EP1409327A2 - Structure de support de la partie frontale d'un vehicule et integrant des reservoirs de fluide - Google Patents

Structure de support de la partie frontale d'un vehicule et integrant des reservoirs de fluide

Info

Publication number
EP1409327A2
EP1409327A2 EP02768361A EP02768361A EP1409327A2 EP 1409327 A2 EP1409327 A2 EP 1409327A2 EP 02768361 A EP02768361 A EP 02768361A EP 02768361 A EP02768361 A EP 02768361A EP 1409327 A2 EP1409327 A2 EP 1409327A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
vehicle
fluid
plastic molded
radiator
hollow structure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02768361A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Stephen J. Eynon
Nicholas S. Herdegen
Jim c/o Collins & Aikman Auto Co Inc SWHWAEGERLE
Matthew T. Murto
Rishi c/o Collins & Aikman Aut. Co. Inc. MEHRA
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Collins and Aikman Automotive Co Inc
Original Assignee
Collins and Aikman Automotive Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Collins and Aikman Automotive Co Inc filed Critical Collins and Aikman Automotive Co Inc
Publication of EP1409327A2 publication Critical patent/EP1409327A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/08—Front or rear portions
    • B62D25/082—Engine compartments
    • B62D25/084—Radiator supports
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D21/00—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted
    • B62D21/16—Understructures, i.e. chassis frame on which a vehicle body may be mounted having fluid storage compartment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a hollow plastic molded structure, and more particular, to its use as a motor vehicle fascia support and structural support cross member.
  • a hollow structure formed via plastics processing, the structure offers additional utility as a storage compartment(s) for various fluids at the front of the vehicle.
  • Space is at a premium in today's cars, especially under the hood as engine compartments are packed with electronic modules and, in general, slimmed down with newer cab-forward designs, transverse mounted engines and low profile sloping hoods.
  • Storage for operating fluids is also critical as the containers need to be near the front of the vehicle for easy access and for fluid level inspection. Also, large volume storage is required so that frequent refilling of headlamp washer fluids is not necessitated. Further, hollow low profile molded plastic shapes fit will under the hood and can assume any complex shape required to maximize space utilization.
  • the hollow plastic molded structure may serve as an upper fascia support providing an attachment surface, a cross-car structural member as the hollow molded structure provides additional cross-car stiffness, and attachment structure for adjunct components such as headlamp housings, fan shrouds and grilles.
  • the upper surface of the structure may be configured to act as an air deflector to assist engine cooling and multiple storage compartments for fluids or any combination previously mentioned.
  • a hollow bumper fascia support is recited in U.S. Patent 5, 580,109 assigned to Chrysler Corporation.
  • Use of a reaction injection molding (RIM) section for supporting fascia is recited in U.S. Patent 5,096,243 assigned to Davidson Textron, Inc., wherein a hollow chamber may be filled with an energy absorbing material.
  • RIM reaction injection molding
  • U.S. Patent 5,649,587 assigned to McCord Winn Textron recites a fan shroud and receptacle arrangement with one or more cooling fan openings, having two or more internal chambers suitable for storing radiator, windshield washer or headlamp washer fluids.
  • Tangue et al U.S. Patent No. 3,692,004 discloses a fan shroud and fluid receptacle arrangement including a cylindrical band or collar extending away from a radiator and a radiator fluid receptacle and a windshield washer fluid receptacle integrally molded on opposite side surfaces of the cylindrical band or collar.
  • Patent 4,441,463 assigned to Ford Motor Company discloses a container for fluids for various operating functions in a motor vehicle, the container being arranged in the engine compartment and being constructed as an essentially annular or U-shaped hollow body with an interior contour forming an air guide surface or shroud defining an air guide duct for the air cooling fan of the internal combustion engine and having an outer contour shaped to conform to the shape of the radiator associated therewith, the radiator being received within the outer contour within a holding means by way of resilient foam mounting.
  • UK which discloses a molded plastic structure to which multiple components can be mounted such as heat exchangers, head lamps, fan shrouds containing reservoirs, headlamp cleaning, apparatus and the like.
  • WO 01/29949 A2 assigned to McCord Winn Textron, discloses a hollow plastic front end structure for containing vehicle fluids where the exterior contour of the wall section of the hollow structure also comprises head-lamp receptacles, a radiator frame, a fan shroud and a bumper.
  • U.S. Patent 5,460,420 assigned to McCord Winn Textron discloses a molded plastic front bumper beam for a vehicle which includes upper and lower separate hollow compartments for carrying selected fluids.
  • the present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a more compact plastic molded hollow structure for use, preferably, in the front section of a motor vehicle, which can integrate the functions of a fascia support, cross-car structural member, attachment structure for trim, cooling, electrical and body components, and provide air deflection and storage compartments for retention of vehicle fluids, such as coolant or washer fluids, or air.
  • the hollow structure preferably extends between the head lamp housings of a vehicle front end and above the radiator and contains segregated compartments for coolant fluid and washer fluid. It has molded-in features to locate fluid pumps and sensors, and openings for access to the radiator cap and hood latch.
  • the vehicle front fascia is preferably attached at the top edge of the hollow structure to retain the fascia in body position relative to the vehicle hood. Accordingly, the top edge provides structural attachment points for fascia attachment.
  • the hollow structure can serve as a grille opening upper reinforcement with mounting provisions for trim, cooling, electrical and body components.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the molded hollow structure in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a top view of the structure of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the structure of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle showing the hollow molded structure in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken at the center line of the hollow molded structure of FIG. 2 looking in the direction of arrow A.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the hollow structure disclosed herein.
  • the structure 10 comprises an opening 12 for access to the radiator cap.
  • the structure 10 includes removable caps 14 and 16 to access the stored fluid, e.g. coolant or washer fluid.
  • a cut-out 17 to accommodate a hood latch.
  • Chamber 50, 51 may contain a variety of vehicle operating fluid including washer fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid, air and similar materials.
  • structure 10 is of a size so that it may be uniquely positioned above or on the vehicle radiator.
  • structure 10 does not extend completely downward along the entirety of the vehicle radiator into the front end of the vehicle to reach, e.g. the bumper region, and serves as a cross-car reinforcement structure and air deflector extending across the radiator section of the vehicle.
  • the structure 10 may be of a complete unitary or alternatively, two-piece construction, to form the hollow chambers.
  • Such structure is preferably blow molded plastic, and can be formed from various plastics such as polyolefines (HDPE, LDPE, PP), including glass or talc filled grades, engineering thermoplastics (nylons, polyesters, polycarbonates, polysulphones, PPO polystyrene blends), as well as thermoset materials.
  • recess regions 18, house a head-lamp housing (not shown). Accordingly, it is preferred that structure 10 span between head lamps from side to side on the vehicle. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a plurality of projecting tabs 20 containing a hole for attachment of fascia.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a recess 22 to house a pump 24 that is integrated with structure 10 to convey washer or other fluids.
  • a level sensor for detecting fluid levels is also conveniently integrated and shown at 26.
  • FIG. 4 shows a molded hollow structure 10 of the present invention installed in the front of a motor vehicle 40. The structure spans the distance between headlamps 42 and 44 adding cross-car support due to the double wall construction of the hollow molded structure.
  • the vehicle fascia 30 is attached to and supported by the hollow molded structure 10 along the rear most edge of the fascia 30.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 taken at the center of the hollow molded structure 10 looking in the direction of the arrow A.
  • the hollow structure comprises external walls 24, 26, 28 and 32.
  • a flange or tap 36 is formed on an edge of the sidewall 32 and extends forward in vehicle.
  • the flange or tab 36 includes spaced mounting holes 38 adapted to accommodate fasteners (not shown) to mount the fascia to the hollow molded structure 10.
  • FIG. 5 also illustrates a fluid 44 such as windshield washer fluid contained within the hollow molded structure 10.
  • a recess 58 may be formed in the lower wall 24 of the hollow structure 10 to accommodate a pump (not shown). Molded projections 59 allow snap- fit of the pump into recess 58.
  • contour of the surfaces shown in FIGS. 1-3 can be selectively adjusted to act as an air inlet deflector to selectively guide air within the engine compartment. Such adjustment can therefore optimize air delivery within and around the vehicle, to improve, among other things, engine cooling.
  • blow molded fascia support member with engine coolant and/or washer fluid reservoirs.
  • the support member serves to reduce total system costs for trim, structures and cooling systems. This results in a reduction in purchased component costs, part count, and assembly requirements.
  • the blow molded fascia support member can be formed to optimize any free space under the hood for the storage of fluids and in addition provide support means as the structure spans the distance between headlamps and may form an attachment flange for the vehicle fascia. Further, with the structure imparted by the hollow double-walled shape, adjacent components can be mounted to the structure so that it may function as a grille opening reinforcement.

Abstract

L'invention concerne une structure creuse moulée en plastique dans la partie frontale d'un compartiment moteur d'un véhicule comportant un radiateur. La structure creuse comprend une structure creuse traversant le véhicule s'étendant par dessus/sur le radiateur du véhicule et ne s'étendant pas vers le bas en travers de la totalité du radiateur. La structure comprend une ou plusieurs chambres de stockage de fluides, une ou plusieurs régions découpées permettant d'adapter d'autres structures dans ledit compartiment moteur du véhicule, et une structure de fixation permettant de tenir la partie frontale d'un véhicule.
EP02768361A 2001-07-26 2002-07-26 Structure de support de la partie frontale d'un vehicule et integrant des reservoirs de fluide Withdrawn EP1409327A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30799401P 2001-07-26 2001-07-26
US307994P 2001-07-26
PCT/US2002/023930 WO2003010031A2 (fr) 2001-07-26 2002-07-26 Structure de support de la partie frontale d'un vehicule et integrant des reservoirs de fluide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1409327A2 true EP1409327A2 (fr) 2004-04-21

Family

ID=23192069

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02768361A Withdrawn EP1409327A2 (fr) 2001-07-26 2002-07-26 Structure de support de la partie frontale d'un vehicule et integrant des reservoirs de fluide

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1409327A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2004535974A (fr)
AU (1) AU2002330927A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003010031A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6328687B2 (ja) * 2016-04-26 2018-05-23 小島プレス工業株式会社 車両のラジエーターサポートカバー

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5649587A (en) * 1996-02-23 1997-07-22 Mccord Winn Textron, Inc. Fan shroud and receptacle arrangement
US5779096A (en) * 1997-03-10 1998-07-14 Cockfield; David E. Emergency windshield washer fluid reserve system
FR2784644B1 (fr) * 1998-10-16 2000-11-24 Inoplast Sa Procede de fabrication d'une face avant de vehicule automobile et face avant apte a etre fabriquee par ce procede

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO03010031A3 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2002330927A1 (en) 2003-02-17
WO2003010031A3 (fr) 2003-10-09
WO2003010031A2 (fr) 2003-02-06
JP2004535974A (ja) 2004-12-02

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