As shown in FIG. 6, the resin-made absorber 3 is formed in a block shape that avoids thickening by adopting a rib-grid coupling structure.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the resin absorber 3 configured as described above is fixed only by the base portion 30, and the horizontal portion 31 and the vertical wall portion 32 are not in contact with any member. The front surface of the vertical wall portion 32 is spaced apart from the protrusion 22b that forms part of the mounting frame 22a with a gap C1, and the rear surface of the vertical wall portion 32 is spaced from the front surface of the lower member support brace 13. Separated with C2. Of these, the gap C2 is also maintained at the front edge of the pulling hook 15 flush with the front surface of the lower member support brace 13, and is defined below the gap C1.

  Further, the front edge 31a of the horizontal portion 31 is spaced apart from the back surface of the cap 23 with a gap C3. As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the lower bumper 22 in the vehicle width direction is curved downward toward the rear of the vehicle, and the cap 23 is also curved with a common design surface. Therefore, the front edge 31a of the horizontal portion 31 is also curved along the back surface of the cap 23 while maintaining a constant gap C3.

  Next, based on the above embodiment, the behavior when a load is applied from the front of the front bumper will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the front part of the vehicle 1, the lower bumper 22 protrudes most forward, and as shown in FIG. 5B, when the leg of a pedestrian (adult) collides from the front, the shin below the knee The middle part of the wheel hits the lower bumper 22. Therefore, assuming that a load Fa from the front acts on the lower bumper 22, the lower bumper 22 (cap 23) is bent backward by the load Fa, and accordingly, the protruding portion 22 b of the lower bumper 22 is formed on the resin absorber 3. While abutting against the vertical wall portion 32, the vertical wall portion 32 is abutted against the front surface of the lower member support brace 13 and the front edge of the traction hook 15.

  In this state, the vertical wall portion 32 of the resin absorber 3 is sandwiched between the protruding portion 22b of the lower bumper 22 and the front surface of the lower member support brace 13 and the front edge of the tow hook 15 so that the resin absorber 3 is tilted. Since the posture is restrained in an impossible state, even if the lower bumper 22 (cap 23) is abutted against the front edge 31a of the horizontal portion 31, the resin absorber 3 maintains the posture, and the lower portion of the lower bumper 22 A limited support force due to the resin absorber 3 starts to act, and this support force temporarily prevents further crushing of the lower part of the lower bumper 22, thereby keeping the pedestrian's legs straight.

  On the other hand, the upper part of the upper lower bumper 22 and the bumper garnish 20 are allowed to be further deformed as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. One will be guided upward. During this time, the load is absorbed by the elasticity and plastic deformation (2a, 2b) of the front bumper 2, and the impact load is alleviated.

  In particular, when the resin absorber 3 is restrained from the upper part of the vertical wall portion 32, the resin absorber 3 is not fixed to the vehicle body front end side, but is fixed to the vehicle body front end portion when a load is applied. It is possible to behave as described. Thereby, below the restraining region (C2) by the protruding portion 22b, the lower member support brace 13 and the towing hook 15, and below the horizontal portion 31 and the base 30 and the cap 23 (lower bumper 22) that can be deformed backward. Bending and shearing stress along with compressive stress acts on the edge rear portion 23b, and finally the resin absorber 3 is elastically or plastically deformed to absorb the load. It will shift to load absorption by elastic or plastic deformation of the metal absorber 4 installed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the resin absorber 3 is a small part installed on both sides of the lower bumper 22, but by supporting the lower bumper 22 extending between them at the left and right ends, the lower bumper 22 It will provide load absorption and limited support throughout, and since it does not have a mounting part on the vehicle body side, a pedestrian leg protection function can be introduced without changing the existing vehicle structure. This is also advantageous.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the lower bumper 22 is configured by a member different from the main bumper 21 and is mounted on the front side of the main bumper 21 is shown. However, the strength is improved by forming a grid-like rib on the back side. The main bumper 21 can be formed integrally with the rigidity supplemented. However, it is advantageous to form it separately in formability and strength design.

  Moreover, although the case where the cap 23 was set only on the left side of the lower bumper 22 was shown in the said embodiment, a cap may be set on both right and left sides. Since the hook 15 is used not only for towing but also as a tightening hook at the time of transportation, it is installed on both the left and right sides, but the gap C2 is formed between the lower wall member 32 and the vertical wall portion 32 of the resin absorber 3. It can also be configured to be defined only by vehicle body structural elements such as the support brace 13.

1 Vehicle 2 Front bumper (bumper fascia)
3 First absorber 4 Second absorber 5 Radiator 10 Engine compartment 11 Apron side member 12 Lamp support brace 13 Lower member support brace 14 Lower member 15 Towing hook 20 Bumper garnish 21 Main bumper 21b Lower end of main bumper 22 Lower bumper 22a Cap mounting frame 22b Protruding part 22c Locking claw 23 Cap 23b Lower edge rear part 23c Locking claw 30 Base 31 Horizontal part 31a Front edge 32 Vertical wall part

Claims (6)

A front bumper covering the front of the front end of the vehicle body,
A lower bumper provided integrally or separately at the lower end of the front bumper;
A resin-made absorber disposed between the vehicle body front end and the lower bumper;
In the load absorbing structure at the front of the vehicle with
The absorber includes a base fixed to a lower edge rear portion of the lower bumper, a horizontal portion extending forward from the base, and a vertical wall portion extending upward from the base , the horizontal portion and the The vertical wall is not fixed to other members ,
On the back surface of the lower bumper, a protruding portion is formed toward the vertical wall portion above the horizontal portion of the absorber, and a first gap is defined between the protruding portion and the vertical wall portion. A second gap is defined between the vertical wall portion and the front end of the vehicle body, and a third gap is defined between the front edge of the horizontal portion of the absorber and the back surface of the lower bumper. The load absorption structure of the vehicle front part characterized by the above-mentioned. A tow hook is provided at the lower part of the front end of the vehicle body,
The lower bumper is formed with a notch for accessing the tow hook from the front, and a cap that covers the notch is detachably attached to a mounting frame formed at an edge of the notch.
The absorber is fixed to the rear edge of the lower edge of the cap;
The third gap is defined between a front edge of the horizontal portion and a back surface of the cap;
2. The load absorbing structure for a vehicle front portion according to claim 1, wherein the projecting portion that defines the first gap with the vertical wall portion is a part of the mounting frame.   An end of the lower bumper in the vehicle width direction is curved toward the rear or lower rear of the vehicle, the absorber is disposed in the curved region, and the front edge of the horizontal portion is connected to the rear surface of the lower bumper and the third 3. The load absorbing structure for a vehicle front portion according to claim 1, wherein the load absorbing structure is curved while defining a gap. 3. The vehicle front load according to claim 2 , wherein the lower bumper is configured separately from the front bumper, and the mounting frame including the protruding portion is configured by both the lower bumper and the front bumper. Absorbing structure.   The load absorption at the front portion of the vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third gap has a dimension that is equal to or greater than a total dimension of the first gap and the second gap. Construction.   The vehicle front according to claim 1, wherein the second gap is defined at least partially below the first gap and terminates above the horizontal portion. Load absorption structure of the part.

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