DE102006046817A1 - Structural front end for motor vehicle, includes first and second lateral supports rigidly joined to upper and lower assembly supports - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle structural front end (10) has upper and lower assembly supports (12,14), first and second lateral supports (16,18) rigidly joined to the assembly supports (12,14) in a vertical direction (V), as well as a 'lock-latching hook support' (24) rigidly joined to the upper assembly support (12).. The upper assembly support (12) is a multi-part item comprising a first and a second assembly support section (20,22) and the 'lock-latching hook support' (24) is between the first and second assembly support sections (20,22).

Description

The The invention relates to a structural front end for a motor vehicle according to the Preamble of claim 1 specified type.

such Frontends are well known in the art and serve to ensure stability and torsional rigidity the front vehicle body, for receiving a lock / Fanghakenträgers for locking a Engine compartment cover and as a fastening device for various Vehicle components, in particular headlights and cooling modules.

Especially in case of collision with a pedestrian ensure sufficient pedestrian safety for a motor vehicle, is in the current development of the development of the power to development recognize, the front end of the motor vehicles flatter and rounder to design. The consequence of this design is that for the front ends less space available stands. In addition to this space limitation of the frontends and the associated also limited installation space for the other vehicle components, and here in particular the cooling modules, is to achieve an improved crash stability in the case a pile impact massive design of the upper cross member or a reinforcement of the upper cross member the frontend required.

One generic, all Features of the preamble of claim 1 comprehensive frontend is for example installed in the Golf V of the company Volkswagen AG. This frontend has a frame-shaped structure and draws characterized in that the lock carrier as a separate component is formed of metal and viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the Middle of the upper cross member is arranged. A disadvantage is the fact that the lock carrier depending on the arrangement of the lock and its locking and unlocking devices structurally weakened. compensation measures to lead to increased Space requirements and additional weight. The the massive design of the Castle carrier proves to be particularly effective in terms of air permeability, i.e. the possibility a sufficient flow the Fontends with air, to a sufficient "filling" of the components arranged behind it (e.g., engine blast air aspiration) with air as disadvantageous.

Of the Invention is based on the object, a structure front end for a motor vehicle according to the Preamble of claim 1 specified type while avoiding the mentioned disadvantages such that a lightweight construction, a small design claiming design as well as a sufficient Load capacity guaranteed the front end is.

These The object is achieved by the features of claim 1 solved in conjunction with its generic features.

The under claims form advantageous development of the invention.

Of the Invention is based on the finding that the embodiment of the upper mounting bracket as well as the configuration and the arrangement of the lock for the engine compartment cover One lock / catch holder provided Significant influence on weight, installation space and load capacity of the frontend has.

To According to the invention, the structural front end for a motor vehicle comprises an upper one and a lower, each aligned in the vehicle transverse direction Mounting bracket a first and a second, each arranged between the two mounting bracket, aligned in the vertical direction and with the two mounting brackets respectively firmly connected side support and a lock / catch holder fixedly connected to the upper mounting bracket. According to the invention upper mounting bracket in several parts, a first and a second mounting support portion formed having trained and the lock / Fanghakenträger is viewed in the vehicle transverse direction between the first and the second Mounting support section arranged. In a simple way is now through the Multi-part according to the invention Design of the upper mounting bracket and the center of the invention Arrangement of lock / catch hook carrier between the first and the second mounting support portion of the upper mounting bracket a easy construction, which also takes up little space. Furthermore, by the arrangement according to the invention One of the castle / catch hook carrier sufficient flow the front end ensured with air.

Advantageously, the upper mounting bracket, ie, the first and second mounting bracket portion as an extruded profile and the lock / Fanghakenträger is designed as a casting with a crash-active configuration. Due to the different choice of material between the components lock / catch holder on the one hand and the first and second mounting bracket section on the other hand and the crash-active design of the lock / catcher holder, ie an embodiment of the lock / catcher holder with an energy absorbing structure in the event of a collision, is now one, a sufficient load-bearing construction and a weight-optimized design of the upper mounting bracket guaranteed. The formation of the first and second mounting support portion as an extruded profile has the further great advantage that in this way an extremely simple and cost-effective production of the upper mounting bracket is made possible.

According to one particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper mounting bracket, i. the first and second Mounting support section of the upper mounting carrier, Air outlets on, which are arranged and designed such that during the Drive through Air is viewed in the vehicle transverse direction viewed laterally outwards. The provision and the special arrangement of the air outlets in the upper mounting bracket proves to be advantageous, as a result, a targeted "filling" or flow of the Air filter or the like guaranteed is.

Preferably is the tight connection between the lock / catch holder and the respective first or second mounting support portion as a material connection, in particular by welding or gluing, trained. A cohesive connection proves itself as advantageous, as a result, a cost and a sufficient Strength connection between the respective mounting support sections and the lock / catch holder is ensured.

According to one embodiment the invention is the upper mounting bracket made of a light metal, especially aluminum or aluminum alloy. Conceivable but is also that the upper mounting bracket made of a hybrid material is made.

According to one another embodiment The invention relates to the first and second mounting support portion each at its end facing away from the lock / catch holder a structure node, via the first and second mounting support portion with the respective associated first and second side support is firmly connected. The provision this structural node proves to be advantageous, as a result a simple installation of the front end is guaranteed. The connection between structural nodes and mounting support sections on the one hand and the side carriers On the other hand, this can be done, for example, by a welding or Adhesive connection be realized.

Of the For the sake of simplicity, the structure nodes are preferably as casting nodes educated.

According to one another embodiment the invention is on the viewed in the direction of travel rear end face of the Lock / hook carrier a strike plate arranged, which is detachably connected to the lock / catch holder. The strike plate has the effect that the moment of resistance of the lock / Fanghakenträgers order the vertical axis increases what is a correspondingly higher Load capacity of the upper mounting bracket conditioned in the loading direction of the pile impact.

Preferably has the strike plate a first and a second, respectively in the vehicle transverse direction viewed, diagonally kinking end region on, over the the strike plate detachably connected to a body component or chassis of the motor vehicle is. Due to the special design and support of the striking plate at a continuing Body component, such as on the baffles or Side members of the Motor vehicle, is an additional Reinforcement of the upper mounting bracket ensured.

Further Advantages, features and applications of the present Invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the embodiments shown in the drawing.

The Invention will now be described with reference to the drawing Embodiments described in more detail. In the description, in the claims and in the drawing those in the below List of reference symbols used terms and associated reference numerals used.

In the drawing mean:

1 A view of the front structure of a motor vehicle with a Strukturfrontend invention;

2 a schematic representation of the upper cross member of the structural front end 1 in the plan view;

3 a detailed view of the upper mounting bracket of the structural front end 1 with a lock / catch holder and a strike plate in the unassembled state in a view obliquely from behind;

4 the upper mounting bracket off 3 with the lock / catch holder and the striking plate in a view from below;

5 the upper mounting bracket off 3 and 4 with the lock / catch holder and the strike plate in the assembled state;

6 a detailed view of the releasably connected to the lock / Fanghakenträger strike plate 4 , and

7 a further embodiment of the structural front end with a strike plate with diagonal bracing in a view obliquely from behind.

1 shows in a view obliquely from the front of the front body of a motor vehicle with a total of the reference numeral 10 designated structural frontend.

The structure frontend 10 essentially comprises an upper mounting bracket oriented in the vehicle transverse direction FQ 12 , An arranged parallel thereto also in the vehicle transverse direction aligned lower mounting bracket 14 and a first side support 16 and a second side support 18 , The two side supports 16 . 18 are each perpendicular to the upper mounting bracket 12 and the lower mounting bracket 14 aligned, so that a frame-shaped basic structure of the structural front end 10 given is.

The upper mounting bracket 12 is formed as a multi-part component and has a first mounting support portion 20 , a second mounting support portion 22 and a lock / catch holder 24 for the United locking a, not shown here for reasons of clarity, engine compartment cover on. The lock / catch hook carrier 24 is viewed in the vehicle transverse direction FQ centered between the first mounting bracket portion 20 and the second mounting support portion 22 arranged and a material connection, here in the form of a welded joint, with the two mounting support sections 20 . 22 firmly connected.

At the lock / catcher holder 24 remote end portion of the first mounting bracket portion 20 and the second mounting bracket section 22 is each a structural node 26 arranged. The structural nodes formed here as castings 26 are with the respective associated mounting bracket section 20 . 22 firmly connected. The structure nodes 26 make the link between the top mounting bracket and the respective side beams 16 . 18 represents.

The lock / catch hook carrier 24 is designed as a casting of gray cast iron with a crash-active design, while the upper mounting bracket 12 that is, the first and second mounting support portions 20 . 22 are formed as extruded profiles. The extruded profiles, ie the first and second mounting support section 20 . 22 are made of an aluminum alloy and have integrated air outlets 28 on. Crahsaktive design of lock / Fanghakenträgers 24 in this context means that the lock / catch holder 24 having an energy absorbing structure.

As in particular from 2 it can be seen, are the air outlets 28 formed and aligned such that the first and second mounting support portion 20 . 22 During the journey, air flowing through, starting from the center of the vehicle, is deflected outward, ie in the vehicle transverse direction FQ. The deflection to the outside is chosen so that a targeted ventilation of the air filter of the motor vehicle is ensured.

As 2 can be further seen, the lock / Fanghakenträger 24 a correspondingly formed connection point 30 on, about the cohesive connection between lock / Fanghakenträger 24 and the corresponding first and second mounting support sections 20 . 22 is made. In addition shows 2 looking in the direction of travel FR on a rear face 32 of the lock / catch hook carrier 24 a strike plate 34 is arranged.

A detail view of the upper mounting bracket 12 with the lock / catch holder 24 is in 3 and 4 shown. While in 3 the in the lock / catch holder 24 components to be mounted catch hook with actuation 36 and castle 38 as well as on the rear face 34 to be fastened strike plate 34 in an exploded view in a view obliquely from behind is in 4 a corresponding representation of the above components in a view from below shown. In particular from 4 is the crash-active design of the lock / Fanghakenträgers 24 ie the energy absorbing structure of the lock / catch holder 24 seen.

5 shows the components catch hook with actuation 36 and castle 38 in the assembled state.

As in particular from 6 it can be seen, is the strike plate 34 over several screws 40 detachable with the lock / catch holder 24 connected.

Another embodiment of the strike plate 34 is in 7 shown. As can be clearly seen from the view obliquely from behind, this has on the rear face 32 lock / catch holder fastened strike plate 34 a first and a second, viewed in the vehicle transverse direction FQ diagonally downwards bending end region 42 . 44 on. The two end areas 42 . 44 are each in turn attached to further body parts, such as baffles / side rails, so that a further support of the upper mounting bracket 12 is guaranteed. Moreover, it is off 6 the arrangement of a left fan wheel 46 and a right fan 48 in the frontend 10 and a radiator bearing 50 seen.

10

Structure frontend

12

Oberer mounting bracket

14

lower mounting bracket

16

first side beams

18

second side beams

20

first Mounting support section of the upper mounting bracket

22

second Mounting support section of the upper mounting bracket

24

Lock / hook carrier

26

tree node

28

air outlets

30

junction Lock / hook carrier

32

face

34

striking plate

36

hook with actuation

38

lock

40

screw

42

first Abcknickender end of the strike plate

44

second Abcknickender end of the strike plate

46

left fan

48

right fan

50

cool storage

V

vertical direction

FQ

Vehicle transverse direction

FR

direction of travel

Claims (10)

Structure frontend ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising an upper and a lower, respectively in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) aligned mounting bracket ( 12 . 14 ), a first and a second, each with the two mounting supports ( 12 . 14 ) fixedly connected, in the vertical direction (V) aligned side support ( 16 . 18 ), as well as one with the upper mounting bracket ( 12 ) firmly connected lock / catch hook carrier ( 24 ), characterized in that the upper mounting bracket ( 12 ) in several parts, a first and a second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) is formed and the lock / Fanghakenträger ( 24 ) in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) considered between the first and the second mounting support portion (FQ) ( 20 . 22 ) is arranged. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) of the upper mounting carrier ( 12 ) are formed as extruded profiles and that the lock / Fanghakenträger ( 24 ) is formed as a casting with a crash-active structure. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the first and second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) of the upper mounting carrier ( 12 ) each air outlets ( 28 ), which are arranged and formed such that air flowing through in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) is considered to be guided laterally outwards. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the firm connection between lock / Fanghakenträger ( 24 ) and the respective first or second mounting support section ( 20 . 22 ) is formed as a material connection, in particular by welding or gluing. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) of the upper mounting carrier ( 12 ) is made of a light metal, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloy. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) of the upper mounting carrier ( 12 ) is made of a hybrid material. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second mounting support section ( 20 . 22 ) of the upper mounting carrier ( 12 ) each at its the lock / Fanghakenträger ( 24 ) facing away from a structural node ( 26 ), over which the first and second mounting support portion ( 20 . 22 ) with the respective associated first and second side support ( 16 . 18 ) is firmly connected. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the structural nodes ( 26 ) are formed as castings. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a strike plate ( 34 ) detachable with a rear end face viewed in the direction of travel (FR) ( 32 ) of the lock / catch holder ( 24 ) connected is. Structure frontend ( 10 ) according to claim 9, characterized in that the strike plate ( 34 ) a first and a second respectively in the vehicle transverse direction (FQ) viewed diagonally kinking end portion ( 42 . 44 ) and that these end regions ( 42 . 44 ) are detachably connected to a body component or chassis.