JP2004276787A - Structure of bumper for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve both of the appropriate and sufficient approach angle and the protection of a leg portion around a knee portion of a pedestrian. <P>SOLUTION: The bumper is structured so that a bumper portion 1 located at the front and lower portion of a car body is provided with a first bumper member 6 movable toward the rear side of the vehicle, a second bumper member 9 arranged below the first bumper member 6 and movable toward the front side of the vehicle, the front end of the second bumper member 9 shifted from the first bumper member 6 toward the rear side of the car body, and a link mechanism 13 moving the second bumper member 9 toward the front side of the vehicle by interlocking with the displacement of the first bumper member 6 toward the rear side of the vehicle. In an ordinary state, the sufficient approach angle can be achieved by the shift of the second bumper member 9 from the first bumper member 6. In the case of collision, the second bumper member 9 projects toward the front side by interlocking with the rearward movement of the first bumper member 6. Therefore, the upper portion of the leg of the pedestrian is moved toward the rear side of the vehicle and the lower portion of the leg is moved toward the front side of the vehicle. As a result, the leg portion around the knee portion of the pedestrian can be protected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bumper structure for a vehicle configured by providing a bumper member in two stages above and below an end portion of a vehicle body in a vehicle front-rear direction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In automobiles (vehicles), bumpers are attached to the ends in the front-rear direction to cope with external shocks. In order to protect the pedestrian's leg from the collision, the bumper part intentionally moves the pedestrian's upper leg to the vehicle rear side and intentionally moves the pedestrian's lower leg to the vehicle front in the event of a collision. Development is underway to protect pedestrians' knees from the impact of a collision.
[0003]
In this structure, the upper bumper member is fixed along the vehicle width direction at the front and rear ends of the vehicle body at a height near the upper side of the pedestrian's knee, and at a height below the knee, There has been proposed a two-stage bumper structure in which a lower-stage bumper member is fixed substantially in parallel with an upper-stage bumper member. In the event of a collision, the initial impact load is absorbed by the plastic deformation of the upper bumper member, and the lower bumper member moves the lower part of the pedestrian's leg toward the front of the vehicle. The pedestrian's leg is protected at the center (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-274298
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in order to move the upper part of the pedestrian's leg to the vehicle rear side and to move the lower part of the pedestrian to the vehicle front side by using such upper and lower two-stage bumper members, the lower-stage bumper member is The front end must be arranged and laid out at a position substantially aligned with the front end position of the bumper member.
[0006]
However, in this case, since the lower bumper member is arranged directly below the upper bumper member, an appropriate approach angle (the tire contact point and the lower end of the bumper lower end) is provided below the upper bumper member. The clearance required to ensure the angle of the line connecting the (rear end) to the horizontal plane cannot be formed. For this reason, it is possible to protect against pedestrians, but since it is not possible to secure an appropriate approach angle, for example, when traveling on a sloped road surface, the frontmost member of the bumper portion, for example, a bumper fascia covering the surface of the bumper member, There is a problem in that the risk of contact with the contact is increased.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle bumper structure that can achieve both a proper and sufficient approach angle and protection of a leg centered on a pedestrian's knee.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a first bumper member movable to the rear side of the vehicle and a point below the first bumper member are provided as a bumper portion assembled below a front portion of the vehicle body. A second bumper member provided so that a front end thereof is located on a vehicle rear side relative to the first damper member, the second bumper member being movable to a vehicle front side; and a second bumper interlocking with displacement of the first bumper member toward the vehicle rear side. A configuration in which moving means for moving the member to the front side of the vehicle is combined is employed.
[0009]
With this configuration, normally, the front end of the second bumper member is arranged to be shifted rearward from the front end of the first bumper member, so that an approach angle is provided below the front end of the first bumper member. Clearance is secured. That is, a proper approach angle is sufficiently ensured.
[0010]
Also, at the time of a collision, an initial impact load is reduced due to a behavior in which the upper first bumper member contacts the upper side of the knee of the pedestrian's leg to absorb the impact, and furthermore, a behavior in which the first bumper member retreats. Absorbed. In conjunction with the backward displacement of the first bumper member, the lower second bumper member protrudes forward, the front end of the second bumper member advances to the lower side of the leg, and the upper part of the pedestrian's leg is rearward of the vehicle. Side, and the behavior of moving the lower part of the leg toward the front of the vehicle is caused to protect the pedestrian's leg centered on the knee and appropriately protect the pedestrian's leg.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 is that the bumper section to be assembled below the rear portion of the vehicle body is assembled below the rear portion of the vehicle body so that an appropriate approach angle can be secured and the leg portion centering on the knee can be appropriately protected. A first bumper member movable to the front of the vehicle as a bumper portion attached to the vehicle, and a front end provided at a point below the first bumper member such that a front end is disposed on the vehicle body front side of the first damper member. A configuration is employed in which a movable second bumper member and a moving means for moving the second bumper member toward the vehicle rear side in conjunction with the displacement of the first bumper member toward the vehicle front side are employed.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above object, one end of the moving means is rotatable with respect to the first bumper member so that the second bumper member is interlocked with the first bumper member with a simpler structure. The other end is rotatably connected to the second bumper member, and a portion between the connection portion to the first bumper member and the connection portion to the second bumper member is rotatably supported by the vehicle body. A link mechanism having a link member is adopted.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above object, one of the first bumper member and the second bumper member is formed of a shock absorbing member so that the leg around the knee is more appropriately protected. did.
[0014]
In addition to the above object, the invention according to claim 5 includes the first bumper member and the second bumper member so that the connection of the link member does not cause a decrease in shock absorption of the first bumper member and the second bumper member. A configuration of connecting to the rear end of the two bumper members was adopted.
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a front part of an automobile (vehicle) to which the present invention is applied. In FIG.
[0017]
The bumper unit 1 has a structure in which, for example, a bumper fascia 3 forming a part of the modeling of the front of the vehicle body and an upper and lower two-stage shock absorbing unit 4 arranged inside the bumper fascia 3 are used. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the same structure, and FIG. 3 shows the entire structure of the shock absorbing portion 4.
[0018]
Explaining each part of the bumper section 1, a bumper facer 3 assembled to the front end of the vehicle body 2 is a member that is deformed when a predetermined impact load is applied, for example, a thin synthetic resin wall whose front end is closed and whose rear end is open. It is formed in the shape of a cover. The bumper facer 3 extends in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body 2. The upper portion of the bumper facer 3 and both sides in the vehicle width direction are formed to be continuous with the front and side surfaces of the vehicle body 1, and form a part of the front surface of the vehicle body 2. As shown in FIG. 2, a middle portion of the front wall 3 a (wall portion on the front side of the vehicle) of the bumper fascia 3 corresponding to, for example, a knee of the pedestrian defined based on a standard pedestrian is shown in FIG. Is recessed so as to retreat to the vehicle body 1 side. The concave portion 4 formed by this concave portion is formed linearly along the vehicle width direction. The upper protruding front wall portion 3b sandwiching the concave portion 4 is a portion corresponding to, for example, a height near the upper side of the knee in a standard-shaped pedestrian, and the lower protruding front wall portion 3c is, for example, a standard-shaped walking. Corresponding to the height near the lower part of the knee in the elderly. The lower front wall portion 3c is retracted from the upper front wall portion 3b toward the vehicle body 1 (vehicle rear side).
[0019]
2, a bumper member 6 is arranged inside the front wall portion 3b (back side) along the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle is installed inside the front wall portion 3c (back side), as shown in FIG. A structure in which the bumper members 9 are arranged along the width direction is used. Of these, the bumper member 6 has a band shape following the space shape inside the front wall portion 3b, for example. The bumper member 9 disposed below the bumper member 6 has, for example, a band shape following the space shape inside the front wall portion 3c. Specifically, the upper bumper member 6 includes, for example, a soft shock absorbing member 6 a formed in a belt shape of urethane foam or the like, and an outer periphery of a rear end portion (an end portion on the vehicle body 2 side) of the shock absorbing member 6. For example, it is configured by combining with a band-shaped frame holder 6b attached to the surface. The front end of the shock absorbing member 6a is disposed close to (or in contact with) the inner surface of the front wall portion 3b, and the rear end of the holder 6b is disposed on the vehicle body 2 side. The lower bumper member 9 that is paired with the bumper member 9 includes, for example, a hard shock absorbing member 9 a formed in a band shape by a metal member or the like, and a rear end portion (an end on the vehicle body 2 side) of the shock absorbing member 9. ), For example, in combination with a band-shaped frame holder 9b. Similarly to the bumper member 6, the front end of the shock absorbing member 9a is disposed close to (or in contact with) the inner surface of the front wall portion 3c, and the rear end of the holder 9b is disposed on the vehicle body 2 side. In other words, the lower bumper member 9 is arranged in a posture in which the front end is retracted (displaced) from the front end of the upper bumper member 6 toward the rear of the vehicle body. With the structure of the bumpers 9a and 9b, the upper bumper member 6 is provided with shock absorbing characteristics suitable for absorbing an initial impact load, and the lower bumper member 9 is moved downward from the leg toward the front of the vehicle. (Depending on the lower shock absorption of the upper bumper member 6).
[0020]
These bumper members 6, 9 are connected to each other via a moving means, for example, a link mechanism 12, and when the upper bumper member 6 is displaced rearward of the vehicle, the lower bumper member 9 moves forward of the vehicle. It has a structure to do. The link mechanism 12 includes a pair of link members 13 between the holders 6b and 9b (between rear end portions) of the bumper members 6 and 9, as shown in FIGS. A structure that is connected along a shifted oblique direction is used. Specifically, as each of the link members 13 on both sides, a band-shaped member extending obliquely up and down along the side walls 6c and 9c on both sides in the width direction of the holders 6b and 9b is used. The upper end of each link member 13 passes through the opening 7 formed in the lower wall 6d of the holder 6b, and is rotatably supported on the inner surface of each side wall 6c. Reference numeral 8 denotes a shaft portion (connecting portion) that rotatably supports the link member 13. The lower end of each link member 10 passes through an opening 10 formed in the upper wall 9e of the holder 9b, and is rotatably supported on the inner surface of each side wall 9c. Reference numeral 11 denotes a shaft portion (connecting portion) that rotatably supports the link member 13. A link portion (intermediate portion) between the shaft portions 8 and 11 (between the connecting portions) is formed with respect to a member constituting a front portion of the vehicle body 1, for example, a front end of a side frame 14 extending toward a front end of the vehicle body. A pair of brackets 15 and a shaft part 16 supported by the brackets 15 are used to rotatably support. At this time, the posture in which the bumper member 9 retreats toward the vehicle rear side from the bumper member 6 and is arranged is a standby state. When an impact load is applied to the bumper facer 3 by the support of the link members 13, the projecting bumper member 6 is displaced rearward of the vehicle, and the bumper member 9 is moved forward of the vehicle in conjunction with the displacement. It is. The opening edge of the opening 7 through which the link member 13 penetrates is largely cut away from the point where the link member 13 contacts the front end of the vehicle toward the vehicle front side. The bumper members 6 and 9 are displaced in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, with the bumpers 6 and 9 kept substantially horizontally in a state of being substantially cut away from a point where the bumper members 6 and 9 come into contact with the rear end. In addition, a measure is taken to prevent the bumpers 6 and 9 from rattling and the link 13 from inadvertently moving. For example, as a measure against rattling of the bumper members 6 and 9, as a positioning means, for example, a convex portion is formed on one of the side surface of the link member 13 and the inner surface of the side walls 6 c and 9 c facing each other, and the convex portion is formed on the other side. A restricting portion 17 (shown only in FIG. 2) formed with a concave portion (both not shown) that fits in a suitable manner is used. A regulating portion 18 (FIG. 2) in which a convex portion is formed on one of the side surface of the bracket 13 and the side surface of the bracket 15 and a concave portion (both not shown) elastically fitted with the convex portion is formed on the other side. (Only shown).
[0021]
In the normal state, the front end of the lower bumper member 9 is connected to the front end of the upper bumper member 6 from the front end of the upper bumper member 6 as shown in FIG. , A clearance α for securing the approach angle θ is secured below the front end of the bumper member 6. By securing the clearance α, a sufficient approach angle θ can be secured between the lower end portion of the bumper facer 3 which is the lowermost portion at the front end of the vehicle body and the contact surface of the front wheel 19, and the bumper facer 3 may contact the road surface. Can be avoided.
[0022]
In the event of a collision, for example, a collision with a standard pedestrian, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper part of the pedestrian's leg L sandwiching the knee L1 is the front wall of the bumper facer 3 first. It comes into contact with the portion 3b and subsequently reaches the front wall 3c. Thereby, the bumper facer 3 is deformed by the applied impact load, and the bumper member 6 housed in the upper stage in the bumper facer 3 comes into contact with the front wall portion 3b. Then, the shock absorbing member 6a of the bumper member 6 is deformed, and further, the entire bumper member 6 is displaced rearward of the vehicle to absorb the initial shock load applied to the upper side of the knee L1 of the pedestrian. The positioning of each part of the link member 13 is released by the applied impact.
[0023]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the link member 9 has been subjected to the backward displacement of the bumper member 6. Then, as shown by arrows a and b (single) in FIG. 4, the link member 13 is displaced clockwise about the shaft 16 as a fulcrum. Thereby, the bumper member 9 housed in the lower stage in the bumper facer 3 is projected forward of the vehicle in conjunction with the retraction (displacement) of the bumper member 6 as shown by an arrow c (single) in FIG. You. Then, the front end of the bumper member 9 abuts on the lower side of the pedestrian's knee L2 through the front wall portion 3c of the bumper facer 3 by utilizing the reaction when the bumper member 9 retreats, and walks. This causes a behavior in which the upper part of the user's leg is moved to the vehicle rear side and the lower part of the leg is moved to the vehicle front side. Thereby, the leg L centered on the knee L1 of the pedestrian is protected from the impact load.
[0024]
Therefore, it is possible to achieve both an appropriate and sufficient approach angle and protection of the leg L centered on the knee L1 of the pedestrian. Moreover, since both of the bumpers 6 and 9 are formed of the shock absorbing member, the behavior of moving the upper part of the leg to the rear of the vehicle and the lower part of the leg to the front of the vehicle can be appropriately induced. In particular, the bumper member 6 has a high shock absorbing property and the bumper member 9 has a lower shock absorbing property. By utilizing the difference in the shock absorbing property, the upper part of the pedestrian's leg is further moved toward the vehicle rear side. This can appropriately induce the behavior of moving the lower part of the leg toward the front of the vehicle, which is effective for protecting the leg L1 around the knee L2 of the pedestrian.
[0025]
In addition, the linking structure of the bumper member 9 includes a link member 13 connected between the bumper member 6 and the bumper member 9 to support an intermediate portion of the link member 13 on the vehicle body 1 side. Since the mechanism 12 is employed, the structure is simple and the cost is low. In addition, the use of the link mechanism 12 changes the arm ratio of the link member 13, that is, the length A from the shaft portion 8 serving as the support point of the bumper member 6 to the shaft portion 16 serving as the fulcrum of the link member 13, and the coaxial portion. By changing the ratio of the length B to the length B between the shaft portion 11 and the shaft portion 11 serving as a support point of the bumper member 9, the pushing amount of the lower bumper, that is, the bumper member 9 can be easily controlled. In addition, since the link member 13 has a structure connected to the rear ends (ends on the vehicle body 2 side) of the bumper members 6 and 9, the connected portion does not cause a reduction in shock absorption. The pedestrian's legs can be protected by making full use of the shock absorbing properties of the bumper members 6, 9.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0027]
This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the structure of the bumpers 6 and 9 described in the first embodiment, the link mechanism, and the bumper 21 provided below the rear of the vehicle body 2 are provided instead of the bumper provided below the front of the vehicle body 2. 12, the lower bumper member 9 is moved to the front side of the vehicle when the upper bumper member 6 is displaced to the rear side of the vehicle.
[0028]
However, in FIG. 5, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Here, reference numeral 22 denotes a rear wheel to be attached to a rear portion of the vehicle body 2.
[0029]
Even in this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
[0030]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which both the upper bumper member and the lower bumper member are formed of the shock absorbing member has been described. May be adopted. Even in this case, the behavior of moving the upper leg portion toward the vehicle rear side and the lower leg portion toward the vehicle front side is appropriately induced. Further, for example, in each of the embodiments, the structure in which the intermediate portion of the link member is supported by the side frame is used. However, the structure is not limited to this, and the structure in which the intermediate portion of the link member is supported by the front end cross member may be used. In one embodiment, the link mechanism is employed, and the structure in which the lower bumper member can protrude forward in conjunction with the upper bumper member is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other structures and means may be employed. No problem.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, normally, a clearance for securing an approach angle below the front end of the first bumper member can be secured. When the second bumper member projects forward in conjunction with the retraction of the first bumper member, a behavior of moving the upper portion of the pedestrian's leg toward the vehicle rear side and moving the lower leg portion toward the vehicle front side is generated. Thus, it is possible to protect the pedestrian's leg around the knee.
[0032]
Therefore, it is possible to achieve both a proper and sufficient approach angle and protection of the leg around the knee of the pedestrian.
[0033]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the second bumper member is connected to the first bumper member simply and inexpensively by a link mechanism that connects the first bumper member and the second bumper member with a link member. This has the effect of being able to protrude forward in conjunction with it.
[0034]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the leg around the knee can be more appropriately protected.
[0035]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion of the link member further reduces the shock absorption of the first and second bumper members without reducing the shock absorption of the first bumper and the second bumper. The effect is obtained that the pedestrian's leg can be protected by making full use of it.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a bumper structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with a front portion of a vehicle to which the structure is assembled.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the bumper structure.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the bumper structure.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view for explaining the behavior of the bumper structure at the time of collision.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 20: bumper portion, 2: body, 3: bumper facer, 6, 9: bumper member (first bumper member, second bumper member), 6a, 9a: shock absorbing member, 6b, 9b: holder, 12 ... Link mechanism, 13 link member, 14 side frame, 15 bracket.

Claims (5)

In a bumper structure of a vehicle configured to have a bumper portion extending along a vehicle width direction below a front part of a vehicle body,
The bumper section includes:
A first bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction and movable to the rear side of the vehicle,
A second position that is located below the first bumper member and extends in the vehicle width direction, and is movable to a vehicle front side provided such that a front end is disposed on the vehicle body rear side with respect to the first bumper member. Bumper members,
Moving means for moving the second bumper member toward the front of the vehicle in conjunction with the displacement of the first bumper member toward the rear of the vehicle. In a vehicle bumper structure including a bumper portion extending along a vehicle width direction below a rear part of a vehicle body,
The bumper section includes:
A first bumper member extending in the vehicle width direction and movable to the front side of the vehicle;
A second position, which is located below the first bumper member and extends in the vehicle width direction, and is movable to a vehicle rear side provided such that a front end is disposed on a vehicle front side relative to the first damper member; Bumper members,
Moving means for moving the second bumper member toward the rear of the vehicle in conjunction with displacement of the first bumper member toward the front of the vehicle. The moving means has one end rotatably connected to the first bumper member, the other end rotatably connected to the second bumper member, and a connecting portion to the first bumper member. 3. The link mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the link mechanism is configured to include a link member rotatably supported on the vehicle body side between the connecting portion to the second bumper member and the connecting portion. 4. Vehicle bumper structure. The vehicle bumper structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first bumper member and the second bumper member is formed of a shock absorbing member. The vehicle bumper structure according to claim 3, wherein the link member is connected to rear ends of the first bumper member and the second bumper member.

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