DE102018214105A1 - Front end module for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a front end module for a motor vehicle, with a bumper cross member (3) which can be fastened to the body longitudinal members (5) and a bumper cover (7) covering the front of the bumper cross member (3), the bumper cross member ( 3) is connected via vertical struts (9) to a pedestrian protection cross member (11) on the floor, to form a cross member frame (13) which limits a front air inlet (15), and with a longitudinal offset in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) behind the bumper cross member (3) is arranged a lock carrier (1) on which a front hood (17) of the vehicle can be supported and which carries a cooling module (19), at least one support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) protrudes rear of the vehicle, which is supported in the vehicle vertical direction (z) on a support base (29) of the front end module, in particular loosely, the support profile part (37) of the bump anger cover (7) is spaced from the lock carrier (1) via a longitudinal clearance (f) and, in the event of a front crash, the bumper cover (7) together with the support profile part (37) using the longitudinal clearance (f) in the direction is shifted to the lock carrier (1). According to the invention, a protective element (39) is arranged between the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) and the lock carrier (1), by means of which, in the event of a front crash, the lock carrier (1) and / or the cooling module (19) against damage from the the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) which is shifted towards the rear of the vehicle.

Description

The invention relates to a front end module for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

In addition to the lighting technology, the vehicle's cooling functions can also be integrated in the front end module of a vehicle. The front-end module must also meet the legally stipulated pedestrian protection requirements. The front-end module must also ensure efficient crash management. Crash management fulfills the task of avoiding damage, reducing it or reducing repair costs. In this way, an improved insurance rating is achieved. The level of damage relevant for the insurance classification in the RCAR crash repair test is determined.

A generic front end module has a bumper cross member that can be fastened to body longitudinal members and a bumper cover that covers the front of the bumper cross member. The bumper crossmember is connected via vertical struts to a pedestrian protection crossmember on the floor, to form a crossmember frame which limits air inlet at the front. In addition, the front end module has a lock carrier arranged in the vehicle longitudinal direction by a longitudinal offset behind the bumper cross member. A vehicle bonnet can be supported on the lock carrier. The lock carrier also carries a cooling module. At least one support profile part can protrude from the bumper cover towards the rear of the vehicle. The support profile part of the bumper cover is, in the vehicle vertical direction, in particular loosely supported on a support base of the front end module in order to stabilize the bumper cover in its installed position. In normal driving, the support profile part of the bumper cover is spaced apart from the lock carrier or from the cooling module via a longitudinal clearance. In the event of a front crash, the bumper cover, together with its support profile part, is moved in the direction of the lock carrier or in the direction of the cooling module using the longitudinal clearance.

The problem with this crash course is that the rear end of the support profile part of the bumper cover as an interference contour, which shifts to the rear of the vehicle and collides with the components delimiting towards the rear, i.e. the lock carrier and / or the cooling module, and damages them.

From the DE 10 2009 041 458 A1 an air guiding element is known as part of a front end structure of a vehicle. From the DE 198 31 256 A1 a holder for a heat exchanger, in particular a radiator of a motor vehicle, is known.

The object of the invention is to provide a front end module for a vehicle which can be repaired inexpensively in the event of a front crash and can thereby achieve a good insurance rating. In addition, the front-end module should meet the requirements regarding pedestrian protection and the insurance crash.

The object of the invention is solved by the features of claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

The invention is based on the fact that in the above prior art a collision of the support profile part of the bumper cover with the lock carrier / cooling module leads to a poorer insurance class classification. Against this background, an additional protective element is arranged between the support profile part of the bumper cover and the lock carrier / cooling module. In the event of a front crash, the protective element protects the lock carrier and / or the cooling module from damage caused by the support profile part of the bumper cover which is shifted towards the rear of the vehicle.

In a technical implementation, the front end module can additionally have an air guiding element made of, for example, a plastic soft component, in particular of foam material, which is installed between the front air inlet, which is delimited by the above-mentioned vertical cross member frame, and the cooling module mounted on the lock carrier and between the front air inlet and the cooling module provides an essentially airtight air duct through which ambient air is guided through the cooling module during driving. The air guiding element can preferably be box-shaped, specifically with a floor-side, horizontal floor wall approximately at the level of the pedestrian protection cross member, from which vertical side walls protrude upwards on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction, which merge into an upper, horizontal ceiling wall. The box-shaped air guiding element is connected airtight to the front air inlet with sealing lips at the front of the vehicle. On its rear air outlet side, the box-shaped air guide element is connected airtight to the cooling module via a sealing lip in order to avoid air leakage to the outside.

When installing such an air guiding element in the front end module, it is preferred if the protective element is of the same material and / or is integrally formed on the air guide. The air element can preferably be a foam part that absorbs the crash energy.

As mentioned above, the bumper cover has at least one support profile part protruding towards the rear of the vehicle, by means of which the bumper cover is supported on a support base of the front end module. In a technical implementation, the support base can be formed on a support strut. It is preferred if the support strut is supported in a force-transmitting manner between the bumper cross member and the lock carrier. In this way, the support strut ensures that they are forwarded to the lock carrier when the front hood is closed. In double function, the support strut also provides the above-mentioned support for the bumper cover via the support profile part. The support strut can preferably, when viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction, be arranged in an assembly space between an air-guiding element wall and the bumper cover.

In a specific embodiment, the support strut for connection to the upper lock carrier can be forked approximately in a U-profile shape, specifically with a profile base and with strut arms raised therefrom. The strut arms may be spaced apart in the vehicle transverse direction to form an opening that is open in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In this case, the profile floor of the U-shaped support strut can provide the above-mentioned support base for the support profile part of the bumper cover.

In the open passage delimited by the two strut arms, the support profile part of the bumper cover can preferably protrude toward the rear of the vehicle (because it saves installation space). In the event of a front crash, the support profile part can move over a free deformation path towards the rear of the vehicle until it comes into contact with the protective element according to the invention.

The protective element can be pocket-shaped with an interior that is open toward the front of the vehicle with a view to a perfect protective effect. A free, rear end of the support profile part can protrude into the interior of the protective element, in particular without contact. The pocket-shaped protective element can preferably have an upper, horizontal top wall in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Vertical side walls projecting downwards on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction can be connected to these.

Likewise, a vertical rear wall can be connected to the top wall to the rear of the vehicle, which limits the interior of the protective element to the rear of the vehicle. The vertical rear wall and the two vertical side walls of the protective element can merge into a horizontal bottom wall which is part of an air guiding element wall which delimits an air duct between the vehicle air inlet at the front and the cooling module. In this case, the protective element can be integrally formed on the outside of the air guiding element and project therefrom towards the top of the vehicle.

The protective element, in particular its horizontal top wall and / or its vertical side walls, can preferably protrude into the support strut passage in a space-saving manner.

It is preferred if the box-shaped air guiding element is made of an elastically flexible, flexible plastic material, in particular of a plastic foam material. In order to achieve a dimensionally stable positioning in the front end module despite inherently low inherent rigidity, it is preferred if the air guiding element is connected to a wall directly on the support strut, for example by a screw connection or adhesive connection.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the attached figures.

• 1 in einer teilweisen Seitenschnittdarstellung ein Frontendmodul eines Fahrzeugs;
• 2 das Frontendmodul in perspektivischer Darstellung sowie mit weggelassener Stoßfänger-Abdeckung;
• 3, 4 und 5 jeweils Ansichten entsprechend der 1, die einen Crashverlauf bei einem Frontalcrash veranschaulichen.

Show it:

• 1 a front end module of a vehicle in a partial sectional view;
• 2 the front end module in perspective and with the bumper cover omitted;
• 3 . 4 and 5 views corresponding to the 1 which illustrate a crash course in a frontal crash.

In the 1 is a front end module with a plastic lock carrier 1 shown which is in the vehicle transverse direction y extends. The front end module also has a bumper cross member 3 on that in the vehicle's longitudinal direction x the lock carrier 1 is upstream and by a height offset below the castle support 1 is positioned. The bumper cross member 3 is on its two laterally outer ends on side body side members 5 connected and on the front with a bumper cover 7 covered. In addition, in the 1 or 2 the bumper cross member 3 via vertical struts 9 with a pedestrian protection cross member on the floor 11 connected, to form a vertically raised cross member frame 13 which has a front air inlet 15 of the vehicle limited by a frame. In the 1 is on the lock carrier 3 an indicated hood 17 supported. The lock carrier also carries 3 a cooling module 19 that consists of several cooling components can be constructed, such as an NT cooler, an HT cooler, a condenser, an electric suction fan and the like.

Between the front air intake 15 and that on the lock beam 1 mounted cooling module 19 is in the 1 or 2 a box-shaped air guide 21 positioned. The air control element 21 places between the front vehicle air intake 15 and the cooling module 19 an essentially airtight closed air duct. This is the air guide 21 at its front air intake via sealing lips on the front air intake 15 connected airtight. The air guiding element is located on the vehicle's rear air outlet 21 also airtight on the cooling module via sealing lips 19 tethered.

As from the 1 further emerges is between the front bumper cover 7 and an inclined wall at the back 23 of the air guiding element 21 a free deformation space 25 available. In the deformation room 25 two support struts spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction y extend 27 , Each of these support struts 27 is between the bumper cross member 3 and the upper lock beam 1 supported by power transmission. In addition, the sloping wall 23 of the air guiding element 21 via screw connections, not shown, on the support struts 27 attached. For connection to the lock carrier 1 is the respective support strut 27 U-shaped. The U-shaped support strut 27 has a profile floor 29 as well as strut arms raised from it 31 on. These are spaced apart from one another in the vehicle transverse direction y, to be precise to form an opening which is open in the vehicle longitudinal direction x 33 , and attached to the lock carrier at their upper ends.

The profile floor 29 the respective support strut 27 forms a support base for a rear end 35 one on the bumper cover 7 trained support profile part 37 , The support profile part 37 is loose on the profile floor in the vehicle vertical direction z 29 the respective support strut 27 supported and in normal driving ( 1 ) around a longitudinal clearance f from the lock carrier 1 or from the cooling module 19 spaced.

As especially from the 2 is between the free end behind the vehicle 35 of the support profile part 37 the bumper cover 7 and the lock carrier 1 / the cooling module 19 an approximately pocket-shaped protective element 39 positioned, its mode of operation based on the 3 to 5 is explained. As from the 2 emerges is the protective element 39 pocket-shaped with an interior that is open towards the front of the vehicle 41 educated. In the interior 41 of the protective element 39 protrudes the free end 35 of the support profile part 37 non-contact. The box-shaped protective element 39 is in the 2 with a horizontal top wall in the vehicle vertical direction z 43 formed on the vertical side walls projecting downwards on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction y and a vertical rear wall 47 connect. The back and side walls 45 . 47 go into a horizontal bottom wall 49 over that part of the air baffle wall 23 is.

In normal driving ( 3 ) the protective element protrudes 39 with its top wall 43 as well as its side walls 45 in the culvert 33 the respective support strut 27 on. In the event of a front crash ( 4 and 5 ) becomes the bumper cover 7 together with the support profile part 37 using the longitudinal clearance f towards the lock beam 1 / the cooling module 19 relocated. Using the protective element defined above 39 can cause an immediate collision of the support profile part 37 with the lock carrier 1 or the cooling module 19 be prevented. This is the lock carrier 1 or the cooling module 19 from damage caused by the support profile part shifting to the rear of the vehicle 37 protected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

lock support

3

Bumper crossmember

5

Body-side member

7

Bumper cover

9

vertical struts

11

Pedestrian protection element

13

vertically raised cross member frame

15

air inlet

17

bonnet

19

cooling module

21

box-shaped air guide

23

wall

25

deformation space

27

support struts

29

Duct floor

31

strut arms

33

passage

35

free end of the support profile part

37

Supporting profile part

39

protection element

41

Protection element interior

43

horizontal top wall

45

vertical side wall

47

vertical back wall

49

horizontal bottom wall

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102009041458 A1 [0005]
• DE 19831256 A1 [0005]

Claims (8)

Front end module for a motor vehicle, with a bumper cross member (3) which can be fastened to the body side members (5) and a bumper cover (7) covering the front of the bumper cross member (3), the bumper cross member (3) being connected via vertical struts (9) is connected to a floor-side pedestrian protection cross member (11), to be precise with the formation of a cross member frame (13) which delimits a front air inlet (15), with a longitudinal offset behind the bumper cross member in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) (3) arranged lock carrier (1), on which a front hood (17) of the vehicle can be supported and which carries a cooling module (19), at least one support profile part (37) protruding from the bumper cover (7) towards the rear of the vehicle, which in the vehicle vertical direction (z) is in particular loosely supported on a support base (29) of the front end module, the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) being supported by a n longitudinal clearance (f) is spaced from the lock carrier (1) and, in the event of a front crash, the bumper cover (7), together with the support profile part (37), is displaced in the direction of the lock carrier (1) using the longitudinal clearance (f) characterized in that a protective element (39) is arranged between the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) and the lock carrier (1), by means of which in the event of a front crash the lock carrier (1) and / or the cooling module (19) is protected from damage by the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7) which moves to the rear of the vehicle. Front end module after Claim 1 , characterized in that the front end module has a box-shaped air guide element (21) which provides an essentially airtight air duct between the front air inlet (15) and the cooling module (19) mounted on the lock carrier (1), and in particular that the protective element (39 ) is made of the same material and / or in one piece on the air guide element (21), and / or that the protective element (39) is a foam part absorbing the crash energy. Front end module after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the support base (29) for the supporting part (37) of the bumper cover (7) is formed on a support strut (27) which is supported in a force-transmitting manner between the bumper cross member (3) and the lock member (1) , Front end module after Claim 3 , characterized in that the support strut (27) for connection to the lock carrier (1) is U-shaped with a profile base (29) and strut arms (31) raised therefrom, which are spaced apart in the vehicle transverse direction (y) and at their free Ends are connected to the lock carrier (1), and that in particular the profile base (29) of the support strut (27) forms the support base of the support profile part (37) of the bumper cover (7). Front end module after Claim 4 , characterized in that the two strut arms (31) and the profile base (29) of the support strut (27) delimit an opening (33) open in the vehicle longitudinal direction (x), into which the support profile part (37) protrudes towards the rear of the vehicle and through which Support profile part (3) can be moved to the rear of the vehicle in the event of a crash. Front-end module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective element (39) is pocket-shaped with an interior (41) which is open towards the front of the vehicle and into which a free end of the supporting profile (37) protrudes, in particular without contact, and in particular that Protective element (39) has an upper cover wall (43) in the vehicle vertical direction (z), to which side walls (45) projecting downwards on both sides in the vehicle transverse direction (y) and / or a rear wall (47) connecting the rear of the vehicle, which connects the protective element -Interior space (41) limited to the rear of the vehicle, and / or that the rear wall (47) and the two side walls (45) of the protective element (39) merge into a bottom wall (49) which is part of an air guiding element wall (23). Front end module after Claim 6 , characterized in that the protective element (39), in particular its top wall (43) and / or its side walls (45), projects into the passage (33) of the support strut (27), and / or that the support strut (27) in the The longitudinal direction of the vehicle (x) is arranged in a deformation space (25) between an air guide element wall (23) and the bumper cover (7). Front end module after Claim 7 , characterized in that the air guide element wall (23) is connected to the support strut (27), and / or that the air guide element (21) is made from an elastically flexible, flexible plastic material, in particular a plastic foam material.

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