GB2522613A - Front end impact structure - Google Patents

Front end impact structure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2522613A
GB2522613A GB1400145.7A GB201400145A GB2522613A GB 2522613 A GB2522613 A GB 2522613A GB 201400145 A GB201400145 A GB 201400145A GB 2522613 A GB2522613 A GB 2522613A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
assembly
headlamp
impact
vehicle
guiding feature
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Withdrawn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
GB1400145.7A
Other versions
GB201400145D0 (en
Inventor
James Brown
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.)
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
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 Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd filed Critical Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority to GB1400145.7A priority Critical patent/GB2522613A/en
Publication of GB201400145D0 publication Critical patent/GB201400145D0/en
Priority to PCT/JP2014/084623 priority patent/WO2015102097A1/en
Publication of GB2522613A publication Critical patent/GB2522613A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/0491—Shock absorbing devices therefor
    • 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
    • B62D25/085—Front-end modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/0491—Shock absorbing devices therefor
    • B60Q1/0495—Frangible brackets
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V15/00—Protecting lighting devices from damage
    • F21V15/04—Resilient mountings, e.g. shock absorbers 
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/34—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians
    • B60R2021/343—Protecting non-occupants of a vehicle, e.g. pedestrians using deformable body panel, bodywork or components

Abstract

A vehicle front end impact assembly comprising a headlamp mounting structure and front end assembly part, wherein the headlamp mounting structure has a deformable portion that deforms when the headlamp mounted on the mounting structure is impacted, such that the headlamp is guided along a predetermined energy absorbing path defined by surfaces on the vehicle front end assembly part and the headlamp assembly.

Description

Front End Impact Structure
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a front end structure for a vehicle, in particular a front end impact structure for headlamps.
Backciround of the Invention It is desirable to provide front impact protection in vehicles, for example by using crumple zones to absorb an impact. This is especially important for vehicle-pedestrian impacts.
Providing adequate imp[act protection can be difficult to achieve where there are rigid body structures or rigidly attached components or there is a lack of available space to provide adequate impact absorption. One such case is where the vehicle headlamp is firmly mounted to the front of the vehicle.
Impact structures can take up space which impacts vehicle design styling and aerodynamics. For example, it would be preferable to maintain sleek and aerodynamic styling. Providing space for impact protection can adversely affect functional aerodynamic styling and also create body styling issues.
Additionally, tolerances are critical to quality in the front end assembly. In the vehicle build there are different parts that contact/influence placement of headlamps, e.g.: Grille, Hood, Bumper, Fender. Each has an associated tolerance. The fender is important in that it provides the hard point that determines how all the tolerances stack, and so where there is the least flexibility in moving or modifying these points and structures. These rigid structures increase risk of serious injury during pedestrian impacts This is especially true for headlamp assemblies which are not only very important in terms of vehicle styling but can severely affect aerodynamic performance. I'
In traditionally mounted lamps, the lamp assembly collapses during a collision against the front vehicle box. Headlamps and their housing can be very stiff so they will typically come to a full stop against the front end, which can be dangerous during collisions. Space limitations mean that headlarnps are not sufficiently displaced away from, e.g. a pedestrian to provide adequate impact protection.
Current front impact solutions use lamp mounting brackets that are designed to break or deform so that the lamp beaks away from the vehicle. A drawback to this solution is that the action of the breakable bracket is not predictable, and the path of the lamp is not predictable.
For example US7004608: Discloses headlight unit that yields under force in set direction. Doesn't have shelf and mounting structure of present design.
Yielding support is a rubber bellows. US7040793: Discloses headlamp with improved energy absorption, e.g. during a crash. Energy absorption is by way of a deformable flexure member-not part of mounting as present design.
U52001 0046140: Discloses headlamp with improved energy absorption, e.g. during a crash. Deformable part of assembly is in lamp housing and lens, not mounting the lamp itself.
However, none of the known solutions provide an energy absorbing path for a headlamp during an impact, or require extensive modifications to the front assembly in general and headlamp assembly and in particular. Such solution can also impair the ease assembly of the front end of the vehicle, raising costs and build time.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved front end impact structure.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method, as claimed in the independent claims.
According to the present invention there is provided means to mount a headlamp such the headlamp moves along a predetermined energy-absorption path during a collision.
There is provided a vehicle front end impact assembly comprising A headlamp mounting structure for mounting a headlamp; A vehicle front end assembly part; Wherein The headlamp mounting structure has a deformable portion that deforms when the headlamp mounted on the mounting structure is impacted, and the headlamp is guided along a predetermined energy absorbing path defined by the vehicle front end assembly part.
The front end assembly part may be a hood ledge of a vehicle.
By providing a predetermined energy absorbing path along the vehicle the headlamp is advantageously moved away from the impact source. Rigid structures that would stop the headlamp yielding under impact. Further, the energy of the impact can be controlled.
The vehicle front end assembly part has at least one guiding feature to guide a headlamp mounted on the headlamp mounting structure along an energy absorbing path. The guiding feature is a force directing surface. The force directing surface defines an energy absorbing path.
The headlamp is provided with a guiding feature to cooperate with the vehicle front assembly part guiding feature. This feature can be a corresponding force directing surface.
The front end assembly part has modified hood ledge surfaces and corresponding modified lamp housing surfaces top provide force directing surfaces that cooperatively act to guide the lamp away from the body of the vehicle in a safe an controlled manner. A modified bracket arrangement helps the headlamp collapse and be guided in a predictable manner to enhance the operation of the corresponding hood ledge and lamp features.
The headlamp mounting structure may be a modified mounting bracket. It may S be a bracket with a portion that allows the bracket to deform during an impact.
There is further provided a vehicle incorporating the front assembly impact structure.
Advantageously, this arrangement means that crash safety is improved without complicated changes to the headlamp assembly of a vehicle, there is no need for additional components. The additional impact safety is built into the functionality of the headlamp and front end assembly, e.g. hood ledge, without increasing component count or complicating the assembly of the front b end, for example by complicating how the headlamp is fitted to the chassis.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle; Figure 2 is perspective view of a front end assembly incorporating the present invention; Figure 3 is plan view of a front end assembly incorporating the present invention; Figure 4 is an exploded view of the assembly of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a detail of a hood ledge according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows a detail of a headlamp mounting structure according to the present invention; Figures 7A-7D shows the a headlamp as depicted in Figures 1 -4 under impact conditions.
S In the drawings, like parts are denoted by like reference numerals.
Detailed Description
Figure 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a front end assembly 2 incorporating 5 headlamp 10, Fender 15.
An impact involving the front headlamp 5 will normally force the headlamp into a rigid front assembly providing poor impact performance due to lack of space fro a crash zone. b
Figures 2 to 4 show a front assembly for a vehicle 1 in detail. The front end assembly has a headlamp 10, a fender 15, and a hood ledge 20. Also shown is radiator core support 25.
The hood ledge 20 has headlamp attachment portion 35 and a headlamp guiding feature 40.
The headlamp 10 is mounted on the hood ledge 20 using a headlamp mounting structure 45. The headlamp mounting structure 45 is shown in detail in Figure 5 and can be any suitable fastening means, for example by bolts and nuts or similar threaded fasteners. The headlamp mounting structure 45 comprises headlamp fixing portion 50, hood ledge fixing portion 55, and deformable portion 60.
The deformable portion 60 is arranged to deform when the headlamp suffers impact. It can also be designed to break so that the headlamp 10 becomes detached from the hood ledge 20.
S
The deformable portion can be provided by a resilient portion of the flange like member, for example by providing a bend in the part.
Figure 6 shows the a detail of the hood ledge. Headlamp guiding feature 40 is S force directing surface. This is shown as a flat and angled portion of the hood ledge 20. If the headlamp suffers an impact the mounting structure will deform and the headlamp will be forced rearwards along the force directing surface.
the headlamp will contact the surface at an angle and energy of the impact will be absorbed.
Thus when there is an impact the headlamp moves toward and into the headlamp guiding feature 40, and the headlamp 10 will be guided along the feature 40. The feature 40 will guide the headlamp 10 along a predetermined path while absorbing the energy of the impact. b
Figures 7A -7D show the front assembly during an impact. Figures 7A -7D shows the cross section B-B of Figure 4. As can be seen from Figures 7A - 7D, the headlamp is guided along feature 40 by the force of the impact. The angle of the feature 40 serves to both absorb the energy of the impact and to direct it away from the hard points of the car. If the feature 40 did not control the direction of where the headlamp went during an impact, the headlamp could hit rigid vehicle structures, e.g. the radiator core support, and be stopped, increasing risk of injury and damage. If the headlamp is stopped by such rigid structures during and impact then energy absorption would be stopped, increasing the danger caused by the impact.
The headlamp can have a cooperative guiding feature 70, arranged to cooperate with headlamp guiding feature 60. This assists guiding the headlamp 10 along a predetermined energy absorbing path. This can be a second force directing surface complementary to the one on the hood ledge.
Other features can be added to help guide the headlamp along an energy absorbing path.
Other features can be added to help to control energy absorption as the headlamp is guided along an energy absorbing path.

Claims (9)

  1. Claims 1. A front end impact assembly for a vehicle comprising: a headlamp assembly; a front end assembly part; a mounting structure for mounting a headlamp assembly; wherein the headlamp mounting structure has a deformable portion that deforms during a vehicle impact, and the headlamp is thereafter guided along a predetermined energy absorbing path defined by the front end assembly part.
  2. 2. A front end impact assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the front end assembly part is a hood ledge of a vehicle.
  3. 3. A front end impact assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the front end assembly part has at least one guiding feature to guide a headlamp mounted on the headlamp mounting structure ("IPJ along an energy absorbing path. (4
  4. 4. A front end impact assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the front end assembly guiding feature is a force directing surface that defines an energy absorbing path.
  5. 5. A front end impact assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the headlamp assembly is provided with a guiding feature that cooperates with the front assembly part to guide the headlamp assembly along the energy absorbing path.
  6. 6. A front end impact assembly as claimed in claim S wherein the guiding feature is a force directing surface generally opposing the vehicle front assembly part guiding feature.
  7. 7. A vehicle front end impact assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the front end assembly guiding feature comprising modified hood ledge surface, and the headlamp guiding feature surface together provide force directing surfaces that cooperatively guide the lamp away from the hody of the vehicle in a safe and controlled manner.
  8. 8. A vehicle front end impact assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided a bracket attaching the headlamp assembly to the front end assembly, wherein the bracket has a deformable portion that deforms during an impact,
  9. 9. A vehicle incorporating the front assembly impact structure as claimed in any preceding claim. (4 r (4 (4
GB1400145.7A 2014-01-06 2014-01-06 Front end impact structure Withdrawn GB2522613A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1400145.7A GB2522613A (en) 2014-01-06 2014-01-06 Front end impact structure
PCT/JP2014/084623 WO2015102097A1 (en) 2014-01-06 2014-12-26 Front end impact absorbing structure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1400145.7A GB2522613A (en) 2014-01-06 2014-01-06 Front end impact structure

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201400145D0 GB201400145D0 (en) 2014-02-19
GB2522613A true GB2522613A (en) 2015-08-05

Family

ID=50191766

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1400145.7A Withdrawn GB2522613A (en) 2014-01-06 2014-01-06 Front end impact structure

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2522613A (en)
WO (1) WO2015102097A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102429004B1 (en) * 2016-12-15 2022-08-03 현대자동차 주식회사 Vehicle body reinforcement strucure that corresponds to small over lap collision

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11165581A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-22 Mitsubishi Motors Corp Mounting structure of lighting fixture for vehicle
EP1332915A2 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-08-06 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. A pedestrian protection headlamp assembly
US20040057249A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-03-25 Philippe Arlon Headlamp comprising energy absorption means
FR2844753A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-03-26 Valeo Vision Motor vehicle headlamp has front and rear housing components linked by shearing elements and fitted with impact shock absorbers
WO2006117455A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-09 Faurecia Bloc Avant Connector device between a headlight unit and a chassis member on a motor vehicle a front light unit and corresponding motor vehicle
US20150003101A1 (en) * 2013-06-26 2015-01-01 Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. Headlamp mounting bracket energy absorber

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2844755B1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2007-02-16 Valeo Vision MOTOR VEHICLE PROJECTOR COMPRISING A DAMPING SYSTEM
JP2004249832A (en) * 2003-02-20 2004-09-09 Calsonic Kansei Corp Mounting structure of vehicle lamp
DE102004013536A1 (en) * 2004-03-19 2005-10-13 Rehau Ag + Co Headlight assembly for a motor vehicle
JP2007090916A (en) * 2005-09-27 2007-04-12 Honda Motor Co Ltd Front part vehicle body structure of automobile
JP2008100600A (en) * 2006-10-19 2008-05-01 Mazda Motor Corp Fender mounting structure for automobile
DE102007020915A1 (en) * 2007-05-04 2008-11-06 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Front section of motor vehicle has headlamp held in frame, movable between normal position and lowered position and acted on by spring element when in normal position
JP2011121399A (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-23 Mazda Motor Corp Mounting structure for head lamp
JP5299583B2 (en) * 2010-11-18 2013-09-25 スズキ株式会社 Vehicle front structure

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11165581A (en) * 1997-12-01 1999-06-22 Mitsubishi Motors Corp Mounting structure of lighting fixture for vehicle
EP1332915A2 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-08-06 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. A pedestrian protection headlamp assembly
US20040057249A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-03-25 Philippe Arlon Headlamp comprising energy absorption means
FR2844753A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-03-26 Valeo Vision Motor vehicle headlamp has front and rear housing components linked by shearing elements and fitted with impact shock absorbers
WO2006117455A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-09 Faurecia Bloc Avant Connector device between a headlight unit and a chassis member on a motor vehicle a front light unit and corresponding motor vehicle
US20150003101A1 (en) * 2013-06-26 2015-01-01 Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. Headlamp mounting bracket energy absorber

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201400145D0 (en) 2014-02-19
WO2015102097A1 (en) 2015-07-09

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)