GB2595272A

GB2595272A - Bumper guard for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2595272A
Application number: GB2007519.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kutsurenko Yury
Original assignee: Daimler AG
Current assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
Priority date: 2020-05-20
Filing date: 2020-05-20
Publication date: 2021-11-24
Also published as: GB202007519D0

Abstract

Provided is a bumper guard 16 comprising a central portion and two lateral wings 30a, 30b attached to either side of the central portion. The central portion comprises two horizontally-spaced vertical struts 18a, 18b for attaching the bumper guard to a vehicle; and central crossbars 26a-c that are connected to the struts 18a, 18b. When the guard 16 is connected to the vehicle, the wing portions 30a, 30b are curved towards the back of the vehicle. Each wing comprises vertically-spaced lateral crossbars 32a-d that are joined at their distal ends by a vertical end plate 34a, 34b. The use of curved wings 30a, 30b and end plates 34a, 34b aims to improve the aerodynamic performance of the guard 16 by reducing the distance between the guard 16 and a vehicle to which it is attached.

Description

BUMPER GUARD FOR A VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a bumper guard for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] Commercial vehicle operators or fleets may install bumper guards onto their vehicles to protect the vehicles from small collisions. In this regard, the respective bumper guard is also referred to as a bullbar, a brush guard, a grille guard, a rammer, or a cattle pusher. However, installing an object such as a bumper guard on the front of a vehicle may increase the vehicle's aerodynamic drag penalty, which may result in increased energy consumption, and in particular, increased fuel consumption. Thus, with regard to conventional bumper guards, there is a need for a bumper guard with a particularly low aerodynamic drag penalty.

[0003] US 2007/0252396 Al shows a brush guard assembly for an automotive vehicle having headlamps with a lateral space therebetween and parking lamps outboard of the head lamps. Moreover, GB 2 187 142 A shows an auxiliary bumper for a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a bumper guard for a vehicle such that particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the vehicle can be realized.

[0005] This object is solved by a bumper guard having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments with expedient developments of the invention are indicated in the other patent claims.

[0006] The invention relates to a bumper guard for a vehicle, in particular a commercial vehicle such as a truck. The bumper guard comprises two vertical struts for attaching the bumper guard to the vehicle, in particular to the front of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the struts can be attached to the vehicle thereby attaching the bumper guard to the vehicle. For example, the struts each comprise at least one fastening element, wherein the struts and thus the bumper guard can be attached to the vehicle by the fastening elements. With respect to a mounting position of the bumper guard, the respective strut extends in the vertical direction (i.e. in the vertical direction of the vehicle). The bumper guard may be in its mounting position when the bumper guard is attached to the completely assembled vehicle. The struts of the bumper guard may be horizontally spaced apart from each other, in particular with respect to the mounting position of the bumper guard. Preferably, with respect to the mounting position of the bumper guard, the vertical struts may be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the bumper guard according to the present invention comprises central crossbars arranged between the struts, in particular in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Preferably, the respective central crossbar extends in the horizontal direction, in particular in the transverse direction of the vehicle with respect to the mounting position. The struts may be connected with each other via the central crossbars. For example, the central crossbars may be arranged on top of each other, in particular in the vertical direction. Moreover, for example, the central crossbars may be spaced apart from each other, in particular in the vertical direction and with respect to the mounting position.

[0007] The bumper guard according to the present invention further comprises lateral wing portions between the struts and the central crossbars. Thus, for example, the central crossbars and the struts form a central member or a central portion of the bumper guard. In this regard, the respective wing portion may be a lateral member or lateral frame, wherein the central member may be arranged between the lateral members in the transverse direction or in the horizontal direction respectively, in particular with respect to the mounting position. A first one of the lateral members is, in the transverse direction, arranged on a left side of the central member, such that, for example, the first lateral member, on the left side, extends away from the central member. Moreover, for example, the second lateral member is arranged on a right side of the central member with respect to the transverse direction, the right side being opposite of the left side in the transverse direction. Thus, for example, the second lateral member, on the right side, extends away from the central member such that the central member is arranged between the lateral members in the transverse direction.

[0008] In order to realize particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the bumper guard and thus the vehicle, the wing portions each may comprise curvature about the front of the vehicle and toward the back of the vehicle. Moreover, the wing portions each comprise at least two lateral crossbars arranged on top of each other, in particular in the vertical direction and with respect to the mounting position. For example, the respective lateral crossbars and the struts are configured as separately manufactured components, wherein, for example, the lateral crossbars of one of the wing portions may be attached to one of the struts, wherein the lateral crossbars of the other wing portion may be attached to the other strut. The wing portions each comprise a vertical end plate. For example, the respective end plate and the respective lateral crossbars of the respective wing portion may be configured as separately manufactured components which are connected with each other. In this regard, the lateral crossbars of the respective wing portion may be connected with each other via the respective end plate of the respective wing portion. Furthermore, in the bumper guard according to the present invention, the respective end plate has smooth edges that may be streamlined with the lateral crossbars of the wing portion. In another embodiment, the end plate, due to the curvature of the wing portion, and to generate an aerodynamic benefit, may be arranged and angled with the front bumper such that the space between the end plate, and thus the wing portion, and the front of the vehicle is minimized. Thus, with respect to conventional bumper guards, the bumper guard according to the present invention is an aerodynamically optimized bumper guard.

[0009] Having identified that the greatest drag penalty in conventional bumper guards occurs at each lateral member, which is, for example, a lateral end frame, the respective wing portion of the bumper guard according to the present invention is designed such that aerodynamic drag can be minimized. With respect to conventional bumper guards, each lateral wing portion is designed with a curvature to minimize a gap between the bumper guard and the vehicle, in particular, a bumper of the vehicle. Moreover, the bumper guard of the present invention comprises the end plate that may be an angled end plate which may extend angularly in relation to the lateral crossbars. This means, for example, the respective end plate extends at least predominantly in a plane, wherein, for example, the respective lateral crossbar or a respective longitudinal extension of the respective lateral crossbar extends angularly to said plane. Preferably, said plane extends angularly to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and to the transverse direction of the vehicle. Moreover, in comparison with conventional bumper guards, sharp edges, in particular on corners of the end plates, are eliminated such that, for example, the respective end plate has at least one angled end portion via which the end plate merges into one of the central crossbars, in particular into the topmost crossbar.

[0010] The vehicle equipped with the aerodynamically optimized bumper guard according to the present invention would have less aerodynamic resistance compared to a vehicle with a conventional bumper guard. Less aerodynamic resistance means less energy or fuel consumption such that the vehicle can be driven further using the same amount of fuel.

[0011] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and/or shown in the figures alone can be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The drawings show in: [0013] Fig. 1 part of a schematic front view of a commercial vehicle to which a bumper guard according to the present invention is attached; [0014] Fig. 2 part of a further schematic front view of the vehicle; and [0015] Fig. 3 part of a schematic top view of the vehicle.

[0016] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Fig. 1 shows part of a schematic front view of a commercial vehicle. Particularly, Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic front view, a front bumper 10 of said commercial vehicle.

The front bumper 10 is arranged at a front 12 of the commercial vehicle. For example, the front bumper 10 has through openings 14. For example, at least one respective headlight may be arranged in the respective through opening 14 such that, for example, at least a portion of surroundings of the commercial vehicle can be illuminated by the respective headlight.

[0018] Fig. 1 further shows a bumper guard 16 for the commercial vehicle. The bumper guard 16 may be attached to the commercial vehicle, in particular to the front 12 of the commercial vehicle such that the bumper guard 16 is arranged in front of the bumper 12 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle. Figs. 1 to 2 show the bumper guard 16 in its mounting position, wherein the bumper guard 16 is in its mounting position when the bumper guard 16 is attached to the completely assembled commercial vehicle. The bumper guard 16 is configured to protect the bumper 10 against small collisions. For this purpose, the bumper guard 16 comprises two vertical struts 18a, 18b for attaching the bumper guard 16 to the vehicle. This means, for example, the respective strut 18a, 18b can have at least one fastening element 20 (Fig. 3) by which the respective strut 18a, 18b and thus the bumper guard 16 may be attached to the vehicle. Fig. 3 further shows, in a schematic top view, a front grille 22 and hood 24 of the commercial vehicle, wherein, for example, the front grille 22 is overlapped by the bumper guard 16 in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle forwards.

[0019] The struts 18a, 18b are horizontally spaced apart from each other. With respect to the mounting position of the bumper guard 16, the struts 18a,18b are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, each strut 18a, 18b extends at least substantially in the vertical direction (i.e. in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle) with respect to the mounting position. Furthermore, the bumper guard 16 comprises central crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c which are arranged between the struts 18a, 18b in the transverse direction. The crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c and the struts 18a, 18b may be configured as separately manufactured components which are connected with each other. Thus, each crossbar 26a, 26b, 26c is, at its respective ends, connected to the struts 18a,18b such that the struts 18a, 18b are connected with each other by the crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c. Since the crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c are arranged between the struts 18a, 18b, the crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c are also referred to as crossbars. The crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c and the struts 18a, 18b may form a central member 28 of the bumper guard 16. For example, the central member 28 is also referred to as a central frame. The bumper guard 16 further comprises lateral wing portions 30a, 30b, which are also referred to as lateral members or lateral frames. With respect to the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle and with respect to a driving direction in which the commercial vehicle travels forwards, the wing portion 30a is arranged on a right side of the central member 28, and the wing portion 30b is arranged on a left side of the central member 28, the left side being arranged opposite to the right side in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. Moreover, on the right side of the central member 28, the wing portion 30a extends away from the central member 28, and, on the left side, the wing portion 30b extends away from the central member 28.

[0020] Each respective wing portion 30a, 30b comprises two crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, wherein the crossbars 32a, 32b of the wing portion 30a form a first crossbar pair, and the crossbars 32c, 32d of the wing portion 30b form a second crossbar pair. The crossbars 32a, 32b are arranged on top of each other in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle, and the crossbars 32c, 32d are arranged on top of each other in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle. Since the crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are components of the lateral wing portions 30a, 30b respectively, the crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d are also referred to as lateral crossbars.

[0021] The crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d and the struts 18a, 18b may be configured as separately manufactured components, wherein the crossbars 32a, 32b are connected with the strut 18a and the crossbars 32c, 32d are connected with the strut 18b. Thus, the wing portions 30a, 30b are connected with each other via the central member 28 which is arranged between the wing portions 30a, 30b in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle. In other words, the crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c and the struts 18a, 18b are arranged between the wing portions 30a, 30b in the transverse direction of the commercial vehicle, in particular with respect to the mounting position of the bumper guard 16.

[0022] In order to realize particularly advantageous aerodynamics of the bumper guard 16 and thus the vehicle equipped with the bumper guard 16, the wing portions 30a, 30b, in particular the respective crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c 32d of the wing portions 30a, 30b comprise a curvature around the bumper 10 and towards the back of the vehicle. Thus, a gap d (Fig. 3) between the bumper 10 and the bumper guard 16 can be kept particularly minimal.

[0023] Furthermore, the wing portions 30a, 30b each comprise an end plate 34a, 34b being arranged in a respective area A. The respective end plate 34a, 34b and the respective crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d of the respective wing portion 30a, 30b may be configured as separately manufactured components, wherein the end plate 34a is connected with the crossbars 32a, 32b of the wing portion 30a, and the end plate 34b is connected with the crossbars 32c, 32d of the wing portion 30b. Thus, the crossbars 32a, 32b are connected with each other via the end plate 34a, 34b and the crossbars 32c, 32d are connected with each other via the end plate 34b. In an embodiment, the end plate 34a, 34b may prevent excess airflow between the crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d by directing airflow around the front 12 of the vehicle, thereby realizing an aerodynamic benefit.

[0024] The respective end plate 34a, 34b comprise smooth edges E, which, for example, face forwards in the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle or are arranged on respective front surfaces of the respective end plates 34a, 34b, the respective front surfaces of the end plates 34a, b facing forwards in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the respective end plate 34a, 34b, due to smooth edges E, may be streamlined with the respective crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d to prevent aerodynamic drag caused by sharp edges. The respective end plate 34a, 34b may be arranged with the curvature of the wing portions 34a, and thus the crossbars 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d such that the distance between the end plates 34a, 34b and the bumper is minimized. In an embodiment, the end plates 34a, 34b may be angled toward the back of the vehicle. In other words, the wing portions 30a, 30b can be arranged in particularly close proximity to the front 12 of the commercial vehicle in order to realize an aerodynamic benefit.

[0025] Moreover, for example, the respective end plate 34a, 34b has at least one angled top end portion T (Fig. 2) via which the respective end plate 34a, 34b merges into the topmost lateral crossbar 32a, 32c. Furthermore, the respective vertical strut 18a, 18b has a top surface 36a, 36b facing upwards in the vertical direction of the commercial vehicle, wherein the respective top surface 36a, 36b is curved. Furthermore, the respective vertical strut 18a, 18b has a front surface 38a, 38b facing in the horizontal direction or the longitudinal direction of the commercial vehicle forwards, wherein the respective front surface 38a, 38b is curved. Additionally, the crossbars 26a, 26b, 26c and 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d each have a round outer shape so that particularly advantageous aerodynamics can be realized.

[0026] In other words, in comparison with conventional bumper guards sharp edges are eliminated such that, for example, the respective end plate 34a, 34b is smooth in the respective top end portion T to reduce wake and drag. Additionally, the bumper guard 16 may be placed in particularly close proximity to the front bumper 10 compared to conventional bumper guards, minimizing the aerodynamic drag penalty caused by the gap between the bumper guard and the front bumper of the vehicle.

Reference Signs bumper 12 front 14 through opening 16 bumper guard 18a, b strut fastening element 22 front grille 24 hood 26a-c crossbar 28 central member 30a, b wing portion 32a-d crossbar 34a, b end plate 36a, b top surface 38a, b front surface A area E edge T end portion

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bumper guard (16) for a vehicle, the bumper guard (16) comprising: -two vertical struts (18a, b) for attaching the bumper guard (16) to the vehicle, the struts (18a, b) being horizontally spaced apart from each other; central crossbars (26a-c) arranged between the struts (18a, b) which are connected with each other via the central crossbars (26a-c); and -lateral wing portions (30a, b) between which the struts (18a, b) and the central crossbars (26a-c) are arranged, wherein: o the wing portions (30a, b) are curved towards the back of the vehicle, each comprise at least two lateral crossbars (32a-d) arranged on top of each other, and each comprise a vertical end plate (34a, b) via which the lateral crossbars (32a-d) of the respective wing portion (30a, b) are connected with each other, 2. The bumper guard (16) according to claim 1, wherein the respective end plate (34a, b) has at least one angled end portion (T) via which the respective end plate (34a, b) merges into one of the lateral crossbars (26a-c).3. The bumper guard (16) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the respective end plate (34a, 34b) is streamlined with the lateral cross bars (32a-d).4. The bumper guard (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective vertical strut (18a, b) has a top surface facing (36a, b) in the vertical direction upwards, and wherein the respective top surface (36a, b) is curved.5. The bumper guard (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective vertical strut (18a, b) has a front surface (38a, b) facing in the horizontal direction forwards, and wherein the respective front surface (38a, b) is curved.6. The bumper guard (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective central crossbar (26a-c) has a round outer shape.7. The bumper guard (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective lateral crossbar (26a-c) has a round outer shape.