JP3243832U - Customized front grille and vehicle front structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention enables the front structure of a vehicle to be changed without changing the fixed position and set values of an object detection sensor unit. [Solution] A customized front grill 1 includes an existing grill inner 30 and a newly installed grill face 10 that covers a main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30. The existing grill inner 30 has an inner opening 33 and a sensor unit 31 fixed to the existing grill inner 30, and the new grill face 10 has a smooth inverted trapezoidal face opening 12 and an edge 14 of the face opening 12. The sensor unit 31 is fixed to the existing grille inner 30 and is located approximately at the center of the face opening 12 of the new grille face 10 when viewed from the front. To position. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

Application for Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Law as applied mutatis mutandis in Article 11 of the Utility Model Law Published date: February 27, 2023, Publisher: PR TIMES Co., Ltd., Published address: https://prtimes. jp/main/html/rd/p/000000025.000024777. html other 64

The present invention relates to a front grill and vehicle front structure that allows the design of the front of a vehicle to be replaced without affecting the performance of an object detection sensor.

In recent years, many cars are equipped as standard with an ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) system that supports safe driving. The ACC system uses an object detection sensor and a computer to automatically control the accelerator and brake, and enables, for example, a vehicle in front to be detected and follow-up driving to maintain the following distance. There are various types of object detection sensors, but a combination of a millimeter wave radar unit fixed to the front grill and a monocular camera installed near the rearview mirror is often put into practical use.

On the other hand, the impression of a car's exterior is greatly influenced by the front design, which is the "face" of the car, as well as the overall shape of the car body. Specifically, differences in the design of the front structure such as the front grille, headlights, front bumper, etc. That impression will change. When it is desired to change the front structure to a unique face, it is common practice to replace the front grille etc. from a genuine product to a customized product.

However, when replacing the front grill with a customized product, it is usually necessary to remove the existing millimeter-wave radar unit from the front grill and change its position, or to install a new millimeter-wave radar unit. In other words, even though we only want to change the appearance of the front grille, it is necessary to move the millimeter wave radar unit. In the case of a position change or new installation, the settings before customization cannot be used, and if used, there is a risk that the forward object cannot be detected accurately or there is a risk of false detection, which affects safety. Therefore, it is necessary to readjust the millimeter-wave radar (setting change, calibration) after changing the position or installing a new one, but it is technically difficult for someone without knowledge to do so, and readjustment may affect safety. Failure to do so may directly lead to a serious accident, so it is common practice to hire a specialist, even if it costs a lot of money.

Patent Document 1 is a front grill for a vehicle in which a millimeter wave radar device is arranged on the back side, and includes a front grill body having a window portion through which millimeter waves entering and exiting the millimeter wave radar device can pass through, and a three-dimensional effect. To disclose a decorative front grill for a vehicle compatible with millimeter-wave radar, which is composed of a millimeter-wave transparent decoration body fixed to a movable window part and in which an image displayed by the decoration body has a sense of unity with the front grill body. That is, in Patent Document 1, a decoration body on which an image of a fin member is displayed is provided on the front surface of a millimeter wave radar device.

Patent Document 2 discloses a plastic-coated part in the beam path of a radar device that has a metal partial range visible from the outside, in which the plastic part is configured in multiple layers, and the metal partial range is It is formed by a very thin layer that is deposited on a layer that has the function of A coated component that is in the beam path of a radar device is disclosed.

Patent Document 1 discloses a front grill that includes a decorative body on the front side of a millimeter-wave radar device, and Patent Document 2 discloses a plastic-coated component located within a beam path of the radar device. That is, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, structures and parts that cover the radar device are disclosed, but there is no idea of making the radar device itself a part of the exterior design.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-156555 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-159039

The present invention aims to provide a customized front grille and vehicle front structure that allows the design of the vehicle front structure to be changed without changing the fixed position and settings of the object detection sensor unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a customized front grill and vehicle front structure in which the appearance of the object detection sensor unit is part of the vehicle front structure.

The customized front grill 1 of the present invention includes an existing grill inner 30 to which a box-shaped sensor unit 31 is fixed, and a newly installed grill face 10 that covers the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30. The new grille face 10 has a smooth inverted trapezoidal face opening 12 and a face body 11 that forms a substantially black outer surface of the vehicle outside the periphery of the face opening 12, and the sensor unit 31 is fixed to the existing grille inner 30. This state is maintained and the sensor unit 31 is located approximately at the center of the face opening 12 in a front view, and the front surface 31a of the sensor unit 31 forms the outer surface of the vehicle together with the face body 11.

In this invention, when changing the appearance of the vehicle, that is, when customizing the front grille 1, the configuration and specifications of the existing grille inner (genuine grille inner) 30 to which the sensor unit 31 is fixed are not changed, and only the grille face is replaced with a new grille. Can be customized by changing to face 10. In other words, in the conventional technology, if the fixing position of the sensor unit 31 with respect to the existing grill inner 30 is changed during customization, the performance of the ACC (constant speed driving/vehicle distance control) system will be affected and readjustment (setting change, calibration) is required. However, in this invention, the sensor unit 31 that is fixed in advance to the existing grill inner 30 remains fixed, so the external design of the front grill 1 does not affect the initial setting values set by the automobile manufacturer. (front mask) can be changed, and subsequent readjustment is not required.

In addition, in the present invention, the sensor unit 31 fixed to the existing grill inner 30 is located approximately at the center of the face opening 12 of the new grill face 10 in a well-balanced and good-looking manner, and the front surface 31a of the sensor unit 31 is located in the vehicle along with the face body 11. Since it forms an external surface, the sensor unit 31 itself forms part of the external design. Since the sensor unit 31 is exposed and placed in a position where it can be seen from the face opening 12 and is not hidden, there are no obstructing parts in the front, and radio waves can be transmitted and received correctly without any obstruction. The system can also accurately detect the presence of objects in front of the vehicle, maintaining a high level of safety in vehicle driving performance. That is, the sensor unit 31 and the face body 11, which together form the outer surface of the vehicle, constitute a simple functional beauty. Furthermore, the present invention has a structure in which the new grill face 10 is directly attached to the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30, so the number of parts is small, the installation can be done smoothly and accurately, and the quality can be maintained at a constant level without any variation in quality, making the installation process easier. Efficiency can be improved and manufacturing costs reduced. Further, since the structure of the existing grill inner 30 is not changed, the appearance can be customized without compromising the rigidity of the front grill 1 and maintaining impact resistance and durability in the event of a collision.

The vehicle front structure of the present invention includes a pair of headlight cowls 6, 6 on both outer sides of the customized front grille 1, which can be equipped with round headlights 61, 61. The edges of the headlight cowls 6, 6 have protruding parts 62a, 62a that protrude in the direction of the front grille 1, and the edges of the new grille face 10 have a pair of side edges 24a, which have inwardly constricted recesses 24b, 24b. , 24a, and the protruding parts 62a, 62a of the headlight cowls 6, 6 are aligned with the recessed parts 24b, 24b of the newly installed grille face 10.

In the present invention, the headlight cowl 6 and the new grille face 10 are paired because the headlight cowl 6 protrusions 62a, 62a and the newly installed grille face 10 recesses 24b, 24b have a structure that allows them to fit together and match each other. By replacing it, the appearance of the vehicle will be significantly different from the existing front structure, and the round headlight 61 can provide an eye-catching and unique exterior design.

The front grill and vehicle front structure of the present invention achieves high work efficiency with a small number of parts by directly covering the existing grill inner with the new grill face. Further, there is no need to readjust or reset the sensor unit after customization, and the total cost associated with customization can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, there is no interference with radio wave transmission and reception by the sensor unit, ensuring collision safety and avoiding traffic accidents. Furthermore, since the sensor unit is configured as a part of the vehicle exterior, it has a sense of unity and has a high design quality. Therefore, the present invention can simultaneously achieve high work efficiency, low cost, ensure safety, and excellent design, and can provide a novel and innovative front grill and vehicle front structure in the field of automobile customization.

Front view showing the customized front grill of the present invention Front view showing the new grille face of the front grill Front view showing the existing grill inner of the front grill Front view, rear view, right side view, left side view, top view, and bottom view showing the vehicle front structure of the present invention Front view of the vehicle front structure of the present invention applied to a vehicle

Embodiments of the front grill of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The following embodiments and drawings are illustrative of the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention.
FIG. 1 shows a front view of a customized front grill (radiator grill) 1 of the present invention. and a new grille face 10 that is newly installed to form the vehicle surface in place of the grille face (not shown) that was used before customization.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the newly installed grill face 10 alone, that is, the newly installed grill face 10 in a state where it is not attached to the existing grill inner 30, and it resembles the shape of a torii gate without two pillars (legs). The newly installed grill face 10 shown in FIG. 2 has an inverted trapezoidal shape with smooth corners, a horizontally long face opening (first window) 12 that looks like a wide open mouth, and an edge 14 of the face opening 12. It has a face body 11 that forms a substantially black outer surface of the vehicle on the outside of the periphery. When the new grille face 10 is attached to the existing grille inner 30 (Fig. 1), the face body 11 is substantially black, and the inside of the inner opening 33 that takes in air for cooling the radiator is dark and appears black because no light enters. Therefore, the face body 11 and the inner opening 33 form a unified appearance in terms of color. Therefore, with the present invention, it is possible to realize a highly designed and unique vehicle appearance that exhibits a design effect. Furthermore, since the face main body 11 has a substantially planar shape (FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f)), it is easy to stably arrange the newly installed grill face 10 and perform work on the back side, such as pasting double-sided tape as described later. Since the face main body 11 has a substantially planar shape, it can secure a wider field of view and is easier to drive than a face main body with a larger forward protrusion, and it is also easier to park in a very small parking lot that is just the size of a vehicle.

The edge of the new grill face 10 shown in FIG. 2 is composed of a pair of inwardly constricted side edges 24a, 24a, a concave upper edge 22 shaped like a boat's bottom, and a straight lower edge 23, giving it a unique external shape. Has a contour. The face body 11 forming the outer surface of the vehicle extends approximately parallel to the linear lower edge 23 (in the left-right direction in FIG. It is provided with three protruding bands 13a, 13b, and 13c that protrude in the 2-front direction). The three protruding bands are, in order from the top, a first protruding band 13a, a second protruding band 13b, and a third protruding band 13c. The first protruding band 13a contacts the upper side 14a of the face opening 12 of the newly installed grille face 10 to define the upper side 14a, and the second protruding band 13b contacts the lower side 14b of the face opening 12 of the newly installed grille face 10 and defines the lower side 14b. The third projecting band 13c contacts the linear lower edge 23 of the newly installed grille face 10 to form a linear lower edge 23.

The upper surface of the new grille face 10 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with an expanded wing-shaped first surface 15a between the concave upper edge 22 and the first protruding band 13a. The first surface 15a includes an elongated main body portion 15a1 having a substantially constant width, and a pair of wing portions 15a2, 15a2 having a uniquely designed wing shape. The center surface of the newly installed grill face 10 in FIG. 2 is provided with a pair of second surfaces 15b, 15b between the first protruding band 13a and the second protruding band 13b and on both sides of the face opening 12. The lower surface of the newly installed grille face 10 in FIG. 2 is provided with a third surface 15c between the second protruding band 13b and the third protruding band 13c. The third surface 15c extends between the pair of side edges 24a, 24a, and has a substantially constant width (height) and a substantially planar shape. 15c.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the existing grill inner 30 that will be used continuously from before customization, and FIG. A front view of the existing grill inner 30 in a state is shown. The existing grill inner 30 has an inner opening (vent) 33 provided with a lattice, and a sensor unit 31 fixed to the existing grill inner 30. The fixing may be done by any fixing method such as integral molding, adhesion, welding, pasting, screwing, or fitting. Since the shape of the inner opening 33 and the shape of the face opening 12 of the new grille face 10 approximately correspond to each other in an isosceles inverted trapezoid shape or a boat shape, the ventilation function is impaired for the radiator placed inside the inner opening 33. Sufficient cooling air can be provided. The shape of the edge of the existing grill inner 30 approximately corresponds to the pair of side edges 24a, 24a, the concave upper edge 22, and the straight lower edge 23 of the new grill face 10, and the overall surface shape of the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30 is , substantially corresponds to the shape of the inner surface (back surface) 10b of the newly installed grille face 10 (FIG. 4(b)) to be able to be attached.

The sensor unit (object detection sensor unit) 31 is maintained fixed to the existing grille inner 30, and as shown in FIG. The front surface 31a of the front face 31a is not covered with anything and is exposed forward from the face opening 12, and together with the face body 11 forms the outer surface of the vehicle. The sensor unit 31 located approximately in the center resembles a forehead bundle or a Shinto forehead placed at the center of a torii. Specifically, the sensor unit 31 may protrude somewhat from the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30 and be actually accommodated in whole or in part between the upper side 14a and the lower side 14b of the face opening 12, or the sensor unit 31 may be partially or partially protruded from the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner When viewed from the front, it appears to be accommodated in the face opening 12 without protruding from the main surface 30a of the main face 30a. The sensor unit 31 does not protrude further forward than the face body 11 of the newly installed grill face 10. The sensor unit is, for example, a box-shaped millimeter-wave radar unit 31, and preferably has a substantially black front face 31a with a solid color and pattern (in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the new grille face 10 and the existing grille inner 30 are clearly distinguished). (The front surface 31a is shown without coloring to distinguish it.) The front surface 31a of the millimeter wave radar unit 31 is spaced apart from the pair of second surfaces 15b, 15b of the new grille face 10, but is formed substantially parallel to or substantially on the same plane, and both surfaces form the outer surface of the vehicle. The front surface 31a of the millimeter wave radar unit 31 and the second surfaces 15b, 15b of the new grille face 10 are made of the same black color and are formed on the outer surface of the vehicle in substantially parallel planes, so the design of this invention is improved by creating a sense of unity in color and shape. It can provide a high vehicle front.

The millimeter wave of the millimeter wave radar unit 31 is an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength of 1 mm to 10 mm (frequency of 300 GHz to 30 GHz), which has strong straight propagation properties and is not affected by adverse conditions such as heavy rain, direct sunlight, or nighttime, and can detect objects in front of it. suitable for Radar (RADAR) is an abbreviation for RAdio Detecting And Ranging, and is a device that emits electromagnetic waves toward an object and receives and measures the reflected waves to determine the distance and direction to the object. . In other words, millimeter wave radar is installed in a vehicle to detect vehicles, people, objects, etc. in front of the vehicle, and then uses a computer to perform calculation processing to control the accelerator and brakes, and perform safe driving functions such as collision avoidance and distance maintenance. Assist.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the vehicle front structure of the present invention, which combines a newly installed grille face 10, a pair of headlight cowls (headlight covers, headlight cases) 6, 6, and a hood garnish 4 as an external decorative part. Figure (a), rear view (b), right side view (c), left side view (d), top view (e), and bottom view (f) are shown, respectively. In FIG. 4, a pair of headlight cowls 6, 6 equipped with round headlights 61, 61 are provided on both outer sides of the newly installed customized grille face 10. When the hood garnish 4 is provided, a wing-shaped opening 27, which is slightly laterally longer than the face opening 12 as the first window, is formed as a second window between the hood garnish 4 and the first protruding band 13a of the newly installed grill face 10. Ru.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the vehicle front structure of the present invention applied to a wagon. In FIG. 5, a bonnet 7 is provided above the customized front grille 1, and an elongated hood garnish 4 having a curved protrusion 41 in the center is attached to the lower surface 71 of the bonnet 7 as a design accent. The hood garnish 4 is substantially black in color and forms the outer surface of the vehicle together with the face body 11 of the front grill 1. A black hood garnish 4 is provided above the front grill 1 to provide a vehicle front structure having a uniform appearance together with the front grill 1. Furthermore, if the front bumper 5 provided below the front grille 1 is made substantially black, the front structure of the same color creates a more unified feeling and is visually beautiful.

As shown in FIG. 5, the edges of the headlight cowls 6, 6 have protrusions 62a, 62a that protrude in the direction of the front grille 1, while the pair of side edges 24a, 24a of the new grille face 10 are constricted inward. It has depressions 24b, 24b. The protrusions 62a, 62a of the headlight cowls 6, 6 are shaped to match the recesses 24b, 24b of the new grille face 10, and the headlight cowls 6, 6 have nostalgic round headlights 61, 61, the vehicle front structure of this invention has a retro feel and a comfortable and secure appearance.

Hereinafter, a method for forming the front grill 1 of the present invention will be explained.
First, the existing front grill (not shown) was removed from the front of the vehicle, and the existing grille face (not shown) was further removed from the removed existing front grill, and the millimeter wave radar unit 31 was fixed in the center. Obtain the existing grill inner 30 shown. Next, the new grill face 10 shown in FIG. 2 is newly attached to the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30. Specifically, holes 35, 35 (Fig. 3) are drilled near both side edges of the existing grill inner 30, and bolts (not shown) protruding from the back side of the new grill face 10 are passed through the holes 35, 35 and fixed. Furthermore, the main surface 30a of the existing grill inner 30 and the back surface 10b of the newly installed grill face 10 are reinforced and fixed with double-sided tape. As a result, the customized front grill 1 shown in FIG. 1 in which the front surface 31a of the millimeter wave radar unit 31 is exposed through the face opening 12 is obtained. Since the main part is only the new grille face 10 and the installation process is simple, it is possible to always provide the front grille 1 of the same quality without any variation, regardless of the worker or the work conditions.

The front grill and vehicle front structure of the present invention can be used in various vehicles, such as passenger cars, wagons, trucks, buses, light cars, golf cars, and go-carts. Furthermore, the front grill and vehicle front structure of the present invention can be applied to toys, plastic models, and replicas.

1.Front grill, 4.Food garnish, 6.Headlight cowl, 7.Bonnet, 10.New grill face, 11.Face body, 12.Face opening, 13a.1st protruding band. , 13b...Second protruding band, 13c...Third protruding band, 14...Edge, 15a...First surface, 15b...Second surface, 15c...Third surface, 22...Concave upper edge, 23...Straight lower edge, 24a...Side edge, 24b...Indentation, 30...Existing grill inner, 31...Sensor unit (millimeter wave radar unit), 33...Inner opening, 41...Curved protrusion , 61...Headlight, 62a...Protrusion, 71...Lower surface,

Claims (7)

Equipped with an existing grill inner to which a box-shaped sensor unit is fixed, and a newly installed grill face that covers the main surface of the existing grill inner,
The new grille face has a smooth inverted trapezoidal face opening and a face body that forms a substantially black exterior surface of the vehicle outside the periphery of the face opening.
The sensor unit remains fixed to the existing grill inner and is located approximately at the center of the face opening when viewed from the front.
The front of the sensor unit is a customized front grille that forms the outer surface of the vehicle together with the face itself. The edge of the new grille face is composed of a pair of inwardly constricted side edges, a concave upper edge, and a straight lower edge,
The face body forming the outer surface of the vehicle includes first, second and third protruding bands each extending substantially horizontally between a pair of side edges,
The first protruding band defines the upper side of the face opening of the newly installed grille face,
the second protruding band defines the lower side of the face opening of the newly installed grille face;
The customized front grill of claim 1, wherein the third protruding band forms a straight lower edge of the new grille face. a wing-shaped first surface is provided between the concave upper edge of the new grille face and the first protruding band;
A pair of second surfaces are provided between the first protruding band and the second protruding band of the newly installed grille face and on both sides of the face opening,
3. The customized front grill of claim 2, comprising a third surface between the second and third protruding bands of the new grille face. The sensor unit is a millimeter wave radar unit and has a substantially black front surface,
4. The customized front grill according to claim 3, wherein the front surface of the millimeter wave radar unit is formed substantially parallel to the pair of second surfaces of the newly installed grille face. The existing grille inner has an inner opening that takes in air for cooling the radiator.
2. The customized front grill according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the inner opening corresponds to the shape of the face opening of the newly installed grille face. A pair of headlight cowls capable of being equipped with round headlights are provided on both outer sides of the customized front grille according to claim 1,
The edge of the headlight cowl has a protrusion that protrudes toward the front grille,
The edge of the new grille face has a pair of side edges with a concave inward part,
The front structure of the vehicle is characterized by the protruding part of the headlight cowl aligning with the recessed part of the new grille face. With a hood above the customized front grille,
The hood has an elongated hood garnish with a curved protrusion attached to the lower surface thereof;
7. The vehicle front structure according to claim 6, wherein the hood garnish is substantially black and forms an outer surface of the vehicle together with the face body of the front grill.

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