JP4389578B2 - Front-end module - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a front end module.

  When the front bumper is disposed in the front part of the vehicle, for example, a method of previously fastening a bracket to the front fender and attaching a side part of the front bumper to the bracket is employed (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In recent years, a technology has been developed that employs a front end module in which a front bumper, a headlamp, and the like are integrally attached to a radiator support. The front end module is assembled on a sub-line provided separately from the main line in the vehicle assembly process, and then the operator mounts the front end module on the vehicle body in a state of being lifted by an assisting device or the like on the main line.
JP 2003-200777 A Utility Model Registration No. 2530897

  However, in the above-described conventional example, the entire front end module is lifted by hooking the assisting device to the radiator support and lifting the radiator support upward. Here, when the bumper is assembled to the front end module, the shape and size of the bumper varies, and the external dimensions of the front end module change according to the variation. It took a lot of man-hours for installation.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a front end module that can be easily assembled .

In order to achieve the object, the front end module according to the present invention holds both sides of the bumper in the vehicle width direction so as to be movable by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction with respect to the radiator support, and moves in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A holding means for regulating the holding means, and the holding means includes a support member protruding outward in the vehicle width direction from the side surface of the radiator support, and an engaging member provided on the back side of the bumper and engaged with the support member. The engaging member has flexibility, is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section with an opening provided on the vehicle rear side, and the size of the opening is configured to be variable. It is characterized by.

  According to the front end module of the present invention, the holding means is configured such that the positions of the both side portions of the bumper in the vehicle width direction are movable by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction with respect to the radiator support, and the movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction is possible. Since it is configured to be regulated, workability when the front end module is mounted on the front fender is improved.

  In other words, conventionally, when the front end module is attached to the vehicle body, if the bumper constituting the front end module is in sliding contact with the front fender, the bumper is deformed in front of the vehicle due to the frictional resistance at that time. Work to push in occurs. However, according to the present invention, both sides of the bumper in the vehicle width direction are movable by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction, and further movement is restricted, so that deformation of the bumper can be suppressed, The work of the operator pushing the bumper is greatly reduced.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when the molding dimensions of individual bumpers themselves vary, the variation amount can be efficiently absorbed. In addition, when the bumper is taken into the front end module, the side part of the bumper is connected to the radiator support, so that the position accuracy of the side part can be improved when storing, transporting, and mounting the front end module on the vehicle body. It can be held securely. Furthermore, when the front-end module is mounted on the vehicle body, it is possible to efficiently absorb variations in the mounting locus, improving the workability of the mounting work, and the dimensions of each component after mounting. It is possible to prevent deformation such as distortion and cracking of the bumper due to variation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, assembly of the front end module according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front end module 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front end module 1 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an oil cooler 5, a bumper reinforcement panel 7, and a bumper 9 are attached to the front portion of the radiator support 3 in this order. In addition, headlamps 13 are provided in the lamp holes 11 at the left and right ends of the radiator support 3. On the other hand, a radiator 15 and a fan 17 are disposed on the vehicle rear side of the radiator support 3. A support protrusion 93 is formed on the front grill portion of the bumper 9, and an attachment surface 95 is formed on the radiator support 3.

  3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion B in FIG.

  A support member 19 shown in FIG. 4 is formed below the lamp hole 11 formed at the left end of the radiator support 3. The support member 19 is formed from the side surface of the radiator support 3 to the outside in the vehicle width direction, that is, to the left, and to the front end of the support member main body 21 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and the vertical direction. It is formed integrally with the support member locking portion 23, and is formed in a substantially T shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Note that triangular ribs 25 are formed on the base of the support member main body 21 in order to improve the mounting strength of the support member 19.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the back side of the bumper 9, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the engagement member 27 of the bumper 9 is attached to the support member 19 of the radiator support 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an engagement member 27 is integrally formed on the rear surface side of the side end portion of the bumper 9 toward the rear of the vehicle. The engagement member 27 is a member having an approximately U-shaped cross section in which an opening 29 is formed on the vehicle rear side, and is formed of a flexible material, for example, the same synthetic resin as the bumper 9. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging member 27 is provided with a vertical wall surface 31 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the vertical wall surface 31 has a substantially U-shaped cross section with an opening 29 provided on the vehicle rear side. A locking claw 33 is formed at the upper and lower portions of the opening 29 of the vertical wall 31. As shown in FIG. 8, which will be described later, the locking claw 33 is formed in a tapered shape in which the vertical distance of the opening 29 gradually decreases toward the front of the vehicle, and is supported on the front end surface 35 of the locking claw 33. It is comprised so that the member main-body part 21 may be latched.

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. The support member locking portion 23 of the support member 19 of the radiator support 3 is housed inside the engagement member 27 of the bumper 9, and the thickness T of the support member locking portion 23 in the vehicle width direction is the engagement member. 27, the bumper 9 can move in the vehicle width direction with respect to the radiator support 3 by the stroke of a predetermined distance (LT). it can.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 7, there is not much gap between the support member main body 21 and the inner surface of the engagement member 27 in the vertical direction and the vehicle front-rear direction. The movement of the support member 19 is restricted by the engaging member 27.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8, showing a state where the bumper 9 is being attached to the radiator support 3. As shown in FIG. 9, the engagement member 27 having a substantially U-shaped cross section has flexibility, and the opening 29 side opens up and down by applying a predetermined load. In this state, as shown in FIG. Further, the support member 19 can be engaged with the engagement member 27 by fitting the support member 19 inward of the engagement member 27. 10 shows a state in the middle of conveying the front end module 1 as will be described later, and FIG. 11 shows a positional relationship between the support member 19 and the engaging member 27 in a normal state.

  As shown in FIG. 10, while the front end module 1 is being conveyed, the bumper 9 is closer to the front side of the vehicle than the radiator support 3. As shown in FIG. 11, the engagement member 27 is in a normal state. The support member main body 21 is located at the substantially central part of the inner side.

  FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which the engaging member 27 of the bumper 9 is opened and removed from the support member 19 of the radiator support 3.

  For example, when the bumper 9 is removed from the radiator support 3 due to deformation or the like in the bumper 9 of the front end module 1, the bumper 9 is directed forward of the vehicle with the opening 29 side of the engaging member 27 opened up and down. The bumper 9 can be removed from the radiator support 3 by removing the support member 19 from the opening 29 side.

  The operation and effect of the front end module 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, since the bumper 9 is configured to be detachable from the radiator support 3, when the bumper 9 of the front end module 1 is deformed or scratched, only the bumper 9 can be removed for maintenance. Improves.

  Further, a support member 19 that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side surface of the radiator support 3 is provided, and is engaged with the support member 19 on the back surface side of the bumper 9. Since the engagement member 27 having a letter shape is provided and the engagement member 27 is made of a flexible material, the engagement member 27 of the bumper 9 can be easily engaged with the support member 19 of the radiator support 3. Can be combined. In addition, since the engaging member 27 is formed of a synthetic resin that is a flexible material, the operation of opening the opening 29 of the engaging member 27 and engaging with the support member 19 can be easily performed.

  Since the engaging member 27 is provided with an engaging claw 33 which can be engaged with the supporting member 19 on the opening 29 side of the engaging member 27, after the supporting member 19 is engaged inside the engaging member 27. In addition, the support member 19 can be reliably held by the locking claw 33.

  A procedure for assembling the front end module 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bumper 9 is moved to the rear side of the vehicle toward the radiator support 3. An engagement member 27 having an opening 29 formed on the rear side of the vehicle is formed on the rear surface side of the bumper 9, and the engagement member 27 is formed of a flexible synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 11, the opening 29 opens up and down, and the support member main body 21 of the support member 19 of the radiator support 3 is inserted inward from the opening 29 of the engagement member 27, and as shown in FIG. It can be accommodated inside the substantially U-shaped holding member. As shown in FIG. 2, the support protrusion 93 of the bumper 9 is placed on the attachment surface 95 of the radiator support 3 and is bolted to the attachment surface 95.

  Next, the assembly of the front end module 1 to the vehicle body will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the front end module 1, and FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a state in which the slinger bracket 41 is attached to the support portion 37 of the front end module 1.

  On the left and right sides of the upper surface of the bumper 9 constituting the front end module 1, there are provided support portions 37 having openings formed on the outside in the vehicle width direction. The support portions 37 are spaced apart in the vehicle front-rear direction. Two locking holes 39 are formed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14, the slinger bracket 41 is substantially L-shaped in a side view from a vertical surface 43 that extends vertically and a bottom surface 51 that is bent from the lower end of the vertical surface 43 and extends sideways. Is formed. Further, a substantially square-shaped movable portion 45 is supported on the vertical surface 43 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A link portion 47 is connected to the movable portion 45 in an X shape. A support portion 53 that is substantially L-shaped in a side view is pivotally supported. The lower end portion of the link portion 47 is connected via a spring 49, and two pins 57 project downward from the support portion 53, and the bottom surface 51 corresponding to the pin 57 has a through hole 59. Is drilled.

  Therefore, when the bottom surface 51 of the slinger bracket 41 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 14 and inserted into the opening 55 of the support portion 37 of the bumper 9, and the pin 57 is inserted into the locking hole 39 of the support portion 37, the spring 49 Is contracted and held by the support portion 53 and the bottom surface 51 of the slinger bracket 41 so as to sandwich the support portion 37 of the bumper 9.

  FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a state in which the front end module 1 is mounted on the front fender 61. FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view showing an attachment portion of the front end module 1 and an engaging portion of the front fender 61.

  As shown in these drawings, the front end module 1 is mounted on the vehicle body by engaging the front end module 1 with the front lower edge 61 a of the front fender 61.

  A flange 63 extending inward in the vehicle width direction is formed on the front lower edge 61a of the front fender 61, and a rear engagement portion 65 and a front engagement portion 67 are provided on the rear side and the front side of the flange 63, respectively. ing. As shown in FIG. 17, the rear side engaging portion 65 is a tongue piece 69 that extends obliquely forward and downward from the flange 63. Specifically, the tongue piece 69 bends downward from the flange 63, a main body portion 73 bent forward from the lower end of the base portion 71, and forwardly and obliquely downward from the tip of the main body portion 73. And a front end portion 75 extending integrally with each other, and a stopper portion 77 extending obliquely rearward and upward is provided at a substantially central portion of the main body portion 73. The tongue piece 69 is formed by raising a portion of the flange 63 cut out in a substantially rectangular shape, and is configured to be elastically deformable in the vertical direction.

  The front engaging portion 67 is a clamp claw 79 that extends downward from the vehicle width direction end of the flange 63, and a fixed gap 79 a is formed between the clamp claw 79 and the flange 63.

  On the other hand, a flange 81 extending inward in the vehicle width direction is formed on the upper edge of the side portion of the bumper 9 constituting the front end module 1. The flange 81 is provided with a rear attachment portion 83 that engages with the tongue piece 69, and a front attachment portion 85 is provided in front of the rear attachment portion 83.

  The rear attachment portion 83 includes a notch 87 formed in a substantially S shape in plan view formed on the rear side, and a rectangular stopper hole 89 formed in the front portion of the notch 87. The notch 87 is configured such that the side portion of the tongue piece 69 is slidable. When the front end module 1 is mounted, the notch 87 of the front end module 1 is in sliding contact with the tongue piece 69 of the front fender 61, and the side portion of the notch 87 is slidably in contact with the side of the tongue piece 69. 1 is guided. Further, the stopper portion 77 of the tongue piece 69 is inserted into the stopper hole 89 of the front end module 1 and locked. Further, the front mounting portion 85 is composed of a projecting piece 91 extending inward in the vehicle width direction, a gap is formed inward of the projecting piece 91, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the clamp claw 79 described above. Therefore, when the clearance 91a of the protrusion 91 is fitted to the clearance 79a of the clamp claw 79, the clamp claw 79 and the protrusion 91 cross each other in a substantially cross shape when viewed from the front of the vehicle. It has become. The clamp claw 79 and the projecting piece 91 are disposed at a position away from the tongue piece 69 and the notch 87 in the vehicle width direction.

  A procedure for mounting the front end module 1 having the above configuration on the front fender 61 will be briefly described.

  As shown in FIG. 14 described above, the front end module 1 is lifted upward by the slinger bracket 41, and in this state, as shown in FIG. 15, the front end module 1 is moved toward the vehicle body toward the rear of the vehicle. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, after the notch 87 of the front end module 1 is brought into contact with the side of the tongue piece 69 of the front fender 61, the notch 87 is slidably contacted with the side of the tongue piece 69. The front end module 1 is moved to the vehicle rear side. Then, by engaging the stopper portion 77 of the tongue piece 69 with the stopper hole 89, the rear side attachment portion 83 of the front end module 1 can be attached to the rear side engagement portion 65 of the front fender 61. On the other hand, the front side engaging portion 67 of the front fender 61 and the front side engaging portion 67 of the front end module 1 are reliably positioned by fitting the clearance 91 a of the projecting piece 91 to the clearance 79 a of the clamp claw 79. Note that the clamp claw 79 is engaged with the protruding piece 91 almost simultaneously with the stopper portion 77 of the tongue piece 69 being completely fitted into the stopper hole 89.

  Further, when removing the front end module 1 from the front fender 61, it is sufficient to perform the reverse of the above-described operation. In the state where the tongue piece 69 is pushed down and the stopper portion 77 is extracted from the stopper hole 89, the front end module 1 is removed. The module 1 may be moved toward the front of the vehicle.

  The effects of the embodiment described so far will be described.

  In the front end module 1 according to the present embodiment, the positions of the left and right end portions of the bumper 9 are movable with respect to the radiator support 3 by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction and the movement in the vehicle front-rear direction is restricted. Therefore, workability when the front end module 1 is mounted on the front fender 61 is improved. That is, when the front end module 1 is attached to the front fender 61, the upper surface of the fender matching portion 9a (see FIG. 15) at both the left and right ends of the bumper 9 is in sliding contact with the lower surface of the front lower edge 61a of the front fender 61. Nine fender mating portions 9a try to deform forward of the vehicle. However, as shown in FIG. 10, the support member locking portion 23 of the support member 19 contacts the inside of the vertical wall surface 31 of the engagement member 27, so that the fender matching portion 9 a is drawn to the vehicle body side by the support member 19, The deformation of the fender mating portion 9a of the bumper 9 can be reliably prevented. Therefore, it is not necessary to push in the fender fitting portion 9a of the bumper 9, and the coupling between the bumper 9 and the front fender 61 is completed simultaneously with the mounting of the front end module 1 on the vehicle body.

  Moreover, even when the molding dimensions of the individual bumpers 9 themselves vary, the amount of variation can be efficiently absorbed. Furthermore, when the front end module 1 is mounted on the vehicle body, it is possible to efficiently absorb the variation in the mounting locus, and to improve the workability of the mounting work. It is possible to prevent deformation of the bumper 9 such as distortion and cracking due to dimensional variations.

  Moreover, since the said bumper 9 is comprised so that attachment or detachment with respect to the radiator support 3 is carried out, when attaching the bumper 9 to the radiator support 3 or removing from the radiator support 3, workability | operativity becomes favorable. When the bumper 9 is removed, the bumper 9 is scratched due to a frontal collision of the vehicle, and when it is necessary to replace the bumper 9 at a store or the like, the workability of removing the bumper is improved. Specifically, the engaging member 27 has flexibility, is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section with an opening 29 provided on the vehicle rear side, and the size of the opening 29 is variable. Therefore, when a certain load is applied, the engagement member 27 is elastically deformed to open the opening 29, and the bumper 9 can be easily removed from the support member 19.

  As shown in FIG. 10, since the engaging claw 33 for holding the support member 19 is provided on the opening 29 side of the engaging member 27, the radiator is used when the front end module 1 is transported. The support member 19 of the support 3 does not come out of the engagement member 27 of the bumper 9. Further, since the shape of the locking claw 33 is formed in a tapered shape in which the height on the rear side of the vehicle gradually decreases, the engagement member 27 is easily engaged with the support member 19 when the bumper 9 is mounted. Once the support member 19 is fitted inside the engagement member 27, it is securely held inside the engagement member 27.

  The rear engagement portion 65 of the front fender 61 is a tongue piece 69 having elasticity extending diagonally forward and downward from the front lower edge of the front fender 61, and the rear mounting portion 83 of the front end module 1 is a front end module. 1 is a notch 87 formed in a substantially S shape in plan view, which guides the tongue piece 69 of the front fender 61 when the front end module 1 is mounted. The fender mating portion 9a of the front end module 1 is guided while being in sliding contact with the front end module 1, so that the mounting operation can be performed smoothly. At this time, as described above, since the engaging member 27 is movable in the vehicle width direction with respect to the support member 19, the tongue piece 69 is formed in the notch 87 even when there is an assembly error or the like. Guided, the fender mating portion 9a moves freely with respect to the radiator support 3. Therefore, the alignment accuracy of the fender alignment portion 9a and the front fender 61 can be improved.

  The front engaging portion 67 of the front fender 61 is a clamp claw 79 extending downward from the front lower edge of the front fender 61, and the front mounting portion 85 of the front end module 1 extends in the vehicle width direction to Since the protruding piece 91 is fitted to the claw 79, the mounting position of the front end module 1 is reliably determined and does not vary by fitting the protruding piece 91 to the clamp claw 79.

  When the stopper portion 77 of the tongue piece 69 is locked in the stopper hole 89, it is possible to suitably prevent the bumper 9 from coming off when a load toward the front of the vehicle is input.

It is a perspective view of the front end module by the embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the front end module of FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the A section of FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the B section of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the back surface side of a bumper. It is a perspective view which shows the state which attaches the engaging member of a bumper to the support member of a radiator support. It is sectional drawing by the CC line of FIG. It is sectional drawing by the DD line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 8 which shows the state in the middle of attaching a bumper to a radiator support. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 illustrating a state in which the front end module is lifted after the bumper is attached to the radiator support. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 8 which shows the state after attaching a bumper to the radiator support. It is a perspective view which shows the state which opened the engagement member of the bumper and removed from the support member of the radiator support. It is a perspective view which shows a front end module. It is a perspective view which shows the state which has mounted | wore the slinger bracket to the support part of a front end module. It is a perspective view which shows the state which mounts a front end module in a front fender. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the attaching part of a front end module, and the engaging part of a front fender. It is sectional drawing by the EE line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Front end module 3 ... Radiator support 9 ... Bumper 9a ... Fender matching part 19 ... Support member (holding means)
27 ... engaging member (holding means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... Opening part 33 ... Locking claw 61 ... Front fender 65 ... Rear side engaging part 67 ... Front side engaging part 69 ... Tongue piece 79 ... Clamp claw 83 ... Rear side attaching part 85 ... Front side attaching part 91 ... Projection piece

Claims (3)

A front end module comprising a radiator support and a bumper attached to the radiator support, wherein the bumper is in sliding contact with the front fender of the vehicle body when the radiator support is assembled to the vehicle body from the front of the vehicle;
A holding means for holding both sides of the bumper in the vehicle width direction so as to be movable by a predetermined distance in the vehicle width direction with respect to the radiator support, and for restricting movement in the vehicle front-rear direction ,
The holding means includes a support member that protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from a side surface of the radiator support, and an engagement member that is provided on the back side of the bumper and engages the support member. A front end module that has flexibility and is formed in a substantially U-shaped cross section with an opening provided on the vehicle rear side, and the size of the opening is variable .   The front end module according to claim 1, wherein the bumper is configured to be detachable from the radiator support. The front end module according to claim 1 , wherein a locking claw for holding the support member is provided on the opening side of the engagement member.

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