The invention relates to a front end module arrangement for the chassis of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the chassis of a motor vehicle having such front end module arrangement, as well as an energy absorption element for such front end module arrangement according to the preamble of claim 8.
Such front end module arrangement, is already being utilized, for example, in at least one vehicle, and is illustrated in
Also shown are two energy absorption elements 24 in the form of so-called crash boxes, via which the mounting element 12 in the form of an upper belt is supported toward the back on each side. These two energy absorption elements 24 are supported toward the back on not recognizably related mounting elements in the form of longitudinal chassis beams of the motor vehicle. The mounting of the mounting element 12 to the respective energy absorption element 24 is carried out via respective screw joints penetrating the mounting element 12 in the region of a respective through hole 26, and which are connected to the respective energy absorption element 24. For this purpose the respective screw joints extend in the longitudinal vehicle direction, or horizontally, respectively.
The object of the present invention is to create a front end module arrangement for the chassis of a motor vehicle, a chassis for a motor vehicle itself, as well as an energy absorption element for such front end module arrangement of the type mentioned above, by means of which a crush zone may be created, which is particularly favorable for a high weight, has a high energy absorption capacity, and furthermore has a particularly advantageous stiffness.
Said problem is solved according to the invention by means of a front end module arrangement, a chassis, and an energy absorption element having the characteristics of claim 1, 6, or 8, respectively. Advantageous further embodiments with purposeful and non-trivial additional designs of the invention are each stated in the dependent claims.
In order to create a front end module arrangement of the type mentioned above, by means of which an improved crush zone may be realized for the chassis of the motor vehicle, it is provided according to claim 1 that the energy absorption elements are arranged in an integrated manner at least across a length area in a corresponding seating of the mounting element of the front end module mount. For this purpose the seatings of the mounting elements are preferably embodied approximately in the form of a shaft, i.e. as a circumferential closed shaft, for example, such that the respective energy absorption elements are arranged, for example, at least across a predominant length area within the corresponding mounting element of the front end module mount. This results in the particular advantage of significantly reducing the required installation space for the energy absorption elements in the vehicle longitudinal direction. By means of covering the respective mounting element of the front end module mount and the respective energy absorption elements, a respective energy absorption may additionally be achieved in the early phase of an exertion of force due to an accident, by means of which a high degree of impact energy may be absorbed via the front end module arrangement according to the invention. Furthermore, defined loads are relieved without damaging the structure behind.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the energy absorption elements are at least essentially arranged in an integrated manner across their entire length in the corresponding seating of the mounting element of the front end module mount. Such complete integration enables not only a particularly early response of the crush zone and a high energy absorption capacity, but due to this complete integration of the respective energy absorption element the corresponding mounting element may also be connected directly to the respective longitudinal beams of the chassis in a particularly simple manner, which adjoin the respective energy absorption elements. In this manner a particularly rigid connection is achieved between the mounting element of the front end module mount and the respective longitudinal beam of the chassis of the motor vehicle. Furthermore, the respective longitudinal beam of the chassis of the motor vehicle enables a particularly beneficial support of the corresponding energy absorption element, which protrudes completely into the mounting element of the front end module mount.
The advantages described above in the context of the front end module arrangement according to the invention equally apply to the chassis according to patent claim 6. Furthermore, a particularly rigid mounting of the front end module arrangement to the chassis of the motor vehicle may be created, if the mounting element, in particular the upper belt, is connected at their respective rear ends to corresponding A-pillars. In particular with regard to the torsional stiffness, a particularly advantageous structure may be achieved in this manner.
The advantages described above in the context of the front end module arrangement according to the invention, and of the chassis according to the invention also apply to the energy absorption element according to patent claim 8. The same is characterized in particular in that it is made from plastic. Not only is such an embodiment particularly advantageous with regard to weight, but is also particularly easy to produce. Furthermore, the shape of the plastic may simply be constructed such as to create a targeted deformation and energy absorption capacity.
Further advantages, characteristics and details of the invention are obvious from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment, as well as from the drawings; they show:
a,
3
b a perspective exploded view of the lateral back, and a perspective exploded view of the lateral front of the mounting element in the form of the upper belt of the front end module mount, as seen as a section, into the circumferentially closed terminal shaft of which the corresponding energy absorption element may at least essentially be completely inserted, wherein the mounting element may be directly connected to the corresponding longitudinal beam of the chassis of the motor vehicle seen in
a,
4
b a partial sectional view of the front end module arrangement along a sectional plane extending in the vehicle height direction, or in the vehicle longitudinal direction, respectively, wherein particularly the integration of the corresponding energy absorption element into the respective shaft-like seating of the mounting element, as well as the proximate arrangement and mounting of the mounting element on the corresponding longitudinal beam of the chassis of the motor vehicle positioned behind, is shown; and in
While
In this regard
Furthermore, the front end module mount 30 comprises two supports 34 protruding from the mounting element 32 toward the bottom, on which, for example, a cross beam, which is not explained in further detail, or a foam piece, which particularly serves for the protection of a pedestrian, may be supported.
Additionally, two energy absorption elements 36 are shown in the form of so-called crash boxes, via which the mounting element 32 may be supported on corresponding longitudinal beams 38 (
One distinctive feature of the present front end module arrangement is that the two energy absorption elements 36 are made at least partially of plastic 40. Preferably, the two energy absorption elements 36 consist completely of plastic. For this purpose the energy absorption elements 36—as shown in the synopsis of
In this regard
As can be seen in the synopsis of
As shown in
As shown, in particular, in the synopsis of
Additionally, as shown particularly in
The energy absorption elements 36, which in the current case consist of plastic 40, may, in the present exemplary embodiments, be fixed, or clipped in, respectively, in their final position at the mounting element 30 via respective latching elements. With the integration of the energy absorption elements 36 into the mounting element 32 it is clear that the presentability of the force path courses via the upper load plane must be ensured. For this purpose a maximum energy absorption in consideration of the maximum force level of the body shell, or the chassis, respectively, while utilizing the available deformation length, is particularly desired. By integrating the energy absorption elements 36 the installation space required for the same may be reduced significantly. With the invention the energy of the various load sources, such as by means of the crash repair test, may be relieved in a targeted manner.
Finally,
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2010 052 510.3 | Nov 2010 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/EP11/71056 | 11/25/2011 | WO | 00 | 7/24/2013 |