Bumper Crossmember And Vehicle Provided Therewith

Abstract

A bumper crossmember having a profiled carrier profile, which extends with its longitudinal direction in the vehicle transverse direction (y direction) and has portions with a U-shaped profile in the z direction at least on the end sides formed by two limbs and a profile base connecting the two limbs, and a widening element profiled in the z direction, connected to each end side of the carrier profile, via which the carrier profile is extended in the longitudinal direction. Each widening element has a connecting portion, which has a U-shaped profile with a contact portion and a mating portion adjoining the contact portion, and an extension portion adjoining the mating portion. The connecting portion has a profile base connecting two limbs of the U-shaped profiling, engages with one of the two U-shaped portions of the carrier profile, and is arranged overlapping the latter in the y direction. At least in the region of its contact portion, the connecting portion is connected to the profile base of the carrier profile, and in the region of its mating portion, the connecting portion makes contact at least in regions by way of its limbs with the limbs of the carrier profile.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. A bumper crossmember comprising: a carrier profile with a longitudinal direction thereof extending in a vehicle transverse direction (y direction), the carrier profile having, at least at ends thereof, sections with a U-shaped profile in the z direction formed by two legs and a profile base connecting the two legs, and a widening element profiled in the z direction connected to each end of the carrier profile, via which the carrier profile is extended in the longitudinal direction (y direction), wherein each widening element has a connection section with a U-shaped profile, the connection section having a contact section and a fitting section adjoining the contact section, and each widening element has an extension section adjoining the fitting section, wherein the connection section has a profile base connecting two legs of the U-shaped profile and is engaged with one of the two U-shaped sections of the carrier profile and arranged overlapping therewith in the y direction, wherein the connection section is connected to the profile base of the carrier profile at least in an area of the contact section, wherein the fitting section provides a fit for connection to the carrier profile, and wherein the legs of the connection section contact the legs of the carrier profile in a region of the fitting section at least in some areas.

17. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the legs of the connection section in the region of the fitting section are each in contact with an outside thereof with an inside of the legs of the carrier profile, and an outside of the profile base of the connection section facing toward the profile base of the carrier profile is connected to the profile base of the carrier profile in the contact section.

18. The bumper crossmember of claim 17, wherein the profile base of the connection section is also connected to the profile base of the carrier profile in the region of the fitting section.

19. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the legs of the contact section of the connection section engaging in the U-shaped profile of the carrier profile are, at least up to an adjacent transition area, spaced apart from the legs of the carrier profile.

20. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the connection section has a slot-like recess following a longitudinal extension thereof (y direction) in a region of the contact section.

21. The bumper crossmember of claim 20, wherein the contact section is welded in the recess to the profile base of the carrier profile.

22. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein a free end face of the contact section is welded to the profile base of the carrier profile.

23. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the U-shaped profile of the carrier profile is designed as a hat profile with flanges formed on the two legs, wherein the legs of the U-shaped profile of the connection section of the widening element extend to a plane of the flanges, and wherein the carrier profile is closed with a closing plate, and the closing plate is joined with the flanges of the carrier profile and at least in sections with the legs of the widening element.

24. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the widening element has a greater leg height in relation to the U-shaped profile in the extension section, at least in one or more leg sections, than in the fitting section, and wherein the height of the legs in the one or more leg sections of the widening element is flush with a terminus of the carrier profile on an open profile side thereof.

25. The bumper crossmember of claim 24, wherein projections, which extend the leg height, are formed on the one or more leg sections aligned with the terminus of the carrier profile, and the projections either extend laterally to a section of a closing plate located therebetween or engage in corresponding openings formed in the closing plate.

26. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, further comprising an additional extension element arranged on each widening element opposite the carrier profile.

27. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the extension section of the widening element has two support arms arranged spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction (z direction) and extending from the legs of the widening element in the longitudinal direction away from the carrier profile.

28. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein two crash boxes spaced apart from one another in the y direction are connected to the carrier profile and the contact section of each widening element is arranged at least partially overlapping with an end face of a crash box.

29. The bumper crossmember of claim 16, wherein the widening element has a predetermined buckling point in an area of the extension section which, when a predetermined holding force is exceeded, is configured to allow a buckling movement in the y direction of an outer part of the extension section relative to an inner part of the extension section around a buckling axis aligned in the vertical direction (z direction).

30. A vehicle having at least one bumper crossmember according to claim 16.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The disclosure is described in more detail hereinafter in the context of example embodiments with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a bumper crossmember,

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a vertical section through the fitting section of the bumper crossmember from FIG. 1,

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section through the bumper crossmember from FIGS. 1 and 2,

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bumper crossmember,

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a vertical section through the fitting section of the bumper crossmember from FIG. 4,

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the bumper crossmember, and

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a horizontal section through the bumper crossmember from FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a detail of a bumper crossmember 1, specifically in its end section facing to the left in the travel direction. In the example embodiment shown, the bumper crossmember 1 comprises a U-shaped profiled carrier profile 2, a likewise U-shaped profiled widening element 3, and a profiled extension element 4 connected to the widening element 3. A crash box 5 is connected to the rear side of the carrier profile 2 at a distance from its end terminus. At its connection end on the vehicle side, the crash box 5 carries a mounting plate 6 for connecting it to the vehicle. A closing plate 7, which represents the outer terminus of the carrier profile 2, is used to close the carrier profile on the front side. The other end section of the bumper crossmember 1 that is not shown in the figure is designed in exactly the same way as the one shown, so that the following explanations apply equally to the other end of the bumper crossmember 1.

[0028] The carrier profile 2 is profiled in a hat shape in cross section over its entire length and thus also in its end sections, so that in addition to its already mentioned U-shaped profile, it has flanges protruding from the legs in the z direction. The closing plate 7 is connected thereon. The U-shaped profiling of the support profile 2 comprises two legs 9, 9.1 and a profile base 10 connecting the two legs 9, 9.1. The widening element 3 is inserted with a connection section 11 in the end section 8 of the carrier profile 2 and thus engaged.

[0029] The connection section 11 of the widening element 3 comprises a contact section 12 and a fitting section 13 adjoining the contact section 12. An extension section 14 adjoins the connection section 11. While the connection section 11 with its contact section 12 and the fitting section 13 are arranged overlapping with the end section 8 of the carrier profile 2, the extension section 14 protrudes in the longitudinal direction (y direction) of the carrier profile 2 beyond the free end of the end section 8 of the carrier profile 2. The longitudinal extension of the carrier profile 2 is extended by the extension section 14, and therefore the bumper crossmember 1 is widened.

[0030] The widening element 3 is profiled essentially U-shaped in cross section and has two legs 16, 16.1 and a profile base 15 connecting the two legs 16, 16.1. In the area of the contact section 12, the widening element 3 is narrower in the vertical direction (z direction) than the fitting section 13 and the extension section 14. In the area of the extension section 14, the widening element 3 is profiled in a hat shape, in that flanges are provided formed on the free ends 24 of the legs 16, 16.1 in the z direction. The front side of these flanges is aligned with the flanges of the hat-shaped profile of the carrier profile 2.

[0031] The span of the legs 16, 16.1 of the widening element 3 in the area of its contact section 12 is less than in the fitting section 13 arranged adjacent thereto. The transition between the two leg widths is provided by a transition section 20 designed as a bend. The representation of FIG. 1 makes it clear that to compensate for tolerances, the widening element 3 can be configured with regard to the depth of its plunging into the profile of the carrier profile 2 (in the y direction), since the fitting section 13 merges into the extension section 14 without a change in the span of the legs 16, 16.1. In this regard, reference is also made to the illustration in FIG. 2. The viewing direction of the section is in the direction toward the carrier profile 2.

[0032] The profile base 15 of the contact section 12 and the fitting section 13 abuts the inside 22 of the profile base of the carrier profile 2 with its outside 21. In the area of the contact section 12, the profile bases 10, 15 are welded together (not shown). The crash box 5 is also welded (indicated by weld seams 29) to the carrier profile 2, which has a recess corresponding to the U-shaped profile on its end face facing toward the carrier profile 2.

[0033] It is also apparent from FIG. 2 that the free ends 23 of the flanges of the carrier profile 2, which are bent over from the legs 9, 9.1, are connected to the closing plate 7 by a weld seam. The free ends 24 of the legs 16, 16.1 do not protrude up to the closing plate 7 in the illustrated example embodiment in the area of the connection section 11.

[0034] The widening element 3 of the depicted example embodiment has material recesses 31 introduced into the legs 16, 16.1 at opposite positions in the area of its extension section 14 (see FIG. 1). The two opposing material recesses 31 aligned with one another in the z direction form a buckling axis (not shown) extending in the vertical direction (z direction). If a force acting on the outside of the bumper crossmember 1 in the area of the material recesses 31 exceeds the holding torque provided, the widening element 3 buckles with the extension element 4 around the buckling axis formed by the material recesses 31 in the direction of the crash box 5. The material recesses 31 are apparent in the longitudinal section of the section of the bumper crossmember 1 shown in FIG. 3. This illustration shows the bumper crossmember 1 in a horizontal section. It is clearly apparent that in this example embodiment the contact section 12 of the widening element 3 extends in the longitudinal direction (y direction) up to the end face 25 of the crash box 5 and overlaps therewith. In this case, the contact section 12 does not completely overlap the end face 25, but rather only by approximately 30% of the extension of the crash box 5 in the y direction in the example embodiment shown.

[0035] In the area of the extension section 14, the widening element 3 is formed hat-shaped in cross section as already explained above (see FIG. 2), so that the free ends 24 of the legs 16, 16.1 are present in the area of the extension section 14 as flanges extending in the z direction, to which the closing plate 7 is welded. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the closing plate 7 is not in contact in the area of the contact section 12 and the fitting section 13 with the free ends 24 of the legs 16, 16.1 of the widening element 3, but only at the free ends 24 of the legs 16, 16.1 in the area of the extension section 14. The closing plate 7 bears a tab 26 on its free end facing in the y direction, which tab overlaps with the extension element 4. This overlapping area of the extension element 4 is set back slightly in relation to its end extending towards the free end of the bumper crossmember 1, namely by the material thickness of the closing plate 7, so that the outside of the closing plate 7 is flush with the front side of the extension element 4 (see FIG. 3).

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a second example embodiment of a bumper crossmember 1.1. This embodiment, as well as that shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, largely corresponds to the example embodiment of the bumper crossmember 1 of FIGS. 1 to 3 and differs therefrom in the design of the extension section 14.1 of the widening element 3.1. In the embodiment in FIG. 4, the extension section 14.1 does not have a hat-shaped profile in cross section and therefore also does not have flange-like free ends on the legs. Instead, projections 27, 27.1 are arranged at the free ends of the legs 16.2, 16.3, by which the height of the legs 16.2, 16.3 is extended. These projections 27, 27.1 are used to fix the closing plate 7.1, which has an opening 32 in each case at the appropriate point for this purpose.

[0037] In this way, the assembly of the closing plate 7.1 is facilitated by exact positioning thereof by the engagement of the projections 27, 27.1 in the openings 32. The closing plate 7.1 is welded to the projections 27, 27.1 inserted through the openings 32 from the front side of the bumper crossmember 1 in the area of the projections. FIG. 5 shows a cross section through the bumper crossmember 1.1 in its contact section, looking in the direction toward the extension section 14.1.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a third example embodiment of a bumper crossmember 1.2. This corresponds in its basic structural design to the example embodiments from FIGS. 4 and 5. This bumper crossmember 1.2 differs from the bumper crossmember 1.1 in the design of the extension section 14.2 of its widening element 3.2. No additional extension element is provided in the bumper crossmember 1.2. An additional extension is provided by two support arms 28, 28.1 continuing the legs 16.4, 16.5. These support arms 28, 28.1 extend the legs 16.4, 16.5 in the y direction. In the area of the support arms 28, 28.1, the widening element 3.2 has no profile base. In addition to the leg-extending projections 27.2, 27.3 of the extension section 14.2, projections 27.4, 27.5 that also increase the height of the support arms 28, 28.1 are formed thereon. The closing plate 7.2 has a tab 26.1 that is extended in relation to the tab 26 of the bumper crossmember 1.1. The width of the tab 26.1 extending in the vertical direction (z direction) in the installed position corresponds to the spacing of the projections 27.2, 27.3 or 27.4, 27.5 from one another in the z direction. By engaging the tab 26.1 between these projections 27.2, 27.3 or 27.4, 27.5, the closing plate 7.2 is fixed between them in the z direction. The root of the tab 26.1 borders against the terminus of the projections 27.2, 27.3 facing toward the carrier profile 2.2.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows the example embodiment from FIG. 6 in a horizontal section.

[0040] In all the example embodiments, the connection between the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2 and the respective widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2 takes place via the respective fitting section 13, in that the legs 16, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 of the widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2 abut the legs 9, 9.1 of the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2 in the area of the fitting section 13. This abutting can take place with a certain pre-tension, so that the fitting section 13 is clamped in the profiling of the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2. In this area, the end terminal of the profile base 10, 10.1 of the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2 is preferably welded to the profile base 15, 15.1 of the widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2. This forms a first connection point between the respective widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2 and the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2.

[0041] The second connection point between the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2 and the widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2 is located in all example embodiments between the respective contact section 12 and the profile base 15, 15.1 of the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2. In all of the example embodiments, the connections are designed as welded connections. Moreover, all example embodiments have a slot-like recess 30 in the area of the contact section 12 of the widening element 3, 3.1, 3.2 (see FIG. 1). The welding between the contact section 12 and the profile base 10, 10.1 of the carrier profile 2, 2.1, 2.2 takes place in all example embodiments in the area of the recess 30 and at the front terminus of the profile base 15 of the connection section 11.

[0042] In one example embodiment (not shown in the figures), it is provided that the profile base of the connection section is bent at the end facing toward the carrier profile in the direction toward the profile base of the carrier profile and this bent projection engages in a prepared recess in the profile base of the carrier profile. Such a measure results in the widening element being fixed in relation to the carrier profile. Such an embodiment can be used when no tolerances in the y direction need to be compensated for.

[0043] The invention has been described on the basis of example embodiments. Without departing the scope of the claims, numerous further options and possibilities for implementing the invention result for a person skilled in the art, without having to explain or show them in greater detail in the context of this disclosure.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1, 1.1, 1.2 bumper crossmember 2, 2.1, 2.2 carrier profile 3, 3.1, 3.2 widening element 4 extension element 5 crash box 6 mounting plate 7, 7.1, 7.2 closing plate 8 end area 9, 9.1 leg 10, 10.1 profile base 11 connection section 12 contact section 13 fitting section 14, 14.1, 14.2 extension section 15, 15.1 profile base 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5 legs 17 outside legs widening element 18 inside legs carrier profile 19 spacing 20 transition section 21 outside profile base connecting element 22 inside profile base carrier profile 23 free ends carrier profile 24 free end leg 25 end face of crash box 26, 26.1 tab closing plate 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, 27.4, 27.5 projection 28, 28.1 support arm 29 weld seam 30 recess 31 material recess 32 opening