JP2007529360A - An assembly comprising at least two lower supports for a vehicle bumper and an assembly comprising two front blocks - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to an assembly of at least two lower supports for a motor vehicle, each of the lower supports being a cross member (10, 24, 40) interchangeable with any lower support of the same assembly. , Elements (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') of the cross members (10, 24, 40) connecting to the vehicle structure (44, 44'). Each lower support is provided with parts (16, 26) that match the shape of the vehicle, and the above-mentioned alignment portions (16, 26) of one lower support are aligned with other lower supports of the same assembly. Unlike the parts, the connecting elements (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') are made of a plastic material.

Description

  The present invention relates to an assembly comprising at least two automobile lower supports and an assembly comprising two automobile front units.

  Lower supports for protecting pedestrians in the event of a collision are already known in the prior art. Such a lower support is generally located at the height of the pedestrian's tibia and rescues the pedestrian by limiting the pedestrian's knee flexion in the event of a collision. Such lower supports are therefore arranged sufficiently far forward to retract them as little as possible relative to the rest of the vehicle.

  Avoid increasingly diversifying car models and increasing the number of parts unique to each model, instead trying to standardize parts from one model to another to reduce their design and manufacturing costs However, it is also known to be advantageous for the manufacturer. In particular, it would be particularly advantageous economically to produce a standard lower support suitable for mounting on a vehicle having a different front shape.

  However, current lower supports are specific to the vehicle model on which they are mounted, especially for the following two reasons.

  First, the shield is more or less curved from model to model, and the lower support needs to be as low as possible in the front to save the pedestrian, so it approximates the shield's curvature as much as possible. There is a need to provide a lower support that bends at.

  In addition, in order to prepare for a Danner crash (an “insurance” crash at 15 kilometers per hour (kph)) or a collision at high speed, the transmission of the force through the lower support to the lower side member of the vehicle It is important to limit the stress in directions other than the longitudinal direction, especially if the collision occurs against an obstacle that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, i.e. to the direction of travel of the vehicle, This is because the side member becomes unstable due to such stress. Each lower support is designed to properly perform its function of protecting pedestrians from collisions while avoiding extreme stiffness to avoid destabilizing the vehicle structure to which it is secured Is done.

  However, in certain vehicle models, it is possible to tackle such a design by adapting the lower support to the specific details of the shape of the model, but such details are naturally ignored, It cannot be reused for standardization purposes.

  The present invention aims to provide a standard lower support suitable for mounting on a vehicle having a front unit of different shape, without destabilizing such a vehicle during a collision at high speed.

  To achieve this object, the present invention provides an assembly of at least two automobile lower supports, each lower support being a cross that is interchangeable with a cross member of any other lower support in the same assembly. A member and connecting means for connecting the cross member to the vehicle structure, the assembly including an alignment portion for each lower support to align with the shape of the vehicle, the alignment portion of the same assembly It is different for each lower support and the connecting means contains a plastic material.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an assembly consisting of two lower supports installed on a vehicle having shields of different shapes. However, as a part of the lower support, a cross member common to both vehicles is provided. Have. This standard part of the lower support is associated with an alignment part for matching it to the shape of the vehicle, so that the lower support matches the specific details of each model of vehicle on which it is mounted. to continue. In addition, since the connecting means contains a plastic material and is suitable for deformation or rupture around a predetermined force limit, the lower support of the present invention destabilizes the structure of the vehicle on which it is mounted. Without being exposed to a Danner collision or a high speed collision.

  Furthermore, it is possible to optimize the function of each part by subdividing the lower support into a plurality of parts, and the cross member is made of one material or a set of materials that give it sufficient stability, On the other hand, the alignment portion is made of a material that is lighter and easier to mold.

  The term “cross member” is used to mean a structural portion that extends in the width direction relative to the vehicle over a distance greater than or equal to the distance between the means for connecting the lower support to the vehicle structure.

  By stating that the cross member is “exchangeable”, the cross member can be isolated and functionally separated from the part that matches the shape of the vehicle, and without changing the performance defined in the specifications of the lower support, It should be understood that instead of and in place of the cross member, it can be placed on the lower support of the same assembly.

  The term "connecting means for connecting to the vehicle structure" refers to the lower support portion that transmits the force received by the cross member to the vehicle structure, particularly in the event of a collision. These connecting means are relatively flexible because they contain plastic material and do not transmit forces to the vehicle structure that could destabilize it. In addition, the connecting means may include side member extensions or shock absorbers, thereby providing the ability to absorb a small portion of the received energy.

  The vehicle structure includes a vehicle side member, a lower side member connected to the vehicle base, an arm that extends parallel to the lower side of the side member, a downward extension that matches the receiving surface of the side member, and more A front end module.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each cross member is a beam. The beam is therefore standard and has a curvature and dimensions that allow it to be mounted on different vehicle platforms. In addition, the beam is configured to work in a bent state upon impact.

  In another embodiment, the cross member is a plate and may optionally be reinforced.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, each matching portion has a different size in the traveling direction of the vehicle.

  Each part for matching to the shape of the vehicle optionally includes a spacer to occupy the empty space left between the cross member and the vehicle bumper skin. This spacer, located just behind the bumper skin, is unique to each vehicle model and can therefore accurately match its curvature. The space is configured to work in a compressed state during a collision, so that it quickly reaches the force limit, above which the pedestrian's leg turns.

  Further, the spacer may be provided with a brazing material so that energy can be absorbed at the time of collision, for example.

  The alignment portion is optionally made integral with a bumper reinforcement, bottom spoiler, or vehicle air intake grille.

  In certain embodiments, the cross member is stiffer near an area that is in register with the vehicle structure. So these areas are strong enough not to break and transmit force to the side members in the event of a collision.

  Furthermore, the density of the ribs of the spacers may be reduced in a region where the side members are registered. Thus, the spacer is less rigid in these areas, thus compensating for the excess stiffness of the cross member at this location.

  In one embodiment of the invention, the portion for matching the shape of the vehicle includes means for connecting to the structure of the vehicle. These connecting means are therefore different for each lower support and are specific to the vehicle model on which the lower support is placed. Furthermore, the connecting means of each lower support of a certain assembly may take on different sizes in the transverse direction of the vehicle, so that the two lower supports of a particular assembly have different transverse sizes. It can be attached to one vehicle, for example, two vehicles with different intervals between the side members.

  In another embodiment, the connecting means can be exchanged from one lower support to another lower support. These connecting means include a base plate disposed between the cross member and each side member of each vehicle. These foundation plates may exhibit dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the side members of each vehicle in the transverse direction. Accordingly, the base plate may be the same from one lower support to another lower support in the same assembly, but can be arranged in register with side members that have different transverse intervals for each vehicle.

  The connecting means optionally comprises two parts, and the contact surface between the two parts is generally a vertical surface with a normal that intersects the longitudinal axis of the vehicle in front of the vehicle. In other words, since the connecting means placed on the lower support has a chamfered contact surface, the force received by the cross member can be absorbed. Since the cross member works in a bent state, a force acting in an oblique direction is generated from the force transmitted to the side member, and this force tends to separate the two extensions from each other. The chamfered planes of the extensions are configured to optimize the transfer of energy toward the side members by causing a force to reach each extension perpendicularly.

  The cross member, connecting means, or alignment portion is optionally reinforced with fibers such as filled polyamide, filled polypropylene, thermoset materials, hybrid thermoplastic composite (HTPC) materials, or Twintex fibers sold by the supplier Vetrotex. Made of reinforced plastic material, and in some cases combined with steel or aluminum plate inserts.

  In addition, the alignment portion or connecting means may be overmolded on the cross member.

  The present invention also provides an assembly consisting of two automotive front units, each including a lower support that forms part of the assembly described above, wherein two front members between each front unit The intervals are different.

  Finally, the present invention provides an assembly of two automotive front units, each including a lower support that forms part of the assembly described above, wherein each side member and each vehicle bumper skin. The interval between is different.

  The invention can be better understood by reading the following description, given by way of example only and made with reference to the drawings, in which:

  The automobile lower support that forms part of the assembly of the present invention comprises a cross member 10 such as the member shown in FIG. The cross member 10 is a curved beam made of a material that allows it to work in a bent state. Suitable materials for making the beam 10 include filled polyamide, polypropylene filled with talc or glass fiber, thermoset materials, materials similar to those produced under the trademark Twintex, hybrid thermoplastic composites (HTPC). ) Material, and in some cases a harder insert, for example an aluminum plate, is combined with this.

  The cross member 10 includes a saddle material to reinforce this. It can be seen that the series of brazing includes a densely pleated area 12 and a less dense area 14 with a greater or lesser difference in density. This variation in the density of the brazing material ensures a bend that is not extremely large when the beam works in a bent state, as it exhibits a high degree of rigidity around the area where it is in register with the side member of the vehicle, i.e. the area 12. Configured as follows.

  The lower support beam 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be replaced with a beam of another lower support (not shown) that forms part of the assembly of the present invention. More specifically, it is exactly the same.

  The lower support further comprises a spacer 16 that constitutes an alignment portion that aligns the lower support to the specific shape of the vehicle, and thus is different from the spacers of other lower supports of the assembly of the present invention. The spacer 16 is added in front of the beam 10 and occupies a space located between the beam 10 and the bumper shield of the vehicle, thereby providing a further lower support element that matches the curved shape of the shield as closely as possible. Constitute.

  The spacer 16 has a saddle member to increase the rigidity of the lower support. Certain areas 18 of the spacer 16 exhibit a brazing material at a lower density. These areas are located in register with the side members of the vehicle.

  The area 18 having the brazing material at a lower density serves to compensate for the lack of flexibility of the beam 10 in register with the side members. Overall, the spacer 16 works in a compressed state rather than in a bent state, which means that the spacer 16 need not exhibit great rigidity where it is in register with the vehicle side member.

  Thus, the lower support of FIG. 1 is suitable for mounting on a vehicle with a standard cross member 10 but still having a different shield, by means of spacers 16. In order to compensate for the various dimensions of different models, the spacer 16 may be larger or smaller in the longitudinal and transverse directions X and Y.

  Finally, the lower support of FIG. 1 comprises a connecting means for connecting to a vehicle structure comprising a base plate 20 arranged at a beam 10 in registration with a side member (not shown) of the vehicle. And shock absorber 22. The connection means in this embodiment is the same as the connection means of another lower support of the same assembly.

  However, in another embodiment, the base plate 20 can be positioned at a different position for each lower support of the same assembly.

  As seen in FIG. 2, the lower support that forms part of the assembly in another embodiment of the invention comprises a beam 24 similar to that of FIG. 1, a spacer 26, and a shock absorber 28. .

  In addition to the shock absorber 28, the connecting means for connecting the cross member 24 to the side member of the vehicle in this embodiment comprises a step 30 of plastic material. Step 30 includes three housings 32, 34, and 36 that can each function as a receiving surface for absorber 28. In a given assembly, these steps 30 are the same for all lower supports. However, the housing used to provide the receiving surface for the absorber 28 may vary from one lower support to another in a given assembly. Thus, it is the housing 36 that acts as a receiving surface in the case of a lower support mounted on a small vehicle, while providing a receiving surface in the case of a larger class of vehicles with wider spaces between lower side members. The housing 32 or 34 is used.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a beam 40 similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2 is seen with an extension 42 disposed along it. The lower support in this figure includes a spacer, not shown, similar to the spacer 16.

  The extension part 42 is disposed at a position where it is in register with the side member 44 of the vehicle provided with the absorber 46. The inner surface 48 of the extension 42, which is positioned in register with the absorber 46, constitutes a base plate of size L in the transverse direction Y, the size L of the side member 44 or of the absorber 46 in this direction. Larger than size l.

  As seen in the figure, when the lower support is placed on a different model of vehicle with a smaller distance between the two side members, the base plate 48 is separated from another side member 44 'and another absorber 46. Wide enough to align with '.

  In the figure, it can be seen that the base plate 48 and the absorber 46 are joined in a plane that is not exactly perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X but is slightly inclined toward the inside of the vehicle. The force that is sometimes received can be transmitted as well as possible.

  In fact, the beam 40 is subjected to a considerable force upon impact, generally in the middle of it, i.e. in this part located between the two side members. Due to the action of the force, the beam 40 bends while absorbing a part of the energy, and transmits the remainder to the extension 42 in the form of a force F. As seen in the figure, the direction of this force is not the same as the direction of travel X and is slightly skewed due to the bending of the beam 40. Since the base plate 48 of the extension 42 is inclined, the force F is substantially perpendicular to the base plate 48. Thus, the force reaches perpendicular to the surface of the absorber 46, and therefore the absorber 46 receives this force with optimal specifications. Thus, the absorber is designed to absorb as much of the energy of the collision at high speed as possible, but at higher energies, the absorber minimizes non-longitudinal forces on the side members.

  It should be noted that among the many advantages of the present invention, the cross member and the alignment portion can be made of very different materials that are each configured for the function to be performed. The cross member can be made of a material that is configured to work in a bent state, while the spacer can be made of a material that quickly provides a relatively low resistance level upon impact against a pedestrian's leg.

  Another advantage of the present invention is that the lower support of the assembly of the present invention is relatively compact because it is standardized for vehicles that may vary in shape. As a result, it is particularly advantageous to mount them in a vehicle having a large air inlet and a small room for the lower support.

  Finally, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

It is a perspective view of the lower support body which forms a part of assembly in the 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the lower support body which forms a part of assembly in the 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of a part of lower support which forms a part of assembly in the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (22)

  An assembly of at least two automobile lower supports, each lower support being a cross member (10, 24, 40) exchangeable with any other lower support cross member of the same assembly, and a cross An assembly comprising connecting means (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') for connecting the members (10, 24, 40) to the vehicle structure (44, 44'); Each lower support includes an alignment portion (16, 26) for alignment to the shape of the vehicle, the alignment portion (16, 26) being different for each lower support in the same assembly, and connecting means (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ′) containing plastic material.   The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the lower support is for installation in two automobiles having shields of different shapes.   Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each cross member is a beam (10, 24, 40).   The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each cross member is a reinforcing plate.   The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each alignment portion (16, 26) exhibits a different size in the direction of travel (X) of the vehicle.   Each alignment portion for matching to the shape of the vehicle comprises a spacer (16, 26) occupying an empty space left between the cross member (10, 24, 40) and the bumper skin of the vehicle. 6. The assembly according to 5.   The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the spacer (16, 26) is provided with a brazing material.   The assembly according to claim 7, wherein the spacers (18) of the spacers (16, 26) have a low density in a region that is in register with the side members of the vehicle.   9. An assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the spacer is made integrally with a bumper reinforcement, a bottom spoiler or a vehicle air intake grille.   10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment portion for matching the shape of the vehicle includes means for connecting to a vehicle structure.   11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the connecting means of each lower support of the assembly presents different sizes in the transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle.   12. The connecting means (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') are interchangeable from one lower support to another lower support. Assembly.   Each lower support connecting means (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') is between the cross member (10, 24, 40) and each side member (44, 44') of each vehicle. 13. Assembly according to claim 12, comprising a base plate (20, 32, 34, 36, 48) arranged on the surface.   14. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the base plate (48) of each lower support exhibits a dimension (L) that is greater in the transverse direction than the dimension (l) of the side member of each vehicle.   15. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means comprises a side member extension (42).   16. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means comprises a shock absorber (22, 28, 46, 46 ').   The connecting means comprises two parts (42, 46) and the contact surface (48) between these two parts is generally vertical with a normal intersecting the longitudinal axis (X) of the vehicle in front of the vehicle. 17. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is a surface.   18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross member (10, 24, 40) is stiffer around an area (12) that is in register with the vehicle structure.   Cross member (10, 24, 40), connecting means (20, 22, 28, 30, 42, 46, 46 ') or aligning means (16, 26) are filled polyamide, filled polypropylene, thermosetting material, 19. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, made from a hybrid thermoplastic composite (HTPC), or a reinforced plastic material, optionally combined with a steel or aluminum plate insert. .   20. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment part (16, 26) or connecting means (20, 30, 42) is overmolded on the cross member (10, 24, 40).   21. An assembly comprising two automobile front units each including a lower support that forms part of the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising two sides of each front unit An assembly with different spacing between members.   21. An assembly comprising two automobile front units each comprising a lower support that forms part of the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 20, each side member and a bumper for each vehicle An assembly with different distances from the skin.

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