JP2009214714A - Bumper structure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bumper structure capable of coping with a vertical offset collision, without increasing weight more than required. <P>SOLUTION: This bumper structure B is provided with a pair of right and left bumper stays 1 and bumper reinforcement 2 installed at both of the bumper stays 1. An upper layer part 2A and a lower layer part 2B of the bumper reinforcement 2 are separated into upper and lower sides at least between both the bumper stays 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bumper structure.

A bumper structure including a pair of left and right bumper stays and a bumper reinforcement installed on both bumper stays is disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like.
JP 2007-261427 A

  By the way, the conventional bumper structure assumes the case where the height position of the collision partner matches the height position of the bumper reinforcement of the vehicle, and the case where the height position of the collision partner is offset up and down Usually, it is not assumed. Hereinafter, a collision in a state where the height position of the collision partner is vertically offset may be referred to as “vertical offset collision”.

  If the height of the bumper reinforcement is increased, it is possible to cope with a vertical offset collision. However, if this is done, the weight will increase against the demand for weight reduction.

  From such a viewpoint, an object of the present invention is to provide a bumper structure that can cope with a vertical offset collision and that does not increase in weight more than necessary.

  A bumper structure of the present invention that solves such a problem is a bumper structure that includes a pair of left and right bumper stays, and a bumper reinforcement installed on both the bumper stays, at least between the bumper stays. The upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the bumper reinforcement are separated from each other in the vertical direction.

  If the upper and lower parts of the bumper reinforcement are separated from each other in the vertical direction, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed expands in the vertical direction, so it is possible to cope with vertical offset collisions. Since a gap is interposed between the lower layer portion and the lower layer portion, the weight of the bumper reinforcement does not increase more than necessary. That is, according to the present invention, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed can be expanded in the vertical direction while suppressing an increase in the weight of the bumper structure.

  In order to separate the upper layer part and the lower layer part vertically, for example, at least a part of the upper layer part is deformed so as to protrude upward, or at least a part of the lower layer part protrudes downward. What is necessary is just to deform | transform so that it may become. If it does in this way, the range which can absorb collision energy in the central part of the longitudinal direction of bumper reinforcement can be expanded in the up-and-down direction.

  In addition, you may connect the said upper layer part and said lower layer part spaced apart up and down with a connection member. If it does in this way, it will become possible to suppress the bending or a deformation | transformation etc. of the up-down direction which generate | occur | produce in an upper layer part or a lower layer part.

  The upper layer portion and the lower layer portion may be formed by separate members, but the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion are formed by using an extruded shape made of an aluminum alloy in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction is cut up and down. Also good. In this way, the shape of the bumper reinforcement end portion (that is, the shape of the mounting portion of the bumper stay) can be made the same as the conventional bumper reinforcement, so it was used for the conventional bumper reinforcement. The bumper stay can be diverted.

  Another bumper structure of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a bumper structure including a pair of left and right bumper stays and a bumper reinforcement erected on both the bumper stays, and an upper layer part of the bumper reinforcement And the lower layer portion are formed by separate extruded shapes made of aluminum alloy, and at least one of the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion is deformed in a direction away from the other at the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement. Features.

  Even in the bumper structure having such a configuration, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed is expanded in the vertical direction, so that it is possible to cope with the vertical offset collision, but there is a gap between the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion. Therefore, the weight of bumper reinforcement will not increase more than necessary.

  When forming the upper layer part and the lower layer part of the bumper reinforcement by separate extruded shapes made of aluminum alloy, the upper layer part and the lower layer part of the bumper reinforcement are separated vertically over the entire length. Also good. If it does in this way, it will become possible to respond to up-and-down offset collision over the full length of bumper reinforcement.

  Moreover, you may connect the said upper layer part and the said lower layer part with a connection member. If it does in this way, it will become possible to suppress the bending or a deformation | transformation etc. of the up-down direction which generate | occur | produce in an upper layer part or a lower layer part.

  The bumper reinforcement may be supported by the bumper stay via the connecting member. In this way, it is possible to prevent the bumper stay from becoming large.

  According to the bumper structure of the present invention, it is possible to cope with a vertical offset collision without increasing the weight more than necessary.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bumper structure B according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of left and right bumper stays 1, 1 and a bumper reinforcement 2. In the present embodiment, the case where the bumper structure B constitutes a front bumper is illustrated, and “front and rear”, “right and left”, and “up and down” are based on the state of being attached to the front end of the vehicle body.

  The bumper stay 1 is interposed between the side member S and the bumper reinforcement 2. The bumper stay 1 of the present embodiment is made of a hollow extruded shape made of an aluminum alloy, and is arranged so that the extrusion direction is the vertical direction. Note that the cross-sectional shape and direction of the bumper stay 1 may be changed as appropriate.

  The bumper reinforcement 2 is installed on the bumper stays 1, 1. The bumper reinforcement 2 is made of an extruded shape made of an aluminum alloy in which the central portion in the longitudinal direction is cut up and down. As shown in FIG. 2B, the extruded shape that is the element of the bumper reinforcement 2 is an extruded shape having a hollow cross section including three hollow portions a, b, and c arranged vertically. A cylindrical outer shell 21 and two upper and lower middle walls 22, 22 disposed in the inner space of the outer shell 21 are provided. The middle walls 22, 22 are arranged in parallel to each other and face each other with a space in the vertical direction. Further, the upper middle wall 22 faces the upper wall of the outer shell 21 with a gap, and the lower middle wall 22 faces the lower wall of the outer shell 21 with a gap.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B of the bumper reinforcement 2 are integrated at both ends in the longitudinal direction, but are separated vertically (separated) between the bumper stays 1 and 1. )is doing. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D, the upper layer portion 2A is a portion including the uppermost hollow portion a (that is, a portion including the upper middle wall 22), and the bumper reinforcement 2 Is deformed (curved) in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude upward at the center portion in the longitudinal direction (between the bumper stays 1 and 1 shown in FIG. 1). Further, the lower layer portion 2A is a portion including the lowermost hollow portion c (that is, a portion including the lower inner wall 22), and protrudes downward in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement 2. It is curved in a substantially arc shape.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 (c) and (d) are schematic diagrams for easily explaining the form of the bumper reinforcement 2, and do not reflect actual dimensions. Although illustration is omitted, the maximum separation distance between the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B is, for example, about 10 to 50 mm if used for a passenger car, but can be about 100 mm. Further, in the illustrated bumper reinforcement 2, about 2/3 of the total length is separated vertically, but the length of the portion to be separated is not limited. Although illustration is omitted, the length of the part to be separated is desirably set in the range of 1/5 to 4/5 of the entire length of the bumper reinforcement 2, more preferably 1/5 to 2/3. It is desirable to set within a range, and more preferably within a range of 1/5 to 1/3.

  In order to manufacture the bumper reinforcement 2 having such a configuration, the front wall and the rear wall of the outer shell 21 are formed at the center in the longitudinal direction (extrusion direction) of the extruded shape member that is the element of the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B. After forming slits K (see FIG. 2A) extending in the direction along the extrusion direction, a force in a direction away from each other is applied to the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B to separate them. (See (c) of FIG. 2). In addition, the slit K is formed in the site | part (height position between the middle walls 22 and 22) which forms the center hollow part b among the front walls and rear walls of the outer shell 21.

  The shape of the slit K is not limited to that shown in the figure, and the width and the like may be appropriately changed as in the slit K ′ shown in FIGS. The slit K ′ is formed by cutting the front wall and the rear wall located between the inner walls 22 and 22 of the extruded shape member, and is wider than the slit K shown in FIG. The end of the direction is processed into a semicircle. Even in the case where the wide slit K ′ is formed, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, forces are applied to the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B in a direction away from each other to separate them. As a result, bumper reinforcement 2 is formed.

  According to the bumper structure B described above, the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B of the bumper reinforcement 2 are separated from each other in the vertical direction, so that the collision energy is absorbed compared to the conventional bumper structure in which the bumper reinforcement 2 is not separated. The possible range is expanded in the vertical direction, and as a result, it becomes possible to cope with the vertical offset collision. Moreover, according to the bumper structure B, a gap is interposed between the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B, so that the weight of the bumper reinforcement 2 does not increase more than necessary. That is, according to the bumper structure B, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed can be expanded in the vertical direction while suppressing an increase in weight.

  Further, the shape of the end of the bumper reinforcement 2 (that is, the shape of the mounting portion of the bumper stay 1) is the same as the conventional bumper reinforcement that is not separated vertically, and is used for the conventional bumper reinforcement. Bumper stays can be diverted.

The configuration of the bumper structure B may be changed as appropriate.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the bumper reinforcement 2 is formed using an extruded shape member having three hollow portions a, b, and c is illustrated. However, as shown in FIG. The bumper reinforcement 2 (see (c) and (d) of FIG. 4) may be formed using an extruded profile having a hollow cross section (that is, three middle walls 22), and the illustration is omitted. However, the bumper reinforcement may be formed using an extruded profile having a hollow cross section having five or more hollow portions. In FIG. 4, after the slits K ″ are formed in the front wall and the rear wall that form the second-stage hollow portion from the top, a force in a direction away from each other is applied to the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B. Then, the bumper reinforcement 2 is formed by separating them.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a connecting member 2C may be disposed between the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B. If it does in this way, it will become possible to control the up-down direction bending, a deformation | transformation, etc. which generate | occur | produce in 2 A of upper layer parts or the lower layer part 2B.

  Incidentally, the illustrated connecting member 2C is interposed between the lower surface (upper middle wall 22) of the upper layer 2A and the upper surface (lower middle wall 22) of the lower layer 2B. The upper end portion of the connecting member 2C is inserted into a groove portion 23 formed in the lower portion of the upper layer portion 2A, and is joined to the upper layer portion 2A by, for example, welding, caulking, rivets or the like. The lower end portion of the connecting member 2C is inserted into a groove portion 24 formed in the upper portion of the lower layer portion 2B, and is joined to the lower layer portion 2B by, for example, welding, caulking, rivets or the like. Although there is no restriction | limiting in the structure of 2 C of connection members, if it comprises with the hollow extrusion shape member made from an aluminum alloy, it will become possible to suppress the increase in the weight of bumper reinforcement 2. FIG. In addition, the groove parts 23 and 24 are formed by vertically separating the extruded shape members that are the elements of the upper layer part 2A and the lower layer part 2B, and only at positions where the upper layer part 2A and the lower layer part 2B are separated from each other. Existing.

  In FIG. 5, the columnar connecting member 2 </ b> C erected between the upper layer portion 2 </ b> A and the lower layer portion 2 </ b> B is illustrated, but this is not intended to limit the form of the connecting member 2 </ b> C. Even if it is a shape-like connection member, it does not interfere. In this case, the connecting member is disposed so as to close the space formed between the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B, and is fixed to the front wall or the rear wall of the bumper reinforcement 2 by welding, caulking, rivets or the like. do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the center portions in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B are deformed into a substantially arc shape is exemplified, but like the bumper reinforcement 2 shown in FIG. The central portions in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B may be deformed into a trapezoidal shape. That is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer portion 2A is deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to protrude upward, and the upper surface of the central portion of the upper layer portion 2A is formed flat (straight), and the lower layer portion 2B The central part in the longitudinal direction may be deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to protrude downward, and the lower surface of the central part of the lower layer part 2B may be formed flat (straight). In addition, in the bumper reinforcement 2 of FIG. 6A, about 1/3 of the total length is separated vertically.

  The bumper reinforcement 2 having such a configuration uses, for example, a pair of molds D and D having a concave portion d1 having a shape corresponding to the deformed portion (the trapezoidal portion) as shown in FIG. 6B. Can be manufactured. Specifically, after forming slits K on the front wall and the rear wall of the extruded shape member 2 ′, which are the elements of the bumper reinforcement 2, respectively, molds are formed on the upper wall and the lower wall of the extruded shape member 2 ′. What is necessary is just to apply the pressing force F to the end surface of the longitudinal direction of extrusion shape member 2 'in such a state by pinching D and pinching extrusion shape member 2' with a pair of type | molds D and D. In this way, the central part in the longitudinal direction of the extruded shape member 2 ′ is separated vertically from the slit K, and the separated part is deformed following the concave part d1 of the mold D, and finally, as shown in FIG. It becomes bumper reinforcement 2 of the form as shown in (a).

  Note that the bumper reinforcement 2 shown in FIG. 6A is also manufactured by using a jig J provided with a sharp j1 as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, for example. Can do. Specifically, the jigs J and J are arranged on both sides of the extruded shape member 2 ′, and the sharp portion j1 of each jig J is pushed into the hollow portion b from the slit K formed in the extruded shape member 2 ′. . In this way, the longitudinal center portion of the extruded shape member 2 ′ is separated vertically from the slit K, and the separated portion is pushed up and down by the thickness of the body portion j2 of the jig J. Finally, the bumper reinforcement 2 having the form as shown in FIG.

  Note that the bumper reinforcement 2 shown in FIG. 6 (e) has an upper layer portion 2A after a slit having the same shape as the slit K ′ shown in FIG. The central portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer 2A is deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to be convex upward, and the upper surface of the central portion of the upper layer portion 2A is formed flat (straight), and the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower layer portion 2B Is deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to protrude downward, and the lower surface of the central portion of the lower layer portion 2B is formed flat (straight).

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the upper layer portion 2A and the lower layer portion 2B of the bumper reinforcement 2 are formed from one extruded shape is exemplified, but as in the bumper reinforcement 3 shown in FIG. The upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B may be formed by separate extruded shapes.

  More specifically, the bumper reinforcement 3 includes an upper layer portion 3A, a lower layer portion 3B disposed below the upper layer portion 3A, and connecting members 3C disposed between the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B. 3D is comprised, It is supported by the bumper stay 1 (refer FIG. 1) via the connection member 3D arrange | positioned at the edge part. Note that the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B are vertically spaced apart over their entire length.

  The central portion of the upper layer portion 3A in the longitudinal direction is curved in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude upward. That is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the upper layer portion 3A is curved in a direction away from the lower layer portion 3B. The upper layer portion 3A having such a form can be obtained by bending a hollow extruded shape member made of an aluminum alloy.

  The central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower layer portion 3B is curved in a substantially arc shape so as to protrude downward. That is, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lower layer portion 3B is curved in a direction away from the upper layer portion 3A. The lower layer portion 3B having such a form can be obtained by bending a hollow extruded shape member made of an aluminum alloy.

  The connecting members 3C and 3D are interposed between the lower surface of the upper layer portion 3A and the upper surface of the lower layer portion 3B, and are joined to the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B by welding. Although there is no restriction | limiting in the structure of connecting member 3C, 3D, if it comprises with the hollow extruded shape made from aluminum alloy, it will become possible to suppress the increase in the weight of bumper reinforcement 2. FIG. The connecting member 3D arranged at the end of the bumper reinforcement 3 is arranged so that its pushing direction is the left-right direction so that bolts and nuts can be inserted into its internal space.

  The configuration of the bumper stay 1 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, but is bolted to the connecting member 3D as shown in FIG. 7B. The bumper stay 1 is also in contact with the rear surfaces of the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B, and supports the lower portion of the upper layer portion 3A and the upper portion of the lower layer portion 3B from the vehicle body side.

  As described above, even if the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B of the bumper reinforcement 3 are formed of different extruded shapes, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed is expanded in the vertical direction. It becomes possible to respond. In addition, since a gap is interposed between the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B, the weight of the bumper reinforcement 3 does not increase more than necessary. In addition, since the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B are vertically spaced over the entire length, it is possible to cope with the vertical offset collision over the entire length of the bumper reinforcement 3.

  Further, in the form of FIG. 7, the bumper reinforcement 3 is supported by the bumper stay 1 via the connecting member 3D located between the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B, so that the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B Compared with the case where the bumper stay 1 is joined, the height dimension of the bumper stay 1 can be reduced. In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted when enlargement of the bumper stay 1 does not become a problem, you may join the bumper stay 1 to the upper layer part 3A and the lower layer part 3B.

  It should be noted that the position and number of the connecting members 3C, 3C,... Arranged at the center of the bumper reinforcement 3 may be changed or omitted. Further, the connecting member 3D disposed at the end portion of the bumper reinforcement 3 is omitted, and the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B are directly joined at the end portion of the bumper reinforcement 3 as shown in FIG. There is no problem. In this case, the bumper stay 1 (see FIG. 1) is joined to the upper layer portion 3A and the lower layer portion 3B.

  In the form of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the case where the longitudinal center part of the upper layer part 3A and the lower layer part 3B is deformed into a substantially arc shape is illustrated, but like the bumper reinforcement 3 shown in FIG. Appropriate portions of the extruded profile that becomes the upper layer portion 3A and the extruded profile that becomes the lower layer portion 3B may be transformed into a trapezoidal shape. In addition, in FIG. 9, a total of three places of the central part and both end parts of the upper layer part 3A in the longitudinal direction are deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to protrude upward, and similarly, the longitudinal direction of the lower layer part 3B. Each of the central part and both end parts of the is deformed into a trapezoidal shape so as to protrude downward. In this way, in addition to the longitudinal center portion of the bumper reinforcement 3, the range in which the collision energy can be absorbed is expanded in the vertical direction at both ends, and it becomes possible to cope with the vertical offset collision.

It is a typical perspective view showing a bumper structure concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a front view showing an extruded profile that is a base of bumper reinforcement, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 of (a), (c) is a schematic front view showing bumper reinforcement, (d ) Is an X2-X2 cross-sectional view of (c). (A) is a front view showing a modified example of a slit provided in an extruded profile that is a base of bumper reinforcement, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1′-X1 ′ in (a), and (c) is shown in (a). The typical front view which shows the bumper reinforcement formed using the extrusion shape material, (d) is X2'-X2 'sectional drawing of (c). (A) is a front view showing a modified example of an extruded profile that is a base for bumper reinforcement, (b) is a sectional view taken along line X1 ″ -X1 ″ of (a), and (c) is an extruded profile shown in (a). The typical front view which shows the bumper reinforcement formed using FIG., (D) is X2 "-X2" sectional drawing of (c). (A) is a front view which shows the 1st modification of bumper reinforcement, (b) is X3-X3 sectional drawing of (a). (A) is a front view showing a second modification of bumper reinforcement, (b) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a method for manufacturing the bumper reinforcement shown in (a), and (c) and (d) are (a The schematic diagram which shows the other example of the manufacturing method of the bumper reinforcement shown to (), (e) is a front view which shows the 3rd modification of bumper reinforcement. (A) is a front view which shows the 4th modification of bumper reinforcement, (b) is X4-X4 sectional drawing of (a). It is a front view which shows the 5th modification of bumper reinforcement. It is a front view which shows the 6th modification of bumper reinforcement.

Explanation of symbols

B Bumper structure 1 Bumper stay 2, 3 Bumper reinforcement 2A, 3A Upper layer 2B, 3B Lower layer 2C, 3C, 3D Connecting member

Claims (9)

A pair of left and right bumper stays,
A bumper reinforcement provided on both the bumper stays, and a bumper structure comprising:
A bumper structure characterized in that an upper layer portion and a lower layer portion of the bumper reinforcement are vertically spaced apart at least between the bumper stays.   The bumper structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the upper layer portion is deformed so as to be convex upward.   The bumper structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a part of the lower layer portion is deformed so as to be convex downward.   The bumper structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion that are vertically separated are connected by a connecting member.   5. The upper layer portion and the lower layer portion are formed using an extruded shape made of an aluminum alloy in which a central portion in a longitudinal direction is cut up and down. 5. The bumper structure described. A pair of left and right bumper stays,
A bumper reinforcement provided on both the bumper stays, and a bumper structure comprising:
The upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the bumper reinforcement are formed by separate aluminum alloy extruded profiles, and at least one of the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion is separated from the other at the center portion in the longitudinal direction of the bumper reinforcement. Bumper structure characterized by deformation in the direction.   The bumper structure according to claim 6, wherein the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion of the bumper reinforcement are vertically separated over the entire length thereof.   The bumper structure according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the upper layer portion and the lower layer portion are connected by a connecting member.   The bumper structure according to claim 8, wherein the bumper reinforcement is supported by the bumper stay via the connecting member.

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