DE102010060800A1 - Fender arrangement for motor vehicle, has C-shaped deformation element with of upper leg and upper half-shell that are connected to fender, and lower leg and lower half-shell that are connected to body of vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The fender arrangement (1) has with fender (4) and C-shaped deformation element (3) for substantially vertically directed supporting of upper edge of fender. The deformation element is comprised of upper leg and upper half-shell that are connected to fender, and lower leg and lower half-shell that are connected to body of vehicle (2), such that the deformation element moves fender towards vehicle body to close down.

Description

The present invention relates to a fender arrangement for a motor vehicle having a fender and at least one deformation element according to the preamble of claim 1.

In a collision with a pedestrian this is usually first detected by a bumper of the motor vehicle and then thrown onto the front cover, the impact is done first with the head or the upper body. In this case, an impact on the relatively which and wide front bonnet is much less critical than an impact on a side edge of a fender in the region of the parting line to the bonnet. In fact, it is this upper edge of the mudguards that has a particularly high rigidity, since the mudguard is bent inwards here in order to be able to bear against the vehicle bodywork.

From the EP 1 129 928 B1 a generic fender arrangement is known which has a deformation element for substantially vertically directed support of an upper edge of the fender and thereby reduce the consequences of an accident for a person.

The present invention is concerned with the problem of providing a generic fender assembly an improved embodiment, which should contribute in particular to reduce the consequences of accidents of persons. This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The present invention is based on the general idea of providing a known fender arrangement on a motor vehicle at least one deformation element for substantially vertically directed support of an upper edge of the fender, said deformation element having either a C-shaped or a tubular cross-section. In a C-shaped cross-section, the deformation element is connected to an upper leg with the fender and with a lower leg to a vehicle body, the C-shaped deformation element to the fender towards closed, that is open to the hood. In the other alternative, the deformation element has a tubular cross-section which is formed from two half-shells, wherein the upper half-shell are connected to the fender and the lower half-shell to the vehicle body. Of course, it is conceivable that only one of the two deformation elements or both deformation elements are provided in the region of the fender and thereby help to minimize the consequences of accidents of persons. Due to the orientation according to the invention, according to which the C-shaped deformation element is closed to the fender, can be achieved in particular that a vertical movement of the front hood and the fender on impact of a person separated from each other, resulting in both the deformation behavior of the front hood and the deformation behavior of the Adjust or influence the mudguard individually. In the case of the tubular deformation element, on the other hand, it can be provided that this widens in the event of a vertical deformation and thus forms not only a support for the mudguard, but at the same time also a support for a side edge of the front hood.

In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, the upper and lower half-shell of the deformation element are concave, so that they are preferably in the installed state at only two points with the vehicle body or with the fender in contact, whereas they increase with vertical load more places to get in touch with the vehicle body and the fender. In such a design of the tubular deformation element, for example, a stepped deformation behavior can be achieved. In particular, can be achieved with such trained half-shells of the tubular deformation element, a particularly cautious interception of impacting persons, the deformation element has a steady or gradually progressive deformation characteristic and thereby with increasing vertical load has an increasing deformation and thereby converts impact energy into deformation energy.

Suitably, the upper and lower half-shell has recesses for weight reduction. The upper and lower half-shells can generally have a lattice structure and thereby achieve the deformation effect required for reducing the consequences of accidents while at the same time having a significantly reduced weight.

Other important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated figure description with reference to the drawings.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and will be explained in more detail in the following description, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

Show, in each case schematically,

1 a front area of a motor vehicle with a deformation element arranged according to the invention in the region of a fender arrangement,

2 the deformation element in a detailed representation,

3 an alternative embodiment of the deformation element,

4 a detailed view of the 3 ,

According to the 1 to 4 , Has a fender arrangement according to the invention 1 for a motor vehicle 2 at least one deformation element 3 . 3 ' for substantially vertically directed support of an upper edge of the fender 4 on. With the reference number 3 is a deformation element referred to, which according to the 1 and 2 has a tubular cross section and an upper half shell 5 and a lower half shell 6 is composed. The upper half shell 5 is with the fender 4 connected, in particular screwed, whereas the lower half shell with a vehicle body, that is, for example, the vehicle body, connected, in particular screwed or welded.

Looking at the 2 , so you can see that the upper half shell 5 has a semicircular cross section, whereas the lower half shell 6 has a trapezoidal cross-section. The two half shells 5 and 6 each have outwardly projecting edges 7 , via which these are connected to each other, in particular screwed together. Both the upper and the lower half shell 5 . 6 also have recesses 8th , which cause a weight reduction and the deformation element 3 to make it easier.

Looking at the 2 , so you can see that the upper and / or the lower half shell 5 . 6 are / are concave, so that these in the installed state preferably at respectively only two points with the vehicle body or with the fender 4 In contrast, they are in vertically increasing load with increasingly more places with the vehicle body or with the fender 4 contact. In this way, in particular, a progressive deformation characteristic can be generated.

Looking at this according to the 3 and 4 illustrated deformation element 3 ' , it can be seen that in contrast to that according to the 1 and 2 illustrated deformation element 3 has a C-shaped cross-section and with an upper leg 9 with the fender 4 is connected, whereas it with a lower leg 10 with the vehicle body, that can be connected to the vehicle body. According to the invention is now the C-shaped deformation element 3 ' to the fender 4 closed, whereby only a support of the fender 4 can be achieved in the vertical direction. A support of a front hood 11 (see. 1 ) in the separation area to the fender 4 is not intended here.

In general, the deformation elements 3 . 3 ' be made of plastic or sheet metal stampings, wherein the deformation elements 3 . 3 ' both alternative and cumulative can be used. In case of cumulative use, the C-shaped deformation element is 3 ' in the direction of travel in front of the tubular deformation element 3 arranged.

With the inventively provided deformation elements 3 . 3 ' In particular, the accident consequences for the bonnet 11 or the upper edge of the fender 4 striking persons are minimized.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 1129928 B1 [0003]

Claims (8)

Fender arrangement ( 1 ) for a motor vehicle ( 2 ) with a fender ( 4 ) and at least one deformation element ( 3 . 3 ' ) for substantially vertically directed support of an upper edge of the fender ( 4 ), characterized in that - the deformation element ( 3 ' ) has a C-shaped cross-section and with an upper leg ( 9 ) with the fender ( 4 ) and with a lower leg ( 10 ) is connected to a vehicle body, wherein the C-shaped deformation element ( 3 ' ) to the fender ( 4 ), or - the deformation element ( 3 ) has a tubular cross section and with an upper half shell ( 5 ) with the fender ( 4 ) and with a lower half shell ( 6 ) is connected to a vehicle body. Mudguard arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper half-shell ( 5 ) has a semicircular cross section and the lower half shell ( 6 ) has a trapezoidal cross-section. Mudguard arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper half-shell ( 5 ) and the lower half shell ( 6 ) over each outwardly projecting edges ( 7 ), in particular screwed together, are. Mudguard arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper and the lower half-shell ( 5 . 6 ) Recesses ( 8th ) for weight reduction. Mudguard arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the upper and / or lower half-shell ( 5 . 6 ) are concavely shaped, so that in the installed state preferably at only two points with the vehicle body or the fender ( 4 ) are in contact, whereas in vertical loading with increasingly more places with the vehicle body and the fender ( 4 ) contact. Mudguard arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the deformation elements ( 3 . 3 ' ) are made of plastic or sheet metal stamping. Mudguard arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the C-shaped deformation element ( 3 ' ) in the direction of travel in front of the tubular deformation element ( 3 ) is arranged. Motor vehicle ( 2 ) with a fender arrangement ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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